Imagined Love (38 page)

“What?” Jade giggled.

“Hey, you could be pulling my leg sitting here acting all shy and prudish. Then the next thing I know you’re leaving me beaten and tied up in the closet!” he laughed. “So now that we’ve gotten this whole freak misunderstanding cleared up, can we . . .?”

“I can’t, Pierce. I know it probably sounds silly to you but there’s a reason we’re always getting interrupted. Maybe we . . .”

“Umm, excuse me, Ms. Caldwell, but could you stop jumping to conclusions? What I was trying to ask is if we could talk candidly on the subject. I think it would help me understand what makes you tick if I stop acting childish and be willing to listen to the details of your experiences,” he said. “But I don’t think my mom calling was any type of sign. You’re the one who always stop us.”

“That is not true! During the counter top incident we both stopped. But the next time Dane woke up and nearly caught us on the couch. Then there’s the time we were on my living room floor, damn near naked, and Tamara called asking if I could watch the kids because Jamel had been in a car accident. And then . . .”

“Okay, okay little court reporter. You always gotta prove me wrong, don’t you?” Pierce laughed. “But you’re right. There does always seem to be something stopping us. But anyway . . .”

Pierce asked a bunch of personal, very specific questions and was surprised by what little experience Jade actually had. It came as no surprise she was most active with Richard but it was shocking how unadventurous she’d been with him. Jade explained that her lack of sexual experimentation had more to do with trust, or distrust to be more accurate. Most things she wouldn’t do because she didn’t fully trust her partner. She acknowledged how ridiculous it sounded to go to bed with someone in whom she had no confidence, but there were still parts of her they couldn’t have. If there were such a thing as an “inner hoe” Jade was reserving it for her husband. He was the only man she’d trust enough to be completely uninhibited.

“I love the sound of that,” Pierce smiled at her.

The fact that she hadn’t slept the night before began to take its toll and Jade told Pierce she was sleepy and needed to go home. He offered his bed or the couch if she preferred. Jade shook her head no and got up to leave. Pierce pled with her to stay and promised to be a gentleman. Again she said no.

“So what, you don’t trust me?” The issue of trust was definitely a sore spot coming off their argument the night before.

“It’s not you I don’t trust. It’s me. I just feel really emotional right now and I’ve got a lot of stuff on my mind and, I don’t know. I’m a mess.”

“What’s on your mind, babe?” Pierce asked, as he grabbed Jade’s hands. “Please, just talk to me. I don’t want you to leave, Jade. I need to be around you right now. So please, just tell me what’s on your mind.”

Jade let out a deep breath. “You remember when I first told you why I wanted to wait to have sex?”

“Yeah.”

“I had a lot of issues from the past and kind of an unhealthy view on sex and all that. Well, I thought that was the only issue but it’s not. I’m just . . . I,” Jade stuttered, trying to get her thoughts together. Pierce caressed her hands and told her to relax and take her time. “I love you, Pierce. I really do. I’ve never felt for anybody what I feel for you. But I’m so scared of being . . .” Jade swallowed hard. “I just don’t wanna be a mistake you look back on and regret like . . . you know.”

“Like Tina?” he frowned, dumbfounded she could even think such a thing. “Are you serious?”

“Yeah, I mean I know it’s not exactly the same, but . . .”

“It’s not at all the same! Not even close! How could you let something like that cross your mind, Jade? What happened with Tina was a drunken mistake that got me a wonderful little boy. Everything with you is deliberate and heartfelt and amazing. I’m in love with you, Jade, and I could never regret being with you, you

hear me?” Pierce asked before planting a soft kiss on her lips. “Now do you want the bed or the couch?”

And with that they were right back at square one. Jade couldn’t seem to make him understand she needed to go home. There was no way in the world she could continue to be so close to Pierce and not give in to the strong sexual desires she was having for him.

“I can’t stay, babe. I know you’re frustrated with me but please try to understand. I don’t wanna keep making the same mistakes either. When I make love again I really do want it to be with my husband and . . . oh god, see now I’ve freaked you out! That’s why I need to go, Pierce, because I’m all emotional and now I’m making you . . .”

“No, I’m not freaked out.”

“Yeah, right, tell that to the terrified look on your face.”

