Pleasure in His Kiss Read online

  “Let’s start with dessert,” she whispered against his mouth, her throaty, sultry voice betraying her need. “It’s my favorite meal of the day.”

  Their eyes met, and Morrison knew they shared the same thought: screw lunch!

  “Mmm. Something smells delicious in here.”

  “Hi, Uncle. Hi, Ms. Karma. What’s good?”

  “Mr. Drake, can we stay for lunch?”

  Morrison cranked his head to the right, saw Reagan enter the kitchen with six of her friends from Hampton Academy and hung his head. Damn. First Toya, and now this. I can’t catch a break today! Reagan turned the TV on to MTV, and hip-hop music filled the air.

  “Looks like we have company,” Karma said and dropped her hands from around his neck.

  “I’ll get rid of them.”

  “Don’t be silly. I love hanging out with Reagan and her friends.”

  Morrison frowned. “Well, I don’t, so let’s go upstairs to my bedroom.”

  “Boy, stop. Now, be a good host and help me dish the food and get them drinks.”

  Springing into action, Karma grabbed plates from off the counter and served the group lunch, chatting with them about their exams, prom dresses and summer hairstyle trends.

  Annoyed that his niece and her friends had ruined the mood, Morrison realized he wasn’t getting dessert—or lunch—and strangled a groan.

  Chapter 15

  “I’m out of here. Bye, everyone!” Karma said with a smile, slinging her Gucci purse over one shoulder and her tote bag over the other. “Have a great night. See you tomorrow.”

  Breezing through the front door, Karma couldn’t recall the last time she’d left Beauty by Karma at four o’clock, but Morrison and Reagan were on their way to pick her up for the Bruno Mars concert, and Karma wanted to toss her things in the trunk before they arrived. Thinking about Morrison and how much he meant to her made her heart smile. They’d only been dating for two months, but she’d already met his entire family, and next Sunday he was going with her to Brooklyn to have lunch with her grandparents. Karma had never brought anyone to their cozy brownstone before, and she hoped this would be the first of many visits. Last night, after making love, they talked about their relationship and their future, but Karma still couldn’t bring herself to tell Morrison the truth about her past. He’d opened up to her about the death of his sister, and even though Karma felt even closer to him, she was scared of being vulnerable with him. He wouldn’t understand. How could he? It was a scandalous, salacious story that Karma was taking to her grave.

  Yawning, her eyes watered, blurring her vision. May had been the busiest, most lucrative month Beauty by Karma had ever had, and Karma was convinced Reagan and Eve, the loveable colorist, were the reason why they had more bookings than ever. Not only were the female students at Hampton Academy now visiting the salon, so were their relatives. And every time Karma pulled up to the salon, Eve was outside, handing out flyers and chatting with locals. She’d promoted Abigail from the receptionist position to salon manager a month ago, and what the single mom lacked in experience she more than made up for in personality. Quick to smile and laugh, she made clients feel welcome, and was eager to learn everything there was to know about the business.

  Main Street was surprisingly quiet, deserted except for the brunettes snapping selfies in front of the gleaming, white sports car parked at the curb. Seeing the women hugging and laughing made Karma think of Jazz, and she wondered how her ex-friend was doing. If her social media pages were any indication, she was living the good life. Shopping at ritzy, by-appointment-only boutiques. Dining at premier restaurants. Flaunting the Cartier jewelry her boyfriend had given her. Boasting about their upcoming trip to Lake Como. Maybe one day, when the memory of their argument didn’t hurt as much, they’d be friends again. That was Karma’s hope. They’d had good times together, and despite their falling-out weeks earlier, she wanted the best for Jazz, hoped all of her dreams came true. And if Karma was wrong about Lorenzo, she’d be the first to apologize, but if she was right about the wealthy businessman, she’d ensure she was there to help her friend pick up the pieces.

  “I’ve dreamed of us reuniting for months, actually the entire time I was incarcerated, but now that you’re standing in front of me I don’t know what to say.”

