My Redemption: Second Chance Series

by S. K. Lessly

  We started buying each other rounds of drinks, taking shots and enjoying each other’s company. Keenan told us they were celebrating their three-year anniversary and decided to party and hang out in the city all night. We congratulated them, of course, and bought rounds of drinks in their honor.

  They flipped the question and asked us how long we’ve been together and Paul and I looked at each other for a few seconds before Paul replied, “We just started dating a few weeks ago. So far things are going great.”

  He gave me a warm smile full of dimples. I returned his smile and hoped that this start was indeed a start of something good.

  As the night went on, the club started to get packed. At the same time, the DJ stepped up his game and started playing songs that had my body moving to every beat. The four of us were lit at this point. Everything around us became the funniest shit we ever seen. Also, I wanted to shake my ass. I wanted to get Paul on the floor to see what he's working with.

  When I looked over at him, I could tell he was fifty shades to the wind. He was also hot as hell with his hat real low over his eyes.

  I leaned into him and said, “Come dance with me.”

  To my surprise he got up. My eye brows rose and he asked, a trace of caution in his voice, “What, you don’t want to dance with me?”

  I shook my head. “It’s not that, I just didn’t think you would say yes.”

  He smirked at me, more like a challenge than anything else.

  I asked the couple at the table if they could watch our seats, took off my jacket and bag and hung them on the back of my stool. I took Paul's hand and led him to the dance floor shaking my ass as I weaved us through the bodies on the dance floor. When we got on the floor the, deejay was playing some song I had never heard of but that didn’t stop me from getting my groove on.

  I started moving my hips against Paul and he shocked me again. Paul Logan actually had some rhythm. He managed to keep up with me, grinding his hips against mine as if we were making our own rhythm.

  The next thing I knew, the DJ was playing old school Jay-z and Paul and I were singing along with the song and dancing. We smiled at each other and recited every old school rap song that the DJ played.

  I felt like we let go of any inhibitions and enjoyed ourselves and each other. When we got back to our table, we continued to sing and dance. Keenan and Jamilla joined in too and before long, we were singing, rapping and dancing with one another having the best time of our lives.

  Paul

  I watched Lauren’s sexy ass sway to the beat as her and Jamilla, the woman that sat with us at our table, sashayed and shimmied toward the dance floor. Jamilla's boyfriend Keenan and I stayed at the table, discussing what the next season held for the Giants.

  When we first arrived, I tried to pace myself when it came to the drinks I consumed. I was in a strange place and I needed to keep my wits about me. Jamilla and Keenan seemed cool but I kept my eyes on them both. Now a days, you couldn’t trust anyone.

  I pulled my eyes from Lauren’s ass and the dance floor to find Keenan watching the women. In fact, he was so focused on the dance floor and the ladies, that I didn’t think he was just admiring his woman. I knew exactly who had his attention and I didn’t like that shit at all. He wasn’t giving off weird vibes or anything. As I said both of them were cool. I just didn’t like the way he was gawking at my woman.

  When he finally looked away from the dance floor and realized he was caught staring, he gave me a side grin and tilted his head toward the sea of bodies in front of us.

  “Say man,” he began. “How in the hell did you land that?”

  I narrowed my eyes at him, two seconds from cussing his ass out when he put his hands up in surrender.

  “Hey man, I meant no disrespect seriously. It’s just that…” Keenan looked over at Jamilla and Lauren and I followed his gaze. He leaned in closer to me so he could be heard over the music without yelling too much. “Man, she’s all that; nice body and sexy as hell. I’m just saying. You seem like a cool white boy and all, but I can’t fathom you handling that.”

  I watched Lauren for an extra minute and I had to admit to myself Keenan had a point. Lauren wasn’t what I was used to dating. Not that I had a thing against dating outside my race. There had been numerous women of color that I found to be drop dead gorgeous, and I wasn’t speaking of the Beyoncé or the Halle Berry types of the world. I was talking everyday women I would see at the grocery store, in college, at the mall, clubs, places like that. Honestly, I never came across a situation where I could date outside my race, especially since I had dated Sabrina all through college. There weren’t many black girls at the high and middle schools I attended either. Now, here I was in unchartered territory, hoping like hell I didn’t fuck this up.

