Craving Temptation (23 page)

Harper nodded. She shifted forward and the nightshirt she was wearing rose up over the curve of her buttocks. She was wearing nothing beneath her top and when Quentin caught sight of her bare bottom, his hand stalled in midair, his focus suddenly lost. An erection hardened in his slacks.

“That is not fair,” he said as he took a deep breath, gesturing with his eyes.

Harper laughed. “I told you I needed some attention.” She reached for the empty bowl that had held the buttercream icing. Quentin watched as she ran her finger around the bowl's interior to collect the last remnants of sugary confection. She drew it slowly to her mouth and sucked it past her lips. First one finger and then another, licking each slowly.

Quentin shook his head, a wry smile pulling at his mouth. “You're a tease!”

She giggled as she moved toward the back stairs, her backside bumping from side to side. When she reached the door she unbuttoned her shirt completely, allowing it to drop to the floor.

Grinning, Quentin pulled off his apron and tossed it atop the counter as he raced behind her. “Can't have my baby needing attention.”

The sun felt like gold across her face and it made her smile. Troy's voice was echoing in her heart and the rays of sunshine added to the joy. Amina slowly opened her eyes, allowing them to focus on the bright light throughout the room. She took a deep breath and then a second, wanting to fill her lungs with the gilded air that warmed the space.

Beside her, Troy was sleeping soundly. He sat in a chair by her bedside, his head resting against her side. One arm was tossed across her abdomen. Seeing his face brought tears to her eyes. She eased her hand over his head and gently caressed him. Troy jumped at her touch, lifting his head to stare up at her.

Amina smiled sweetly. “Hey, there!”

Troy's eyes widened, his own grin pulling at his mouth. “Hey yourself. Where've you been?”

“I was dreaming about you and it felt really good.” Her gaze swept slowly around the room, taking in the beeping monitors by the bed and the line of IV fluids that was running into her arm. “How long have I been here?”

“Just over one week.”

“No wonder I feel so well rested.”

“I was really starting to worry.”

She pressed a hand to the side of his face. “I'm sorry,” she said, her consoling tone soothing to his spirit. She took another deep breath as she slowly acclimated herself to her surroundings.

“I should call your nurse,” Troy said as he reached for her call button.

She shook her head. “Not yet. I want you all to myself for a little bit.”

Troy kissed her hand as he entwined their fingers together. She suddenly sat upright, concern billowing over her face as her memories came flooding back to her. “Rasheeda?”

Troy shifted his body up against the bed as he wrapped his arms around her. “Rasheeda is doing fine. She's home and your father is taking very good care of her.”

“What about Basil? And Kareem?”

“Basil's in jail. He's facing a host of charges including kidnapping, assault, fraud, and arson. They haven't been able to find Kareem.”

She blew a deep sigh. “And my father is doing okay?”

“Your father officially withdrew from the election. He said that he needed to focus on healing his family and therefore couldn't fulfill the obligations of the office.”

Amina paused to take all the information in. She blew another sigh as she lifted her eyes to stare at him. “And you're okay? What about your campaign?”

“I am now. I missed you.”

“I missed you, too!”

Troy leaned to press a kiss to her cheek and then her lips, allowing his mouth to linger softly. “And I'm still in the campaign. Mike's been holding it down for me,” he said when he finally pulled away.

“Good, because there's something I need to tell you,” Amina said, her hand dropping to her tummy.

Troy smiled. “If it's a boy I'd like to name him Everett Donovan Elliott, after my pop.”

Shades of happy flooded her face. “You know!”

Troy nodded excitedly.

“Is the baby okay?”

“The doctor says he's just fine. Now if it's a girl . . .”

She interrupted him. “It's not.”

“How do you know?”

“I dreamed about our son, too.”

 

 

For two weeks straight Troy waited on Amina hand and foot. He'd been treating her like she was porcelain, fragile and easy to break. She was past the point of being ready for them both to resume some level of normalcy in their lives. Although knowing she was right, he'd gone back to his daily responsibilities kicking and screaming.

Taking a quick glance at the large clock on the wall, Amina knew that Troy would be home at any moment and she wanted to be ready. She lifted the lid to the Dutch oven on the stovetop. The smothered chicken simmered nicely in a brown gravy she'd infused with mushrooms and onions. On her way home she'd picked up dessert from the bakery, a cherry tartlet with a chocolate and almond crust. Quentin had tossed in a half dozen yeast rolls fresh out of the oven. All she had left to do was to sauté the green snow peas with butter and garlic just before they were ready to eat their meal.

