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Tulips for Tonica RaeLynn Blue Copyright © 2011 by RaeLynn Blue All Rights Reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or shared in any form, including but not limited to: printing, photocopying, faxing, recording, electronic transmission, or by any information storage or retrieval system without prior written permission from the authors or holders of the copyright. This book is a work of fiction. References may be made to locations and historical events; however, names, characters, places and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination and/or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons (living or dead), businesses, events or locales is either used fictitiously or coincidental. All trademarks, service marks, registered trademarks, and registered service marks are the property of their respective owners and are used herein for identification purposes only. Published by Beautiful Trouble Publishing, LLC PO Box 61 Colfax, NC 27235 www.beautifultroublepublishing.com Cover Art: Shara Azod Editor: Barb Wilson Proofreader: Novellette Whyte http://authorgurunovellette.blogspot.com/ Formatter: Jim & Zetta, http://www.jimandzetta.com/ E-book Conversion: Jim & Zetta, http://www.jimandzetta.com/ ISBN: (e-book) 978-1-61788-213-5; (print) 978-1-61788-214-2
For Drea…You already know.
Note about eBooks eBooks are NOT transferable. Re-selling, sharing or giving away eBooks is a copyright infringement. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission of the author or Beautiful Trouble Publishing.
CAVEAT This work of erotica contains adult language and sexually explicit scenes, which are smoking hot. This book is intended only for adults, as it is defined by the laws of the country in which the purchase is made. Keep this book out of the hands of under-aged readers.
PREFACE An Invitation
The GSO beats in the heart of North Carolina, drumming out tales of lust, love, and mischief. Those that reside in the Greensboro area, the GSO, are Southern and sensual, sexy and smart. So, set your GPS for the GSO and lose yourself in RaeLynn Blue’s wickedly delicious and wildly wonderful backyard. Stories in the GSO series (in reading order) C.A.K.E AN ENGLISH ROSE TULIPS FOR TONICA
Chapter One “How can you be content to be in the world like tulips in a garden, to make a fine show, and be good for nothing?” —Mary Astell
Rain splashed down in big droplets, splatting so hard against the pavement that Tonica Faye heard the splat amplified across the other noises saturating downtown Greensboro. As the downpour intensified, she skirted around domed trashcans, hid behind thick telephone poles, and huddled alongside sporadic crowds of people vacating the shops. With the collar of her ebony raincoat turned up, Tonica suppressed a shiver as a trickle of rain infiltrated her coat. It slipped down her back, cold and wet. She narrowed her eyes, peering through the squall at her objective—Carte Seay. Handsome, sexy, and a snake, Carte Seay had been known for his taste for the ladies. Nearly six feet tall, athletic build with the best pair of hardened thighs Tonica had ever seen, Carte’s body made women, judges, prosecutors and gay males alike swoon, salivate and submit requests for private counsel. A woman reputed to be one of Carte’s ex8
Tulips for Tonica: A GSO Story girlfriends, Shae Williams, demanded to prove via paternity test that Carte had fathered her two boys. Carte had denounced in the media and through his five lawyer-mouthpieces that he hadn’t fathered the children because he never had sex with Shae. The woman hired a local investigative firm, Stevens & Eaton Detective Agency, to try to snag the man’s DNA. Hence the reason why in this horrible shower, Tonica, who worked for Stevens & Eaton, was walking behind the best criminal attorney in Guilford County. Why Carte didn’t just take the test puzzled her. Her cell phone buzzed in her pocket, and she glanced around, taking in the gloomy, rain-drenched surroundings before removing it from her pocket. She slipped across the soaked sidewalk to the mouth of a narrow alley between Joaquin’s Hot Tamales and the Smokin’ Lizard Tobacco Store. “Yeah,” she answered, whispering into the phone. “How’s it going?” Olivia Eaton, co-owner of the detective agency, asked. “Really? You called me off a tail to ask me how it was going?” Tonica wiped the precipitation streaming down her face and hunched against the wall, trying to stay somewhat dry. Olivia Eaton and her boyfriend, a former police officer, Hal Stevens, worked in partnership. At first, 9
Raelynn Blue Tonica thought she’d been lucky to be hired as a new recruit. She’d just gotten her private investigator’s license and her B.A. in Criminology when Olivia came to their college looking for a new PI for her budding agency, just two short years ago. Now, at 26, she felt more confident in herself and her career path. “Yes, rookie, I did,” Olivia said, her voice hard. “What’s your location?” “I’m on West Market Street. Carte just disappeared into a restaurant.” “Okay, give it a rest and head on back.” “What?” Tonica’s knuckles ached. She’d gripped the phone so hard, they hurt. Releasing her death grip, she took in a deep breath. “I’ve been soaked chasing him, following him for most of the day and now you want me to just quit and come back to the office? He’s going into a restaurant! A perfect opportunity to get his spit in a cup. What the hell, Olive?” “First off, you don’t get to call me Olive. We’re not sleeping together, and you’re not a six foot tall, brunette white man named Hal. Secondly, like I said, rookie, you follow my lead or you go find another place to work. I hear Burger King’s hiring.” “Fine, whatever,” Tonica said, too pissed off to trust herself to say more. Ever since she blew the tail last week on a suspected wife-beater, Olivia hadn’t trusted Tonica to do much of anything on her own. 10
Tulips for Tonica: A GSO Story With Hal working undercover on another case, Olivia’s quick-fire temper escalated from occasionally pissed to pissed-all-the-time. With the flip of her phone, Tonica ended the annoying call and sighed. Fuck. She was so soaked, her feet squished inside her sneakers and her pants legs looked like she’d been walking through a flood. Watermarks lined the fabric up to her knees. Her hair hung in soaked strands. An umbrella would’ve given her position away—Carte would’ve noticed the same umbrella following him through Greensboro. So she’d been a good PI and left the umbrella at home. Now, looking like a drowned squirrel, Tonica pushed her hair back, and sighed. All of this for nothing. “To hell with that,” she said to herself. She headed out of the alley and down the sidewalk toward the restaurant she’d spied Carte entering a few minutes before. She’d get the goods on the lawyer by herself. She didn’t need Olivia’s permission to go into the eating establishment. Last time she checked, America was still a free country. With her mind made up and determination fending off the chills, Tonica walked down the sidewalk and right up to the sushi restaurant. She took in a strong breath of courage, grinned at the tingle of anticipation and adrenaline coursing through her and opened the door. Inside, dark ebony tables covered in 11
Raelynn Blue ivory tablecloths sat coupled with chocolate leather booths and chestnut wood chairs. Throughout the compacted space, innocent ivories, bold scarlets, and vibrant verdants abound from framed art to napkins to chopsticks. She’d been here before, but couldn’t quite remember when. Maybe during her time at college, she couldn’t be certain. She couldn’t pin down the memory before a handsome host approached. Dressed all in black, the soft lightening highlighted his ebony hair and dark-brown almond eyes. His bangs flirted with his eyes. “Welcome to Wasabi’s Sushi. A party of one,” he spoke with a slight accent that revealed what he thought about her, but his eyes took in her soaked attire and a small grin appeared on his face. “If you’ll follow me.” She did, but she searched the candlelit tables for Carte. Not knowing where the host would place her, she had to figure where her mark sat so she could get closer to him. If he’d been sitting by the restrooms, she could excuse herself and go by his table, visually snagging whatever information she could, or better, eavesdrop on his conversations. If he sat at the sushi bar, she could easily pretend to be interested in the creation of the various sushi rolls and do the same. Wasabi’s Sushi sat mostly empty at this late 12
Tulips for Tonica: A GSO Story hour. The rain drove most people indoors during October for fear of ice and slick roads. Tonica had left her car about a block and half back down West Market Street by the Panera, having followed Carte on foot. She didn’t want his driver spotting her vehicle’s tail. So, she simply watched his sleek, ebony Lexus SUV drive down to the bookstore, Carte got out, entered the bookstore with driver in tow. He exited the bookstore sometime later and walked down to the sushi house. Tonica had followed him, discreetly until Olivia pulled her off her assignment. Screw that. “Here you are,” the hostess said, still smiling softly at her. “Would you like hot green tea? It will warm you.” “Yes, thank you.” Tea sounded so good on such a dreary and cold day. She slid into the two-person booth and shuddered, the chilly leather seat cold against her wet clothes. Her nipples contracted and pointed merrily through the soaked blouse. Like a second skin and a wet tee-shirt contest, her drenched clothing suddenly made her feel naked. Her pointy peaks tingled. No wonder the damn host kept smiling at her. She yanked her raincoat tighter, and then relaxed. Putting her observation skills to work, she took in her surroundings. Maybe the décor kept it intimate, but 13
