The Bull (The Black Land Series Book 2) Page 2

  It was at that same camp that Lance had met Khayla for the first time. He still remembered when he'd looked over and saw the girl with huge curly afro puffs dressed in all black. Her full lips held a perpetual pout due to their plushness, and her dark, slanted eyes told you everything she was thinking. She looked at Lance, and he smiled at her before she frowned and rolled her eyes. It was then that Lance had fallen in love for the first and last time. He'd made a point to aggravate her the entire summer causing her to punch and hit him relentlessly. Lance hadn't cared as long as he had her attention.

  “What's up Negus?” Corvus asked while pausing from his eating.

  Lance shook his head. “I'm good.”

  Corvus nodded. “Why is Khayla here with another dude?”

  “Why don't you ask Khayla that?” Lance responded tensely.

  “Hmmm...” Corvus took another bite of food. “I'm not the one who's worried about it.”

  Lance chuckled. “Who's worried Bro?”

  Corvus paused. “Uh, your lying ass.” He resumed eating and talking. “I told you...don't come crying on my shoulder when she's gone 'cause all I'm going to do is laugh in your face.”

  Lance paused. “I don't see you coupling up with nobody, so why are you talking?”

  “Well, I haven't been in love with a woman for nearly twenty years, so I guess I still got some time.” Corvus taunted.

  “Man, y'all need to miss me with all that nonsense. I do my thing, just like Khayla does hers. Everybody just needs to mind their own damn business,” Lance said heatedly.

  Corvus shrugged and continued eating. “Then stop looking like a damn lost puppy every time she shows up with another dude.”

  Lance frowned. “I got your damn lost puppy.” He turned and walked out the door and back into the yard filled with guests. As he looked around he spotted Rion with his wife, huddled up kissing and hugging. He looked in the other direction and saw Khalil sitting at the table with the dude Khayla had dragged in. Khalil motioned for him to come over, and Lance wondered what was about to go down.

  Walking over to the table, he stopped when he got to the table where the men were seated.

  “What's up Lance?” Khalil asked.

  “What up doe?” Lance answered in the Detroit lingo while watching Ben.

  Khalil looked at his friend. “This is Ben. Ben works in the executive offices for the Detroit Pistons.” Khalil looked from Lance to Ben. “He says that he's here on a date with Khayla.”

  Khalil slowly slid his glance back to Lance. “So I'm introducing him to all the Negus. He said he's heard of us, but didn't know who we were.”

  Ben watched as Khalil turned back to him. “So if I have to come and kill his ass, he at least knows who to look out for.”

  Lance watched as Ben took in Khalil's words. He chuckled inside because Khalil was a damn fool. He was basically sitting here threatening to kill this guy and looking him right in his face.

  “Look, Khayla just invited me for barbecue. I'm not trying to be involved in any drama,” Ben explained.

  Khalil nodded. “That's good Ben.”

  All the men turned as Khalil's son, Kyros joined them. “What up doe, Uncle Lance!” he said smiling as Lance returned his smile.

  “My little homie, what up doe?” Lance returned and Khalil frowned.

  “Don't teach my son to talk like that,” Khalil told him and Lance laughed.

  “He might have been born in Virginia, but my little homie is all Detroit,” Lance told him giving Kyros a fist pound. “Ain't that right little homie?”

  Kyros smiled. “Fa' sho!”

  Khalil stood from his seat. “See, that's why I don't like y'all to watch him.”

  Lance smirked. “The Negus are the best babysitters...ever. We could teach these females all kinds of stuff about watching kids.” The Negus took turns caring for Kyros since Khalil was a single father by his own choice.

  “I love hanging with Uncle Lance. He has so many pictures of pretty girls on his phone,” Kyros said happily.

  Khalil looked at Lance. “What the hell?”

  Lanced looked down at Kyros. “Okay...no more playing games on my phone.”

  “You don't have any good games anyway, Uncle Lance... that's why I just look at the pictures,” Kyros explained.

  Khalil bent down to his son. “Kyros, did these women have clothes on?” he questioned.

