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Bliss, was a beautiful and seductive restaurant not far from the house. Its remote location only added to its allure which epitomized romance. Flowers of many varieties bloomed with fragrance and color-a testament that the warmth wasn’t only in the vibe the establishment exuded.
Diners rushed in shivering from the autumn chill. They were quickly soothed by glowing hearths, flavorful hot drinks, dancing, and delicious food.
Kam studied the menu of delectables with barely a passing interest. She and her dinner companion had endured the usual oogling from the sexes upon arrival. Neither of them took heed to the stir they created.
“What’ll you have?” Chisulo asked.
“No idea,” Kam gave the leather-bound menu an airy wave. “It’s fine if you want to order for us both,” she sighed.
From his spot at the candlelit table, Chisulo regarded his menu with the same disinterest as Kam. Her manner had been so sickeningly polite, it made his teeth ache. Would that have been the case if Saiida hadn’t clued him in on her cousin’s mood? Would he have viewed Kam’s politeness as a gift then? Would he have been thankful for the chance to postpone their truth talk for a little longer? So much for that.
He set down his menu with a decisive slap. “Kam-”
“Sulo? Sulo, love? Is that you? What am I asking-of course it is! There’s no mistaking that gorgeous crop...”
The woman who had spoken in the sultry bedroom tone was now standing near Chisulo’s chair. She dragged long, ruby-red nails through the crop she adored. Lifting her eyes, heavily fringed by false lashes, she regarded Kam with a look of understated challenge.
“Forgive me, dear,” she said, “I could never resist this,” she pressed her chest to the back of Chisulo’s head. “Sulo and I are old...friends. Isn’t that right, Sulo?”
Chisulo looked decidedly irritated by the interruption. “Vonelle,” he greeted the woman in a tight voice.
Vonelle laughed. “Stop it, Sulo. You know I always adore it when you call me Vee.”
“That was a long time ago,” Chisulo’s glare was fixed on Kam who had returned to studying her menu.
“Only a few years, love,” Vonelle’s tone was more like a purr. “No worries, I understand. You only called me Vee when we were...indisposed.”
“Thanks for stopping by to speak,” Chisulo spoke in an unmistakably dismissive manner. “Can’t say I’ve ever run into anyone I know in this corner of the globe,” he added.
Vonelle breathed out laughter. “That can’t be true, lover. You’re far too gifted in bed to grace the women in only one segment of the planet with your...skills,” she sighed dramatically then as if to quell the heat of her words.
“Sadly, this area of the globe isn’t my cup of tea-the climate is far too brisk for my taste. I’m only here for my cousin-a celebration of his twenty-year anniversary. This is his place,” Vonelle raised her hands in graceful fashion toward the gleaming vaulted ceilings of the firelit dining room. “His first architect’s job-the first place he ever designed.”
Vonelle’s throaty boast caught Kam’s attention and she looked up from her menu. Intrigue sharpened her cocoa eyes. Curiosity had her itching to ask the woman for more detail. Irritation had her resisting the urge, not wanting to prolong her grating presence at the table.
Vonelle, it seemed, was ready to take her leave but she had no interest in taking it alone. Her hands moved from Chisulo’s hair to his shoulders. She massaged the eclipsing range of muscle while crushing her vast bosom into his head. She brought her mouth close to his ear but spoke loudly enough to be overheard. “Dance with me,” she said to him and then looked at Kam. “You wouldn’t mind, would you, dear?”
Kam stood. “I don’t think it’s any business of mine,” she left the table cooly enough, though her eyes shone with fresh awareness as she scanned the room. There was no denying that the architect was a true talent.
“They didn’t tell me they’d invited the remarkable Kamili Okonkwo to my humble shindig.”
Turning at the sound of her name, Kam’s jaw dropped. The awareness in her eyes made room for delight. “No way,” she sighed with laughter underscoring the playful denial. She opened her arms to mimic the stance of the man who approached. Soon, they were embracing.
“Thank you for coming, beautiful,” the man squeezed Kam’s waist, lifting her a few inches from the floor. He dropped a quick hard kiss to her mouth when he set her down.
“I wasn’t invited,” she revealed while laughter still hugged her voice. “This is all a coincidence.”
The man looked on in amazement. “Life does throw some interesting curveballs, doesn’t it? Sometimes they’re ones you don’t want to throw back,” he said.
“This is yours,” again, Kam scanned the inviting dining room.
Fresh surprise showed on the man’s handsome, deeply tanned face. “I should be flattered, that you just happened to recognize my work, Kam.”
“I’m sure I would have in time, but you have your cousin to thank for that. Vee?”
