The Way You Tempt Me, page 10
“Oh, damn.”
He sucked her tiny bud into his mouth.
“Oh, shit, I’m coming.”
Her orgasm shot through her like a bolt of lightning, sharp, fast, and electric.
Zara collapsed against the desk, groaning as he kissed his way back up to her mouth, dipping his tongue inside and kissing her with a passion she knew she’d always crave.
“Condom,” she managed to say.
He broke the kiss, standing to his full height. He pulled one from his wallet, flashing the gold wrapper in the air then tearing it open with his teeth, before he sheathed himself. With his hands on her hips, he sank inside her.
A low groan pierced the air and she wasn’t sure if it was him or her. It didn’t even matter, because he’d filled her so completely, she wanted to weep. Soon he started moving slower, deeper, faster, slower. Another orgasm started in her stomach and spread to every inch of her body as he pounded into her, moving in and out.
“So good.”
Again she didn’t know who’d spoken. And she didn’t care, because she was so close, so ready to fall over the edge, that when he drove into her one last time she... His mouth on hers stole the scream she wanted to let out. Seconds later, he followed her over, letting out a long, low growl.
Her body buzzed with the need for more, and she almost let herself give in to the pull. But the knock on the door stopped her from diving in headfirst.
“Shit.” Mortified, she pushed him off of her.
Good thing he had great reflexes, because he caught her before she slid on the floor. Frantic movements followed, him tugging on his pants, her trying to find her pants and her... Oh, there’s my bra. She swiped it up and struggled trying to put it on. It took a moment, but she located her shirt under a chair.
“Okay,” she said, slipping it on.
He grinned. “Your hair.” He reached out and tucked an errant piece of hair behind her ear.
“Is there a mirror in here?” She grabbed her purse and fumbled around inside for a comb. She quickly ran it through her hair. When she finished, she looked at him. “Do I look okay?” And not freshly fucked?
He smirked. “You’re glowing.”
“Don’t let it go to your head.” She took a seat and he opened the door.
“Drew told me you were...”
Zara turned and smiled weakly at Bishop Lang.
“What’s up, Zara?”
She gave an even weaker wave. “Hey.”
Bishop looked at X, then at Zara, then back at X. A wide grin formed on his face. “Am I interrupting something?”
“No,” X said. “We were discussing a client.”
“Okay, I can come back.”
“No need.” Zara jumped up and walked over to the door. “I’m going to go.” Don’t look at him, Zara. She kept her eyes on Bishop. “How’s Paityn and married life?”
Bishop smiled. “She’s good. Running around getting ready for tomorrow.”
Her sister’s bestie, Paityn Young—Duke’s older sister—moved to L.A. from Michigan several months ago. And Rissa had been instrumental in getting Bishop and Paityn together.
Zara smiled, thinking of the upcoming proposal. “I’m so excited for Rissa. I talked to Rick today and he’s taken care of everything. He won’t even let me help.”
“That’s good.”
Finally Zara shot X a quick glance. “I’m going to go.”
He nodded, but didn’t speak.
“I’ll see you both tomorrow.”
* * *
An hour later, Zara walked into Tallula’s Restaurant and scanned the dining room. Skye and Rissa were seated in a corner booth. Turned out her friend hadn’t totally abandoned her. Soon after she’d done a brisk jog of shame through the office, she’d received a text from Skye that stated simply: I’m here. Meet me at Tallula’s in an hour.
Steeling herself, she strolled over to her sister and friend and slid into the booth. “Hey.”
“What’s up, Z-Ra?” Skye sipped her drink.
“I ordered your favorite drink,” Rissa said, sliding the Bourbon Street Lemonade toward her. “I almost had to drink it myself. What took you so long?”
“I lost my under wear,” Zara blurted out.
Skye snorted, nearly choking on her drink. “What?”
Rissa stared at her, mouth hanging open.
Skye wiped her mouth with a napkin. “Warn a sista before you spring something like that on her.”
“What exactly do you mean by that?” Rissa asked. “How does one lose her under wear?”