Raelynn Blue like most sushi places, it held a close familiarity, cold and abstract, but familiar all the same. Across the empty seating area, sipping a small cup of saki, Carte Seay sat, facing her. His driver/bodyguard sat at a perpendicular angle, to Carte’s right, where he could see the door, no doubt. So the bodyguard had seen her come in. “Here’s your tea,” said a waiter, making Tonica flinch. The waiter stepped right into her field of vision. Now she couldn’t see Carte. “You ready to order?” “Yes, uh, I’ll have the, uh, California roll,” she said, scanning through the menu from its propped up position on the table. Yeah, the Cali roll would be the easiest to order, since she knew it by heart. “Thank you.” The waiter nodded and left. When the waiter vacated her view, she noticed that Carte had moved. In fact, he was gone! She frowned. Where the dickens had he got off to in such a short time? She looked toward the door. Nope. The driver remained seated at the table. Restroom? Maybe. She put the menu down on the table and stood up. Adjusting her coat, she slung her purse onto her shoulder and headed to the restroom. Her sneakers squirted cool water between her socked toes and she grimaced. When she reached the ladies restroom, she 14
Tulips for Tonica: A GSO Story slowed and pretended to dig into her purse searching for some lost item. She wanted to see if she could wait until Carte came out of the neighboring door. She fished around her bag, counting to twenty. If he hadn’t appeared by the time she reached twenty, she’d make a show of going into the restroom. “You lose something miss?” asked a voice so velvety smooth, Tonica’s ears actually relaxed. “You can use my cell phone if you need to call someone.” Tonica looked up and in to the most vivid verdant eyes she’d ever seen. Like emeralds, they held her fast. Fire and shrewd intelligence burned deep in those orbs. Carte Seay. In. The. Flesh. Dressed in an immaculate navy suit, Carte gave her a smile so sinful, so full of carnal promise, she nearly came right there. Untouched, no foreplay, nothing but his smile beamed at her. Hot damn. A smile that had disarmed so many prosecutors and allowed so many paying clients to walk around free. Tonica reminded herself of whom she dealt with—not some Swiss god, but a walking cancer—a defense attorney. Wheat-brown hair seemed to pulsate around him. Cut long in the front, and shorter all around made his eyes seem all the more green, and the fine line of stubble sprouting along his jawline made him 15
Raelynn Blue look less polished, but rugged. Like sex with him wouldn’t be stilted and boring, but rough and rugged— good Lord help her. “I, uh, I…” she stammered, unable to make herself think past that alluring smile. Strong white teeth, even and handsome in his luscious mouth—a mouth made to suckle her nipples, kiss her clit and make her melt. Yep. That mouth. Right. There. She swallowed. “I noticed you’re eating alone,” Carte said, smirking now at her. “You could eat with me, at my table.” “You?” she spat through a wad of horniness and horrible indecision. “Yes.” He frowned at her and then his eyes brightened, his face relaxed. “Oh, yes, forgive my bad manners. You have no idea who I am...” Tonica had every idea of who he was, and despite the allegations against him, the fine ass attorney held her to the spot and drained all logical thoughts from her brain-except for one. The one operating her libido. “…I’m Carte Seay.” He extended his hand formally. “And you are?” “Um, oh, Tonica.” Her brain misfired under the heat of his gaze. Damn it. She can’t believe she gave him her real 16
Tulips for Tonica: A GSO Story name. Olivia was going to kill her—kill her for sure. She shook his hand, and he let his fingers linger on hers. So soft, as if they’d never done a day of labor—ever. Those palms would feel so nice cupping her breasts, gliding down her stomach to her beating desire. Slipping into her wet heat, thumbing her clit and making her… “Very nice to meet you, Tonica. When you come back from the restroom, you will join me at my table,” Carte said, taking his hand back with another small smile. He looked at his hand and then back at her. “I insist.” “I don’t think that’s a good idea,” she said, blushing, feeling her whole body flush from his touch. “Mr. Seay…” “Carte,” he interrupted. “See you in a bit.” With that he turned on his Italian leather-shod feet and headed back to the seating area. Tonica swallowed hard. That bit of lust hurt going down her throat, all raw edges and panic. Already, she spied the waiter going to her table and collecting her tea to take to Seay’s table. Shit. Shit. Shit. She didn’t know what the hell had just happened. All she knew for sure was that Olivia was going to kill her.
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Chapter Two The meaning of tulips is generally perfect love. —Unknown
Carte Seay returned to his table, picked up his saki, and tried to slow down the roar of blood and adrenaline racing through him. He allowed himself a small smile. He’d done it. After weeks of planning, his time had arrived. His stomach tightened in anticipation. Would she be able to accept what he’d done? The lengths he had gone through to get to this point? It’d been a big risk, but his good friend and client, Stephen Silver, owner of C.A.K.E. had assured him that he, too, had done some very dramatic things for love. He didn’t love Tonica, but he liked her very much. “Far be it for me to tell you what to do, boss, but are you sure about this?” Tre Alexander, his bodyguard, asked in a low rumble. “She is pretty, but you’ve dated more beautiful woman than her.” “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, don’t you know, Tre? Besides, I like more than just her attractive packaging.” Carte smirked at the unsolicited advice from his 18
Tulips for Tonica: A GSO Story bodyguard and accountant. Tre not only handled Carte’s personal finances, but he also owned an accounting firm that boasted several of the larger businesses in the Greensboro area. Despite four years of partnership, Carte never asked him about his personal life, but he’d never witnessed anyone on the big man’s arm. A large man with wide shoulders, bald headed with rippling muscles that conveyed sheer strength, Tre’s mental brilliance in accounting disarmed many. Still, love advice didn’t appear to be one of Tre’s many talents. “Beauty, gold diggers, glory hounds, everyone wants something,” Tre said, barely moving his lips. Even from behind his dark sunglasses, Carte knew Tre saw everything. “Tonica is none of those. She’s a smart woman, cunning and charming, funny and brilliant,” Carte explained, and shrugged out of his suit jacket. “I want a chance, Tre. I missed it before. I’m not going to let this one go. She, she could be the one.” Tre snorted in disbelief. “The one. This isn’t The Matrix, Seay. You’re already tangled up in a mess with Shae.” He shrugged. “My handling of Shae’s claim has been a mistake.” “Then there’s how you’re doing this. You ask a woman outright. This thing you’re doing…” Tre shook 19
Raelynn Blue his head. Carte scowled. “I know it’s unconventional, but I had no choice. With the paparazzi…” The scent of rain and lavender caught his attention. Tonica approached, skirting through tables, her petite legs moving with purpose. He noted that Tonica’s slick black raincoat hadn’t done a good job of keeping her dry. With her clothes clinging to her like a second skin, all of Tonica’s luscious curves had been put on display. Her figure stole his breath, made desire tingle through him and stirred his cock. The long-sleeved hunter-green tee-shirt revealed the outline of what appeared to be a lace bra. Dark jeans, so wet they looked black instead of navy clung stubbornly to hefty hips, tight buttocks, petite legs, and a waist thick, but not sloppy. Tonica’s hair hung in long, wet waves to her shoulders. She had the most amazing eyes, deeply dark brown, but surprisingly bright when something caught her fancy or made her curious. Fighting back the hunger growling at the base of his abdomen, Carte drank some more saki. Signaling the waitress, he tapped the lip of the container for a refill. “Ah, thank you for joining me,” he said, standing up to get the chair for Tonica. He hoped the table blocked his partially hardened cock. With quick movements, he risked her glimpsing it to help her into 20
