Watercolors: Ellison Brothers Read online

  Watercolors

  by

  Vera Roberts

  Copyright

  For BESM.

  © 2018 Vera Roberts, All Rights Reserved

  Smashwords Edition

  This e-book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This e-book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient.

  This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places and incidents are products of the author’s imagination, or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or locales, is entirely coincidental.

  Other Titles by Vera Roberts

  The Breakaway Series:

  Breakaway

  Game Misconduct

  Face-Off

  Power Play

  Scoring Chance

  The D’Amato Brothers Series:

  The Nanny

  To Love and Obey (BDSM)

  Where I Wanna Be

  All I’ve Ever Wanted

  Love

  Nothing Even Matters

  One More chance

  War

  D’Amato

  The Ellison Brothers Series:

  Her Savior

  Simply Complicated

  Her Ocean

  The Feeling Some Type of Way Series:

  Feeling Some Type of Way

  Bad and Bougie

  Not about That Life

  The D’Amato Brothers/S&M Crossover (BDSM):

  Anticipation

  Yes, Master

  I Need You

  The Jackson and Liane Series:

  Daddy’s Angel

  Fire We Make

  When Love Calls

  The Scott & Mariana Serial (BDSM):

  S&M

  S&M II

  Discipline

  S&M III, Vol. I

  S&M III, Vol. II

  S&M IV, Part 1

  The Ex-Factor

  Stronger Than Pride

  Unravel Me

  The State of Affairs Series:

  State of affairs

  Superpower

  Standalone Novels:

  I Knew You Were Trouble

  Wait for Love

  Soul Infinity Crew (under Maya Brooklyn)

  Short stories:

  Blow by Blow: Diary of a Call Girl #1

  Blow by Blow: Diary of a Call Girl #2

  Dear Diary

  Gettin' It

  H.E.R.

  Hot Like Fire (Sweet and Clean Romance)

  The Train Ride (Free on Smashwords.com)

  The Erotic Intoxication, Vol. I: Bad Girls

  The Painter

  Til Tomorrow

  What About Us?

  To Contact Vera

  Facebook Page:

  www.facebook.com/ms.vera.roberts

  Blog:

  www.veraroberts.com

  Tumblr:

  https://eroticamistress.tumblr.com

  Wattpad:

  https://www.wattpad.com/user/veraroberts

  Email:

  [email protected]

  Blurb

  Knee-deep in the land of alternative facts and fake news, Senator Ocean Ellison is caught between protecting the woman he loves – a reality star with a notorious past – and being an ambitious politician.

  As their relationship becomes public, Ocean must decide if being with Aaliyah Smith is worth the risk – even if it means he’ll become a target by his own father.

  Bestselling and USA Today featured author Vera Roberts’s Ellison Brothers series continues with Watercolors, a sexy venture into a high-stakes political romance that deals with revenge, true love, and if time really heals.

  “The most uncomfortable person in the room is the nigga who knows he’s right.”

  –Dave Chappelle.

  One

  Irreplaceable was a fitting song. A woman who finally had enough of her man’s bullshit and told him to leave. Beyoncé’s angry words paired with her sassy vocals were the perfect combination to the hit song.

  It was directed at him, for sure. In fact, every song his ex had on her playlist was one big fuck you to him. As Senator Ocean Ellison sat in his ex-girlfriend’s living room, he noticed a theme with the songs she’d played.

  First, there was “I Don’t Love You Anymore” by Teddy Pendergrass.

  Then there was “Apologize” by One Republic.

  Followed by “I Will Survive.” Not the upbeat version by Gloria Gaynor, but the quiet storm cover by Chantay Savage.

  As Ocean listened to “Cry Me a River,” it became increasingly clear he had the work cut out for him.

  She was angry. She was beyond pissed. She, worst of all, was heartbroken.

