SEDUCTIVE: A Contemporary Romance Anthology Read online

“Did I tell you that when you moved heaven and earth to be with Jared?”

  “No.” Awilda answered softly. “But me and the kids just wanted our family back together.”

  Monelle held her tongue. Jared could care less about family. “Really, I just want to talk to him and maybe apologize for jumping the gun. We needed more time to work things out.”

  “Jared was watching MSG and I saw a commercial advertising him and some other Giants attending a Garden of Dreams event tomorrow. Maybe you can catch him down there.”

  “Oh! You’re a lifesaver. Thank you, chica.”

  “Don’t mention it. Just don’t do anything to get yourself in trouble.”

  “I just want to talk.”

  “Um…okay. But anyways, I gotta run. Just checking up on my bestie. Be good!”

  “Bye.”

  Monelle was glad Awilda had to go. She needed to plan her next move.

  Ethan and Bria were celebrating the Giants going to the Super Bowl. He picked her up early from her house and brought her out to his home in Upper Saddle River. They’d been spending as much time together as their schedules would allow.

  Their first “official date” was a trip to Atlanta. Initially she wanted to road trip to Niagara Falls, but an opportunity to do a project at a studio in Metro Atlanta presented itself and she needed to go talk to the folks at the production company. She also wanted to check in on Kurt who did get accepted for that internship at the Cartoon Network.

  Determined to a make it romantic, Bria purchased train tickets to Atlanta, but opted for a sleeper car instead of regular seats. Ethan had never traveled by train, but liked the idea of several hours alone with his woman in close quarters.

  “I hope you don’t think this is corny. I always try to think outside the box. And I’m not a huge fan of flying and try to get out of it when I can.”

  “I’m digging every corny bone of your body.” Ethan laughed and pulled her onto his lap. “This is cool. Something new.”

  “Great. Are you hungry?”

  “Yes.” Ethan tugged at her bottom lip gently with his teeth. She was caught off guard and softly moaned.

  “I love how you drive me crazy without even trying. Crazy is not supposed to be a good thing, but you make everything good. Stress. Long work days. Stupid rumors. It’s all good with you. You take the edge off.”

  “I’m glad that’s what I do for you because you definitely provide that for me, Bria. I want our relationship to grow privately. I want to learn all I can about you because I always want to have the solutions to help you with whatever you need. You don’t see a lot of that from where I come from. Even my parent’s relationship isn’t traditional. But I’m different. I want different.”

  “You want a real connection. I think we had that from the jump.”

  Ethan nodded. “We did. It was one of those spooky things. You know like God slapping me upside the head so I’d get it.”

  “Does He often slap you upside the head?” Bria chuckled as she kicked off her shoes and got up to lay across the bed.

  “Yes! I could have wound up a lot of places besides the NFL. He always kept me from going too far to the left.”

  “That’s what a good father does.”

  Ethan loved pastel colors against Bria’s deep brown skin. She wore a sheer peach blouse over black leggings. Sexy as hell. He also liked when she wore her glasses. They made her look nerdishly hot. “Are you tired?”

  “I’m too excited to sleep even though I’ve been running myself ragged all day.”

  He took off his shoes and went over to the bed. It wasn’t much bigger than a twin, but he was appreciative of the limited space. He climbed in behind Bria and slid her close to him. “This is nice.”

  Bria took his hands and laid them on her breasts. Her nipples immediately responded to his touch. “You know I’m about to start some stuff, right?”

  “Yes. Are you ready to finish what you start?”

  “I don’t know. I’m no stranger to intimacy, but no one’s had the patience to wait for me. I’ve never been a player in that particular game so I’ve never been to the finish line.”

  Ethan had to pause and consider what it was Bria was telling him. He was amazed, pleased and a little intimidated all at the same time. He unbuttoned her blouse and stroked her stomach. It tickled her at first but once she got used to the movement, Bria began to moan again. He went down to her hips and pulled her leggings down. Ethan had to maintain control once he touched her black silk panties. He absolutely LOVED silk panties. And black was his favorite color.