“Ah.” Devon Salzman rolled his sky-blue gaze toward the sculpted ceiling. “That girl does get around, doesn’t she?” he eyed Kam consideringly. “I would’ve never guessed you two were friends.”
“Oh, we’re not. She’s...acquainted with my boyfriend.”
“Ah...” Devon’s response held a matter of factness. “That’s more believable,” he sighed and winced slightly. “Please tell me she didn’t cause a scene.”
“She tried. I didn’t give her the chance. I suspect she’s dragged him off to the dancefloor by now.”
“You may want to correct that, Kam. Fast. Vee’s like a vulture with a fresh corpse when she finds a man on his own.”
Kam laughed, the gesture honest and welcomed. “Not a very nice view of your cousin, Dev.”
Devon snorted. “Trust me, I’m not the only one in our family who has it.” Renewed glee filtered his bright eyes then. “So? Tell me what you think of the place?”
Kam’s eyes narrowed. “Are you asking for my professional or personal opinion?”
“Yikes,” Devon offered a deer-in-headlights look. “Whichever is better.”
Kam’s honest laughter returned. “They’re both the same. I think it’s incredible! Billed as a restaurant, yes, but I don’t know whether I want to eat, read or just enjoy the landscape from one of these inspired windows.”
“Just the feel I was going for,” Devon looked delighted. “A home away from home where relaxation is king.”
“Well you’ve succeeded,” Kam’s nod was decisive in its firmness.
“Well don’t just judge by sight. You should thoroughly immerse yourself.”
Kam looked skeptical. “Meaning?”
“The dancefloor, for one. You’re not just going to let my cousin have all the fun, are you?”
Kam thought for a moment and then shrugged. “Lead the way,” she told Devon, laughing as she accepted the arm he offered.
––––––––
Kam and Devon took to the floor for two, sultry ballads courtesy of the house band. They used the time to laugh over old memories and discuss current work projects. When Devon offered her a tour of the establishment, Kam didn’t refuse.
Devon was right, she thought. She hadn’t seen half of what Bliss had to offer. Besides the dining spaces, public and private, there were cozy reading rooms with burning hearths, soothing music, and stellar views from more of the inspired windows. The tour ended with a stop to the rooftop dining lounge. The area was deserted-not surprising given the fall chill. Still, Kam’s suspicions were confirmed. The restaurant was much more than a place to soothe a hearty appetite.
They were still enjoying the rooftop view, when a server found them. The man apologized to Kam for the interruption, before pulling Devon aside for a brief private chat. Disappointment was shadowing Devon’s attractive face when he nodded and the server went on his way.
“Duty calls,” he told her.
“No surprise there,” Kam shrugged airily. “Everyone wants time with the one responsible for all this,” palms up, she motioned to their surroundings.
“Mmm...and what was that I said about curveballs? Let me show you back inside?” He offered once their laughter eased.
Kam rested her hand on his tuxedo sleeve. “You go on. I’m gonna enjoy a little more of this.”
Devon kissed her cheek. “Don’t be a stranger,” he said.
“You either,” Kam reciprocated with a kiss to Devon’s cheek.
Though the night was brisk against her shoulders, bared by the cut of her dress, Kam was in no hurry to leave it. The chill did wonders for her mood and the haze that seemed to have taken residence over her mind. There was still something...major missing from the files of her short-term memory, but she would deal with that later. Presently, another matter needed her attention.
“Danced out already?” she’d sensed his presence behind her. “Your stamina’s not what it used to be, Sulo love,” she turned to face him across the rooftop level.
“Then again, it’s been a while since I’ve had to be the judge of it,” she added.
Hands hidden in the deep pockets of his trousers, Chisulo covered some of the distance separating them. “Is that what has you in this mood?” he asked.
Kam turned her back on him and the question. He continued to advance and she despised herself for sensing when he was close enough to touch.
“Or maybe the mood is because I didn’t rush in to stake my claim when you traipsed off with that clown who made such a fuss over you.”
Now, she turned. “That clown designed this restaurant and I respect his work very much.”
Chisulo bowed his head and Kam watched a muscle flex in his cheek.
“I stand corrected,” he said simply.
She was unimpressed. “Is the apology because you unwittingly insulted your ex’s cousin?”
The muscle began another wild flex along Chisulo’s cheek. “She’s not my ex,” he gritted.
Kam smiled wanly. “Obviously,” she observed after a beat.
Chisulo fairly bristled with temper. “Are you ready to leave?” he asked.
“More than,” she brushed by, ignoring the arm he offered.
They took a back way from the eatery with Chisulo stopping to thank the owner, Alvin Roschonse, for a wonderful meal.
