Fire and Desire (BWWM Romance) (11 page)

“What do think?” Emily asked, looking at Shayla and Antonio.

“Very nice,” Shayla replied, giving her the thumbs up.

“I’m impressed.” Antonio nodded as he took it all in. “Explain it to me again. This isn’t a gentlemen’s club, but if a man, or woman, wanted some special entertainment, they can pay to go to one of the rooms for a personal show?”

“That’s it in a nut shell. The best of both worlds. They can mingle with people in an upscale club setting, and for a little extra, they can get their fantasy fulfilled in the back. If sex is in their fantasy, then they came to the wrong place.”

“Are you going to have male entertainers too?” Shayla grinned.

“Not at first, but you never know what the future holds,” Emily assured her. “Now let’s get out of their way so the construction crew can finish cleaning up.” She held out her hand to Steve. “Thanks, Steve. You and your crew have done an excellent job.”

“I just wanted you to know some minor plumbing issues came up in your office. I went ahead and installed a shower instead of leaving the maintenance sinks in it. I hope it was okay,” Steve said. “It slipped my mind when we were in there.”

“A shower? That didn’t even cross my mind. That’s a very good idea. Glad you took the initiative and installed it before telling me about it.”

“I had a feeling you would like it. Have a nice day.” He looked her in the eyes instead of her C cups as he did on their first encounter. Once she started explaining what it was she wanted, Steve became very professional and hadn’t slipped since.

The small group filed out.

“I have a house to show. You two love birds have fun.” Shayla waved them off and headed to her car.

Emily and Antonio walked back to the car. As they drove back to her house, her head spun with ideas for the grand opening. She needed to get started with hiring the staff ASAP. Furniture and décor needed ordering. She needed to hire a promoter and socialites. Which celebrities she’d invite, which reality stars. And the list went on.

She’d be so caught up in her own world she didn’t realize they’d made it to her street. Antonio pulled in the driveway but didn’t turn off the car.

“You’re not coming in?” She looked at him with a raised eyebrow.

“I have a meeting with a potential client in less than an hour, and I need to grab my briefcase from my condo. I’ll be back in time for some of your mouthwatering stuffed pasta shells.” He gave her a smooch.

“I’m not cooking tonight.”

“In that case, why don’t you handle things around here and then meet me at my condo later?” He took a key off his key ring and gave it to her. “I love the idea of you waiting on me.”

“Sounds nice. I have a few things I need to take care of, and I’ll be on my way.” She opened the door, stepped down from the truck, and went into her house.

If Emily was going to spend the night with Antonio at his place, she was going to make it a special evening for them both. She packed up some of her sexy lingerie, bubble bath, and massage oils to take with her. Her ringing phone stopped her.

“Emily Washington?” a deep male voice said.

“Yes.”

“Ma’am, this is Sergeant Locke with the police department. We were called to a building you own. There seems to have been a bit of vandalism. We need you to come to the scene as soon as possible.”

“Vandalism, are you serious?” The scented oil she held fell to the floor. “What did they mess up? Was anything taken?”

“I’m afraid we’ll have to discuss it once you get here.” He spoke with authority. “How soon will you arrive?”

“I can be there in twenty minutes.”

“I’ll see you then.” He hung up.

Panic set in. Knowing Antonio wouldn’t answer his phone if he was in the middle of negotiations, she called Kenny.

“Yes, Emily. How may I help you?” He sounded more formal than usual.

“The police just called and said someone vandalized the club. I have to go down there now. Can you please meet me? I’m scared of what I’ll see. They didn’t give me any information.” She gathered up her purse and car keys.

“Good gracious. I’ll be there.”

“Thanks.” She rushed out the door.

***

“What the hell do you mean someone came in and busted the pipes!” Emily paced the room, her gaze unwavering from the section with two inches of water on it.

“Ms. Washington, brand new pipes rarely burst on their own. I didn’t leave any water running,” Steve said. “I installed the plumbing in the whole building better than what the code says.”

“Emily, listen to the man. Do pipes bursting in different areas across the building make sense to you?” Kenny pleaded.

“Then are you doing here?” Emily glared at Steve.

“I left some of my tools that I needed for another job.”

“Mighty convenient,” she snapped.

“Ma’am, your contractor is the one who called the police. Why would he be the one to damage it? He assured me you paid him well. If you think he did this on purpose, then you’ve been watching too many crime shows.” The younger partner of the officer who called Emily stood in between them.

