Her Protector

by D. Camille

  She nodded as she looked him over. “So a group of us are hitting up the strip clubs tonight. Would you like to join us?”

  Kent grinned. “Nah, I’m good.”

  Carla frowned. “I thought that was your spot.”

  “Yeah, I’ve spent time there.”

  She laughed. “You can bring your friend.”

  Kent shook his head. “I’m straight.”

  Carla leaned back in her seat. “She seems kinda straight laced. Probably not her thing.”

  “Mind your business Carla,” Kent warned, turning his attention back to the papers in front of him.

  “Relax, I’m just making conversation,” Carla told him sitting back in her seat.

  Kent nodded his head and pinched the tip of his nose for a moment. “Let’s get this straight. What I do and who I do it with is none of your business. We’re co-workers and that’s all we’ll ever be.”

  “You think you’re the shit,” Carla huffed.

  He smiled. “Trust, he’s a monster.”

  The room began to fill with the other brokers, effectively ending their private conversation. During the meeting, Kent could feel Carla’s daggers on him, but ignored her. When it was his turn, his presentation was flawless as usual.

  The meeting ended and he greeted other employees before heading back to his office. Taking a seat behind his desk, he turned on his computer. After it booted up, a message popped up on his screen from a CPackard.

  His eyes narrowed as he clicked to open it.

  I’ll wait…

  Shaking his head, he closed the message and picked up his phone.

  “Hello? Yeah, I’d like to make a reservation for a late dinner,” he said into the phone.

  “For how many?”

  “Two, and I’d like a private table,” Kent informed them. “What’s the entertainment tonight?”

  “It’s Neo-Soul.”

  Kent smiled. “Perfect.”

  He gave his information and ended the call before turning back to his computer.

  “You’ll be a waiting ass, Carla.”

  Chapter 14

  Lotus relaxed in her living room, decompressing from her day and night. Kent, as promised, had picked her up from work and brought her home. He’d kissed her softly and announced that he had some work to do and he’d check in with her later.

  Lotus was glad that she had this alone time to think about and relive finally having her honey pot stirred. It was all that she’d thought it would be, times ten with Kent. He’d taken her places she’d never imagined and she had an active imagination.

  Smiling, she had to admit that she loved the way he could make her laugh and smile. His fascination with her dimples made them instantly appear at his beck and call. Kent’s mouth and hands set her on fire and when he’d made love to her, she’d burned. So much so, that she’d begged him to make it stop the first time.

  After that, the fire that enveloped them both became a welcomed and enjoyable inferno that provided immense pleasure. When he turned those green eyes on her while his golden body was joined with hers, she lost her breath, in addition to her thoughts.

  Kent turned her inside out and she loved every minute of it, but she vowed that she wouldn’t simply fall head over heels and let him have his way. Lotus was sure that’s what he was accustomed to with the women in his past. She’d told him she was different and she meant every word. He was going to have to show her what she meant to him, she would never assume or guess…that wasn’t her job.

  Her job was to do the same and show him how she honestly felt about him. Lotus wouldn’t try to hide her feelings for Kent and she’d give him time to come to grips with his feelings, whatever they turned out to be.

  Hearing her phone ring, Lotus smiled. Kent felt her thinking about him, just like she could feel when he was thinking about her. Picking it up, her assumptions were correct as she saw his name and number on the screen.

  “Hey, are you checking up on me?” she answered.

  “You know it.”

  Lotus smiled again. “Are you still working?”

  “Nah, I’m on my way to pick up my little Momma and take her to a late dinner.”

  She frowned. “Are you serious?”

  “Yes, we have reservations in an hour.”

  “Kent, why didn’t you tell me this when you dropped me off?” Lotus asked sitting up on the sofa.

  “’Cause I wanted you to relax until I came to get you.”

  Lotus sighed. “So I have less than an hour to get ready?”

  “It’s not a black tie. It’s a nice, relaxing late dinner with my sweet Lotus,” he explained.

