Chapter 12
By six the next morning Zack couldn’t take it any longer. Pulling himself out of bed, he scrambled to the bathroom. While taking a shower, that was not diminishing the desire he had for Diamond, he devised a plan to get uninterrupted time with her. Drying off he wondered why Barbara’s offer to come home with him last night wasn’t enticing. Any other time Barbara would have sufficed, but right now the only woman that could quench his need was Diamond. Of course it was only a physical want—wasn’t it? That’s right it’s only physical, he continued to repeat in his mind over and over. Zack was never one to drop in on someone unannounced. However, this was an unusual circumstance and Diamond would just have to understand.
Diamond lived in an old warehouse that was renovated into apartments on the north side of Richmond. The building was secure and he had to be buzzed in by an occupant. Zack pushed the number for her apartment—no answer. Taking a look at his watch, seven-fifteen, it was a little early in the morning to be visiting, nevertheless he buzzed again. Patience had never been his forté. While waiting he examined the construction of the building, occupational habit.
“Zack?”
At the sound of his name, he turned to see Diamond slowly walking towards the building in biker shorts and a tank top. He might as well have never taken a shower this morning. The sight of her body had caused the simmering flame to erupt within him again.
Her hair was up in a ponytail and the perspiration from her run was glistening on her skin. “Zack, what are you doing here?” She asked, subconsciously pushing her hair in place with the palm of her hand. Man, the muscles in his thighs look like they are bulging out of those jeans. Be cool, she thought, don’t run and jump in his arms like you want to, just be cool. When he did not reply, she took a step closer, “Zack?”
He never before thought a sweaty woman was sexy, but she certainly changed his opinion on that. It took him a moment to realize she had said something. “Good morning,” he replied, hoping she did not see the affect she was having on his body. “You’re up early this morning.”
“I couldn’t sleep,” Diamond replied, winded from her run.
“I can empathize with you. I didn’t get much sleep last night myself.” They stood there staring at each other for an awkward moment. “How is your sister?” he asked trying to make small talk until his body could calm down.
“She’s okay—slept in my bed all night.”
“All it takes is for me to have a problem to sleep in your bed?” Where in the hell did that come from, he thought. Seeing the look on her face he added, “I’m just joking.”
“You don’t have to have a reason Zack. All you have to do is ask.” Who said that, she thought, somebody put those words in my mouth.
He watched and waited until she was toe to toe with him. “I accept your proposal. Spend the day with me.”
“I would love to.” She inhaled, not believing she replied so quickly and aloud. Stepping by him, she punched in a code to open the door. “Would you like to come in while I shower and change?”
“Yes. You may need help with that shower,” he sensuously replied.
They stepped inside the building and began climbing the steps to the second floor. Walking behind her, he could not miss the firmness of her behind and thighs. “You keep walking like that and the lessons are going to begin in this hallway.”
“Do you mean like this?” She added a little motion to her steps.
Swallowing hard, Zack stopped and simply watched her walk. I must be losing my mind, he thought. The movement of her hips increased his already straining arousal. “Yeah, like that.”
She stopped at the door to her apartment, looked over her shoulder and slowly smiled. “You are a special man Zackary Davenport or I must be going crazy. I don’t usually allow men to see me sweaty with my hair up.”
“I’m glad to hear that,” he replied before he thought about what he was saying. It shouldn’t matter to him if other men saw her early in the morning, but the thought of it did.
She opened the door then stood to the side as he walked in. “Make yourself comfortable. Would you like some coffee or tea?” She asked as she closed the door.
“Isn’t there another option to that question?”
Leaning with her back against the door, she smiled and tilted her head to the side, “Or me?”
He stepped up to her, placed his hands against the door enclosing her within, looked down into her smiling eyes, “I’ll take,” he kissed the left side of her lips, “a little of, “ he then kissed the right side of her lips, “you,” then he captured her lips totally.
