Love UnExpected (Love's Improbable Possibility) (24 page)

When she returned about
thirty minutes later, I was floored. Her beauty was embroidered. The dress fit far better than what I had imagined. And she moved gracefully in the five inch Louboutin’s. Her make-up was soft but her eyes were well defined. Her tangerine lipstick was the icing on the cake. I couldn’t wait to fuck it up. I couldn't piece that together, makeup was out of my lane, but she seemed to have had a grip on it. Her hair was long and flowing against her shoulders and draping her upper back.
How did she go from do-rag to this?
was what begged for an answer. 

“You look elegant. I love your hair. What did you do with it?” I asked while standing in front of her admiring her beauty.
 

Rayna let out a chuckle. “I had it highlighted this morning. Thank you, Mr. Jacobs
,” she muttered bashfully. 

“You look delectable, which is why we need to hurry up and hit the road before I have to cancel on Rick
,” I growled in her ear, flirting with her. Ray had been waiting outside.

She blushed, beaming gracefully. I grabbed her hand and we left.
 

Rick’
s property was stupendously massive. He had been
pseudo
inviting me down for a couple of years now, but I haven’t been interested. I recently discovered we have a few business friends in common so I relented this time. His home had to be 11,000 square feet. We walked in through the foyer where we were greeted by a waiter with champagne. I took two and handed one to Rayna. I can tell she was just as amazed as I about the spacious rooms and exquisite decor from our trip from the front door out into the back of the house. A few people were in the house but most were out back. The closer we got to the French doors leading to the patio the louder and clearer the music became. 

I immediately saw people that I knew from various circles. His yard was enormous. The patio area was at least
five yards long and three wide adorned with cobblestone before you hit the grass. There were two in-ground pools, both of which were being occupied by guests. This was exclusive. I noticed Rayna was quiet.

We found a table and I asked, “You okay?”

“Yeah. I’m just in awe of this estate. I guess the shoes were a good idea,” she teased about the things I’d bought her earlier. I had hope she wasn’t feeling intimidated. This was nice but these were the most pretentious people this side of the Mississippi. 

“Impressive, yeah but too grand for my taste.” She gave my comment a silly laugh.
 

“What's that all about?” I asked.
 

“I think I'm officially tipsy.”
 

“How is that? You're not even done with your glass.” I looked at the glass that was three quarters empty.

“I guess that was all it took,” she said in a more serious manner.

“
When was the last time you've eaten?”

“
Try around eight this morning,” she said sheepishly.

“
Ms. Brimm, that's very irresponsible of you,” I admonished. I didn't want her getting sick.

“
Well, I had an intruder this afternoon. One who was after my goodies. So, my bad for forgetting to ask him to pause while I ate.”

“
Let me go grab you something to eat. Stay put.” I ignored her cute jab, but left her with a soft kiss on her forehead before walking off.

I went to the various food tables and grabbed her a couple of pieces of finger foods.
 Anything to absorb the alcohol.

“
Hey...
Azmeer
,” I heard from a distance over the music. I knew who it was immediately. I always hated the way that Rick pronounced my name, but tolerated it. I turned around and he’s approaching me with his arms wide open. You have to appreciate the visual of a man well over six feet embracing one who’s barely over 5 feet. 

“
Rick. My dude! How are you?” I greeted.

“
Azmeer, it's great to see you out. Actually, I'm happy as fuck to see you. I thought you'd stand me up.”

“
No. This time I chose to oblige. I even brought a lady friend.”
One that I need to get back to with some food.
 

“
A lady friend? This I've got to see, my friend,” Rick shouted.

“
She's over here.”

We walk over t
o Rayna who's soaking up the atmosphere. Rick talked a mile a minute en route.

“
Ahhhhh...here she is. And you left out how fucking gorgeous she is, aye!” Rick teased as he nudges me in the ribs with his elbow. 

“
Ms. Brimm, this is a longtime associate of mine, Rick Adelstien. Rick, this is a very special acquaintance of mine, Ms. Rayna Brim
m.”

Rick, being the cock-sucking suck up that he is, reaches for Rayna's hand and kisses it before saying,
“Now, you, I had to meet. Azmeer here never comes out to play and you must be his inspiration. An extreme pleasure to meet you, Ms. Brimm. Is that Brim as in hat?”

“
Actually two M's—” Rayna replied with a graceful smile.

B
ut before she could complete her sentence Rick blurts out, “Are you being taken care of here?”

A waiter so happened to be walking pas
t us and he orders, “Hey, you! You make sure this special couple gets V.I.P. treatment, do you understand? I want you to anticipate their every need, understand?” Rick spoke condescendingly. 

The waiter leaves us glasses of champagne and promises to return with food.
 

“
Rick, that was very gracious of you. You shouldn't have,” I say though I really wanted to say,
Don't belittle the staff to impress me. You're doing yourself a disservice
.

“
Nothing is too much for a friend like you, Azmeer! Now, I'll have to go. I see a guy who owes me money. It was great meeting you, Ms. Brimm. Anything you need, you let me know...” he said to Rayna then looked to me before giving me the all too familiar slap on the arm before walking away.

Rayna laugh
ed heartily. I was annoyed to say the least. Kiss ups are disingenuous people, I detest them.

“
And what is your relationship with him?” Rayna asked in amusement.

“
Money. He’s been asking for years for me to invest in his indie films. I haven't been interested until recently. I'm still on the fence.”

“
Well, he drives a hard bargain. Be ready to be sold,” she said still laughing.

