“All right,” she said, walking around the desk, deliberately adding extra oomph! to her switching hips. “How about we play Jalila, May I?”
He frowned, his hand still leisurely stroking himself.
“Jalila, May I? is sort of like Momma, May I? You have to do whatever I say after you ask, ‘Jalila, May I?’”
Keenan laughed. “All right. Let’s play.”
She winked. “Sit in this chair.”
He started to move, but caught himself. “Jalila, may I?”
Her smile exploded. “Yes, you may.”
It was a relatively short game, since they were both hot and bothered. To Keenan, this whole thing felt like a dream. He had his woman back and she seemed more than willing to let bygones be bygones. In his head he was planning how they could have a whole new beginning, starting with a real courtship: taking her to fine restaurants, hanging out at the park with their dogs or even just serving her breakfast in bed. He wanted to do anything and everything for her.
Most of all, he just wanted to love her.
Sitting in his leather office chair, Keenan watched as Jalila straddled the chair and then slowly lowered herself onto his painfully hard erection. He was grinding his back teeth to damn near powder at the snug, tight fit.
“Fuck me, Keenan,” she whispered.
“Jalila, may I?”
“Yes, you may.”
It was on. Keenan locked an arm around her waist while his hips turned into a supercharged power drill. Jalila couldn’t catch her breath. When the chair sounded as though it was seconds from breaking, Keenan stood up and Jalila locked her legs around his hips. She held on for dear life, their bodies slapping hard.
Curling the top half of his body, Keenan sucked in one of her fat nipples and went to town. The next thing she knew they were on the desk, against the wall, on the floor. Neither one of them could get enough.
When Jalila neared exhaustion and was on what she knew would be her last orgasm, she bit her lower lip and purred as she came. Smiling, she collapsed against Keenan’s sweaty chest and waited for the room to stop spinning.
“Just think,” he said. “It could always be like this.”
A tidal wave of emotion flooded Jalila as she closed her eyes. Still a lone tear managed to escape and rolled down her face. She pushed up off the floor on wobbly legs and then looked for her coat.
Keenan frowned. “What are you doing?”
She picked up her coat.
“Where are you going?” he asked.
“I gotta get home. Feed the dog.” She started buttoning her coat. “But hey, thanks. I really needed that.” Jalila tied her belt.
“Wait a minute. Hold up.” Keenan jumped to his feet and started to follow her to the door. “What the hell was this about?”
She frowned. “What do you mean?”
“Wh-what do you think I mean? You just came over here to fuck me and leave?”
Jalila folded her arms. “Well, yeah,” she said, as though the answer was obvious. “Isn’t that what we do?” She glanced at her watch. “I’d better go. Thanks again.” She blew an air kiss at him and then rushed out.
When she slammed the door, Keenan just stood there, dumbfounded.
Jalila stood on the other side of the door, wondering if she’d truly seen hurt flicker across Keenan’s face a second ago or whether it was wishful thinking. She waited a couple of seconds, wanting him to come after her. He would if he cared, right? But when the door remained closed, Jalila put one foot in front of the other and marched out of the main office.
She’d just slipped her key into the door of her SUV when Nitara whipped into the parking lot and drove over to her.
“Jalila, hey,” Nitara called. “I’m so glad I caught up with you. I was in a meeting when Dee Dee called and told me you were here. I rushed over as soon as I could.” She glanced around the lot. “Is she still here?”
Jalila hoped not—especially after all the racket she and Keenan had kept up. She opened her door and hopped in.
“Oh, Keenan’s car is here.” Nitara looked at her, her gaze suspicious. “Did you talk to Keenan?”
“I gotta go,” Jalila said.
“So, about the show,” Nitara said, ignoring the fact that Jalila was hell-bent on leaving. “I’m sure I don’t have to tell you that you left us in a pretty tight pinch when you left the show.”
Jalila slid the key into the ignition, but stopped short of starting the car.
