Sins of a Delicate Nature

Sins of a

Delicate Nature

Cynthia Brooks

Copyright © 2014 by Cynthia Brooks.

Library of Congress Control Number:   2014908050

ISBN:          Hardcover          978-1-4990-1323-8

                   Softcover            978-1-4990-1325-2

                   eBook                978-1-4990-1322-1

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Rev. date: 06/21/2014

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CONTENTS

CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER 3

CHAPTER 4

CHAPTER 5

CHAPTER 6

CHAPTER 7

CHAPTER 8

CHAPTER 9

CHAPTER 10

CHAPTER 11

CHAPTER 12

CHAPTER 13

CHAPTER 14

CHAPTER 15

CHAPTER 16

CHAPTER 17

CHAPTER 18

CHAPTER 19

CHAPTER 20

CHAPTER 21

CHAPTER 22

CHAPTER 23

CHAPTER 24

CHAPTER 25

CHAPTER 26

CHAPTER 27

CHAPTER 28

CHAPTER 29

CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER 1

Ta’Lisa Brown

T HINGS AT FELLOWSHIP Industries had already begun to heat up. So far, twenty workers had been laid off, and 480 were slated to go over the next year and a half. Ta’Lisa Brown hoped she would not be in that number. Tonight she wanted to forget all about it and party. She decided to check out Vision in Downtown Atlanta.

Ta’Lisa was dressed in a sheer red cheongsam dress and red thong and bra set. She loved the attention she received when she dressed provocatively. This usually meant she had gone all out. Ta’Lisa, five feet ten in her stockinged feet, weighed about 170 pounds — none of which was fat. She had abs to die for and a butt on which you could bounce a quarter. Flaunting her five-foot-ten-inch frame and wearing a pair of three-inch heels, Ta’Lisa dropped into several different clubs to get her weekend kick. She lived for the attention of the men and loved the way the women turned up their noses at her.

As she entered Club Vision, she noticed the crowd looked a little young for her taste. She decided to get a drink and go where the grown and sexy hung out. Ta’Lisa loved to make a scene; so when the DJ played a Reggae song, she moved to the dance floor and began dancing a slow grind. The other people surrounding her moved back to let her dance. She had the attention of the whole club. The feeling was intoxicating; she could feel the men’s stares raking over her body. As she danced, the heat from the lights began to make her sweat. Beads of sweat trickled down her back, forcing it to arch like a wanton lover responding to her lover’s touch. Her long, wavy, jet-black hair began to stick to the sides of her face; she quickly wiped it away. She was a slave to the music and had to keep up her pace. Ta’Lisa danced for what seemed like hours; but when at last the song came to a quick halt, she composed herself and walked off the floor. Not looking back, she grabbed her wrap and purse and headed out the door. So much for that, she said aloud with a wicked grin. As she reached her car, she noticed a long line forming at Club 112 across the street and decided to walk over there to see what all the fuss was about. She had never been to that particular club but had heard rumors, and she wanted to see what it was like.

She headed to the front of the line and asked a man wearing a very nice Armani suit for the time.

It’s a quarter to midnight, he said, looking at his watch. When he looked up, he gasped. Wow, um, are you here alone? he asked, surveying the line.

Very much so, she replied.

Well, be my guest, he said, extending his hand to her.

Don’t mind if I do, she said, smiling.

The women waiting in line behind her began complaining under their breaths. Ta’Lisa turned and looked at them, rolled her eyes, then returned her attention to the man in the suit.

Once inside the club, Ta’Lisa quickly got rid of Mr. Armani Suit and began checking out the crowd. Everyone was dressed to impress. She knew she made the right choice; she was very impressed with the layout and the crowd in Club 112. She made a mental note to come back next weekend. Ta’Lisa downed two Long Island iced teas and was about to make her way to the dance floor when she spotted a very nice-looking brother and his friends checking her out from across the room. She walked up and singled out the tall, thick brother wearing the Bijan suit. Ta’Lisa smiled to herself as she checked out the design.

Hello, my name is Ta’Lisa. Would you care to dance? she asked with a seductive smile.

Hello, Ta’Lisa, my name is Cedrick. Sure, I’d love to dance, he replied, smiling.

They danced for quite a while; and after they finished the last slow dance, Ta’Lisa realized how late it had gotten.

Well, lover boy, unless you’re going home with me, it’s time for all good little girls to go home. I have already overstayed my welcome. Plus, I have a very early day ahead of me. Thank you for dancing with me, she said with a grin as she walked away.

Was that an invitation? he asked, following her off the dance floor.

Take it like you want to, you’re a big boy, she said without turning around.

Hey, why so cold? I thought we had a pretty good time tonight; let’s not spoil it now, he whined.