  Kyros smiled broadly. “Not a lot, Daddy.” Khalil glanced at Lance. “And they had big...uh, fronts like Auntie Khayla, but I've never seen Auntie Khayla's... uh, front like that.”

  Khalil stood to his feet then leaned over to Lance and whispered. “I'm beating your ass.”

  “Khalil, chill Bro. I don't have naked pics on my phone. I don't save those,” Lance said joking.

  “You think this is funny,” Khalil frowned. “Do you see me laughing?”

  Lance put his hands up. “Okay Khalil, I'm sorry. You know I would never do anything to hurt or corrupt Kyros. He belongs to all of us.” He paused. “I should have been more aware of what he was doing, but I honestly thought he was playing some of the games. We all let him play games on our phones.”

  Kyros looked at his father and nodded in agreement. “Uncle Brandon has the best phone...” he said in amazement.

  Lance burst out laughing as Khalil's face hardened. “I bet he does,” Lance agreed. “I'd even like to see Uncle Brandon's phone.”

  “This is why Rion is the only one that I like,” Khalil told Lance. “I only tolerate the rest of you.”

  Chapter 2

  Dr. Khayla Lewis looked at her reflection in the mirror of the elegant bathroom. Her dark eyes were wide with confusion. Lance had never mentioned their past, neither had she. Khayla had just filed away that summer as a beautiful memory, destined to be just that. Why was Lance bringing this up now, after all this time? Closing her eyes, she relived her version of the events that led up to her first experience with the handsome man who'd once stolen her heart.

  Lance had come to the graduation party that her parent's had thrown for both her and her twin after they'd graduated from Hampton University. All the girls at the party had been all over Lance and Corvus, and the two had enjoyed the attention. Later in the festivities, Khayla found herself alone in the kitchen with Lance. She stood with her back to the counter watching him as he watched her.

  After giving her a full perusal with sexy eyes, Lance looked at her. “Congratulations Katydids.”

  She smiled shyly. “Thank you Lance, and congratulations on your new house. Khalil told me you're a homeowner now.”

  Lance shrugged. “Yeah, thanks. You should come and check it out.”

  “Okay, I'll do that.” She looked around the empty room as he looked at her.

  He stepped closer and she looked up at him. “Damn Khayla, you are the business.”

  She laughed softly, thrown off by his compliment. “Don't make me punch you Lance.”

  “Don't make me kiss you Khayla.”

  Her eyes widened. “What?”

  “Khayla, what are you doing in here?” Khalil's voice interrupted their moment, and they both turned to him.

  She looked at her brother. “I came in to get some more food, and Lance was helping me since his buddy Corvus ate everything that was out there.”

  Khalil looked at Lance, then at his sister. “Well, I'll help you now.”

  Lance smiled. “It's cool Khalil. I don't mind helping your sister.”

  “I bet you don't.” Khalil frowned. “You can go back outside where all the other guests are; I got this.”

  Laughing, Lance nodded. “I got you man. I hear you.”

  Khalil watched Lance exit before turning to his sister and studying her face. Khayla was his twin, and they could read everything about each other. What he was reading, he didn't like...not at all. He watched as she began pulling trays from the fridge.

  “Khayla...” he began and she turned to him.

  “Not one word Khalil Lewis. I've known Lanc
e just as long as you have so don't start acting all over protective.” She looked at her brother. “We were just talking.”

  Khalil nodded. “Make sure it stays that way.”

  Khayla placed a hand on her hip. “Is that what you do with Melody?”

  His eyes narrowed. “Don't worry about me and Melody.”

  “She's not the one Khalil. She's going to hurt you,” she told her brother firmly.

  He picked up a tray. “So will Lance.”

  Khayla watched as her brother walked outside with the tray and shook her head. She knew Khalil was right. Lance was heartbreak in a six-foot two, bow-legged, Timberland wearing, jeans riding low on his hips, muscled package. He attracted females everywhere he went with his Detroit swag, hard body and sexy smile. Khayla was not immune to the power he possessed and had to admit she'd always been flattered by his attention.

