Temperatures Rising

by Brenda Jackson

  “Okay, folks, here’s more music. A little bit of Jill Scott will start things off this hour. I’ll be back at you in twenty.”

  After turning off the mike and removing his headset, he looked at Sherri and smiled. “Let’s go rob the snack machine. I’ve gotten hungry.”

  “So, does your brother have a girlfriend?”

  Terrence took a sip of his coffee and then smiled. The employees’ lounge didn’t have a window and he appreciated not having to see the rain and wind he heard pounding the building. “Why? You’re already taken.”

  Sherri chuckled. “I was thinking of Kim. She needs to meet a real nice guy.”

  He lifted a brow. “Playing matchmaker?”

  “Hey, you aren’t so bad, so I figure it might run in the family.”

  “It does, since I have to admit Duan is a nice person.”

  Terrence’s expression then turned serious. “Duan is also a person who has been burned. That’s hard for some men to get over.”

  “Yes, I would imagine,” she said, sipping her own coffee.

  “And I understand it’s the same way for some women,” he decided to throw out there.

  Sherri wondered what he was hinting at. How much about her had her uncle shared with him? She sighed. Since she’d already told him that he was the first to give her an orgasm, she figured he deserved the rest of the story, all the boring details.

  “Ben was a likable guy. A sweep-you-off-your-feet kind of person. And he definitely swept me off mine. We dated for a year, got engaged and then we moved in together. That’s when the problems started. He became needy, wanting all my time, jealous of my work. Then one day over breakfast he told me he didn’t want to get married anymore. He accused me of not knowing how to balance my work life and my love life. Unbeknownst to me, he had already packed, and he left, walked out the door a few hours later.”

  She sighed, remembering that day. “I honestly thought he would be back once he got over it, since he would get pouty at times like a kid. A few days later I discovered he had gotten his own apartment. I got the address and went there and discovered he’d been having an affair. The two of them had already moved in together. I confronted him, and instead of admitting he was the one who had betrayed me, he refused to take accountability and accused me of not giving him the time and attention he deserved.”

  Terrence reached across the table and lifted her chin up to meet his gaze. “Seems to me that he was the one not giving you the time and attention that you deserved.”

  “I guess we were both wrong for each other. I just didn’t see it until too late.” She shrugged. “I don’t care if I never marry. Sometimes building relationships is too much trouble.”

  Terrence removed his hand and took another sip of his coffee. “I used to think that very thing, especially seeing how deeply my mother hurt my father when she up and left, committing adultery by running off with another man—a married one at that. You wouldn’t believe how many people in our neighborhood knew the story, and their kids had overheard it. I got teased by a good number of them about how no-good my mom was. It made me bitter. I grew up feeling basically like you, not caring if I ever married. Not ever wanting to. But now I believe that not every woman is like my mother. There are women out there who are born to be true mothers, lovers of their man. Trustworthy. Their mate’s best friend.”

  Sherri considered asking when he had figured that out, but didn’t. Instead, while he was in a talkative mood, she said, “Tell me about Stephen. I couldn’t help but overhear your conversation with him.”

  A smile touched his lips, and, as always, it affected her, arousing sensations in her stomach. He had mentioned his two close friends before, Stephen Morales and Lucas McCoy, but he’d never actually said much about them other than they’d gone to college together and were still close. “There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for Stephen, or Lucas for that matter. Both of my buddies are single, although Lucas is engaged.”

  He paused for a moment and then added, “And that concerns me.”

  Sherri raised a brow. “What concerns you? The fact that he’s engaged?”

  “No, the fact that I believe he’s putting more into this engagement than Emma, his fiancée. It’s a long-distance romance, and she seldom comes here. He always has to fly to New York to see her, and when she does say she’s coming, she never shows up. Like now. He’s expecting her in a few days, once this storm lets up. He wants her to see the house he’s building for her. Personally, I doubt she’ll come. I told Lucas my feelings on the matter.”

  “You did?”

  “Yes, but it’s his decision. I just don’t want to see him get taken advantage of.”

  She nodded. “What about Stephen?”

  “His real name is Esteban, but he goes by Stephen and he’s single and carefree. He had a few family issues in the past with his father, but now he’s doing fine. I’d like for you to meet Stephen and Lucas one day.”

  “And I would like to meet them,” she replied. The fact that he wanted her to meet his best friends meant something, didn’t it? Did she want it to mean anything? “And I’d like you to meet Kim.”

  “I would love to.”

  She checked her watch. “It’s time for another update. And about those evacuation tips…”

  He leaned back in his chair and met her gaze. “Yes, what about them?”

  She smiled. “I’m beginning to like them.”

  “Holy Terror, this is Maggie, and what Josh said about Domino is true. The only time I see that mutt is when there’s a storm. He got my Mitzy pregnant twice, but they were beautiful puppies. He also got my friend Nancy’s dog, Bella, pregnant. He is definitely a rolling stone.”

  Terrence smiled. “Thanks for sharing that, Maggie. Okay, folks, you heard her. Anyone want to call and describe this famous Casanova on four legs? If you’ve seen Domino, know how he looks and/or his whereabouts, please call in and let us know.”