Well, Cedrick, you can stand here jaw jacking all night, or you can get directions to my place and meet me at my house — it’s on you, she replied, now facing him.

With that, she walked out the door. Cedrick rushed over to where his friends were, grabbed his coat, and hurried out the door behind the woman who held his mind captive. He caught up with her as she crossed the street. They exchanged cell numbers, and he got the address to her place. Cedrick really did not feel like driving all the way to College Park tonight, but he could not get her out of his mind.

He decided to go; she was a beautiful woman — long, sexy legs, jet-black hair, and eyes that dipped down in the corners just enough to make you question her heritage. As he was about to pull out of the parking lot, his friend Jeff tapped on his window, snatching his attention away from his thoughts of her.

Yeah, man, what’s up? he asked, half disappointed and somewhat relieved.

Man, I know you are not about to leave already, and please tell me you aren’t chasing that skirt you been grinding on all night.

"Ah, come on, man, you saw how fine she was. You have to admit that woman is hot! I’m just going to College Park for a little nightcap and some worthwhile conversation.

Come on, Cedrick, you know the type. man. That woman ain’t nothing but a gold digger, and you know it, Jeff said in a huff.

Look, Jeff, hit me on my hip around three or three thirty, man, and then if you still haven’t heard from me, call my cell. I’m not going to do anything stupid, man. Trust me, he replied.

All right, man, be safe, he said, walking back toward the club.

Once Jeff walked away, Cedrick turned off both his cell phone and his pager and pulled out of the parking lot. As he was driving down I-295, he couldn’t do anything but think about her. She was beautiful. His wife of four years had very short hair. He really loved it on her but couldn’t help being intrigued by the long, soft-as-sable hair that hung seemingly endlessly from Ta’Lisa’s head.

Checking the time, Cedrick knew he had just a couple of hours to spend with Ta’Lisa; but he had to be careful. He didn’t want to get caught up tonight. His wife knew his Friday night ritual: he would party all night long with his friends, and then his family would have his undivided attention for the rest of the weekend.

Cedrick knew she was out of his league — she was a beautiful, wild stallion, one that would challenge even the most experienced equestrian. Nevertheless, he felt he had to have her, but was he willing to sacrifice his family to have her? That question was eating away at him.

He found her place quickly; it was a very beautiful complex, with lovely landscaping. The parking lot was well lit, and the parking garage for the tenants had an all-night attendant as well. As he looked up, he could see that they seemed to have enormous balconies, and he imagined them kissing out there under a moonlit night. Cedrick walked into the building and into an open elevator, then pushed the button for the seventeenth floor; but the door remained opened. As he stepped off the elevator, the door attendant quickly approached him.

There seems to be something wrong with the elevator. I pushed the button, but the door wouldn’t close, he said to the door attendant.

Yes, sir, the occupant has to buzz you up, he replied.

Oh, my bad, he replied.

No problem, sir. Who are you here to see? the door attendant asked.

Oh yeah, Ta’Lisa. Ta’Lisa Brown, he answered.

Who may I say is calling? the door attendant asked.

Cedrick, he replied.

The door attendant picked up the receiver and called to her apartment. Ma’am, there is a Cedrick here to see you. May I send him up? he asked. Once he replaced the receiver, he told Cedrick she wanted him to come right up. Cedrick stepped on the elevator and took it to the seventeenth floor. When he stepped off the elevator, he began looking for the number of the apartment. Since he couldn’t find any apartment numbers, he started back to the elevator; then he heard her call his name. He turned, and she was standing there in a long, sheer, black robe with nothing on under it.

Leaving already? she asked seductively.

No… I couldn’t find the apartment number, so I was on my way back down to the door attendant to find out where you lived, he replied.

It’s over here, she said as she pointed down to the doormat.

His eyes followed where she was pointing, and he replied, Oh, I wouldn’t have ever guessed it would be on the doormat. That’s pretty neat; although if you don’t know where you’re going, you could easily get confused.

Once inside the apartment, Cedrick could not believe his eyes — the apartment was huge! The entertainment center, silver with black smoked glass, took up the back wall of her living room. The black leather sofa and chaise lounge were geometric in shape, like nothing he had ever seen. Her place was just as different as she was. The surround sound was blasting an instrumental version of George Duke’s classic No Rhyme, No Reason.

Ta’Lisa poured them both a glass of wine. She changed the music with a remote control, and the next sound he heard was Bob Marley singing something in a dialect he wasn’t sure how to translate. He watched as she got into the music, her body gyrating in slow, deep circles. Ta’Lisa let her robe fall around her ankles as she placed a foot on his knee. Cedrick watched her contort her writhing body in a manner he’d never known the female or any other body capable of doing. She danced until Cedrick couldn’t take it anymore. Standing and taking off his coat, Cedrick grabbed Ta’Lisa and lifted her off the ground, laying her on the couch. He looked deep into her eyes and smiled.

