Origins (The Black Diamond Series Book 3) Page 9

  “Please, before you say no, let me say this,” she implored.

  Ray waited.

  “I'm thirty years old Ray, almost thirty one. I've never known what it feels like to be desired by a man... in a true way. I've never allowed myself to be desirable and now I don't know how to at all.”

  Ray took her hand again. “Isabelle you are a beautiful and desirable woman.”

  “You're the only man who has ever told me I was beautiful and I do feel that way when I'm with you. I want to feel that way all the time.”

  Ray was stuck.

  “What exactly are you asking me to do?” he asked.

  “Show me how to be sexy. Show me how to be comfortable with my body then show me how to be intimate.”

  Ray released her hand and stood walking to her window.

  “Wouldn't you be more comfortable with a woman, like Sage or Lily?” he asked.

  "No. This is embarrassing enough. I don't want more people to know. In addition they would probably tell Jordan and Sean and I really don't want them to know,” she blushed.

  “This is crazy Isabelle.”

  Isabelle smiled a little. “Haven't you been around us all long enough to know that we are?”

  Ray turned back to her and smiled.

  “I trust you Ray. I know that you won't hurt me and I'm confident that you know exactly what you are doing.”

  “You think very highly of me.”

  “You're a god. I could think no less.”

  Ray felt the suction pulling him in. Try as he may to fight it, Isabelle's current was much too strong. He took a seat on the opposite end of the sofa and studied her.

  “Why didn't you allow yourself to be desirable Isabelle?” he asked.

  Isabelle looked away. “I have my reasons Ray. Reasons I'd rather not discuss,” she told him firmly.

  Ray lifted an eyebrow. As graceful as Isabelle was, she had a strength that often amazed him. When she chose to put her foot down, she had no qualms about doing it. She did it with grace, but it was also with a quiet force. She couldn't make it clearer if she screamed it at the top of her lungs.

  Ray scanned her slowly with those eyes and she began to feel warm all over.

  “Do you feel desirable right now Isabelle?” he asked in that deep baritone.

  Isabelle blushed. “I feel warm.”

  “Stand up Isabelle,” he commanded.

  “Stand up?” she asked.

  He nodded slowly and she complied just as slowly. Once she was on her feet Ray continued to scan her from head to toe in tailored slacks and silk blouse.

  “Take off your clothes.”

  Isabelle looked confused. “Excuse me?”

  “Take off your clothes Isabelle,” he repeated.

  She stared at him. “You...you want me to undress?”

  “Dr. Martin, I'm sure that expensive education has equipped you to understand simple directions.”

  Isabelle continued to stare at him while he waited.

  “All...all of my clothes?” she stammered.

  Ray smiled. “Let's just start with the pants and blouse. How about that?”

  “Are...are you going to touch me?” she asked warily.

  “No. I'm not going to touch you...tonight.”

  Isabelle hesitated still. She looked over at Ray who was still silently watching her. She took a deep breath and began to remove her blouse. She focused on a spot on the floor as she reached to the hook behind her neck. Isabelle unfastened it and very slowly pulled the blouse over her head and pulled it to her chest. She peeked over at Ray who hadn't moved.

  Next was her pants and Isabelle began to breathe faster. She had never undressed in front of a man before. What was going to happen once she had removed her clothes? Her heart began to beat faster. Ray had said that he wasn't going to touch her and she believed him but she still couldn't control the tremors.

  Her blouse fell to the wood floor with a soft swish and she reached for her pants. Biting her lower lip, she undid the buttons and slowly lowered the zipper. She remained focused on the floor as she grabbed the waist of her pants and slid them down her legs to her ankles. Isabelle stepped out of her pants and reluctantly glanced over at Ray.

  Ray took in her expensive but serviceable white bra and matching high waist bikini panties.

  He also observed the blush covering her entire body. Isabelle had a beautiful body and he was content to sit and gaze at her.

  “What do I do now?” she asked quietly with her hands in front of her.

  Ray tilted his head. “Do you always wear bras and panties like those?” he asked.

  Isabelle looked down at herself. “Yes.”

