Lorna nodded. “I’m beginning to see you very clearly.”
Jamal smiled. “I’m more than a country boy.”
“I love that country boy.”
He laughed and wrapped his arms around her. “And I love this country girl,”
Lorna kissed him, placing her full lips over his before tangling their tongues together. Jamal held her firmly against his body and enjoyed her sweetness, until she hooked her leg around his back.
“Lorna…” he whispered against her warm mouth.
“I want to show you something,” Lorna breathed, tasting his lips.
Jamal put his hand in her soft, large, puffy afro and held her face in place. “What?”
Lorna pushed until he was on his back, then climbed to straddle him. Sitting up, she looked down at him and went for the first button on her shirt.
He lifted a brow and gave her a look. “For real?”
She nodded and moved to the second button.
“Like for real…for real?” he questioned.
Lorna chuckled and continued with the buttons, feeling his erection growing underneath her.
“Right now?” Jamal asked, making sure he was reading the situation right.
He watched as she shrugged out of the shirt and tossed it aside, leaving her in a dark blue lacy bra.
“Right now.” She confirmed, reaching for his shirt buttons.
Jamal sat up immediately and they were face to face. “Why now?”
“Because you were right last night,” she whispered, holding his gaze.
“About what?” Jamal asked, placing his warm hands on the bare skin of her waist.
“I want you to touch me…”
Her words made him kiss the lips they’d been spoken from. “Just touch you?”
Lorna cradled his face. “No,”
When she moved closer, Jamal caressed her back as she returned to the buttons on his shirt. Finishing, she pushed it off of his shoulders to reveal what she knew was underneath. She and Jamal had spent many days in the summer in bathing suits, by the river and the pool at the Inn.
Lorna had memorized what he looked like, although she’d never been this close to his unclothed body. Like a kid in candy store, she ran her hands along the firm ridges of his chest. Jamal was in excellent physical shape from the work he did and Lorna appreciated it, very much.
He stopped her hands by taking them both in his. Lifting them above her head, he kissed her collarbone before moving lower to the tops of her breasts in the C-cups. Lorna closed her eyes as his mouth made a hot trail across her flesh.
Jamal moved back to her mouth and gave her a scorching kiss that made her moan. “Beauty, I can wait…” he offered hoarsely.
Their eyes connected. “Stop lying…” she told him.
“Yeah, I am…” Jamal said, tossing her down onto the bed.
Lorna smiled and laid on the mattress with her arms above her head.
Jamal looked down at her. “Do you know how long I’ve waited for you?”
“Eight years…but you couldn’t have me then,”
He reached for her jeans and unfastened them. “You’re mine now?”
Lorna lifted her hips as they stared at one another, while he removed her pants.
“I always have been,” Lorna answered, after he tossed her jeans, panties and socks to the side. She watched his dark gaze move down her body. He reached out and touched the spot that made her a woman and felt the wetness.
“Awww, Beauty…you want me,”
“You’re the only one I’ve ever wanted, Jamal.”
Jamal stared down at the true beauty on the bed. From her big, dark hair to sultry dark eyes and sensual lips. She was his dream, living and breathing.
“I’ll never give you a reason to want anyone else,” Jamal told her firmly, reaching for his belt.
Lorna laid watching him undress through lowered lids with her legs spread apart before him. She watched how his eyes kept focusing on her core and it soaked her even more. When his jeans hung open, he lifted a brow at her.
“What do you want me to do to you?” he asked sexily.
“Whatever. You. Want.”
He touched her dampness, exploring her slowly. “You sure?”
Lorna caught her breath as his hand traveled deeper. He lowered his head and kissed her inner thigh, causing her legs to go weak.
“Yessss,” she sighed breathlessly, looking down at the dark waves on his head.
When his lips replaced his hand, Lorna’s eyes rolled back in her head and the room darkened. Although she knew what was coming, she’d never experienced it from his mouth on her.
