Take It

by Francesca Penn

  “Baby, I’m a virgin, not a saint.”

  Kalilah wiggled out of his reach. He’s becoming really good at unnerving her.

  “Uh…not tonight. I need to get some rest.” Kalilah was too aroused to be tired, but she wasn’t sure if she wanted to go there with him just yet. He seemed confident. It didn’t mean that he wouldn’t leave her more aroused and disappointed. She would leave well enough alone.

  Nick shrugged. She knew he could tell she was skeptical of his skills.

  “Well, if you change your mind, you know where to find me.”

  He was approaching her again, and it took everything in her power to not take a step backwards.

  He was more confident, and that made him sexier and almost dangerous to her. His stood taller with his shoulders back, made more eye contact, his face was more defined and chiseled, and his clothes fit differently. Kalilah could feel their roles begin to shift. He was slowly becoming the aggressor. It was both thrilling and terrifying. Especially since she’d spent the past two weeks trying to talk herself out of catching feelings for him. His silky voice shook her out of her thoughts.

  “Just one more thing.”

  “Yes?” she squeaked. She shook her head to regain control. She tried again in a normal voice. “What is it?”

  Nick smirked at her – it wasn’t his usual good natured and friendly smirk. This one was almost predatory. He pulled her close; she was surrounded by his heat and wonderful scent. She could feel his hardness pressing against her belly. Her whole body throbbed.

  “I wanted to amend my request about you taking my virginity.” All she could do was nod. “I was thinking about how I wanted to lose it. First, I have a question.” Kalilah fought the urge to suck his thumb into her mouth when he rubbed her bottom lip. “Are you on birth control?”

  Kalilah drew her eyebrows together. She didn’t know where he was going with his line of questioning.

  “Yeah. Why?”

  Nick nodded. “I have a request. When the time comes, I want all of you. Skin to skin, nothing between us. Will you let me feel all of you?”

  Kalilah was going to melt. Nick was trying to give her a heart attack. He wanted to lose his virginity bare, without a condom. Kalilah only had two previous partners, and both of those were serious relationships. Even then, she’d never had sex without a condom. She heard it felt wonderful, but she figured she would find out when she got married. Now the guy she wanted more than any other guy ever was asking her for such a favor.

  His gray eyes were studying her intently, trying to determine her mood. Her oversexed body screamed “Yes. Now!” but she tried to silence the traitor. This was a serious decision. “He is the safest option...” Her body pointed out. Nick was nibbling on her neck again, making it hard to focus. She was so horny she was about to promise him her firstborn. Enough was enough; she needed to regain control.

  “Get out,” she whispered. Nick looked at her surprised and she pushed him toward the door. “Out. Out. Out!”

  “What happened?” He walked backwards – his eyebrows were drawn in. He was clearly confused and looked so sweet.

  “I like freedom, Nick. I am too cute for an orange jumpsuit. I like my job, and your dad would be furious…”

  Nick waved his hands in the air. “Whoa. Whoa! What are you talking about?”

  Kalilah took a steadying breath. “Nick. I refuse to be on the news as the crazy black woman who raped Andrew Sinclair’s eldest child. Out now.”

  She pointed at the door, and Nick started to laugh. He was bent over clutching his stomach as he laughed. He looked at her with mirth dancing in his gray eyes. It took Kalilah’s breath away to see him so carefree. It was beautiful.

  “Goodnight, Nick.”

  Nick leaned against the front door. “Aww, baby. I wouldn’t press charges. I’d be sad for a few days, but I’d most likely come back asking for more.” His eyes roamed over her body. “Scratch that. Begging for more.” Kalilah looked around for something to throw at him. As if understanding what she was doing, Nick chuckled.

  “Okay. I’m gone for now. Wait! I need to grab something for you that I left in the car.” Nick returned with an iPhone box. “Here, now I don’t need a special ring tone.”

  Kalilah scrunched her face. “An iPhone?”

  Nick pulled out his phone. “Yup. I bought two today. An upgrade for me and a phone for you.”

