Chapter 8

“I’ve got a thing for a woman with aggression.”

—Carter

Carter erupted out of his sleep, immediately reaching for the handgun that lay at his bedside. It was instinct for him, especially during times of high stress. He would rather pop first and ask questions later than to be caught slipping. Only this time it was only Yasmine’s face he saw. Her expression was fearless and held a bit of impatience as she raised an eyebrow at him. “You’re going to shoot me?” she asked.

Carter lowered his weapon and swiped his tired eyes with his hands as he shook his head to wake himself up. What the hell was she doing in his suite?

“My fault ma. Its habit,” he said as he climbed out of the comfort of the plush bedding, exposing his shirtless body. “You don’t knock huh?”

“People knock when they are guests. I own this entire property. No need for me to tip toe around my own establishment,” she replied with a smile. “I didn’t mean to alarm you.”

He could see the amusement in her eyes. “I’m funny?”

She shook her head. “Not at all Mr. Jones,” she replied. “I find you quite intriguing. Men here, don’t carry the same air of confidence that you do. You’re . . . dangerous.” She said.

“You shouldn’t sneak up on dangerous men than,” he replied.

“I happen to like danger,” she answered flirtatiously. “How did you sleep?”

“Well.”

“My father explained to me the circumstances that brought you here. I can only imagine the stress that you’ve built up. I’ve arranged something for you and the others. I think you’ll find it very pleasing Mr. Jones,” she said.

“Call me Carter,” he corrected.

She nodded. “Carter,” she said. She walked up on him, standing closely as she placed a finger on his chest. “Shower, get dressed, and then follow these instructions. It’s my job to fulfill your needs.”

He felt his manhood jump at the insinuation of her words. He would have to tread lightly around this siren. Images of her petite body bent over in front of him flashed through his mind, causing him to harden. It had been awhile since he had been inside of a woman. Miamor had been recovering from the delivery of their child. He had been on the run for his life. He hadn’t realized how backed up he was until he felt his desire building in this moment. She stepped closer, pressing her body against his, feeling his wanting. “Hmm,” she moaned softly. “You are definitely not like the men in Saudi Arabia.”

Not one to let his little head do the thinking for him, Carter stepped back, putting room between them.

“I’ll see you in half an hour. Monroe and Zyir have already received their invitations,” she said. She turned and strutted out of the room and Carter couldn’t help but wonder about what was underneath the clothes that she wore. He shook his head, hoping that he hadn’t just run from one problem only to bump right into another. It was obvious that Yasmine was trouble just waiting to happen. He wasn’t a young man. The potential for lust didn’t distract him for the task at hand. He needed to lay low and he was interested in finding out more about Baraka’s business practices. He wouldn’t allow a woman to get in the way of a potentially fruitful partnership. He would keep her at arm’s length because he had a feeling if she ever got her hands on him, he wouldn’t want her to take them off. She was a temptress but he was a man of principle. He didn’t shit where he slept which meant that the beautiful Arabian women around him were off limits, especially Yasmine Baraka.

 

 

The smell of vanilla filled the air as the smoke from the lit incense floated mystically into the air. The lights were dimmed as Zyir walked into the suite, surveying his surroundings. Women were everywhere. Hedonistic, sexy, uninhibited, as they partook in various sexual activities. A magnificent spread of food was presented on a long dining table. Fruits, wines, cheeses, meats . . . it was a king’s feast.

“I hope this is to your liking.”

He turned to see Yasmine enter the room with a friendly smile as Monroe followed her. “I arranged a bit of convenience for you gentleman. These harems are here to service you in any way. Your every desire, your every wish is their command,” she said.

Zyir was led away by a naked woman just as Carter walked into the room. It was a full out orgy of woman on woman action. The scent of sex lingered in the air, hidden by the musk of the vanilla fragrance. Monroe looked back at him with a raised brow. “You see this shit?” he asked. “They treat us like kings over here.”

“You are a king Money. Make sure you act like one. Take care of those who take care of you. Tip well for good service. These women work hard for their money fam,” Carter said. Paying for pussy wasn’t his thing and although this was being gifted to him, he still wasn’t too interested. He liked to pursue a woman, wine and dine a woman, sweet talk the panties off a woman as she tried her hardest to resist. He enjoyed the art of the chase. This wasn’t his vibe. “Enjoy brother, we all could use a release. Strap up,” he warned.

He turned to leave.

“You don’t like?” Yasmine asked.

“Its not my thing,” he responded.

“What is your thing?” she asked curiously. The moans that filled the air caused him to look over his shoulder. Two of the most beautiful designed women he had ever seen were feasting on one another. One of them capturing the other’s swollen clitoris in her mouth, sucking gently. Carter definitely needed a stress reliever but this wasn’t his idea of a conquest. These women were following orders for the sake of a dollar. They weren’t his type. Physically they were flawless but mentally they were weak.

“I’ve got a thing for a woman with aggression,” he replied.