  The next week she had gone to visit his new home. He'd answered the door, and she'd been ensnared immediately when he'd smiled down at her.

  “Hey Katydids.”

  “Hi Lance.”

  He showed her inside and gave her a quick tour of his new spot. At his bedroom, she walked inside and looked around before turning back to him.

  “You can have a seat,” he said glancing at the bed as he stood in the doorway.

  Khayla looked at the bed with the nice bedding. “On the bed?” she asked.

  He nodded slowly before she hesitantly took a seat and ran a hand over the soft comforter. Glancing up at him, she smiled. “Your bed is very comfortable. So this where the magic happens?”

  “This is where I sleep after working my ass off.” He said as he came to join her on the bed.

  “I'm really proud of you Lance...not that it matters to you.”

  He looked at her. “Hell yeah it matters. I don't want you thinking I'm some scrub or something.”

  “I've never thought that about you,” she said softly looking him over in his jeans and T-shirt.

  “What do you think about me Katydids?” he asked.

  “I know you'll do all the things you want,” she told him. “You won't let anyone stop you from getting what you desire.”

  She felt his eyes travel to her breasts then down to her thighs and back up to her face. “I bet you got those college guys all over you.”

  She rolled her eyes. “My brother is Khalil and he went there too.”

  Lance laughed and commented about her brother and they'd talked some more about her school before he leaned back on the bed with her eyes glued to his body.

  “I missed you Katydids,” he told her, and she realized that she had missed him as well.

  “Missed me hitting you?” she asked.

  He held her gaze. “I know what those mean.”

  They'd bantered for a moment before he proceeded to show her what he meant. When his lips had touched hers, Khayla had frozen for a moment before she responded. He pulled back and she stared at him while her heart beat frantically in her chest.

  “Lance...”

  “I want to make magic with you Khayla...”

  To say that Khayla was in shock would be an understatement. She decided to be honest with him. “I've never done that Lance.”

  “Me either.”

  She was sure she had not heard him correctly. Lance had girls all over him, all the time. There was no way he hadn't been with any of them.

  “You're lying,” she told him.

  He shook his head. “I've been hustling, taking care of my responsibilities.”

  Khayla felt her breathing increase. “You want to with me?” she asked quietly.

  “You know I caught feelings for you a long time ago Khayla.” He smiled at her. “I got new sheets and everything.”

  Her eyes narrowed. “So you just knew I would be that easy?”

  “No, I wanted to be prepared...just in case.”

  “I'm not these chicks in the streets Lance,” she told him.

  He looked at her. “You think you gotta tell me that Khayla?”

  She stood to her feet. “You don't just get me in the bed because you bought some new damn sheets.”

  “I said that I got them just in case,” he reiterated.

  “Just in case I was a hoe?” she questioned.

  Lance scratched his head. “You don't have to be a hoe for us to hook up.”

  She looked at him. “Yes, I would Lance because hoes hook up!” she yelled.

  Lance stood. “Okay, let's just go get some food.” He looked down at her. “I'm sorry for insinuating that you're a hoe Khayla. I thought you knew that you meant more to me than that,” Lance said quietly.

  Khayla saw the honesty in his face then sat on the bed letting out a breath. She glanced down at the bed then back at him as he sat next to her.

  “You got these for me?” she asked.

  “Girl, I don’t care about no damn bed covers. I wanted it to be nice for you,” he confirmed.

  She frowned. “You’d better not tell anybody…EVER or I swear…”

  Lance cut her off by kissing her again. When he moved back, he whispered against her lips, “I swear I will never tell another soul.”

  Khayla looked into his handsome face. “Take me to get some food and you may get to use these new sheets...” He smiled. “But it won't be tonight.”

  Lance's smiled faded as she touched his face. “I caught feelings for you too Lance, but I'm not your hook up.”

  “You have to show me I can trust you,” she told him. “With my body and with my heart.”

  “You're leaving in a few months,” he reminded her.

