CHAPTER SEVENTY-SEVEN —My dress doesn't fit

While Daphne dressed up for the family get-together, her mind wandered off. She traced her neck chain as she admired her flowing gown in the mirror. The chain was a gift from her father. It would make him happy if she appeared tonight wearing it. The diamond chain adorned her outfit perfectly. That and the fact that she loved how it graced her neck right now. Glancing at her waistline, she worried that the cloth didn’t fit the occasion. She knew she had to take care of what she wore and the accessory she used. While it was true that it was a family dinner, the drama was bound to happen. If there was no sobbing over the food, there would be picking on what you wore. If that didn’t happen, you can trust there would be someone who achieved the unbelievable to make the others feel intimidated. In the past, it never mattered. Most dinners ended because she did something to end it with some sly comment or look. And that was because she was always the one who got picked on for doing absolutely nothing.

To her credit, it wasn’t her fault. That was exactly what she kept telling her friends. And they understood except Nancy of course. The doctor never understood while her rich friend never worked. But they’ve sorted that out. Her family; her mother especially who was always traveling the world, saw everything faulty in what she did. She would criticize her look, her men, the makeup she wore. It was an endless list of hate. Once she had been forced to ask if she was indeed her birth mother. That was last year’s party. Tonight, she hoped things never quite get out of hand.

She checked out her appearance one more time and signed. It didn’t seem right that she should wear black to the party. She was feeling some brightness within. The year had been particularly colorful, and she wanted that to reflect. But her mother had chosen a black theme. The dress had no shine to it. Duplexy; her designer should have known better than send this over. Grabbing her phone, she called the lady who should be at her store for some last-minute calls for her clients. She knew this because she had on several occasions called in last-minute herself. Sometimes, she drove down to the place to meet her store crawling with people who needed some last-minute fixing. “Hey.” she said as her designer picked the call. “Can you weave in some red material into this? I don’t quite like it”

“You can come over now” replied the designer, breathlessly.

Daphne sighed again, ended the call, and checked the time. She was already some minutes late. Adding a few more wouldn’t hurt anyone. And for the insult that doing this would cause, she was quite prepared for the hurls. She grabbed her purse but checked to be sure she had everything in there, then she took her heels and started. Downstairs, she stayed hidden behind the large pillar supporting the building outside and checked to be sure the coast was clear. It wouldn’t be nice if she ran into any member of the house in the main building.

The party was held in the main building and her parents had arrived a week ago to start planning the event. Well, her mother was doing the actual planning. And she was here with all her dramas already. Daphne looked left and right hurriedly. She saw no one of interest. Only the maids carry on with their business. She could tell the house would by now be redecorated and polished until it glows. Since their arrival some days ago, her mother had been moving old stuff out of the building and getting in new things. It was what she did every year. So no chills there. What bothered her at the present was dashing out. In one breathless run, she made a dash for her car, controlled the gate with her remote, and drove out of the compound, hurriedly.

In her mind, she calculated she’d be an hour late. It was enough time to get things done. The party always started an hour or two late anyway. Although her mother had insisted in the text she sent to everyone that there would be no such thing this year. The drive out of the compound had been effortless, so she navigated her car towards the next street. Thankfully, Duplexy’s store wasn’t so far. In ten minutes, she would be there. When her phone started to ring, she picked on the second ring with her ear pod inserted. It was her sister-in-law. She must have seen her drive out of the compound. “Riley?’ she said questioningly. “Did something happen?”

