A Tempting Proposal (Kimani Romance) (11 page)

Daman smiled at her, and she instantly realized how contradictory that sounded.

“Funny you say that, considering you don’t take your own advice.”

“Yeah, I know. Guess we have a lot of work to do on ourselves.”

“Guess so.”

Intertwining her fingers with his, she felt like he still had something on his mind.

“What are you thinking about?”

“I was thinking about how carefree and happy you’ve been lately. Today, I got a chance to experience that side of you. At your grandfather’s house I saw it, too, and I was hoping you would show me that side one day.”

She dropped her head before meeting his gaze again. “Please don’t take this personally, Daman, but sometimes with you, I purposely hold back because I don’t trust you.”

He tensed immediately, not liking her response.

“What I mean is that I admire your work ethic. I trust you as a partner. I trust you as a friend with benefits. But I don’t trust you enough to show you all the sides of me. It’s not just you. I’m like that with men in general...unless we’re only friends.”

“I think I deserve to know why you would trust me with your body but not all sides of your character.”

His question seemed so simple, yet Imani knew the answer would sound complicated if she tried to explain. “Why does it even matter?”

“I don’t know...it just does.” He was disappointed, and she didn’t like knowing she was the cause.

“Let’s switch roles for a minute,” she said, crossing one leg over the other. “There are many different sides to you, too. There’s the man you want people to see and the man you really are on the inside. Do you trust me enough, Daman? Enough to show me the true you inside and out?”

At his silence, she continued.

“Did you ever think that maybe our paths were supposed to cross to allow us to believe in happily ever after? To help us realize that we can open our hearts up to that one special person fate picked out for us? If we can get this close with guarded hearts, imagine how close we could get if we opened up completely.”

Daman raised an eyebrow at her statement.

“Not to each other of course, but to someone else. Maybe we met to prep each other for the real thing.”

She could tell he was trying to process what she was saying. “What makes you think we couldn’t have the real thing?”

She sighed. “You told me yourself that you aren’t the marrying kind. And I’m not one of those women who believe they can change a man. Plus, I’m still trying my best to dig within myself to regain all those dreams I had as a girl. Yes, we lust after each other. But do us both a favor and try not to confuse this for something more than it is.”

How could she tell him that he was the one man she wished she could fall for, and who she hoped would reciprocate her feelings? How could she help him understand her fear that once she opened her heart up to him, he would never fully open up to her? She knew his type, and she knew that he had commitment issues. Guarded or not, she wasn’t willing to take the chance and be hurt by any man. She knew what she had to do. She would enjoy their affair for as long as it lasted.

“Can we please have this one moment without expecting anything more than what it is?” she asked in a hopeful voice.

Chapter 16

T
here weren’t many times when Daman didn’t know what to say, but right now, he was at a loss for words. He wanted to tell Imani that he didn’t think he would ever tire of wanting to taste her. He wanted to tell her that she affected him unlike any other woman in his past, and he knew he didn’t deserve her. He wanted to tell her that even though she tried to act like an affair was all she wanted, he knew she wanted love, but like him, she kept her heart guarded...away from the possibility of breaking.

He couldn’t say any of that, though. His fears for loving someone and losing the one he loved most in the world ran too deep. He also couldn’t agree to something he knew was a lie. If his suspicions were true, then fulfilling his hunger one time would definitely not be enough—far from it. Instead, he would silently give in to her request, knowing he couldn’t pass up the opportunity to be with her in the most intimate way possible.

The hand that had been resting on her leg grew increasingly bolder, as it slowly made its way up her inner thigh. With every stroke that brought his hand higher on her thigh, he felt her breath quicken. He hated that her jogging pants were in the way of his hands, gently rubbing the one fixation that kept him up at night. He wanted to savor the moment and take it slow with her. The fire in her eyes was enough to almost push him over the edge. Knowing that her desire matched his was making it harder for him to maintain his composure. He helped her up and made his way to the nearest bedroom, tugging her gently behind him.

Once in the bedroom, he turned off the light and drew her back into his arms, only to have her greet him with a soft peck before leaving his lips to plant kisses around his face, finally settling at his ears. Slowly, Imani wrapped her arms around his neck and suckled on his earlobe in the same rotation she used when they shared their first kiss. She knew the effect she had on him when she kissed his earlobes so erotically. He barely felt her lead him to the edge of the bed, until she plopped him down and straddled his body, leaving his ears to plant soft kisses along his neck.

