Devoted Love: A BWWM Romance (Blazin' Love Book 7)

by Ja'Nese Dixon

Erik throws his head back and laughs. “Whatever. Keep pretending you don’t see it.”

  "All right, love doctor, what do you prescribe?" I cross my arms, waiting on his official diagnosis.

  "Look at where you're headed in your career. What do you see in the future? It's cool to have a little fun here and there, but my friend, we're getting too old for dating for the sake of dating. It's time to get married, have some kids."

  “And this is what you see in Brooke?”

  He shrugs. "She's a good starter wife."

  I shake my head, unbelievable. “Remind me to have this starter-wife discussion with you after she leaves with half of your bank account.”

  Erik stands. "I have one word for you, prenup."

  He strolls over to Brooke. I watch as he whispers in her ear, and she giggles. Brooke is a nice person, but I'm beyond selecting the "right person" for my station in life. What does that mean anyway? It sounds like a bunch of nepotism and privilege to me. When all I want is a woman I can trust, love, and I look forward to sharing my life with until nature takes its course.

  Is that Jordan?

  The woman in question faces me. Are you good? she mouths.

  I shake my head. She slides off the table, and I motion for her to calm down with my hands. I need some mousse, I mouth.

  Jordan turns away, rolling her eyes and covering her radiant smile with her hand. Dating her, I've learned she doesn't talk a lot, but she misses nothing. She sees the world like the masterful coder she is. We're all bits and pieces of a bigger picture. She doesn't give too much weight to matters others obsess over.

  And I want to spend the next few hours alone with her.

  “Your clothes should be on fire?" Taylor leans over, stealing looks at Ryker. "And that's Sarah?”

  "Yep, that's her." There are very few people I can't work with, and she's one.

  “Fire and ice.” The wag of Taylor’s head makes me step closer.

  “I thought we just got off on a bad foot since our first unofficial introduction was at The Dungeon. It’s been three months, I’m over it.” I sit at my computer and type a few more notes. “With that said, are we set?”

  “Yes. You've done an amazing job of integrating all the systems." She leans over my shoulder, reviewing the notes on my screen.

  “I take that as a compliment. How long will it take for you to build it? Can we have it fully functional by Wednesday?”

  "I’ll do everything in my power to make it happen. But we need their official sign-offs."

  “I’m on it.” I send the final versions of the sitemap and the flow chart for the app to the printer. The coding takes hours. We require signatures on the final proposal before the real work starts.

  Taylor adds her initials. “What time does your flight leave?”

  “Ten. I’ll have to hit up a beach and soak up some sun.”

  The end of the year rolled by with the holidays. February is creeping upon us, and this project is finally nearing completion.

  “Are you coming back for the fundraiser?” Taylor sits on the table beside me while I pack up.

  “You know that’s not my scene.”

  “What about Ryker?”

  “We haven’t talked about it.” I see him heading in my direction. “Let’s talk about it later.”

  “I need to get going myself. I want to put the kids to bed.”

  “Kiss my babies for me.”

  "I will." We hug, and she leaves. Taylor's babies are absolutely edible. I babysit every chance I get, but it's getting harder every year with my auntie card growing.

  “Your place or mine?” Ryker nips my earlobe.

  "Mine. I need to pack. And I need your signatures on these." I give them to him, and he grabs a pen from the table, scribbling his signature. "You didn't review them."

  “I trust you.”

  I smile. “Can you do the same for each of your directors? I’m pushing to get this done by mid-week.”

  “I’ll do it while you pack up. Did you drive?”

  "Perfect. No, I didn't, but I have to leave soon. Thirty minutes or less."

  “All I need is fifteen.”

  “I’ll be right here.”

  Ryker strolls off, and I pack up my laptop. I take a few pictures of the flow chart we created on the wipe board. I walk over to the couch to wait and make a packing list. He sits on the edge of a desk watching me watch him. I lower my phone.

