An Alpha's Desire

by Amarie Avant

  “Oh, pastor, you know good and well I’ve tried my best with Ephraim,” Odessa says, giving him one final hug.

  “Ian tried his best with ‘em too. I’ve gotta reach out to your rabbi, Eph. I know how to get around when it comes to my flock, and my fellow friends and family, all right, all right?” the pastor says.

  We walk them out. The night is hot, but Daniel takes the darkness as a sign that I need his warmth. He wraps an arm around me, his hand clamped firmly on my opposite shoulder as a sign that there’s no way in hell I can flea his demanding presence.

  And damn it, I don’t want to.

  Though dinner has been very lively and filled with good conversation, I have rationalized that whatever he, Ephraim, and Juliet were discussing didn’t concern me. At least I hope it doesn’t concern me…

  As the rest of us trickle back toward the porch, Daniel steps a few paces back, takes my hand and nudges his chin toward the sidewalk. “Take a stroll with me, Des.”

  “Do I have a choice?” Though I’m not necessarily mad, I realize my mouth was built this way. For defiance, for self-preservation.

  “Of course, sweetheart. Your choice is always aligned with my reality. Although, you’ll have ample training on that.”

  I try to stop to glare at his attempt at riposte, but he pulls me along. He says, “At this very instant, your mind is inundated with why Juliet stepped in during my talk with Ephraim.”

  “Whatever, Daniel, clearly the two of you were having a private, heated discussion. Maybe it was about your company which is not my business.”

  “You are my business, Desire. I love you.” He stands before me. We’re beneath the lamp at the corner of two intersecting streets. I lean against the stop sign. Like hell will I be declaring my feelings to him now. Jealousy is one of the worst feelings. I’ve set aside his mistresses; they’re the past. He’s convinced me as much, but damn, it we haven’t dated long enough for me to have a right to his business affairs.

  “You know how I said the relationship I had with Juliet was strained once she grew tired of being treated differently? My grandfather Wentworth had just inserted me into the family business. She chose Pepperdine University’s international location in Shanghai, China. Oceans away just because she was pissed off that I had to incorporate board meetings, financial analyses, and all that encompasses Titan Aerospace. She’d graduated from boarding school and thought things would change, thought she’d have a family. But it was too late for childish sibling rivalry and all the annoying kid sister stuff, the shit we had only for holidays and summers when she was a kid. I had to learn how to separate work from family life. So, Ephraim was talking about a business deal. Juliet is the type to cut in and change the damn subject, especially on a Sunday.”

  “Okay, so why not just say that?” Am I on the defensive? There’s a heaviness in my heart, telling me to utilize caution. Or is that Azalea? Is my aunt’s warped mindset placing me on pause?

  Though my eyes turn away, and I attempt to give Daniel his space regarding his business matters, he shares, “Ephraim’s reviewing an investment that is very important to me. Eph is suspicious of the risk factors. I’m a play hard or go home type of guy. Juliet had taken a look at the proposal a few days ago, and knew instantly what we were talking about. Factor in church, Odessa who we often are too busy to visit…”

  “So, Juliet changed the subject.” I sigh.

  “Pretty much. Are you my friend now?” he asks. Daniel grips my thigh. “Can I have my hammy back?”

  I chuckle while Daniel pulls me into his arms. “Boy, we aren’t in high school. I will always be your friend.”

  “But your ass had a major attitude, did you not?”

  “Maybe I was a little much,” I say, smacking a kiss against his lips.

  ###

  For the past couple of weeks, I’ve orchestrated the completion of Titan Jetways’ launch party. Lacy has been everything that I could imagine while helping with the event. Not to mention, Titan Aerospace has offered a wealth of its team members to assist with the previewing of the commercial. Daniel has become even more consumed with work as the days transpire, yet I have enjoyed time with his family though Facetime is as much as I can give my own. Except for last Saturday when Daniel made good on his promise to take Riley for a jet ride. We flew to Catalina Island for a few hours.

  When we returned, I suckered my way out of going shopping with them in order to meet my mom for a late lunch. Damn, I am still worried about Daniel meeting my parents and how they’ll warm to him due to his social ties with Azalea.

