This Time

by Ingrid Monique

  Kelee clung to Sean moaning his name. She moved with him as he caressed her in the most intimate of ways. She reveled in the strength of him inside her. He cradled her as he moved against her, looking deeply into her eyes. Kelee felt an incredible freedom with him. His movements quickened, she met his every move, crying out his name as her body exploded with pleasure. She felt him stiffen a few seconds later, as he moaned her name. For what seemed like an eternity, neither of them moved. The only sounds in the room were their heavy breathing and heartbeats coming back to normal.

  Sean pulled Kelee into his arms, cradling her against him. She ran her hands over his smooth muscular chest. They lay there in silence for a while, just holding each other. Making love with him was even better than she had imagined. Once again, Kelee couldn’t shake the feeling of knowing Sean. It was crazy, because she didn’t. She looked into his face. He gave her a sweet smile.

  “Wha’ wrong?” he asked softly.

  “I don’t want to scare yu’,” she began, and paused.

  “Tell me,” he urged.

  “I keep getting the strangest feeling that I know yu’,” she said and felt his body stiffen. She had scared him. She sat up, looking at him, worried. She wished she had kept her mouth shut. “I know we’ve never met before, but I can’t shake the feeling that I know yu’. I know it must sound crazy to yu’, but yu’ are so familiar to me.”

  “That’s a good ’ting,” he said and pulled her down on top of him, kissing her deeply. She breathed a sigh of relief, glad that she hadn’t scared him. She liked him and she really didn’t want to scare him off.

  Sean had a meeting with Jack and the police commissioner. He didn’t want to take Kelee home, but the meeting was important. He dropped her off at Lori’s an hour later, promising to call her. She gave him a lingering kiss before letting him go. He didn’t want to leave her, but he had to. As he drove back downtown, he felt really guilty for lying to her. Her telling him how familiar he was to her after they had made love had only served to fuel his guilt. In a few days they’d be at View Cost where it all had started. He’d tell her there. He had to; he really couldn’t lie to her anymore—not after last night. Making love to her was even better than he had remembered. The chemistry between them was overwhelming. He couldn’t stop thinking about her and all the things he wanted to share with her while she was in St. Pala. He wondered how long she’d stay after her niece was born. He had to get her to stay longer. Maybe when he revealed who he was to her at View Coast she would extend her stay in St. Pala.

  Chapter 8

  Kelee was on cloud nine, a place she hadn’t been before. And it was all because of Sean St. John. He was absolutely perfect and wonderful and she couldn’t wait to see him again. He had told her she might not see him until the weekend in View Coast, because of a case he was working on. She didn’t mind, not after last night. Last night had left a lasting and pleasurable impression on her. The weekend was only a few days away, and she couldn’t wait to be with him again. Of course Lori noticed the change in her right away, as she joined her for a late breakfast.

  “Someone had a good night.” She grinned with curiosity.

  Kelee sipped her coffee, grinning. “No comment,” she said.

  “Oh, yu’ goin’ to comment.” Lori glared at her.

  “He took me to a friend’s birthday party at the Swan, then we ended up at his apartment and I’m not giving yu’ any details, married woman,” Kelee told her sternly.

  “As long as yu’ had a good time.” Lori gave her a curious look.

  “Yu’ see the look on my face?” Kelee said with a huge smile.

  “I see it.” Lori laughed. “So, when yu’ seein’ him again?”

  “This weekend at View Coast; he’s working some big case,” Kelee told her

  “Yeah, the Curve case.”

  “What’s the Curve case?” she asked.

  “Curve’s a local businessman and drug dealer. Sean’s been trying to put him away for a while now.”

  Now she understood why he kept running off. While he’d never talked about his work, Kelee got the feeling that he was very involved and serious about it.

  “He doesn’t talk ’bout it?” Lori asked her.

  “Guess he didn’t want to bother me with his work.” She shrugged.

  “That’s Sean for yu’,” Lori said. “He does have that air of mystery about him.”

  “Guess that has to do with his line of work.” Kelee reached for a breakfast roll. She had to admit that she really didn’t know that much about what Sean did on a daily basis. The fact was that she didn’t want to take their relationship beyond them enjoying each other’s company. She would not be here that long to get attached to him. She recalled the connection she felt towards him, after they had made love. It bothered her, and she didn’t know why.

  “Wha’ wrong?” Lori asked, concerned.

  “Remember that feeling of familiarity I told yu’ I had about Sean?”

  “Yeah,” Lori said and waited for her to continue.

  “It’s like I know him, or I should, but I know I don’t. Last night was crazy and disturbing to the point that I had to tell him.”

  “How did he take it?”

  “He thought it was a good thing.”

  “So what’s the problem?”

  “It scares me, the connection is so intense,” she admitted.

