She didn’t even look angry. “Of course. Take your time.”
“Oh, this won’t take long.” Just long enough for Cami to get her things so they could go. “I’ll be back.” Jonah put his hand on the door handle then had a second thought. Acting quickly, he turned around and kissed Tisha. “Thank you.”
She smiled, her eyes lit with compassion. “You’re welcome. Now go get our girl.”
He exited the car and headed up the walk, breathing deeply as he tried to calm himself. Tisha had been right, he needed to be in control here, at least until he knew the whole story. He rapped sharply on the door and then waited a moment before ReShaunda answered.
Her lips thinned with anger when she saw him. From her apparel, Jonah was willing to bet he wasn’t the only one getting ready for bed when the shit hit the fan. “This is ridiculous.”
“I want to see her.” Jonah wasn’t going to debate the point with her. He was there for one reason and one reason alone. “Where is she, ReShaunda?”
“Upstairs where she belongs.” The angry woman crossed her arms over her chest. “I will not be disrespected in my home. Not by her, not by anyone.”
Cami was a mouthy little thing, but she wasn’t disrespectful. For his little girl to have done something like that she had to have been provoked. “Let me talk to her.”
“Why? You’re just going to upset her more.”
“More.” He tested the word out, not liking the feel of it at all. “What upset her to begin with?”
“Nothing.”
“And that’s why she called. For nothing?”
“This whole thing is being blown out of proportion.”
The longer she stalled the more insistent he became. “It’s too late for this shit. Get her now.”
“Or?”
Jonah’s nostrils flared. “Or I’ll do it.”
“Uncle J.” The front door was pulled open from behind ReShaunda by Cami. Her eyes were bloodshot, as if she’d been crying. “I want to go home.”
That was all he needed to hear. Reaching past ReShaunda, he took hold of Cami and pulled her past the irate woman, not caring that the move caused ReShaunda to lose her balance and stumble into the doorframe. “What’s going on, baby?”
“She…”
“Oh for goodness’ sake,” ReShaunda interrupted. “If we’re going to do this, let’s take it into the house, please. I don’t want to upset my neighbors.”
More like she didn’t want her neighbors to get a feel for the real ReShaunda. “Fine.” It made it easier for Cami to grab her stuff that way, anyway. “Inside, Cami.”
He spared a quick glance behind at the car before stepping in the house and shutting the door. The last thing he wanted to do was to cut Tisha out right now but he had to deal with this mess. “What happened, Cami?” Jonah placed his hand on her shoulder, trying to comfort her and give her strength at the same time.
“She said you weren’t my real uncle and that my momma was stupid to let Daddy talk her into making you my guardian.”
Not this shit again. “I thought the judge was very clear about certain things we were and weren’t allowed to talk about in front of Cami.”
“Those weren’t the exact words I said.”
“Really, what were they?” His words were measured, but he could barely hear from the blood pounding through his veins. This “real” shit was getting old quick.
“I don’t even remember now, but I’m sure it wasn’t that.” And he was more than sure it was. “She’s exaggerating.”
“I am not. You said I’m going to be moving in here soon and I won’t get to see Uncle J anymore.”
Jonah had to unclench his jaw to even respond. “Funny, that’s not the way I remember the agreement working.”
“I said if she wanted she could move in here. Wanted.”
“Why would she want to, ReShaunda?” Hell, he was surprised her kids hadn’t tried to escape yet.
“To be with her family. Her blood.”
“I am her family.”
“Oh please, you know what I mean.” ReShaunda turned to Cami and smiled falsely at the little girl. “Don’t you enjoy visiting your cousins and playing with them?”
“Not enough to move in here.”
Jonah tightened his grip on Cami. “Even if she did, it’s for the court to decide. Not a nine-year-old.”
“I think she should have some say.”
“I don’t think you’d want to hear what she’d have to say.” Jonah was more than convinced Cami would want to live with him. For the life of him though, he couldn’t understand why ReShaunda didn’t see that.
“Maybe I’d prefer to hear what a new judge has to say.”
“There isn’t—” Jonah let out a deep breath, willing himself to calm down. This was going to do no good. ReShaunda heard what ReShaunda wanted to hear. “Cami, get your stuff. We’re leaving.”