  Tonight, is go time. Gauzy, sheer white drapes are laced around the ultra-high ceiling like large plumes of clouds. The endless flowing Cristal is in every direction of the large venue where the top one percent of the world has come to celebrate the birth of new, luxurious Titan Jets.

  Though I’m more than grateful for having a hand in Titan history, my nerves are frazzled. I haven’t set eyes on Daniel since dawn. He had board meetings and a slew of last minute tasks to handle prior to the launch of his new jetliners.

  I’m dressed in a red couture gown that was presented to me a few hours before the event. The silk caresses my skin and I look through the throng of elite party goers for Daniel. I miss him desperately. When hosting an event, I always have a certain case of jitters. Lacy is usually at my side through it all. Besides the conception of ideas regarding this event, I haven’t done much. And tonight, I’ve been free to mingle.

  “Hello, Miss Desire Taylor,” a man with a thick Middle Eastern accent greets me as I eye a silver tray of caviar and salmon blinis.

  I turn around to see a man almost as dark as I am with a rich honey skin tone, and twinkling hazel eyes. The handsome man is wearing a cream-colored suit and sports a thick, black goatee that probably complements a head full of wavy hair. Except he’s also sporting a turban.

  My eyebrows rise in surprise as he shakes my hands. “Razeen, the King of Tavar.”

  Tavar… the country. The country of milk and honey and oil. “Should I bow or curtsey?” I ask, with a certain level of awe that surprises even men.

  “No, please. A kiss would be preferred though.” He smiles an even row of teeth.

  Uh oh, I was in no way attempting to flirt with Razeen, and realize this is one very important learning experience in my field of work especially since I don’t plan on creating events for middle class retirees and sweet sixteens for the rest of my career. Hello, that’s why I gave Daniel a chance… despite his intensity. So, I hold my chin high and take on a professional stance.

  “You’ve planned this event?” he asks.

  “It was a team effort, but yes.” Before I can offer him a chance to view my portfolio, Razeen speaks up.

  “May I have your business card? I have…” he licks his lips, “a birthday coming up that I’d like you to be a part of.”

  I almost smile, but the undertones of sex in his voice have me on pause. “When is your birthday?”

  “August ninth. This year’s is already planned I’m afraid, but getting a start on next year would be great.”

  “Wow, my birthday is a few days following. That would be awesome. Please have your assistant get in touch with me,” I tell him, ensuring that the emphasis is on the buffer between us. I’m no fool. Tavar is swimming in fuel so I’ll figure out how to keep him in his line.

  “Hello, Razeen,” Juliet says, head tilted somewhat as she walks up to me with a flute of champagne in hand.

  “Hello, Jules.” He eyes her like used meat before turning to walk away.

  I gingerly pull the flute from her grasp. “Um, first, Daniel will kill you for drinking and second, I’m sure he’d kill the two of you if I read that man correctly.”

  “Tsk,” Juliet grins. “Daniel would be a fool to know that Razeen hasn’t screwed every pretty piece of pussy in here yet. At the cost of lying to Lee about craving baked brie with pecans—which I’m not entirely sure I even saw tonight—I just saved you.”


  My head tilts. “So, you sent Lee on a wild goose chase? Nonetheless, I don’t need saving.”

  “Hey, I’m not knocking your ability to deny the Sheik. I doubt you’d be so easily persuaded about money, drop dead gorgeous looks, and more money. You were brutal to Daniel. But Daniel is a very jealous man, so technically I saved you, because I’m confident that guy has nuclear bombs to counteract any jealous antics of Daniel.”

  “Where is your brother?” I glance around, missing him.

  Juliet smiles sympathetically. “This is the life of a Rutledge significant other. It’s a good thing Daniel gives a damn about you…wait. That came out ass-backward. I didn’t mean…”

  I nod, assured that she’s referring to her late mother and father’s relationship. “It’s okay, Juliet. You’re awkward.”

  Her eyes narrow in thought, and then a bright smile crosses her face. “I am. I watch that show Insecure all the goddamn time wishing I could rap my feelings in the bathroom mirror, instead of telling shit like it is.”

