The Blacks: Bonus Prequel (The Black Diamond Series Book 5) Read online

  Justin’s eyes narrowed. “I don’t make ‘deals’ for people’s daughters and if you’ve given her the impression that I’m paying for her, you’re going to have a lot of trouble on your hands.”

  William’s eyes widened. “I just told her it would be in her best interest if she did what you wanted.”

  “What the hell did you just say?” Justin walked toward the desk. “Did you threaten her?”

  William flinched. “I have to make this deal. My family’s entire life depends on it.”

  Justin lifted an index finger to his temple. “So I come to you like a man and tell you that I want to marry your daughter and you tell her that she has no choice?” he snapped placing both hands on the desk. “You just want to save your own ass in any way that you can!”

  Justin leaned forward. “I’m of a mind to take your daughter and leave you high and dry.”

  “Justin, listen…”

  “No, you listen to me. I’ve been here over a month eating the tasteless ass meals your housekeeper prepares and making idle chit chat with you and your boring wife only because I wanted Joanna to see that I’m not a threat to her.” He paused. “But you’ve decided to make me into a damn monster who wants to take her from her home and ruin her life!”

  William leaned away. “You don’t understand Justin. Joanna is very headstrong and she likes to have things her way. You’ll never get anywhere with her if you don’t threaten her.”

  Justin stood to his full height and straightened his tie. “That’s where we differ, William. I won’t have to threaten Joanna because she will gladly give me everything I want.”

  Justin turned and walked toward the door. “I'm picking her up tonight and I'm taking her with me when I leave Atlanta in two weeks.”

  William listened in fear. “What about our deal?” he asked to Justin's back.

  Justin turned at the door and looked at William. “Whatever Joanna wants me to do, I'll do it. If she wants your ass on the street, that's where you'll be.” He walked out the door closing it behind him.

  William stared at the closed door. The last place he ever wanted was to be at Joanna's mercy. She was as unforgiving as they came. He prayed that she would have an ounce of compassion for his family but knowing Joanna it was probably going to take a miracle...

  Later that evening Joanna prepared for her date with Justin Black. She felt butterflies in her stomach as this was her first official date...ever. While guys definitely found Joanna attractive, her temper combined with her sharp tongue tended to scare them away quickly.

  She chose a fitted dress with a flowered pattern and added a few pieces of jewelry along with some high heeled sandals. As she finished dressing her thoughts drifted to Justin Black. When he'd taken her hand, she'd felt all sorts of tingles throughout her body. Those dark eyes seemed to look right into her soul and reveal all that she tried to hide.

  Joanna decided to wear her hair down and let the naturally curly strands fall around her shoulders. She'd inherited her mother's sun kissed dark caramel complexion and black curly hair. From her father she'd gotten her temper and tenacity, which was the reason they often bumped heads.

  As she headed downstairs she heard Justin arriving. She watched as he stepped into the foyer dressed in a dark suit. He glanced up and saw her standing on the staircase. Their gazes connected before he gave her body a full perusal. When his eyes looked back at hers she saw the wickedness in them and held her breath.

  Joanna stood still in fear of falling down the stairs to her death. Her legs were so shaky she couldn't move. No man had ever looked at her the way Justin Black was watching her right now. It both scared her and made her anticipate finding out exactly what it meant. Once she'd regained her sanity, Joanna began her descent slowly and Justin moved to the bottom of the stairs to meet her. He held out his hand to her as she made it to the bottom. Joanna felt the familiar tingles from earlier in the day when he'd touched her hand.

  He smiled at her. “Hello island girl. You look beautiful.”

  Joanna blushed and said shyly, “I'm not an island girl...my mother was.”

  Justin brought her hand to his lips. “The first time I saw you, I said there is my island girl. She is as bright and hot as the Caribbean sun and her lips...” His gaze went to her mouth. “They have the taste of the sweetest fruit.”

  Joanna involuntarily licked her lips as he stared at them. “But you've never tasted them,” she whispered.

