by LaJill Hunt
"I think your donation of the bikes to the kids is great."
"Yeah, I've wanted to do it for a while, and this year, things just really fell into place. I'm glad I could make it happen." His eyes lit up, and I noticed the deep dimple in his left cheek.
The song changed to another club banger, and Brandi yelled, "Danni, what are you doing? Get out here!"
"I think we're being beckoned," Bernard said, grabbing my hand and pulling me to the floor. I don't know if it was the liquor or the fact that I was finally on vacation, but I was totally relaxed and comfortable. I swayed to the beat and moved my body against Bernard's. At 6'1", he was inches taller than me, and his body was thick and muscular. The music slowed down at impeccable timing and the deejay began playing Keith Sweat's 'Telling Me No Again'. Bernard looked at me, slipped his fingers between mine, and pulled me close.
"I can't believe they're playing this," I whispered, remembering the song from New Jack City and sitting beside him all those years ago.
"I can," he said, "I asked them to."
"You remembered?" I said, shocked at his confession.
"How could I ever forget?" He smiled, and I leaned my head against his shoulder. I was in a dream state and I never wanted to wake up. I closed my eyes and enjoyed the dance.
"Last Call, Ladies and Gents," the deejay announced, and the music faded out.
"You guys want to grab another one before we hit the road," Doug asked.
"No, I'm done," I said.
"Me too," Brandi nodded.
We made our way back to the table, and I realized Bernard and I were still holding hands.
"I'll get our coats," I said, maneuvering my hand from his and walking to the coat check area. Suddenly, I felt hot. I touched my forehead to make sure beads of sweat weren't forming.
'What the hell are you doing?' I asked myself, 'It's only a drink and a dance. There's nothing wrong with that. It's Christmas for God's sake, and I'm just having a night out with old friends. Bullshit, and you know it. You want that man. Always have, always will.'
"Is that it?"
"Huh?" I said, realizing the girl behind the counter passing me our coats. I put two dollars in her tip jar and thanked her. Brandi, Doug and Bernard were waiting for me by the door. We slipped into our jackets and walked outside.
"I parked over here," Brandi pointed.
"I'm over there," I said, pointing in the opposite direction.
"Well, good thing each of you got an escort," Doug said.
Brandi hugged me and said, "Call me on your way home, if you go home."
"Stop it," I pushed her away.
"Good seeing you again, B. Wright!" Brandi waved.
"Danni," Bernard said, walking to my car, "I had a really good time tonight."
"Me too," I agreed. "It was a great way to start my Christmas vacation. I'm glad I don't have to get up in the morning."
"So, can I see you again?" He asked, gently touching the back of my neck.
I shook my head, "Bernard, I can't."
"Why not?"
"I just can't," I sighed, glad that we arrived at my car. I was nervous and if we walked a little longer, I might've given in and agreed to go out on a date.
"I guess that's it then," he told me. "Can I at least get a hug?"
I turned and put my arms around his neck, and he held me tight for several seconds. When he finally released me, he licked his lips, leaned his face close to mine and I gasped. His lips brushed my jaw line and he smiled.
"Good night, Bernard," I said, grabbing my keys from my pocket and unlocking my door.
"Good night, Dannica," he said.
I sat in the car, waiting for it to warm up, and located my iPod under the seat. I scrolled through until I found my New Jack City playlist, enjoying Keith Sweat serenading me as I drove home.
* * * * * * * * * *
It was nearly eleven the following morning when I finally managed to get myself out of bed. I called Brandi, but she didn't answer. I figured she had just as much of a hangover as I did. My head was throbbing, and my mouth felt like cotton. I needed something to drink, but the only thing in my fridge was water, string cheese and some old Chinese food.
"I gotta go to the store," I groaned. After a quick shower, I threw on some old sweats and a pair of Nikes and went to the nearby grocery store. Pushing my cart down the aisle, I walked right into Bernard, "What are you doing? Stalking me?"
