Romance in Color

by Synithia Williams

  “Joke all you want, Ms. Jeffers, but it’s your fault I’m suddenly rooted in this sordid life of endless sex and scandal—you with your ‘life is about chances’ speech, for which I’m eternally grateful.” Sarona giggled into her glass. “So, tell me. What happened while I was gone?”

  “Oh, nothing much, except that our girl Candace hooked up with a really gorgeous hunk of man-flesh: tall, dark, and oh-so-handsome—kind of like your guy. And he’s become her self-appointed guardian.”

  “Details, ladies, I need details. Starting with the how, when, and what’s next?”

  There was a brief moment of silence, and then all three women burst into gales of laughter.

  “Slow your roll, girlfriend, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Let’s just stick with the ‘how and when’ and the here and now, okay?” Candace and Joyce filled Sarona in on the story of her and Brice. They explained how he’d plotted their meeting, his gallant rescue the night of the break-in, followed by his chivalrous invitation and her weekend stay at his place.

  “Wait. Did you say Brice Coleman?”

  “Yeah? Why?” Candace asked with one eyebrow raised.

  “OMG! That’s David’s partner. You’ve been going out with David’s partner.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “David’s security consulting service! He and his friend Brice are old college buds who decided to go into business together. Holy crap! Talk about a small world.” Sarona practically fell over from laughing so hard.

  Candace was floored. This was not good news. As if she didn’t already have enough problems with Sarona hounding her at every turn. With David’s connection to Brice, now there’d be no end to her meddling attempts to push her into a relationship.

  “This is just so romantic, and it has all the perfect ingredients to turn into something wonderful,” Sarona gushed.

  “Wait. Hold on now. I can see how you might think that, but it’s not like that,” Candace hurriedly interrupted. “Brice and I were sort of pushed into this thing because of what happened, but we have a strictly friends-with-benefits arrangement. It’s not exclusive, and we prefer it that way. Neither of us is interested in a commitment. So, you can stop right now with any plans forming in that head of yours to stir up trouble.”

  “Oh, Candy, how can you say that? I can’t believe you don’t want something that gives you that forever-after feeling. Don’t you want someone in your life you can count on? Brice sounds like he’s that kind of guy. He could be the perfect candidate for your Mr. Right.”

  Candace rolled her eyes at Sarona’s unfailing and ridiculous belief in fantasies. “Don’t talk to me about Mr. Right. Mr. Right is nothing more than a fairy tale, orchestrated and perpetuated by the media and commercial enterprises, packaged in a fancy container, and shoved down our throats as the gospel truth. I have a news flash for you, Sarona: I’m not interested in finding Mr. Right. Misters ‘Right Now’ and ‘Maybe Later’ will do me just fine.”

  Chapter 20

  Rick put a surveillance team on Nash and reported his whereabouts to Brice at least once a week. Nash had made two trips to Atlanta in the last month, but he hadn’t tried to contact Candace at all. Brice didn’t know what his game was, but he knew enough not to trust him. With the information from Brice, Rick had linked Candace’s address with data from cell towers located in the area. He’d pinpointed two outgoing calls from Nash’s phone on the night of the break-in. Both calls placed him practically on her doorstep. If Brice had ever had a shred of doubt that Nash was responsible for the destruction of her property and sense of security, this latest report eliminated it completely. But no matter how sure he was of Nash’s guilt, this new information only left him feeling more frustrated and helpless.

  Because, unfortunately, it wasn’t evidence that he’d committed a crime. It wasn’t against the law to park on a public street in front of her home. Brice continued poring over the reports searching for something, anything he could use to flush Nash out, when finally something caught his attention. He recognized the name of the company Nash worked for. Here was something that might possibly work to his advantage.

  Brice picked up his saxophone and began absently stroking the keys while he considered his next move. Nash took great pleasure in harassing people and making their lives miserable. Maybe he should have a taste of what it feels like when the tables are turned. Brice knew people—people who could ask questions, make insinuations, and stir up all manner of trouble for somebody with a questionable or unsavory background. He reached for the phone.

