Precious Stones Read online

  “Oh, don’t worry about it. It’s only juice,” Keilah said as she took the glass out of Tori’s hand.

  “Why are you drinking juice?”

  “Because it’s healthy.”

  “It’s New Year’s Eve, and you’re drinking juice and not champagne?”

  Keilah ignored Tori’s question for a few seconds as she took a couple of platters into the dining room. Then she turned to her friend and said, “I’m trying to cut back on my alcohol intake.”

  Tori burst into laughter. “You, the wine connoisseur, cut back on wine and champagne, and you chose New Year’s Eve to do it? Yeah, that will be the day,” she said as she arranged more food items on the table. “That doesn’t even sound right.”

  “Don’t worry. I’ll have some champagne at the stroke of midnight.”

  Keilah hoped she was able to get Tori off the subject, because if she gave her enough time to think about it, she would definitely put two and two together. The last thing she wanted to do was reveal her pregnancy to their friends before telling their families.

  “Dinner’s ready!” Keilah called out to her guests from the dining room, and it was just in the nick of time.

  Neil held out the chair for his date and said, “It smells good in there. What’s cooking, Keilah?”

  “Well, I have prime rib, garlic potatoes, black-eyed peas, salad, and a few other goodies.”

  Neil patted his stomach. “That’s why I love coming over here. You’re a California girl, but you can cook like you’re a Southern girl.”

  Keilah put her napkin in her lap and said, “Thank you, Neil. Ramsey, will you bless the food please?”

  Ramsey took her hand in his, kissed the back of it, and said, “Yeah, because I’m ready to get my grub on.”

  During dinner the friends talked about their plans for the coming year, Tori and Kyle’s marriage, and the happenings around D.C. Before they knew it, midnight was upon them, and as a group they counted down to a brand-new year and began to shower their spouses and lovers with kisses. Ramsey couldn’t stop himself from placing his hand over Keilah’s abdomen.

  He leaned down to her ear and whispered, “Happy New Year, Mrs. Stone. I love you.”

  She nuzzled his neck and then looked up into his dark brown eyes and said, “I love you too, Ramsey.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  Michael brought the New Year in with strangers in a D.C. bar. As he drank the complimentary champagne and watched the celebration in Times Square on the TV, a beautiful woman in a red dress, who looked like she was Creole, walked over to him and asked, “Is anyone sitting here?”

  He looked into her mesmerizing green eyes and said, “No, it’s all yours.”

  The woman took a seat and quickly ordered a mojito. She turned to Michael and said, “Happy New Year.”

  Michael raised his glass to her without responding.

  “Are you here with anyone?” she asked as she glanced at his full lips.

  “No, just enjoying the festivities,” he replied.

  She crossed her legs, giving him a full view. “I came with my girlfriends, but it looks like they have all abandoned me and hooked up,” she said as she pointed to a nearby table.

  Michael could care less about her friends. It was her shapely legs that caught his eye.

  “A woman as beautiful as you shouldn’t have any problem finding a date, either.”

  She giggled and gave his bicep a flirty squeeze. “You’re sweet, and you look very familiar. Have we ever met before?”

  “Not that I remember,” he answered casually as he took another sip of champagne.

  She took a sip of her mojito and shook her head and said, “No, I never forget a face. This bar is usually a hangout for journalists and people in the political arena, but I must say you don’t look like either, and I have to admit ... I love a good mystery.”

  Michael laughed before finishing off his drink and said, “That will make you a journalist, huh?”

  She smiled and said, “Touché. Well, actually, I’m a freelance writer for a local magazine, so I wouldn’t call myself a journalist.”

  Michael pulled out a fifty-dollar bill, handed it to the bartender, and said, “Thanks for the drink. This should be enough to take care of her drink and whatever else she wants.”

  “Thanks,” she said seductively as she took his hand in hers. “You’re not leaving, are you?”

  He smiled and said, “I would love to stick around, but it’s been a long day.”