“You know, we can script the ending if you no longer want to really date any of the guys. It’s just that we’ve already put in so much money and time. I don’t want to be crude but you did sign a contract.”
The wheels in Jalila’s head started spinning.
“It would really help us out if—”
“Actually,” Jalila said, folding her arms, “If you still want me, I’ll be more than happy to finish the show.”
Nitara’s mouth dropped open. “You would?”
“Why not?” Jalila shrugged. “I’m still single.”
Chapter 26
For the next two weeks, Jalila resumed her role as the bachelorette of the reality television series Queen of Hearts. Martina and Fantasia thought that this was a sign that her high-heels-and-dress-coat routine had worked—she had reclaimed her independence and sexual power.
Jalila knew otherwise. As much she wanted to claim that she’d successfully kept her heart and emotions separate from the physical, it simply wasn’t true. Sex with Keenan wasn’t just sex. Somehow Keenan got into her blood, tangoed with her soul. Instinctively they knew each other’s moves, rhythms, what buttons to push and what buttons not to push.
To top it off, they were so much alike—independent and entrepreneurial. They loved sunsets, scary movies, Great Danes and even salsa dancing. She loved how he took charge in the bedroom but was comfortable enough in his masculinity to let her take the reins once in a while. Sure, they hadn’t known each other long, but it felt like a lifetime.
And yet, they weren’t meant to be.
Right now she had to choose between Dontrell, Tion and Evander. They were all nice guys. Any one of them had the potential to be a really good friend, boyfriend or even husband. As the show neared the final taping, with all three suitors scripted to present her with a ring, Jalila could honestly say that she didn’t have any idea which man’s proposal she would accept.
“I say you should take Tion,” Fantasia suggested during a taped luncheon at Las Brisas. “He’s smart and engaging. Plus, you never know, he might turn out to be the next Barack Obama.”
“You think all black politicians nowadays are the next Obama,” Martina said, sporting, unbelievably, her natural black hair color.
“I do not.” Fantasia kicked her under the table.
“Ouch.” Martina twisted her face. “Keep those hooves on your side of the table.” She turned her attention back to Jalila. “I think you should go for Dontrell. He’s got all those muscles bulging everywhere. Makes me wonder if he knows how to work the one muscle that really counts.”
“Martina,” Jalila snapped.
“What?”
“This isn’t a cable show.”
The cameraman chuckled.
Martina tossed the man a wink and then made a gesture with her hands indicating that he should give her a call.
Fantasia and Jalila just rolled their eyes at Martina’s antics.
“Who are you feeling?” Fantasia asked Jalila.
Keenan. “Oh, I don’t know. I think they’re all really sweet guys.”
“Sweet?” Martina swirled her wineglass. “What kind of answer is that? Either you’re feeling these brothas or not. Hell, who knows? Maybe you’ll have to do a season two.”
Jalila and some of the TV crew groaned at that possibility.
“Aaaaaannnnd cut!” Wolfe yelled and then stepped from behind camera number one. “Can the crew keep it quiet?”
Everyone glanced around, feeling thoroughly reprimanded.
&
nbsp; Much later, Jalila took Evander to her parents’ place. This really wasn’t a big deal since all the bachelors had gotten the chance to meet her mom and dad. Her father had walked around the house, puffing out his chest and drilling the men on everything from credit scores to criminal records. Dontrell had come clean that he’d gotten picked up for shoplifting when he was ten.
Of course, they, too, had an opinion about whom she should chose. Her father was pulling for Dontrell, her mother for Evander. Jalila silently wished her parents could’ve met one other bachelor.
Sidebar, camera one:
James swings an arm around Bettye. “We thought that all three gentlemen had something to offer. Of course, the decision really isn’t up to us. We’re going to support Jalila no matter who she chooses.”
Bettye nods her head. “I still think this is a strange way to go about finding a potential mate, but who can keep up with what’s hip nowadays?”
