Page 17 of The Aries Alliance (BLP Signs of Love #14)

“Cool, ’cause after that, I’m going to eat you out again.”

I would never again smell homemade biscuits without thinking of War.

After taking a shower and finally eating, War and I relaxed naked in the jacuzzi tub, in the master bathroom, to strategize. At least that was what we said we were doing.

“We’re acting like newlyweds.” I shook my head at War, knowing good and well I was as guilty as he was when it came to fulfilling my physical needs.

“There’s nothing wrong with that.” He clinked his champagne glass with mine before taking a sip.

“I guess we don’t have to be formal for our model to work. This is healing and restoration at its finest.”

“True. It can be unconventional like us.” He winked at me.

“I can get about ten people to share their stories and offer more than what they put in my report. They’re tired of the EFU culture.”

“How’d you vet them?”

“Everyone had to share information that could be incriminating if it got into the wrong hands. Based on what was shared, we’d know who ratted us out.”

“That’s smart. How do you know they won’t back out if we include them in our plan?”

I tipped my champagne flute to my mouth and savored the bubbles as they tickled my throat. I set my glass down and admired how the grape-smelling suds in the tub teased the nipples on War’s broad chest.

“There will always be risks. We believe that even if something bad happens, our relationships and community are strong enough for us to hold each other up.”

“Isn’t that a lot of trust to put in skinfolk who might not be kinfolk?”

I cocked my head, impressed at War’s acknowledgement of one of my favorite authors.

“Yes, Zora Neale Hurston was right. Most folks don’t want to lose their status, but we understand there’s power in unity. Anyone spit out by EFU has been invited to our group.”

“How compassionate.”

“It’s more than that. We’re strategic and center our efforts around two metaphors that illustrate how we choose to move. One’s about cancer, and the other relates to wounded animals.”

War took another sip of champagne and placed his glass on the edge before extending his arms over the edge of the tub and giving me his full attention.

“I can’t wait to hear this.”

When I placed my foot over War’s leg under the water, he rubbed it and moved his hands lower to massage the top of my feet.

“If someone had cancer, they would need help when they’re the sickest. By the time they’ve recovered, the community doesn’t need to rally around them as much.” I lifted my index finger. “So rule number one for us is to show up at the neediest and most vulnerable time for our brother or sister.”

War lifted my other foot and massaged it with as much care as the first.

“Makes sense. Now tell me about the animals.”

“Think about a wounded animal, an elephant perhaps. If that elephant gets attacked by a lion and survives, the rest of the herd will have to guard the elephant until it’s stronger.

If you can’t move it, someone will be there to make sure no one attacks it at its weakest point.

No one will leave the elephant behind to perish. It’s a rule of the pack.”

“That’s kinda brilliant. There’s unity in community. You choose to be strong together before anything goes down.”

“Exactly. It’s not about vengeance, because the Creator has the final say in what happens. It’s about restoration and healing. After someone’s wounded, they come to our hospital.”

“Hospital?”

“Yes. It could be something like therapy or career counseling. We want to be a one-stop shop to meet every need of our community.”

“So we’re back to the concept of dismantling a system.”

“Kind of. We may not be able to dismantle the master’s house, but we’re going to make sure that anyone in the house doesn’t become isolated and get attacked from within.

Anyone who wants out will have the support of a community that recognizes their gifts and talents.

Either way, they won’t have to wallow in trauma. ”

“This is the perfect setup. I’ll leverage external resources to expose what’s going on at EFU. I’ll loop my media contacts in, to protect your community. Together, we’ll set people free.”

My heart swelled as I pictured the execution of our plan. Before War and I got together, there was no way I could protect everyone. But now, we might be unstoppable.

“Think of it as insider and outsider.” He pointed to each of us. “We get info from the inside and push it out. It’s the only way to knock EFU off their high horse.”

“I love it.” I glided toward War and puckered my lips for a kiss.

“We make a great team, Scar.”

For once, his nickname for me aroused me.

“We really do, War. I’m so glad you contacted me.”

War pulled my naked torso to him, beads of water dripping off his muscular body. I didn’t want to be greedy so soon after our last romp, but I wanted to indulge in my latest obsession.

“What do you need from me right now? A kiss?”

“Boy, we’ve sealed this deal with so many kisses, it’s as natural as breathing.”

“Well, I need you to take my breath away. To confirm we’re really on the same page.”

I reached beneath the water and squeezed War’s erection.

“For confirmation purposes only.”

As I stroked him, he eased back in the water and exhaled. His grin confirmed he was quite content.

“If you scratch my itch, I’ll scratch yours.”

War kissed the tip of my nose before leaning back again.

“That’s what I’m talking about.”