by A. C. Arthur
“We did and we’re at the new hotel.” She wanted to add in separate rooms but that wasn’t true. Besides, it might lead to more questions than she was willing to answer.
“And when are you coming home?”
“Tomorrow” was her quick reply.
“Oh, good.”
“Is it?” Monica inquired.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“I don’t know. Is it good that I’m coming home after being tricked to take a trip across the country, then get stuck in a blizzard? Oh, and let me not forget that this was a matchmaking trip orchestrated by my own flesh and blood.”
Karena cleared her throat. “We didn’t mean any harm.”
“What you meant and what happened are two different things,” she snapped.
“What happened? Did he do something to you? Are you okay?”
“Really, Karena, if you thought he was capable of doing something to me, why would you set something like this up?”
“Alex Bennett is a nice man, Monica. We just thought the two of you might hit it off.”
“And then what? What did you see happening beyond this little tryst?”
“I don’t really know. Monica, are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” she snapped. “Look, let’s just forget this whole thing. I don’t want to talk about it anymore. What’s done is done.”
“You sure he didn’t do anything to you?”
Monica inhaled deeply, then exhaled slowly. “How are you and the baby, Karena?”
“We’re doing well. Dr. Devaris says everything is going along nicely.”
“And how’s Deena?”
“She’s fine. Her and Max are planning to bring the baby back once the weather breaks here on the East Coast. I loved seeing little Sophia. She has the cutest dimples.”
“Yes, she does. Deena’s doing a great job as a mother,” Monica said and knew the words had taken Karena by surprise because her sister became very quiet. “Nothing’s wrong with me, Karena. I just think maybe being a mother is something Deena was meant to do. You’ll be great with your child, as well.”
“And so will you when you find yourself a husband so you can have one.”
“I can have a baby without having a husband, Karena.”
“Yeah, try telling that to Mama and keeping all your teeth.” Karena chuckled.
“Anyway,” Monica said with a small smile. There was some truth to Karena’s last statement. Noreen Lakefield wasn’t the single-parent type of woman. Although Monica had no doubt her mother would love any grandbaby that came her way. “That’s not what I called to talk about. How’s everything at the gallery?”
“All good on that front,” Karena said. “Adonna’s got things under control and I check in with her periodically to see if there’s anything I need to deal with in your absence.”
“Good. Well, I left Adonna a message that I’ll be back tomorrow but probably won’t see her until the day after since it’ll be late on the East Coast when I get in.”
“You and Alex sharing a flight?”
“Yes,” Monica answered. “I’d like to meet with you on Wednesday to go over some things and see where we stand with the Black History Exhibit. February’s right around the corner.”
“Sure. I think my schedule’s clear. So where’s Alex?”
“He went to a New Year’s party downstairs.”
“Why didn’t you go?”
Monica frowned, picking at a piece of lint on her pants. “What for?”
“Ah, to have some fun for a change.”
Yeah, that did sound like a good idea. Years ago she might have actually enjoyed a New Year’s party with a good-looking man. But that was then. “I’m fine here in the room. Look, I’ll call you tomorrow when I land.”
“Okay,” Karena replied. “And, Monica?”
“Yes?”
“Go easy on Alex. He didn’t know about this, either.”
“Please, Alex Bennett is a grown man. What do you mean, ‘go easy on him’?”
“I just know how you can be, that’s all. And I’m telling you that he doesn’t deserve it. We set him up, too.”
“Well, if you thought I was going to treat him so bad then why’d you set him up? Never mind, don’t answer that,” Monica replied, squeezing the bridge of her nose and hoping for some semblance of relief from the headache she’d been nursing for the better part of two hours now. “Alex and I are both adults. Whatever happens or doesn’t happen between us we’ll handle just fine.”
“So something did happen?”
Monica didn’t miss the intrigued tone of her sister’s voice and almost gave in and told her what happened. But she didn’t; she’d been keeping things to herself for far too long to turn back now. “Let it go, Karena. I’ll see you in a couple of days.”
“Fine. But I’m just going to have more questions when we meet.”
“As long as they’re about business I’ll answer them,” she replied before disconnecting.
She dropped her phone back into her purse and covered her face with both hands. She was a nutcase; there was no doubt about it. She had a caring family and a man who acted as if he could be so much more important in her life and she was sitting here in a hotel room all alone, her head throbbing from worry over her present circumstances and a past that just didn’t know how to stay in its place.
The click of the door closing had her jumping and looking over to the door, alert and ready to react if she needed to.
“I brought you something to eat,” Alex said, coming closer to where she sat.
“Thanks,” Monica said, managing a smile even though it was the last thing she felt like doing. “Look, Alex, I want to apologize—”
“Eat first,” he interrupted. “Apologize for making me go to a New Year’s party stag, later.”
Her smile looked genuine this time and Alex felt the tightness in his gut uncurl. She’d looked so defeated and stressed when he left the room before and he’d hated it. He wanted the old Monica back, if that was believable. This tired and reserved-looking woman wasn’t what he wanted to see.
