The receipt of the money at lunch surprised the others but everyone had learned that it was not nice to ask why, unless the information was volunteered. Shane and Kevin said nothing to anyone else but everyone noticed that the handsome quarterback was back to his old self, especially Beverly who had missed his enthusiasm. Kevin remained the same, joyously embracing his sister and her lover, but staring at her with puppy dog eyes. James seemed to pull away from the group, distancing himself from Beverly while watching her enjoy Shane's attention.
James decided that a hike in the fresh air would be the best antidote to the poison that he had created in his own soul. He climbed up into the hills, taking time to enjoy the fresh air and the scenery. He reflected on his conversation with Beverly, wondering why he felt so compelled to share so much of himself with her. He wanted children. If he had told anyone at the station, they'd laugh hysterically. Why? Because everyone knew that James Hawethorne Weathers was a womanizer.
His reputation had proceeded him and all the women knew that he was a good time. So when he'd landed the new assignment, he had a rainbow of women to choose from. White, black, tan, red, yellow... blonde hair, black hair, red hair, brown hair, white hair... no color of skin or hair mattered and no age mattered. The only thing that mattered was whether they could keep up with his sexual appetites. Only a few white girls had managed that. The Puerto Rican and Spanish girls had the next highest average of those that could last the night with him. He had discovered that only black girls could handle him. Now he knew why DeNiro preferred dark girls.
His first black girl had been in Atlanta. Her name was Chaquilla and she had skin the color of caramel, baked in the sun. She had teased him about his passion, making him realize something about himself. He loved black women. No. Heloved black women. There was something mesmerizing about the sight of dark brown skin and his alabaster white skin. Watching his white/pink cock slide into her caramel/pink pussy would bring him to a level that he'd never been before.
But no matter how many times he came in black pussy, he couldn't make the black pussy love him. Chaquilla had only been interested in his Buckhead mansion. Others after her were either not interested in having a 'white boy' for a boyfriend or couldn't imagine themselves fitting into his high-class, highly-publicized world. Still others were just along for the ride: enjoying decadent dinners, commandeering limousines, and flying to exotic places on private planes. None of which involved loving him.
And so James learned to become a womanizer. He sampled every woman he could, enjoying the dark-skinned woman and shielding his heart from that insipid thing called love.
And then, there was Beverly.
And she was so perfect, that he was sure that she hadn't even realized what she'd done to him.
So now, James was faced with a dilemma of epic proportions. Beverly's presence had unleashed his heart and he knew, without a doubt and with the greatest of fearful respect, that he was in love with her. But he had to be honest with himself. She was fat. He couldn't take her to the talent mixers, to the networking cocktails, to the station socials. She was fat! Would she be able to hold her own against Grady Morrow, the six o'clock anchor and Grace Wilding, his acerbic co-anchor? Would she be able to remain objective about crimes in the black areas of town when a zealot was taking her to task over them? Why he was suddenly worried about her intellectual strength was a question he'd never asked himself before, about anyone.But why her and why now?
* * * * *
Ashley gave Kelly Jo a kiss and headed to the elevator, startled by Kevin's sudden presence. He stepped into the vehicle and gave her a soft, but quick smile. "I need to talk to you."
"Go ahead."
"What you said on the plane... that we could love her 'together'... what did you mean?"
"What do you think I meant?" Ashley leaned against the elevator wall, staring at Kevin. "Listen, Kevin, I know I've put a wrench in things... "
"That you have."
"But it wasn't my choice!" Ashley was surprised to hear the strong words coming out of her mouth. "Kelly Jo has given me a kind of love that I never thought I'd find. She'sreal. She gives me advice and helps me out whenever I need it. She's there when I need someone to talk to and she's there when I need someone to love. She's offered me the first real love that I think I've ever had."
"Do you think it will last?"
Ashley gave a hopeful grin. "If I have my way, yes."
"And you're not afraid of me?"
Her smile grew larger. "Absolutely not."
"Why not?"
"You're her brother, hertwin, Kevin. Nothing I could give her could break through that bond." Her soft eyes connected with his. "Nor would I want it to." The elevator's door opened and Ashley stepped out, giving him a gentle smile. "If Kel and I are meant to be together, then we'll be together. I'm not the type to sabotage the competition." She touched his cheek. "Besides, I can tell that you really love her."
"I do, Ash, but I don't want to interfere with what you have with her."
Ashley's smile was bittersweet and genuine. "Love is out of our hands, Kev. We can only hope to tickle Cupid's fancy. If not... " She shrugged. "I'll see you at dinner."
Kevin headed to his room, tired from the trip, his head filled with visions of Kelly Jo and questions about them.What am I going to do?
* * * * *
Kevin's questions were answered not four hours later with a phone call. He rolled over and picked it up on the sixth ring.
"Mr. Marcus?"
"Yes?"
"This is your seven o'clock wake up call."
Kevin rubbed his eyes, staring at the red digital numerals of his clock. "I didn't order a wake up call. Who ordered it?"
"I don't have that information, sir. I just have the list. Thank you, sir."
The phone went dead and Kevin rubbed his eyes, struggling awake, focusing with confusion on a black tuxedo carefully lay on a chair, complete with a white pleated shirt and shiny black shoes. And propped against the clothing was an envelope with his name on it. He threw the covers off and grabbed it, ripping it open and scanning the message inside.
"By now, you should have had a nice nap and are ready to accomplish your seventh task on the scavenger hunt. The seventh task is to have dinner with and make love to a woman. Simple task? No. Kelly Jo and Kevin must be chosen to accomplish this task and Kevin must ejaculate. The reward will be $4,250 dollars, with $1,750 for the non-participants. The proof required is the woman's pussy filled with cum and viewed by Nathan. If you follow the instructions, you will receive the money upon completion."
Kevin's heart skipped a beat. This was the answer to his question. He would get to make love to Kelly Jo, his own sister. He wondered how she felt and how this would affect her relationship with Ashley.