by Nana Prah
He chuckled. “No worries. They do, too.”
She blinked to make sure this surreal scene was real. Adam had more facets to him than a magnificently cut diamond. He’d never been sexier than when he had picked up the little girl. Who was this man? How had he gotten involved with the orphanage? How come he couldn’t be the low down dirty skirt-chaser she knew him to be?
He’d said he would adopt if he were to ever get married. She didn’t know of many women in Ghana who’d take in a child who wasn’t biologically born from her or her husband’s family.
She would. For the past couple of years, with the date pickings being slim, she’d thought about adopting a child. But she didn’t want to be a single mother. She’d be willing to adopt two if she had a man to support her and be a loving father figure.
Esi possessed so much love, she knew she’d be able to care for any child who came into her life as her own, regardless of whether they’d grown inside of her or not.
Seeing this side of him was doing nothing to help her resist him. From the moment the children surrounded him at the car, an overwhelming need slammed into her to give into her baser instincts. If they’d been alone, she would’ve found a private place to push him up against a wall.
He already rated off the charts on the sexy meter. But with the addition of this new aspect of him, she didn’t know how she’d get home without ripping his clothes off. She had to dig deep and find the strength. He was too dangerous for her emotional wellbeing. Nothing had changed. He didn’t want marriage.
What remained of her resolve dissolved when Adam came up to her at the end of the visit holding Abena’s little chubby hand. “Aunty Esi?”
The child was too cute for words with her little braids sticking up all over the place and her wide, imploring eyes. “Yes?”
“When are you coming back to play?”
She looked at him for help.
Adam bent his knees until he was closer to Abena’s eye level. “Sing the song I taught you for Aunty Esi.” The diversion had worked, at least for the little girl.
Her intrigue about the gentle giant had risen to beyond her understanding. The song, complete with hand choreography, ended with the little girl bowing low from the waist until she almost fell forward. He reached out to catch her. Both man and child laughed as he tickled her.
Esi’s heart thudded in her chest, and she averted her eyes to hide the lust she was sure filled her eyes.
Resistance is futile.
When they settled into the car a couple of hours later, Esi clicked in her seatbelt. She’d had fun with the children.
“How did you get involved with working at the orphanage, Quarshie?”
He pulled out onto the street and took a left. “I’m taking you home, right?”
“Those kids took up a lot of my energy. I’m hungry.”
Her breath hitched at his adorable lopsided grin. “They demand a lot of attention, but they’re fantastic.” Sparing her a brief glance he seemed to come to a decision. “How about if I take you to get something to eat? I promise I won’t leave you with the check if we have an argument.”
“Ha ha ha. You’re such a comedian.” Her stomach tightened. “Okay.” This is not a date. I want to kiss every inch of his body, but this is not a date.
“I know the perfect place. It’s not far from here.”
When he pulled into a hotel parking lot, she broke out into a cold sweat. “What are we doing here?”
He switched off the engine. “Relax. I’m not here to ravage you at the hotel. The hotel restaurant makes the best grilled tilapia I’ve ever tasted.”
Esi ducked her head. “Oh.” It was a shame he hadn’t brought her here for something other than food.
No, no, no.
In the restaurant, the low lighting gave the place a cozy atmosphere. Waiting for the waiter, Adam pointed at the menu. “I was a little presumptuous about the tilapia. Do you eat it?”
“Not my favorite fish, but I enjoy it when it’s well cooked.”
“You can order something else if you want. They have a wide variety of Ghanaian and international dishes to choose from.”
She found his concern endearing. Stop it. “Since you raved about the grilled tilapia, I’ll try it.”
He gave the waiter their orders when he came over.
Esi felt uncomfortable in her own skin. She had no desire to be in such a romantic atmosphere with him. She already sat teetering on the edge of throwing herself at him.
“You wanted to know how I got involved with the orphanage?” He pinned her with one of his dark, serious gazes.
“It’s okay, you don’t have to explain.” If she learned another thing about this incredible man, she’d be a goner.
“I used to do a night duty locum at a private hospital in Tema, not too far away from here.” He flicked a hand in what she presumed to be the general direction of the hospital. “One night, a guardian at the orphanage brought in a six year old boy burning up with fever and suffering from seizures.”
“Let me guess. His blood smear showed outrageous malaria parasites.”
He tapped his head then pointed to her. “I always knew you were smart.” She let the sarcasm slip by without comment. “I treated him. He ended up being admitted in the hospital for five days. He had to be one of the most brilliant boys I’d ever met, reminding me of myself at his age. The difference is, I had parents to love and help me out. I decided to sponsor him.”
“Was he there today?”
“Kwame. The one wearing the baseball cap.”
She smiled remember the kid she’d played the board game with. “The one who beat me at drafts. He’s a cute kid. Is he one of the two you’d adopt if you had the chance?”
“Yes. Both his parents died when he was three. No one in his family has claimed him. I learned he was starving and emaciated when he was brought in.”
“Who is the second one you’d adopt?”
“Abena, the small girl who became an appendage. Her mother died during childbirth, and no one knows who her father is. She has no family to take her in. I’ve known her since she was brought in as a baby.”