Just how long were you planning on teasing me? he asked.

Not that long. I was waiting for you to respond, hell, the song was almost over, she said, giggling.

After they shared a brief laugh, Ta’Lisa grabbed his hand and walked him toward the bedroom. Once inside the bedroom, he was amazed. She had really outdone herself. There was a netted canopy with vines covering the huge, four-poster bed. Cedrick loved the decor; it was befitting the beautiful, black stallion she was. After Cedrick undressed, the next few hours were anything but disappointing. Cedrick lay thinking about the situation, trying to see how it differed from any others in the past. Although he couldn’t really differentiate then, he knew there was something special about her.

Hey, what time is it? he asked.

Ta’Lisa lifted her head and looked at the clock opposite her on the nightstand.

It’s four forty-five, she replied.

Cedrick rolled over on top of Ta’Lisa, who was barely awake, and said, I have plenty of time for round three, if you’re up for it.

No, I really need to be getting up. I have to be at work by six thirty, she replied.

Cedrick got out of bed, grabbed his clothes, and headed to the bathroom; as he turned on the light, Ta’Lisa covered her head with the pillow. Once inside the bathroom, Cedrick was pleasantly surprised at how beautiful this room was as well. The bathroom was about the same size as his guest bedroom. The vanity had his and her sinks with gold faucets. Above the vanity were two very large, gold-framed mirrors. Hanging between the two was a small chandelier. The back wall of the bathroom featured a large, beveled mirror, with a beautiful, leopard-skinned chaise lounge in front of it. The tub was gorgeous; it was a very light-beige-almost-taupe color, sitting on golden-clawed feet. In the corner was a stand-alone shower of the same color. Cedrick grabbed a thick towel from the linen table and showered quickly. Before he left the bathroom, he took a glance at himself in the mirror, and all the guilt he was denying fell on his shoulders. Cedrick couldn’t help but feel like a low-down dog, but he told himself it couldn’t be helped. He knew he was wrong; his wife was a loving woman and, to his knowledge, had never stepped out on him. That didn’t and couldn’t change the fact that when given the chance, he would do it again.

When Cedrick emerged from the bathroom, Ta’Lisa was standing there in a lovely, baby-blue, silk kimono. She had piled her hair on top of her head and held it in place with chopsticks. The sight of her nearly made him gasp. As he stared in her eyes, he saw a lifetime of hurt and pain. He wanted to reach out, grab her, and hold her. He wanted to tell her that, with him, things would be different, that he would love and protect her. However, what could he really offer her? He was married and had no plans of ever leaving his wife and children.

I’d better be leaving, he said, still staring into her eyes.

Okay, I have to get ready for work anyway, she replied softly.

Ta’Lisa turned and walked into the bathroom, closing the door behind her. Cedrick stood there, trying to memorize her face on the other side of the door. Placing an open hand on the door, Cedrick dropped his head. Lord, I know it’s wrong, but I really want this woman. Please help me, I have to have her, he prayed silently.

Hey, he called through the door, I’ll call you later on, all right?

After a long pause, she replied, I think we better leave well enough alone.

I’m not trying to compete with your wife. I just might win, she added.

She then turned on the surround sound, and the next sound he heard was jazz musician Boney James blaring from the bathroom. Cedrick grabbed his coat and left. He was confused. Here he was risking his marriage, and she was talking about not competing with his wife. He was becoming increasingly upset. Didn’t she know she had reeled him in? She had won the prize; what more could she want? Cedrick tried to calm down so he could call his wife.

After a few minutes, he called and told his wife he was en route. He apologized for staying out so late. After they said their good-byes, Cedrick started his car and pulled off.

She hoped she hadn’t hurt his feelings, but she hated men that couldn’t recognize the game for what it was. They were having fun; maybe she was a little harsh. Ta’Lisa shrugged it off, blaming not having enough sleep as the culprit.

She wondered what lay ahead for her. The job had become more of a chore than the fun place she had become used to. Everybody was walking on pins and needles because of the coming layoffs. She really hoped she wouldn’t be let go, but she prided herself in believing that even good people had bad days in life, thus preparing herself for the worst.

As she finished dressing, she allowed her thoughts to drift back to Cedrick again and their night together. Cedrick was an excellent lover, but she could tell that he was far too emotional, and she really preferred her men emotion-free. She hated to get involved with men who wore their feelings on their shirtsleeves, but sometimes that worked in her favor.

