A Tempting Proposal (Kimani Romance) (12 page)

When he didn’t continue, Imani realized that he wanted to give her a chance to continue speaking. But she wanted to learn more about Daman.

“Did your father make you feel the same way?”

“More or less. My father was a very determined man, and my mother is always very supportive. At a young age, they provided me with the tools they believed I would need to succeed. My father was big on integrity, and he made sure I realized that success has to be earned. No one will hand you your dreams on a silver platter, and throughout his journey for success, he never stepped on anyone’s toes to achieve his dreams. He always kept his integrity and never once changed his character to satisfy another individual.” Daman’s voice tensed slightly as if reflecting on a bad memory.

Imani caught the edge in his voice.

“What’s wrong?”

After a few minutes, Imani wondered if Daman would answer her question. When he began speaking, his comforting eyes grew distant and serious.

“I remember being in the hospital after my father’s car crash, listening to the doctors tell my mother and me that they couldn’t stop the internal bleeding. I didn’t even stay in the hallway long enough to listen to the doctor explain how many hours we had left with him. There were a lot of things rushing through my mind that day, but the one that hit me the hardest was the fact that I’d just received my undergraduate degree and it was a day before my father would make me a permanent full-time employee at Barker Architecture. I’d worked there since I was sixteen so I knew the company better than most of the employees. Officially becoming a member of the executive team at such a young age was an honor and an experience I was excited to share with my father.”

As Imani listened to Daman talk, she couldn’t recall ever hearing a story that related to hers so closely. Both had lost a loved one earlier than expected and by the tone in Daman’s voice, he was still dealing with the loss like she was.

“My mother couldn’t even bear to tell my father right away so when we walked into his hospital room, she just broke down and cried. I watched my father gather all his strength to console her in a tight hug. As I looked into his eyes, I could tell he knew he didn’t have much longer. The crazy thing is, I didn’t even cry that day. I felt like I had to cry, but not one tear came out. It was almost as if I was watching someone else’s life and not my own.”

“I know the feeling,” Imani added as she twirled her hand in soft circles on his shoulder.

Daman pulled her even closer to the fit of him. “How did Gamine pass away again?”

Imani sighed. “She passed away in her sleep. We aren’t sure what caused her death. During that time, the family members who wanted to know what caused her death outweighed the family members that didn’t.”

“That’s terrible,” Daman replied. “Not knowing what caused her death. Do you feel like you’re missing a piece of an unsolved puzzle?”

It baffled Imani how close Daman was to the truth. “All the time,” Imani answered. “Gamine and I were extremely close, but the day she died there was no time to dwell on my pain or ask God why it happened. My family was enduring a lot of anguish, and the initial shock was still present on each of their faces. I needed to remain strong that day and questioning grieving relatives who didn’t want an autopsy wasn’t an option I entertained. My parents were against it, as well, which made the decision even harder to accept. Gamine was my mother’s world, and it pained me to see her taking Gamine’s death so much harder than any of her siblings.”

Her voice staggered as she thought about her mom and other relatives on the day Gamine passed away. Her father’s disposition still disheartened her when she thought about him that day.

“My father was the first person to tell me the news. I remember him constantly rubbing a hand across the back of his neck, as if he were straining to find the right words. He was shaking his head and exhaling, the tension emanating from his body. My father always knew what to say, but during that moment, he clearly strained to find the right words. Just like your mom was with your dad.”

Daman only offered a small smile, but his eyes reflected understanding.

“My sister didn’t say much that day. We embraced and she cried softly on my shoulder, but like I said the other day, she was pretty withdrawn. The only statement she said to me was to look at my grandfather. One look at the man and I’d known why my sister had prompted me to pay attention. We knew my grandfather was devastated, yet his pain was hidden behind a stoic mask. He’s always been a man of few words so he remained silent most of the day. But those who knew him well could see the agony, distress and disbelief behind the mask. For him, the sun rose and set in Gamine. That day, we all grieved for a mother, a grandmother and a friend, but my grandfather lost the love of his life.”

Although his face remained normal, Imani felt Daman tense and she took note that he’d stopped rubbing her arm, and instead clenched the sheet into his fist. On instinct, Imani placed her hand over his clenched fist and began massaging out the tension until he released the sheet. She watched him look down at his hand, then back up at her face. She didn’t know what was wrong or how she’d triggered that emotion from him, but she wanted to put him back at ease.