  I finally pulled my eyes from the dance floor and looked over at Keenan. I shrugged. “I can tell you it isn’t easy. She’s a pistol.”

  Keenan laughed. “I bet and again I don’t mean to be insulting, but do you ask yourself why the hell she’s with you? I mean, that woman could probably go home with any dude in here of her own color. What makes you so special, money?”

  I didn’t respond to that bullshit. I simply leaned back in my chair and continued to watch Lauren interact with everyone around her. I knew what Keenan was trying to get at, even though he had no idea how idiotic he sounded. I didn’t disagree with him either. In fact, I had asked myself that very same question and so far, I hadn't found an answer.

  24

  Lauren

  I blew out a breath and grinned at my dance partner as the Beyoncé song we were jamming to came to an end. I didn’t want to admit it, but I was exhausted. I had been on this dance floor with Jamilla for so many songs I thought I was about to pass out.

  As one song died and another began, I glanced over to our table and met Paul’s eyes. I smiled and shook my head. The poor man looked as if he was about to fall out of the chair. It was time for us to go. I was thankful that I had made plans for us to stay in the city tonight during one of my bathroom runs. All I needed to do now was get him out of this place. I touched Jamilla to let her know I was done on the dance floor and I headed to Paul.

  As I approached, I noticed his eyes darken ever so slightly, which always made butterflies take flight in my stomach. I grinned at him devilishly and wrapped my arms around him. He instinctively placed his arms around my waist, his hands resting just above the curve of my ass.

  I placed a soft kiss to his lips then asked, “You ready to go?”

  He nodded. “God, yes.”

  I laughed, took his hand in mine and pulled him up from his stool. He helped me put on my jacket and bag, kissing my neck and wrapping his arm around me. We said our goodbyes to our table companions and made our way outside to grab a taxi. Once outside, I convinced him to wait against the wall of the club. I didn’t want him to hear where we were going. I was sure he knew we had to find a place to lay our heads tonight. We were in no condition to drive home. I just didn’t want him to know about the plans I had made for us. After all, it was his birthday tomorrow. I wanted to treat him to a bit of luxury.

  It took some convincing to make him stay put but he eventually listened to me and leaned against the brick building.

  I patted him on his cheek and winked. “Good boy,”

  He growled at me, which made me laugh and scuttle away from his grasp. As I got to the corner trying to flag a taxi, I looked back ready to tease him when I noticed he caught a stray. There was an attractive blonde woman with a great tan, for the month of September, who was practically drooling over him. I looked around wondering where in the hell she came from.

  Now typically I wasn’t a jealous person. However, I’d been drinking and for some reason being inebriated caused me to behave in a manner I wasn’t accustomed to behaving.

  I did take stock in the fact that this woman was gorgeous. Her and Paul looked great together, like a sexy power couple that would make beautiful babies together. She started
laughing at something he said to her and he gave her his winningest smile and dimples.

  I narrowed my eyes, shooting daggers at him as he flirted with miss perfect tits. I turned my back on the giggling couple trying to control my anger.

  Come on, Lauren? This isn’t like you. So, what he’s talking to that girl. I turned around again and my frown deepened. Okay, so, he’s flirting with her.

  I sighed and just when I was about to start second guessing myself Paul looked over at me, winked and his smile widened. I shook my head and turned around just in time to spot a taxi coming this way. I placed my two fingers inside my mouth and whistled. The taxi turned on his lights and pulled up to me. I leaned over and spoke to the driver through his opened window.

  “The Ritz, Central Park,” I told the driver.

  I got a grunt and quick nod of the head from the driver before I opened the back door. I turned to signal Paul but he was heading my way with now two girls following him. Apparently, the blonde had a friend with her. I looked around again.

  Where in the hell did they come from?