  Ocean felt his stomach coil up in tight knots and guilt choked him. If he had to be on his knees all night and wear out his best pair of Armani slacks, so be it. He was not leaving with Aaliyah. Point. Blank. Period.

  They had more in common than what appeared to be. Their backgrounds were wildly different but when they connected, Aaliyah and Ocean were unstoppable. He was clean-cut and dare anyone thought, innocent. She was a bad girl with a past.

  The odds were stacked against them from the start and they both treated their connection as a fling. When they made love, all sense flew out of the window. Her mouth was skillful and her tongue was hungry. Her hands explored every crevice of his body and demanded more from him.

  They made love throughout the night. They fucked in every room of her apartment and his home. Aaliyah became Ocean’s fire. He became needy for her love and touch. He anticipated her needs before she spoke them.

  With his security detail waiting outside, Ocean took stock of Aaliyah’s condo. Decorated in muted colors like mahogany, cream, and peach, it was very different from Aaliyah’s old apartment in Los Angeles. Her condo had several windows that gave natural light. Dark, hardwood tiles covered the floors, leading to plush carpeting in the bedrooms.

  It was an expensive condo, Ocean concluded. It was decorated in quiet luxury that didn’t come out of an IKEA showroom, but pricey items that a certain economic threshold could afford. There were quirky items like an old, colorful credenza that sat her flat screen TV. An equally colorful Indian rug lay under Ocean’s feet. He knew it came from a trendy store in West Hollywood because he had the same rug in his home.

  His stomach churned when he realized he was sitting in a room Thomas Ellison furnished.

  His father didn’t personally pick out the items, but there was no doubt his money played a significant role in Aaliyah’s new life. Thomas Ellison was a master at brokering deals and it never took long before an enemy ultimately gave him exactly what he wanted. His money paid for her condo. His money paid for her shop.

  His money ensured Aaliyah would never bother the Ellison’s ever again.

  Ocean never asked how much did his father give his ex for he was disgusted the action took place. As he glanced around more, Ocean already knew the answer: somewhere between six and seven figures.

  Thomas was the ultimate executive and if he wanted something, family relations and personal feeling be damned. It was one of the reasons of the strained relationship between all of his sons, Ocean included.

  It was a weird dynamic – they loved their father with the same passion they loathed him. They would never disrespect him in public, but it was always no holds barred behind closed doors. Ocean chuckled as he thought about it. They were truly like any other rich, political family. They just happened to be famous.

  Ocean walked around Aaliyah’s condo, taking in the sights and sounds. Old pictures of family and friends graced the living room. A pictu
re of Aaliyah with her parents at her college graduation from Cal State L.A. Wild times with Brittany in clubs. A selfie of Aaliyah on a sunny day. Pictures of her celebrating pride. Family gatherings.

  And most certainly no pictures of her and Ocean.

  Her smile was infectious. Her spirit naturally drew people in. Her eyes could balance simmering sensuality and innocent wickedness depending on whom she spoke with. Her voice was soft, smoldering, with a touch of smoke. She was #goals and #carefreeblackgirl before they became trendy.

  She’d often complained about how skinny she was. She was barely a B cup and she was envious of the women how had voluptuous bodies. She never had a problem buying clothes her size and often dressed her body shape instead of what size she could fit.

  “You’re perfect,” Ocean purred one night after a lovemaking session. His fingers traced a constellation tattoo on her body backed by soft splashes of lavender, fuchsia, and gold. “You’re perfect for me and that’s all that matters.”

  “You don’t want me to get a butt lift?” She teased.

  Ocean pulled Aaliyah on top of him and reached up as she straddled him. “If you want surgery, baby, I’ll pay for it. But I’m just saying you don’t need it. You’re beautiful and perfect just as you are.”

  Aaliyah adjusted her position and sank down on Ocean, coating him with her tight and slick heat as they both sighed. “I’m going to fuck you for your appreciation.”

  Ocean held onto his girlfriend’s hips. “Please do.”

