Precious Stones
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Synopsis
Owning the Stone-Chance Protection Agency has its perks. It’s a profitable company that allows Ramsey and Keilah Stone to enjoy the finer things in life; however, it has also added an element of danger to their otherwise normal lifestyle.
When Keilah was a field agent, she was an excellent marksman, known for being fearless when it came to protecting her clients. Now that she has a baby daughter, she’s lost that competitive edge and longs for a slower life. That might not be possible, though, when the return of a shady ex-lover brings chaos into Keilah’s life.
At home, Ramsey is a warm and caring father and husband, but on the job, he finds it necessary to maintain his tough persona as an ex-military officer. When an unexpected tragedy darkens his doorstep, he finds himself in a cat-and-mouse game with a dangerous assailant. He will be forced to make some very difficult decisions in order to protect his family.
Release date: June 1, 2012
Publisher: Urban Renaissance
Print pages: 288
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Precious Stones
Darrien Lee
It was a cool fall morning as Keilah kissed her daughter good-bye. Camille, the Stones’ nanny/housekeeper/ chef/friend, had arrived, and after having a short conversation with Keilah, she had quickly taken the baby out of her mother’s arms and placed her in the high chair so she could start her breakfast.
“Don’t worry about a thing, Mrs. Stone. Neariah and I have a big day planned,” Camille said as she kissed the baby’s forehead. “We’re going to the market to get some fresh vegetables and some other goodies so we can make a delicious dinner for you and Mr. Stone tonight.”
Keilah picked her purse up off the countertop and said, “Camille, I told you to call us by our first names.”
Camille waved her off and said, “It’s difficult to do that, Mrs. Stone. As you young people say, I’m old school, but I’ll try.”
“Great,” Keilah replied with a smile. “Besides, you’re practically family, anyway.”
Camille Harrison was an African American lady in her midsixties who was a retired schoolteacher. She’d come highly recommended by their friend Kyle Bradford, who worked in a high-level government office at the Pentagon. Camille had kept the small children of a high-ranking military officer for a few years, until he was relocated.
“Call me if you need anything,” Keilah stated as she gave her daughter one more kiss. “Ramsey should be back in town this afternoon, so whatever you decide to cook for dinner, we’ll love.”
Camille followed her over to the door leading to the garage and basically pushed her out to door. “Okay. Now, get out of here, before you’re late to work. You’re in our way. Neariah and I have a lot to do today.”
Keilah opened the garage door and then turned back to her nanny and said, “Before I leave, I don’t want to alarm you and it’s probably nothing, but the perimeter alarm went off early this morning. The security guard didn’t find anything or anybody, but I wanted to mention it to you as a precaution.”
Camille listened attentively and said, “I’m sure it was nothing, but I’ll be extra attentive, anyway.”
Keilah hugged her nanny’s neck and said, “I knew you would. I’ll see you this evening.” She blew her daughter one more kiss before picking up her coffee cup and climbing into her car.
Driving in rush-hour traffic was never fun, and for some reason, this morning was worse than others. If it wasn’t for her satellite radio playing smooth jazz, Keilah didn’t know how she would make it. Then she thought about her unsettling night, and it angered her. Her child’s safety came first, and she would die before she would let anyone or anything harm her.
At that moment, her cell phone rang. “Hello?”
“Keilah, this is Patrick Welch. I have a problem.”
Keilah listened as one of her employees explained to her that his vehicle would not start and he was late meeting a client for an assignment. She looked at her watch and realized she didn’t have time to replace him with another employee on such short notice, so she had to make a decision that her husband wasn’t going to be happy about.
“I don’t have my itinerary in front of me, Patrick. What is your assignment today?”
Patrick explained to his boss that his assignment was to accompany a model to New York on a day trip for some appointments. He was supposed to meet her at the airport and fly on a private jet owned by her modeling agency.
“Forward the itinerary to my phone so I can cover you until you can get to New York to relieve me.”
“I will,” he answered before apologizing again for the mishap.
Keilah and Ramsey told their agents to always make sure their private vehicles were in pristine condition, and if for some reason they had a situation like this, they had to have a backup plan in order to make sure they made it to their assignments. On this day, Patrick didn’t, and he would have to be reprimanded for it later.
At the airport Keilah parked her car, texted the client that she would be there shortly, then hurried into the terminal building. She didn’t get a response, which didn’t surprise her. She wasn’t dressed for running in her tailored navy suit and three-inch heels, and she hadn’t planned to, anyway. If the client wasn’t there when she arrived, she wouldn’t be upset about it, but something told her the model would be there and would probably have an attitude because she was late. Most of them were like that.
“It’s about time!” the model yelled at Keilah. “You’re forty-five minutes late! What kind of business are you running?”
Keilah calmed herself before speaking, because the businesswoman in her was telling her to say one thing, but the hood in her was telling her to say something else.
“I’m sorry I’m late, but the agent assigned to you had some unexpected personal issues to attend to this morning, so I’ll be accompanying you on your trip.”
The model looked Keilah up and down and asked, “What kind of protection could you possibly be? You look like you weigh a hundred pounds wet!”
At that moment a male voice from behind Keilah interrupted them, and it was a voice she had never expected to hear.
“Chill out, baby,” the man said as he walked over to the model and gave her a kiss. “You’re in the best hands possible with Keilah Chance.”
“Hello, Trenton,” Keilah greeted as she held out her hand.