Tulips for Tonica: A GSO Story her seat. He couldn’t keep his eyes from watching her round, tight bottom, clad in a pair of soaked jeans, slide down into the chair. Lucky wooden chair. When he returned to his seat, he exhaled a bit, trying to ease the ache she caused in him. “Tonica, this is my bodyguard, Tre Alexander. Tre, this is Tonica Faye.” Tonica cast Tre an appraising glance, before moving her eyes back to Carte. “Nice to meet you.” The aroma of fresh sushi and soft cherry blossoms wafted along the heated air. The notes of Japanese music danced along the aromas. Tonica crossed her legs. She mixed her tea, adding in sugar and a touch of milk. She seemed perfectly comfortable. He hadn’t ever felt so uncomfortable in his life. He’d defended some of the biggest clients in the Triad area and faced down some of the most vicious prosecutors, but a casual conversation with Tonica Faye caused his palms to sweat and his heart to race. Why did this little chocolate beauty cause such a visceral reaction? He’d watched her as she interned at Graves & Yang Law Offices as a UNC-G student. As a graduate of one of the area’s top law schools, he had worked at the same law offices, watching her like some anthropologist—from afar. She worked in one department and he, another. She spent a lot of time 21
Raelynn Blue completing investigations, so she probably didn’t remember ever seeing him. They didn’t work or play in the same circles. Still he enjoyed their interactions, albeit brief. Five years older, Carte had made it a point to monitor her progress at the firm, but whenever he worked up the courage to talk to her, something intervened. That had been nearly six years ago. “So, Carte Seay …” she said and then sipped her tea. “Tell me about yourself, Miss Faye? What do you do?” “I do a little this and that.” “So do I.” She laughed. “Riiight.” “If you can be ambiguous, so can I.” Her eyebrow quirked. “Touché.” When she smiled, his cock twitched. Her teeth seemed white and perfect in her mouth. He wanted to know how they would feel nipping along his arm, around his neck and down his stomach. Her sinfully long lashes batted at him. “Tre, excuse us, please.” Carte reached for his own cup of saki to keep his hands busy. Tre’s muscles bunched and relaxed under his suit jacket, making the fabric bunch up before he stood. He nodded and stepped away from the table. 22
Tulips for Tonica: A GSO Story Carte waited until the man had cleared the section before resuming his conversation with Tonica. “What types of this and that do you do that brings you out on such a drab day?” Tonica bit her lip. She blushed, but not so much with the flushing of her smooth, chocolate skin, but in her demeanor. He knew good and well who Tonica Faye worked for and he knew why she ended up at Wasabi’s Sushi. The reporters, paparazzi, and now private investigators had been trailing him for months—going through his trash, calling his law office and trying to get whatever dirt they could on him for Shae’s paternity claims and ratings. Yes, he knew why Tonica followed him for nearly six hours today. “I was out seeking something beautiful and naughty,” she said, hitching her chin and meeting his gaze. Heat broke out across his shoulder blades. In his opinion, something beautiful and naughty sat directly across from him. “Is that so? Was it so important you forgot your umbrella?” Another smile. “Oh, you have jokes. Well, I’ll have you know I got caught in the rain.” The curve of her cherry-tinted lips conveyed 23
Raelynn Blue something words couldn’t ever truly capture. The fire in those depths threatened the tight control Carte had on his carnal desire. Women often flirted with him, but Tonica’s long lashes, sensual smile, and dangerous curves circumvented his defenses. He allowed himself to drink her in, letting his mind run off with its own fantasies. She smelled nice—a heady mix of lavender and rain. Her skin looked soft and warm under the Japanese lantern’s glow. Clearing his throat, he adjusted the pressure his slacks had on his growing arousal. She didn’t seem to notice, and thankfully, the sushi arrived to block out his efforts. Tonica had a fierce determination that he adored. It made her incredibly exciting. Once the waitress had left, he reclined in his chair. He loved sushi, but he delayed appeasing his appetite in lieu of satisfying his yearning. “Really? Beautiful and naughty? A strange combination. What were you looking for?” He fingered the edge of his chopsticks. Tonica shrugged. “Not really strange. Some people’s beauty masks their naughty—dangerous habits.” “You aren’t referring to me, are you?” He arched his eyebrow. Using the chopsticks, he placed a delectable bite of eel into his mouth. 24
Tulips for Tonica: A GSO Story “Are you dangerous, Mr. Seay?” She leaned in, her breasts inches above her California roll. Strands of her dark brown hair slipped over her shoulder making her more alluring. “I’m harmless. I don’t mask anything to people I care about.” The saki’s warmth coursed through him, forcing him to unwind. He leveled his gaze at her. “That’s not what I heard.” As soon as the words escaped her lips, she sat upright in her chair, her hand over her thick bee-stung lips. Embarrassment on her face, Tonica averted her eyes from him. “You don’t strike me as the type of woman who would become bogged down in rumor and gossip.” He popped another piece of eel into his mouth. Its greasiness made it glide down faster. Did she believe the media’s portrayal of him? He didn’t sleep with women who were unprotected or who acted carelessly. He hadn’t slept with Shae. The woman wanted his money and she didn’t care how she got it. Often than not in relationships, he had become the prey and the women, predators, seeking his fortune or his so-called celebrity—sometimes both. “Aside from Stephen Silver, you’re probably the most popular bachelor in all of the Triad. It’s common knowledge you have fathered children and left many a woman crying at your prowess,” Tonica whispered. Carte gave her a closed-lip smile. “Common, but 25
Raelynn Blue inaccurate. There’s more to me than the cardboard cutouts the media uses as stand-ins of me.” He’d lived the bachelor’s life on a grand scale. At parties, he selected a woman to take to his bed. Nothing permanent or long-lasting grew out of those encounters. Barren, broken, and boring, the dating scene stretched out into nothingness like the Sahara desert. Carte longed for something living, breathing and invigorating. He’d almost resigned himself to permanent bachelordom. Until he saw Tonica at a charity event. He remembered her and sought to fulfill a longing he hadn’t been able to previously. As soon as he saw her, all those dreams of growing old with someone and truly loving another seemed possible again. “Besides, Stephen’s not a bachelor anymore.” He prayed his envy didn’t show in his tone. Stephen had managed to secure a good woman, one worth more than gold. Carte wanted the same thing—what man didn’t? Despite the hoopla and drama movies depicted of men coveting their bachelorhood, Carte knew it to be a farce. He didn’t like his bed empty and his mornings hollow. “Oh, that’s right,” Tonica agreed with an added nod. “You obviously know who I am, so I would like 26
Tulips for Tonica: A GSO Story to know more about you. How about over dinner tomorrow night?” Carte internally winced at the huskiness of his tone. Tonica bit her lip. She put down her chopsticks, and put both her hands on the table’s edge. With wide eyes, she swallowed so loud he heard it from across the table. “That wouldn’t be a good idea.” She cleared her throat. “Friday? Are you willing to find out for yourself if the rumors are true?” “Oh, look at the time. I’ve got to go.” “Wait, wait, please.” Carte shot of his seat. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Tre move in anticipation of a problem. He waved him off and then turned his attention back to Tonica. “Please, there’s something else I have to tell you.” If he confessed now, would it make her stay or run? He had to go with it. Tonica hesitated, shot a look over at Tre, and then eased slowly back down into her chair. She sat on its edge, like a rabbit—ready to bolt at the first indication of a threat. His plan had gone all wrong. Damn Stephen Silver for even suggesting it! “Look, Mr. Seay…” Tonica began. “You don’t remember me, do you?” he asked, 27
Raelynn Blue sitting back down. “From Graves & Yang?” She peered at him. “What?” Slowly, she eased out of her seat. “I worked there while you did your internship,” he explained, his gut tightening. “I handled bankruptcy cases.” Tonica’s hand went to her chest. She looked at him like she was seeing him for the first time. “I never knew you worked in that office.” She crossed her arms. Her body language spoke more than her words. His plan derailed and he couldn’t do anything about it. “You got a bouquet of tulips every day…” “Yes, I, I did…” Her face twisted in confusion. “That was you?” Carte’s fear inched into his throat. “Yes. And when I saw you again…” “You sent me a dozen fresh cup tulips that entire summer…Why?” “You stood out…” “Something about my name, right?” “More than your unusual name, Tonica. I admired your hard work, your enthusiasm for life, and I still do.” He coughed to clear the hoarseness. “I’ve really got to go.” She pushed her chair back. Her trembling voice pinched his heart. This 28
Tulips for Tonica: A GSO Story wasn’t what he wanted. Snatching her purse onto her shoulder, she tossed down a twenty dollar bill. “Thanks for dinner,” she quipped before fleeing.
