The week after the wedding Ty was restless. Work was still demanding, but going home to his empty condo was beginning to eat away at him. He invited Kiki to come to Atlanta for a visit and she agreed. He glanced at the clock on the wall; it seemed to be stuck on three o’clock. Her plane was scheduled to leave Richmond at four fifteen. But the minutes were not ticking by fast enough for him. He wanted to see her again and would have flown to Richmond if she couldn’t make it here. Both of them were dedicated to their jobs, so coordinating schedules was going to take some work, but he was willing. “Mr. Pendleton,”
“Yes, Wendy. There is a Ms. Simmons here to see you. She does not have an appointment…”
Ty was at the door before she finished her statement with a smile on his face. There she stood, all five feet eight inches of her slim, gorgeous body, with that sassy haircut. “Hi,” she smiled. The grin on his face must have spoken volumes. She walked over, kissed him. “I’m glad to see you, too. Is this your office?” she asked as she walked by him through the door. He looked still shocked that she was there, and then turned back to Wendy.
“Hold all your calls,” she offered.
“Yes,” he said and closed the door behind him. Kiki had placed her purse on his desk and sat on the edge. He walked over, took her in his arms, and gave her a proper hello kiss. Every kiss they had shared since meeting had been like the first time. Slow, exploring and deep. “When did you get here? Your flight wasn’t until four fifteen.”
Still holding on to him she kissed his neck, loosened his tie, and replied. “I couldn’t sleep after we talked last night, so around five this morning I gave up, threw an overnight bag into the car and hit interstate 95. And you know what happened?”
He was kissing her neck and savoring the feel of her body. “What?”
“It brought me to you.”
He stopped and pulled away. “You drove,” he thought for a moment, “ten hours to see me?”
“Yes,” she pushed his jacket off his shoulders.
“Why didn’t you call me? I would have sent the jet. I don’t know where it is at the moment, but I would have found it.”
“I wanted to surprise you,” she said while pulling his shirt from his pants. She then threw her hands up. “Surprise!” He began laughing as she threw her arms around his neck and they fell to the floor. She was kissing his neck, his chin, anywhere she could touch his skin and he was doing the same. Then he reached her lips and his body filled with need. He positioned his body over hers placing the object of her desire snug within the junction between her legs and they both moaned at the contact.
Every day since the night they met, they had talked until the early morning hours. They’d shared their wants, their needs, their desires. And now, they were together and the need to touch each other was overwhelming. He pushed her arms over her head, intertwined their fingers, and deepened the kiss. She moved in rhythm with his body merging the point of his need with hers until their breathing was out of control. Lifting his head up for air, he puffed two times and returned to her lips. She began to giggle and so did he. “This brother is glad to see you.” He smiled down at her and sobered. She had the most amazing eyes; he could see the world in them. “I want you, but not like this.” She touched the side of his face. “I have this really nice condo with a really comfortable big bed that no one has ever been in but me. We never discussed it, but stay with me. If you want a hotel room, I’ll get you one. But it’ll be a waste of money and time. So you might as well just stay with me.”
She reached under her into her back pocket, pulled something out and held it up. “I brought my toothbrush.”
He laughed as he held out a hand to pull her up. “You are a crazy woman.”
She put her hands in her back pockets and shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t know any other way to be.”
They stood there smiling at each other. “Let’s get out of here.” He grabbed his jacket off the floor and her purse off the desk. Walking out the door, he turned to Wendy.
She waved her hand. “All meetings have been cancelled for the weekend and all emergencies will be reassigned.”
“Thank you,” he smiled, took Kiki’s hand, and walked towards the elevator. Kiki looked over her shoulder at the woman and mouthed, “Thank you.”
Wendy returned the smile.
♫
Walking into Ty’s condo would have been a wonderful moment if they had taken the time to appreciate the structure of the place, the elegant interior design that had cost him a small fortune, or the magnificent view of Atlanta. But it was all lost on them. Their only interests were each other, nothing more, nothing less. The clothing was discarded from the front door, through the foyer and up the spiral staircase that was in the center of the first floor. Hands roamed over every inch of both bodies relentlessly exploring and discovering until they reached the bedroom. They stood facing each other as naked as the day they were born and as breathless as marathon runners crossing the finish line, but they were just getting started.
Ty took her hand and walked her over to the bed. He sat on the edge and she stood between his legs. Gathering her waist in his hands, he pulled her close and kissed her navel. He reached around and cupped her rear end squeezing as if his life deepened on them being there. She slid her hands across his shoulders, down his muscle bound arms, around to his back, touching, feeling, and needing. He reached into his nightstand and pulled out a condom. She took the packet from him. “Let me.” She bent down on her knees and was pleased with the sight that greeted her. Kissing his inner thigh on one leg, his member jumped at the touch of her breath near it. She switched and kissed the other thigh sending surges of sensations through his body. “Kiki. He dropped his head to touch hers.
