Page 17

ELEVEN

The sound of the sea was surreal. Small waves crashed against the side of the yacht as Israel’s fingers glided across my skin. Peace swept my worries away.

Breaking ground on the land I was fighting tooth and nail for in order to build a Penthouse, had taken a part of my sanity, and it wasn’t until I was met with silence that I realized it. While my family wanted to force their way onto the land, I wanted to fight. My idea deserved residency in the world and it would.

I was nearing the end of my battle. I could feel it. So could Rome. Her prediction was enough to keep me from throwing in the towel and sticking it out. Near Hudson Road was the perfect location. I didn’t want to settle anywhere else.

4:26a

“Shhhhhh.”

Israel encouraged me to quiet down and allow the sounds of the water to do their job. I’d spent the last hour expressing my frustration with the city and the regulations they were trying to enforce in order to diminish my vision.

“Shhhhhhh.”

But, seconds ago, my rant had ended and comfort caressed me. I closed my eyes, hoping that sleep would find me. The nature station hardly compared to my reality at the moment. I was surrounded by the sounds of the sea, chirping birds in search of food, swaying winds, and the creaking of the yacht.

“Shhhhh.”

Against his chest, I released a lengthy stream of air. The sigh was healing. So was Israel. He was rearranging things inside of me that had been shelved and labeled with caution signs, fragile warnings, and beware stickers.

“Shhhhh.”

I tightened my grip around his body and snuggled up closer, as if that was even possible. Suddenly, exhaustion was prepared for my undertaking. A yawn split my mouth wide open as he continued running fingers over my skin.

“Shhhh.”

Rugger’s voice snapped me out of the daydream, reminding me I was on a call.

“Roulette, did you hear me?”

“Um hm. Yes. I did.”

I tried gathering myself while remembering the final part of our conversation.

“Good. I’ll see you soon.”

“Yes– yes. See you soon.”

Before any more words were spoken, she was off the line.

Rude .

I stood up from the vanity and stretched my limbs. One final glance in the mirror assured me there wasn’t a strand out of place and my threads were fitting with perfection. I grabbed the tube of red, matte lipstick and parted ways with my bedroom.

I descended the steps and exited through the garage. Inside my vehicle, I checked my reflection once more.

Perfect .

The drive to Axis was a blur. I arrived at the valet attendant eighteen minutes after my gate had closed behind me. I’d made it inside of the restaurant one minute later. And, within twelve seconds I was across the floor, standing beside the table assigned to me and the man I’d spent the last three days engaging in casual conversation with, via text and two phone calls.

He was adamant about the connection he desired. His persistence was commendable. So was his choice of clothing and perfectly groomed face. His dark skin emphasized his barber’s expertise. The lines that formed sharp points were the work of a perfectionist.

“Good evening, Daniella.”

An extended arm signaled his thirst for skin to skin contact. I fed his ego by stepping closer and wrapping my right arm around him. My left followed. His excitement tried bursting through his slacks.

Hmph. A big boy . I noted.

“Fidel.”

My chair was pulled out by his massive hands. I sat and waited for him to have a seat across from me. He’d arrived before me and had the chance to get acquainted with the waitress and staff.

“Mr. Hunter,” the waitress called out as she approached, “I see your guest has joined you.”

“Yes. Yes, Val. The beauty has graced me with her presence.”

My cheeks rose.

“Good evening, Val.”

“Evening, ma’am. Can I get you started with something to drink?”

She tipped the spout of the silver container to pour water into the empty glass on the table.

“A martini, please. Dirty.”

“Coming right up. Another drink for you, sir?”

“Yes. I’ll take another,” Fidel told her, holding up his near empty glass.

Val left the table in a haste. Her natural curls bounced with each step she took. She reminded me of my youngest sister, the baby of our bunch. Angelic. Sweet. Soft-spoken.

With my eyes fixated on her flawless frame, I observed as she halted in front of a table at the other end of the establishment. She was a favorite amongst the patrons. The distance between us and the table she stood in front of was evidence.

She rested her weight on her right side, freeing up the space to her left. Her body’s attempt to adjust to the discomfort standing on your feet for hours caused, had created a clear line of vision to the couple she was taking orders from.

My spine straightened and nipples hardened. Hairs on the back of my neck stood at attention. Saliva gathered beneath my tongue. Visions of our last night together forced my thighs together.