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Chapter Three Later that night “…the tulip, is scarlet, while the centre of its glowing cup is black, is used to express warm affection; and, when sent by a lover, will convey to the object of his attachment the idea that like this flower, his face is warm and his heart is consumed as a coal.” —Anne Pratt
“I have to get her back,” Carte explained to Stephen Silver a few hours later. He stood in Stephen’s sleek modern-designed office. Full of dark ebony and metallic accents, the office failed to communicate the warmth Stephen had underneath his media smile and ready handshake. Long after hours, all the employees of C.A.K.E. had gone home. With disgust burning in his chest, Carte had come over to hash out a secondary plan to bring Tonica to his bed and his heart. Using Stephen as his sounding board, he had ranted for nearly forty minutes before he caught himself. Sick with the knowledge he may have ruined his chance with Tonica, he’d drove himself here. His good friend sat in 30
Tulips for Tonica: A GSO Story one of the two caramel-colored leather chairs and watched him pace back and forth with concern wrinkling his face. Across the chair’s arm laid his tie. He’d unbuttoned the top button of his shirt. “Why didn’t you just tell her?” Stephen asked, with a smirk and shake of his blonde head. “I don’t know. She took me off my guard. Everything about her disarmed my logical train of thought.” He’d been asking himself that for the last two hours. “Obviously.” “I wanted to tell her, but how do I say that I’ve been stalking her for weeks without her taking out a restraining order?” Carte ran a hand through his hair. “It makes me sound like a pervert.” Stephen shrugged. “I don’t know, but I warned you about this goofy plan in the first place.” Carte stooped abruptly. “No. You told me to go ahead with the plan.” “I did, but I also said that not being upfront with her could backfire on you.” “That was your warning?” “Yes.” Carte laughed. No wonder he hadn’t heard or heeded it. “I’ve got to talk to her. I’ve got to find a way to her heart. To at least get her to go to dinner, a movie, a 31
Raelynn Blue play? Triad Stage is performing Macbeth…” “Focus, Carte!” Stephen said. “Right. So, any other ideas?” Carte asked. His muscles ached and his eyes burned. Sleep had avoided him and he hadn’t been able to rest. So he would get up and jog on his treadmill for hours. “Chocolates.” Carte shook his head. “She hates the stuff.” “Really?” “Yes.” “Cree eats it like it’s manna from heaven,” Stephen said of his fiancée. He stroked an invisible beard along his chin as he thought. “When she interned at Graves & Yang, I had tulips sent every day,” Carte explained. He’d hear via the office grapevine how Tonica got flowers again and how excited she was. The mystery of her admirer plagued her a bit, and several others had tried to claim they’d sent them. Somehow, she knew they lied. Carte would watch her verbally rip apart the posers’ attempts to lie about the flowers. Her instincts nailed them every time. It’s what made her such a good investigator. Those instincts kept her alive, safe, and also aided in her cases. “Flowers? A bit lame. It’s been done to death. Every man that’s been put in the doghouse buys his woman flowers as an act of forgiveness. It’s cliché. 32
Tulips for Tonica: A GSO Story When Homer Simpson does it, it’s time to let the practice die. Valentine’s Day commercial machine also cheapened flowers to the point of useless. Even those fruit basket are getting stale. You need something big and bold. Something that will get her attention…” “Big. Bold. A statement,” Carte repeated. He shook his head as an idea formed. Stephen slapped the chair’s arm. He sat up and a small grin spread across his face. “Oh no, Carte. I’ve seen that look before.” Carte waved him off. “I’ve got just the thing to impress Tonica.” Stephen put his face into both hands and mumbled, “Lord, help us.”
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Chapter Four The Next Day A gift of tulips is a sure delight, enchanting in its beauty and simplicity. —Unknown
Tonica pushed through the thick oak door and right to Olivia’s finely crafted desk. Olivia shot out of her seat and paused but a brief moment before she slipped around its curved corners, across the square, tile floor and to the equally exquisite and deeply decorated door. She closed it gently before turning back to Tonica, who sat in one of the visitor’s chairs. “Hey, Tonks. Your cell phone goes straight to voicemail. Nearly gave me a heart attack. I tried to call you all night.” Olivia sounded winded as she returned to her desk and sat down. Olivia’s sunglasses had been pushed into her hair—a curly crown of chestnut picked out to an afro. Tonica closed her eyes and sighed. She remembered the claustrophobic feeling that 34
Tulips for Tonica: A GSO Story threatened to overwhelm her yesterday as she fled Wasabi’s Sushi. Outside on the street, she recalled snatching in damp, cool gulps of air. Call her a coward, but she had to get out of there. Thankfully, Seay hadn’t chased after her. Sure, most women in the Triad would sell their mothers for a date with Carte Seay. Her body throbbed in her craving for him, but she had a job to do. His shimmering eyes held her fast, but she couldn’t escape them, even now. “Tonks? You okay??” Tonica swallowed and slowed her breathing. Carte had been with her at Graves & Yang. It seemed surreal. She could still see how crestfallen he’d become when he asked if she remembered him. The lines of his perfectly sculpted face pointed downward in disappointment. How dare she miss such a stunning man? She hadn’t, but then life during that time had been polluted by class work and a nutty boyfriend. The demanding internship blotted out a lot of her life back then. It had to be, to totally hide a striking man like Carte. She hadn’t been so attracted to a man in a good long while. Oh what to do? A frustrated growl rumbled low in her throat. Damn. She couldn’t jump his bones, not when the agency’s client wanted dirt on him. Goodness, Olivia may still murder her for disobeying her orders. She’d made a mistake. Now, Carte knew of her existence, and she wouldn’t be able 35
Raelynn Blue to fool him. How good of a job could she had done when he knew her? They’d worked at the same place, for goodness sake. She’d definitely erred. Carte had opened a wound she’d long since abandoned. Something needful and deep inside her yearned for him. For years, she’d been divorced from her emotions in terms of relationships. Dealing with cheaters, thieves, and scumbags had only served to widen the chasm between true love and singledom. The warmth of love hadn’t shined on her face in so long, she’d forgotten how wonderful it could feel. Teetering on the edge of indecision, Tonica had lived like it didn’t exist. Until Carte made her feel again. “Sorry, Olivia. I’m here to apologize,” Tonica said. Olivia leaned back in her chair and crossed her legs. Dressed in jeans, stiletto leather boots and an ivory, cowl neck sweater, she didn’t look like a badass P.I. But she was. “Sit down.” Olivia screwed her face up and drummed her fingers on the desk. Her customary hard tone turned soft. Her usual breathing fire demeanor had disappeared. Unsure, but trusting her gut and her boss, Tonica sat down in the chair facing Olivia. “I told you not to go in to see Carte Seay. I told 36