  He finessed his fingers beneath her pretty underwear and caressed her slowly. Bria pushed herself against him as he explored and manipulated her special spot. Ethan wanted to her to know how much he cherished this moment. “Bria, it’s all about you. Whatever you want or don’t want. I’m with it.”

  She turned to face him and stared into his eyes for a moment. She brought his mouth down to hers and kissed him sweetly, but with more passion than Ethan had ever felt from anyone. Her voice was hoarse. “I want you. Please.”

  Ethan freed her from her clothing and then removed his own. He nuzzled her neck and inhaled her Daisy Dream perfume. His warm tongue across her shoulder blade and he felt her shudder beneath him. He then made his way to her right breast. Beautiful. He ran his lips across it before putting it into his mouth. Bria grabbed onto his buttocks as he showed her right breast no mercy. Her nails digging into his skin excited him. The speeding train excited him. He felt they were racing towards something. Not just a climax, but something way more important than that. As Bria was trying to pull him even closer, he hoped she was absolutely sure of what they were doing.

  “I got you, baby. I love you and I just want you to be certain and I want you to be good.” Ethan whispered into her ear.

  “I love you, too Ethan. And I’m very certain. Just bear with me.”

  “I’m not going anywhere. Hold onto me.” Ethan was cradled between her legs, but he moved into position and slowly pressed. She flinched and took a sharp breath. He stopped. “I don’t want to hurt you, love.”

  “It’s going to hurt. It’s okay, I’m okay.”

  He didn’t necessarily believer her, but he didn’t want to kill the moment either. She looked so determined. And so in love. Ethan hoped she knew he could trust him with that love.

  He pressed a little harder, but her body was not cooperating. The sleep car was semi dark as dusk was settling in, but he could see the pain on her face. Ethan held her and turned them around until she was on top of him. “I’m here. You take control. Do whatever you want, Bria.”

  Ethan hugged her and waited. Bria sighed and then maneuvered until she was in a position to lower herself down onto him. He kissed her and coddled her and encourage her, but she was too tense. He could feel her tears fall onto his chest.

  “I’m sorry.”

  “For what? I love you for even offering this gift to me. We have time.”

  “I set this up and couldn’t even…”

  “Stop. The trip has just begun. If you want to try it again or if you don’t, it’s all right. For real, it is.”

  “I’m just disappointed. But you are so sweet. I feel very lucky.”

  “Man, I’m the lucky one. Trust me.” Bria turned until she was facing the foot of the bed with her lovely derriere very near his face. She began to play a new game.

  She began to make love to him with her mouth. He nearly cursed out loud as his body was shocked into sudden pleasure. This woman was full of surprises. And he intended to enjoy every single one of them.

  Ethan was snatched back from memory lane with a dish towel. Bria had snapped it after calling his name several times. “Sorry. I was just lost in thought for a moment.”

  “A very lovely thought from that smile on your face. Breakfast is ready; come eat, EA Sports.”

  “More jokes!”

  She brought him a forkful of her famous banana bread french toast. “Open wide.”
/>   “You trying to fatten me up? I won’t be able to move down the field.” Ethan laughed, but gladly sampled the delicious smelling breakfast treat. “Oh, that’s sinfully good.”

  “Thanks. So what do we need to be doing before you take off for the Garden? I don’t have to meet up with Farah until this afternoon so I’m all yours until then.”

  Ethan knew what he wanted to be doing, but he needed to stay focused. He had the Garden of Dreams event that evening and then in a couple of days they would be heading out to Houston for press day and all the other activities that come along with Super Bowl weekend.

  “There’s really nothing much else to do. Everything’s a go. I do want us to swing by my parents today. They really dig you.”

  “I get a kick out of them, too. Hampton is a trip!”

  “Yes, he is. But Monelle is an even bigger trip. She actually sent my mom an invite to a Super Bowl party she’s throwing at her place. Like my moms isn’t going to be out in Texas with us.”

  “I don’t think she’s come to grips with there being an us. She still posts stuff on social media about you.” Bria told him.