  “Hi, Blaine. It’s Brice. Got a minute?”

  “Yeah, sure, man. What’s up?”

  “I’ve got a problem, and I think maybe you can help me solve it.”

  “Well, let’s hear what you got.”

  “It’s kind of complicated. I don’t want to go into it over the phone.”

  “Okay then, come by the office.”

  “This isn’t an office kind of visit. It’s personal. Let me buy you lunch, and we can discuss it.”

  “Sounds serious.”

  “It is.”

  “How about Casio’s? Tomorrow, say, around noon?”

  “That’ll be great. I’ll see you there.”

  • • •

  Brice arrived early and was waiting when Blaine showed up fifteen minutes later. They ordered drinks and their meal before getting down to the reason for the meeting.

  “So tell me, my man, what can I do for you? You sounded pretty grim over the phone.”

  “I’ll get right to the point,” Brice said after taking a long swig from his drink. “Remember the last time we saw each other, just after you’d gotten back into town?”

  “Oh yeah. How could I forget? You were having dinner with that fine sister, and I was jealous as hell,” he joked. “I remember some guy tried to make a move on her while you were hanging with me. I watched you two have a faceoff, and then he left.”

  “That’s why I called you. The situation is still ongoing. Her name is Candace, and the guy is a former lover who’s turned into a big problem for her—and me.”

  “Wait. It’s been what, nearly two months since that night. Are you telling me you’re still with the same woman ... for two months?” Blaine sat back in his seat, apparently in shock.

  Brice winced inwardly at his friend’s surprise. “Yes, it’s been about that,” he responded evenly. He had no intention of discussing the details of their relationship, but he would have to give up something if he was going to ask for help. “We’ve been seeing each other off and on for a while. I like her company, and she likes mine. And the sex is great. The problem is that a while back her house was broken into and vandalized, and I have every reason to believe it was the guy from the restaurant.”

  “How did you come to that conclusion?” Blaine asked.

  “The guy is an asshole. I knew it the moment I met him. She already ended the relationship, and he’s been harassing her ever since.”

  Brice explained how his suspicions had prompted him to call his private investigator, and then he quietly filled Blaine in on the specifics of Rick’s report. He conveniently left out his invitation to stay for the weekend. He wasn’t about to admit to the overwhelming feelings he was developing for her—or the fast and furious emotional ride he’d been on since that fateful first meeting.

  “The incriminating information Rick’s gathered on this guy doesn’t bode well for Candace. I don’t think she’s heard the last of him. According to Rick, the break-in is a warning that things could escalate. He needs to be stopped. Considering his mental state of mind and hidden criminal past, I’m concerned he might not stop at just trying to scare her.”

  “What did the police say?”

  “Unfortunately, the lack of incriminating evidence ruled out any help from the police. I’m left to employ my own methods of protecting Candace.” Brice spoke with cold, calculating calmness. “Andrew Nash needs to be taught a couple of lessons. One, that he’s not th
e only person capable of screwing with someone’s life, and two, that he won’t keep getting away with it. I want him to know what it feels like to have his life turned upside down for no reason.” The look in Brice’s eyes hardened. “I want him to know what it feels like to be fucked with.”

  “Okay, so let’s say you’re right. What do you need me for?”

  “He has a high-profile job in the medical industry with a pristine reputation to look out for, which means he can’t afford rumors or accusations to come to light. The way I see it, this is right up your alley, seeing as how your law firm happens to represent the same company.” Brice dropped that little bombshell and picked up his drink to take another swallow. “You’d be duty-bound to uphold company policy and inform them of indiscrete behavior within the ranks. You know, to prevent potential lawsuits, complaints, things of that nature.”

  Blaine’s eyes narrowed with interest at Brice’s revelation.

  “Are you saying this nutcase works for us?”

  “Yeah, well, he works for your client. And I’m guessing this is the type of information they’d want to be made aware of. Am I right?”

  Blaine gave Brice a probing look. “I’ll need a copy of that report. I can’t make allegations without something to back them up.”

