Whispers from the Past

by Simone Kelly

Genres: Urban Fantasy; Christian Romance; Christian Suspense

Synopsis

Reincarnation, karma, and past lives are just some of the things that unfold in Whispers of the Past. Simone Kelly sends readers on a jaw-dropping ride of steamy, erotic moments, comedy, suspense, and supernatural thrills.

Jacques Berradi has always known he could read minds, predict the future, but now he’s learned the ability to see into past lives on a deeper level. He can help others uncover their Karma with just a glance into their eyes or with a touch. Moroccan born and SoHo raised, Jacques exudes sex appeal without even knowing it. His genuine, soft-spoken demeanor makes him a highly requested intuitive counselor, helping his clients deal with the drama in their lives.

His good friend, Kylie Collins, is a recent Brooklyn transplant to Miami. Fun loving and inquisitive, she’s a PI in training at Like a Fly on the Wall Detective Agency. She is at a crossroads in her life and realizes it’s time to make up her mind about men. Should she give up her addiction to her bad-boy Breeze, settle down to start a family, or just focus on her career?

Mackenzie is Kylie’s roommate. She’s a skilled, gun-packing, outlandish, and hilarious modern-day Southern belle. Mackenzie is also is an herbalist and an amazing baker who wants to heal the world with her talents. When some dark, humiliating secrets that Mackenzie has been holding onto are revealed, everyone’s world is turned upside-down.
 

Release date: December 15, 2020

Publisher: Urban Books

Print pages: 288

Sample

I tuned in closely to the flickering flame of the white candle and the messages flooded in. Dee sat on the other side of the table, fidgeting with the long, gold pendant that dangled from her neck. She crossed her long, caramel-colored legs and took a deep breath, bracing herself for my reply to her question.

The tension broke when my stomach gurgled from hunger. She laughed at the abrupt sound.

“I’m sorry. I missed lunch today,” I explained.

Dee shook her head in disapproval. “You need to eat, Jacques. You always doing too much—”

“Wait.” I held up my finger and tilted my head as the messages finally became clearer. “Are you planning on moving? I see an opportunity for you.”

“Really? I have been thinking about relocating, actually. When do you think is a good time?”

“Coming up in the next nine months or so.”

She leaned in, her perfume soft, yet magnetic. “Wow, really? I do need a change.” She bit her bottom lip and looked into my eyes in a coquettish kind of way. “What about Miami? Can you ask your guides if that would be a good idea? Could I get a gig down here that pays as much as New York does?” Dee smiled, waiting for a reaction.

My heart sped up. Dee moving down here?

I took a deep breath, trying to get the answer, pushing back the memory of the last time we saw each other. That time we crossed the line. That time I broke my no-client rule . . . and my no-cheating rule. I tried to forget her soft lips, how she pressed her body against mine . . . her intensity. I wanted to erase the feeling of her moist mouth and the magical way she used it on me. I shook my head, trying to stay focused on her reading and keep her out of my fantasies.

I guess my face never hides what I’m feeling. Dee’s brows furrowed. “What’s wrong?” she asked softly.

“Oh, nothing. Just getting a lot of messages at once. Give me a moment.” I pointed at her. “I’ll be right back.” I smiled, closed my eyes, and took a deep breath. I inhaled the sweet smell of sandalwood incense that circled us in a soft cloud.

The vision I saw was of Dee walking into calm, clear water. She was in an aqua bikini, and she looked back at me and laughed. Then she ran full speed ahead into the ocean to dive in.

I answered excitedly, “Yes, dive in. Go for it. It feels very good.”

“Really? So, move? Here?” She pointed to the ground with a smirk. “Man, I really would love this weather all year ’round. I’m so sick of the snow and cold.”

“I see you having at least two companies as clients. Maybe you’ll be working for an agency of some kind or have several clients.” I ran my fingers through my hair and sat back in my chair. I felt excited for her. “It feels like computer software sales is still your industry of choice, and it will be very lucrative.” I opened my eyes, and she was gushing.

