Page 14 of Choosing the Chief

I chuckle, pick her up, and toss her over my shoulder. I slap her ass as and she squeals in delight. I strip off her thong and remove my boxers as we both get in the shower. I start to wipe her body clean and kiss her intermittently. Then we embrace and stay connected so long the water begins to hurt. We stand there and release all the stress from the past eight days. I’m thankful we made it through.

When Maya starts to cry, I hope she is starting to shed some of the weight she’s been carrying. I continue to hold her as she tears up and shudders under the hot running water. Steam surrounds us and I can barely make out her tears from the shower. I imagine the water from the shower as the pressure from everything she’s been going through. I feel like each one of her tears contain a piece of her pain. As her tears run down my chest and into the empty drain, I imagine her pain being released.Maybe it’s releasing me, too.She looks up at me with reddened, dry eyes. I pull her into me and take her against the wall.

I look her in her eyes. Maybe I really should jump.“Are you OK? What do you need?”

“Adom, right now, I just need you.”

I smile. “I need to taste you. Are you ready?”

She nods. “Please.” She sounds like she might die if I don’t bring my tongue to her center immediately. I lift her against the shower wall, place my head between her thighs, and give her what she needs until she erupts.

* * *

When we arrive in Accra, I take Maya to the jewelry shop. There is only one fine jewelry shop in Accra that will meet her standards. Charles Owusu is a childhood friend and the best jewelry dealer I know. My cousin Kofi hates him and always has. Charles’ proclivity toward Western traditions made him unworthy in his eyes. On the other hand, I always saw Charles as a shrewd businessman whose family’s gold empire taught him the value of precious things early. We aren’t all that close, but we have some history. Maya deserves the best; he will give it to her.

Maya enters the gallery in full diva mode. I love it. I won’t have to say a word to get the best jewels at the best possible price. Charles greets me with a handshake and kisses to Maya’s hand. I eye him carefully until he understands he should not dare touch her again. He clears his throat.

“Tell me, Ms.…?”

Maya quickly corrects him. “Dr. Taylor.”

He gives her a sheepish grin. “Yes of course, Adom did mention you are a doctor of our history. Please forgive my slip. What can I help you find?”

She takes a seat behind a case and begins to rattle of a shopping list like she’s ordering groceries. “I need to see diamond chokers, lariats, bracelets, and earrings. I also need a ruby cocktail ring the size of Accra. I expect all stones to be conflict-free and VVS quality, of course.”

He nods and signals for his shop girl. He repeats Maya’s list and gives her further directions. Just as he is about to dismiss her to retrieve the jewels, he turns back to Maya. “Are you buying or borrowing the jewels for the evening?” Maya turns to me.

I look at her and nod my head in approval. “We will buy whatever we fall in love with.”

Charles eyes turn a shade of greed I’ve never seen before. He turns to the shop girl and claps. She moves immediately. “May I offer either of you a glass of champagne while you wait?”

Maya speaks first. “No thank you. But sparkling water would be perfect, if you have it.”Good girl.

She rests a hand on the glass case and Charles places his hand on hers and whispers something in her ear. My eyes follow his hands immediately. I notice Maya’s hand shaking slightly under his. Charles catches my gaze and removes his hand. “Yes…yes…we do, I’ll have that out to you. Adom, what about you?”

I offer him the coldest stare I can. “Water.” He looks back at Maya with concern, and seemingly ignores my silent warning. We will have to address those shaking hands later.

I walk over to her and place my hand on hers. “What was he whispering about?”

She laughs. “Nothing of consequence. Why? Are you jealous?”

I scowl. “Of course not! I just find it rude that he would flirt with you while I am standing right here. Not that I own you or anything, but…well, you know what I mean.”

Maya nods and smirks. “Mmmm hmmm. I know exactly what you mean.”

After a moment, the jewels start to come out and Maya is in heaven. Seeing the smile on her face makes me melt. In the end, she chooses several diamond necklaces at various lengths, diamond bangles, a pair of diamond hoops, and a cocktail ring with a ruby the size of her fist. I happily pay the $150,000 bill and we head to the palace to pick out her dress. Once in the car, she takes my hand.

“Thank you, Adom, that was very generous of you. You really know the way to my heart. The jewelry is amazing.”

I chuckle. “Yes, I see that. I am jealous of the pleasure those diamonds gave you. Your face was orgasmic when you put that cocktail ring on your finger.”

She moves closer and lays her head on my shoulder. “I wasn’t that bad, was I? Things that glitter make me forget myself sometimes.”

“That’s why I did it. You should forget all your troubles.”

She takes in a deep breath and releases it. “I’m starting too.”

I nod. “Good.” Maya takes my hand in hers and starts to rub it.

---