"What are you talking about? I should be asking you the same thing," he said, frowning behind the dark sunglasses he wore. Like me, he had on a pair of sweats, but his Nikes were Jordans, of course.
"Don't flatter yourself, mister. I live right up the street in Old Courtyard Condos," I said.
"And I live down the street in Courtyard Townhomes," he replied. "I guess we're neighbors."
Surprised, I said, "I thought you lived in the neighborhood, near the barber shop."
"No, who told you that?" he asked.
"No one."
"Figures," he said, "I've lived out here for about two years."
"Oh, I moved here last summer," I shrugged.
"Welcome to the neighborhood."
"Thanks," I replied, noticing the same bottles of Gatorade in his basket that were inmine. "Hangover?"
"A slight one," he laughed. "I see I'm not alone."
"A slight one."
"How's your girl?"
"I checked on her, but no answer; I'm sure she's feeling like we are, if not worse."
"Yeah, I called Doug, and he didn't answer either."
"Maybe they're hungover together," I suggested.
"Maybe, if so, good for him. At least somebody got some…"
"Hey, hey, hey!" I stopped him before he could finish.
"You wanna go grab some brunch from the place next door?"
I hesitated and just as I was about to answer, he said, "I get it, it's not a date. It's just food. And technically, you're not working because it's Christmas vacation, so it doesn't really count. I'm here, you're here, we both need to get some food in our systems to attack all the liquor we drank last night, and you need it more than I do. Believe me, Gatorade, Slim Jims, a bag salad, and Now & Laters are not gonna help."
I looked down at the contents in my basket and said, "For your information, I hadn't finished shopping."
He reached over on the shelf, grabbed a bag of Blow Pops, tossed them into my basket and said, "You're done. Now let's go pay and then get some real food."
* * * * * * * * * *
During brunch, Bernard somehow convinced me to go to dinner and a movie the following night. He refuted every reason I had by pointing out that one, this wasn't a date and we were only hanging out as friends; and two, this was an exception to my "no becoming involved with parents" rule because I was on Christmas vacation. There was also the tiny fact-that technically, he wasn't a parent. There was no denying that I wanted to go with him; I accepted his invitation, telling myself that I could handle one date with him.
Hours later, I realized, what I couldn't handle was being alone with him, in my condo. We cuddled on my chaise lounge, laughing and reminiscing about our childhood days, with the sounds of Luther Vandross singing Christmas carols in the background.
"We had some great times back then," Bernard said, his fingers caressed my collarbone. A chill went down my spine and heat rose from within all at the same time.
"We did," I whispered, trying to breathe naturally. I could feel my heart beating and wondered if he could too. Bernard wrapped his arms around me and it was no longer his fingers caressing me, but his lips softly kissing my neck. I turned slightly and looked into his eyes, and he smiled at me. Our faces moved closer and closer until we were kissing, gently--at first--and then, harder and harder. We couldn't get enough of one another. For twenty years I imagined how kissing Bernard Wright would feel. Now, it was happening and it was better than I expected. It was perfect and he seemed to be enjoying every minute too.. And now, my body told me that kissing Berna
rd Wright wasn't all that I wanted. He turned my body completely around and I straddled his body. His hands found their way under my sweater and I quickly unbuttoned his shirt. My nipples hardened at his touch and I pulled the confining cardigan over my head. Bernard's eyes stared greedily at my ample, full, d-cupped breasts; and then slowly, his eyes moved up until they met mine. He gazed at me and I could see that he was waiting for me to make the next move. It was as if he needed reassurance that I wanted this as much as he did. Standing and taking him by the hand, I led him upstairs to my bedroom. To say that I was nervous would be an understatement. I could count on one hand the number of men I slept with in my life and count on two fingers the number of times in my bed.
"What are you smiling at?" I asked.
"That high ass bed," Bernard laughed, "Its a Princess and the Pea bed."
"I like my bed," I said, walking over and hopping onto it. He was right, my bed was fairly high, and I literally had to leap to get in it.
"I like your bed too," he shrugged and walked over to the foot of the bed where I was sitting, "But I like you even more."