Kam made a point of offering her appreciation as well. “Mr. Roschonse, thank you for taking time with me when I toured earlier with Devon.”
Roschonse’s green eyes sparkled in his long, pale face. “Always a pleasure to brag in the presence of a beautiful lady. And please call me Al.”
“Well Al, the space is lovely.”
“But no! You are not leaving so soon. Surely there was no time for eating?”
“Afraid so, Al.” Chisulo gave a quick pat to the man’s arm. “We’ll have to visit for a meal some other time.”
“Well, it is always a pleasure, Monsieur Nkosi,” Roschonse laid a hand over the front pocket of his tuxedo jacket. “Mademoiselle Okonkwo,” he bowed to Kam, “I consider myself blessed to have had the company of two revered architects for the evening. Please do come again.”
Chisulo and Kam made their way from the restaurant. The good cheer they’d enjoyed with Roschonse dwindled the further they ventured. At the car, the driver was already standing at the back passenger door of the silver Bentley Mulsanne.
“O’Neil,” Chisulo addressed the tall Irishman whose rugged features and build made him look more like a bodyguard than a chauffeur. He pressed several bills into the man’s hand. “Go have a few and take your time.”
“Sir,” O’Neil said without question.
Chisulo handled the task of opening the door, urging Kam inside with a firm hand to her waist.
“I thought we were leaving?” she asked as they settled into the plush, dark interior.
“We will. Just want to say that your colleague-”
“You can’t be serious?” Kam gaped at him from across the long seat. “You let that bitch play in your hair, discuss your good old days as fuck buddies and I speak to a colleague and it upsets you?” Cold laughter underscored her accusation.
“I was only going to tell you that he’s quite talented.”
“Right,” Kam dropped back into the decadent seating. “Why would you be upset? This probably makes things easier.”
Chisulo pulled off the chestnut brown suit jacket he wore over an open-collar hunter-green shirt. “What things?” he tossed the coat to an opposing seat.
Kam lashed out with another hard laugh. “At least be man enough to say it, Chisel.”
“Kam...I don’t think what I need to say is what you expect to hear.”
His words succeeded in draping a film of misery over her face. “Oh, I think it is,” she managed despite the pressure building behind her eyes.
“I shouldn’t be surprised,” she went on, desperate to be rid of the helpless, wounded feeling mounting inside her. “I knew what you were and I let myself...fall anyway.”
Her words stung even though he knew they came from a place of hurt. “What am I?” he forced the question anyway.
“You’re a slut of the highest order.”
He laughed, genuinely welcoming the reaction.
“You take your fill and then you’re off to the next ready bed,” she continued.
“I don’t recall you being so ready to share your bed with me,” Chisulo noted, his laughter had softened but it was still there.
“That’s why I held onto you for so long, isn’t it? It felt like a chase. That is until you said you loved me and then proposed on top of that- drained all that passion right out of you.”
“Is that right?”
“It’s all kinds of right,” resignation held her voice. “You’re just not built for that kind of relationship. You’re not the kind of man a woman should look twice at if she wants anything real- anything lasting.”
Any restraint Chisulo had, was vanquished. “Kam...goddammit,” he muttered before dragging her to him. He held her close for only a short while and then pressed her down into the wide seat.
“How can you doubt me?” his voice was harsh, raw with temper. “How could you think I’m anything other than in love and lust with you just because I choose to give you time and space instead of keeping you on your back or riding my dick? How could you think I’d regret proposing- that I’d do anything to make you think twice about becoming my wife?”
Awareness glinted in her cocoa stare. “Saiida,” her gaze faltered. “I didn’t think she’d say anything.”
“I’m glad she did,” his voice still carried its harsh edge. “How could you believe stupidity like that?” now he spoke into her cheek.
“You’ve been so distant.”
“Kam...” his mouth grazed her cheek until his lips were brushing her ear.
“You didn’t even stop that disgusting bitch from playing in your hair...” contentment took hold of her slowly as her fingers indulged in that very luxury.
Meanwhile, Chisulo was fixated on taking sustenance from her ear. “Protecting me from other women is your job,” he said while biting and suckling her lobe.
“Didn’t look like you needed saving-” her retort curbed on a gasp. She wasn’t sure whether the reaction was because of those words or what Chisulo’s fingers were doing inside the bodice of her cashmere dress.
“Why are we in Canada?” her words held a druggy element as pleasure coursed.
“Later,” Chisulo traded taking nourishment from Kam’s ear to taking it from the plump curve of her breast.
“Answer me,” she tried to insist even as her back arched in pleading for more of his attention.
“Can’t it be as simple as me wanting to make love to you in Canada?”
