Blissfully Yours (Mills & Boon Kimani) (10 page)

Chapter 18

B
randon was lounging in bed, gazing out the window at the flat calmness of the ocean. The day before, he and Ayana had spent a relaxing afternoon in the mountains, talking and sharing childhood memories. He was feeling closer and closer to her as the days went by. It had been a while since Brandon had been in a committed relationship, and he missed the intimacy that came from bonding with someone. He had thought Jaclene was
the
one, but she turned out to be an opportunist. When she realized that he couldn't help further her career, she dumped him. After that failed relationship, Brandon had focused his attention on work—until now. Although Ayana hadn't mentioned anything about becoming a couple, Brandon could tell by her actions—taking time to cook and giving of herself sexually—that she was becoming attached to him.

Lying in bed alone, with the cool morning breeze blowing through the sheer curtains, Brandon was missing Ayana. She had gone home the night before for a family dinner. She hadn't invited him, and he hadn't invited himself. After being around her and getting to know her better, Brandon was thinking about meeting her parents. As much as she tried not to talk about them, he could tell they were a big part of her life. He knew she shied away from mentioning them because of his initial reaction.

“Maybe I'll call and find out if she has any plans for the day,” he said aloud, reaching for the phone.

Brandon looked at the time display on his cell phone; it wasn't even seven o'clock yet. “It's too early. I'm sure she's still asleep.”

He put the phone on the bed, closed his eyes and reflected on his time with Ayana. His trip to Jamaica had had a singular purpose—to check on his sister-in-law. Brandon couldn't help but shake his head at the way life threw a curveball when you least expected it. Nearly running into Ayana with his Jet Ski, and her knowing Marigold was indeed fate. Now his Jamaican trip wasn't only about family; it was also about finding an unexpected love. Brandon's cell phone rang, interrupting his thoughts. He quickly picked the tiny gadget off the pillow, thinking it was Ayana.

“Hello?”

“Hey, Brandon, I've been trying to reach you since yesterday,” Steve said the second Brandon picked up.

Brandon sat up against the headboard. “Hi, Steve. What's going on? Is Ed okay?” he asked, thinking maybe Ed had had another heart attack.

“Ed is fine. He's almost back to his normal self. He's still in the hospital but wants everyone back on set tomorrow, so...”

“Tomorrow?” Brandon asked in alarm. Returning to New York was the last thing on his mind. Being in Jamaica with Ayana was exactly where he wanted to be. They were becoming closer and closer every day and he wanted to remain on the island paradise for as long as possible.

“Yes, tomorrow. I left you a message yesterday. You didn't listen to it?”

“No.” Brandon hadn't bothered taking his cell phone on the picnic. Since being on the island, he hadn't bothered much with the phone. It felt liberating to leave it at home, something he could never do in New York. He didn't have any pressing business, so he had only checked his voice mail sporadically.

“Ed is planning a special reunion-type show and wants the cast at the penthouse for rehearsal.”

“A reunion show in the middle of the season? Isn't that odd?”

“Well, it's not a reunion show per se. It's a
Divorced Divas Divulge
special taping, and it will focus on this season and never-before-seen scenes from last season. Ed wants to revive the audience's interest in the show. The reruns are bringing the ratings down, so it's a clever idea.”

“I guess you're right,” Brandon said, sounding less than excited.

“I've been in touch with everyone but Saturday. I'm having a hard time reaching her. I've called and left messages on her cell, but she hasn't called me back yet. She's probably sitting in her dungeon brewing a batch of witches' brew.” He laughed.

“I'm sure that's not the case.”

“Well, then, maybe she's flying around Manhattan on her broomstick,” Steve said, continuing his insults.

“Man, give her a break. Did you ever think that maybe her wickedness is just an act?” Brandon said, coming to her defense.

“I don't think so. Her antics are too realistic to be an act. Anyway, do you know how to get in touch with her? I called Ed to see if he had another number for her, but he hasn't called me back yet.”

Brandon thought for a second. He didn't want Steve thinking that he had a direct pipeline to Ayana. With what she had told him earlier about the cast and crew not being aware of her true identity, he didn't want to blow her cover. “I have a list of everyone's cell numbers. I'll give her a call, and maybe I'll get through.”

“If you do, tell her she needs to be on the set tomorrow.”

“Okay, will do,” Brandon said and hung up.

Brandon got out of bed, showered and dressed. He made a cup of Blue Mountain coffee and drank it outside on the patio. It was still early, and he wanted to wait awhile before going over to Ayana's parents' house. He knew where they lived from when he had picked Ayana up for their first date. An hour later, he decided to make the drive.

