Simply Complicated: Ellison Brothers (Ellison Brothers Book 2) Read online

  I just need to enjoy this as much as I can and for as long as I can.

  “May I join you?” Savior leans against the balcony wall and looks back at me. “Hey there.”

  “Hey.” I smile. “What’s up?”

  “Nothing much. Just wondering why my girlfriend is preferring to come out here instead being back inside with me where it’s nice and warm?” He looks into my eyes. His eyes smile back with an invitation I’ll soon accept.

  I let out a heavy sigh and feel the tension release from my shoulders. “Just thinking about the future.”

  “Oh?” He glances up at the stars. “It doesn’t sound like you’re looking forward to it.”

  “I don’t know what it is first. I hope it’s a good one but it’s always the fear of the unknown, you know…” I leave the words hanging.

  “Fear of what’s going to happen between us?” He finishes and looks over at me.

  I meet his gaze. His eyes have turned into a chocolate brown. “I remember the look you gave me when you were at my home for the first time. How mortified you were when you heard sirens. You see, all that rap music you like may talk about the hood life but once you’re actually there, it’s a different ball game.”

  “You’re not dying to stay there, neither, Keisha.” He retorts. “You’ve made it pretty obvious you don’t want to live there anymore.”

  I rub my head and feel the small curls pop up. I really need a touch-up. “You ever wonder why people stay in bad relationships knowing there won’t be a good outcome? It’s because they’re used to the drama of it. It’s like a warm blanket. You know it’s coming, you know it’ll eventually blow over, and then things will be back to normal. That’s how my neighborhood is. It occasionally has its problems, but I’m used to it.” I look back up at the stars. “You can take the girl out of the ‘hood, but you can’t take the ‘hood out of the girl.”

  “You really think I want to change you.” Savior gives a half-chuckle and half-smirk. “That’s rich.”

  “Well, don’t you?” I press. “Isn’t that the whole goal behind what you’re doing here?”

  “What am I doing here, Keisha?” Savior’s voice is calm but there’s a bite of anger behind the words. “I thought I was loving and spoiling you.”

  “It feels too good to be true and I’m right to question it.” I defend. “I’m sorry if I never had a rich guy who gave me a car within a week of knowing him.”

  There’s a small silence between us and I hear Savior take a deep breath. “Would it have been better if Jalen gave you the car?” He asks.

  It was like a gunshot to the heart. Savior went straight for the jugular and didn’t even hesitate. It’s a question I had silently wondered but never dared to ask because I knew if Jalen gave me the car, it would’ve been worse in many ways.

  Yet, it doesn’t seem that much better that Savior gave it to me. “There’s a song lyric I like that applies to you. It’s from Teddy Pendergrass.” I slowly begin. “I’m going to let it go.”

  Savior grins and nods. “I have another Teddy Pendergrass lyric I like,” he turns towards me and his eyes glitter with eroticism and desire, “close the door and let me blow your mind.”

  I swallow and blow out a small breath. His gaze was smoldering and my body became aware of who Savior Ellison was and his impact on me. He was provoking me, testing me to see how far I would let him go, and move in for the attack once he had me where he wanted me.

  The throbbing between my thighs increased at a fever pitch and I become disoriented. Just looking at how heated his eyes had become, I feel small pings of desire take over my body. Savior had an insatiable appetite for sex and he loves to prove it to me at every chance. My sex silently demanded his cock while my brain wanted out. “I was trying to break up with you.”

  “And I’m trying to blow your back out.” Savior slowly blinks at me and his lips curve into that delicious, taunting smile. “Seems like we’re at an impasse.”

  There’s a small ache and thump in my panties. My body naturally craves Savior’s cock and himself. Each time I’m around him, there’s a yearning that bubbles underneath the surface I can’t explain. All I know is I’m constantly on alert when I’m around him, and I never had. I ignore the feeling for now and focus on our conversation. “You’re seriously going to wait for me while I’m up at college for two years?”

  “It’s not like I won’t be able to see you during the weekends, and you won’t be down during the holidays. Whatever happens, happens. But I can’t quit you nor can I drink you out of my memory. Trust, I’ve already tried. I would rather fail miserably knowing that I gave it my all than to give up so soon and wonder what could’ve been.” He rubs my bald head. “Need a trim?”

