Khalid

by Celeste Granger

  “No, I don’t mind,” Racquel whispered, inclining herself to him.

  “It was good to see you again, beloved.”

  Then, he eased away from her. She no longer felt his presence near her. His hand no longer centered her form. Yet, her eyes trailed Khalid’s movement as he strolled across the room.

  “Everything is lovely, Ms. Alexander,” a patron said, drawing Racquel’s attention away from Khalid.

  “Thank you so much,” Rocky answered as her eyes slowly met the eyes of the person speaking.

  There was a host of people moving in and out of the shop over the course of the evening. Things were going better than Racquel could have envisioned, and she breathed a sigh of relief, knowing that her father had not been disappointed. There was still a plaguing question of who had worked this miracle in her life, and Racquel found herself surveying her guests trying to decide if they, in fact, were the benefactor. But her eyes, nor her thoughts never moved far from Khalid. The women in the room physically swooned when he got close to them, and if he dared smile or speak, the swoon became audible.

  He could have any woman he wanted. He chose you that annoying voice spoke in the recesses of her mind. Racquel couldn’t shut out the voice, and she tried. Was what he’d done in his youth, inadvertently done by being his authentic self, still offended her so? What was it she was holding onto again? Did it even matter anymore, really? Racquel found herself staring at the spot where Khalid made love to her. Sure, the chair was different, but the memory was vivid and sensual and titillating, and Racquel had to acknowledge that Khalid tapped into a place inside her no man had ever come close to reaching before. They connected in such a powerful way that even in remembrance, Racquel felt her knees weaken.

  His history didn’t matter then, did it?

  And all he’d asked for was the chance to be seen with new eyes. That was it, and she resoundingly rejected even that request. Khalid wasn’t the bad guy in this situation, she was. Racquel needed to make it right.

  “Ms. Alexander?”

  “I’m sorry,” Racquel apologized, scanning the room until her eyes locked on Khalid. “Give me just a minute.”

  She offered a pleasant smile to the person who addressed her, but her thoughts were already across the room. Racquel kept her eyes on Khalid as she moved. There were three or four women who clearly found him irresistible. They were star-struck as they looked up into his eyes as he rendered them speechless with whatever he was saying.

  “Excuse me,” Racquel addressed, never taking her eyes off Khalid. “If I could just borrow Mr. Ali for a moment.”

  It didn’t matter who he was talking to. It didn’t matter that they weren’t ready to relinquish their claim on his time or attention. Racquel laced her arm around his and lifted her eyes to meet the gaze of his orbs. When she moved, Khalid willingly moved with her. Racquel didn’t stop until they were behind her office door. Only then did she let her arm fall from him, closing and locking the door behind them.

  “Is everything alright, Racquel?” The words did not ring empty nor hollow. He asked the question as if he cared sincerely. Khalid’s voice was still profoundly provocative. It’s not that she didn’t understand why the other women were captivated by him, she did, more than they knew. Racquel slowly closed her eyes, the mink of her thick lashes flitting across her cheeks before she lifted them. He asked her to look at him through new eyes. She intended to do that, releasing everything that couldn’t possibly matter anymore and appraising him for the man that stood in front of her present day. She studied his face, feature by feature without hurry. Racquel allowed her eyes to see him, earnestly see him, taking a frank, nonjudgmental look at him for the first time. Khalid stared back in waiting silence.

  “No, it’s not,” she admitted.

  “Is there anything I can do to help?” Khalid asked, standing flat-footed, his feet set the distance of his shoulders.

  “Yeah,” she sighed, “stop being so damn likable.” Her smile was embarrassed, and for the first time since they entered the office, Racquel’s eyes left his handsome face.

  “You already don’t like me,” Khalid surmised, his eyes taking a raking pronounced look over her fully, from the four-inch crimson stilettos she wore, up her toned ebony legs, to the thick of her thighs, the sultry curve of her hips to the taut of her waist, the swell of her breasts to the length of her neck and finally to the beauty that was her face.

  “That’s not true,” Racquel confessed. She clasped her hands in front of her and tried not to ring them. Rocky was hard-headed, always had been. Apologizing wasn’t something she did easily or readily. Racquel didn’t care if people thought she had a hard heart. It meant she was unfeeling, but also that she couldn’t be hurt. This was new for her because it was much easier to let things go, let old wounds fester, and antiquated thoughts remain. But there was something about Khalid and his consistency that opened her up to examine her responsiveness or lack thereof and why.

