Love UnExpected (Love's Improbable Possibility) (46 page)

A few hours
—and five eight ounces of water—later, I was in the hustle and bustle of my day finishing up on staff evaluation interviews for the morning and preparing for lunch. Ben Shivers, one of my new PTs had just exited and closed the door of the conference room where I’d been conducting the evaluations when the phone buzzed and Sharon informed me of a call on line two.

“
Rayna Brimm speaking, how may I help you?”

“
I think you just did. I miss the sound of your voice…but you sound a little hoarse. Are you coming down with something?”

Azmir
’s soothing voice dripping over the line was full of concern. It rendered me under sieged, suspending my brain. His voice always awakened everything carnal in me.

I si
ghed. “I'm hoarse, deliciously sore on the inside, achingly sore on the outside and have been reprimanding myself for drinking so much yesterday.”

“
Yeah, you
were
throwing them back,” he chuckled.

“
And you were throwing
me
last night. I had no idea you had those positions in your arsenal. I’m still reeling from the things you pulled off!”

Azmir released the
sexiest laugh I’d ever heard from a man. Nothing melted my heart and lowered my guards like his chortle did. He didn’t do it to be sensual, it naturally was. It led me to my next question, the one I swore I wouldn’t ask but he put me into such an comfortable state already in this call that it got the better of my judgment. I leaned in and whispered into the phone, being sure to keep my voice low. 

“
How long have you been having sex?”

“
What?” he gasped.

“
You know...when did you become sexually active?”

He took a deep breath and let it out before giving me that sexy chuckle once more.

“Come on. Inquiring minds wanna know.”

“I know don’t, man…ten
—eleven, maybe? Why?”

“How many?”
I shot back before I could think twice about it leaving my mouth.

“
How ma
—are you sure you want to have this discussion? I am about to go into a meeting with a lucrative deal on the table and you want to have the conversation that will likely end up in you learning something you thought you wanted to know and could handle, but in reality you can't?” I heard the laughter in his undertone.

That was a mouthful! But I had put it out there and there was no turning back.

“Number!” I ordered.

“
Why? Please tell me why must you have this knowledge of my past?”

My conscious started roaring. He was right, I would
never
give him my number so it was unfair to ask for his but I still wanted to know.

“
I just do, now tell me!”

“
You’re starting to remind me of how you felt Rhonda and Lisa hassled you in church yesterday with the insanely exploratory questions. But I’ll play your little game. Are we talking about smashing or what I do with you?”

I could hear him speaking to someone about contracts in the background.
“
No, the phrase on page 12 needs reworking. Yes. I agree with that as well. Thanks.”

“I’m sorry…
Are you there?” he returned to our conversation.

“
Yeah. You were just about to tell me how many women you’ve penetrated.”

“
Oh, right,” he said wryly, quickly catching on to my slyness. “I’ve had my fair share of those I’ve smashed, but only a handful of those I’ve made love to.” Azmir was the crafty one. He answered me indirectly. I knew him well enough to know that was his final answer.

Okay.

“How many of us have you pulled the tricks on that you did with me last night?”

I had no clue why I was torturing myself. I hated the thought of him being with another woman the way he was with me last night
—or any other time. 

“
Last night was a mixture of techniques,
and quite fun by the way
. There were a few things I’ve been wanting to try with you and some I did—and very successfully. I was testing your flexibility.”

“
And did I pass?”

“
With flying colors.” He didn’t skip a beat.

“
Yikes! I was nervous for a bit. I feel sorry for your wife if those are the tests she has to look forward to ‘til she’s old and gray,” I teased.

“Don’t worry. She’
ll be just fine, Tyler will make sure of that.” I giggled at that one. “Seriously, are you okay? You were quite inebriated last night and...responsive,” Azmir growled that word out. “At some points, I thought I was hurting you until you made it clear that it was to the contrary.”

Last night was freaking amazing! Are you kidding me!

“
Ummmmmm...other than lingering soreness and paw bruising on my hips, I'm fine.”

“
Paw bruising?”

“
Yeah. Your finger marks are on my backside and my hips and my thighs. I should try going home and explaining that to my husband,” I picked up our joke from the previous night over dinner about being married to other people.

“
Fortunate for me and lucky enough for him, you don’t have a husband.” By the arctic sound of his tone, I could tell he didn’t find my joke amusing.

He went off talking to someone else in the background again.
“
Huhn? Okay.”

“
Ms. Brimm, that’s my roll call. Gotta go make these donuts.” Although I understood he really had to go, it really stung ending our conversation like that.

