“What’s this?” He looked down at the amount of the check and let out a low whistle. “Oh my God.”
“While I was in LA, when I wasn’t running lines, I was talking about you and the clinic. Damon, the director, heard me and Lloyd, one of the crew members talking about you, New York, and the clinic. He was impressed and wanted to help—without getting his name in the papers.”
“Well, you tell Damon thank you. This is going to help us get that MRI machine that we’ve needed for a long time,” he said, then kissed Imani’s cheek. “And that was amazing of you to go to Los Angeles and tell your colleagues about the clinic when you could’ve been gallivanting around Hollywood letting Paris Hilton write about you.”
“You mean Perez Hilton,” she said with a laugh. “You’re going to have to get these gossip bloggers down. If this movie does as well as everyone expects, then—”
“I don’t give a damn about a gossip blogger. I know what’s real,” he said as he cupped her face in his hands and kissed her—long and slow—until she moaned in pleasure. Imani had dreamed of this moment for three months. Kissing for real, tasting the sweetness of Raymond’s mouth mixed in with the flavor of spearmint gum. His hands roamed her back, heating her up like a summer day. She wanted him, wanted to make love to her man as she slipped her arms around his waist and pulled him closer to her.
“Umm,” he said as they broke their kiss. “I’ve been waiting for a kiss like that for the last ninety days.”
“Me too,” she said, then licked her lips. “When we get home, I’m going to show you what else I’ve been waiting for these past ninety days.”
Raymond tapped the driver’s seat. “Can you move this thing any faster?”
“Traffic,” the man said, glancing back at Imani and Raymond. “Hey! You’re the couple from TV. Why did you guys leave the show? That bitch who won, she was so annoying.”
Imani and Raymond glanced at each other. “We didn’t even watch the show after we left. Who won?” Imani asked.
“Some chick named Lucy and the fat dude who looked like the Penguin from those Batman shows. They won’t be together long. I’m guessing they got married for the money. They were pretty funny on the reunion show pretending to be in love. That girl needs some acting lessons.”
Raymond and Imani burst into laughter. “But,” the taxi driver said as he turned down a side road, “I knew you two were real, even if she is an actress.”
“Well, thank you,” Imani said. When Raymond recognized the block where they were, he peeled off the cab fare and a hefty tip, then told the driver he and Imani could walk to his place.
“Are you sure? It looks like you have quite a few bags,” he said.
“We’re good, thanks, bud,” Raymond said as they hopped out of the car and he hoisted her luggage out of the trunk when the driver popped it open.
Imani looked down at her feet, happy that she’d worn sensible shoes. Dana would be so proud, she thought as she reached for one of her bags. “So, are we walking so that we can get a wonderful hot dog from a street vendor?” Imani asked.
“Nope. We’re walking because we’re a half block from my place and I couldn’t wait another second to get you in my arms.” They half ran to Raymond’s brownstone. Once they made it inside, they tossed Imani’s luggage in the living room and wrapped up in each other’s arms, clawing at each other’s clothes. Imani ripped his Oxford shirt open, sending buttons flying across the room, as he reached underneath her skirt and tore her panties off, then turned her skirt upward. He lifted her into his arms and she wrapped her legs around his waist as he crossed into the bedroom. They tumbled onto the bed and Raymond kicked out of his pants as Imani kissed and sucked his bottom lip.
Damn, it felt good having her in his arms. Felt good to feel her heat against his cold sheets. He slipped his hand between her thighs, relishing in the sweetness flowing from her body. He stroked her until she screamed from the first sign of an orgasm, then he hungrily kissed her as his erection grew against her supple thighs. Darting his tongue in and out of her mouth, he savored her taste and teased her lips. Imani pressed her body against his, urging him to enter her awaiting valley.
“Love me,” she begged. “Need you inside me.”
“I need to be inside you. Need to feel you. I missed you.” Raymond parted her wet folds of flesh with his finger and teased her clitoris until he felt her get wetter and wetter. Imani grabbed his penis, rubbing him fast as she felt an explosion building in the pit of her stomach.
Raymond tenderly pressed into her awaiting body. She moaned as Raymond buried himself in her G-spot. Raymond knew her body almost as well as he knew his. He knew when he pressed deep into her, she would dig her nails into his back. He knew when he slowly ground against her, Imani’s legs would shake and she would quiver with delight.
Watching her reactions turned him on, made him do more to make her come, to leave her satisfied. He got his pleasure from pleasing her, from making her call his name and rain her love down on him.
When she rolled her hips, moving to position herself on top of him, Raymond let go to allow her to take control of his body, to give him what he wanted more than anything else—the chance to watch her explode. She placed her palms on his chest and bounced up and down in the throes of passion as she gyrated against him. He alternated kissing each of her breasts, licking and sucking on her nipples as she leaned forward. Raymond could feel an explosion growing in his shaft as Imani rolled her body across his. He grabbed her waist as he began to climax, slowing her down and relishing in the river flowing from her body. Raymond groaned like a wounded animal as Imani collapsed against his chest. He buried his face between her neck and shoulder as she wrapped her arms around his neck. “We should stay like this forever,” he whispered in her ear. “But if we do, I can’t give you your surprise.”