  Kalilah rolled her eyes. “Please tell me you’re not one of those ‘Your phone sucks if it isn’t an iPhone’ people. My Galaxy is new and works fine. You know that. What’s with the phone?”

  Nick waved her off. “I don’t care what kind of phone you have.” He pointed at the box in her hand. “This is my personal line to call you on while I’m out of town. You know. So, we can use FaceTime.” He wiggled his brows at her.

  Kalilah gave him the side-eye. “So, you want to see my goodies over the phone? Wouldn’t it have been easier to download an app for that like Skype or something?”

  Nick shook his head. “FaceTime is more secure.”

  “Says the celebrities who have their nudie pics plastered all over the internet.”

  Nick started towards the front door. “I don’t back up to the cloud. Your goodies...” he said mockingly. “Are safe with me. It’s already set up. All you have to do is turn it on.” He looked back over his shoulder. “Besides, you said I needed to get comfortable with asking for what I want. Consider me taking it up a notch, visual phone sex.” He closed the door before she could respond.

  She wandered back to her room staring at the box. It took everything in her power to not go jump him in the driveway. Kalilah jumped in bed and pulled the covers over her shoulder. This was going to be one hell of an uphill battle.

  Chapter 11

  N ick settled into his plane seat and waited for its departure. He had to go represent Sinclair Enterprise at a technical convention. It was a week-long convention taking place in Los Angeles. He attended this event every year, all over the country. This was the only convention he liked. His veins would fill with anticipation, and he would be too excited to sleep the night prior.

  This year was different. He sighed and looked out of the window. He wished Kalilah was there. He smiled to himself. It took him the whole day Friday to convince her to turn on the iPhone. She kept refusing on principle. Nick was determined to get her to comply. He was victorious after a few well-placed kisses and a little dirty talk. He shifted in his seat as he thought about how he slid his hand between her legs to drive his point home.

  Kalilah was still refusing to let him go down on her, but he’ll win there, too. He was dying to taste her. To prove his point, he’d licked his fingers after he made her come with his hand. The look on her face was enough to get him through a few solo sessions. It was going to be a long week. Anticipation coursed through him as he imagined their first FaceTime phone sex adventure. She was right. It was fun saying what you want.

  The flight attendant was going through her spiel about airplane safety, and he continued to think about the last two days. Kalilah had asked him Thursday morning to meet her at 11 AM. He had taken an early lunch only to realize that she’d roped him into going to her gynecologist appointment.

  She’d tricked him by telling him that he was there to give a sperm sample. When he’d asked why, she’d said it was because she wanted him to be her baby’s father. His expression must have been surprised and incredulous because she laughed for five minutes straight. She had tears in her eyes from laughing. Nick smiled at the memory.

  He wondered how she have reacted had she known he’d seriously considered it before he’d realized she was joking. He felt a slight pang of disappointment. His disappointment was short-lived when she told him the real reason they were there. His heart had started to beat excitedly when she explained that she wanted him to witness her receiving her birth control shot.

  Kalilah explained she didn’t want him to think she’d trapped him if his request somehow backfired. He’d ki
ssed her so thoroughly, her doctor blushed when he came into the room. He opted to give her a shot in the arm and insisted she make her appointment for the next shot immediately. Nick had dropped her off at a spa to be pampered his treat – until he got off work.

  The plane began to take off, and Nick put on his headphones. In the past, he would have booked a redeye to arrive as early as possible. Usually, he would use the four hours between Houston and Los Angeles to either sleep or prepare for the convention. This time, he took a later flight to spend a little more time with Kalilah, and he was too wired to sleep.

  He’d offered to buy her a last-minute ticket to spend the weekend in LA with him, but she’d refused saying that she truly wanted to rest. Instead, he’d planned the ultimate lazy day for them. Nick savored the memory of their lazy Friday. He’d spent the night Thursday. He wanted to hold her as much as possible. They’d slept, talked, and ate. They threw in a few make-out sessions. It was better than he’d originally imagined.