  Taylor joked about Ryker setting my clothes on fire, but it's far from a joke. The chemistry between us grows. Now with us bouncing between his place and mine, I'm wondering how this trip will go without him.

  He winks, and I laugh. Stop flirting and hurry, I mouth. I return to my list making because I won't get it done with him around tonight.

  “Princess…” I glance up and feel all eyes on me. “What time is your flight?”

  “Ten.”

  He flags me over while talking with Sarah. I stop next to him while she covers his schedule for tomorrow. Ryker takes my messenger bag and drops it over his body. I gather his suit jacket and toss it over my arm.

  “Reschedule everything before noon.”

  “Ryker, that will throw your entire week off.”

  "Do it. Email the final schedule in the morning." His voice is firm and final. "Goodnight, everyone." He reaches for my hand and leads me to the door. "Did you order dinner?"

  “Yes. We should arrive before they do.”

  “Perfect.”

  We walk to the car, and he opens the door. I sit and let my head drop back.

  “Do you need to stop anywhere else?”

  “No, I got everything from my office earlier. You didn’t have to change your schedule.”

  “We’re not debating about this again. My woman is leaving, and I want to take her to the airport. Are you okay with that?” His head drops to the side. I kiss him.

  “It’s more than okay. But we are trying to keep Mr. Colin free of any health issues.”

  “And we are." He reaches for a lock of my hair, twisting it between his fingers. "However, I'm sure my heart might stall the moment you board the plane."

  “Stall?”

  “Yeah…stop running…come to a standstill…with you across the country.” His eyes darken with emotion.

  “Come with me for a few days.”

  "I can't go with the fundraiser in less than a week, and I'm overseeing an IPO."

  “We’ll work something out.” Mixed feelings surge through me. This is the first time I’m leaving for an extended contract with someone waiting at home for me.

  “Yeah.”

  “We will.” I wrap my hands around his neck and bring his lips to me. “We got this.”

  “All right, let’s get you home.”

  Chapter 8

  I miss Ryker. Talking to him every morning and every night isn’t enough.

  I’m programming a celebrity fan app. This particular client covers all of my living expenses to keep me in Los Angeles until they agree on the prototype. So, the timeline for this contract is indefinite.

  The best way of getting back home to my man is to exceed the client’s expectations. Contracts like this are a perk of working with high-end clients. But not this time.

  I sit at my computer with a mug of coffee when the doorbell rings. I look out the peephole and see a large bouquet of flowers.

  I open the door, and behind the flowers, I see Ryker. In a blur, I find myself in his arms, his mouth covering mine.

  “What are you doing here? The banquet’s tonight,” I whisper between kisses.

  “It’s been over a month. I missed you.”

  “I missed you too.”

  Clothes are flying. I'm slammed against the closed door, and Ryker is deep inside of me. I wrap my legs around his waist. His deep strokes turn into fast pumps as we near the edge.

  “Ryker…fuck…baby." The stress of being far away and the lackluster attempts at pleasing myself is seared from my mind and body.

  Flames pulse thr
ough me until I scream his name, and he growls mine. We collapse to the floor as the sound of our heavy breathing fills my ears.

  “What were you thinking?” I kiss his warm skin and look up into his waiting eyes.

  “You.”

  We roll over. The hardwood floor is beneath me. His face hovers over me.

  “Princess, I love you.”

  My eyes lock with his. I run my fingers through his hair, smoothing down the edges. I'm sure he doesn't have a second to spare. Tonight is the official announcement of Erik's campaign, and my man is here. My vision blurs, and I close my eyes.

  "Say something, love." He kisses the side of my neck. "Tell me…"

  "I love you too, Ryker." His audible exhale causes us both to chuckle. "Did you doubt it?"

  “No, but a man likes to hear it.” He fiddles with my hair.

  "I love you, Ryker." I kiss across his broad chest.

  "I love you, Ryker." I follow the defined path down his stomach with a trail of kisses.

  “Which way is the room?” he growls.