No other portion of their bodies were touching, but Diamond felt his gentle caress throughout her body as he explored all regions of her mouth.
“Hmm Hmm,” Phire cleared her throat. “Hmm, Hmm” she cleared her throat again. It was apparent the man, whom she assumed to be Zackary Davenport, nor her sister heard her enter the room. When the tactful way did not work, she resorted to her norm. “You two need a room.”
Zack broke the kiss and turned towards her. “Man,” was all she could manage to say with her mouth hanging open.
Diamond stepped around Zack. “Zack this is my youngest sister Phire. Phire this is Zackary Davenport.”
Standing in her pajamas and a robe, she smiled and extended her hand. “I wondered what all the fuss was about at the family council, now I understand. You are fineeeeee.”
Smiling at the compliment, he shook her hand, “You’re not bad yourself.”
“Have you registered that as a lethal weapon?”
“What’s that?”
“Your smile-it’s got to be illegal.”
Diamond rolled her eyes. “Phire, would you keep Mr. Davenport company while I take a shower?” Diamond laughed at her little sister. “Try not to rape him while I’m gone.”
“Take your time. I’m not making any promises about the boning thing.”
Diamond smiled at Zack, “You will think my directness is nothing after a few minutes with Phire. I won’t be long,” she said as she left the room.
“Well, well, well.” She circled him. “Mr. Davenport.” Phire exclaimed with hands on hips, toes tapping, “You are one hell of a fine man. Let’s talk in the kitchen, shall we.” She walked by a questioning Zack as he looked down the hallway, wondering how long Diamond would be gone. “Don’t be scared, I won’t bite you.”
He looked at her raising an eyebrow, “You’re sure about that?”
She giggled and that relaxed him. Now she sounded just like the teenage girl she was. “Would you like a cup of coffee?”
“Sure,” he said taking a seat at the breakfast bar. Watching the younger girl, he could see her giving the little boys in high school a fit. The bubbly personality alone would have drawn him in. Yep, if he were young he would give her a run for her money. “Are you feeling better?”
“Huh? Oh you mean last night? Yeah, that wasn’t a good scene.” Not one to lie to her elders she did not say anything more. “Diamond is always there when I need her.”
“That’s what big sisters are there for.”
“Yeah, they are better than big brothers, especially mine,” she rolled her eyes upward.
Thinking of Samuel and Joshua, Zack nodded, “I can imagine.”
Sitting on the opposite side of the bar, Phire placed the hot cup of coffee in front of him with all the condiments. “You know my brothers?”
Zack nodded, as he sipped the coffee. “I went to school with Samuel and Joshua.”
“Then you are a mighty bold man to want to take out a Lassiter.” She shook her head as she drank her hot chocolate. Then she shrugged. “Samuel likes you. I’m not too sure about Joshua. But don’t feel bad. I don’t think Joshua likes any man that looks at one of his sisters. That’s why when I do decide to have a real boyfriend, he will be the last to know.”
Smiling as he sipped his coffee he studied the young girl. He wondered if she realized Joshua would know the minute
a boy stepped to her. “Joshua takes his responsibility as an older brother seriously. It’s his job to protect you from harm. With the way his sisters look, I empathize with him.”
“Yet, you are here for Diamond. I’m sure Joshua has dropped in to have a sit down with you. He doesn’t frighten you?”
“No.”
“Diamond is cool people you know. She’s not judgmental at all, she just listens and tries to give unbiased advice. Not like my sister Pearl. Man, don’t ask her advice about men—she will take your head off.” She laughed then looked at him. “Everyone’s scared you are going to hurt Diamond. But I’m not. I think you like and respect her. That’s why you are taking it slow. Keeping things on the down low until you are sure of your own feelings. That’s okay, just don’t play my sister Mr. Davenport. She deserves better than that.”
There was something about this girl Zack liked. She was not one to mince words and she seemed wise for her age. “You are a very perceptive young lady. It’s hard to believe you would be out with a young man that would try to take advantage of you.”