Cami must have been prepared because she ran to the steps and back again in seconds, suitcase now in hand.
Moving quickly, ReShaunda blocked the doorway and gave him a hostile glare. “You know I’m well within my legal rights to insist she stays.”
“You could try.”
“But legally…”
“You could try,” he repeated with contempt. “But I’m walking out this door with Cami. Whether I have to step over you to do it is entirely up to you.”
“Are you threatening me?”
“I’m stating a fact.”
“I’m going to call my lawyer.”
Jonah thrust his hand in his pocket and felt around for some change. He pulled out the largest coin he had and slapped it on the hall table. “The phone call is on me. We’ll see you in court. Now move. Please.” He added the courtesy for Cami’s sake, biting back the word “bitch” in the process.
Furious, ReShaunda moved from in front of the door. Jonah didn’t wait for her to open it. He did it himself, taking Cami’s hand in his to ensure ReShaunda wouldn’t try anything stupid. He wasn’t in the mood for stupid right now.
To her credit, ReShaunda didn’t say a word, allowing him to bypass her and take Cami out of the house. Once outside, Jonah took the suitcase from his niece’s hand then bent and whispered in Cami’s ear, “Go get in the car. I’ll be right there.” The little girl ran straight for the car, not looking back to say goodbye.
When Tisha saw Cami coming, she quickly opened the door and embraced the little girl before helping her into the backseat.
“Who’s that?” ReShaunda questioned, stepping out behind him.
“No one you need to worry about.”
“You know, you could have made this a lot easier for both of us if you’d made her stay.”
“And you could have made it a lot easier for all of us if you would just let it go. She’s mine, ReShaunda. She’s where she’s supposed to be.”
“It will be a cold day in hell before I accept that.”
“Then buy a coat, sweetie, because you’re in for a long winter.” Shaking his head in disgust, Jonah turned and headed after Cami.
“This isn’t the end of this, Jonah,” ReShaunda called after him.
“I didn’t think it was for a second.”
Chapter Seven
After locking up downstairs, Tisha headed upstairs to shower and get ready to go to sleep. It had been a very long day. Parts good and parts bad, and it was time to put both parts to bed.
Tisha had barely settled in bed when the phone rang. Picking it up, she glanced at the caller ID and smiled. “Hey.”
“Did I wake you?” Jonah asked. He sounded tired and weary, much to her dismay.
“No, I’m still awake.” Tisha took a moment to prop two pillows behind her so she could get comfortable before asking him, “Are you okay?”
“No,” he laughed bitterly.
“Is there anything I can do?” She wanted to be there to wrap her arms around him, but she knew he had to be with Cami right now.
“You’re doing it.”
“What?”
“Talking to me. Being here for me.”
Tisha wanted to say “always” but she bit it back at the last second. “That’s what friends are for,” she said instead, instantly rolling her eyes at the cheesiness of her words.
“Friends.” There was a long pause before he continued. “Is that what we are?”
She wasn’t really sure where he was going with this so she decided to try to keep it light. “I hope so.”
“Let me rephrase. Is that all we are?”
“I wouldn’t say ‘all’.”
“Then what would you say?”
Tisha thought for a moment before speaking honestly. “I’m not sure. ‘Boyfriend and girlfriend’ sounds a little lame. ‘Lovers’ seems too simple and common.”
“Then maybe we should invent a new word.”
“A new word?” Tisha smiled and leaned back more into her pillows.
“Yes. Something that will encompass everything we are.”
“What about…‘flovers’.”
“Flovers?”
“Yes, friends and lovers combined.”
Jonah laughed which made her smile widened in return. “Flovers. That’s a good one.”
She was glad she had him laughing and the former weariness in his voice was gone. “I aim to please.”
“And you do.”
“Thank you.”
“No, thank you.” She could hear the sincerity through the phone line. He wasn’t merely spouting platitudes to be polite.
“For making you laugh?”
“For that, and for coming tonight.”
“All I did was wait in the car.” It wasn’t all she wanted to do though. When she saw the look of anguish on Cami’s face, Tisha developed a strong dislike for ReShaunda and an almost uncontrollable urge to beat the woman down for the hurt she put both Jonah and the little girl through, but that wouldn’t have accomplished anything.
