Excerpt from Unhinged by his Dark Fire, Book #2 in
the Unhinged Romance Series
“You did a great job.”
“Wonderful!”
“I can see that you’re used to being in front of the
camera.”
Wumi Jackie Osoba surveyed the faces of the three all-male
associate producers crowding over her. She squirmed in the uncomfortable office
chair, and gulped in a deep breath—a tad freaked out by the
forty-minute interview that had just ended.
She did okay… at least, she hoped so. She should be used to
being in front of the cameras by now—she had been a runway model for
over ten years.
Tell that to the giant butterflies in her stomach.
Well, at least it was over. Until the next one.
Promoting a new business was hard work. That was the reason
she had come here—to promote Jackie’s Models.
“Over fifteen people called and they all said something
positive about your new company.” One of the associate producers, a coal-black
complexioned man with off-white teeth beamed down at her.
“You’ll get lots of new business contacts from this
program,” Said the man who had been the anchor of the show and who was now
leering at her breasts.
Wumi squeezed the straps of her magenta Miu Miu bag. She
should be grateful. She was fortunate to have loads of influential contacts in
the entertainment industry that could give her business a much-needed boost.
Her younger brother, Jasper had also been supportive. He
was responsible for engineering this TV interview with Glow Force Media. His
best friend and new room-mate was a senior producer in this company.
Someone she barely
remembered… her memories of Jasper’s best friend was a dark boy that followed
Jasper around like a shadow… oh, and he had a good singing voice. That much she
could remember. He had been in their
church choir. His father had been the reverend.
Unfortunately, this Jasper’s friend had been out of the
office during her visit but at least, he was kind enough to get one of his
associate producers to organize Wumi’s phone-in interview.
Wumi eyed her wristwatch. She had less than two hours to drive
through crazy Lagos traffic to the cinema where she would be catching a girly
movie with her best friend, Kema.
She jumped to her feet. With her five feet, nine inches
height elevated even more by her three-inch magenta heels, she was taller than
all the men in this office.
“You’re welcome to come back anytime—” One of them was saying.
“Thank you.” Wumi said, smiling only with her lips as she
backed out the door.
“Hey, watch it.”
Warm, strong hands grasped her naked upper arms. Heat
pulsed through her skin and into her belly.
She attempted to face this newcomer but tripped over her
feet. Yikes!
She pitched forward
Straight into his chest.
My word, despite her heels, he was at least three inches
taller…
She glanced upward and sighted deep chocolate eyes and a
shaven head. Instinctively, she breathed in his scent… something alluring and
masculine. He smelt fresh despite the fact that he had only come in from
outside—where the harsh sunrays had the
ability to penetrate every pore in the skin and squeeze out every last drop of
sweat. Automatically, her eyes swept over his trim frame in a grey, v-necked
T-shirt and fitted black jacket.
Wumi gulped.
“Wumi… careful,” He said.
That woke her from the spell. How did he know her name? Who
was he?
She spoke out loud, “Who are you?”
He laughed softly and replied, “Don’t you remember me? I’m
Dare… Jasper’s friend.”
Her eyes swelled. “What?
You’re…. Dare?”
“Have I changed that much?”
Yes, she wanted to scream, I don’t remember you being this hot!
Dare was shaken to his very core. The woman who had been
the subject of many of his wet dreams ever since he was fifteen years old,
stood before him. Wumi Osoba…
She must be twenty-eight years old now, at the most. His
friend, Jasper was three years younger.
Her mocha skin glowed. Her erect, full breasts perked
through her pink short-sleeved T-shirt and her long, long legs were encased in
white jeans. Legs that could wrap themselves easily around his waist…
“I’m sorry I couldn’t be here for the taping of your
interview. I had an emergency meeting with my bosses.”
Wumi pulled away from him, struggling to control herself.
She said, “It’s okay. They took care of me.”
“That’s good. Come, let me escort you out.” He waved her
forward.
Wumi stepped outside, through the door.
Dare led her out, placing his right hand, palm out, on her
back. Warmth sizzled through the material of her top into her bones.
In the car park, Wumi swung to face him.
She clutched her handbag to her breasts. She had seen him
checking her out. Maybe she should do the same to him. God knows she hungered
to.
She already noticed some things… stuff like his gently bowed legs, the way he walked
with his head thrust forward, his feet apart… and she definitely noticed that
he filled out his black jeans pretty well.
What was happening to her?
He was her baby brother’s friend—and room-mate. What a recipe for a
gargantuan mess.
Anyway, she preferred older men. Didn’t she?
“It’s been a while.”
“Yes… over ten years.”
She smiled. “You’ve been in contact with Jasper the whole
time?”
“Yes.” And then, his daze drifted to the side. He ran his
left hand over his head. “Y-you’ve been on my mind.”
A jolt of pleasure rushed up her spine. “I have?”
“You may not know this… but for years, I had a huge…” He
spread his hands wide, indicating the size, “… crush on you.”