“Yes,” her answer sounded like a moan. Her next bout of laughter halted on another gasp when his tempting mouth moved from the curve of her breast to take a ripe nipple captive between his lips.
“I don’t think it’s that simple, though,” she trembled when his quiet laughter vibrated through her. “I know you,” she forced out the weak boast.
“Then you know I sent O’Neil away for a reason. The sooner you let me get to it...”
“Always a bargain with you, isn’t it Chisulo Nkosi?”
Not so much, he kept the response silent. His motives were set-bargain or no bargain. The hope was that once they were in the throes of a stellar sexual interlude, her questions would cease and hopefully...vanish.
Her nipple, hard against his tongue was a fever inducer that stoked the insatiable need he could awaken in her with the briefest glance. Silently, she criticized herself for being defenseless against his touch. He was keeping something from her. Something dark and something she believed she was smack dab in the middle of.
She should be shoving him off and demanding answers, not curling her fingers into the dark silk of his hair. Hair, she vowed, she’d break another woman’s fingers for touching. Be warned Vonelle Salzman. Laughter tickled the back of her throat. The humor was short-lived, hoisted aside by the emotion claiming her throat while Chisulo bit softly into her breast as his middle finger plunder her core, thrusting and rotating as it delved. When did his hand move into her panties?
Questions, important as they were, soon evaporated. She bit down hard on her lip and succumbed to the sweet desire that erupted as soon as it built. She could feel her need streaming even though he had only really just begun to touch her. She tried pressing her thighs together, wanting to intensify the sultry effects.
Chisulo was against that and simply rested his knee across the limb to keep it immobilized. Kam bit her lip again while squeezing her intimate muscles around his fingers-two now. They fucked her into a frenzy of rich sensation. She moved her palms up the powerful range of taut, sinewy flesh that flexed along Chisulo’s arms. She sought purchase while gravitating toward climax and worked for victory, gripping and releasing his fingers with athletic speed.
Chisulo plucked her out of range for such accomplishment however and deprived her of his caress. He took her wrists captive when she would’ve hit him for denying her. As if to punish her, he retaliated with a throaty, crushing kiss.
Kam responded with a thoroughly wanton moan, driving her tongue against his until he broke the kiss.
“Kam...?” his mouth trailed her neck to the base of her throat.
“Mmm...?”
“You should be more considerate of the men you dance with when I’m not around.”
“Considerate,” she leveled passion-drugged eyes on his staggering face. “Of what?”
“Their health.”
Any amusement stirred by the reply, took a literal backseat when Chisulo straddled Kam across his lap. He ravished her throat, while one hand freed her breasts from the dress’ bodice as the other freed his cock from the dark trousers he wore.
Kam rested her forehead on his shoulder and inhaled the clean, spicy scent of his cologne. Chisulo handled her with seamless grace, settling her beautifully on his sex. She gave a disjointed gasp that filled the back of the car. The sweet, undeniable presence of the erection stretching her walls, made her feel delightfully boneless. He cupped her bottom and she pressed her hands to the roof of the car.
The move put her breasts in tempting proximity to Chisulo’s mouth and he took complete advantage. Hands still cupping her ass, he drew her closer until her nipples nudged the alluring curve of his mouth. He used the tip of his nose to outline both, then circled his tongue around one of the firm peaks and sucked it hungrily.
Kam made a fist, pounding it lightly against the smooth, black lining of the Mulsanne’s roof. Chisulo took his time pleasuring her tits. His masterful direction of her hips as she rode him, enhanced her reaction as her creamy need covered his shaft. She turned her face toward the ceiling and pressed her lips together in hopes of stifling the cries bundled deep in her throat.
There was no need. They were, after all, alone in the huge car and; Kam suspected, the only ones in the parking lot, who were making such lurid use of their vehicle.
Kam’s dress was a wrinkled mass around her waist, while Chisulo maintained his state of proper dress to some extent. His shirt was outside his trousers and open at the collar, but he was still more or less presentable. Kam would have preferred the rich, green fabric to be open to reveal his spectacular chest.
Regardless of that hidden stimuli, climax still slapped at her from all angles. Her nails dug into the car’s richly covered roof, leaving small half-moons in the material.
Chisulo was just as affected. Ejaculation imminent, he tore his mouth from Kam’s breast and set his head back on the cushioned rest. His hold on her bottom stymied her moves.
“Fuck...” he groaned, eyes shut tight in a show of immense pleasure and approval for her glorious handling of his sated dick.
Kam turned her face into her upraised arm while relishing the powerful jets of release spraying the walls of her sex. Bliss, indeed, she decided. Her well-used vaginal muscles spasmed around the lengthy cock still at work inside her and stiffening in preparation for another explosive release. She didn’t have long to wait.