  My heart is spinning and my head is just as dizzy. Savior has that affect on women. If he’s not willing to give up so soon, neither should I. “I do,” I softly reply.

  “Let me line you up real quick.” He suggests and I shoot him a disbelieving look. I know better than let white hands near a black woman’s head. “If I mess up, you can wear a head wrap.”

  I begin to walk back inside the home. “If you mess up, I’m whupping your ass all the way back to Inglewood.” I warn him.

  Savior gives my ass a smack. “Ooh, I love it when you talk dirty to me.”

  ~~~~~

  “To support myself in college, I did hair cuts.” Savior massages my head before he applies some shaving cream on it. He didn’t just apply any kind but rather, Magic. Yeah. He’s getting all the dick sucking he can handle tonight. “Grades paid for grants and tuition, but anything else, my dad wanted me to earn my way. He didn’t want me to lean on him at any time during school or after.”

  Despite my feelings towards Thomas, I respect his parenting style. My daddy is the same way. I know he has money stashed away for me in other accounts but he wants me to earn my own. While I appreciate the lesson, it’s a hard one. I’ve never been poor but I’ve neve been balling. Broke is a level I’m all too familiar with.

  “I perfected my style without having to step foot inside a barbershop.” Savior explains. “Learned from my fellow Brothers how to cut, trim, fade, all of that.”

  We’re in his monstrous master bathroom where he has a barber chair in front of a mirror. He has the biggest tub I’ve ever seen in my natural born life along with a just as equally huge shower that rains overhead. There are two toilets with their own room and ventilation and two sinks. He clearly designed this home with a future wife in mind. “You know how to do fades?” I question. I’m rather impressed.

  “I know how to do everything,” He answers as he dips a razor inside a plastic container of hot water and stares at me. “Including Brazilian waxes.”

  I wonder how it would look if Savior stripped both of my heads completely bald. I’m almost tempted to ask him. “Oh.”

  “Oh.” He winks at me. He holds my head and glides the razor over it, going against the grain. “It took me months to learn how to do it just right.”

  “The Brazilian?” I ask.

  “That too,” he chuckles as he continues shaving. He holds my head just right as he moves the razor over it. “I had to prove myself. Not many people will trust a non-black person with their head. It was a lot of blood, sweat, and tears.” He pauses with a laugh. “Mostly tears.”

  I can only imagine the pressure that was on Savior to prove himself in a mostly-black fraternity. He might have it harder not because of his race, but also who his father was. It’s not like the Brothers would’ve taken it easy on him. If anything, they might have tried to break Savior.

  It makes me love….erm…respect him just a bit more.

  “Butta Love” plays overhead and I’m in heaven. Savior’s hands are so amazing as he takes intricate care of my head. He goes back over certain places to make sure it’s nice and smooth. Afterward, Savior puts a warm towel on my head and adjusts the chair so I’m laying back.

  After a few minutes, Savior removes the towel and massages
my scalp with oil. His fingertips gently knead around my dome with such delicate care. It’s not just him being professional or careful. There’s added love with his movements.

  A small shudder raced up my spine as I felt Savior’s lips on my head, then his tongue. His lips were so tender, but his tongue was completely sensual. No man had ever kissed my head, but Savior…he worshipped it. His lips were soft and warm, and so delicate.

  I felt that familiar ache in my panties once again and it grew stronger by the moment. Small moans escaped my mouth and my nipples grew harder with each kiss. I felt a throbbing, intense need but my fingers or a toy wouldn’t do.

  I needed Savior. I needed to feel his hard cock pulsating inside of me. I needed to feel him underneath me as he grabbed my ass and encouraged me to take it all. I needed to feel all of him.

  I finally open my eyes and found Savior staring down at me. “Let’s go to bed,” I tell him.

  A delicious smile curved his lips. “Your wish is my command.”

  Eighteen

  “I can see why you made the comment about my showerhead,” I begin as I let the water rain on me. “Yours is definitely better.”

  Savior chuckles behind me as he wrapped his muscular arms around my waist. He kisses my neck and nibbles on my ear. I already had earth-shattering, milly-rocking sex with him and yet, I want some more. “When I’m right, I’m right.”

  We never made it to the bedroom. Savior took me down on the living floor and showed me how flexible I was. He held up one leg to my ear as he pounded into me. I screamed and cried out his name as I clawed at his skin, tasting the sweat that dropped from his brow on my lips.

