Precious Stones Read online

  He smiled and said, “I’m a Northern boy, so I know all about building fires.”

  Tori sat the tray of coffee down on the coffee table and said, “That’s right. You’re from Chi-town.”

  He smiled as he poured two cups of coffee and handed one to her before sitting.

  She crossed her legs and said, “Thanks, Chi-town.”

  He nodded and asked, “Sugar and cream?”

  “I can’t wait,” she mischievously replied as she held her cup out to him.

  Kyle chuckled and added two scoops of sugar and some cream to her coffee and then to his own. He leaned back against the sofa and took a sip of the steaming hot beverage. “This is delicious.”

  “I thought it would be a nice nightcap after all that liquor the Stones poured down our throats,” she said with a giggle. “Besides, I would worry about you driving home if you didn’t get some caffeine in your system.”

  Now it was his time to blush, and when he did, it revealed two sexy dimples.

  “Where is that music coming from?” he asked.

  “It’s my satellite radio. I turned it on before I brought the coffee in.”

  “You like jazz, huh?”

  “Smooth jazz. My dad was in a jazz band when I was growing up. He plays the sax. I’ve been in love with it ever since.”

  “That’s cool. Is he still playing?”

  “Just for my mom,” she answered.

  “He sounds like a romantic.”

  “He is. I learned a lot by watching my mom and dad interact.”

  Kyle couldn’t take it any longer. Sitting next to her, looking into her sultry eyes, seeing her sexy legs, and watching her luscious lips, was driving him crazy. Tori was a beautiful, sexy woman, and it was obvious that she was nurturing as well, which was one of the traits he desired in his woman. He sat his cup on the coffee table and then took her cup out of her hand, placing it down as well. Then, without hesitation, he put his arm around her shoulders and covered her lips with his, giving her a long, slow heated kiss.

  What pleased him even more was that Tori welcomed his kiss, molding her body into his, and when the couple finally came up for air, Tori gazed into his handsome eyes and whispered, “Wow.”

  He caressed her face and said, “I second that.”

  Tori showered his face, neck, and lips with tender, soft kisses. He smelled wonderful, and his hands were so soft, yet manly.

  “Kyle?” she whispered.

  “Yes?” he answered as he hugged her tight against his chest.

  “Spend the night with me,” she whispered as she nibbled on his lips.

  “Are you serious?” he asked as his heart pounded in his chest.

  She laid her head on his chest and listened to the rapid beating of his heart. “I’ve never been more serious than I am right now.”

  Kyle caressed Tori’s back and gave her a tender kiss on the forehead. Seconds later she stood and took his hand in hers.

  “Let’s go upstairs, where we can get more comfortable.”

  “I’d love to, but we can’t leave the fire burning like this. It’s not safe.”

  She put her hands on her hips and said, “Okay. What do you suggest?”

  “Well, we could camp out here until the fire burns itself out.”

  Tori smiled and said, “I haven’t done this since I was a little girl at my granny’s house in Mississippi, but it could be fun. I’ll go get the linens, if you don’t mind moving the coffee table over by the bookcase.”

  “I don’t mind at all,” he answered as he watched Tori disappear upstairs. After moving the table and a chair, he found himself in a predicament. He was at a disadvantage not knowing for sure if she wanted sex or just a sleeping companion for the evening. Then again, she did invite him upstairs and she had been very flirty, welcoming his advances, but he still didn’t know if he should strip. That was until Tori yelled down the stairs.

  “Kyle, I’ll be there in a second. Make yourself comfortable, and I’ll bring you a hanger for your clothes.”

  Bingo! There it was. She wanted him out of his clothes, but he still didn’t want to be too presumptuous, so he stripped down only to his T-shirt and boxer briefs.

  She reappeared with her arms full with two comforters. She tossed them on the floor and stared at Kyle’s well-toned physique. He had large, muscular thighs; a round, firm backside; and strong, broad shoulders. She swallowed hard and asked, “How’s your back, Chi-town ?”