“Umm, there’s more?”
“Oh, yes,” he said as they shifted positions so that they were lying face to face. Imani leaned in and kissed him softly.
“I love you so much,” she whispered.
“Hold that thought,” he said as he leapt from the bed.
Imani pouted like a child who had her toys taken away. “Where are you going?” she called out to his retreating figure. Raymond rushed into the living room and picked up his discarded jacket. He grabbed the ring box and then returned to the bedroom with his hands behind his back.
“I have a question for you. Well, two actually.”
She tilted her head to the side, confused by his stance and the fact that he’d gotten out of bed when she fully expected that they’d fall asleep wrapped in each other’s arms.
“Really?” she asked.
“Work with me, babe,” he said as he crossed over to her side of the bed.
“All right, go ahead.”
“What are the best-dressed actresses wearing in Hollywood on the red carpet these days?”
“That’s an odd question,” she said. “But I’m going to go with the guy who designed Michelle Obama’s inauguration gown.”
“Then, you’re going to outshine them all if you wear this,” he said as he pulled the box from behind his back and opened it. Imani’s eyes stretched to the size of quarters. She brought her hands to her mouth as tears spilled from her eyes. “Is that . . . ?”
“Here’s the second question,” he said. “Imani, will you marry me?”
“Yes,” she cried. “Yes, I will marry you.”
Raymond took the ring from the box and slid it on Imani’s finger. To his surprise, it was a perfect fit.
“Beautiful,” he said, then kissed her hand. “I was told that this was designed for a famous actress and now one is wearing it.”
Imani threw her arms around Raymond’s neck and hugged him tightly. “You know what?” she said. “I never thought that I would ever meet a man like you and fall in love. You’re the only leading man that I will ever need in my life and that’s no act.”
“I know, baby. Before I met you on t
hat island, I really thought that I’d spend the rest of my life surrounded by little old ladies trying to set me up with their granddaughters, and then you burst into my life and turned everything upside down. I’m glad the clinic nearly went broke, because otherwise, I’d still be missing the best part of me.”
As the tears poured down Imani’s cheeks, she realized for the first time in her life that tears of joy were real.
Chapter 23
The next morning, Imani awoke before Raymond and stared at the ring on her left hand. It was beyond beautiful and she was over the moon with happiness. As she lay in the bed in the silence of the morning, she greeted that silence with a smile because all of the doubts that had been in her head before were gone. Raymond was the right man for her and if she was going to be the right woman for him, she could at least get up and fix that man some coffee. She attempted to slip out of bed, but Raymond tightened his grip around her waist.
“Woman, don’t you get out of this bed,” he growled.
“All I’m trying to do is practice being the good wife,” she said. “I was going to make you coffee and get you a bagel.”
“I know a better way you can practice being a good wife,” he quipped.
“Didn’t we get enough practice doing that last night?” she retorted.
Raymond nodded, then kissed her neck. “But you know what they say—practice makes perfect. Although, we do have busy days today, don’t we?”
Imani sighed. “Yes. I have to go meet with Edward and of course, if I don’t tell Dana that I’m back in New York and about to marry the man of my dreams, I think she will write that tell-all book she’s been threatening me with for years.”
“Just what would she have to tell?” Raymond asked.
Imani yawned and smiled. “How I used to stalk Broadway directors, how I never leave the house without being camera-ready, and how I was a diva without a dime.”
Raymond laughed. “I think I’d like to read that book. So, you and Dana came into this industry together?”
“Yes. She was smart, decided to do something that would give her a career right away. She has to take our wedding pictures.”
“Of course.”
“And I can actually pay her for her services for a change. She’s going to be so happy.”
Raymond laughed again and unwillingly got out of the bed. “I have a few midmorning patients and Keith still isn’t one-hundred percent. But meet me for lunch if your schedule will allow it. I have to introduce my fiancée to the staff.”
“I’ve met your staff.”
“But you weren’t my fiancée then,” he said, winking at her as he headed for the bathroom.
While he showered, Imani headed for the kitchen and made a pot of coffee while she called Dana.
“Hello, superstar,” Dana said happily. “I meant to go to your place and drop off all the press I’ve been collecting about you since you’ve been gone. Are you at home?”
“You could say that. I’m at Raymond’s.”
“I love you two as a couple,” Dana said. “When will I be taking wedding pictures? It’s obvious that he’s going to pop the question soon.”
Imani tried not to give anything away over the phone, but her silence told her oldest friend that the question had already been asked and answered. “My God, Imani. He proposed already, didn’t he?”
“Yes!” Imani said, not hiding her excitement. “Last night, and I cried like a baby. I love him so much.”
“I know you do and he’s a great guy. Nothing like the asshole actors you used to date. Now I can ask you this; have you . . .”
“Many, many times.”
“We must get together and dish. Because I have big news too.”
“Tell me.”
“When we see each other,” she said.
Raymond walked into the kitchen, his blue button-down shirt open and his belt unbuckled. “That coffee smells good,” he said.
“Are you pretending to be domesticated?” Dana asked. “Good thing you have the ring already. Call me when you get a chance.”
