Fated to Love

By Christine Gray

“I don’t want to be in a damn interview,” Javier snarled.

From the second he laid eyes on the extra guest that arrived with his childhood friend, Maripose, Javier knew he was in trouble. Not only was the Jamaican woman breathtaking, she was nosy as hell, and in search of a story that would give her the raise and corner office she had been promised. If that wasn’t enough, she was rude and jumped to too many conclusions about the reclusive billionaire. Javier knew it would only be a matter of time before the strange things that went on at his ranch estate would raise eyebrows.

With the appearance of the odd marking on her arm, Javier realized that Zekia wasn’t going anywhere. What Zekia thought to be a sore, Javi knew was a sign that tied this annoying woman that rubbed him the wrong way to him. She was to be his future, his lover. A lover that had her heart encased in a steel trap that he was going to have to breakthrough while dealing with his secrets and enemies of his past that were knocking at his door.


Even still, Javier couldn’t deny the passion he felt whenever Zekia was near.

“I came in your room to talk and clean your sore, but don’t confuse my deeper motive. I wanted to see if I had a chance in getting between your chocolate thighs," he admitted, smoothly.

She tilted her head. Just as she knew, Javier was a force she wasn’t used to tangling with.
“Hm, revealing the coming attack,” she smirked.

“There isn’t a damn thing you can do to stop it. You might fight, but I will win. I’m gonna give you what your ex never could," Javi promised.

They were FATED to LOVE!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sullivan Group Publishing, LLC
• Release date: Jun 20, 2017
• ISBN: 9781548426965

Christine Gray

Christine Gray is an author, publisher, and entrepreneur. Beginning her career under the pen name, Sapphire, her list of books include Don't Tell My Husband, One of a Kind Love, Sweet Obsessions, the paranormal series, Relentless; A Vampire King's Desire, and many more. Christine Gray is a very creative writer that's heating up the Interracial Romance scene with her talent for creating books that pull her readers into the story, allowing them to experience every emotion. Her gift for original story lines laced with mystery, humor and erotic moments combined with strong women, and devilishly handsome men, has brought her a large fan base since her start in fall 2014 with Royalty Publishing House. Now as a CEO of After Hours Publications, it's her desire to push the boundaries of the Lit world by offer stories in the Paranormal, Erotica, and Historical Fiction, even Sci-Fi genres which are areas that many African American characters aren't featured.

Book preview

1

Two to three weeks before Raquel’s Joining…

Javier’s honey brown eyes glared at the group of fifteen before him. He slumped down in his chair while he listened to the conversation, or more like argument, that raged around him. In spite of his best efforts to remain calm, he felt his anger rising. This was not how things were supposed to go down, and he hated surprises. Not only did the shipment of girls come a month early, but there was also the fact that there were ten extra bodies that had been smuggled into the bed of the shipping truck.

Getting to his feet, he ignored the four people that were going back and forth. He walked over to the girls that ranged from the age of five to what he guessed to be eleven years old. Turning his head slightly without taking his gaze from them, he asked a question to one of the four adults that were in the room with him. He narrowed his eyes at the sight of the frightened girl cowering before him under the weight of his deep, commanding voice. His light brown orbs roamed slowly over the dirty faces and bodies of the girls. The fact that they smelled of their own body waste and sweat didn’t bother him. He had gotten used to it years ago. This wasn’t the first drop off of human flesh and it wouldn’t be the last.

He nodded his head while he listened to the quick response that was given to him.

Why was this shipment rushed? he asked again.

The authorities were getting antsy. They had done this before. They agree, and then they start creating problems to get more money. The men handling the travel arrangements didn’t want to have to turn over more of their cut, so they snuck them out sooner than planned. The man that came to stand at his side spoke.

I hope this change didn’t raise any eyebrows or red flags? grunted Javier.

It shouldn’t have. We’ve been working with these traders for years now. I think they should know their shit by now.

Hm, was Javi’s only answer.

There was nothing that could be done. The girls belonged to him from this point on. They needed to be processed, which included medical treatment, cleaning up, and getting them ready to work. He sighed as he waved his hand to summon the four older women that had been standing off to the side. This time when he spoke, he chose the language of the scared girls before him.

Take them to the basement and get them started. Give them three…maybe four days to rest before they are trained in their duties.

He stepped to the side to allow the women to force the screaming and crying girls from the room. Quickly, he handed over the $65,000 the three men were waiting on, which was their payout for the operation. He knew Lucian pretended to trust the men, but his friend really didn’t. The question had been asked as a warning. The friends knew that anyone willing to work side deals behind their bosses wasn’t trustworthy. No, he was letting them know he was no fool. If anything were to jump off later down the line because they had forced the timing and size of the shipment just to get a larger payday, he was coming for their asses.