  “My back is fine, Mississippi,” he answered with a chuckle as he spread the comforters on the floor.

  Tori giggled and said, “Good, because I don’t want this little camping trip to have you in pain in the morning. Oh! I forgot the pillows. I’ll be right back.”

  Kyle watched as she sprinted back up the stairs. Tori was shapely in her pink pajama pants and matching tank top. She had a runner’s body, and he couldn’t wait to enjoy it. Her midsection was exposed, and he noticed she had a pierced belly button, which instantly turned him on. Her toned body showed that she obviously worked out, but she was still feminine.

  “Down, boy. Not yet,” he whispered to himself as his lower region began to stir.

  “Heads up!” she yelled as she tossed two pillows across the room to Kyle. She brought two more for herself and dropped them on the floor. She hugged his waist, then gave him a kiss and said, “Kyle, I hope you don’t think I’m being too aggressive with you.”

  He smiled and said, “No, I think you’re fine. To be honest, I love receiving all this affection, and just for the record, I’ve been struggling to restrain myself with you.”

  She nuzzled her face against his warm neck and said, “You don’t have to restrain yourself, Kyle. I want to be with you. I really do.”

  Kyle cupped her face and covered her lips with his as they eased down on the soft comforters without breaking contact. As she lay before him, he was still reluctant to make any sexual advances, so Tori did it for him. She pulled her tank top over her head, exposing her full breasts. Needing no more confirmation, he reached over and covered them with his large hands and gently caressed her. Her breathing became slow and deep with his caress, and when he slowly covered her brown peaks with his mouth, she let out a soft, breathy moan. Her moans become louder as he tenderly feasted upon her.

  “Kyle?” she softly called out to him.

  He looked her in the eyes and answered, “Yes, baby?”

  She opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out. Her eyes told him everything he needed to know, and he wasn’t going to let her down. With the fire crackling beside them and the warm flames kissing their skin, Kyle grabbed the waistband of her pajamas and pulled them down over her hips, leaving her totally exposed before him. She was stunning. He pulled his T-shirt over his head and removed his briefs, giving her a bird’s-eye view of his throbbing manhood. She gasped and then closed her eyes with anxious anticipation, but he didn’t want to rush the moment. He applied protection and then moved between her thighs. He gazed into her beautiful, teary brown eyes.

  “This is your last chance to back out. Are you sure about this?”

  She wrapped her arms around his neck and said, “I let you undress me, didn’t I?”

  He chuckled and said, “That’s true. I guess I’m a little nervous. It’s been a while for me.”

  “Kyle, I have to tell you that it’s been a while for me too, so I’m a little nervous too, but I never wanted to be with a man as much as I want to be with you. I know we haven’t known each other long, but I’ve never felt closer to any man before you,” she revealed before kissing him.

  That was all he needed to hear as he proceeded to kiss her lips and neck. He lingered at her breasts, her belly button, and then finally found the prize he was looking for. He flicked his tongue a few times against her pulsating nub, causing her to wither and moan loudly. His sensual torture went on for several seconds, until he completely devoured her.

  “Kyle, please,” she begged.

  He immediately moun
ted her and took them both on a heart-stopping, extremely explosive, yet sensual journey, causing them to lose control of their senses and inhibitions. Their erotic lovemaking went on for what seemed like hours. It was Tori who screamed first as her body shuddered hard beneath him. Her screams of satisfaction set off a chain reaction, causing him to grind his body into hers even harder, until his body stiffened, causing him to call out her name in complete fulfillment.

  Her body was fully charged by her new lover, and she hungered for more. She ran her tongue over his ear and whispered, “That was awesome, Kyle. Can we do it again?”

  With a huge smile on his face, he kissed her hard on the lips and said, “Your wish is my command. Just give me a minute to catch my breath.”

  Tori and Kyle shared intimate conversations between making passionate love. It was nearly four in the morning when the fire died down, and they eventually fell asleep in each other’s arms, completely exhausted.