He walked over to her and gave her a hug instead. “It’s been a while, huh?”
Trenton was Keilah’s ex-boyfriend and a professor at Howard University. Since they had broken up, he had had several books hit the national best-sellers list. He had basically become an overnight sensation in the lit world and had recently got a part-time gig on BET, leaving him to teach at Howard on a part-time basis.
“You two know each other?” Chrisette asked with a scowl on her face.
“Yeah, we go way back,” Trenton answered without offering Chrisette any more details.
“How do you two know each other?”
He clapped his hands together and said, “Let’s just say we used to hang out in the same circle.”
“Is that so? I thought maybe she was one of your students,” Chrisette replied sarcastically.
He laughed and said, “She sure does look the part, but I can attest to you that she is definitely an adult.”
Chrisette gave Keilah a nasty look and asked, “Can we please leave now? The Big Apple’s waiting on me.”
Keilah couldn’t move for a moment, but once she got her legs to move, she followed them down the tunnel to a private jet. She hadn’t seen Trenton in almost two years. Their breakup had left her bitter because he couldn’t accept her career choice. What he wanted was to be the breadwinner and for her to be a housewife, but that wasn’t who Keilah was and she wasn’t going to change and live a miserable life. In the end it was Keilah’s good fortune that Trenton ended their relationship, sending her right into Ramsey’s arms and life.
On the plane Chrisette immediately entered the bathroom as Trenton took his seat across from Keilah.
“So, how have you been? How’s your family?”
Keilah reluctantly answered, “Everyone’s fine. Thanks for asking.”
He smiled and then whispered, “I think about you all the time. I really hate how things ended between us.”
“I really didn’t have a say in the matter, now did I?” Keilah reminded him.
“Wow! I guess I deserve that,” he admitted. “Keilah, you have to understand where I was then. I loved you dearly, but I wasn’t used to a woman like you. I couldn’t handle that life.”
Keilah put her hand up to stop him from talking. “Trenton, I’m here on business, not to talk about our past. It’s over and done with. Okay?”
He leaned forward and took her hands in his and said, “I don’t mean to upset you by bringing this up, but I need to know if you’re happy, Keilah. I mean, are you really happy?”
She pulled her hands away from him and said, “I’ve never been happier in my entire life.”
He leaned back in his seat and was about to speak when Chrisette exited the restroom, interrupting his thought.
“What do you think about this dress, Trent? I’m thinking about wearing it to the first appointment.”
“The dress is fine, babe,” he answered, barely looking at her.
“I kind of like the red one better,” she replied as she twirled around in the dress.
He ran his hands over his face with frustration and said, “Then wear the red one, Chrisette. You look great in everything you own. Just pick one.”
Just then the pilot came over the intercom and instructed the passengers to buckle up and prepare for takeoff.
Chrisette leaned down and gave him a peck on the lips and said, “Thank you, sweetheart. I’ll be right back.”
Trenton grabbed Chrisette’s wrist and pulled her down in the seat. “Sit down so we can take off.”
“But I have another dress to try on,” she told him, pouting.
“It’ll have to wait,” he replied as he discreetly stared at Keilah’s shapely legs as they all sat back and prepared for takeoff.
In Atlanta, Ramsey tried calling his wife again as he finished up breakfast with some business acquaintances at the Omni Hotel. He had one more meeting to attend before finally catching a flight home to his family. Keilah’s voice mail came on again, so this time he left her a loving message. It wasn’t abnormal not to reach her on her cell, so he decided to call his office.
“The Stone-Chance Protection Agency. How may I direct your call?”
Ramsey recognized the voice of the receptionist on duty and spoke personally to her.
“Good morning, Tia. It’s Ramsey. Transfer me to Keilah’s office, please.”
With a jubilant tone of voice, the receptionist said, “I would love to transfer you to Keilah’s office, but she’s not in yet.”
Ramsey glanced down at his watch and tried not to get worried. “Okay, then transfer me to Cameron, please,” he said.
Within seconds, Keilah’s assistant, Cameron, picked up the line. “Good morning, Ramsey. Are you on your way back?”
“I will be shortly,” he revealed. “Listen, Tia said Keilah wasn’t in the office yet. I tried to reach her on her cell, but she’s not answering. Is everything okay?”
Cameron could hear the tension in his voice. He had been Keilah’s assistant for a long time and had witnessed the progression of their relationship. He knew when he had a fire to put out.
“Calm down, Ramsey. Keilah called me before Tia made it into the office. She’s just fine,” Cameron said to reassure him. “Unfortunately, she’s on her way to New York.”
“New York? What’s in New York?”
Cameron hesitated before answering because he knew Ramsey was going to blow a gasket. “Patrick was supposed to escort a client there this morning, but he had car problems, so Keilah went in his place.”
“Car problems?” Ramsey asked angrily. “Has he forgotten what our company guidelines are?”
“I’m sure he hasn’t, but I don’t know the details of his problem. For all I know, his car could’ve been vandalized or stolen.”
“Call him and tell him he’d better be in my office by the time my plane hits the tarmac so we can have a one-on-one.”
“I would if I could, but Keilah told him to fly to New York ASAP to relieve her as soon as he was able to get to the airport. The client she’s with might decide to make it an overnight trip.”
Ramsey’s blood pressure went up a few more degrees, because he had made it clear to his wife that they were not field agents anymore, especially to Neariah. While he knew she wouldn’t put herself in immediate danger, she was in a high-risk position anytime she was guarding a client.
