“Easy there, Brother Lynch. When your woman calls you by your government name, then you better watch out for what comes next,” mumbled Andrew “Drew” Andrews. He grew up being teased because he had the same first and last name.
“Word,” drawled another of Joseph’s frat brothers. “You’re a better man than me, Lynch. There’s no way I would upset a woman who knows how to use a scalpel, then lie down next to her and close my eyes.” Francis turned a beet-red while his future wife glared at Drew.
“If you’re ever in Denver and need medical assistance, don’t come to my hospital, Mr. Andrews,” she threatened, flashing a grin at the stocky man sporting a dark brown shaven pate and a neatly barbered goatee.
Joseph knew it was time to end the lighthearted teasing before it escalated. “Ladies and gentlemen, the bar is open. Once everyone is served we’ll have a toast.”
“Damn, Wilson,” Drew drawled, following Joseph to where the bartender waited to take their beverage requests. “This place is outrageous. Brother, you’re really living the high life.”
“It’ll do,” Joseph said, winking at him over his shoulder.
Crystal beckoned the women closer. “Ladies, please follow me. For those who need to use the restroom, there’s one just before you come to the kitchen, and there’s another to the left of the staircase.”
“I’m so glad Joseph came to his senses and stopped seeing that cow that used to work my last nerve,” whispered Lucretia Moore, an incredibly beautiful full-figured woman with close-cropped hair bleached a becoming platinum.
Dr. Anaïs Woods nodded in agreement. “I second that, Lucie.” She gave Crystal a direct stare, smiling. “You’re such a welcome change from Kiara Solis, who believed her you-know-what didn’t stink. We only tolerated her because she was seeing Joseph.”
“How did you meet him?” asked Maria Acosta in slightly accented English.
”He used to work with my uncle.” She wasn’t ready to divulge that she and Joseph occupied neighboring penthouse apartments. Her answer seemed to satisfy them as they made their way toward the bar.
* * *
Glasses in hand, everyone stood in the middle of the room waiting for Joseph to make a toast. Crystal stared at the man who, despite her efforts to put up barriers to keep him at a distance, had managed to scale the hurdles to soften her heart. He’d called her a thorny rose and she had been. Now the thorns were gone and she was ready to acknowledge that she was falling inexorably in love with him.
Smiling, Joseph raised his glass of amber liquid. “First of all, I’d like to thank everyone for coming to my temporary humble abode for an evening of friendship and goodwill.” This was followed by a roar of laughter. “All of you know why you’re here,” he continued once the laughter faded. “Except for one person. It is not to celebrate my birthday prematurely, but rather to honor a friend and brother who in another week will wake to look at the face of his beautiful future wife and the majestic Rocky Mountains.” He extended his glass. “Brother Lynch, we’ll miss you, man.”
The shocked expression on Frank’s face was priceless when his jaw dropped. “Why, you sneaky—”
“Don’t blame me,” Joseph said quickly, interrupting him while taking a backward step.
Drew held up a hand. “Blame me, Frank. We know how you hate goodbyes, so the brothers decided a little get-together would be the best way to show you how much we’re going to miss your corny-ass jokes.”
“My jokes aren’t corny,” Frank retorted. All of the frat brothers knew he was a frustrated standup.
“Just don’t quit your day job!” someone yelled out.
Joseph laughed with the others. “Speaking of day jobs. Frank, we wish you and Anaïs all the best life has to offer.”
“Frank and Anaïs!” chorused the assembly.
Frank kissed his fiancée, eliciting a round of applause. He signaled for silence. “Even though I’m here under false pretenses I still would like to thank everyone for giving me a send-off I know I’ll never forget.” Shifting slightly, he stared directly at Joseph. “He’s probably going to try and kick my ass, but I’m going to tell it anyway.” He paused. “I wouldn’t be standing here if it hadn’t been for Brother Wilson.” Frank ignored Joseph when he shook his head.
