Velvet Love Ch. 02

"Excellent choice, sir." He nodded politely before walking off.

"You really know me," Jeneda said to Dane. "Can't have a cappuccino without ground chocolate and nutmeg in it."

"Of course I know you. You're my wife, aren't you?" Positioning himself on the loveseat so that his eyes could gaze into hers, Dane threaded his fingers through her own. "So, what do you think of the club?"

"It's absolutely stunning."

"Seem like a place you might wanna hang out every week?"

"Most definitely." Checking out the paintings on the wall, she noticed that one was a portrait of a man dressed in clothes that seemed to be from the early 1900's. "This place has a nice vibe, very classy and so different than anywhere I've ever been."

"Good. Glad you're comfortable." His thumb caressed the tip of one of her fingers.

"By the way, I don't see your parents around. Aren't we supposed to meet up with them?"

"We'll catch up to them," he said. "Let's enjoy our coffee first, and have a little chat before I show you around."

"Okay." She gave him a tender peck before beginning to speak. "So...regarding that Madison."

Chuckling lightly, Dane shook his head. "I just knew you were going to ask about her."

"Well there's got to be some story between you two. So go on, babe. Spill the beans."

"Not much of a story and that's the truth," Dane said. "She's just pissed off that you and I are together."

"You must have had a thing with her, then..." Jeneda's gaze turned curious. "Because she was way too pressed, Dane. The look in her eyes, it was like she wanted to snap my neck."

"We hung out a few times around the club, but not much ever came of it."

"What about sex?" Jeneda asked. "Did that ever happen?"

"Never. The most we did was flirt. And this was before you came into the picture."

"Why didn't you take things any further?"

"Wasn't interested enough," he replied. "She was a pretty face, but not much more."

"So it was a missed opportunity for her. She wanted you to date her, but it wasn't in the cards."

"Exactly." He gently nodded. "Madison is kind of basic, you know? She doesn't have any flavor, no real uniqueness that makes her stand out. At least not to me."

"I see." Not even attempting to hold it in, she allowed a smile to stretch her lips. "So when you say flavor, you mean like a certain je ne sais quoi..."

"Exactly." Using his thumb, he caressed the curve of her cheekbone. "By the way, you sound incredibly sexy speaking French."

"Do I?" She gazed up through her thick, black lashes.

"Oh yeah." His tone dropped, becoming even more sexy.

"So my flavor really works for you, huh?"

"You know it does." Dane studied her. "In more ways than one."

Having arrived with the coffees, the waiter set them on a small table next to the loveseat, and after receiving a generous tip from Dane, bowed his head and strolled off happily. Loving the scent of the caffeinated drinks, Jeneda accepted her cappuccino from Dane, who for some reason watched with a very intense gaze as she took a slow, leisurely sip.

"How's the wet cappuccino?" He asked.

"Delicious," she replied before following up with a second sip.

"Is it wet enough for you?"

Snorting into her coffee, she nearly choked in the process.

"What?" Dane grinned. "I was only talking about the drink."

"Whatever." She playfully slapped him on the arm.

"You were so trying to make me laugh."

"And I succeeded." He rose his arms in a victorious way.

"Dork."

"Dorkette."

"Butt turd," she fired back.

"Nerdy birdy."

She cracked a smile. "Backdoor burglar."

"Now that one is true," Dane remarked. "I do love to burgle your butt."

Loudly snickering, Jeneda covered her mouth.

"Well I do." Lowering his voice, he leaned in closer. "When it comes to your ass, babe, I just absolutely lose my mind."

"I know." Her voice softened to match his. "You really enjoy putting that nice, thick cock in my naughty spot."

"And you love receiving it, don't you?"

"Oh most definitely." Her voice was throaty.

"What a filthy girl you are." Dane's eyes gleamed naughtily. "Letting me stretch you in such a dirty and forbidden place."

"You were the one who corrupted me," she whispered. "Before you came along, I'd never done it before."

"I know, and that really turns me on." Leaning in a bit closer, he allowed his nose to nearly touch hers. "You still gonna let me do it even when we're all wrinkly and old?"

A loud giggle burst from her mouth at his words.

"No, seriously. It's a real question."

"Dane, stop," she said with a grin. "You're going to get us kicked out of here."

"We're whispering, babe. Nobody can hear us."

"But you keep making me laugh."