“Well I’ll have to see if I can accommodate that?” she said. “Since this isn’t your type of party, maybe you’ll join me for the evening. I can show you around.”

Carter reluctantly agreed. The last thing he wanted was to offend Baraka’s daughter. They were his hosts and if it hadn’t been for them he would be in police custody by now. He nodded and followed her out of the room. She led him to the front of the resort and out to the valet where an armed body guard waited for her.

“I don’t think I’ll be need you tonight Aki,” she said to the Six foot nine inch, threatening presence. “I think Carter can protect me just fine. Although you will have to drive.”

“Why is that?” he asked.

“Women aren’t allowed to drive in Saudi Arabia. I have an SUV and a driver to escort me at all times, but I thought you would like to test out my Lamborghini?”

“Your father instructed me to escort you whenever you leave the property Ms. Baraka,” her bodyguard spoke. He was a mammoth of a man and Carter didn’t doubt that he provided excellent protection. His menacing looks alone would probably deter anyone from pushing up on Yasmine.

“I’ve got it homie,” Carter said coolly as he placed his hand on the small of her back and guided her into the car. He walked around and jumped into the driver’s seat before speeding away from the resort.

“Why do you have a lamb if you can’t even drive it?” he asked.

“Because I can ride it,” she responded seductively. “Big toys, fast toys, they’re my thing. I get off on the finer things in life.” She maneuvered in her seat as if her thighs were on fire and in actuality they were. She yearned to be touched by a man like Carter. The darkness of his skin, the confidence in his stride, the smoothness in his words . . . it all made her panties wet. She wondered what it was like to be the girl on his arm, to feel his hands on her ass as she rode him slowly. Saudi men were too damned docile. She wanted a man that would pull her hair as he slid into her from the back. One who would bust his gun if another lusted after her too openly. She desired a man with swag and Carter Jones was dripping with it.

“You’re bad ma,” he said with a chuckle.

“I’m so good at it too,” she replied.

He shook his head and increased his speed, feeling the horsepower of the engine. “These ain’t the kind of problems you want ma, trust me,” he said, his thoughts flashing to Miamor. She was a live wire and he loved it. It was her touch, her companionship, her wit that he was craving. Even if he used Yasmine in the bedroom, she could never make up for the other roles that Miamor served in his life. Without her he felt a void . . . sexually and otherwise. He was missing his lady and it showed.

Yasmine noticed the look of concern on his face and couldn’t help but to pry. “Did you leave a girlfriend behind? Perhaps a few?”

“There’s only one,” he responded. “And she’s not up for discussion,” he replied vaguely. He didn’t want to bring Miamor into his thoughts too much. She was his weakness and he didn’t want to expose that fact.

The look of pure adulation in his eyes couldn’t be hidden. A man who truly loved his woman couldn’t deny it if he tried. Yasmine didn’t know Miamor, but she couldn’t help but envy her slightly.

She’s not here. What a fool of a woman to let him venture so far away from home. Especially when there is a woman like me, waiting for her to slip up, Yasmine thought.

Yasmine guided him to the local market where rows and rows of the cities finest craftsmen set up shop each day to sell their goods. Carter stood out amongst the sea of cloaked men and women. The heat beat down unbearably on him, causing him to remove the jacket to his Gucci suit and unbutton his Oxford shirt slightly.

“I should have warned you about the temperatures,” Yasmine chuckled. “This isn’t America. Its like a melting pot in this desert climate.” She removed a linen scarf from her purse and reached up to wipe the sweat from his brow. Their eyes connected and she gave him a coy smile before withdrawing her hand and leading him through the rows of vendors.

The people of Saudi Arabia flocked to him as he walked the streets. Barefoot kids ran behind him offering to sell him goods that he didn’t need, or even wanting to perform tricks for tips. Carter’s heart went out to all of them. He purchased from every one who stopped him because he knew that the small change he was spending meant nothing to him, but so much to them.

“America! America!” they called to him, trying to lure him over to their shops and small stands. They spotted him from a mile away. His ritzy Rolex and shiny shoes gave away his wealth. He didn’t mind spreading it however. He was having the time of his life. He held babies, and shook the hands of the local men as if he were the president himself.

“They like you,” Yasmine said. She was highly impressed by the humility of this man. Not only was he a boss, but he had compassion and it only made her infatuation for him thicken.

He shot her a smile as a little boy behind him fell down suddenly. “Oww!!” his yelp was ear piercing as Carter turned his attention toward him. The kid couldn’t have been older than six or seven. He had been trampled by the older ones trying to keep up. He was holding his bare, dirt covered, feet in agony. Carter bent down, resting his elbows on his knees so that he was eye level with the kid. The rest of the kids circled around the two them as Carter helped him up. “You okay li’l man? Looks like you could use some shoes,” he said. The boy looked at him in confusion and Yasmine quickly stepped up to interpret for Carter.

When the boy responded, Yasmine relayed the message. “He said his mother doesn’t have money for shoes.”