“Okay, knock ‘
em out of the park. And, Mr. Jacobs?”

“
Yeah?”

“
Tyler won’t have time to train your wife because he’ll be preoccupied with me, helping me build my stamina so that we can do last night again and again and again,” I whispered seductively, I couldn’t help myself. That’s what Azmir brought out of me. Fieriness.

“
Ahhhhh
...you're hurting me, and just before I walk into my meeting,” he growled.

“
Later.” I giggled.

“
Indeed.”

I smiled on the inside and outside after hanging up the phone. That man had the ability to make or break my day. I don
’t think I liked him having that type of talent but I was in over my head and just powerless at that point. My elated state didn’t linger for long when my cell rang and moments later, I was chatting with Chanell.

“
Guuuurl, ‘dat tight ass skirt from BCBG ain’t fit me! I told you I couldn’t get into no size 10! Im’ma have ta’ take ‘dat shit back!”

“
Oh, no! I was sure it would. I’m sorry, C. When are you planning on going back to the mall?”

“
I ‘on’t know. ‘Dats why I’m calling you. I thought we could roll together. You ain’t never pick up ya’ gear.”

What Chanell didn
’t know was that I didn’t know anything about Kid’s birthday bash in Vegas until she brought it to my attention that day over lunch. I thought Azmir would bring it up to me last night and he most certainly didn’t mention it moments ago during our brief conversation. So, I had no need to shop. I didn’t like the idea of him being danced on by strippers and I sure as heck had no desire to watch them.

“
Chanell, I have no interest in watching strippers. I see enough moves by women in my dance class every week.”

“
Oh, nah!” she exclaimed. “’Da strippers is for Thursday. He having a big ass party down there on Friday night. He got the major hook up. There’s gonna be performances and celebrities in ‘dat bitch!” she shrieked.

“
I don't know, C. We’ll see. Did you arrange for the dancers?”

I can’
t lie, I had to know if Azmir would be in that suite with a horde of naked, sweaty, and thirsty women wiggling for dollar bills.

“
Yeah, ‘dat shit is official right about now.”

We wrapped up our conversation with me inviting her to text me a picture of a larger size skirt on and me giving her my deliberations that way. I didn
’t really care to make so many trips to the mall. Saturday was more than enough for me for a while.

That evening went by so slow. The e
nergy balance in the apartment was so off when the man of the house was away. He called to tuck me in, so to speak, but it didn’t cure my blues for him. I took note that he still hadn’t mentioned Kid’s party. I found it very strange considering how close they were. I had started to believe that he simply didn’t want me in on that part of his bachelor life. But when I thought about how his time in Vegas would detract our limited time together in between his heavy traveling it tore at my heart.

Rayna

The following day went by a little quicker. Work came with its peaks and valleys
, but because I had a session with Pastor Edmondson, it accelerated once I punched out.

Pastor Edmondson informed me that he was made aware of my women
’s group discovery last Thursday. He, of course, didn’t disclose his informant but did say that he explained to “them” that he was well aware of my living arrangements and had made it clear to me that though he doesn't condone my decision, he respects my walk with Christ enough to allow God to evolve my perspective on it.

He was totally honest. Pastor Edmonson loving
ly demonstrated, biblically, why God disapproves of two people living together unwed, but made very clear that it was not his intention to force change of my lifestyle, only to infuse me with godly principles that would change my heart and from there
I
would willingly change my lifestyle. I didn’t quite get it at that time, but it never left my memory.

He laughed apologetically about the
encroaching questions I got and sympathized with Azmir for coming home to the likes of Rhonda and the others in his living room gawking at him. My pastor was easy to talk to and uncompromising in his beliefs. I deeply respected him for that.

That Wednesday
, as I was writing reports to wrap up my day before heading to dance class, I got a call from Azmir. He sounded agitated.

“
Hey, you! What's up?” I tried masking my panic.

“
I just spoke with Petey who reminded me that Kid’s thirty-fifth birthday party is going to be in Vegas this weekend starting tomorrow.” I was thrown partly because I’d already known and also because he seemed to have not!

“
I was planning on coming home Friday and heading up to Santa Barbara with you for a quick overnight stay but shit, I gotta check on his birthday gift and at least be there for his birthday party on Friday night.

“
It’s okay. Kid is special to you. I wouldn’t be upset if you went to celebrate a milestone occasion with him.”

Did I sound like the proverbial understanding girlfriend or what! I wanted to see him on Friday
—no, scratch that—I
needed
to see him on Friday!

