“I have the resources. I’m going to help. I would want someone to take care of my wife and child if something were to happen to me,” he says.
“Please be careful.”
“It sounds like you’re worried about me. Does this mean your feelings are growing for me?”
I squirm in my bed. I’m not about to tell him that I’m completely confused about my feelings for him. I’d much rather ignore the elephant in the room. It’s been working just fine for me.
“Have you found me a new investor?”
He barks out a laugh, causing my belly to drop. The sound vibrates through the phone right into my ear and travels through my entire body. Every cell in me stands up and waves to him.
“I told you I have everything under control. As soon as I return home I will introduce you to your contact,” he replies.
“Um.”
“You will learn that I’m a man of my word. Even when it takes me longer than I’d like, I still make good on what I say.”
“We shall see. All I’ve seen so far is a smooth talker.”
He laughs again, warming my belly with the sound. I wish I could hear his laugh all night. His voice, the accent, and that laugh. All of it pulls me in every time.
“Are you ready for me to talk you to sleep. You sound tired. I’ll make you come quickly and you can rest,” he offers.
I bite my lip and lie back in the bed. I’m not ashamed of the fact that I let him get me off with phone sex almost every night. The man is a pro.
“I’m ready,” I purr.
* * *
Omid
I’m hard just from hearing her voice. I wish I could be there to watch her fall apart for me. The sound of her breathing increasing as she gets closer is driving me to my own climax.
“Is that pussy wet for me?” I breathe into the phone. “I want it nice and wet, Divine. Just like it is when I’m sucking and licking those pretty lips. You have such a pretty pussy. You know that, right?”
“Omid,” she whimpers.
“Answer me. Is it wet?” I demand.
“Yes,” she cries out. “So wet. I need more.”
My hand stills on my cock. Hearing her plead for more, my mind goes to me inside of her. I want to feel her wrapped around me again. I think we’ve come to know each other enough for things to move forward intimately.
It’s one of the things on my list to discuss with her. If she doesn’t kill me for holding back who I am, I want to make love to my women. I will provide her with a more recent bill of health if needed.
She’s the only one I have ever or will ever enter without protection. She’s my wife. The sooner I can make it so on paper the better.
“Omid,” she gasps, breaking through my thoughts. “Please don’t stop. I’m so close.”
“Circle that pretty clit for me. Can you do that?”
“Yes.”
“That’s it, Aşkım,” I croon. “Now stick two fingers inside. Don’t be gentle. I’m not going to be gentle when I get my hands on you.”
“Oh my god. Yes, that’s what I need. I’m so close.”
“I can’t wait to get my hands in your hair. I’m going to tug the shit out of it while I fuck you hard from behind. Are you ready to feel my cock inside you?”
“Yes, yes, yes, I’m coming,” she cries out.
I speed up my own stroking. I don’t always masturbate with her, but this morning I woke with a hard-on and her on my mind. Two more weeks to go and everything between us will change.
“I bet you are glowing. You always have this glow after you come. I can’t wait to watch you come apart for me. Sleep, Aşkım.”
“Goodnight,” she says drowsily, then giggles tiredly. “I mean have a good day.”
“Goodnight, Divine. Sleep well.”
I hang up the phone and stare at it for a few moments. Divine has made her place in my heart deeper and deeper. I love having someone to talk to about my day. Even if it’s the day after.
She has opened up to me more and more. I have hope for my return. The bond we have made in the past weeks, offers potential for her to give me a chance to make things up to her. When I tell her everything… I just pray she understands.
With a heavy sigh, I get up and head into the bathroom to clean myself and start my day. I have a few things that need to be done before tomorrow when I take off for Shiraz. My mother has been driving me crazy. Anne Sassa has called a time or two as well with her own excitement to see me.
When I finish my shower, I wrap my towel around my waist and step back into the bedroom. I find Navid waiting for me. This can’t be good. I roll my shoulders back, readying myself for his words.
“Your father has called me,” he says.
I tighten my jaw. Yes, this has the potential to piss me off. “What’s the issue?”
“He’s becoming curious about your work. It seems someone may be in his ear. I believe it’s your brother, Paiman. He has been to the States recently.”
“Fuck.”
“Indeed. The Blacks can do but so much. This all has the potential to unravel very quickly. I don’t want to see you or Divine hurt.”
“That’s not an option. Whatever you are thinking is not an option,” I bark.
“Please calm down,” Navid says in his calm and gentle manor. “Have you considered bringing this to your uncle and the twin’s attention.”
I run a hand through my hair. My uncle and the twins will have a solution but not one I’m ready to deal with. I know my family can be ruthless. I just prefer not to be a part of that ruthlessness.
“Uncle Jahan has no patience for my father. If I go to him this will not end well. The twins are twice as bad.”
“What do you think your father will plan to do to Divine if he finds out about her? You have been in America for too long. As your advisor, let me remind you of our world and the rules.
“You, Omid Arman Vahid, are a prince. You’re your father’s eldest son. His father and his father’s father would have killed you for leaving the family the way you did.