“Nothing happened. I saw you driving out. Could you please pick some wine at the store? I’m short of a pack here. Your mom’s going to have my head”

She rolled her eyes at that last statement. Her mother always allocated tasks to everyone. Hers had been to pick up deliveries. She was never assigned the ‘rich task’. Well, that was because they knew she wasn’t working even if she had more than they knew in her account. It was either she cleaned the house, or fix the tree. Her older siblings were charged with getting the big family tree. Sometimes, something more expensive like decorating the main building. Which had to be elaborate. This year though, her mom was handling everything. They were all just to pick up things. And she had done hers promptly using their company’s delivery vans. Everyone knew her mother’s reaction to failures on her part. So, most people avoided the drama. They did the task not because they wanted to but because they had to. “Okay.” she told her anxious sister-in-law who was breathing heavily down the phone now. The traffic sign changed and the cars slowed. Daphne stopped driving and adjusted her ear pod “Calm down, I’ll get it”

“Thank you.” Riley replied with a sigh “Do you have enough for the first serving though?” she asked, honking at the driver in front. The signal had changed and he didn’t move. The man honked back, apparently in apology and drove on. She followed too. “Sorry.” she apologized to Riley “It’s fine.” Riley told her then added, “I have some enough for the first serving. But I still need them early. You’ll be back, won’t you?”

That wasn’t really in her hands. Still, she replied, “Sure, of course”. It was quick. She hoped Riley caught that?

“The company is on break. They can’t come down here. But a good friend from there offered to drop it off at the MASSONs” The MASSONs was a convenience store on the next street. “They’re getting me two packs. Since you’re heading that way, I’ll send him to…”

“Duplexy’s. I’ll send you the address.”

“You’re a lifesaver. Come back early, Daph”

The call ended just as she drove into the designer’s place. As she predicted, the place was crawling with people. She didn’t bother counting, it was pointless. Gathering her flowing gown, she started for the place with her face held high. She had her hair wrapped up beautifully and her makeup had been done. She would however have to revisit the look after the fittings though. Her high and gaily expression made the crowd pave way for her. They knew the polished customers when they see them. The security men helped her into the building and she smiled her thanks while she fanned herself.

“Daphne.” breathed Duplexy. “Let’s get you out of there, shall we?” she signaled to her girls as Daphne waltzed into the fitting room where the girls undressed her. Once they had the gown, she stepped back into the sewing room in her underwear and some cloth as covering. She sat down beside the lady.

“Can you make it short?” she asked. She had picked this particular outfit but now she had doubts. “Just fit in the red, and remove the flowing thing. I want smart”

“Smart you shall have.” Daphne said, then apologizing to the lady whose cloth she was amending with a smile said, “I’ll have to take this please, Susanne”

The Susanne in question didn’t look pleased, but she nodded, all the same, took her clothe, and stepped aside. Duplexy smiled unbothered and began amending Daphne’s cloth.

Some minutes later, Daphne was trying on the amended outfit. Her designer had fit in the red as she requested at the nape, and the two sides around her hip. Since it hugs tightly to her skin, it gave the short gown a nice look. “Finally, something I love.” she said, catching her designer’s satisfied look in the mirror. “Thank you”

“You’re welcome.” Duplexy said, turning around towards the door. Her work was done here. As she opened the door, she sighted a customer and dash back in. “Oh, you’re not going to like this” she said, looking at her client with pleading eyes. “David is here”

“Shit!” Daphne tapped the lap, lightly. “What is he doing here? I’m late for the party as it is.” a quick peep at her wristwatch confirmed her statement. She was now forty-five minutes late. Why was Dave here? “Is my friend with her?” perhaps Mabel needed some amendment. That would be the only way she could be rid of her Dave. At least it would mean he wasn’t here for her but for Mabel. She waited as the designer peeped again through the door.

“I don’t see Mabel anywhere beside him.” she said, closing the door quietly. Her friend’s exasperated look had her stifling a laugh. She had heard about the drama involving the friends and the man outside just as she knew Daphne wanted no part in it at the moment. She could understand where she stood in all these too. Though she had her fault. The best she could do for everyone was to withdraw and let the couple sort out their issue. The last time they met at her store had been awkward. Mabel and Daphne greeted each other like friends at each other’s neck. Even if they try to hide the smugness. She had to step in eventually when both of them wouldn’t back down. And that’s how she knew all about the gist. “Have you made up with your friend?” she asked just to be clear. Mabel had said that they had settled the last time she was here when she asked. It doesn’t hurt to ask.

