The Lion (17 page)

  “I'm sorry I missed them.”

  “They said to tell you thank you again for that amazing gift,” she told him. “How did you even manage that?”

  “When you asked me to sign a baseball for your grandfather I thought about whose autograph he'd really want and I put some feelers out for an authentic ball. While I was in New York, I met with the collector and the rest is history.”

Tauri looked at him. “How much did something like that cost Orion?”

He shrugged. “Doesn't matter. If anyone should have that ball, it's your grandfather.”

  Tauri knew to get that type of memorabilia the price started in five figures and escalated quickly into six.

  “I can't believe you did that,” she whispered.

  Rion took her hand. “As much as I'm in love with you Tauri, I have to be honest. I didn't do it to impress you. If we were together or not, I would have done it for your grandfather simply because he's a great man.”

  “And that's why I can't help but to be in love with you Orion Shaw,” she said putting her arms around his neck.

  “I brought you something from New York too,” Rion said in her ear.

Tauri smiled sexily. “I know.”

  Rion reached into his pocket and produced a tiny box. “I was going to hold on to this until you caught up, but you told me that you're ready for it now.”

Tauri's eyes widened as she stared at him. “Orion what are you doing?”

  “I'm showing you that I'm serious Tauri. I know that I want you baby and I'll never change my mind. Trust me.”

  He held out the box to her and waited. Tauri knew that if she took this box there would be no turning back. Orion was a lion. He'd stealthily invaded her life and while she'd enjoyed every minute of it, he would no doubt move full speed ahead if she were to accept this ring.

  “Do you know what you're doing?” she questioned looking into his eyes.

  “Have I ever wavered?”

  No, he had not. Since the beginning Orion had told her and shown her that he wanted to be a constant in her life. Meeting her family and having her meet his family was just a small part. They'd been practically inseparable since the first night they'd spent together and even now she was staying with him while he recuperated.

  “I'm not saying we have to run away today, but I am saying that you are my life. You are the life that I want and the life I've asked for, before I even knew who you were.”

Tauri quietly took the box and slowly opened it. A beautifully crafted diamond stared up at her.

  “Oh my god, Orion...” She looked up at him. “It's beautiful.”

He smiled. “So can I see you with it on?”

  Tauri's hand shook slightly as she removed the ring from the box and slid it onto her finger. It was a perfect fit and she smiled up at him.

  “I meant the ring and nothing else,” he amended.

  She watched as his eyes darkened. Tauri slowly lifted her shirt over her head and dropped it to the floor. Next, she removed her jeans as he watched. Her bra and panties were next until she sat in front of him completely naked.

  “How does it look?” she asked.

  Rion grabbed the hem of his shirt. “It looks like good enough to eat.” He pulled the shirt off and leaned over her causing her to lie down on the sofa.

She looked up at him. “What does it taste like?”

  “Like honey and fire...” He kissed her sucking her lips. “Sweet and hot...”

  He mouth blazed a trail down her neck to her breasts.  Tauri closed her eyes as his warm tongue licked and suckled her hardened nipples. She arched into his mouth asking for more and he gave her what she desired.

  As he moved down her stomach he stopped at her navel paying homage to the spot that would nurture his children in her womb. Tauri sighed as he moved lower lifting her legs over his broad shoulders. She clenched her fists as he began worshipping her sacred spot with his mouth.

  “Orion...” she breathed lifting her lower body and pressing into the pleasure he was bestowing upon her. Tauri saw colors behind her eyes as Rion held her in place and loved her into another plane. She gripped his head tightly as she released her waterfall.

Rion released her legs and climbed back to her face. “What do you want goddess?”

  Tauri ran her hands along his naked torso loving the look and feel of him. “I want you Orion, nothing more, nothing less.”

  Rion stood and removed his remaining clothing as Tauri admired his exquisite frame. “My purse is in the bedroom,” she told him.

He stared down at her. “You keep a brother in line.”

She took his hand. “I'm not ready for that,” she whispered. “Not yet.”

  Rion reached down and touched her face. “I can wait.” He turned and walked into the bedroom and she smiled watching his firm muscled behind as he retreated. She smiled even more as she watched him return. Orion Shaw was a sight to behold coming and going. Watching his muscled back, ass and legs was a complete turn on and watching what made him all natural man, made her mouth water.

  Rion dropped a few condoms onto the table next to the sofa before handing one to her. “It amazes me that you are so meticulous, carrying your own condoms. I've never met a woman so prepared.”

