Blissfully Yours (Mills & Boon Kimani) (7 page)

Chapter 12

A
yana began to stir underneath the crisp white sheets as the sound of waves washing against the sand brought her out of a restful sleep. With her eyes still closed, she took a deep breath, inhaling the fresh ocean air. She stretched her arms, touching the bed and pillow next to her, but all she felt was the coolness of the sheet. She expected Brandon to be lying there. She opened her eyes to look for him, but he was nowhere in sight. The small bedroom was empty. She glanced at the nightstand, looking for a note from him, but there wasn't one.

Ayana's heart started to beat faster, in a mild panic.
Did he just leave without saying anything?
After sharing an intense night of lovemaking, staying up until the sun rose, she assumed that he would be cuddled up next to her, exhausted and enjoying the aftermath. The thought of him abandoning her didn't sit well.
Maybe I was wrong about our connection. Maybe it was just sex for him
.
And now that he got what he wanted, he has no further interest in me.
The inner dialogue was making her madder by the second. She began to feel used. The beautiful aftermath of lovemaking quickly evaporated.

“I'll be damned if I just lie here like an idiot and wait for him to show up,” she said aloud. Ayana ripped the sheet from around her body, threw her legs over the side of the bed and stood. She looked on the floor for her clothes, but found only her lace panties. She then remembered that their foreplay had begun in the living room, where he had disrobed her. She put on the underwear and marched toward the door, her breasts bouncing with each purposeful step.

“Hey, pretty lady, where are you off to?” Brandon asked, entering the room.

Ayana took one look at him and saw he was holding a breakfast tray complete with a bud vase with a single yellow rose. “Uh, I was looking for my clothes.” Admitting what she'd really thought was too embarrassing. Besides, it would make her seem paranoid.

“I folded them and put them over there,” he said, motioning his head toward an armchair.

Now Ayana really felt silly. Not only had he brought her breakfast, but he had also picked her clothes off the floor and folded them. “Thanks,” she said, walking over to the chair, picking up her top and slipping it on.

“You were sleeping so peacefully that I didn't want to wake you. I'm an early riser. It doesn't matter what time I go to bed, I'm always up between six and six-thirty. As a kid, my mom would wake us up an hour before school so that we could do our morning chores. Guess the habit of waking up early never wore off.”

“What were your morning chores?”

“We had to make our beds and feed and walk the dog. Before getting ready for school.”

“I always wanted a dog growing up, but my mother was allergic to them. What type of dog did you have?”

“A Siberian husky.”

“Oh, a snow dog. I love huskies. The first one I ever saw was on television. As you can imagine, that type of dog is rare around here.”

“Yeah, who ever heard of a husky living on an island?” He chuckled. “So, are you hungry?”

“Starving. What do we have?” she asked, peering at the tray.

“Cod fish, ackee, callaloo, johnnycakes and Blue Mountain coffee, of course.”

She raised her eyebrow, amazed at his culinary talents. “You cooked all that?”

Brandon started smiling. “Well...no, I didn't. Marigold did.”

“Marigold!”

“Yes, this bungalow is on her property. She and my brother bought this place years ago. They used to rent out the bungalow during the high-tourist months. After my brother died, she decided that she didn't want to be bothered dealing with renters, so she just leaves it empty for when I come to town. She lives in the main house.”

Ayana was half listening as he spoke. She had something else on her mind. “You told Marigold about last night?” Ayana was totally embarrassed. Although she was a grown woman who could do as she pleased, she didn't want her friend thinking that she slept with men on the first date.

“Don't worry. She thinks it's all for me. She knows I'm a big eater. Marigold makes me breakfast every day before she leaves for the shelter. She's gone to work already and didn't ask any questions before she left. Our secret is safe.” He put the tray on the bed and sat down. “Come on. Let's eat before it gets cold.”

Ayana sat next to him, took a fork and dug in. She loved her native cuisine and didn't edit her eating habits when she was home. “So what's on your agenda today?” she asked, in between bites.

“I thought we'd tool around the island. You could show me some of your favorite places—that is, if you're not busy.”

