URBAN: Chosen By A Kingpin (81 page)

“To new beginnings and great endings.”

“Wow! Okay! That was…”

He laughed. “I know…epic right!”

“Well, that is not what I was going to say, but you are precisely right.” She laughed.

This was going good. She needed this laugh, this lightheartedness, this tiny flicker of happiness.

“You look stunning!”

She smiled.

“You know if you keep complimenting me like this, I’m going to have to ditch Blake and marry you!”

“You ain’t said nothing but a word!”

They both laughed.

“If I didn’t know it any better I would say you grew up in my neighborhood.”

“What neighborhood is that?”

“Detroit.”

“Nope, but close Cleveland, Ohio.”

“That is close. I would have never thought.”

“Don’t let the good looks and the clean clothes fool you. I was smack dab in the hood and you should know that’s not easy being a white boy.”

“I bet. So, how did you get from Cleveland to Harvard? That’s got to be one hell of a story.”

“As a matter of fact it is, but it may take all night, so I’ll just give you the short of it. A basketball scholarship, a 4.0 GPA and a desperate desire to see anything but Cleveland, Ohio.”

“I’m impressed. You were a baller and a scholar!”

“Cute! But you got it! Now your turn. How did you get from Detroit to, let’s see the world?”

“Well, I’ll tell you for sure there was no 4.0 involved or sports. It was modeling, I was spotted and signed with Wilhelmina. The rest you can say is history.”

“And where does Blake come into the picture?”

“Blake found me. He was at a fashion show in Milan, and he managed to get back stage to meet me. He was really sweet and yet kind of dorky, but I liked him. I mean, I fell in love with him and that’s that.”

She pushed her glass forward and Michael filled it up. For some reason she was feeling uncomfortable talking about Blake. Tara glanced around the looking to see if there was someone she knew or knew her. All of a sudden she felt guilty and bare.

“Tara, are you alright? You look like you seen a ghost.”

“Oh, yes, I’m fine. Sorry. It’s just that today has been quite disturbing. And yes I needed to talk, get some things off my chest.”

“Alright, then I’m here. I’m your man.” He laughed. “Well, you know what I mean.”

Tara looked around the restaurant again. She had the eerie feeling people were staring at her and it began to make her feel uncomfortable.

“You know what. Let’s get out of here. I need some fresh air.”

“Sure. Let me get the bill!”

Moments later they were on the road in Tara’s car. Neither of them spoke a word as they rode towards DC. The scenery was sublime and yet soothing to the soul. Tara liked how he didn’t force conversation and allowed her to just think and be here, or maybe not anywhere at all. Sometimes she hated conversation, hated disagreements even more, but without a doubt she loved peace and quiet. She found herself back in front of Glenstone.

“Have you ever been here?” She asked.

“No. It’s beautiful, what is it?”

“Glenstone. It’s called Glenstone. I can’t really explain it. It’s better if you just experience it.”

“You mind?”

“No, not at all, but please Tara, let me get your door. I know how you independent women are but I was raised a gentleman.”

Tara smiled, and was amused at his suggestion. It was true. She was independent and never seemed to wait on anyone to open doors or carry things for her. That was not her experience with Blake, because Blake himself had people to open his doors and carry his things.

“Thank you!” He said.

“You are killing me!”

“Oh no, I’m trying to show you my best side. I mean I know I’m not royalty, got no blue blood in my bones, but I do know how to treat a lady.”

They toured the facility inside and out. The company, the tour cleared Tara’s mind and she felt she was ready to spill the beans about her day.

“Did you like it?” She asked.

“What was not to like. I loved it! Thank you!”

“I’ve always enjoyed coming here…it is quite magical. I want to do something like this one day or at least be a part of something like it. Art, nature is like God’s gift to us.”

“You are something else Miss Tara. I have to admit I am quite surprised. To see you, look at you, my first thought would be spoiled little brat, egotistical model, doted wife. But you are not any of those things. You are a conundrum.”

She laughed.

“You’re laughing, but do you agree?”