Thank you… Um, we’ll get started on the next shipment, one of the men said with a gold-plated grin.

One day, I’m gonna bash his fuckin’ brains in, Javi growled after the door closed, leaving him and Lucian alone.

He would make a nice addition to the ones in the garden, chuckled Lucian.

This is a cluster fuck, you know that? grunted Javi as he ran his hands through his hair. We already had ten we had to unload. Now, that number just jumped to twenty-five with this early shipment.

I know, I know, groaned Lucian.

"No, asshole, you don’t know."

His friend paused on his way to the door to turn back. Javi was always uptight and quick tempered behind closed doors, but this was beyond the norm.

What is it?

Mariposa is coming. Hell, she’s probably in the skies as we speak.

I thought you said you would handle her.

I tried to, Javi mumbled. He watched as his tattooed friend ran his open palm down his face in frustration. They both had their own reasons for not seeing their childhood friend. I told her I would see to whatever her father was up to.

She doesn’t need to come back here or to that place. Things have changed.

I know you heard me say I told her to keep her ass home, so why the hell are you going in on me? growled Javi.

Lucian sighed as he fixed his narrowed blue-green eyes on the vaulted ceiling.

What are we going to do?

"We!" scoffed Javi. He leaned back a bit. That’s your nosy ass headache. I got my own shit I have to deal with, he finished with a wave of his hand.

Oh, fuck no! I ain’t—

Oh, man the hell up, snapped Javier before he went for the door. We got a good thing going here, and we don’t need her catching wind of it because she talks too damn much. So, other than us killing her, which you know is out of the question, you need to help her solve whatever is going on with her father, and get her gone. He snatched the door open. And you can drop the act. I know you too well, smirked Javi before he left the room.

Fuck you, mumbled Lucian.

He had put as much heat into the words as he could muster, even while a wicked grin spread across his sensual lips.

Zekia’s eyes connected with the pleading eyes of evergreen that were locked with hers. Her hand glided through the strawberry blonde locs of the head that was now moving between her chocolate thighs. She closed her eyes at the feel of the warm hand that roamed over her body to caress her hard nipple as the mouth continued to suck on her clit. She willed her body to release. The voice in her mind repeated for her to relax and enjoy the oral satisfaction that her lover, Chris, was so desperately trying to menstruate. However, no matter what she did, she just wasn’t feeling it.

She stole a quick peek under her long lashes. She could see that Chris knew that no matter how much licking, fingering, and sucking was going to be done, Zekia wasn’t going to cum. It had nothing to do with the act. Shit, she loved getting her pussy eaten. No, it was the person who was doing it that was the problem. She didn’t want Chris anymore. It was nothing that was unknown. As a matter of fact, Zekia had said it again just before all of this jumped off, but Chris just didn’t seem to understand it. This relationship, if that’s what you wanted to call it, should have ended months ago. Every damn time she had tried to, Chris would turn on the waterworks, they would have great sex, and then the guilt would set in to cause her to carry on things a little bit longer.

However, that shit had come to an end. This was just a little fling. It was something wild and crazy to do after leaving her husband. She had been very upfront and honest from the very beginning. She didn’t want a lasting relationship, not now…and not with a damn woman. Crystal was just a fuck you to the man in her life. It was a fun thing to do as an ego killer to fuck with her husband’s head before she had the divorce papers sent. Although the damn woman had been all for it, it was obvious that Crystal had believed too much in her abilities. She had told herself she would be able to turn Zekia completely to her team, which wasn’t happening. There was only so much licking and finger fucking she could take before she began to crave the real meat.

Are you close?

Zekia closed her eyes tighter. The sound of hope in Crystal’s voice was almost soul crushing. Her desire to please Zekia was so sad. She wished to God she had never started this relationship. Then again, she was dumb to the fact that it wasn’t all love that was driving the woman either. It was the fact that she was taking care of Crystal that motivated the woman to eat as if her life depended on it. The house, the car, the connections that had led to a few contracts were all because of her, which was another reason why she needed to set this ship on fire. At least Carlos made his own money. That was never the issue with him. To be honest, their problems stemmed from a whole other well of shit that could have been solved if…

Zekia lost her train of thought at the feel of Crystal’s soft tongue slipping between the folds to dive into her pussy. A jolt of excitement shot up her spine at the strong vibration of the pocket bullet that Chris had angled on Zekia’s clit.

Oh, yes…that’s it, she moaned.