The need to be inside her was slowly driving him mad. When Imani slightly lifted her head back toward his left ear, he took the opportunity to flip her over on her back, giving him the power to control the foreplay. The only sounds in the beach house were their moans of pleasure intertwined with the soft waves crashing against rocks.

“If I let you keep licking my neck and ears, this night won’t last much longer.”

“I can’t help that I like the way your body reacts when I lick your neck and ears. It makes me even wetter.”

Daman watched her in admiration as she pushed him off her and threw off her clothes, leaving nothing on but a lacey black panty and bra set. That classy demeanor she often maintained was gone, replaced by an uninhibited vixen. He sat in awe of every move she made, finally able to fully appreciate every curve of her delectable body.

She kneeled on the bed, seemingly overcome by the passionate aura they had created in the room. Her hair was falling freely across her shoulders, while her catlike moves were leaving him speechless. He figured he had two options: be a bystander or be a participant.

Slowly he began to pull off her bra with his teeth, only briefly acknowledging that he was still dressed. Once her breasts were free of the material, he guided a nipple into his mouth so fast that he heard her gasp in surprise.

“Daman, please take off your clothes.”

Her voice was low and breathless. He stood and threw off his clothes in record time, not wanting to be away from her for too long. But her glazed-over eyes kept his feet stationed as he let her admire his naked body.

“You’re one tempting woman, Ms. Rayne.”

The slight smile she gave him was soft and inviting. “And you’re one sexy man, Mr. Barker. Now...are you going to keep me waiting?”

He had every intention of continuing his foreplay with her, but neither of their bodies seemed to be getting the message. Slowly, he lowered himself on top of her, gently taking her lips again. She met him halfway, slightly opening her mouth to invite him in. He’d barely kissed her, but he could feel the intense knots form throughout his entire body, brought on by their erotic intimacy. His groin was aching, and his hardness was already anticipating diving into her wet center. He placed a finger down there to see if she was ready. As soon as he reached her middle, she arched her back off the bed, not once allowing her mouth to leave his.

“Woman, you are so damn responsive! I can barely hold on any longer,” Daman said between kisses.

She seductively dipped her tongue in and out of his mouth before moving to lick his ear.

“Then forget the foreplay, and bury yourself deep inside me,” she whispered.

“You have such a naughty way with words. Who knew...?”

Imani giggled at his comment and released him. Within seconds, he located the condoms he’d brought, sheathed his member and lowered himself onto her again.

He opened her legs, wondering if he’d ever seen a pair of thighs that fascinated him the way Imani’s did. Slowly, he eased into her center, allowing her to get used to his length. She was tight, and he knew it had been a while since she’d made love. She adjusted her body to accommodate his size, and with one final thrust, he was completely inside of her.

“You feel so good...way too good,” he told her between breaths. His encouraging words caused Imani to pick up her pace, meeting him stroke for stroke. She began clenching her inner muscles in a milking effect as if she were trying to suck him in even deeper than he already was.

“What the hell is going on with you tonight?” Daman asked, more breathless than he wanted to be.

Once again, she giggled in his ear and increased her pace even more. Daman wanted this night to last for as long as it could, but the way she was moving her hips caused him to slightly lose control. Never had he felt so connected to a lover before. Her moans and soft whimpers were unnerving his body in ways he couldn’t explain. He tensed up, not wanting to allow himself to feel the emotions slowly surfacing in the forefront of his mind. The concerned look on Imani’s face let him know she could sense his anxiety.

“What’s wrong? Are you okay?”

Daman said the first thing he could think of. “I have a cramp in my right leg. It’s not a big deal. I just need to straighten my leg out a little bit.”

“Oh, okay. I can fix that.”

Daman let her up, assuming she was allowing him to take a quick break. Instead, she straddled him, pinned him down on the bed and lowered herself back onto the length of him. He gasped out of surprise and pleasure. He’d felt how tight she was, so he knew getting used to his size wasn’t an easy task. But she’d lowered herself onto him like they’d made love a thousand times.