It had been years since a man wanted to spend quality time with her and it felt good. “No, I'm not busy. I need to call home first and let my mother know I'm all right.”

“That's sweet.”

“What?”

“Letting your mother know you're okay, so she won't worry. I can't believe that brassy Saturday Knight has to call home like a teenager with a curfew.”

“I really should have called her last night but...” She blushed just thinking about their heated lovemaking session. “I was preoccupied.”

“That's an understatement.”

Ayana went into the living room, where her purse was, took out her cell phone and made the call.

Brandon could hear her telling her mother a little white lie.

“Hey, Mom. I just wanted to let you know that I stayed at CeDe's last night. Hope you didn't worry too much. We're going to hang out today. I'll be home later. Okay. 'Bye.”

When she came back into the room, Brandon said, “I didn't mean to eavesdrop, but didn't your mom see me pick you up last night?”

“No, she wasn't at home. She and my father had gone over to my uncle's for dinner. I don't like lying to her, but my parents are old-fashioned. I would want them to meet you and spend some time with you before I announced that I'm sleeping over at your place.”

Brandon looked stunned.

She noticed the strange look on his face. “Don't panic. I'm not saying I want to introduce you to my parents. I'm just saying I'm not going to announce that I slept with a man they don't know. You might find this hard to believe, but they still look at me like I'm their little girl.”

“I understand.” He picked up his fork and began eating.

Suddenly there was an awkward silence between them. Ayana sipped her coffee and stared out at the ocean. After a few moments, she was the first to speak.

“Actually, I'm going to take a rain check on today. I really need to get back home and check on my dad.”

“Oh, okay,” he said, sounding a bit disappointed.

“Look, Brandon, I think we might have moved a little too fast. Last night was great, but let's not pretend we're a couple. We don't have to spend the day together. I'm sure you have other things to do,” she said, sounding more like Saturday Knight than Ayana. Though she had been looking forward to spending more time with him, she didn't want him to feel obligated. The look on his face when she'd mentioned her parents being old-fashioned and wanting to meet her potential suitor told her that Brandon was uncomfortable with that idea. And she had to admit it was too soon to make any formal introductions, if he even met them at all.

“Aren't you going to finish eating before you leave?” he asked, looking at her half-eaten food.

Ayana had lost her appetite. “No, I'm full. I'm going to get ready to go so I can get out of your way.”

“You don't have to rush off. There's no hurry.”

She stood up. “I really need to get going.” Ayana didn't have anything to rush home to, but she wanted to get out of there and fast. She had given the impression that he
had
to meet her parents, which wasn't true. Ayana was now feeling like one of those needy chicks who force-fed their families to a man on the first date. She was anything but needy, and she wanted to redeem herself. Fleeing the scene would send the message that she wasn't trying to latch on to him.

“I'll drive you back.”

“You don't have to do that. I'll call CeDe. My mother will be full of questions if she sees you, and I'm not ready to introduce you,” Ayana replied, reiterating her point.

“Ayana, I don't have a problem driving you home, but if you insist...”

“I do. What's the address here?”

He gave her the address, and she walked back into the living room and called her friend.

Then she showered and dressed in less than ten minutes. When she reentered the bedroom, Brandon was standing at the window looking out at the ocean. “I'm leaving now. Thanks for a nice evening.”

He turned around. “Come here.”

When she got within reaching distance, he pulled her close and covered her in a huge hug. “Can I call you?”

“Don't feel obligated.”

“I don't feel obligated. I want to see you again.”

Ayana stood still within his embrace. She was confused. One minute they were sharing a tender moment, and the next there was an underlying tension. In New York, Ayana was a brazen city girl, but in her hometown she was a traditional country girl. Blurring the lines had caused friction between them, and now she felt the need to pull back. “Brandon, I'm going to be busy for the next few days.”

“Uh, okay.”

Standing face-to-face, neither said a word. What had started off as a great morning and a potentially better day had soured into a misunderstanding, with neither really to blame. The sound of a blaring horn broke the silence.