“I don’t, not really any way.” She adjusted her tone. “I just can’t understand why someone would break in and destroy a place that isn’t even in business yet.”

“Ma’am, you would be surprised at the things kids do these days. We’re pretty sure that’s who it was because nothing was taken. You have cameras all over the place and several computers in an office upstairs. If you don’t mind me asking, what’re they for?”

“Sir,” Kenny interrupted. “Can you please focus on the matter at hand? If you must know, the cameras are for security. We didn’t think to activate it yet, because the club isn’t open.”

“Understandable, here’s your case number.” The older of the pair handed Emily a business card, and they headed toward the door. “We’ll call you if we find out anything.”

“You’ll call? What type of crap is that?”

“Let it go. They really don’t have anything to go on right now. Let them do their job.” Kenny grabbed Emily’s arm and stopped her from following the police to their car.

“That’s some crap and you know it!” She threw her arms up in despair. “Steve, how long is it going to take to fix this?”

“I know you don’t want to hear it but at least six weeks. The water destroyed the drywall and carpet everywhere it was able to reach.”

“Six weeks,” she repeated at a whisper. Her heart sank.

“Sorry, but it’s the best I can do. I’ll have my guys get on it first thing in the morning.”

She nodded.

“There’s nothing else we can do. Come on. I’ll walk you to your car,” Kenny said.

Kenny gave her a big comforting hug and walked her out. The short drive to get there seemed elongated on the ride home. In a daze, she made it to her house. Emily walked directly to her room and collapsed across her bed fully clothed.

Her phone rang, pulling her from her funk.

“What?” Emily answered.

“Where are you? I was expecting to come home to you lying butt naked on my bed,” Antonio said.

“At home. I had a rough night. Someone vandalized the club.”

“I’m on my way.” He disconnected the call.

Chapter Eight

Antonio arrived and ran up to Emily’s room. Seeing her in tears as she sat her desk tore his heart apart. He went in and shut the door behind him.

“My beautiful angel,” he said, moving closer to her. “It will be okay.”

She glanced up, and her brown eyes bore into him. “Is it?”

“Yes.” He planted a kiss on her forehead.

His intent was to hear the story, but the way she looked at him pulled at his loins. He leaned in closer. His lips gently brushed hers, and then more aggressively, he kissed her. She grabbed his head and pulled him in closer. Emily pushed her tongue inside his mouth, and he gladly sucked on it.

Antonio wanted her, needed her. He pushed her chair back and came from the side corner of the desk. Now there was nothing between them. He began kissing her again.

“Mm,” she let out a soft moan.

He ran his hand across her right breast. Her nipple instantly responded to his finger stroking it by becoming rock hard. One by one, he released the buttons on her blouse until he was able to slide her top open and onto the floor.

Antonio pulled her up out the chair and unzipped her pants. He slid them down over her pedicured feet with ease. She stood there, unashamed in her black and pink lace matching bra and thong set.

He marveled at her flat stomach and womanly hips. “
La mia bella farfalla nero. My beautiful black butterfly.”

“
Vienes aquí, papi
,” she responded.

He didn’t care that it was Spanish and not Italian she spoke. Antonio came as commanded. He kissed her neck, her collar bone, licked from the bottom of her bra down to her navel, and onto her inner thighs.

“Oh, Antonio.”

His dick hardened at the sound of his name on Emily’s lips.

He released the clasp of her bra. The twins sprang free. Average size but perky. He took one in his mouth and then the other. She let out another soft moan.

Tugging at her thong, he moved it to the side. His finger went in. She exploded on him. Waves of wetness filled his fingertip. He stroked her gently, and she arched her body toward him.

“Sit back on the chair,” he said.

She obeyed and sat back. Antonio spread her legs open and looked up at her.

Emily whispered a pleading, “Yes.”

He stuck his tongue out and tasted her. She gripped the sides of the chair. He lapped at her juices and suckled her bud. His tongue explored her clit, parting her vaginal lips, and inside her hole.

“Oh, Antonio, I’m going to come, baby!”

He inserted his finger again. She pumped her body toward him. His mouth covered her clit and sucked it in and out while finger fucking her.

“Yes, baby, it feels so good!” she cried. She released all over his hand, face, and her office chair.

Antonio wasn’t done. He turned her around in the chair and bent her over it. He proceeded to lick her from behind.

“Yes, yes, oh God, yes!” She reached back, grabbing fists full of his hair.

“Yeah, I knew you would like this. You like me eating this pussy, don’t you?”