“How was the party?” she asked as she uncovered the plate he’d brought her. He wasn’t totally sure what she liked to eat but he knew she needed to eat something to get that dull look out of her eyes.
“Nothing spectacular. I only went for the food anyway. I brought this for us to bring in the New Year later.” He lifted the bottle of champagne he’d stuffed in his front pocket. The back pockets held champagne glasses.
She was biting into one of the salad wraps he’d brought her, the green one. He made a mental note that she obviously liked spinach.
“That’ll be nice,” she said when she’d finished chewing.
“And then we can talk about what’s been going on,” he said, not looking at her but putting the glasses and the bottle onto the table and moving to make sure he put the bolt on the door.
“You don’t think today’s two incidents are coincidence?” she asked.
“No. I don’t.”
She finished another bite then said, “I don’t, either. But I don’t have an explanation for them.”
“Any enemies? Old boyfriends that want you back?” The last question had been going back and forth in his mind all day. He’d only now figured out how to slip it in.
She picked up the napkin, wiped at her mouth and her fingers. “I had a boyfriend in college. We broke up. I haven’t had one since.”
Three simple sentences, Alex thought, and he’d touched on what he thought was Monica’s biggest problem. Whatever happened in college had clearly dictated how she would conduct the rest of her life.
“Have you seen or heard from him since then?”
“I don’t think it’s an old boyfriend. He couldn’t care less what I’m doing now.” After finishing off a mysterious-looking eggroll, Monica picked up the empty plate and took it to the trash can near the door. “Maybe it’s a disgruntled client. We both would have those, right?”
“You’re right,” Alex agreed, but still thought it had something to do with Monica. It had been her balcony the intruder had been on, her window he’d broken. A couple of bucks to the front-desk clerk and it would have been easy enough to find out which room she was in. That’s why he’d contacted Sam again.
“Either of us could have been the target,” he said to make her feel better. He went to recheck the balcony door, closing the curtains tightly. “Let’s not think about it any more tonight. It’s New Year’s, after all.”
She nodded and sat back in the chair at the small table. “That’s right. New Year’s Eve in a hotel outside of Aspen, Colorado. What better way to ring in the New Year?”
“I’m trying not to take that as an insult.” Alex sat on the bed and looked at her.
“No,” she said with a sigh. “I’m not insulting you and I’m not trying to be cold or disconnected. It’s just—”
“It’s just that you don’t know how to be any other way,” he finished for her.
With a tilt to her head she stared at him. “How do you do that? Every time I say something you can finish it. You know what’s in my head before I do, it seems. I’ve never met anyone like you before, Alex Bennett.”
“I believe you,” he replied. “Come here.” Alex patted the bed beside him and was a little surprised when she didn’t hesitate but moved from her chair to come sit beside him. “You don’t have to be anybody but yourself when you’re with me, Queen. I’m not intimidated by your personality because I know it’s just a protective barrier.”
“Protection is so much better than defeat, Alex. You’re used to protecting your family so I guess you would see that in me.”
“What I don’t like to see in you,” he said, touching a hand to her cheek, “is defeat, for any reason. You’re a strong black woman, with a loving family and a successful career. Nobody can defeat you. There should be nobody in your life that you fear, and you shouldn’t have to be on guard all the time. I want to take all of that away from you.”
“You want the impossible.”
“Right now, Queen, I’ll settle for just wanting you.”
She smiled. “And I’ll settle for just wanting you, too.”
Moments later they both lay on the pillows at the top of the bed, stretched out on their backs in the dark. It was probably close to midnight, Monica thought, because she could hear people outside laughing and carrying on. There was noise throughout the hallway, as well, as it seemed everyone in the hotel was in a festive mood except for her and Alex.
She liked their mood, too, the quiet contemplativeness of the two of them just lying here alone. His breathing was slow, measured; she listened and felt lulled by the sound. Her mind wasn’t as full of thoughts as it had been just a half hour ago. Sure, there were things going on, but right here at this moment they didn’t seem all that important.
“I’ve been dating since I was about seventeen,” Alex’s deep voice spoke through the silence. “Over the years I’ve been partial to intelligent women, sexy, vivacious, good with boundaries.”
“Boundaries?” she asked.
“They knew from the start that I wasn’t looking for a commitment and it was okay with them because most of the time they weren’t looking for one, either.”
“Convenient.” Monica didn’t know how she felt about discussing Alex’s past love life. Then again, they’d discussed hers to an extent. So if he could do it, she could, too. “I didn’t really peg you for the ‘love ’em and leave ’em’ type.”
“Definitely not. When I walk away it’s clear that I’m doing so. And most of the time it’s mutual, so no harm, no foul.”
“I see.”
She felt his fingers on hers, let them lace together and hold tight, forming a bond she wasn’t quite sure what to do with.
“I say all this to let you know that I can’t see myself walking away from you, Queen.”
Monica swallowed and wondered if she should say something. And if so, what?
Alex turned on his side and with his free hand touched her chin, turning her face to his. “I don’t want to walk away from you.”
