Owner of a Broken Heart

by Cheris Hodges

  “Why?”

  “I just loved how strong Coffy was and she drove a Mustang. Beginning of my obsession with that car. I tried to grow my hair out into an Afro like Pam Grier, but the heat in Atlanta kept me in braids.”

  “It can’t be hotter in Atlanta than it is in Charleston.”

  “There’s also an ocean breeze in Charleston. I don’t know why I decided to go somewhere with no access to water.”

  “Yet you live in Charlotte.”

  Nina shrugged. “Didn’t want to be too far away from home.” She leaned her head on his shoulder. “As much as I like my independence, I’m a true daddy’s girl.”

  Clinton kissed her forehead. “I can understand why. Your dad is an amazing man.”

  “That he is.”

  “I’m going to get some wine and popcorn, then we can watch some jive turkeys get theirs.” Clinton rose to his feet and headed for the kitchen. Nina tucked her feet underneath her thighs and relaxed. This felt so nice. But was Clinton everything she thought he was? Only time would tell and she’d make sure to take it slow with him just to be sure.

  “I got Merlot and Chardonnay.” He set the bottles on the table and the popcorn on the sofa next to Nina.

  “Good taste in wine, great cook, and still single. You snore like a train, don’t you?” She pointed to the Chardonnay. “I’ll take the white.”

  As Coffy ended, they decided to watch Shaft’s Big Score! and agreed that Shaft in Africa was a movie that never existed. Nina yawned and glanced at her watch.

  “Wow, it’s super late.”

  “I guess time got away from us. It’s too late for you to drive home.” He nodded toward the empty bottles of wine. “And I wouldn’t feel comfortable with you getting behind the wheel, either.”

  “Yeah, not a good idea.”

  “I can sleep down here and you can have my bed if you like.”

  “Not going to put you out like that. I’ll take the sofa and—”

  Clinton shook his head. “What would I, a hospitality professional, look like making a beautiful guest sleep on a hot leather sofa?”

  “You’re just going to have to sleep with me, then.”

  Clinton raised his eyebrow. “Nina . . .”

  “I said sleep. And I promise, I’ll keep my hands to myself.” She winked at him as they stood up.

  “I hope I can do the same.” Clinton led her upstairs to his bedroom. Nina looked around the room after he flipped the light on. Of course he had a king-size bed. And it looked so comfortable, covered in a tan and burgundy comforter. There was a world globe night-light in the corner that caught Nina’s eye. “Part of your plan to take over the world?”

  “Ha. World domination is everyone’s goal, right?”

  She crossed over to the light. “There has to be a story behind this.”

  “How about we save it for another day so you’ll have a reason to come back.”

  Nina nodded as she ran her hand across the soft surface of the globe.

  “Would you like a T-shirt to sleep in? And if you want to take a shower, I can get you a towel and—”

  “Thanks, but a T-shirt is fine. I’d probably fall asleep and drown in the shower.” Nina pulled her dress off and Clinton turned to his dresser to grab a shirt for her. Nina started to tell Clinton that she didn’t need the shirt, but if she climbed into bed in just her underwear, they wouldn’t get any sleep.

  Clinton handed her his Howard University shirt as he stole a heated glance at her body. Nina smiled as she tugged the T-shirt over her head.

  “That shirt never looks this good on me.”

  She looked down at the HU crest. “My Clark Atlanta peeps can never know about this.”

  “So, if I snap a picture, then I have some leverage over you, huh?”

  Nina crossed her arms across her chest. “Don’t you dare!”

  “No cameras up here. I don’t even bring my phone to bed with me at night.”

  “What happens if someone really needs you?” Nina wanted to ask him if he ignored booty calls in the middle of the night.

  He nodded toward his watch. “Comes in handy in an emergency.”

  “Techie nerd.”

  “Please. I saw all of that fruit tech at your place.” Nina yawned. “That’s for work and one nerd recognizes another nerd.” She eased onto the bed and it was even more comfortable than it looked. She sank into the pillow top mattress and Nina was nearly asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.