James frowns. “Do they still say hip?”
Bettye strokes her chin. “I think they do.”
Sidebar, camera two:
A laughing Jalila rolls her eyes. “My parents are so cute. I know that they just want what’s best for me.” She lowers her gaze and seems lost in a memory. “I gotta tell you, this is a hard decision. I’ve learned a lot since being on this show. I’ve met some wonderful men. But you know, I think I’ve made my decision.” She nods. “Everyone will have to tune into the finale.”
Keenan felt as though he was sleepwalking through his sister’s engagement party. Their parents had turned their house on wheels around and made it back in time to shower their only daughter with love and gifts. Keenan had opened up his home for the party. By his calculation his sister must have invited everyone in the Los Angeles and Beverly Hills area, but seeing his sister so happy and beaming on Jaheim’s arm made handing over his platinum card worth it.
Yet, as the night wore on, he began feeling envious of his sister’s happiness. Suddenly the idea of starting a whole new chapter in life with someone you loved seemed overwhelmingly beautiful and ideal.
He walked out of the house through the back door and was instantly accompanied by Chips. At least for now the dog had stopped giving him the cold shoulder. He walked around the grounds thinking about the direction he was going in his life. He thought about all the goals that he’d been working toward for so long and that had seemed perfectly fine a month ago. Now they all seemed empty—meaningless.
Success means nothing without someone you love to share it with. Now where had he heard that?
As Keenan walked, faint music from the party reached him, and his mind drifted to the last time he’d seen Jalila. The memory of her waltzing out of his office and thanking him so casually for serving her still stunned him. Yet it held up a mirror to all those one-night stands he’d had between his divorce and meeting Jalila. Essentially, hadn’t he done the same thing?
Wasn’t that her point?
Then, to top things off, she’d decided to continue with Queen of Hearts—effectively giving him the middle finger. Her decision did save A.M. Production, and he and Nitara were now on target for the three shows he had pitched to the network. Quite frankly, however, he would rather have taken the hit if it meant that he could win Jalila’s heart.
“There you are.”
Keenan looked up from his reverie and smiled when he saw his sister approaching. “Hey, you.” He swung his arm around her shoulder. “What are you doing out here? The party is for you, remember?”
“I was looking for you.” She leaned into his chest. “You disappeared on me.”
He shrugged. “I just stepped out for a moment for some fresh air. I wasn’t trying to escape, I promise.”
“You don’t have to escape—you don’t even seem like you’re really here.”
Keenan’s gaze fell to his feet as they walked. “Think you know me so well, do you?”
“Absolutely,” she said confidently. “But I gotta tell you, I’m disappointed that you didn’t tell me about you…and Jalila.”
They walked a few feet before he said, “Who told you?”
“Nitara. She said that you told her that you loved her.”
He gave her a sad laugh. “Well, that and a nickel will get me right where I am. Nowhere.”
“Did you tell Jalila?”
“She’s not interested in anything I have to say.”
“How do you know?” she probed.
“Well, that part I’m not willing to share with my little sister.” He tried to laugh again, but it just didn’t sound right.
Keisha stopped walking. “Do you or do you not love this woman?”
“I do, but—”
“There is no but,” she said. “You know, all my life I’ve looked up to you. You’re smart, you’re a go-getter.” Keisha glanced around. “And you seem to do okay for yourself.”
“If you’re trying to stroke my ego it’s working.”
She smiled. “I just don’t get why now you won’t go after what you want.”
“You’re not listening,” he said, shaking his head. “Jalila hates me.”
“How do you know?”
“Trust me. I know.”
Keisha was silent for a moment. “Women are complicated.”
“Now that I’ve figured out all on my own.”
“It’s great to know that you’re loved. It’s great to feel that you’re loved.” She stared up into her brother’s eyes. “But one thing we all need and crave is to hear that we’re loved. The words mean so much.” Tears shimmered in her eyes. “We act out when we think we’re not valued. Some of us slash tires or break headlights to hear the words, and some of us give you a taste of your own medicine to make a point.”
