They hadn’t been the only ones. She found herself hanging on his every word, listening to his deep-throated laugh and having vivid fantasies that she worried could develop into an unhealthy obsession. She still had a hard time getting a read on Malik but didn’t doubt she could turn their platonic relationship into something more, sooner rather than later.
“Malik and I are co-conspirators, that’s all. Anyway, when are you coming back?”
“You ask that every time we talk.” Nina crossed her arms over her chest, looking cute as ever with thick cornrows and a face free of makeup. A fake gemstone glinted in her left nostril because she hadn’t taken any valuables with her on the trip abroad.
“Because I want to know. I miss my little sister. You’ve been gone for two years.”
“And like I keep telling you, I don’t know when I’m coming back. I’m enjoying myself, exploring the world. This break was exactly what I needed.”
Nina was five years younger, and they were opposites in every way. Nina had a subdued personality while Lindsay was more outgoing. Nina was a free spirit and could sleep on the side of a mountain. Lindsay preferred modern conveniences and went into a panic if her Wi-Fi went down.
But Nina was the one person in the world Lindsay knew she could count on. Currently in India, she was working for a non-profit that secured work opportunities and education for women with disabilities. She’d always been a helper, ever since they were children, encouraging Lindsay to work at homeless shelters, feed the hungry, and one summer volunteer for back-breaking labor in a community garden in a low-income neighborhood.
It wasn’t enough for Nina to write a check. She needed to get her hands dirty doing the work, and Lindsay admired her dedication to social causes when she could easily keep her involvement to throwing money at the problem.
Because of her sister, she’d learned terms like food desert and gentrification. But although she’d learned a lot and appreciated those experiences, she didn’t have the luxury of traveling the world like Nina.
Nina’s father came from a wealthy family that owned the Winthrop chain of hotels, and Nina was an heiress because of it. She didn’t have to work if she didn’t want to. Every week she received an allowance from a trust her father set up when she was born, and when she turned thirty-five, the entire amount would be turned over to her to do with as she wished.
So her younger sister was lucky enough to have a wealthy father who earned his money through legitimate business practices and who, even though he’d passed on, made sure his daughter was well taken care of. The company ran in her absence thanks to competent executives and a board of directors.
“Okay, whatever. Tell me what you think of this dress.” Lindsay held up the outfit so her sister could see it. The strapless, asymmetrical design would show off her curves and fit her sexy diva personality.
“It’s gorgeous. So when is the interview?”
“Next Friday at ten.”
Lindsay laid the dress on the bed and stared at it, still not sure the bold yellow color was appropriate for the interview at the radio station but thinking the dress would serve as the perfect temptation for Malik. She went over to the closet and pulled out a pair of red-bottom shoes. She held them up for her sister to see.
“Yes,” Nina said.
Lindsay drop them to the floor and then started digging through her jewelry box. “Oh, I almost forgot. Please give Reese a ring. He called me the other day from an unknown number, and I made the mistake of answering. He wanted to know why you haven’t called him.”
“I talked to him a couple of weeks ago. Wait, no, that would be a month ago, but still.”
“You know that man has a thing for you, and once a month is not enough for Reese Brooks. Put him out of his misery and give him a call as soon as you can so I can stop dodging him. Every time I see him, I cringe because I know he’s going to ask about you, and I’m running out of lies to tell.”
“You don’t have to lie.” Nina sighed heavily. “I don’t know why he thinks I have to call him all the time.”
“You know why.”
“Why?”
Lindsay went to stand in front of the computer and raised a brow at her sister. “Because he’s secretly still in love with you. Duh.”
“First of all, he was never in love with me, so he can’t still be in love with me. And of all the people you could accuse of loving me, Reese is not the one. A few weeks ago, mutual friends told me about some girl he hooked up with the last time he went to Seattle. Reese is not thinking about me, no matter how many times he asks you what I’m up to or insists that I call.”
“Maybe he’s doing those things to forget about you,” Lindsay said in a singsong voice.
“Whatever. Matter of fact, I have something to tell you.”
She heard the excitement in her sister’s voice and immediately paid attention. “Okay, what’s up?”
“I’ve met someone.” Nina grinned.
“What!” Lindsay shrieked. “Who is he? And how the heck did you have time to fall for anyone when you’ve been jumping from country to country?”
Nina giggled. “Well, that’s what’s so amazing about this guy. He’s doing the same thing I am. It’s like we’re soulmates. I met Andy when we were doing volunteer work on an organic farm in New Zealand. He comes from a really good family, and they coincidentally live in the Atlanta area.”
“Do you know them?”
“Not personally, but I know of them. He’s a von Trapp, part of the family that owns all that real estate and land around the country. Andy, the oldest son, is the one that I’m seeing.”
“Whoa, you’re kidding. Andy von Trapp? Mother will be pleased,” Lindsay said sarcastically. Their mother, Gloria Winthrop, made no secret about her desire for them to marry well.
“Don’t be bitchy.”
“I’m not, but you know I’m right. So, is it serious?”