Imani began to rotate her hips in a circular motion, moving up and down in a rhythm that made Daman groan with pleasure. He quickly realized he couldn’t control the situation. With Imani in the driver’s seat, he had no choice but to let go and enjoy himself, only briefly acknowledging that he was headed in a direction he’d never gone before.

With every movement she made, her body demanded that he release himself physically and emotionally. Ever since he’d met Imani, he’d had a hard time telling his body not to react to her the way it did, and apparently, tonight was no different. He’d think about the consequences later.

Hair plastered all across her face and sweat glistening off her forehead, he knew she was close. Her thighs clinched together, forcing him to go even deeper than he already was. Two strokes later, all thoughts ceased as they both experienced an indescribable feeling of pure, unrestrained lust, releasing all their inhibitions and fears of what was yet to come.

Together, they rode out their throes of passion, as the electrifying currents tore through them. As the waves of pleasure subsided, Imani smiled that smile meant only for him and passed out on his chest in exhaustion. In that instant, as he held her, all he was thinking was that he’d never experienced anything so fulfilling in his entire life.

Chapter 17

S
lowly opening her eyes the next morning, Imani stretched out her body and felt her muscles ache in satisfaction. It had been five years since she put them to good use, and she didn’t regret one thing. After four rounds of lovemaking, it was a miracle she was even up at all.

As they lay there, spooning like they had after every lovemaking session, she glanced over her shoulder at Daman and watched his eyes slowly open. Making love to him felt right, and the way they connected sexually was stronger than anything she’d ever experienced.

“I understand how you feel because I feel the same way.”

All she could do was smile at Daman’s response. She hadn’t even said anything, yet they were so in tune with each other that he’d read the look in her eyes.

She glimpsed out of the side window at the beautiful sunrise overlooking the calm water. “I can’t believe it’s morning already, can you?” she asked, as she glanced from the window up at Daman’s face.

Their bodies were tangled in the sheets, and the intense look Daman was giving her made her want him all over again. They had fallen in and out of sleep throughout the night, yet she felt more relaxed than she would have if she had slept an entire eight hours.

Daman gently pushed her disarrayed hair out of her face. He wanted to go another round. She could feel it. He pulled her into him and placed a soft kiss on her lips, obviously not affected by their morning breath. She knew the type of man Daman was, but so far he had completely surprised her with how attentive he was during intimacy.

“What are you thinking?” Imani asked after he broke the kiss.

He was quiet for a second before asking her another personal question. “Why do you release a feather into the air sometimes?”

Imani sat up in bed with the sheets still wrapped around her. She knew he would want to know that eventually. “You’re full of questions, aren’t you?”

Daman laughed, and she thought she’d never quite heard that laugh before. It was both sexy and raspy, making him even more desirable.

“Stop stalling and answer the question.”

She couldn’t recall ever telling anyone besides her cousins or Mya the meaning behind releasing a feather into the air, but she wanted to tell Daman. After all, he’d caught her so many times, he deserved to know the reason.

“Gamine always loved to visit new places. She visited everyone who was important to her, and she always had a new story to tell us at the next family gathering. When she passed away, I wasn’t ready to let go, even though I knew she would always be in my heart. So I decided that every time I went out of town to someplace I’d never been before, I would release a feather into the sky and hope that it reached her in heaven. That way, she always knows where I was and that I was thinking of her. I know it’s silly and childish, but it helps so I shared it with a few other members having a hard time dealing with her death. And all those places she wanted to see...now she can, through us.”

Daman was silent for a few seconds before responding. “I don’t think it’s silly or childish to do something to honor a loved one. There are things that I do to let my father know that he will never be forgotten.”

Imani placed her hand on Daman’s arm. “It must be hard for you to hear me talk about Gamine this way. I don’t want to start thinking about your dad and make you sad after we had such a great night.”

His hand grazed her cheek.

“You have nothing to be sorry about. There are times when I have entire conversations with my dad. You know, to keep him updated on my life. Some people may say that’s childish and silly because he can’t talk back, but I couldn’t care less what they think. The only thing that matters is that I feel better talking to him.”

Imani observed Daman as he continued to talk about his relationship with his father. She couldn’t believe how wrong she’d been about him. He was a proud man...that she knew. But he could also be kind and sweet. She could hear the strength in his heartfelt words.