“That wasn’t all you did. You were there for me. Something I’m not used to. The only person I’ve ever really known who had my back was Cami’s dad. And when he died, I thought I’d never have that again.”
“You thought wrong.”
“I guess I did.”
After a brief silence, she turned the conversation back to the matter at hand. “Did you get Cami settled in?”
“Yes, and I stayed with her until she fell asleep.”
“You’re such a good dad.” She might not be a mom herself, but she could recognize a good parent when she saw one.
“I learned from mine.”
“You did?” she asked, confused.
“Yes, I do the exact opposite of what he did. Starting with just being there.” Jonah could have used his upbringing in foster care to blame the world for any and all woes. Instead he was turning around the life of one little girl.
“Good place to start.”
“I thought so.” Jonah sighed heavily. “Enough about me. Let’s talk about something else.”
Tisha was happy to comply. “Such as?”
“You and what you’re doing.”
“I’m lying in bed.”
“I like the sound of that.” His voice deepened, causing her womb to contract.
“Then you’re really going to enjoy the sound of this. I’m not wearing anything but a smile.”
“Hmm…” His sexy rumble sent a tiny shiver coursing through her. “That’s my favorite outfit of yours.”
“I thought you’d approve.”
“I wish I was there right now.”
So did she. “You and me both.” Tisha reached over to her nightstand and clicked off her light before leaning back against her pillows. “What about you? What are you wearing?”
“Pajama bottoms.”
Tisha closed her eyes and tried to imagine him. “Do they have something sexy on them, like lips or chili peppers?”
“Chili peppers?” He chuckled.
Tisha opened her eyes at the sound of his amusement. “Okay, it’s not as sexy as it would be hot, but you know, paint a picture for me to carry with me to sleep.”
“How about I give you something better to carry you to sleep?”
“Like…”
“An orgasm.”
“You already did that.” Many, many times.
“And I want to do it again.”
Her pulse quickened. Man, she had it bad. “How do you plan on doing that?”
“By getting you off while we’re on the phone.”
Even though Tisha had an inkling this was the direction their conversation was headed, her heart still skipped a beat. “I like the sound of that, but—”
“No buts. I’m not letting you off this phone until I hear you come for me again.” His tone brooked no arguments.
“I don’t want to be the only one getting off.”
“You won’t be. Let me go lock the door. Wait for me.” As if she had any place better to be. It took only a few seconds before he was on the line once more. “You still with me?”
“Yes.”
“Good. Do you own any toys?”
Tisha glanced over at her nightstand. “Maybe one or two.”
“One or two?”
“Or five or six,” she admitted begrudgingly.
“Really?” Interest filled the line.
Tisha’s cheeks warmed. “I enjoy variety.”
“I guess you do.” She could hear the pleasure in his voice. “You’re going to have to show me your collection one day.”
Now that sounded like fun. “It’s a date.”
“I’m looking forward to it. I want you to take out a toy. Your favorite one.”
“My favorite toy is across the street with you,” she teased.
“And it’s hard and aching for you,” he said huskily.
Tisha licked her lips. “Ohh.”
“I’ve been hard since the minute you answered the phone.”
The image of his cock hard and ready for her made her mouth water. “That’s a long time.”
“I’m sure you’ll make it worth my time.”
“I’ll try.” Without turning on the light, Tisha leaned over and reached between her bed and nightstand and picked up her Hitachi Magic Wand. It was her favorite sex toy, the one that got her to the finish line quicker than anything else ever had. She sat back in the bed and settled against the pillows. “I have it.”
“What did you pick?”
“My wand.”
“What’s that?” Curiosity laced his question.
“It’s a vibrator.”
“Describe it to me.”
Tisha glanced at the wand and tried her best to describe it. “It’s wide with a flexible bulb-shaped head and a pretty long arm to grip it with.”
“Long is good, the better for fucking you deep.”
She chuckled and disabused him of that notion. “It’s not an innie toy. It’s for clitoral stimulation only.”
“Is that why you enjoy it?” He sounded genuinely curious.
“Yes, and the fact it plugs into the wall.”
There was a brief silence. “It plugs in?”
“Yes, which is a good thing because I don’t have to worry about the batteries dying at an inconvenient moment.”