Nina smiled, her face glowing. “It’s getting there. I think he might be the one. The kind of guy I can spend the rest of my life with. We have so much in common that it’s unbelievable. We like the same colors, we both enjoy traveling and volunteer work. We want to visit the same countries. It’s almost as if we’re the same person but got separated, and now we’re coming back together.”
Lindsay rested her hands on her hips. “This sounds serious.”
“It kind of is.”
“How long have you been seeing this guy?”
“We’ve been traveling together for the past few months.”
“You never said anything before.” Lindsay was a little hurt. They told each other everything.
“I know, I know. At first our relationship wasn’t serious. It was more casual, but it’s been fun having a companion, and he’s really sweet.”
Lindsay bit her bottom lip.
“Why’s that look on your face?” Nina asked.
“What about Reese?”
“What about Reese? He and I are just friends.”
“He’s going to be crushed.”
“I’ve had boyfriends since Reese and I broke up, and we broke up a long time ago. Good grief, we were teenagers.”
“I know, but…I guess I always thought you two would get back together.”
“Why would I get back together with him? He hurt me. You’re my sister. Shouldn’t you be on my side?”
“Of course I’m on your side! I’m happy for you.”
“And I’m happy for you.”
“My relationship is fake, remember?”
“Sure it is,” Nina said with a sly grin.
“Bye. Oh, what do you want me to do about a contact for Malik?”
“I’ll get a message to my assistant. Reach out to him tomorrow, and he’ll get you in touch with the right people who might be interested in Malik’s sculpture. I was impressed by the photos you sent.”
“Thank you. Now I can make sure I hold up my end of the deal. Be safe. Love you.”
“Love you, too!”
&
nbsp; They blew kisses at each other, and Lindsay ended the call.
Chapter 11
Tonight’s interview was a major coup for Lindsay. Hal had booked her on Late Night with Michelle, a radio show that broadcast to an audience that loved sexy slow jams and neo soul music. Despite being a radio interview, she and Malik still had to appear as a convincingly loving couple, not only to the interviewer, but to the listeners for this to work.
Once they were seated in front of the microphones with headsets on, the introductory music started, and the interviewer smiled at them both. Lindsay had decided to wear a blouse and slacks instead of the yellow dress, and Malik looked unbelievably good in another black shirt today, this one loose around his torso but snug around his biceps. Everything looked good on him. Every color, every shirt, jeans or pants. None of them stood a chance against copper skin and sleepy brown eyes.
Michelle, the host, did her spiel about the show and then introduced Lindsay and mentioned her podcast and upcoming book. She then mentioned Malik and started the interview.
A few questions in, she asked, “How did you two meet?”
Malik’s eyes rested on Lindsay beside him. “Should I tell the story, or should you?” he asked in his low voice.
The inside of her thighs tingled. God, his voice. She’d gotten to where talking to him on the phone left her in the predicament of needing a cold shower.
“You tell it,” Lindsay replied. They’d already rehearsed everything they planned to say and were well prepared for this specific question.
Malik pretended to think before answering and then launched into the rehearsed script, which wasn’t completely rehearsed since some of what he was about to recite had actually happened.
“We met at my cousin’s party. I saw her across the room, but I thought, no way. She’s out of my league.”
“Oh.” Michelle rested her chin on her hand and settled in for the tale.
“But later,” Malik continued, “I got my chance once I maneuvered my way over to her.”
“What happened next?” the interviewer asked, eating up the story.
“She let me know she was interested, and we ended up alone. That should have been my opening, but she’d been drinking and was a little tipsy, and I didn’t want to take advantage. So I left her alone for the evening.”
The interviewer threw in her thoughts. “Ladies, did you hear that? A true gentleman.”
Malik laughed, that sexy, throaty chuckle he always gave, smoothing a hand down his beard. “It was hard, believe me. You see how sexy my lady is.”
He glanced over at Lindsay, and she actually felt herself blush. Dang, he was good. The way he told the story, the way he looked at her, seemed so real. Too real. Malik was messing with her head, and if she wasn’t careful, she could easily fall for him and his charming ways.
“Oh, the heat in this room!” Michelle fanned her face. “Those of you at home can’t tell, but the temperature is scorching up in here!” She looked at Lindsay with amusement and a hint of envy in her eyes. “He’s a keeper, honey. Malik, what happened next?”
“We parted ways, but I never forgot her. I told my cousin to hook me up with her number. He was hesitant and reached out to her to make sure it was okay. Lucky for me, she gave her consent. After that, I called, and we went on our first date. The rest is history.”
“Sounds like you two connected right from the beginning. Is that right, Lindsay?” Michelle shifted her attention.
“Yes. From the beginning I felt…I don’t know how to explain…drawn to Malik. I was glad when he approached me at the party, but make no mistake, I have no problem approaching a man. As I’ve said in my podcasts, women should feel comfortable making the first move. Be confident. You don’t have to go overboard. Just walk up, say hi, and introduce yourself. There’s nothing wrong with it. In my experience, men love it, and I dedicate several chapters in my new book, The Sexy Diva Talks Dating, to different ways to strike up conversations with the man you’re attracted to, based on your comfort level and your environment. Approaching a man at a party is different from approaching a man at a conference.”
