My Deepest Desire (Hidden Desires)

by Dane, Sanya

  ****

  Naira sits on her porch waiting for Zander to pick her up for their date. She hopes her skinny jeans and peplum top are right for his request that she dress casual. Naira told him she would meet him but he insisted on picking her up. He wouldn’t even tell her where they were going because he wanted it to be a surprise. All he would say is he thought she would like it.

  Zander walks through the courtyard gate with a large bouquet of purple orchids making Naira smile from ear to ear. As he hands them to her she asks, “How did you know these are my favorite?”

  “On the rare occasions I wasn’t questioning you I did listen. Do you want to go put them in some water then we can go?”

  “Yes.” Naira goes inside grabs a vase and places the flowers on her dining room table.

  Half an hour later they park across the street from her favorite billiards. Inside they get a table then order food and drinks. They spend the night shooting pool and having a great time. They even play doubles against other couples. When Zander drops Naira back home she thanks him for taking her on an amazing date and tells him she would love to go out with him again. Before he leaves Naira kisses him so long and deep his blood boils. In that moment Zander wishes he could change their pervious dates and how he would eventually affect her life.

  Chapter Six

  Naira helps a customer with a fitting while thinking about the last two months she has spent with Vincent and Zander. The three of them haven’t spent time together since the night at the restaurant due to the guys work schedule and Naira launching her spring line. But, she has been out with both of them separately. They both even went with her to watch couples she set up. It also makes her happy that they get along well with Leah. She is ringing up her customer when Zander walks in to Alluring Designs.

  She says good morning and waits to see what he does. While they have been on numerous dates, they haven’t done anything more than kiss and he had never come into the boutique before. Zander greets everyone as he walks over to the counter. He says “Excuse me” to the customer before leaning across the counter towards Naira. She smiles when he stops and waits then she leans in to kiss him. It seems like the kiss lasts an eternity. Stopping to breathe, they remember there are people around them. Naira tries not to laugh at the look of shock on Lisa and Sarah’s faces. She finishes checking out the customer then comes around the counter to introduce Zander to Lisa and Sarah before they go help other customers.

  Naira straightens Zander’s tie, “What brings you in this morning GQ?”

  Zander smiles at the nickname she has taken to calling him, “I wanted to get a new suit and I decided what better place to come.”

  “Do you want a full suit with a shirt, tie and vest or just the jacket and pants?”

  “How much is a full suit?”

  “For you? Dinner and dessert.”

  “I’d have to pay you something.”

  Naira leans forward to whisper in his ear, “Add a night of mind blowing, earth shattering sex and I‘ll consider it paid for.”

  Zander laughs, “That’s kind of pricey.”

  Naira winks at him, “One of our suits is definitely worth it.”

  He steps closer to her wrapping his arms around her waist, “Sounds like a deal.”

  Naira grins, her cheeks beginning to blush, “I can’t wait..”

  She measures him for the suit and they make plans to meet for dinner tonight. After Zander leaves Naira returns to helping Lisa and Sarah take care of the customers. When there are only a few regulars Lisa asks, “So what happened to Vincent and how did you meet Zander?”

  “Nothing happened to Vincent we’re still dating and Zander is his brother.”

  When she doesn’t hear anything Naira looks away from the material she is measuring for Zander’s suit and looks toward Lisa and Sarah. The two of them are staring at her like she has three heads. Lisa’s surprise morphs into anger, “Okay, you know how I feel about cheaters and that’s not you. So, before I start cursing and possibly have to quit or get fired, what is going on?”

  Naira walks closer to Lisa and Sarah so the clients don’t hear her, “Have I ever dated two guys at once and not made them aware of it?”

  Sarah says, “No, but this is different. They’re brothers. This isn’t like you.”

  “No, but apparently it’s like Vincent. Given that I told him how my relationships usually go and he doesn’t want me to find someone else, he has suggested I date both him and Zander.”

  Lisa and Sarah’s mouths fall open, Lisa says, “So you’re all crazy.”