The waitress brought back a platter of nachos sencillos con pollo and a plate of guacamole, salsa and chips. They quickly placed their orders and waited until the young lady disappeared.
Skye leaned in. “Okay, girlfriend, spill it.”
Zara took a big gulp of her drink. “I left my panties in X’s office.” She swallowed. “After we had sex on the desk.” She placed her hands over her cheeks. Panic welled up in her gut as she waited for her girls to react.
It took a moment, but Rissa reacted first by pulling a fifty-dollar bill out of her purse and smacking it in Skye’s waiting hand. “Shit, now I need to go to the ATM.”
Skye stretched the bill in front of her and pretended to inspect it, before stuffing it into her bag. “That’s what I’m talking about. I have spending money.”
Zara gaped at her sister and Skye. “You’re betting on me now?”
“Hell yeah.” Skye bit into a nacho.
“Sissy, you know how we do.”
“This is unbelievable,” Zara grumbled. “Here I am confiding in you bitches and this is what I get? I’m in a crisis!” She leaned forward. “I got busy at my office.”
“Technically, it’s not your office. Your office is in Atlanta.”
She glared at Skye, who had the sense to avert her gaze and eat another nacho. “Anyway, I need help. I’m a hot-ass mess right now.”
“I know you’re flipping out right now,” Rissa said, “but I have questions. And I need answers.”
Dread filled her gut in anticipation of her sister’s questions, but she motioned for her to go ahead.
“One, how did you get from ‘me and X are friends, and nothing more’ to sexing him on a desk? Two, how the hell did you not learn anything from me and keep an extra pair of panties in your purse, not because you might want a little afternoon nookie, but simply because it’s just smart? And three, since you broke the no-sex-at-the-office rule, was it at least good?”
“And four and five,” Skye added, “where is X, and what the hell are you going to do now?”
Zara massaged her forehead with her hand. “I don’t know how it happened or what I’m going to do about it. One minute we were talking, the next minute he was stripping my clothes off—and I was letting him. I took my spare pair of underwear out of my purse when I switched this morning. I’m assuming X is still at the office, probably poking another notch in his belt. And, yes, that shit was good.”
It was so good that Zara’s body still hummed with pleasure an hour later. She already wanted seconds, even though she doubted she would ever initiate a repeat, because...
This should have never happened in the first place.
She finished her drink, slamming it on the table. “And I don’t appreciate how you just mocked me, Rissa. I don’t sound like that.” Her sister made it a point to change up her voice into some high-pitched whisper whenever she repeated something she’d told her.
Skye barked out a laugh. “You definitely do, sis. When you’re stressed, that’s how you sound.”
“I told you.” Rissa shrugged. “I lived in the same house with you for years. I know how you talk.”
“Okay. Let’s dissect this.” Skye scooped a chip into the guac and handed it to Zara. “Eat this while I talk.” Zara took the chip and stuffed it into her mouth. “So the attraction that’s been obvious to everyone else has spiraled out of control and you finally threw caution to the wind and let yourself give in to it. Which is good, by the way. You needed to get some. Maybe now you’ll get your chill back. But the way I see it, you only have two options. Tell X ‘thank you’ and keep it moving, or tell X ‘thank you’ and meet him in the bedroom for a repeat. Or the office, if that’s where you’re comfortable.”
“I still want to hear about how good it was.” Rissa forked a piece of chicken from the nacho plate and bit into it. “And is this a secret? Because I have to tell Mom.”
Zara’s eyes widened. “You can’t say anything to Mom. Are you crazy?”
“Hey, I bet her twenty dollars you’d do it eventually. She owes me.”
She closed her eyes and muttered a curse. The fact that her mother bet on Zara’s willpower didn’t sit right with her. “I don’t even want to know why you and Mom decided talking about my sex life was a good idea. But you better not tell her shit, Rissa. I mean it.”
“Fine. I won’t say anything.” She shot her a sinister smile. “For now.”