Moving from the kitchen to the bedroom, Amina slipped out of her T-shirt and jeans, changing into a form-fitting dress and heels. In the bathroom she checked her reflection in the mirror, pulling her fingers through the length of her curls. She heard Troy when he put his key in the door as he let himself inside, announcing his arrival. Taking one last look at her reflection in the mirror, she skipped back to the living space to greet him.

“Hi, honey!” she exclaimed as she pressed a kiss to his mouth.

“Hi! Don't you look pretty!”

“Thank you. I wanted to look nice for you.”

“And you smell good too,” he said as he nuzzled his face into her neck. “Like pot roast and gravy.”

“I do not smell like pot roast,” Amina laughed as she gave him a playful punch on the shoulder.

“No, you don't. I was just teasing. You smell heavenly. But dinner is smelling good too.”

She reached for his suit jacket, pulling it over his shoulder and arms, then took it and his briefcase to the closet. “Would you like a drink before dinner?” she asked.

Troy smiled. “No. I'm good.”

“So how was your day?” Amina asked as they moved into the kitchen.

Troy took a seat at the counter as Amina dropped a sauté pan onto the stove top. He watched as she began to prep the veggies for their meal. “Well, the Daughters of the American Revolution took me to task about certain elements of my platform. We agreed to disagree but I'm not sure they'll endorse me.”

“You aren't going to make everybody happy. But I think you've impressed a number of people who'd initially written you off. I know you've earned my father's vote.”

Troy smiled. “I still wish I could wrangle you for my campaign.”

“Actually, Mike did. He asked me to appear at a parenting forum next week with the spouses of the other candidates and I agreed.”

“Thank you. I appreciate that.”

“Anything to get you elected, handsome!”

Troy shifted in his seat, lifting a leg onto the rail beneath the stool he was sitting on. “So, tell me about your day!”

“I spent the morning with Rasheeda and my father. Then I went to the office. There's a case that came across my desk that I'm interested in litigating.”

“Really?”

“A staff sergeant in the army was home visiting his family. He went to a bar with his sister. He left the bar intoxicated. His sister took a taxi home. He fell asleep in the backseat of his car, in the parking lot, with the keys locked in the trunk of the vehicle. Local police woke him and charged him with a DUI. He was jailed for forty-eight hours before the family could make his bail. He's being deployed overseas next month and I plan to get the charges dropped. He did everything right and they're trying to make him out to be a criminal. When I'm done the city is not only going to compensate him for his legal expenses but they're going to publicly apologize to him and his family.”

“So you plan to take on the Memphis police department?”

“Just preparing you, Mr. Mayor!”

Troy grinned.

When the food was plated Amina and Troy moved to the dining table. They continued talking through the meal and as he watched her grow excited about something that inspired her, he couldn't help but be mesmerized by her energy. Returning to the house every evening took on new meaning with Amina there, the space feeling like home was supposed to feel.

He pushed his plate away, sitting back in his seat. He blew a deep breath past his lips. “I'm full. This was delicious.”

“I hope you're not too full. I have dessert.”

Troy smiled, meeting the stare she was giving him. “Dessert?”

She nodded as she slowly licked her lips. “Uh-huh!”

The two sat staring at each other, a silent exchange passing between them. After a few minutes, Amina rose from her seat and moved in his direction. She extended her hand and pulled him to his feet. Leading the way she tossed him a lust-filled gaze over her shoulder. By the time they reached the bedroom door, Troy had eased her dress off her shoulders, his mouth just beginning to tease her flesh.

 

 

His loving was like morning mist on a warm summer day. Everything about Troy's touch was easy and gentle, his hand like a brush painting love over everything he laid hands on. Her pregnancy made him even more sensitive to her needs and she sometimes found herself having to be more assertive about what she wanted from him.

Amina was awed by his stamina, his ability to take her to endless heights with their lovemaking. Each kiss was as masterful as the first time he'd captured her lips with his own. She was learning every crease and dimple across his body, loving each blemish and scar.

She leaned on her elbow, staring down at him as he slept. He was sprawled out on his back, his naked body splayed open. One leg was bent at the knee, the other hanging slightly off the bed. Both arms were pulled above his head, one hand resting over his eyes. His breathing was heavy, a rhythmic inhalation and exhalation that she found comforting. She trailed a soft hand over his chest, teasing one nipple first and then the other. Her fingers stopped at his belly button, her pinky dipping into the small well. He didn't budge, still sleeping soundly, oblivious to her touch.

She shifted her body closer to his, continuing her exploration. Her fingers danced from his belly button to where the triangle of his pubic hair began. The hair curled tightly. The strands were tight and coarse, coiling in an intricate pattern. Amina found herself smiling as she teased her fingers through the wisps; smiling because with each pass his flaccid member twitched.