  I chuckle, shaking my head as she adds, “You’ve gotta say that to Daniel the next time my mouth pisses him off. Because he doesn’t understand me.”

  “Likewise, Jules, my mouth gets the better of me when it comes to him.”

  “Damn it, I love you!” Juliet wraps an arm around my waist.

  Daniel

  Prior to this evening, I already wanted to shout it to the hilltop that Desire Taylor belongs to me. Sia from Entertainment News hounded me for a few minutes earlier with questions about Desire. Then I saw King of Tavar and how enraptured he was by my woman’s beauty. Instead of jealousy, guilt lines my esophagus. Depending on how it's perceived, I lied to her the other night about Juliet. Much of the lie was redirecting, but the truth is, it was all a big fucking lie.

  I stand on the stage and billions of dollars shine before my eyes, but all I can see is Desire. I speak into the tiny microphone attached to my ear.

  “Are you all ready to experience the birth of luxury beyond your wildest dreams?” I ask them.

  The crowd is filled with royalty and self-made billionaires. Blue blooded motherfuckers like myself with their grandparents who are still hanging in there. In a twenty-thousand-dollar tuxedo, I hype each and every single one of them up. I learned long ago that a speech has to seem personal.

  “You all look good this evening. You’re wearing your best and newest ensemble because you’re ready to slide your ass into the buttery soft leather seats of a Titan jet that has broken the world record of all predecessors. I’m telling you that just the thought of how fast our jets go makes my cock stand to attention. But isn’t that what I always give you? Have I ever offered less than the fucking best?”

  The audience is fully engaged. Even the servers have stopped meandering around to listen in to my speech. There’s a difference between taking people’s money and giving them something better. And I plan on apprehending no less than fifteen billion dollars tonight so I’m prepared to sell a bit of myself for that. It goes with the territory of being filthy rich.

  “All right, you’re all wet for me.” I smile at a few cougars who are dripping in ice and can afford their own. “But before the commercial and viewing of our new jets, I would be remiss if I didn’t introduce you all to someone important in my life.”

  Fuck, did I just say that?

  I glance at Razeen. ‘Take that, bitch,’ is easily read between the beam of a smile on my face. Chin raised, I call out for my woman. “Desire Taylor, where are you gorgeous?”

  Flashes of red flush against her warm brown skin. From thirty yards away, Desire’s eyes sparkle in shock. Juliet whispers something in her ear before she struts forward, a sea of people parting in her wake.

  Their pupils are dilated with the lust of wealth and life as Desire’s hips sway, east to west. She starts up the steps and onto the stage. Fuck me, the look in her eyes tells me that I’m in trouble, beyond my wildest dreams.

  Ephraim Levine is dead center before me, his smile hard as he glares at me.

  I issue a hard glower to my best friend. We’ll light some fire under his ass yet, won’t we?

  “Ms. Taylor.” I breathe her name, fingers gliding through hers. “Desire is one of the top planners at Elite Events. She gave me the idea of this commercial. She brought so much to the fold that it would be highly inappropriate to continue without acknowledging her. The woman that I’m madly in love with.”

  Her eyes gloss with tears. Now her beautiful, roasted nut skin tone is a deep red as she smiles. I reach down and kiss her softly on the lips.

  “All right, I see you all in the extra cushioned seats of your new jets.” I point to Huge, and the old man places a hand around the two young, top heavy women he brought with him. “Let’s watch the commercial.”

  The lights fade to black and a screen beside us pops on. I wrap my arm around Desire.

  “Daniel, you are in trouble,” she says. “My parents meet you the day after tomorrow. You couldn’t wait any longer?”

  “They’ll love me. Moreover, I cannot be in trouble. I placed a smile on that gorgeous face of yours, so it cancels out any bad behavior.”

  “Umhmmm,” is all she says before the side of her cheek kisses against my forearm as we watch the video.

  Desire

  The summer party my mother always has, has brought about the old friends and family of both my parents who come from Compton and Inglewood. Not a single one of my father’s business associates are usually invited. I pull up behind my friend, Niecy’s, Honda Sport and get excited.