"Then I'm doing my job as a husband, which is to keep you happy."

"And that's great," Jeneda replied. "But there's another job I've got when you and I get back home. It'll require you to be naked, though."

"Well shit, that's not a job. It's a pleasurable activity." As Jeneda laughed, he continued on.

"I'd live between your legs 24/7, if I could."

"Mmm. Now that would be heaven," she silkily stated.

"I love that you still flirt with me." Makes me feel so sexy and wanted."

"Because you are," she quietly replied. "Why else would I always bend over, or so happily lay on my back and take your cock?"

"Mmm." Fucking her with his stare, Dane asked,

"You gonna bend over and give me that ass when we get home?"

"In a literal way, or just figuratively?"

"You know how much I love anal." Now dark with desire, his body gave off waves of lust. "But if you're not in the mood today, that's perfectly fine. Your pussy is more than enough, I just really wanna be inside of you."

"You're turning me on," she said in a quiet, breathy voice.

"Good." His thumb brushed back and forth against her kneecap. "Then you'll be raring to go when we get home."

"You mean like always?" She gazed coquettishly through her lashes.

"Yes, like always." His hooded eyes studied hers deeply.

Feeling lightheaded in a pleasurable way, Jeneda found herself getting sucked into his stare. Now a couple for a year and three months, it still astounded her just how much power he wielded over her, not only in the sexual way, but emotional as well.

More than just sexy, Dane was downright seductive, but the best part of it all was that it came so naturally to him. And as far as Jeneda was concerned, there was nothing sexier that a man who effortlessly displayed his masculine dominance.

Now enjoying a wordless moment, Dane and Jeneda just gazed and held hands, occasionally having a sip of their coffee as they relaxed on the soft, plush loveseat. But in the back of her mind there was something still nagging her, pushing her to inquire and get it off her chest.

"So, back to Madison..."

Only silently watching her, Dane waited for the rest of the words.

"You said you two only flirted, but did you ever speak outside of the club?"

"A few times," he replied. "And as I stated before, it was before you and I got serious. But the talks between Madison and I never went any further than two calls."

"Why not?"

"Well as I said before, she didn't really interest me very much."

"Then why ask for her number?"

"What makes you think that it was me who asked?"

"I don't know, I just figured..."

"I didn't ask," Dane replied. "She was the one who gave it to me."

"Okay."

"I would have rather not accepted it, but I didn't want to come off as rude."

"I understand," Jeneda replied.

"Anyways, I eventually just stopped taking her calls but I guess she didn't get the hint, because whenever I show up here, she always manages to pop up and initiate a chat. Not in a stalkerish hiding behind the bushes sort of way, but a, 'I was just passing through and wondering if you needed anything."

"Gotcha." Jeneda sipped her coffee.

"And if you're wondering why she didn't even know you and I were engaged, she was in Greece visiting family around that time. So there were some months where I didn't see her here at all."

"Okay," she softly replied.

"There's really nothing between us, babe. Nor has there ever been."

"I believe you." She reached out to touch his arm. "I just wanted to know so that I can be on alert. You know, fully aware of what I'm dealing with."

"Madison Isn't a threat," he said. "She knows better than to even try with you."

Jeneda wanted to believe his statement, but there was something about Madison she didn't like. Something off-putting that she couldn't put her finger on.

"We don't have to come here again," Dane said. "I understand it must uncomfortable with her around, so if you want to leave, we can."

"Like hell I'm leaving." Jeneda's tone was staunch. "If anyone's running off, It'll be her. I'll be damned if she thinks she can keep me out of here."

"Damn I love your feistiness," he remarked. "It really gets me fucking hot."

"How hot?" Jeneda's tone turned low, expression all sexy as she looked into his eyes.

"Hot enough to find a secluded area where we can get it on. You game?"

"This place is super prestigious," Jeneda said.

"If someone busted us, we would surely be booted."

"No huge loss," Dane said. "Besides, It'd probably be good if somebody did manage to catch us. Most excitement these rich folks get, is on the squash courts working up a sweat."

Lightly smirking, Jeneda spoke. "You say 'rich folks' as if we're somehow separate from them."

Financially we're the same," he admitted, "but I doubt they have nearly as much fun as you and I regularly get into."

"Ditto on that." Leaning in closer, she brushed her nose with his.

"Speaking of getting into things..." Dane's hand was edging beneath her skirt hem, moving up and towards the heat which was between her thighs.

