She could hear him take a deep breath on the other end of the line before he responded.
“I don’t give a damn what people whisper. As long as you and I know what’s true and what’s not. I think we have something special that we’re building together. That’s what’s important to me. You, Sarai, are important to me. So let me tell you how this works. You come first. If you need me, want me, whatever, all you have to do is say it and I’ll be there. As long as you’re my woman, no one and nothing will ever come before you and your needs. But with that I have expectations. I expect that I will also come first with you. I expect that you will care about my needs and wants as much as I do yours. If Zachary or any other man makes a pass at you again, I expect you to tell me. And I don’t want you ever leaving me again without saying good-bye!”
Sarai smiled into the phone line. “Is that everything?”
“Probably not. I’m demanding, Sarai, but I’m never unreasonable.”
“Okay,” she said. “I promise it won’t ever happen again.”
She could feel him smiling back.
“I have to get back to my brother. He’s going through sparring partners like water.”
Sarai chuckled. “Take the gloves off him. He really needs to work on his holds. He folds in a clench and forgets how to use his body for leverage.”
“Good to know,” Alexander said as he laughed with her. “I’ll call you back as soon as I’m done here.”
After saying good-bye and disconnecting the call, Sarai sat in her car for a few good minutes. Alexander had claimed her. He had called her “his” woman. She liked that he had staked his territory. She liked it very much.
Chapter Ten
The Boulder area was a hiker’s dream come true. Already many feet above sea level, some in-town trails climbed thousands of feet higher. Between the prairie grasslands in the east, the foothills and canyons in the west, and the high mountains, there was something for everyone.
Alexander had chosen the challenging Mesa Trail for them to follow. Stretching some seven miles from end to end, it was a good two- to three-hour adventure through the arid high-desert environment, thick forest, and incredible rock formations. Sarai had never seen the likes of such beauty.
Their morning had started at the southern end of the trail at the South Mesa Trailhead, where they’d left his car for the return home. Together they’d driven in her car to the northern end, at the Chautauqua Trailhead. The early morning air had been crisp, the gentlest of breezes blowing about. Alexander had packed a backpack for them: a map and compass, sunscreen and lip balm, a flashlight and first aid kit, a knife and multitool, bottles of water, energy bars, and a few pieces of fruit.
“I didn’t know how ambitious you were feeling,” he said, “so we’ll only walk it one way. Next time, though, we’ll hike it both ways. That’s a good fourteen-mile workout!”
Sarai laughed. “You don’t even know if I like hiking yet.”
He wrapped an arm around her shoulder and hugged her close. “You will love hiking!” he said as he grabbed her hand and pulled her along to the start of the trail. From the parking lot, they followed the sign that read BLUEBELL TRAIL, a detour that promised to be more scenic as well as more strenuous. For the first thirty minutes Alexander teased and cajoled as he guided her along. They walked slowly, enjoying the cool breezes. The conversation between them was easy, filled with much laughter. They debated everything from politics and international relationships to old-school versus new-school rap music. What Alexander quickly discovered was that Sarai was not only opinionated but always ready to argue her point.
“But you can’t talk about hip-hop and rap without discussing the contributions of Kurtis Blow, Run-DMC, the Sugarhill Gang, and Grandmaster Flash. And definitely Afrika Bambaataa! They all defined rap music. They were the fathers of rap music.”
“I don’t disagree,” Sarai responded, “but I think Wu-Tang, Biggie, Tupac, Snoop, and Eminem also gave rap music definition. You have to credit their contributions as well.”
“You did not just say Eminem!”
“I did. You can’t discredit his accomplishments. His Slim Shady album put him on the map.”
“Eminem was a white boy in a black medium. He spit profanity-fueled lyrics that had nothing to do with the black experience.”
“Are you saying that just because he was white means his life perspective had no validity? He rapped about lower economic situations and lives filled with rage and little hope. It sounded a lot like life in Thailand for many of us and many of the black experiences I’ve read and heard about.”
Alexander tossed her a look. “That’s not what I’m saying.”