  She felt her heart melt. “You know how to get to me.”

  “You do the same to me baby,” he replied. “Will you come out and play with the monster?”

  “He’s so bad…”

  Kent gave a light laugh. “You know it.”

  Lotus laughed too. “I’ll be ready when you get here.”

  “I can’t wait to smell you,” he told her.

  She rolled her eyes. “Let me get dressed.”

  “Keep it sexy.” She heard him say before disconnecting the call and getting to her feet.

  Kent was so unconventional and Lotus loved that about him. Since she had never been one for the status quo, the fact that he could catch her off guard only made him more appealing in her eyes.

  When Kent arrived thirty minutes later, Lotus was dressed and waiting. He entered her apartment and looked her over.

  “Damn, you can look this good in thirty minutes?” he questioned.

  “You think I look very nice?”

  He pulled her close. “That’s what I said. You look amazing.” Kent sniffed her neck. “And you smell delicious as usual.”

  Lifting his head, he studied her face for a moment then he kissed her softly. “I brought you something.”

  Noticing the bag in his hand, she lifted a brow. “What is it?”

  Kent took her hand and led her into the kitchen. Once there, he sat the bag on the table and reached into a drawer to retrieve a spoon. Turning back, he opened the bag and pulled out a small container. Lotus watched with a smile as he opened it and spooned out some of the contents.

  “You didn’t get your banana pudding.” He held a spoonful to her lips.

  Lotus opened her mouth and received the offering before savoring the sweet taste on her tongue.

  “I like it. It’s delicious.” She connected with his gaze. “I don’t know if I can top this.”

  “You’ll get lots of practice,” he said smiling down at her.

  “Or you can just make it for both of us,” she offered.

  He sat the container aside. “A woman would have to be very special for me to make her my favorite, because I’ve never made it for anyone else.”

  “You made it for me last night,” she reminded him.

  Kent smiled down at her. “Because you’re a very special woman.”

  Lotus wrapped her arms around him and rested her head on his shoulder. “Thank you.”

  Holding her close, he kissed her again. “Let’s go before I put you on this table.”

  Putting the container away in the fridge, Lotus allowed Kent to lead her out to his car. Inside, they began to drive to the destination and Lotus looked over at him.

  “Where are we going?” she asked.

  “A little spot that I hope you like,” he answered.

  “You’re mysterious tonight.”

  Kent grinned. “I’m with a mysterious woman, who has hypnotized me.”

  “Abracadabra,” she teased.

  He continued to drive after a glance at her.

  “Carla invited you to the strip club tonight,” he told her with a sly smile.

  Lotus blinked. “Carla who?”

  “The one you met at my office.”

  “The thirsty chick at your office invited me to the strip club?”

  Kent laughed. “She invited both of us.”

  “What
kind of foolish nonsense is that?” Lotus demanded hotly, then looked at him. “I swear if you’re taking me to a strip club-”

  “Calm down little Momma,” Kent reached for her hand. “I know not to take you there.”

  He gave her a sly look. “Carla said you looked a little too straight laced for that.”

  “You tell Carla to keep my damn name out of her mouth and she can kiss my ass!”

  “Damn, all that?”

  Lotus frowned hard. “It’s not funny Kent.”

  “I checked her about it,” he told her. “I was just messing with you.”

  “I don’t like her,” Lotus sat back in her seat. “She has bad energy.”

  “Don’t worry about her.” Kent kissed her hand. “I shouldn’t tease you like that.”

  Lotus pulled her hand away and folded her arms. “I don’t play games like that. I know that you’ve had women and women will always be attracted to you, but I don’t want to hear about them.”

  “I’m sorry baby,” he apologized. “Don’t let this ruin tonight.”

  “You play too damn much.” Lotus looked out of the window as they continued to drive.

  Kent looked over at her stiff profile. “Are you mad?”

  “Are you dumb?” she retorted.