  “In white?”

  Isabelle nodded confused. “I also have pink and lavender.”

  “Red? Black?” he asked.

  “No.”

  Ray nodded. “Turn around for me.”

  Isabelle complied and turned around quickly in a full circle.

  Ray laughed. “Turn around slowly Isabelle until I say stop.”

  Isabelle turned away from those eyes and began a slow twirl. When her back was to him, he directed her to stop. She stood still waiting until Ray stood and came to stand behind her; close enough but not touching her.

  “Lesson One Isabelle, next time it will be easier.”

  Ray kissed the back of her head and headed to the door. “I'll see you soon Goddess. Lock the door behind me.” With that he was gone. Isabelle realized she'd been holding her breath and slowly released it. She picked her clothes up from the floor and locked the door before walking toward her bedroom. She'd undressed in front of a man and survived. Isabelle smiled and looked down at herself. She rarely if ever walked around in her underwear, even at home alone. She decided it wasn't so bad as she dropped her clothes on a chair and lay across her bed.

  Isabelle had been nervous about asking for Ray's help but she'd made up her mind that she had no other choice. She wanted to live again, free from fear. She wanted to experience life and possibly...love one day. Isabelle smiled as she rolled over on her bed. She placed her hand on her bare stomach and slowly rubbed the smooth skin there thinking about Ray. She moved her hand up to caress her breast wondering what it would feel like to be touched by him. Her hand moved lower beyond the waistband of her panties to her most intimate spot. This she could not yet imagine, someone touching her there. She quickly removed her hand.

  Isabelle thought back on when most of her insecurities had begun...

  She'd been fourteen still waiting for her body to develop so Sean would notice her. As Isabelle was leaving her house, her little sister Isis looked up from her toys and waved at her. Isabelle smiled and waved back. She left her house planning to see what the guys were doing.

  As she came out of her door, she saw Sean walking with Shana White. Sean's mother was away on a yearlong cruise and his father had passed away a few months ago. Isabelle watched as Sean and Shana walked to his house and went inside. Isabelle's young heart was broken. She knew the kind of girl Shana White was so she had no questions about why she was visiting Sean. Isabelle continued to Jordan's house and he came to the door with a smile.

  “Hey Izzy, what's up?”

  “Do you want to hang out Jordan?” she asked.

  Jordan shrugged. “Yeah, come in.” He stepped aside as she entered then led her up to his room. Isabelle took a seat on the floor against the bed.

  Jordan looked at her confused. “Uh...you can sit on the bed or in a chair Izzy.”

  “I know Jordan,” she said sadly.

  Jordan plopped down next to her on the floor. “What's wrong Izzy?” he asked concerned.

  She looked into his dark eyes. “I just saw Sean with Shana White.”

  Jordan grinned. “Really?”

  “Yes. They were going to his house.”

  Jordan saw her sadness. “Maybe he's helping her study?”

  Isabelle gave Jordan a look. “Jordan, we both know that Shana White doesn't study.”


  Jordan looked away. “Yeah...”

  “I mean what does Shana White have that I don't?” she asked.

  Jordan turned to her glancing at her non-existent chest. “You want me to answer that?”

  Isabelle frowned. “I mean besides that Jordan.”

  “Izzy, you're smart and you're really pretty.”

  Isabelle placed her chin on her uplifted knees. “Thanks Jordan. You're probably the only one who thinks so.”

  “Sean thinks you're pretty too. He told me.”

  “Well Melvin Jenkins doesn't,” she told Jordan.

  Jordan frowned. “What did Melvin Jenkins do?”

  Isabelle spoke into her knees. “He said I was ugly and flat chested; and that no boy would ever like me.”

  Jordan's eyes narrowed. “He said that to you?”

  Isabelle nodded sadly and Jordan fumed.

  “That's not true Izzy. A dude would be lucky to have a girl like you. Don't pay any attention to Melvin Jenkins.” Jordan placed his arm around her. “I bet Melvin is going to come back to you and say that he didn't mean any of it.”

