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The next night, Dee tried to keep her mind on Autumn’s murder but the charms of The Circle swept her up at every turn. In between questioning guests who had nothing new to offer, her thoughts drifted to how being at the compound freed her mind unlike nothing else.
The group comforted her and being with them erased the stress and pain and that scared her because she knew deep down...it was the ultimate manipulation.
As the guests gathered around Asia in the garden, the bubbly black woman reveled in the attention everyone gave her.
“Okay!” Asia stood on a chair as the seventy guests surrounded her. “I’ve had a lovely, lovely birthday! Jonathan, thanks so much for this amazing party.”
He smiled, glancing at Dee from the corners of his eyes.
“Every moment here is like Heaven,” Asia said. “I’ve been a part of The Circle for seven years and don’t regret a single moment.”
Her sisters in white emerged from the crowd, sipping mango soda and eating cake.
“I love you all so much.” Asia’s smile glistened under the lights. “Let’s finish the night with a game.”
The guests cheered.
“Let’s play Tie a Red Ribbon.” Asia hopped.
“Oh.” Dee dipped her head, chuckling. “I’ve played this.”
“Really?” Jonathan brushed his arm against hers. “It’s one of my favorite party games.”
“With my career I don’t go to many parties.”
“That’s unfortunate.” His face tightened, and he hooked his hands behind his back. “I’m glad you could get out tonight.”
People paired up and dispersed throughout the huge garden searching for ribbons.
“Looks like we’re partners,” Jonathan said.
“Guess so.” A lump caught in Dee’s throat.
“We’d better get started so we can catch up.” He took her hand, pulling her through the flowers. “One thing I hate is losing.”
“Jonathan.” Her hand moved against his smooth palm. “Wait.”
“Yes?” He touched the hedge beside him.
“I should explain things because I don’t want you getting the wrong idea.”
“Deidra, why so serious?” He touched her cheek, being the first man since Winston to make the nerves between her legs ache. “It’s a party, remember? You don’t have to explain anything just have fun.”
“That’s the problem.” The flimsy material of her low-cut, green and white floral dress blew in the breeze.
“Did I tell you how beautiful you are tonight?”
“What’s wrong with me?”
The guests’ laughter and conversations carried in the night air.
“Why am I here?” Dee patted the back of her updo. “I feel so guilty.”
“Why?” he whispered. “You’ve done nothing wrong.”
“This is wrong, Jonathan.” Her heart pounded. “I’m with someone.”
“All we’ve done is have conversations.” He nodded, shrugging. “Yes, we’ve flirted—”
“We?”
“Come on, Deidra.”
A couple ran past with their hands full of ribbons.
“You might not have been as obvious as me,” Jonathan continued. “But, you’ve flirted.”
“It’s not like that.” She closed her eyes. “You’re twisting this.”
“Then why do you keep coming back and don’t say because of the case. Be honest with yourself.”
“Being here makes me feel good. It’s like an escape.” She shook her head, huffing. “It’s like I belong here and I hate it.”
“Maybe you do belong here, Deidra.”
“No.” She walked past him, stopping next to a bush of tiny red flowers. “Connie’s right. You’re sucking me in.”
“You wanna be sucked in.” He whirled around. “It’s not me that’s the issue. I have no control over your feelings.”
“Seems like you do. I keep coming here. I can’t help myself.” She scratched her naked shoulder. “Lately, it hasn’t ended there.” She plucked a flower and twirled it between her fingers. “I think about you.”
“You do?”
“Nothing vulgar but I do.”
“I think about you too, Deidra.” He stroked her arms. “I desire you like I haven’t any other woman in my entire life.”
She stared into his eyes faced with undeniable sincerity.
“You’ve lived your whole life ignoring what you wanted. You’ve always put everyone else before your own happiness. Now here, you’ve found peace and someone who cares about you very much.”
“You don’t even know me.”
He slipped his fingers between hers. “You’re a woman unlike anyone I’ve ever known, but I respect you.” He let her hand go. “I don’t want to interfere in your life if you don’t want me there.”
She sensed manipulation in his words but what worried her was that she didn’t care.
“There’s something about you, Jonathan.” A fired ignited within her as if she fed off his desire for her. “You are a dangerous man.”
“Why is that?”
“Because you could change me.”
“I don’t wanna change you, Deidra.” He caressed her cheek, pulling her lips toward his. “I like you the way you are.”
“Hey!” Asia ran up, laughing with stacks of red ribbons.
Dee pushed Jonathan away, his vibrant scent swirling in the mild breeze.
“Have you guys been here the whole time?” Asia flicked her braids over her shoulder. “I’m sure the ribbons are all gone now.”
“Sorry.” Jonathan touched Dee’s hair. “We got sidetracked.”
“I gotta go,” Dee said. “Happy Birthday, Asia.”
“Not yet.” Jonathan’s gentle touch occupied her wrist. “The night’s not over, Deidra.”