  “I didn’t think so.”

  Lotus huffed. “Well then don’t act like it. Here I was thinking that you actually were amazing and then you go and say something that asinine to me.”

  He paused. “You think I’m amazing?”

  “Kent…” she warned. “Not right now.”

  They rode in silence until they arrived at the venue. Kent cut the engine and turned to Lotus, who was looking around.

  “Lotus…” He called her name softly inside the vehicle causing her to turn to him.

  “I swear that I will never, ever, ever in my life go down that lane with you again. I went left and you straightened me out.”

  “I apologize and I want you to have a good time tonight,” Kent said quietly.

  He waited anxiously for her response. Kent knew that his mouth could get out of hand, and Lotus was clearly not the one to get loose with. Her angry dark eyes connected with his as he held his breath. He’d made her angry and next to making her sad, that’s the last thing he ever wanted to do.

  Kent touched her face, “Don’t be mean little Momma. I don’t want you to be mad at me over a woman who is a non-factor. Hell, I don’t want you to be mad at me period.”

  Lotus heard the sincerity in his voice and could tell that Kent wasn’t accustomed to apologizing. He usually did and said what he wanted without any repercussions.

  “You made me step out of my frame for a minute,” she told him.

  “I know.” Kent stroked her cheek, needing to see her dimples. “I didn’t know you got down like that.”

  “Growing up different, you have to learn how to throw the hands or people will continue to hurt you,” she explained.

  Kent lifted a brow. “How well do you throw the hands?”

  “You don’t want to find out.”

  He smiled. “Damn, I might like to see that.”

  Lotus shook her head as he leaned in and touched his lips to hers. “I definitely want to see those dimples though,” he whispered against her mouth.

  “We’ll see if you can make that happen,” she responded.

  Kent pulled back and nodded. “Okay.”

  Lotus waited while he retrieved the keys and exited the car to come around and open the door for her. Stepping out, she looked around again.

  “This looks like a nice place,” she complimented.

  “Umm…hmmm.” He placed a hand on her back to lead her to the door.

  Inside, he gave his name and they were immediately shown to a private table. Lauryn Hill played from overhead speakers as Lotus slid into the cozy booth. The hostess made sure they were settled before she departed.

  Lotus looked at the candlelit table that just happened to have a lotus flower in the middle. “Do they put lotus flowers on all the tables?” she asked glancing over at him.

  “Nope.”

  She lifted a brow at his answer. “Thank you. This is very nice.”

  “Umm…hmmm.”

  Lotus looked at him. “Who’s being mean now?”

  “I’m focused,” he told her with serious green eyes.

  “Focused on what?” she asked confused.

  Kent held her stare. “What I need to do to see you smile,” he told her quietly and moved closer. “Tell me.”

  “Try harder…” Lotus whispered.

  The next thing she knew, she was on his lap with his face buried in her neck. “I won’t ever stop trying.”

  Lotus closed her eyes and allowed herself to feel his effort. When his hands moved to her thighs, she held her breath. Kent’s mouth was on her neck and shoulder as she held him tighter.

  She heard a throat clear and slowly opened her eyes to find a pretty waitress standing at their table. “Uh, I can come back,” she said sheepishly.

  Kent’s eyes locked on Lotus with her hair in goddess twists secured atop of her head. “You can bring my pretty African princess a glass of white wine and I’ll take a Captain and Coke.”

  The waitress smiled as Kent kept his gaze on Lotus’ face. “Yes sir, I’ll be right back with your drinks.”

  “Did you really not even look at her?” Lotus asked.

  “She can hear,” he responded. “I’m still focused.”

  Lotus linked her arms around his neck and looked down into his beautiful eyes. “I like when you’re focused.”

  She kissed him softly and Kent remained still, allowing her to have her way with his lips. Lotus nipped and sucked gently on his mouth until he could no longer contain himself. Locking his arms around her, he kissed her until neither could breathe.