“That's CeDe. See you around,” she said and left without a kiss goodbye.

When she was gone, Brandon sat on the edge of the bed. “Damn, what happened?” he said out loud. His plans for the day had quickly fizzled out. Brandon was enjoying Ayana; she was completely different from Saturday Knight. He had been looking forward to getting to know her better but hadn't expected her to drop the parent bomb. Maybe she was right about them moving too fast.

Chapter 13

“W
hy ya so quiet?” Cedella asked Ayana as they drove along with the windows rolled down and the morning breeze flowing through the compact car.

Ayana didn't answer right away. She was still reeling from the unnecessary exchange with Brandon. She wanted to stay, but the tension between them had made her feel uncomfortable. “I'm not quiet.”

“Ya no say more dan two words since ya been in da car. Wat's up? I see ya still have on da clothes from last night, so I guess ya spend da night wit ya boyfriend.” CeDe always said exactly what was on her mind.

“Brandon's not my boyfriend,” Ayana snapped.

“But ya did spend da night wit him? No?” she said, cutting her eyes at Ayana.

“Yes, I did. So what? We are both consenting adults.”

“Since ya got some, ya should be beamin'. Why ya sounding so mad? What him do? Tell ya to leave once da sheets cooled off?”

“Absolutely not!” Ayana exhaled hard and put her arms across her chest. “If I'd known you'd quiz me all the way to my house, I would have called a taxi. That way I wouldn't have to play twenty questions with you,” she said, totally annoyed.

“Calm down. I'm just asking. We used to be able to talk 'bout anyting. Why ya actin' so defensive?”

Ayana looked out the window at the lush landscape and thought about what had transpired with Brandon. Maybe she'd blown the whole thing out of proportion. Maybe she needed another opinion on what had just happened. “I'm sorry for snapping at you. Last night was wonderful, but this morning, when I mentioned how old-fashioned my parents are and said that they like to meet the guys I go out with, his whole attitude changed.”

“Oh, me word, chile! Ya know better than ta mention anyting about family ta men, especially in da beginnin'. Dey tink we tryin' ta trap dem in a relationship, or worse...marriage.”

Ayana sighed. “You're right. Well, it's not like I straight-out said for him to come and meet my parents.”

“Don't matter. Menfolk don't tink like we do.”

“True.”

“I could tell by da way ya was looking at him last night dat ya really like the man. Dat's why me back off. Oderwise me would've been in him bed last night.”

Ayana chuckled. “CeDe, you're too much. But you're right—I do really like him. I haven't been into a guy this much in a long time.” Ayana saw no sense in denying the obvious.

“So whatcha gonna do about it, mon?”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, ya gonna let a little misunderstanding get in da way of ya seeing him again?”

“Well, he did say he wanted to get together, but I told him I was busy.”

“Chile, ya need to get unbusy. Dat's one fine man, and if ya don't stake ya claim, dhen some o'her woman will.”

Ayana thought about what her friend was saying and knew she was right. Brandon was a catch and probably wouldn't be on the market for long. “I don't want to call him and seem desperate.”

CeDe pondered the situation for a few seconds and then said, “Iggy is giving a beach party tonight and everybody's talkin' about it. Maybe he'll be dhere. Dat way ya can see him witout callin' for a date. And if him don't show up, at least ya can get your flirt on. Maybe ya meet someone else. Da party will be filled wit plenty of hot guys.”

Iggy was a local event promoter and was known for his legendary beach parties, where the mandatory dress code was some form of beachwear. The women usually wore bikini tops with shorts, swimsuits underneath cover-ups or just swimsuits. Men came in various types of trunks, from traditional boxers, to Speedos, to G-string trunks that showcased their packages. The party was all-inclusive with conch, escovitch and curry goat served, along with plenty of rum punch, dark-and-stormy cocktails and Red Stripe. Live bands and deejays jammed until the break of dawn.

“That's a great idea. I'll definitely go.” Ayana's mood lightened. She didn't like the way she and Brandon had left things and wanted a do-over.