She pulled his face closer to hers and placed a soft kiss on his lips. He returned her kiss and pulled her even closer to him.

“Thanks,” Daman said after the kiss ended. “I needed that.”

“Is everything okay?” Imani asked, observing the lines of stress that were creased in his forehead.

He looked into her eyes and sighed. “When my dad passed away, I grew extremely close to my uncle Frank. He’s the president of Barker Architecture, and he took me under his wing, treating me like the son he never had.”

Daman paused and ran his hand down his face. “Recently, I’ve learned that he’s not the man I thought he was and may be a threat to Barker Architecture. It feels like I lost another person I love. Another mentor and father figure.”

He stopped talking again and looked Imani straight in the eyes. “Physically, I lost a father. Mentally, I lost my mom for a while over the devastation of losing my father. And now, I’ve lost my uncle. It seems the people I tend to love most are the ones I lose first.”

Imani knew it was hard for Daman to open up so she was glad he was expressing himself to her. She was curious about his uncle, but she didn’t want to push the subject.
Is he trying to warn me that he will never care for a woman that deeply?

She was pretty sure he was doing just that. “I understand,” Imani said, rubbing her hand on his cheek, wanting to bring him comfort.

“There are two things my dad told me when he was dying,” Daman said after a few minutes of silence. “He wanted me to take care of Barker Architecture by continuing to make the company prosperous. I’ve been working toward that since he passed away, but this year I’ve really invested more time into figuring out every past and present detail about the company.”

“What was the second thing?” Imani asked when he didn’t continue. His eyes softened a little before he answered.

“The second thing he asked me to do was purchase the estate on the lake.” Imani’s heart dropped at the mention of the estate. “He didn’t tell me why, but he also knew he didn’t need to. There was no way I wasn’t fulfilling his wish. That still stands true.”

She debated with the idea of telling Daman her reason for wanting the estate and decided she could be truthful as well.

“A few months before Gamine passed away she was bugging me every week about the estate with the lake view that was owned by Mr. and Mrs. Sims. She told me the estate was perfect for me and would hold all the answers I’d been searching for. I never really paid it any attention until she passed away, and suddenly I felt more lost than I ever had in my entire life.”

She thought she would see surprise on Daman’s face, but instead she saw understanding. She snuggled into his arms and rested her head under his chin. Both of them wanted the estate and neither knew what they were actually searching for. But she wouldn’t give up, and she was pretty sure Daman wouldn’t, either.

As she lay in the arms of the only person standing in the way of her owning the estate, she reflected on the past few years of her life. Talking to Daman made her face issues within herself that she’d been struggling to pinpoint for years. In the process of her trying to fill Gamine’s shoes, she’d lost sight of who she was as a woman. She’d lost touch of her sensuality and her desire to belong to one man for the rest of her life. She’d become consumed with her idea of being the ideal family member and friend, not once taking the time for herself.

She’d placed her life on hold the day Gamine passed away, and the only solution she knew would work was purchasing the estate and seeing if it brought her the closure she needed.

“I wonder if there is anyone else in the world who remembers the exact moment their life stood still,” Imani said aloud. “I remember my moment to the second.” She sat upright in the bed and crossed her legs, facing Daman. “The day we lost Gamine, after I consoled my family members and friends, I sat on a chair in the corner of my grandfather’s home and counted to ten several times. My body felt weightless, my heart ached beyond measure and my mind was racing with the fear of what was to come. I grew numb, not believing that without warning my life had changed in an instant.”

She glanced out the window and then back at Daman. “Don’t you think it’s unusual that a moment so sad and tragic has defined my life so far more than any accomplishments I’ve made?”

Daman leaned up in bed on one elbow. “It may not be normal, but now that you’ve heard my story, you know there’s at least one other person who understands exactly how you feel.” With that, he pulled her onto him for another sweet and tender kiss.

Chapter 18

T
he Burrstone barbecue was in full swing and Imani was a nervous wreck. She had successfully avoided Daman since their rendezvous in St. Simons Island. She thought not seeing him for a couple weeks would be enough time to steer her back into reality, but today she wasn’t so sure.

