Chapter 5
CHAPTER FIVE
It’s been a week since our relaxing day on the beach. We are standing in his closet, getting dressed to meet our friends at Ahz for dinner. It’s been a long week, and we’re both ready to unwind and have some fun.
“You know she’s going to move in with him, right?” he asks as he buttons his shirt.
“Yeah, I figured as much. I’ll have to find a new roommate. Can you zip me up?” I turn around so he can help me into my little black dress.
“Why don’t you move in here? You can put your house on the market. You’re hardly there, anyway.” His hand drops to my lower back, where he gently caresses the area just above my bottom.
I know my eyes must be as big as saucers. “You want me to move in with you?” His expression tells me that this is a serious request. His face is relaxed, but his eyes are watching me intently. “I love that you want me to be with you all the time, but I’m not ready to give up my house. We still stay there sometimes. If I move in here, then I lose a part of me.”
I watch as his face falls into a frown. “I don’t see you losing a part of you; I see you gaining a part of us. Just think about it, okay?” he asks as he pats me on the bottom.
We pull into the employee garage of Ahz and park in Anthony’s designated parking spot. He quickly hops out of the driver’s seat and rushes around to open my door.
“It looks like Damon and Kat are already here,” I say as I see the silver Mustang parked next to us. “I’m glad that we all meet for dinner at least once a month. Our lives have gotten so busy we hardly get to see each other.”
“Are Trevor and Chris joining us tonight as well? We talked about inviting them, but that’s all I remember.”
“Yes.” I look around and see Chris’s Volvo parked down the aisle. “They’re here as well. That’s Chris’s Volvo right there.” I point to the white car parked three cars away from us. “Are we late? Everyone else is here already.” I glance at my watch to check.
“Saving the best for last, babe.” He laces his fingers into mine and leads the way into the restaurant.
We enter the Anthony Haywood restaurant on the ground floor and make our way back to the private room that has been set aside for us. I try to stifle a giggle as we wade through the crowded room. It’s a busy night at Ahz, and everyone seems to recognize Anthony. It’s like Moses parting the Red Sea. People stand aside and let us pass with looks of awe on their faces. I’m not sure if it’s because he’s the owner or because he’s so damn handsome. I watch as every woman he passes undresses him with her eyes. The looks on the faces of the men are pure jealousy; they all wish they were him.
He reaches back and places a possessive hand around my waist. “I hate all these men gawking at you,” he grumbles.
I break out into laughter that stops me in my tracks. I force Anthony to stop when I do. “They aren’t staring at me; they wish they were you.”
“Exactly, because they know when we go home tonight, it will be me between your legs. I see them all looking at you like they want to devour you. Let’s go,” he says as he tugs me in his direction again.
“You’re crazy. There isn’t a man in this room that wants me. I was thinking that every woman in this room is mentally stripping you naked.” We finally make it to the back of the restaurant.
Anthony stops before we enter. “I belong to you, babe. And you belong to me. You understand that, right?” He presses his lips to mine in a punishing kiss that leaves me breathless as he opens the door.
Sitting around the round table, I see my friends as I enter the room. I’m still winded by the kiss Anthony gave me and shocked by what he said. That’s twice in a week he’s claimed me as his own. I think I like that he wants to claim me, but there’s also this little alarm going off in my head, telling me to run.
“Well… look who showed up,” Kat says. She looks magnificent, and I rush over to her and give her a big hug. I hadn’t seen her since the party a week ago.
“You look so pretty.” I kiss Kat’s cheek, then whisper in her ear, “You look happy. I’m glad you finally came up for air. I’ve missed you.” I pull away and smile at her.
“I’m sorry I missed going to the cemetery with you this year.” She wraps her arms around me in a big comforting hug. “I’m sorry we bailed on everyone. I had no idea what was happening, as you know. When he carried me out of the house, we went straight to the airport. We spent the week in Hawaii. We just got back last night.”
I smile warmly at my friend. She has been going to the cemetery with me every year since my mom passed away. “It’s okay. I went on my own. Anthony wanted to take me, but I wanted to spend some time alone with my thoughts. It worked out.”
As Kat reaches up to touch my face, I see a flash of light as her left hand passes by me. “Oh, my God! Is that a ring on your finger?” I squeal. “Why didn’t you call me? Best friends are supposed to share shit like this.” I grab her hand and look at the biggest diamond I’ve ever seen.