  Ocean shook the memory from his head before it impacted his slacks. The last thing he wanted was to make Aaliyah feel he was only there to sex her and leave. He wanted their relationship to work and if he needed to wait, so be it. He was not going to ruin this because his dick had a mind of its own.

  His eyes wandered around the room until he caught a certain set of photos. He got up from the sofa and walked over to the small corner, where various photos of Aaliyah doing tattoo work graced the area. She always wore tank tops and her hair in a bun so there wouldn’t be any distraction.

  The pictures were taken during various times of day and they all showcased a concentrated Aaliyah working on numerous clients with her trademark water-coloring tattoo.

  Ocean took all of the photos.

  He knew she kept the photographs because they were beautiful and probably served as a reminder to Aaliyah how far she’d come from where she’d been. Nothing more, nothing less. A part of him did wonder if Aaliyah kept the photos because deep down, she still wanted to be connected to Ocean, even if she couldn’t stand the sight of him.

  Ocean shook his head. As “You Oughta Know” played in the background, he had a lot of making up to do. Aaliyah barely let him in the front door, literally and figuratively. She went upstairs to shower and change before they went out to dinner. He booked an entire restaurant just for them to ensure privacy and no interruptions.

  All he needed to do now was just wait. Patience was never Ocean’s strong point.

  ~~~~~~~

  “So, he found you?” Brittany began over the phone. “And yet you’re calling me so obviously there’s no makeup sex.”

  Aaliyah bristled and rolled her eyes. Ocean’s security detail drove her home from the tattoo shop. She stayed nestled upstairs in her master bedroom getting ready for what…a date? No, it wasn’t a date.

  It was an outing between two people who used to have sex, be in love (at least she was), and now they’re pretending they don’t hate each other. At least Ocean was pretending he didn’t hate Aaliyah.

  She still had the anger of a scorned woman. “I hate him. I hate him. I hate his fucked-up family. I especially hate his manipulative-ass daddy. I hate everything about him.”

  “But…” Brittany blew on the gel nail polish settling on her fingernails. “…he’s downstairs in your condo waiting to take you out?”

  Brittany didn’t know much about sports but she just scored a slam-dunk with her assessment. “He insisted and didn’t listen when I told him no.” Aaliyah defended.

  “You told him no? I’m pretty sure Ocean would’ve listened if you said no.” Brittany countered.

  She just scored a homerun. “I didn’t say yes,” Aaliyah revised.

  “Girl, bye.” Brittany rolled her eyes. “There’s a chance he’s truly sorry for what happened, Liyah.”

  “Two, almost three years later?” Aaliyah retorted. “I’ve seen the women he’s been linked to since our breakup. None of them look like me and that was intentional.”

  “I thought you no longer paid attention to what Mr. Senator did?” Brittany asked as she chewed gum. “I thought, in your words, you no longer cared about what he did.”

  I always did Aaliyah wanted to admit. Selfish pride wouldn’t let her. “When he’s in the papers, I’m going to see it. When people are talking about that hot, young, available senator from California, I know whom they’re referring to. I can’t avoid all of the political gossip.”

  “So, what do you want out of this?” Brittany asked. “He wants you back and it’s clear you’re seriously considering it.”

  “Excuse you,” Aaliyah defended, “I’m about to go out to dinner with him, that’s it. Nothing more, nothing less.”

  “Didn’t I just say he’s waiting downstairs inside your condo?” Brittany replied. “This is more than just a friendly get-together and adding each other on Facebook now.”

  Aaliyah hated how well Brittany could read her like a librarian. “It’s complicated,” she sighed, “even if we do get back together, do you know the scrutiny I’ll be under? I’ll have cameras following me everywhere. No one will leave me alone. And the fact he’s an Ellison? I can forget any thought of privacy for as long as I live.”