“That’s what it sounds like. And I suppose you also have issues with the women in the game as well? What about Missy Elliott, Lil’ Kim, Remy Ma, Rah Digga and their contributions to the rap game?”
“I don’t have any issues with them at all. In fact, I think Missy Elliott is in a league of her own. That needs to be recognized first and foremost. You can’t compare the others to what she’s brought to the game.”
“What about the new-school girls, Nicki Minaj, Iggy Azalea . . . ?”
“Ohhh!” Alexander winced. “Iggy Azalea? Really?”
Sarai laughed. “You’re killing me!” She stepped over a fallen log, navigating herself carefully over the steep terrain before she continued. “I agree with you that new-school rap has become very generic and invariable. The same stanza over and over again. Old-school rappers brought a certain je ne sais quoi that these younger rappers know nothing about.”
“Exactly! Back in the day rappers put more thought into the rhymes they wrote. They wanted their music to mean something. It was rich and raw and it had serious flavor!”
“You’ll get no argument from me there.”
“How do you know so much? Did they even play rap in Thailand?”
She laughed. “You’d be surprised what gets played in Thailand. All kinds of foreign influences. But it was your brother who introduced me to Nas, 50 Cent, Soulja Boy, and some others. The rest I researched on my own.”
Alexander stopped to take a swig of water from one of the bottles in his backpack. He passed the drink to Sarai, who followed his lead.
“You need to stay hydrated.”
She nodded. “It’s starting to get really warm.”
“It’s only going to get hotter. We’ll be exiting the forest soon and then there won’t be much shade. We’ll have some cloud coverage but that sun is still bright.”
Turning back to the trail, Sarai led the way, mindful of each step she took. Watching her walk away made Alexander smile. She’d worn form-fitting athletic pants with a matching sweat top. The pants fit what little curve she had nicely, giving him a pleasant rear view. She stomped through the underbrush in a pair of waterproof hiking boots that had lace ties and a rubber toe protector that came in a shade of fuchsia and gray, with neon-yellow lugs. She was absolutely adorable, and it took everything he had to keep his hands to himself. Fighting the desire to undress her with his eyes, he shifted his gaze back to the trail and the small signs pointing them in the right direction.
Their walk and talk continued for the last three miles. As they stepped off the trail back into the parking lot, Sarai fell forward at the waist. Stretching her body down to the ground she pressed her palms to the space between her feet. Her flexibility was impressive. The view she was giving him even more so. Unable to resist, he tapped her backside with a wide palm, his hand gently caressing the supple tissue of each butt cheek.
She snapped back up, grinning at his brazenness. Her hands fell to her hips, amusement shining in her eyes as she looked at him. “I beg your pardon!”
Alexander laughed. “Sorry about that. I couldn’t resist!”
She shook her head as she eased into his arms, sliding into a deep bear hug.
He kissed her forehead. “You did such a great job. I wanted to give you a pat on the back. I’m really impressed that you we
re able to keep up with me.”
She laughed with him, the lilt of her voice sounding like a gentle wind chime. “I’m sure that any woman with you, Alex, has to keep up if she wants to stay with you.”
* * *
They made a quick stop at Lucky’s Market on Broadway so that Sarai could purchase the ingredients she needed for their meal. Her shopping list included a host of organic produce, and she delighted at the quality. Alexander was bemused by her enthusiasm. When she’d found everything she needed, they headed toward his home.
The ride was quiet, both comfortable in the silence. A Taylor Swift song played on the radio, followed by Bruno Mars, and then the crooner Sam Smith. The music had them both bobbing their heads up and down, occasionally singing along. As they pulled into the driveway of his home, both sighed collectively, the hint of fatigue beginning to settle into their muscles.
“Are you hungry?” Sarai asked as they stepped through the front door, Alexander closing it behind them.
He shook his head. “Not really. I need a hot shower before I can even think about food.”
“I could really use one of those myself,” Sarai said with a nod. “I can cook for us after.”