Suddenly it dawned in Keenan’s eyes.
“If you love Jalila and you want any real chance with her, then you need to tell her.”
Chapter 27
The Finale
The Queen of Hearts finale was being taped at the beautiful Hotel Oceana in Santa Barbara. The hotel, Jalila was told, had been selected for its lush romantic setting right off Butterfly Beach. The network was pulling out all the stops to make sure this was a memorable minivacation for Jalila, Martina and Fantasia.
Once Martina found out that everything was comped, she started packing up hotel robes, towel, shampoos—everything that wasn’t nailed down. “What? It’s free, ain’t it?”
Jalila couldn’t help but laugh while Fantasia pretended to be embarrassed.
“So, you’re not going to give us even a little hint as to who you’re going to choose today?” Fantasia asked, giddy and excited.
“If I do, it’ll ruin the surprise,” Jalila said, lying under the sun in a cloud-white bikini while a three-man camera crew moved around them. “Besides, you know Martina can’t hold water.”
“Oh, that’s cold,” Martina said and returned to chugging down a super-size piña colada with a huge chunk of pineapple hanging on the side of the glass. “True. But cold.”
Sidebar:
“Well, I guess I’m a little nervous,” Dontrell says, chuckling. In the background is an incredible view of Butterfly Beach with its white sand and deep-blue water. “But I feel like we’ve made a connection. We’ve gotten extremely close over the past couple of weeks. I think she’s feeling me.”
Jalila returned to her hotel room to see that the hair-and-makeup team had arrived to work their magic. It was getting close to that time and Jalila was actually starting to get nervous.
“All I have to say is, whoever you pick, when you get married and have babies, I want to be the godmother,” Martina crowed.
Fantasia jabbed a hand onto her hip. “Well, I like your nerve.”
Unfazed, Martina laughed. “Well, like the good preacher said, you gotta speak it and claim it.”
Jalila choked on her appletini. “Since when did you start going to church?”
“Please, all the hell I raise six days a week, I gotta check in with the Lord and get a spr
inkle of some of that holy water.”
“I don’t believe what I’m hearing,” Fantasia deadpanned.
“Well, believe it. I’m covering all bets.”
There was a knock at their door and Nitara stuck her head into the room. “Ladies? How’s it going in here?”
“Fiiiinnnnneeee,” they chorused back and then watched as the coproducer entered the room.
“I just wanted to tell you that everything is all set. We’re going to beginning taping the ceremony at precisely six o’clock.” She flashed a smile at Jalila sitting in the makeup chair. “Are you nervous?”
Jalila smiled. “A little.”
“Well, don’t be. Everything is going to be great. You’re going to be great.”
Jalila appreciated the encouragement but sipped down some more liquid courage nonetheless.
“Ladies,” Nitara addressed Fantasia and Martina. “I need you two to come down with me to tape your predictions as to who Jalila will select and give your reasons why she should pick your choice.”
“Humph! I know she better pick Mr. Muscle Man,” Martina said. She was probably just a bit tipsy. “My girl needs a man who can give her a good workout on the regular.” She released a loud cackle and held up one hand for a high five.
Fantasia and Jalila left her hanging.
“Oh, y’all gonna play me?”
“Looks like you’re doing a pretty good job playing yourself,” Fantasia mumbled.
Nitara laughed. “All right. C’mon, ladies.”
Grumbling, Martina and Fantasia stood to leave. Each of them took a moment to give Jalila a hug.
“If you want, you can just whisper in my ear who you’re going to choose. That way I don’t look like an idiot downstairs,” Martina whispered.
Jalila shook her head. “Nice try.”
“Can’t blame a girl for trying.” Martina laughed, and then she followed Fantasia and Nitara out the door.
Queen of His Heart Page 20