  “I’ll have Rick send it to your office.”

  “I’ll also need copies of the police report and any photos taken of the damage. The more information I have, the better the case I can build against him.”

  “I told you, there’s no proof he’s responsible.”

  “It doesn’t matter. If I can plant a seed of suspicion in the minds of the board members, that’s all I need to set the ball rolling. Hey, I’m a lawyer. He doesn’t have to be tried in a court of law. The court of public opinion is way more effective when it comes to handing out judgment.”

  “Thanks, man. I’m glad you’re willing to check this out. But I want you to hold off on taking any action just yet. You’re my ace in the hole, and I’m not ready to show my hand.”

  “No problem, I can do that. But I still want that information as soon as possible to conduct my own investigation. What about Candace?”

  “What about her?” Brice was suddenly defensive.

  “I want to know her role in all of this. How do you know she didn’t do something to set this guy off? Maybe she pushed him and didn’t realize he had a short fuse. Or maybe she’s using you to get an old lover off her back. Are you sure she’s worth all the time and trouble you’re putting into this?”

  “She didn’t do anything to set this fucker off. He’s a mental case, plain and simple. It was just her bad luck she ended up with the wrong guy. She’s not ‘using me’ because she doesn’t even know that I had him investigated. And yes. She’s worth every second of my time and trouble.”

  Chapter 21

  It had been two weeks since they’d made love, and Brice was practically going out of his mind with wanting her. He’d never, ever before in his life needed sex. Sex was a pastime, a means to satisfy an urge and take the edge off, and there was no shortage of willing partners just waiting for his call. Need was never a part of the equation. This new inability to control his desire and fantasies was shocking—and unsettling.

  He’d lain awake too many nights imagining her supple body lying beneath him, supine, submissive, and open to his touch, his invasion. He visualized her beautiful face twisted in pleasure as he surged in deep and steadily pushed her to the brink of her endurance and beyond. And when she fell over the edge, out of control and writhing in his arms, he shivered at the sound of her voice as it rang out sweetly and she sang her orgasm in his ears.

  Brice brushed a hand over his face and groaned out loud while his cock twitched and throbbed painfully to life. The memory of her moist channel gripping him hard and squeezing tight, pulsating around his thickened member as she milked him dry, nearly drove him insane.

  Her essence was a living thing that vibrated in the air around him. Her natural scent of honey and spice lingered in his nose and filled his mouth with the sweetness of her taste. The thought of her made him burn and ache for her tang and touch. She’d slipped under his skin and inside his heart without warning. Candace was like a drug. He’d gotten hooked with his first adventurous taste, and like an addict he was stuck on the edge between what was imagined or real, desperate for his next fix.

  He reached for the phone to call her, unable to resist the pull that drew him in against his will. He had to hear her voice. As he punched in the number, his defiant claim to David that he “wasn’t going down without a fight” rang loudly in his ears. Where was that grit and determination now? For all his bluff and bluster, he hadn’t put forth much effort to salvage his pride or his freedom.

  “I don’t believe you’ve been keeping up your end of our friends-with-benefits agreement,” he said when she answered the phone.

  “What do you mean?”

  “I want to see you. I’m tired of waiting and hearing that you’re too busy to make time for me. With all these excuses, if I didn’t know better I’d think you were avoiding me. I’m a patient man, Candace, and I don’t normally think with my dick, but lately all I can think about is having you in my bed, lying under me with your hands tangled in my hair and your legs wrapped around my waist. I want to be in your arms and buried deep inside you. Right now.”

  His voice, deliberately pitched low and husky, exuded an infinite hunger intended to make her toes curl and her vaginal walls twitch and contract. He knew what it did to her. He dropped his voice lower and practically growled into the phone. He wasn’t beyond playing dirty or pulling out all the stops. Why should he be the only one suffering?

  “I think I’ve been a damn good friend over the past few weeks, but I haven’t received any of those benefits we discussed. You’ve been holding out on me, babe. This was your idea, and I intend to reap my fair share of those promised rewards.”