  Justin lifted his eyes back to hers and brought his hand to her lips touching them gently. “I'm hoping that you will let me.” He watched her pupils dilate as he traced her plump, full lips with his thumb.

  Joanna's stepmother walked into the foyer as the two stood staring at one another. She came over and placed a hand on Justin's arm smiling up at him.

  “Justin, what a pleasure,” she purred.

  Justin removed his hand from Joanna's lips and turned to her step-mother.

  “Good evening Paula. It's nice to see you,” he said cordially.

  Paula smiled wider. “It's always nice to see you, Justin.”

  Joanna looked between the two and frowned. Her step-mother was being so completely obvious it was embarrassing. She watched as Justin removed her step-mother's hand from his arm and took a step back.

  “I'm here to take Joanna to dinner, so we'd better be going so we won't miss our reservation,” he explained.

  Paula looked to Joanna. “Well I won't hold you. Maybe we can chat a little when you get back?” she asked turning back to Justin.

  Justin took Joanna's hand and began to lead her towards the door. “Maybe another time Paula. I'm here for Joanna tonight.”

  Joanna looked back at her step-mother and smiled. “Goodnight Paula. Don't wait up for me.”

  Paula frowned and walked out of the room as Justin led Joanna out to the waiting car. He settled her inside and turned to her.

  “I'm glad you told your step-mother not to wait up for you, because I'm not bringing you back home tonight,” he told her.

  Joanna's eyes narrowed. “You're kidnapping me?”

  Justin laughed. “If I was going to kidnap you, I'd have done it a month ago.”

  He touched her cheek. “No island girl, I'm going to show you the night of your life.”

  “Where are you taking me?” she questioned.

  “Any and everywhere you want to go,” he promised staring into wary dark eyes.

  “Why me?” she whispered in askance.

  Justin touched her lips again. “May I show you?”

  Joanna nodded and watched as his head descended towards hers. When his lips gently replaced his hand, she sighed softly and gave in to his sweet assault. Justin felt her acceptance and increased the pressure against her mouth while pulling her closer.

  Joanna felt herself in Justin Black's arms with his mouth on hers. When his tongue began to trace her lips, she tightened her hold on his arms and when he invaded her mouth her head fell back against his arm as she moaned softly.

  Justin knew that Joanna would taste this way...hot and sweet. He felt her inexperience and it fueled his desire to have her. Her young body felt tight and strong in his arms and he knew she would have no problem giving him the son he desired. He listened to her soft cries as he continued to explore her mouth.

  When Justin lifted his head, Joanna was in a daze. She stared at him in amazement and he smiled at her.

  “Would you like me to show you again?” he asked and she nodded slowly.

  Chapter 3

  Joanna thought her face would crack from all the grinning she'd done tonight. She couldn't believe that Justin Black could make her laugh and smile so much. He was nothing like the stuffy man who'd sat at her parent's dinner table. He was smooth, charming and suave. He complimented and flattered her all the while making her sizzle with those dark looks.

  After dinner he'd taken her to a nightclub. It was Joanna's first time inside this type of establishment. She looked around the darkened room as they w
ere led to a private section upstairs. When she was seated she looked down over the crowded dance floor. Joanna had never danced with a man other than her father. She glanced over at Justin who had ordered virgin drinks for them both.

  Justin watched as Joanna looked around then turned to smile at him. He was sure that when she smiled at him that way, she could get him to do just about anything.

  “Are you having a good time?” he asked leaning back against his seat.

  She smiled broadly. “Can't you tell? If I smile anymore I think my face might get stuck this way.”

  Justin laughed. “I like to see you smile island girl. I didn't get to see it at your family dinners.”

  Joanna rolled her eyes. “Who smiles with Daddy and Paula around?””

  “What did your Daddy tell you about me?” Justin asked.

  Joanna looked away and back out over the dance floor. “He said I have to marry you or we'll all be poor.”

  “That's not true Joanna.”

