Love Me Now

by Celeste O. Norfleet

  “We don’t have time.”

  “Put it in writing,” she repeated. The stern seriousness of her tone belied the gleeful exhilaration she felt inside.

  Trey looked directly into her soft brown eyes. He knew that look. It was the same look he had when he’d found an opponent’s weakness. It was the same look he had right before he took advantage of it. He smiled approvingly. The instant physical attraction he’d felt had changed to admiration. He liked her style. That’s exactly something he’d request under the circumstances. She grabbed the piece of paper with the instructions from the counter and scribbled something on it. “Sign it.”

  Trey grimaced, yet he still took the pen and signed. A twinge of apprehension shot through him—signing without reading was unprecedented for him. Even when his attorneys combed through contracts, he needed to thoroughly read the documents himself. But there was no time. Whatever she wrote he presumed it was appropriate given the situation.

  He handed the paper back to her. She took it. A twinge of something shot through her as their hands touched. She wasn’t sure if it was excitement or fear. All she knew was that she might have just made a deal with the devil. She looked at the signature and nodded slowly.

  “Okay, deal, a favor for a favor,” she said, then offered her hand. Instead of shaking he grabbed her hand and nearly dragged her back into the living room.

  “Louise Gates, Otis Wheeler, I’d like you to meet a very good friend of mine. This is—” he paused, realizing his dilemma.

  “Hi, Mrs. Gates, Mr. Wheeler, I’m Kenya Whitaker. How do you do.”

  “Hello, dear, call me Mamma Lou. Everyone does.”

  “And I’m Colonel Wheeler, Kenya. What a very pretty name,” he said as he shook her hand.

  “Thank you, sir, Mamma Lou.”

  “So, Kenya, tell us, how long have you known Trey?” Louise asked, spying Trey’s guarded expression.

  “Four months,” Trey blurted.

  “Not long,” Kenya answered at the same time, then looked at Trey. Kenya smiled nervously. “I guess it has been that long. Funny, it seems like we only just met.”

  “Four months, huh. Do you work together?” Louise asked.

  “No,” Trey said, and then looked at Kenya.

  “No, I’m a designer.”

  “A designer,” Louise said, impressed. “How nice. What kind, fashion, interior, computer, industrial—”

  “Fashion. I design children’s clothing. I’m currently in the process of opening my own boutique in town.”

  “Children’s clothes, how wonderful,” Louise said. “So, I assume you’ve met my great-grandchildren, then?”

  “Yes, of course, Jonathan and Johanna are adorable,” she said easily, hoping they were the great-grandchildren to which she referred.

  “They are indeed,” Colonel Wheeler said, nodding.

  “Shame they’re asleep now,” Trey said.

  “Would you still like to pop up and see them? They’re asleep but it would be a shame if you didn’t get a chance to at least see them,” Kenya said then looked directly at Trey. He glared at her as she smiled innocently.

  “I’d love to,” Louise said. She walked over and tucked her arm in with Kenya’s. They walked toward the stairs. Trey groaned inwardly as he picked up the two teddy bears. He and Colonel Wheeler followed.

  On the way to Trey’s bedroom, Louise and Kenya talked nonstop. Trey strained to hear what they were saying, but was sidetracked when Colonel Wheeler asked about business. Trey answered and talked naturally, but still strained to hear the women’s conversation. The last thing he needed was more surprises.

  Through the bedroom, to the alcove, the twins were still happily asleep. Louise and Colonel Wheeler hovered over them, smiling as Trey and Kenya stood by the open door. “What was all that about?” Trey asked, trying to keep his voice low.

  “All what about?” Kenya asked quietly.

  “You, inviting them up here, then you and Mamma Lou with your heads together, chatting like you’re best friends.”

  “Oh, that,” Kenya sassed playfully.

  “What’d you talk about?”

  “Nothing much, just girl talk, you know.”

  “No, I don’t know. Do me a favor…”

  “Another favor, what, so soon?” she asked, smiling confidently.