“We have, Duplexy. And that’s inconsequential right now.” Perhaps this was about Mabel then. She wasn’t sure if they were back together. She had been so busy with her business that she didn’t check up on her friends. She only knew that Ainsley and Jessica were trying to patch things up and had been following up on those two. It appears Jessica’s boss likes her too. While she genuinely hoped things work out for them, she could see how that would speed up the mending process for the friends. But Mabel came with a whole lot of drama right now. With hers waiting for her back home too, she didn’t want anyone disturbing her. This had to be avoided. In a panic, she asked, “Is there some back door I can take?”

The lady rolled her eyes in anger, “Sure, there is.” she replied, “Back there, where he’s standing at the moment”

She knew that too. “I can’t face him, please. I have my mom to deal with and I’m an hour late already”

Duplexy looked at her client sorely, “Okay, I should be able to do something” she said as she opened the door and step out. “Give me five”

“Take ten.” Daphne heaved, sitting back down while her designer worked some magic. If Dave was here though, it meant he had her followed and knows where she was. So, she didn’t know what Duplexy could say to make him leave without saying whatever he had to say to her. Outside she heard the two arguing and it didn’t sound nice at all. Standing, she walked to the door to check on them. As she opened the door, she heard Dave scream that he knew she was in there since her car was packed right outside. That got her angry. Maybe she could clear this out faster than her designer, she mused to herself. Taking a final look at herself in the mirror, she looked around. She had left her purse in her car. So, there was nothing to take. “Why are you having me followed, Dave?”

Dave snickered when he heard her. “Your car is right outside” he pointed out.

Daphne smiled at her designer. “Thank you, Duplexy. I’ll be on my way now”

“You sure about that?” she asked, looking from her to the man eyeing her fiercely. She supported Daphne’s decision not to butt into her friend’s relationship with her man. But this decision she was taking right now, it wasn’t a smart one.

“Yes.” she nodded, walking outside. “Dave has nothing to say to me.” Dave on his part said nothing. He just followed her out. Duplexy did too. Taking the chance that he wasn’t going to say anything with her designer present, she entered her car, started it, and zoomed off. He wouldn’t dare follow her home. Her brother who was his friend was quite upset with him at the moment too. But the only issue was she had to stop and take Riley’s wine packs at the MASSONs. “Siri, dial Riley.” she said to her iPhone’s assistance as she neared the place to see if she could have the guy drop it without having to park.

$Chapte CHAPTER SEVENTY-EIGHT —I want you!

“How did we get here?” Ainsley asked, rolling off the sweet man looking at her like she just dropped from some angelic zone. And he loved how he was looking at her. He tickled her and she laughed heartily while he rolled on top of her. He was hard all over again. The instant she felt his dick on her stomach, her eyes grew wild. “Again?”

“Yes.” he replied like she was saying something unbelievable. “I simply can’t get enough of you.” he said right before he found her nape and kissed her sweetly. She moaned into his mouth. He took that as all the response he needed. His kisses grew bolder. And because she didn’t pull away, instead, she leaned into him, holding him in place, deepening the kiss, he tensed. Taking it all in. enjoying the taste of her. She tasted exotic. He began to invade her mouth, his tongue darting in and out, exploring her inner crevices. He loved how she tasted, liked how she rubbed her body on him while they kissed. He jerked back, hating that he was enjoying this too much. But her moans showed that she was too. They were both loving this precious moment. He wanted it to last longer. Not like what they had just shared. That was quick and fast. Lustful really. They had both gone after each other like time was against them. Not this time. They had all the time in the whole world. He stopped kissing her and pulled back.