“It’s not that at all, babe. It’s just . . . have you ever had a thought or an idea about something but you didn’t mention it to a person. And then when they brought it up and you said, yeah I was thinking that too, they never believe you because it was after the fact. There’s no way you can ever prove you’d thought about it before they mentioned it.”

“Ooookay,” Jade hummed, not having a clue what Pierce was talking about.

“If I let you walk out of here right now I fear that very thing will happen.”

“Babe, what are you talking about?”

“Can you hold on for a few minutes? Please, Jade.”

“Yeah, okay,” she said then took a seat on the couch while he ran into his bedroom. “Pierce, are you okay? What’s wrong?” Jade panicked when he came back to the living room looking nervous and pale.

“Nothing’s wrong, babe. For the first time in my life everything is right. I knew from the first moment I laid eyes on you that you were meant to be with me forever. You’re the love of my life, Jade, and I don’t want to spend another day apart. I want you here with me and Dane,” Pierce said then knelt in front of her. Jade’s eyes grew as wide as saucers! “Now see, he and I had something really special planned, but I don’t ever want you to question my sincerity. And if I had let you leave I fear you would’ve always wondered why I proposed.” He opened the ring box and held it out in front of her.

Jade was mesmerized by the gorgeous 3.0 carat, white gold princess cut diamond ring. She kept staring at it expecting to wake up from a wonderful dream!

“I love you with every part of my being. And I’ve never been surer of anything than I am of you being the woman God made just for me. You’re such a beautiful person, Jade, inside and out. You’re smart and funny and you make me happier than I ever knew was possible.” Tears sprang to Pierce’s eyes, as he smiled at her sweetly. “For the first time in my life, I’m in love. So it’s without hesitation,

doubt, or reservation that I ask you this. Jade Elise Caldwell, will you marry me?” It seemed like an eternity passed with her staring at him, not blinking or saying a word. “Jade? Baby? Did you hear me?”

“Yes.”

“Yes you heard me or yes you’ll marry me?”

“Yes, I’ll marry you!” Jade screamed, as she fell to her knees in front of him. She threw her arms around Pierce and nearly knocked him over. He managed to lift them both to their feet with her kissing his face. “I can’t believe this! You really wanna marry me?”

“Of course I wanna marry you, Jade! I’ve been looking for rings for months,” Pierce admitted.

“Really?”

“Yes, woman! Why do you seem so surprised? I knew you were the one for me the moment we met. But that night at the emergency room with Dane sealed the deal for me. I went looking for rings the very next day. Speaking of which, let me make this official.” Pierce took the ring out of the box and slid it on her finger. Then he kissed her hand. “You like it?”

“Do I like it? Man, I love it! This ring is fabulous!” Jade screamed, jumping up and down. Then she held her hand out to get a good look at it. “I love you so much, Pierce, and I can’t wait to be your wife.” She kissed him.

“Alright, girl, you about to get in trouble,” he smiled. “Oh, here I’ve got something else for you,” Pierce said then handed her an envelope.

Jade thought when she and Pierce finally made love they’d be ripping each other’s clothes off in a frenzy. Instead, he undressed her slowly staring through her with those piercing eyes, arousing every one of her senses.

“You’re so beautiful. I love you,” Pierce whispered, then proceeded to touch and taste every inch of Jade. The feel of his hands on her body was electric and his kiss intense. Before long she was pleading with Pierce to make love to her!

“Yes, ma’am,” he replied with that sly smile she adored. Then Pierce loved Jade completely; mind, body, and soul. What she experienced with him was unlike anything she’d ever imagined or knew was possible. It was hard for Jade to comprehend how someone touching her for the first time could know so instinctively how to please her. Pierce seemed to anticipate her every need and desire and was able to fulfill each one of them. He introduced Jade to a whole new world of passion and any inhibitions she may have had before were left at the door! Her inner hoe was set free and Jade gave herself to Pierce completely without fear or hesitation. Something for which she was greatly rewarded—with that ever elusive orgasm!

Jade didn’t know whether to cry, laugh, or scream so she did a little of each. Being able to climax multiple times after never having one at all was the most incredible thing to ever happen to her and she couldn’t get enough.

“Wooooow,” Jade purred, as she stared at him with a look of wonder.