  “I find that hard to believe,” Khalid pressed.

  Racquel turned fully in his direction. She wanted Khalid to see her. She was vulnerable and uncomfortable, but the more time Rocky spent at that moment, she knew it was right.

  “I pushed you away, and I’m sorry.”

  “Why?” Khalid asked.

  “Because, Khalid,” she rattled. “That’s me. That’s what I do. I did what was easy.”

  “Why?” He insisted, pulling her in with his eyes first. Reaching out, Khalid gently brushed aside Racquel’s clasped hands and his hands locked against her spin. A slight gasp escaped her lips as she felt the strength of the hold he had on her, the strength of his body pressed against hers. Racquel could feel the sexual magnetism that made Khalid so self-confident, so assured, and so fucking sexy. Racquel couldn’t deny the heart-rendering tenderness of his gaze. He peered through her, through her layers of defense and dismissiveness to that place of vulnerability Racquel desperately tried to cloak. She felt compelled to shy away from it. But Khalid wouldn’t let her. Every time his eyes held hers, Rocky’s heart turned over in response.

  “Because, there’s something about you, I can’t shake,” she revealed, “no matter how hard I try.”

  Something intense flared through his entrancement of her. Khalid had no intention of letting Racquel go, physically or mentally. He’d wanted to stake his claim, seeing past her insecurities and her push backs to the woman she was inside. They were kindred, and he knew it. She did something that moved his soul, and Khalid refused to let her get away. He craved that soul-stirring feeling again, and again. Racquel tried desperately to throttle the dizzying current that tore through her. She didn’t stand a chance as she was forced to endure his punishing kiss, the ravishment of her mouth rocking Racquel to her core, smothering her mouth with exquisite mastery. It was a kiss for her weary soul to meld into.

  “You like me?” His teasing tone tickling her ears.

  “Yes,” Racquel panted against his mouth.

  “You like me?” Khalid mused, enunciating each word with a whispered kiss against her full lips.

  “Nnnnnn, yes,” she moaned against his, nearly breathless.

  “Good,” Khalid crooned. “Then you’ll go out with me tomorrow night?”

  Racquel smiled, and her heart smiled. And when she looked up into his imploring eyes, Racquel said, “yes.”

  “I’ll see you then.”

  Khalid left her lips, wanting as he smoothly exited the room. Racquel offered no objection as she spun on her heels, feeling amazing. Before the door could fully close, Naomi pushed it open.

  “Please tell me you didn’t hurt him,” she whined. But when Racquel turned around, her eyes gleaming, her mouth tilted upward into a smile, Naomi’s brow peaked. “You didn’t hurt his feelings,” she hummed interestedly.

  “I apologized,” Racquel quietly admitted the glint in her eyes magnifying.

  “Like a big girl?” Naomi playfully quizzed.

  “Pulled my big girl panties right on
up and supplicated myself.”

  “And?”

  Racquel was practically giddy, which was kind of weird for Naomi to see. It was so infrequent, if at all.

  “He asked me out, and before you ask, I said yes!”

  “Thank you, God,” Naomi clapped her hands together, looking up at the ceiling. “It’s about damn time,” she quickly added, sliding her hand up her hip.

  “Whatever,” Racquel smiled. “Whatever.”

  The two left the office, both feeling lighter. Racquel still had to handle business, but she felt like she was walking on a cloud.

  The benefit was coming to an end. Racquel wanted to make a point of thanking each of the vendors and those that helped to put the event on individually, after giving her remarks to the crowd that remained.

  “Thank you for helping, Mrs. Riggs,” Racquel said, approaching the table where charitable donations were made.

  “It was my pleasure, dear,” Mrs. Riggs replied. Elizabeth was a good friend of her father’s. Rocky always thought she was pretty. She was petite, poised, and polite. Her silver-gray hair pulled in a loose bun sat atop her head, and Mrs. Riggs was still as pretty as she’d always been. Racquel had known her since she was a small child. Secretly Rocky wondered why she and her father never got together. She remembered asking her dad about Mrs. Riggs at least once and then suggested that he take her out on a date. Her father laughed, reminding Rocky that they were just friends. That didn’t stop Racquel from still thinking it was a good idea. Mrs. Riggs had been on board with honoring Racquel’s dad in the formative phases, even before the first event.

