7. Anticipation
ANTICIPATION
I pushed myself to my physical limits in Friday’s early morning Torch practice since I’d have to leave for an “emergency” in the afternoon.
About forty-five minutes before Zora was scheduled to arrive at my home, I rushed out of the practice facility, promising the Torch’s head coach I would return as soon as I took care of an urgent issue at my house.
Of course, he didn’t question me because the only times I skipped practice over the last ten years was during the months and days of Cece’s sickness and hospice care.
Cece and I danced to this song many nights as she battled cancer.
When she was too weak to stand for long periods of time, I held her in my arms and danced around the room with her.
She laughed so hard at my rhythmless moves that tears fell from her eyes.
When pain overtook her body during those times, I administered her meds and then placed her frail body in our bed, cradling her like a baby until she fell asleep.
“God, please help me get through this.” I clutched the steering wheel as tears threatened to fall from my eyes.
This will be worth it. A still, small voice spoke directly to my spirit.
My time with Zora was urgent. Because of her, I could honor my wife and settle her into my home comfortably for the weekend. That was the gentlemanly thing to do.
I would do everything in my power to get to know the real Zora. I already knew she was a mature, classy, top-tier lady used to the finer things in life. But what was underneath the surface? What did it take to treat her with the care she deserved so she could flourish?
I turned on my signal light and crossed two lanes to exit. I was on a tight schedule. After I welcomed Zora, Wayne would have to run me back to practice.
I made it to my home fifteen minutes before Wayne called me with his ETA.
That gave me enough time to run inside, brush my teeth, and spray several spritzes of my favorite Creed cologne on my pulse points.
When I went downstairs and saw the SUV approach the house, I stepped outside and waited for Zora. I checked my watch.
12:45. Perfect timing.
Since the windows of the SUV were tinted, I couldn’t see Zora clearly when she arrived in my circular driveway. Once parked, I was so excited for her arrival that I rushed to the back passenger door. When I pulled the latch for her to exit, my breath caught.
“Well damn.” I stood with my mouth open as Zora lowered her eyes to her lap and clasped her graceful fingers over her stomach.
Her shyness turned me on as much as her boldness. When she met my eyes again, I smiled so big my cheeks hurt.
“You are stunning, Madam President.”
Instead of looking down again, she beamed and brushed her full hair from her face and behind her delicate ear.
“You wore your hair down.”
Zora’s hair was…everything—gorgeous, long, and perfectly coiffed.
Although my mother taught me never to touch a Black woman’s hair, my fingers didn’t get the memo.
I reached for her tresses and brushed through them with my fingers, picking up several silky strands and then placing them neatly behind her ears, where dainty gold orchid earrings swayed delicately.
Zora sat still and blushed as I touched and complimented her.
“I’m glad you like it. I thought about what you said. It’s a beautiful day to do something different.”
Zora’s fine ass shocked the mess out of me with her softness. That only encouraged me to give her more compliments.
“And that dress…” I took in the fullness of her.
Instead of donning business attire, she wore a billowing thigh-length deep rose dress with hints of red and black dress that dipped low around the neck and cinched her waist beautifully.
Only now did I notice the sultry distribution of extra weight around her breasts and hips that weren’t visible in her suit or her official university photo.
“You’re so sexy.”
My hands had a mind of their own once again as I reached into the car and lightly brushed my fingers down the quarter-length sleeves and over the soft fabric of Zora’s dress.
I paused at her neck before tracing a line across her skin.
When she took a deep breath, her heavy breasts pushed against the material of her bodice as if it was designed to cup and support only them.
Since she perspired lightly, several loose strands of her hair clung to the skin above her breasts, drawing my eyes to their fullness again.
She was such a delectable feast of beauty and grace that I didn’t want to let her out of my sight.
“Damn,” I said, blocking her exit from the vehicle.
“You already said that.” Zora’s teasing eyes made me chuckle.
“Well, I’m going to keep saying it since you are sweeping me off my feet.”
Although she tried to turn her head, she didn’t do it fast enough.
“Is that a smile I see, Madam President?”
Her lips parted, and she bared her pretty teeth.
“It could be.”
That cute voice had me hungry to get her alone and tease her some more.
I stepped back and remembered my manners. I held my hand out for her to exit the vehicle. When she grabbed it, I enclosed my fingers around hers and swore electricity surged between us.