  Tauri sat up opening the package. “It's my body and no one is responsible for it except me. I've never trusted anyone with that responsibility.” She applied the protection and held him in her hand. “And when I'm ready, you will be the only man who I'll ever trust with that.”

  Rion lifted her face and kissed her solidly. “I think it's so sexy that you're in control of what you want.” He picked her up and she locked her legs around him. Rion turned them and sat on the sofa with her on his lap. Tauri opened her legs and allowed him to slide slowly inside while she watched him.

  “Will you marry me Tauri?” he asked as she began to gyrate over him.

Tauri's gaze went to the ring on her hand and she paused. “You will let me pick the date?”

  “Of course goddess.” He pulled her closer probing deeper.

  She looked down into his dark eyes. “Yes Orion, I will.” Tauri kissed him with all the love she had in her heart for him. She continued to enjoy the ride and he stroked her slowly until he turned and laid her on the sofa pinning her arms above her head.

  “You will never regret it,” he whispered against her mouth. Tauri crossed her legs around his back as Rion entered and retreated slowly at first then with abandon. She called his name as the tempo increased. She gripped his arms and flexed her hands over his muscles. Tauri reveled in his solid weight on her. It was firm and warm; and instead of feeling smothering or suffocating, it was soothing and comforting. They both drowned in the pleasure then climbed to the top and toppled over one after the other.

  Rion collapsed on top of her and she quietly ran her hands along his back. The solid weight of the ring on her finger reminded her of his earlier demonstration. There was no way in hell she could deny Orion Shaw at this point. She wasn't even going to try.

  “I love you Orion,” she whispered looking at the glittering diamond on her hand.

He kissed her jawline. “I love you Tauri.” Rion laid his head next to hers and closed his eyes.

  “Baby...” he called.

Tauri touched his face. “What is it?”

  “I have a headache,” he told her quietly.

She smiled. “I told you I would hurt you.”

  A week later Rion was sitting in Chief Green's office along with Brandon. He had been cleared of all concussion symptoms and allowed to proceed with normal life. Whatever one would call normal with what he had going on in his life right now. He turned his attention to Mac.

  “Your guys from LA got us enough evidence for an open and shut case,” she told Rion and glanced at Brandon.

  “No case is open and shut and although Tauri is the best, she's also Rion's fiancée  now,” Brandon informed them.

  “Is that a problem Brandon?” Rion questioned.

  Brandon sighed and looked at Rion. “Potentially, yes. I need Prosecutor Patterson trying this case, not the future Mrs. Orion Shaw.”

  Rion and Tauri had announced their engagement to their friends and family, which had been met with no surprise and much happiness.

  “I won't apologize for falling in love with Tauri. She's told me she can try this case and I believe her. The question is, do you?” he asked Brandon.

Mac looked between the two men and waited.

  “I've spoken to Tauri and she's confident. She knows her job so I'm going to let her do it.” Brandon responded. “I'm just voicing my concerns.”

Rion looked at his friend. “If it becomes a problem, we'll deal with it.”

  Brandon agreed and pressed forward. “All of the evidence is now in Tauri's hands and she's preparing the paperwork to file the case. Because of the nature and sensitivity of this case we may be able to get a speedy trial date.”

  “So far we've been able to keep everything under wraps and away from the media, but when these men are charged and this case is filed they're going to be all over you Rion and Prosecutor Patterson,” Mac cautioned.

  “Both Rion and Tauri are accustomed to handling the media so I think they'll be fine,” Brandon offered. “What we don't need in any leaks to the media from your office.”

Mac frowned. “You know I don't run that kind of department Brandon.”

  Brandon leaned forward. “I'm not trying to disrespect your job Mac, but these are high profile people and money will be spreading around for information.”

  “And if anyone is found sharing that information, they will be dealt with accordingly,” Mac assured him.

Rion looked between the two and waited.

  “It is a possibility Mac,” Brandon stated.

  “You handle your department and I'll handle mine Brandon.”

Brandon nodded. “As you wish, Chief Green.”

  Mac nodded as well and turned her attention back to Rion. “Those guys from LA were incredible. The young one was able to find out things we would never have discovered. We need to get them on our team here in the city.”

  Rion smiled. “Yeah, they're something. Marc and Trent came in and got the job done. They're back in LA now but if we need them, they'll be back.”

  “This is going to get worse before it gets better Rion,” Mac told him.