  “So, the donations went well,” Racquel asked.

  “They did,” Mrs. Riggs replied. “More than what we could have anticipated.”

  “Really?” Racquel asked.

  “Yes, dear,” Mrs. Riggs nodded. “And that last young man, a uhm, Mr. Ali, made a very sizable donation.”

  Elizabeth opened the lockbox that sat underneath the table blanketed by a tablecloth and pulled out the last check received. She handed it to Racquel.

  Unfolding the check, Racquel looked at the amount and then at the name. Khalid Ali, $250,000.00. Once again, Racquel found herself without words. She had no words at all other than to ask Mrs. Riggs to make sure she locked the box. The monies would be deposited into the account and then distributed to colon cancer research, support groups, and because of Khalid’s generosity, fund next year’s event.

  “As if he hadn’t done enough already,” Mrs. Riggs sighed as she double-checked the lock to make sure it was secure.

  “I’m sorry, what did you say?”

  “As if he hadn’t done enough already,” Elizabeth repeated.

  “I don’t understand,” Racquel replied.

  “Well, you know I’m not one to gossip, but from what I understand, he was the one who put the shop back together, you know, after those horrible people disgraced the place so.”

  “Are you fuckin kidding me,” Racquel mused aloud.

  “Language, young lady, Mrs. Riggs swiftly corrected.

  “Oh, I’m so sorry,” Racquel flushed ashamedly.

  “Now, are you freakin kidding me is perfectly acceptable,” Elizabeth cajoled.

  “It sure is, Mrs. Riggs.”

  Chapter Nineteen

  Although he asked her out, Khalid thought long and hard about his date with Racquel. It would be easy to wow her with extravagance, jetting her to some exotic location and wining and dining her. But that’s not the Khalid Ali he wanted her to see. That’s what she would most likely expect from him.

  Show her who you really are, is the thought that kept coming back to him. If he wanted Racquel to see him with new eyes, Khalid wanted her to really see him, to get a chance to know him as more than a billionaire businessman. A natural smile turned the corners of his lips as he thought about that. She did know him in the most intimate way. That night they spent together was the stuff of legend and one he’d not soon forget. So, he had to strike a balance between extravagance and intimacy.

  Racquel was still floating on a cloud when her phone chirped. It was early afternoon, and she’d taken the morning to restore the barbershop to its operational state. She had too much energy to lounge around, although the thought of that was nice. Picking up her cellphone, Racquel plopped down on the couch, crossing her legs underneath her. She’d finally locked his phone number in. When she saw Khalid’s name light up her screen, Racquel smiled.

  That’s so weird, she giggled to herself.

  Greetings, beloved, the text message started. Can you be ready at five?

  The timestamp in the corner of her screen reminded Racquel that it was already three o’clock.

  Not much lead time, she replied. You know it takes a lady a while to get beautiful.

  If that’s the case, I can pick you up now. You’re already beautiful.

  She guffawed, and her cheeks warmed.

  Flattery will you get you everywhere, she teased. Whatever shall I wear?

  I’ll remind you later you said that. Dress casual. See you soon.

  See you soon.

  Racquel smiled and then collapsed back on the couch. When she flutter-kicked her feet in the air, she laughed again. Things had taken such an incredible turn from absolute despair a mere 24 hours before, to delight. Delight was better. Now she had to figure out what to wear. Khalid didn’t give her a lot of time, which in truth was fine with Racquel. She couldn’t wait to see him.

  “First stop, the tub,” she decided, getting up from the couch and padding down the hallway to her bedroom. Typically, Racquel was a shower girl, but for this occasion, a long soaking bath would do just fine. Turning on the water, Rocky added her favorite essential oils and a splash of bubble bath in the same aromatics. Once the tub was ready, Racquel undressed, making sure to place a large bath towel close at hand for when she stepped out. Descending into the tub, she felt relief almost immediately, the warm water wrapping around her and the fragrant scent wafting to her nostrils. Racquel rested her head back on a bath pillow and closed her eyes. Her thoughts were immediately permeated by Khalid Ali. This time, she didn’t push them away.

