The Naughty Sins Of A Saint (11 page)

* * *

“Where are you taking her?” Raphael asked as he bit into a Bartlett pear from the complimentary fruit basket sent to his suite. Saint continued to dress, looking over himself repeatedly in the mirror. He smiled as he did a 360-degree turn.

“To a local park. I have a special surprise for her there. I had a picnic dinner prepared from the head chef here at the hotel.” Saint deliberated whether to undo another button of his lavender Burberry shirt.

“How do I look?” he asked Raphael. “Oh, I want you to make her a tennis bracelet for me. Keep that in mind. I want pink diamonds all around it – no, make that pink and chocolate diamonds. I’m sure you can hook up a gorgeous design.”

“She gets a bracelet already? Shit, I need the business. Don’t get me wrong, but a tennis bracelet with that type of bling? You might not even like her! Whatever, Man. I’ll take care of it as soon as we get back to New York. I’ll hook it up.”

“I know what I know, Raphael. This is just red tape as far as I’m concerned. We’re just going through the necessary motions to get to the finish line.” Saint continued to check himself out in the mirror.

“So is your plan to bring her here afterwards and bang those guts?” Raphael teased as he yawned.

“Not really. She said she’s not getting down with me like that, and you know she wrote that book about waiting for three months,” Saint said as he turned his back and looked over his shoulder in the full-length mirror. “She acts like she hates me, so I’m sure she’ll want to keep up appearances for a while,” Saint winked. “But there is, of course, the art of seduction. I do plan to break her down. I want to expedite this. It can go fast if I hit the right parts of her vibration. One slip up though, and I’ll be starting over from scratch. She’s tricky.”

Raphael nodded. “Have a great time, Man. Thanks for inviting me, too. I’ve been having a great time myself. I had no idea what you did was this serious. I see why you kept me away from your professional life as much as possible, considering the circumstances. I’m proud of you, though I can’t deny some of it pisses me off. I can’t help but take some of that shit personally, but do your thing, Man,” Raphael shrugged.

Saint nodded in understanding. “I totally get that. If I were you, I’d probably feel the same way. This is bigger than you, though. It’s about Black women and men like me. It’s about what we need.” Saint gave himself one more look-over. “Well, I have to go. Have fun tonight, and remember you’re a married man, so don’t have your wife calling me talking about some shit you did on this trip.”

“I won’t. I’m a year older than you, so stop trying to run daddy on me,” Raphael teased. “I’ll have to bring Latrice and the kids out here next time. They’d have a blast. The kids miss Uncle Saint.”

“We can arrange that,” Saint said as he walked out the door. T-Rex dutifully led him down to the car.

* * *

Xenia
stood outside her charming Cape Cod home, dressed in black from head to toe. Her off-shoulder jersey blouse featured a kitten with devil’s horns and was layered with a long, black tanktop underneath. Skin-tight black leggings hugged the curves of her taut thighs and shapely calves. Her black kitten heels were a perfect complement to the ensemble. The driver promptly exited the car and opened her door, allowing her to step inside as he took a generous glance at her backside. Xenia’s thick, natural hair was pulled back elegantly with a large red flower barrette on the side. A gold chain swung from her neck with a red rose matching pendant. Saint took notice of her gold anklet before looking back up at her face, taking great pleasure in studying her full, glossy lips. T-Rex rode up front while the two had their privacy behind the partition.

“Hello, Saint,” Xenia said with resentment.

“Hello, Xenia. So glad that you’re happy to see me,” he teased. “You look really pretty.” Saint slid over, allowing her to sit next to him. She looked at him out of the corner of her eye, loving the smell of his cologne.

Saint inhaled and exhaled quickly, trying to take in her scent. He smiled at the familiar floral perfume he had grown to quickly love.

“Try to enjoy yourself tonight,” he said as he clasped his hands together. Xenia rolled her eyes.

“Shut up,” she uttered as she looked around the car, then out the window. Saint smiled, leaned back, and closed his eyes as he rested.