“I know baby. I’m admiring.” He moaned as a response. She opened the package, held the latex in her hand, and took his member in her mouth. Ty nearly leaped off the bed at her touch but she held on to his thighs. This was a new experience for her, but it was there, and so tempting, she just had to feel it on her tongue. He withdrew from her mouth, took the latex, and covered himself with the protection. Seizing her waist, he lifted her, kissed her, and entered her in one smooth motion. They both groaned at the onslaught, and begin moving to a rhythm as old as time. Two humans--becoming one with a need and hunger so deep they could not have stopped if their lives depended on it. Nothing could have quenched the passion of their two spirits as he drove deeper and deeper into her throne, searching and finding that glory that only, he could touch and expose. Holding on to the feeling of total ecstasy, she screamed out her orgasm. Her inner walls contracted against him, pulling everything from him rhythmically squeezing his member from its base to the tip, demanding his release. He cursed when the release came, but reveled in the feel of it at the same time. It was too soon, he was not ready for it to end. Holding her, he turned onto his back bringing her to lie on top of him, never breaking their intimate contact.
They laid there holding, caressing, and kissing each other until he began to grow hard inside her again. Kissing his neck, his chest, his nipples, she slid down his body then sat up, and began slowly moving her body against him. The power and control of the position was what she loved. She controlled how deep he would go and she wanted him deep, as deep as her body would allow. Taking her waist in his hands he raised his legs behind her as her body bucked wildly, attempting to fulfill its need. Her release came first. He pumped deeper and harder until he screamed her name. They both collapsed and eased into a peaceful sleep; neither knowing that their moment of peace was about to be shattered.
♫
The night was so quiet Siri could hear the crickets outside the window. It was well after two in the morning, but sleep had eluded her. Her prayer to get through the night without thinking about Eric went unanswered. Of course, it didn't help that the radio station was playing his music and his silky, smooth voice was touching her senses—all of them. Nor the fact that he had sent her the sweetest email that morning just to say hi. Neither the call right before she went to bed to say good night. She turned over and pulled the pillow over her eyes.
She sighed. A minute later, she pushed the pillow aside and gave up the hope of sleep. Walking over to her desk, she eased into her chair and pushed the power button on her laptop. Waiting for it to power up, she picked up the Essence magazine that had a picture of Jason and TeKaya on the front cover with several other couples. The caption read, ‘Our Future’. The computer beeped and she placed the magazine back on the nightstand and opened her emails. One message had come through since she logged off earlier. Clicking the message, she put her elbow on the desk and her hand under her chin contemplating which task from Kiki she was going to complete first--the interview questions or the acknowledgment page of the book. Looking up at the monitor, she saw the message addressed to her and Eric. It must be a picture from TeKaya, she thought as she clicked it open and anxiously awaited the exposure.
She gasped at a picture of her and Eric in an intimate embrace. Printed at the bottom was one simple statement—I have more! Siri stood so quickly the chair rolled back. She went to sit back down but ended up falling on the floor. She jumped up and retrieved the chair then stared intently at the picture. "Oh my God—Oh my God." No other words seemed to come to mind. The picture was taken in her kitchen the last time the two of them made love. But if she and Eric were together, who took the picture?
"Carl!" She thought. Is that why he showed up so quickly the night TeKaya was arrested? She stood and began to pace. Would he have taken the picture? And if he did why?
She sat on the bed with her face in her hands. "Oh God, the book. Negative publicity was the last thing she needed. If this hit the media, it would bring up the divorce scandal. Max said as long as nothing came out of the woodwork we would be fine—this isn’t fine. Her cell phone chimed and she picked it up recognizing Eric’s number. “Eric. Did you see this?” She cried losing control at this point. “Did you see what was on the computer? Eric this is on the computer. Anyone can see this!” She screamed into the phone. “How did this happen? How did they….How did….”
She was not pulling in air. She touched her chest but couldn’t call for help, she couldn’t do anything, then darkness descended and she collapsed.
“Siri!” Eric kept calling out. “Siri baby! I’m sorry! I’m so sorry! I’ll be right there. Siri!” he called out again. But there was no reply. When he reached the house, emergency vehicles were parked out front with lights flashing. He ran in just as they were bringing her down the steps. Kerri was in the living room dressed and shoes in hand. Eric panicked, seeing her so still with oxygen tubing in her nose. “Siri, baby, please open your eyes.”
The attendant touched his shoulder. “Sir, please let us get her to the emergency room.”
Kerri touched his arm. “You ride with her, I’ll follow.”