“Did you clear Keilah’s appointments for today?” he asked.
“Yes, she made sure everything was rescheduled or taken care of. Don’t worry, Ramsey. I got this.”
He laughed because Cameron was right. He and Keilah had two of the best assistants in the business, and they compensated them well for their efficiency and expertise.
“Okay. I’m getting ready to go to my last meeting, and then I’ll be heading to the airport. If you talk to Keilah before I do, tell her to call me as soon as she can.”
“I will,” Cameron replied. “And don’t worry. She’ll be fine. Have a safe flight.”
Ramsey hung up his cell and hurried off to his meeting.
The flight to New York seemed to be taking longer than Keilah had anticipated. It didn’t help that Trenton kept staring at her seductively. Chrisette returned to the restroom to try on yet another outfit as soon as the pilot gave the all clear for them to relax.
Trenton started laughing, obviously irritating Keilah.
“What’s so funny?” she asked.
“I’m sorry. It’s just that I never expected to have this type of emotional reaction upon seeing you again.”
Keilah shifted in her seat and said, “You’re full of it, Trenton.”
He put his hand on her knee and, gently stroking it, said, “Have you forgotten how explosive we were together?”
With lightning speed, Keilah grabbed his wrist and twisted it, doing her best to break every bone possible.
“Damn, Keilah! That shit hurt!”
She pointed her finger at him and angrily said, “I meant for it to hurt. Don’t you ever touch me! You lost that privilege a long time ago, so whatever fantasy you’re sitting over there and having about us, forget about it.”
“Just hear me out,” he requested. “I know I was a fool for putting my male pride over my heart. You have a strong personality, and I now understand just how important your career is to you. I wasn’t ready for your type of independence. I guess you could say I felt like my manhood was threatened, but I’m ready now,” he revealed. “I still love you, Keilah, and I would love it if you would give us another chance.”
Clearly pissed off, Keilah pointed toward the restroom and said, “You’re a damn fool! How dare you step to me like this and your woman is in the next room?”
He chuckled and said, “Oh, you don’t have to worry about Chrisette. We’re just good friends.”
“I don’t care who the hell she is. I’ve moved on with my life, so I’m good. You need to do the same.”
“Are you sure you won’t ...”
Keilah raised her left hand to display her wedding ring and said, “I’m married, Trenton, happily married, to be exact. I’m over you and have been for a long time.”
“Married?” he whispered to himself in disappointment and disbelief as he laid his head against the back of his seat. He had been so busy looking at her legs and into her eyes, he hadn’t noticed the huge diamond on her finger.
Chrisette exited the bathroom in a red Donna Karan dress that accentuated her long, magnificent legs and struck a model pose.
“Ta-da!” she yelled. “So what do you think?”
“It’s nice, babe. You look great,” Trenton replied with little enthusiasm.
Chrisette sat down next to him and gave him a seductive kiss on the lips. “Do you really like it?” she purred as she snuggled up to him.
He smiled and said, “Of course I do. You make the dress. The dress don’t make you.”
Pleased, Chrisette hugged his neck and gave him a longer, passionate kiss. “That’s my baby,” she whispered as she reached up and lovingly wiped her lipstick off his lips. She looked over at Keilah and asked, “Do you like my dress?”
“Yes, it’s very pretty,” Keilah answered as she stared at Trenton.
Chrisette laid her head on Trenton’s shoulder and said, “I don’t know why people like you risk your life doing the kind of work you do. You know you could be a model too, don’t you?”
Keilah laughed.
“No, seriously,” Chrisette responded. “You’re very beautiful, and you have a fabulous figure. My agency would sign you in a heartbeat. You have that exotic look that a lot of the designers are looking for.”
“Thanks, but I’m not interested. I’m happy just being a wife and mother.”
“Okay, but I don’t think you realize what you’re turning down. You could travel all over the world, wear beautiful couture clothes, and make a lot of money.”
“Like I said, I’m not interested,” Keilah repeated before asking if she could get a bottle of water from the refrigerator.
“Leave it alone, Chrisette. Keilah’s happy with her life, and money’s the last thing she has to worry about. Her business and family are very successful,” Trenton explained.
“Wow! Rich, brains, and beauty,” Chrisette replied. “You can’t go wrong with that.”
“Passengers, we have been cleared for landing. Buckle your seat belts, and I’ll have you on the ground very shortly,” the pilot said over the intercom.
Keilah buckled her seat belt and prayed that Patrick was en route to New York to get her away from these clients. In the meantime she hoped that she had shut Trenton up for the remainder of the day.
Ramsey entered the office around three in the afternoon, and his expression amplified his mood. It was obvious that he wasn’t very happy with the events of the day and some heads would roll because of it.
He’d finally spoken with Keilah just before she boarded a plane back to D.C. Patrick had got a royal chewing out by Ramsey, who demanded that he report to the office first thing in the morning.
Making his way down the hallway to his office, he stopped at his assistant’s desk.
“Hey, Sherrie. Do I have any messages?”
“Well, hello to you too,” she replied as she passed a handful of messages to him. “I also sent them to you electronically, because you and I both know you’re going to misplace some of them.”
He smiled and slowly made his way into his office. “You think you know me, don’t you?”
“I do know you,” she replied as she stood and followed him into his office. “Are you hungry? I can go out and pick something up for you if you’d like, or I can have something delivered to you.”