“You disgraced him with your actions and have continued to do so behind his back. You’re a Gynecologist. You look between the legs of women every day. You’re not the brain surgeon or heart specialist his believes you are.”
He stands and looks me right in the eyes as he continues. “Now, you will refuse another arranged marriage because of the same girl he forbid you to see. Omid, her life will be in danger as will yours. If you love her the way you say and you absolutely can’t live without her. Playing nice went out the window years ago.
“He will not turn another blind eye. He will erase you both from the earth before he loses face like this again. Everything about you is against your baba and anne’s beliefs. He will not have this,” Navid says fiercely.
“Then what do you suggest I do?”
He scoffs. “You use this Alliance your cousins are a part of. You protect Divine from the wrath that threatens her once and for all. There are no accidents in this life. She has come back to you when your family in America has come into its greatest power. Your father sees that your Uncle nor your cousins need the title he covets.
“They have created their own. Follow in their footsteps if you want to keep your life. You know Remi and Ramses will deny you nothing. Go to them before it’s too late. Your father isn’t an imbecile. He will not sit on his hands for long.”
I stumble to the bed and flop down. I have been angry with my parents for years. I’ve wished them so many things but death isn’t one.
I’ve never seen myself becoming that person. It’s what I’ve run from. However, I know Navid is right. My life will mean nothing when they find out what I’ve hidden from them. Divine’s will mean even less.
“I need time to think.”
Navid moves closer to pat me on the shoulder. “Take it but remember the clock is ticking. Be the prince they will fear, şehzade Omid. Not the one they will conquer.”
Chapter 15
; Rounds
Divine
“That was so amazing. I wasn’t expecting that kind of crowd,” I say excitedly as Terrance and I get out of my car.
“I don’t know why, you’re killing it. I’m proud of you, kid. I remember when I used to come over and hang with your brothers. They would give you such a hard time, but you were a tough one.
“I knew then you’d do big things just to prove they were wrong about you being the little brat. Now look at you,” he says holding up the duffle bag of cash.
We sold out of everything. It was supposed to be a two-day event. A pop up sale. I decided to do it as a soft launch for the new products. We did so well, Dada is back at the office trying to get products shipped over from the warehouse by morning.
I can’t stop smiling. Over seven hundred thousand in cash, not including the cards that were swiped. My mind is blown.
“It’s all paying off. All the sleepless nights, the traveling, grinding none stop. Everything is different now. I don’t have to sweat the small stuff,” I muse.
Making your first million is one thing. Keeping that million and growing it is another. It’s like I’ve had to work harder.
Terrance opens the door to the bank and the cool air hits me in the face. It’s the same feeling I have from life right now. It’s like it’s all sinking in and blasting me in the face.
“You worked hard for it. It’s well deserved,” Terrance says as I walk in ahead of him.
I see my bank rep as soon as I walk in. I called ahead to let her know I’d be coming in with a large deposit. I wanted to sit around with this large amount of cash for a little as possible.
She waves and I head right for her. I giggle to myself as my walk has a little more sway. I’m feeling myself. My hustle is speaking for itself.
“Divine?”
I turn at the sound of my name. A tall white guy stands staring at me. He has cobalt blue eyes, dark long shoulder length hair and a nice build. The jeans, white T-shirt, and blazer suit him.
“Gable?” I say and furrow my brows once it clicks.
The long hair threw me off for a minute. I can see why I was a fool for this dude back in college. Time has been good to him.
“Oh my God,” he says with a blinding smile. “I can’t believe it’s you.”
“I have to go,” I turn to continue with my task.
“Hey, wait,” he says grasping my wrist. I turn and look at his hand wrapping mine. If looks could set a fire he’d burst into flames. He drops it quickly and shoves the offending hand into his hair. “Hold on a second. I’ve always wondered what happened between us.”
“Excuse me?”
“You good, Div?” Terrance comes closer to ask.
With my sour face still in place I nod. I turn to see the banker still waiting on me. “Go ahead. She’s waiting for us. I’ll be right there.”
“You sure?”
“Yeah, this won’t take long.”
Terrance looks Gable up and down for a few seconds and scoffs before walking off mumbling. “He ain’t no Omid. Better not fuck up my sandwiches and ice coffees.”
I bite my lip to keep from laughing. Gable starts to talk again, ruining my brief moment of humor. “Is that your boyfriend?” he nods at Terrance.
“Why would that matter to you?”
He looks down at my bare fingers. “You look great. What happened, Divine? I was crazy about you? You stopped taking my calls. You never said anything—”
“Please stop. I heard you. I came to your dorm and I overheard you and your friend. I was nothing more to you than a score, points you were trying to earn.” I move closer and lower my voice. “I gave you my virginity the week before only to find out you were an unworthy asshole.”
He closes his eyes and groans. “Fuck.”
“Yeah, exactly. You were busted.”
I turn to walk away, but again he grabs me by the arm. “Wait, you have it all wrong. I was in love with you.” I turn to glare at him. “You couldn’t have been outside the room for long. If you were, you would know I beat the shit out of him for the things he said about you. I was expelled.