Her hands tugged on Chris’ hair to keep her in place. She opened her legs wider to cause the woman’s tongue to sink further into her pussy. Knocking her hand away, Zekia took the vibrator to place it in just the right spot. Rising on her elbow, she thrust her hips as she fucked the woman’s mouth while she worked the powerful bullet. She didn’t even slow down at the sound of her cell phone. Instead, she bit her lip and felt her juices collect for Crystal to lap up, as her legs began to shake.

Almost…al…most…fuck, yes, she cried.

Crystal’s smile of victory was short lived. Not even a second later, Zekia had reached for the phone to answer it. She had been eating this bitch for the last twenty minutes, only for her black ass to dismiss her after she came. She couldn’t stand her ass. Even still, she smirked and wiped her mouth of the thick cum that still lingered on her pale lips. There was no need for her to try to get a kiss. She knew Zekia didn’t like the taste of pussy. As a matter of fact, there were a lot of things the black bitch didn’t like. Hell, there was a long ass list of things that seemed to annoy the woman. To think that Zekia had been the complete opposite when she was still with her husband. Now that she was free of the bastard, the damn woman had lost her fucking mind with all her demands of what she wanted and how she wanted it.

Of course, Crystal had thought Zekia was just flexing her muscles after so many years in her marriage to a very commanding man and having to be the perfect wife. However, she realized that no, this woman really was this fucking crazy. Zekia was really fucking wild with no filter, an unbreakable drive, and a heart of stone. She didn’t want anyone telling her what to do, or think. There was no desire in her for anything lasting. She cold be hot one second, and a freezing chunk of ice the next. It didn’t take Crystal long to accept that there was no future with this woman. It was clearly a one-sided relationship of exploration for Zekia and nothing else. Still, the woman did bring with her benefits. It was that fact alone that gave her pause of just cursing the bitch out. Since their time together, Crystal had landed a few good paying photography gigs with more in the rears. Shit, if she could, she would have trapped this golden goose with a surprise pregnancy, but that wasn’t in the cards. She had hoped to enslave Zekia or play some mind trick on her to keep her until she was ready to dump her ass. Yet, Zekia was proving to be smart. Her failed marriage had only served to sharpen her mind against those tactics.

Sliding off the bed, she walked into the bathroom to brush her teeth. Making sure to turn the water in the sink on low, she listened closely to Zekia’s comments.

So, what’s it going to be, Chica?

Well, he knows I’m coming.

But he doesn’t know that I’ll be there?

Zekia got all the information she needed from the long pause on Mariposa’s line.

You didn’t even ask him, did you? grunted Zekia.

"There was no need for me to ask him."

‘Cause he was going to shoot you down, drawled Zekia.

Right. Listen, I really need you to—

Oh, I’m coming, Boo-boo. You better believe that, smirked Zekia. I’m not going to leave you hanging…and once I get there, we’ll come up with a way to get me my interview with Mr. Recluse. Shit, I’m going to get that bonus and the corner office, huffed Zekia as she tugged on her clothes.

Crystal timed her reentry just right to see Zekia pulling out her already packed luggage out of the closet.

So, you are going after all?

Zekia stiffened a bit at the sound of her voice. Her mind had completely forgotten about the chick. Wheeling the bags out of the room, through the house, and into the garage, she held her tongue while she loaded up her trunk. She couldn’t help but grin as she listened to all the plans Crystal was rattling off. It amazed her how people thought she was such a fucking pushover. She didn’t know if it was her small frame or her patience that led them to believe she was so easily duped. Or if she had a way of smiling and letting people show their asses before she cut them, but cut them she always did.

Zekia flicked the key that caused the eight-cylinder engine to roar to life. She intentionally turned her head when Crystal leaned into the car window for a kiss.

I think it’s good that you’ll be keeping busy while I’m gone, she smirked. Make sure you add to the list getting a place and moving out.

Zekia had spoken the words so smoothly that Crystal was left with a dumbfounded expression on her face.

I… You can’t just—

I want you gone by the time I get back. My assistant will make sure you’re gone. Good luck, chuckled Zekia.

Crystal’s shouts floated through the still down tinted window as she put the car in reverse to roll out of the garage. Pausing to put the sports car into gear, Zekia rolled up the window and sped down the road, leaving the two-faced, gold digger in her dust. She had no time for that shit. As a matter of fact, she had no time for love at all. Love was what had blinded her and had stolen too much of her life already. Now, she had her list of goals etched in stone, and Mr. Javier was the next thing on her list.

Mariposa had shrugged her smooth caramel colored shoulders before she tossed her cell on the coffee table. Turning around, she went back to going through her checklist while she waited for Zekia to arrive. She had no doubt that her sorority sister would get what she wanted. It was like night and day now dealing with