“So do you release a feather at every new location?” Daman asked, breaking her thoughts.

“No, only the places that I would tell Gamine about if she were here. Each place where I release a feather holds a special moment, memory or person for me.”

By now, Daman had moved closer to Imani and was already tugging the sheet away from her body.

“I have to admit something,” Daman said in a low voice. “I’ve seen you release several feathers at places that I’ve been with you. Is it safe to say that I have something to do with a feather or two?”

There was a knock on the front door, breaking the moment between them. Daman took the extra sheet that had been dismissed to the floor and wrapped it around his waist before leaving the bedroom.

Imani was glad for the small window of alone time to process her thoughts. She realized too late that she’d mistakenly led him to believe that he could have been the reason behind the release of a couple feathers. Truth be told, she would have told Gamine about Daman if she were still alive.

Did I subconsciously release a feather with Daman in mind?

He returned to the bedroom with a piece of paper in his hand.

“The butler said that the Walshes will meet with us in two hours for introductions before the brunch.”

“Does that mean we have time for another round?” Imani asked, trying to divert Daman from the previous topic of discussion.

“Yes, it does,” Daman said in a husky voice. “But first I want to know if you have an answer for my question.” He dropped the sheet and climbed back into bed.

She watched him closely as she admired his aroused state. They were both leaning on their sides and had gotten closer to one another. His face was mere inches away from hers.

“You may have had something to do with a feather, but I wouldn’t get too happy about it. You’re not
that
important to me,” she said playfully.

“Ms. Rayne, I don’t believe a word you’re saying,” he said, gently kissing her face. She could feel his smile between kisses.

After what they’d done last night, he didn’t have any reason to believe her. She wouldn’t even believe her. There was no use denying it.

“Well, Mr. Barker, when you’re right, you’re right.”

She didn’t understand this submissive side of herself, but she didn’t want to focus on it now. She would worry about her feelings later. For now, she wanted to direct all of her attention toward the man who was making her lose her self-control.

When his hands were on her body, it made her feel alive. Every touch left a heated mark in its trail, and under his intense gaze and steamy kisses, she lost herself in their passion.

“You have no idea how beautiful you are.”

She looked into his eyes and saw the appreciation reflected in them. “When you stare at me the way you do, it’s hard not to feel beautiful.”

Leaning down, she kissed him with all the emotion that had been buried inside her for years. She always knew she was attractive, but Daman looked at her in a way that made her feel like he only had eyes for her. She knew that wasn’t possible, since he’d made sure she understood that he loved women and had no intentions to commit to only one.

Imani willed her thoughts to cease so that she could focus on the desire building inside of her. He put on a condom, and slowly, she eased him inside of her and began rocking her hips to the tranquil sounds of the water. Inch by glorious inch, he filled her. She clenched and unclenched when she rocked on his member. Daman rewarded her with groans of pleasure.

The faster she rode, the louder their moans grew, mixing with the soft squeak of the bed. Daman grabbed her butt and lifted his knees, matching her movements in a rhythm created just for them. She knew Daman felt the exact moment he hit her sweet spot. The magnitude of pleasure she felt almost had her bucking off the bed, but Daman tightened his grip...refusing to let her go.

She looked into his eyes, determined to plea for him to release her a little, but the eyes that stared back at her displayed no signs of remorse. He seemed ready for a strong orgasm and began to match her movements harder and faster. Her mind and heart told her to shut him out and control the situation. But when he smirked at her, fire burning in his eyes, her body refused to listen to her mind or her heart. Instead, she chose to give in to temptation and tighten her inner walls around him.

The movement caught him off guard because seconds later he threw back his head and grunted her name in an unrecognizable voice. Together they soared over mountains and valleys as they were hit with orgasms so strong, they felt like they were neither here nor there, but in a place all their own.

* * *

As Imani sat on a chair wearing Daman’s discarded T-shirt, she marveled at the beautiful Sunday sunrise. Brunch with the Walshes yesterday had been successful, and she eagerly texted Vicky that the Walshes agreed to sponsor two events for this year’s pre-gala parties.