“Ya want me to pick ya up?” CeDe asked once they reached Ayana's parents' house.

“No, I'll drive. Thanks for the ride! See you later.”

* * *

“Hey, Ma!” Ayana yelled as she entered her quaint childhood home.

“Whatcha doin' home? I thought you and CeDe were spendin' da day t'gether,” her mother said, coming into the living room holding a freshly caught kingfish.

“We're going out tonight instead.”

“I know CeDe's glad to have ya home. Ya two were thick as thieves growin' up.”

“Yeah, we were. CeDe is still the same outspoken person she was when we were little. She says things most people only think.”

The truth was, Ayana modeled some of Saturday Knight's characteristics after Cedella. The straight-talking tell-it-like-it-is persona that she displayed on the show was her version of CeDe, coupled with Ed's well-crafted brazen character.

“Yes, that's Cedella a'right. Ya hungry? I'm making kingfish stew.”

“No, Ma. I'll be in my room.”

Upstairs, her bedroom was still decorated in varying shades of pink and lavender, complete with twin beds and posters of boy bands from back in the day. Ayana rushed into the room and went straight to the closet. She combed through the racks looking for the perfect outfit. Brandon had seen her as two polar opposites—the tempestuous star of
Divorced Divas
and the dutiful Jamaican daughter. Tonight she planned on showing him a hybrid of the two—the sultry, au naturel temptress. After an hour of trying on various outfits, Ayana finally made a decision. Then she climbed into bed. She was exhausted from the night before; she and Brandon had done very little sleeping.

After her nap, Ayana showered and dressed for the evening in a pair of white short-shorts that looked more like panties than shorts and a string bikini top underneath a white T-shirt. She was excited at the possibility of seeing Brandon and was eager to get to the party. She told her parents that she would probably stay the night at CeDe's. Ayana wanted to cover all bases in case she ran into Brandon and they spent the night together again. She didn't want a replay of earlier.

When she reached the beach, the sun was setting, creating a beautiful kaleidoscope of oranges, reds and yellows. Ayana parked in the packed parking lot, got out and made her way to the equally packed beach. The party was filled with scandalously clad bodies gyrating barefoot on the sand to a steel band jamming to a reggae beat. Ayana stood on the raised concrete sidewalk and looked over the sea of red, green and yellow knit caps bobbing up and down to the music, trying to spot Brandon, but she didn't see him. She took off her sandals, put them in her tote bag and made her way onto the sand to get a closer look.

“Hey, Mama, ya lookin' mighty fine tonight. Let's dance,” said a buffed, bare-chested man with dreadlocks.

“Uh, sure, why not?” She didn't really want to dance with him, but she did want to get in the middle of the crowd without drawing attention to herself.

He took her hand and they wove their way to the middle of the dance area, where sweaty bodies were working to the beat. A woman wearing a thong bikini was clapping her butt cheeks to the music. Her dance partner had his phone in the air, taping her. After the song ended, Ayana told Mr. Dreadlocks thanks and left the dance area.

She moseyed through the party, casually searching for Brandon and Cedella, but she didn't run into either of them. She went to the grass-hut bar, ordered a stout and waited, hoping that he would show up. Two beers later, and still no Brandon. She left the bar and moved on. Across from the bar, a wet T-shirt contest was getting under way.

The emcee was on a raised platform with the microphone in his hand and asking for contestants. Several women in the crowd hopped onstage, eager to show their goods. Out of the corner of her eye, Ayana thought she saw Brandon. She slowly turned to her left, and there he was, standing in the crowd. But he didn't see her.

Let me show him what I'm working with,
she said to herself. Ayana took a deep breath, swallowed her inhibitions, bolted through the crowd and leaped onstage. She set her purse to the side and joined the other women.

“Okay, ladies, are ya ready?” the emcee asked.

In unison they all said, “Yes!”

Ayana tied a knot in her T-shirt, exposing her taut belly and making her skimpy outfit even more revealing.

“Me gonna need the first tree ladies front and center.” When the women stepped forward, the emcee continued. “Where's da Hose Mon?”