He leaned down and kissed me, leaning me back, and we fumbled as we removed our clothes. Within seconds, we were naked, and he was slipping a condom onto his hardness. He climbed upward onto the bed as I wrapped one knee on each side of his body. Slowly, he lowered himself into me until he was totally enfolded in my hot wetness. I raised and lowered my pelvis; he eluded my grasping hands that tried to control him. His movements let me know that he was in charge. Faster and faster he moved, giving it to me and giving it to me good with a relentless rhythm which had me caught up, and I felt my growing orgasm with each thrust. Every time he plunged into my body, my clitoris came into contact with the base of his manhood, rubbing quickly and deeply before he rose up again. Instinctively, we moved in unison as my back arched and my hands clung to his muscular shoulders; for a tiny instant, we held still, then we climaxed together in one: wild, long, drawn out, majestic release. His sweat-drenched body collapsed on top of mine.
"Oh...my….God!" He said, breathing heavily.
"That's a good thing, I hope," I laughed.
"Better than good," he said, "It was….was…"
"Was what?" I looked down at him, waiting for him to somehow come up with a word to explain what we just experienced.
"Indescribable," he said, rolling over and pulling me close to him. He kissed the top of my forehead affectionately. The moment was perfect. Never in my life had I thought that I would be lying in bed with Bernard, basking in the afterglow of our passionate lovemaking.
"Exactly," I sighed.
"Where's your bathroom?" he asked.
"Through that door right there," I motioned toward the bathroom door.
Bernard kissed me again, and then climbed out of bed.
All alone, lying in the middle of my Princess and the Pea bed, I resisted the urge to grab my phone and call Brandi. Instead, I told myself to calm down and chill out, preparing for what was about to happen next. I closed my eyes and enjoyed the comfort of my sheets, which still held the scent of Bernard.
"Danni," Bernard whispered.
I opened my eyes and realized I had fallen asleep, "Huh?"
"I gotta go," he smiled.
I sat up and seeing that he was completely dressed, I asked, "You're leaving?"
"Yeah, I got some business I gotta go take care of," he leaned over and put his forehead against mine. He tried to kiss me, but I backed off.
"Okay," I shrugged, "I'll walk you out."
"You don't have to do that, Danni," he said.
I jumped out of bed and grabbed my robe, hanging on my closet door. I didn't waste any time heading down the steps and handing Bernard his jacket.
"Danni, hold on," he said. "Did I do or say something wrong?"
"No, not at all," I snapped. "I just don't wanna hold you up. I know you have something else to do."
"It's not like that," he said.
"You don't owe me any explanation, Bernard."
He shook his head, "Danni, I had a great time."
"I did, too."
"Can I call you later?"
"I'm gonna take a shower and go to bed," I said quickly.
"Then I'll call you tomorrow."
"Okay," I nodded.
He kissed me once more and then left. I locked the door behind him.
My eyes found themselves wandering along his body, and I stopped myself before they found themselves between his legs. I hurried into my bathroom and closed the door behind me. I sat on the toilet and tried to clear my head.
'What were you thinking?' I asked myself. 'No, you didn't think. You just had sex with an old childhood friend. And now where is he? Did you expect anything different?'
* * * * * * * * * *
I woke up to the sound of my phone ringing. Wondering, who would be calling, at nine in the morning. I glanced over, grabbed my phone, and hesitantly answered the call. The baritone voice was familiar.
"What are you doing?" Bernard inquired.
"I was sleep." I half-whispered.
"Sorry for running out like that. I wanna see you again. Have brunch again with me. I know of a nice little spot that plays live Jazz."
"What makes you think I want to have brunch again with you?"
"I don't…but, I want to see you again."
She thought to herself, 'Damn this man for making me feel good!'
"Can you be ready in thirty?" he asked.
"Give me an hour. You just woke me up," I pointed out.
He laughed. "Oh, Danni…wear something sexy."