  She looked back at him. “If I don't marry you, you'll cancel the deal with my father.”

  “The deal does not include you.”

  Joanna looked confused. “But Daddy said...”

  “I'm not buying you Joanna. I'm buying your father's businesses that he ran into the ground. I want you and it has nothing to do with your father's companies.”

  Their drinks arrived and Joanna waited until the waitress left before directing her attention back to Justin.

  “So you will help my father even if I don't marry you?” she asked as he took a sip of his drink.

  “That's up to you,” he responded.

  She shook her head. “I don't understand.”

  Justin shrugged. “I'll help your father simply if you ask.”

  “And you don't want to marry me?”

  Justin smiled. “Oh, I'm marrying you Joanna Greer but the two have nothing to do with each other.”

  Joanna picked up her drink and stared down into it. This was all too much. Justin Black was too much. She didn't understand him at all and it didn't make any sense to her as to why he wanted to marry her.

  Justin saw the confusion on her lovely face and reached over to take her hand. “Tonight is for you to have a good time. You don't have to make any decisions at this moment.”

  Joanna sat her drink down and looked at her hand in his. “You confuse me,” she admitted.

  “I know.”

  “Is that on purpose?” she questioned.

  Justin lifted a brow. “Some of it...yes.”

  Joanna pondered his words as she sat watching him. Who was this man? What was he doing to her and why was she seeming to enjoy it?

  “Would you like to dance?” he invited and she smiled.

  Silently he stood still holding her hand and led her downstairs. Once there he turned to her as the deejay played a club song with a deep bass. He watched as Joanna began to sway and twist to the thumping beat. She lifted her hands in the air and moved closer to him arching her back to the rhythm. Justin pulled her closer and swung his hips in tandem with hers.

  Joanna smiled sexily at him as they rocked back and forth, side to side. She was surprised that Justin was such a good dancer. She'd pegged him as being old and stiff but he was neither. He was giving her a run for her money on this dance floor.

  Joanna turned her back to him and shook her ass against him, showing him exactly what she was working with. When his hands came to hold her hips she leaned back against his chest and slowly gyrated. He kissed her shoulder and she turned slightly to his face catching his gaze.

  Justin smiled at her as she continued to drive him into a frenzy rubbing her firm butt cheeks against him. He'd known Joanna was fire since he'd first laid eyes on her and she was showing him right now that she wanted him to play with that fire. When the music changed to a slow dance, he turned her back to face him and she looped her arms around his neck.

  “You like to dance...” he whispered in her ear.

  She nodded and he pulled her closer. “You're very sexy and I love the way you move,” he told her swaying to the love song now playing and Joanna felt herself being swept away again.

  “Thank you,” she whispered laying her head on his chest and holding on to him.

  They continued to dance for a long while, alternating between slow dances and upbeats. When they retired back upstairs, Justin ordered fresh drinks for them and removed his suit jacket hanging it on the back of his seat.

  “Still having a good time?” he asked.

  “Yes, I don't think I've ever had this much fun,” she admitted smiling. “You're not what I thought.”

  Justin smiled at her. “What did you think I was?”

  She shrugged. “Just not what you are tonight.”

  He nodded. “Do you like who I am tonight?” he asked.

  Joanna smile slyly. “Very much...”

  “I like very much who you are Joanna.”

  Joanna looked away. “You say that now.”

  Justin frowned and watched her for a moment before taking her hand and leading her over to where he sat. Gently he pulled her onto his lap and lifted her face to his.

  “Everyone has more than one side Joanna,” he told her.

  She looked down into his face. “You wouldn't be happy with me Justin. I'm not nice.”

  Justin smiled. “I'm not nice either Joanna.”

  “What do you want Justin?”

  “I want you and a son.”

  She stared at him. “Only a son?” she asked.

  He nodded. “The Black name must go on,” he explained. “You give me a son and I will give you everything you desire.”

  “One son?” she inquired.

  “That's all I require.”