  I sit back on my heels, pointing with my thumb over my shoulder. "That way."

  It’s time for me to leave. The emotions raging in my chest are worse than missing her. I can’t leave her.

  “Princess, come with me to the banquet.”

  “Ryker, I want to but I—”

  “Please…”

  Jordan exhales. "Baby, I don't do well at those types of events. I get awkward and weird, and the last thing I want to do is embarrass you."

  I settle between her gorgeous legs. I could make love to her all day and never tire.

  “Jordan, I want you beside me. I need you beside me.”

  "Okay. I'll go. But no high heels." She jokes, but I see the fear in her eyes. We genuinely are halves of the same coin.

  “You can wear flip flops. I just want you with me.”

  I chartered a private plane this morning. The stress of working out the final details and missing Jordan left me dazed. I tried to remain the supportive boyfriend because she's here working, but I never imagined I'd miss her so much. Several times I found myself calling out for her only to realize she was across the country.

  Jordan packs an overnight bag, and we're ready to leave for the airport.

  The driver waits outside her place. “Ready?”

  “Yes.”

  Chapter 9

  Ryker, in a tuxedo, is criminal. His hair is freshly cut with a shadow of a beard. The dress he selected hugs my body. The neckline is high in the front and scoops deep in the back. I had the guys cover my dragon tail the dress exposes.

  He had it all planned. We made love the entire flight, and the moment the wheels touched the tarmac, we hit the ground running. Ryker had the dress, my loctician, and my guys waiting.

  The limo stops outside the banquet hall. It sort of feels like a Cinderella-type moment from the moment Ryker opens the door. We walk the red carpet, hand in hand, and enter the event hall. The staff is excited about my return. I hug most and shake hands with others. Erik steps forward.

  “Welcome back.”

  "Thank you, and congratulations."

  He releases a nervous sigh. “Congratulate me after I give this speech.”

  “Okay.”

  Erik is a confident man, sometimes more than he should be. To see him nervously pacing and Ryker talking him down from the ledge makes me feel a little less freakish.

  “We're going to rerun his speech. I have a surprise for you at our table." Ryker gathers me close.

  “You didn’t have to.”

  “I know. Now kiss me and let me handle him.” I kiss him with a peck to keep from leaving lipstick on his lips. “I’ll see you in a bit.”

  The combination of the long dress and the baby-doll slippers has me relaxed and at ease. I make my way to the table looking for my surprise, and I see it—or better yet them. The guys and their other halves are dressed to impress. Tia and Cash are here too.

  The guys stand and run over. We hug and talk like we haven’t seen each other in years. Then the banquet begins.

  We manage to drink through several bottles of champagne and sparkling juice. I update the guys on the project. Ryker joins us, and I can't keep my eyes off of him.

  "Are you ready for the official announcement?" I ask, touching him every chance I get.

  “We've done the work. Now, it's time to hit the trail and deliver this win." He shakes his head, taking a drink from his glass.

  "Are you keeping your promise, Ryker?" I survey my man and see the slight bags under his eyes.

  “It’s been hard to sleep in a cold bed.”

  “Babe.” I lean closer. “Are you trying to make me feel bad for doing my job?”

  "No, but being away from you helped me come to some necessary conclusions."

  “Like what?”

  “We’ll talk about it tonight.” He drops an arm on the back of my chair. “I want you to have fun with your family. We have all night.”

  I exhale glad we’ve accomplished this major milestone. Jordan is laughing and talking with her guys. I sit back talking with Liam and Darius when my parents stop at the table with Krystal.

  I stand and greet my parents. My father is beaming, and my mother is gushing like normal. I realize they did the best they could with what they had. I always knew I was loved but hated the distance. It all became more apparent to me with Jordan in California.

  For some, distance makes the heart grow fonder. However, because of my upbringing, distance is like taking a rusty ax to the roots of a tree. It kills everything. Except with Jordan. It was the moment I realized she's worth everything. I glance down at my woman and help her up.

