Tulips for Tonica: A GSO Story Read online

  “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.”

  “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.”

  “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.

  “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.”

  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 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 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 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 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.

  “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 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 well-endowed 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 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 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 still-throbbing 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 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.

  “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 bathr
oom. 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.”

  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 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.