“No. It’s not that.” Kira felt her face flush with embarrassment thinking of many reasons why she couldn’t attend. She could imagine how she’d stand out in her boss’s group of high class friends who collectively owned half the city in terms of possessions and social standing. She’d be like a fish out of water and very self-conscious.
“Then what?” He asked as if he couldn’t possibly think of anything else.
“Well, I just don’t think I…”
“Do you have a date scheduled for that evening?”
“No…”
“Any other important engagements?”
“Uh…no.”
“Then it’s settled,” Mr. Carter said briskly. “You can leave a few hours early today to handle whatever you need to get ready for the party tomorrow. And that’s that. Now take this down…”
Kira sighed in concealed frustration, knowing the matter was closed. She very well couldn’t defy her boss which meant she would be at that party whether she liked it or not. And yet she couldn’t deny it even to herself that at least, she was deeply curious to finally meet her boss’s son.
It made her breathless again just thinking about coming face to face with that gorgeously attractive man she’d seen in that photo. A man with scorching good looks that had singed her fantasies every night since she’d seen a glimpse of his image.
Strange how she was normally the last person to get fixated on sex but now each night it was all she dreamed about. Steamy, back-breaking sex; the type that made the neighbors hate you for with all the headboard banging and the moans and screams. Kira’s cheeks flushed thinking how she woke up each morning with damp inner thighs and her arms wrapped around her pillow. And her gorgeous lover always had the same face; the same name.
Blake.
It was crazy to keep dreaming about a man she didn’t know and hadn’t even met. Kira knew she was a fool for nursing any attraction for him but she couldn’t seem able to help herself.
Not only was he way out of her league, she couldn’t see herself with her boss’s son and besides, she’d never ventured into interracial relationships.
In many ways, it really was only a fantasy and maybe finally meeting him would break the strange spell. Yeah…that was probably it. He probably wasn’t so hot in person, Kira told herself. If she was lucky, he’d now be balding, overweight and a terrible dresser. Or something like that.
Either way, she’d soon be over her girlish infatuation for his handsome chiseled face with the smoky grey eyes and the hunky smile that seemed to promise a multitude of sexy sins.
Stamping down any underlying feelings of excitement, Kira made herself concentrate on the notes her boss dictated.
***
Later that evening, Kira had dinner with her boyfriend.
Also African-American, his name was Terrence King and at thirty he was several years older than Kira. However the age difference was in no way obvious since Terrence was the epitome of ‘hip’ and cool not only in the way he looked but in the way he acted. He always had an infectious grin as well as a cheery outlook on life. Nothing seemed to ever faze him and he was always good at brightening even the worst situations. He was a reporter for one of the major New York newspapers and had his own celebrity column that was very popular.
They’d met less than six months ago at a friend’s house and clicked instantly. They liked the same kind of music, sports and had similar tastes in movies. They started dating seriously two months ago and hadn’t made any definite plans in their relationship which suited Kira just fine. They saw each other as regularly as both their jobs allowed and generally kept things simple. Kira’s idea, not his.
They ordered their favorite dishes and wine, and as usual Terrence started off talking about his day, and then she told him about hers. They laughed over the usual little gossip about co-workers or mutual friends. It was turning into an enjoyable evening as it felt great to have someone to share a nice meal with and talk about anything you both found interesting. Kira found herself mentioning the welcome party and saw Terrence’s darkly handsome face register interest.
“There could be a story in this you know. Bretton Carter’s long-lost son finally returns,” Terrence murmured and Kira rolled her eyes expressively. Trust Terrence to find a story in everything.
“To stay, I wonder?” mused Terrence as he sipped from his wine glass.
Kira was shaking her head. “I have no way of knowing. He’ll probably want to return back home to his mother.”
“His mother,” Terrence repeated speculatively. “She was some British chick, wasn’t she? She and your boss still divorced?”