“It just happened today. Isn’t it beautiful?” Kat asks as she holds her hand out for me to see. Her left arm is still in the cast from her car accident, but it doesn’t take away from the beauty of her ring. Everyone is now on their feet, surrounding her, everyone but Damon and Anthony; they are standing back, watching us all gush over the news. Damon has the biggest grin on his face.
“Congratulations, guys,” I say. “You better treat her right, Damon, or I will hunt you down and hurt you,” I threaten playfully.
He walks up to me and kisses me on the cheek. “Emma, I’ll love and treasure her for the rest of my life. If I ever hurt her again, I will deliver myself directly to you. You won’t even have to hunt me down,” Damon says before he grabs his fiancée and takes a seat at the table.
Anthony is sitting to my left, and Kat to my right. Across from me are Chris and Trevor, who are looking quite happy together. “Hey Chris, how are things at the bank?” I ask.
“Good. I have this new client that comes every day at noon to make a deposit.” He looks up at Trevor with a glimmer in his eyes. “He’s my favorite.” His directness used to shock me when I was a kid.
I spent my teenage years with Kat and her family. They are direct––beyond direct. Their entire family lacks filters. You’re forced to engage with them, or you get left behind. Living with the Cross family was probably my saving grace. They were a real family. In time, they became my family. Chris is Kat’s brother, and Trevor is his partner. Trevor fits right in with the group.
Trevor does something to Chris under the table because suddenly, Chris lets out a yelp. Everyone at the table looks at him and laughs .
“Okay, apparently I’m going to have to find a new roommate, so I’m counting on you guys to send me the perfect replacement for Kat.”
“You’re going to replace me?” Kat asks. Her lips purse into the perfect-looking pout.
“Well, it’s not like you’re going to move back in. You live in a mansion in the hills with your hunky fiancé,” I tease. “You know I can never replace you; you’re my sister from another mister.” I stick my tongue out at her. “So, when is the big day? I’m your maid of honor, right? I can’t see Chris or Trevor looking good in a bridesmaid gown.”
“I’ll have you know, I look lovely in satin,” Trevor says.
Kat looks at both of us before she speaks. “No date yet, and only girls with vaginas can wear dresses at my wedding.”
We talk for a few minutes to catch up. The server takes our order and pours us all a glass of red wine. It’s nice to be together. I love all these people. Trevor is a recent addition, but the way he looks at Chris makes me happy. Chris is like my flesh and blood, and it’s important to me he has someone who loves and values him. We’ve paired up quite nicely. Looking around at the people surrounding me, I know there is nowhere I’d rather be. I stand up to make a toast.
“To all of us who love, may we love deeply.” Everyone clinks their glasses together and shouts out loud, “Hear, hear.”
We spend the next hour chatting, eating, and drinking wine. Anthony orders some type of flaming dessert to celebrate Kat and Damon’s engagement. The conversation goes back to my need for a new housemate.
“Em, I know a girl you might want to talk to,” Trevor says. I watch as he whispers into Chris’s ear. Both of them nod their heads. “There’s this girl that works as a bartender at Trax,” Trevor begins. “We kind of adopted her. She makes good money, has a great personality, and we like her. She was saying last week that she wants to find someplace to live that’s closer to work. She could be a good fit.” Trevor seems pleased to contribute a solution to my dilemma.
“Okay, give her my number.” I feel Anthony place his hand on my thigh and give it a gentle squeeze.
“If Emma would just move in with me, she wouldn’t need to find a new roommate.” I swing around to look at him. “Don’t give me that look,” he says. “These are our friends, and I need them to help put the pressure on you so I can get my way.”
I examine everyone at the table and notice that they are staring at me, waiting for a response. “Anthony asked me to move in with him today. I’m considering his offer since I pretty much live with him, anyway.” I pucker my lips and touch them to Anthony’s quickly before continuing. “I’m not ready to let go of my house, though, so regardless of my decision, I will need a renter.”
“What happened to us, man?” Damon looks at Anthony as he asks the question. “A few months ago, we were confirmed bachelors.” He reaches over and picks up Kat’s hand. “This one stole my heart, and it looks like you’re in just as bad a shape as I am.”