“It has to be, Jonathan. Please, I can’t do this.”
“But, you can’t leave until Asia’s gotten her gift.” He smiled. “A gift all the women get on their birthdays.”
****
After Jonathan dismissed the party guests, the women took Dee upstairs to a hardwood bedroom with gold walls and matching color scheme.
Candles sat on small platforms in each corner, omitting a seductive vanilla scent.
“What is this?” Butterflies bounced in Dee’s stomach.
“This is Asia’s room,” Emma said as the women gathered around the queen-size, canopy bed shielded by a white, lace curtain.
Dee turned to leave, but the women blocked the door.
“Please.” Another woman took her hand. “Don’t be afraid.”
“I’m not afraid.”
The woman turned Dee back around. “You’re curious like we all were the first time.”
“The first time...what?”
“The first time we all realized we belonged here,” the Asian woman said. “Nothing wrong with your feelings, Deidra. You belong here too.”
“No.” She tried to turn again, but the women formed a gate around her. She could’ve moved them if she wanted but didn’t try.
The bookshelf slid from the wall, exposing a secret doorway.
Shauna walked out. “Ladies.”
“Mistress.” They bowed.
“Detective Quarter.” Shauna’s face twisted. “You seem at home here now.”
“What’s going on? Why are we in Asia’s room?”
“She’s about to get her birthday present.” Shauna straightened the golden pillows and lowered the bedspread.
“I’ve had it with these games. Tell me what’s going on.”
“What’s the matter?” Shauna glided toward Dee. “You could’ve left if you wanted to. Why did you stay?”
Dee’s lips grew heavy.
“You’re curious.” Shauna smiled. “That’s how it starts.”
“Go to hell.” Dee shoved the women out her way and grabbed the doorknob as Jonathan and Asia walked in from the secret doorway, holding hands. “Jonathan, what is this?”
“It’s Asia’s birthday present, Deidra.” He wore a long silk black robe with maroon and gold running through it. “We’re honored to share it with you.”
Asia approached the bed in a white, satin and chiffon robe, the color gorgeous against her cocoa-brown skin.
“Isn’t she beautiful, ladies?” Jonathan asked.
“Yes.” They stood stiff as statues.
“Do a little turn for them, Asia,” Jonathan said.
She did a flirty turn and posed with her leg exposed.
“You’re such a sensual woman.” Jonathan grabbed her by her braids, giving her a ravenous kiss.
Dee glanced at the women who stared at the sexual display as if they were at a museum.
“Mm.” Jonathan pulled his lips from Asia’s mouth. “Are you ready for your gift?”
“Yes, Jonathan.”
“Then take off your clothes.”
Dee gaped, her mind urging her to leave but her legs remaining still.
Asia slid her robe off, wearing nothing but lace, white panties.
“Jesus,” Dee whispered.
Ana let out tiny pants beside Dee as if she were aroused.
“Get on the bed,” Jonathan ordered Asia.
She nodded, sliding on the bed.
“Are you ready for your gift?” He untied his robe. “Say you’re ready.”
Asia lay on the pillows, her medium-sized breasts spilling to the sides. “I’m ready, Jonathan.”
“Good girl.” Jonathan took off his robe and flung it to the floor.
A rippling sensation roared through Dee’s clit.
Jonathan took majestic steps toward the bed, showing off shiny, wide pecs and toned arms and abs. He took off the black pants, gracing the ladies with his tight, muscular ass. “Happy Birthday, Asia.” He climbed into the bed, planted gentle kisses on Asia’s dark thighs and then removed her panties.
She wiggled, getting into the perfect position.
The women moved in closer as Jonathan’s head settled between Asia’s legs.
As his head gyrated, Asia moaned and grabbed at the sheet.
Dee clenched her thighs together, her cunt seeping beyond control.
“Oh.” Asia rolled her hips as Jonathan’s head moved faster. “Ooh...” She squealed, grabbing his head. “Mm. Ah.”
Dee glanced to her right to see Shauna watching her with a sneaky smirk.
Asia rose on her elbows, scratching at the sheets while Jonathan continued his mission.
Shauna made her way toward Dee and whispered, “You wish that were you, don’t you?”
Asia moaned and panted.
“You don’t have to answer that,” Shauna said.
“It is true, isn’t it, Deidra?” Emma whispered. “You want to be a part of us.”
Ana caressed Dee’s hand. “This is where you belong.”
“You belong with us, Deidra,” another woman said. “Don’t fight it.”
“Don’t fight it,” the other women repeated.
“Yes!” Asia gyrated as if she were having a seizure. “Yes, Jonathan. Ooh!” She shivered, obviously climaxing.
Jonathan lifted his head, his glistening lips smirking when he looked at Dee.
“Join us, Deidra,” Emma said. “This is your home now.”
“No! Stay away from me.” Dee pushed the women and barged out the door. “Stay away!”