  When I opened my eyes, Savior stared at me with such intensity, I visibly shivered. He once again branded me as his. His gaze was hot, and his brown eyes pierced into my soul with each thrust and dirty command he gave me. I just know I’m going to have killer rug burn tomorrow.

  I came with a loud cry and Savior followed a short time later, collapsing on top of me. He kissed me deeply, licking the inside of my mouth, and he whispered the most incredible thing to me:

  “I know it’s too soon for you to say it and I respect that, but I want to let you know I love you, Keisha.” He murmurs to me. “Whenever you’re ready to say it, I’ll welcome it.”

  I was stunned. I couldn’t say it back to him, nor did he expect it. So, like a wimp, I said the next plausible thing on my mind.

  “Let’s go shower. I would love to try your showerhead.”

  How To Ruin An Incredibly Romantic Moment 101 by Keisha Jones, ladies and gentlemen.

  I have never said I love you to any man other than those related to me. I know the power in those words. If I say I love you, I mean so much with that. I can’t just say I love you and then we break up a week later and it’ll be like, ‘Boy, bye!’

  I just…I don’t know…it’s so hard for me to say those words. Honestly, I’m not sure if I truly feel the same. I don’t know if what I’m feeling is just lust mixed in with infatuation. If I’m willing to leave Savior to go to a four-year university in a few months, do I really love him?

  Love doesn’t leave nor does it run. It stays and fights.

  I turn around and wrap my arms around Savior’s neck as he holds my waist. “What else is on the menu this weekend?”

  “Well, the gala is the big thing.” Just from his voice, I can tell it’s something he’s not looking forward to but it does out of familial obligation. “After that, we’ll just take it easy and see what happens.”

  “It’s Christmas time,” I mention, “you have no décor or a tree. You need both.”

  Savior nods. His home is marvelous to say the least. It is definitely worth every penny of the million and so dollars he’s put in it, aside from the expensive price tag he purchased it. “I can do that. Where do you suggest we go?”

  “Target.” His eyebrows rise. “Or is Geary’s more your speed?”

  “I can do Target.” He turns off the shower and hands me a towel. “I’ve never decorated here before it’ll be different.”

  “You’ve never decorated here?” I don’t know why the news surprises me. Savior doesn’t seem like he spends a lot of time in his own home. “Not one holiday?”

  “I’ve always spent it with my brothers or parents. Never had to.” He dries himself off. “I was always gone around Christmas time.”

  “Oh?” I shouldn’t ask but I’m curious. “Where to?”

  “Big Bear.” He wraps the towel around his waist and wipes down my back. “Just go skiing for a few days and come back refreshed.”

  I can definitely see Savior looking all cozy and sexy by the fireplace as he sips hot cocoa with marshmallows. I can also see him with a blonde bimbo servicing him as he does just that.

  I blink the nasty thought out of my head. We haven’t talked Christmas plans because I’m not sure if that’s a conversation I should bring up or maybe he should. What’s the protocol of dating a rich guy who’s never decorated his home?

  “That sounds like fun.” I pause for a moment. “I hope you enjoy yourself.”

  “I hope so, too.” He brushes his hair. “Because you’ll be with me.”

  My heartbeat rises to an ear-splitting loudness. I’ve been around snow. It’s just not something a girl from the ‘hood does. Every advertisement for resorts never have a brotha or a sista in them and everyone knows what that means without actually saying it.

  I don’t even own a snow suit. Why would I? It’s not like I ever left Inglewood. Every place I’ve traveled to was definitely inland and not near any snow. “Oh?”

  “You said 90 days, Keisha.” Savior sets the brush down and turns to me. His eyes are clear and serious. “I plan to use all those 90 days to my advantage.”

  “What do you plan to do?” My stomach cinches with an unexplained nervousness.

  “Show you what you want in life and how you shouldn’t be afraid to go after it.” His eyes glitter with a bit of mischief and sensuality. “That where you come from shouldn’t make a difference on how you end up.”

  “I probably won’t easily fit in some of those places you’re talking about.” I warn him. “It’s okay that I know my lane and I want to stay in it.”

  “It’s also okay to draw outside of the lines sometimes,” Savior’s voice purred with lust and affection.

  I swallow my emotions. Twice. “You want me on those slopes, huh?”

  Savior picks me up and carries me to bed. “I want you however I can take you.”