  Blinking, Karma surfaced from her thoughts, told herself she was imagining things, that the man with the grizzly voice wasn’t her... Her legs buckled, and a gasp fell from her lips. Convinced something was wrong with her vision, Karma took off her sunglasses and narrowed her gaze, stared intently at the short, dark-skinned man standing in front of her. It was Feisal. She wasn’t seeing things, wasn’t sleeping with her eyes open, and assessed him from head to toe. He smelled like an ashtray, but his white, short-sleeve shirt and khaki pants were clean and ironed.

  “Karma, honey, you look amazing,” he praised, nodding his head. “It’s obvious you’ve done well for yourself the last few years, and I’m proud of you.”

  Karma stepped back, wanted to get as far away from Feisal as possible. Nothing made sense. What was he doing here? Had he escaped from prison? Was he on the run? There was only one way to find out, so she coughed to clear the lump in the back of her throat and projected confidence, even though she was trembling all over.

  “How did you find me? What are you doing here?” Karma glanced around to ensure no one was listening in on their conversation. “You’re supposed to be in jail.”

  A frown curled his thin lips. “Didn’t you get my letters? I was released from Livingston early for good behavior, and the first person I wanted to see was you.”

  “If you don’t leave, I’ll call the local police and have you arrested for harassment. I don’t want you here. You’re dead to me.”

  The light went out in his eyes, and his shoulders slumped. “Karma, I love you, and I miss you, and I want to have a relationship with you more than anything in the world. You have to believe me. You’re all that matters to me.”

  His words blew her mind. Feisal was a liar who didn’t have an honest bone in his body, and Karma didn’t believe anything he said. It didn’t matter that his eyes were filled with tears, didn’t matter that he sounded sincere; he’d hurt her before, and given the chance he’d do it again. “Please leave—”

  “I made a mistake, but I want to do right by you, and re-earn your trust.”

  “Are you out of your mind? You ruined my life, and I hate you!”

  “You don’t mean that, but I can see that you’re upset so I’ll come back another time.”

  “No! Don’t!” she snapped, shouting her words. “Why is this so hard for you to understand? I don’t want to see you again. Ever. Not tomorrow, not in a month, not in a year. Got it? You’re not welcome here, and if I catch you anywhere near my shop I’ll...”

  Panic ballooned in her chest, drenching her skin with sweat, and Karma broke off speaking. Her body shook uncontrollably, and her stomach twisted in a knot. Morrison and Reagan were headed their way, walking straight toward her, and Karma feared what would happen if Morrison and Feisal came face-to-face. It felt like her legs weighed a thousand pounds each, but she stepped past Feisal and marched off, wanted to run full-speed down the street and into the comfort of Morrison’s arms, but Karma maintained her composure.

  “P-p-please don’t do this,” he pleaded, his voice filled with desperation. “I need you.”

  Deaf to his pleas, she blinked away the tears in her eyes and slapped a smile on her lips. Her temperature soared, and her pulse pounded, but since Karma didn’t want Morrison to know she was upset, she spoke in a bubbly voice. “I thought you two would never get here,” she joked, playfully wiggling her eyebrows. “We better get going, or we’ll get stuck in traffic on our way to pick up Reagan’s date. And I don’t know about you guys but I don’t want to miss even a second of the concert.”

  “Ms. Karma, what
happened?” Reagan asked. “You’re shaking.”

  Morrison gestured with his head behind her. “Did that man upset you?”

  “No. I’m fine. Now, can we please go?”

  Karma heard footsteps behind her, felt Morrison pull her to one side, and Reagan to the other, and even though she knew what was about to happen—her past colliding with her future—there was nothing she could do to stop it. Karma wanted to protect herself, to plead her case to Morrison, but when she opened her mouth the words didn’t come.

  “Sir, I think you should leave,” Morrison said, shielding the women with his body. “You’ve upset my girlfriend, and I don’t want us to have any problems.”

  Feisal raised an eyebrow. “You’re Karma’s boyfriend? But you’re not her type.”

  Karma could feel the heat of Morrison’s gaze, knew he was expecting her to say something, but her throat was dry, and it took every ounce of her strength to remain upright.

