King of Chatham, page 18
part #2 of Kings of the Castle Series
She nodded.
“If you want me to stop––– at any time––– say so. You’re in control,” Reno reminded her. “Just say the word.”
“Okay,” Zuri replied, stroking the side of his face.
Reno eased inside of her, a little bit at a time. She gasped, clutching the muscles in his upper arms with her eyes tightly shut. He held his position for a moment.
“Zuri, look at me,” Reno demanded, his voice just above a whisper.
Blowing short spurts of breath between her lips, her eyes fluttered open.
“Do you want me to stop?”
She shook her head in protest. “Keep going. I am alright.”
Reno smiled at the beautiful woman lying beneath him. “Eyes on me,” he instructed, holding her gaze.
He eased into her a bit more, this time moving past the precious tissue that blocked full entry. They both groaned as his girth expanded, filling her insides. Zuri took in a slow intake of air, digging her nails deep into his arms, continuing to hold Reno’s gaze. He didn’t move an inch, giving Zuri time to adjust. The warmth of her walls snuggly enveloped him, and Reno savored every moment.
“Breathe baby,” he said with a fixed look at Zuri.
As the intensity of the nails eased in his skin and Zuri’s breathing steadied, Reno began a slow and deliberate stroke, paying close attention to her reactions.
Silent tears slid down the sides of Zuri’s face as she moved into him, causing their movements to take on a synchronized rhythm. He cupped both sides of her face, pulling her lips to his, exploring her mouth with a passionate kiss after yet another orgasm. She wrapped her arms around his neck, and he grunted in Zuri’s ear as he plunged into her deeper, releasing the climax he’d been holding back. Reno had wanted to make sure she was completely satisfied first, before letting himself go.
Reno rolled over, pulling Zuri on top of him. She rested her head in the crook of his neck, and he cradled Zuri in his arms until they both fell asleep, still connected in every way.
* * *
Three hours later, Reno was pleasantly awakened to the rhythmic motion of Zuri riding him. He stiffened with every stroke. Sliding his hands around her curvy hips, Reno made love to Zuri, filling her with as much of him as she could handle.
Finally, leaving the bedroom at seven in the evening, they hopped in the shower. Reno lathered his hands and washed Zuri’s body, paying careful attention to those spots he’d been relishing all morning.
“This feels great,” she said, angling her head backward under the streaming water, letting it flow on her hair. “Almost as good as.” Zuri glanced down at his neither regions, then grinned. “Almost.”
“Now, who’s trying to be funny?” Reno smirked, retrieving the shampoo from the shower caddy. “Will this do?” he asked, showing Zuri the bottle. “It doesn’t smell like berries, but I think you’ll like the scent.”
“Whatever you have will be fine,” she replied, pecking his lips as the water tap-danced on her back.
Reno poured a generous amount of shampoo in his hand. Zuri closed her eyes, letting a slight moan escape every time Reno kneaded her scalp. The pleasure she felt was evident, and Reno’s heart swelled. He lifted her chin, angling her head under the water, rinsing away the sudsy residue from her hair. Kissing the skin along Zuri’s graceful neck, she squirmed, lifting her head upright. They gazed into each other’s eyes as the flowing water cascaded on their faces.
“I’ve never been with a woman as amazing as you,” Reno said, sliding his arms around her waist. “We’ve had a shared first experience, and I must say, I liked it very much.”
“Me too.”
Reno handed Zuri a gray Wing-Chun Kung Fu t-shirt, then slid on a fresh pair of boxers and a white undershirt. She slipped the cotton material over her head and let the loose-fitting garment fall. She lifted the collar to her nose and inhaled. “You smell so good.”
He smiled. “Not half as good as you,” Reno countered, loving the way the fabric fell right below Zuri’s round backside, tempting and teasing him with a sneak peek of the part of her that he’d gotten familiar with all evening.
“Are you hungry?” Reno asked, tugging the t-shirt as they ventured into the kitchen.
“Yes,” she said, opening the pantry. “I’ll fix us a quick bite to eat.”
“Oh, no,” Reno replied, sliding up from behind, wrapping a hand around her waist, then whispering in her ear. “I’m going to cook for you for a change, so be prepared to get pampered for the rest of the evening.”
Zuri twisted around in his arms and smiled.
“Turnabout is fair play, right?” he asked, kissing the tip of her nose. “Isn’t that what you said earlier?”
Laughing, she replied, “You are turning my words around.”
“Maybe I am,” Reno shrugged, guiding Zuri out of the kitchen leading her to the sofa. He lifted the book and the remote control from the end table, placing them both in her lap. “Relax while I cook us an Emma specialty.”
“You know it is nine o’clock at night, right,” she teased, glancing up at him. “It will be midnight before you are finished.”
“I’m not new to this,” he smirked, leaning back, giving Zuri a playful side-eye. “My last name is DeLuca. Cooking is only one of the things I do well.”