  Chapter Thirteen

  It was a few days before Christmas, and the office was functioning with a skeleton crew. They had been able to reduce their staff because a lot of their clients were out of town visiting family. Ramsey and Keilah chose to throw a Christmas party for the staff and present them with well-deserved bonuses and gifts as the party wound down before leaving to go to the Stones’ family farm in North Carolina for Christmas.

  The security guard entered the break room and pulled Keilah to the side.

  “Excuse me, Keilah. You have a visitor at the front desk.”

  “Who is it?”

  “He said his name is Michael Monroe,” the security guard replied.

  Keilah immediately experienced an overwhelming feeling of anxiety. She had had no doubt that Michael would eventually return to see her. She hadn’t expected it to be during the holidays. She followed the security guard out to the reception area and greeted Michael.

  “What are you doing here, Michael?”

  “I didn’t mean to show up unannounced, but I felt like if I didn’t, you wouldn’t see me.”

  She folded her arms and said, “You could’ve called. What’s so important that you had to see me and talk face-to-face?”

  He glanced over at the security guard and said, “It’s personal.”

  Keilah gazed into Michael’s eyes and decided he looked like a wounded puppy. She never thought she would ever give him the time of day again, but for some reason, she felt like she needed to hear what he had to say so she could get some closure once and for all. She didn’t feel threatened by him, because she could take him down in an instant.

  “Okay, Michael, you have ten minutes,” she answered. She turned to the security guard and looked at her watch and said, “Trevor, log Mr. Monroe in on your sign-in sheet. Trevor, we won’t be long.”

  “Will do,” Trevor said before returning to his post.

  Michael followed Keilah down the hallway to her office. She was stunning in her designer jeans and waist-length brown leather jacket with matching boots. She escorted Michael to her office and invited him to have a seat.

  She sat down at her desk and gave him the floor. “Okay, Michael, what’s so important that you had to see me?”

  Michael let out a breath and said, “First, I want to apologize for everything that happened between us. I never meant to hurt you, and whether you want to believe it or not, I did love you.”

  “Apology accepted. What else?” she asked with urgency to move their conversation along.

  “Keilah, I did a lot of things with my life that I’m not happy with, especially when it came to my relationships. It was a mistake that I got into a relationship with a man, and I’m trying to right all the wrongs that I caused—”

  She sat up in her chair and interrupted him. “Why are you telling me all of this, Michael? I’ve moved on with my life, and you should move on as well.”

  “I couldn’t go on with my life knowing you hated me.”

  “I wasn’t raised to hate, Michael. I despised you, but I didn’t hate you, even though you had intentions to ruin my life.”

  He lowered his head and said, “I deserve that. I just wanted to let you know that I’m happy for you. Arhmelia told me you have a daughter too.”

  “We do,” she answered.

  “May I see a picture of her?” he asked.

  Keilah showed him the family picture she had on her desk and watched his expression.

  “She’s not yours, Michael, if that’s what you’re trying to insinuate. As you can see, she looks just like Ramsey.”

  He smiled and said, “You’re right, but you can’t hate a guy for holding out hope.”

  Keilah stood and said, “Well, you’re wasting your breath, and your ten minutes are up. I’m at peace over what happened between us. I’m happy now, and I would appreciate it if you wouldn’t come around here anymore.”

  Michael stood and said, “That’s understandable. I just needed some peace of mind in knowing that you forgive me. I won’t take up any more of your time.”

  She walked him back out to the reception area and said, “Good luck, Michael.”

  He turned to her and said, “One more thing.”

  “What is it?” she asked.

  “Some of the things that I’m trying to rectify might stir up some unfavorable attention. It could hit the media, and there’s a possibility that it could get ugly if it’s not settled quietly. If it comes down to an investigation, it could lead back to my relationship with you.”

  “What exactly are you talking about, Michael?”

  “I can’t say right now, but if you’re approached by any investigators I don’t want you to be caught off guard. I trust you to handle it any way you see fit.”