Wumi trembled. She gaped at him, unable to form any words.
His eyes met hers… probing…
Then he grinned. He had seen something in there. She was
attracted to him.
He drawled, “May I have your phone number?”
Was there any use pretending to think about it? She thought
not.
She gave him the number.
“I have a meeting with my associate producers in the next
five minutes so I’ll have to leave you. Are you heading home?”
“No,” Wumi replied, “I am heading to see a movie with my best
friend, Kema.”
“Okay then, take care. I will call you.”
“Great.”
He grinned again and then swerved around and headed back
into the office.
***
Wumi folded her arms and mock-glared at Kema who was
zipping towards her, dodging between cars driving in and out of The Palms Mall
Car Park.
Kema reached Wumi and threw her arms around her.
Wumi said, “You’re late… as usual…”
“Not really…”
“Yes, really. I’ve been here for like ten minutes.”
Thankfully, the sun was winding down. The air blowing
through Wumi’s hair had lost its warm bite.
Kema pulled away from her friend. She glanced up and asked,
“When is our movie?”
“In the next thirty minutes or so. Let’s head inside.”
Wumi and Kema strolled side-by-side toward the massive
complex. Passing cars zipped by. Horns blared. A few of the male drivers threw
admiring glances at the two women.
Kema slid a glance up at her friend. “Why do you constantly
tower over everyone?”
“You mean, tower over you…” Wumi ruffled her friend’s
Mohawk. “That’s because you love wearing only flats—and black. What’s with that?”
Kema jerked her head away. “I am comfortable in flats…
and,” she tugged at her dark-blue top, “… this isn’t black.”
“It’s dark.”
“Yeah, whatever. Oliver doesn’t mind.”
“True. He allows you to be yourself. I love that. You’re
lucky.”
Kema beamed. Even the mere mention of her husband’s name
was enough to evoke wide, glowing smiles.
As they approached the entrance, Kema exclaimed, “You
forgot to tell me when your interview will air.”
“Tomorrow, four P.M.”
“Super. I’ll keep my eyes peeled.”
Now that they were on the subject of the interview, Wumi
cleared her throat and then muttered, “I-I met someone.”
Kema screeched to a stop. She eyed her friend. Something
was up. She could hear excitement and desire in her best friend’s voice.
“Who? Tell me all.”
“You remember Jasper’s friend?”
“Yeah… so?”
“Kema, he’s hot…
very hot. He had a strange effect on me… I can’t explain it fully. You know me…
everything must happen in order, no spur-of-the-moment actions for me… and yet,
when I saw him, I wanted to be with him. I wanted—”
Kema raised her hands, palms outward. “Stop, stop… Wumi, we
are talking about your brother’s friend—and room-mate. How feasible is
that? Think of this: you and him hanging out at his place, just chilling… until
Jasper walks in.”
“I’m not saying I want to date him.”
“You wanted to shag him.”
“Kema!” Wumi
exclaimed. Kema could be a tad abrupt.
“You just met him today, Wumi. I don’t understand why
you’re thinking of wanting to be with him.”
Wumi shook her head. “I know. I can’t explain it.” Kema was
wrong. She didn’t want to shag him. Yes, the instant attraction she felt for
him seared her insides but was it all about sex? She had ever only had sex with
one other person in her life—Idris—and they had dated for three years.
She didn’t engage in casual affairs. “I don’t—”
Kema put her hands on her hips, and gazed at Wumi through
narrowed eyes. “And anyway, you have Barrister Gbenga who you might end up
marrying.”
“If my dad has anything to do with it…”
***
“Have you and Gbenga set a date yet?”
Wumi’s spoonful of cream chowder froze on its way to her
mouth. She glared over the table at her father, Tunji Osoba.
Noticing her expression, his grey-tinged brows merged in a
frown. His eyes narrowed over the gold rims of his glasses.
Wumi slammed the spoon back into her bowl, spilling cream
chowder on the formerly pristine ruby-lined bright yellow tablecloth.
Next to her father, her stepmother, Lola kept her eyes down
and picked at her grilled fish like it was suddenly disgorging golden eggs. Her
Elegance clearly did not wish to be involved in this conversation.
“Daddy…” Wumi mumbled, her fingers tracing the rim of the
bowl of soup… round and round and round…
“Has he proposed?” Her father insisted.
Wumi hissed through her teeth. Her eyes flailed around the
restaurant, scarcely noticing the medium-sized watercolors that dotted the
beige walls, and the steady, almost indiscernible hum of the air-conditioners
that simulated an almost arctic atmosphere inside which contrasted sharply with
the middle afternoon scorching heat outside.
“Yes…” She finally managed.
“And you said yes, I assume?”
Lola decided it was time to say something. “Sweetheart, I’m
sure she appreciates that Gbenga is a great catch.”
Wumi flicked a glance at Lola. Her Elegance wore her sleek,
full hair in a ponytail and her slim figure was covered by a lace and African
Print outfit. As usual, she had very little makeup on.