“Now we wouldn’t want that to happen. I’m going to assume it has a cord and you’re not straddling the wall or anything.”
“Yes,” she laughed. “It has a cord.”
“Good to know. Are you lying under the covers or on top of them?”
“I have a sheet covering me.”
“Take it off. I want nothing touching your sexy brown body but your hands and your toy.”
Tisha obeyed without hesitation. “Okay, it’s off.”
“Good. Spread your legs for me. Open them wide.”
Licking her lips, Tisha did as he requested, shivering as the cool breeze from the overhead fan drifted across her heated sex. “They’re open.”
“Hmm…damn, I wish I were there with you.”
“What would you be doing if you were?”
“I’d be lying between your thighs, eating your sweet pussy.” She could almost see him licking his lips at the prospect. “Are your nipples hard?”
“They are now.”
“Oh…does the idea of me eating you out make you wet?”
Tisha wanted to scream
God yes
, but thought better of it. “Yes, it does.”
“Good.” His voice was as heated as her body. “I want your nipples hard and your pussy wet.”
“They are.” She was so turned-on right now just from the husky sound of his voice, she had a feeling one touch of her wand would have her bursting into flames. And she couldn’t wait.
Jonah had stood to push his pajama bottoms to the floor with one hand while gripping the phone tight with the other. It was a complicated move that took longer than he or his cock preferred, but it got the job done while allowing him to keep the phone to his ear. He didn’t want to miss a single second of tonight’s little adventure.
After stepping out of his pants, he lay on the bed and closed his eyes. He lightly began to run his hand over his stomach, slowly easing it toward his waiting cock. Even if it killed him, Jonah was going to make this last, he was going to draw it out and savor it like the tasty treat it was.
“You still there?”
“Yes, baby. I’m here.” Jonah ran his fingertips over the rigid length of his shaft before taking his cock in hand. He was hard enough to split wood. “Just getting a mental picture of you in mind.”
“How’s it working out for you?”
“Good,” he said, stroking his erection. “Damn good.”
“That’s what I want to hear.” The sound of her soft voice was almost as good as her hands gliding along his spine.
“You know what I’d like to hear.”
“What?”
“You coming.”
“Then what should we do about that?”
“I have a few ideas.” More than a few.
“Such as…”
“I want you to put the wand aside for now and use your fingers to get your nipples hard.”
“They’re already hard.”
“Because of what we’re doing, or because you’re cold?”
Tisha let out a soft, dirty, little laugh. “There’s nothing cold about me. I feel hot. Scorching hot.”
“You’re not alone. Even though they’re already hard, I want you to tease your nipples. Take them between your fingers and pinch and squeeze them.” Tisha let out a soft moan, which caused his cock to jump in response. “Yeah, baby. Just like that. I want to make sure you’re completely ready for me. For my cock.”
“I wish you and your cock were here now.”
“Really. Why?”
“So I could take you in my mouth.”
“And do what?”
She gave a husky little laugh. “What do you think?”
“You tell me, baby. In lots of dirty details. I want to hear everything you want to do to me while I stroke my cock.”
“And I pleasure my pussy.”
“No. Not yet.”
“Why?”
“Because I want to make sure you’re nice and wet for me.”
“I assure you,” her dry tone had him smiling, “that won’t be a problem.”
“Indulge me on this, Tisha, and I promise to make it worth your while the next time we’re alone together.”
“Hmm…promises.”
“You can take that to the bank.”
“If you were here right now, I’d drop to my knees before you and take your long, hard cock in my hand. I’d lean forward and engulf you in my mouth and take you as deep into my throat as I could.”
“That sounds good.” Jonah tried to keep his voice steady and himself from coming at the vivid imagine her words brought to life.
“Does it?” she asked.
“Oh yeah. Almost as good as the little hitch you get in your voice when I’m fucking you hard and deep.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
If he didn’t know better, he would have sworn she was smiling. “How about I remind you again tomorrow? And the night after that. And the night after that.”
“Better yet, how about you let me move my hand to my pussy?”
“What will you give me if I do?”
“The blowjob of your dreams the very next opportunity we have.”
Jonah didn’t even have to think twice. “Move your hand, Tisha, and touch your pussy.”
“Yes sir.”