  “I’m sorry. How incredibly inconsiderate of me,” she responded playfully. The sound of her teasing laughter rang in his ear. The familiar feeling of heat gathered in his gut and went straight to his groin, stabbing him with a thousand painful bursts of red-hot pleasure. “I didn’t realize I was in breach of our agreement.”

  “How can you live without me? You do it so well, and it bothers me,” he replied gruffly, his tight control unraveling further at the melodic sound of her voice. “Woman, don’t make me beg. I expect to see you tonight, and the only thing I need to hear from you is ‘My place or yours?’”

  “Um, I think playtime at your place will be perfect. I love romping around in that playground you call a king-sized bed. And,” she breathed wickedly into the phone, “I can’t wait to see the master in his master bedroom.”

  His blood pressure spiked and his temperature rose as the sleeping dominant in him raised its head and stirred. “Be careful what you ask for. I may feel obliged to see that you get it.”

  “Um, sounds kinky. I like kinky.”

  “Good. That’s what I’m counting on. I’ll see you around eight o’clock. And Candace—don’t be late.”

  He hung up the phone grinning and bursting with excitement. It was time to move this relationship forward, but he would have to tread carefully. Instinct warned him that getting her to even consider the possibility was as dangerous as walking through a minefield, and it could lead to an explosion of monumental proportions.

  • • •

  Brice constantly surprised her with his uncensored honesty. He held nothing back. He spoke his mind and got straight to the point. His frank admission of desire, and the sound of his voice—hard, edged with need, and full of demand—made her hot. Blatant talk of his need for her made her nipples stiff and bead tightly, and, God help her, she needed to change her underwear. She wanted him just as much, but she wasn’t nearly as open and honest about it as he was.

  He was right. She had been avoiding him. She wasn’t immune to his sweet touch and his thoughtful ways. She’d been doomed from t
he start, when he’d first wrapped himself around her and held her all night long, just to comfort her. She’d felt it then for the first time, that elusive feeling women dream of, the feeling of being safe, protected, and cared for. It had been the same ever since. Every time they’d made love and stayed together, she’d wake in the morning enclosed in his arms, tangled in his legs, and surrounded by his scent. It was addictive, that feeling of being safe and wanted. It was something a girl could get used to.

  Her mind and body craved him, and she constantly fought unpredictable and overpowering urges to run to him as often as she truly wanted to. There was no denying it; she was totally hooked on the man and how he made her feel, the way he made love to her. The way he touched, teased, and made her body come alive was wonderful—and frightening. In a desperate attempt to hold onto her heart, she tried to keep her distance. But it wasn’t working. It didn’t matter that she told him lies and tried to stay away. She couldn’t lie to herself. His cool blue eyes and warm smile had drawn her in, and she ached to be wrapped inside his strong arms.

  This no-strings, no-commitment arrangement was getting harder and harder to live with, but changing the rules was not an option. She might lose her head and control of her body, but losing her heart was non-negotiable.

  • • •

  She rang the doorbell at precisely eight o’clock, her heart hammering with excitement. Brice opened the door and immediately pulled her inside. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her hard and deep, pouring his need into her and filling her up. He surrounded her, consuming her with his passion. He kissed her long and with unrestrained fervor, until she realized that there was no gentle teasing, no quiet laughter, no calming reassurance. This man in her arms was someone she didn’t recognize. And it excited her.

  When he finally released her, he retreated and let his hands drop to his sides, breathing heavily as if struggling for control. The intensity of his kiss and the strength of his embrace left her swaying and nearly breathless. She kept her eyes closed, feeling electrically charged, slightly disoriented, and burning from the inside out. When she was able to force her eyes open, she was surprised by what she saw. He was dressed entirely in black: black jeans, a black t-shirt stretched taunt across his muscular chest, black biker boots, and black leather bands wrapped around his wrists. He looked rugged, sexy, seductive, and scary. His dark presence excited her. This new look was a far cry from his usual custom-tailored suits and silk ties. He looked more forceful, more powerful, more dominating, more masculine—more everything. She nervously licked her lower lip.