“No Michael I don’t. For those who truly know me…I’m an open book. No fake fronting here.”

“So the truth lies in getting to know you. That Tara, is something I look forward to doing.”

His attention to her every detail was gratifying and uplifting. He was her kite in mid-air aiming for the horizon. How did he come to mean so much to her in a short time was baffling to Tara. Despite the small crowd of women and children, along with a few couples it felt like they were alone. Just a couple moving through that space like a fine mist, unseen, but felt.

They stopped by the waterfall, sitting at the edges of the beautiful rock formation.

“You know I called you earlier because I needed to get something off my chest.”

“Yes.”

Tara opened up and told him about her father, mother and sister without going into much detail about the lack of relationship between her and her sister. As much as she wanted to reveal that part, she was still dealing with it herself and hoped to find some resolve in the coming days. She liked how he listened and never interrupted. Blake would have done the same, except Blake didn’t care about her family. Never had and probably never will. Though she had to admit that was partly her fault.

A cool breeze blew and Tara shook just a little.

“You’re cold?” He asked.

“Yeah, just a little bit.”

“Let’s go then,” He said taking her hand.

His hand was warm and although it felt so natural she quickly released his grasp. She didn’t know who was looking. Who would spot the two holding hands in the park while her husband was in another country? She had to get a grasp of herself.

After a short drive, she pulled up to Michael’s condo. It was one of the newer ones in Potomac. A ten story building, with 60 condo’s. Michael was renting the penthouse suite, which went for twenty thousand a month.

“Would you like to come in for a minute. I could make us some coffee.”

“No, I don’t think so. I need to be getting back home and plan my trip.”

“One cup.”

His stare seemed to go right through her, like his spirit was speaking directly into her soul because for some reason she quickly changed her mind. What kind of magic was this?

“Alright, one cup.”

“Great! You can park over there,” He pointed at the visitors parking.

The Regal condos was everything she expected and more. They had a 24 hour staff at their service, free coffee stations, a gym, hot tub and reception area. It looked like the kind of place a bachelor would like.

“Well, here we are.” He said.

Tara’s first expression was “Wow!” His place was big and luxurious. Boasting a beige and black décor, with bright metals and white rugs. She thought they had one hell of a designer. It would be something she would create.

“I like it! Very nice!”

He smiled. “I thought you would.”

He eased his arms around her waist. She should have left then. She should have stopped him, but she didn’t. Michael gently massaged her waist, then kissed her gently on the neck. Tara moaned. He turned her around to face him and placed a kiss on her lips. She didn’t resist. She no longer wanted to fight it. Tara wanted him as much as he wanted her and so she willingly went to his bed without any reservation.

His hands no longer belonged to him, but became a part of her. Where his touch ended, hers began. Tara opened herself up to him like a flower, unveiling layers of passion he didn’t see coming. She pressed herself against him, grinding and feeling and touching and loving like a lost lover. He returned without hesitance. What began as a mission, turned out to be so much more, and despite himself, something like love.

Her tongue was in his mouth and he could taste everything and was pleased. A buffet of sorts that he enjoyed. Tara was ready to slip out of her clothes, but he held her back. He wanted to remove them piece by piece. He edged her away from her pants and her top, and moved his hands up and down her body like a massage therapist, caressing all the big and small parts. She moaned again at his touch. That pleased him and he rose to the occasion to provide her with the ultimate prize.

“Maybe we should stop.” He said.

“No, don’t stop!”

Michael struggled. Was it too soon? Had he messed up his plans with this impromptu venture? He tried to make sense of it all, but there was no sense to be made of pure desire. He wanted her. He wanted to be inside of her, more than he wanted anything.

She kissed his chest, licking at his tiny hairs. He inserted his fingers and caressed her gently, then thrusting until she shouted his name. She was a pool of lovely and he wanted to drown himself in her. Tara’s body was glistening with sweat. Her creamy brown skin against him was quite intoxicating. He grabbed her hair with his other hand, holding it gently and pulling at the brown and blond curls until she exploded.