  A muscle in Trey’s neck twitched. “Do me a favor, no more girl talk, understand? Stop it,” he snarled.

  “How am I supposed to stop it? I’m just honoring my end of the deal. We’re supposed to be together, right? She wanted to know about you. So I told her.”

  “About me? What did you tell her?” Trey queried.

  Kenya just smiled, delighted to so firmly have the upper hand. “Ask her,” she responded.

  “Just stop it,” he said slow and easy, enunciating each word in warning.

  “Or what?” She stepped up to him and countered his challenge. Enjoying her position, she looked directly into his heavenly green eyes. It was obvious that he was angry. But at the moment, there wasn’t a single thing he could do about it. She firmly held the upper hand. Trey glared at her. She stiffened her chin with added defiance.

  Then to her surprise, his expression changed. Instead of replying, he smiled knowingly. She looked into those eyes, searching for some sense of what he was thinking. There was nothing. He was totally unreadable. Seconds later she relented. “Okay, fine, I guess I just got carried away.”

  Trey glanced past her and saw that Mamma Lou had turned to leave. He quickly grabbed Kenya, switched their positions and kissed her, pinning her against the door frame. To both their surprise she readily melted into his arms. It lasted only seconds, but Kenya was certain he had rattled her brains.

  His strong arms encircled her, pulling her close. Her mouth was open to him and he entered, penetrating deep. His tongue thrust repeatedly, sending tingles along every nerve ending in her body. She felt, and readily accepted, his weight pressed against her. He was hard. She pushed away from the frame, desperate to get closer to him, to feel more of him. The kiss deepened as they entered a solitary world, where only the two of them existed. It was easy, natural, as if they’d been kissing forever.

  “All right, you two, none of that in front of the youngsters,” Louise said as she and Colonel Wheeler walked back over to the doorway.

  Trey took a slow step back with his gaze pinpointed at Kenya. “Sorry,” he said, smiling at her, “I guess I got carried away.”

  With her words thrown back at her, Kenya seethed. The upper hand she assumed she had was nothing more than an illusion. How do you win with someone like Trey? He was motivated and focused, everything she thought she was. But compared to him, she was a smitten schoolgirl pining away for the popular guy.

  “That’s right, save it for later,” Colonel Wheeler added, with a wink to Trey.

  Louise sighed and looked back. “They’re such angels,” she said as she walked out of the bedroom to the hall.

  “Not quite,” Trey admitted, picking up the receiver.

  “Gave you a bit of a rough time, did they?” Colonel Wheeler said humorously.

  “I expect that’s one reason why you have Kenya over here so early. Thank you, dear, I know you were very instrumental in the care of my great-grandchildren.”

  “Actually, I didn’t really do anything. Trey handled everything perfectly. He’s a natural.”

  “Is that right,” Louise said, smiling at Trey. She tucked her arm in his as they followed Colonel Wheeler and Kenya down the stairs. “She’s a keeper, I like her a lot,” she whispered to Trey.

  “Mamma Lou, no matchmaking, please,” Trey pleaded earnestly.

  “Trey, dear, how can I possibly match you with someone when you’ve obviously already found the perfect woman for you?”

  Trey looked at Louise then to Kenya. He shook his head. “Mamma Lou—”

  “I saw it in your eyes when she stepped into the living room. Then I saw it again when you kissed her. The two of you have s
omething special. There’s a fire there.”

  The fire she saw had nothing to do with romance. But telling that to Louise Gates was like signing his own bachelorhood death sentence. He wasn’t about to do that. So he just nodded. The last thing he wanted was to get into a detailed conversation about his nonrelationship with Kenya. Moments later, Trey and Louise stood at the front door. Colonel Wheeler and Kenya were already outside talking at the car.

  “It’s a shame the twins were asleep,” Trey said, changing the subject.

  “No problem, we can see them this evening.”

  “This evening?” Trey questioned.

  “Yes, that way we can get to know your lovely young lady. She is sweet, and so intelligent. We talked about her new design boutique. You must be very proud of her.”