When he stopped, she looked at him but said nothing. Reaching for him, she continued where he stopped; kissing his hard chest, down to his navel. He groaned. She couldn’t explain how she ended up on his laps. Did he lift her onto his legs, or had she? Nothing mattered now, she told herself. Nothing mattered but what was happening now as long as it didn’t stop. She wasn’t going to think about anything. When his strong arms tangled in her hair, tugging her head to the side so he could ravish her mouth, she moaned into his mouth.

He stopped kissing her, tracing kisses down her neck instead. He let go of the hairpin she had used to hold up the hair, loving the full locks of them as it fell on her shoulder. She pulled away from his grasp long enough to remove her top. Then reaching for his, she took off his shirt, tugging at the buttons. He pulled her back then, lifting his legs so her breasts were on the same level as his lips. Through the sheer lacy bra, he kissed her tits. Her moans made him go at it a bit aggressively.

Feeling so wet for him, she removed his brief and threw it somewhere. Lifting herself off him, she held his dick, lightly rubbing it. When she felt him part her panties, she tugged at it instead. Pulling it off to have him more to herself without any hindrance. The pant was too tight for him to fit into anyway. Turning her in one quick move, he was on top of her. Holding her down, he used the other hand to lift her legs wide for him and he rolled into her. “Fuck” he swore, loving the tightness of her clits as it clung to him, pulling him in. He stayed buried in her, not moving, enjoying the way she made her feel.

When Ainsley’s eyes flew open, he flipped her so she was astride him. Needing no further encouragement, she sunk her ass into the long hardened length of him and moaned. His hand guided the small of her back, quickening her pace. And she flipped her head back, riding him on, and loving it. She opened her eyes to look down at him and smiled. He was enjoying this too.

She started to quicken, and he knew her release was imminent. Then she began to clench around him, and he groaned, giving her that, allowing her the pleasure of finding release, after which he would have his own. She began to fall on him, exhausted, shaken, sated. He held her, giving her some time to get her breath steadily.

Then it was time for his. Lifting her off him, he put his hands on her shoulders and spun her to face away from him. Her face was to the wall, her back turned to him with her ass lifted in the air. And she waited, anticipating as he moved closer towards her. The tip of his prick grazed her back. She sucked in her breath. He placed his hands on her shoulders again, forcing her down still. He wanted her on all fours. The posture left her bare backside open to him.

Before dipping himself into her, despite how much his body craved release, he waited. He fingered her, giving her time to adjust while getting her aroused. Then he stopped, kissed the small of her neck, and leaned towards her. Grabbing her boobs, he drove deep into her. She gasped at the intensity of his thrust and whimpered deliciously as he kept at it. He supported her body, holding her to him. Damian kept on thrusting, enacting more whimpers, and moans from her. He kept going, drilling her, wetting her, rolling his dick inside her clenching cunt. And when he finally grunted from his own release, she fell off his dick, exhausted.

He didn’t let her go. Instead, he turned them around allowing her to lie back down on their sleeping bag. He was astride her instantly. She noticed his dick was still very hard and smiled at him. He bent down to kiss her hard, before thrusting back in. Ainsley arched, deepening the penetration. She wrapped her legs around him, forcing him in deeper. Pulling his head down to hers, she kissed him so hard so he would know just how well she was into this. He groaned at her sleekness, grinding into her.

When he started to slow down, she clenched around him and he quickened his pace. He pounded her so hard she moaned and sank her teeth in his neck. He grunted but never slowed his pace. She came the third time as he sorts his release too. He stayed inside her a full minute before collapsing in exhaustion. Her uneven breathing showed she was as tired as he was. Satisfied, he rolled off her. She snuggled close to him as his arms wrapped her in.