  “But that’s what you wanted some years ago, Aaliyah. You were prepared for that, remember? You were going to cover up your sleeves, cut your hair so you can be all Stepford Wife-ish, and call it a career. That was what you wanted to do for him.” Brittany countered. “Now why is it a problem now?”

  “No one knew who I was back then,” Aaliyah’s popularity grew within the past several years. She was in talks about getting her own reality show as it show her artwork and some of her personal life.

  With Ocean’s sudden and swift reappearance in her life, even the reality show was proven problematic. “Ocean wouldn’t dare to be seen with me in public. Not now.”

  “I think that’s a risk he’s willing to take,” Brittany replied, “I have a strong suspicion Ocean would not care about anything else as long as you’re back in his life for good.”

  “Easy for you to say because you’re not the one dealing with any of this,” Aaliyah chuckled. “You’re home and pregnant, and engaged to a doctor.”

  “Hey, it’s a hard life but somebody’s gotta do it.”

  “Speaking of a hard knock life,” Aaliyah let out a small sigh, “you have a cousin that’s a P.I., right? How much does he charge?”

  “For me, it’ll be free.” Brittany paused for a beat. “You want dirt on Ocean?”

  “I want info on the entire Ellison clan.” Aaliyah responded. “From mom and pops to the brothers.”

  Aaliyah was about to play a dangerous game and Brittany wasn’t sure if it was one she would win. “Everything you could want to know is on the internet, Liyah.” Brittany countered. “I’m sure if you look hard enough you’ll find it.”

  “I don’t trust what the Internet says. No one does straight reporting anymore. If they’re not leaning right, they damn sure are leaning left. I need someone who has no connection or affiliation to either party to give me info. I need everything possible on the Ellison’s.”

  Brittany didn’t want to ask but she felt compelled. “Blackmail?”

  “No,” Aaliyah shook her head, knowing Brittany couldn’t see it. “I want to know who I’m dealing with.”

  “Okay,” Brittany complied, “I’ll see what he can find. Just to warn you, though, some of the stuff he might find won’t be pretty. If you’re
able to stomach some hard, ugly truths about Ocean’s family, be prepared.”

  Truth was, Aaliyah wasn’t prepared. She knew how powerful Thomas was. She wanted to know how far his reach went. She had a feeling Ocean being a part of the Senate was only a small move in the game of chess Thomas played. “I’ll try.” She heard a knock on her door and swallowed hard. She knew it was Ocean behind it; still, the rush within her rocked her core. She was only in her towel and felt compelled to answer the door wearing just that. “I gotta go, Britt. Give Paul my love.”

  “Keep me posted or I’ll pry more info from Paul.” Brittany laughed before she hung up.

  Aaliyah got up and straightened her shoulders. She tucked her towel in more and walked squarely to her bathroom door, where she opened it to face a smiling, sultry Ocean.

  My heart…Aaliyah’s eyes took a quick stock of Ocean’s body. He stood over six feet tall, with dark brown hair, and dazzling blue eyes. He was dressed in dark slacks and a white open collar shirt that conformed to his magnificent body.

  His hair was a messy bed head style, appearing as he just put some water in it and ran a hand through it a few times. He was never about the glitz and glamour and hated even to wear makeup when had to do appearances. Low-key was always his style.

  Ocean wasn’t just attractive; he was flat-out delicious.

  His blue eyes were focused on her brown ones as he let himself into her bathroom and carefully stalked her as Aaliyah walked backwards and sat down on a vanity chair. No man had ever shaken her to the core the way Ocean did.

  She honestly doubted no man ever would. “I’m still getting dressed.” She held his gaze.

  Ocean stood by the bathroom door and folded his arms, though Aaliyah wasn’t sure if it was because he was comfortable or annoyed. His stance gave no indication what way he leaned. “Am I wasting your time being here?” His voice was calm, but his mouth was a straight hard line.

  “What gave you that impression?” She crossed her legs and folded her arms to match. “I’m getting dressed.”