  Racquel stayed in the tub until she was just about wrinkled before climbing out and drying off. After lotioning her skin with a combination of shea butter, vanilla, and a hint of lemongrass, Rocky wrapped the bath towel around her, knotting it near the center of her chest. On her way to the walk-in closet, she picked up her cell phone. She hadn’t been on a date in forever. Rocky needed a second opinion.

  “What the hell am I going to wear?”

  “And hello to you, too,” Naomi countered.

  “Hey, Na. Now, what the hell am I going to wear?”

  “Did he give you any clues as to where he’s taking you?”

  “Of course not,” Racquel replied. “The only inclination he gave was that I should dress casually.”

  “Casually, hmm,” Naomi thought. She was pacing the floor in her own bedroom as she talked to her friend.

  “So, you see my dilemma,” Rocky added.

  “That and you haven’t been on a date since Shep was a small dog,” Naomi chuckled.

  “Who the hell is Shep?”

  “Oh my God, Racquel! You’ve never heard that saying before?”

  “No.” Racquel padded around her closet, running her fingers over the clothes while trying to decide what to put on.

  “Casual can be hard to achieve,” Naomi started. “You don’t want to look like you tried too hard, but you also don’t want to look like you didn’t give it any thought. You want to look sexy but in a not so obvious kind of way.”

  “So, what does that mean?”

  Racquel felt exacerbated, and they hadn’t really started.

  “Jeans would be better than a dress, just in case Khalid wants to do something active. It’s gonna be kind of warm this evening so you could get away with an off the shoulder, loose-fitting blouse, not cotton though, something a little slinkier. And cute shoes but no ki
tten heels.”

  “I don’t even think I own a pair of those,” Racquel confessed. “Either its four inches and above or absolutely flat.”

  Then go with the flats, but a slight wedge would be better.”

  “No tennis shoes?”

  “You could if they were cute high tops, cuff the bottom of the jeans and make it look intentional.

  Racquel eyed her closet as Naomi gave her pointers.

  “Okay, wide-leg blue jeans, blue and white pinstripe off the shoulder with three-quarter sleeves, Coach high top tennis. Will that work?”

  “That sounds perfect,” Naomi sounded. “Now for the accessories. You don’t want anything fussy or noisy.”

  Racquel crossed the room to her dressing table. She eyed her options before deciding.

  “Silver stud earrings, wide silver cuff with the matching ring?”

  “Not on your ring finger, though,” Naomi reminded. “Are you doing any makeup?”

  “I hadn’t planned on doing anything special,” Racquel replied. “You know I don’t like to look made up.”

  “Then go with mascara, maybe eyeliner, a little highlight on the cheeks and some lipstick,” Naomi suggested.

  “I’m good with the eyes, but gloss instead of color on my lips,” Racquel countered.

  “Then you’re done and done,” Naomi said.

  “Thanks, bunches, girl,” Racquel replied.

  “Please let me know you’re okay.”

  “Even with Khalid?” Racquel asked.

  The lilt in her voice said she was messing with Naomi.

  “Even with Khalid,” Naomi replied. “I know he’s a good dude, but you’re my best friend. I need you to check-in and let me know when you’re home. Okay?”

  “I will. Love ya.”

  “Love ya.”

  Racquel hung up the phone and proceeded to do what she and Naomi discussed, down to the earrings. She was starting to feel a bit nervous. She’d never been on a date with Khalid before.

  No, duh, she laughed at herself. Racquel padded to the bathroom for one final look. Her hair was no muss, no fuss, and the outfit worked. As soon as she gave herself final approval, the doorbell rang. She knew Khalid would not be a minute late, but he was fifteen minutes early. Her heart started to pound a little faster in her chest, and she got all giddy and jittery inside. Racquel had been on dates before, but she never had that kind of visceral response where she felt her nerves so profoundly. She shook her hands and then picked up her cell phone and her clutch and padded towards the front door. When Racquel got there, she paused for a moment. Knowing he was there and feeling his presence was different. She felt him, his aura, his energy penetrating the barrier that stood between them.