“Yes!” she cried again.

His tongue pumped inside her. Faster, and then it was back on her clit. Her hole, the clit, and then two fingers in her. He feverously worked them in and out, in and out, until her pussy quivered and her whole body shook.

Her juices dripping down his chin, he stood and undid his pants. His member was rock hard. His olive-colored stick stretched inside her brown nectar. The sensation was almost too much. He paused and let his dick pulsate inside her before making slow pumping motions.

Antonio looked to the left and caught their reflection in her full-body mirror. His animal instinct kicked in at the sight. The muscular beast had his way with the demur female. Her insides loosened, and he dove in deeper.

He gripped her hips and pulled her onto his dick. He pushed in as far as he could. Their bodies molded into one. Her vaginal walls massaged his shaft.

“I want to make love to you all night.” Antonio pulled out of her. His dick glistened with her juices.

He picked her up, carrying her to the bed. Gently, he sat her down on the bed and pushed her back into the missionary position. He came to her, joining their bodies once again. As promised, he made love to her until they were both exhausted.

***

“Sleepy head,” Antonio said, shaking Emily’s arm. “Wake up, I have to go, but Kenny filled me in on the incident while you were sleep. It’s almost noon. You being the busy body you are, I know you have a full day so get up.”

Emily tossed and turned before drifting off to a fitful night of non-rest. She kept having dreams of faceless teenagers breaking into her club while she was in it, but she was unable catch them. Antonio had relaxed her enough to keep her mind occupied while she was awake, but sleeping was another issue.

Emily let out a yawn. “You’re right. I do have a few errands to run before Sean gets home. Oh my God. I forgot to take him to school.”

“Don’t worry. I told him you needed to rest and took him. He made it on time. Hey, this is just a minor setback. Don’t let it get you down.” Antonio stared deep into her brown eyes.

“Okay. I’ll focus on making the damage work for me somehow.” She gave him a half smile.

“That’s my girl. Now, you do remember I have to go to Chicago to set up my guys with a new client.” He kissed her forehead. “I’ll see you in a few days. Sorry I have to leave with things like this. I can’t risk losing this client.”

She felt let down but understood. He was a business owner just as she. Emily reluctantly got up and put on her robe before walking him to the door. She offered him another big embrace and saw him off.

Buzz, buzz.
Emily’s cell phone vibrated on her nightstand as she made it back to her room. “Speak to me.”

“I heard you’ve been having some bad luck lately,” the woman on the other end said in a vaguely familiar voice.

“Who is this?”

“Has it been that long, Mercedes? You’re a big bad business woman, and now you don’t know the little people you left behind?”

“Heather, is this you?”

“Oh, so now you no longer have amnesia? We need to meet and talk.”

“Talk?” Emily’s face scrunched up “You’re in town? When did you get here?”

“Like you care. Meet me in the food court of the Lenox Mall in an hour.”

“An hour? What the heck makes you think you can make demands of me? You have the nerve to come to me with an attitude when I’ve done nothing to you. I’m not about to meet you anywhere.” She had no clue what Heather’s problem was.

“Oh, so you scared?” Heather challenged.

“Scared of who? You? Whatever, you must really be high to talk to me like that. I’m not scared, and I won’t be tricked into coming. As a matter of fact, you’re about to get the dial tone. Don’t bother calling me back.” She laughed and hung up.

Her laughter turned to frustration. How did Heather get her number? They were never friend’s only coworkers. Heather was a fellow entertainer who danced to keep up with her drug habit. Women like her gave dancers a bad name. While at the Banana Split, Emily avoided her. If it weren’t for Heather’s sister Emily would have never said “hi” to her. Heather oozed bad news.

Emily felt as if her world was falling apart right before her eyes. She needed the club in order to prove herself as a legitimate business woman. The online business was doing better than she ever imagined, but she yearned for more. She wanted to have a backup in case her online business fizzled out one day. “Never put all your eggs in one basket.” Whoever was the first to say that knew exactly what they were talking about.

Buzz, buzz.
Her phone vibrated again, Private Call on the display.

“Yes,” she said with attitude.

“Miss Washington, this is Edmond. Did you I catch you at a bad time? I truly hope not, because I was hoping you thought about my offer and have reconsidered me as an investor.”

“No, I have not,” she stated firmly. “I told you I was meeting with other people. I’ve chosen someone else.”

She wasn’t lying. That someone else was Kenny. Because of their great chemistry, she had decided to make him a small percentage partner.