When Brandon reached Ayana's parents' home, he saw her Vespa was parked out front. Looking at the yellow scooter brought a smile to his face as he thought about cruising through the mountains on the back, holding on to her slim waist. He got out of the car and rang the bell.

“Mornin',” an older, portly-looking woman said as she opened the door.

“Hi, I'm a friend of Sat...uh, I mean Ayana. Is she in?”

“Ya, she in da kitchen makin' breakfast. I'm her muther, Mrs. Tosh. Come in, chile,” she said, opening the door wider and stepping aside. “Follow me.”

Brandon walked through their quaint home, which was decorated with antiques, overstuffed furniture that was gently worn and traditional Jamaican artwork on the walls. The home was cozy and he got a warm, homey feeling just walking through.

“Ana, someone's here to see ya,” her mother said, coming into the small kitchen.

Ayana was standing at the sink with her back to the door. She turned around and nearly dropped the plate she was holding. “Uh...Brandon, what are you doing here?” she asked with a shocked expression on her face.

“Is dat any way to talk to ya friend?” her mother said, scolding her daughter as if she were a five-year-old.

Ayana paused for a moment and took a deep breath. Seeing Brandon standing in her parents' kitchen had caught her totally off guard. While she was collecting her thoughts, her mother chimed in.

“Aren't ya gonna ask him to sit down and have some breakfast? Where ya manners, gurl?”

“Uh...Ma, I'm sure he has better things to do,” she managed to say.

“I'd love to have breakfast,” he said, pulling out a chair and sitting down at the kitchen table.

Ayana just stood there and looked at him as if he had two heads.
What the hell is he doing here?
She wanted to quiz him, but her mother was standing there watching them both, looking from one to the other.

“Ana, give da young man some coffee.”

Ayana followed her mother's instructions and poured Brandon a cup of freshly brewed coffee. She was confused and didn't know what to say. He had gone from acting like a deer in the headlights when she made a mention of her parents to coming to their home unannounced and uninvited. She went about the business of making breakfast until she could think of how to introduce him to her mother. She couldn't say that they worked together because her parents had no idea she worked on a reality television show. She couldn't say he was her boyfriend because technically he wasn't. Ayana didn't like lying to her mother, so she just kept her mouth shut.

“I haven't seen ya 'round here before. So how ya know Ana?” her mother said, sitting across the table from Brandon.

“She knows my sister-in-law, Marigold, and we met at the shelter,” he replied.

Good answer!
Ayana thought. He hadn't lied, and he hadn't told the entire truth either.

“Oh, me just loves Marigold! She da salt of da earth, helping all thoze battered women and chilren. Me knew her late husband. Him was a good man.”

“Thanks. James was my older brother.”

“Sorry for your loss. Are ya married too?” Ayana's mother asked, sizing him up.

Ayana swung around. “Ma! Don't start quizzing him.”

“It's okay. I don't mind. No, Mrs. Tosh, I'm not married.”

“Ya mean, a good-lookin' man like yoself hasn't found a good woman to marry?” She shook her head. “I don't know what's wrong wit ya young people today. Ya tink marriage is a bad ting. Back in me day, we wed as soon as we could and started a family. Don't ya want to get married and have some chilren?” she asked.

Brandon glanced over at Ayana, who had a mortified look on her face, and said, “I'd love nothing more than to marry my soul mate and start a family.”

Hearing those words come out of his mouth warmed Ayana's heart, and she smiled. Ayana hadn't known his views on marriage and raising children. Now that she knew he wasn't a man strictly out for a good time, but one who actually had goals, he was becoming more and more attractive. She too wanted a family.

Brandon witnessed Mrs. Tosh glance over at her daughter and smile. He could tell that she was picking up on the fact that they were more than mere friends. Mrs. Tosh had wasted no time asking the important questions.

“Me gonna run some errands. Me be back later. Nice to meet ya, young man.”

Brandon stood and shook her hand. “The pleasure was all mine, Mrs. Tosh.”

Once she was gone, Ayana went to the kitchen doorway to make sure her mother was out of earshot. Then she walked over to the table and sat down. “So what are you doing here?” she whispered in case her mother was still hanging around.

“Steve has been trying to get in touch with you. He called me early this morning and said Ed wants us to report back to the penthouse tomorrow,” he said in a low tone.

“Tomorrow! Why so soon?”

“Ed is feeling better and wants to do a reunion-type show. He's calling it a
Divorced Divas Divulge
special, and he wants to start rehearsals tomorrow.”