She looked down the hallway to see if anyone was coming. “I wasn’t. That was a pre-planned block put in place by Pearl and Jade. Pearl thought Diamond would have given into you last night and they felt you weren’t ready to take her seriously. According to Jade, they were right. Diamond was going home with you last night. I don’t know why they have a problem with that. I mean Diamond is not one of those women that goes from man to man. In fact, I think you are the first I have ever heard her talk about. And it’s so clear she is in love with you, so why not be with the one you love. To tell you the truth Mr. Davenport, I can see why she wants to be with you.”
Zack smiled at the unpretentious young woman, “I’m sure your sisters did not want you to tell me about the plan.”
“Oh, they’re not worried about you finding out. But they straight up said not to ever tell Diamond because she would really be pissed. I’m sorry, mad.”
“I won’t tell her.”
“I know.”
“How do you know?,” he asked smiling.
“You’re not a talker. In fact, I’m going to share another secret with you.”
“What’s that?”
“I decided to follow in Diamonds footsteps. I’m saving myself. But don’t tell my family. I like to keep them guessing.” She giggled at the smile from Zack.
“Good morning Zack,” Jade said as she entered the kitchen, “Hey Phire. What are you laughing at?”
Drinking from her cup of hot chocolate, Phire shrugged, “Nothing,” and winked at Zack.
Zack laughed. “Good morning, Jade.”
“Are you the reason Diamond is in the shower?”
“Yes,” he replied without adding anything further.
“Do you two have plans?”
“Yes.”
Phire snickered and looked at Zack who was smiling back at her.
“Do you want to share your plans with us?”
“Not really.”
Jade looked from Phire to Zack and back again. “You told him, didn’t you?”
“You didn’t say not to.”
Sighing, Jade placed her glass on the counter top. “Go get dressed, I’m taking you home.”
“Aw, man. Why I always have to go home.”
“Because you talk too much, now go.”
Phire rolled her eyes and looked at Zack, “Bye Mr. Davenport.”
“Call me Zack, Phire. We’ll talk again soon.” When she left the room Zack’s attention went to Jade. “I’m not going to hurt Diamond.”
“Yes you will Zack. You won’t mean to, but you will hurt her. You are not where she is. You are still at the physical attraction. Diamond left that area the day she met you. She is in love with you, the man and all the baggage that comes along with you. So while you are getting your physical needs taken care of she will be getting her heart broken.”
What was it with these Lassiter women? Even Jade who might be all of twenty was reading him like a book. “What happens between Diamond and me is our concern, not yours or your family’s. I understand all of you are close, as I told Samuel and Joshua, but my personal business is just that, my business. Now, if I give you reason to doubt my intentions with your sister, address me at that time. Until then, back off.”
Nodding her head, she rinsed the glass and placed it in the dishwasher. “You are right. It’s not our business. But let me give you a little bit of information you don’t have. Diamond has never been with anyone. Keep that in mind while you are seeking your physical fulfillment.”
“It’s clear you are concerned about my involvement with your sister and you have reason to be. I would never take advantage of Diamond or any woman for that matter. Nor am I a man that allows others to dictate my actions. Your sister is a very intelligent woman and just like you, she knows how to take care of herself. Trust her decisions. If she decides to be with me physically or emotionally, trust her enough to know her own heart.”
“Do you know yours?”
“Hey.” Diamond spoke tentatively sensing the tension in the air. “Is everything okay in here?” She looked from Jade to Zack.
Zack looked to Jade, who stared him down. “Yeah, everything is fine.” She replied looking from him to Diamond. “What are you two up to today?” She asked smiling at her sister.
Diamond wasn’t sure what was said, but she could feel a little tension in the room. “I’m not sure,” she replied and looked at Zack.
“I thought we would take a bike ride to the river. See where we go from there.”
Jade snapped around and looked at Diamond, “You are going to ride his bike?”
