The Lion (9 page)

  “I practically ripped them off and begged him to take them,” she confessed.

  Millie Patterson smiled at her granddaughter. “Well, I can't blame you baby. That is one fine man.”

Tauri sighed. “He talks about building and having babies...lots of babies.”

  “He's a man who knows what he wants,” her grandmother told her.

Tauri put hand to her forehead. “He says he wants me.”

  “Of course he wants you!” her grandmother boasted. “He wants the best.”

  “You're biased Granny,” Tauri told her laughing.

  Her grandmother shook her head. “No, I know my baby girl is the best. I raised her from knee high.”

  Tauri looked thoughtful. “I don't know what would have happened to me if I didn't have you and Granddaddy in my life. I love you so much.”

  Her grandmother came and placed her arms around her. “You made our lives wonderful.” She looked at her. “When I wasn't spanking your behind.”

  Tauri laughed and returned her grandmother's embrace. When they separated, she stared at her Granny.

  “I don't know what to do with Orion,” she confessed. “It's only been a week and I have all these feelings.”

  “People need time but love just happens.” Her grandmother took a seat next to her. “When I met Henry Patterson I knew right away that he was mine, you hear me. Yes sir, that's why Henry Patterson got the panties on the first date.” She smiled at Tauri. “I had to let him know this here was too good to pass up.”

Tauri shook her head. “Granny...”

  “And once he got it, he never wanted any other panties. He told you so himself.”

  “Yes he did Granny, right in front of Orion,” Tauri reminded her.

  Her Granny waved her hand. “Hush girl. That young man has probably had more panties than Victoria's Secret.”

Tauri agreed. “Tell me about it.”

  “I had my reservations about Orion Shaw when he walked in here but that young man is serious; about his business...and about you.”

Tauri looked confused and her grandmother continued.

  “He came here yesterday and sat with two old people eating spaghetti and fried chicken. The whole time all he talked about was our beautiful granddaughter and all he wanted to do for her.”

Tauri closed her eyes. “He's too much.”

Millie touched her granddaughter's face and watched her eyes open. “You never settle for less.”

  “He wants to have a family Granny.”

  “Three boys and two girls,” her Granny confirmed.

Tauri frowned. “What?”

  “That's what he said, three boys and two girls. I think that works fine, just fine.”

  “Are you saying that Orion discussed us having children with you?” she asked amazed.

Millie smiled. “Of course girl, those are our great grandchildren.”

  Tauri jumped off the stool. “Has everybody lost their minds?” she yelled drawing her grandfather's attention. He quickly entered the kitchen looking at both women.

  “Orion may think that he can plan out our entire lives, but he’d better think again! Yes, he may be handsome and charming and smart and interesting but I don't care!”

Henry looked confused. “What in the Sam Hill is going on in here?”

Millie looked at her husband. “The bunny rabbits,” she said knowingly.

  “The bunny rabbits, huh?” Her grandfather asked and she nodded. He turned to look at his granddaughter with a huge smile on his face.

  “What bunny rabbits? What are you talking about?” Tauri demanded.

  Her grandmother began. “When you were a little girl we had two bunny rabbits that would come and visit the yard. You would complain and complain about those bunny rabbits running around outside but every day you would watch them for hours. Then one day the bunny rabbits didn't come and after a week we found you sitting at the window with tears in your little brown eyes.”

  Henry picked up the story. “Then I asked what was wrong, and you told me the bunny rabbits were gone...and you loved them...”

  Tauri slowly took a seat again at the counter remembering the incident while Millie and Henry shared a look as their granddaughter sat deep in her own thoughts.

  “I did love them Granddaddy,” she whispered softly.

********

  Rion answered the door letting Marc and Trent into his apartment later that evening. They all took a seat in his living room.

  “Tauri will be here soon and she'll tell you what she needs to win this case,” Rion told them.

  “Miss Patterson works in Brandon's office correct?” Marc asked.

Rion nodded. “She's the prosecutor he assigned to the case.”

  “Are the Negus cool with what they need to do?” Trent asked.

  “Yeah, they'll be ready,” Rion assured him before turning to Marc.

  “I'm not apologizing for what Khalil said earlier, because he's right but it wasn't the appropriate time,” Rion told him. “I thank you both for coming.”