  I gave Romeo a questioningly look and when he got close. He grinned and said to me, “Babe, these lovely ladies wanted to know if they could come with us. I told them it was my birthday tomorrow and they wanted to celebrate with us.”

  I narrowed my eyes at him, ready to cuss his ass out when I noticed a humorous gleam in his eyes. When he got closer to me, I grabbed him by his belt buckle and pulled him into me. I placed a soft kiss on his lips then looked him in his eyes.

  “No chance in hell,” I whispered just above his lips, albeit loud enough for his fan club to hear. “Besides, you know how much I hate to share and you are all mine.”

  I gave him a quick kiss and I got in the cab but not before giving the women a glaring look. Paul shrugged at them apologetically. “Told you she wouldn’t go for it. But it was nice meeting you.” He gave them another smile then climbed inside the taxi, wrapping his arm around my shoulder.

  The cab shot out from the curb making a crazy U-turn and headed toward Central Park.

  We rode in silence for a few minutes before Paul leaned into me and said close to my ear. “Uh, we may have to find a place to stay tonight. I don’t think either of us is in any shape to drive back home.”

  “Don’t worry, Romeo.” I reached up and patted him on his cheek. “I’ve got it covered.” I smiled and rested my head on his shoulder.

  The ride was quiet, except for the noise of the city that didn’t seem to be slowing down despite the early morning hour. Paul was very quiet. His arm was draped over my shoulder, his fingers laced through mine. His eyes, however, were glued to the scenery that passed by, his attention elsewhere.

  I leaned back slightly and studied his features in the dimly lit cab. I noticed that his jaw was set and his posture tense. The silence coming from him made me a bit uneasy.

  I lifted my head from his shoulder and lightly touched the side of his face.

  “Hey, you’re mighty quiet. You okay?” I probed.

  Paul gave me a quick nod but didn’t say anything. I turned his head so I could look into his eyes. They were void of the warmth that typically greeted me and my heart immediately started pounding against my chest. Something was wrong.

  I kept my breathing regular and gave him a small smile.

  “What’s on your mind, handsome?”

  He rested his head against the back of the seat, his eyes still on me. He asked, in a low deep tone, “Why are you with me?” When my eyes grew wide, he mended quickly, “I know you aren’t with me, with me, but why are you with me?”

  I looked at him puzzled and confused. I had no clue where this was coming from. Didn’t he know why? Wasn’t it obvious? Clearly it wasn’t and I needed to rectify that but Paul threw me again when he blurted, “I’m white.”

  I chuckled; I couldn’t help it. “I know you are.”

  “And you… you’re a hot… sexy as fuck black woman who could get any guy she wanted.”

  “Well, I don’t know about that—"I began shying away from him but he sat up quickly and placed a hand against my cheek.

  “I do. Lauren, you’re gorgeous, smart, funny and sexy as fuck. Plus, you’re a true football fan. What more could a guy ask for?”

  I scoffed and started to reply, but bit down my negative retort and instead replied, “Okay, I'll take your word for it but, seriously what does that have to do with—”

  “Is this just sex for you?” And again, I was stunned. Paul continued adding, “That’s fine if that’s all this is to you. I—”

  I cut him off with a finger to his soft lips. I kept my finger there and captured his eyes with mine for a few beats. I was trying to read him, to find a reason why he questioned us, questioned this. Hell no, I wasn't in this just for sex and at no point did I hint that I was, nor did I mention it. I wasn’t sure what we were, to be honest; our lives were in such disarray. Yet, there was one thing I did know, being with him had nothing to do with how good he made me feel in bed.

  I positioned my body to face him and made sure I didn’t waiver my eyes from his when I said this next thing.

  I explained to him. “Paul, you’re my best friend.” He rolled his eyes, groaned, and tried to look away from me. I turned his face back to me. “A friend with benefits of course but…” I paused making sure he was looking at me and paying attention. “I don’t know what we have going or where we're going. But I do know that this just isn’t about sex for me.”

  “It’s not?”