“Jamal!” Lorna tightened her legs around his head and he easily separated them again, making her lose her breath again.
Jamal stood and Lorna lifted heavy lids to watch him drop his jeans. When a packet appeared in his hand, she gave him a confused look.
Jamal winked at her. “I’ve been waiting a long time…”
Before she could respond, he reached behind her and quickly unclasped her bra. Jamal tossed the garment to the side and feasted on the bounty he’d freed for his pleasure. Lorna felt the pressure building again and wondered how many times, she could reach that place before actually dying.
“Jamal…”
“Two,” he told her, licking her hardened nipples.
The next thing she knew, his mouth was on hers and she tasted her body and his heat on her tongue. He paused at her entrance and tore his mouth from hers. Staring down into her flushed face, Jamal said, “After I get in here, no one else is ever getting close…”
Lorna wrapped her body around his as he slid inside, slowly. “Uh, huh…” she said, with her body accepting him.
“Lorna Sable,” Jamal whispered in her ear. “I love you…”
She tightened her grip on him, as his words, in tandem with his body, professed his true love for her.
“Oh, Jamal…” Lorna felt dampness come to her eyes, from the beauty of being with the man she’d loved her whole life.
Each touch, each kiss, and every slow stroke pledged his undying devotion to her. Jamal kissed Lorna’s tears away. “Don’t cry, baby…”
She swallowed and looked at him. “I can’t help it. I love you so much…”
He kissed her slowly, bringing them both to the consummation of their journey. Lorna felt the now familiar rising within her and groaned his name, deep in her throat. She felt the vibration of her name and another number from his mouth on her neck, as he increased his tempo until he finally collapsed, holding her tightly.
Lorna held on to Jamal as if her life depended on it, while he kissed the saltiness from her face. With her eyes closed, she felt his heart beat in tandem with hers. His strong, muscled body felt warm and protective over hers.
“Beauty?”
“Yes,” she answered, without opening her eyes.
“You’re pretty strong, baby,” Jamal said. “Can you loosen your grip?”
Lorna smiled softly. “No, I’m never letting you go.”
He kissed her cheek. “You’re going to choke me to death.”
“Lena said, we would kill each other, when we made love,” she chuckled.
Jamal reached for her arm and pulled slightly before she released her hold. “And how did Lena know that we would be making love?”
“I asked her for some tips.”
“Lorna, you don’t need tips…” Jamal stroked her body. “You’re perfect, so naturally beautiful and sexy.”
“I wasn’t able to get any,” she told him, warming from his touch. “Yet…”
Jamal looked at her. “You don’t need Lena. I’ll show you whatever you want, because I’m the only man you’ll be pleasuring.”
She wiggled underneath him and he lifted a brow. “Are you hot again?”
Lorna nodded with a naughty look.
“Stay right here,” Jamal separated their bodies and Lorna watched him as he stood. “I’ve got more condoms in my truck.”
She frowned at him.
“Nah, don’t look like that.”
Lorna sat up and pulled a pillow against her naked body. “You have condoms in your truck? And how did you happen to have one tonight?”
Jamal looked down at himself. “Can I take care of this first?”
She folded her arms. “I’m not going anywhere.”
He disappeared and Lorna remembered the box of condoms that Lena had given her. She’d meant to tell Jamal where they were, but she’d gotten caught up. He returned and she was caught up again, looking at his naked body.
She became confused as he started getting dressed. “What are you doing?” she asked in a panic.
Jamal leaned over and kissed her. “I’m going to the truck to get the unopened box of condoms,” he said pointedly.
“Then I’m going to make you hot, so I can get lost in your sweetness, all over again.” Jamal stroked her face.
Lorna flushed. “You don’t have to go to your truck.”
Jamal watched as she reached into the drawer and pulled out the box. He saw the protection, but something else in the drawer drew his attention.
“Are those my letters?” he asked, recognizing his handwriting.