Gbenga, a great catch? I suppose one could say so… He was
older…like seven years older and rich… quite good-looking too… although a bit
robust in his cheeks and belly but what did that matter?
So why hadn’t she yet accepted his proposal? And why was
she in such an awful mood today? Maybe it had to do with this family lunch date
she was mandated to attend every Saturday afternoon.
Or maybe it had to do with the fact that it had been two
whole days and Dare had not called.
No-ooo… of course not… what did she care?
She definitely didn’t care if he already had a girlfriend.
Her stomach growled. She eyed her bowl of creamy soup that
was admittedly delicious but to the bottomless pit of her stomach, was like
tiny drops of water.
But she needed to keep any extra weight off her bum and her
already gigantic boobs. So… no to…
She cut her eyes to her younger brother, Jasper,
stout-chested, mustached and smooth-faced, stuffing his face with chicken, rice
and oh-my-goodness golden-brown plump yummy-looking fried plantains.
But her father was still grumbling. “I don’t know why
you’re not eager to get married. Your mates are married, with kids…”
“Daddy, please.”
Tunji sank back in his chair, tapping his fingers on the
table. “Gbenga is a good man. Any woman with half a brain would want him.” He
shook his head. “I don’t understand you these days. You depleted your fund to
get a house—”
“—I didn’t deplete
my fund.” Wumi snapped. Jasper snickered.
Her father plodded on, “—you moved out and now you’re
starting a new business. It’s that girl, your friend…,” He waved his hand as if
pushing something away, “…Kema, she’s a bad influence.”
“Daddy! It’s not Kema. You’re always going off on her! I want this life. I want to do this. It’s my dream.”
Jasper echoed, “It’s my d-r-eam.”
“Shut up.” Wumi yelled.
“You, keep quiet.” Tunji whipped his head to his left to
stare down his son. “At least she’s doing something with her life. You just
waste money on your many girlfriends and flashy toys.”
Jasper muttered, “I just have one girlfriend.”
But his father was no longer listening. He was struggling
to slice through his chunk of steak. “This is a little tough. I don’t want it
to soil my white shirt.”
With a swiftness born of years of catering to him, Lola
patted his hand. He put down the cutlery. She picked them up and proceeded to
effortlessly chop his meat into bite-sized pieces.
Wumi rolled her eyes. Her stepmother had been her father’s
PA for many years, even while he was still married to their mom. Her father
liked to boast to everyone that he had waited five long, long years after their mother died to marry Lola. Whether he had
waited to have sex with her was another matter. Eeuuww. Gross.
“Daddy, don’t worry. I’m meeting Gbenga this evening. I’m
sure we’ll revisit the marriage thing again.” Wumi wanted an end to this
conversation.
Her father sniffed.
Wumi enjoyed being with Gbenga. He was easy to be with. He
was… nice.
And only two days ago, she had been planning to spend the
rest of her life with him.
Until she met Dare.
Wumi tasted her soup. It was nearly gone and she was as
hungry as she was when she first stepped into the restaurant.
She drained the last of the soup and slammed the spoon on
the saucer.
Lola jumped, throwing her an inquiring glance.
Wumi looked away. Who was she fooling? It was eating at
her. She had to know. But how could she find out without making it apparent?
How? Okay…maybe, this could work…
She swept her hand behind her right ear. “Umm… Jasper, I
want to thank you for helping me get that interview.”
Jasper raised his eyes to his sister’s. “You’ve already
thanked me. It’s Dare you should thank.”
Wumi leaped at that. “Yes, Dare… that’s his name?”
“Yes. You remember him, don’t you?”
“Of course. He’s changed a bit, hasn’t he?”
Jasper grinned. “He grew up, sis.”
From the other side of the table, Tunji asked, “That’s
Reverend DaSilva’s son?”
Jasper nodded.
“I spoke to the Reverend only last month. He’s a good man.”
I don’t care about all that! Wumi’s mind screamed.
She told Jasper, “Maybe one day I’ll come over and say
thanks. I just need to know when… Is he a stay-at-home guy or like you, Jasper…
always out partying with his girlfriends?”
Jasper sat back, throwing up both his hands. “Hey,
everyone! I don’t have girlfriends. I
have a girlfriend.”
His father fought back a smile. Lola patted her stepson’s
hand.
Jasper continued, “And sis, Dare doesn’t have a girlfriend.
Give me a call when you’re ready. I’ll let you know when to visit, ok?”
Wumi stopped listening after “he doesn’t have a girlfriend”.
She couldn’t control the grin that spread all over face.
Adrenaline swooshed into her heart.
Lola flashed a suspicious stare. Wumi ignored it.
As Jasper stuck his fork into a juicy plantain, Wumi
decided that today was a good day after all. Today, she would dare to have
whatever she desired.
She reached out and grabbed his plate of
half-eaten food.