by D. Camille
“I don’t care if you’re a damn Uncut Diamond!” She walked to the door and opened it. “Get out of my house Kent!”
He followed her and slammed the door closed keeping his hand pressed against it. “Who is this dude?” he demanded.
Lotus lifted angry eyes up at him. “Someone I’m having second thoughts about every damn day!”
“So what is this?” He motioned between the two of them.
She put her hands on her hips. “Why don’t you tell me Kent? You keep calling me and kissing me, what the hell do you call it?”
“What are you trying to do Lotus, get back at me because I hurt you by teasing you?” he questioned.
Lotus pressed both hands against his chest and pushed. “Get out!”
Kent grabbed her arms and pulled her against him. “I’m not going anywhere until you tell me what the fuck is happening here!”
Lotus’ eyes watered as she looked up into his angry ones. “THIS isn’t happening. You can’t be the one!” she cried.
Kent looked down at her confused. “The one for what Lotus?”
She broke away from him then walked over to the sofa where she sat and dropped her head into her hands.
Kent’s heart was beating faster than it had ever before in his life. He felt like his whole world was shifting on its axis. He took a moment to control his breathing before he approached her.
Sitting on the coffee table facing her, Kent studied the top of her head as she still had her face buried in her hands.
“Lotus,” he said softly. “I’m sorry.”
At her silence he continued, “I’m so damn confused and it’s like you have the answers, but you won’t share them with me.”
Lotus lifted her head at the words that seemed wrenched from his heart. “You don’t want to know Kent,” she whispered through her tears.
Kent wiped her tears with one hand and cradled her face. “Baby, I can’t NOT know.”
Their eyes locked and held.
“You’re the one…” she said so low he barely heard her.
“The one for what Lotus?”
“My heart...”
******
Lotus watched the confusion cross his handsome face as Kent took both of her hands into both of his.
“Please explain this to me.”
“I’ve seen you…in my visions and my dreams,” she told him and bit her lip.
“What am I doing?” he asked watching her.
Lotus blushed and looked away.
“For real?” he questioned lifting a brow. “Mmmm…”
She couldn’t contain a smile as she looked back at him. “Stop, I’m being serious.”
He moved closer. “So you saw us getting it in…what else?”
“My visions mean that you’re mine, so I’ve been waiting for you,” she explained.
Kent tilted his head. “For how long?”
Lotus glanced down. “A long time.”
He released her hands and lifted her face to his. “How long Lotus?”
“Five years…”
Kent confusion was evident. “You’ve been waiting for me for five years?”
She nodded.
“But you didn’t even talk to me,” he pointed out.
“Because I had to wait until you came to me,” she told him.
Kent rubbed his temple. “So, how is this supposed to work?”
“It doesn’t ‘work’ Kent. It just is.”
“So I’m yours?”
Lotus smirked. “You wouldn’t know it though, would you?”
“So the guy you told Kyle was coming was…me?” He gave her a strange look.
“Stop acting like it’s spooky or something,” she chastised him.
He laughed softly. “It’s weird as hell.”
Lotus got to her feet. “This is why I didn’t want to tell you.”
Kent pulled her down on his lap before she could escape. “Damn, give me a minute to process. This some wild shit right here.”
He gathered her closer in his arms and held her while he thought about the information that she’d given him.
After a while Lotus placed her arms around his neck and held his sexy green gaze.
“So, what you gone do with all this?” he asked lowering his mouth to hers.
Lotus smiled. “You’ll show me.”
Chapter 6
“So this means that you’ll be giving up the panties?” Kent asked.
Lotus looked at him. “Technically it’s supposed to mean that the panties are yours, but you haven’t gotten to that level yet.”
He frowned. “It’s like an obstacle course?”
“Universe, if you are wrong…” she said shaking her head.
Kent kissed her. “What level am I on now?”
“One step above me not talking to you at all.”
He stared into her face. “Nah, your eyes tell me I’m way further than that.”
Lotus closed her eyes tightly and he laughed as he stood with her in his arms. Her eyes flew open.
“What are you doing?” she cried.
“I’m going to see how many levels you’ll let me reach tonight.” He walked to her bedroom and placed her on the bed.
Lotus stared up at him as he removed his suit jacket. “Kent, stop playing.”
He tossed the jacket aside and untucked his shirt, letting the ends hang outside of his pants then stood looking down at her.
“It’s okay baby, I’m the one remember?”
Lotus’ eyes narrowed as she sat up on the bed. “This isn’t a joke.”
Kent took her hand and said seriously, “I’m not joking.”
“You believe me?” she asked confused.
He touched her cheek. “If I didn’t, I would’ve ran my ass out of here when you first started talking crazy and never looked back.”
“But I’m still here because there has to be some explanation why I suddenly can’t stay away from you,” he finished.
Lotus looked up at him warily. “Don’t play with me Kent.”
“I couldn’t if I tried Lotus.” He kissed her while pushing her back on the bed.
At the feel of his weight on her body, Lotus began rapidly tapping one finger on his back. After a minute of this, Kent lifted his head. “What are you doing?”
“I’m tapping,” Lotus breathed.