  He clicked on the next call. “This is Holy Terror. What’s on your mind?”

  “This is Monica. I went to your club, and you didn’t show up.”

  So what does that tell you? he refrained from saying and glanced over at Sherri. She was sitting on the edge of the desk, facing him and listening attentively. “I couldn’t make it. I had other things to do. Did you enjoy Club Hurricane?”

  “Yes, but it would have been better had you been there.”

  “But I wasn’t. Have you evacuated?”

  “I decided to stay put.”

  “Then stay safe.”

  He disconnected the call and took another.

  Moments later he turned off his mike and removed his headset. It was dark outside, and he glanced at his watch. Nearly eleven o’clock. Time definitely had not stood still.

  He stood. “After the music plays, there will be another fifteen minutes of intermittent advertisements, and then that syndicated show from L.A. will kick in until six in the morning. There will be periodic updates directly from the weather station to keep everyone informed. We can chill for a while. Come on,” he said, reaching out his hand to her.

  She took it. “And just where are we supposed to be going?” There was a hurricane raging out there and she knew he was fully aware of it.

  He smiled down at her. “We’re going to take a shower and then we’re going to bed.”

  Chapter 13

  “T his has been a well kept-secret, and now I can see why,” Sherri said, glancing around Terrence’s office. She met his gaze. “How did you get to be so special around here?” His office included a back room that was actually a studio apartment, complete with a bed, flat-screen TV, an equipped kitchenette, love seat and tables. There was even a bath with a shower.

  Terrence chuckled as he pulled off his shirt. “I don’t know. You tell me.”

  Sherri smiled. “I’ve told you why I think you’re special, but why this home away from home? You’re seldom here.”

  He lifted a brow. “Are you sure about that? How often do you
come down this particular corridor?”

  She shrugged. “Not often. It’s too close to Uncle Warrick’s office. Whenever he calls, it’s the same feeling as when you were summoned to the principal’s office. He’s my uncle, but his expectations of me are the same as everyone else. I get no special treatment, so I don’t like going to his office unless I have to,” she said, smiling.

  He laughed as he sat on the edge of the bed to take off his shoes. “It can’t be that bad, unless you’ve gotten into trouble.”

  “Who? Me?” she asked incredulously. “I never get into trouble.”

  “So you say.” He glanced over at her. “Is there any reason you still have your clothes on?” he asked, standing to remove his pants. He then proceeded to roll on a condom.

  It always amazed Sherri that he had no qualms about putting on protection in front of her, whereas Ben always retreated to the bathroom, saying it was something a man should do in private. She was glad Terrence didn’t think that way because she liked watching him prepare himself for their lovemaking and knowing he cared enough to do it. He had slipped that one time, but she trusted he would be more careful in the future.

  She smiled. “Yes, there is a reason I haven’t gotten undressed,” she finally answered. “I checked out your bathroom. It’s nice, but your shower isn’t as roomy as mine. It will be a tight fit, so I guess you’ll go first.”

  “Don’t hold your breath for that to happen. I like taking showers with you,” he said.

  “Oh, is that what we did that morning? You could have fooled me.”

  Completely naked, he crossed the room to her and took her hand and brought it to his lips. “I’d rather make love to you instead. So get out of the clothes. The sooner you do, the sooner we’ll both be happy and satisfied. Besides, I want to make love to you lying down this time and not on our feet.”

  Her eyes twinkled. “I didn’t have any complaints.”

  “Neither did I, but now we have time, and I plan to use it wisely. So, are you going to undress or do you want me to do it?”

  “You do it,” she challenged.

  He grinned. “Gladly.”

  Terrence began removing her clothes, taking his time and enjoying parts of her body along the way, liking the taste and feel of her skin.

  “Do you know what one of my fantasies is regarding you?” he asked, moving his mouth close to her breast. “Taking off your business suit.”

  She smiled. “I’ll make sure I wear one next week just to give you the honor.”

  Terrence grinned. “I’d like that.”

  Moments later she said in a breathless voice, “I thought you were in a hurry.” He had removed her top but had proceeded to take her breasts into his mouth and torture them the same way he had done earlier.

  “I am, but I decided to enjoy myself for a while. Some things you just can’t pass up. And I’ve developed an intense craving for certain parts of your body.”

  “I can tell,” she said, throwing her head back when his mouth moved to the other breast.

  It took a while before he got to her jeans, but by the time he had removed them from her, she felt shivers consume her all over. His touch alone could send her over the edge.

  Holding her gaze, he reached behind her and gently squeezed her bottom. “Do you know this is the first thing I noticed about you?” he said, murmuring hotly in her ear. “The shape of your backside turned me on that day I walked into Warrick’s office and saw you bending over.”

  She couldn’t hold back her grin. “Doesn’t take much to turn you on, does it?”

  He leaned forward and licked the pulse that was beating at the base of her throat and smiled when he heard her sharp intake of breath. “Just for being a smart-ass, I’m going to see just how much it takes to turn you on.”

  Her body was naked, fully exposed to his view, and Terrence intended to take her over the edge and back, plenty of times. There was a storm raging outside, and he planned to create his own storm inside.