“Where are we going?” she asked as she crossed her long legs. Saint pointed to the picnic basket and bottle of wine beside him. “We’re having a dinner picnic in Griffith Park,” Saint answered. Xenia smiled then quickly wiped her face somber again. Saint did not miss her appreciative expression before it rapidly disappeared. After twenty-three minutes of pure silence, the driver pulled into the park.

“I haven’t been here in forever,” Xenia said, as she beamed and got out of the car. Saint watched her eyes shine with happiness as she looked around. He carried the basket in one hand and took her hand with his other. Xenia looked down at their intertwined fingers as they walked up a slight hill. Her purse fell off her shoulder, the contents spilling out and rolling in various directions. Xenia bent down and picked up the rolling lipstick, clear gloss, tampons, powder puff, loose change, and other items while Saint knelt down, hovering above the grass as he scooped up a small perfume, iPhone, and round compact and put them in her hand. When they finished, they stood back up simultaneously, and he immediately grabbed her hand again. She clenched her bottom lip with her teeth before gently pulling away, freeing her hand from Saint’s hold. Saint looked at her earnestly, causing her to relax slightly as she allowed her fingers to dangle along his fingertips. He set the oversized basket down at a spot that caught the setting sun at the perfect angle, going down in the purple, pink, and dark-violet sky. The night scene was approaching as Saint pulled a large black blanket from the basket and spread it across the ground. He then meticulously placed the foods and beverages off to the side.

“Come sit down here with me,” he requested as he sat cross-legged on the blanket. Xenia hesitated, and then sat down, keeping a good distance.

“I brought fresh crab meat, shrimp scampi, cheese and crackers, dirty rice, sauteed green peppers, a mini-Dutch apple pie, and a bottle of Barbaresco Gaja - 2001. I also have some fresh pineapple.” Saint set everything out before her. Xenia turned away and cracked up laughing. She shook her head in disbelief. Saint smiled, understanding her reaction.

“Smooth, Saint. OK, real funny about the pineapple, but how did you find out my favorite foods? It’s not online,” she asked, sucking her teeth.

“I have my ways. That’s not important though. I know you’re hungry.” The two engaged in small-talk as they enjoyed their picnic. Saint watched as Xenia picked up a dripping slice of pineapple and consider it, turning it gradually in her hand, then lifting it up to her moist lips. She sucked gently as she pulled it away from the rind. The sound of her laughter, her sexy, slightly raspy voice, and the way she tilted her head when she laughed fed his soul until he was ready to burst. Xenia looked down at her black pants and gently brushed away the crumbled bits of cracker crumbs with the side of her hand. She lifted her head slowly back up and looked at Saint closely. Their eyes locked on one another until Xenia finally broke the mutual trance.

“Can I ask you a personal question, strictly off the record?” She stretched her legs out.

“Yes, you can, as long as I can ask one as well.”

“OK, fine, whatever,” Xenia said, rolling her eyes. “Do you think Black women are better than other women, and if so, why?” She stuck her finger in her glass of wine, pulled it out, and tasted it.

Saint sighed as he watched her, his penis jumping in reaction. “She’s definitely playing a mating game with me. She loves me chasing her,” he thought.

“I don’t believe Black women are better than any other woman from the standpoint of intelligence, needs, and things of that nature. I believe, however, that Black women are coveted by many men all over the world, but there has been a shame in admitting that, mostly because of racism. I honestly wish I didn’t have to talk about race or distinguish anyone. That’s my aim, my mission. I’m more attracted to Black women than women of other races, and I’m not alone. That’s what started this. There are non-Black men all over the world who prefer Black women, sometimes from a purely aesthetic point. My love for women of color, particularly Black women, goes not just to the physical and sexual aspect, but to her spirit, soul, strength, and her loyalty. Does that answer your question?”

“Yes, it does,” she said as she took a sip of her wine.

“Now, my turn,” he said as he scooted closer to her. Xenia inhaled as she caught the scent of his cologne again.

