Love Me Now

by Celeste O. Norfleet

  Furious after her phone conversation, she got into her car and drove to Trey’s. She had no idea what she was going to say or do. She just knew that she had to do something. She looked up at the Woodley Park home. This is where it all started. So the idea of coming back here made her uneasy. The one good thing was Trey had no idea what she intended to do. Unfortunately, neither did she.

  She reached up to press the doorbell but stopped herself. She was opening a Pandora’s box. Trey was too good at this. Plus, he stirred feelings inside her that she wasn’t sure she wanted to control.

  I can do this, I can do this, she thought to herself. This isbusiness, nothing else. I can do this. But doubt quickly surfaced. Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea. She was too angry. Mistakes happen when you’re emotional. She needed a moment to think clearly and calmly. She turned to leave but then stopped.

  He would expect her to be angry and hostile, like their last meeting. But as her mother always said, “Nothing ever came from being angry and not thinking first.” She was absolutely right. An offer of honey would be unexpected. She needed to be amenable. There was nothing more devastating than an unexpected stab in the back. She turned when she heard the door open. Trey was fully dressed, this time in jeans and a shirt. “Hi,” she said softly.

  “Hi,” he repeated.

  She took a deep breath…. Cold, unfeeling, emotionless. “I stopped by—” She paused and swallowed hard. “I wanted to know if you found a nanny for the twins.”

  He nodded. “Yes, she starts tomorrow morning.”

  “And tonight?” she asked calmly.

  “So are you back to being a nanny again?” he asked.

  “No, but if you needed help, I was going to offer my babysitting services.” Stay focused, stay businesslike.

  “No need. The twins are out for the evening,” Trey answered.

  “Oh, I see.” She nodded, curious as to where they were. “Back with their mother, I assume?”

  “No, Madi’s still away.”

  “I see.” He didn’t offer any more explanations so she didn’t ask any more questions.

  “Is there anything else?” he asked.

  “No…well, yes, I want to apologize about earlier. I was rude. The things I said were out of anger and spite. I shouldn’t have attacked you like that, I’m sorry.”

  “Apology accepted.” He smiled easily.

  Kenya was surprised by the quick acceptance. “That’s it, just like that, apology accepted.”

  “I don’t hold grudges. It’s pointless.” The charm was most definitely back.

  “You realize that I’m not apologizing for what I intend to do to you,” she said. He nodded, still smiling. “Make no mistake, Trey, I’m going to get my father’s company back, and if ruining you in the process is what it takes, then so be it,” she promised soundly, with unwavering determination.

  Trey chuckled. A threat like that would usually give him cause for concern, at the very least put him on guard. But for reasons he couldn’t begin to fathom, he welcomed her challenge. As a matter of fact, he wouldn’t have it any other way. “Then let the games begin.”

  Cold, emotionless, unfeeling. She nodded then took a step back to leave. “Okay, well, so much for small talk. Good night.”

  “Wait,” he called to her, “have you eaten yet? I just cooked a late dinner.”

  She smiled slyly, not too surprised that he’d called her back. “You cooked…You can cook?”

  “I’m a very good cook,” he declared.

  She chuckled. “Really?”

  “Yeah, come on in.”

  Yes! “So what is this, part of the ‘keep your enemies closer’ strategy?”

  “Actually it’s the ‘I’m hungry and I hate to eat alone’ strategy.”

  “Uh-huh, we’ll see.” She stepped inside and looked around. Other than the foyer and dining room, the house lights were dimmed. She walked toward the living room. The large area, softened by low lights, glowed with the muted blaze of the fireplace. Soft music flowed all around her. The setting was pure seduction. It was as if he’d been expecting someone. “Were you busy?”

  “No.”

  “Expecting someone?” she asked. He smiled too wide and too bright. The knowing glint in his eyes told her everything. “You knew I’d come tonight?” He chuckled. “You do have a tendency to be very sure of yourself, don’t you?” He began chuckling again. She looked around more carefully. The place was pure seduction. “You don’t really think I’m going to sleep with you, the man who stole my father’s company, do you?”