Almost everything around me blurred. As if he felt the potency of my presence, Israel’s eyes cut across the dining room. His mysteriousness locked me in place. However, from my peripheral vision, I witnessed the movements of his guest.

His nostrils widened as he rubbed his hand down his beard. His chin lowered as his lips straightened across his face. He was experiencing less than pleasurable thoughts and feelings, simultaneously. The disturbance they caused, that I caused, was written over his handsome face.

My lips curled as my lashes batted. I nodded my head toward him, minding the manners my mother had instilled in me. He returned a nod, but his head didn’t stop moving after the first bow.

Once.

Twice.

A third.

And, a fourth time .

“Daniella,” Fidel called out, petitioning for my attention.

It was elsewhere. So were my thoughts, eyes, and entertainment.

“Yes.”

“It’s so good seeing you again. You’re such a busy woman. I thought it would be months before you made time for me.”

We’d met three days ago during happy hour.

“Well,” I tittered, “Here I am. I cut a few things out of my schedule to make this date happen. Don’t disappoint me.”

“I won’t.” He promised.

“Or bore me either.”

“Ahhh.” He chuckled. “I will try my hardest not to.”

My phone vibrated against my lap. I didn’t have to check the screen to know who was attempting to contact me. I turned my head in Israel’s direction and nodded toward the pretty, medium-brown skinned woman sitting across from him, advising him to keep her entertained as I did the same for my date.

He held up his cellphone, demanding I check mine. Instead, I turned my attention to Fidel, again.

“My apologies. You were saying?”

“Nothing. Nothing at all. Just admiring the woman in front of m–”

“Tell him goodnight.”

The baritone barked. It was low and discreet, but it was boisterous and demanding at the same time. My nipples pressed against the silk dress that hung onto my body loosely. It gave my skin room to breathe, keeping my temperature at bay– until him .

It felt as if I’d been pushed into a furnace. Everything was on fire. I worried my dress would stain from the sweat beads forming on my skin.

And, it wasn’t the demand that had me suffering from hot flashes. It was Israel. Simply put. It was him. All of him.

Fidel’s discomfort didn’t bother me a bit. The fact that I wanted to clear the table and lay against the linen as he drove his hammer into me was the issue.

“Your date is waiting for you at the table, Israel.”

“Fuck her.”

“I’m sure you have. And, those are my plans for the gentleman in front of me. I’d appreciate it if you would let us be.”

“Tell him goodnight, Roulette.”

We weren’t committed to each other. That message was clear. Israel held a place in my mind, but it wasn’t a significant enough portion to change my world to accommodate him.

From the looks of it, he had the same idea. He was far from a saint in the situation. Simultaneously, we were both well within our rights.

“We fuck, Israel. And, we fuck good.” I chuckled. “But make no mistake– there isn’t a man in the world who can demand something of me that doesn’t apply to him.

“I’m not one to weep about how unfair and unjust a man’s actions are. I’m one to show him that they don’t end with him. We’re both capable bei–”

The sound of a chamber filling with a bullet signaled his frustration.

“Tell him goodnight, Roulette.”

“I– Who are– What the fuck is going on?” Fidel asked. “You married or some shit?”

I removed the table napkin from my lap and placed it over my water.

“Goodnight, Israel.”

A chuckle fell from his lips as I leaned back in my seat to get a better look at the gentle giant. He lifted his arm and pressed the steel against Fidel’s forehead. I cocked my head to the left and folded my arms against my chest.

“Amusing,” I sniggered.

“Woah. Woah. What the fuck, man? I didn’t know she was marr– Dog, she– what is–” Fidel stuttered. I was certain he was on the verge of pissing his pants. Gasps from the patrons around us echoed in the distance.

“Tell this nigga, goodnight.”

I continued staring daggers into Israel’s face, wishing it was planted in my pussy.

“Are you going to handle your business or keep wasting our time, love?”

Finally realizing I was calling his bluff, he applied the necessary pressure to the trigger. He ended Fidel’s life in a moment’s time.

His blood splattered across the table, dirting the linen. I removed the table napkin from my water and placed the glass at my lips. It was free of Fidel’s bodily fluids.

Fair enough .

“Get the fuck up, Princess.”

Sirens blared in the distance. The presence of an ambulance was pointless.

I scrunched my nose. The smell of death was one I’d never get acquainted with. It was foul. And, it was a reminder that I would one day have loosened muscles. I took a huge gulp, pushing the thought to the back of my head.

