Stern Desire Love Redeemed (15 page)

It was my birthday and my greatest wish was that it would go
by quietly, no excitements, no well wishes. My family refused to listen, and my mom would be at the house as usual preparing a medley of my favorite dishes. Jenn would be taking care of Jared's dressing in my stead. Customarily, I would
spend the later part of the evening with Nate and my inner city kids.

I was very proud of these kids; they were teenagers, but were my kids. They had gone on to win several competitions, and I beamed with
pride seeing them dance and be the best at what they did. Dancing is a release, an escape, and a healing tool for me and I understand it is also true for these kids. They lived to dance and they were good at it. Not only did dancing rescue them from the street, but dancing cultivated discipline, instigated teamwork, and gave them a sense of accomplishment, belonging, and pride.

Every year on my birthday, the kids took the trip up to Derek's Studio. Derek was a famous dancer choreographer who had been my dance
instructor for years. I looked forward to our impromptu dance show and watching the kids' dance routines. Derek and I introduced them to a different dance style other than urban hip hop, and they taught me the latest hip hop moves.

"Mom, your phone has been ringing," Nate said as I sat next to him. He was so engrossed in the game on his phone, I was surprised he heard mine ringing.

I had three missed calls from Jenn and two from Jared.

"Kyra, please don't be mad at me," Jenn answered her phone.

"What happened, Jenn?"

"Why didn't you tell him I was coming today to do his
dressings?"

"I wanted to avoid the explanation, and I didn't want him to know today was my birthday."

"So you let me walk into the mess."

"He knows?"

"Kyra, he knew it was your birthday. He was expecting to see you, and I showed up. He inquired about where you were. Why didn't you come? he asked, and I told him it was your birthday, and that you do not usually celebrate it. He wanted to know why, but I told him you'd have to
answer that one."

"What was his mood like?"

"Disappointed, a bit withdrawn."

"He's called me twice, Jenn."

"Are you going to answer?"

"No."

"Kyra, I think you should."

"I'll talk to him tomorrow."

"I'm stopping by. See you in a few."

I contemplated calling Jared, but placed my phone back in my bag and joined the kids on stage. I waved at Jenn as she sat next to Nate and placed an arm around him.

Derek and I danced one of our salsa routines. The dance was
lively, fiery hot, and sultry, as Derek led me back and forth to the fast pace beat of the music. The kids cheered and hollered as we did our acrobatic lift, splits, spins and sharp, crisp turns. When the driving beat of the music and
the dance connected us, the dance evolved into a very sensual and passionate art form. As the music came to an end, Derek spun me around and I bent backwards over his knee. He pulled me up to a stand and in the back row Jared
was seated next to J.C. My racing heart stopped and I walked numbly off the stage.

"Jenn, please do not look behind you," I said as I sat next to her and removed a towel from my bag. "Did you tell Jared I was
here because he is sitting in the back?"

"Kyra, I did not."

I dried myself and took a sip of water.

"How did he find me?"

"I don't know, but I didn't tell him."

It was time for the kids to take the trip back to the city. After bidding them goodbye, I approached Jared. Our eyes never left each other's as I purposefully walked toward him and sat on the chair facing him.

"What are you doing here, Jared? And how did you find me?"

"Why didn't you answer my calls, or better yet why didn't you tell me you weren't coming today?"

"You are asking me questions that you already know the answers to."

"How did you find me?" I repeated.

"I'm sorry to intrude."

"I don't like this, Jared."

"I'm sorry, Kyra, but you weren't answering my calls. I have not heard from you all day." He reached over to touch my face.

"Don't!" I said sternly and watched as his hand
came closer.

I closed my eyes as he placed his warm hand against my cheek. "Can we talk, Kyra?"

"Not tonight, Jared." His fingertip stroked my cheek, summoning the heated passion in me.

"Meet me in the car, please. I won't take up too much of your time." He picked up his crutches and left.

I sat next to Nate and draped my arm around his shoulders, pulling him close to me.

"Mom, was that Jared you were talking to?"

"Yes. I need to talk to him, so Jenn is going to take you home, okay?"

"Can you invite him over, Mom?" he asked eagerly.
"I'll get to show him my games, and Grandma can finally meet him."

"How did Grandma find out about Jared?"

"I'm sorry, Mom," Nate said apologetically, "but it kind of slipped out."