She didn’t have to respond, didn’t have a moment to even consider a response because his lips were already on hers. This kiss was different from all the others they’d shared these past days. It was softer, touching, soothing, coaxing. It was commanding, like confirmation or an announcement. It was deliciously naughty as his tongue slid sensuously over hers.
Of their own volition her arms lifted, wrapping around his strong shoulders, pulling him closer to her. With his other hand now free Alex touched her hip, twined his arm around her and moaned deeper into the kiss.
He pulled her closer, until their bodies were completely touching. Monica pressed herself even closer. She wanted to feel all of him at once. Her body ached with wanting this man and showed its persistence with hips undulating against his, breasts pressing into his chest, arms holding him close.
There was an urgency in the air but the kiss remained slow and seductive. His hands moved up and down her body, gripping her bottom, fanning and rubbing persistently against her back. She mimicked the actions, cupping his bottom in her hands and pressing her now-aching center firmly into his bulging erection.
Alex groaned with that motion and his hands moved under her shirt to find her bare breasts. His fingers toyed with a nipple while his tongue made the same swiping motions over her lips. Monica’s breathing was hitched; her eyes closed to the blissful pleasure of his touch. Reluctantly one of her hands left his buttocks to come forward, finding the buckle of his pants and undoing it. The zipper was next, then she was diving inside in search of the erection she craved so desperately. His length was hot and hard in her hand and she stroked him from the base to the tip.
He did the same, letting his hand fan down over her rib cage, to her belly, even farther beneath the elastic band of her lounge pants to her waiting heat. When his fingers first feathered between her swollen lips Monica sighed. He touched her clitoris and her legs began to shake. Stroking slowly, his fingers moved along her slickened folds until finding her aching center and plunging deep.
Monica had no idea how many fingers he used. All she knew for certain was that she felt full, complete, then hungry. She stroked his erection harder, letting her fingertips linger on his moistened tip. Alex pulled his fingers out, plunged in deeper, harder. She lifted one leg, granting him better access. He cursed, swore between their heated kisses, something about wanting to get inside her, needing to feel a part of her.
“Yes” was all Monica could manage to reply and hoped he knew she was responding to everything he’d murmured.
With slow, almost torturous motions he removed her clothes. When she lay there naked and needy he stripped off his clothes, taking his sweet time with each piece. Her vision glazed with lust, Monica watched as Alex lifted his shirt over his head; delectable pectoral muscles and tight abs came into view and her breathing quickened. Perfect buttocks and sculpted thighs appeared next, his thick erection stealing the last of her breath. Her tongue snaked out to lick lips that had gone instantly dry.
He was beyond gorgeous and he wanted her. She lifted her arms to him, spread her legs slightly and whispered his name.
Alex touched his palms to her thighs; he needed to feel their softness once more. Her skin was shades lighter than his, like freshly churned butter, and his mouth watered each time he saw her naked. She’d parted her legs for him but he wanted more. He wanted to see her, all of her. Reaching over he turned on the lamp and waited to see if she would protest. But she didn’t, only watched him with the same hunger he suspected she saw in him.
Again he touched her legs, moved his hands up and down the length, remembering the first time he’d seen them and knew he’d wanted them wrapped tightly around him. Holding both her ankles, he spread her legs wider, his gaze moving swiftly to her center. Like a flower blossoming only for him. Alex’s entire body tensed, his hands shaking slightly as th
ey moved upward to touch her there.
Her dewy folds glistened beneath his perusal and his fingertips touched the plumpness lightly. She sighed and he inhaled deeply, exhaling slowly as he lowered his head and kissed her clitoris with a soft peck. He continued to rain kisses over her center, along the soft crevices, near her weeping entrance and back to her clitoris again. Over and over he kissed her, swearing if he never remembered anything else in this world it would be kissing Monica Lakefield this way.
When he felt her hands cupping his head, applying a gentle pressure, he moaned and mumbled a ragged, “Yes.” She wanted more and he wanted to give her more. He wanted to give her the world, the sun, the stars, the moon, any and everything he could to make her happy.
Tonight he would give her himself.
Every touch of his lips to her was gentle and filled with everything Alex had felt building inside him for this woman. Since the first day he’d met her he’d known there was something about her, something that had drawn him. She wasn’t an easy woman, that was a given, but the man that claimed her would be receiving such a magnificent gift. He wondered if she knew that, wanted her to feel what he was offering wholeheartedly.
His palms gripped her buttocks and he lifted her slightly off the bed, giving himself better access. The sound of her heavy breathing and his name on her lips was like a litany in the air. His arousal was so thick and so hard now it was almost painful. The mere thought of sliding his length inside her was like a touch of heaven.
When she shivered beneath him, her thighs tightening then releasing, her body going limp, Alex lifted his head, dropping a trail of heated kisses over her navel, up her torso to her breasts. She wrapped her arms around his neck as he found her lips and kissed her deeply. Her legs wrapped around his waist and he slipped inside of her without further preamble.
Moving slowly, Alex enjoyed the smooth rhythm they created, the tight friction of her walls gripping his length. There was no need to rush; they had all night. Downstairs there was a party going on—in here it was something else, something special.
