Black Pearl (11 page)

“So everyone knew already?” Mercedes asked Devyn, panting.

They just finished hiking to the top of the famous Walk Up Trail to the top of Stone Mountain, and were taking in the beautiful view as they rested.

“Apparently so. Nikola swears he didn’t tell them though.”

“So what did they think? How were they?” Devyn shrugged. She met Nikola’s entire family a week ago at the brunch and really enjoyed herself. Iris, of course, was the perfect host who made all the introductions and even thanked her for putting up with her “Nicky” just as Nikola said she would.

When Andre made his way over to her, he told her he was happy the cat was finally out of the bag and hugged her. She asked him how he knew and he said he knew something was up when she told him she brought Nikola coffee every morning, while she worked for him. At Devyn’s questioning gaze he told her that Nikola actually hated coffee. Surprised, Devyn thought back to whether she ever saw him drink the coffee she delivered and she hadn’t. She thought about all the mornings she’d spent at his condo and recalled never seeing him drink any coffee. She wasn’t a coffee drinker herself so she never noticed it. She asked Nikola about it. He shrugged.

“I liked the idea of you thinking about me enough to bring me coffee in the mornings.” She shook her head and glared at him before he grabbed her by the waist and nibbled at her neck until she giggled and pushed him away.

“They were great. So warm and inviting. I knew Iris was wonderful already, but I didn’t know how she would take me dating her son. She was great and seemed to like the idea of me spending more time with her. We actually went out to dinner this week, since Nikola’s away,” Devyn answered with genuine affection for the older woman evident in her voice.

“So when do I finally get to meet him? You’re damn near living with him and I still haven’t vetted him yet,” Mercedes teased.

“I am not living with him.” Mercedes side-eyed her.

“You’re over his place more than you’re at your own. He’s been away all week and you’ve stayed at his place. Tell me that’s not living with him.”

That was at Nikola’s insistence, of course. He told Devyn he liked the idea of her at his place when he got home. He reasoned since his place was closer to work than hers, it only made sense for her to stay. After some convincing that involved Devyn being face down ass up, screaming his name, she finally agreed.

She smiled at the memory.

“Oooh girl. I know that look. You are turned out. I need to meet him. Soon,” Devyn laughed. Her friend was right, she was sprung.

“Okay, I’ll see what we’re doing next weekend. Maybe we can have dinner before our performance that night.”

“He’s going to the show?” Mercedes asked and Devyn rolled her eyes.

“He comes to
all
my shows. Says it’s because he enjoys watching me perform, but I know it’s to make sure other men don’t get out of line.” Devyn shook her head and smiled. He was like her personal bodyguard on the nights she performed.

“I don’t know. Have you seen your ass? He could definitely be there just to see you perform.”

Devyn laughed. “Shut up. Let’s go, I’m hungry.”

Later that evening Devyn was preparing for the following Monday when her phone rang. She didn’t recognize the number, but answered anyway. Soon as she heard the voice on the other end she regretted that decision.

“How did you get my number, Marcus?” Devyn had changed her cell number when they broke up.

“Is that any way to greet the man you once loved?”

“Used to. Not anymore and not for a long time. How did you get my number?”

“I’m an officer of the law. You think it’s that hard to get your information?” A chill ran down her spine. She didn’t like the idea of him being able to get her personal information so easily. 

“What do you want?” She asked tersely.

“I want you to get my job back at the security firm,” he said angrily. Devyn laughed humorlessly.

“Are you crazy? You deserve to get fired for what you did.”

“For what I did? I was merely having a conversation with you and that white boy wanted to go all captain save-a-ho!”

“Did you just–? I’m not doing this. You deserved to be fired. Don’t call me again. Leave me alone!” She said loudly.

She heard him yell her name as she hung up. She immediately blocked his number and blocked his email for good measure. She had blocked him on all the social media sites she used, more than a year ago. She had thought that would be the last she heard from him. Now, he was calling her. Rattled she took a calming breath and went to finish her chores before settling in for the night. It was a short work week because the 4th of July fell on that Thursday. Nikola wasn’t scheduled to return until the morning of the 4th. He was in New York, and then Boston for business meetings. She really missed him, although they talked or Skyped daily.

When she finished cleaning and preparing for the following day, she took a shower and then rubbed herself down with body cream. Nikola had bought all of her favorite skin and hair creams. When she told him it wasn’t necessary he insisted, saying he never wanted her to run out of his favorite scents on her. Devyn pulled out his West Point t-shirt and pulled it over her head as she settled into bed and turned on the TV.

She tried to forget for the rest of the night the nagging feeling in the pit of her stomach; telling her to be wary of Marcus’ reappearance and it wouldn’t end there.

Nikola entered his condo and stopped short at the sight in front of him. Devyn stood in his kitchen, wearing one of his West Point t-shirts and a pair of purple and white polka dot boy shorts. He got a glimpse of her panties when she bent over to check something in the oven. Evidently, she was cooking and whatever it was, it smelled delicious. He would have made his presence known, but she stood up and danced to the loud music she had playing. Nikola recognized the music and smiled. He didn’t know his woman was into alternative music. He learned something new about her every day.