She eased a firmer touch against him, trailing the pads of her fingertips around the base of his organ. It awakened with a mind of its own and her eyes widened as it began to swell and grow. She placed a warm hand around it, handling it gently and when she did Troy shifted in his sleep, a low gust of air blowing out of his mouth. His legs opened a little wider, his bent knee extending outward.

Amina took a deep breath as she began to stroke him gently, a slow up-and-down glide against her palm. Troy was suddenly rock hard, the head of his cock glistening. Her hand continued to tease and taunt him and Troy moaned. It was a low whimper at first, intensifying with each stroke.

Leaning forward Amina blew a slow puff of breath across his skin. Troy suddenly gasped, his muscle quivering. His eyes opened and he lifted his torso ever so slightly, his eyes flitting open and closed as he stared down at her.

“Amina? Baby!” his voice came low and raspy, anticipation causing him to enunciate each word.

She smiled, her gaze locking with his as she shifted forward, rising slightly above his body. She licked her lips and then took him into her mouth, slowly sliding her tongue across his manhood. Troy gasped loudly and suddenly rocked his hips forward as his torso fell back against the mattress. “Ohhh, Amina,” he moaned.

She continued with her ministrations. Her tongue bathed him as her lips and fingers gently massaged him. Up and down, over and over again. Amina knew he was close as he began to pulse against her tongue, the erotic sensation moving her heart to race. Troy's hips were bucking up and down as he thrust himself against her. His back suddenly arched and he shouted, her name spilling off the tip of his tongue. She tightened her grip, continuing to stroke him. Troy cried out again and his toes curled.

Amina's smile widened as she lifted her eyes back to his face. He was panting heavily as he rode the last waves of his orgasm, his own eyes rolled back in his head. As he came down from his high he lifted his torso back up to look at her.

“Wow,” he said, still reeling as his nerve endings fired off their last impulses. “Where did that come from?”

Amina giggled as she lay back down beside him, snuggling her body against his. “I was trying to get extra credit for those lessons you've been giving me.”

Troy laughed with her as he tightened his hold. “Extra credit? Baby, you just got promoted to the next grade!”

Amina, Rasheeda, and Harper were laughing hysterically as they left the cultural center after their self-defense class. Each time it seemed like the hysterics would end one would look at the other and the trio would burst out laughing all over again. The three had taken self-defense classes at Rachel's insistence, their sister-friend gifting the three of them their enrollment fees. “Dwayne's mother made me go,” she said. “Every woman should know how to protect herself.”

With a month of courses behind them, they only had another week left to perfect the lessons. After the evening's class, the instructor, a tall Chuck Norris look-alike, had wanted to praise Amina for her performance. She had demonstrated speed, strength, power, accuracy, and endurance and didn't allow her growing pregnancy to impede her efforts. He had moved behind her unexpectedly, dropping a hand to her shoulder. The touch had startled her and she'd reacted defensively, slamming him to the floor. Everyone in the lobby had stared in amazement.

Rasheeda had been the first to speak, a dry joke breaking the ice. “Mr. Taylor, I don't think she did that right.”

Harper had chimed in. “I think her technique was a little off. He landed a little soft to me.”

They'd been laughing ever since.

“I cannot believe I just did that,” Amina giggled.

“You can't? Mr. Taylor is the one who really got surprised!” Harper said.

Harper was driving, Amina riding shotgun, as Rasheeda sat in the backseat. She maneuvered the car through downtown, heading toward the bakery. “I already texted Quentin and told him we want chocolate cookies ready the minute we walk in the door.”

“And cheesecake, too!” Amina added. “I really want cheesecake!”

“How are you not gaining a pound?” Rasheeda asked. “All you ever do is eat!”

Harper laughed. “You are eating a lot!”

“It's not me, it's Baby Everett. He's going to be the size of a linebacker when he finally makes an appearance.”

“Keep telling yourself that. That baby is going to come here weighing six pounds and you're the one who's going to look like a football player,” Rasheeda said with a deep laugh.

Amina cut her eye at her sister. “I still want cheesecake.”

Harper shook her head. “So, Rasheeda, how are you doing? How are the wedding plans coming along?”

Amina's sister leaned forward in her seat. Her excitement gleamed from her eyes, everything about her body language screaming with joy. “Things are going really well. Father says I can have the wedding of my dreams. And Todd just found out that he'll be doing his internship in Atlanta! Mother says we can live with her so that I can go to school too!”

“I really like Todd,” Amina said.

Rasheeda leaned back in her seat, a wide grin filling her face. “Daddy chose good!”

Amina and Harper both laughed.