  Lotus placed her forehead against his as she tried to control her breathing. She cradled his bearded jaw and lightly stroked it. “And I like when you’re sweet.”

  Kent grinned and squeezed her thigh. “You like when I’m bad too.”

  Lotus looked at him then finally smiled. “Yes, I do.”

  He gave a dramatic sigh of relief as her dimples appeared. “Now I can continue to exist in this Universe.”

  “Shut up boy.”

  Kent gently touched her face. “I told you, these make my whole world light up.”

  Lotus lowered her head. “I remember when you told me that.”

  “It’s the truth.” He lifted her face back to his. “I’ve never lied to you Lotus.”

  Their drinks arrived and the waitress hurriedly sat both on the table. The couple thanked her and she vanished again.

  “Can I sit in my seat?” Lotus asked after he took a sip of his drink.

  Kent shook his head. “You don’t like it right here?”

  He pulled her tighter. “I like to feel your ass on me. You feel me too, don’t you?”

  “Yes.” Her eyes darkened as she pressed against him. “I feel you.”

  Kent’s hand moved to cup her butt. “You still mad at me?”

  “Hmmm…I don’t want you to lose your focus,” she told him.

  He laughed and kissed her again. “I’m completely focused on you little Momma.”

  Lotus tasted the rum on his lips. “Then we shouldn’t have any more problems.”

  ******

  Over dinner the pair watched each other eat slowly as the smooth beats played around them. Lotus felt herself heat up from the fire in his eyes.

  “This is really beautiful Kent. Thank you again.”

  He reached across the table and stroked her palm. “You don’t have to thank me baby.”

  “Just put the hands away for now,” he teased.

  Lotus smiled. “You don’t want these.”

  “I want them rubbing my back when I’m lost in you, unable to breathe,” he whispered.

  “I remember something like that,”

  Kent continued stroking her hand. “You remembe
r anything else?”

  Lotus held his gaze as the heat began to build. “I can’t explain it. I’d have to show you.”

  “I can get with that.”

  “I have to stock up before I go to LA,” Lotus commented.

  “You won’t be there that long, if you go at all.”

  She frowned. “Why? What do you mean?”

  “Some new developments today may speed things up,” he said cryptically.

  “Can you please be more clear since this is my life?”

  Kent leaned forward. “Relax, you’re fine. We got some information on Warren that will help put this puzzle together.”

  “Warren wants me dead?”

  “I don’t have all the answers yet Lotus,” Kent told her.

  Lotus held his hand tightly. “Don’t leave me in the dark Kent.”

  “Baby, I won’t.” He assured her. “I’ve got you.”

  “Look, I know that you’ve taken on the role of my protector, but baby what if I need to protect myself? Don’t I deserve a head’s up on what or who it is?” she questioned.

  Kent sat back and sighed. “Let me talk to Sean.”

  “Do you understand why I’m asking?”

  He nodded. “I understand.”

  “I know how to take care of myself,” she told him.

  “I don’t want you to have to do that,” he protested.

  Lotus looked at him. “That may not always be your choice, baby.”

  The couple finished dinner and spent some quality time on the small dance floor, cuddled in each other’s arms. When Lotus felt Kent smelling her neck she simply stroked the back of his head. Asking him to stop clearly didn’t register with him. When his smelling turned to tasting, she smiled.

  “I think it’s time to go,” Lotus whispered as he pulled her tighter.

  “Yeah, before I have my hands up your dress.”

  “I know you’re not far away from that.”

  Kent took her hand and led her outside to the car. They slowly began walking the distance, hand in hand, with their eyes locked on one another in anticipation for the rest of the night.

  Before Lotus knew what had happened, Kent pushed her away and turned with his gun in his hand. Lotus saw the headlights of a car that seemed out of control heading straight toward them. Kent fired two precise shots and the car veered away and passed them. He turned and fired a single shot through the back window before the car crashed into a nearby tree.