Tulips for Tonica: A GSO Story you to abandon it,” Olivia began and then stopped. Something outside her office’s floor to ceiling windows seemed to catch her attention. “Yeah, I know, but he was there. It seemed like a good idea at the time,” Tonica said. “Still, I came in today to apologize for my misbehavior.” Olivia’s eyes were rimmed in sadness…no, no, something else. “So, tell me what happened?” Olivia asked in a voice that seemed devoid of emotions. Tonica shrugged. “Nothing happened.” Tonica sat upright as Olivia’s voice had definitely changed. Olivia hid something from her and it troubled her. Tonica peered at her boss. Olivia would normally be roaring at her, threatening to fire her or worse, to put her on assignments that involved dumpster diving. Now that she focused on Olivia’s words, she realized something. “Were you following me, yesterday? How did you know I was with Carte Seay? I didn’t tell you. My apology wasn’t that specific.” “Did you drive your little toy box of a car to work today?” Olivia asked in an attempt to change the subject. “Tell me, Olivia, or I’m quitting today.” Olivia sighed. The tension welled in the short distance between them. Tonica’s throat went dry. 37
Raelynn Blue Something had occurred. Tonica stood up, scooped up her purse and tugged it over her shoulder. She pinned a look at Olivia. “I know you won’t believe me, but when I took the Seay assignment I didn’t know…not at first.” She folded her arms over her chest. Afraid to interrupt for fear it would spoil Olivia’s speech, Tonica waited for the rest to be revealed. “Carte Seay hired me to have you follow him. That was the case.” “What? Why?” Tonica’s world tilted. At once, her hand shot to the desk’s edge. She grabbed it to steady herself. “Tonks! Please!” Olivia pleaded. The volume yanked Tonica back to the ongoing conversation. A sheen of perspiration shined from beneath Olivia’s usually smooth, light makeup. Coaxing back her anger, Tonica decided to hear everything. Surely, Olivia had a good reason to send her on a wild goose chase. Surely. “Go on,” Tonica eased herself into the seat once more, feeling a strange sense of déjà vu. “Seay paid up front, and he came to me under false pretense so it bugged me. At first, he sent that Tre Alexander to me. He pretended, rather convincingly, to be Shae Williams’ cousin. Right in this 38
Tulips for Tonica: A GSO Story very office. Where you’re sitting! So, he told us he wanted Seay’s DNA.” “Why?” Tonica couldn’t see why anyone would go through such lengths. “To prove paternity…” “What? No, Olivia. Why did Carte create some ruse to get me to follow him? What was I supposed to see?” She scowled as her voice shot up an octave, and climbed along with her realization that Carte had planned it all. So ridiculous. Olivia put her face into her hands. Big golden hoops in her earlobes glistened in the office’s fluorescent lights. Tonica expected her to go on, to cry, to scream, but Olivia only sat in silence. While she took a few minutes to collect herself, Tonica tried to figure out why. When Olivia sat back up, she said, “I wanted to know why, too. So I called him. He confessed straight off the bat. Apologized and everything. But I was so pissed; I pulled you off his tail.” She pounded the desk. “Being the most tenacious employee and PI I have ever met, you had to go pursue him anyway.” “Did you ask him?” Tonica asked, shifting the discussion back to what she didn’t already know. Olivia tossed her hands up. “Yeah. He said he only wanted a chance.” “A chance to do what? Be a conniving bastard?” 39
Raelynn Blue At this Olivia’s face sobered. “No, Tonks. I believe he wanted to impress you or develop a reason to talk to you.” “Oh that’s better.” “Tonks…” “I’m out,” Tonica said, standing up again. “I need to breathe some air not polluted with bullshit.” She wanted to go home and shower. No, soak in a nice, warm bubble bath with a glass of Merlot. It didn’t matter it was only ten in the morning. It would be her little secret; it seemed everyone had them, so why not her? The cell phone blared and they both jumped. Olivia answered, “Stevens & Eaton Detective Agency .yes, be right there.” Wordlessly, Olivia got up and went to her office door. Tonica hardly noticed as she became lost in a whirlwind of confusion. She couldn’t shake the firestorm of questions and emotions assaulting her. She heard Olivia talking to someone, but the words buzzed annoyingly in her ear. Olivia appeared in her doorway and pointed to Tonica. This can’t be good. She was identified. But Olivia gave whoever was in the lobby her client smile, so it couldn’t be too bad. 40
Tulips for Tonica: A GSO Story Could it? “Yes, Tonica Faye is right here. All of those are for her? Wow. Um, Tonks where do you want these?” With adrenaline seeping into her bloodstream, Tonica’s sense sharpened. The crisp cold air blew in from outside which meant open lobby doors. Heavy boots stomped on the tile which meant delivery men of some kind—and more than one. Well, maybe not a delivery man. What would delivery men want with her anyway? “Tonks! Where. Do. You. Want. These?” Olivia inquired again and gestured with her hand for Tonica to come see the “these.” When Olivia cracked the door open a hair wider, Tonica held her breath. She walked over to the door. Feeling more confident at her boss’s smiling face she cautiously stuck her head out. And shrieked. Stumbling in disbelief, Tonica felt Olivia’s hands grab her. “I’m glad I caught you,” Olivia said. She guided her out into the lobby where every flat surface had been covered by bouquets of tulips. The receptionist counter, the window sills, the outgoing mail counter, and even spots where Stevens & Eaton Detective Agency pamphlets and table tents had been housed. 41
Raelynn Blue “Stunning.” Olivia beamed. “They’re all addressed to you. You obviously made an impression on someone.” Carte Seay. “I guess so,” Tonica muttered. What did he think he proved by doing this? “Oh come on, sour Sally,” Olivia passed the delivery man’s clipboard to Tonica. “Twenty dozen tulips is nothing to sneeze at. That’s two hundred and forty flowers.” “Yeah, took up two trucks ‘cause one had to come from our other two stores,” the delivery man added. He took the outstretched clipboard bearing Tonica’s signature. “You must have some admirer.” “Did I ask you?” Tonica snapped. “Tonks, really…” “Good morning to you both,” he said and left. As soon as the door shut, Tonica stomped back into Olivia’s office and threw herself into the same wingback chair. Uncomfortable and hard, it didn’t offer any relief. It should’ve felt cozy, like how she imagined Carte’s arms to be. Like his arms were crafted to hold her. The thought made her mouth water. Goodness, she ached to taste his lips. NO! He can’t buy my affection with corny flowers and delicious sushi dinners. 42
Tulips for Tonica: A GSO Story “Why are you here? Go to your office and call the man. Thank him,” Olivia encouraged. She leaned back in the doorway. “He can’t buy my affections.” “He isn’t trying to…” “Isn’t he?” Tonica bolted upright. “He paid you to have me follow him just to manipulate the situation to ask me out. Now this? What next? He buys me the Hope diamond? He’s trying to pay for my affection, Olivia, and I won’t fall for that. My name isn’t Shae Williams…” “Oh, is that what this is about?” Olivia’s eyebrow quirked. She nodded like a wise old wizard and shoved her hands in her pocket. Tonica ran her fingers through her hair in frustration. “Aren’t you listening to me?” “Are you listening to yourself?” “What? Yes, of course…” “Then let me tell you what I heard. I heard that you’re scared to let anyone in. The fact that Carte Seay has money is a red herring. You’re worried about how he treats women based on rumors, and the gossip mill instead of finding out for yourself. Excuses to not feel, to not let anyone close enough to hurt you.” Tonica tilted her head to one side. She was pretty sure she hadn’t said all of that. It worried her that even though she hadn’t vocalized it that Olivia 43
Raelynn Blue had read her that well. “No…I’m not interested in him.” Olivia snorted. “Uh huh. That’s why you followed him even when I told you not to.” “I’m tenacious. You said that earlier, so no takebacks!” Olivia smirked. With her hands on her hips, she nodded. “You are, but that’s not why you kept following him.” “Yeah it is…for the case.” Olivia rolled her eyes. “I don’t like that you’re lying to me, but I really hate that you’re lying to yourself.”