His woman
loved
to dance. Watching her move across the kitchen in time to the music—he could have kicked himself for even thinking of asking her to quit performing. Granted, he still didn’t like to see men pawing at her, but watching her in his kitchen he could see the fire she had for dancing and music. The thought of anyone, even him, trying to extinguish that flame, made all his protective instincts go on high alert. He knew he would do anything to keep that happiness and passion of hers protected, even when it meant he needed to cool it with his controlling ways. 

Kicking off his shoes and placing his bag on the floor he slowly and quietly walked up behind Devyn and placed his hands around her waist. She yelped in surprised, which turned to a moan when he leaned down and placed kisses along her neck.

“Mmm. You scared me. You’re not supposed to be here until tomorrow morning,” she said turning in his embrace.

“I couldn’t wait that long to see you.” He bent to capture her lips in a searing kiss. “If I knew this is what I would come home to, I would have gotten on the damn plane a lot sooner,” he said against her lips while his hands moved over her hips and ass.

“I missed you,” she told him.

“Then welcome me home properly.” He bent to kiss her again and grabbed her thighs lifting her.

She immediately wrapped her legs around his waist. He strolled out of the kitchen. Knowing he would not make it to the bedroom before the need to be inside her overtook him; he went to the couch in his living room. As soon as he sat down, he ripped his t-shirt over Devyn’s head, baring her breasts to him. His gaze turned hungry and he captured a nipple in his mouth while he played with the other, pulling and rotating it between his thumb and forefinger.

“Nikola.” Devyn moaned as she began to work her hips on his cock.

Needing to feel more of her, Nikola reached down and ripped her panties off her. At Devyn’s gasp he told her he would buy her more. He probably owed her a few hundred dollars’ worth of underwear considering all the panties he tore off her, anxious to get inside her. He reached down and began stroking her clit and Devyn clutched his shoulders tightly. Inserting one finger, then two, Nikola worked her pussy over, getting her good and ready for his cock. Devyn moved her hips and ground her pussy on his fingers.

“That’s it baby. Work my pussy for me.” He let his thumb massage her clit as he sucked on her nipple. Within seconds he felt her thighs tremble and her muscles clench as her orgasm rocked through her. He removed his fingers and put them to her lips.

“Clean them,” he commanded.

She opened her mouth and licked and sucked all her juices off his fingers. Nikola removed his fingers from her mouth and replaced them with his tongue. He kissed her with the all passion he’d been unable to release over the last week. As he kissed her, he felt Devyn’s hands slide down to unbuckle his belt and pants. He lifted his hips to help her move his pants down, and his thick erection sprang outward. Devyn’s hand moved to stroke his length. She backed off his hips and went to her knees.

“I want to taste you.”

She dipped her head and circled his cock with her mouth. Nikola threw his head back onto the couch as soon as her warm breath made contact with his erection. He let his hand reach for the back of her head and guided her as she bobbed up and down on his cock. He felt her reach to massage his heavy sacks and he let out a curse. She licked him from stem to the tip and he knew he was close. He wanted to cum inside her.

Pulling her up off his cock, he guided her to straddle his waist. “I need to come inside you.”

He said before positioning his cock at her entrance and pushing up as she sank down on him. They both let out a loud groan. Nikola gripped her waist tightly as Devyn began to ride him with abandon. He sat back on the couch and watched her as her breasts bounced up and down, with her eyes closed and mouth parted in silent a scream. He missed that look of passion for the last week. He began pumping meeting her stroke for stroke. Devyn squeezed her pussy muscles and his eruption was automatic.

“Devyn… fuck!”

“Nikola!” She screamed as her orgasm hit her. She jerked and shivered as she came. Finally spent, she collapsed onto his shoulder to catch her breath. Nikola stroked her damp back in a soothing motion. A few minutes later she sat up.

“Welcome back,” she said around a vibrant smile.

He kissed the tip of her nose. “It’s good to be back.” He pressed a kiss to her lips.

“I didn’t know you were an Evanescence fan,” he said referring to the music that played. Devyn looked up as if she just realized the music was still on.

“Yup. Fallen is one of my favorite albums.”

“Mine too,” he said standing up with her still impaled on him and legs wrapped around his waist.

“Let’s take a shower.”

That night, they ate the roasted chicken and vegetables Devyn was preparing for his return the next day.

Nikola told her about the business meetings he had been in and new deals he was considering. She told him about her week and hiking with Mercedes. Nikola agreed to a double date with her friend Mercedes and her latest boyfriend. He knew Devyn had another performance this weekend, and he agreed to going out to an early dinner beforehand. He looked forward to meeting her best friend.

“Your girl is hot!” Mercedes whispered leaning across the table to Nikola. He smiled.