  “Yeah, right,” Isabelle said turning to him. “I doubt that. He's so mean to me.”

  Jordan smiled. “Let's make a bet. If he does, you have to make me some cupcakes.”

  “And if he doesn't?” she asked.

  “Then you have to make me some cupcakes.”

  Isabelle laughed. “Okay Jordan. I'll make you some cupcakes.” She shook her head.

  She looked at Jordan. “Do you think Shana is going to be Sean's girlfriend?”

  Jordan shrugged.

  “I don't want her to hang out with us,” Isabelle told him.

  “I'm sure if Sean is with Shana they won't be hanging out with us.”

  Isabelle sighed. “This really sucks.”

  “Hey, you still got me,” he told her.

  “Yeah until some fast girl with big breasts comes along and takes you too.”

  Jordan smiled. “Nah, she'd have to have a big butt. That's what I like.”

  Isabelle looked at him. “Please stop talking Jordan.”

  Jordan shrugged. “Okay. I got some new clothes. You want to help me hang them up?”

  Isabelle rolled her eyes. “Sure Jordan. Sounds like fun,” she said sarcastically as he happily jumped and went into his closet.

  The next day unbeknownst to Izzy, Jordan picked Sean up for school before heading to pick her up. He waited while Sean finished dressing.

  “I heard Shana was over yesterday,” Jordan said smiling.

  Sean paused. “How did you hear that?”

  “Izzy saw you.”

  Sean shrugged and Jordan smiled.

  “So is Shana your girl now?”

  “No.”

  Jordan looked confused. “No?”

  Sean grabbed his bag. “No Jordan. Shana is not my girl.” He headed for the door.

  “Why not?” Jordan asked following him.

  “She's not what I thought.”

  Jordan frowned. “What did you think she was?”

  “I thought she could talk about something, anything other than herself.”

  “Talk? Dude nobody wants to talk to Shana White.”

  Sean walked down the stairs.

  “Jordan.”

  Jordan followed. “What? Are you kidding me? You had Shana White at your house and you wanted to talk to her?”

  “I don't want to talk about it anymore,” Sean said exiting the front door.

  “Sean wait!” Jordan stopped him. “What's up?”

  Sean stopped and shrugged. “I just thought she was smarter. I mean she's a senior.”

  Jordan looked confused. “Sean, dude, if you want a smart girl you see her every day. Izzy is the smartest girl at school.”

  Sean frowned. “Izzy? Izzy is like my sister.”

  Jordan shook his head. “Whatever.”

  They began walking to Isabelle's house and Jordan turned to him as they walked.

  “Melvin Jenkins said some mean stuff to Izzy and made her sad.”

  Sean turned to him. “What?”

  “He called her ugly.”

  Sean looked at his watch then Jordan. “After school?”

  Jordan nodded. “Yep.”

  When the bell rang at the end of the school day, Melvin Jenkins had no idea what was in store for him. Sean approached Melvin with a smile.

  “Hey Melvin”

  “Hey Sean, what's up?”

  “Nothing much, Shana wants to meet you in the park where all the trees are.”

  Melvin smiled. “Shana White?”

  Sean nodded. “Yeah, I think she likes you. She wanted me to tell you to meet her there.”

  Melvin couldn't contain his excitement. “Now?”

  “Yes. You'd better hurry. You don't want to keep her waiting.”

  “Thanks man,” Melvin said happily.

  Sean nodded and watched as he ran towards the park.

  “Idiot,” Sean said following behind him.

  Melvin ran into the wooded part of the park looking for Shana. Out of the sight of onlookers, Jordan grabbed him and slammed him against a tree.

  “What's up Melvin?”

  “Jordan?” Melvin said confused and shaken from being hit up against a tree. “What's going on?”

  Jordan kept his hand on Melvin's chest holding him in place.

  “Here's the deal Melvin. Izzy is our friend and you don't mess with her.”

  Sean joined them standing beside Jordan.

  “What did I do to Izzy?” Melvin asked afraid.

  Sean spoke up. “You said some mean things to her for which you are going to apologize or you're going to get your ass kicked,” he said angrily.