“You're not wearing your face veil,” Harper said. “Is that because you're engaged?”

Rasheeda shook her head. She ran her hand along the folds of her hijab. “I didn't want to anymore. Todd didn't have any problems with it and Father said it was my choice. I won't give up my hijab though.”

“I really like the color of the one you're wearing,” Amina said. “That shade of green is gorgeous on you.”

“I think green is going to be one of my wedding colors.”

“It is pretty,” Harper added as she pulled behind the bakery into her parking space.

Rasheeda called the woman's name as she leaned even farther forward between the two. Harper met her gaze in her rearview mirror.

“Yes?”

“I want to ask if you'll be one of my bridesmaids?”

Harper tossed her hands up excitedly. “Of course! Yes!”

The three women squealed as Rasheeda kissed Harper's cheek. Exiting the car the trio entered through the rear door, their excitement leading the way. Quentin and Troy were in the kitchen, the two men chatting as Quentin pulled pans of pastry from the ovens. The women's animation stalled their conversation.

“Your wife is hungry,” Harper said, nodding her head at Troy.

Troy laughed. “Cheesecake or cookies?”

Amina rolled her eyes.

“She wants both,” Rasheeda interjected.

“She worked hard tonight,” Harper said as the two women retold what had happened at class.

Troy shook his head. “You're becoming quite the rebel, woman!”

Amina eased her arms around his waist and kissed his lips. “Well, this rebel is tired and she needs to sit down,” she said. She led the way through the bakery to one of the front tables.

Minutes later Quentin placed a platter of cookies and one slice of cake on the table. He slid the cake directly in front of Amina. The smell of freshly brewing coffee billowed through the room.

“Where's my cheesecake?” Troy asked.

His brother laughed. “Your wife is pregnant. I'm going to let her eating all the profits slide. You're not so lucky.”

Troy tilted his head, his eyes meeting Harper's. His sister-in-law laughed heartily. “Am I not a joint owner of this business?” he asked. “Don't I own this property too?”

Amina's eyes suddenly widened. “Oh, my gosh! I completely forgot.”

Harper busted out laughing, understanding shining in her eyes. The two women looked at each other and Amina started to shake.

Quentin shook his head. “Amina, I can understand you forgetting and we forgive you. Troy on the other hand doesn't have any excuse.”

“What?” Troy said, looking confused.

Harper fanned a hand at him. “Technically, Amina owns the property.”

Amina looked flustered, her head shaking from side to side “No, no, no! Rachel redid the deeds. I just need to file them!”

Troy shook his head. He'd completely forgotten about the title transfer. He looked at Amina. “I should have known you were a gold digger!”

Tears suddenly misted Amina's eye. “No, no, no! Really, I would never do that!”

Harper reached out and grabbed her hand.

“Don't cry!” Rasheeda exclaimed. “They were just teasing you!”

“We were just teasing you,” Quentin confirmed. “I'm sorry.”

Troy wrapped his arms around his wife's shoulders. “Baby, it's okay. It was a joke!”

“It was a bad joke,” Amina sniffled. “You all are my family and I wouldn't do that!”

Troy nodded. “We know that and we know you've had some things going on. Trust me, if it was a problem, Rachel would have schooled all of us!”

Amina swiped at her eyes, brushing away the tears that had fallen over her cheeks.

“I'm sorry,” Harper mouthed, meeting Troy's look.

He nodded. “Hormones!” he mouthed back.

Amina reached for her cake, taking a bite. She savored the sweetness, everything feeling good again. “And don't be whispering about me, Troy Elliott. I am not hormonal!”

Troy tossed everyone a look, his eyebrows raised, and laughter rang warmly through the room.

The family spent another hour talking and laughing. Quentin was the first to check the time.

“I need to get back to work, family. I have two cakes to get done before morning.”

“We need to run too,” Troy said. “We need to get Rasheeda home and Amina is about to be late for her curfew.”

Amina laughed. “I'm good now. I've had cookies and cheesecake. My hormones are back in sync.”

Harper laughed. “You are too funny!”

Hugs and kisses closed out the evening. As Troy led his two ladies to the car, opening the doors for them both, Rasheeda noticed the car parked down the street, something not feeling quite right about it. She would have sworn that she'd seen that car before, even thinking that it had been parked in the lot at the cultural center. She hesitated before getting into Troy's car, staring intently. Troy looked down the street toward where she stared.

“Is something wrong?” he asked.

Rasheeda shook her head. “No. I don't think so.”

“Are you sure?”

She shrugged her shoulders. “It's probably nothing,” she said as she eased herself into the backseat and Troy closed the door after her.