She called the garage and had Paco, the garage manager, start her Navigator; she was in a hurry this morning and wanted to get to work before she was late. Ta’Lisa was about to leave when she decided to call and apologize to Cedrick. As she dialed his cell number, she wondered what his wife would think about a call this early in the morning, especially since he didn’t get home until around five thirty a.m. Cedrick answered on the first ring.

Hey, it’s me, Ta’Lisa. I’m sorry for that outburst this morning. I get really cranky when I don’t get enough sleep, she said in her best seductive voice.

Oh, no problem, you had me worried, though, Cedrick replied.

Yeah, I kind of figured that, which is why I made the call. Can you get out for a while this evening? she asked in a whining voice.

No, ma’am, I have to spend the rest of the weekend with my family. Maybe we can hook up one day during the week, he replied.

Suddenly Ta’Lisa was disappointed in herself for calling. Well, your loss, she replied. Oh, and Cedrick, I don’t wait on any man, so suit yourself, she said, hanging up.

Cedrick looked at the phone and realized that the call had ended. He waited for her to call back, but when she didn’t, he knew she must have been upset. Cedrick decided he’d call her later.

Ta’Lisa hurried out the door to the garage to find Paco; he was talking to a very handsome man in a business suit and loafers. The man was gorgeous; Ta’Lisa paraded her very tight jeans up to them and excused herself for butting in.

I’m sorry for the interruption, Paco, do you have the spare key? I must have left mine upstairs, she said, looking only at the man in the suit.

Yes, ma’am, but isn’t that your key in your hand? he replied.

Oh, silly me, she said, never taking her eyes off the good-looking stranger. I guess I’d better get going, she said, turning around slowly, giving them the opportunity to take a good look at her butt.

As she strolled to her car, she heard Paco telling the man that she was single. When she pulled out of her spot, the good-looking man flagged her down. She lowered her window, and he introduced himself to her.

Hello, beautiful lady, my name is Kensington Elliot, he said, extending a neatly-manicured hand.

And my name is Ta’Lisa Brown. It’s a pleasure meeting you, Mr. Elliot, she replied, accepting the handshake.

Where are you off to on this early Saturday morning? he asked.

I have to work this morning, what about you? she asked.

Well, I have a funeral that’s a few hours away from here, so I stopped by here to see an old friend en route, he replied.

Wow, it’s awfully early for a social call, don’t you think? she asked.

Well, he said, laughing, that was last night. The funeral is this morning.

Oh, I see, well, don’t let me keep you. I’m sure you are ready to make that drive. Maybe we’ll run into each other again sometime, she replied.

I should return sometime tonight. I’m not planning on staying after the funeral. What are your plans this evening? he asked.

Well, actually, I don’t have any plans. What time will you get back? she asked.

Let’s see, probably around ten, he replied.

Good, that will give me plenty of time to get ready. Shall we meet here in the parking garage? she asked, smiling.

No, he said, hesitating. I know how to treat a lady. My friend lives on the fifteenth floor, apartment 5C. I’ll expect you around eleven p.m., he said.

Okay, I’ll see you tonight, she replied.

Here, take my cell number, he said, handing her his business card.

Here’s mine, she said. Turning over the card he’d just handed her, she scribbled down her number and handed him back the card.

I’d like you to have my number as well, he said, staring at her.

It’s in here, she said, pointing to her head.

Huh? he asked, confused.

Your number is 404-555-1372, right? she asked with a wink.

That’s impressive, he replied.

Thank you. I’d better get going; I don’t want to be late for work, she said.

All right, I guess I’ll see you later, he replied.

Sure thing, she said, winking.

As she pulled off, Kensington Elliott couldn’t believe his eyes or his luck. She was beautiful. He wondered if he should tell her about his current situation. He decided against it as he walked to his car. He was going to have her, no matter the price.

CHAPTER 2

Monique Johnson

M ONIQUE WALKED INTO the doctor’s office, both afraid and concerned about the test results.

She had received a call from Dr. St. Leon’s office, urging her to come in as soon as possible. As she waited for her name to be called, she found herself praying and asking God for his mercy. Within five minutes, the nurse called her name. Monique Johnson, the doctor will see you now. Monique walked slowly toward the voice that beckoned her. Once she reached the room, she felt like her whole life was about to change.

As she waited, her life flashed before her. She thought about all the things she’d done in her life. She tried to remember the last time she prayed or if she ever went to church, for that matter. She thought of her strict upbringing and the fact that she left home at the tender age of fifteen. Monique had raced through school and graduated when she was only sixteen. She went away to college at Howard University, but flunked out due to excessive partying.

She decided she wasn’t going home, and now she had to find a way to stay in DC and work. Sadly, what was in store for Monique would scar her for life. She met a young man named Timothy Monroe, who wore all the latest clothes and drove a very expensive car. One day, he began talking to her, and