  The plane was at the right altitude for him to recline and use the plane’s Wi-Fi. Nick booted up his computer and started his search once he was connected. Nick fingers flew over the keyboard as he researched different hair styles and stylish clothing for men. He didn’t have a style, per se; he always just did what was easy and comfortable.

  His recent discussion with Kalilah had him seeing his dad’s side a little more than he had in years. Nick shook his head and smiled to himself. If Kalilah was right, with IF being the operative word, his dad wasn’t disappointed in him. It was Kalilah’s opinion that his dad was protecting him because he loved him. He’d laughed, only to roll over in bed and see her looking at him with a face that said what’s so funny? Her words still rang in his ears.

  “Do you really think I would be able to do what you do and still be employed?”

  Nick looked at her confused. “Like what? I do my work and make sure my department runs smoothly.”

  Kalilah rolled her eyes. “I’ll tell you what, let me show up to work on Monday in jeans and only focus on my departments running smoothly and nothing else my titles require and see if I’m not reprimanded immediately.”

  Nick propped himself up on his elbow and looked down at her. “I wear jeans because I am IT….”

  Kalilah shook her head, interrupting him, “No. You’re the VP of IT. Your subordinates need to wear jeans or khakis because of the physical work they do. You are supposed to run the department. You know, step in only when absolutely needed. There are a lot of people between you and your regular support agents. If you didn’t want to do VP things, you should have let one of your directors or managers have a fair shot at the position. It’s not like it’s a financial issue for you.”

  Nick could feel the irritation running through his body. “My dad didn’t hand me anything. I had to interview through HR like everyone else. In fact, it was harder because he was adamant about not letting me slide through. I work my ass off every day.”

  Kalilah sat up too, her big brown eyes burrowed into him. “And you are the only one aware of the work you do, Nick. Why? Because you are not present when needed or necessary. Hell, you didn’t know who I was. Why? Because you don’t go to the meetings that are MANDATORY for every other VP. Hell, your sister conference calls into the meetings from a different state.” Kalilah poked him in the chest to drive her next point home. “Your dad does care because he covers for you and hasn’t fired you. Any other VP would be job hunting by now.”

  Nick felt indignation more than anything. “I’m busy when the meetings happen.”

  Kalilah wasn’t buying it. “Every week for a whole year? You don’t think I’m busy? We are short a VP. I am the head of two different departments, and all of the VPs report to me which requires me to have extra meetings. I get info about you and your department from your dad! Nick, admit it. You don’t want to do the other things, so you don’t.”

  Nick stared out of the window and watched the clouds pass.

  She waited silently for Nick’s rebuttal but continued when he didn’t speak.

  “A few months ago, one of the other VPs was having major technical issues for a big project. I told him to consult with you, and he laughed, Nick.” Nick snapped his head back in her direction, giving her his full attention.

  “I asked him what was so funny about my suggestion and he said, ‘The golden child cannot be bothered with actual work.’ You said you didn’t fit in with the other VPs, and it’s probably because we’re all stressed and tired. Every week YOUR chair is empty.”

  She put her hand on his cheek. “I believe you when you say you’re working because I know you and your work ethic. But, people can only believe what they see, and you fall short in the obligations department.”

  There was that word again. Obligations. Nick nodded. Deflated. He still didn’t speak. Kalilah decided to give him a different perspective.

  “Your dad is supposed to be Andrew Sinclair, the hard-hitting, tough businessman with high standards and a no-nonsense attitude, yet his son and employee cannot bother to show up to mandatory meetings, comb his hair, iron his clothes, or dress like a VP.

  You don’t think that undermines his authority? That it doesn’t make him look like he’s soft or the kind of guy that would give an unqualified relative a job? Nepotism at its best. He probably is disappointed, but it’s not because you’re not good enough; it’s because your everyday actions tell him that you do not respect him or the legacy he’s built for y’all.”

  Nick rubbed his face. “Am I that bad?”

  Kalilah shrugged. “I think you were in your own world and just weren’t paying attention to the implications of your actions. I think you’re wonderful; however, I do believe you should try harder at your other responsibilities.”