“Do you see this as an aspect of women’s empowerment?” Michelle asked.
“Absolutely. We shouldn’t only feel empowered in the workplace. We should be courageous in our personal relationships, too. Take control of your love life. Grab your happy ending and wrestle it to the ground.”
Lindsay laughed and so did Michelle, but then the interviewer shifted her gaze back to Malik.
“I believe in everything you’re saying, but I’d like to get a male perspective on how men feel about a woman making the first move. Malik?” Michelle quirked a brow.
They hadn’t anticipated this kind of question, and Lindsay’s stomach tightened in apprehension.
“Whoa. You’re putting me in the hot seat.” Malik stroked his bearded chin. “I can’t speak for all men, but I don’t know a single guy who’s ever complained about a woman approaching first. I like when a woman makes the first move. It’s gutsy and is flattering, but once we’ve mutually established there’s an interest, I prefer to take over.” His dark gaze connected with Lindsay’s. “I like to give chase. I like to woo.”
Lindsay swallowed. Was he talking to her, or…?
“I hear that. Tell us about the proposal,” Michelle said.
“I should tell that story,” Lindsay said.
“Okay, baby,” Malik said with a smile.
He really needed to stop.
“The proposal was very romantic and completely unexpected. A couple of years into our relationship, we were both very busy. As you know, my podcast was taking off and Malik was busy at work on his sculptures, hoping to eventually break out as an artist. After working so hard for months, we realized we’d hardly been spending time together. I was surprised when Malik suggested we make plans to relax and enjoy each other. We went down to St. Simons Island, just to get away.”
“There’s nothing like a man who’s spontaneously romantic,” Michelle said, sighing.
Lindsay almost felt guilty about making up the story. Almost.
“On the last day of the trip, he packed a picnic basket, and we sipped champagne and ate dinner on a blanket while watching the sun go down. Then we went for a stroll along the water’s edge. To my surprise, he got down on one knee, with the sun setting to my right, and asked me to marry him.”
“Oh my. Any pictures?” Michelle asked.
Lindsay turned to Malik, softening her gaze. “No, it was a private moment for the two of us. There are no pictures, except the images we’ve kept in our hearts and minds.” She might’ve laid it on a little thick, but the interviewer didn’t seem to mind. She practically had hearts beating in her eyes.
The interview continued in the same vein. Michelle asked questions, most of which Lindsay answered and related as much as possible to her podcast and upcoming book, while trying not to appear too sales-y.
Near the end of the show, Michelle said, “We’ve opened the phone lines. If you two don’t mind, we’re going to take a couple of questions. This first question is for Lindsay.”
“Hi, Lindsay! My name is Jamie, and I religiously listen to your podcast every week.”
“Thank you,” Lindsay said.
“My question is, how did you know Malik was the one?”
“Jamie, if you’re a loyal listener, then you’ll be familiar with this bit of advice. Use your women’s intuition. Use common sense. As women, we know if a man is husband material when he treats us like we’re wife material. Does he respect you and participate in your activities the same way you participate in his? Does he treat you the way you want and deserve to be treated? Then hold on to him. Now of course, some men are good at pretending. They hide their true colors, but the truth always comes out. Trust your instincts. Often, the signs are there, but we ignore them. With my man, after three years, I know I’ve found the right one. Even if it doesn’t last, we’ll be friends afterward because we were friends
first.”
“That’s part of your advice, too, isn’t it?” Michelle said. “You’ve stated before that friendship is an important part of any romantic relationship.”
“Absolutely. Friendship is a great foundation on which you can build. It paves the way to love and passion. If you like each other and can bond outside of sexual chemistry, if you can spend time together in non-romantic ways like going to parties together, sharing your hobbies, or simply enjoying a good laugh because of an inside joke, it greatly increases the chance of a relationship’s success.”
“I couldn’t agree more. I think the friendship factor is missing from a lot of relationships. We have time for one more call. Go ahead, caller.”
“Am I on?” the woman asked.
“Yes, dear, you are. What’s your question?”
An uneasy feeling entered Lindsay’s gut, and when the caller spoke next, she realized that her intuition was correct.
“My name is Amy, and I don’t have a question. It’s more of a word of advice to Lindsay. Run, girl! Run while you can. Malik Brooks is nothing but trouble. Yes, he’ll woo you. He’s really good at it and will make you feel as if you fart rainbows and sunshine out your a—”
The host cut off the caller with a laugh. “Well, that was weird, and awkward. But, what do you say to that, Lindsay?”
“I’ll answer,” Malik said.
Both women turned their attention to him.
He looked deeply into Lindsay’s eyes, and she drowned in the brown depths of his, wondering what he could possibly say to get the interview back on track after the unexpected call.
“I can admit to not being the best mate in the past, but that’s the past. Lindsay is my future. I’m a changed man because of her, and sometimes that’s all a man needs. For the right woman to come along.”
Wild Thoughts Page 7