  ~~~~~~

  “I didn’t know Target stays open all night,” Savior rides the shopping cart down the aisle as I push him.

  “Only during the holiday hours. People want to shop when they won’t be disturbed and the lines aren’t too long.” I explain like the Target expert I am. I’m also a Wal-Mart expert but I tend to stay away from that store if I can help it. The combination of white trash and ghetto folks is too ratchet for my taste and this is coming from someone who’s from the ‘hood.

  “Lead the way, gorgeous.” Savior orders and we immediately go to the Christmas section. Aisles upon aisles of everything Christmas and a sista is at ease. I immediately begin picking up random items. Some of it would look great in Savior’s home and some of will make absolutely no sense but that’s the point of it. Christmas is the time to be nonsensical.

  I grabbed a ton of baubles along with some garland that could be twisted around the staircase. I saw funky ornaments such as a wine glass, golf clubs, and even a scooter. Savior loathes golf, is not much of a wine drinker despite having a refrigerator just for it (he says it’s for his guests), and a scooter is the last thing on Earth he would drive.

  Of course, they had absolutely nothing to do with Savior so I had to grab them.

  We stopped by the candy section, grabbed all of the candy canes and Christmas candy I know health-nut Savior will not eat. And finally, there are at least fifteen gaudy-looking Christmas decorations in the form of snowmen, Santa Clauses of all sha
pes, colors, and sizes, and all the awful-looking wreaths Savior and his AMEX black card can handle.

  Finally, we choose Elf on the Shelf. I had to explain to Savior what it is because again, he doesn’t really do Christmas at his home. I also picked up Home Alone, Elf, and other silly Christmas movies.

  I’ll show that boy how to do Christmas one way or the other.

  ~~~~~~

  "Well…” I stand back and fold my arms across my chest. “…what do you think?”

  Savior stands with me as he looks at all of the Christmas décor. Gaudy yet classy at the same time. Every room is filled with something Christmas and that’s only the first floor. Just wait until I get started on the second floor and all of those damn bedrooms. “I’m impressed.” He gives a warm smile. “It feels like Christmas.”

  “See?” I grin and wink at him. “There’s nothing wrong with celebrating Christmas here.”

  “I never had a reason to.” He explains. “I’m a single man. I don’t do the whole Christmas thing if I don’t have to.”

  I would argue with Savior but he has a point. I don’t know too many single men who go all out for Christmas. Hell, my daddy never did the extreme when it came to decorating. It was always me and Ashley who helped turn his house into a home.

  The thoughts of little Keishas and little Saviors appear and I shake my head to relieve them. I’m still getting an iffy feeling about what’s going between us but I’m willing to put it all aside for now. “How about some hot cocoa?” I wrap my arms around his waist.

  “That sounds perfect.”

  ~~~~~~

  It’s three o’clock Saturday afternoon and the clock is rapidly ticking away.

  Tonight’s the big gala.

  Tonight is me and Savior’s debut as an official couple.

  I called up my old girlfriend, Dominique Kimbrough (now she’s a Ferguson because she married up and got the hell out of Baldwin Hills as soon as she could), and she let me borrow her glam squad for the night to get ready.

  When I went shopping with Savior the other day, he picked out a black sleeveless cocktail dress with matching Gucci heels. I don’t wear heels often and I told Savior unless he was comfortable I was going to fall on my ass and show everyone why he really likes me, we need to invest into some Dr. Scholl’s. He agreed.