  Naira rolls her eyes, “We are not crazy. Vincent knows that there’s an attraction between Zander and I, he’s allowing us to explore it. I think this is his way of helping with my relationship issues.”

  Sarah asks, “Have you slept with Zander?”

  “No. We just talk when we go out. I enjoy being with him. It’s like there’s a heat simmering under the surface of my skin. I’m can’t pretend that if the mood strikes, I won’t have sex with him though. I’ve never been attracted to any one the way I am to him and Vincent. Neither of them is hurt or jealous about it, instead it’s like they feel good that I’m comfortable dating both of them. I wasn’t at first but I am now because I see how different they are but both of them capture me.” Naira tilts her head while looking at Lisa, “So the question is, are you going to leave me and cost me my two best employees and two good friends?”

  Lisa looks at Naira like she doesn’t know what she’s taking about. Naira says, “Don’t pretend that if you quit Sarah is going to stay because we both know that it’s not true and all three of us know that you guys can get jobs at any shop around here or even start your own boutique.” Naira pauses then says, “I’ve gotta stop giving you guys’ ideas.”

  Sarah laughs and Lisa tries to fight a smile. Naira walks up to Lisa and hugs her. “You have to stay I can’t live without you two. She hugs Lisa tighter and in the voice of the little girl from the cartoon Animaniacs she says, “I will love you forever and ever and ever.”

  Both Sarah and Lisa burst out laughing. Lisa says, “Yes I will stay. I know you are not a player and I know you would never deliberately do anything to hurt anyone.”

  Naira says thank you and kisses both of them on the cheek. Sarah says, “Now that we’ve gotten that out the way, He is fine!”

  Naira and Lisa laugh, Naira agreeing, “Yeah he is.”

  They change the subject and talk about inventory for a little while then Naira takes the material she cut for Zander’s suit up to her office so she can work on it.

  Hours later Naira looks up from her work and realizes she’s running late to meet Zander. She double checks the back door before leaving. As she locks the front door someone comes up behind her and pushes something into her back, “Give me all your money.”

  Naira freezes not sure she heard the deep voice correctly but not wanting to ask. The thief turns her around and says again, “Give me all of your money”.

  He has on a black ski mask with one hand in a brown paper bag while holding out his other hand towards her. All Naira can think of is the irony of him wearing the same mask she dreamt of Vincent in. The thief gets upset that Naira is not responding, “I’m not going to ask you again. I will just shoot you and take everything you have.”

  Naira snaps back to the situation, “Okay, I’ll give you what you want just please don’t hurt me.”

  She puts her hand in her bag and quickly pulls out a can of pepper spray. She sprays the thief in the eye and he screams then lunges at her. Naira moves to the side kicking him in the knee cap but his hand hits her in the face as he flail, falling to the floor. She yells fire as she was taught when she had an officer come in and do a safety class for her employees. People come running out of the diner down the block to help. The owner of the diner and one of the waiters pick the thief up off the floor. The paper bag and the silver gun that was inside lay on the floor. One of the waitresses asks Naira if she is okay while ano
ther calls the police on her cell phone, everyone steers clear of the evidence. The owner of the diner pulls the ski mask off the thief’s head and Jared stands there staring at Naira with venom in his eyes.

  Everyone is shocked to see the delivery guy is the thief. He yells, “You just couldn’t mind your business could you bitch. I got suspended because of you. Someone called the postal branch I work for and told my manger that I was cursing at customers.”

  Naira asks, “Are you on drugs. I didn’t call anyone about anything; frankly you’re not worth the time or effort.”

  “You lying bitch. You even turned Angel against me.”

  “First of all, I’m not going to be too many more bitches. Second, turned her against you? Are you serious? FYI jackass beating someone or verbally abusing them is not a good way to show you care about them.”

  Jared’s face turns red in anger and humiliation, “You wait. I know where you live and one night when you think your safe I’m going to crawl through your window and fuck you. Just before you come I’m going to put a pillow over your head.”