  * * *

  Clinton pulled a blanket up over Nina’s sleeping figure. She was so beautiful. He had to remind himself that she was just going to sleep in his bed. Yawning, Clinton decided that he needed a shower before he could fall into his own slumber. Heading across the hall to the bathroom, he turned the cold water on and stepped under the shower spray. As the ice-cold water beat down on him, he prayed that he could climb into bed and sleep as soundly as Nina was. He wanted to be able to sleep against her delicious body and remember that he wasn’t here to make love to her. She couldn’t drive home because it was late and despite how sweet she tasted and how much he wanted to make love to her, he had to show her that he was different, cut from a cloth that didn’t want to use that body for pleasure.

  I got this. Clinton shut the water off and dried his body, then pulled on a pair of boxers and a white T-shirt. He headed into his bedroom and saw Nina was sound asleep. He got into bed and wrapped his arms around her slim waist. It didn’t take long for him to drift off to sleep.

  * * *

  Clinton thought he was dreaming as he brushed against Nina’s slumbering body. But he knew it wasn’t a dream when she arched into him and his body went rock hard. Then she moaned and rolled over. Her eyes fluttered open and Clinton smiled. She was beautiful in the morning, too.

  “Good morning.” He kissed her on the chin.

  “Only this bed could make me a morning person.”

  “Really? So that means I don’t have to make coffee?”

  “Oh, you have to make coffee. You don’t want to see me uncaffeinated.”

  Clinton shrugged. “You look pretty good to me.”

  “That’s because you still have sleep in your eyes.” She stroked his cheek. Clinton shook his head.

  “I see your beauty quite clearly.”

  Nina smiled. “Whatever.”

  Clinton released her. “Come on, if I’m going to cook, then we’re going to have to get out of this bed.”

  She pretended to pout as she and Clinton rose from the bed. “And still no pictures of me rocking the HU gear.”

  “Umm, there are cameras downstairs. You never know what might happen.”

  Nina watched him a little too closely as he pulled on a pair of gray sweatpants. “So, what are you cooking up this morning?”

  “You’ll have to wait and see,” he said as they headed for the kitchen. “And you’re going to be my assistant, right?”

  “You’ve seen my breakfast skills, why are you trying to ruin a good meal?”

  Nina leaned against the countertop as Clinton grabbed two pans.

  “What do you say to French toast, eggs, grits, and turkey bacon?” he asked as if he was reading the contents of his refrigerator.

  She hopped up on the countertop, exposing part of her thigh. “That sounds good. But first, coffee.”

  Clinton strolled over to her, sliding in between her legs. “Then you’re going to have to move your sexy self out of the way. Beans are behind you.”

  Nina hopped off the counter and reached for his coffee beans. She was surprised to see they were whole beans. “Okay, you take coffee even more seriously than I do.”

  He nodded. “These beans came from the Baltimore Coffee and Tea Company. I like to try a blend and see if I can get them into the hotels. The bed-and-breakfast has great coffee.”

  Nina held her hands up. “Hence my addiction. You’re trying to make a lot of changes at the B&B, huh?”

  “No, I just want to get some more eyes on the place and
more reservations. People need to know what I know about the Richardson B&B.”

  “What’s that?”

  “How amazing and awesome it is year-round.”

  “Aren’t you just creative. No wonder you and Alex bump heads.”

  “Maybe.”

  Nina nodded. “Alex is Ms. Law and Order. Well, maybe more My Way or the Highway Lady.”

  “I’ve noticed.”

  “Best thing you can do is ignore her.”

  “That’s easier said than done, since she’s my boss.”

  Nina shrugged. “Note taken. Just don’t prove her right or me wrong.”

  He stroked her cheek. “That’s the last thing you have to worry about. That and me calling you sweetheart.”

  She nudged him with her elbow. “Too soon. I still have Twitter trolls showing up in my mentions.”

  “Come on, let’s get cooking.”

  With Clinton’s guidance, Nina wasn’t as hopeless in the kitchen as she said she was. Except there was a burnt omelet because Clinton kissed her while her hand was on the dial for the burner.