  “But the night is young, and the party’s just beginning. I wish you would stay a while longer.”

  He gave her a kiss on the cheek and said, “Happy New Year ...”

  “Madeline,” she said, to finish his sentence. “Madeline Savoi.”

  He gave her hand a gentle shake and said, “Well, Madeline, my name is Michael Monroe, and it was nice meeting you. I hope you have a great rest of the night.”

  Madeline watched as he disappeared in the crowd of inebriated revelers.

  As he walked through the crowded room, he thought about Keilah and the special place she held in his heart. He really did care deeply for her and wished he could turn back the hands of time and do things differently when he was dating her. After stepping outside the bar, he closed his coat tighter as the cold night air swirled around him.

  “Sir, do you need a cab?” the valet asked.

  Before he could answer, he was interrupted by a soft voice.

  “I’ll split a cab with you, Michael.”

  He turned to find the exotic beauty he had just met standing behind him. He turned around and smiled.

  “Where are you headed?” she asked.

  “Spring Valley. What about you?”

  “I live in Bethesda,” she revealed as she linked her arm with his. “We’re practically neighbors.”

  “In that case, maybe we can split a cab,” Michael replied as he motioned to the valet to hail a cab. “Aren’t your friends going to miss you?”

  She snuggled closer to him in the chilly night air as they waited for the valet to wave over a cab.

  “They’re too preoccupied with their hookups. I sent them a text and told them I was leaving.”

  “Then I guess we should get out of here,” Michael replied.

  Twenty minutes later, Michael and Madeline found themselves intertwined in the sheets in his bed, throwing caution to the wind. Michael knew he was long overdue for some sexual healing, so if making love to a gorgeous stranger was going to satisfy his needs, so be it. He couldn’t believe how limber and acrobatic Madeline was. She was doing things he’d seen only on TV, and it turned him on like he’d never been turned on before. He wondered how he could get so lucky to meet a woman with no inhibitions. Her hands, mouth, and body were all over him, and she had his heart pounding in his chest as he did his best to keep up with her.

  “Michael, you taste so good,” she whispered as she ran her tongue across his chest.

  He grabbed fistfuls of her dark, wavy auburn hair and playfully smacked her on her beautiful bronzed backside. “You’re an amazing woman, Madeline.”

  She winked at him, then softly replied, “Baby, you haven’t begun to enjoy what I’m capable of. Hold on, Michael. I’m getting ready to take you on the ride of your life.”

  He kissed her hard on her rosy lips and said, “Go for it, baby.”

  Madeline licked her lips and slowly made her way down the length of his long, lean body until she found exactly what she was looking for, and ever so slowly engulfed his thick, pulsating manhood. The sounds coming out of Michael surprised even him. He didn’t know who this woman was, but whoever she was, she was an expert in sexual pleasure. Never in his life had he felt the type of sensations she was able to give him, and just maybe this was the type of healing he needed to overcome his dreary past. She seemed happy to give Michael all her attention, but he was a gentleman, and a woman with these types of skills needed to be rewarded, so he decided it was time to return the favor.

 
“Madeline, come here, baby.”

  Michael flipped her over onto her back and parted her thighs. She closed her eyes and caressed her breasts as he flicked his tongue against her flesh and partook of her sweet nectar. She squirmed against him as her sighs and moans got louder and louder. Breathlessly she called out his name, praising him on his performance, and guided him to her most sensitive spots.

  Michael’s body was on fire and ready for the luscious main course lying before him. He kissed his way up her trembling body and lowered his hips into her hot, moist abyss and made love to her vigorously and methodically. Michael could see the strain on Madeline’s face with each thrust. He was out of control now and began to release all his frustration, anger, and pent-up lust on her firm, curvaceous body. Madeline’s fingernails clawed Michael’s back and hips as he hit a very potent G-spot, which caused Madeline to let out a loud scream just as her body exploded with her sensual release. Michael followed, letting out a loud baritone groan before collapsing on top of her.