  “She’s about to get gripped if she doesn’t stop.” Ethan automatically heated up with just the mention of Monelle’s name. He hated that she got to him like that, but he didn’t like people messing with him and his.

  “She knows how far to go and not to go. Talk on the web is just talk. Now if she becomes a public nuisance, then you can always take out a restraining order or something.” Bria suggested while fixing the rest of his plate.

  “That is not how that’s handled in Brooklyn.”

  “Well, you’re an Upper Saddle River homeowner now and that’s how things are going to go down going forward. You can’t let her drag you back there. She’s hardly worth it.”

  “I hear you, B. I hear you.”

  “Good.” She kissed his forehead. “Now dig into this breakfast of champions.”

  Ethan had a wonderful time with his fellow Giants and several members of the Knicks, the Rangers and the Liberty. So many kids from around the boroughs were excited about meeting the Super Bowl bound team that it made Ethan even more grateful for their success. They signed autographs, took pictures and gave away a ton of gear and toys.

  Payton came down to hang with him. He brought a couple of his little nephews to the event. They were about to snap a pic with Carmelo Anthony when Ethan noticed Monelle.

  He didn’t want to cause a scene so he gave Melo a pound after the boys got their photos and then he calmly walked over to Monelle. “Why are you here?”

  “You haven’t been answering my texts or my calls. I just wanted us to talk.”

  “You know why I’ve been ignoring you and trust me, my turning the other cheek is a gift you should just accept graciously and keep it moving.”

  “But I wanted to apologize for posting those pics with those comments. I was getting ahead of myself, but I honestly thought it was going to be me and you rocking together.” Monelle tried to explain, but it took all of Ethan’s restraint not to blow up at her.

  “You are so full of it, Monelle. I never gave you that impression because I’ve said several times that’s not the kind of relationship we had or would ever have. And you’re apologizing, but yet you are still doing crazy stuff on the internet and sending my parents invites. Enough is enough.” He noticed a couple people were eavesdropping so he gestured Payton to come over. “I’ll watch the little men; would you please escort Monelle to the nearest subway and makes sure she gets on a train.”

  “Really, Ethan?”

  “Really, Monelle. I would spring for a cab, but I didn’t ask you to come down here. And just so we’re extra clear please don’t show up any other place I’m scheduled to be. I don’t even want to accidentally run into you on the street. We were cool. This stuff you’re doing now isn’t and I’m done.”

  Payton crooked his arm and Monelle reluctantly took it. “This is jacked up, Ethan.”

  “Well you started it, sweetheart.”

  Payton began to walk off and Monelle dragged along. “I’ve got plenty of home boys that would love to help you out. Why don’t you just holler at one of them? This ain’t a good look for you. And I’m not trying to be petty. I’m serious. Why are you doing this?”

  Monelle rolled her eyes. “Just mind your business, Payton.”

  “I am minding my business. My family is my business. And I’m not disrespecting you, I’m trying to understand. But you know what; forget I asked. It’s cold out here. Could you walk a little bit faster?”

  Monelle remained silent until they got to the train station. She started to protest about him following her to the platform, but she knew Payton was going to do just what Ethan had asked him to do. At the very least, she thought she would have gotten a ride back to Brooklyn with Ethan after her apology. Now she had to think of some other way to get back into his good graces.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  Farah, Vanessa and Bria went shopping after their writing session. They were almost finished a script for a feature film they’d been working on for a while. Vanessa consulted on the screenplay, but didn’t contribute to the writing of it. She just needed time with her girlfriends. Paradise was experiencing a little stormy weather.

  “Don’t get me wrong, I love my husband to life, but sometimes I just want to kick him in his teeth.”

  “Whoa! You are like the biggest advocate for marriage; now you’re suggesting violence?” Farah teased her friend and co-star.

  “Chile, please. I can hit him. Nobody else better though. Seriously, sometimes he’s just so stubborn. I’m not trying to tell him what to do, but if I’m right, I’m right.”

