Watercolors

by Vera Roberts

  “I’m not trying to date my ex for approval ratings,” Ocean said in a low, angry voice. “I don’t give a damn about what the public thinks.”

  “But you care about what a certain member of your family thinks, yes? If you want another term, you need to get rid of Conchita.” Jay’s eyes cut to Ocean. “They don’t care if you have a Latina wife if you’re not Latino yourself.”

  “I thought I needed the Latino vote?” Ocean asked. “What’s the truth here?”

  “Latinos are naturally conservative and will vote Republican, even if it’s against their best interests. They don’t care how Republicans fuck over other races as long as theirs is not being affected.”

  Jay was a senior senator and considered a quiet expert in voting patterns. He’d successfully predicted the last several elections and advised his party to campaign in certain areas to ensure victory. His record of accomplishment was unmatched.

  He was also a hardline Republican who never waivered on his stances, no matter who he offended. It was both infuriating and charming. “DACA?” Ocean replied.

  “And they’ll still vote Republican.” Jay answered. “Not all Latinos are for illegal immigration. In fact, those who came over the legal way do not care for those who are hop, skipping, and jumping over the damn border. Unless you plan on marrying Selena Gomez over there, the voters are going to have a short-term memory in four years and I need eight to get into the White House.”

  “You never told me why you’re so interested in the White House,” Ocean met Jay’s threat. “Why should I care about your plans?”

  “Remember that school you wanted that’s currently being built or did you forget about that? I can always halt construction and you get to tell the wonderful residents of Watts, Willowbrook, Compton, and the rest of South L.A.’s poorest who campaigned on your behalf why you just fucked them over.” Jay smiled like he won the lottery. “You gave a cute speech to the reporters about the illegal immigrants being held in detention centers here. I, for one, don’t give a fuck if they’re kicked like soccer balls back over the goddamn border.” Jay stepped closer to Ocean and whispered in his ear. “Get rid of her tonight.”

  ~~~~~~

  “What a lovely and fun night!” Ximena exclaimed as they entered the limo. “I had a lot of fun. Did you, Ocean?”

  Ocean had the most fun when it was quiet and he could enjoy the symphony. Between Ximena’s campaigning to be his wife and Jay’s threat that he better not, Ocean’s heart was in Atlanta while his mind was somewhere in Bel-Air.

  He wondered what Aaliyah was doing, and if she had a good, productive day at the shop. He wished she went with him and knew she would’ve had a great time. She was versatile like that – she could be at ease at a Kendrick Lamar concert with the same fluidity she would enjoy the ballet.

  His heart burned for her and Ocean was playing a dangerous game with both of their livelihoods. If he wasn’t careful, someone was going to get burned and it wasn’t going to be him. “I had a good time, yes.” He smiled. “I’m glad you did as well.”

  “I had amazing company so it was the perfect evening.” Ximena smiled. “I’m glad you invited me to come with you.”

  Ocean knew that was a boldface lie. He didn’t ask nor would he have picked her out. He wasn’t going to be an ass to her; Ximena clearly played a role and as much as Ocean loathed it, so was he. “You’re welcome.”

  Ximena glanced over at Ocean and couldn’t help but to think how gorgeous he was. Her jaw dropped and she found herself to be warm in the air-conditioned car. Ocean was gracious and respectful, and yet there weren’t any sparks.

  Yet. It would take time. A man like Ocean Ellison needed time and space. She would have to play by his game and by his rules; no exceptions. If Ximena played her cards right, she was going to be Mrs. Ocean Ellison.

  “Who was your favorite character on Martin?” Ocean asked as they settled back into the limo.

  Ximena blinked at him and Ocean watched the question marks form in her irises. Their first public appearance was a smashing success and Ximena already started planning her next ensemble in her head. “What?”

  “Martin, the show from the comedian?” He clarified. “Who was your favorite character?”

  “Well, Martin, of course.” Ximena answered. “I really liked him. He was so fascinating to watch.”

  “Uh-huh,” Ocean adjusted his slacks, “my favorite one was Tommy.” He chuckled. “He always had Martin’s back, though it was always a question on what he did for a living.”

  “I know, right?” Ximena replied. “He always came in so dirty even though he had a desk job.”

  “Actually the punch line was he didn’t have a job.” Ocean stared out into the starry D.C. night. “That’s why his character was so funny.”

  “Oh yeah, that’s right!” Ximena nodded and pointed. “I confused him with another show I used to watch.”

  “What show?” Ocean asked.

  “Um…” Ximena searched for a show back then. “There were so many, I can’t think of it.”

  There wasn’t a show like that and that’s why Ximena had an issue naming one. Ocean chuckled at the stupidity of himself for even entertaining his father’s scheming ways. “What do you know about me, Ximena?”

  “Well, I know you went to USC and graduated with top honors in both undergrad and medical. You’ve had your medical license for several years and you just renewed it, despite being a politician. Your policies…”

  “Besides that,” Ocean cut her off, “what do you know about me, personally?”

  “Well,” Ximena cleared her throat, “I know you’re the oldest of three with Soul being in the middle and Savior is the youngest. I know your parents are still happily married and have been for almost 40 years. You grew up in Bel-Air and you have a home there, still. It’s a beautiful home, by the way.”

  She knows the inside of my home? The admission alarmed Ocean more than anything. How in the hell would Ximena know what his home looked like? “My home?”

  “When it was featured in Architectural Digest a while back,” she casually mentioned, “I love the spread of it. It has femininity to it that I really love. Your mother is a superb decorator. I believe it’s her second-calling.”

  Ximena’s nose was so brown, she could’ve been an animal. Ocean had enough of the charades and games. He rolled down the window to speak to the driver. “There’s been a slight change in plans. You’re going to drop me off at the airport. I’m catching a flight back to ATL tonight. You’ll then take Ms. Montez back to her residence.” He pushed up the privacy screen. “It was a lovely evening with you, Ximena, but I’m afraid I have to cut this short.”

  “Oh?” Ximena was surprised. “What’s in Atlanta?”

  “My heart and everything it entails.” Ocean smiled at her.