  The next morning Michael eased out of bed and slipped into his briefs and T-shirt. He couldn’t help but stare at the sleeping beauty lying in his bed. He noticed a fleur-de-lis symbol tattooed on her ankle. That all but confirmed to him that she was Creole and was probably born and raised in the New Orleans area. Nonetheless, she was beautiful and had a fiery personality and sexuality to go along with it.

  Michael carefully closed the bedroom door so as not to wake his guest, then made his way downstairs to the kitchen. He had no idea if this was going to be a one-night stand or something meaningful, but now he wanted to treat her to a delicious breakfast of crisp bacon, sausage links, fresh fruit, eggs, and homemade waffles, along with coffee and orange juice. It wasn’t long afterward that Madeline followed the mouth-watering aroma downstairs. When she entered the kitchen, she was barefoot and was dressed in Michael’s dress shirt, and her wavy hair was slightly tousled.

  She climbed into a seat at the bar and said, “This smells delicious. Do you need any help?”

  “No, I got everything under control,” he said as he washed his hands. “Did you sleep well?”

  She blushed and said, “Like a baby, thanks to you.”

  “Would you like coffee or orange juice?” he asked as he held up a glass and a coffee cup.

  “Coffee for now, thank you,” she replied as she looked around the room and admired his decor. It was clear he had an eclectic sense of style with a masculine touch.

  Michael poured coffee into two cups and gave her the creamer and sugar. As she stirred her coffee, their eyes met.

  She smiled. “I appreciate you helping me bring in the New Year. It was the most amazing night of my life.”

  He took a sip of his coffee, and with a huge smile on his face, he answered, “I would have to agree with you on that one. You are an amazing woman.”

  She crossed her legs and said, “You brought it out in me, Michael. I don’t know what it is about you, but I feel like I’ve known you for years, and I want you to know that I’ve never spent the night with a stranger before, but for some reason, I feel extremely safe and comfortable with you. I like you, Michael.”

  Michael sat their plates on the kitchen table and said, “This was out of character for me as well, but I’m glad we met, and I hope I get to see you again.”

  She opened his shirt and gave him a full view of her shapely nude body and asked, “You mean like this?”

  He nearly dropped the carafe of orange juice when he laid eyes on her fabulous body. She giggled and then buttoned the shirt back up.

  “Your reaction was priceless, Michael.”

  Michael held Madeline’s chair out for her so she could sit down. “You never cease to amaze me. I almost swallowed my damn tongue.”

  Before sitting, she wrapped her arms around his neck and gave him a long, passionate kiss on the lips. Michael’s hands gripped her backside and pulled her flush against his body. Once they broke their kiss, Michael blew out a breath of satisfaction.

  He took his seat across from her and said, “You have soft lips. I could kiss you all day.”

  She giggled again. Madeline’s actions and comments had made it perfectly clear that she was smitten with him and was ready to take their relationship forward.

  After breakfast, she helped him with the dishes, and then the couple headed back upstairs, where they spent the rest of the afternoon in bed, getting to know each other and making love. It was nearly five in the afternoon when they finally showered and got dressed. Before driving Madeline home, Michael took her out for a romantic dinner, during which they continued to get to know each other. At the end of dinner they exchanged numbers and agreed to see each other again soon. Michael dropped Madeline off at her modest home and walked her to the door.

  He pulled her into his arms and said, “I hope I haven’t taken up too much of your time.”

  She snuggled up to him and said, “My time with you was well spent, and I’d do it again in a heartbeat. I can’t wait to see you again.”

  He tilted her chin upward and gave her a firm, sultry kiss on the lips.

  She pressed her hips against his and asked, “Do you want to come in?”

  “I’d love to, Madeline, but I have a meeting first thing in the morning that I can’t miss,” he revealed. “I’ll call you when I finish and maybe we can get together then. Okay?”

  She took his hand and placed it between her legs and said, “I’ll be waiting.”