“That sounds like a plan,” he said as she picked up her athletic bag from the tiled floor.
Alexander grabbed her free hand and pulled her up the stairs to the second floor. Stopping in the hallway, he took a towel and bath cloth from the linen closet. He pointed her in the direction of the spare bedroom.
“There’s plenty of hot water. I’ll give you some privacy and if you want to lie down for a minute the mattress on that bed is very comfortable.”
She smiled sweetly. “Thank you.”
He hesitated for a brief second as if there was more he wanted to say, but there were no words. Finally, he pointed toward the master bedroom door. “I’ll be in my room if you need me,” he whispered softly. He leaned to kiss her cheek, and as she turned he gave her another tap on her backside.
Tossing a quick gaze over her shoulder, Sarai smiled again, amusement shifting across her expression. As she disappeared into the second bedroom, closing the door between them, he was smiling back.
* * *
In his own bedroom Alexander threw his sweat-stained clothes into the clothes hamper. Sauntering naked over to the sound system, he turned it on, flooding the entire house with the sounds of Nina Simone. It was her greatest-hits album, and the woman’s eclectic tone was haunting as it painted the walls in varying shades of emotion. Moving from the bedroom into the bathroom, Alexander turned on the shower. Waiting for the water to warm, he allowed the music to draw him in as he thought about Sarai down at the other end of the hallway.
It had been a good day. Being with Sarai felt all kinds of right, and he relished the time they shared. As he reflected on their hike, it dawned on him that he hadn’t thought about the gym once that whole day. It was the first in many years that he hadn’t obsessed about business. He’d been able to relax completely, and he fathomed such was a very good thing. Stepping into the shower, he closed his eyes and ducked his head beneath the spray of hot water. It trickled over his face and down his wide back. He clenched and released his pecs, his broad chest dancing beneath the wetness as it seeped to the floor between his toes.
The bathroom door’s opening surprised him. He turned abruptly as the glass shower door slid to the side. His eyes were wide as Sarai stepped into the shower with him. She stood staring at him, her gaze locking with his. Neither said a word as she eased her lithe body against him.
The moment Alexander touched her, Sarai knew deep in her heart that in his arms was where she was supposed to be. As she had stripped out of her clothes, standing in the other room, she found herself longing to be back with him. Everything about their day together had been perfect. He had been engaging and attentive. He made her laugh, and being with him was everything she had ever imagined it to be. In that moment, as the subtlety of blues swept through the air, all she wanted was him. That wanting had fueled each of her steps as she’d found her way to his room and his shower.
Sarai fell into his embrace. His arms were like anchors and she held on easily. Pressing her naked self against him felt like she had reconnected with something that had been lost. Everything about Alexander felt like home.
He captured her mouth with his own, his lips frenzied as they skated above hers. Everything about Sarai was beautiful. Her body was toned like a runner’s. Her breasts were just a handful of orange-sized tissue, full and firm. Her waist was paper thin, the faintest hint of her abdominal muscles peeking beneath skin. Despite her short stature, her legs made her seem like she was model tall. Her half-moon eyes were closed, her lengthy lashes batting against her pale skin. She was exquisite, and in that moment she was completely his.
Alexander wrapped his arms around her waist as he lifted her off her feet. She weighed next to nothing, and he was surprised by how light she was in his arms. As he held her close, she wrapped her legs around his waist, her buttocks hovering above his pelvis. She snaked her arms around his neck, her fingers caressing and teasing the edge of his hairline, brushing at the slightest baby hairs that curled there.
Neither had broken the kiss, tongues tangled as they clutched at each other hungrily. They savored the taste of each other, lips gliding like silk against silk. Alexander’s hands were like hot coals rolling across her back as he clutched the round of her backside, holding her tightly to him. Heat surged with a vengeance between his legs, his cock a bulging rod of bone and steel.