Jessica yawned loudly as she stretched lazily. The ray of light gently rolling into the room through the half parted curtain had awakened her. That was totally unexpected. She remembered drawing the blind before getting in bed last night. That only meant someone other than herself had opened the window blind. She stirred gently as she remembered her boss was in bed with her. Chuckling as she recalled last night too, she turned around to check his side of the bed. To her surprise, he was gone. But she knew where to. The sweet smell coming from her kitchen indicated just where. Stretching again, she got out of bed dressed in her pink pajamas and tiptoed towards the kitchen. She stood by the door, watching the man dance his way through her kitchen. How she loves men who cook! And this boss right here knew his way around her. Smiling, she watched him dice the veggies.

McCarthy felt her presence and with a shake of his head, turned around towards her. She had on the dreamy look. And her morning face was something to behold. Her upturned lips begged to be kissed. But he stayed where he was. She wanted things slow, and he was ready for that too. He could do slow with her, he murmured to himself. Although he doubted her gorgeous look wouldn’t stand in the way. Last night, while holding her as they slept, he mentally cautioned himself to respect her feelings and not take her right there. But he was anything if not a perfect gentleman. So, he held her and they slept in. The instant he knew she was asleep, he tucked in pillows between them and drew her closer. Slow, we would be, he muttered. He woke up with a hard-on. It had been a long time he had been with a woman. He didn’t know just how long he could hold off. But he wanted to build something meaningful relationship with her. And rushing sex wouldn’t help. That was why he got out of bed and started making breakfast. Well, she doesn’t have to know that, he muttered under his breath while saying “Good morning.” he greeted, loud and clear and cheerful.

“Good morning.” she said, smiling as she walked up to him, hugging him. Their relationship had taken a whole new shade after last night. He had told her how much he cared about her in so many words and then asked what she thought. What was she to say to that? She had listened as he told her how he usually checks her out every day at work. She couldn’t recall ever catching him looking at her in any romantic way. When she asked, he had laughed and said he couldn’t notice anyone because she was all hung up over her ex; Mark. It was the sweetest thing she’d ever heard. She stayed up almost till midnight listening to him tell fascinating details of her. Then suddenly he had said he wanted her for himself. “As your woman?’ she had asked.

“Yes.” he responded with a wide grin. He let the words sink in, thinking of how perfectly it described what he wanted her to be in his life. My woman! “I like the ring of that.” pulling her to himself, he had said, “I want you as the only woman in my life”

She loved that too. “So, we are dating now?” she had asked, just to be on the same page. She wanted no miss leading. Knowing folks like Angel would make a mess of her if word went out and she wasn’t sure what they were. She figured someday she would tell her boss just what she had heard. He definitely needed to know her staff found him sexy.

“We’re dating now” he repeated, his lips taking hers in.

Shaking her head now as she walked towards him, hugging him from behind, she asked, “How was your night?”

“I had a great night, thank you.” he adjusted her hands to wrap them on his stomach. “Although, I would have loved if you were still in bed”

“Why?” she asked, concealing a small laugh that threatened.

“Because I’m making breakfast in bed. And you’re not in bed” he said with a teasing smile.

Removing her hands from his body, she stepped back. “Okay, boss” she hands-off in mock surrender and went back to the room. She brushed her teeth while she waited for the meal to arrive, then got back in bed. It was just in time as he brought the meal right in.

Setting the food tray on the bed, he said, “Wait for it.” and rushed out again. This time, he came back with two cups. He sat on the bed and began to uncover the food tray. There was peppered cheese, macaroni, tea, and toasted bread.

“Wow” she was amazed seeing all he had prepared in such a short time. “When did you get up to make all these?” she asked, sniffing the cheese. He didn’t wake up at 4 a.m. did he?

“I wake up 6.” she said, with a shrug. “Every day, so not a problem”

That was a little too much. He was cutting off her compliment with that. “That was a compliment mister.” she told him, rolling her eyes lovingly. “Such an…”

He stuffed the bread in her mouth to shut her off. “Thank you?”

“Hmmn, better.” she chewed the bread and closed her eyes as she tasted the sweetness. “This is so nice”