  He chuckled and gave her one more kiss before returning to his car. The entire drive home he couldn’t get Madeline off his mind. That was until he pulled into his driveway and found the words You’re Going To Pay! Fake-Ass Bitch spray painted in large black letters on his driveway.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Ramsey paced the floor as he and Keilah waited for Michael to arrive.

  “He’s late.”

  “No, he’s not,” she responded as she went over various reports on her laptop. “He said he would be here. He’ll be here.”

  “Am I the only one upset about this?”

  She looked up at him and said, “No, but you’re the only one who’s going to have a stroke over it.”

  Ramsey sat down behind his desk and exhaled. “I’m telling you now, if he says one thing to piss me off, I’m going to be on his ass quicker than lightning.”

  Keilah closed the lid of her laptop and said, “No, you’re not. He was really surprised by this, and I think we need to hear him out before drawing any conclusions.”

  Just as Ramsey opened his mouth to speak, the receptionist called to alert them to their guest’s arrival. Ramsey hung up the telephone, then hurried down the hallway to meet Michael. When Michael glimpsed Ramsey’s face, he could see the stress, but he held out his hand, anyway, to greet him.

  “Hello, Ramsey. I’m sorry we have to meet under these circumstances.”

  Ramsey frowned. “So am I. Therefore, you have to understand why I don’t want to shake your hand. What I really want to do is throw your ass through the wall for causing us all the drama. I’m still pissed over the things you did to Keilah, but since she’s forgiven you, I’m trying to exercise restraint.”

  “I understand,” Michael replied. “And I don’t blame you. However, I hope at some point you’ll learn to forgive me too.”

  Ramsey motioned for him to follow him down the hallway. “Keilah’s waiting in my office.”

  Michael followed Ramsey down the hallway to his office. After greeting Keilah, he took a seat while Ramsey instructed his assistant to hold all calls. Ramsey closed the door, sat down at his desk, and immediately started drilling him about the journalist. Keilah put her hands up to interrupt him.

  “Wait a second, baby. Let me do this. You’re way too emotional.”

  Michael crossed his leg over his knee and said, “It’s okay, Keilah, I understand why Ramsey’s so upset. I would be, too, if I was in his shoes.”

  “You don’t know the half of it, Michael,” she replied. “Listen,
all we want to know is why that journalist would show up with all these questions about our relationship. He knew a lot of intimate details about us, especially about me catching you in bed with that man. Who have you been talking to, Michael?”

  With a scowl on his face, Michael answered, “I haven’t been talking to anyone. I don’t discuss my personal business with anyone.”

  “Then why did you warn me about investigators?” Keilah asked.

  “I don’t know where this is coming from. I was warning you about the possibility of military investigators approaching you.”

  “Why would military investigators want to talk to Keilah?” Ramsey asked.

  “Because I’ve filed sexual abuse charges against the commander of my military academy for molesting me when I was fourteen,” Michael revealed, his face in his hands.

  Keilah and Ramsey were both stunned. They had no idea Michael had suffered through such a horrible ordeal. While no one deserved to be taken advantage of, especially a child, they were still upset that they could be dragged into all his drama.

  “I’m sorry that happened to you, Michael, but why now?” Keilah asked.

  Michael looked into her eyes and said, “While I was being held hostage in Iraq, I had a lot of time to think about my life. That man is the source of my troubled relationships and the main reason I’ve been so confused about my sexuality, and I want my life back, so I started at the source.”

  “That still doesn’t explain why military investigators will come here,” Ramsey pointed out.

  “And they probably won’t,” Michael explained. “I only mentioned it so you and Keilah would be prepared just in case they did show up. Listen, this lieutenant colonel is going to do anything to fight for his reputation, and he’ll try to discredit me because his career is at stake. Investigators from the academy might want to talk to anyone I’ve been involved with. The strange thing is that I had just finished up my deposition when you called me the other day. The investigation is in the beginning stages, so I don’t believe that journalist is related to my complaint at the academy.”