Chapter 11
When Desiree woke up the next morning, she felt more well-rested than she’d ever been.
It didn’t matter that she had slept in the outfit she had worn on her date last night.
Her entire body felt different, as if there were lingering effects, some remaining afterglow from a night like none other.
She felt entrenched in a calm born of total physical satisfaction.
And she knew why.
But how in the world had a single orgasm done that? Granted, it was the first she’d had in years ─five years, specifically. The night she’d spent with Aimery two years ago didn’t count since he hadn’t done anything for her.
And the times she’d spent with her boyfriend, Eddie Baylor, in her sophomore year of college in Memphis… Well, there was no comparison. Back then, the sensation had been over in a quick minute. After three tries, she had decided sex was overrated and decided to focus on her studies instead.
Last night, Cobra had proven her wrong, showing her that it wasn’t about the sexual act itself, but the man you shared it with.
And it had all started with a kiss… Not only had he given her pleasure, but he had proved himself a true master, amplifying the sensations and pushing her to the brink of desire.
What man took the time to do that during a kiss?
Especially when that kiss was all he would be getting, and all that pleasure he gave her wasn’t reciprocated.
He had made last night about her and not himself.
As she eased out of bed to take a shower, her phone rang, and recognizing the ringtone, she quickly walked to the living room to pull it out of her purse. “Hi Cam.”
“Rae, you won’t believe what happened.”
Hearing the excitement in Camille’s voice, Desiree settled down into the chair that she and Cobra had shared last night. “So, what happened?”
“Léandre called.”
Desiree nodded. Since Camille and Léandre had been friends for years and he would often call her, she figured there had to be more. “And…?”
“And he invited me to join him in the Swiss Alps for two weeks.”
Desiree smiled. “Alrighty now. Are you going to go?”
“Oh yeah, I’m going. He’s paying my way there and will be waiting for me when I arrive at the airport in Switzerland. Then we’ll catch the train to the mountains where the cabin he’s been using is located.”
“When do you leave?”
“Tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow? Why so soon? Will you be able to get ready that quickly?”
“My packing cubes are already organized. All I have to do is arrange them in my luggage. However, I did have to switch out summer clothes for outfits that will keep me warm. And Melia agreed to water the plants in the apartment while I’m gone. It’s only for two weeks.”
“Sounds like fun.”
“He said he’s inviting me because he wants me to read the script he just finished, that he values my opinion.”
“Hmm, there’s no reason for you to go all the way to the Swiss Alps just to do that. He could have emailed it. I think he just wants you there with him.”
“You really think so?”
Desiree heard the hopefulness in her voice. “Don’t you?”
“I’m too afraid to think that, Rae. So, I’m getting on that plane tomorrow with no expectations. I don’t want to be disappointed.”
“And if the opportunity arises where you could make your feelings for him known, will you take it?” Desiree asked.
Camille didn’t say anything for a minute and then quickly said, “Yes, I will take it. It’s about time, don’t you think?”
“It’s not about what I think, Cam. It’s about what you think.”
Camille was silent for a few more moments. Obviously, she was terrified to take this next step. “Then yes, I think it’s about time.”
Desiree chuckled. “I think so, too.”
“So, how was your date last night?” Camille asked.
Desiree smiled and looked down at her dress—the same dress Cobra’s hands had slipped underneath last night. “Cam, you won’t believe what happened.”
“Tell me everything, Rae,” she said, laughing.
She couldn’t do that—not all of it. Because she couldn’t help wanting to keep a part of last night’s magic all to herself.
***
Cobra placed his tennis racket in the closet and glanced around his home.
He had moved to Harlem at the beginning of the year, after living in Manhattan for nearly eight years.
He had felt it was time to move out of the condo and had purchased the four-story brownstone.
He loved living here; the community was great, and everything he needed was an easy commute.
But today was the first time he’d looked around his home and thought it felt lonely. When he lived in Manhattan, he’d been known to throw a party or two at his condo, especially when bringing in the New Year. And he was the one who threw yearly birthday celebrations for himself and his brothers.
