12. Temple
The water rolled and waved, crashing against the shore of the Amalfi Coast and sparkled under the setting sun. The only word I could use to describe this setting was—magical.
I had never seen anything like it.
I’d never been anywhere outside of the USA, and seeing a place I’d always wanted to visit in real time had me in total disbelief.
Three days after having dinner with my family, Solomon made sure he kept his promise and brought me to Milan. Since I didn’t have a passport, Solomon paid to have it expedited. It took seventy-two hours for it to arrive before we boarded a private jet and flew nine hours across the country.
My mind was reeling from a feeling I couldn’t explain. I was both nervous and excited, but most of all grateful for Solomon’s generosity.
While he was inside taking business calls, I sat out on the terrace of the Venetian home with a glass of champagne and strawberries, marveling over the picturesque views.
I picked up my phone from the table beside me and FaceTimed our sister group chat as promised.
Neither one of them let the call get a full ring before their faces popped up on the screen.
“Well damn. Did y’all have y’all phones in your hands, waiting for me to call?” I chuckled.
“And did!” Sapphire exclaimed, and we all laughed.
“What time is it there?” Toni asked.
“It’s three thirty-three p.m. here. We’re six hours ahead of you guys.”
“You know I don’t get up this early, but you’re across the world, so I had my phone near my pillow,” Toni said with a laugh. “Glad you landed safely though, Sis. Did y’all fly commercial?”
I shook my head and smiled. “A G5.”
“Biiitch! He got a brother? Cousin? Best friend? Hell, I’ll take a daddy or uncle!” Phire exclaimed.
“I couldn’t even tell you, babe. I haven’t even met his parents yet. I think they were at the fundraiser, but I don’t know what they look like.”
“I’m sure you’ll meet them soon if he’s talking marriage. Gotta know what you’re signing up for,” Toni said.
“Right. How do you feel about this, though? Do you see yourself settling down with him? He seems like a cool dude, and y’all do make the cutest couple,” Sapphire added.
“They do. I can tell he’s really into you, too.”
I sipped my champagne before I spoke. “I like him. A lot. He’s different from these other niggas that I’d encountered throughout my life, so that gives him a leg up, but I know how I am. I don’t want to taint him with my bad behavior.
“Like, I want to fuck him for even bringing me here to blow a bag on me. And not just because of that. He just makes me feel shit I never felt before. It’s crazy, and I can’t explain it.” I shrugged. “I don’t mind seeing where this goes, though.”
“Okuurrt! Throw that wham all in his face!” Sapphire exclaimed, bouncing her round ass in the camera.
“Whim Whamiee! Ayyee!” Toni hyped. I laughed and shook my head at them. I looked behind me to make sure he wasn’t near.
“Y’all are crazy. I’ll have to tell y’all why we’re even here in the first place another time. I’m about to go get him off this phone. He’s been taking calls since we got off the jet. I need some attention now.”
“Wait! Y’all about to elope?” Sapphire asked, face filled with shock.
“No, girl!” I laughed. “Not that I know of, but if he wants to marry me so we can do the nasty, then I’m here for it, because he is blessed and hiiighly favooored!” I sang.
Another round of laughs filled the receiver.
Toni queried in a hushed tone, “You saw it?”
“Not physically. But I can’t help but see that snake slithering down his leg.” I placed my hand on my chest and closed my eyes, imagining that thing filling me up.
“Mm, mm. I ain’t want to say nothing, but I saw that bulge in his slacks at the dinner,” Phire said, cheesing into the camera.
“Don’t be looking at my future baby daddy-husband’s dick, ho,” I scolded playfully.
“It was only a glance. Chill. He shouldn’t wear clothes he knows make it noticeable.”
“Mm-hmm, don’t make me jump on you.”
We laughed.
“I hope that man knows what he’s getting into with you. Your spoiled ass is about to drive that man crazy,” Toni noted.