He removed his jacket and sat down at his desk. “Thanks, but I’m only going to be here for a second. Camille’s cooking a big dinner tonight, and I don’t want to ruin my appetite. You can go ahead and head out if you like. I shouldn’t need you for anything else.”
She watered his plants and asked, “Are you sure?” He glanced up at her and smiled. “Yes. I’m sure your family would love for you to get home at a decent time for a change.”
“You don’t have to tell me twice,” she replied before exiting the room. “Have a great evening, and go easy on Keilah when she comes home. She didn’t do anything you wouldn’t have done.”
“Good night, Sherrie,” he answered without commenting on her statement.
Giggling, she answered, “Good night, boss.”
Finally alone with his thoughts, he leaned back in his chair and stared out over the beautiful skyline, anxiously waiting for his wife’s plane to land. He would try to go easy on her, but he had to make her understand once and for all that their business was not worth her life.
At that moment his cell phone rang. “Hello?”
“Hey, sweetheart,” Keilah said, greeting her husband. “Are you home?”
“Not yet. I stopped by the office first. Where are you?”
“I just landed, and I’m headed to the garage to get my car.”
He let out a sigh of relief and said, “Good. I’ll meet you at home. Drive safely.”
“I will. I love you,” she told him.
“I love you more. See you shortly,” Ramsey said as he slid into his jacket and headed home.
Keilah couldn’t be happier to finally be home. Traffic was terrible as usual, so it had taken her longer than normal to get home. She lowered the garage door and climbed out of her car. Inside, Target met her at the door, wagging his tail. She patted him on the head and entered the kitchen, where she found Camille putting the finishing touches on dinner.
“It smells wonderful in here!” Keilah said as she looked into a steaming pot.
Camille put her hands on Keilah’s shoulders and directed her toward the hallway. “You can eat after you greet your husband.”
“He beat me home?”
“Yes, he got here about fifteen minutes ago. He’s upstairs with his little princess.”
“That figures,” Keilah answered. “Thanks for cooking dinner for us.”
“Oh, Keilah, you know I don’t mind cooking for you and Ramsey. You’re like my children.”
Keilah gave her a kiss on the cheek and said, “You’re the best. I’m going to run upstairs for a second. We’ll be back down in a second.”
“You haven’t seen that man in a few days ... Take your time, baby.”
“If you insist,” Keilah joked as she exited the kitchen.
Upstairs, Keilah found Neariah stretched out on the bed with her sippy cup. Target was in his usual spot, lying beside the bed, keeping a watchful eye over her. Keilah kicked off her shoes and climbed up on the bed next to Neariah and gave her a kiss.
“Hey, baby girl. Where’s your daddy?”
Ramsey stepped out of their large walk-in closet and said, “I’m right here.” Then he walked back into the closet.
Keilah’s heart thumped in her chest. Seeing him standing there in his jeans and white T-shirt overwhelmed her and sent shivers down her body.
She gave Neariah another kiss before climbing off the bed. She walked into the closet, wrapped her arms around Ramsey’s waist, and whispered, “Welcome home, baby.”
He hugged her tight to his body and leaned down and gave her a long sultry kiss on the lips. “You taste good,” he said as he showered her lips and neck with kisses.
“So do you,” she replied as she nuzzled his neck.
“You do know you’re in trouble for what you did this morning, don’t you?”
She looked up into his eyes and batted her eyelashes. “I know. I’ll let you spank me after dinner.”
His large hands slowly eased under her skirt and gave her hips a sexy squeeze. Keilah’s lower region immediately started aching from his touch.
“I don’t think I can wait that long,” he answered as he started unbuttoning her blouse.
She stepped out of his embrace and said, “Ramsey! Camille’s downstairs, and our daughter is in our bedroom.”
Ramsey took Keilah by the hand and walked back into their bedroom, where they found Neariah fast asleep.
Ramsey smiled, as it seemed that luck was on his side. He patted Keilah on her backside and said, “Put Neariah in her crib while I go say good-bye to Camille. We can reheat dinner later if we have to, but right now I want some loving.”
Keilah picked Neariah up into her arms and whispered, “You think you’re slick, Stone,” as she quietly made her way across the hallway to the nursery.
“Stop tripping. You know you want it as much as I do,” he said before disappearing downstairs.
After putting Neariah down in her crib, Keilah hurried into her bathroom for a quick shower so she could wash the scent of New York off her body. After quickly rubbing suds over her body, she felt a breeze of cool air and turned to find Ramsey entering their large shower. Before she could say a word, he covered her mouth with his and pushed her wet body against the wall. She moaned as she savored the warmth of his hands and mouth all over her body. Seconds later, they were on the tile floor of the shower and Ramsey’s tongue and lips were electrifying sensitive spots she was unaware of as the hot water rained down on their bodies. Keilah was trying her best to stay composed, but her husband was making it difficult.
She lost all resolve when he dipped his head between her thighs, causing her to cry out in ecstasy. His sensual assault sent electrifying chills over her body as his tongue toyed with her feminine nub. Her body felt like it was on fire and was paralyzed under his spell. The echo of her sighs and soft moans sent shock waves through his body, making him unable to resist the main course any longer. He eased his throbbing maleness into her heated cavity and gently ground his hips against hers.
“Ramsey,” she purred in his ear.
“You feel so good, baby. I missed you so much,” he whispered back to her.