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Chapter Five The tulip is a declaration of love. —Romance Struck
Flushed and blushing sunset rays poured through the panes of the Proximity Hotel’s 22-foot high windows. Perfumed scented air blew from discreetly hidden heaters. A faint hint of strong drink spiked the closer he came to the Print Works Restaurant. Carte Seay walked between two curving staircases and multiple sofas in varying shades of beige and taupe, accented with orange pillows in the Social Lobby. Places like this gave the illusion of perfection, but of course, failed. Carte didn’t search for imperfections today. Instead, he sought out the one jewel that outshined all others. His heart beat faster, like he’d spent an hour jogging. Even his hands sweated. In most courtrooms, other lawyers and even some judges referred to him—behind his back—as the cucumber, because he was so cool. But beneath his ebony sweater, undershirt, and pleated dress pants, he perspired. Weaving through the luxuriously decorated 45
Raelynn Blue lobby of fresh-cut flowers, mohair sofas, and gleaming marble floors, Carte heard the whispers buzzing around him as he passed. Over time, he’d grown used to creating a stir when he entered a room. His looks used to cause the drones to start humming, but now, his money got the hive all bothered. The other people in the upper echelon occupied the casual elegance of The Proximity like lizards basking in the sun. With nothing to do at twilight, many of them used the Social Lobby as a transitioning station between home and work. Happy hour ticked on as fine wines, aged whiskey, and inhibitions spilled. Their lips loosened by strong drink, people said his name in poorly whispered volumes that caught his attention. But he pushed it aside. He had a much more important purpose. Nestled in a corner spot, closest to the one he hungered for, he saw her slowly come into view. None of the world mattered any longer. The edges of his vision blurred. Only one person existed. Her. For years he’d lamented the loss of a woman he believed held the key to his heart and his future. Tonica. He wondered if the flowers had been over the top. Tonica had invited him here for a meeting. Three days of waiting, Tre claimed Carte had worn a hole in the Persian rug in the center of the living room. Big. 46
Tulips for Tonica: A GSO Story Bold. Stephen and he decided he needed something to shake Tonica’s reservations. But had it moved her heart toward or away from him? She must be one hell of a chess player—unconventional—but fantastic. Each time Carte made a move, she reacted too. And never in the way he expected. He liked that about her. Still, he’d already begun working on another plan. After being so close, he couldn’t just leave it. He’d done that before. Not going to happen again. He promised himself and scores of restless nights that he wouldn’t allow Tonica to slip through his fingers. Just watching her sitting there turned his dials. His lips burned to taste her marvelous chocolate skin. Why had she decided to reach out? Why arrange this tête-à-tête unless she meant to accept his affections? Or reject them? A giddiness spilled over him. Here, he was again, ready but with more knowledge. He slowed down, giving himself more time to observe her without her knowing—without her guard up. She sat in partial shadow. A bone-white cup rested on the maple-stained table before her. The coffee’s strong aroma bowled through the light perfumed scents and acidic aroma of alcohol. The tapping of her scarlet heels against the elegant flooring created intermittent little taps drowned out by guffaws and 47
Raelynn Blue outbursts of drunken cackling. She watched something out of the window, putting her profile on display. She pondered something deeply. Him? He hoped so. He grinned. Heading toward the woman of his dreams, Carte pushed by guests. Happy hour grew as more people arrived. Tonica didn’t seem overly dressed. Fitted black leggings skimmed her ankles on up to her knees where they disappeared into the dark recesses of her sweater dress. A red leather belt cinched her waist. Diamond and ruby pearl-drop earrings sparked from her ears. He’d been reared to notice how well a woman took care of herself. It spoke to how well a woman would take care of him. Or so his mother said. She sat just at the edge of the throng of people. Apart, but also a part of the mayhem. He approached with his hopes in his throat. Stopping short of her chair, he said, “Tonica, you look stunning.” She turned to face him. “Seay.” He held out the single, red tulip to her. “I’m glad you called.” Tonica’s eyes widened and a smile quirked her lips. “A tulip. Why thank you.” Rewarded with a small smile, she smelled it. 48
Tulips for Tonica: A GSO Story “I know you’re probably sick of tulips by now, but they remind me of you.” “How so?” “Tulips are beautiful, no matter the color. They’re resilient and productive. The red ones stand for undying passion, the yellow ones, hopeless love, and the tulip tree is for fame.” Tonica rotated the tulip in her hand. “This flower means all that?” “Yes, well, to me.” She arched an eyebrow as she looked at him. “How do you know so much about tulips?” “My father was a florist and botanist.” “I didn’t know that.” “There’s much you don’t know about me,” Carte said. “It’s not for lack of trying,” Tonica replied. “Are you ready to find out more, first-hand?” When she got up, his breath whooshed out. She batted those long dark lashes, and his knees threatened to send him crashing to the floors. “Yes.” She picked up her purse, and shrugged into her cashmere coat. “You want to go someplace else to talk?” He adjusted his own leather coat. “Yes, it’s too loud here.” “I know just the place.” 49
Raelynn Blue He offered her his gloved hand. It warmed him through to his toes when she accepted. Hand in his, she let him lead her through the now crowded lobby. Tonica watched Carte’s seductive walk through the doors leading outside. His dark blonde hair curled around his coat’s collar. Several women draped in diamonds and expensive designer clothes, watched enviously from their perched positions along the Social Lobby’s sofas. Tonica allowed herself a few seconds to ponder the other women’s thoughts-but only a moment. Ahead of her, Carte glanced over his shoulder and shot her a smile. Trailing behind him, she could tell his strength. Carte didn’t have beefcake bulging muscles, but a steely lean and hard frame that was evident even from beneath his coat. He’d dressed to impress, and Tonica struggled to resist his allure. Outside, the Bluebell Gardens had been swept by winter’s brush. Only evergreens remained defiant to the elements. Everything else had been reduced to drab browns and ghostly grays. The icy air burned Tonica’s nose, but she held onto Carte’s hand instead of fleeing back inside for warmer surroundings. A surreal feeling made her tremble. Hunching deeper 50
Tulips for Tonica: A GSO Story into her coat, Tonica sighed. Now she’d get to the bottom of this. Loss of sleep and the constant reminder of hundreds of tulips fueled this confrontation. The showdown didn’t just occur with Carte, but also inside herself. She’d faced down her demons. Fear wouldn’t control her any more. Not everyone had venom and greed in their veins. And Carte had demonstrated his intentions. “Here we are. Quiet.” Carte stood beside a wooden bench. Tonica sat. Carte took the seat beside her. His shoulder brushed hers and she couldn’t stop herself from smiling at the contact. “So…” “So, I want to thank you for the flowers,” she said. Folding her hands in her lap, she tried to calm the quivering in her belly. After the tulips, she did what she always did at work. File papers with the court, wrote up client narratives, and billed for hours. But on the way home, she pondered Olivia’s words. “…You’re welcome. I wanted you to know how heartfelt I was in my apology. I shouldn’t have tried to manipulate you into meeting me.” “No, you shouldn’t have.” Carte’s eyebrows rose at her response. He 51
Raelynn Blue smirked a little. “I deserve that.” “Yes, you do, but I wanted to meet with you tonight to ask you why you wanted my attention so badly.” She had to know. The question gnawed at her for days. She couldn’t stand it any more. So she called him to meet. In her heart, when the hustle and bustle quieted, and when she stopped resisting the bleating ache in her chest, in that hush, she realized she liked him and that she wanted to get to know more about him. Beside her, Carte became quiet. His knee touched hers, but he did not speak. Visibly sobered by her remarks, he tented his gloved hands. He rubbed his face and turned to look at her. Those deep green eyes softened as they took her in. “I’m sorry, Tonica.” “You shouldn’t have tried to buy my affections, either.” “I didn’t try to buy your love. I only wanted your attention and, and if I got it, then maybe you would learn to love me…” he trailed off, but it seemed like he wanted to say more. Tonica heard the sincerity and watched his face contort with what could only be embarrassment and sorrow. He obviously meant what he said, and believed his own words. 52
Tulips for Tonica: A GSO Story So did she. He rested his elbows on his knees. “I only want your attention.” “And now you have it.” “I need you in my life.” She touched his ear, and he looked up at her. When their eyes met, Tonica felt like she had dissolved into those lush green pools. There, in those depths, she discovered warmth blooming inside of her. He’d become the sun to her budding flower. The more light Carte gave her, the more her feelings blossomed. For so long, her emotional garden had become barren by abuse and rejection. It’d been reduced to nothing by the coldness in men’s souls. As a result, she’d kept those doors to her garden locked. But now, Carte had parted those dark clouds by his persistence and his openness. Only one topic remained and she needed his openness now. “Tell me about Shae.” Carte sat back in his seat and took a deep breath. He stared off into the cold night as he spoke. “Shae used to be a paralegal in my office. She flirted a bit, but when her advances became ridiculous, I warned her that I would fire her for sexual harassment. This is all documented in her human resource employee file.” 53
Raelynn Blue “So this media story is all an attempt to blackmail you into giving her money?” “No, not at all; however, she did trick me. She used one of her friends, a rather attractive woman, to sleep with me. I didn’t know it, but they were working together.” Tonica could see where this was going—pictures. “The friend kept the condom, and I believe used it and a turkey-baster to try to impregnate Shae. I don’t know if the attempt was successful, but Shae’s comments lead me to believe she may have been.” “What? Tell me you’re suing her or having her investigated.” Tonica hadn’t expected that. How damn desperate could the woman have been? Stunned, she tried to figure how that would even work. Refrigeration would be mandatory. None of it sounded logical. Moreover, why? Why would Shae go to such lengths? Tonica tried to digest the ridiculous scenario. In her dealings with crazy, frantic people, Carte’s statements didn’t seem so ludicrous. Odd, but not out of the realm of possibilities. “If you don’t want to see my face again, I will respect it. I only wanted you to be a part of my life. I…really care for you, Tonica.” She met his heated gaze, sincerity spilling out of his eyes. “I want you in my life too.” 54
Tulips for Tonica: A GSO Story “You do?” “Yes, I do.” Relief washed over him and Tonica enjoyed the happiness. He looked so cheerful, and all because she agreed to see him. Another blossom opened in her heart. “You do realize it’s a gorgeous night?” she said, her eyes on the clear, starry night. Cold, but clear. “No, I didn’t notice. I’m watching something gorgeous right here.” Tonica blushed. She met his eyes once more. His leather fingertips held her chin. His sandalwood scent filled her nostrils. Goodness, he smelled nice. “No tricks. I’m going to kiss you.” Then his lips pressed softly to hers. Spearmint teased her tongue and her mouth parted, hungry for more of him. Carte’s tongue pushed into her mouth and entwined, their kiss deepened down to her toes. Carte’s hand slid from her chin, up to her hair. His large hand held the back of her head. The urgency of the kiss increased and all parts of Tonica tensed. Prickly feelings heated the triangle between her thighs. All over, her skin seemed sensitive. The cold retreated at the burning fire Carte conjured inside her. She pulled back. It was so good; it left her breathless. “Carte…” she panted. 55
Raelynn Blue “Yes?” His breath was heavy. The gleam in his eyes said he wanted another kiss, and didn’t like that the first one had ended. “Let’s go someplace where there aren’t any flowers.” He smiled. “Of course.”