"I really do want to babe." Looking deep in his eyes, she expressed her wanton desire. "But knowing how much your parents love this place, I don't wanna jeopardize their good standing. I mean if someone saw us going at it, word would spread and It'd reflect badly on them."

"Guess you're right," Dane said, and removing his hand from beneath her skirt, smoothed it tenderly against her cheek. "You're so thoughtful and I really like that."

Leaning in for a soft kiss, they allowed their tongues to mingle, boldly engaging in an erotic French kiss before forcing themselves to pull back. Equally aroused form the brief interaction, they were left breathing a little quicker.

"By the way, if Madison is ever rude or tries anything weird with you when I'm not around, just tell me and she's gone."

"Gone where?"

"I'll have her fired." Dane's expression went serious. "Just give me the word and I'll do it."

"Seriously?" Stunned at this proclamation, Jeneda could only stare.

"Yes, of course. My mother and father have very high ranking at this club."

"They've been members for a long time, huh?"

"Well, yeah..." Dane slowly said. "But It's more than just that, Jeneda. My mother in particular has serious clout."

Eager to hear more, Jeneda's ears perked up.

"Her great-great grandfather was the founder of this club. So she's basically owns the entire property."

"Are you serious?" An incredulous look had taken over her face. "Her great-great grandad founded this place?"

Dane nodded.

"Oh, wow." Her eyes went round. "No wonder the doorman bowed at her and your dad."

"Yeah, It's incredibly embarrassing," Dane replied. "It's not as if we're royalty, or anything."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"Well I didn't want to brag about it," Dane said. "It's just one of those things I hadn't gotten around to properly disclosing."

"You didn't disclose it at all, babe." Although her tone was light-hearted, the shock on her face was still evident.

"Sure I did," Dane replied. "When I told you we were coming here, I distinctly remember telling you, 'It's my mother's social club.'

"But I just figured that you meant she was a member, not that she literally owned the place."

"Guess I should have been clearer, huh?" He crookedly smiled.

"Yeah, you could have explained it just a little bit better." She smiled at his nonchalance, but butterflies were fluttering in her stomach.

"You look nervous." Taking her hand in his, he gently held it. "Tell me your thoughts, love. What's going on?"

"There aren't any thoughts," she replied. "I'm not even sure I know what to say."

"How about nothing?" He lightly smiled. "It's not a huge deal or anything, okay? Just a bit of family history you're now aware of."

"This is more than a bit of history, Dane. It's a huge, gargantuan thing. This club is historic, everyone in the city knows all about it."

"I told you my mother came from old money."

"Yeah, but I didn't expect it to be that old."

A light chuckle left his lips. "Well this place was founded in 1912, so I guess It's got a reputation."

"Yeah, just a minor one." Sarcasm laced her amused tone. "So Kitty's great-great grandfather, huh? He must have come from money himself, to build a ritzy country club like this."

Suddenly growing quiet, Dane seemed reluctant to give a response. But as Jeneda kept her gaze focused on his face, Dane finally spoke up and let out the words.

"I guess I should let it out now that his father was a plantation owner from Virginia. They made their fortune in tobacco, and that's how they got so filthy rich."

"Oh." Jeneda's face was now grim, eyes briefly dipping before lifting back up to meet Dane's. "Well I guess It's not exactly surprising, considering this whole country was built on the backs of slaves."

"Yeah I know, and It's really messed up. I actually feel kinda guilty everytime I come in here."

"Because it was built with plantation money."

Dane nodded. "From what my mother told me, her great-great grandad sold interest in the family business to start his own tobacco company, then used the profits he made over thirty years to build this club in 1912."

"Well it may have been thirty years between selling interest in his family's tobacco plantation, but when it comes down to it, this place was definitely funded by slavery."

"I know," Dane said. "It's because of your ancestors that my family even has all of this wealth."

Still looking seriously at him, Jeneda could only give him an empty stare.

"So I guess that's part of the reason I didn't want to tell you what our family connection to this club was. But now that you know, I really hope this doesn't change how you feel about me."

"Dane, no." Taking his hand in hers, she gently squeezed it. "Of course not, babe. How could I hold it against you?"

"I don't know." He mildly shrugged, but soon he was letting out more words. "I'm just really glad you don't see me any differently, because It'd kill me if you did."