Diamond nervously replied staring directly at Jade as she cleared her throat. “Yes,” she exhaled slowly.
Jade knew that Diamond did not like to ride motorcycles because of a fall she had taken when she was sixteen. “Maybe it will be better if you drive.”
Zack looked to Diamond. “No, the bike will be fine,” Diamond replied and looked at him. “You ready to go?”
“Let’s go,” he smiled. “Jade,” he opened the door, “I’ll make sure she gets home unharmed.”
“I would appreciate that Zack.”
Dressed in a pair of jeans, a cardigan sweater set and boots, Diamond stood at the bike and wondered if she had lost her mind. She still had a scar from the last time she rode with Matthew and fell off when he took a curve too fast.
“What’s wrong?” Zack pulled her into his arms as he saw the color drain from her face. She looked up at him hesitantly and the fear was clear in her eyes. For a moment he wondered if she was having second thoughts about spending the day with him. “Diamond?”
Swallowing hard she pulled back from him. “It’s nothing.” She said shaking her head.
He held her at arm’s length. “That’s not true. I can see it in your eyes.”
If her foot were long enough, she would kick herself. She had been waiting to spend real time with this man and she would be damned if a little thing like her fear of bikes would keep her from him. “I um--had a fall off my brother’s bike when I was younger and I haven’t been on one since.”
Exhaling with a sigh of relief, Zack smiled. “That’s all. I thought you had changed your mind about going.”
Pulling him closer, she put her arms around his waist. “Zackary Davenport, I have been looking forward to spending my days and nights with you. Nothing, not even my fear of bikes could keep me away from you today.”
Wrapping his arms around her waist he kissed her forehead, “I’m glad to hear that. How about we ride the bike back to my house and we’ll drive.”
“I have a better idea. How about if I use this as an opportunity to get over my fears.”
“You sure?”
“Yes.”
“Let’s ride.” He reached for the extra helmet he brought for her, placed it securely on her head and latched it under her chin. He then put his helmet on and straddled the bike. He helped her se
ttle in behind him and wrapped her hands around his waist. “Hold on tight and move with my body. When I lean you lean in the same direction, okay.” He felt her arms tighten around him and could not resist the smile that came with the knowledge that she trusted him unconditionally. “I won’t hurt you Diamond,” he said as he began to pull off.
“I know you won’t.”
Chapter 13
Pulling slowly into the traffic Zack decided to take the back roads rather than Interstate 95. It was a way to allow Diamond to become comfortable on the bike. The last thing he wanted was to have her nerves on edge. Once he reached the lower end of Hanover County, the traffic on Mechanicsville Turnpike was clear. They followed Highway 360 through King William County until they reached Tappahannock, VA. They stopped to eat at Lowery’s Seafood Restaurant where a relaxed Diamond told him about going fishing with her family and how much she enjoyed the water. She had put her trust in him and he wanted to reward her with more than an exhilarating bike ride, he wanted to share a part of him with her. Riding was what he did to relax or clear his mind. So instead of going back to Richmond, he turned down Highway 17 towards Urbana.
They pulled up to the dock by the river with sailboats, big and small yachts docked there. He parked the bike and helped her off. Diamond looked around and inhaled. The smell of the river filled the air around them. “Wow, this is nice. I’ve never been here. Do you come here often?”
He secured the helmets and took her hand, “Every chance I get. Come here I want to show you something.”
The excited look in his eyes touched her heart. This was the first time she had seen him with a boyish grin. He was always so serious and intense whenever she was around. It was really nice to see this side of him. Running down the dock he stopped when he reached what had to be one of the largest boats she had ever seen. He stepped onto the boat and held his hands out to her. Placing her hands on his shoulders, he encircled her waist and lifted her down to the deck of the boat. “This is beautiful Zack. Who does it belong to?” she asked looking around the top deck.
Teach Me (The Gems & Gents Series) Page 11