Carter picked up the young kid and placed him on his back, not caring that his thousand-dollar suit was now soiled in sweat and dirt. “Tell them all to follow me,” he said.

Carter took over the streets of Riyadh Providence as he led a bunch of street kids from booth to booth picking them out whatever they wanted. He made sure that each child left with a pair of shoes.

He was so distracted by the crowd that had accumulated around him that he never saw the men that had been lurking in the distance. Saudi Arabia was known for its oil. Many households lived in extreme wealth because of the industry but in this part of the city they were surrounded by nothing but poverty. It was where the poor resided and with him coming around flaunting his money, he became a quick target. Kidnapping was the name of the game. Wives of rich men were often held for extreme ransoms and with Yasmine as his escort she was in jeopardy. As the crowd thickened he lost sight of her. It wasn’t until he heard her screams of distress did he realize that something had gone drastically wrong.

“Carter!”

Her voice broke over the crowd as Carter instantly turned to look for her. He spun left then right as he pushed through the crowd. It wasn’t until he broke the edge did he see her being stuffed inside a raggedy van. She was fearless as she resisted the entire time, kicking and screaming as the man tried to force her into the car.

“Shit,” he uttered as he ran, full speed back to the lambo. If he lost sight of the van there would be no getting Yasmine back. This wasn’t his country, he didn’t know the land or the language. All it took was for them to get away from the scene of the crime for her to be lost forever. He couldn’t afford to have her abduction on his conscience. He would be solely to blame and the hospitality Baraka provided would quickly turn to hate, putting not only himself but his brothers at risk. He hopped into the car and sped off recklessly, burning rubber as he pushed the gas to the floor. Carter was sweating like a pig and he was slightly irritated. It had been a long time since someone had come at him on some rah rah shit but even though he was out of practice it was like riding a bike . . . he always remembered how to pop off. His temper flared as he caught up with the van with ease. There was no way the raggedy contraption could outrun the half-a-million dollar car. He passed the van and cut it off, stopping sideways in the middle of the deserted street. The van came to a screeching halt and before the driver could reverse in the opposite direction Carter hopped out the car and let his canon bark.

BANG! BANG! BANG!

He couldn’t really see through the nasty windshield of the van but he knew exactly where the driver was supposed to be sitting and when he heard the horn blare out of nowhere he knew he had hit his mark. Suddenly a second man hopped out of the van, holding Yasmine at gunpoint.

She was already gagged and bound as the man held a pistol, point blank range at her head.

His face was wrapped in Arabic garb, concealing everything but his menacing eyes. He screamed at Carter, making demands that Carter couldn’t understand. There wasn’t time to think, no time to do anything but react and as Carter pulled his trigger his heart stopped momentarily.

The bullet lifted the man off his feet and laid him flat. He rushed to Yasmine’s side, snatching off the blindfold to find her hysterical underneath. It wasn’t until he looked down did he see that he had hit the man between the eyes. Yasmine clung to him as he picked her up and carried her back to the car. “Let’s get out of here,” he whispered as she hugged his neck tightly. She pulled back and looked him in the eyes before placing her lips on top of his. His adrenaline pumped as sparks flew between them. A few seconds passed before Carter turned away.

“I can’t,” he whispered as he placed her in the passenger seat. He cupped her cheek. “You okay?”

She nodded and turned her feet inside as he closed the door. Carter ran his hands over her neatly waved Caesar cut and blew out a sharp breath. What the hell am I getting myself into? He thought. He hopped inside and pulled away from the bodies that he had left leaking in the middle of the street. He was supposed to be lying low, not adding to his body count. As he glanced over at Yasmine he realized that he was putting himself at risk in more than one way. Its time to press chill, he thought. Today could have ended badly. It could have easily been me circled in chalk.

 

 

“Please don’t tell my father,” she whispered as they pulled back up to the resort. “I just want to forget that today even happened and if he finds out he’ll increase my security. They suffocate me as it is.”

“How old are you ma?” he asked, curiously.

“Twenty-five,” she responded. “Too old to have a babysitter.”

Carter looked at her seriously and replied, “Men protect priceless possessions. You’re irreplaceable. It’s important to keep you safe.”

She blushed and replied, “Thank you for saving my life today. If you hadn’t been there . . . ”

“You wouldn’t even have been there if it weren’t for me. I appreciate you taking me down there and showing me your city, but don’t jump out of character for me. I get the feeling that you’ve never shook the hands of a poor person in your life. You were put in danger because you were out of your element,” he replied.

“Yeah well everything about you is out of the ordinary for me Carter,” she said. “and I don’t plan on staying away.”

Carter sighed and began to respond but was interrupted when the valet opened his door. He exited as did she and he guided her back into the comforts of luxury. As soon as they entered the sound of slot machines rang out in the air.

“Have a good night,” she said. She wanted to kiss him and he knew that she wanted to, but they both also knew that he would stop her.

“You too,” he said before retreating to his suite.