  “Well, Daniel, evidently my mom didn’t watch the news or listen to the radio. However, if my parents don’t like you, we are through,” I joke, chin held high.

  “Damn, so it’s like that?” He reaches over and kisses me softly on the lips.

  “After that stunt you pulled last night, you better be as debonair as you were when you fought so hard to prove to me you were so much more than my perceptions.” I pull the key from the ignition. “I’m just kidding. You’re the first guy I’ve brought home, but my mother is going to love you. My father, he will love your status.”

  Dang. I chuckle at the truth of it all.

  The smell of jerk chicken and ribs on the grill call out to me. We walk along the sidewalks since we had to park a few houses down due to how busy my mom’s beginning of summer parties are. One of my father’s older, yet not all the way there in the head, brothers is already making his way out of the house. He’s wearing his usual white t-shirt, jeans, and boots and has a container of food.

  “This … uh … this is for Grandmommy Mae.” He mentions their mother.

  I give him the side eye before hugging him and introducing him to Daniel.

  My dad's family is big with these stunts—come over for parties empty-handed, leave with Tupperware and recyclables.

  As he walks away, I mumble, “Be prepared, babe, my family is a mix of bourgeoisie and … not so much.”

  “That’s fine,” Daniel replies, opening the tall front door.

  “But they’re drinking already, so maybe we should come back tomorrow and just meet my parents…”

  “We’re already here.” When I lean back on my heels as he takes my hand. “Move those ham hocks,” Daniel jokes while pulling me across the threshold.

  The large house is virtually empty except for chafing dishes and other clutter in the kitchen. The sliding glass is wide open.

  The Isley Brother’s “Summer Breeze” is streaming through the speakers in the backyard. This song is a staple, which means my mom and her cousins have just straightened up the kitchen and turned the radio station from the latest rapper.

  While Daniel and I walk onto the back veranda, I see my mom first. Her hair is in fresh braids that Niecy had to have done just recently. My mom is twerking with her favorite cousin and the closest thing she has to a sibling, Tonisha, whose silver cornrows have been placed into a coil of a braid down her back. The two of them sway back and forth with margari
tas in their hands.

  My father is at a table with two of his other brothers and one of his uncles. These are the people he wouldn’t be caught out with if any of his choice golfing buddies were around, but they’re family. There are clutters of family and friends all around, and children jumping in and out of the pool.

  The song fades to The Isley Brother’s ‘Don’t Say Goodnight.’ Some of the younger folks start to complain. Yet, when my mom and Tonisha get together and add The Isley Brothers to the mix, it can get dangerous for virgin eyes.

  “Hey now,” Tonisha shouts, “what ya’ll know about this? Monique, what do they know?”

  “Girl!” My mom slurs, “This song is the reason Desire is here, isn’t it James?”

  “Heyyyy…” I shout out, cutting into a rather embarrassing discussion while the Isley Brothers are crooning about ‘I gotta have your love…’

  “Desirenda!” Tonisha screams out. She smells of Bath and Body Works lotion and cigarettes as she comes to hug me tightly. “Baby, who is this sexy man?”

  “This is my date, Daniel Rutledge,” I begin to make introductions.

  “Mhmmm, you’ve jumped your ass into the swirl Jacuzzi.” Tonisha chuckles at her own joke, slightly tipsy.

  “Your boyfriend.” My mom’s eyebrow arches. “Wentworth Rutledge?”

  “The third.” He extends a hand.

  “Desire, are you kidding me?” Her disappointment increases in waves.

  “Mom? What’s wrong?” I feel myself moving in front of Daniel but my mother walks on by. She doesn’t even give us another look.

  “Monique, don't be like that,” Tonisha attempts.

  My father finally rises from his chair, smacking a card onto the table. He hasn’t heard a word from his distance, and his pace toward us is leisurely. There’s a smile on his face too, until he sees his wife storm into the house.

  Finally, the backyard is quiet, save for The Isley Brothers and I can’t say there’ll be any brotherly love around here anytime soon. Especially if my mother just got angry for no apparent reason. She is never anything but cordial.