Lorna nodded. “Yes,”
He looked at her. “You kept them?”
“Of course I kept them…every one. Even the ones that I didn’t answer you,” she said quietly.
Jamal sat on the edge of the bed in his jeans. “Damn, I didn’t know you had those.”
“I read them all the time, when I want to be close to you,” Lorna confessed and reached out to touch his bare chest. “But now I have the real thing…”
He took her hand, before leaning down to kiss her. Jamal removed the pillow she was holding and laid her back on the bed, with his mouth connected to hers.
Lorna caressed the muscles beneath her hands, while he began to set her on fire.
“Jamal?” she whispered.
“Yes?” he paused and stared down at her.
“Why were you saying numbers?”
Jamal smiled. “I was counting the number of times you said my name.” He pulled her close. “I’m tripling that tonight.”
******
A few hours later, Jamal and Lorna sat eating the food that she’d brought for their dinner. Lorna had adorned Jamal’s shirt, while he chilled in his boxers. They stared across the table at one another until she looked away.
“What’s wrong?” Jamal asked.
“Nothing,”
“Lorna,”
“I’m just…remembering,” she said quietly. “I never thought it would be like that.”
Jamal reached across the table and took her hand. “I knew it would be amazing with you.”
She looked at him. “I cried.”
“If I was a girl, I’d have cried, too,” he told her.
Lorna looked at him, then laughed. “So funny…”
He brought her hand to his lips and kissed it. “I was caught up too, baby.”
“Really?” she asked, stroking his face.
Jamal nodded. “It was my first time with my love and I’ll never forget it.”
“I missed you so much when you were gone,” Lorna told him softly.
“Not nearly as much as I missed you.” He leaned forward. “I promise that I’m never leaving you again, and I’m going to give you the entire world.”
Lorna brought her face to his. “You are my world, Jamal.”
They kissed gently then went back to their food.
“So when you said that you wanted to talk about my business, that was code for you wanted to make love to me?” Jamal asked.
“No, it was not a code,” Lorna said, shaking her head. “I really did want to talk to you about your business, but you brought me home to a house full of flowers, after lying under the stars with you the night before. I think you were setting me up.”
He shrugged. “I was just showing you that I love you.”
“You do a very good job,” she complimented him. “I feel very loved.”
“Good, that’s important to me.” He ate from his plate.
Lorna took a bite from her plate. “What I wanted to tell you is that I may have some investors for you.”
Jamal looked up. “Who?”
“Not too long ago, we had a naturopathic doctor come stay here. Her husband is a self-made entrepreneur and owns a bunch of businesses in Detroit, including a healthy food restaurant and a food co-op,” Lorna explained. “I think this venture is something that will interest them, because they are all about black business and health.”
He nodded. “Okay, I have more than half of the money I need, so if they see the vision…that’ll work.”
“They’re really nice people. I think that you’ll like them. The husband is kinda thug, like you.” Lorna told him. “He’s fine, too…”
Jamal gave her a look.
“Well, he is…” Lorna smiled. “So are you…”
He went back to his food. “Girl…”
“If you’re okay with it, I can contact them and see if they’re interested. I wanted to run it past you first.”
Jamal agreed. “That sounds like a plan, but why don’t you wait to call until your camp is over. I know you have a lot on your plate.”
“Your dreams are important to me, too, baby.” Lorna assured him. “And I don’t want you tempted to take money from other sources…”
He looked at her. “I gave Cass her check back today. She was pissed too…”
“You saw her today?”
“No, I left the check at the front desk for her with a note. Then she called me,”
Lorna sighed. “Of course, she did.”
“I just told her goodbye,” Jamal relayed. “I don’t have time for Cass’s shit.”
“She really wants you to have that money…”
Jamal finished his food. “She wants her way and that’s not happening.” He stood and went to her sink. “She’d better get her ass on a plane, the end of this week.”
Lorna watched him until he turned back to her. “Are you still eating?” he asked, glancing at her plate.