  "Mr. and Mrs. Colin." Jordan smiles, and my parents are finally acknowledging my life with Krystal is truly over.

  “Jordan, dear, it’s good to see you again.”

  "Same to you, Mrs. Colin. Will you join us?"

  My mother scans the table. We have extended our capacity, but the guys start doing their musical chairs number, and magically, three seats are squeezed in.

  "Thanks for the offer, Jordan, but I have other plans." Krystal turns to me. "Congratulations, Ryker."

  There's a finality in her voice, and it feels good to no longer have ill feelings toward her. That chapter of my life is over.

  “Thank you for your support, drive safely.” I drop to my chair and lower Jordan to my lap.

  “Ryker,” she whispers.

  “I just want to hold you.”

  I feel her muscles relax. I pull her hair to the side, stopping to inhale the smell I’ve come to associate with her. It’s love and energy and dragons. I kiss the exposed skin on her back.

  The conversations continue for the rest of the night. Surprisingly my parents stay. My father talks business with the guys and their husbands. My mother talks Jordan’s ear off about her most recent charity event. Then the women start talking about the epic baby shower in a couple of weeks.

  I rest my head against Jordan’s back. The vibrations of her voice give me jolts of energy. She glances back for a split second, kisses me, then returns to her conversation.

  She’s the one.

  I knew it the moment I saw her. Her quiet nature is what I need in my life of chaos. She’s my calm river. She’s my resting place. And my heart is totally devoted to making our life together amazing.

  “Princess…” I whisper against her skin.

  “Hum…” The sound passes between us.

  “Marry me…”

  The voices around us cease to exist. Every part of my being is certain that I was made to love Jordan, and she was made for me.

  She turns, dropping her forehead to mine. "Yes.”

  My fingers feather up the sides of her neck and bring her lips to mine. The kiss seals our fate, our love. Her mouth opens, and I tell her without words that this is only the beginning.

  Our beginning.

  “Son?”

  "Yes, ma'am." I pull back, looking into Jorda
n's eyes. I dry her tears with my thumbs, and I kiss her once more.

  “Well damn, make a baby on the table why don’t you.”

  A hush falls, and a roar of laughter covers us like a canopy of love.

  “Charlee!” Jordan turns back to the table.

  “Get a room,” Charlee barks back.

  "I will thank you very much," Jordan counters.

  “I like the sound of that,” I add.

  “You would.” Jordan elbows me. “I love you.”

  “I love you too.”

  Jordan sits back and serves as a referee between her guys. I close my eyes, basking in the sounds of my life and my fiancé.

  Epilogue

  “Inquiring minds want to know, how do you manage to carry that thing?"

  The guys are circled around me. I wiggle my fingers, and the lights dance off my engagement ring.

  "It's Black Girl Magic." They laugh, and I'm serious. Fate said yes, and I never needed a ring the size of a basketball, but this is what my man wanted.

  “Black Girl Magic my ass. That’s that freaky magic, casting spells and shyte." Charlee starts throwing her ass left and right, and I howl.

  “Stop, Charlee Raine, before you have that baby. We need to get moving. The guest will arrive soon."

  The Dungeon is our playground today for our co-ed epic baby shower. We take over the first floor with personalized tables for each mother-to-be—Charlee, Parker, Ryann, Chase, and Tia. A picture with the parents and an ultrasound of the baby serves as the centerpiece.

  I stand back and survey my handy work. We have food and music and love.

  “It’s perfect.” Ryker’s arms wrap around my body. “Why are you avoiding me?”

  "I'm not, just busy." I turn and give him a quick kiss. Then I call up to Alex, "You can open the doors."

  Ryker pulls me aside, pinning me to the wall. "We’re not moving until you talk to me.”

  I brush my body against his. I know how to get my way with Mr. Colin.

  "Oh no, you don't, because these wonderful guests will get more than some cake and party games."

  I laugh, but I can't figure out how to tell him. I've thought about every conversation we've had and draw a blank on one topic.