Taking a sip of her coffee, she glanced over at Daman still asleep in bed. Even though the sheet was covering his body, she still admired the shape of his strong thighs and tight butt. That man had no right to look that damn fine. He was definitely a sight she could get accustomed to seeing every day, which triggered that voice inside her head warning her that she was in danger of falling even harder. She’d hoped to remain sleeping with him in bed until they caught a flight back later that day. But she wasn’t so lucky.

She’d been receiving texts and calls all morning and was trying her best to keep her emotions at bay. Today was her grandmother’s birthday and undoubtedly one of the hardest days for her every year. She’d been so focused on not falling for Daman, that she’d forgotten how monumental the day was for the Burrstones.

Her family always turned to her for comfort, oblivious of the fact that there were some days she’d rather be the one receiving the comfort. She missed everything about Gamine and it was days like today that took her back to that sad and tragic day five years ago when she found out that the one person she’d loved most in the world, was no longer physically here.

The morning Gamine passed away, Imani had known something was wrong. She felt it in the chilly April air around her and her day seemed to move in slow motion.

The moment she’d walked through the front door of the Burrstone home, she could hear the heart-wrenching sobs and quiet whispers of neighbors and close friends echoing through the large household. Her immediate family was nowhere in sight, and everyone that she passed refused to make eye contact with her.

As she’d rounded the doorway leading to the dining room, her mother was the first person she saw. Hope was hunched in a chair, crying uncontrollably, while Imani’s father and Cyd stood close behind. Imani immediately went to her mother and cradled her pained face in her hands. The redness of her mother’s hazel eyes disguised their true beauty as they tenderly stared into Imani’s face. She had never seen her mother look so upset and her mother’s words that day would forever be imprinted in her mind.

“She’s gone, Imani. My heart is breaking because no one can bring my mother back to me. I didn’t even get a chance to say goodbye. Why her?” her mother had shrieked as she looked up toward the ceiling. “Dear God, why her?” Imani’s aunts had rushed to her mother’s side, cradling her in their arms, as they cried together for the loss of their mother. Hope may have been her mother’s name, but Imani had never seen her look so hopeless.

Imani’s thoughts were broken when she heard the ruffling of the sheet. She glanced over at Daman again, but this time he was staring right at her. He tilted his head to the side, studying the stressed features on her face. She saw the question in his eyes and realized that he probably noticed the tension in her eyes caused by unshed tears. She momentarily forgot about the importance of the day as she watched him walk toward her in all his naked glory.

“Is everything okay?” Daman asked, placing her coffee on the table while lifting her from the chair. Once they reached the bed, he laid down and motioned for her to lie down, too.

“I’m fine,” Imani lied. “I just couldn’t sleep.”

Daman looked at her questionably, not believing her answer. “I heard your phone ring and vibrate a few times. Are you sure everything’s okay?” Stroking her cheek, he gazed into her eyes, continuing to comfort her without words.

“You’re right, I’m not fine,” Imani replied after a few minutes of silence. “Today is Gamine’s birthday.”

Daman’s eyes squinted together in understanding. “I see...” As he pulled her closer to him, Imani leaned into his chest relishing in his comforting touch.

“I’ve tried for years to forget that day, yet on Gamine’s birthday every year, my family calls on me for support and just when I think I’ll be able to get through the day without having my own emotional breakdown, my emotions fail me.”

She shivered at the possibility of that happening again and pulled the sheet over her body to slow down her quivering.

“Do you want to talk more about that day?” Daman asked. “You talked about Gamine and your responsibilities a little on Friday, but I have a feeling you haven’t really talked to many people about it. It may help you deal with pain if you talk about it.”

Imani didn’t dare tell him that he was right and that she hadn’t really talked to anyone about that day. Maybe opening up would help her deal with the emotions battling inside her.

“The day she passed away, all I wanted to do was cry until I had no tears left and scream until I had no words left to speak. But I couldn’t do that. Gamine had groomed me, telling me that I was the nurturer among the grandchildren and that I would eventually have to step up in the family when no one else could.”

Daman began gliding his hand up and down her arm. “That’s a lot of pressure to place on someone.”

Imani nodded her head. “It was...it definitely was. And I hadn’t truly known what Gamine meant until that day. It’s easy to tell someone you understand, but it’s much harder to realize the true meaning behind the lesson until it hits you full force.”

“I couldn’t agree more,” Daman added.