  “Sir, I don’t mean to be rude, but who are you?”

  Feisal stuck out his right hand. “I’m Feisal Leonard. Karma’s dad.”

  * * *

  You’re who? Morrison blinked rapidly, gave his head a shake to clear the cobwebs from his mind. Confused, he couldn’t make sense of what the dark-skinned man had said, but when he looked at Karma, he knew in his gut that Feisal was telling the truth. The expression on her face was telling. Perspiration dotted her forehead, unshed tears filled her eyes, and she was fiddling with the cocktail ring on her left hand. “What the—”

  Remembering his niece was standing behind him, listening in, he slammed his mouth shut, swallowing the curse on the tip of his tongue. “Reagan, wait for me in the car.”

  “We’re still going to the concert, right?”

  “Do as you’re told,” he snapped. “And go back to the BMW.”

  Karma spoke to Feisal in Spanish, but there was so much noise on the street, Morrison didn’t hear what she said. Feisal turned and walked away, his head down, his shoulders hunched, and Morrison felt a rush of compassion. He wanted to know what Feisal’s story was, had so many questions for Karma, he didn’t know what to ask first. “Reagan, I need to talk to Karma alone.”

  “Fine,” she said with a dismissive wave of her right hand. “I’ll be in the salon. I need to use the bathroom, and I want to touch up my lipstick.”

  Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Reagan heading toward the shop, but waited until she was inside the salon before he spoke. “What was that?” he asked, pointing a finger in Feisal’s direction. Morrison could see him in the distance, and wondered where he was going, and if he had any other family in the city besides his estranged daughter. “You told me your parents died in a car accident six years ago, and I believed you. Why would you make up such a horrific story? Is your mom alive too?”

  “Morrison, I am so sorry. You weren’t supposed to find out like this.”

  “Find out what? That the woman I love is a liar?”

  Her eyes widened, and her lips parted wordlessly, but Morrison didn’t let her off the hook, questioned her relentlessly about her father’s unexpected arrival and her mother’s whereabouts. The streets were noisy, filled with shoppers, men in designer suits talking business, teenagers goofing around in front of the ice cream shop, and early-evening traffic.

  Karma glanced around nervously, and Morrison knew if they remained on the sidewalk she’d never answer his questions. Wanting privacy, he took her by the arm, led her over to his BMW and helped her inside. Memories flooded his mind as he got in beside her. The last time they’d been in the back seat of his SUV they’d ended up making love, and just thinking about the sensuous, erotic encounter days earlier made an erection rise inside his blue Levi’s jeans.

  “I deserve answers, Karma. I want to know why you lied to me about your family. Why you made up a story about your parents being dead when they’re obviously not.”

  “I didn’t lie. My mother died six years ago, and was laid to rest at Cypress Hills Cemetery, and as far as I’m concerned, so did my father. He’s responsible for her death, and I hate him.”

  Taken aback by her harsh tone, he stared at her profile. She stared straight ahead, out the windshield, but he sensed her anger, the turmoil within. “Hate’s a strong word, Karma.”

  “It’s an accurate word. Feisal’s dead to me, and I don’t want to see him ever again.”

  “Why? What did he do? Why are you estranged?”

  Karma scoffed, wore a disgusted expression on her face. “You mean, besides the fact that he’s been in the Livingston Correctional Facility for the past few years?”

  Morrison rubbed his hands over his knees. He felt hot, claustrophobic in his own body, but he asked the question at the forefront of his mind. “Did you ever visit him in prison?”

  “You’re joking, right? No, never. Because of his poor choices, my mom is gone, and I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to forgive him.” Sniffing, she dabbed at her eyes with her fingertips, then hugged her arms to her chest. “He took the person I love most away from me, and not a day goes by that I don’t wake up, hoping her funeral was a bad dream...”

  Morrison prided himself on being a good listener, but he struggled to concentrate on what Karma was saying because he couldn’t stop thinking about Feisal. Couldn’t forget the pained expression on his face, his slumped shoulders and hopeless demeanor as he’d walked away from them. Karma didn’t have a mean bone in her body, and was open and honest about everything, so Morrison didn’t understand why she’d deceived him about her past. Was Karma embarrassed because Feisal was an ex-con? Was she worried he’d reject her because her father had a criminal record? And, most important, what other secrets was Karma hiding?