  ~~~~~

  Jorja Smith’s smoky voice filled Aaliyah’s Bluetooth speakers as she enjoyed a late-night bath. Numerous candles provided the lighting while the jojoba and vanilla scented bath calmed her nerves. She still hadn’t checked her social media pages and didn’t even want to. There was nothing to be said and she wasn’t going to defend her actions.

  She also wasn’t going to defend his actions.

  She hadn’t heard from Ocean all day and it was best. She didn’t want him to be so wrapped up into who he was dating, he forgot the purpose why he was at Capitol Hill. She recently went on his website and saw he was trying to introduce a bill that would criminalize those who called the police on innocent black bystanders.

  A sense of pride washed over her. Ocean truly cared about his constituents and would die trying to protect them if at all possible.

  Ocean was about that life and he walked the walk. He didn’t care about Aaliyah’s past, though Aaliyah wasn’t sure how much of it he actually knew. They shared stories of when they were young, dumb, and full of come, but Aaliyah did all of that without having famous, activist parents.

  If Thomas knew about her past, why d
id it seem Ocean didn’t? He still hadn’t mentioned anything.

  It was a nothing burger. Ocean was in D.C. doing whatever politicians do and she was back at home, soaking her worries in a bathtub. Tomorrow was a new day and everything would be forgotten about. She had an important meeting with the network and if all went well, they were going to start shooting very soon.

  She would just have to make it very clear the show was about her, and not Ocean.

  Aaliyah got out of the tub and prepared herself for bed. The playlist switched to Aretha Franklin’s “Wholy Holy” and Aaliyah closed her eyes to feel the spirit of the gospel hymn. Everything was going to be okay no matter what happened between her and Ocean.

  Her doorbell suddenly rang and startled Aaliyah out of her thoughts. It was already midnight and she knew better to answer her door at that time. She lived in an area where many people didn’t get lost and asked for directions. She purposely chose to live some place where unless one lived or were making a delivery of some sorts, it wasn’t an area anyone would venture off into.