  “This is on me,” he said as he scraped scorched eggs into the trash.

  “I’ m glad you know that.”

  “Just means we get to try again.” Clinton dropped the pan in the sink. Nina crossed over to the mixing bowl and cracked two eggs. As she began whisking, Clinton crossed over to her and wrapped his arms around her waist.

  “Whip it slowly.” He placed his hand on her waist and Nina eased against him. The softness of her ass made his body hum with need. He was ready to end this cooking lesson and just feast on Nina. Just the thought of her sweetness from the night before made his mouth water.

  “Oh.” Nina felt his excitement and took a small step forward. “Cheese. This needs cheese.” She whirled around and stared into his lust-filled eyes. “Why are we doing this?”

  “Because we need to eat.”

  Nina shook her head. “That’s not what I’m talking about. You and I are acting like there isn’t something burning between us.”

  “Oh, I know it is.” Clinton nodded toward the sink. “But you see what happens when things get too hot too fast.”

  She pressed her body against his. “So, I’m supposed to believe you want to take it slow?”

  Clinton couldn’t deny his want any longer, but he had to. “I finish what I start and we started this cooking lesson.”

  He tried to put maximum effort into showing her how to make a fluffy cheese omelet, but his body couldn’t resist Nina’s sensual appeal. Reaching around her, he shut the stove off.

  “I’ve always liked brunch better.”

  He pulled her against his chest; she was hotter than the eye on the stove had ever been.

  “Clinton,” she moaned as his fingertips danced across the small of her back.

  “This shirt has to go.”

  Nina grinned. “Yours first.”

  Clinton pulled his shirt over his head and tossed it aside. She ran her hand across his chest, smooth as silk, tempting like the most decadent chocolate. He grabbed her hand and lowered it to his throbbing erection.

  “Look what you did.”

  Nina licked her lips as she stroked him back and forth. “Sorry, not sorry?” With her free hand, she tugged at the waistband of his sweatpants. She worked them down his thighs and smiled as she dropped to her knees. “Shall I kiss it and make it better?”

  Before Clinton could even take his next breath, Nina had taken him into her mouth, sucking and licking his shaft. The heat of her mouth nearly brought him to his knees. She locked eyes with him as she took him deeper into her mouth, sucking slow, then fast, then slow again.

  “Nina, Nina, Nina!” He ran his fingers through her hair, trying not to climax. But she was making it harder and harder while her mouth grew wetter.

  Then she ran her tongue from the tip of his dick to his balls. Clinton exploded and Nina slurped his pleasure, then smiled as she swallowed.

  “Jesus!” Clinton gripped the counter as Nina rose to her feet.

  “That’s just how I felt last night.” She winked at him. He swooped her up in his arms and rushed to his bedroom. He laid her on the bed and peeled her T-shirt off in one swoop. She wrapped her arms around his waist, silently telling him what she wanted.

  But he wasn’t going to rush anything else as he parted her legs and slipped his finger inside.

  Nina moaned as he probed her hot body with his finger. It was as if he was on an expedition to discover what pleased her and how to make her revel in delight. Each touch made her hotter, wetter, and Clinton could barely contain his desire to melt with her.

  “Clinton,” she moaned as his tongue replaced his finger. He pressed her body closer to his lips so that he could taste every inch of her. Nina grasped the back of his neck as waves of pleasure washed over her. Clinton traveled up her body, spending time around her navel, before reaching her breasts and suckling them until they swelled against his lips. Easily, he could have taken her, his hardness pressed against her thighs and the heat radiating from her body making it difficult to control his desire. When she wrapped her legs around his waist, Clinton knew it was going to be hard to hold on to his restraint.

  “Slow down, baby. We have all the time we need.”

  “I want you,” Nina moaned. “Need you inside me.”

  “And you’re going to have me. But remember, I like to take things slowly.” Clinton took her breast back into his mouth as she ground against him.