Esi brought a hand to her chest. He was going to be the death of her. Who knew someone with such a horrendous personal reputation could be so compassionate? “Why won’t you adopt them?”
“Children need stability in their lives. The orphanage provides more than I ever could.”
The waiter brought the food, and the tantalizing aroma of the fish made her stomach grumble. “This is delicious,” she said after the first mouthful. They had both paired the fish with banku and pepper. The tomato, onion, and red pepper condiment wasn’t too hot, so she could enjoy it without tears springing to her eyes.
“I told you.”
Throughout the meal, their conversation focused on the children at the orphanage and their antics.
“Would you like desert?” The waiter asked when he came to clear away their plates.
“Esi?” Adam asked.
“No, thanks. I’m full.”
“Bring the check please.”
She sat back and observed him.
“What? I can see the wheels moving in your head.”
“I was wondering how you could commit to those children, but not a woman.”
He shifted in his seat. “Children, unlike adults, love unconditionally…at least somewhat unconditionally.”
“So you seek unconditional love from a woman?”
His unwavering gaze held hers. “No, I want nothing from a woman except the physical pleasure we can give each other.”
Unable to maintain the eye contact, she pretended to observe the restaurant. His intensity had trapped the air in her lungs.
Adam paid the check and guided her out of the restaurant with a hand on her lower back. His touch sent an explosion of heat though her. By the time they sat in the car, she’d reached her limit of restraint. Without a word, she slid over the console and kissed him. He didn’t react. Not w
ith his lips or his body. Had she make a mistake by initiating? Of course she had, but she didn’t need to add rejection on top of it.
As she was about to pull back and apologize for her rash behavior, he moaned and kissed her back. Relief and lust took over. He deepened the kiss by delving his tongue into her mouth and stroking it against hers. She became unhinged. Never had she physically needed a man so much.
He wrenched his mouth way. “Esi?”
She understood what he was asking. The risk would be great, but her need for him had elevated to uncontainable levels. One time. All she needed was one time with him, and they’d get over the attraction between them. They could move past it. She would keep it physical and prevent her heart from getting involved. “How far is it to your place?”
His lips came down hard on hers, and the kiss went wild. When he released her, she slithered back into her seat and refused to think.
Chapter Eighteen
Adam took his time driving to his place. But all he wanted to do was break the speed of light to get there. His heart thundered in his chest. He didn’t have to play games to get Esi. Honesty had worked like a potent aphrodisiac. Who knew? But he didn’t have her yet. She could change her mind at any moment, and he’d respect her decision.
He needed her to be sure. Their attraction was more than physical. Something about her drew him to her and kept him there. He thought about her all the time, wanting to be with her in more than the sexual sense.
This both amazed and frightened him. He should jump on the motorway, get her home and out of his life so he could get back to his carefree existence. But he had to take advantage of this unexpected opportunity to have her. He was no fool.
When they reached his apartment, her calm and regal demeanor hid the fire and passion she’d displayed back at the restaurant. Had she changed her mind?
“We’re here,” he announced.
She gave a curt nod, but sat staring ahead.
“We don’t have to do this. I could take you home.”
She turned to him. Was that panic in her eyes? “I want to.”
He opened his door. When she stayed in the car, he walked around and opened her door for her. He offered his hand. When she took it, the shock from her touch almost made him let go. Pulling her up, he didn’t move back to give her room. They stood chest to chest. He leaned down and grazed his lips along her jaw. She shivered, and he moved down to her neck.
The sweetness of her vanilla perfume became more intoxicating than the beer he had drunk at the restaurant. He plucked kisses from her tantalizing lower lip, flicking out his tongue to taste her. It wasn’t enough. He sucked on the tender flesh.
She gripped his shoulders and pulled back. “Quarshie, we’re outside.”
He lifted his head and grabbed her hand. Unable to resist, he dove in for possession of her lips. The soft mewling from her throat didn’t help his resolve to release her so he could get them into the house. Wrenching his mouth away, he removed the keys from his pocket. He unlocked the door, blocking her so she had no view of the keys shaking from the slight tremor in his hands.
Once they were inside, manners dictated he offer her a drink.
She clutched her purse, looking nervous. “No, thank you.”
He rubbed his hands along the incredibly silky smooth skin of her bare arms. By now, he should have been buried deep inside of her, but he was treating her like a blushing bride. “You aren’t one of those old virgins, are you?”
She giggled. “No.”
He led her to his bedroom. When they were inside, he turned to her. “It’s not too late. You can change your mind.”
She reached out for him, lifted her head, and kissed him with a fierceness that obliterated the offer.
Esi would have preferred if he’d torn her dress off and gotten on with it. His gentleness was driving her mad.
He returned her kiss. His hands landed on her ass and drew her close. This time, his erection didn’t surprise her. She lifted her leg, wrapping it around him to bring her aching center against his bulging erection. Instead of appeasing her need the limited contact only served to enflame her further.
She unbuttoned his shirt, needing to feel his skin. Rubbing her hands over a chest splattered with a thin layer of fine, curly hair, she stopped to rub her thumbs across his nipples. He groaned. She tore her mouth away from his to blaze a trail of kisses from his jaw, down his neck, and to his chest. She teased a dark nipple with her tongue, taking it into her mouth and sucking.
