Thin Ice 5 - Checkmate (33 page)

Without a word, Ian took her hand and led Kaitlyn upstairs to his bedroom, kissing her passionately as he undressed her and she offered no resistance. He stripped his shirt as she finally reached out touching his chiseled chest.

“
Damn, Ice,” she murmured, forgetting how fine the man really and truly was.

Ian smiled slightly lifting her from the floor and lying her on the bed, kissing his way down her body, stopping at her breasts and sucking them, biting the nipples slightly as Kaitlyn moaned her pleasure. Her own hands were in motion, caressing Ian’s chest, unzipping his pants and helping him out of them, as well as his underwear. She held his hardness in her hard, stroking him as he continued sucking her breasts. “Mmm,” Kaitlyn moaned when Ian removed himself from her hands, placing his face between her legs and enjoying her sex. She felt herself floating, loving the feel of his tongue as he massaged her throbbing clit with it, the orgasm sneaking up on her, making her cry out loudly as it rocked her body. She was still breathing hard as Ian licked his way back up her body. He kissed her deeply, whispering how much he wanted her in her ear. Kaitlyn opened herself, inviting him inside her as Ian complied and began thrusting deeply into her.

“
KiKi, baby, mmm,” Ian moaned loving the way her body responded to his own.

They rocked together rhythmically, each murmuring declarations of enjoyment, Kaitlyn moaning deeply as she arrived for the third time. Ian pulled her closer to his body, going even deeper as she urged him on. He thrust into her one last time as his body shook with pleasure and he came hard filling her with his seed. Still joined, Ian looked into her eyes, and kissed her lips.

“
Hangman’s daughter,” he said simply.

“
Socrates son,” Kaitlyn replied, as they began to kiss again and their passion began an added time.

Epilogue

Here was something Nikki never pictured herself doing, as she picked up the baby from the sink where she’d bathed her, wrapping her in a towel, and headed back into the bedroom, handing her to her father to dress. Ryan smiled at her, taking his daughter from her. Kennedy Rayne Bailey was the light of both her mother and father. She was 4 months old now and still a complete joy to them both. Nikki recalled the terror she felt when she found out she pregnant. She and Ryan were on good terms, but she was still unsure she wanted to even be a mother at this point. For the briefest of moments, she considered having a secret abortion and never telling him. The warning he gave her months earlier however, quickly ended that contemplation. Instead Nikki told him about her pregnancy after a night of passionate lovemaking, while they cuddled and talked to each other.
“Ryan, I have to tell you something,” Nikki began softly. “What’s up baby,” he returned, giving her a look. Taking a deep breath she forced her mouth to form the words. “I’m pregnant,” Nikki told him, praying he didn’t flip on her. Ryan’s face lit up, the smile encompassing both cheeks as he pulled her close and held her tightly, telling her how happy he was and how much he loved her for having his child.

Nikki had to admit she was happier than she’d ever been in her life though. Ryan was a wonderful man who treated her with respect and loved her without question. Things at the firm were going wonderfully. Ray had given her a nice raise and even paid her for the three months she took off to give birth and be with Kennedy. Nikki told Ryan she still wanted to complete law school and he told her to start whenever she was ready. They would hire a nanny for Kennedy and he could definitely take care of all the bills. She was overwhelmed with his show of support, not thinking men like him existed anymore. Nikki was glad she’d met him and even happier things had worked out so wonderfully between them.

*****

Ray was completely pleased with Rahja. He turned out to be every bit the right hand Nero was and more. Business was back on track, information was being obtained and money was once again being circulated without hindrance. Rahja called earlier saying he needed to see him about a personal matter. Ray hoped the man wasn’t looking to leave the organization so quickly after joining them. Reining his thoughts in as he saw Rahja arrived, Ray waved him over and told him to sit down. The server appeared instantly, asking if he wanted to order. Asking for a simple cup of coffee, Rahja turned his attention to the man sitting across the table from him.

“
What’s so pressing,” Ray asked calmly, sipping the gin and tonic he’d asked for. Rahja sighed deeply and produced a large manila folder.

“
You are being stolen from,” he said simply as Ray frowned deeply.

“
Who’s stealing from me,” he asked as Rahja simply opened the folder and allowed Ray to look at the ledgers and statements contained.

“
How did you find this,” he asked, seething inside.

“
You asked me to protect your interests Mr. Lockhart, that includes all your interests,” Rahja replied simply as Ray nodded, emptying his glass and requesting another.

“
How would you like me to handle it,” Rahja asked, seeing the anger in the man’s face.

“
Get rid of them,” Ray replied without hesitation.

Rahja finished his coffee quickly, before responding.

“
Immediately,” he answered, rising and leaving Ray at the table absolutely furious.

Opening the folder again, he began looking at the records seeing the transfers and document amendments.
I trusted this bitch,
he thought angrily of Gabrielle, his son’s warning flooding his ears. Ray loved her, thought that they would be good together, especially after she agreed to tie her tubes so she wouldn’t become pregnant.

“
She picked the wrong man to try and play,” Ray murmured as his cell rang and he saw her name.

Sending the call to voicemail, he ordered yet another drink and continued on his quest to get wasted.

“
Is someone sitting here,” the voice asked, bringing Ray out of his funk as he looked up and the smile returned to his face.

“
Hi,” he greeted her sweetly.

“
Hi Ray,” India returned sitting beside him.

This was the first time she’d seen him in the four years since their breakup. She cheated on him and he’d caught them together. India still didn’t know why she did it. Just caught up in the moment she supposed, given she had absolutely no feeling for the man she slept with past pure animal lust.

“
Ray, I just wanted to say one more time how sorry I am I hurt you,” India told him softly.

Ray looked into her eyes, pulled her close and kissed her passionately.