As well, the condo was the place he’d invite women to spend time with him—women whose names he couldn’t now remember.
He hadn’t thought twice about taking his date to his place instead of suggesting they go to a hotel.
That open-door policy ended after his evening with Bernice Whey.
Hell, he’d even given the bedroom furniture from his Savannah home to one of his younger cousins.
Just remembering the night Allison/Bernice had spread out on his bed made him feel ill.
When he moved into the six-bedroom, four-bath brownstone, he decided it was time to purchase all new furniture.
And he promised himself that the place would be all his.
No more hookups in his personal space. But then, after hearing about the way Bernice had tricked her baby daddies at hotels, he wasn’t sure they were the safest places for one-night stands, either.
Needing a shower, he headed for the bedroom, pulling his phone out of his back pocket as he walked.
He’d woken up that morning thinking about Desiree, but hadn’t wanted to call her too soon, since she’d said she would be sleeping late.
He checked his watch. It was after noon—she should be up by now.
He’d hated leaving her to sleep in the dress she had worn on their date, but the only alternative was to undress her and put her in something else.
He knew the limits to his willpower and control where she was concerned, and undressing her would have been pushing it too far. So he chose the safer option and left.
“Hello?”
Why did the sound of her voice cause him to pause? And why had his heart seemed to skip a beat? Drawing in a deep breath, he responded, “Good afternoon. I’m just checking in to see how you’re doing.”
“I’m good. I owe you big time for the best sleep ever. Thank you.”
He moved the phone from his ear and stared at it before returning it to his ear again.
He hadn’t expected to hear that admission from her.
What a change in attitude. Was one kiss ─and a bit more ─responsible for it?
In that case, he’d give her plenty more like it. All guaranteed to turn up the heat.
He smiled, deciding not to pretend he had no idea what she was referring to. “Anytime,” he said, walking into his bathroom.
“I’d advise you to tread carefully with that offer, Cobra Masters. I might take you up on it.”
He took a steady breath. Was she flirting with him? “I’ve been duly warned. What are your plans for the week?”
“Hmm, I really enjoyed ice skating the other night, and might do it again this week. And there’s a show at the Apollo on Tuesday night that I plan to check out.”
“By yourself?”
The sound of her chuckle had heat simmering inside of him. “Yes, by myself. I’m a big girl.”
He didn’t know about her being a big girl, but she was definitely a perfect woman. “Well, enjoy the rest of your day, Desiree, as well as your week.”
“You, too, Cobra, and if I don’t talk to you before you leave for Savannah, enjoy your family reunion.”
“Thanks.”
He ended the call, placed the phone on the bathroom vanity, and leaned against it.
When had a phone conversation with a woman stirred such deep, burning desire in him?
If an evening of sensual fun had made her this compliant, he couldn’t wait until they finally shared a bed.
He was counting down the next three months now more so than ever.
He wasn’t flying out to Savannah until Thursday morning, and he wanted to see her again before he left town. Although he knew security was good at her condo, he didn’t like the thought of her being at the ice rink alone. Nor did the thought of her going to the Apollo by herself sit well with him.
He shook his head. Why was he acting like this?
Being protective of a woman felt new to him, since there were few females in the Masters family—at least in his generation.
Quinece was older and had always been capable of taking care of herself.
Besides, she was a twin to his cousin Quinn, and from what he’d heard, Quinece had been the fighter, and Quinn, the negotiator.
That made sense since Quinn was now a high-powered entertainment attorney.
Deciding not to worry about it, he thought of the week ahead. He liked the idea of seeing her again before he left town on Thursday. That was three days from now…and he intended to spend all three with her.
With that decision made, he began undressing for his shower.
***
Sydney, Australia
“What are you thinking about, Richard?”
Richard Sharpe smiled at the feel of the warm, feminine arms that wrapped around him from behind. He was standing at the hotel’s window, looking out at the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
It was hard to believe he had found love again at his age. Lolita was everything he needed in his life, and he was glad to have met her when he had. In addition to being a very beautiful woman, she had a heart of gold.