“Forever.” The waitress brought their food out. If tacos were a drug, Zara would definitely have a problem. She picked up one of the fish tacos she’d ordered. Memories of the last time she’d eaten a taco flooded her mind and she set it back on her plate. “I don’t know what I’m going to do.”
Skye paused, fork midair. “What do you want to do?”
The responsible—and right—thing to do was very different from what she actually wanted to do. Because if X walked into the restaurant at that very moment, she’d be hard-pressed not to go with him and let him have his way with her again.
“She wants to do it again,” Rissa said matter-of-factly. “It’s all in her eyes.” Her sister twirled her fork in an imaginary circle around her eyes.
Skye squinted her eyes at her. “I think you’re right, Rissa. I can see it, too.”
“Okay, it was hot,” Zara admitted. “I wouldn’t mind a repeat. But I just don’t think it’s wise.”
Skye frowned. “Why? You’re both adults. It shouldn’t be this hard.”
“It’s hard because it’s him. And I just don’t think it’s smart to start something I’m unsure I can finish.” Mind made up, Zara picked up her taco. “It’s settled. No matter how good it was, I’m just going to tell X that we can’t do it again.”
“Okay.” Skye glanced at Rissa.
“Good. You made a decision.” Rissa smirked. “Now that you’ve figured it out, can we talk about what I should wear to my surprise proposal tomorrow?”
Zara cracked up. “I should have known your ass knew all along. Do me a favor and make sure Rick knows I didn’t say a word.”
“Nobody had to say anything. I know him.” Rissa’s chin trembled in a surprise display of emotion. “And I can’t wait to be his wife.”
Zara and Skye awed and gushed. They finished their lunch without bringing up X and her missing underwear. Though, in the back of her mind, she knew she was fooling herself. The chances of her and X never having sex again were slim to none, even if she planned to try and stay far away.
* * *
The Roberts family had spared no expense on the “simple” family dinner. Xavier arrived on time and had been promptly escorted to the backyard, where soft jazz played over speakers. People mingled near the infinity pool, and a long table had been set up to allow guests a view of the city below. Over to his right, Bishop and Paityn stood near the full bar, chatting with Rissa and Rick.
Urick was the middle son of wealthy business developer Spencer Roberts. Jax and Spencer had golfed together many times, so when the older man spotted Xavier, he greeted him with a hug. “Xavier, welcome. What are you drinking tonight?”
Xavier told a server that he’d like a cognac neat and smiled at Mr. Roberts. They made small talk about housing prices and potential investments. And he tried to pay attention, but his mind wasn’t focused on Brentwood real estate or secondary markets. Instead, his eyes were riveted to the woman across the lawn.
Zara had arrived twenty minutes after him, exquisite in wide-leg pants and a sheer blouse with a plunging neckline reminiscent of a 1950s movie star. But that smile almost took him out at the knees. Even though it was directed at one of Rick’s brothers.
“How’s your father, Xavier?” Spencer asked. “Is he still contemplating retirement?”
“That’s what he said,” he told the older man. “But I hope he sticks around for a long time to come.”
“I’ll have to look him up next time I’m in Atlanta. Maybe I can get him out on the green.”
“He would definitely make time for that.” His father spent a lot of time golfing, either with his mother or with clients. The man loved to be out on the course and didn’t care who joined him.
“Excuse me, son. One of my partners has just arrived.”
Xavier set his empty glass on a tray. Skye waved at him and he walked over to her. Kissing her on the cheek, he said, “Cousin.”
She grinned. “Hi, X. You look handsome tonight.”
“And you’re beautiful, as always.” He scanned the faces of the guests.
“She went inside with Rissa,” Skye offered. “In case you were looking for Zara.”
He side-eyed his cousin. “What makes you think I’m looking for her?”
“Because you’ve been watching her since we got here. And doing a very bad job of hiding your perusal.” She laughed.
He twisted his watch. “Glad you’re enjoying yourself at my expense.”
Skye wrapped an arm around his. “Oh, come on. Chill out. I think it’s adorable how you can’t keep your eyes off of her.”
“Shut up,” he grumbled. “She left something at the office. I wanted to give it to her.”