  “I opened up to you about Emmanuelle and even Roderick’s personal struggles, and I wish you’d trusted me enough to confide in me about your family.”

  “Morrison, baby, of course I trust you. You’re the best boyfriend I have ever had, and dating you has changed me in so many ways. I never meant to deceive you. You have to believe me.” Facing him, Karma touched Morrison’s hand and squeezed it. “You’re a remarkable man, Morrison, and I will never forget you.”

  A cold chill stabbed his flesh. Morrison had no words. Couldn’t think straight or move his lips. Her voice blared in his ears, echoed in his heart, tormenting him. You’re breaking up with me? After everything we’ve been through? Don’t you know how much I love you? Floored by her actions, Morrison didn’t know what to say.

  Silence filled the car, and tension hovered in the air like smoke.

  “Why are you doing this? Are you intentionally trying to hurt me?”

  “No, of course not. You want to be a Supreme Court judge, and only judges with a pristine job history, stellar reputation and scandal-and corruption-free background will be considered,” she said, repeating what he’d told her weeks earlier. “And if we continue dating, and the powers that be find out about my background, you could lose the thing you want more than anything, and I won’t let that happen.”

  Morrison straightened in his seat, tried his best to conceal his frustration, the anger coursing through his veins. “Don’t I get a say in all this? Doesn’t it matter what I want?”

  “You don’t know what Feisal’s like, or the horrible things he’s done in the past.”

  “Then tell me,” he pleaded. “Because none of this makes sense.”

  “The less you know about my family the better.”

  “You have different last names,” Morrison pointed out. “Is he your biological father?”

  “After my mother died, I collected the money from the life insurance policy and moved from Brooklyn to the Hamptons. For a fresh start, I took my mother’s maiden name. Morrison, I’m sorry for not being honest with you about my past, but I was ashamed about it, and I was scared if I confided in you, you wouldn’t want me.”

 
Morrison dragged a hand down his face. Looking back, he realized he’d screwed up. Made a mistake. He’d been so smitten with Karma he’d failed to do his homework, and wished he’d taken the time to do a background check when they’d first started dating. Duane and Erikah had talked him out of it, said it was a sneaky thing to do, but now his heart was broken.

  Karma leaned over and surprised him with a kiss. Her mouth was sweet, flavored with peppermint, and intoxicating. Karma had great hands, and just thinking about them on his body made his temperature rise. And when Karma pulled away disappointment consumed him.

  “Goodbye, Morrison,” she whispered against his mouth, gently stroking his face with her soft, warm hands. “Take good care of yourself, and Reagan.”

  “Karma, what are you doing? Where are you going? We have plans tonight.”

  “I don’t want to do anything to derail your dreams, or ruin your future—”

  “Please, don’t do this. We can get through this.”

  Morrison flung open his door and jumped out of the car, desperate to reach her before it was too late. By the time he got on the sidewalk and spotted Karma, she was climbing inside her pink PT Cruiser. Shouting her name, Morrison knocked on the passenger-side window. He begged her to talk to him, but Karma sped off, leaving him alone on the busy street to figure out how he was going to live the rest of his life without the woman he loved more than anything.

  Chapter 16

  Morrison left the courthouse on Thursday afternoon feeling exhausted and spent after a long, grueling day behind the bench, and although he had plans to play golf with his brothers at the country club, he was going to cancel and go home. They’d understand. He hadn’t been himself since Karma dumped him, and the past three days he’d thought of her and nothing else.

  The sky was overcast, and gray, mirroring his bleak mood. Reading the day’s headlines on his cell phone, Morrison deactivated his car alarm, tossed his briefcase in the back seat of his Lexus and slammed the door. He’d texted Karma yesterday, asking if they could meet up to talk, but she still hadn’t responded to his message. Or the emails he’d sent that afternoon.