Chapter 16
Taylor woke up to the weight of Brooks’ arm draped across her midsection, his cologne lingering on the hotel pillows.
The sky was soft and pale beyond the windows, early light creeping across the bed.
They were so high in the air no one would see them, the blinds didn’t need to be drawn.
She took him in. He was perfect in every way
In sleep, his features softened, jaw unclenched, brow smooth.
Vulnerable in a way she suspected few ever witnessed.
Her eyes traced the ink decorating his skin.
Names etched near his heart: “Forever my Lady” with his mother’s beautiful face above it.
Her finger hovered above a script on his ribcage she couldn’t quite make out, but she was tempted to touch.
“Good morning,” Brooks rumbled, his morning voice rough, eyes still closed. But the corner of his mouth lifted, giving him away.
Taylor smiled, caught. “Good morning.”
His lips curved into a smile as he pulled her closer, burying his face in her neck. “Appreciate all you want, beautiful.”
“What’s the plan for today?” She asked.
Brooks opened his eyes, dark and intense as they swept over her face. “First, room service. Then I’m taking you shopping and to lunch.”
“Shopping?” Taylor propped herself up on one elbow. “Brooks, you don’t need to spend a bunch of money on clothes. I have clothes.”
“I want to. Don’t waste your time counting my pockets. I’m not bragging, but I ain’t hurting for shit. Let me share that with you.”
She wanted to protest. But the way he looked at her, as if giving her nice things was his love language, made her resolve weaken.
“No problem,” she said softly, and was rewarded with a smile that made her heart skip.
“Good. I think you starting to get it bae,” he murmured, leaning in to kiss her, morning breath be damned.
“Get what?”
“That I do what I want.”
“Yeah, I think I am,” she said rolling her eyes.
Brooks tickled her and brought her in close, placing a kiss on her lips.
What started as a gentle good morning kiss quickly turned heated, his hands sliding under night gown, finding her already warm and wet. Taylor sighed against his mouth as his fingers worked their magic, her body responding to his.
Her body arched.
“Brooks.”
His name tore from her throat as he pushed into her, her legs locking around his waist. “I’m so fuckin glad you here, Tay,” he whispered against her skin, and for the next hour, she screamed his name over and over until her voice was hoarse.
Two hours later, showered and fed, they stepped out into the crisp Denver air. Brooks had the car waiting for them and the driver nodded respectfully as they approached.
“You always travel like this?”
Brooks settled back, his arm stretching behind her claiming both the space and her in it. His eyes held hers, steady and unapologetic. “I built what I have to enjoy it exactly how I want.” His thumb brushed the bare skin of her shoulder, sending electricity down her spine.
She rolled her eyes, but the butterflies in her stomach didn’t get the memo that she was supposed to be playing it cool. “And where are we going today?”
“Wherever I decide to take you.” His smile was confident. “Trust me, you’re gonna love it.”
Taylor watched the city pass by through the windows, leaning into Brooks’. She’d never been to Denver before. She had barely traveled outside their hometown except for a few church conferences. This was all new, all exciting.
“First stop,” Brooks said, his phone buzzing with texts he answered with quick taps.
The car pulled up to a sleek building with no visible signage, just a discreet gold plaque reading “Atelier Privé.” A doorman appeared immediately, opening Taylor’s door with a respectful nod. “Mr. Bishop, Elise is expecting you.”
“What is this place?” Taylor whispered as Brooks guided her through doors that opened before they even reached them. She pushed her sunglasses on her head and touched the velvet walls in the hallway.
“Private showroom,” he replied, his hand warm against the small of her back. “I’m cashing in a favor.”
Inside was nothing like the department stores Taylor knew.
This was not Ross or Burlington’s this was the look but don’t touch stuff.
No racks of clothing, no shoppers, no long lines, or crying kids.
Just elegant but edgy space, luxurious furnishings, and a stunning woman in all black who approached with a warm smile.
“Brooks, finally bringing someone special to see me,” she said, kissing his cheek before turning to Taylor.
“I’m Elise. We’ve pulled a few pieces I think will complement your beautiful skin tone and silhouette. She’s gorgeous, Brooks,” she sang.
Taylor smiled, but it wasn’t the smile he expected.
“Why you look like that?” he asked gently.
“Like what?”
“Like this is too much.”
She started to respond, but he cut her off—softly, but certain.