  Naira turns around but before she can say anything an arm circles her waist. She looks up to see Zander staring at Jared with death in his eyes, “It’s going to be hard for you to do that from jail. But know that if you come anywhere near her you will pay with your life.”

  At the same time a police car pulls up.

  Jared asks, “Who the fuck are you?”

  As the officers walk over to take him into custody, Zander slides the right side of his jacket back showing his badge and gun. As Jared starts to shake in fear Zander growls, “It doesn’t matter who I am what matters is that she’s mine.”

  The officers put Jared in the car and pick up the gun. After, they take Naira, the diner owner and some of the on lookers’ statements. They talk to Zander for a little while then the officers leave. Zander looks at the bruise swelling on the side of Naira’s face and rage shoots through him, “He hit you!”

  Naira tries to calm him, “Not on purpose. I tripped him and his arms started thrashing when he fell. His hand clipped me on his way to the floor.”

  Zander wants to ask her more questions but is concerned about the swelling of her cheek and jaw, “Let’s get you to the hospital. Vincent is working the ER tonight and he can look at your face.”

  Naira widens her stance bracing her feet on the floor, “I don’t want to go to the hospital.”

  Zander tries to lead Naira to his car but she doesn’t move. Sounding a little muffled she repeats, “I don’t want to go to the hospital.”

  Seeing the determined look on her face Zander tries a different approach. He lightly touches her jawline on the discolored side of her face, “Baby, your face is turning purple and I know it has got to hurt.”

  Naira thinks about it for a little while then asks quietly, “Will you stay with me?”

  Zander nods his head, “Yes, I’ll stay with you.”

  He helps her into his car and she explains what happened the best she can while he drives them to the hospital. He goes straight into the ER asking one of the nurses to page Vincent and if there is an empty examination room they can go in. Knowing Zander is Vincent’s brother and seeing Naira, the nurse points them towards a room across from her.

  A short while later Vincent walks into the room looking at a clip board,

  “Hey Z, the nurse said you are here with an injured girl…

  Before Zander can say anything Vincent looks up and sees the purple and black mark on Naira’s swollen cheek and jaw.

  A storm rolls over his face as he snarls, “What the hell happened?”

  Naira jumps, Zander places his arm around her saying, “Yelling is not going to help.”

  Vincent takes a deep breathe then pulls a rolling stool over to sit in front of them, “I’m sorry beautiful, I didn’t mean to scare you. Let me look at it.”

  As he examines her he asks what happened. Zander explains everything that occurred. Vincent gives Naira an ice pack to rest on her face. She closes her eyes as she rests the cool pack on her now throbbing jaw. Vincent tells her he’s going to get her something for the pain and to help her sleep before walking out the room. He returns a few minutes later with a cup of water and a small cup with two pills in it. He gives the pills to Naira while informing her that it’s going to make her sleepy then he kisses her forehead.

  Vincent steps over by Zander and asks him to take Naira home and spend the night with her to make sure she’s okay. Naira looks their direction lifting the ice pack from her face, “I’m fine and I’m in better shape than Jared.”

  Acting like they didn’t hear her Vincent and Zander continue talking. By the time Zander gets her in the car and pulls away from the curb Naira is asleep. Fifteen minutes later Zander pulls into Naira’s drive way. He wakes her up and helps her to the front gate then down the courtyard path to her front door. Still drowsy, Naira has trouble finding her house keys so Zander takes her purse to look for them. After digging through everything in her large bag Zander finally pulls out the keys. When he turns around to help Naira into the house she is stretched out on the patio sofa snoring softly. Zander sighs and shakes his head as he lifts Naira to carry her into the house. Stepping inside he is impressed by the large open expanse that includes a den, library, kitchen, dining room and a stairway. Small skylight panels strategically placed throughout the ceiling illuminates everything from the front to the back of the house. .

  Not sure where her bedroom is he lightly shakes her, “Baby, where’s your bedroom?”