“Wow, that’s soooo crazy that you say that. I was actually playing around with that idea of starting my own boutique sales agency to provide sales for software companies trying to connect with small businesses. Right now, I’m selling intranet software to businesses so that they can communicate better and manage their workflows. But I’m thinking of moving into the medical field. There’s a lot of money in software for hospitals. I can clear 10K or more a month just doing that. I could probably be a consultant for my job too so that I can have more freedom. They have a Miami branch.”

“See, the ideas are flowing. Plan it out. Don’t procrastinate. Just start working on it now. Nine months is right around the corner.”

“Nine months. I love it. It’s like giving birth. My business will be my new baby,” she laughed. My alarm went off in a soft repetitive beep. Dee frowned.

“Damn. I guess my time is up, huh?”

“I’m afraid it is.” My heart raced, but still, I decided to ask. “What are your plans while in town?”

“I’m only here for the weekend. Gonna see my homegirl Storm and her family. But that’s not for a little while. Maybe I can convince you to hang out with your favorite client for a little. Maybe get a drink?” She cringed as if waiting for my rejection. “I’ll behave this time, I promise. I know you regret what happened that last time I was—”

“Whoa, whoa . . .” I put my hands up. “I never said that I had regrets.” I shook my head, blushing from the memory. “It was nice, don’t get me wrong, but it’s just not professional to cross the line with clients. And the timing wasn’t right. But now, I’m . . . I’m single.” I actually had a hard time saying it.

“Single?” Dee couldn’t even hide her excitement. “Well, well. I’ll be damned.”

She stood up, and her silver bracelets jingled as she seductively smoothed out the lime sundress that hugged her at the waist and flowed down to her knees.

I shook my head and smiled. Maybe being single isn’t as bad as I thought.

She stood over me and tapped my thigh. “Well, let’s go. I already know you’re hungry.”

The front doorbell to my office rang and startled us. “Excuse me.” I stood up, but Dee didn’t move out of my way. I had to squeeze past her. She was already starting to tempt me.

“Still a big tease,” I laughed.

“Oh, I’m not teasing. You know I will deliver.” She winked.

The hairs on my arms rose.

“I’ll be right back. Please, have a seat.” My eyebrows rose in delight, and I shook my head as I left her in the room and went out to the lobby to get the door. I saw through the peephole that it was Kylie.

I opened the door and was hit with a surge of her energy full of glowing yellow and white colors. Her aura was always so strong. If I were ever having a bad day, she was the pick-me-up that always made me feel better. It was nice having her work down the hall at the Like a Fly on the Wall Detective Agency.

Kylie’s natural hair was full of big curls today, fun and exciting like her personality. She was wearing a jeans skirt, a tight, striped, green and white halter tank, and heels.

“Jacques,” she sighed dramatically. “Thank Gaaaawd. You’re still here.”

“Hey, Kylie. Come in, come in. I was just wrapping up. You look nice. You got a hot date?”

“Nope. I’m meeting my new roommate.” We sat down in the waiting room.

“Wow, you’re finally moving out of True’s spot?”

“Yeah. My mom and I need our space. I’ve been able to save up a bit now too.” She softened her voice. “Are you still in a reading?”

“I just finished.”

“Can I get a quick piggyback reading?” She made air quotes as she asked, “You still in the zone?”

I shook my head. Kylie always wanted a “piggyback reading,” as she called it. “Just one question” was her line, but it usually was about three questions. I always gave in, because I really loved to help her.

“What’s the name?”

“Mackenzie Alexander. She seems cool, but I want to see what you pick up.”

I took a deep breath and saw a tall silhouette of a woman in my mind. I felt her energy right away. “Fun, mysterious, a little wild, yet mature. I like her. She sounds like you.” I smiled with my eyes closed. I was quiet for a moment as I saw a vision of a woman with an intense focus at a desk like she was studying. That told me she was a deep thinker or in a school of some kind. “Is she in school? Law school? Something intense.”

“Damn, you still freak me out. She’s a med student.”

“Aaaah . . . That explains it. Yes, she is a bit more complicated than you. She has her introverted moments. I think she might be a good match for you, though. I see the two of you getting close. A regular Thelma and Louise. A strong bond. She is very private, but I see her developing trust in you.”