“Don’t I know it? My heart doesn’t beat unless she’s near me. That’s why I want her to move in. Is it selfish that I want to live?” Anthony says as he looks at me with pouty lips and puppy dog eyes.
“Oh…my…God. You guys are relentless. Okay, I’ll move in with you, but I’m not selling my house.” I let out an exasperated breath of air.
Before I know it, I’m no longer sitting in my seat. Anthony has catapulted me into his arms and is swinging me around. I’ve never seen him so happy. “I love you,” he whispers in my ear. “We’re picking up your things on our way home.”
We leave the get-together and drive straight to my house. It doesn’t take us long to throw a bunch of my clothes and shoes in his car. Once his little car is full, we race home.
I lie in bed and wait for Anthony to lock up the house and come downstairs .
The layout of his house is interesting. The main floor contains an amazing gourmet kitchen with all the bells and whistles, a living room, and a dining room. There are also three bedrooms, three bathrooms, and an office on that floor. A wall of windows opens to a deck that overlooks the water. The panels slide into the wall and disappear. When we have them open, the house is completely exposed to the elements. There is a recreation room and spectacular master suite that opens to the beach on the lower level.
“What are you thinking about?” Anthony asks, sneaking up and startling me.
“I was thinking about my new house. I’m so glad it comes with a cook and a housekeeper.” The wink of my left eye puts a smile on his face.
“Well, your cook and housekeeper require compensation. I think that a naked redhead in my bed every night might be worth the extra laundry. I think if she strips down the minute she walks into the house every day, I’d vacuum and dust as well.”
“I didn’t know you were so cheap and easy.” I toss off the sheet, exposing my upper body. “If I knew that showing you these,” I grab my breasts and lift them, “or this,” I toss the sheet and cup my sex, “would get me so much attention, I might have negotiated earlier.”
“You have always had my attention. I remember the first day I saw you. You were at the food and wine festival with that food critic, Blake Havers. I watched you that afternoon and thought you were his girlfriend. I couldn’t figure out how you would be attracted to him. He’s such a slimy little worm. I hadn’t even met you, but I wanted you then.” Taking off his tie, he places it on the chair in the corner of the room and sits down to remove his shoes. “I asked around and found out you were an escort. My first thought was a prostitute because honestly, you’re the only girl I know of who runs an actual legitimate escort service.” He sets his shoes and discarded socks next to the chair .
“Do you know many girls who run an escort service?” My eyes narrow at him. Just how many escorts does he know?
“I know a few. Remember, I’ve been hanging out with Damon for years.” His shoulders shake as he laughs. “Damon is the one who cleared everything up for me. I was asking him to give me the number for the pretty redheaded escort I’d seen him with. I wanted to get laid. He said he didn’t know a pretty redheaded escort that offered those services. I described you, and then he figured it out. That’s when I got your number, and I called you for the fundraiser.”
“So, he knew you were going to call me for that fundraiser. No wonder he folded so easily when I asked him to take Kat. That shit , he was matchmaking. Just wait until I see him again.” I roll onto my side so I can see Anthony.
“What are you going to do? Thank him? If he hadn’t graciously bowed out, I’d still be wondering who that redheaded girl was, and you never would’ve heard my voice over the phone.”
“True. The minute I heard your voice, I knew I had to make it work out. I’ve never had my body quiver from a man’s voice, but I drenched my panties the day you called. I googled you the minute we got off the phone. One look at your picture, and I was hooked.”
“I picked that dress out specifically for you. I wanted to make sure you remembered who I was.” I’d never worn that blue dress before. It was cut in a V down the front and the back to my navel and my bottom. It was very provocative.
“That dress was criminal; I don’t know how you kept your girls from falling out. I was mesmerized. I’m still mesmerized by them.” He walks over to me and places a soft kiss on each of my nipples, making them perk up as if reaching for his mouth. He unbuttons his shirt as I watch with rapt attention. “You teased me all night and then told me you didn’t mix business with pleasure.” He makes a tsk tsk sound as he peels off his shirt.
“You fired me, marched me out the front door, and tossed me into a cab,” I say with some indignation .
“I fired you and told you I’d pick you up the next night for a date. I kissed you before I gently placed you into the cab. It seems as if we have a different recollection of the events leading up to us.”
