Page 23 of Caught off Guard

Zora pursed her lips as if she didn’t want to say the wrong thing. I smiled, realizing it wasn’t her fault for bringing up such a tender subject. I reached for her hand.

“It’s okay, Zora. I have beautiful memories, and many of those reside in my home. Let me show you the rest of my downstairs rooms.”

For the next ten minutes, I gave Zora a high-level tour of my living room, master bed and bath, walk-in closets, a half bath for guests, a formal dining room, informal eating area, a large reception room for parties, and a cloak room with a laundry room behind it.

“Do you want to see the lower level or freshen up? We have all weekend to explore.”

“I’d like to go to my room now, if that’s okay.”

“Of course.” We returned to the foyer, where I carried her bags upstairs.

As we ascended the circular staircase, she lagged a couple of steps behind.

“I’m surprised you don’t have people to carry my things up.”

“I wanted us to have privacy, so several of them are off today. It’s my honor to serve you.” I winked and smiled big.

When we entered the bedroom I selected for Zora, I busied myself placing her suitcase on a chest at the end of the bed, watching her out of the corner of my eye. She stood and silentlytook in the decor, moving her eyes from the artwork on the wall to the silky earth-tone comforter.

“This is a room fit for royalty.”

“Of all my guest rooms, this is my most Zen one. My cousin is a prophet and declares that angels have set up residence here.”

Zora walked to the large window closest to her private bathroom and pulled back the sheers, lowering her eyes to my backyard.

“Cairo, this is paradise—your own piece of heaven on earth. What a gift.”

I joined Zora and followed her gaze.

“It’s definitely peaceful. God has blessed me.”

My simple words didn’t reflect the emotions overtaking me as I took in a panorama of the debt-free property outside. I sacrificed a lot to get here. Everything before us represented the fruit of my labor. It was my legacy.

“Settle in and make yourself at home.” I pulled a large sticky note from my pocket. “Here are the numbers of everyone in the house who can serve you in my absence. Don’t be shy about contacting them if you need anything. After practice, I’ll clean up, and we’ll have dinner downstairs. I’ll call you when I get back. You good?”

Zora reached for my hand and squeezed it.

“Yes. It sounds like a plan.”

When I returned from practice several hours later, Zora joined me for my evening meal in my formal dining room. I predicted that the tiered vintage chandelier and contemporary furniture would impress her as much as other parts of my home, setting the stage for her to see me as more than a rich basketball player throwing my money around at Liberation.

Although my chef presented a gourmet meal of roasted salmon and grilled asparagus with honey-glazed baby carrots, the main entrée I wanted to dig into was Zora. When she gentlytouched my arm in greeting, I peered into her sparkling brown eyes. Without her glasses, I clearly saw how her long lashes framed almond-shaped eyes I wanted to swim in.

Before she sat down, I hugged her close. Her formfitting black dress with sheer lace strategically covered her midsection and upper body, making her sexier than sin. The bottom of the dress hugged her butt and hips tight then flared at the bottom. Her toes peeked from black sandals with heels higher than the ones she had worn earlier.

“You’re gorgeous, Zora.”

“You don’t look so bad yourself.” I rubbed my hands together and popped the lapel of my black Versace dress shirt.

I pulled Zora’s chair out for her. Her hair, half-up and half-down, brushed my arm as she eased into the seat with the grace of a queen. The scent of jasmine filled my nostrils, making me temporarily light-headed.

“You smell like heaven.”

She placed her napkin in her lap.

“Thank you again.”

I took my seat and then shifted in my seat to adjust myself. After the chef had brought our house salad, I blessed the food and observed Zora as she chewed her food daintily.

---