Daman had invited her to go with him to Atlanta to check on things, but she lied and told him she was too busy at work. Truthfully, she wasn’t busy at all, but the less they saw of each other, the better. She still hadn’t quite gotten hold of her emotions.

Her pink maxi dress swayed slightly in the wind as she walked into her grandfather’s huge backyard. She quickly scanned the attendees to make sure Daman hadn’t arrived yet. Confirming that he hadn’t, she was able to admire the great job she and her cousins had done planning the barbecue. The grandchildren were really starting to step it up in her family, and she was proud of all of them.

“Hey, Imani. Is your man here yet?”

Imani turned her head and rolled her eyes, but Cyd seemed indifferent and unfazed by the look.

“Seriously, Cyd, would it kill you and everyone else to stop with the teasing and leave well enough alone? He is not my man. We’re just...”

“Business partners. I know, I know. Please don’t tell me for the hundredth time. You’ve got to lighten up because it’s not that serious. How many times do I need to tell you that?”

Cyd smiled at Imani as she gave her a quick hug.

Imani sighed and returned her smile. “You’re right. I’m overreacting.”

She returned Cyd’s hug, and the two continued into the house to meet with the female family and friends who usually gathered in the beautiful sunroom Gamine had created. Her grandmother always felt like the den was the men’s domain and that the women of the family and neighborhood should have their own domain, as well.

“Have you seen Mom and Dad yet?”

“Nope. But Mom texted me that they were on their way. And I should warn you that Mom and the aunts are already betting on how long it will take you and Daman to admit your feelings for one another. Everyone is ready for a wedding. They hate the fact that everyone in our generation is single.”

Imani creased her eyes together as she felt her irritation return. “Please tell me you’re joking.”

“Nope. Dead serious,” Cyd said with a giggle. “But don’t forget that you just said it wasn’t a big deal.”

“Sis, for real, how well do you know me?”

“Extremely well,” she said with a laugh.

“How well do you know our family?”

“Even better,” Cyd answered with another laugh, understanding where the conversation was headed.

“Then you already know why I’m nervous.”

“Nervous about what?” Mya asked.

Imani and Cyd turned around to find Mya and Lex walking toward them. The house was quickly filling with people, so instead of answering Mya’s question, Imani headed to the backyard, knowing the ladies would follow her. Unfortunately, that didn’t stop Mya from repeating her question as they made their way through the house.

“As if you don’t know. I’m nervous about if the family will make this day a very big deal for Daman and me. The Burrstones are a lot to handle, and we aren’t even dating.” She was speaking quietly, trying to refrain from being overheard by people passing by them.

“You’re right, I did know. I just wanted to hear you say it,” Mya said with a sarcastic laugh. “You need to stop trippin’ and get over it. Maybe if the two of you hadn’t broadcasted your relationship on national radio, you wouldn’t be going through this now.”

“I could blame
you
all for that. And we didn’t broadcast anything because nothing is or was going on with us. Everyone just heard what they wanted to hear.”

“You’re right, Imani. Everyone imagined that there was something going on between you and Daman. Everyone is wrong, and you’re right.”

Imani gave Mya a stern look similar to the one she’d given Cyd countless times. And like Cyd, Mya seemed unfazed by it.

“This hot and cold thing with you has got to stop, girl. Quit fighting how you feel about him.”

“You know what? As much as I love your honesty sometimes, today you’re really aggravating me.”

Mya nonchalantly shrugged her shoulders.

“That goes for you, too, Cyd.”

Cyd held up her hands in defeat. “Don’t bring me into it. I stopped talking about it.”

“Ah, Imani. Mya and I were actually looking for you to tell you...”

“Oh, no Lex, not you, too. I think I’ve heard enough from these two,” Imani said, pointing at Cyd and Mya.

“But what if I know you want to hear what I have to say?” Lex asked in a sugary voice, insinuating that she knew a secret.

Imani didn’t like the exchange of looks between Mya and Cyd and decided if they knew what Lex had to say, then she had better listen. Lex hadn’t said much as she laughed at the charade between Imani and Mya, so she knew it could be important.

“Okay, but let’s get out of this house because the aunts are starting to stare at me, and Mom will join them any minute when she gets here.”