Rion answered slowly. “I know Mac. I know.”

**********

  Tauri sat at her desk excitedly going over the evidence that Trent and Marc had retrieved. She was happy to see what they had produced. She was also even more afraid for Rion, because apparently these men were serious in their efforts to stop him.

  She was preparing the paperwork for her case to be ready after Brandon announced the charges and the men were formally charged. She had a lot of work to do and would not be deterred in obtaining justice for Orion. Tauri looked up after the light knock on her door.

  “Miss Patterson?”

  Tauri looked at the beautiful woman standing in her in doorway. The woman was as familiar to her as her own face, since she watched her as the anchor on the national nightly news every day.

  “Rhonda Fleming?” Tauri asked confused.

  The woman smiled the patented frosted white smile that she gave to millions every night. Rhonda Fleming was a petite ebony beauty. Her dark eyes, skin and hair gave her an exotic look that the cameras adored.

  “Yes, I'm Rhonda Fleming. May I come in?” she asked.

  Tauri stood from her seat and nodded. She wondered if Rhonda Fleming was coming to interview her about a case.

  “Of course, how may I help you?” Tauri waived the woman inside and motioned to a seat. Tauri watched as the woman gracefully took an empty chair.

  “Well I wanted to meet you and speak to you regarding Rion Shaw.”

  Tauri felt a chill go down her spine at the way the woman spoke Orion's name. She lifted a brow and folded her arms.

  “Is this about a case Ms. Fleming?” Tauri inquired.

Rhonda smiled. “No, it's personal.”

  Tauri walked to her office door and closed it because she was sure she didn't want her co-workers to hear what was apparently about to go down. Tauri twisted the lock before she turned back to the woman. Removing her glasses, she walked back to her desk and tossed the item on top before leaning back against the piece of furniture.

  “Personal?” Tauri questioned.

  Rhonda nodded. “Yes, I don't know if Rion has told you but we were together for awhile before we parted ways over something trivial. However, when we met in New York last week I realized that what we had was truly special.”

Tauri paused.  Wait...what? Orion met this woman in New York?

  Rhonda continued, “I mean, I realize that breaking up with Rion because he was broke was not the right thing to do, especially when he means so much to me.”

Tauri's hazel eyes blazed. “So why are you here in my office?”

  Rhonda smiled. “I was an investigative reporter Miss Patterson. Of course I know that you and Rion are now an item.”

Tauri folded her arms. “And you've come to make sure that we're no longer 'an item'?”

  “Rion is a really sweet man. He'd have a hard time letting you down easy,” Rhonda explained.

Tauri nodded. “But you're better at it?” she inquired.

  Rhonda nodded slowly and Tauri reached for her phone sitting on her desk. She picked it up and pressed a button. A second later the call was connected.

  “Hey baby, I was just thinking about you,” the deep voice answered and Tauri looked at his handsome face.

  “Hello Orion, are you busy?” Tauri asked.

He smiled. “I'm never busy for you goddess, what's up?”

  “Well look who's come to visit me...” She turned the phone to face a startled Rhonda Fleming.

  “What the hell?” Rion yelled.

  Tauri turned the phone back to her own face. “Yes, she came to tell me how you two are getting back together. Which I find very interesting since you put this big ass diamond on my hand last week.” She held her hand up for Rhonda to take in the flawless diamond that she hadn't paid attention to before. Rhonda's eyes widened as Tauri continued.

  “Now you need to tell me just what is going on here, before I beat her ass all over my office,” Tauri told him.

  “Tauri...” Rion began.

  Tauri shook her head. “No, do not Tauri me, Orion. Why is she here?” She shot daggers at the woman seated in the chair.

  “I don't know! She has no reason to be here or at your office.” Rion could see the anger in Tauri's face. “Tauri look at me...”

  She switched her angry gaze to his face. “I don't know what the hell is going on, but I love you. Please don't do anything crazy.”

  “Oh, she's getting crazy today.” Tauri promised. “She requested it the moment she walked into my office.”

Rion tried to remain calm. “Tauri, baby...calm down, just tell her to leave.”

  “She's not going anywhere until I'm done.” Tauri sent her a look. “My grandparents have bail money for me.”

Rhonda frowned and stood from her chair.

  “Sit your ass back down before I really hurt you!” Tauri snapped. “You came to talk and we're going to talk dammit!”

  “Tauri!” Rion yelled.