  “Are yu’ scared yu’ fallin’ for him?” Lori asked. Her question stunned Kelee; she hadn’t thought of that. There was no way she was falling for a man she hardly knew or had just met. That was straight up crazy.

  “No, that’s not it,” Kelee told her with certainty. “I do like him, but not like that.”

  “Yu’ sure?” Lori asked.

  Kelee looked at her sister, wondering if she was right. No way. No way was she falling for Sean. That, she couldn’t allow. She liked him, and she liked the sex, that was it. That was all there would ever be between them.

  “I’m very sure,” Kelee said sternly. As long as she believed it she’d be fine.

  “So, relax and enjoy yu’ time with him,” Lori advised. Kelee agreed she would.

  Chapter 9

  View Coast was a tourist paradise. It was a five-mile stretch of white sand beach with three of the best resorts in St. Pala. There was another three miles of private homes and cabins on the beach. They were staying at the Dawn Resort, which was hosting the Appleton Rum Festival. The place was buzzing with activity as the staff set up the first party that night.

  Kelee’s room was next to Lori and Allan’s on the fourth floor. From her room Kelee could see the beach and the massive pool below. A stage was set up on the beach and sound checks were being done. According to the itinerary, a number of local artists were performing tonight. Tomorrow they had a few American well-known hip-hop artists along with locals on the list.

  Kelee dressed in hip hugger jeans and a silver satin tank. Then she went to check on Lori, only to find her fussing with Allan over her not liking anything she had bought to wear. Allan was trying his best, but Kelee could see the frustration in his face.

  “Why don’t yu’ go secure us a table? I’ll finish up here,” Kelee told him. Allan gave her a thankful look and left in a hurry.

  Kelee gave Lori a scolding look.

  Lori rolled her eyes at her and said, “Don’t yu’ start with me. It’s his fault.”

  “Stop bitchin’,” Kelee told her.

  “I am not bitchin’!” Lori pouted.

  “If yu’ say so.” Kelee picked up the sexy maternity tank with its flared end. She moved to help Lori put it on.

  “Thanks,” Lori mumbled. Kelee kissed her cheek, smiling at her. Lori smiled.

  “Yu’ think Sean’s goin’ to be here?” Kelee asked. She hadn’t heard from him since yesterday and he’d promised he’d call before they left the house. He hadn’t. She longed to see him, even though it had only been a few days since they’d parted. They had spent at least an hour talking on the phone last
night, but it just wasn’t enough; she wanted to see him.

  “Don’t worry, he’ll be here,” Lori reassured her.

  They joined Allan in the grand ballroom where a fashion show was in progress. Kelee scanned the room; no Sean. To combat her anxiety Kelee focused on the show of local designers. The clothes were excellent. There was a lot more talent in St. Pala than she realized. She enjoyed the fashion show. Afterwards they were informed that the buffet and bar were open by the pool. The buffet offered a wide variety of local and gourmet foods. The live show was scheduled to start an hour later.

  Kelee was working on her second plate and still there was no sign of Sean, so she decided not to think of him and enjoyed what the festival had to offer. Allan got them a VIP spot, with lawn chairs. The first band was called Suns. They were a reggae band that played mostly classic reggae tunes. The band was in the middle of their second song when she sensed him. She didn’t know how, but she did. She gazed over her shoulder to see him making his way over to them. He smiled at her and her heart skipped a beat. He was dressed in loose khaki slacks and a white T-shirt. His eyes remained fixed on her as he came to a stop at her side.

  “Hey,” he said, crouching down, looking at her.

  “Hi.” She smiled. She was happy to see him and she couldn’t hide it.

  “Lori, Allan,” he said, gazing at them briefly.

  “’Bout time yu’ showed up,” Lori told him and Kelee glared at her in disbelief.

  “Forgive me?” Sean asked, looking at Kelee. She smiled and told him, “Forgiven.”

  “Care to join me?” Sean asked with a smile that made her jump out of her chair. She was ready to go with him.

  “Don’t stay out too late,” Lori teased.

  “Yes, Mother,” Kelee threw back and heard them laugh.

  Taking a hold of her hand, Sean led her away from the party and down the beach. The minute they were clear of the crowd that had gathered on the beach for the show, he pulled her into his arms, kissing her. She sighed and wrapped her arms around his neck, returning his kiss. His mouth gently possessed hers with an urgency that spoke of his passion for her. It made her heart sing; it also felt wonderful to be in his arms again.

  “Miss me?” he asked, gently breaking their kiss.

  “I thought yu’ weren’t coming,” she said, caressing his stubbly cheek.

  “An’ leave yu’ here alone, yu’ mad?” he teased. She smiled.

  “So why are yu’ late?”

  “Work.”

  “I’m glad yu’ here,” she told him, pulling his head down to hers. This time she kissed him as if she wanted to possess him. She heard him moan and it pleased her.