Marc nodded. “It's no problem. I'm here to get things done.”

  The doorbell rang and Rion went to answer. He opened the door and smiled at the woman on the other side. Memories of last night flooded his mind as he looked down into her hazel eyes. He remembered them filled with passion and closing slowly as she erupted.

  “Hi Orion,” that raspy voice caressed his name.

  Rion leaned down and kissed her softly. “Hello Tauri.” She responded by lifting her face and returning his kiss.

  He smiled down at her before taking her hand and leading her into the living room where Trent and Marc were waiting. Tauri looked at both men, one young and handsome and the other handsome as well wearing dark sunglasses. Rion made the introductions then Tauri took a seat with him following and sitting beside her.

  Tauri smiled at both men. “So I understand that you've come to help Orion with the case,” she began and they nodded. “Okay, so let me tell you how this is going to work. If you're obtaining anything illegally, I don't want to know, just make sure it can't be proven in court that's how you got it. I need incriminating evidence such as conversations, paper trails, eyewitnesses and the like. These people are high profile with lots of friends who will lie for them in a heartbeat.  If you bring me witnesses, make sure they're credible and brave because I have no doubt they'll be threatened in some form. I don't like surprises and I don't like losing. Any questions?”

  All three men stared at her in silence and she looked from one to the other.  Rion continued to look at her in amazement while Marc and Trent glanced at one another.

  “No, no questions. I think you've covered everything we need to know,” Marc said turning to Trent.

  “I'm cool. I'll just need access to your computer,” Trent told her.

Tauri nodded. “That's fine. You can come to my office tomorrow and I can give you what I have.”

  Trent agreed and the four continued to discuss the plans for going forward for another hour until Marc and Trent left for dinner. They agreed to meet Tauri at her office the next day. Rion walked them to the door then returned to find Tauri with her head back against the sofa and her eyes closed. She'd kicked off her heels and her bare feet were on the ottoman in front of her. His gaze slid down her sexy legs then back up her body to her upturned face. He walked to her then bent and kissed her lips until her eyes opened and she smiled at him.

  Rion sat next to her then quickly picked her up and placed her on his lap. “You almost got it right here in front of Marc and Trent.”

  “Got what?” she whispered smiling.

  “You know what,” he told her. “Sitting here all kick ass and businesslike. It was so damn sexy.”

He kissed her slowly and she wrapped her arms around his neck.

  “You like Prosecutor Patterson?” she asked with a sexy smile.

  “She is fire. No wonder you win so many cases, the opposing lawyers can't think straight.”

Tauri laughed. “I'm just that good,” she bragged.

  “You're the best, even Brandon told me.”

  “Brandon told you that?” she asked surprised.

Rion nodded. “Why are you surprised?”

She shrugged. “Brandon's usually on my ass. I'm always on his list for something.”

  “He can't let the others think that he favors you. Brandon is all about fairness and justice,” he explained. “He knows you're the best he has.”

Tauri smiled. “I am.”

  “Feeling yourself a little?” he asked and she laughed.

  Rion looked into her face. “Seriously, I'm so thankful that Brandon assigned you. Not just because you're the best at your job but because he brought my goddess to me.”

  “Were you looking for her?” she asked.

  “Yes, I was looking for you and now that I've found you nothing will take you away from me.”

  Tauri laid her head on his shoulder. “I don't want anything to take you away from me either Orion.”

  “It makes me so mad that someone wants to hurt you just because of the color your skin,” she said angrily.

  Rion held her close and stroked her gently. “There are those that have gone through much worse than this.”

Tauri touched his face. “Why did you choose baseball?”

  “Baseball actually chose me. It was something I was really good at and I loved.” He paused for a moment.

  “I read about the Negro leagues when I was a boy and I was fascinated. I remember being so angry at how the black players were treated wherever they traveled. They had to endure countless racial slurs and death threats simply because they wanted to play a game.”

  He looked at her. “I was raised a young god. I was taught that I could do anything and I believe that. The only limitations I have are the ones I place on myself. My parents raised me to know who I am, not just as a man, but a black man. I understand the burdens and the responsibilities that I carry because of who I am.”

  “Is it worth your life Orion?” she asked quietly.

He looked at her and answered without hesitation. “Yes, Tauri...it is.”

  “Why?”