“
No, I need to see you this weekend,” he muttered, quickly dismissing my offer and sounding more like he was thinking out loud than he was talking directly to me. I was happy he felt the same. “I’ll be on a plane on Monday and away for almost another week again.” There was a pregnant pause before he spoke again. “Would you mind hoping on a plane Friday when you get off and meeting me in Vegas? I’ll have Brett book your flight and arrange for car service to the hotel. I won’t arrive until Friday night because we have a meeting scheduled here first thing that morning.”

“Errrr...”
Wow! Talk about a turn of events.

“
I'll have you home at a decent enough hour on Saturday so that you can be ready for church on Sunday morning...” he pleaded. I could tell he was earnest in his offer.

This was
a tall order. “Mr. Jacobs, the expense for me to get ready for this party... As it stands, this week I would have paid my monthly expenses, my mortgage...”

“
Did you spend the money that I had deposited last month? If so, I’ll have funds deposited into your account by lunch tomorrow. Please. I’d really like to see you, Brimm.” Okay now I hear desperation.

I had totally forgotten about the money he had put into my account.
“Ughhhh...you know how I feel about—”

He cut me off again. “
You just committed to not fighting me when I treat you to things. This would really be for me. I’ve screwed up my dates and am now inconveniencing you. Please cut me some slack and have
peace
about this,” he seared me using my recent spiritual commitment against me. I sighed in concession.

“
Okaaaaaaaaay,” I sang softly in the phone sounding of defeat.

“
Indeed,” he breathed in his Brooklyn twang.

I heard a feminine voice in the background saying something to him.
 

“
Ms. Taylor
,” rolled familiarly off his tongue, similar to the flirtatious manner he’d say my last name.

She must h
ave walked up on him because I clearly heard her say, “
Mr. Jacobs...our table is ready. The host is calling for us
,” so velvety with a hint of seduction almost.

Something wasn’
t right. I didn’t like the cordialness in their voices. 

“
Alright. I have to go, Brimm. Brett will contact you with your travel info.”

“
O-okay,” I uttered with somewhat of a cracked voice. I was still trying to wrap my head around the cozy exchange he’d just had with this mysterious Ms. Taylor. 

“
Aye...” he called out, snatching my attention. “I expect you to fully expend the amount necessary to make you feel as good as you look. If you need more just let me know...
though I doubt you would be so liberal
,” he was a bit mocking with his last few words.

He knew I wouldn
’t ask him for more money. There was no ensemble that I could think of that would exceed an eighth of the astronomical amount he’d shoved into my account.

“
Azmir...you know this is all new to me. Give me some time,” I exhaled, frustrated and now feeling a headache coming on from hearing their suspect exchange
and
anticipating spending his money.

“
Indeed. I’ll call you after your class.”

We ended our chat there. As much as I wanted to
ponder my feelings over what I’d just heard, Azmir’s knowledge of my evening schedule without me informing him pushed those contravening thoughts to the back of my mind. But they didn’t evaporate. Instead, I sat there trying to map out a plan of preparation for my time in Vegas. Coincidentally, it would be my first visit. I wanted to look the part and make Azmir proud to have me as his arm candy. I finished my reports and made a call to Adrian for an emergency hair appointment. 

The next morning when I had awakened and checked my phone for any correspondence from Azmir, I found an e-mail from his assistant, Brett, detailing my flight and car information for Vegas, making it a reminder for me to make all the arrangements necessary on my end to make this trip happen.

Late that morning, after calling the luxury kennel to book an overnight stay for Azna, I sent a text to LaWanda telling her that I had to fly out of town at the last minute for a friend and I wouldn't be able to attend this week's Bible study group meeting. After assuring her it had nothing to do with the girls' reaction to Azmir, she let me off the hook.

I hurried over to the salon to get my hair done on my extended lunch. Graciously, Adrian had me in and out in just under
ninety minutes and I tipped him well for his expediency. I called Chanell to let her know that she’d be seeing me on Friday and not that Thursday night with the strippers. I was happy to know that Azmir wouldn’t attend that part of the celebration either—though I didn’t share that piece of exciting news with her. She was just happy to know that she would be seeing me.

That evening after work
, I rushed through a couple of boutiques on a mad quest to find the perfect dress for this event. I was grateful that money wouldn’t be an issue when shopping. I’d only known the appropriate places to go to shop from Azmir’s recent and generous shopping stints for me. I paid close attention to the names on the bags and receipts—when he didn’t hide them.