As she feathered kisses along his skin towards the other nipple, he grabbed her shoulders putting space between them. Missing his touch, she whimpered in protest. Without a word, he released her, went to his nightstand, and pulled out a box of condoms. He waved one in the air. “Safety first.”
“Of course.”
He returned and unzipped her dress, lifting it over her head. Her imperfect body exposed in the yellow bra and matching panties, she forced herself to stand still instead of covering herself or requesting he turn off the lights. She wouldn’t let her insecurities prevent her from enjoying the experience.
“You are spectacular,” he whispered. His hands slid to her back, unhooking her bra. The air felt cool on her breasts as he slipped off the satin and lace.
“Damn.” He cupped a full breast in each hand and leaned forward to tease the sensitive peak of her nipple with his tongue, making it harden. Just as she’d done to him. She moaned as she grabbed his head to hold it in place. Stiffening her knees to prevent tumbling to the floor, she relished the delicious sensations. He shifted to her other nipple, laving and sucking it.
He stood and kissed her lips with such tenderness, she thought she might cry. Where was the ardent lover she’d expected? This man wasn’t having sex, he was making love.
“Tell me what you want?” he asked as his lips touched hers.
Not sure of what he was asking, she answered the obvious. “To have sex with you.”
“No…. What do you want me to do for you, or to you? Name it.”
No man had ever asked her what she wanted, they presumed to know. She hadn’t had many sexual experiences, and they’d all been unfulfilling. The verdict was out about if it had been her fault or theirs.
She leaned back, craning her neck to stare into his eyes. She’d throw any sense of sexual timidity out the widow and request what she wanted from him. “Since you’re asking. Give me an orgasm.”
“That’s it? I was planning to do that anyway.”
Determined to be honest, she fought back what remained of her shyness. His hands caressing her back with enticing circles helped embolden her. She would take what he had to offer. “I’ve never had one. At least not one that a man has given me.”
He raised an eyebrow. “A woman?”
“No…myself.”
“Ah. Well, I’ll give you one. If you’re good, or maybe I should say naughty, I may give you two or three.”
“Hmm.” She didn’t believe him. Multiple orgasms existed in movies and romance novels. “What do you want?” A blow job. She answered for him in her mind.
“For you to call me Adam.”
Her head jerked back at the response. “Pardon me?”
“You always call me Quarshie. I want to hear you say my name.”
“I can do that.” She paused then added, “Adam.”
“I like it. I’m going to like it even more when you say it during your orgasms.”
His words made her face grow warm. “Cocky, aren’t you?”
He pressed his erection into her lower belly. “Yes. But in this case, I’m confident.”
“We’ll see.”
He unbuckled his belt and unbuttoned his trousers. Esi was captivated by how the defined muscles in his arms flexed. She replaced his hands on his trousers with her own. He made her feel wanton.
She slid down his zipper. Sliding her hands along the waistband of his boxers, her fingers skimmed along his warm soft skin. He pinched her nipples and her eyes f
luttered closed, making her lose focus for a few seconds.
She moved her hands inside the elastic of his boxers and grabbed his tight ass then shimmied both the boxers and trousers down his legs. His penis sprang forward as she lowered his pants. Impressive. He kicked off his shoes and stepped out of his clothes. She struggled to swallow as his glorious naked form reached down to remove his socks.
Standing, he grabbed her hips, crushing her to his sculpted body. She pulled back a fraction to rub her sensitive hardened nipples on his chest, reveling in the deep rumble he emitted from his throat as he took her lips hostage. She realized she’d never really been kissed until Adam. All other encounters had been nothing but simple nudges of lips compared to the depth of these kisses. She couldn’t get enough.
She caught her breath when he broke off the kiss. He bent to retrieve the condom which had fallen to the floor. As he tore it open, she didn’t blink an eye, hypnotizing her as he slid it on.
With her heightened awareness of him, she even felt the calluses of his hand in hers as he tugged her behind him towards the bed. At the edge of the bed, he sat and scooted himself back to make room for her. Lying on his side with a hand propped under his head like some sort of magazine model, her breath caught in her throat. Instead of climbing up, she stood to admire the gorgeous sight. A renewed surge of desire filled her.
He patted the bed. “Are you going to stand there all night, or will you join me?”
The butterflies in her stomach went nuts. All she had to do was tell him she’d changed her mind, and she’d be free to go home. Did she want to leave behind this man who promised her pleasures the likes of which she’d never known?
Her body made the decision for her as she crawled onto the bed and lay on her back. Instead of slithering her body over his like she wanted to, her sexually-repressed self waited for his next move. Instead of pulling down her panties as she’d anticipated, he trailed a line of kisses from her neck to her breast and circled first one dark areola then the other with his tongue.
Her hands were all over his back, his hair, and his shoulders. Anywhere she could reach, she touched. Having latched onto her nipple with his mouth, he slid his hand to the apex of her thighs. Shifting her panties to the side, he rubbed her clit. The sensation was so intense, her hips bucked upward.