“I think I’ve had enough…food,” she whispered.
He smiled. “Are you tender?”
“I’m a strong country girl, I can handle vigorous physical activity,”
Jamal came and took her plate and put it away before lifting her from her chair. “We both have to be up early,” he told her, carrying her down the hall.
“Let’s just not go to sleep,” Lorna said, kissing his ear.
“You’re going to be tired,”
He entered her bedroom and placed her on the bed, following her down on to the mattress.
“It’s worth it,” Lorna replied, taking him into her arms.
Jamal whispered in her ear. “What do you want me to do to you?”
“Everything. You. Can.”
He lifted his head and smiled down at her. “Lena’s right…we are going to kill each other.”
*****
Lorna yawned for the third time, causing her sister Lena to look at her while they sat at the front desk.
“Are you tired?” Lena questioned.
Lorna shook her head. “No, I’m fine. Sitting here is making me sleepy, I need something to do.”
“Go help in the kitchen,”
“I’m not trying to see Mrs. Langston yet,”
Lena lifted a brow. “Why not?”
“Because she can look in our faces and know everything we’ve done,” Lorna told her.
“That’s true, she always has been able to do that. Another reason, I couldn’t wait to leave for college.” She stared at her sister. “And just what have you done?”
The door opened and Lena watched her sister’s face change, as Jamal walked through the door with his clipboard, and a small bouquet of flowers in his hands.
Lena looked between the two as he approached the desk and caught their heated stares at one another.
Jamal sat the flowers in front of Lorna and smiled down at her. “Good morning Beauty,”
“Good morning, Jamal,” Lorna returned with a sexy smile.
He handed her the clipboard. “You want to check your order?”
She shook her head. “No, I know it’s right.”
Jamal smiled at her until Lena cleared her throat and he turned his attention to her.
“Sorry, good morning Lena,”
“Good morning, Jamal. Are you tired this morning, too?”
Lorna’s eyes widened and Jamal laughed. “Nah, I’m real good. I’ll start on the order, now.”
With one last glance at Lorna, he headed out to his van.
“Well, well, well…” Lena said, leaning back in her chair. “You finally gave that man the goodies.”
Lorna looked around the empty lobby. “Lena!”
“I see why you don’t want to run into Mrs. Langston. She’s going to smell the sex on you two,” Lena teased her.
Putting a hand to her warm face, Lorna blushed.
“From the way you looked at him when he walked in, I take it that you weren’t disappointed?”
Lorna shook her head and sighed. “Lena, it was so beautiful, I cried.”
Lena smiled and took her hand. “Awww, Lorna. I’m so happy for you. That’s how it should have been with you two.”
Jamal returned with his cart and wheeled it through the lobby to the dining room. He winked at Lorna as he passed, and both women watched him disappear.
“I guess those condoms came in handy?”
“Yes, thank you. When I go into town, I’ll replace those for you.” Lorna promised. “I hadn’t expected to use them so soon.”
Lena grinned. “I’m glad somebody got some use out of them.”
Lorna got to her feet. “I’m going to help Jamal with the centerpieces.”
“I bet you are,” Lena laughed. “Because he’s never done his job alone before…”
“He doesn’t have to do it today,” Lorna said walking around the desk. “He’s earned my help.”
Lena shook her head. “Don’t jump the man on the tables, our guests have to eat on those.”
Lorna laughed as she walked away. “I’ll be back…”
Jamal looked up from placing the flowers on the table as Lorna walked in. “No, go away. I can’t look at you and focus right now.”
She smiled, coming over to him. “You’re sending me away?” she whispered.
He straightened and stared down at her. “Yes,”
“You don’t want me?” Lorna asked, placing a hand on his chest.
“See, you playing,” Jamal said, slipping an arm around her waist. “Then when I get started, you’ll be running.”
She hooked her arms around his neck. “You always chase me.”