“Whatever they’re offering, I’ll double.”

After her present bad luck, she was tempted, but her instincts wouldn’t allow her to be swayed by more money. “Sorry. I am quite sure someone else would love your offer. Now if you’ll excuse me, I was in the middle of something very important.”

Irritated by her bothersome phone calls, she refocused her attention on her business plans to open her club in two months. She dialed the number for an interior decorator she’d written down from a magazine she’d read at the dentist’s office. Fortunately, the company had someone available that afternoon. They would just have to view the club from the pictures she’d taken.

If Kenny was going to be her partner, he needed to be in on the planning. His phone rang six times before going to voicemail. She left a detailed message and hung up. Lately, it seemed that Kenny had been ignoring her calls unless it was for business purposes, which he only returned the call after hearing the message. She hadn’t the faintest idea as to why but wasn’t going to ask him either.

Emily got dressed and made her way to the northern suburbs. She was ushered to a conference room. Much to her surprise, because he didn’t return her phone call, Kenny had already arrived before she got there.

“You must be Emily,” the blond baby-faced man said. He pranced over to her, giving her air kisses.

“Tremane. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“Oh yes, girl. You’re partner came early, so I thought it best to bring him in the conference room and see what ideas he had running in his little head.” Tremane took a seat with the grace of a primed girl in prep school. “He said it was best to wait on you.”

Kenny nodded.

“I’m here now, so let’s get started.” She smiled and took her seat.

“What I did get from Kenny was this is an upscale lounge with private rooms. Is this correct?” He looked over the brim of his glasses.

“Yes.”

“And…” He popped his tongue and over exaggerating his words. “What were you thinking for the décor?”

“I’m going for upscale elegance. I want to attract the corporate crowd but not overwhelm the blue collar worker.”

“I see.” He picked up one of the design books off the table and flipped through it. “Something like this?” He handed her the book.

“It’s nice, but I’m in the adult entertaining business, so it needs to be a bit more edgy.”

“Oh!” He clapped his hands together. “Why didn’t you say so? Excuse me a moment.” He stepped out and came back moments later with books full of hand-drawn designs.

Emily glanced over the embroidered bar stools, decorative seating, and modern lighting. “Now these are amazing!”

For the next forty-five minutes, they reviewed designs and came up with a plan. She wanted to have a few Hip Hop concerts here and there, but not so many that it would turn into a thug haven. She would also incorporate Jazz, Blues, Alternative, and R&B to round out her clientele. Emily dreamed of her club being as well-known as those in LA and New York. When people came to town, her club would be the place to be.

“Are you going to tell me the name of the club today, miss lady?” Kenny asked on the elevator ride down.

“He speaks.”

“He does, and
he
also has a life outside of doing your bidding.”

“Wow. Kenny, I’m sorry.” She grabbed his arm. “I’m really sorry. With the vandalism, I just wanted to focus on moving forward.”

“No. I had a long night, and I’m a bit cranky. Forget about it. What’s the name?”

“
Secrets. What do you think?”

He put his hand to his chin and said nothing for a few moments. “With your private dance rooms, I think it’s the perfect name.”

“Glad you like it.” She was tempted to ask what kept him up all night but with his outburst decided against it.

“You know I love all of your ideas. I keep telling you you’re a very smart lady,” he stated genuinely.

“So you keep telling me.” She nudged him.

Kenny shoved his hands in his pocket and spoke more towards the ground than her. “Are you and Antonio pretty serious?”

“Serious as in making wedding plans? No. I do enjoy his company. He seems to really understand me, and we have a lot in common.”

“Just don’t fall in love too fast, okay? Looks aren’t everything.”

She couldn’t hold back her laughter. “Are you serious? Is this the reason you haven’t been answering my calls? Are you jealous?”

“Forget I said anything, Emily,” he said in a huff, pushing through the exit of the building. His long legs moved so fast she couldn’t keep up.

She watched as Kenny got farther and farther down the street finally disappearing before she headed in the direction of her car. Emily hit the highway back to her side of town with lightning speed. She had to get her son’s daycare before they closed. Her sister Keisha had to work late at the law firm, working on a court brief, and wouldn’t be able to get him for her. Emily thought it was silly that the daycare closed at five-thirty instead of six like the others in the area, but after doing extensive research, this one was the best.

She arrived ten minutes before closing. After giving the daycare owner a hefty check for the month, she put Sean in his booster seat and continued on their way home. When Sean was content from eating dinner and playing his video game, she headed downstairs to handle business.