“I missed you too,” she replied as they held on to each other for what seemed like an eternity. Their bodies moved in complete unison as they became one. She never wanted to leave his arms and couldn’t imagine herself with anyone else. At that moment Ramsey felt his body peaking, which caused him to intensify his pace. With each thrust, Keilah let out a soft whimper or a loud moan, and a short time later, Ramsey’s release erupted long and hard, causing him to groan and call out her name.
Exhausted, he collapsed on top of her, softly kissing her lips and breasts and stomach. Her man had given her undeniable love, and she savored it as the hot water continued to shower down on them.
“I can’t move,” she said after minutes had passed.
He smiled and slowly stood, pulling her up into his arms. He picked up the shower gel and slo. . .
“Don’t worry about a thing, Mrs. Stone. Neariah and I have a big day planned,” Camille said as she kissed the baby’s forehead. “We’re going to the market to get some fresh vegetables and some other goodies so we can make a delicious dinner for you and Mr. Stone tonight.”
Keilah picked her purse up off the countertop and said, “Camille, I told you to call us by our first names.”
Camille waved her off and said, “It’s difficult to do that, Mrs. Stone. As you young people say, I’m old school, but I’ll try.”
“Great,” Keilah replied with a smile. “Besides, you’re practically family, anyway.”
Camille Harrison was an African American lady in her midsixties who was a retired schoolteacher. She’d come highly recommended by their friend Kyle Bradford, who worked in a high-level government office at the Pentagon. Camille had kept the small children of a high-ranking military officer for a few years, until he was relocated.
“Call me if you need anything,” Keilah stated as she gave her daughter one more kiss. “Ramsey should be back in town this afternoon, so whatever you decide to cook for dinner, we’ll love.”
Camille followed her over to the door leading to the garage and basically pushed her out to door. “Okay. Now, get out of here, before you’re late to work. You’re in our way. Neariah and I have a lot to do today.”
Keilah opened the garage door and then turned back to her nanny and said, “Before I leave, I don’t want to alarm you and it’s probably nothing, but the perimeter alarm went off early this morning. The security guard didn’t find anything or anybody, but I wanted to mention it to you as a precaution.”
Camille listened attentively and said, “I’m sure it was nothing, but I’ll be extra attentive, anyway.”
Keilah hugged her nanny’s neck and said, “I knew you would. I’ll see you this evening.” She blew her daughter one more kiss before picking up her coffee cup and climbing into her car.
Driving in rush-hour traffic was never fun, and for some reason, this morning was worse than others. If it wasn’t for her satellite radio playing smooth jazz, Keilah didn’t know how she would make it. Then she thought about her unsettling night, and it angered her. Her child’s safety came first, and she would die before she would let anyone or anything harm her.
At that moment, her cell phone rang. “Hello?”
“Keilah, this is Patrick Welch. I have a problem.”
Keilah listened as one of her employees explained to her that his vehicle would not start and he was late meeting a client for an assignment. She looked at her watch and realized she didn’t have time to replace him with another employee on such short notice, so she had to make a decision that her husband wasn’t going to be happy about.
“I don’t have my itinerary in front of me, Patrick. What is your assignment today?”
Patrick explained to his boss that his assignment was to accompany a model to New York on a day trip for some appointments. He was supposed to meet her at the airport and fly on a private jet owned by her modeling agency.
“Forward the itinerary to my phone so I can cover you until you can get to New York to relieve me.”
“I will,” he answered before apologizing again for the mishap.
Keilah and Ramsey told their agents to always make sure their private vehicles were in pristine condition, and if for some reason they had a situation like this, they had to have a backup plan in order to make sure they made it to their assignments. On this day, Patrick didn’t, and he would have to be reprimanded for it later.
At the airport Keilah parked her car, texted the client that she would be there shortly, then hurried into the terminal building. She didn’t get a response, which didn’t surprise her. She wasn’t dressed for running in her tailored navy suit and three-inch heels, and she hadn’t planned to, anyway. If the client wasn’t there when she arrived, she wouldn’t be upset about it, but something told her the model would be there and would probably have an attitude because she was late. Most of them were like that.
“It’s about time!” the model yelled at Keilah. “You’re forty-five minutes late! What kind of business are you running?”
Keilah calmed herself before speaking, because the businesswoman in her was telling her to say one thing, but the hood in her was telling her to say something else.
“I’m sorry I’m late, but the agent assigned to you had some unexpected personal issues to attend to this morning, so I’ll be accompanying you on your trip.”
The model looked Keilah up and down and asked, “What kind of protection could you possibly be? You look like you weigh a hundred pounds wet!”
At that moment a male voice from behind Keilah interrupted them, and it was a voice she had never expected to hear.
“Chill out, baby,” the man said as he walked over to the model and gave her a kiss. “You’re in the best hands possible with Keilah Chance.”
“Hello, Trenton,” Keilah greeted as she held out her hand.
He walked over to her and gave her a hug instead. “It’s been a while, huh?”
Trenton was Keilah’s ex-boyfriend and a professor at Howard University. Since they had broken up, he had had several books hit the national best-sellers list. He had basically become an overnight sensation in the lit world and had recently got a part-time gig on BET, leaving him to teach at Howard on a part-time basis.
“You two know each other?” Chrisette asked with a scowl on her face.
“Yeah, we go way back,” Trenton answered without offering Chrisette any more details.
“How do you two know each other?”
He clapped his hands together and said, “Let’s just say we used to hang out in the same circle.”
“Is that so? I thought maybe she was one of your students,” Chrisette replied sarcastically.