  “Because one day there will be a little black boy who'll pick up a book and read that Orion Shaw was the first black man to own a major league baseball team in an all-white league. He didn't give in to threats and he stood his ground. He had the talent, the money, and the intelligence to make it happen. Then that little boy will know that he can do even greater things, just Iike I knew when I first read about the Negro leagues.”

Tauri leaned in and kissed him gently. “I will stand behind you Orion because I believe in you.”

Rion lifted her chin. “I want you to stand beside me Tauri because I need you.”

She smiled at him. “Baby, they don't know what's coming...”

********

  Marc and Trent sat in the back of the Metro car on their way back to the hotel. Trent turned to him.

  “Tauri Patterson is for real.”

Marc smiled. “I would agree with that.”

  “So that's Rion's girl,” Trent said nodding appreciatively.

  “Why do you say that?” Marc asked.

Trent smiled. “Dude did you see how he looked at her? Definitely smashing.”

Marc shook his head. “You're serious.”

  “If she was my lawyer, I'd be smashing too,” Trent told him shrugging.

  “I thought you were in love with Callie?” Marc asked.

Trent glared at him. “I am and Callie's my girl, my only girl.”

Marc put a hand up. “Calm down Trent. I'm not after your girl. I thought we were done with this.”

Trent leaned back. “We're cool, besides I see how you been checking out Khayla.”

Marc shrugged. “She's a beautiful woman.”

  “I think her brother is crazy as hell,” Trent commented.

  “I agree.”

Trent laughed. “I think he wants to kick your ass too.”

  Marc smirked. “He can try. You got a pass because of the situation,” Marc said referring to the incident that had happened between them a few months ago.

  “Yeah, but you know I got skills,” Trent bragged.

Marc turned toward the window. “Make sure you use them on the right people next time.”

   Tauri awakened for the second consecutive night in Orion's bed. This time he was still asleep and his solid warmth comforted her. She could clearly define his features illuminated from the bright moonlight. Rion explained that he didn't use curtains because he liked to sleep underneath the moon and stars. He also found looking out over the water very soothing and relaxing.

  She again admired the beautiful chocolate skin that she loved to feel and taste. His features were so defined and regal. He carried the determination of a warrior on his face and in his demeanor. He'd invaded her life like a conqueror and made her his willing prisoner. 

  As she continued to watch him she thought of the bunny rabbits. She remembered thinking that they had been the most beautiful things she'd ever seen. They'd caught her attention and ensnared her from the start. She'd watch them jumping and playing around her yard and although she'd wanted to be with them, she'd been afraid. Her Granny had asked if she wanted to go out and play with them but she'd stubbornly declined. Tauri had been afraid that they would hurt her even though her grandparents had assured her they wouldn't. She'd wanted them to just leave her yard and leave her alone but after watching them for so long she'd come to enjoy them and looked forward to their visits. When they had moved on, her heart had been broken.

  Now Orion Shaw was her adult bunny rabbit. He intrigued her, fascinated her and scared the hell out of her. Orion was unlike anyone she'd ever met in her life. She found his confidence both infuriating and sexy. He had the ability to make her see things in a totally different way. Orion was also loved and adored by everyone who knew him. He had an aura about him that made you comfortable in his presence and made Tauri want to stay cuddled next to him like she was right now.

  It wasn't his looks, although Orion was certainly one the most sexy and attractive men she'd known. It wasn't his wealth either, because while Orion lived well, he didn't live extravagantly or excessively. It was simply him, the man he was, that had her thinking about building...and babies. Tauri had never thought of babies or family, not because she didn't want it but because she'd been so busy with school and then building her career. In addition, there had never been a man who she had remotely considered marriage or family material.

  Orion, on the other hand, had come straight out the gate staking his claim on her. He'd managed to infatuate her grandparents, who were known to be tough nuts to crack and they'd practically already added him to the family. They were probably making space on the mantle for their wedding pictures.

  Tauri turned her attention back to him lying there so peacefully on his back. She loved the calmness that Orion possessed. Even with a threat on his life, he was still level headed and purposeful in his business. She could no longer deny that she was drawn to him. Her reservations over the amount of time they'd known each other evaporated every time he touched her.