Fidel’s bowels had passed and he was stinking up the restaurant. There was no coming back for him. There was no reviving him. The morgue was a better fit for his current condition.

“The police will be here shortly. You do not want an encounter with the law.”

He was right.

“Princess.”

At the sound of the name, I rose from my seat and took the first step. I was partially dazed from the intensity of my peak. Israel had excited me in the most profound way. My pussy was aching with desire, yearning to be touched. To be sucked. To be fucked.

“When I tell you something, you listen, Roulette. Do you hear me?”

I squinted as I tried to determine where we were headed.

“I’m talking to you, Roulette.”

“That’s not my name, Israel.”

He pushed out hot air. His nerves were rattled. The grip he had on the wheel as he pushed his car past one hundred and ten miles per hour was telling.

“Where are we headed?”

“Wherever the fuck we’re headed.”

“Suits me,” I admitted, settling in the seat, preparing to close my eyes.

I’d been in meetings all morning trying to finalize the sale of the land I was interested in building Penthouse on. Straight from the meetings, I checked in at the club and then had an early dinner with Rome and Rather.

Rugger called and kept me on the phone an hour too long. I hadn’t rested my eyes since I’d opened them this morning.

Suddenly, I could relax. I was in good hands. Big hands. Murderous hands. Powerful hands. Talented hands.

“Did it make you feel better?” I asked as a yawn stretched my mouth.

“You make me feel better,” he huffed.

His grip on the steering wheel loosened. He was descending.

Good for you, Israel .

“The idea of you with another man fuels something deep within me that doesn’t let me keep calm. I can’t remember being this fucking agitated in all of my life. I don’t want to play games, Princess.”

He was frustrated with the feelings that were slowly developing for me. I shared his sentiments, but I wouldn’t let them determine my mood. Not tonight, anyway.

“I agree. But, I’ve been honest with you since the beginning, Israel. I cherish my freedom. There are a thousand women waiting for a man as complimentary as you. I’m a walking caution sign.

“I am a liberated woman. I am a free thinker. I am unorthodox. I don’t dream of the same things women of my age dream of. I don’t want the husband and state of the art kitchen.

“I want girls, working girls, direct access to men’s pockets, and an account so ridiculous that my nieces and nephews can take care of their entire lineage with my assets once I die. Not all men can handle that. Not all men can handle me.”

“I’m not all men. Don’t even compare me to them.”

“You were on a date, Israel.” I reminded him. “You are actively seeing women, yet you’re demanding you’re the only man I see? Hypocritical.”

“Not because I want to. It was an effort to suppress my thoughts and feelings as they pertain to you. Because, as you stated, you have been honest with me. Shit ain’t working. So, fuck honesty. Fuck them women. And fuck them niggas. Unless you want to cost families more pain than necessary, I suggest you not test me, Princess. I do not bluff.”

“Taming a feral kitten is much harder than adopting one who was born to be a domestic cat.”

The tarmac was now visible. With the schedule I’d been working with, I could use a break. Israel was out of the car and on my side before I had the chance to voice my concerns with the timeline of our travel. I had another meeting with the owners of the land in four days. I couldn’t miss it. Not even if I wanted to.

“Get out.”

“Aggressive, much?”

He slammed the door behind me and placed his palms on the car.

“Listen to me, Roulette.”

He was close enough to smell the peppermint that lingered on my breath.

“I don’t give a fuck how feral that kitty is. It’s the only one I’m interested in. Taming you isn’t my goal. It’s helping you realize I’m the nigga that knows exactly what you need, even though you don’t know what you need your damn self. I’m not trying to imprison you.

“I’m just trying to be the wind that helps your soar as high as you can fucking go, Princess. And, when you feel like you can’t go any higher, I want to be the gush of air that pushes you a bit further so you can see that not even the sky is the limit. This is,” he explained, tapping the side of my head.

He stepped back.

“I get it. A nigga just cracked your shit. Broke your heart. Betrayed you. Got you in a funk. Got you feeling like your back is against the world. Got you ready to do niggas dirty, making them pay for his mistakes. But, I can’t let you do that to me. I mean you well. And, I won’t rush you into anything, but I ain’t letting up.

“Have your way, Princess, but understand that I’m on your ass. Every move you make should uphold the standards I’ve set for you as mine. Because as much as you want to believe you’re not, we both know what’s up. You can’t run forever. I won’t let you. So, keep being liberated. Keep being a free thinker. Keep being unorthodox.