He laughed and said, “She sure does look the part, but I can attest to you that she is definitely an adult.”
Chrisette gave Keilah a nasty look and asked, “Can we please leave now? The Big Apple’s waiting on me.”
Keilah couldn’t move for a moment, but once she got her legs to move, she followed them down the tunnel to a private jet. She hadn’t seen Trenton in almost two years. Their breakup had left her bitter because he couldn’t accept her career choice. What he wanted was to be the breadwinner and for her to be a housewife, but that wasn’t who Keilah was and she wasn’t going to change and live a miserable life. In the end it was Keilah’s good fortune that Trenton ended their relationship, sending her right into Ramsey’s arms and life.
On the plane Chrisette immediately entered the bathroom as Trenton took his seat across from Keilah.
“So, how have you been? How’s your family?”
Keilah reluctantly answered, “Everyone’s fine. Thanks for asking.”
He smiled and then whispered, “I think about you all the time. I really hate how things ended between us.”
“I really didn’t have a say in the matter, now did I?” Keilah reminded him.
“Wow! I guess I deserve that,” he admitted. “Keilah, you have to understand where I was then. I loved you dearly, but I wasn’t used to a woman like you. I couldn’t handle that life.”
Keilah put her hand up to stop him from talking. “Trenton, I’m here on business, not to talk about our past. It’s over and done with. Okay?”
He leaned forward and took her hands in his and said, “I don’t mean to upset you by bringing this up, but I need to know if you’re happy, Keilah. I mean, are you really happy?”
She pulled her hands away from him and said, “I’ve never been happier in my entire life.”
He leaned back in his seat and was about to speak when Chrisette exited the restroom, interrupting his thought.
“What do you think about this dress, Trent? I’m thinking about wearing it to the first appointment.”
“The dress is fine, babe,” he answered, barely looking at her.
“I kind of like the red one better,” she replied as she twirled around in the dress.
He ran his hands over his face with frustration and said, “Then wear the red one, Chrisette. You look great in everything you own. Just pick one.”
Just then the pilot came over the intercom and instructed the passengers to buckle up and prepare for takeoff.
Chrisette leaned down and gave him a peck on the lips and said, “Thank you, sweetheart. I’ll be right back.”
Trenton grabbed Chrisette’s wrist and pulled her down in the seat. “Sit down so we can take off.”
“But I have another dress to try on,” she told him, pouting.
“It’ll have to wait,” he replied as he discreetly stared at Keilah’s shapely legs as they all sat back and prepared for takeoff.
In Atlanta, Ramsey tried calling his wife again as he finished up breakfast with some business acquaintances at the Omni Hotel. He had one more meeting to attend before finally catching a flight home to his family. Keilah’s voice mail came on again, so this time he left her a loving message. It wasn’t abnormal not to reach her on her cell, so he decided to call his office.
“The Stone-Chance Protection Agency. How may I direct your call?”
Ramsey recognized the voice of the receptionist on duty and spoke personally to her.
“Good morning, Tia. It’s Ramsey. Transfer me to Keilah’s office, please.”
With a jubilant tone of voice, the receptionist said, “I would love to transfer you to Keilah’s office, but she’s not in yet.”
Ramsey glanced down at his watch and tried not to get worried. “Okay, then transfer me to Cameron, please,” he said.
Within seconds, Keilah’s assistant, Cameron, picked up the line. “Good morning, Ramsey. Are you on your way back?”
“I will be shortly,” he revealed. “Listen, Tia said Keilah wasn’t in the office yet. I tried to reach her on her cell, but she’s not answering. Is everything okay?”
Cameron could hear the tension in his voice. He had been Keilah’s assistant for a long time and had witnessed the progression of their relationship. He knew when he had a fire to put out.
“Calm down, Ramsey. Keilah called me before Tia made it into the office. She’s just fine,” Cameron said to reassure him. “Unfortunately, she’s on her way to New York.”
“New York? What’s in New York?”
Cameron hesitated before answering because he knew Ramsey was going to blow a gasket. “Patrick was supposed to escort a client there this morning, but he had car problems, so Keilah went in his place.”
“Car problems?” Ramsey asked angrily. “Has he forgotten what our company guidelines are?”
“I’m sure he hasn’t, but I don’t know the details of his problem. For all I know, his car could’ve been vandalized or stolen.”
“Call him and tell him he’d better be in my office by the time my plane hits the tarmac so we can have a one-on-one.”
“I would if I could, but Keilah told him to fly to New York ASAP to relieve her as soon as he was able to get to the airport. The client she’s with might decide to make it an overnight trip.”
Ramsey’s blood pressure went up a few more degrees, because he had made it clear to his wife that they were not field agents anymore, especially to Neariah. While he knew she wouldn’t put herself in immediate danger, she was in a high-risk position anytime she was guarding a client.
“Did you clear Keilah’s appointments for today?” he asked.
“Yes, she made sure everything was rescheduled or taken care of. Don’t worry, Ramsey. I got this.”
He laughed because Cameron was right. He and Keilah had two of the best assistants in the business, and they compensated them well for their efficiency and expertise.
“Okay. I’m getting ready to go to my last meeting, and then I’ll be heading to the airport. If you talk to Keilah before I do, tell her to call me as soon as she can.”
“I will,” Cameron replied. “And don’t worry. She’ll be fine. Have a safe flight.”
Ramsey hung up his cell and hurried off to his meeting.
