Page 5 of Five Midnight Moment
Dwayne tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. “Nothing. I know you’re curious about why I chose this time.”
“I am.”
A smile tilted the corner of his mouth. “Do you remember our first kiss?”
She lifted a brow. “Is that a trick question? I’m a woman. What do you think?”
Chuckling, he shook his head. “I know you do, and so do I. It was a warm August day and we’d driven to Lake Tahoe. When I brought you home that night, it was midnight. The kiss we shared hit me in a way I’d never experienced and I knew I had to find a way to keep you in my life. It was the beginning of everything beautiful and I thought it would the perfect time to remind you why we belong together.”
Emotion clogged her throat and she didn’t know what to say. Not only had he remembered their first kiss, but he’d also given it a special place in his memories. “Dwayne.” She drew in a deep breath. He fingered the bracelet on her wrist. “Thank you for this. It’s beautiful, and so are the roses.”
His gaze briefly strayed to the flowers, then back to her. “And so are you.” He reached into the duffel he’d placed on the floor next to him, withdrew another small teal box and handed it to her.
Valencia smiled. “You’re really laying it on thick.”
Dwayne shrugged. “Open it.”
Inside, she found another charm, this one a diamond crown. “This is…it’s amazing.” She leaned over and kissed him. “Thank you.”
“I wanted you to know that you’re my beautiful Black queen and I cherish you. I also thought it was fitting in light of the set down you gave Ingram a couple of months ago. I wanted to bow at your feet.”
She laughed through the tears that flowed down her cheeks. Fifty-something year-old Ingram Fields had worked for the firm almost from its inception and had a bad habit of lording it over everyone. He thought he knew everything and had tried to challenge Valencia on her adding security measures, stating he’d managed several millions of dollars over the years fine and didn’t feel her protocols were necessary. She’d asked the man pointed questions to which he’d had no answers, then told him he should focus on his job and leave hers alone. Afterward the meeting, more than one person had come up to her to thank her for finally putting Ingram in his place. “You know he still doesn’t talk to me.”
“But you got the job done and I appreciate everything you’ve done to make our client’s accounts safer. Now, my queen, it’s time for your royal treatment.”
“What are you talking about?”
“All queens deserve to be pampered and because you’re mine, it’s even more true. Let me show you how much I adore you.” Dwayne picked up the bag, stood and extended his hand.
Valencia didn’t hesitate. Taking his hand, she led him to her bedroom. She reached for his shirt, but he stilled her hands.
He shook his head. “This night is all about you, Lyn.”
He slowly stripped away the lounging pajamas she wore, kissing each newly bared area until she lay flat on the bed. Moans spilled from her lips.
“Turn over,” he whispered.
She complied and he trailed his tongue down her spine. He kissed his way back up to her neck, causing her to tremble.
“Don’t move.” Dwayne left the bed for a moment and stripped down to his black boxer briefs.
She waited for him to finish, but instead, he reached into the bag for something, then came back to the bed and straddled her.
“What are you doing?” Valencia glanced over her shoulder and tried to see what he held, but he blocked her view. A few seconds later, she felt something cool drip onto her back.
“Enjoy.”
Before she could say anything, Dwayne’s hands moved over her in a combination of deep, light and featherlike touches that lulled her into a state of total relaxation. He kneaded her shoulders, back and buttocks. His hands went lower, grazing her core and she moaned, wanting more. But he continued to massage her thighs, legs and feet. Valencia’s breathing slowed and she felt herself drifting off. His deep voice near her ear awakened her.
“This is what you can look forward to in the new year—me taking care of you, just like a queen deserves. Tell me you want it as much as I do.”
“Yes,” she managed to say. No man had ever touched her as if she were a priceless work of art. She’d be crazy not to want what he offered. He turned her over and began again.
Dwayne brushed a kiss over her lips. “I’m glad to hear it.”
Her eyes drifted closed once more as she gave herself up to the delightful sensations. She had no idea how much time passed, but when her eyes opened again, she found Dwayne fully dressed and staring intently at her.
“Sleep well, my beautiful queen. I’ll see you in the morning.” He covered her mouth in a slow-as-molasses kiss that made her want to strip him naked and treat him to the same sensual explorations. He slid off the bed. “I’ll lock the door behind me.”