Kylie was smiling from ear to ear. “I love how you do this shit soooo fast. I can’t wait to meet her now. We talked on the phone already, and I really liked her vibe.”

“It’s a big space. Feels like you have loads of room and sun. Is it a house?”

“Yes. In Coral Gables. Not too far from here.” She glanced at her phone to check the time. “I better go. We’re meeting at Annabelle’s.”

I put my hand on her wrist. “Wait, you wanna know who’s here?”

“Who?”

I talked softer. “Dee.”

“Noooo way. Whaaaat? Soooo?” She pushed for details.

I whispered, “She came for a reading.” I grinned since I knew what she was thinking.

Kylie whispered, “Jacques, you know she likes you. It’s been forevaaaa since you broke up with Vicky. Go and have fun already.” She playfully slapped my shoulder.

“Well, if you recall, Dee was the reason we broke up.”

She sucked her teeth. “That wasn’t Dee’s fault. You should have deleted the damn text. Have some fun. You deserve it. Get you some cootch already. Have you even been laid since Vicky moved out?”

I shrugged, forcing a smile. I put my finger in front of my mouth to tell her to hush.

Truth was, I was obsessed with work and just not ready for anyone else to be in my space. I’d been out for drinks here and there with a couple of female companions, but I never took it further.

She snickered. “I gotta run to meet Mackenzie.”

“Okay. Just come say hello real quick.”

We walked over to the room, and I cracked the door. Dee was texting someone and looked up in surprise. “Oh shit, what’s up, girl?” She rose from her seat.

“Deeee, you look great. So good to see you.” They embraced like long lost friends, although they only met that one time the lights went out in my office.

“I have to run, but please get my info from Jacques and add me on social media.”

“Okay, will do. Good to see you.” Dee sat back down, and I walked Kylie back to the waiting room.

“Thanks for the piggyback.” She kissed me on the cheek and whispered, “You better get you some. Ciao.”

I held the door for Dee and let her walk out of the building ahead of me. The sunset was on the horizon, but even after 7:00 p.m., the sun was still blazing hot. The heat hit us at full force as the doors opened.

She caught me checking her out and pretended she didn’t. “Which way?”

I pointed to our right. Her grin could not be contained. I admired her confident, smooth stride.

“It’s just a few blocks. We’re going to go to CocoWalk, then make a right on Grand Street. They have a lot of choices there. Might want to try out this Italian spot, Bice Bistro. Heard it’s good.”

“Yes, I’d love that. I’m pretty hungry myself.” She rubbed her belly.

The décor in the restaurant had a cozy, rustic feel . . . earth tones, exposed brick walls, and dark wood. It was buzzing with the after-work crowd, but thankfully, we didn’t have to wait long to be seated. I felt a bit awkward since this was really like a date, as much as I didn’t want to think it was. I ran my hand through my hair as the hostess led us to our table.

Dee played with her necklace while looking at the menu. “Oh yes, I’m gonna get the chicken Parmesan. Whatchu getting?”

I pointed to the menu. “This pan-seared salmon with mashed potatoes is looking good.”

“Why you keep shaking your leg?”

I looked down. I didn’t even realize I was doing it. “Oh, sorry.”

“You nervous?”

“Me? Nervous?” I laughed. “Dee, don’t be ridiculous. You’re beautiful, but I’m okay.” I cleared my throat. “I think I’ll be okay.”

Dee poked her chin up toward me. Her lips parted, and she made firm eye contact. “I knoooow. I’m just teasing you. But I have a confession. Do you know when I first met you, I used to get soooo nervous. Palms would sweat. My heart would jump. All that.”

“Why? Scared of what I would tell you in a reading?”

“Well, that too. But you know you have this presence about you. That look.” She pointed at my eyes with two fingers. “It’s intense, Jacques. It takes time to get used to.” She lightly stroked her throat. I found that very sexy.

“Oh, stop it.” My face felt warm.

“But now that we’re cool, you really aren’t as intimidating as you seemed. You are so chill . . . sexy and chill.”

“Why, thank you. You’re still a bit intimidating, but I think I can handle it.”