  I shook my head and replied softly, “No, it isn’t. I say you are my best friend because it’s true. You know everything there is to know about me. You know just what to do to make me laugh, to make me smile, to pick me up when I’m down. You make me feel sexy and beautiful. You have this way of looking at me and touching me that takes my breath away every time.”

  “Is that so?” he asked in a low tone.

  I nodded and smiled at him. “Oh God, yes, all the time,” I replied to him emphasizing every word. I placed my hand on his cheek and said softly, “Paul, I adore you and I can’t think of anyone else I would rather be with than you.”

  He touched my face with his fingers before he gripped by the back of the head and pulled me in for a kiss. Our lips caressed each other slowly, passionately and for the first time there was something different in the way he kissed me. I couldn’t quite put my finger on what it was but there was something in the way he held me, touched me, caressed my lips that made my insides turn to mush. My heart rate increased yet its cadence felt different, deeper.

  After he kissed me senseless, I was dizzy with emotions I had never felt before in my life. Instead of trying to decipher what was going on inside my head and heart, I brought my attention to the road, making sure the cab driver didn’t go out of the way just so he could overcharge me. I’d deal with my messed up head later.

  It took a bit of redirecting on my end, but we made it to our destination safely.

  Paul looked out of the window at the building facing us then back at me. “Uh sweetheart, this isn’t the type of place that accepts on the spot reservation, and uh it ain’t cheap.”

  I paid the driver and opened my door. “I know, I told you I’ve got it covered. Come on birthday boy!”

  He got out of the taxi and took my hand in his. We entered the Ritz Carlton, trying to keep ourselves upright as we moved through the lobby. I sauntered up to the desk clerk and gave him my name.

  “Lauren Kelly, I have a reservation.”

  Paul leaned into me. “What happened to Maxwell?”

  I frowned and shook my head. “I don’t ever plan on being that again.”

  I filled out and signed all necessary paperwork and the clerk swiped my credit card and handed me my key.

  “Have a great night.” The clerk smiled knowingly at me. I smiled back.

  “Thank you.”

  When we entered the park view suite, I gasped breathlessly. The room was beautiful but it was the vie
w of the city that took my breath away.

  The room had a king-sized bed that occupied the majority of the space. The bed was dressed with white linen and a bunch of fluffy looking pillows that seemed to call to my tired body. A lone chair sat close to the window and a desk faced the window on the opposite side of the room. There was a huge entertainment center to the right of the room with a flat screen TV and a clock on one of the shelves.

  I moved through the room, dropping my bag on the desk, taking stalk in the way the room felt inviting and cozy. The marble bathroom was beautiful and the stand-up shower that had room enough for two had my imagination on overdrive. I ended up back in the main room to find Paul leaning against the window, watching me.

  “What do you think? You like it?” I asked smiling.

  “It’s beautiful.” He responded but since his eyes were glued to me, I didn’t think he meant the room itself.

  “Paul,” I dragged out his name on a whine.

  “Yes,” he replied, dragging out his response, a sexy gleam in his eyes.

  I looked away from him and surveyed the room. “I didn’t think we needed anything bigger, right? I know this is kind of extravagant, but I wanted to treat you to a little comfort, since it’s your birthday and all.”

  “Well, there is that.”

  I leaned against the desk behind me, unsure of what to do next. Paul’s scorching gaze was on me, mixed with the silence between us, was unnerving but not in a bad way. The air between us seemed palpable, heated. The way his eyes caressed me, undressed me, had my breaths coming out ragged and choppy. Flutters began invading my insides, as my heart started picking up its pace.

  Paul pushed himself off the window and slowly stalked toward me like he was a big ole lion and I was his prey. Finding my body paralyzed, I swallowed hard, desperately trying to focus on Paul’s now dark blue eyes.

  “Thank you for this,” he said finally. “It was very sweet of you.”

  I shrugged and chuckled nervously, causing his eyebrow to rise. “Oh, um... no-no problem.” I stammered. “I figured we had to stay in the city anyway, why not do it in style.”