“You matter. You deserve good things, and you don’t have to earn them through struggle. Not with me.”
Elise smiled quietly, watching him pour affirmation over Taylor like it was second nature.
“I don’t need all this and maybe you don’t either, but you don’t know until you experience it,” he added, reaching for her hand. “That’s the only assignment today. Experience new things.”
Elise led them to a private suite lined with floor-to-ceiling mirrors and plush emerald velvet seating. Champagne arrived in crystal flutes, followed by fresh berries, artisanal cheeses, and dark chocolate truffles.
“Blake ain’t said nothing about all of this.” Taylor whispered as assistants silently arranged garments on custom racks. She felt like she was in the movie Pretty Woman without the prostituting.
Brooks settled into one of the velvet chairs, legs spread, completely at home in this exclusive space.
Elise returned with pieces from designers who understood the assignment, labels that knew how to cut for a Black woman’s body.
Some Taylor had caught on red carpets and magazine spreads, worn by women with publicists and stylists.
She never imagined pulling them off a hanger with her name on the receipt.
“How did you figure my size?” She asked, running her fingers along a butter-soft leather jacket in a rich cognac color. She remembered him saying he was able to describe her but he was spot on.
Brooks didn’t even flinch.
He looked up, locking eyes with her through the mirror.
“I pay attention to what’s mine. Told you that already.”
She paused. Just stared at him. No words needed.
Then turned and walked toward the dressing room, quiet, but something in her posture said she felt that.
Brooks smirked, eyes back on his phone. “And don’t be shy, either. I wanna see too. Or you want me to come in there with you?”
“Brooks,” she warned, fighting a smirk. “Get it together.”
“But you gon’ come show off though, right?”
Her lips curled into a grin. “I’ll show off a little.”
“Word.”
He stayed focused, handling business but he meant what he said. This whole trip, this whole moment, was about her. Period. So, he’d multi task to ensure it became a reality.
Taylor slipped behind the screen and reached for the first a body-contouring, one-shoulder jumpsuit in matte black with a cinched waist and a slit just above the ankle.
She slipped it on and smirked. The red bottom heels behind her fit like butter.
The gold Gucci belt covered her midsection. She loved this.
“Okay, Sandy from Grease. But grown. Fine. And Black.”
When she stepped out, Brooks didn’t say a word. He just ran his tongue over his teeth, eyes dragging up her body. He was occupied, calculating what level of restraint he had left. Then he motioned for her to turn around, slow. She did.
She looked back at him over her shoulder. He winked and rubbed his hands together.
“I don’t know I feel like you need me to come back there with you.”
“No sir, I do not. We’ll be here all day.”
He smiled and nodded for her to go finish. She was right. He’d save that for the night.
Back behind the curtain she went. She continued trying things on jeans, dresses, skirts, sets, shoes, sunglasses.
By the third glass of champagne, Taylor had stopped thinking about price tags or practicality.
She was laughing, twirling, letting herself enjoy being the center of this man’s attention.
The more she went and came out to him, with different looks the more he rested right outside the door anticipating what she come out in next.
Her confidence was catching up to her body.
Because she was beautiful, sexy, and pressure in her own right.
He’d reminded her of that. Her final look was a force to be reckoned with.
A copper colored, corset-style midi dress that hugged her curves like it had something to prove. The fabric was structured, almost sculpted giving waist, giving hips, giving unapologetic sexy. It dipped low in the back.
She paired it with a caramel and chocolate toned cropped fur jacket. The soft fur draped over her shoulders lightly.
The strappy heels wrapped around her ankles, added just the right touch of drama. A mini clutch sat in the crook of her elbow, matte black with gold hardware.
Brooks stood up like his body was moving on instinct. Mouth parted just a little. Silent. She’d been worth the wait. He ran his tongue over his bottom lip, nodded once. She was the answer to every unspoken prayer.
“You like it?” She asked, chin tilted.
“Let me show you,” he said coming closer. Taylor giggled but went behind the curtain to change.
“We’ll take it all,” Brooks told Elise once they’d finished.
Elise gave a knowing smile and stepped away to handle the arrangements, already coordinating delivery straight to their hotel suite. That entire moment, the way Brooks moved, the way he covered her without blinking, was something Taylor knew she’d never forget.
When Elise returned, she caught Taylor just before she stepped out of the dressing room. It was just the two of them, quiet now.