Although it was January, that meant nothing in Atlanta. Zora fully took advantage of the warm weather. She placed one foot on the ground, drawing my attention to what appeared to be a fresh pedicure in flesh-colored wedge sandals.
“You have beautiful feet too? Man…”
I’d never been a toe licker, but her pretty candy apple red toes had me wanting to slip her sandals off and suck each of them until she moaned my name. Zora unlocked new, unexpected levels of lust in me that I didn’t realize I had.
By now, Wayne stood beside the SUV, watching us with his arms crossed like we were his afternoon entertainment. Zora met my eyes and gave me a head shake as if to remind me to behave.
“Don’t worry about Wayne. He and his wife have been married for over thirty years. He knows how I roll.”
“But he doesn’t know me, Cairo. Your blatant flirting is over-the-top.”
“Oh…sorry about that. But in all fairness, you’re the one who showed up looking like a dessert. It’s your fault.”
Zora shook her head and pursed her lips before speaking directly to Wayne.
“Mr. Wayne, despite what Cairo says, I want to apologize for his outrageous behavior.”
“No need, Doc. He admires beauty in all its forms, so if he’s complimenting you, there’s a reason. Take it all in, ma’am. You deserve it.”
I gave Wayne a big dap. He was going to get a big bonus in his next paycheck for having my back.
“Well, let me say it then. Cairo, enough. You act as if you’ve never seen a woman before.” Zora lowered her eyes to the ground and attempted to move away from the car toward the walkway.
Instead of giving her space, I loosely placed my left arm around her waist and pulled her close, bending and speaking softly so that Wayne wouldn’t hear me.
“I haven’t seen one as fine as you, sweetheart.”
Without seeing her face, I knew Zora was blushing. I chuckled and stepped back so she could finally exit the vehicle. I closed the door and trailed behind her as Wayne carried Zora’s bags to the house.
A gentle breeze blew the bottom of her slightly see-through dress in the most alluring way, drawing my attention to Zora’s round backside. Each step mesmerized me as the muscles of her shapely legs and strong calf muscles came into view.
“It must be jelly ’cause jam don’t shake like that,” I spoke under my breath.
“What did you say?” Zora pulled her oversized silky wrap around her body and turned around with an upturned eyebrow.
“I have an assortment of jams and jellies for us to enjoy.”
“Hmm…” She rolled her eyes and kept walking.
My heart leaped. I enjoyed being privy to this side of Zora Langston. I would do everything in my power to pull the sass of her out as much as I could during her stay. It would be my pleasure to serve her in any way I could.
Zora paused at my front door, waiting for me to catch up to her. Her mouth opened wide when she crossed the threshold into my foyer. I closed the door and stood behind us, pleased at my decision to furnish my home with high-end decor and one-of-a-kind art from top Black artists around the globe.
“You have immaculate taste, Cairo. Thank you for inviting me into such a beautiful sanctuary.”
“The beauty of my home is only enhanced by your presence.”
Instead of deflecting my words, Zora pushed her shoulders back and cracked a wide smile.
“Thank you. Are you sure you’re not a poet too? You’re a sight to behold yourself.”
With boldness I didn’t expect, Zora scanned my body. Her eyes landed on my mouth and traveled slowly to my chest and down my long legs as she licked her lips.
“Don’t look at me like that if you don’t plan to do something about it.”
Instead of backing down, she winked at me.
“Two can play that game you started outside. I might just take you up on that offer.”
It was my turn to blush.
“You’re cute. We’re going to have fun this weekend.”
“Thank you, but I’m not used to all these compliments. Please ration them during my stay,” she said.
“Why?”
“I don’t want to get ‘the big head’ as my mother used to say.”
I closed the distance between us and rested my hands on Zora’s shoulders.
“I can tell that you’re humble. Remember that this weekend is all about you. If you don’t feel special and spoiled, I haven’t been a good host.”
Before Zora could respond, her phone rang. She pulled it from her purse. Since I was taller than she was, I clearly read Geoff’s name on the caller ID.
Ugh.
She backed up and placed her phone by her side as it continued ringing. As quick as that, her demeanor changed from flirty to jittery. I was starting to detest that man.
“Excuse me, but I need to take this call.” She looked around as she sought a place for privacy.
I pointed to the open office to her left. She scurried into the room.
“Hello?”