  She smiled. “Then you'd better handle your business.”

  He touched her face. “Okay Ma, you my number one. I would do anything for you. Trust.”

  Lance smiled. “Plus Khalil would kill my ass.”

  “Yeah, he would,” she agreed smiling. “He might anyway.”

  Lance laid her back on the bed staring at her mouth. “You're worth it Katydids.”

  She wrapped an arm around his neck. “See, that's how you start to handle business.”

  Lance lowered his head and kissed her as he enfolded her in his embrace.

  Khayla opened her eyes and stared at her flushed reflection. That summer had been magical with all the magic that she and Lance had made. However, when she'd returned the next summer, he had changed. He'd said that he needed to be focused on growing his businesses and couldn't give her the time she needed, although she hadn't asked for any. Khayla recognized the brush off and went back to school completely focused. The next summer Khalil's girlfriend, Melody had gotten pregnant and both of their lives had changed as Khayla had become a second mother to Kyros after he was born.

  Khayla and Khalil had stayed in Virginia to complete their degrees and had finally come back home to Detroit two years ago. Khalil had taken a little longer due to his role as a single father and class scheduling, but Khayla had stayed to help her brother in any way that she could.

  When she'd returned to Detroit, the first person she'd run into had been Lance, of course. He had been the same friendly, aggravating, and loveable boy she'd always remembered. He apologized for his actions and asked if they could at least be friends. Friends she could agree to, because she had no plans to willingly give her body or her heart to Lance Johnson ever again.

  Composing herself, she exited the bathroom headed back outside to check on her date. Khayla was a beautiful and successful woman who was asked out regularly. She couldn't remember the last time she'd paid for dinner or tickets to some event. Although she dated, her heart was something that she'd learned not to play around with. Of course, she hadn't been celibate for the last ten years, but she was very selective and discrete.

  Her date tonight was an established executive, handsome and rather charming but she had no plans to become intimately involved with Ben. He seemed like he would get too attached, and that's the last thing she wanted. Now the FBI agent she'd met and dated a short while ago, he definitely had int
imacy potential. He was straight to the point and a consummate gentleman. He was also fine as hell and dangerous with beautiful platinum eyes. However, he was currently involved in a complicated situation, and Khayla didn't do those.

  Khayla entered the kitchen and saw Corvus filling a plate. She smiled and shook her head. That boy could eat. She didn't know how Mr. and Mrs. Shaw were able to keep him fed as a child.

  “Hey Corvus,” she said to his back and he turned.

  “Hey girl,” he smiled and walked over to her.

  “Are you leaving food for anybody else?” Khayla asked smiling.

  He laughed. “They know the deal. Plus, my momma made a bunch of this, so it's like I'm at home.”

  Khayla wondered about his logic then looked at him. “Well, I have a guest here...” she pointed towards the door.

  He nodded. “Yeah, the dude that Khalil and Lance got hemmed up at the table.”

  Khayla's eyes widened in panic as she quickly headed out the door to find Ben. Rushing over to the table she joined them and looked at her brother and Lance.

  “What's going on here?” she asked.

  Lance shrugged. “Khalil wanted me to meet Ben in case we have to kill him.”

  Khayla frowned. “No one is going to kill anybody, and you two should go mind your own business.”

  Khalil smiled as he gathered his son. “See you around Ben.” He laughed as he walked away with Kyros.

  “Don't you have somewhere to be?” Khayla asked Lance who had not moved.

  He shook his head. “Not really.”

  “Lance...” she began hotly.

  He laughed softly. “Okay Katydids, I got you Ma.” He turned to her date. “See you around Ben, if Khalil doesn't see you first.”

  Khayla and Ben watched him join his friends a short distance away.

  “So, your twin is very protective of you.”

  Khayla turned to Ben. “Khalil likes to scare people. I'm sorry.”

  Ben nodded as she took a seat. “I didn't know that you were acquainted with the Negus.”

  “We grew up together,” she explained. “They're like my brothers.”

  Ben watched her. “Are they all as possessive of you as Lance?” he asked.