I shrugged. “I’m sure he knows. I have to go though. I love y’all so much.”
“We love you too, babe. Take lots of vids and pics,” Sapphire said.
“Will do.” I blew them a kiss, ended the call, then stood and went in search of Solomon.
The two-story Venetian villa sat on a hill with beautiful green pastures and the ocean as its backdrop. The open concept of the villa gave a homely feel with red oakwood floors throughout.
I walked out of the bedroom I’d chosen and down the stairs where I’d last seen him in the great room.
I peeped inside and saw him sitting in the plush, high-back chair in front of the open patio doors.
The smell of salt water flowed through the air in the slight breeze that filtered through the room.
He was hunched over, looking down at what appeared to be a logbook while writing something down, the phone pressed to his ear.
“Aye, at this point, I’m tired of talking. I’m not your pops, so I’m not about to keep talking to you like you came from my nuts, my G. Turn in your badge and leave. You’re fired . . . straight like that. I wish you the best on your endeavors.” He hung up as another voice resounded from the laptop.
“You need us to do anything else on our end, sir?” the voice asked.
“Revoke his badge. I don’t want him nowhere near my business again. Troy, you’re now the HOS for the politics. Your team will be appointed to the mayor from now on.”
“Heard, sir.”
“I’ll contact Racheal to handle your raise.
Don’t disappoint me. Raph and Dom, y’all treading on thin ice with me.
I’m really starting to think you niggas playing on my top to get me to act out.
Y’all know I’m trying to live right, and I’ve been doing nothing but showing y’all the same grace and mercy my Father shows me.
I don’t even like calling you niggas, niggas, but it’s the only word I can use as a substitute and not feel bad about it.
“Stop playing with me before I get real stupid and lose my religion on y’all. As of now, you both are on probation. If y’all don’t clean y’all sh—acts up, y’all will be joining ya buddy Collin on the outside.”
“We hear you, sir.”
“Good. I’ll be off the grid for the next couple of days, so I won’t be available. Any issues you have, call Troy or Markel to handle it.”
“We got you, sir.”
He ended the video call and sat back, pinching the bridge of his nose, seemingly stressed. I walked inside and walked behind the chair, reaching over and massaging his shoulders.
I could feel his body relax as a smile grew on his face.
“You okay?” I asked.
“I will be,” he replied. He took my hand, kissed the back of it, then pulled me in front of him, guiding me onto his lap. “Sorry about that. It seems like as soon as I leave, my employees want to be stupid.”
“It’s okay. You had to handle your business. I’ve just been exploring and talking to my sisters while sipping on the expensive bottle of complimentary champagne.” I giggled.
He smiled. “Well, I’m all yours for the next four days.” I wiggled my brows at him as he chuckled. “Stop playing with me, Beauty. You promised you’d behave.”
I laughed. “I didn’t even say anything.”
“Your expressions and body language tell me everything I need to know.”
“I’ll try to keep it down. You promised me something, too, and you hadn’t delivered yet.”
His brows dipped in confusion. “Did I? I don’t usually make promises and not keep them, beautiful. I’ll correct it if I did.”
“You promised me a kiss once we got settled.”
His face relaxed, and a light smile formed. “I didn’t promise, baby. I made you a deal that I’d consider it. You’re very impatient, I see.”
“And I am. I feel like you’re making me beg at this point.” I playfully rolled my eyes.
Please kiss me. I need to feel some . . .
Before I could finish the thought, he wrapped four fingers around the back of my neck and brought my face to him. I was only expecting a peck or two, but his tongue slid across my bottom lip before capturing it. Time seemed to stand still as he kissed me . . .
Slow.
Sensual.
Intentional.
My nipples pressed against the fabric of my cotton camisole, and clit pulsed like fingers drumming on a tabletop.
His tongue explored my mouth in ways I couldn’t describe as air filtered from my nose.
I didn’t remember straddling his lap, but I could feel his dick pressing into where I desperately wanted him to enter.