“I believe you have the more accurate recollection,” I confess. Hearing his version of our story makes me laugh. It’s not that we haven’t talked about it before, but each time we revisit our beginning, he always paints a prettier story for himself.
“I went home with the most painful hard on that night. I hardly slept, thinking of all the ways I could pleasure you. When I arrived to pick you up, you were beautiful in your sundress and sandals. I knew I wasn’t bringing you home that night. However, I never thought we would be here, in this place right now. I never thought I could want a woman as much as I want you. Sometimes it scares the hell out of me, Emma. I let you into my heart, and now you own it. You have the power to crush my soul.”
Oh, my goodness, did my heart leap? “I love you, Anthony. You’re an amazing man. Do you realize you’re my actual first boyfriend?”
The look of surprise flashed in his expressive eyes. “Surely, that’s not true. You have dated people before.” He unbuttons and unzips his slacks and lets them fall to the floor. Picking them up, he folds them as he walks back to the chair.
“I never had a boyfriend. In high school, I used a lot of boys to fill the gaps in my life. Kat’s mom had a long talk with me about respecting my body and myself. She put me in counseling, and I changed my ways. By the time I graduated, I had to support myself. I started doing the companion thing and had little time to date. I saw someone regularly a few years ago, but he couldn’t handle my job. There was an altercation. I got in the middle of it and ended up with a black eye. As you might imagine, I don’t have any tolerance for aggression or physical violence.”
“Someone hit you?” he yells. He races to the bed and clasps my arms in his hands. “I’ll kill him. Who the hell hit you?” His face is red, and the little vein on his forehead is pulsing .
“Calm down. He didn’t try to hit me; I stepped in between him and my client. When Mark threw the punch, I was in the way. It was an accident, but I never saw him again. He let jealousy get the best of him. The funny thing is nothing had happened. My client was walking me up the stairs to my house, and he put his hand on my back to guide me. Mark didn’t like seeing another man’s hands on me. It was stupid.”
“Not to defend a man who hit you, but I wouldn’t want to see another man touch you. It irks me when I catch someone looking at you.”
“You are so funny. No one is looking at me except for you. Come here and make love to me.” I lean across the bed and take his hand in mine. I pull his body down to lie beside me. His dark-chocolate brown curls frame his face perfectly. Even though his hair has a mind of its own, it seems to fall effortlessly in place.
We are silent as we explore each other’s bodies. The anticipation is building as our hands become bolder, and our need becomes stronger. He rolls my nipples between his fingertips. The sensation stirs the warmth between my legs. I have been waiting all night to feel him sink himself into my body. His fingers make their way slowly down my stomach and find their way to my hot center. He gently slides his fingers down my moist folds, peeling back the layers to get to my center. I swell from the passion that’s building; my body opens like a flower. Each time he crosses my opening, he dips his fingers inside of me to grab the moisture that’s building. I writhe under his touch and grind myself against him. My free hands go to work, trying to bring him to the point where I am—a place that no matter what we do, everything feels fantastic. I want him to feel as good as I do.
He is firm in my hand, and I glide my palm up and down his length. I am rewarded with a guttural moan. As I bring the fingers of my free hand to his chest, I graze his nipple. I am then rewarded with a growl. I push him to his back and straddle him .
“I’m taking control, Anthony. Lay back and enjoy baby,” I say as I lower myself onto his length. The feeling takes my breath away. I moan with pleasure as he fills me. I slowly raise and lower my body until we are both breathless. His hands caress my breasts as I lean into his touch. I feel his body shift. He turns us around without breaking contact or missing a beat. I now lay beneath him. He pounds out a steady rhythm that brings me to the edge. I reach down to touch myself, knowing that a few strokes of my finger will get me to the place I want to go. He reaches for both of my legs and pulls them to his shoulders. He is now wholly inside in me. I feel him hit the deepest part of me. His mouth is slightly open, and he tilts his head back. If I had to describe ecstasy, I would describe his face at this exact moment. I continue to rub myself as he hammers into me. The telling tingle starts in my nipples and slowly seeps down my spine until my body shatters. I scream out his name as I throb around him.
“ Oh … God! ” he calls out. He lets my legs fall and collapses on top of me. I feel the pulse of his release as he empties himself into me. I drag my fingertips lightly across his back as he lets out a contented “Mmm.”