"That's okay. Don't worry about it."

"So, are you going to invite him over?"

"I don't think it's a good idea, especially tonight."

"Come on, Mom - please!" He gave me his puppy dog look that made it almost impossible for me to say no. His innocent, big brown eyes pleaded for a "yes."

"I'll think hard about it."

"Thanks, Mom. I love you. You're the best."

Jenn took Nate home. I splashed some water on my face, let my ponytail out, and ran a comb through it. I was dressed in an aqua blue, low-rise, knee length legging with a racer back tank top. I suddenly felt very
self-conscious. My curves were accentuated and I was showing a great deal of skin. I pulled on an oversized shirt that covered up to my waist; wished it was a little longer, but it would have to do.

J.C. opened the door of the black SUV and I slid in next to Jared.

"You are a great dancer."

"I've been dancing since I was a little girl."

"How long have you been dancing with that guy?"

"I've been dancing with Derek for the past five years."

"You two have such a connection, I felt like I was watching a love scene."

"If you are uncomfortable with that, it's too bad. Derek and I are dance partners. That's it." I turned to open the door, and stopped short as he reached over and placed his hand on mine.

"Kyra, I'm sorry if I upset you. I enjoyed watching you
dance, and those kids are amazing."

"Thank you. I'm sorry I snapped at you."

"I had a special surprise for you today."

"As you have heard, I don't celebrate my birthday."

"I didn't know that."

"Jared, this is a very emotional day for me. Rob died on my birthday. He was going to propose to me that night. Soon after his death,
I got a call from a young lady who he was seeing behind my back, and she happened to be pregnant with his child. So I'm sure you can understand why I wish this day would go by unnoticed."

"Kyra, I'm sorry."

"This is what I usually do on my birthday. I spend time with the kids and I dance. It brings me joy and comfort."

"I'm sorry to impose, but I was concerned."

"Jared, it's okay."

"Kyra, I'm sure the day isn't all that bad. Rob saved your son."

"Yes, he did." I reclined into the contours of the lush leather seat. "Jared, I'm sorry," I repeated.

"Kyra, I'm here."

"Thank you, Jared." I sighed. "Why don't you come over to the house?"

"Are you sure?

"I'm sure; Nate wanted me to extend the invitation to you, and you'll get to meet my mom."

"Is this the right time?"

"Yes, she'll be happy to meet you."

My mom celebrates all my birthdays with us. She cooks, seeing that's the only thing I allow her to do. The sound of the garage door opening brought Nate running out. He was happy to see Jared and greeted him with exuberance.

"Thanks for inviting me over," Jared said to Nate.

"I can't wait to show you my games."

"I'm sure you have some cool ones, too."

"The best."

Mom and Aunt Maggie were in the kitchen when Nate brought Jared in.

"Grandma, this is Jared, Mom's friend."

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Harris."

"Jared, you can call me Adele." She hugged him. "I'm glad to finally meet you."

"Likewise. I see where Kyra gets her good looks."

My mom beamed. "That's very sweet. Would you like
something to eat?" She offered Jared and J.C. some food.

We had a delightful, hearty dinner and then Nate dragged Jared off to his room to play games.

A while later Nate and Jared entered the family room.

"Mom, Jared did it. He defeated the masked man." Nate was elated.

For over a week, Nate had been stuck on the final level of his new game. He had spent numerous frustrating hours trying to defeat the
masked man, until now. Jared had won him over.

"We figured it out together," Jared said, not wanting to take all the credit.

"It was so cool! I wish we could play again."

"Sorry, Nate, you have school in the morning, but I'd love to come back."

"How about tomorrow? Please, Mom."

"Nate, please get ready for bed. Say goodnight."

"Bye, Jared. See you soon."

"Bye, Nate. It was fun."

.

"Thanks for inviting me over," Jared said as I walked him out to his vehicle.

"You're welcome."

"How are you feeling?"

"Let's say you being here was very therapeutic."

"I'm glad; remember I'm here to please." He placed
his back against the SUV for balance, and put his crutches next to him. He pulled me against his hard body. "Can I convince you to come back with me tonight?" His hands encircled my waist, holding me securely against him.

"Sorry, I can't. I have to work in the morning."