“When I moved into my dorm room and saw Joseph Cole-Wilson standing there, my first impression was I’m going to have to compete with this pretty SOB for women because he had no idea I liked my honeys with a little color.” Everyone laughed, including Joseph. “Once he found this out, he encouraged me to pledge a Black Greek Letter Organization, and that way I would become his brother in every sense of the word. We were halfway into our junior year at Cornell when I got a letter from the bursar’s office saying I wouldn’t be able to attend classes because my tuition payment was overdue. When I asked my father if he’d sent the check, he broke down and told me he’d lost his savings in a Ponzi scheme and that I would have to drop out. I started packing and that’s when Brother Wilson told me he could get the money. I thought he was crazy, but three days later I was reinstated. At first I thought my roommate was into some funny stuff, but he finally had to admit that he asked his father to give him the money for the rest of my junior year. What I didn’t know at the time was that he’d also paid for my senior year.” Frank paused again as he stared down at the floor. “I owe everything I am today to Brother Wilson. Because of him I was able to graduate. Because of him I became an Alpha, which led me to meet the woman whom I love more than I ever thought possible.” He extended his glass to Joseph, and then to the others in the room as tears filled his eyes. “Frat, sorors. I love you all.”
There came a moment of silence. “You should be glad you’re leaving, because from the look on Brother Wilson’s face I know he’s thinking about kicking your ass,” Drew called out.
Lucretia waved her free hand. “Brother Wilson, I have a nephew who wants those new Jordans. Is it possible for you to spot him some chedda so he can style like the other kids in his class?” Her plaintive entreaty elicited another round of laughter.
Maria sucked her teeth loudly. “I’d have to be crazy to spend four hundred dollars on a pair of sneakers for my son when he’ll need another pair less than six months later because he’s grown out of them.”
Most of the women were grumbling loudly about the cost of so-called designer sneakers, while Crystal’s gaze met and fused with Joseph’s as he stared at her over the rim of his glass. She’d thought him arrogant, entitled, yet in an act bordering on courage and selflessness, he’d gone to his father on behalf of his friend and roommate to ask for money.
She’d tried much too hard to tell herself that she was totally immune to him, but that was a lie. And Crystal knew she had to stop lying to herself and face reality. She wanted Joseph, all of him, for the short time they would have together.
She hadn’t moved, so he wended his way through those lining up alongside the table with the food. A secret smile curved her mouth with his approach. “I like your friends,” she said softly.
Lowering his head, Joseph pressed a kiss along the column of her neck. “I like them, too, but I like you a lot better. I should warn you that most of the women are also Greek, and you’ll find a few AKAs among them.”
Looping her arm over the sleeve of his jacket, Crystal took a sip of her wine. “Greek love,” she said softly.
Joseph nodded. “Phi-Skee.”
“Skee-Phi,” she replied, acknowledging the bond between the Alphas and the AKAs of being the first Black Greek fraternity and sorority respectively.
* * *
It was two in the morning when she and Joseph said their goodbyes; the bartenders and waiters were clearing away all food and drink, and the maintenance staff had come to stack chairs on trolleys and reposition furniture.
Resting his hands at Crystal’s waist, Joseph turned he
r in the direction of the staircase. “Go to bed, baby. I’ll wait down here until everyone’s finished.”
Crystal flashed a lopsided smile. “Thank you,” she slurred, leaning in and patting Joseph’s chest. She knew she’d drunk too much wine when she was forced to hold on to the railing as she attempted to climb the staircase in her bare feet.
Frank’s farewell celebration was nothing short of perfection. Copious amounts of food were consumed, and the bartender was kept busy filling drink requests.
Joseph changed the radio station to one featuring rap and hip-hop, Frank and Drew rolled back the rug and the living room had become a dance floor with couples dancing. As soon as the dancing began, Crystal shed her shoes and so had most of the women wearing stilettos.
Stepping off the top stair, she walked slowly along the hallway and into the master bedroom.