“Are you sure you’d rather not stay here?” Lex asked.

“No, not at all! I’ve been trying to make my way out of this house for the last ten minutes.”

“Hmm...well, okay then. Let’s go.”

The four women made their way out of the house to the backyard, and Imani immediately stopped dead in her tracks. She couldn’t see Daman, but she could feel his presence. It felt like time stood still as she glanced around the backyard, finally spotting him standing at a picnic table with Jaleen and Taheim. He looked every bit of sexy in his jeans and blue button-up. He hadn’t spotted her yet, which was great because her mouth was already dry just looking at him. She didn’t need to be paralyzed by the dark embers in his eyes, too.

As if on cue, he scanned the backyard until he landed right on Imani. She sucked in a much-needed breath at the intensity of his stare.

“Girl, I almost told you he was out here, but I’m so glad you didn’t let me,” Lex said with an appreciative smile. “I think we already suspected how much you affect him, but that look from him confirms it. Daman’s looking at you like you’ll be his dessert for the day.”

“Yeah, the chemistry is pretty obvious,” Cyd chimed in. “No matter how much you try to hide it.”

Mya shook her head as she looked at her best friend and business partner.

“See, at first I was going to ask you if anything had happened between you and Daman when you were in St. Simons Island. But knowing what a closet freak you are, I’m pretty sure we can all guess what happened.”

That comment was enough to break the exchange between Imani and Daman, as she turned toward the women.

“Don’t look at me like that. You know I’m telling the truth.”

“Mya’s right, Imani,” Lex commented. “We knew sooner or later Daman would break you out of that shell you’ve developed. Playing hard to get is one thing, but acting like you aren’t interested is another. Who are you trying to fool? Him, us or yourself?”

They were right, and quite frankly, she was tired of fighting it. She really was jumping back and forth with her feelings for Daman, and it wasn’t like her to be so indecisive. Gamine’s death had really changed her, and in some cases, not for the better.

“Okay, here’s the thing. Yes, something did happen between us. Yes, I’m confused about my feelings. And yes, everyone does have a reason to believe we are more than business partners.”

She momentarily looked back over her shoulder at Daman and found him still staring at her. “And ladies, that man worked me more than any other man I’ve ever met.”

“Now that’s more like the sister I know.”

She glanced at the women again. “Okay, so now y’all know what happened. What should I do?”

“Well first, I think you need to loosen up,” Lex replied. “You’re both adults, and what you do behind closed doors is your business. I don’t see anything wrong with spending time with him.”

“And enjoying other things about him,” Cyd interjected. “You’re thinking about it too hard, Imani.”

She stole another glance at Daman and was glad to see he wasn’t staring at her anymore. Gamine always told her that everything happened for a reason, and right now, there had to be a reason she’d met Daman. She knew making a move at her family’s barbecue would be making a big statement because a lot of eyes were on her. But she also knew that the old her didn’t always care, so the new her had to learn not to, as well.

“Ladies, I think you’re right. No more treating my feelings like a Ping-Pong ball. From now on, all bets are off. As good as that sex was, I need to get sixths and sevenths. All work and no play is not a good combination.”

Even though she’d said it before, this time she meant it. Somehow Daman was slowly helping her become her old self again, and it was about time that she learned to accept it.

“Wait a minute, sixths and sevenths?” Cyd asked. “Umm, does Daman have a brother?”

“Or a cousin?” Lex added with a laugh.

Mya reached over and placed her arm around Imani’s shoulder.

“Welcome back, kid,” she said teasingly. “Now, go greet your man.”

Cyd and Lex laughed, nodding their heads in agreement.

As Imani made her way to Daman, her heart was racing. She didn’t dare look around the backyard for fear all eyes were on her.

“You’d think they all had nothing better to do,” Imani mumbled to herself.

Years ago, her generation had learned not to bring dates to family functions because the Burrstone clan would definitely make the couple the center of attention. Apparently, that fact was still true.