He smiled and a mischievous spark flickered in his eyes. I braced myself for his seduction. He lowered his head. His breath against my
neck sent a prickly feeling from the nape of my neck down the length of my spine. I melted in his arms.

"What if I convince you?" He nibbled at my neck. Placed a firm hand on my butt and pulled me closer into his body. His hardness
aroused me.

"I'm sure you could easily convince me, Jared, but if you behave I promise we can celebrate real soon."

He seemed to be intrigued by that idea. He planted soft little kisses down the length of my neck to my shoulder.

"A belated birthday celebration?" he asked between kisses.

"Yes," I hissed as his trail of kisses weakened my knees and I held him tighter. His hand slowly glided down to my butt, his
spread fingers cradling my butt and as his hot, urgent lips found mine he squeezed hard. A moan escaped my mouth as my butt cheeks pulled apart under his firm grip; my v-jay slightly opened from the strain and sweet, warm fluid
trickled from me. A couple of inches over my hot, leaking, throbbing v-jay betrayed me again longing, impatiently awaiting his touch.

I woke up in one of my blissful moods. It was one of those days when I felt so happy to be alive, and was ready to conquer the world. It
was going to be a great day. As Aunt Magg bustled around in the kitchen, the aromatic scent of coffee drifted upstairs. In my mind I ran through today's agenda: meeting at work, Jared's dressing change, and drop off paperwork at
school.

The meeting seemed to drag on for hours even though it lasted an hour and a half. My exuberance returned as I drove to Jared's house and increased as I rang the doorbell. Almost immediately the door swung open.
This was a first; he had never opened the door and was always waiting for me on the patio. He had a huge smile on his face. They had removed the external fixator.

"When did this happen?"

"Two days ago."

"Two days ago! Jenn came the past two days."

"I asked her not to say anything."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"Because I wanted to do this."

I found myself being hoisted in the air. Instinctively my legs wrapped around his waist. Jared turned and pressed my back against the wall, almost knocking the wind out of me. Fierce, raging passion emanated from
him. His eyes blazed with unyielding fervor. His mouth found mine, heated and hard, and his passionate moans sent an urgency through me. I moaned as my v-jay leaked its precious juice in readiness for him.

I was exposed; the flirty, short skirt I wore did little to
cover me since it was hiked up around my hips; the thin layer of my lace underwear did even less to protect my integrity, or contain my pulsating v-jay. So long I'd yearned for his hands on my wet, throbbing v-jay. I covered his
wandering hand with mine, with the purpose of guiding it to my thirsty, sex deprived v-jay. Sensing my intentions, he slowly lowered me to the ground, his face etched with the fight of tumultuous passion.

"Not here," Jared said his forehead pressed
against mine, his eyes tightly shut.

"Don't stop, please," I begged fervently.

He placed a finger on my bruised lips.

I straightened my shirt, smoothed my skirt over my thighs,
and ran my fingers through my hair. What was I thinking? This was not the place or the time and even though he could have taken me here and now, he was stronger than I was.

"So how is the leg?" I asked apprehensively,
somewhat embarrassed at my plea for him to take me in his foyer.

"Are you asking as my nurse or girlfriend?"

"Your girlfriend who happens to be a nurse."

"I've never been better," he leaned forward to kiss me.

"I need to get to school," I said.

"We still have half an hour," he replied.

"If I was still your nurse. My services ended when your external fixator came off." I pointed out. "Remember, we are celebrating tonight. Dinner and dancing?"

"Sounds good, but I've made plans..."

"Pick you up at six," I said as I opened the door.

As I drove away, I called and made reservations for a private table outside on the waterway of my favorite seafood restaurant.

.

I picked up Jared promptly at six. He was dressed in a black and white True Religion tee shirt, some tight fitting, sexy ass hugging jean, and Timberland boots that were halfway laced up. He had the bad boy swagger
going tonight and I loved it. His ass looked absolutely delicious in those jeans, and I resisted the urge to grab and squeeze them. As I drove over the bridge leading out of Star Island, I noticed a black, heavily tinted Cadillac Escalade following us.

"Do we need an escort tonight?" I asked.

"You won't even know they are there," Jared assured me.

I pulled up to a rustic building decorated with anchors and floating rings. The scent of mouth-watering seafood floated up my nostrils. We
were led to a private table at the end of the patio overlooking the intercostal waterway. The heavy metal chair scraped loudly on the wooden floor as Jared pulled the chair out for me. He sat opposite to me with his back to the
beautiful sunset.