* * *
Folding his body down to the chair in the entryway, Joseph stretched out his legs, crossing his feet at the ankles. Given the short notice, Frank’s impromptu going-away celebration was a rousing success. However, Joseph would’ve preferred Frank not disclose his involvement in securing the money needed for the engineering student to complete his undergraduate education at Cornell.
His thoughts shifted from Frank to Crystal when he spied the stilettos she’d taken off once the dancing had begun. He smiled. Club José had become Joe’s Joint when the guys shed their jackets and the women their shoes. Joseph noticed Crystal bonding with the wives and girlfriends of his frat brothers—something Kiara had never been able to do.
He’d felt a measure of smugness when his frat brothers spoke of her beauty and graciousness. A few were bold enough to remark that Crystal was a refreshing change from his ex. Hearing their comments made him question himself as to why he’d continued to date Kiara when he knew marriage wasn’t in their future. And in the end he had to admit to himself he’d been wrong to string her along, hoping he would never have to experience what he’d put Kiara through.
“Mr. Wilson, we’re finished here.”
Coming to his feet, Joseph nodded to the maintenance workers. They’d loaded tables and chairs on two trolleys. The bartender with his cart and the waiters were right behind them.
“Thank you, guys.”
The bartender flashed a wide grin. “Awesome party.” The waiters nodded in agreement.
“I agree,” Joseph said without a modicum of modesty. It was one of the better get-togethers his friends had had in a while. Only the destination weddings were better. He closed the door, locking it, picked up Crystal’s sexy heel, and went in and out of rooms extinguishing lights, leaving on the lamp on a side table near the staircase.
Joseph climbed the staircase, following the lingering scent of Crystal’s perfume to his bedroom. Placing her shoes on the floor beside the door, he kicked off his own. She’d dimmed the lamps to the lowest setting, and there was enough light for him to see her neatly folded dress and underwear on the bench at the foot of the bed.
Undressing, he made it a concerted effort not to leave his shirt, slacks and socks scattered about the room.
Wearing only a pair of boxer briefs, he made his way to the bathroom. Crystal reclined in the Jacuzzi amid a profusion of bubbles up to her neck. She gave him a sexy, inviting smile.
“Hey, you,” she said softly.
Leaning against the door frame, Joseph returned her smile. “Hey, yourself, beautiful. Would you like company?”
“I don’t mind if you don’t mind smelling like a girl.”
Pushing away from the door, Joseph approached the tub, his thumbs anchored in the waistband of hisbriefs. “It will take more than smelling like a girl to make me feel less than a man,” he drawled confidently.
Moisture had curled Crystal’s short hair and spiked her lashes. “Bragging?” Bending slightly, he shed his underwearand stepped into the warm water. Her breathing stopped, her gaze lingering on the heavy semierect sex hanging between Joseph’s muscled thighs. His genitals were an overt testimony to his masculinity.
Her gaze came up, resting on his face as he sat down opposite her in slow motion. The heat from the water spread up her chest to her face. The wine hadn’t dulled her senses so much she didn’t know he was giving her an up-close and personal view of his magnificent naked body. Crystal wished she could read minds, because Joseph’s impassive expression gave nothing away.
“It was very noble of you to pay your roommate’s tuition.” She’d said the first thing that came to mind.
“That’s something I really don’t like to talk about.”
“Why?”
Joseph closed his eyes. “I didn’t do it to be noble. And I’m certain if the roles were reversed, Frank would’ve done the same thing for me.”
“Are you certain he would’ve been able to come up with that much money?” she asked.
He opened his eyes. “It wasn’t my money, but my father’s.”
“You asked your father?”
A cynical grin twisted Joseph’s firm mouth. “I begged him. However, he agreed on one condition. That when I gained control of my trust I would have to pay him back plus fifty percent interest. Of course his demand was excessive, but he hadn’t given me much of a choice. Two days after my twenty-fifth birthday I wrote him a check. Dad shocked me when he tore it up, saying he was proud I hadn’t welched on my debt, and if he needed one friend, he’d want me to be that friend. Now, can we please drop the subject?”
Crystal now knew why Joseph was uncomfortable talking about it. He hadn’t been comfortable with his father’s compliment. “Yes.”