  Pulling back, he reached for a condom from his nightstand. Nina stroked his chest with her fingertips as he slid the sheath in place. He pulled her against his chest and their lips met. Her passion shook him, made all that talk of taking it slow float out of his head. He wanted to bury himself inside her. As they broke off their kiss, Clinton found his way into her moist pool of femininity. He felt as if he’d gone straight to heaven as her warmth enveloped him. She kneaded his back softly as they fell into a sensual dance, fueled by passion and desire. Nina matched Clinton thrust for thrust. He’d never felt like this before and when she took control, rolling over so that she was on top of him, his body went into overdrive.

  She rode him fast then slow, then faster and then slower. She leaned forward and nibbled on his earlobe and Clinton lost it. He climaxed and gripped her hips tightly as he spent himself. She fell against his chest and kissed his smooth skin.

  Nina glanced at the clock. “I guess we can try for lunch now?”

  “I know a great Chinese joint that delivers and we can eat in bed.”

  “But first.” Nina straddled him again and his body stood at attention. “We can work up an even bigger appetite.”

  Chapter 13

  By the time the Chinese food arrived, Nina and Clinton were starving. True to his word, they had lunch in bed—naked. He fed her rice noodles with chopsticks as she allowed him to eat egg rolls from her fingertips.

  Clinton chewed the crunchy roll and smiled as he swallowed. “I could do this all day.”

  “Wish I could.” Nina sighed. “I have to get back to the B&B. I want to spend some time with Daddy before I go back to Charlotte.” Nina kissed him on the tip of his nose. “Wanna come with me?”

  Clinton laughed but declined her invitation. “I think I’ll wait until Monday to see Alex. But if you want to come back for dinner or a midnight snack, I’ll be waiting.”

  She nodded and expelled a resigned breath. “If I don’t get dressed, I’m never going to leave.”

  “Won’t get an argument from me if you want to stay. But I know you need to spend time with your dad.”

  “Yep.” She reached for her panties and slipped them on. Clinton watched her every move and his body responded. Though he wanted to pull her back into his arms and make love to her until it was time for dinner.

  “Now, where is my dress?” Her voice broke into his lustful thoughts.

  “I think it’s underneath the bed.” Clinton leaned down and picked up her dress. “You’re sure
you want to put it on?”

  “Umm, I don’t want to, but I have to.” She took it from his hand and smiled. “Anyway. Thanks for everything.”

  Clinton pulled on his sweatpants and crossed over to Nina. “I should be thanking you. This has been an amazing weekend.”

  “And it isn’t over.” She winked at him and kissed him on the cheek. He walked her downstairs and when they reached the front door, she glanced toward the kitchen. “Maybe I’ll come back for another cooking lesson.”

  “And if you do, we’re really going to cook this time.”

  * * *

  Nina tried to downplay what she was feeling as she pulled into the bed-and-breakfast’s parking lot. This thing with Clinton felt right and fast. She didn’t want to get hurt again.

  Before Nina could cross the lobby and head to her room, Alex swooped down on her. “It took you long enough to get here.”

  “Alex, please calm down,” she said through clenched teeth.

  She shook her head as she eyed Nina in the same black dress she’d left in the night before.

  Nina threw her hand up. “Whatever you’re thinking keep it to yourself.” She started walking toward her room and Alex shook her head in disgust.

  “Fine, but the next time your heart gets broken, don’t come crying to me.”

  “If it means having to listen to your judgmental ass, then trust me, I won’t.” Nina stomped away from her sister.

  Once she reached her room, Alex’s words sunk in and took some of the sheen off the night and afternoon she and Clinton had spent together. Nina plopped down on her bed and stared up at the ceiling. Before she got lost in her thoughts, there was a soft knock at the door. “Come in,” Nina said as she sat up.

  Sheldon walked in and smiled at his daughter. “So it is true, you are here.”

  “Not you too, Daddy,” Nina groaned.

  “I was just wondering why I didn’t see you last night or this morning,” he said as he took a seat on the edge of her bed.

  “Well, the game that I was covering was over pretty late and I spent the night with a friend. You know I wouldn’t have left without seeing you, though.”

  Sheldon gently patted his daughter’s knee. “I know. What do you say you and I have dinner tonight and invite Clinton.”