  Naira somnolently points to the other end of the house. Zander walks down the hall until he reaches a doorway. Looking into the room the only light comes from a thin beam of moonlight shining through curtains. He feels a panel on the wall then presses one of the switches lightening eight wall scones around the room. Naira turns her body into his covering her face with her hand. Zander slides the dimmer down then carries Naira to the huge California King four poster canopy bed sitting against the wall. The bed is so large it stretches out to the middle of the room. If ever there were a room that portrays the character of its owner this is it. Three of the walls are plum with gold flecks and the fourth wall across from the bed is blue with plum flecks. The wall light fixtures are gold and match the adornments of the cherry wood bed, night stands and dresser. There is also a cherry wood entertainment center, a sofa and a recliner near the curtains. Zander assess’ that either Naira makes a small fortune as a fashion designer or there’s a lot he and Vincent still don’t know about her. He’s willing to bet it’s the latter.

  Laying her down on the bed, Zander decides to change Naira into the tank top and shorts lying on the bed. Before he can pull her dress up Naira says, “Cheeky.”

  Confused Zander says, “Yes, you are cheeky.”

  Naira yawns, “No, feed Cheeky. Please?”

  Zander is still trying to figure out what she’s talking about when a ball of fur jumps up on the bed and rubs herself against Naira’s hand. Naira mumbles Cheeky and Zander understands. He picks the cat up and takes her into the kitchen. It takes him a little while to find the cat food but he feeds Cheeky and goes back to Naira.

  He takes her dress off and she sleepily lifts her arms to help him put on her shirt. Before Zander can help her with the shorts the central air turns on and Naira crawls under the covers pulling them up to her neck. Zander smiles as she does a little shimmy under the covers then tosses her bra out. He strips to his boxers before climbing into the bed next to her. She snuggles into his body lying against his chest. Within a few minutes he hears her soft snore again.

  Chapter Seven

  Naira feels toasty warm and well rested. She’s not really sure why her face hurts but she’s so comfortable that she doesn’t care. When she realizes her pillow is breathing her eyes fly open. Naira sees Zander lying there and remembers everything that happened the previous night. What sticks out the most, though it’s somewhat hazy, is Zander taking care of her. He had awakened her to giv
e her some pain medication when she started tossing and turning during the night. He also saw a little jar of herbal remedy pain cream on her dresser that he rubbed on her bruise. The sight of him lying there gives Naira an idea. She smirks before sliding onto him.

  Zander feels a light brush against his lips, chest and stomach. He thinks he’s dreaming until he feels a tongue lick from the bottom of his balls to the tip of his dick causing all his blood to rush downward swelling it painfully. He opens his eyes to the sight of Naira swirling her tongue around his crown then slowly French kissing it. She looks up into now dark green eyes, “I was starting to wonder whether you would wake up.”

  “I’m up, so what are you going to do now that you’ve got my attention?”

  “Well, I contemplated giving you a blow job but I don’t think my jaw is up to it. You’re thicker than I thought you’d be.”

  “That’s a shame. I wouldn’t want to cause you pain so I guess we have to improvise.”

  Naira stands up in the bed watching Zander’s face to gage his reaction to her body. The smoky way he studies her gives her the confidence to pull her shirt up. Before she can get it off her head and arms she feels the bed move and Zander kisses her. The feel of his lips and tongue on hers without being able to see him is more erotic than Naira will ever admit. They are both panting by the time he breaks the kiss. He pulls the shirt off her head, wraps it around her wrists binding them together and hooks her shirt onto one of the inlays of the canopy frame. Naira tries to tug her arms down but Zander kisses her again.

  Kissing her nose he says, “Can you trust me?”

  Naira shakes her head yes. Zander steps back a little so he can study her body. He starts at her feet taking in her sparkly red toe nails, her toned calves, thick thighs and red boyshorts outlining her plump mound. He slips his fingers into the sides of her boyshorts pulling them off her. He likes the way she is groomed with the hair on her mound trimmed short, and her fleshy lips shaved bare. He continues up to her slightly round lower belly then to her ample breasts paying particular attention to the red star shaped nipple shields pressed against her areola.