  She checked the doorbell app on her cell phone and received the shock of her life when it was Ocean behind the door. “What in the hell?” Aaliyah quickly covered herself with a robe and raced downstairs.

  She opened the door and found a smiling Ocean behind the door. “Next week?” She leaned the door jamb.

  “No,” he pushed himself inside and kicked the door behind him. He circled Aaliyah’s hips with his thumbs and pressed her against the door. Her robe opened and revealed her nude body. “Tonight.”

  Aaliyah felt Ocean’s smooth hands smooth over her breasts, circle her taut stomach and touch her everywhere but where she needed it the most. Her body immediately attuned to his as if he was the missing piece in the puzzle.

  She was naked and bare, while he was once again still fully clothed. She recognized it was his silent way of telling her she was in control of their narrative. If she didn’t want anything to progress, it stopped right then and there. If she wanted more, he would go all night until they were both exhausted.

  “Liyah…” His warm breath coated her neck as he gently sucked on it. “…I want you.”

  “O…” She moaned. She closed her eyes as she felt how soft and warm his lips were. “…this is a bad idea.”

  “Why?” He asked. “I don’t want to wait any longer to declare you’re mine, Liyah.”

  “Because it won’t work.” She pushed him away and covered herself. “It just won’t work! You’re in D.C. and I’m here! That’s a long distance, O.”

  “It’s a two-hour flight.” He stepped closer to her but kept his distance. “And I can make that flight often if need be.”

  “You expect me to fly in and out every night to see you?” She shook her head. “Now I officially know you lost your damn mind.”

  “I expect you to see me as often as you’re able to and if I’m paying for the flights, it shouldn’t be an issue.” He closed the distance between them and she let him. He unwrapped her robe again and let it fall down to the floor. “But I’m not leaving here until everything is settled between us.” He swept his lips over hers. “And I want you tonight. Please?”

  The feeling of love, mixed in with lust became too much to overcome. Aaliyah’s breathing became hitched in her throat and the longing in her body completely took over. Aaliyah wrapped her arms around Ocean and nodded. “Take me. Now. Now!”

  She pushed Ocean back and fumbled with his clothing until he was naked. Aaliyah gasped at the sight of him. Ocean had always been fit but now he was just a beautiful, muscular man. Golden skin, tanned to perfection, covered his muscles with small patches of soft, brown hair.

  The air was heavy with need and want as they spoke no words. Ocean stood before Aaliyah, raw, naked, and unashamed. He never hid his emotions. He never brushed off anything. He was honest, no matter how much the truth hurt.

  Now all Aaliyah wanted was for Ocean to be inside her. Her sex clenched and became slick with wetness as it wanted to be completely filled with Ocean’s thick shaft. She knew if she slept with him, she could no longer claim he was her ex, though the exact title was unclear.

  Aaliyah would worry about that later as she watched Ocean produced a condom and quickly slid it on. Aaliyah felt her brain become dizzy under Ocean’s intensity. The air became thin as the sexual heat turned up between them.

  He backed her against the wall and curled one of her legs around his waist. He kissed her hard, almost bruising her lips. He slid inside her and they both gasped at the delicious friction. He wasn’t completely inside her and Ocean already filled Aaliyah.

  “Damn, baby.” He pressed his forehead against hers. “Your pussy feels so fucking good.” He moved slowly inside her as Aaliyah softly moaned in his ear. “I thought about fucking his pussy again for so long.” He pushed in harder and faster, filling her to the brim as the gospel song became louder.

  Ocean lifted Aaliyah and walked her over to the dining room table. He laid her down on the messy table full of papers and documents and didn’t bother to clear them off. He spread her legs apart and drove his thick, hardened cock inside her.

  “Fuck, Liyah,” Ocean’s breath came out in ragged spurts as he moaned. He wrapped his arms around her legs and closed them against his chest for deeper penetration. Raw and ethereal emotion took over and Ocean didn’t hold anything back. He slammed into Aaliyah over and over again, causing her to have multiple small orgasms.