“That’s what I like about you. But, don’t let that shit get you fucked up. I’m not above sitting your ass down and clipping those wings until you understand that some shit isn’t up for debate. It’s factual. Me being in your world at a larger capacity than you’re allowing is one of those things.”

I inhaled deeply, accepting his words for what they were. The truth. Yes, I’d been scarred. Yes, I’d been betrayed. No, I wasn’t ready for what Israel was presenting to me. And, that didn’t start with Chino and Kiara conceiving a child. It started when I was just a child.

“You’re asking me to unlearn what I’ve known my entire life in a matter of months. Just because–you said so, Israel? It’s selfish and inconsiderate.”

“It is, Princess. I’m not denying that. And, I’ve never been a selfish nigga, but I am now that you’re in my line of vision.”

“Isr–”

“I’m askin– Nah, I’m telling you that you will unlearn it, because it wasn’t the lesson to give yourself anyway. Not when I was somewhere in the world wanting someone as unorthodox as you. As liberating as you. As ambitious as you. As free as you.”

He exhaled, deflating his chest.

“Got a nigga feeling like a fucking sucka out here,” he groaned, massaging his temple with his index and thumb.

Humor forced a snigger from my lips. Israel lifted his head, visibly pissed that I found his distraught comical.

“I’m sorry–” I laughed. “I jus–”

His budding smile made me cover my mouth.

“I’m sick of your fine ass already.” He chuckled.

“Then why am I here?”

“’Cause there ain’t anywhere else in the world you’re supposed to be.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

Get out of your feelings, Israel. This could be a good thing. This could be a great thing.

“At least you’re handsome when you’re mad.”

“Let’s go,” he fussed.

Serious, again. It’s giving bipolar disorder .

“You owe my sister a body.”

“Excuse me?”

“I wasn’t on a date, Israel. My sister just had a son a few months ago. She called in a favor because my nephew and his father are unwell. She couldn’t leave them. They needed her and she needed me.”

His head tilted as he listened on. Though his feelings were valid, his reaction was not exactly justifiable.

“It was a favor. Fidel was a target. He’s in the organ trade. His death was coming anyway. Authorities are aware of his activities. I doubt they’ll come looking for his murderer. It was one of the force’s own who ordered the hit. I’m almost certain they knew he’d die tonight.”

“That’s why you weren’t in a rush to l–”

“That’s why I wasn’t in a rush to leave.”

“Prince–”

“The point I keep making, whether you’ve gotten it or not, is that I am a person, Israel. I am not an object. No one owns me. No one will ever own me. Having to explain to a man that I was at work and not on a date, while he very much so was, is beneath me. I don’t care to explain my choices to anyone. Not you. Not my family. Nobody.

“Because then I will begin to tailor my life to make good reports when asked about my choices. Approval isn’t something I seek. It never will be. I’m not set up that way. Neither is validation. Or credit. Or a pat on the back when I do something worthy of praise. I want to live, Israel. However I see fit. No more rules. No more limitations. No one else’s feelings to consider.”

“Understood.”

He took my hand and guided me toward the plane. I wasn’t sure where his head was. Neither was I sure of how he was feeling anymore. Everything was up in the air. Everything but my legs.

Nevertheless, we boarded the flight and didn’t stop until we reached the bedroom in the main cabin. Excitement rested in the narrow seat of my thong. Israel allowed my hand to fall by my side. He turned and began unbuttoning his top.

“Undress, Princess. It’s time I punish that pussy for your disobedience.”

Paradise isn’t a place. It’s a person .

My thoughts aligned with the privilege to experience Israel in rare form. He’d shed his body of the tailored threads and replaced them with linen shorts that made his dick the center of attention and kept his calves on full display. With a decapitated coconut in his hand, he was in no haste to reach me.

Along the shore, Israel modeled in my direction. He squinted from the fierceness of the sun. I’d made it perfectly clear that shade would save him from the lack of mercy the rays displayed, but he’d refused them with each offer.

He was vigilant. He was on high alert. He was searching for anyone or anything that seemed out of place, so I wouldn’t have to. His stress relieved me of any.

Brown skin covered every inch of his body, and extended to the tip of his dick where I loved twirling my tongue. Though far from the brink of obesity, Israel was large in stature. His wing spread was impressive. So were his feet. His hands. His back. His shoulders. His long, neverending limbs.