“
I forgive you India,” he told her honestly. “Let’s go to a hotel,” he whispered kissing her neck now.

“
Let’s go to my place instead,” India returned, already on fire from his touch.

Ray smiled taking her hand as they walked out of the bar and he began to plan his new life, with his old love, once more.

*****

Tariq and Cyiarra were still very much a couple and very much in love.

“
Come on CiCi, baby you can do this,” Tariq coached as she gave him a look and he burst into laughter.

Thirty minutes later, Tariq Hasaan Taylor made his entrance into the world as his proud father looked on.

“
Not bad for a condom baby huh,” Tariq teased as Cyiarra playfully rolled her eyes at him.

Tariq often teased her about making him use a condom every time after their first night together. Unfortunately for her, it was already too late. Cyiarra had become pregnant the very first time Tariq made love to her. She’d been terrified to tell him, she later admitted, not wanting him to think she was trying to trap him or ruin his life.

“
He’s beautiful,” CiCi breathed, finally holding her son.

She couldn’t believe how good things were with Tariq. He was as close to a perfect man as she thought she would ever find. He treated her like a queen and was always loving and supportive of her.

She looked into his eyes as he watched his son nurse, seeing the love and pride they held.

“
I love you, you know that right,” Tariq told her, kissing her lips again.

“
Yeah, baby, I know,” CiCi replied, really meaning it.

She knew he was really over Kaitlyn and while the woman would always have a special place in his heart, she and Hasaan were his future.

“
Gotta take pictures and send them, everybody is on my nerves,” Tariq teased as Cyiarra chuckled.

“
Well wait until he’s done,” she told him. “Everyone doesn’t need to see my boobs,” she added as Tariq laughed aloud, telling her she had a point.

“
Are you really happy baby,” he asked, giving her a concerned look.

“
Yes, Tariq, everything is perfect,” Cyiarra replied once again.

He stroked her forehead still looking into her eyes. “I want to marry you,” he told her never taking his eyes from her.

“
You don’t have to do that, Tariq, I’m not going anywhere,” Cyiarra told him, not understanding his feelings about the institution.

“
I love you CiCi, and you’re the mother of my son,” Tariq told her. “I want you to be my wife,” he finished as she saw the importance in his eyes.

Smiling Cyiarra told him she would love to be his wife, as he smiled and told her to choose a date.

*****

Mook showed Kim the pictures Tariq sent of the baby as she smiled and said how cute he was.

“
I’m so happy for them,” she spoke honestly.

Kim found Cyiarra to be a really good person and she was glad Tariq found her. The woman didn’t play games, or lie to him about anything. Even though she understood the game and how it worked, she stayed in her lane and let Tariq be the man he was meant to be. Kim had complete respect for her, and Cyiarra returned that respect.

“
This baby looks just like Top for real,” Mook replied as Kim laughed.

“
CiCi was so funny when she found out she was pregnant,” Kim told him.

The woman had actually come to her asking her opinion of whether Tariq would be angry with her or not.

“
I know right,” Mook replied. “Top said she was so serious about them using condoms, she would bring them with her when they were going to see each other,” he added, both he and Kim laughing hard at that.

Finally gathering themselves, Mook held Kim in his arms as they sat on the couch watching an old movie.

“
You got plans for Friday night, Miss Kim,” he asked.

Kim shook her head shrugging slightly that she didn’t that she knew of.

“
What’s up,” she asked, still lying in his arms.

“
I was thinking maybe we could go down to the club,” Mook told her, referring to Baccheus. “Maybe have a few drinks to celebrate,” he added as Kim hmphed slightly.

“
Oh for the baby, yeah that would be cool,” she replied amiably.

“
Nah, I was thinking more like celebrating us,” Mook told her.

Kim sat up turning to him, opening her mouth to speak, before the black velvet jewelry box and the sparkling 5-carat diamond resting in it caught her eye.

“
Might as well make it official don’t you think,” Mook said softly, his love for her shining in his eyes.

Kim could only smile and hug him tightly the tears spilling down her cheek.

“
Is that a yes, Miss Kim,” Mook teased as she nodded and placed the ring on her finger kissing her deeply and slyly undressing her to celebrate their engagement.

*****

Ian’s world was turning happily and he had no complaints. The business was without a doubt booming. He owned almost half the city now with plans of expansion into the neighboring state. Ray had called moments earlier furious about Gabrielle’s deception. Ian couldn’t believe the woman capable, but reminded himself she was human like anyone else and greed was a powerful drug. He was almost certain Ray would have her eliminated, but that was no longer his concern. His debt to the DuBois brothers long since paid. Ian smiled hearing the girls screaming as they played outside. Glancing out of his window he saw them in the yard giving the jungle gym and swings he’d had installed, a thorough workout. They would be two in a matter of weeks. He wanted another baby, a son this time, but Kaitlyn was resisting becoming pregnant, making him use condoms until she could get the IUD placed.

“
She’s impossible,” he mumbled just as she walked into his office.

“
Hey,” Kaitlyn greeted, dropping his mail on the desk in front of him.

“
What’s on the agenda today,” he asked her, sifting through the mail.

“
Meeting with a realtor about the space for the store,” she told him.

Kaitlyn was opening a children’s consignment shop. Ian had no objection to her working or having her own things going on; he simply wanted her to entertain the idea of having another baby.

“
The girl’s birthday is coming up,” he told her as Kaitlyn sighed lightly.

“
I sure hope you’re not planning another circus,” she spoke, giving Ian a look.

He chuckled and assured her least year was not a circus.

“
Really Ice, you seriously believe three clowns, a pony, a juggler, and a face paint artist for a party of 1-year-olds wasn’t a circus,” she asked giving him a look.