"Don't you want to enjoy the view?" I asked Jared as I squirmed uncomfortably under his stare. His eyes were a mirror reflection of the glowing orange sunset behind him.

"I already am. There's no better view than what I'm looking at right now." He stared me in the eye. I smiled and looked away shyly.

We were seated at a weather beaten, wooden table covered with
a large piece of white paper that was held down by small sand bags at each corner. A cool wind swept across the intercostal, and the paper on the table rustled in the wind.

Our waitress came over, a petite blond woman. Her hair
pulled back in a ponytail, her black apron crisp and clean. She greeted Jared and her eyes never left him. She offered him recommendations from the menu and wrote his order on a note pad. She took my order with less zeal.

We donned white plastic bibs to protect our clothes. Cracking
crab legs could get really messy. With a wooden mallet, we banged the crab legs on the table; the banging echoed over the patio. We laughed as Jared hit a Dungeness crab claw with the wooden mallet and it went flying across the table.
At the end of our dinner, our hands were dirty and the table just as filthy. It was a fun, very satisfying meal, and I was ready to move the evening on to the next phase. Thinking about where it would end excited me.

"I really enjoyed dinner," Jared said he slid his arm around my waist and pulled me to him when we left the restaurant. "I didn't realize how much I'd missed this."

"Would you like me to drive?" he offered as we
approached the car.

"I'll do the driving," I answered.

.

I took Jared to a little club in my neighborhood where I'd been twice before with Jenn. It was small and intimate; they played great music
and it was more for the mature crowd. No wild teenagers on the dance floor, no crowds, no deafening techno music. Just mature adults drinking, dancing, and unwinding.

We both had non-alcoholic drinks, and watched the people on
the dance floor.

"Would you like to dance, now that I don't have my crutches?" Jared asked.

"Sure." I placed my hand in his and he led me to the dance floor.

He was actually an excellent dancer. He did not miss a beat. In the beginning he led and I followed. Afterwards, I put him to the test and took the lead. Everywhere I moved, he was there with me. I laughed.

"Surprised?" he said in my ear as he pulled me
close and we rocked to the beat.

"It's a very pleasant surprise."

We twirled around the dance floor to the latest music. All eyes were on us as we dominated the dance floor. I could not have asked for a
better partner and envisioned us putting on music and dancing for hours. Dance lessons that I took up for fun and exercise had finally paid off. He pulled me close as we swayed to a slow paced music. His warm breath on my neck, strong
hands sensually caressing my back, my full breasts pressed against his chest, had me all hot and bothered. He held me tightly as if he feared I would vanish if he let go, and our hips swayed together as though we were conjoined. Jared's
hardened manhood pressed against me with every movement, teasing me, stirring that maddening ache inside of me. I wanted him badly. I wished I could have him right there on the dance floor.

"Are you ready to go?" he whispered in my ears.

I nodded.

Outside the club he took the car keys from me, opened the passenger door, and I slid in the passenger seat.

"Where to, Kyra?" he asked as he started the car.

Did he really want me to say it? He wanted me to ask him to make love to me. That wasn't going to be easy because I wasn't the begging type.

"Where to, Kyra?" he repeated.

"Anywhere you want to go," I answered.

Without another word, he backed out of the parking spot and headed toward the highway.

"Where are we going?" I asked curiously as we got
on the highway.

"To our apartment," he answered, and smiled when he saw the confused look on my face.

"Did you say our apartment...do we have an apartment?"

"Yes, we do."

Did he get an apartment for us or was it the apartment that he shared with Ella? I remembered he told her to keep it. Was this our private getaway? Did he get apartments for all his lovers and give it to them as a
parting gift? I snapped out of my deep thoughts as his hand covered my knee. I took a deep breath and readied myself for the crazy flood of emotions. I glanced over at him, so relaxed and in control behind the wheel, with his eyes
fixed on the road. He skillfully maneuvered the car with one hand on the steering wheel while the other hand slowly moved up my thigh. He quickly glanced my way, his eyes filled with mischief. I turned my head toward the window and closed my eyes as his hand inched closer and closer to where no
man's hand had been in years. My insides turned into a bundle of nerves. I placed my hand on his and stopped his exploring hands a couple of inches from my v-jay. For our safety, I took his hands in mine, placed them on the center
console, and crossed my legs, squeezing and holding in the desires that threatened to overpower me.