She slapped my hand, laughing.

I wanted to touch her. I wanted her to sit next to me, like Vicky and I would whenever we sat in booths. I hadn’t been that close to anyone in months, and I missed the intimacy. Dee was not Vicky, but she was good company.

My brother Hickam’s abrasive tone popped into my head. “Yo, Jaaaay, stop being a bitch. You’re single, man. You better fuck the shit out of her tonight . . . ’cause if it were me, I’d handle that shit right now. Fuck all this small talk.” I shook my head, trying to clear him out and get focused.

“Jacques, you’re staring at me. Are you reading me?”

I licked my lips. “Just relishing in your beauty. I’m not always reading people. I’m off the clock.”

“Oh, please, like you can turn it off. Well, you can stop trying to read my mind. You already know how I really feel, but I said I’m not going there. We’re going to have a nice, little friendly dinner.” Dee dramatically pulled up the menu over her face as if it were shielding her from my psychic powers. Then she lowered it, giggling.

I scanned the menu and softened my voice. “Exactly. A friendly dinner.” I looked into her eyes. “This is nice. I don’t think we’ve ever really hung out . . . well, other than the last time.”

“No, well, you were on lockdown, so . . .” She squinted. “Soooo, I have to be a little nosy. What happened between you and your girl?”

I could tell she was delighted underneath her concerned pout. I cleared my throat. “Well, it’s not my favorite subject, but I’ll tell you. Well, if you really want to know.”

Her voice softened even further. “Yes, I want to know.”

I sighed. “She read one of your text messages. At my birthday party in October. I left my phone on the table, and it was just a big mess.”

“Oh my God. Which text? What did I say?”

“Well, the one saying you didn’t know how fucking passionate I was, or something of that nature. It was pretty bad.” I felt my stomach turn, this time not from hunger, but guilt. I hated reliving that night. I had the same sinking feeling in my chest as when Vicky handed me my cell phone that night after reading the text.

She leaned in and whispered, “You didn’t even . . . You didn’t finish.”

I shrugged my shoulders. “Well, we did enough.” I raised an eyebrow. “Enough for you to call it passionate.” I tried to smile even though I felt bad about it.

Vicky was one of the most sensual and sexually uninhibited women I had ever been with, but Dee was especially wild and insatiable. She exuded femininity without even trying, and her sassy personality was a welcomed challenge. Something in me wanted to tame her. She was always flirting, but I usually had my barrier up. Now, I would be able to take it as far as I wanted to.

Being my client for several years, I knew her soul. Her stepdad abused her as a teen, which had set her on a path of promiscuity and a string of bad relationships. I knew her fears, lies, dirty secrets, fetishes, sexual encounters, and, yes, like many of my clients . . . she didn’t hold back any details. She would feel totally vulnerable if she really knew everything that was revealed to me by my visions.

Over time, I built up quite a lust for her. I always felt guilty for thinking about her in that way, because I knew the root of many of her problems. But the night of the blackout, I gave in to my desires. The whole city being in darkness made it easy. When we snuck away to my office bathroom, I just thought we’d hug, maybe even a simple kiss. Before I knew it, she was down on her knees, pleasuring me. I mean, hands down, she could teach a workshop on giving head. I still get chills when I think about it. It was probably only a few minutes. Then the lights came back on, shining on us in shame. But that unforgettable rendezvous remained imprinted in my mind for months.

A few minutes of lust and a text ruined a two-year relationship just like that. Victoria Morena was a beautiful Puerto Rican from the Bronx. I haven’t slept well since she left me. My apartment feels hollow without Vicky’s warmth, her cooking, and her music. We were inseparable. I never cheated on her. I’ve had temptations here and there, but I never crossed the line . . . until Dee.

My good friend, Melissa, who is a psychic, as well, gave me a reading the day after the big breakup. She told me to email Vicky, just tell her everything, and she would forgive me. I tried to write something to her, but it stayed in my drafts for a month before I deleted it. The words never seemed convincing enough. I couldn’t manifest the right sentences that would explain Dee’s “passionate” text.

I know I deserved it, but . . .