“Wooooow back at you,” Pierce panted, as he lay on his back glistening with sweat. “That was amazing!”

“Well, alright Butterscotch Thunder!” Jade laughed loudly. During one of their many midnight phone conversations Pierce told her if he ever became a stripper his stage name would be Butterscotch Thunder.

Pierce cracked up laughing. “You are so crazy, you know that? I can’t believe you even remembered that mess,” he continued to laugh. “I’m surprised you didn’t add it to the list.”

“What list?” Jade frowned.

“The list of things you called me a little while ago . . . Captain America, DeJuan, mothafucka!” They both burst out laughing!

“I’m so sorry, babe. All I can do is plead insanity,” Jade giggled. “I really did feel like I was out of my mind for a while there. I finally get what all the hype is about because that was phenomenal. I gotta give you your props, Butterscotch, you got mad skills. And now that you’ve unlocked my inner hoe, I’ma be all up on you!” she said then nestled up to him. “I just can’t believe how amazing this . . . well, I guess I don’t have to explain it to you, huh? You’ve probably felt this way millions of times and I’m just going on and on like a little newbie that . . .”

“Whoa, what you mean I’ve felt like this a million times?” Pierce frowned, as he lifted his head to look at her.

“You know what I’m saying, babe. I didn’t mean it offensively I’m just saying this is a new experience for me but I would imagine you’ve had plenty of women who made you feel like . . .”

“Okay stop, stop,” Pierce interrupted, taking Jade’s face into his hands. “Baby, I’ve never felt like this! You hear me? I’ve never made love with my heart before, so trust me when I tell you this experience has been just as amazing and euphoric for me as it has been for you. So please stop underestimating yourself because the truth is, you almost did me in. That’s why I was doing all that damn snapping to distract myself from that monster you unleashed on me! Good LORD,” Pierce moaned. “Ego alone kept me holding on because I couldn’t bear the thought of disappointing you. I’m glad you came when you did, though, or I would’ve been on the moon all by myself,” he laughed. “The way you move . . . ooh, girl, you had a brotha delirious! I’ve never felt so out of control of myself and I could barely take it. If that was a boxing match you would’ve had me against the ropes the entire time. The headlines would’ve read, P. Jamison, K.O.’d in the first few seconds of the very first round!”

“You so silly,” she smiled.

“Seriously though, Jade, you’re an amazing lover and I feel honored that you loved and trusted me enough to surrender yourself and go buck wild. You are my perfect match, in every way and I’m hopelessly in love with you. Shoot, why do you think I married you? I mean, yeah I wanted some booty but . . .”

“Pierce!” Jade shrieked before she pushed him then burst out laughing.

He laughed loudly too, after which he kissed her tenderly. “I married you today because I knew from the moment we met you were the one for me. You’re my heart, Jade, and I wanted you to know I wasn’t just talking when I said I wanted you in my life forever. I never doubted that. And I knew making love would be as magnificent as every other part of our relationship. I love you, Mrs. Jamison, from the bottom of my heart.”

“I love you too, Mr. Jamison,” Jade smiled devilishly, as she rolled on top of him. “Now let’s go back to the moon.”

In the envelope Pierce had given Jade were two open tickets to Las Vegas. Initially she was confused and didn’t realize he was prepared to marry her as soon as they could hop on a plane. Pierce’s only condition was that they have a big reception when they returned so their family and friends could celebrate with them. Jade was concerned he may not have really considered how expensive it would be to host a reception with a full wedding party and all the trimmings. That’s when she decided to ask Pierce about his financial status. Up until then Jade didn’t think it was any of her business but considering they were a day from becoming husband and wife, she thought it was time to inquire. They disclosed their bank records and Jade was shocked to see exactly how well her man was doing for himself. The hundreds of thousands of dollars in his personal accounts made her eight thousand dollar savings look like chump change! And that didn’t even include his business accounts. Jade was impressed but a little embarrassed she hadn’t saved more.

Realizing everything closed early on Sundays, Pierce and Jade left to choose his ring and run errands to get ready for their trip to Vegas the next morning. They argued at the jeweler because he didn’t want the big, fancy ring she wanted to get.

“What do I look like giving you this plain band when you got me something so extravagant? Our rings are supposed to compliment each other, Pierce. They’re supposed to belong together.”