A bare-chested man wearing a Speedo appeared at the front of the stage holding a green water hose.

“Ya ready?”

The crowd yelled, “Ya, mon!”

“Okay, Hose Mon, hose dem down.”

The man holding the hose turned on the water and sprayed the first three contestants. The women screamed when the ice-cold water hit their bodies. The water assault lasted only a few seconds, but it was long enough to thoroughly drench them.

“Dat's good.” The emcee signaled the Hose Man to turn off the water. “Now, ladies, strut yo stuff.”

The women went into action, smoothing down their T-shirts and pressing the wet material, showcasing their breasts. The first contestant had a small chest and didn't elicit much response from the crowd. The second woman had on a swimsuit underneath her T-shirt, so nothing was exposed. The third contestant had fake boobs that jutted out from underneath her T-shirt like parking cones. The crowd had a mixed response.

“Lade Numbar Tree, step to da side. Da rest of ya can leave da stage,” the emcee said, weeding out the losers. “Now me gonna need da next tree ladies.”

Ayana was in this group. She felt nervous. She had never done anything like this before. She looked out over the crowd, making sure that Brandon was still there, and he was.
Showtime,
she said to herself. Ayana was going to work her magic and get their romance back on track.

“Hose Mon, wet 'em down,” the emcee announced again.

When the water jetted out, Ayana didn't flinch. She stood there with her hands on her hips like a gladiator ready for battle. When the stream of water stopped, she pressed down on her T-shirt using her hands like a squeegee and stood with her legs spread apart as the water dripped down her thighs. She rubbed the wet material that covered her breasts, but nothing showed through since she was wearing a bikini top.

People started chanting, “Take it off! Take it off!” as they pumped their fists in the air.

The energy emanating from the crowd spurred her on. Ayana reached underneath her wet shirt, untied her bikini top, took it off and tossed it into the crowd. A woman caught it and started swinging the wet top in the air, slinging drips of water with each turn of her wrist. Ayana was in a zone. She closed her eyes and began slowly and sensuously massaging her breasts, focusing on her engorged nipples. The crowd went wild.

She opened her eyes and looked dead into Brandon's handsome face. He had moved from the middle of the crowd and was now standing at the front of the stage. Watching him watch her was making Ayana hot with desire. She kneaded her nipples harder and rotated her hips at the same time, exaggerating her moves like a porn star. The crowd roared!

“Now, dat's what me talkin' 'bout,” the emcee said.

The other two contestants were up next, but their performances paled in comparison to Ayana's. When they finished, the emcee told them to step down from the stage, and then he continued. “Lade Numbar Tree, come here.” The contestant from the first round stepped up and stood next to Ayana. “When me put me hand above dey head, me want ya to clap. Da lade wit de most claps wins.”

He placed his hand above the first woman, and she received a fair share of claps. He then put his hand over Ayana's head and the crowd started clapping, screaming, yelling and stomping their feet. “I tink we got a winner.” He placed a gold tiara on her head. “Congratulations. I crown you Da Queen of Da Wet T-Shirt.” She curtsied, blew a few kisses, picked up her bag and left the stage.

Ayana's instant fan club encircled her the second she stepped down, some of the men trying to swipe a feel. She maneuvered out of their grasps, looking for Brandon, but she didn't see him. He was there one second and gone the next.

Damn. Where did he go?
Ayana's heart began to sink. Her raunchy display had been to entice him. Obviously, it hadn't worked. He had left and now she felt like a fool. She took the crown off, put it in her tote and slunk through the crowd, feeling defeated even though she had won. As she was walking, someone grabbed her arm from behind. Ayana assumed it was another admirer trying to get her attention. She wasn't in the mood to entertain a stranger. All she wanted to do was go home, get in bed and forget about this night. She'd had enough. If the wet T-shirt contest didn't get Brandon's attention, then nothing would. Ayana swung around to tell whoever was tugging at her to get lost. She turned quickly, breaking the hold the person had on her.

“And where are you going, Queen of the Wet T-Shirts?”

It was Brandon.