  Orion was an incredible lover that pleasured her immeasurably. He wasn't the type of man who thought he'd give you what he had and that was it. Tauri was the type of woman who didn't want the same thing every time. Sometimes she liked it fast, other times very slowly...sometimes sweet and other times very naughty. Orion was able to determine her moods and kept the pace extremely well.

  “You're thinking so I'm wondering if I should be afraid.” The deep voice broke into her thoughts.

  Tauri had been so lost in her thoughts that she had not seen him awaken but now dark eyes held hers.

  “I was thinking about you,” she told him softly while staring down into his face.

Rion gave her a look. “Were you thinking that you wanted to climb on top of me right now?”

She smiled. “No.”

  “Then stop thinking.”

  Tauri laughed softly. “What I was thinking Orion, is that you are very special.” She touched his face gently stroking his jaw.

  “You have me totally off balance and I don't even know if I want to get level again. I've spent the last two nights here with you, something I've never done. I'm not clingy and I don't feel the need to be with someone every minute of the day but I find myself thinking of you all the time, which is crazy because I've known you for one week.”

  Rion smiled at her. “We met in the physical a week ago, but our energies have been intertwined since the beginning. I called for you because I was ready and you answered.”

  “Ready for what?”

  “To be all that you need,” he said quietly.

Tauri closed her eyes. “Orion...”

  Rion pulled her to him softly kissing her neck. “It's okay baby. It won't seem crazy forever.” He slowly moved to her cheek kissing his way to her ear.

  “One day we'll tell our kids that a young god needed a beautiful and fearless goddess. He searched all over the world before he came home and found her, then he never gave her a chance because after he recognized her, his only mission was to make her belong to him forever.”

  Tauri sighed as he began to caress her body. “I am going to love you Tauri Patterson in a way that you've never been loved before,” he promised caressing her naked body.  “We will share our lives, our hearts and our minds.”

  “Orion...” she breathed his name again because she had no other words as she succumbed to his masterful hands.

  “Yes baby...” His hands traveled lower to pleasure her further.

  Passion glazed hazel eyes held his. “I'm thinking that I want to climb on top of you now...” she whispered.

  He gave her a sexy grin. “See, we're starting to think alike already,” he said before granting her request.

*********

  Tauri arrived at her office later that morning with a smile on her face. Orion Shaw had put it there and every time she thought of him, it returned. She entered her office turning on the lights before making her way over to her desk. After putting her purse away, she took her seat and turned on her computer. Marc and Trent were due to arrive shortly and she wanted everything ready for them. Tauri was glad she had gotten to the office before them unlike with her meeting the Jeremy where she'd showed up an hour late, thanks to Orion.

  She smiled again as she straightened her desk. Memories of leaving him lying in bed made her warm all over. The thought of his smooth brown skin against the white sheets made her slowly lick her lips. Orion was a professional athlete and his physique displayed it to perfection. Tauri loved running her hands over his firm muscles and rigid contours.

  Her thoughts drifted to his face and those dark eyes that frequently held her captive. She moved to his mouth, that mouth that said things to infuriate her as well as things that set her on fire. When it wasn't speaking, it was doing things that ceased all coherent speech from her. Orion's experience was evident and Tauri had no complaints. In fact, she could happily be the recipient of that expertise for many days to come. She looked up at the knock on her door.

  Tauri smiled at the two men as she stood. “Hello, I'm glad you made it.”  She made her way over to them and extended her hand.

  Marc and Trent both smiled at her and each accepted her handshake. Tauri then showed Trent to her computer while Marc took a seat at the small table in her office. As she glanced at the chair he sat on her mind raced back to sitting on Orion's lap naked, riding him like a professional jockey. She blew out a short breath and turned her attention to Trent as he took her seat and turned to the computer.

  “What exactly do you need?” Tauri asked Trent as he began typing in keystrokes.

  Trent became absorbed in the screen as codes of all types began running across the screen. To Tauri it looked like a foreign language and she glanced over at Marc who shrugged at her and folded his arms waiting.

She turned back to the Trent and the screen. “What is that?” she asked.

  “I'm running a tracer on your activity.”

Tauri frowned. “Why? I can just show you what I have on the case.”

A beeping noise began and both Tauri and Marc glanced at the screen.

  “That's why,” Trent answered. “Someone else is tracking your computer Ms. Patterson.”

  “What?” Tauri asked shocked. “How is that possible?”

