14. Damier
T he hum of the jet’s engines was low and steady, matching the peaceful vibe in the cabin as we made our way to Turks and Caicos. Dream sat across from me, curled up in one of the plush leather seats, sipping a glass of champagne. Her eyes sparkled every time she glanced my way, and it was the kind of look that made me feel like I had the whole world in my hands.
I leaned back, nursing my cognac, and decided it was time to bring up the thing that had been weighing on me. “So, I took the DNA test on the baby.”
Her eyebrows lifted slightly, her glass pausing midair. “And?”
“I won’t know for a few days, but…” I trailed off, swirling the ice in my glass. “I feel a connection to him. He looks like a Knight. I see it in his face—our blood is all over him.”
She leaned forward, setting her glass on the table between us. “What has your mother said since she is taking care of him?”
I chuckled, shaking my head. “She’s the one who said you and I could raise him as ours. She doesn’t want me to find the mother. She thinks it will cause trouble.”
Dream tilted her head, smirking. “That doesn’t sound like a bad idea. I could savor my body a little longer before having a baby.”
Her teasing tone made me laugh, but something about how she said it made me pause. “I don’t know about all that,” I said, my voice dropping lower. “After holding lil man, I’ve been thinking… I might want to get you pregnant sooner rather than later.”
She gave me a wide-eyed look, her smirk fading into something softer. “Damier Knight,” she teased, pointing at me. “Are you catching baby fever?”
“Maybe,” I admitted with a shrug, a sly grin tugging at my lips. “You’d look good carrying my kid, Imani. Real good.”
Her face softened even more, but she quickly masked it by taking another sip of her champagne.
“We’ll see,” she coyly said, her tone light but her eyes holding a promise.
$$$$$
We landed hours later at Providenciales International Airport , where the warm, salty air wrapped around us like a welcome embrace. Even though it was night, the island’s beauty was undeniable. Palm trees swayed gently in the breeze under the dim glow of airport lights, and the faint sound of waves crashing in the distance hinted at the paradise that surrounded us.
A black helicopter waited on the tarmac, its blades slicing through the humid night air. The pilot greeted us with a nod before helping us on board. As we lifted off, the view below was a patchwork of glowing villas and shadowy waters, the ocean stretching endlessly into the darkness. The rhythmic hum of the helicopter blended with the soft rustle of the wind, and even though it was too dark to see the famous turquoise waters, I could already feel the magic of this place.
“The water is incredible during the day,” the co-pilot said through the headset, his voice crackling. “You’ll be amazed.”
Dream and I exchanged a glance, excitement bubbling beneath the surface. We were both wide awake, thanks to the hours of sleep we’d gotten on the jet, and I couldn’t wait to show her the villa I’d picked.
When we finally arrived at Bella Grace Beach, it didn’t disappoint. The villa was everything I promised—exclusive, oceanfront, and equipped with everything we could want, including a personal chef who was already at work in the kitchen. The smell of grilled seafood and tropical spices filled the air as we walked in.
After we looked around, Dream disappeared into the bedroom to change, and when she reemerged, she was wearing a Chanel bikini that made my pulse skip a beat. The soft fabric clung to her curves, and her glowing skin made her look like a goddess.
“You must want to kill a nigga,” I teased, adjusting my Louis Vuitton trunks and pulling on a Tom Ford tank.
She smirked, tying her hair into a loose bun. “We’re on vacation, baby. I have to set the mood.”
When we finally got settled, we went to the dining area. Dinner was a feast—lobster, fresh mahi-mahi, tropical salads, and a pitcher of frozen drinks for Dream. The liquor flowed easily, and by the time we finished eating, the warm night air had settled over us like a blanket.
I leaned back in my chair, lighting a blunt, and motioned for Dream to come closer. She laughed, standing and walking over to sit on my lap.
“Here,” I said, holding the blunt near her lips.
She hesitated for a second but then took a small hit, exhaling smoothly. “I haven’t smoked since my quote-on-quote stripper days,” she admitted, laughing softly.
I raised an eyebrow. “Yeah? And why’d you stop?”
She shrugged, her voice turning serious. “As a psychologist, I need to keep my mind sharp. But… I do miss it. And honestly? I needed this tonight. My nerves have been all over the place.”
I took another pull, nodding as I leaned back. “You deserve to relax, Dream.”
We took our party outside to the infinity pool, the sound of waves crashing faintly in the distance. I poured another glass of cognac and let the old-school tunes flow through the speakers. “Adore” by Prince started playing, and the smooth melody wrapped around us.
Dream swam like a mermaid, her body gliding effortlessly through the water. I sat back in a lounge chair, Versace shades over my eyes, watching her every move.
When she climbed out of the pool, dripping and glowing under the soft lighting, I couldn’t help but smirk. “So, you gon’ show me some of them stripper moves?”
She laughed, grabbing her frozen drink. “I haven’t danced like that in years, and these knees ain’t what they used to be. But…” She sashayed toward me, her hips swaying just enough to make my blood heat. “I can still give you a lap dance.”
She straddled me, her wet skin cool against my warm body, and lifted my gold chain with her manicured stiletto nails. Gazing into my eyes, she whispered, “You really are a god out here in these streets, you know that?”
I chuckled, shaking my head. “Stop it, woman.”
“I’m serious,” she said, her voice soft but full of conviction. “You help people, Damier. Even if you don’t think so, you’ve got a big heart. You make things happen for your people, your family. That’s God behavior. People pray for the miracles you bring.”
Her words hit me in a way I wasn’t expecting. “I’m not God,” I said, my voice low. “If I were, I would’ve saved my father, your brother, and changed Damian.”
She placed a hand on my chest, her gaze tender. “That’s deep, baby.”
As Prince crooned through the speakers, she started moving her hips in time with the music. Her hands traveled to her bikini top, and with one smooth motion, she untied it and tossed it to the side.
Her lap dance was slow and deliberate, every movement designed to drive me wild. She leaned in, her lips brushing against my ear as she whispered, “You deserve to feel good all the time.”
Before I knew it, she was sliding down, her hands tugging at the waistband of my trunks. I let her take the lead, her submission to me driving me over the edge. I loved how I didn’t have to even show a hint about what I needed from her; she just did it.
The last lyrics of the song floated through the air as I gave in completely when she wrapped her lips around me:
“You could take all this love that I got for you.”