My hips swayed back and forth, feeling the friction, and I moaned into his mouth.
When I thought he would stop me because we were now treading into unholy territory, his arms came around my waist, holding me while he continued to assault my mouth with his skilled tongue.
“Mmmm,” I moaned, hips moving in circles and gaining a rhythm. I could feel myself on the brink of a climax, and he still didn’t stop me. I felt like a horny dog humping his lap, but at this point, it was too late.
Then . . .
He pulled those soft lips away from me, kissing my jawline and neck until he whispered deep and softly in my ear. “I smell her cumming for me. Let it go, mamas. I hate leaving food on my plate. This is the first and last time I’ll ever let it go to waste.”
Shit.
“Lo, baby,” I breathed out as my forehead landed on his shoulder.
He growled into my ear, making me move faster against him. “Do your thing, mama. I promise before the ink dries, you gon’ wish you had been patient.”
That growl, those words, and the friction had my body vibrating from the climax that ripped through me.
How the fuck did he do that?
Why did I just do that?
Oh, my goodness. I’m a thirsty, horny bitch.
My cheeks heated from embarrassment as I kept my head tucked in the crook of his neck, trying to slow my breathing. He rubbed my back in circles while kissing my shoulder.
“You good?” he asked after a moment of silence passed. I shook my head. “What’s wrong, baby? Talk to me.” His voice was soothing.
“I’m so embarrassed.”
He chuckled. “Don’t be. You needed that, and before I let that H&M shopping nigga handle that, I knew I would have to accommodate you somehow.”
I lifted my head with a smile on my face, but kept my head low, avoiding eye contact with him.
“I don’t know how you’re going to deal with me. I’m a mess.”
“My mess.” He placed his finger under my chin to lift my head. “My beautiful mess to keep it a buck. Don’t sweat it, baby. Big Homie ain’t through with me yet.” He pecked my lips then lifted from the chair, still holding on to me. “Let’s get cleaned up. The chef will be here in another hour.”
I nodded, and he carried me all the way up to my room. When he set me on the bed, I could see the wet spot I left behind and that thick log straining to get out of those briefs and joggers he wore.
“I can take care of that for you,” I told him.
He chuckled and leaned down to kiss my lips. “You’ve done enough, my love. Get showered and dressed. I’ll see you in a bit.”
I smirked and watched him walk out of the room.
Way to go, stupid. With your freak ass.
An hour later, I was dressed in a simple black maxi dress and black sandals. I pulled my hair up in a messy bun since we would be staying in for dinner. I headed downstairs and into the kitchen, where Solomon told me to meet him.
When I entered, Solomon and the chef stood at the kitchen counter looking over some paper.
Before I could announce my arrival, Solomon’s eyes came to me, and I could see a hint of lust in his eyes. He lifted his palm to summon me, and I walked over with a smile.
He dropped a kiss on my lips. “You look beautiful.”
I blushed. “Thank you.”
“Baby, this is Chef Marcille Giani. He’s going to help us prepare our meal for this evening. Chef Giani, this is the beautiful Temple.”
“Pleasure to meet you, mia signora,” he said, holding his palm out to me.
I accepted. “You as well . . . wait. Are you the Marcille Giani? The celebrity chef? The one who featured on the Food Network USA?”
He smiled wide. “Sí. Good eye.” He winked.
“Oh my goodness. I loved watching your season.”
“I am very humbled. Now you get to experience it in person.”
I beamed. This was crazy work. No way did Solomon know a world-renowned chef to invite him to teach us one of his recipes.
Who is this man?
Solomon may have been on this righteous journey, but his demeanor, aura, and clearly deep pockets gave me the impression he wasn’t just an ex-cop.
It was then I realized I needed to find out everything I needed to know while on this trip.
If he wanted to take me as a wife and make an honest woman out of me, then there were some things I needed to know before I said I do.