As she reached the group of men, she hugged Taheim and Jaleen and stopped in front of Daman. She didn’t know if she should risk hugging him, too, but she didn’t want to be rude by hugging his friends and not him. So she leaned slightly into Daman, and he instantly took control of the hug. He buried his face in the crease of her neck and softly whispered that she was beautiful. The spark was instant, and she couldn’t control the electric current that shot through her body. When she leaned away from him to look into his face, his eyes dropped down to her lips again. His arms tensed under her touch, indicating that he was trying to control the urge to kiss her. Even so, she still felt their faces getting closer and closer to each other.

“Imani, you didn’t hug me like that,” Taheim said with a laugh. “I feel left out.”

Imani softly punched Taheim in the arm but was happy for the interruption. The looks on Jaleen’s and Taheim’s faces proved they knew that Daman had come close to kissing her in front of her family and friends.

“I missed you,” Daman said, obviously not caring that his friends could hear him. She was surprised he made that declaration, and it made her want to kiss him even more.

“Do you want to go somewhere and talk?” she asked him.

“Yeah, let’s go.” Daman gave a head nod to Taheim and Jaleen as Imani gently took his hand. She went past the crowd of guests in the backyard and led Daman down a walking path outlined by weeping willow trees until they arrived at a cozy pond surrounded by beautiful greenery.

Imani led him to a rock formation with a small waterfall seeping through the rocks. The formation was almost completely hidden in the beautiful landscape making this area of the huge backyard a very private place.

“Wow,” was the only word that escaped Daman’s lips.

“My grandfather built this area for my grandmother because she loved being in her own backyard. We call this area Gamine’s Haven.”

When they reached a small seeped-in section of the rock formation, Imani looked into Daman’s eyes. They had so much to talk about, but she wasn’t in the mood for talking. As if reading her thoughts, Daman slowly walked backward until he felt his back hit the smooth part of a large rock. He grabbed Imani’s arm and pulled her to him.

“I missed you, too,” Imani said, as she leaned in to kiss him.

Words weren’t necessary, as her tongue found his, and she slowly began suckling on the tip, reconfirming the honeyed taste she’d missed. He smelled all male in that make-you-want-to-drop-your-panties kind of way. Imani didn’t understand how she’d gone her entire life without being kissed like Daman kissed her.

Daman’s hands slowly made their way to her butt, grabbing it and pulling her closer to the fit of his inner thighs. She could hear the chatter in the backyard and the sound of kids playing in the distance, but she blocked out all of the noise as she focused solely on the way Daman was making her feel.

His hands briefly left her butt to immerse themselves in her hair. The butterflies in her stomach grew bigger and bigger as they continued their exotic foreplay. She felt Daman slowly lift up her dress. She hadn’t known how high he’d lifted it until she felt two of his fingers dip inside her panties and into her moist center. She couldn’t hold the gasp that escaped her throat as he began to twirl his fingers, quickly plunging them in and out. He’d found her G-spot, and he planned to work her right there, in broad daylight. His kisses grew more passionate, and she felt the orgasm inside of her threaten to break free.

“Daman, if you don’t slow down, I’m going to have an orgasm,” she said breathlessly in his ear.

“Then I guess you better prepare yourself because there’s no way I’m slowing down.”

With that said, Daman further increased the tempo of his fingers, releasing the orgasm that Imani had tried to hold back. She screamed in his mouth as she leaned into him for support, her legs growing weak from the intensity. When Daman dropped her dress back down, all she could think about doing was giving him the same release.

Unzipping his pants and looking down at his member, she wondered how he would taste. She’d never gone down on a man before and swore she’d never do such a thing. But for some reason, she wanted to please him in a different way and knew the action would probably shock him.

Squatting down and adjusting her body in the small space, she secretly thanked her yoga instructor for increasing her flexibility. She looked up at Daman and could tell he was wondering exactly what she would do. She leaned closer to him and closed her mouth around his shaft, loving the way his body jerked from the contact. Slowly, she began licking him from top to bottom, hearing his growls increase as her hands went to work. He grew even harder in her mouth, and she loved the solid feel of him. Daman tried to say something to her, but his speech was broken. Imani didn’t mind not knowing what he’d tried to say. She took the opportunity to rotate her tongue in an even quicker up and down motion. Minutes later he was on the brink, and she knew it. With one last lick, he released himself into her mouth. She suckled him dry, thinking he tasted exactly how she thought he would...sweet and tangy all mixed together.