The flight to New York seemed to be taking longer than Keilah had anticipated. It didn’t help that Trenton kept staring at her seductively. Chrisette returned to the restroom to try on yet another outfit as soon as the pilot gave the all clear for them to relax.
Trenton started laughing, obviously irritating Keilah.
“What’s so funny?” she asked.
“I’m sorry. It’s just that I never expected to have this type of emotional reaction upon seeing you again.”
Keilah shifted in her seat and said, “You’re full of it, Trenton.”
He put his hand on her knee and, gently stroking it, said, “Have you forgotten how explosive we were together?”
With lightning speed, Keilah grabbed his wrist and twisted it, doing her best to break every bone possible.
“Damn, Keilah! That shit hurt!”
She pointed her finger at him and angrily said, “I meant for it to hurt. Don’t you ever touch me! You lost that privilege a long time ago, so whatever fantasy you’re sitting over there and having about us, forget about it.”
“Just hear me out,” he requested. “I know I was a fool for putting my male pride over my heart. You have a strong personality, and I now understand just how important your career is to you. I wasn’t ready for your type of independence. I guess you could say I felt like my manhood was threatened, but I’m ready now,” he revealed. “I still love you, Keilah, and I would love it if you would give us another chance.”
Clearly pissed off, Keilah pointed toward the restroom and said, “You’re a damn fool! How dare you step to me like this and your woman is in the next room?”
He chuckled and said, “Oh, you don’t have to worry about Chrisette. We’re just good friends.”
“I don’t care who the hell she is. I’ve moved on with my life, so I’m good. You need to do the same.”
“Are you sure you won’t ...”
Keilah raised her left hand to display her wedding ring and said, “I’m married, Trenton, happily married, to be exact. I’m over you and have been for a long time.”
“Married?” he whispered to himself in disappointment and disbelief as he laid his head against the back of his seat. He had been so busy looking at her legs and into her eyes, he hadn’t noticed the huge diamond on her finger.
Chrisette exited the bathroom in a red Donna Karan dress that accentuated her long, magnificent legs and struck a model pose.
“Ta-da!” she yelled. “So what do you think?”
“It’s nice, babe. You look great,” Trenton replied with little enthusiasm.
Chrisette sat down next to him and gave him a seductive kiss on the lips. “Do you really like it?” she purred as she snuggled up to him.
He smiled and said, “Of course I do. You make the dress. The dress don’t make you.”
Pleased, Chrisette hugged his neck and gave him a longer, passionate kiss. “That’s my baby,” she whispered as she reached up and lovingly wiped her lipstick off his lips. She looked over at Keilah and asked, “Do you like my dress?”
“Yes, it’s very pretty,” Keilah answered as she stared at Trenton.
Chrisette laid her head on Trenton’s shoulder and said, “I don’t know why people like you risk your life doing the kind of work you do. You know you could be a model too, don’t you?”
Keilah laughed.
“No, seriously,” Chrisette responded. “You’re very beautiful, and you have a fabulous figure. My agency would sign you in a heartbeat. You have that exotic look that a lot of the designers are looking for.”
“Thanks, but I’m not interested. I’m happy just being a wife and mother.”
“Okay, but I don’t think you realize what you’re turning down. You could travel all over the world, wear beautiful couture clothes, and make a lot of money.”
“Like I said, I’m not interested,” Keilah repeated before asking if she could get a bottle of water from the refrigerator.
“Leave it alone, Chrisette. Keilah’s happy with her life, and money’s the last thing she has to worry about. Her business and family are very successful,” Trenton explained.
“Wow! Rich, brains, and beauty,” Chrisette replied. “You can’t go wrong with that.”
“Passengers, we have been cleared for landing. Buckle your seat belts, and I’ll have you on the ground very shortly,” the pilot said over the intercom.
Keilah buckled her seat belt and prayed that Patrick was en route to New York to get her away from these clients. In the meantime she hoped that she had shut Trenton up for the remainder of the day.
Ramsey entered the office around three in the afternoon, and his expression amplified his mood. It was obvious that he wasn’t very happy with the events of the day and some heads would roll because of it.
He’d finally spoken with Keilah just before she boarded a plane back to D.C. Patrick had got a royal chewing out by Ramsey, who demanded that he report to the office first thing in the morning.
Making his way down the hallway to his office, he stopped at his assistant’s desk.
“Hey, Sherrie. Do I have any messages?”
“Well, hello to you too,” she replied as she passed a handful of messages to him. “I also sent them to you electronically, because you and I both know you’re going to misplace some of them.”
He smiled and slowly made his way into his office. “You think you know me, don’t you?”
“I do know you,” she replied as she stood and followed him into his office. “Are you hungry? I can go out and pick something up for you if you’d like, or I can have something delivered to you.”
He removed his jacket and sat down at his desk. “Thanks, but I’m only going to be here for a second. Camille’s cooking a big dinner tonight, and I don’t want to ruin my appetite. You can go ahead and head out if you like. I shouldn’t need you for anything else.”
She watered his plants and asked, “Are you sure?” He glanced up at her and smiled. “Yes. I’m sure your family would love for you to get home at a decent time for a change.”
“You don’t have to tell me twice,” she replied before exiting the room. “Have a great evening, and go easy on Keilah when she comes home. She didn’t do anything you wouldn’t have done.”
“Good night, Sherrie,” he answered without commenting on her statement.
Giggling, she answered, “Good night, boss.”