  “Let’s go to yu’ room,” he whispered in her ear.

  “Do yu’ have protection?” she asked and he grinned, pulling a condom from his pocket. They left the beach and headed up to her room. Once inside they were all over each other. They kissed and stumbled across the room as they undressed each other. Sean lifted her and took her into the bedroom, where they fell onto the bed in a heated kiss. Sean’s lips left a trail of hot, moist kisses down her body, turning her into a quivering mess. She reached for him, pulling him over her, kissing him deeply. He pulled back, put the condom on and drove hard and fast into her. She wrapped her arms and legs around him, moaning his name as he moved against her. She bit into his shoulder as her body tightened with pleasure and burst into the ultimate release.

  Kelee lay in Sean’s arms, running her hand over his sleek chest muscles. She loved his body and the pleasure he gave her; she wished she could have him forever.

  “Let’s go for a walk,” he suggested. She looked into his face.

  “We could just stay here.” She smiled, kissing his nipple.

  “There’s some’ting I want to show yu’.” He ran his fingers through her hair, pulling her towards him, kissing her lightly.

  “OK.” She smiled, caressing his lips with her tongue.

  Fifteen minutes later they walked down the beach, stopping here and there, kissing and playing like kids.

  Tyce watched Sean and Kelee. They were locked in a lovers’ embrace on the beach. He had been watching Kelee since she arrived at the hotel with her sister and her brother-in-law. For a moment he didn’t think Sean would show, but to Tyce’s disappointment, he had. Minutes before Sean had arrived he even contemplated approaching Kelee. He was glad he hadn’t, because Sean would have seen him, which he didn’t want. He watched them kiss. They really couldn’t get enough of each other, which was a good thing. He could see just how much Sean was into Kelee; it would work to his advantage. He watched them as they strolled down the beach. The closer those two got the better. He walked away, returning to the concert to enjoy the rest of the show.

  “There’s some’ting I need to show yu,” Sean told Kelee as they passed a private cottage on the beach. The part of the beach they were strolling was lined with small cottages, some owned by the hotel, some private.

  “What is it?” she asked, excited.

  “Yu’ll see,” he told her, gazing down at her. They continued down the beach. The cottages brought back memories of a wild summer Kelee had spent on this same beach. Most of it was a blur still. At that time she had smoked way too much marijuana and was too high half the time. But that was her past, one she wasn’t all too proud of.

  Sean started to lead her towards a cottage that was very familiar. It was still painted that cool blue color and the coconut tree was still there to the left of the house, hanging over it like an umbrella. Nothing about it had changed. She paused and Sean turned to look at her.

  “Wha’ is it?” he asked.

  She’d been here before when she was younger. This was where she’d lost her virginity. She wanted to be with Sean, but not here. She wanted to tell him not here, but then he’d want to know why, and that, she couldn’t tell him.

  “Come on, it’s all set up for us,” he said in a too-cool voice. Kelee swallowed her past and smiled at him. He held a hand out to her and she placed her hand in his. He led her towards the cabin. At the door he pulled out a key and opened the door. Kelee hesitated. It didn’t feel right. It felt strange. Sean pulled her inside, switching on the lights.

  “Don’t worry, yu’ gonna’ love it,” he said. Kelee stood in the small living room, looking around the cottage. It was exactly how she had remembered it, cozy and welcoming. The furniture, she noted, was different; more modern pieces now accented the room. She could see that the kitchen/dining area had been remodeled. A flood of memories came rushing back at her. She felt uncomfortable; she couldn’t stay here.

  “Don’t tell me yu’ don’t remember?” Sean whispered in her ear. A cold shiver raced down Kelee’s entire body. She jumped away from him. How did he know? He couldn’t know. She looked into his eyes, noticed the wicked grin on his face. And for the first time she could place his eyes, his mouth . . . it was Mark.

  “Oh, my God!” she exclaimed and covered her mouth, shocked. He knew exactly who she was.

  “Mark?” she whispered. He nodded. It couldn’t be. The Mark she knew back then had dreads and a full beard. No wonder she didn’t recognize him. Suddenly her anger took over. He knew who she was and had played her for a fool.

  “Sean Mark St. John,” he said with a slight smile. He thought it was funny, playing with her the way he had. He knew they had been together, right here. She felt sick to her stomach. He had made love to her knowing who she was.

  “Yu’ son of a bitch!” she screamed. “Yu’ knew an’ yu’ didn’t say anything?”

  She felt used and stupid. She had made love to him, told him how familiar he felt to her. He must have been laughing at her when she said it. Humiliation filled her, making her boiling mad. She recalled the look in his eyes then; now she knew why. He’d played with her in the worst way possible. The thought of them just making love only served to infuriate her even more.