  Joanna tilted her head. “You will let me go to college?” she asked and he nodded.

  She looked away then back at him. “Will you have other women?”

  “No, I don't have time for that. I want a wife to come home to and a son to take over the empire I'm building.”

  “And you want me to be that woman?”

  Justin placed a hand on her hip. “Yes, island girl. I want you.” He lowered his head to capture her mouth. He kissed her thoroughly until the waitress arrived with their new drinks.

  When she had departed again, Joanna looked at Justin.

  “What do you want Joanna?” he asked.

  She smiled. “I think you should show me how to make a baby first,” she whispered. “To see if I like it.”

  Justin paused for a moment startled at her response. “Uh, yeah. We can definitely do that.”

  He pulled out his wallet and dropped a stack of bills on the table before standing then retrieving his jacket and leading her out into the dark night. Joanna followed along quietly wondering what the rest of the night had in store for her.

  Justin took Joanna to the house he had been renting during his stay in Atlanta. It was a massive structure that had her in awe. She herself had lived in large homes her entire life but even this was on another level than she was accustomed to.

  “You're staying here alone?” she asked once they were inside.

  Justin nodded. “I'm accustomed to a lot of space.” He watched as she glanced around.

  “Is your home in LA this size?” she asked.

  “Larger, but if you're not comfortable there, we can always find something else.”

  She turned to him. “You're very successful,” she surmised.

  He shrugged. “I'm still building.”

  She watched him shyly for a minute. “So what happens now?”

  “Now, I have to get my mind right because you shocked the hell out of me in the club,” he said leaning against the wall taking in her beauty.

  She covered her face with her hands. “I don't know what to do right now. Sometimes my mouth gets me into trouble.”

  Justin came to her and gently removed her hands before staring down at her. “Do you still want to know?” he asked.

  “Yes, I want y
ou to show me,” she whispered.

  She gasped as Justin lifted her into his arms and began carrying her up the massive staircase. He walked to the master bedroom and stood with her still in his arms until she looked up at him in question.

  “Decision time Joanna. If we do this, you will be marrying me and coming to LA in two weeks. There's no way in hell I'm leaving you here with the possibility of you carrying my child.”

  She wrapped her arms around his neck. “Then you should make sure I like it...a lot.”

  Justin smiled wickedly. “After tonight, no one else will make you 'like it' the way I do.”

  Joanna shivered in his arms before he laid her on the bed.

  “Are you ready, island girl?”

  She gave him a sexy smile. “Yes, Mr. Black.”

  Chapter 4

  “Take off your dress...” Justin instructed standing next to the bed.

  Joanna watched him as she moved to her knees and unzipped her dress. Slowly she slid the zipper down her side before reaching for the straps and lowering them down her arms. She revealed a black bra before pushing it lower to show black panties. Finally it pooled at her knees and she moved out of the garment. She reached for her bra and he stopped her.

  “No, not yet,” he said huskily. “Come with me.”

  Joanna took his hand as he helped her off the bed. Justin led her to the bathroom then turned and started the shower. He came to stand in front of her and she looked up at him. Justin removed his jacket and tossed it across a nearby chair. He then removed his tie and it joined the jacket. After he unbuttoned his shirt, Joanna's eyes widened at his broad muscular chest. She marveled at the chiseled cuts on his beautiful mahogany skin.

  Joanna reached out and touched his skin. “You're beautiful...” she breathed. She never imagined that Justin Black looked like an ebony Adonis underneath his suit.

  He smiled as he removed his pants and shoes. Standing before her in white underwear that complimented his dark skin he reached to touch her face. “I'm going to start right here and then I'm going to love every part of your hot, sexy body.”

  Joanna watched as he reached around to unclasp her bra. Justin expertly removed the piece and proceeded to her panties. Sliding them down her curvy legs he removed them and her shoes before helping her into the walk-in shower. Joanna felt the warm water hit her naked skin then glanced back as he removed his underwear and joined her inside standing behind her.