I
’d made it to my
third
boutique when I landed eyes on the perfect white Sass & Bide stretch bodycon dress, decorated with gold and silver beaded jewelry, stitched from the collar to the outline of my breasts and hips, accentuating my curves. Even the shoulders were decorated beautifully with silver jewels and the back was cut a little low exposing a bit of scapula bones. The dress was long sleeved and stopped inches below my behind.

I paired the dress with metallic gold Christian Louboutin twist-front platform pumps. I knew the look would go perfectly with my simple ponytail with a bit of a poof on top of my head. I chose gold brass-like stud earrings feeling like I didn
’t need to go heavy on jewelry considering that which was in the dress already. I had just hoped the ensemble would impress Azmir. By the time I was done with shopping, I luckily had just enough time to slip into a chair at the nail salon to get a mani and pedi. The evening ended perfectly and hearing from Azmir before closing my eyes was the icing on the cake. 

That Friday I
worked through lunch knowing I had to leave a little early to head straight from work to the airport. Brett texted me the hotel information. I didn’t actually speak to Azmir as he spent half of his day in a meeting and the other half traveling. My flight was extremely short. “
What a tease in first class,”
I thought. My driver was there waiting for me holding a sign with “Brimm/Jacobs” plastered on it.
How cute.

When I arrived at the
hotel, the ambiance was nothing short of
A.D. Jacobs spectacular
in terms of decor. The Vegas energy hit me right away as I walked into the elegant lobby and found my way to the front desk where there was a note from Azmir, no doubt written by the concierge, instructing me to make my way down to the spa for a massage and facial. I thought the gesture was beyond thoughtful and did as he asked.

I was on the table enjoying the stretch
ing of my muscles when he texted me checking in. He told me he would have to meet me at the club because his flight was delayed. I noted it was seven. The plunge in my anticipation level accelerated at record speed at that discovery. I was looking forward to arousing him in one of the two pieces of lingerie I’d purchased for the evening. I tried my best to shake it off. I did so successfully by falling asleep during my massage.

Two hours later
, I was back in the glorious and spacious suite preparing for the party. Chanell sent a text asking to meet, but I declined. I had no desire to roll with her girls to a party that I would end up with Azmir at anyway. I took my time properly placing my lace undergarments and applying my make up. I loved my hair. The ponytail allowed for the highlight of my cheekbones, giving them more definition. I applied a burgundy shade of MAC lipstick and liner. Taking a deep exhale in the mirror, I appraised my final look. I was grateful that it all came together.

Wheeeeew!
I had just hoped Azmir felt the same.

At
the door,
I felt the drawing energy before stepping into the club. There was an enlarged poster with the faces of the birthday celebrants outside of the main entrance. I smiled when I saw Kid’s high yellow complexion with neatly braided cornrows. He was fairly tall, trim and always warm to me.

I walked in and scanned the main room.
Unsuccessfully, I tried spying the VIP section but it was strategically and obscurely positioned so that those in the common areas couldn’t see the activities of those elite patrons. I didn’t see anyone I knew so I made my way to the bar to order a drink.

Before I could do another read of the room in search of m
y party, a handsome Caucasian man with glowing green eyes and dark blonde hair sat on the bar stoop to the right of me with a gorgeous smile. I had encountered quite a few undeniably good looking Caucasian men since being on the West Coast, even gone out with a couple. I quickly assessed that this one would have definitely won my attention if I were available.

“You’re stunning in that dress. The designer should be paying you for advertisement. You’re hot!” he charmed.

I blushed at his cute attempt. “Why, thank you.”

“Aaron.” He extended his hand for me to shake it. I obliged.

“Rayna. It’s nice to meet you, Aaron.” Over his shoulder I thought I had seen Wop but it turned out to be a look-alike.

“Are you looking for someone?” he couldn’t ignore my distraction.

I smiled politely. “Yes, I’m here attending a party for a friend and I can’t seem to find anyone I know.”

“Are you sure you’re at the right club? It would be something if you were
supposed to be at a different casino altogether.”

I shook my head. “No, I’m at the correct place. I saw his picture outside.”

“Which of the birthday boys? Sam, Man, or Kid?”

I was surprised that he knew them.

“Kid. How do you know him?”

“I coordinate and promote the parties here.” He handed me his card and I placed it on the bar next to my clutch. I had no need for it but he didn’t have to know that.

“How do
you
know him?” he asked with flirtatious eyes. He was being a little forward. I noticed his chiseled chin. Very handsome.

“We have mutual friends.” That was true when you considered
Chanell
and
Azmir
.