"You have no reason to feel guilty," she replied. "But I do appreciate you being so open, and letting out the ugly truth."

"I couldn't lie to you, Jeneda. I love you way too much to hold any secrets."

Offering a small smile, she watched as he lifted her hand and gave it a kiss.

"So your mom is the one who told you all of the family history, huh?"

"Yep." Dane nodded. "She sat me down when I was twelve and told me the truth. Said she wanted me to be aware of where our wealth originated from, rather than stay blissfully uninformed."

"Wow." She lifted her brows in surprise. "No disrespect whatsoever to Kitty, but I wouldn't have expected her to acknowledge, or even let out the truth of her family's history."

"Yeah, well...it may not seem like it just from looking at her, but mom's pretty cool like that. She's upfront and real, you know?"

"Yep." Recalling the way that Kitty had always been so frank with her, Jeneda knew all too well just how real Kitty was. Especially when it came to letting out her thoughts or true feelings.

"I think my mom's honesty and straightforwardness is part of what drew her to dad," he continued on. "My father is similar, always the type to cut right through any bullshit."

"How did they meet anyhow?" Claudia asked.

"On the street, when dad was passing out flyers for a Japanese restaurant."

"And they just struck up a conversation like that?"

"Yeah," Dane said. "This was back in the mid 80's, and I guess my mom hadn't had Japanese food before, so my dad encouraged her to come in and try a sample."

"And the rest is history, huh?"

"Pretty much." He lightly smiled. "Mom told me what first attracted her to dad was his long hair. But once she got to actually know him, she found out he was really educated and super hard working. Said she found it exciting and different, because all of the men who ran in her social circle were these vapid guys who just lived on their parent's money, and didn't believe in intellectual conversation."

"Sounds like Naohito was a breath of fresh air."

"Most definitely," Dane said. "But mom's parents hated him. Mostly because he was poor, but even more so because he was Japanese."

"They wanted her to be with a white guy."

He nodded. "So you can imagine the outrage when just a year later, she and dad snuck off to the courthouse and got married."

"I love it." Jeneda widely smiled.

"Well, her parents certainly didn't." Dane gently chuckled. "But they were even more pissed off when she got pregnant with me. As soon as they found out, they told mom it would bring nothing but shame on the family."

"Seriously?"

He gave a nod. "Yeah, basically that was code for, 'you've destroyed our pure white lineage with your Japanese son'."

"No kidding. They may as well have just come right out and said it."

"Wouldn't have made a difference if they had, mom was completely in love with dad. Fast forward twenty years later and here we are. Mom and dad are still happily married and in love, so everything worked out just fine."

"I'm so happy it did," Jeneda replied. "If it hadn't, you wouldn't be here with me."

"I think they're a great example for us." Now holding both of her hands, Dane looked deeply into his wife's eyes. "They've been in love for so long, supported and had each other's backs...I see the same for you and me, Jeneda. You're the love of my life, and everything I've ever wanted."

"I feel exactly the same." Choked with emotion, her voice gently cracked. "You've been so good to me, Dane. And I'm really appreciative of that."

"It's easy to be good with a woman like you." Lifting a hand to her hair, Dane ran his fingers through her pressed out strands. "You nourish my heart and spirit, babe. Never had any other woman do that before."

Warmth spread through her heart at this, and as his lips came to hers, she melted into them. The taste of mint was on his tongue, so subtle yet sweet enough for her to notice. Sliding deep, it stroked and explored the heat of her mouth, making her hot and hungry and voracious for more.

Along with being skilled in the art of kissing, Dane knew exactly how to move his fingers, caressing them in a particular way against her neck so that her nerve endings stirred and tingled.

Continuously falling deeper under his spell, Jeneda wished they could stay forever just exactly as they were, but the sound of a voice sliced right through their intimate moment.

"Wow, you two really are newlyweds."

Pulling back with twin expressions of annoyance, Jeneda and Dane regarded their observer. Clad in a pleated white skirt, pink polo top, and sweater that tied around her shoulders, the thirty-something Caucasian woman who stood before them was a poster child for preppy style.

Cut just below the shoulders, her dark brown hair was worn in a voluminous blow out, and adorned by a pink fabric headband.

"Sorry to interrupt." The smile she offered was genuine. "But Kitty and Naohito wanted me to come over and fetch you two."

"So you're a friend of my parents..." Dane gave her an inquiring look.