Pulling herself from him, Sarai gasped for air, her lungs burning with the heat that coursed like a firestorm throughout her body. She unlatched her legs, wiggling until he set her back onto her feet. She reached for the bar of shea butter soap, the light scent of sandalwood teasing her nostrils. Soon she was lost in the rhythm of lathering his shoulders, back, and arms. Her hands glided up the inside of his legs, kneading his hamstrings and inner thighs. She massaged his hips, tipped her pinkie into his belly button, and brushed her palms over his broad chest. She worked her fingers easily across every inch of his body as the suds covered his dark skin. She wove a slow, circular path around him, and with each pass of her hand his hardened member bounced eagerly for attention.
When she finally reached between them to grasp him in her palm, Alexander tensed, every muscle in his body constricting. He was hard and dripping, and as she slowly stroked him with her fingers and palm, he felt like he was about to burst, his whole body ready to combust from the inside out.
She massaged the thick muscle below his testicles and slid her fingers up and down his shaft. She stroked him slowly, long, gentle passes that had his knees shaking. He pushed his hips forward, and they fell into a smooth rhythm, the give and take a sensuous exchange. His breathing quickened, and he suddenly tensed, fighting the surge of energy that threatened to send him over the edge. Sarai released the hold she had on him, dropping her hands back to her sides. Turning her back to him, she leaned into the spray of water that rained over their heads and washed her own body.
Regaining a semblance of control, Alexander dropped his hands to her hips and pulled her against him. He nuzzled his face into her neck, lightly biting at the soft flesh before whispering in her ear, “Let’s move this party to my bed.”
With a teasing smile, Sarai reached to shut off the water, then turned into his chest. Alexander lifted her into his arms and carried her from the shower into the bedroom. He snatched the bedspread to the floor and lay her on the cool sheets. He hovered over her, kissing his way slowly up her body. His fingers led where his lips followed. She shivered, his touch the sweetest sensation she had ever experienced. Their gazes locked for a brief moment, and then he plunged his mouth back to hers, his tongue like a piston reaching for the back of her throat. His kisses were wet and deep, and she responded by caressing his tongue with her own. Weak with love and desire, her body writhed, unable to contain her own excitement.
He kissed her eyes,
her nose, licking a slow, damp trail to her ears and along her jawline. She reached between them to grab his cock, and he was hard and throbbing. She exhaled swiftly when he suddenly lifted himself from her and reached into the nightstand for a condom. Before she could blink, Alexander had sheathed himself and dropped his body back against hers. The desire that raged between them was magnanimous, the wanting so intense that it was consuming. Sarai parted her legs, opening herself to him. She inhaled swiftly, holding her breath as he used his hand to slowly drag his erection across her swollen slit. He teased her unmercifully, and she heard herself whimper, her need thick and abundant.
“Open your eyes,” Alexander demanded, his voice coming in a throaty whisper. When she did, their gazes locking, he slid himself easily into her. He plunged his body into hers with one swift push, then held her tightly, allowing them both to savor the moment. Sarai wrapped her legs around his back, locking her ankles above his buttocks. She wanted him like she had never wanted any man before him. She clung to him as he began to thrust himself in and out of her, their bodies moving in perfect sync. And then she lost total control. Sarai called his name over and over again.
Alexander pushed and pulled, the connection so sweet that tears puddled behind his eyelids. And then he slammed forward sharply and froze as his body spasmed with quick, heavy pulses. He orgasmed, his explosion igniting hers as they fell off the edge of ecstasy together. The moment was earth-shattering. Sight and sound were sheer bliss, their screams muffled beneath another deep tongue-entwined kiss. Her body shook, quivering with his. Ripples of pleasure connected them, and then with the last shudder, they both fell into the sweetest glow.
* * *
Alexander woke with a start. For a brief moment he was disoriented, having no idea how long he’d been asleep or the time of day. His bed was empty, Sarai nowhere to be found. For a brief moment he imagined that he’d been dreaming as Nina Simone claimed to have put a spell on him. Coming to his senses, he turned to eye the alarm clock on the nightstand, noting the early evening hour. Sleep had only lasted a good two hours.
Guilty Pleasures Page 13