 

 

Nasser was waiting up for her when she came into the house. Rasheeda rounded her father's desk to give him a hug.

“Did you have a nice time?”

She nodded. “Class went really well and then we had cookies at the bakery. Troy and Amina brought me home.”

“How is your sister doing?”

“She's good. She actually fell asleep on the ride home. Troy was going to wake her so she could come inside and say hello, but I told him to let her rest.”

“I'll call and check on her tomorrow.”

“You should go to her house to see her, Father. Amina would like that. She and Troy have a very nice home.”

Nasser nodded. “Maybe we can go together?”

His daughter gave him a warm smile. “That would be fun!”

“I went to see your brother today,” Nasser said.

Rasheeda's smile faded abruptly. She shook her head. “Good night, Father. I'm going up to bed.” She moved quickly toward the door.

“Rasheeda!”

With a deep sigh, Rasheeda turned to stare at her father. She met the look he was giving her with one of her own. She had no interest in hearing about Basil. Rasheeda swore that if she never heard his name again it wouldn't bother her. She couldn't understand why her father had such a hard time accepting that.

“You need to forgive Basil, Rasheeda. He's your brother.”

“You've already done that for all of us, Father.”

“He's my son. And I have to acknowledge my responsibility in his wrongdoing.”

“How are you responsible for Basil's bad behavior?”

Nasser took a deep breath, crossing his hands in front of his chest. “When you were all little children your mother tried to make me understand that I needed to allow you to express yourselves. To have a voice of your own. I was raised in a culture that said you did as you were told and nothing more. I was wrong to think that my way was the only way. I did you all a great disservice. I was also too focused on you never failing but I'm learning that if you don't fail it means you haven't tried. Basil was wrong, make no mistake about that, but he allowed his fear of disappointing me rule him.”

“Which is what ended up happening anyway. He disappointed us all.”

“He did, but even your brother is deserving of forgiveness. He has acknowledged his failings and has pledged to make amends. Love is redemptive, daughter, which is why Allah tells us to love.”

“I don't know that I will ever forgive Basil for what he did to me. For what he allowed that man to do to me and Amina.”

Nasser nodded. “I am so sorry for that. I should have known. I should have protected you. I failed you and Amina, and you both deserved better from me. One day I hope that you will find it in your heart to forgive me and your brother.”

Rasheeda didn't bother to reply. There was an awkward silence shifting between them.

Nasser moved onto his feet, sauntering to her side. “I am going to miss you after you marry. I spoke to your mother and she is very excited about having you and Todd with her. He called this afternoon to check on you as well. I like him. He's a good man. And he loves you.”

She smiled again, her head bobbing ever so slightly. “I'm glad that you and Mother are talking. It will make things easier when Amina has the baby. We can all be a family.”

Nasser nodded his agreement. “Things will continue to get better. I promise you that.”

Rasheeda took a deep breath. She turned to leave the room but hesitated, turning back to meet his stare. “Father, do you ever regret that you let Mother go?”

Nasser paused momentarily to consider her question. Moving to her side he leaned to kiss her cheek. “I have many regrets, Daughter.”

 

 

A little while later Rasheeda crawled into her bed. She reached for her electronic reader, turning on the device. As the unit powered on she couldn't help but think about her father and her sister and everything that had happened to them over the past few months. Change had been a good thing in more ways than she could have ever imagined.

She would miss her father, too. More than he would ever realize. Her father had always loved her and she had trusted that when she had no trust for anyone or anything else. Her father's love had guided her steps and affirmed many of her decisions. His approval had always been paramount, even when what he wanted might not have been what she wanted for herself. But she was learning that she could bring her own dreams to fruition and still have her father love her.

A light outside the window drew her attention. Rasheeda reached for the lamp beside her bed and flicked off the switch. Tossing back the covers she threw her legs off the side and moved to the window. Peering through the blinds she saw a car slowly turning in the cul-de-sac. Its headlights had shone in the window briefly as the driver made the circle and headed in the opposite direction. For just a brief moment Rasheeda thought it might be the car from earlier. When she was certain it wasn't she exhaled the breath that she'd been holding. Staring after the car, she watched until the lights disappeared from view, then headed back to her bed.

 

 

Troy cleared his throat as he called for everyone to listen. Quentin turned down the volume on the flat-screen televisions in the dining room. They were minutes away from the final election results and as the numbers continued to scroll across the bottom of the screen, there was very little doubt about the outcome.

He waved his hand, gesturing for everyone's attention as people pushed forward for a better view, no one wanting to miss a word he said. Amina stood behind him, a bright smile across her face. She rested her hands against the blossoming bulge of her pregnant belly.