“I didn’t know this park was open at night,” Xenia said, changing the topic nervously as he invaded her personal space.

“It’s not,” Saint responded as he looked deeply into her eyes.

“Well, then how did – never mind,” she said.

Xenia
looked down at his soft lips, his long keen nose, then up to his sparkling hazel eyes. She noticed his thick, smooth, jet-black eyebrows as well as his long eyelashes and a small, brown beauty mark on the side of his neck. His radiant skin seemed to have a golden glow. He was beautiful, there was no getting around it, and she wished – she prayed deep inside that she could ignore this simple fact.

“My question for you is ‘why are you afraid of me?’” Saint asked as he sat closer to her, his deep voice rumbling close to her ear.

Xenia
ruffled up her face and turned away abruptly.

“Shhh,” Saint warned. “Before you say something foolish or get defensive, remember, it’s just you and me here. There’s no one to impress – no microphones, no interviews, no ratings. It’s just me and you. I want you to stop lying to yourself and give me the real answer this time. If I don’t hear the real answer, I’ll know it, so please be real with me.”

“I told you, Saint, I’m not scared of you, and I don’t know where you get that. Does your large ego ever make you dizzy? I mean, surely with all that weight above your shoulders, you must lose your equilibrium with every step!” Xenia snapped her neck and rolled her eyes indignantly.

Saint sighed loudly and put his hands over his face. “Damn. I knew that you’d be difficult. I knew that anyone for me would be a mystery and would act tough at times, but this is ridiculous.” He put his face so close to hers, she could feel his breath on her nose. “Since you want to lie, just keep your mouth closed. Better yet, keep it open. I’m going to kiss you.”

Before she could respond, his lips pressed firmly against hers, staying there for a few moments before he lightly licked her top lip, then moved away. He could see on her face that she felt it. The connection was there. Xenia returned the kiss, as if all the previous arguments, verbal low blows, and catty behavior had never taken place. There was no way to deny the mutual attraction now.

“Now, let’s try this again. Tell me why you’re afraid of me?” Saint took her hand into his.

Xenia
looked at his face and tried to articulate an answer. “I honestly don’t know. You just make me uncomfortable. Maybe it’s that I find you to be a worthy opponent. People don’t tell me off, so I didn’t like that.” Xenia abruptly looked away.

Saint nodded. “You’d never fully respect a man if he let you get away with walking on him. You test boundaries. You have problems with control, but really you want someone to take the reins, protect you, and not take your shit.” Saint looked down at the ground. “With me, what you see is what you get. I find you incredibly beautiful, and despite our rocky start, I really like you.”

Xenia
smiled. “This being vulnerable shit is for the birds,” she laughed. “I suppose some of what you’re saying could be true. I wouldn’t call it fear, though. I don’t know what it is. You just make me uneasy.”

 “Could it also be because you’re attracted to me, and you don’t want to be?” he asked as he raised an eyebrow.

Xenia
shrugged, “That’s possible, I suppose.”

Saint leaned in close to her again, this time gently cupping her chin and moving her face towards him. He kissed her slow and sweetly, gently parting her lips open with his tongue. He breathed deeply, with control, as he moved his tongue in slow counterclockwise circles inside her mouth. Xenia tried to push away, but relinquished her power without much fight. Saint cradled the back of her neck with his hand, bringing her face even closer to his as he plunged deeper into her mouth. Xenia felt the butterflies in her stomach dance then fly away in a million directions. He finally pulled away. He touched her lips, wiping a bit of saliva away with his thumb. In her thirty-two years on the planet, she had never been kissed that way before. Saint kissed passionately and skillfully. They both were quiet for a few minutes.

“How did you get the name ‘Saint?’” Xenia asked as she leaned back under the stars of the night sky.

‘The chase is slowing down,’ Saint thought. ‘She’s now looking back at me, and I’m catching up with her. She can feel the grass under her feet as she sprints, and the gap between us is narrowing. The prey has to want to be caught.’