  “Did I say that?” he asked.

  “You didn’t have to,” she muttered. “The smirk is all over your face. You are so full of yourself.”

  Trey laughed out loud. “Come on into the kitchen, dinner’s almost ready.” He led. She followed. As soon as she entered, she smelled a heavenly aroma. “Have a seat. Can I get you something to drink?”

  “Sure, thanks,” she said.

  “Champagne?” he offered as he grabbed another glass, filled it then handed it to her.

  “Champagne? Are you celebrating?”

  “It’s Perrier-Jouet. It’s perfect with this dish.”

  “The flower bottle, I know. I once got a bottle as a thank-you gift for a gown I designed.”

  “Must have been a really nice gown,” he said.

  “It was.”

  “But I thought you designed only for children.”

  “I do primarily, but once in a while the opportunity presents itself.”

  “I see. You’re an opportunist.”

  “Aren’t we all?” she stated.

  He nodded.

  “So what are you cooking?” she asked as she sat down at the counter. “Whatever it is, it smells incredible.”

  “Thanks, it’s just pasta, something simple.”

  “You mean a can of spaghetti, right?” she asked.

  “Actually it’s grilled chicken with portabello mushrooms in a wine-and-cheese sauce over linguini.” Kenya chuckled. Trey nodded sincerely.

  She got up, walked around to the front of the stove, picked up the lid and inhaled. “Ohh, you gotta be kidding me. You cooked this?”

  “Yes,” Trey said.

  “No, seriously,” she said. “Not frozen, freeze-dried or takeout. You actually sliced mushrooms and everything?” He nodded. “Because I once dated this guy who supposedly cooked dinner for me, but I saw the takeout boxes in the trash can. He even had a pot of water boiling on the stove that he borrowed from his stepmom.”

  “You’re not very trusting, are you?”

  “Should I be, given our relationship?”

  “Touché. By all means, check the trash can,” he offered.

  “No, that’s okay, I believe you.”

  “No, you don’t. You don’t trust me.”

  She wanted to tell him that she didn’t trust herself with him but she didn’t. “You have questionable practices.”

  “Are you referring to business or personal?”

  “Both, but let’s talk personal for a minute.”

  “Sure, what would you like to know?” he asked.

  “Actually, it’s what I already know. You’re a saint, a sinner, an angel, a devil, a philanthropist and, my personal favorite, a serial dater.”

  Trey chuckled through the entire list. “I need to update my profile. But wait, a serial dater, what’s that?”

  “It’s a man who dates frequently, but after a few dates he dumps them, moves on, leaving a trail of broken hearts.”

  “Wow, you make it sound pretty bad.”

  “Yes, it is. So why do you treat women like that?”

  “Honestly, I don’t believe I do. Yes, I date often. And I’m smart enough to know what I want and don’t want.”

  “You’re saying that what you do to women is a good thing?”

  “I’m saying women do it all the time. They date lots of men and they try to change, manipulate or improve them only to find out that it doesn’t work.
So they go out and start all over again. One date is enough to let me know if I want to be with a person. No wasted time, no expended energy. One date and I know. I don’t want to change anyone into what I want. I accept people at face value, and go from there.”

  Kenya listened to his explanation and found herself agreeing. In all honesty, he made a good point. Spending time trying to change someone into something else was a waste. She knew dozens of women who did just that, and then complained when it happened to them.

  “Maybe we should talk about something else. Tell me about the twins, you and their mother.”

  He nodded. “What do you want to know?”

  “I know you’re not married, so are the two of you still together or not?”

  “The two of us…Oh, I get it. The twins aren’t mine. They’re my cousin’s children. I’m babysitting.”

  “You’re babysitting.” She sighed, relieved. “Wait, but why? Who would do that? Let’s face it, you’re the last person I’d ask to babysit.”

  “Did you just insult me?”