  “You know what they say about payback, right?”

  He chuckled. “Yes, I think I’ve heard once or twice.”

  “Then get ready to experience it for yourself, Terrence Jefferies.”

  Before he could take his next breath, she surprised him and went for his mouth, wrapping her arms around his neck and easing her body close to his, feeling the hardness of his erection pressed to her stomach.

  She kissed him the way he liked kissing her, using her tongue to touch and find every sensitive spot in his mouth before capturing his tongue with hers and mating intensely.

  He was the one who pulled back and quickly turned her in his arms, letting her feel his hard erection against her backside. She was fully aware what he wanted to do, and her senses spiraled out of control at the thought that she would let him.

  “Bend over toward the sofa. Grab to it and hold on tight,” he instructed, and she did just what he said. He pressed closer to her, reached over and let his hands caress her breasts, moved underneath to touch her stomach and then the juncture of her legs. His fingers found her, touched her, stroked her wetness, and she savored the feel of his hands and the pleasure they were giving her.

  “I want to get to this from this way,” he whispered in her ear just moments before tilting her behind up, pinning her between him and the sofa. Using his knee, he spread her thighs apart at the same time the palms of his hands splayed across her stomach.

  Terrence closed his eyes. The feel of warm bottom pressed against him in perfect position made him quiver, and he inhaled the deep, sensuous scent of her, letting it fill his nostrils. Leaning down, he placed a passion mark on her neck, then another on her back, not caring who might know she was his. It didn’t matter. The only thing that mattered was the fact that his heart felt full of love for her and he wanted to mate with her for the rest of his life, this way, in all kinds of ways.

  He couldn’t last much longer, and he gripped her thighs, brought her body back, closer to the intimate fit of him, and tilted her hips for the perfect angle. Then he entered her. In one long, hard thrust he pushed into her heated warmth.

  Sherri gasped at the feel of Terrence deeply embedded inside her body. Holding tight to the sofa, she inhaled deeply. She wished there were mirrors in the room so she could see just how her body was fitting perfectly to his and how deeply connected they were.

  She could feel him behind her holding still, not moving an inch, as if he was savoring the feel of being inside her this way, pressing hard against the backside that had turned him on. She glanced over her shoulder and saw his eyes closed, his jaw clenched.

  Inside, deep in her body, she felt his engorged member throbbing, waiting for him to move, so she clenched her inner muscles and knew he had felt it from his sharp intake of breath.

  “Why did you do that?” he asked in a strained voice.

  “To remind you that I’m here,” she whispered back.

  “Sweetheart, there’s no way I could forget.” He paused and then said, “I’ve dreamed about making love to you this way a number of times. If only you knew how many.” His grip tightened on the soft cheeks of her backside. “Nice.” And then he asked, “Do you feel me?”

  The way his staff was throbbing inside her all but had her thighs trembling. She wasn’t sure how long she could last. What was he trying to do? Let her anticipation build? If so, it had reached its limit. “Yes, and do you feel me?” she countered, clenching her inner muscles again.

  He muttered something, but Sherri wasn’t exactly sure what. All she knew was that he had shifted his body again and was beginning to move. She could feel every inch of hard, solid muscle. Heat flared through her with every single stroke, every deep thrust he made, igniting a flame inside her that nearly blazed her brain. The feeling had her calling his name.

  The sound made Terrence’s nostrils flare, and he inhaled deeply just moments, mere seconds, before he felt her body explode and she jerked, triggering his own body to follow in one earth-shattering release
. He gripped her hips tighter, wished at that very moment he was giving her the baby he’d envisioned she would have. Not this time, but he was determined they would share a baby together, after their marriage. Because he would marry her, and it was time she knew it. But first he needed to kiss her.

  After the last shudder had touched their bodies, he gathered her into his arms, lifted her up and turned her to him, covering her mouth and thrusting his tongue in deep to mate with hers. He needed the connection. He needed her.

  Sweeping her completely into his arms, he broke off the kiss and carried her into the shower. Hurricane Ana was raising a fury of problems outside, but here on the inside, he was a very happy, satisfied man.

  Sherri’s movement woke Terrence. His thigh was thrown over hers and she’d been trying to ease out of bed.

  “Where do you think you’re going?” he asked in a sleepy tone of voice, nuzzling her neck.

  “To the bathroom, and then to check to see if the weather has changed,” she whispered.

  “Let it go for now, Sherri. If there’s an alert, we’ll get a call. Stay in bed with me.”

  “All right. But only if you at least let me go to the bathroom,” she teased.

  He loosened his hold on her, and she turned on the lamp and then quickly scooted out of the bed, shivering as she hurried across the room. The air conditioner was on full blast, and she guessed in a way she should appreciate the station’s generators. She was certain in some parts of town some residents didn’t have any power.

  Returning, she decided to borrow one of Terrence’s T-shirts. She glanced over at him, glad he had gone back to sleep. She moved quietly across the room to the dresser and opened the top drawer. Instead of clothing, all she saw was papers. She was about to push the drawer closed when something caught her eye. Picking the document up, she held it close to the light.