And, I’d spent the night wrapped up in them. Wrapped up in him . Only to wake to the rise of his dick and the morning sun, simultaneously. I shuddered thinking of the music we made with the sounds of waves serving as our chorus. Behind my shades and underneath the brim of my oversized hat, I rolled my eyes upward as my pussy developed a heartbeat.

“Princess.”

I looked up at the gentle giant protecting me from the sun’s violence. While the villa was fully shaded, the beauty of the island was truly accessible by the edge of the water where the sun was the brightest. The warmest. And the richest.

Israel’s body lowered until the fabric of his shorts rested on my thigh. He was slightly darker. Our brief stay was already working in his favor.

He placed the straw from the coconut against my lips. I sipped as I inhaled his nature. He was fresh, just like the water we sipped from the wells surrounding us. It was purified through natural filtration and didn’t contain any impurities. It was good for your skin, your health, your brain, your blood, and your heart. Just like Israel .

“Ummm.”

Once I freed the straw, he placed it between his lips and sipped. I tilted my head and pursed my lips upward toward my nose. He watched me watch him as he sipped again. This time, he wasn’t careful or considerate.

“If you wanted a drink, then you should’ve gotten one, big throat .”

With a chuckle, he loosened his grip on the straw.

“You were cute until you tried to finish off my drink. They only give you two ounces in this big ass coconut.”

“I won’t argue, because that is true,” he admitted, “however, if you’d like another drink then I’ll go get you another drink. We’re not calculating sips, Princess.”

“I am, Israel. I don’t want you to spoil your appetite. You have a full plate tonight.”

I tucked my bottom lip and waited for the wheels in his head to begin turning. It didn’t take long before it became clear that I wasn’t referring to food the chef would be preparing for our dinner tonight.

“And I promise to clean it. As always.”

Israel lifted a hand in the air with three fingers raised. He, then, stood and pulled the reclining chair that was reserved for him up to the side of mine. Once satisfied, he took a seat.

“Excuse me,” I sniggered.

“What’s up, Princess?”

“Did you go get the drink for me or–”

He nodded toward the waitress who was headed in our direction with three more coconuts.

“Now you have six ounces. Enjoy.”

I accepted the challenge and made a mental note to pay him in pussy for his generosity.

“Thank you.”

“Not necessary. I’ll be relieved when you discover I am here to make your life easier, habibi not harden it. A man who produces a struggle in a woman’s life that didn’t exist in his absence is a man that woman should rid herself of. I’m not that man and I don’t plan on giving you a reason to get rid of me. Not yet. Not that I’d leave willingly, anyway.” He shrugged. “No matter how hard you tried.”

Speechless, I counted the coconuts as they were placed on the table next to me. It didn’t matter that I knew exactly how many were on the tray or the fact that odd numbers made me cringe. Counting kept my thoughts in order.

I grabbed the one closest to me and began sipping from the pink straw sticking out of it. Still, I was quiet. I no longer had a distraction, so my thoughts were running wild.

“I can feel the weight of whatever is stressing you when I stroke you. Though it makes for some good pussy, I like my pussy stress-free. So, tell me what’s stressing you so I can fix it, Princess.”

I turned to find Israel’s eyes on the water. Upon noticing I was staring, they fell on me. My chest rose as I inhaled and caved when I exhaled.

“A gynecologist, are you?”

“I’m whoever you need me to be, baby.”

I paused, collecting myself. I was growing hot all over. Another sip from my drink helped cool me down slightly.

“I have to figure this one out on my own, Israel.”

“What is it?”

“Business– just business ,” I sighed, “Securing locations and making plans and convinc–I’d rather not muddy our minds with that at the moment.”

“Then we won’t.”

Good . I closed my eyes and stared up at the sky, briefly. Good .

He placed a hand on my thigh and watched the waves clash against the shore. Wordlessly. With each breath I took, I realized there was no place on earth I’d rather be than where I was. Israel lit a fire within me each time he was around. I prayed it never stopped burning.

Drinks.

Sex.

Dinner.

Sex.

Exploring.

Sex.

Shopping.

Sex.

Shower.

Sex.

Sleep.

Sex.

Sun.

Sex.

In that order, we explored the private island of Katawa. Each night when my head hit the pillow in preparation for a night’s rest, I was depleted of my energy, ejaculation, and ego. Israel successfully stripped me of all three, but still left me prideful and with a cheeky smile that reached my closed eyes before I lost consciousness.