Finally alone with his thoughts, he leaned back in his chair and stared out over the beautiful skyline, anxiously waiting for his wife’s plane to land. He would try to go easy on her, but he had to make her understand once and for all that their business was not worth her life.
At that moment his cell phone rang. “Hello?”
“Hey, sweetheart,” Keilah said, greeting her husband. “Are you home?”
“Not yet. I stopped by the office first. Where are you?”
“I just landed, and I’m headed to the garage to get my car.”
He let out a sigh of relief and said, “Good. I’ll meet you at home. Drive safely.”
“I will. I love you,” she told him.
“I love you more. See you shortly,” Ramsey said as he slid into his jacket and headed home.
Keilah couldn’t be happier to finally be home. Traffic was terrible as usual, so it had taken her longer than normal to get home. She lowered the garage door and climbed out of her car. Inside, Target met her at the door, wagging his tail. She patted him on the head and entered the kitchen, where she found Camille putting the finishing touches on dinner.
“It smells wonderful in here!” Keilah said as she looked into a steaming pot.
Camille put her hands on Keilah’s shoulders and directed her toward the hallway. “You can eat after you greet your husband.”
“He beat me home?”
“Yes, he got here about fifteen minutes ago. He’s upstairs with his little princess.”
“That figures,” Keilah answered. “Thanks for cooking dinner for us.”
“Oh, Keilah, you know I don’t mind cooking for you and Ramsey. You’re like my children.”
Keilah gave her a kiss on the cheek and said, “You’re the best. I’m going to run upstairs for a second. We’ll be back down in a second.”
“You haven’t seen that man in a few days ... Take your time, baby.”
“If you insist,” Keilah joked as she exited the kitchen.
Upstairs, Keilah found Neariah stretched out on the bed with her sippy cup. Target was in his usual spot, lying beside the bed, keeping a watchful eye over her. Keilah kicked off her shoes and climbed up on the bed next to Neariah and gave her a kiss.
“Hey, baby girl. Where’s your daddy?”
Ramsey stepped out of their large walk-in closet and said, “I’m right here.” Then he walked back into the closet.
Keilah’s heart thumped in her chest. Seeing him standing there in his jeans and white T-shirt overwhelmed her and sent shivers down her body.
She gave Neariah another kiss before climbing off the bed. She walked into the closet, wrapped her arms around Ramsey’s waist, and whispered, “Welcome home, baby.”
He hugged her tight to his body and leaned down and gave her a long sultry kiss on the lips. “You taste good,” he said as he showered her lips and neck with kisses.
“So do you,” she replied as she nuzzled his neck.
“You do know you’re in trouble for what you did this morning, don’t you?”
She looked up into his eyes and batted her eyelashes. “I know. I’ll let you spank me after dinner.”
His large hands slowly eased under her skirt and gave her hips a sexy squeeze. Keilah’s lower region immediately started aching from his touch.
“I don’t think I can wait that long,” he answered as he started unbuttoning her blouse.
She stepped out of his embrace and said, “Ramsey! Camille’s downstairs, and our daughter is in our bedroom.”
Ramsey took Keilah by the hand and walked back into their bedroom, where they found Neariah fast asleep.
Ramsey smiled, as it seemed that luck was on his side. He patted Keilah on her backside and said, “Put Neariah in her crib while I go say good-bye to Camille. We can reheat dinner later if we have to, but right now I want some loving.”
Keilah picked Neariah up into her arms and whispered, “You think you’re slick, Stone,” as she quietly made her way across the hallway to the nursery.
“Stop tripping. You know you want it as much as I do,” he said before disappearing downstairs.
After putting Neariah down in her crib, Keilah hurried into her bathroom for a quick shower so she could wash the scent of New York off her body. After quickly rubbing suds over her body, she felt a breeze of cool air and turned to find Ramsey entering their large shower. Before she could say a word, he covered her mouth with his and pushed her wet body against the wall. She moaned as she savored the warmth of his hands and mouth all over her body. Seconds later, they were on the tile floor of the shower and Ramsey’s tongue and lips were electrifying sensitive spots she was unaware of as the hot water rained down on their bodies. Keilah was trying her best to stay composed, but her husband was making it difficult.
She lost all resolve when he dipped his head between her thighs, causing her to cry out in ecstasy. His sensual assault sent electrifying chills over her body as his tongue toyed with her feminine nub. Her body felt like it was on fire and was paralyzed under his spell. The echo of her sighs and soft moans sent shock waves through his body, making him unable to resist the main course any longer. He eased his throbbing maleness into her heated cavity and gently ground his hips against hers.
“Ramsey,” she purred in his ear.
“You feel so good, baby. I missed you so much,” he whispered back to her.
“I missed you too,” she replied as they held on to each other for what seemed like an eternity. Their bodies moved in complete unison as they became one. She never wanted to leave his arms and couldn’t imagine herself with anyone else. At that moment Ramsey felt his body peaking, which caused him to intensify his pace. With each thrust, Keilah let out a soft whimper or a loud moan, and a short time later, Ramsey’s release erupted long and hard, causing him to groan and call out her name.
Exhausted, he collapsed on top of her, softly kissing her lips and breasts and stomach. Her man had given her undeniable love, and she savored it as the hot water continued to shower down on them.
“I can’t move,” she said after minutes had passed.
He smiled and slowly stood, pulling her up into his arms. He picked up the shower gel and slo. . .
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