She shifted slightly, the motion allowing Joseph a glimpse of a firm, rounded, water-slicked breast through fading bubbles. He hardened quickly, grateful for the remaining bubbles concealing his erection.
Crystal picked up a bath sponge and handed it to him. “Do you mind washing my back?”
Staring at her under half-lowered lids, he beckoned her. “Come down here and turn around.” Joseph realized he should’ve refused her request when she scooted down to the opposite end, presenting him with her back. His erection brushed the small of her back, the sensation making him even harder.
He tried concentrating on drawing the sponge over her flawless dark brown skin, but his body refused to follow the dictates of his brain.
Around and around, up and down, he counted each time he touched her and after a while he lost count as the sponge moved lower down the curve of her spine to the roundness of Crystal’s buttocks. Then he heard it. Her breathing had quickened. He dropped the sponge, cupping her hips, and his fingers massaged the firm flesh.
Crystal managed to escape the hold Joseph had on her bottom. Turning around, she went to her knees. Days, nights, months and years of denial surfaced, allowing her a newfound boldness when it was her turn to explore Joseph’s body.
Resting her hands on either side of his face, she brushed her mouth over his in a whisper of a kiss. She tasted one corner of his mouth, then the other, knowing she was frustrating him when he brushed her hands aside and held her head captive. His explosive kiss sucked the air from her lungs, leaving her light-headed and struggling to breathe.
Looping her arms under his shoulders, Crystal pressed her breasts to his chest in an attempt to get even closer. She was on fire, the area between her legs throbbing uncontrollably. Her hips moved sensually over his groin, silently communicating how much she needed him to assuage a rising passion threatening to incinerate her.
“Joseph.” His name was a whisper.
“I feel you, baby.”
Joseph released her head, pulling her to straddle his thighs before grasping his erection and slowly, methodically easing himself inside Crystal. He was met with a slight resistance, so reversing their positions and pushing his knee between her thighs, he drew back and with a strong, sure thrust of h
is hips buried his hardness in the hot, moist, tight flesh pulsing around his own.
The world outside ceased to exist as he lost himself in the sensual pleasure taking him to a place where he’d never been.
Even when he’d fantasized about making love to Crystal, that hadn’t come close to the ecstasy he now found in her arms. Fastening his mouth to the base of her throat, he pulled the tender flesh between his teeth. Then without warning he felt it. The tightening in his scrotum indicating he was going to come when he’d wanted it to last much, much longer.
“Joseph!” Crystal called his name. “Please stop!” Panic rushed through her like molten lava. She’d been so caught up in passion she’d forgotten he’d penetrated her without using protection.
Something in her voice shattered the sensual fog holding Joseph captive. He’d promised to protect her. He pulled out, every muscle in his body screaming in frustration. He held his engorged flesh tightly, struggling to stop the flow of semen straining for release. Unable to believe he’d been so irresponsible, he pressed Crystal’s head to his shoulder.
“I’m sorry, baby,” he apologized over and over. “Will you forgive me?”
Crystal nodded, grateful he’d stopped in time. She placed her fingers over his mouth. “Yes, I forgive you.” She pressed a kiss under his ear. “Remind me not to accept an invitation to take a bath with you again.”
He caught her hand and kissed each finger. “I promise it won’t happen again.”
“We have to be careful not to get caught up in the moment.”
Joseph smiled, the gesture not meeting his eyes. Crystal didn’t know his level of frustration had gone into overdrive, and he knew if they didn’t get out of the Jacuzzi he would break his promise and take her again without protection.
Punching the button to turn off the Jacuzzi, he stood, bringing Crystal up with him. Stepping out of the tub, he picked her up and walked out of the bathroom. He placed her damp body on the bed, his following hers. His rapacious mouth charted a course from her mouth to the soles of her feet, seemingly wanting to taste every inch of her silky skin. And as much as he wanted to be inside her, Joseph wanted to bring her to completion.
Sweet Silver Bells Page 16