  “O…O…” She gripped the table as she felt getting close again.

  “We’re together now. I’m going to love, protect, and honor you. No more games, okay? No more bullshit.” His thrusts became harder with each word. “We’re meant to be.”

  Aaliyah was in a daze. It had been a long time since a man gave it to her the way Ocean did and she never knew when it would happen again. She had to stop playing with her emotions and realize they were meant to be together. It wasn’t going to be easy and she didn’t know how long they would actually last.

  They both had to try again just to say they gave it one final shot. They both deserved that of themselves and each other.

  Aaliyah felt her body tightening up and the small coils of an impending orgasm. Her pussy suckled Ocean’s thick length. Ocean steadily pounds away at her, ripping more orgasms from her body.

  “Come for me, baby.” He purred. “I want to feel your hot come all over my dick.”

  “Fuck!” Aaliyah’s body lifted off the table and slammed hard back down. Her body shook involuntarily on its own and trembled against his relentless thrusts.

  “That’s my baby,” Ocean thrust a few more times before he was met with his own powerful orgasm. His body stilled and he dropped Aaliyah’s legs around his waist. He collapsed on top of her and breathed against her body. Aaliyah wrapped her arms and legs around Ocean and neither spoke.

  There was absolutely nothing to be said.

  Five

  Of course, Ocean would singlehandedly ruin the hard work he’s done. Why wouldn’t he?

  As Thomas Ellison read the internet coverage of Ocean being spotted with Ximena, with several paid writers writing up how ‘cozy’ and ‘smitten’ the pair looked at each other, Thomas grew a proud smile on his face. No one talked about Aaliyah any longer.

  Instead, the press now painted Ocean as a lothario of sorts. Even when certain broadcasts replayed his scathing criticism of the detention centers, the female hosts commented on his blue eyes and Kennedy-like demeanor. They couldn’t have cared less who he was with.

  “Oh, that’s a great shot.” Thomas zoomed in on a picture of Ocean smiling down at Ximena as she stared up at him. They were a great looking couple and Thomas could see a lot of money and power between the two of them.

  The Ellison’s and the Montezes…if those two families combined forces, no one would be able to stop them. Their reach would extend beyond Capitol Hill and even into the Wall Street sector. No one would tell them no for fear and everything would be a yes for the same r
eason.

  Thomas turned around his leather chair to stare at the beautiful Bel-Air sky. The temperature was nice and warm, a far change from the blistering heat waves. It was a perfect day to be out on the golf course.

  It was a great day to figure out another strategy.

  Getting Ocean in the Senate was a small step into a huge chessboard. For as long Ocean would be in the Senate – and Thomas had his sights on a lifelong hold – it would be another power play. One term was not going to do. Ocean needed to be a part of the Senate as long as possible.

  It was time for another meeting with Jay Edwards.

  Thomas was about to make a call when his office phone rang. He already recognized the number and smiled at the perfect timing. “Senator Edwards,” Thomas Ellison picked up his phone. “What brings this phone call?”

  “I’ll keep this short and sweet,” Jay replied, “whatever bullshit you’re doing with your son is interrupting my plans with Briana. Stop the shit or I’ll make you stop.”

  “I beg your pardon?” Thomas shot up in his chair. “You’re not dictating shit I do, Edwards.”

  “Oh yes, I will.” Jay calmly replied. “You will no longer interfere with your son’s personal life as long as he’s a senator. You pull that stunt again and you’ll be swiftly reminded you’re my bitch.”

  Thomas temporarily removed the phone from his ear so he could think in peace and count to 10. He then returned to the phone call. “What can I do for you, Edwards?”

  “If you want to do something meaningful with the waste of space that came out of Ricardo’s balls, you can set her up with the head of the DNC. Leave Ocean out of your games.”

  “That tattoo artist has a past and when it’s revealed, what are you going to do then?” Thomas curtly replied. “I don’t give a damn who Ocean dates but that tattoo chick will not be it. He can find any other suitable black woman out there and that’s the one he wants to be with.”