CHAPTER 26
“It’s been a week,” Reno said, nuzzling his nose in Zuri’s hair. “I have to go to the office. I don’t know how much longer I can get away with operating remotely before Skyler starts asking questions.” He chuckled. “I’m shocked she hasn’t made an appearance over here yet.”
Shifting under the covers, then turning to face Reno with an inquisitive stare, Zuri asked, “Does that mean I have to go back to my apartment?”
“Never,” he said, kissing the tip of her nose. “You can stay here as long as you want.”
She wrapped her arms around Reno, squeezing him like a teddy bear. “Can I go with you?”
“You’ll be safer here at the condo,” he replied, returning the embrace. “I can have Bryson stand guard while I’m out.”
“I will be safe wherever you are,” Zuri countered, pulling away and sitting upright. “I know my father is still out there, but I do not want to live as a prisoner. I need to be productive. Let me help at the shelter.”
Reno gazed at Zuri for a moment, admiring the tenacity of the woman he’d fallen so hard for. He wasn’t sure where their relationship was headed. What he did know was that this beautiful woman had given herself to him in the most sacred way, and he would cherish her always.
“As you wish,” he said, tossing the covers back. “I’ll start the shower.”
* * *
An hour later, Skyler buzzed the front door, granting Reno and Zuri entry to the shelter.
“Good morning, Skyler,” Reno greeted, moving toward the front desk where she was stationed with Zuri by his side. She slipped her arm in Reno’s and laid her head against his arm as they moseyed forward in sync.
Skyler blinked several times, crossed her arms, then leaned back in the chair. Reno was trying to get mentally prepared. She reminded him of Emma right before the verbal arsenal was released.
“Hello, Skyler.” Zuri smiled, seemingly unaware of the tension in the room.
“Good morning,” she replied, a tiny voice taking her attention away from Reno and Zuri for a moment.
“Slow down, Kiley,” a woman shouted, chasing after a toddler in a purple shirt, overall denim shorts, and neon pink sneakers that lit up every time her tiny foot touched the floor.
“Hey, pretty girl.” Zuri slid in front of the child, cutting her off. “Where are you running to so fast?”
Kiley zig-zagged, trying to maneuver around Zuri, but she had met her match. Zuri scooped the toddler into her arms and tickled her tummy. Kiley giggled an infectious laugh that lightened the mood.
Reno and Skyler looked on with smiles plastered across their faces.
“Thank you so much,” the woman panted, lowering a backpack, purse, and umbrella stroller to the floor.
“Is everything okay, Tia?” Reno asked, retrieving the items from the floor.
“Yes,” she replied, sweeping box braids from her face. “I left the bus pass upstairs and was trying to go back to get it when Kiley took off.”
“You have a future Olympian sprinter here,” Zuri teased.
“I do.” Tia grinned, tapping the tip of Kiley’s nose, and the little girl squealed. “If you don’t mind, can you watch her for a hot sec while I run upstairs?”
“No problem,” Zuri said, carrying the toddler to the other end of the lobby where a colorful mural had been painted.
Soon as Zuri was out of earshot, Skyler asked, “What’s this?” She waggled a finger back and forth from Zuri to Reno. “I see the difference in both of you.”
“Skyler,” he whispered, leaning over the front desk sighing, then glanced over in Zuri’s direction, observing her interacting with the three-year-old.
“Before you say anything.” Skyler tapped an ink pen against the marble desk, redirecting Reno’s attention back to her. “I know Zuri isn’t staying at the apartments, and she hasn’t been there in days.”
“It’s complicated,” Reno countered.
“That’s what folks say when they know they’ve crossed the line or don’t have an explanation for their actions,” Skyler fired back, giving him a side-eye. “For real this time. Tell me the truth.”
Reno rocked back on his heels, sliding a hand across the left side of his chest, where his heart thumped beneath. “I love her.”
Skyler dropped the pen on the desk, completing a 360-degree turn in the office chair. Parting her lips, she asked, “How could you let this happen?”
“I didn’t,” he said, glancing over at Zuri for a second time, then back at Skyler. “It transpired on its own.”
“Do you know how this is going to look to the other clients?”
“I know,” Reno uttered, inhaling a deep breath and releasing it slowly from his mouth. “I tried to fight the feelings, but fate kept throwing us together. The circumstances aren’t conventional, but I’m not sorry that it happened. I haven’t felt anything like this––– ever.”
Skyler came around to the front of the desk. “You move quicker than the Bachelor. What’s it been, three weeks?” she teased for a quick second.
Reno smirked at her attempt at making the moment light.
“But seriously, I’ve known you for a long time. I knew something was different, regardless of how much you protested. I’m happy for you–––, the both of you, but please be careful,” Skyler warned, embracing Reno and whispering in his ear. “Zuri’s situation hasn’t changed, and now, you’ll have a target on your back as well.”
“You don’t have to worry about me. I can take care of myself,” Reno replied, breaking the embrace, tilting his head as a smile lifted the corner of his lips. “Thanks for caring enough to look out for my best interest.”