“Oh.” Skye covered her mouth. “I guess you should find her and give whatever it is to her.”
He observed his cousin, noted the not-so-sly smirk that peeked out from behind her hand. Narrowing his eyes on her, he asked, “What do you know?”
Bishop had been in the middle of a story when X had spotted the black lace under the chair his friend had been sitting in. Not wanting Bishop to see them, he interrupted him and suggested they head out for lunch. Then he’d “conveniently” forgot something in the office and went back to grab the garment, stuffing it in his pocket. He thought about keeping them, but decided her panties would be a good way to get her attention, since he figured she’d ignore him tonight.
Skye shrugged. “Nothing.”
He’d been around her long enough to know when she was lying. “Skye.”
She retreated back a step, not even bothering to hide her grin now. “What? Don’t you think you better deliver the package?”
She knows. “You owe me.”
Her brows pulled down into a frown. “For what?”
“For taking your side in the breakup, even though you were wrong as hell. And we won’t even talk about the crime you committed that I covered for.”
Skye pouted. “I hate you.” She fumed, crossing her arms and glaring at him. “And I wasn’t wrong.”
“You were. But since you’re my cousin, I backed you up. Against one of my best friends. You. Owe. Me.”
She grumbled a curse. “Shut up and give her the panties, fool. And give her some space. She’ll make the next move when she’s ready.”
“What else?”
“She’s feeling you. But you already know that.”
Victory. Satisfied, he pinched her cheek. “Thank you.”
A sharp nail pressed into his nose. “And if you even think about telling her I said anything, you’ll be on my shit list. And we both know that’s not a great place to be.”
He grabbed her finger. “I wouldn’t.”
She massaged her temples. “I’m such a traitor.”
Zara reappeared seconds later, this time she was with Rissa and their mother. “Bye, Skye.” He walked over to them. “Good evening, ladies.”
“Xavier Starks.” Rissa hugged him. “You look good.” She glanced at Zara and a wide, knowing grin spread across her face.
And she knows, too.
“I told you!” Regine winked at her daughters and then hugged him. “Hi, son.”
He planted a kiss on the older woman’s cheek. “Hi, Ma.”
Growing up in the neighborhood, everybody called everyone’s mother “Ma.” It was their thing and indicative of the type of community they built. Although they’d lived in a diverse area, the black families formed a close-knit bond and made it a point to be there for each other. Support. Whether attending a wedding, a baby shower, or a funeral.
He looked at Zara. “Hi.”
“X,” she breathed. “How are you?”
“Good.”
Rissa’s eyes darted back and forth between them, still grinning from ear to ear. “How long are you in town, X?”
“Until tomorrow evening.”
“Thanks for taking time out of your schedule to come. I know you’re busy with work.”
“I appreciate the invitation.”
“I plan to visit Atlanta in a few weeks,” Regine said. “Maybe we can all have dinner together? I haven’t seen Jax and Ana in years.”
“Great. I’ll make sure I tell my parents.”
“I was telling X how sorry I was to hear about the drama at the holiday party,” Ma told her daughters. When he’d run into her at the hotel the other day, Regine had told him how lucky he was that he didn’t marry Naomi. “I hear all these stories on those celebrity gossip shows, and I have to wonder where they get their information.”
“You got me,” he said. “I have no idea.”
Regine leaned forward, like she had a secret to tell them. “That woman didn’t deserve you,” she whisper-yelled. “The little trollop.”
Xavier barked out a laugh. “You sound like my mother.”
Zara giggled. “Mom! That’s not nice.”
Regine rolled her eyes. “I’m too old for nice. The only thing I have at this age is the truth.”
They all dissolved into laughter. Xavier remembered evenings on the patio, eating pound cake and drinking lemonade with Regine. The woman had a natural sense of humor, even back then.
Dinner was announced a short while later, and they made their way over to the table.
“Why don’t you two sit here?” Rissa pointed to two chairs next to where her mother had just sat and nudged Zara toward X, causing her to nearly trip and fall. He gripped her waist to steady her.