“I know.” Devyn was on stage performing to Celia Cruz’s
La Negra Tiene Tumbao
again. Nikola thought back to the first time he saw her perform this very same act. That was more than two months ago and he never got tired of seeing her perform. Although she only performed two or three times a month, she would often practice a new song or routine for him. He even attended one of her practices, but Mercedes had been away on business. They had dinner earlier in the evening at a Thai restaurant. There, Nikola met Mercedes and her boyfriend Quince, who seemed nice, but quiet. Devyn told him on the drive over that Mercedes wasn’t really into him anymore and she’d probably move on soon, so not to get used to him.

“You know she’s been through a lot of bullshit right?” Mercedes asked bluntly.

Nikola raised an eyebrow and nodded. “I do.”

He knew she was referring to Devyn’s ex. Devyn still hadn’t told him the whole story about her ex, but from what he gathered, he wasn’t a good guy at all.

“Then you know she doesn’t need any more bullshit.”

He pinned her with an unflinching stare. “I know that too.”

He understood her meaning. She was warning him against hurting her friend.

“Good. Just so we’re clear.” Mercedes stood and smiled at him before heading back to get ready for her performance, leaving Nikola alone at the table. Quince said he had to be up early in the morning and parted with them after dinner. Mercedes didn’t seem to care all that much. Nikola focused on the rest of Devyn’s performance, stomping and clapping with the rest of the audience when she gave them a bow and blew a kiss before exiting the stage.

“What’d you think?” Devyn came from backstage a few minutes later, dressed in a long black silk robe.

“You were wonderful as usual,” he gushed, pulling her onto his lap and kissing her.

“Mercedes is next. I wanted to watch her with you. She’s phenomenal,” she said excitedly, draping an arm around his shoulders and nestling into his embrace.

A minute later Mistress Coco came out and announced Mercedes to the stage. Mercedes emerged behind two large white feathers, one held in each hand. The opening words of Nina Simone’s
Feeling Good
began to play and Mercedes fanned her feathers. She glided across the stage and strutted to the music, discarding first the feathers, then the long shimmery dress. The song was a short one, so her performance was rather short, but nonetheless great. Devyn sat up and whistled and clapped louder than anyone. Nikola laughed at her excitement.

“Didn’t I tell you she was great?!” She exclaimed.

Nikola looked at her, admiring the fact that although he’d just seen her best friend, damn near naked she wasn’t concerned or insecure. She was supportive. He hugged her tighter.

“She was good, but you’re still my favorite performer,” Devyn giggled as he placed feather light kisses on her neck. She moved out of his hold and stood.

“I’m going to go change and be back in a few.” As she walked away, Nikola stared at her back.
Damn, I love her.
That singular thought washed over him. The realization sank in and he slumped back in his chair at the power of his realization. He was in love with Devyn Williams. The woman he desired from afar for nearly three years had stolen his heart. And he wasn’t all that sure he cared to have it back. Nikola dated many women in the past and he’d been involved in some serious relationships. He even believed he was in love with a few women, but he never felt anything like this. Devyn’s happiness had become as important to him as his own. She was his first thought in the morning and his last thought before he fell asleep. After two months of dating, he couldn’t comfortably sleep in his own bed unless she was there with him. He was in love and he was happy with this knowledge.

Nikola decided to wait on telling Devyn the magnitude of his feelings for her. He didn’t want to scare her off. He suspected she might be fearful of any serious commitment due to her asshole ex, but Nikola wasn’t going anywhere. He stood to stretch his legs as he waited, and walked over to the bar. On his way back he saw a medium sized dark haired man speaking with Mistress Coco. Nikola would have minded his business, but the man mentioned Black Pearl and he had Nikola’s full attention.

“She’s a beauty and only to have been dancing for a year. She’s would be a great addition to our group.”

“She is one of a kind.” Nikola overheard Mistress Coco say.

“Would you be able to introduce us? I would love to ask her about her plans for the future.”

Nikola’s fists tightened at his sides. He looked at the man. He had long dark hair that was slicked back, a worn leather jacket and jeans. Besides the informal wear, something about the man’s face told Nikola not to trust him. If Nikola had learned anything from his father it had been to trust his instincts. This lesson had only been reinforced throughout his military career. He’d gotten his team out of some pretty harrowing situations because of listening to his instincts. So when his instincts told him not to trust this man who was talking about the woman Nikola loved, he went with those instincts. Waiting for Mistress Coco to walk away, Nikola approached the man.

Without any preamble he laid it out. “She’s not interested,” he said sternly.

“I’m sorry? Who–?” Nikola cut him off.

“Black Pearl. Whatever you want with her – she is not interested. Don’t bother her.”

“And you’re her manager?”

Nikola stepped closer. “Who I am doesn’t matter. She’s not interested in whatever you want with her.” Nikola saw the man attempt to counter, and stepped even closer.

“Black Pearl is mine. Don’t contact her. Leave her alone,” Nikola looked the man square in the eye. “Or you’ll regret it.”

The man wisely chose to step back his face contorting to resignation.

“Hey, man I don’t want any problems. I’ll leave her alone,” he said raising his hands in surrender, before turning and walking away. Nikola eyed the man as he walked out of the door. A few minutes later when Devyn showed up, he grabbed her hand and dragged her out of the club. He needed to get home and inside of her.