“I’m wondering what your daughter and son-in-law think about you staying at the hotel with me while I’m in town.”
He would spend time in Sydney with Lolita, her daughter, and her family ─at least for a week.
Then he and Lolita would spend some time in Brisbane before flying to New Zealand.
They would return to Sydney a few days before he returned to the States.
It had been years since he had taken a real vacation, and he wanted to spend all his time with her.
She moved to face him and stood, her arms still around him, then smiled.
It was that same smile that had captured his heart the day they had met.
“After meeting you, I’m sure they think I am one lucky woman,” she said.
“They know I am old enough to make my own decisions about what I want to do and who I want to be with. And I give my children the same respect.”
She paused before saying. “Both of my kids—my son and my daughter—were really worried about me after their father died, and for the past six years, I’ve assured them that I was okay. But it wasn’t until I met you that I realized how it feels to live again.”
It had taken nearly twice that long for him to figure out the same thing. “I just want you to be sure about everything, sweetheart,” he said.
“I am. This is where I want to be. You’ve gotten to know Keith—who can be rather protective of me, to put it mildly—and he likes you a lot.
Vivian does, too. She told me so after dinner.
My kids chose their spouses well, though I have to admit I was worried when Vivian decided to move to Harrison’s home in Sydney after they married.
But she is so happy, and now with the baby to keep her busy, she is even happier. ”
Richard nodded. “And I’d like to go on record to say I like them, too. You have a beautiful family.”
“Thank you.”
“Now,” Lolita said, pulling him toward the sofa in the suite, “come tell me how things are going with your granddaughter.”
He sat and pulled Lolita into his lap. They both liked their cuddle time. “I’m glad she’s home,” he said, tightening his arms around her. “As I’ve said before, I might have made mistakes in the past regarding Allison, but I want to correct them, Lolita. I want to get to know my granddaughter.”
“And you should. All kids go through growing pains. I told you about the trouble I had with Vivian after Doug died. She went a little wild and refused to do anything productive with her life. When she finally settled down, she enrolled at NYU, and then met Harrison. It was only afterwards that I discovered her rebellion was the only way she knew to fight the grief she felt over losing Doug. She’d been a daddy’s girl.
From what you told me, Richard, it sounded like Allison had a rough time of it early on, and I’m sure she’s experiencing some deep feelings.
You need to find out just what’s going on with her.
The two of you need to have what they call a good ‘come to Jesus moment’.
“We will. And I will tell her about you and maybe set something up for the two of you to meet when you return to the States after Labor Day.”
“I’m looking forward to that. How is she doing at the Sharpe Corporation?”
“Very well. My executive team is impressed with her. She seems to enjoy being there and came ready to roll up her sleeves and learn all she can.”
“You know what I think, Richard?”
“I think you’re about to tell me, sweetheart.” He grinned.
“You know me well,” she said, chuckling. “I have a feeling that Allison was ready to come home and was just waiting for your call.”
“She could have come home at any time,” he said.
Lolita shrugged. “Maybe she felt that she couldn’t.”
He nodded, thinking about that. “I truly want a relationship with my granddaughter to work.”
“Then work on it.”
He nodded. “Something is going on between her and Cobra.”
“Something like what?”
“Not sure. They claim they dislike each other.”
Lolita smiled. “They might, but I discovered when Keith and April first met, that love and hate are two sides of the same coin. They disliked each other intensely! And though they still don’t agree on everything, they love each other immensely and are perfect for each other.
I couldn’t have hoped for a better wife for Keith. ”
“Well, I’m not sure what’s going on between Cobra and Allison. But whatever it is, I intend to stay out of it and let them work it out.”
“That’s a good idea. Now, do you know what else is a good idea?”
“No, what?”
“For you were to take me into the bedroom and show me how much you’ve missed me.”
Richard stood with her in his arms. “That would be my absolute pleasure, sweetheart.”