Skyler tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear as she reclaimed the seat behind the front desk. “Always.”
“By the way, Zuri wants to help at the shelter. Is there anything she can assist you with?”
Narrowing her eyes in Zuri’s direction, Skyler commented, “She’s a natural with Kiley. Maybe she can help in the evenings with the kids, giving the mothers a chance to unwind after they return from work or training.”
“That sounds perfect,” Reno replied, eyeing Zuri playing peek-a-boo with Kiley while Tia unfolded the stroller. Zuri placed Kiley in the seat and fastened her in, as her mom draped the purse and backpack straps over the handles. “Oh, yes. That’s an excellent suggestion.”
“Have a good day, Mr. DeLuca. Bye, Skyler,” Tia said, pushing the stroller toward them, stopping at the front desk to sign herself and Kiley out for the day. Zuri stood close by. “Kiley, tell Ms. Zuri, thank you.”
It was the protocol to sign yourself in and out. In the event of an emergency, Skyler would have an accurate count of who was in the building.
“Tank youuu,” Kiley said with the brightest smile as she waved and swung her legs.
“You are welcome, cutie pie,” Zuri replied, covering her eyes with the palm of her hands, then moving them away quickly and whispered, “Peek-a-boo.”
Kiley giggled.
“Thanks again, Zuri, for your help,” Tia said, checking her phone. “We have to go. The bus will be here in three minutes.” She dashed toward the exit.
Reno skipped over and waited for Skyler to buzz the door. Once he heard the click indicating the door was unlocked, he pulled and held it open for them. “Be safe.”
“I will.”
“I’ll see you this evening,” Skyler shouted as Tia rushed from the building.
Tia barely cleared the exit when eight men bulldozed their way inside, almost knocking the door off its hinges, and grabbing Reno in the process.
“Get Zuri to the–––”
Reno’s speech was snuffed out by a gloved hand covering his mouth and nose. Immediately, he forced himself to remain calm, or else he’d pass out quickly from the lack of oxygen. A skill he’d learned from martial arts while at Macro. This is the second time in a manner of weeks that he had to fall back on his training.
He focused on Zuri, her eyes wide with terror as Skyler propelled her body in front of Zuri’s as a human shield. Six men of African descent pinned Reno to the wall.
How did Reno miss this? He took in their style of dress. The men’s attire was that of the hood’s corner boys, low-slung jeans, white t-shirts, gawky chains, and baseball caps––– a stark contrast to the white and black classy garments that Reno had seen Godfrey and Djimon wear.
“Let him go,” Zuri screamed, tears running down her face.
“This place has you confused,” the familiar voice replied, removing a red cap that had been shielding the man’s eyes from view. “You do not speak to me or any man in that tone.”
“Djimon,” Zuri whispered, inching forward, but Skyler swooped an arm around, keeping her in place.
“That is right,” he scowled, removing his hand from Reno’s airway as the others continued to restrain him. He approached Skyler and Zuri. “It is time for you to come home.”
Reno gasped for air as he contemplated his next move.
“I do not have to do anything,” Zuri spat.
“You will respect me.”
A group of women entered the lobby from the residential staircase. “Oh my God,” screamed a lady with short hair, pushing the other women back.
“Get over here,” Djimon ordered, gesturing for his men to grab the women.
“Panic room. Now,” Reno yelled, and one of the men punched him in the stomach.
The lady paused, seemingly confused about what to do.
“You heard him. Go,” Skyler shrieked, backing away from the two men approaching her.
They gripped Skyler by both of her arms, but not before her fingernails raked one of them across the face, leaving red racetrack marks from his ear to his mouth.
“You bitch.” He reared back to lay in a punch, but Zuri jumped forward and screamed, “I will go. Do not strike her. Please. I will come with you.”
“Damn right you will,” Djimon spat, grabbing Zuri by the arm with force, yanking her to his body, then licking the side of her face like a savage. “I have waited too many years to get a piece of this ass. Allah knows I paid a hefty penny for it.”
Djimon gestured for his partner to lower his hand.
The man did as he was told, turning to walk away, then did an about-face and shoved Skyler so hard that she flipped over the desk.
“Skyler,” Zuri and Reno called out in unison.
“That is cute,” the muscular man said, snickering while applying more pressure to Reno’s shoulder. The other men joined in with cruel laughter.
Zuri leaned toward the desk, and Djimon’s clutch became even tighter. “I want to see if she is okay.”
“Let’s go,” he growled, handling Zuri like a puppet. “He can look after her once we are gone,” Djimon countered, glaring at Reno.
The look of fear in Zuri’s eyes and the unknown state of Skyler’s injuries were enough to send the already rumbling rage building within Reno, to the point of destruction. As much as it killed him to do nothing, he had to be strategic. He could easily overpower the five men holding him down, but the striking moment had to be just right for everyone’s sake. Reno didn’t know if they were armed.
No matter what, Reno wasn’t going to allow Djimon to leave with Zuri.