  Kenya laughed. “Come on, you’re not exactly father knows best. You’re a disaster. How in the world did you get tapped?”

  “I probably shouldn’t tell you.”

  “Tell me what?”

  “You’d probably think we’re all certifiable.”

  “Now you have to tell me.”

  “I lost a poker game. The last pot had babysitting in it. My cousin and her husband had to go out of town and I volunteered, called in my own marker to help out.”

  “What? And they let you?”

  “They trust me,” he said simply. “Trust is important in my family.” Kenya took a sip of wine. The sincerity of his answer made her feel guilty. She was there for one reason and that was to find a way to hurt him—so much for trust. “Are you okay? You got quiet on me.”

  She smiled weakly. “I’m fine, just thinking.”

  Trey nodded, seeing her pensive expression. He decided to change the subject. “So, Kenya, do you cook…can you cook?”

  “I can when I have to, but I’d rather not. I bake.”

  “Bake, like cakes and cookies?” he asked.

  “Breads mostly. I love the smell of baked bread. It comforts me. My grandmother and Mom baked bread all the time. I’d sit in the kitchen and do my homework. I’m pretty sure that’s what got me through algebra. I hated math.”

  “I loved math.”

  “I know. You’re incredibly smart at both math and business. You’re an insatiable reader, and your knowledge of capital markets and economic trends is unparalleled. An entrepreneur at a young age, you worked for your father at his company before striking out on your own. Undergrad at Georgetown, masters at Berkeley, then there’s GWU and Wharton. You’re six foot two inches, green eyes, black hair with no discernable markings.” By this time Trey had turned to her.

  “Discernable markings?” he queried.

  “Tattoos. Did I miss anything?”

  “No, that was impressive,” he said. “Although my eyes are more hazel than green.”

  She nodded. “I’ll make sure to make a note of that.”

  They laughed as Trey plated the food. Moments later he served dinner and added more champagne to her glass. They ate, laughed, talked and joked. She found out that he was born in Philadelphia and was a huge Eagles fan. She being a Redskins fan, they talked about football at length. She helped him clear the table and dried as he washed the dishes by hand.

  “It’s going to be a shame when I take you down.”

  “Still think you will?”

  “Of course. I have no doubt.”

  “Interesting, very interesting,” he said.

  “Don’t you have a dishwasher in this huge kitchen?”

  “Yes, of course. But I seldom use it. It’s usually only me.”

  “He cooks, he cleans, he babysits for family. What else does he do?”

  “He offers dessert,” Trey said. “You up for ice cream?” he asked.

  She nodded then sighed heavily. This was wrong. Everything she read about him pointed to the fact that he was cool-blooded and calculating. But here he was scooping up chocolate ice cream for dessert and adding whipped cream and cherries. The contradictions were dizzying.

  “Come on. Dessert is best in the living room.”

  “Chocolate ice cream and whipped cream, is this how you seduce all your women?”

  “Of course.”

  “Does it work?” she asked. He smiled. “Never mind.”

  She followed and sat down on the sofa beside him. They ate ice cream and talked about music. He liked big bands. They joked that he had been born at least eighty years too late. They talked about politics and history and ended up talking about books they’d read.

  When the conversation wound down, Kenya shook her head, completely stumped. “So why are you doing this, Trey?”

  “What do you mean? Doing what?” he asked.

  “This, being so nice and normal,” she said.

  “What did you expect exactly?”

  Kenya shook her head. “Either you are the most talented actor in the world or you have terrible PR.”

  “You’re talking about all the things you’ve read and heard about me?” he asked. She nodded. “Business is business. I make no apologies. I’m just a man doing what he enjoys. There are rules that I operate by and never break.”

  “What are your rules?”

  “Let’s not talk business,” he offered, knowing that he wasn’t ready for her to show her hand and end this game they were playing. “You know about me, now tell me about you. Do you have brothers or sisters?”

  “My mom and dad are away traveling. I have two sisters, both younger. One lives in New York. She’s an actress and the other is an international affairs major in her last semester at George Washington University.”