  She straddled him and ran her fingers through his hair. “I like your hair, but not for work. I think it’s time to cut it. It’s almost ponytail length. If you want a style…” She scrunched up her face while she thought. “You could cut it like John Mayer on the Rolling Stone photoshoot. The one with him in the kitchen. That would be cute on you.” She looked at the rest of him. “You know…I don’t think I’ve ever seen you without facial hair.”

  Nick kissed her to distract her from further inspection. “I’ll think about it. Okay?” That was the last thing he said before he pulled her nipple into his mouth.

  Kalilah strolled into the restaurant twenty minutes late and was treated to disapproving glares from Natalia and Cayla.

  “What?” They continued to look at her until she broke. “I was on the phone. Okay?”

  Cayla was the first to break her silence. “With Niiiicckkk.” She rolled her eyes then continued. “You two really act like a couple for a non-couple. I mean, what’s the deal? You still haven’t de-virginized the dude yet?”

  Natalia’s eyes grew as big as saucers, and Kalilah tried to quiet her, but Cayla didn’t seem to notice. She was on a roll.

  “How much work does it take to take his virginity?”

  Natalia put down her martini and started coughing since Cayla caught her off guard.

  Kalilah rubbed Natalia’s back and glared at her sister. The server came and took Kalilah’s order. Once he was out of earshot, Kalilah berated her sister. “What in the hell is wrong with you? You just tried to kill poor Natalia. And how is MY sexual frustrations bothering you?”

  Cayla frowned at Kalilah, but Natalia was the next to speak. “Wait! Can we start from the beginning? I’ve obviously missed something big.” She stressed her point by holding her hands far apart.

  Cayla eyes grew huge when she realized what she’d done. “Oh. My bad girl, I didn’t realize that you hadn’t told Natalia yet.”

  Natalia waved frantically. “Tell me. Tell me!”

  Kalilah laughed and told Natalia everything from the beginning since Cayla had already exposed Nick’s secret. Natalia’s face was almost identical to Cayla’s face when she found out, but she regained her composure quickly and nodded.

&nb
sp; “That explains quite a bit. I knew I was helping him work towards an unknown goal, but I didn’t know his virginity was at stake. Good Lord! I knew he wanted to get you naked when we first met, but that was over a month ago. Wow. I just figured…”

  Kalilah shook her head. “Nope, we haven’t done it yet. And I still haven’t seen him without clothes. It has its frustrating moments, but I know this is his process.”

  “What about other parts of him?” Cayla wanted to know. “Have you seen or touched his man parts?”

  Kalilah laughed. “He would have no reason to be embarrassed. He can hold his own in the locker room if that’s what you’re asking.”

  Cayla let out a relieved sigh. “Well, at least you don’t have to do all of this waiting for a small dong.”

  Natalia shook her head. “I told you when you brought him to me that he was in a good place. I thought the fact that he is Dex’s brother explained it all, but this really explains some of his confidence issues. He’d asked if I knew an interim trainer in Los Angeles; I sent him to my cousin Max.”

  Kalilah fanned herself. “Max is gorgeous! He’s in LA right now? When is he coming back to Houston?”

  Cayla looked at both of them in confusion. “Who’s Dex? Who’s Max? And what is with these names ending in ‘X’?”

  Kalilah and Natalia laughed. Kalilah took a sip of her drink while Natalia talked.

  “Well, my cousin’s name is actually Maximiliano. He’s the co-owner of the gym. He went to Los Angeles to learn some new techniques and find out what will be the new fitness craze. He loves collecting new certifications. He has the regular, fitness nutrition, and CrossFit certs. But his dream to work with professional athletes, so he’s training for his Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist Certification.”

  Cayla nodded, and Kalilah added, “Dex is Nick’s supposedly extra-hot, walking sex-on-a-stick little brother.” Cayla rolled her eyes and Kalilah insisted. “I’m serious! I hear he’s his own level of celebrity, and it has almost nothing to do with his money.”