We pulled up to the private entrance for residents at the Four Seasons Hotel and took the elevators to the sixty-eighth floor. He opened
the door to a beautifully spacious apartment with a spectacular almost 360 degree view of the city and Biscayne Bay.

The apartment was decorated with light colored furnishings in a modern luxury style, just the way I would have decorated it.

I slowly walked around the living room. The two story apartment appeared to span the entire sixty-eighth. Jared watched me impatiently as he poured himself a drink. It disappeared in one gulp. He strode over to me like a
lion about to devour its prey. In one quick sweep, I was in his arms and whisked away to the bedroom. He placed me on my feet and I swore I was right in the middle of one of those home design magazines. Soft, pale yellow lighting illuminated the room. The intricate, sophisticated carvings on the nineteenth
century, Italian, cream colored headboard made the room. The artistically carved four posters spiraled up to the ceiling with white, sheer curtain streaming down them. Soft throws and pillows adorned the well-made bed. I
wished we did not have to disturb even a pillow on this perfect bed.
So, this is where all the action will take place.
I was suddenly so nervous, and wandered into the closet which was the size of my bedroom: clothes, lingerie,
underwear, shoes, accessories, and handbags hung or were neatly folded in drawers or on shelves, all in my size with the tags still on. I stood in the middle of the closet amazed, not so much by the clothes but at the extent to which he had gone to purchase these special items.
I could have brought some
of my own clothes. A single change of clothes would have been enough, not the whole department store.
Jared's arms encircled me from behind.

"You didn't have to do this; a change of clothes would
have sufficed."

"I want you to feel at home," he said and nibbled on my ear. The sound of my dress being unzipped made it real; as it lay crumpled around my feet, I tried to control my surfacing anxiety. I was
standing in the closet only in a lacy, black panty within Jared's arms.

"I've wanted to undress you ever since I laid eyes on you," he whispered in my ear. "Countless nights I've lain awake in
bed undressing you in my mind."

Please don't let me disappoint him,
I prayed as my insecurities surfaced. I was expecting the orgasmic experience to elude me tonight, and was prepared to fake it if I had to.
Please don't let me
disappoint him,
I repeated to myself.

I turned around and he was shirtless, dressed only in his tight fitted jeans. He was beautiful. My hand went to his chiseled chest and with shaky hands outlined his hard pecs.

"You are so beautiful," he said as his hot gaze lingered on my breasts. My already firm, perky nipples heated under his stare. I felt uncomfortable under his amorous, wanting gaze, and lowered my eyes.

Jared took my hand and led me to a huge, sunken, marble tub
in the bathroom. I closed my eyes as he lowered my black, lacy panty over my hips. He knelt in front of me as he lowered it farther down my legs, his eyes travelling over every inch of my body as if taking a mental picture. I stepped
out of my panties as he lowered them around my ankles and watched as he brought the crotch to his nose and inhaled deeply, then stuffed them in his back pocket. My knees buckled and I caught myself on the sink behind me as Jared's
tongue slipped between my thighs and licked my clit; moaning as his tongue made contact with my moist, swollen exposed clit. It quivered and moisture instantly coated my inner thigh. He stood and kissed me lightly - a sweet tasting,
sensually musky scent of my clit lingered on his lips. What turned me on was not the taste or smell of my v-jay, but that he wanted to taste me and enjoyed it.

He held my hand as I climbed into the tub. I immersed myself in the well-needed warm, soothing, aromatic bubble bath to calm my unraveling
nerves. I felt like I was about to lose my virginity - scared and very apprehensive. Jared handed me a glass of champagne and I gulped it down. Anything to calm my nerves. The lights dimmed and Teddy Pendergrass set the
mood with the sexy lovemaking song, "Turn off the Lights." I heard the champagne bottle being removed from the ice bucket. I reached for my champagne glass and before me Jared stood naked, well endowed, and uncut. I
clumsily took the glass from him and downed the sweet liquid as rapidly as I could without choking. The bubbles tickled the back of my throat. I rested my head back, closed my eyes, and waited for the buzz. Jared sat on the step that led into the tub watching me, a smile on his face.