He lifted a dark brow over confused green eyes. “Why?”
“It helps me to relax and focus,” she whispered breathlessly. “And to stop my honey pot from buzzing.”
“What the hell are you talking about girl?”
“The tapping or the honey pot?”
“Shhh…just relax.” He kissed her again. “I’m not going to hurt you.”
Kent went about the task of advancing to new levels. He kissed her until she was relaxed and comfortable in his arms then he turned them over so that she was on top.
Lotus lifted her head and looked down into his handsome face. “Was that okay?” he asked and she nodded smiling.
“I love these,” he said touching the dimple in her cheek, making her smile broader.
Straddling his body, she placed her hands on his chest. “So are you going to try to be mine?”
Kent pulled her head down to his. “Yeah, and you can tell me how you want that honey pot stirred…”
******
The next morning Kent was awakened by his phone ringing. He looked at the screen and frowned.
“What’s up Trent?” he said sleepily.
“I’ve been waiting for your ass to call me,” Trent told him.
Kent threw an arm over his face. “Damn, dude what time is it there?”
“Four am which mean it’s seven where you are,”
“Why the hell are you up at four in the damn morning?” Kent asked.
Trent smiled. “Trinity wanted a snack.”
“Then go feed your baby and let me sleep.”
“Aren’t you the early riser? Why are you still in the bed?”
> Kent frowned again. “Because I’m a grown ass man and I can be.”
Trent paused. “Hmm…Kyle said he left you at Lotus’ place last night.”
“What else did Kyle say?” Kent smirked.
“Not much. Kyle mostly minds his own business.”
“You should do the same thing,” Kent told him and Trent laughed.
“I swear if you tell me you feeling Lotus, I’m going to clown the shit out of you,” Trent promised.
Kent sat up, letting the sheet fall around his waist.
“So did Kyle give you the information we got from Dennis?” Kent asked changing the subject.
“Aww…hell nah! Lotus!”
“Shut up Trent,” Kent warned.
Trent laughed. “Damn, you let her put the hoodoo on you?”
Kent rubbed his head. “Stop playing before you piss me off.”
“Dude! Lotus though!”
Kent disconnected the call and went to the bathroom. After relieving himself, he washed his hands then looked at himself in the large mirror and remembered the feel of being in Lotus’ arms and inhaling the scent of coconut.
He heard his phone ringing in the bedroom and went back out to answer.
“You ready to handle business?” he answered.
“Damn dude, I’m sorry.” Trent said quietly. “I didn’t know it was serious.”
Kent sat on the edge of the bed. “I didn’t either,” Kent confessed.
“I mean I know you wanted to smash a long time ago, but now…”
“It’s not even about that,”
Trent frowned. “So you not trying to smash?”
“Well, yeah it is about that,” Kent corrected. “But it’s more than that and I don’t understand it.”
“You don’t understand because boys smash and men make love to the woman who’s meant for them,” Trent told him.
“I swear Callie whipped the hell out of you.”
Trent laughed. “You talking shit now, but you’ll see.”
Kent rubbed a hand over his head. “It just came out of nowhere.”
“Not really playa. Lotus has had you on a swivel since the first time you spent the night with her at the hotel.”
Kent looked out of the window. “Damn, I know.”
“Lotus is family man, so be careful.” Trent warned. “Sean will Benjamin Rucker the hell out of you.”
“Nah, I don’t want to mess with Sean.” Kent agreed.
“I’m seeing him today, so expect to hear from him about these Hardings.” Trent told him.
Kent nodded. “Cool, what about Keith Watson and Erik Hanson?”
“I’m handling them,” Trent said firmly.
Kent’s phone indicated another call.
“Hey, let me call you back.”
Trent frowned. “I know it’s a woman.”
Kent smiled. “Isn’t it always.”
“Bye Kent.”
Switching over to the other line, Kent answered.
“This is the first time you’ve called me.”
“Did I wake you?” Lotus asked.
“Nah, Trent did that.”
She paused shyly. “Well I just wanted to tell you blissful risings.”
“Your honey pot still buzzing?” he asked sexily.
Lotus smiled. “Yeah, it is.”
“Maybe I can see you tonight and we can tighten that up for you.”
“Maybe…” she answered softly. “Uh, Kyle invited me to dinner this evening. Would you like to come?”
Kent frowned. “We doing threesomes?”
“Stop. You know Kyle is my friend.”
“I guess, then after dinner his ass needs to be ghost,” Kent grumbled. “Don’t he supposed to be down here working?”
Lotus laughed. “That green-eyed monster is something else.”
“Trust, he’s a monster.”
She moaned in remembrance. “Trust, I believe it.”
“I’ll see you tonight girl.”
“Okay, have a good day.”
“You too baby.”
Lotus hung up with a smile on her face. That damn Kent Baker was a trip and she wanted him more every day. Walking into the bathroom, she looked in the mirror and bit her lip as she stared at the reflection of the mark on her skin above her breast. The green-eyed monster had put it there and she’d enjoyed every minute of his mouth on her.