  “Impressive. My younger sister also went to GWU.”

  “You have a sister?”

  “Aha, something you didn’t know about me. Amazing. I also have two half brothers, several cousins, not to mention a few very impressive friends in high places. Impressed?” he asked. She laughed. “So does that make me more human or just less of a monster?”

  “I never called you a monster.”

  “Just a thief and a swindler,” he said.

  “Both well-founded.”

  “You believe what you read, what you hear.”

  “When it’s from a reliable source, yeah, I do. I guess I needed to get to know the real Trey Evans, decide for myself.”

  “And what do you think about him so far?” he asked. On impulse, she leaned over and kissed him sweetly. “I thought you wanted to chill on that, strictly business.”

  She smiled and leaned back. “I think I changed my mind.”

  He held his hand out to her. She grasped it and was pulled toward his body instantly. He kissed her, sealing his mouth to hers in one smooth action. She melted into his embrace, molding her body to his. To be wrapped securely in his arms was exactly what she wanted. She enfolded her arms around his neck and held him tightly. The kiss, hot and passionate, burned deep into her body.

  Pressed hard, his body felt like coming home. Her thoughts whirled in dizzying directions. What was she doing? She’d just met this man and already here she was wrapping her body around his. She was losing herself as her body betrayed her. She wanted him as much as he wanted her.

  There was a hunger. There was lust and there was an attraction that could no longer be denied. She burned for him and only he could fill her. She shifted her body closer to him and felt the hard readiness of his arousal. It excited her. He reached down and lifted her leg, encircling it around his thigh. She shifted her weight as he gripped her buttocks and raised her up. Face-to-face, she sat on his lap, straddling him as he relaxed beneath her.

  Looking down into his eyes, she could see his need and desire for her. He wanted her, bad. She smiled. She had finally found the ultimate power over him. She leaned down and kissed him
hard, then softened and leaned back. He leaned out to her, but she pressed him back against the sofa and then shook her head.

  She slowly unbuttoned his shirt, then opened it wide. This was what she remembered all day. This was her first sight of him. Her fingers itched to touch him then. Now that she had him, she could do whatever she pleased. She ran her hands across his chest, feeling the smooth rich silkiness. She touched his nipples; he flinched. She smiled inwardly. Power was addictive: the more she had, the more she wanted, especially power over him.

  He closed his eyes, obviously enjoying the feel of her teasing hands. She continued rubbing her hands across his chest, careful to only touch his nipples when she wanted his undivided attention. “Look at me,” she instructed. He opened his eyes instantly. Ice-green eyes tinted with golden sparks stared up at her. She smiled. She stuck her finger in her mouth then pressed it to his nipple. Trey sizzled then shuddered. He grabbed her, then instantly let go. “I think you like doing that,” he said.

  “I do. Kiss me,” she ordered.

  He kissed her hard, locked in a passion that nearly raged out of control. Her mouth, her neck, her chest…all at his disposal and he ravaged her like a starving man. He pulled at her sweater, pulling it up from her pants. He kissed and licked his way down her chest until he came to her lace bra. The sweet swell of her breasts seemed to send him over the edge.

  His breathing quickened and she could feel his heart racing. He buried his face between each peak and thrust his tongue beneath the lace. He reached up to undo the front snap.

  “Stop,” she whispered. He obeyed instantly, throwing his head back and closing his eyes. He licked his dry lips, and then looked at her, half smiling. Kenya returned his smile. They knew the game they played. She sat back on his thighs and ran her hand over her chest, slowly, seductively. She circled her lace-covered nipple and smiled wider, seeing the need in his eyes.

  “Do you want to touch me?” she cooed. He nodded slowly. “Like this?” she said seductively, slowly circling her nipple with her finger. He nodded again. “Or like this?” she said, grabbing her sweet swell of flesh and squeezing tenderly. Trey’s focus shifted to her hand. He licked his lips again and barely nodded.