  “Yes, I am,” he said, looking at Kenya as she laughed, apparently joking with Colonel Wheeler. Her face lit up and her smile was radiant. Her eyes twinkled and her face shone. “Uh, actually, Mamma Lou, I’m pretty sure I have a previous engagement this evening.”

  “I know. Kenya mentioned that she’d be working late this evening. She said something about expecting a large shipment. I assume you’ll be helping her at the boutique.”

  “Yes, of course,” Trey said cautiously.

  “Well, then, Otis and I will stop by the boutique and see the twins there. We’ll babysit while you two take care of the delivery.”

  “The twins, at the boutique,” Trey said.

  “Of course, Trey, you’re not going to leave the twins here alone, are you?” she asked, chuckling.

  “No, no, of course not. We’ll be there,” he promised as Kenya walked over.

  “Good, then I’ll see you two this evening.” She reached up and kissed his cheek. “Goodbye, dear, we’ll see you later.” She walked over to the car. Colonel Wheeler held the door as she got in. They waved as they drove off.

  “What was that?” she asked without turning to him.

  “What?” he asked innocently.

  “As if you didn’t know—the kiss. That wasn’t part of the deal.”

  “All-inclusive,” he said, looking away.

  “You’re exactly as they say.”

  “Is that a compliment, Kenya?”

  “If you consider manipulative and egocentric complimentary then, yeah, enjoy,” she said.

  “All that,” he said, smiling mischievously.

  “Yeah, all that,” she answered sharply.

  “Well, I guess I should thank you. Nicely done, you handled yourself admirably,” Trey said approvingly as he turned to her.

  “Don’t congratulate me,” Kenya said.

  “Why not? You did a very convincing job.”

  “I lied to a sweet old lady.”

  “You honored your end of a deal.”

  “That’s right.” She finally turned to him. “It was all business, right? Everything is about business for you.”

  “Not everything,” Trey said seductively.

  “Oh, please, don’t even try it,” Kenya said, spinning around and walking away. “Consider that your one and only.”

  “My one-and-only what?” he asked, with mock innocence.

  She turned around. “You know exactly what I’m talking about—kiss, your one-and-only kiss with me.”

  He smiled. “Is that a challenge?”

  “You should be ashamed of yourself. How could you just lie to her like that? She’s your grandmother, what’s the big deal if you’re seeing someone or not. What, is she going to give you a billion dollars if you get married?”

  “Call it self-preservation,” he said, smiling wryly.

  “Whatever you call it, it was still a lie.”

  “Hey, you were right there with me the whole time. You could have said something. You could have broken our deal.”

  “And break a grandmother’s heart, no, I’m not that cruel. She obviously loves you, although I have no idea why.”

  “Because I’m charming,” he said seriously.

  “Don’t flatter yourself, that’s not what I’d call it.”

  “What would you call it?” he asked softly.

  She turned again. He was too close as his question reverberated in her mind. Sexy, heavenly, charismatic, desirable, seductive. Kenya stepped back. This was getting too intense. Obviously, Trey played by a set of rules she knew nothing about.

  “What did your grandmother mean by seeing the two of us later?”

  “At your boutique. Apparently you invited her.”

  “I invited her?” Kenya asked, stunned. “No, no, I didn’t invite her. Well, not exactly, anyway. I told her to stop by. But I meant later, after the boutique was open, not now.”

  “Mamma Lou hears what she wants to hear.”

  “Apparently she’s not the only one,” she said. His sexy smile had Kenya’s stomach doing flips.

  “I have to go,” she said quietly. “I’m already an hour late. I presume you can handle the twins on your own now,” she said as she went back into the house.

  “Of course,” Trey replied.

  “Just keep your eye on them and you’ll do fine.” She looked around quickly then headed to the dining room to retrieve her purse.

  “So what are we going to do about this evening?” he asked, following too close.

  “What about this evening?” she asked, turning.

  “Mamma Lou expects to see us,” he said, moving closer. “Together.”