Although, they’d stayed fully clothed, her body had burned from the feel and touch of him. That boy was something, with his fine ass. Now that she’d told him the truth, Lotus felt a burden lifted off of her and free to let herself go with him.
If he was hers, it didn’t make any sense to let her honey pot keep buzzing for too much longer when Kent could probably stir it in every way she’d imagined, and probably a few that she hadn’t. She closed her eyes and saw his face again before she headed to shower and dress for work today and then tonight, she would get to play with the monster.
******
Later that morning, Trent went to talk to Sean at his home since Sean wanted to include his wife, Lily. Trent smiled as Sean opened the door and two little five-year old miniatures of him stood smiling.
“They’ve been excited since I told them you were coming,” Sean told him.
“Hey Uncle Trent!” “Hey Uncle Trent!” They said one after the other.
Trent smiled. “Hey X-Men! Hey X-Men!”
Trent had a ritual with the twins. They’d started saying everything twice to him so he’d started repeating everything back to them twice. It amused them to no end and unlike his brother Jordan, they couldn’t rattle him.
“You want to play?” “You want to play?”
“Not right now. Maybe later? Not right now. Maybe later?”
They laughed at his antics as he hugged both boys.
“Ok, see you later Uncle Trent.” “Ok, see you later Uncle Trent.”
“See you later X-Men. See you later X-Men.”
Sean shook his head as the boys scrambled off to indulge in whatever their next activity would be.
“They’re going to tire you out with that,” Sean told him.
“They can try,” Trent responded now hugging his brother.
Together they walked to Sean’s office where Lily was seated with their daughter, Lilac. Trent took the little girl in his arms.
“Hey little Lilac,” he said kissing her cheek.
“Uncle Trent,” she replied sweetly.
Bending he kissed Lily. “Hello my beautiful sister.”
She smiled showing her dimples. “Thank you Trent. It’s always good to see you.”
Trent studied her. “I never realized how much you and Lotus look alike. Even this little one right here looks like you both.”
Sean smiled. “My chocolate beauties.”
“I need to talk with my sister but I wanted to know what’s going on first,” Lily commented.
Trent nodded. “She’s safe, Lily. I have a man on her and uh, Kent is keeping a very close eye on her.”
“I’m glad she has someone there that we trust,” Lily said relieved.
Sean put an arm around his wife. “You know I’m not going to let anything happen to her.”
She looked up at him. “I know, but I also remember the Hardings.”
“Then you also remember how I handled them.” Sean touched her cheek.
“I know you’re the Master.”
Trent looked between the two while holding his niece. “So do you two want me to come back?”
Sean turned to him. “Have a seat Trent.”
Smiling, Trent sat with Lilac on his lap before she climbed down and ran over to her father. “I want the X’s and Grandma.” Lilac told her father, taking his hand.
“Okay, let’s go find them.” Sean said quietly. “Excuse me for a minute,” he told Trent before escorting his daughter away.
Lily turned to Trent. “My mother’s here and Lilac loves both of her Grandmothers.”
“I do too,” Trent agreed.
“Ms. Lavender told my mother that she’d be a part of my life again.”
“My mother’s predictions are kind of hit and miss, but she’s usually somewhere in the vicinity though.” Lily said smiling.
Trent nodded. “Do you predict stuff too?” he asked.
Lily shook her head. “I never really accepted the gift. Lotus has though, and hers seems to be a lot more accurate than my mothers.”
“Lotus used to scare Kent and to be honest, she scared me a little bit too,” Trent confessed.
“I know, it’s hard for her. People don’t always understand someone who has acceptance of who she is. I envied her freedom to be herself.”
“It took me a long time to find that in my life,” Lily said quietly.
Sean returned and looked at his wife. “What’s wrong?”
Lily smiled at him. “Nothing, Trent just reminded me of what a lucky woman I am to have such an incredible husband who has made my life complete.”
Trent looked confused. “Really?”
Lily laughed as Sean took her gently into his arms. “Yes, you did Trent.”
Trent shook his head thinking that the Masters women were all a little different.
Sean kissed Lily softly then helped her to a seat and sat next to her. “What do we have Trent?”
“Warren Harding is one of the political Hardings in Atlanta. Kent and Kyle have discovered that they have the Atlanta PD in their pockets and that Warren is particularly interested in Lotus. However, the family believes that Lily owes them some money and since they can’t collect from her, because of you…” Trent looked at Sean. “They’re going to try to use Lotus.”
Lily looked at Sean in concern as Trent continued. “The good thing for us is that we’re on to them, but they don’t know that. Kent is on top of things down there.”
Sean nodded. “I know you’re the leader of the Uncut Diamonds, but I’ll need to work with Kent directly on this one.”
Trent agreed. “Hey, Ray just lets me be the leader and I figured this one would be personal to you.”
“Tell Kent I’ll be in Atlanta soon.”
Trent nodded. “Cool, I’ve got things on my plate right here in LA.”
Sean lifted a brow. “You okay?”
“Nothing I can’t handle,” Trent told him.
Sean turned to Lily. “I’ll be going solo this time. I need you here with our little ones.”
She nodded slowly. “Let Benjamin Rucker handle it.”