  Trent proceeded to hit a few more keystrokes. “Looks like it started about a little over three weeks ago.”

Tauri folded her arms. “That's when I first got Orion's case.”

Marc stood and came over to the desk. “What are they tracking Trent?”

  Trent looked at the screen again as more information popped up. “Shit!” He looked at Tauri. “Sorry.”

  Trent rapidly hit a barrage of keys before he got to his feet and nodded towards the door. Marc immediately headed that way and Trent and Tauri followed.

In the hall, Trent turned to them. “We should see Brandon.”

  Marc lifted a brow, as Tauri looked confused. “Let's go,” Marc instructed and the trio walked the short way to Brandon's office. Once there Brandon's secretary called to notify him of their presence and he immediately came to the door.  He saw the looks on their faces and knew something was wrong.

  “Come in,” he instructed.

The three filed into his office before he took his seat and waited.

  “I found a bug on Ms. Patterson's computer. Someone is tracking all her files and...” Trent looked at Tauri. “They're also recording and transcribing anything that goes on in her office.” He slid Tauri a look and she flushed thinking about what had occurred recently in her office.

  Tauri looked at Trent and lifted a brow then watched as he smiled and nodded slowly. Marc and Brandon watched the exchange suspiciously.

  Trent cleared his throat. “I've erased all of the transcripts and eliminated the bug, but we should probably have her office checked thoroughly,” he explained and Tauri sighed in relief.

  Marc nodded and stood. “I'll call the local bureau and have them come in to do a full sweep.” He pulled out his phone as he exited the office.

Brandon looked at Tauri. “This has to do with Orion doesn't it?” he asked.

  She nodded. “I believe so. Trent says it started around the same time you assigned me the case.”

  “Okay, let's see what the FBI finds and then we'll go from there,” Brandon told her before turning to Trent.

  “Any idea how it got there and should I be concerned that all of our computers are bugged?” he asked.

  Trent shook his head. “It was deliberately put on Ms. Patterson's computer. Someone actually used her computer and loaded it. She was the target,” Trent informed him.

  Brandon nodded. “Then it's someone in this office.” He stood and walked to the door. “But they won't be here for long.”

  Brandon walked out to his secretary's desk and began speaking with her giving instructions. Tauri then turned to Trent.

  “You know about me and Orion?” she asked.

Trent smiled. “Yeah, I figured last night but it was definitely confirmed today.”

Tauri dropped her head into her hand. “I'm so embarrassed.”

  “Hey, you didn't know your computer was bugged.”

She looked at him. “Thank you for being so mature and discreet.”

Trent shrugged. “I wouldn't want people spying on me and my girl. That's not cool.”

Tauri smiled. “She's a lucky girl to have such an honorable young man.”

  “Plus, she would kick their ass.”

Her eyes narrowed. “Oh I am, believe me.”

  Marc re-entered the office and informed them that the FBI was on the way so they all needed to sit tight until the investigation was done.

  Tauri wondered who had the nerve to enter her office and tamper with her computer. This was now turning into an all-out war and she had enemies in her own camp.

*********

  Orion showed up at Khalil's community center for his appearance before the neighborhood youth. When he arrived, Lance and Corvus were already in attendance. He greeted them with handshakes as they made their way to the auditorium. Khalil's community center was a state of the art building complete with a gym, auditorium, classrooms and outdoor space. Orion and the Negus had supplied the funds to build the space to serve the needs of the children in the community.

  The three men walked inside the room that was filled to capacity with young gods and goddesses. Khalil greeted them warmly before quickly going over the agenda. He then led Orion to the stage where a microphone was set up along with a few seats.

  A few minutes later Khalil asked for everyone's attention before he introduced Rion to the crowd. The young people clapped and cheered as he walked across the stage in jeans with a striped dress shirt and dark boots. Orion stepped to the podium and removed the mic. He grabbed a chair and carried it down to the floor where the children sat.

  “I'm going to sit down here because we're all fam,” he told them.

The young girls started to swoon while the young men nodded.

  Rion took his seat and looked out over the crowd. So many faces, so many lives, so much potential...so much work to be done.

  He smiled at them and began. “So I'm here to talk with you...not to you...not at you. I'm here because you are important to me. Your lives and your futures truly matter to me.”