Ayana hung her head. Being with Brandon the past few days had been a breath of fresh air, and she hadn't given the show or her ugly persona on set a second thought. Sadness began creeping its way into her spirit, and her eyes welled up with tears.

Brandon saw the expression on her face, reached across the table and held her hands. “It's going to be all right.”

“How can you say that when you know being back on set is synonymous with me acting like an out-of-control diva?” she said with her face still hanging low.

“Ayana, look at me.” He gently raised her chin. “I know the real you now. You're nothing like Saturday Knight. You are a kind, generous person who helps out her family and provides for the shelter. You're a good person.”

Hearing his kind words sent tears streaming down her cheeks.

Brandon reached for a napkin in the middle of the table and wiped her tears. “Stop crying. It's going to be fine,” he said again, reassuring her. “There's a big difference this time around.”

“What do you mean?” she said, blowing her nose.

“This time, while we're taping, your man will be on the set watching your back.”

“Are you saying that...?”

He interrupted her. “Yes, I'm saying I'm your man, and you are my woman. Now stop crying and start packing. We have to make reservations and get the next plane back to New York.”

Ayana got up, walked over and gave him a tender kiss on the lips. He had soothed her anxiety, and now returning to
Divorced Divas
and reprising her role as Saturday Knight didn't seem so bad. With Brandon in her corner, Ayana knew she could get through just about anything.

Chapter 19

A
yana was able to book a flight from Jamaica to New York with Brandon with no problem. The flight was wide-open with plenty of seats. They sat together in business class, holding hands and enjoying their final hours together before getting back to reality. The time spent in Negril, though brief, had been a dose of paradise. They had become almost inseparable on the island, spending most of their days and nights together. With Ed's grim prognosis before they left New York, returning to the show this soon had been the furthest thing from their minds. As the plane soared through the clouds, getting closer and closer to New York, they sat in silence, mourning their hasty departure from Jamaica. Before leaving, Ayana had called Cedella. They hadn't spoken since the day of the beach party, so Ayana updated her friend on the superb progress she'd made with Brandon and how he had asked her to be his woman. Cedella couldn't have been happier for her and wished her well.

“Would you two care for another cup of coffee?” the flight attendant asked.

“No, thanks. Do you have Guinness Stout?” Ayana asked.

“Yes, we do.”

“I'll have a bottle of that and a shot of rum,” Ayana replied, wanting to recapture some of their island magic.

“Make that two,” Brandon said.

After the flight attendant brought their drinks, Brandon raised his beer bottle and said, “To hot nights on the beach.”

“I'll drink to that,” Ayana said, tapping her bottle to his. “I still can't believe Ed is well enough to start production again. He was at death's door, barely hanging on, and now he's back in control like nothing happened.”

“I guess we can attribute his speedy recovery to modern medicine.”

Ayana took a swallow of beer. “I guess.”

“Don't sound so sad. Look on the bright side. Ed's heart attack brought us together. If he hadn't gotten sick, the show would have never gone on hiatus, and we wouldn't have been in Jamaica at the same time,” he said, sounding optimistic.

“I guess,” she responded in the same solemn voice.

“Oh, I hate to hear you sound so glum.” He leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. “What can I do to make it better?”

Ayana looked at him and raised her eyebrow. “Uh, I can think of something.”

“Name it.”

She leaned over and whispered in his ear. “How about joining the Mile High Club?”

“Thought you'd never ask.” Brandon peered around the cabin at the other passengers. Some were sleeping, a few were reading, whereas others were entertained by the in-flight movie. “Since there's only one lavatory up here, let's go back to coach, where they have two. You go first, and I'll follow in a few. I'll knock twice so you know it's me.”

“Okay!” she said, her mood instantly lightened.

Ayana made her way back to coach, where most passengers were watching the same movie. No one was in line when she reached the lavatories. She opened the door to one, stepped inside and waited. Ayana's heart began to beat faster with anticipation. The thought of getting away with having sex on a plane was thrilling. While she waited for Brandon, she slipped off her jeans and panties, knowing there would be little room to maneuver once he stepped inside the tiny space. No sooner had she folded her jeans and underwear and placed them on the closed toilet lid than the door slid open.

“Hey, sexy,” Brandon whispered as he admired her half-naked body before quickly locking the door behind him.

She pulled him by his belt and started unfastening the buckle. “Hey, yourself.”

Brandon joined his hands with hers, helping to unfasten his pants more quickly. The expectancy of what was to come had them panting heavily with lust. Once his pants were off, he picked Ayana up and placed her on top of the tiny metal basin.

“Oh, that's cold,” she said.

He kissed her on the neck and said, “You won't be cold for long.” He then spread her legs apart and wedged himself in between her thighs.