Lowering his head, he touched his lips to hers. “And I always will…”
Lorna tasted his lips before the kiss turned heated.
“Uh, excuse me!” a feminine voice interrupted them.
They both looked in that direction.
“May I help you Cassidee?” Lorna asked the woman who stood at the entrance of the dining room.
Cassandra’s eyes narrowed. “I was looking for Russ.”
“Russ is not here,” Lorna informed her. “And he’s no longer at your service. Whatever you need, we’ll have someone else get it for you.”
“What do you mean, he’s not at my service?” Cassandra questioned.
“Staff are not allowed to fraternize with guests,” Lorna told her.
Cassandra lifted a brow, looking at the couple. “But you’re hugged up with the florist, in the dining room?”
Jamal frowned. “Whoa, back up,” he told Cassandra as Mrs. Langston came out of the kitchen.
“The dining room isn’t open yet.” Lorna told Cassandra. “I know you saw the sign on the door.” She went to walk toward the woman, and Jamal stopped her with an arm around her middle.
With her eyes narrowed, Lorna said in a low voice, “What I do at my Inn, is none of your business. You are a guest here, one that will be leaving in three days.”
“I extended my stay,” Cassandra rebutted.
Lorna smirked. “I canceled it. We have no rooms available.”
Cassandra face turned angry. “I will sue this raggedy Inn.”
“Cass, stop tripping!” Jamal yelled.
Lorna shrugged. “You can’t sue us for being booked and you haven’t incurred any loss.”
Mrs. Langston looked at Lorna’s angry face and Jamal holding her back from the woman across the room. “If you don’t need anything from the kitchen, the dining room isn’t open yet,” she told Cassandra again. “Didn’t you see the sign? Or can you read?”
Cassandra turned to the older woman. “I can read better than you cook,”
“Oh, shit!” Jamal said, releasing Lorna and getting to Mrs. Langston, before she pulled out a real switch on Cassandra.
“You should leave now.” Lorna walked toward Cassandra, and Jamal released Mrs. Langston to rush over to the other two women, while Mrs. Langston followed on his heels.
Jamal stepped in front of Lorna and looked down at Cassandra. “Cass, damn…just finish your camp and stop being so messy.”
He glanced at his elder. “I’m sorry, Mrs. Langston.”
“It’s okay, you’d better tell her!” Mrs. Langston responded.
Lloyd entered the dining room, hearing the commotion. He looked at the occupants and waited for an explanation.
Mrs. Langston threw up a hand and turned to walk away. “You’d better get her, before I do!”
Lloyd watched her go, then turned to Lorna and Jamal. Lorna folded her arms, while Jamal rubbed his head. He finally turned to the woman who was at the center of this fiasco, he was sure.
“Miss Cassidee, is there a problem here at the Sable Inn, that I can help you with?” he asked smoothly.
Cassandra looked at the handsome man, then smiled. “Thank you Mr. Sable.” She glanced at Lorna. “Your daughter could work on her hospitality skills.”
Lloyd smiled as Lorna frowned. “My daughter is very good at her job,” Lloyd told Cassandra. “But, if there is anything I can help you with, please let me know.”
Cassandra stared at Lloyd for another minute then turned and walked out of the dining room, before Lloyd looked at the couple.
“I do not want to know what happened in here,” he told them. “But I do know, that it won’t happen again. We have all types of media coming here in a few days and the Sable Inn will be presented as a place of family and hospitality.”
Lorna nodded. “I’m sorry, Daddy.”
“Sorry, Mr. Sable.” Jamal added.
“This is an unusual situation,” Lloyd said quietly. “And I’m going to need you both to remain professional.”
They agreed and Lloyd gave them a strong look, before leaving the dining room.
Lorna looked at Jamal. “How was she your friend?”
“I had to have been high, to tolerate her,” Jamal said, shaking his head.
Mrs. Langston stuck her head out the door. “Oh, and don’t think I don’t know what you two have been doing!”