  “He doesn’t like it when you’re right?” Bria asked as she picked up a pair of black leather boots.

  “No, he just has to go all the way around a dag gone mulberry bush before he’ll admit it. It’s like he takes it personally if he didn’t come up with an answer or didn’t recognize a problem before I did.”

  “Weird.” Bria said.

  “Weird would be the male species period. But there’s usually some method to their madness; some root cause. I’m sure you guys will figure it out.”

  “We always do, but you know there’s got to be a small amount of drama first. You’d think he was the actor in the family!” Vanessa reached for the leather boots Bria had put back. “What’s going on with you and Ethan? Are you guys doing well?”

  “We’re wonderful. He’s on the road and I’m hella busy, but we make it work because we want it to work. He’s like a hybrid. A good guy with bad boy talents. I know Ethan has seen some stuff and it effects how he thinks and reacts, but at the same time he is so humble and loving it boggles my mind sometimes.”

  “It’s a shame he seems to be a rarity,” Farah told her. “I hate dating. I mean I really hate dating.”

  “I’m not saying we’re going to jump the broom tomorrow, but I think we both know this is it for us. I feel it in my spirit.”

  “Your faith is important to you. Are you trying to wait until marriage this time before having sex with him?” Vanessa asked.

  “I’m not perfect when it comes to my walk. I’ve had several slip ups. I’ve not tried waiting in the past, but I instinctively know Ethan will be my first and my last.”

  “Wait. Huh? What?”

  “I didn’t stutter; you know exactly what I’m saying, Farah.” Bria smiled.

  “Where they get you from?”

  “That’s beautiful. I sometimes wish my husband had been my only one.”

  Farah shook her head in disbelief, but deep down wished she had someone special herself. “We need to get this shopping spree over with before you miss your flight to Houston.”

  “That’s a couple days off.”

  “Well at this rate…” Farah joked.

  “You know I’ve packed already because I don’t want to forget anything.”

  “You’d better pack some prophylactics!” Farah dodged Bria
’s punch.

  “And what’s up with this Monelle person?” Vanessa asked. “She’s like a gnat.”

  “Who you telling? Ethan tried ignoring her and then she shows up at The Garden while he’s working with the Garden of Dreams foundation. He made it crystal clear that he didn’t want her showing up anywhere, at any time. I don’t know who’s worse; the stalker you don’t know or the stalker you do.”

  “Ridiculous. That’s why I’m always checking to make sure no fan leaves me any crazy messages. I don’t play that stalking mess.” Farah said as she tried on a pair of stilettos.

  “The public in general can be schizophrenic. They’ll love you one minute and blast you the next. You remember how I was drug through the mud when Kamryn broke up with Aramis. I’m like come on people; they’re not real!”

  Bria’s phone rang. Her ringtone for Ethan was a funky beat he had created. “Hey, love. Everything good?”

  “Couldn’t be better except I’m not going to get to see you until you get to Houston.”

  “Well, we already knew that was going to be the case. I’m just so excited for you, Ethan.”

  “I still don’t believe it’s all real. The game. You. I guess I must be doing something right.” Ethan was at the airport with the rest of the team. “I just wanted to talk to you before we got on the plane. And would you say a prayer?”

  “Father God, we ask that You send a host of angels to protect the plane and its occupants. We ask that they meet no harm or hindrance as they travel to participate in this great competition. We know who we belong to and we’re grateful for Your love, Father. I seal this prayer with the blood of Your precious son, Jesus. Amen.”

  Farah and Vanessa were used to Bria breaking out a prayer and they admired her for it. 3 Bethel’s Way was about new Christians trying to get it right and they knew how blessed they were to part of her unconventional ministry.

  “Thank you, babe. I’ll call you as soon as we touch down. Love you.”

  “Love you, too.”

  Bria was on her way out to Jersey to pick up Ethan’s parents. Although both she and Ethan could afford to charter a plane to Houston, Miss Celia did not trust small planes and insisted they fly commercial. Secretly Bria didn’t blame her, but she was anxious to get to Texas.