Ayana wrapped her legs around his waist. “You promise?”

“Cross my heart.” He reached around, took hold of her butt and brought her closer.

Ayana felt his engorged member pressing alongside the outer lips of her vagina. She wanted to feel the length of him filling her up. “I am so craving you,” she whispered in his ear.

Brandon rubbed his growing penis back and forth against her opening, teasing her with each deliberate stroke. “And I want you too.”

Ayana opened her legs as wide as the small space would allow, reached down, took hold of his rod and guided him into her wetness. Once he was firmly inside, she hugged him around the neck and held on tight as he thrust deeper and deeper.

“We're...soo...good...together,” he whispered in her ear. Brandon picked up the pace, pumping and holding her against him at the same time. Their naughty interlude was fueling his desire for her even more, and he was finding it hard to hold back.

Ayana held on to him with one hand while reaching down and rubbing herself with the other. The dual sensation of her hand and his pulsating penis intensified their lovemaking until she was on the verge of exploding.

They held on tightly to each other in the tiny space and rode the wave of ecstasy to a crescendo, climaxing at the same time. They stayed locked in place, relishing the moment before unwrapping their limbs from around one another. Brandon helped her down from the sink, then reached down, picked her clothes up and handed them to her.

After they dressed, he said, “I'll go out first to make sure the coast is clear. You should wait a few minutes and then come out.”

“Okay.”

He kissed her tenderly before slipping out the door. Once he was gone, Ayana straightened her clothes and smoothed down her hair. She looked in the mirror and saw that her face was glowing. Brandon had that effect on her. Ayana inhaled deeply and could smell their scent in the air. She smiled and went back to her seat with no one the wiser.

“Feel better now?” he asked, kissing the side of her cheek after she returned beside him.

“Yes, much.”

“Membership does have its privileges,” he said, winking at her.

“Yes, it sure does.” Ayana laid her head on his shoulder, closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep only to be awakened by the sound of the pilot over the intercom.

“Good news, folks. Because of the mild weather, looks like we'll be landing ahead of schedule.”

“Well, I guess it's time to make my transformation,” Ayana told Brandon.

He looked perplexed. “What do you mean?”

“Say goodbye to Ayana. I have to go and make myself presentable.” She stood up, reached into the overhead bin and retrieved her carry-on bag.

“What's wrong with your outfit?” he asked, looking at her jeans and T-shirt. She looked perfectly fine to him.

“I never get off the plane wearing my island clothes. I can't chance reporters and photographers seeing me looking like a country girl. The last time I arrived at the airport, a swarm of reporters and paparazzi were outside, snapping pictures and wanting an interview regarding a scandal I was allegedly involved in. Remember, they are used to seeing the Saturday Knight persona all dolled up, and they know nothing about Ayana Lewis, and I have to keep it that way.”

“I understand,” Brandon said with sadness in his voice. He wasn't ready for Ayana to turn back into Saturday Knight, but there was nothing he could do about it. He watched her walk into the lavatory, knowing that when she came out she would be a different person, so to speak. Brandon looked down at the cocktail napkin on his tray table, then picked it up.

Fifteen minutes later, Ayana reemerged looking like a celebrity. Gone were the jeans and T-shirt, replaced with a tight black dress that cinched her waist and hips, with black stiletto heels to match. Her hair was no longer in a ponytail—instead, a long platinum-blond wig was cascading loose around her shoulders. She wore dangling earrings that matched a series of necklaces adorning her neck. Her face was made up with bright red lipstick, blush and long false eyelashes.

“Wow, look at you!” he said, having forgotten the glamour of Saturday Knight.

“How's that for a quick transformation?” She put her bag back in the overhead and sat down.

“Here, this is for you,” he said, handing her the airline-issued napkin.

Ayana took the napkin out of his hands. “Oh, do I have lipstick on my teeth?” she asked, assuming he was giving her the napkin to clean her makeup.

“No, read it.”

She looked at the white napkin and read the message written in the center.
Blissfully Yours, B.

“Aww.” She touched the napkin to her chest. “That's so sweet. Let me use your pen.” She then wrote on the back,
Blissfully Yours, A.
She kissed the napkin, leaving the imprint of her ruby-red lips on the white surface, and handed it back to him.

“I mean it, baby. I am blissfully yours and don't you forget it when we're back in New York on set.”

“I promise I won't,” she said, snuggling closer to him.

Brandon put the napkin in his pocket and closed his eyes, revisiting their time together in Jamaica. He knew that going back to New York and working on the show as a couple was going to be a challenge, and he wanted to hold on to happy memories for as long as possible.