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Epilogue Two Weeks Later The tulip’s petals shine in dew, All beautiful, but none alike. —Montgomery
Carte watched Tonica cast him a sheepish look, over her shoulder. Her raven hair had been piled on top of her head in a messy bun. The slinky black cocktail dress brushed her mid-thighs. The party downstairs continued to roar on, but he wanted to start the party one-on-one with Tonica. Now, in their Proximity hotel room suite, he placed the “Do Not Disturb” sign on the door and walked through to the outer room, past the miniature kitchen and back to the large bedroom. He and Tonica had dated exclusively the last two weeks. Parks, parties, and plays had been explored. Tonica brought a keen intelligence to Macbeth that he’d never considered. She made everything better, vivid, more alive. He couldn’t put a cap on his giddiness. Goodness, he loved her playfulness and he liked her like this, sexy and seductive. After the last two weeks, he realized more than ever that he didn’t 57
Raelynn Blue want to spend another day without her in his life. He wanted all of Tonica, marriage, kids, and forever together. She’d been mum about her own feelings, and tonight, he meant to make his intentions known. “What will your attorney think about you skipping out on your own party?” Tonica smirked at him. She stopped short at the bed’s edge. Carte shrugged. “Nothing. Who throws a party because I’m not a father?” “When Shae and millions of dollars are on the line, your attorney.” “Touché,” Carte said, chuckling. “But, it’s over. I’m told the newspapers will be publishing some retractions and apologies tomorrow.” “Good.” She stretched, rising on her toes and bobbing a bit. “Some criminal charges may be filed too, but, um, I…” he said. He stopped talking as Tonica turned to face him. With her eyelids lowered to half-mast, she reached up to her bun and deliberately removed one ebony rod from her bun. Part of her soft, brown hair fell into gentle curls to her face. The corners of her thick, full lips curved. She removed the other rod from her bun, and the rest of those big curls rolled down onto her smooth, velvet-clad shoulders. He stalked to her, unable to stop himself. Sweeping her into his 58
Tulips for Tonica: A GSO Story arms, he crushed his lips onto hers, sucking her bottom lip between his teeth. “Ow, easy, Car,” she whispered words that ultimately came out as a moan. “Sorry, baby.” He licked the injury, before reclaiming her mouth. Tonica’s lips parted and her mouth opened to his tongue’s impatience. He reached beneath her dress, and palmed her ass, deliciously divided by a thong and exposed to his touch. Soft skin and tight muscles filled his hands and he squeezed her buttocks. As he did so, his own cock grew, as did Tonica’s moans. Each of her throat-husky growls made him grow harder. He snatched her throng aside to allow his fingers to glide between her cheeks and down into Tonica’s wetness. With a pant, Tonica, broke their kiss. “You’re an eager beaver.” “You make me crazy.” Tonica tossed her hair back and reached for his tie. She loosened it until the knot released and threw it down to the carpeted floor. “Now, your turn,” he said, removing her hands from his shirt. Instead, he got down on his knees and reached for her heel. “Your turn.” Giggling, Tonica sat down on the bed’s edge and extended her right leg. His exquisite woman reclined back on her 59
Raelynn Blue elbows as he slowly removed each black suede heel. She watched him with smoky eyes that punctured his usual calm reserve. One long and extended beautiful leg, draped in sheer ebony stocking wrapped around his waist when the second heel clunked to the carpet. “Me next,” Tonica breathed. She ripped his shirt. Buttons flew across the room. His ruined shirt landed somewhere behind him. Tonica rained kisses across his torso, skipping to his flat nipples, nipping them with her teeth. His phallus hardened more, almost to the point of pain. “Tonks…” She looked up at him and licked her lips. Desire pooled in the look she gave him. “Damn, you are so sexy, but it’s my turn, baby.” She sighed as she fell back onto the bed. “You’re driving me batty. Hurry up!” He smirked down at her. Flipping the dress up to her waist, Carte exposes her black garter belt and stockings. Kissing a trail up to the left garter’s clasp, Carte inhaled her scent—desire tempered with cocoa butter. He unhooked the clasp, and slid the sheer stocking down her shapely leg. Deep purple painted toenails came into view. She wiggled her toes and giggled. That was until Carte took her big toe into his mouth. Sucking gently, Carte alternated flicking her toe with his tongue and nibbling. Tonica shrieked in 60
Tulips for Tonica: A GSO Story delight. “Carte! Oh, God!” He moved down to her other toes. Tonica dissolved into a puddle of moans. Already, she’d yanked her dress over her head, revealing matching lacy black bra and thong. Carte tried to swallow, but his throat had gone dry. They’d made love before, but each time he saw her nude, it floored him. What made her even more sexy lay in the fact that she didn’t know how sexy she was. He released her toes, and moved on to the right leg. When he freed the stocking, his hands trembled as he rolled down the other stocking. He wanted her so badly. Already, Tonica kneaded her breasts. She’d scooped them out of her bra and rolled her dark cinnamon-tipped nipples between her forefingers and thumbs. “Carte…” “Yes, baby?” “Take those damn clothes off.” She rose up on her elbows and snatched the belt around his waist. Tugging on it, she fumbled with the mechanics until she had it undone. He leaned down and kissed her hard on the mouth. She threaded her fingers into his hair, tugging him down onto the bed, until he lay on top of her. Supporting his weight, as to not crush her with his weight, he ended the kiss. 61
Raelynn Blue “You’ve got some grip, lady.” She wrapped her arms around his neck. “Get out of that monkey suit and I’ll let you experience more of my grip.” “Yes ma’am.” He got to his feet, and with speed, he shred his clothes. Standing before her parted legs, his cock jutting out into the suite’s warm air, Carte groaned. “You are so damn hot. You know that, right?” She took one of her pebbled tips between her forehead and thumb. “You aren’t so bad yourself, counselor.” He stroked his hardness. Tonica rose up onto her knees and reached for him. He bit his lower lip to keep from shouting as she took him into her warm mouth. Quivering with the need to possess her, he let his head drop back. Her bee-stung lips slid over his sensitive head and shot shivers through him. His muscles bunched and flexed as her mouth engulfed as much of him as she could take. Each time she took him deep into her mouth, making him want to collapse from pleasure. “That feels so good, baby.” Her fingernails raked along the back of his thighs. He stopped Tonica’s pleasuring by touching her forehead. He’d nearly come. The sensations forced him to buckle. He caught himself before he fell to the 62
Tulips for Tonica: A GSO Story floor. “You’re going to get it now.” He teased and slapped her delicious ass. “You promise?” Tonica’s heavy breathing threatened to drown out Carte’s heated words. She combed her hands through his dark blond curls. His extremely wellendowed maleness shot out from the soft curls. Her hands glided over every defined muscle. She’d seen him nude before, but a man with a body so hard and so well-toned should be admired. His lush tawny skin glowed in the bright lamp lights. He moved her legs, parting them and resting them around his waist. “Such a beautiful pussy.” His thumb rubbed her swollen clit, shooting jolts of pleasure through her body. She looked down her body at him. Their eyes connected. He watched her face intently as he strummed her hard nubbin. Her muscles reacted as if they had a mind of their own—contracting and twisting, bucking and bending under his ministrations. “Carte!” she shrieked. His thumb’s pace increased more and more, the spring inside her 63