  Jordan looked from Sean to Melvin. “I wouldn't make him mad. Seriously.”

  “Look, okay, I'll apologize. Just leave me alone.”

  Jordan increased the pressure on his chest. “Don't play with us Melvin. Apologize to Izzy and don't tell her we made you.”

  “Because if you don't, there will be no conversation next time. Got it?” Sean asked.

  Melvin's chest was beginning to hurt from the pressure Jordan was placing on it.

  “Okay! I will!” he choked out.

  Jordan let him go and he straightened his shirt trying to catch his breath. Sean and Jordan turned to leave and Melvin called to them.

  “Is Shana still here?”

  The boys looked at him and kept walking.

  “They'd probably make a perfect couple,” Sean muttered and Jordan laughed.

  *********

  Back to the present, Isabelle thought about Melvin. She never thought he would apologize for being mean to her, but he'd come up to her at school one day and begged her forgiveness. She never knew what had gotten into him, but she'd made Jordan cupcakes the same day.

  To her great relief Shana White had not become Sean's girlfriend and Sean had continued to hang out with her and Jordan. Still somehow, the seed had been planted that she wasn't the girl that guys would lose their head or heart over.

  Her assailant hadn't lost his heart over her. She was just a body that he wanted to conquer. By the time she was in college, Isabelle's body had caught up with her age. She had grown nice breasts and a tight round backside. As soon as she had become a woman her freedom had been snatched away, but she was determined to reclaim it now and Ray Parker was the perfect way to do it.

  Chapter 10

  Trent drove to the Black Diamond building to see his brothers. They had called and asked him to meet with them. He wondered what they wanted and feared they had discovered his secret. When he arrived he was shown up to Jordan's office. Sean and Jordan were seated at the table and he quickly joined them.

  “Hey,” he said taking a seat.

  They both greeted him in return as he looked from one to the other.

  “What's up?” he asked.

  Jordan spoke. “Both Sean and Sage mentioned that you may have something on your mind and we think we
know what it is.”

  “Huh?” Trent said with his heart beating.

  “We wish you would have just came to us Trent and told us,” Sean said.

  Trent lowered his head. “I'm sorry. It's just with you getting married...”

  “I know,” Sean told him.

  “What are you going to do?” Trent asked warily.

  Jordan smiled. “We're going to get you your own apartment for your birthday.”

  “Huh?” Trent said confused.

  “We know that this is a transition for you with me and Lily getting married and her moving into the house. We don't want you to feel cramped so when Lily moves out, we're giving you her apartment,” Sean explained.

  “I'm getting my own apartment?” Trent repeated.

  “We thought that's what was on your mind; that you were concerned about your living arrangements. Is there something else?” Jordan asked.

  Trent looked from one to the other. “Nah, I'm tripping that's all.”

  “I'm not putting you out Trent. You're still welcome to stay at the house if that's what you want,” Sean told him.

  “Pass up my own apartment? Nah, I'm good.” He smiled.

  “You'll be responsible for all of the bills there,” Jordan told him.

  Trent nodded smiling broadly. “Got it.”

  “No wild parties, no turning up and no illegal activity. Understand?” Jordan said pointedly.

  “None,” Trent agreed. “Wow! Thank you.”

  “Have you heard anything about the Secure Programmer project?” Sean asked.

  “Nah, not yet. It's really competitive and I'm only seventeen still.”

  Jordan smiled. “I'm not worried. You'll get in. You're smart as hell; sometimes too much.”

  Trent smiled back at him. “Thanks Jordan.”

  “And stay away from my daughter,” Jordan warned.

  “The ladies love me, what can I say?” Trent boasted.

  Jordan shook his head. “Sage has informed me that your party is going to be at my house.”

  Trent looked surprised. “For real?”

  “Yeah, don't turn up and tear up anything at my house. I'm making that clear now.”

  “Okay Jordan. Thank you. This party is going to be on fleek!”

  Jordan looked at Sean and Sean laughed.

  “When Sean comes back from his honeymoon you can move into the apartment. That will be a few weeks before your birthday.”