“No, no, you go with her I’ll follow.” Eric walked to the waiting vehicle talking to her along the way. “It’s going to be alright Siri. I promise you, it’s going to be alright.”
An officer came over to him. “Follow behind me sir. I’ll get you to the hospital.”
Eric did not know his way around Richmond so he had no choice but to follow the officer. Along the way, he called Ty’s cell phone number again, with no answer. He hung up the call and dialed his house number. He answered on the third ring.
Not fully awake, Ty listened but did not understand what Eric was saying, but he did hear the urgency in his voice. “Hold up Eric,” he said into the receiver. He sat up and in the process woke Kiki. “Eric man, please calm down and tell me what’s going on.”
As he listened, he stood and searched for his cell. Remembering they undressed coming up the steps he pulled out a pair of shorts. “I got you. What hospital?” I’ll be there in an hour.” He hung up the house phone, threw it on the bed, then ran down the steps.
“What’s wrong Ty?” Kiki asked concerned with his actions. “Was that Eric?” she asked as he came back up the steps with his cell phone. “Yes, baby, it was Eric.” He spoke into his cell phone. “Have the plane fueled and ready to fly to Virginia in fifteen minutes.” He disconnected the call and dialed another number. “Get me a run down on Latoya Wright’s actions for the last week. Then tap into Eric’s PC and see what was received. No, you don’t have his permission just do it or find another damn job.” He disconnected that call.
Seeing he was getting dressed in a hurry. Kiki began doing the same. “Did something happen to Siri?” she asked.
He grabbed a shirt and his blackberry chimed. “What?”
“I’m sending you a copy now,” the technician on the other end stated.
“I’m receiving it now.” He held the phone until the picture popped up. He sat down on the bed not believing what he was seeing. “Track it.” he said a little too calmly for Kiki.”
“What is it Ty?” she asked.
He looked at her, wanting to share, but couldn’t. “I can’t tell you,” he said shaking his head. “I’m sorry. I can’t tell.”
Seeing the look of despair on his face, she went to him. “Okay babe. I understand.” She hugged him and he held her tight putting his head in the crook of her neck.
As if realizing what he was doing, he stood up straight. “We got to go.” He grabbed her hand and ran down the steps. Two of the biggest men she had ever seen met them at the door. “The car is rolling.” One man said and gave him a folder.
“Kiki Simmons--Jake Turner, and Peace Newman.” The two men stopped: shocked that he had told this stranger their real names. Walking down the hallway he looked over his shoulder. “I don’t have time for this,” he said and the two men walked double time to the elevator. Reviewing the paper work in the file, he pulled out a picture of a woman entering a house. “Who is this?”
“Tina Melton. An IT specialist.”
He looked at the date on the picture. “When did we lose inside surveillance?”
“Friday.”
He hit the man in the chest with the picture. “When did she enter the house?”
The big man looked at the picture and looked at the other big man. Kiki didn’t have to see the picture to know the answer was Friday.
“Why wasn’t I told?” he asked as they climbed off the elevator into an SUV that pulled off as soon as the last set of feet was in, even though the door was still open.
“You were in Virginia at the time.”
He put his head down struggling to control his emotions. “You still do your job regardless of where I am.” His cell chimed. “Speak.”
He listened as Kiki sat back and watched him in action. At one time, she thought she was a mover and shaker, but this man was in an entirely different league. The two big men looked nervous as she smiled to try to ease their anxiety. But it didn’t work, whatever was breaking was not good. Ty hung up the cell phone, then pulled his blackberry out to wait for something else to come through. When it did he hit the ceiling of the SUV just as they reached the airport. After checking through security, they boarded the plane and were in the air en route to Virginia.
Once they were in the air, Ty looked over at Kiki. Not once had she complained about the sudden change of plans, or asked any questions, or even if Siri was alright. He never answered her. Unbuckling his seatbelt, he moved to sit in front of her. For a moment, the emotions of the day played across his face. She unbuckled her seatbelt and sat in his lap, she kissed his temple. “Whatever it is, you will handle it. Just take a breath. You think better when oxygen is flowing through that beautiful brain of yours.” She smiled sweetly.
Pulling her close, he kissed her neck and hugged her tight. “Thank you for being here.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Siri was rushed to the emergency room, unconscious. Eric and her mother are there with her. But no word on her condition.”
Kiki sat back in her seat and stared at him. “What caused her to lose consciousness?’
He stared back at her, realizing they were on opposite sides of the table on this. She was Siri’s agent. He was Siri’s attorney. There were certain things he could not discuss with her. “I can’t say.”
“This is where we are going to clash. You’re citing client privilege?”
He nodded. “Client privilege.
“Whew.” She closed her eyes; certain she was not going to like his reply. “Siri or Eric?”
“Both.” he sat forward. “However, my brother’s best interests take priority.”