This was just the beginning. He watched as she fell back onto the pillows allowing the pleasure take over her space and induce her into a light sleep. Tara looked like an angel fallen from heaven and he was there to pick her up. He entered her from the back. She jolted at first, but eased into the motion, moving with him, stroke by stroke. She mumbled things. None of it that he could understand, and as far as he was concerned, none of it mattered. All that mattered at the moment was him and her and fulfilling their lustful desires. Michael pressed harder, engulfing himself in her deep, hot juices. He could come if he wanted to, but he held on, he wanted to hear her scream again. He wanted to take her places that she had never been before. He didn’t just want to fuck her, or even make love, he wanted to merge with her, become one.

After several hours of lovemaking, the two of them settled into a peaceful sleep. Michael was pleased and despite his initial intentions of just doing her and ruining her and Blake’s life. Michael now saw a different future, a future with Tara, a baby, a marriage and a life with her. He was mesmerized by her, even her simple breathing while sleeping turned him on. Touching her was his medicine, running his fingers through her hair, caressing her shoulders while she laid stagnant against his chest. Every single thing about her was magnified to ten, a memory alive, as if he couldn’t remember a day without her.

She stirred from her sleep, barely opened her eyes and smiled.

“How long was I asleep?”

“Not long.” He replied.

Tara looked around, searching for something.

“What time is it?”

“It’s uh, around six o’clock.”

She jumped up, grabbing the sheets around her. It was funny to him how she could now be embarrassed about her nudeness after spending countless hours baring it all.

“I’ve got to go.” She said wrapping the sheet around her and getting up. “Where’s your bathroom?”

He pointed towards the hallway.

“The towels are in the lower cabinet.”

Michael wanted to beg her to stay, entice her with more sweet lovemaking, promise her a future she was more worthy of, but he decided to keep quiet. It was always better when they made that decision alone.

“You alright Tara?”

“Yes,” She hollered back. “I’m just freshening up for the ride.”

Freshening up.

He laughed to himself. It would take more than a hand bath to rid herself of his scent and the scent of sex.

She came out the bathroom fully dressed.

“I have to go Michael. I’ll call you tomorrow.”

He stood up from the bed, naked, hard as the moment he entered her. He wanted her to see it all, to remember it all. Michael reached for her, wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into a warm embrace.

“You are so beautiful Tara. Thank you for the best day of my life.”

Tara surrendered into his embrace. She softened and folded into him like a missing part. His member grew harder and he pressed it up against her. She moaned softly but pulled away. He was surprised. She had more resolve than he had thought.

“Bye Michael.”

“Wait, Tara. Can I see you tomorrow? Let me take you on an impromptu trip, to New York, or LA to the vineyards…just one day and then you can see your father. Just one day Tara, one more day.”

She stood still in the door way and without looking back said.

“No. I don’t think so. I have to go see my father.”

“You have to go see your father. Okay, bye. Go Tara. You know what I think. I think you are spoiled and selfish. You want things your way all the time. No wonder that Blake is off sleeping with hoes on the daily. He don’t care about you. I care about you! I care about you and yet you want to leave me. “

“Are you kidding me Michael, how do you know what my husband is doing. I don’t and I certainly don’t want to hear from you or anyone else that he is sleeping with hoes on the daily. Is that what your best friend told you?”

When he didn’t answer, Tara slammed the door behind her.

***

What was she doing? What the fuck was she thinking? What happened to Michael? What was Blake up to?

Tara crossed the street to her car moving side to side as if she had a night of partying, wobbly, shaken and stirred. Her legs hurt, her body was sore and although she felt guilty as hell her whole body ached for this man.

Kati greeted her at the door with a frown.

“Long day miss?”

It was a question but sounded like a statement. Tara moved pass her ignoring her insinuation.

“Yes, it was Kati. Excuse me I’ve got some packing to do.”

“Packing miss? You are going on a trip?”

“Yes Kati, in the morning or afternoon. Well as soon as I can find a flight. My father is deathly ill and I need to go spend some time with him and my family.