“
Rayna, I thought you should know that I'll be out of town next week,” I inform her while twirling my champagne flute.

With wide eyes she asked,
“Where?”

“
Paris. My partner has a few things lined up over there...potential associates who are in markets we’d like to engage. If I'm lucky, I'll return a man with many connections and more enterprises,” I simplified.

“
Paris. For how long?” She seemed disappointed.

“
I'll leave out on Monday and due to return on Friday. It's a relatively short trip and is extremely hopeful. Will you miss me?”

“
Probably more than I can stand.” She pouted softly while looking into the distance.

I know this is bad timing considering we've been locked at the hip for about a week now. She's still grieving and won't have anyone while I'm away.
Her nightmares that she has no idea that I am aware of were still frightening for her. But this was an opportunity that I could not turn away. Things were drastically turning around for me in the land of merging and acquisitions and I had to strike while the iron was hot.

“
You can always come. I'm sure you can request the time off,” I offered knowing I'd be more than agreeable to that.

“
Don't be silly, Azmir. I could never impose on you like that. I'm a big girl. I'll be fine,” she tried to assure unconvincingly. “But I am excited about this opportunity and what it means for your career. I can say I smashed you when,” she joked and we both fell into laughter.

Moments later
, as we were chatting, another familiar voice spoke from behind me.

“
Oh, wow! I didn't know you'd be here.” I turned to find Lady Spin. I wasn't expecting to see her either.

“Lady S,”
I said inexpressively. Right away she locked eyes with Rayna who's standing next to the table. She reached up and air kissed me on the cheek. Not a good move but I allowed it.

“
It's a surprise seeing you, too,” I said, feeling indifferent. 

“
Did you come alone?” she asked looking Rayna square in the face.

“
No. This is Ms. Rayna Brimm. Ms. Brimm, I'm not sure if you are familiar with Lady Spin from the radio?” I pose as a question knowing damn well they met at an event a couple of months back.

“
Why, of course. It's a pleasure to see you again,” Rayna said with grace.

Spin gave a spurious smile and cut her eyes to me. She was getting the
message. She may not have liked the painting, but she understood the picture. Now, I’d always liked Spin because she was easy to get along with and fun to hang out with. She didn't press me for much. She was very direct with wanting a sexual relationship with no strings attached. And I knew her heart was with a guy from a popular R&B group from the early 1990s. She was nearly forty and knew how to separate her feelings from her pussy or so I thought until today.

“
So, how's everything? How's Petey? I have to get back to him about your party pictures. He told me they're ready,” she said, trying to illustrate intimacy between us and name drop. Women can be so conniving.

Rayna just stood there heedfully and cool
ly watching. The look in Lady S’ eyes told me this wouldn't go over easy, which I didn’t understand because she was pliant to our arrangement in the past.

To my surprise we were interrupted by Rayna's girl, Britni.

“Rayna! Heeeeeeey, girl!” Britni shrieked. 

Rayna turned and gave a huge smile and said,
“Hey Britni, how are you? What are you doing here?”

Britni
announced, “I'm here with Spin.” 

Rayna narro
wed her eyebrows in confusion. “Oh, wow. Small world.” 

Britn
i had a slick look in her eye. “Yeah, she's my cousin.”

“
Oh, I didn't know that,” Rayna muttered, trying to mask her disappointment.

“Well, it’
s not like you ever hung out with us outside of Michelle. But Michelle met her a while back,” Britni announced.

This was some bullshit brewing. I wasn't looking forward to the outcome at all. Rayna was visibly uncomfortable.

“Oh, cuz! This is a good friend of mine, Azmir—” Spin was cut off my Britni.

“
Azmir Jacobs. Yes, he was the sole sponsor of my Bahamian vacation that I told you about. And what a pleasure that was,” she said with the most scheming and seductive smile.

“
I'm glad you were able to take part in Rayna's birthday excursion…?” 

“
Britni,” she answered my purposely posed question of her name. She was insignificant. I understood what she was trying to do to Rayna.

“
Britni. That's right,” I said wryly.

Britni looked Rayna up and down and said,
“Wow, Rayna, you're really gettin’ it,” as she cut her eyes at me. Was she really insinuating that Rayna was pimping me? I had to chuckle!
Women can be really shady
.

“
Getting it, huhn?” Rayna replied calmly, wearing a smirk while intently reading Britni's eyes. I could tell she was infuriated. 

“
Yeah, those Loubou's are from the spring line. They're on every diva's wish-list and here you are rocking the hell out of them,” Britni antagonized. 

“
Flattery gets you everywhere, B. Glad to have inspired you,” Rayna replied mirthlessly.

I had to stop this. I saw a flame shoot up in Rayna's eyes. I didn't want her flexing.

Spin looked at me and said, “I need to speak with you—privately,” a little demanding even. I didn't like it. She was trying to enter into an estrogen war and these two were tag-teaming Rayna. If I had to choose, Spin will be picking her bruised ego off the ground. I don't do shows.

But before I could answer Rayna issue
d, “Mr. Jacobs, you better go, she sounds desperate. Besides, I need a moment with my…estranged…
buddy
here,” while her eyes were burning a hole in Britni's face.

“Desperate?”
Spin shot back.

Rayna's eyes darted to Spin,
“Yes,” she smiled ruefully. “See, when you see your former bed-buddy out with a new woman and immodestly ask to speak with him in private, that has a scent of desperation to it. Go, have your moment. I'm generous.” She maintained a smile that didn't extend to her eyes, the same she wore when speaking to Britni a few moments ago.