  Kenya opened her mouth to speak but nothing came out. He was too close and her heart was about to jump out of her chest. Her stomach quivered and her legs were weak. He had found her weakness. He was challenging her and she was losing.

  “Don’t worry, I’ll make up some excuse,” he said, knowing that he’d gotten to her.

  “Why did you really do it?”

  “Do what?”

  “Kiss me,” she said softly.

  “Is that a request?”

  Kenya’s stomach jumped. Every fiber of her being screamed yes as she shook her head no. Trey smiled. He had, of course, expected the question. “You asked for it.”

  “I did not.” She saw victory in his eyes. “You know what, you’re a real jerk. No, I take that back. You’re not a jerk. You’re a spiteful, depraved degenerate,” Kenya said.

  Trey smiled. “A bit personal, don’t you think. It was only one kiss, unless of course…” He moved closer.

  “Don’t even think about it,” she warned feebly as she placed her hand on his chest. The feel of his solid body pressing on her hand made her tingle. An instant recollection of him standing in the doorway shirtless flashed in her mind.

  “Well, then by all means, tell me what you really think of me.”

  “Oh, baby, you don’t want to know what I really think of you.”

  Trey looked down at her hand still on his chest and smiled broader. “Now you’re just being a tease.”

  She quickly removed her hand. “Must you manipulate everybody and every situation?” she asked heatedly as she moved around him toward the front door.

  He stepped between her and the door. She held her ground. Their bodies were nearly touching. “First of all, character assassinations aside, you don’t know me and certainly not the whole story. Mamma Lou has been after me for years, and I have no intention of getting caught by her or anyone else, now or ever.”

  “What do you mean, after you?”

  “Trust me, I know what I’m doing.”

  “Trust you, that’s a joke.”

  “You mean being that I’m a degenerate and all,” Trey said softly.

  “Yes, exactly,” she said, feeling the closeness of his body again.

  They stared at each other a few moments. A slow easy smile pulled at Trey’s lips. He focused on her eyes. They were exceptional—dark, almost black, with specks of golden ice. Then his eyes drifted to her lips…soft, sweet and pouty, perfect for kissing.

  “Don’t even try it,” she warned, backing up. Her heart thundered in her chest yet she kept her
calm. But she knew if he kissed her, she’d probably jump him right there on the floor.

  “Try what?” he asked innocently.

  “Kissing me again.”

  He leaned in slowly. “I wouldn’t dream of it. Although, sweetheart, when or if I decide to try kissing you again, there’ll be no question about you wanting it.”

  “Please, save it for one of your little playthings. As far as I’m concerned you’re definitely not my type.”

  “Sweetheart, I’m everybody’s type,” he said.

  “Don’t flatter yourself.” He leaned in; she didn’t budge. “I have to go,” she said, nearly breathless.

  “Consider this your free pass.”

  Kenya quickly stepped around him and left. She did what was referred to as a speedy retreat. She got in her car and drove off as quickly as possible.

  Trey stood in the doorway, smiling. He had enjoyed that tremendously. The first battle was always the sweetest. He’d successfully taken her out of whatever game she came to play on him. Over the years he’d seen them all. He expected she was no different. They all wanted one thing—him. But the whole helping-her-father thing did intrigue him. That was a first. She actually seemed passionate about it.

  He opened his cell and pressed a button that connected him to his office. “Get me everything you have on Kenya Whitaker.” He hung up and smiled. It had been a long time since he had a worthy opponent. This should be very entertaining.

  In the sixth century B.C., Sun Tzu outlined the definitive treatise on warfare, military strategies and combat tactics. Using mathematics and science, he outlined an approach to warfare with keen precision. His ideas had become Trey’s formula for success. He had studied and honed his skill using them to his advantage. He’d mastered the rules of engagement and used them in dealing with all aspects of his life, both business and personal.

  Every opponent had a weakness, one that they hid well. His task was to find and exploit that weakness and to use it to his advantage. He didn’t enjoy the easy, quick victories as much, but rather the know-it-alls that assumed they could take him on. Even the seasoned players who played the game to perfection and still lost amused him.