  Rhonda silently complied retaking the seat. She looked into Tauri's angry face and yelled, “Rion help me!” before Tauri disconnected the call and placed the phone back on her desk. The phone began to ring immediately and she ignored it turning to Rhonda.

  “So what exactly was your plan Rhonda?” Tauri asked while tilting her head. “You thought you were going to come here and tell me some things about Orion then I was going to leave him?”

  “You thought you'd start some mess to come between us, so he'd fall back into your arms?” she questioned.

Tauri gave a short laugh. “Girl, you've been watching too much damn TV.”

Rhonda stood again. “Look I thought we could handle this like women.”

  “No you thought you'd come and bring some drama, but you can take your ass back to being Mary Jane.”

  “This is Detroit girlfriend and you will get hurt,” Tauri said coming to stand over her.

*********

  Rion dialed Tauri's number for the fifth time and received her voicemail again. “Dammit!”  He stood in his financial planner's office.

  “Something wrong Rion?” Tim asked.

Rion looked over at him. “Yeah, very wrong.”

  “What's up?”

  Rion looked at his phone. “My ex is currently in my fiancée’s  office. I don't even know what the hell Rhonda is doing in Detroit, let alone in Tauri's office.”

  “That doesn't sound good.”

  “Look, I gotta go. I need to reschedule,” Rion told him.

  “Of course Rion, just let me know when you're available.”

Rion nodded as he headed towards the door. “I'll be in touch.”

  He exited the building before heading quickly to the unmarked police SUV that was now chauffeuring him around. His phone rang and he looked at the screen hoping it was Tauri. It was a number that he didn't recognize with a New York area code so he answered.

  “Hello?” he questioned.

  “She threatened me Rion!” the woman screamed.

He frowned. “Rhonda?”

  “Yes! She's crazy. How could you get involved with a crazy woman?”

  “First of all, it's none of your damn business who I'm involved with and what the hell are you doing in Detroit?”

  “I'm traumatized Rion. Please, I need to talk to you.”

  “Why are you here?” he demanded.

  “She wanted to hurt me Rion. I just wanted to talk to her,” Rhonda cried.

Rion climbed into the vehicle through the door that was held open for him. “Where are you?”

  “On my way to the hotel downtown, The Book Cadillac, Room 313.”

He glanced out the window. “I'll be there in thirty minutes.”

Rion disconnected the call and dialed Tauri again. Her phone went to voicemail.

  “Hi, you've reached Tauri Patterson. Please leave a message.”

  “Tauri, it's Rion. I don't know what happened but I'm going take care of it. I'm sorry and I love you baby.” He paused. “Call me when you get this message.”

  Rion pressed the button and held the phone in his hand. He hit another button and the phone rang. When it was answered Rion began immediately.

  “Brandon, I need you to check on Tauri for me.”

Brandon was immediately alert. “What's wrong?”

Rion quickly explained the situation.

  “Damn Rion, how did this happen?”

  “I'm about to find out. Go see if she's alright. She's not answering my calls right now.”

  “Fine, I'll call you back.” Brandon hung up and Rion sat back against the seat in the moving vehicle.

He turned to look out the window. “Let me fix it baby.”

*********

  Brandon rushed down to Tauri's office and found it empty. He looked around for signs of a fight or struggle and saw none. As he breathed a sigh of relief, he heard Tauri's phone ringing on her desk and wondered where she'd gone.

  Brandon walked to the elevators and pressed the down button. He hoped that Tauri had not done anything that would make her the headline news. He knew her temperament very well. Tauri was no nonsense most of the time but when you baited her, she became a lioness.

The elevator doors opened and the person he was looking for stepped out.

  “Tauri!” Brandon called.

Tauri looked at him. “Hello Brandon.”

Brandon's eyes narrowed suspiciously. “Where were you?”

  “Putting some trash out,” she said walking away towards her office.

Brandon followed her back to her office and closed the door behind him.

  “Rion wanted me to check on you. He's been trying to call you,” Brandon explained.

  Tauri picked up her glasses and placed them back on her face before turning to her paperwork. “I know.”

  “Tauri, he's not involved with her. He hasn't been for awhile,” Brandon said calmly.

She studied the papers in front of her. “I know,” she repeated.

Brandon sighed. “Are you going to let him explain?”

  Tauri looked up at Brandon. “Yes Brandon, when I'm not on tax payer's dollars I will let Orion explain why his ex-girlfriend showed up at my office. I will also let him explain why he was meeting with her while he was away in New York, allegedly on business for his team.”