  At that moment Keilah felt a small amount of compassion for her ex-lover. He obviously had gone through some type of awakening while he was being held hostage, and she commended him for making amends in order to redeem himself.

  “Listen, Michael, however things turns out with whatever you’re dealing with, I’ll do what I can to help you.”

  He smiled and then leaned down and gave her a subtle kiss on the cheek just as Ramsey rounded the corner. “Thank you, Keilah. I appreciate that. I’ll get out of your hair now. Good-bye.”

  “Good-bye,” she answered as she watched him climb onto the elevator and the doors close.

  “What the hell is he doing here?” Ramsey asked with a frown on his face.

  She hugged his waist and said, “He came to apologize for everything that went down between us. I forgave him.”

  “I don’t want him around here anymore,” Ramsey proclaimed.

  She looked up at her husband and said, “Okay, boss. He won’t be back. Now kiss me.”

  Ramsey kissed his wife lovingly on the lips and said, “Let’s get out of here. We have a long drive ahead of us, and it’s supposed to snow. We need to pick up Neariah and Target from Camille’s house and then hit the road before we get snowed in.”

  “Okay, let’s tell the team good-bye so we can leave,” she replied.

  Ramsey and Keilah were enjoying their wonderful white Christmas with the Stones in their two-story ranch-style house, which sat on ten acres of prime farmland. Neariah was getting super spoiled by her grandparents and other relatives, and it was a welcomed change of pace from the couple’s busy schedule. They had been treated to some wonderful Southern food, and Target enjoyed running around on the Stones’ spacious farm. While there, Keilah spoke with all her brothers, sisters-in-law, and nieces and nephews on speakerphone Christmas Day because they were all together at her brother Roman’s house. She missed them but was thankful they had had a chance to be together on Thanksgiving.

  It was only eight o’clock, but Keilah was exhausted. She walked into the theatre room and found Ramsey, his dad, and his brother-in-law watching a football game.

  She wrapped her arms around Ramsey’s neck and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “Babe, I’m going to bed. I feel a little queasy.”

  He pulled her into h
is lap and felt her forehead. “You’re not coming down with anything, are you?”

  “I don’t think so. Maybe I just ate too much.”

  “Where’s the rug rat?”

  “She’s upstairs with her auntie Xenia.”

  Ramsey massaged her thighs and said, “I should’ve known. Keith, you’d better watch out. I think my sister’s ready to start a family.”

  His brother-in-law laughed and said, “I already know, bro.”

  Keith and Xenia had been married for about three years, and it was obvious that she was ready to have children of her own. Their careers were on track; Keith was an investment banker, and Xenia was a middle school principal.

  “Well, I think it’s time. Neariah needs someone to play with,” Keilah said as she crawled out of her husband’s lap.

  “Get some rest. I’ll be up later to check on you.”

  “Enjoy the game, boys. And, Pops, no more cigars tonight. You said you were cutting back,” Keilah said.

  Marion tucked the cigar back inside his humidor without responding.

  “Before I go upstairs, can I get you guys anything?” Keilah said.

  “Keilah, do you mind handing me another Corona?” Keith asked.

  “Sure. Pops, do you need anything?”

  Marion adjusted his recliner and said, “Yeah, my cigar.”

  “Well, because I love you and it’s Christmas, you can have one more, but that’s it for tonight.”

  With a smile of victory on his face, Marion pulled the cigar out of the humidor, ran it under his nose. “Keilah, I love you, but you’re getting worse than Valeria. Go to bed,” he said jokingly.

  Keilah giggled as she made her way into the kitchen and quickly returned with two Coronas. She handed one to Keith and then leaned down and gave Ramsey a good-night kiss before handing him the other beer.

  “Good night, babe.”

  “Good night.”

  Upstairs, the nauseous feeling hit Keilah’s stomach once again, which caused her to run into the bathroom. Whatever ailment she had, she didn’t want to pass it on to her family, so she hoped whatever it was that was making her sick would soon pass and she could get some sleep. After she had two glasses of club soda and some crackers, the sick feeling finally subsided.