“Just meet me at Edward’s office. I have to meet with him this morning. Then you can share your news.”
“See you there. Tell Raymond congratulations.”
Imani hung up the phone and turned to her fiancé. “Dana says you’re the luckiest man in the world,” Imani quipped.
“Don’t I know it,” he said as he filled his travel mug with coffee. “I don’t want to leave you this morning.”
Imani crossed over to him and stroked his cheek. “I feel the same way. But we have the rest of our lives to spend as many mornings as we want together.”
“That’s why I’m marrying you, I love the way you think.” Raymond gently kissed her and Imani buttoned his shirt.
“I think I could get used to this domestic thing,” she said as she watched Raymond take a sip of his coffee.
“We’re going to have to work on that,” he said as he struggled to swallow his coffee. “If I finish that, I won’t sleep for a month.”
“Too strong?”
He held his thumb and forefinger inches from each other. “Just a little. I’ll see you at lunch,” he said, then swiped another kiss from her.
After Raymond left, Imani shut the coffee pot off, took a shower, dressed, and headed into Manhattan to meet with Edward and Dana. Once again, when she stepped out the front door, she was camera-ready in her black leather corset dress, cropped pink leather jacket, and black leather booties. And for a change, Imani didn’t take the subway; she walked to the curb and hailed a cab. Three stopped for her at once and she couldn’t help but smile as she climbed into the one she was closest to.
“Where are you going, beautiful?” the driver asked. “Come home with me and the trip is free.”
“I don’t think my fiancé would like that.”
“He’s no good,” the driver said. “Dump him.”
Imani laughed and gave him the address to Edward’s office. For a change, her cab ride wasn’t horrible. Traffic wasn’t at a standstill and the driver seemed to know how to get around the city through back streets and side roads. When they arrived at Edward’s office, Imani was happy to pay the fare and give the man a generous tip.
“If you want to leave that loser, remember old Rafe is waiting for you,” he said, then blew her a kiss. Imani returned the gesture and headed inside.
In the middle of a phone call, Edward motioned for her to sit down as she walked in. “Great,” he said. “I look forward to it. Thanks.” He hung up the phone and looked at Imani with a huge smile on his face. “All it took was a little success to get you to start being on time, huh?” he quipped.
“That and I need my evening free,” she said. Imani held up her left hand and wiggled it. “I have a wedding to plan.”
“Wait a minute, when did this happen?” he asked. “You two have to go on the morning shows and tell the world about this engagement.”
“Hold up,” Imani said vehemently. “My private life is private and I’m not using my engagement as publicity.”
Edward leaned back in his chair. “Unless Will Smith gave you that ring and you broke up one of Hollywood’s happiest couples, everyone wants to know about your marriage plans and your movie coming out as well as the upcoming Broadway show.”
Imani shook her head furiously. “If Raymond was an actor, then maybe that would be all right, but I did the reality show to get a jump start in my career. My private life is officially private.”
Edward threw his hands up. “All right, I can respect that and I won’t call Elize back.”
“Please tell me that’s not who you were talking to,” Imani groaned.
“Yes, I was talking to her because WAPC wants you to do a guest appearance on their top-rated soap opera, which will air before your movie premieres.”
“Really?”
Edward nodded. “And if you show up on set sporting that rock, she’s going to know you and the good doctor are getting married and she’s
going to try and get you two to talk about it. Your private life is over; you’re a star now.”
Imani was about to respond when Dana walked in. “What’s going on, people?” she said as she crossed over to Imani and hugged her.
“Your friend is learning a quick lesson about fame,” Edward said.
Imani frowned and shook her head. “Is it too much to ask to keep some aspects of my life private?”
Dana shrugged. “I’ve been getting calls about you this morning. The press thinks something is going on and I think it has something to do with your PDA at the airport yesterday.” She handed Imani a copy of the New York Post. Right there on Page Six was a picture of Imani and Raymond kissing at the baggage terminal of JFK. The headline read, REALITY SHOW COUPLE GOING STRONG.
“Great,” she said as she tossed the paper on Edward’s desk. “I have to go talk to Raymond.”
“I’m going with you,” Dana said. “That way I can help you spot the paps. I knew this day was coming.”
“What do you mean?” Imani asked as she rose to her feet.
“Welcome to stardom,” Dana said. “Where there is a stalking photographer around every corner. At least your best friend isn’t one of them.” The three of them laughed as Imani and Dana headed out the door.
The clinic was once again abuzz with reporters and photographers. Keith shook his head as Maria and Karen booted another set of reporters out of the clinic, threatening to give them all flu shots with extremely sharp needles if they came back. Keith headed to the break room where Raymond had been hiding out and reading over patient charts.
“Coast is clear, buddy,” he said. “Page Six. You’re going about this the wrong way.”
Raymond looked up at his friend and scowled. “As much as I want to be mad at you for getting the ball rolling on this, I can’t be, since I would’ve never met Imani without that damned show. But this is too much. I can’t kiss my fiancée in public without this media frenzy.”
“And, the producer from the show called yesterday,” Keith said.
Too Hot for TV Page 23