“At first, I thought you weren’t answering my calls because I got kicked out of school. You were so smart. I was always trying to impress you. I thought I fucked up by being a hothead. Then I found out you’d left too. I was so confused. Shit, Div, I loved you. I’ve thought about you for years.”
I stare at him wondering if I should believe a word he says. He reaches to brush at lock of hair from my face. It’s odd but it doesn’t feel anything like it does when Omid performs the same gesture. It actually makes me feel hollow with a longing to have Omid here.
“That doesn’t change a thing,” I say. “You started dating me with disgusting intentions. I’m not that woman. I’m not forgiving of shit that’s hurtful and mean just to warm my bed.”
He jerks his head back and drops my arm. “Yeah, I made some really bad decisions back then just to fit in,” he says to his shoes.
He continues as if talking through his thoughts. “You were so gorgeous. I… I had forgotten about the stupid game when I approached you to ask you out. I didn’t think you’d say yes.
“After you did… I was too worried about what the guys would think if I bailed from the game. I never told them we slept together. I’m proud of you,” he says in a whisper.
“What?” I compress my face in confusion.
“I… I follow you. My best friend’s wife loves you and she talks about you all the time. One day she made us watch one of your videos. You took my breath away.
“I’m so sorry I lost you. I just want you to know how incredible I’ve always thought you were. That night we spent at my parents’ cabin has always meant something special to me.
“Take care of yourself, Div. You’re an amazing woman,” he says, leaning in to kiss my cheek.
I stare after him as he walks away with slumped shoulders. I’m speechless. Could I have gotten him all wrong.
I hate what he did but maybe he did care for me. Not that I’d consider dating him again. No, it’s just the opposite.
I think of Omid. I’ve been holding him at a distance because of Gable, a boy I’ve never met in person, and the married dick head. While having an entire wife and three kids is inexcusable. What if I was too hard on Gable before I found out the truth? What if the boy I loved at sixteen had a truth to tell?
For Gable, I don’t think it would’ve mattered. The damage of his behavior was a hard pass for me. He broke my trust. However, I don’t know why Arman did what he did and it shouldn’t matter to me anymore.
My phone buzzes with a text. It’s Omid. My smile returns.
I’m coming to you soon, Aşkım.
I think I need to allow myself this. A man that I might be able to fall in love with. Yup, still in denial about that.
Hey, work in progress.
* * *
Omid
I’m back in California. It’s time I face my past and my present so that I can live my future in peace. I can’t ask Divine to give up her plans if I’m not ready to secure her safety and our love.
“Thank you for coming in to see me,” I say to Remi and Ramses.
Remi leans forward in his seat in the twins’ office at Club Desire, L.A. I made the call to set up this meeting before leaving Italy, giving them time to come to meet me. They have families of their own. I’m grateful for this time.
“You’re like a little brother to us. You call we’re there. Anything we can do we will,” Remi says, his amber eyes lock on me.
“I’ve told you over the phone the problem. I’ve found Divine—”
“Yes, I told you over a year ago you could look for her, if that’s what you wanted,” Ramses says.
I pull a hand down my face. “I’ve been willing to risk my life, my career. If Baba were to find out what I’ve been up to… I don’t fear him.”
“Yet, you weren’t willing to risk her life,” Remi nods. “I understand. You’
ve been a part of our world from a distance. You know of our power but not how long it reaches.”
Lifting a brow, he tilts his head to study me. Ramses does the same in the odd twin way they do things. I lift my hands.
“No disrespect.”
“None taken. I would use the same caution with my wife. I have in fact.” Remi nods.
“Your father has an odd way of doing things,” Ramses says.
“But we have respect for him,” Remi adds. “However, we’ve never liked what he forced you to do.”
I grind my teeth as the memories come back to me. I was so broken back then. I didn’t know what to do. I found my way back to America and Remi and Ramses were waiting with open arms. The only family I trusted.
“I don’t like that it was done in the name of Allah. She’s everything I’ve always wanted. A mirror to my soul. How can she not be who I’m meant to be with? I will not give her up again. I will not accept her life being threatened as my wife,” I say to them as I struggle with the decisions I made as a boy.
Remi stands and walks to the bar to pour four tumblers of brandy. He hands them out before reclaiming his seat. I toss back the dark liquor and relish in the burn.
“You don’t see either of our wives living in fear of anything. Neither will yours,” Remi says.
“Maybe the best way to deal with a prince is to send in a king,” LaSalle says.
I look at him my brows creased as Ramses and Remi grunt their agreement. “It may be all our uncle will understand. Prince to prince hasn’t been getting through,” Remi says with a smile. “I want to be there. I’d love to see his face.”
“You think my father will listen to an American. No offense, LaSalle,” I say and shake my head. “You are Christian too, are you not?”
LaSalle sits his tumbler on the table and levels his gray eyes on me. “I’m no mere American. My reach is global. Your father can’t shit without my say so. There isn’t a man that doesn’t owe me grace. If he wants you or your woman dead, he has to go through me and the Alliance to make that happen. You’re one of mine. My power is your power.”
Doctor Feel Good: A Novel From The Be Yours Series Page 11