Raelynn Blue tightened until she thought she’d explode. “Yeah, come on, baby. Come for me. I love to see you shine for me.” She couldn’t help it. Her fingers twisted her nipples to the point the pain bled into pleasure. That delicious feeling served as a wick to her clit. Carte fanned the flame, his thump rubbing her swollen bud so fast, with just the right amount of pressure. Lubricated by her own wetness, her clit throbbed excessively. “Oh. My. God! Carte!” “Come on! Give it to me!” he growled, his own desire turning his tone feral. The pressure burrowed until nothing existed but this overwhelming pleasure that bowled through time, light, and space. Her legs tightened, and all at once she shrieked—she couldn’t even say that words actually came out—just a spewing of oral ranting. She might have said his name as her orgasm detonated inside her. When she opened her eyes, she saw Carte smiling down at her. “There you go, baby.” He kissed her lips, her cheek, and on down her neck. She grabbed a fistful of the silky strands of his hair with one hand, and across his back with the other. He continued kissing her on her neck, sucking along her collarbone. So soft, nice and stimulating, Carte’s 64
Tulips for Tonica: A GSO Story kissed paused just before his cock gradually entered her slick pussy. “Damn, you’re so wet. So ready for me, baby.” “Yes.” She tightened her legs around his waist, pulling more of his wide, wonderful phallus inside her. Tiny muscle contractions inside her gripped at Carte’s thickness. Carte’s rhythm started slow. He pulled out his steely length and used his thick purplish head to tease her clit. Rubbing his weeping cock around her stillthrobbing clit, Carte groaned. “Damn, Tonks,” he said as he pushed back into her wet warmth. Thrusting, he drove in deep, making her moan with bliss. Rotating his hips, he went deeper into her, stealing her breath. Her nails buried deep into his back. He nipped at her neck before leaning back. On his knees, he didn’t break stride. He unwrapped her legs from his waist and placed them on his shoulders. Again, Tonica discovered her toes in his wet mouth. “Carte!” She grabbed a fistful of sheets to keep her grounded and closed her eyes. “Yes?” He released her toes and kissed her ankle. “I love you.” She opened her eyes again. “I love you too.” After his declaration, his rhythm increased. He continued to rain kisses across her ankles’ position on 65
Raelynn Blue his shoulders. Tonica met his thrusts and savored him. The last few weeks had been so magical. She’d never thought she’d find this kind of happiness with a man, but she had. Her love for Carte continued to bloom and she wanted it to last forever. “You love me?” Carte asked, his voice gruff with passion. “Yes!” “Are you mine?” “All yours!” she answered, snatching breaths, because Carte’s thrust had become ruthless in their pacing. “Mine, Tonica!” Shivers raced across her body. Something about him claiming her love and needing her to confirm it turned all her dials. She loved that he loved her and wanted her. She’d never wanted a man as much as she wanted him. It stunned her, but she’d been drawn inexplicably to him. A budding of another orgasm grew inside her. “Yours! All yours, baby,” she purred and fell into the warmth of a rapidly approaching climax. She could tell Carte’s own orgasm approached because his cadence had exploded into a fast slapping of bodies. They melted into each other and all conscious thoughts dissolved into their nerves as the feelings and the sensations obscured all others. 66
Tulips for Tonica: A GSO Story “Oh, Tonks!” Carte growled, as his entire body shuddered. He reached his summit and gasped out her name. Inside her, Tonica felt his hot release and it pushed her upward to reach her own pinnacle. Shouting, she came, the world surging in bright lights and stars. Her entire body seized and her muscles contracted as quakes rocked through her. Carte withdrew from her, and kissed her forehead. “You. Make. Me. Crazy.” With that said, he rolled off the bed. She closed her eyes and listened to the water running in the bathroom. Moments later, she felt the bed give from Carte’s weight. She opened her eyes. “Open your legs,” Carte said. “Again, lover?” she asked, smirking at him. He chuckled too. She parted her legs and he gently cleaned her with a warm cloth. He returned the washcloth to the bathroom and returned to the bed. Crawling in beside her, he wrapped her into his arms. “You know I love you. I meant that, Tonks.” “I’m glad it wasn’t just the heat of the moment or my two lips.” He slapped her bottom. “No, I love you. I want you in my life, permanently. I’ve told you that from the beginning.” 67
Raelynn Blue She nodded and kissed his shoulder. “I want you in my life too.” Relaxing into his arms, Tonica released a sigh. “Permanently?” “Permanently?” Tonica rose up on her elbow and glanced back at him. “What do you mean?” Carte lay back on the pillow. “I mean for life—as my wife.” “You can’t be serious.” Tonica turned around to face him fully. She understood the endorphins of sex can make a person agree to just about anything, but marriage? After two weeks? One look at his face, and it told her that Carte was very serious. “I have never felt this way about anyone. I’m not planning to give that up. You complete me. Period. Ask yourself. Have you ever felt like this with anyone? We have a real thing here, a connection that transcends time, place, and all the bullshit people throw at us. Look what we’ve gone through already.” “I can’t just elope with you! I need a ring. My mom will want a wedding….” Carte smiled at her. “I wasn’t recommending we elope. And as for the ring…” He rolled over to his side and pointed out the bouquet of tulips on the nightstand. No. He didn’t. He couldn’t. Tonica’s throat was dry. She looked at the multicolored tulip grouping as if 68
Tulips for Tonica: A GSO Story it was a hydra. “Go on, baby.” Carte encouraged. She reached for the flowers. Seated in the red tulip’s center was a diamond ring. “Carte…” She took it out, with her heart hammering faster than a freight train. “Tonica, will you be my wife?” he asked. She looked up from the enormous diamond and noted Carte had slipped to the floor on bended knee. Nude as the day he’d been born. Be married to a man who made every day feel like she was a princess? A man who understood her unlike anyone else. Despite how new their relationship seemed to be, she knew without doubt she wanted Carte forever. No one had ever fit with her personality like this. She’d investigated him and knew him intimately before she became his lover. Apparently, he’d done the same. “Yes.” “Yes?” “YES!” Tonica screamed. Carte shot up and tackled her onto the bed. He rained kisses down on her. “Don’t worry about the flowers for the wedding,” Carte said, snuggling against her. Tonica grinned. “Of course, tulips.” 69
Raelynn Blue
**RaeLynn** Stories in the GSO series (in reading order) C.A.K.E (Cree and Stephen) An English Rose (Evelyn and Liam) Tulips for Tonica
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RaeLynn Blue RaeLynn loves nothing more than long, hot baths, snuggling in front of crackling fires and sleeping in late on Sundays. She writes books that aren’t your run-of-the-mill romance with sex under the covers and with the lights out–they’re sensual and erotica romance. And that means lust, passion, and a whole lot of sex. Are you ready to join her on her latest fantasy? Out here in the west, imaginations run wild, and love knows no bounds.
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