I jumped out of my bed and quickly got ready. Bernard arrived sixty minutes later, on the dot. He looked handsome and smelled wonderful. I couldn't stay mad at him for long, with a body that fine and a face like his—I was in trouble.
Brunch with Bernard turned into dinner and a movie. During the week we would share late-night phone calls. The following weekend, a spur of the moment trip to the outlet mall, for some last minute Christmas shopping. Before I knew it, it was Christmas Eve, and Bernard was preparing for the Bike Give-a-way Get Together at the barber shop. He convinced me to come, saying that it would make sense, especially since I was the school principal. I relented and was blown away when I arrived at the community center, where the festivities were being held. The room was decorated and had tables of food. There was a deejay, and right beside the biggest Christmas tree I had ever seen were rows of bikes. Kids were everywhere dancing, eating, laughing, and joking. I waved to Mr. Ferguson and Mrs. Butler, who were standing nearby. Parents greeted me and introduced themselves, telling me how satisfied they were with how things were going since I became principal. They also shared some valid concerns and suggestions, and I was glad that I decided to come. It allowed me to interact with the parents outside of the school setting and there seemed to be different level of comfort.
I watched Bernard interact with the guests, most of whom were females, who couldn't seem to have a conversation without touching him. He did look handsome in a green oxford shirt and black slacks, and he even wore a red Santa hat on his head. I must've been watching too long because he turned, and our eyes met. I quickly looked away, not wanting to get caught in his stare.
"What's up, Ms. Eaton. You look different."
"Why thank you, Amir. You look different and nice yourself," I said, admiring him in his button-down shirt and sports coat. It was a far cry from the baggy jeans and t-shirts he normally wore.
"Yeah, Ms. E. You look really nice," Bryce agreed with his buddy.
"Does this mean I don't normally look nice?"
Amir grinned and shook his head at me, "Naw, that's not what I'm saying. You just look...fancy, I guess."
I laughed, knowing exactly what Amir meant. I had taken the time to blow dry my naturally curly hair straight, and instead of pulling it back, it was hanging past my shoulders. I had also taken the time and applied my makeup with such precision that Kym Lee, the famous makeup artist hers
elf, would have been proud. I wore a red silk dress and matching three-inch, red, snakeskin heels, and I knew I looked fabulous, if nothing else.
"Well, Amir, you didn't tell me you were bringing a date."
I glanced up and saw Bernard standing in front of us.
"She's not my date, B. Wright, she's the principal, Ms. Eaton," Amir blushed.
"Oh, I'm sorry," Bernard said. "How are you, Ms. Eaton."
"I'm fine, Mr. Wright. This is really nice," I nodded. "I admit, I'm impressed."
"Hey, these kids are impressive and they deserve it, right Amir?" Bernard held his fist out and Amir touched it with his own.
"Yep, we do!" Amir agreed.
"You're getting a bike, Amir?" I said, trying not to sound surprised. I knew Amir wasn't on the honor roll and couldn't recall him being Student of the Month.
"Yes, I got perfect attendance!" He said.
"Hey, there's Frankie!" Bryce pointed, and they ran off to talk to a group of boys who just walked through the door.
"Perfect attendance. I should've known," I laughed.
"Yeah, we didn't want to reward just the smart kids," Bernard said. "For some of these kids, the fact that they make it to school every day is an accomplishment. I know that, firsthand. They need to be rewarded for their efforts as well."
I never thought about it that way and I made a mental note to come up with some sort of incentive for attendance, as well.
"That's awesome, I mean, all of this is," I told him.
"That dress you're wearing is awesome," he whispered. "You're looking sexy as hell. You really want Santa to come visit you tonight, huh?"
I didn't want to but I felt myself blushing. I couldn't believe he said that to me and it caught me off guard. "Bernard, if you dont…."
"Ms. Eaton, Mr. Wright, can I get a picture of both of you with some of the students?" A small, white guy asked, holding a camera.
"Uh…" I mumbled.
"Sure, Chuck," Bernard said, guiding me by the elbow toward the tree and the bikes. "Amir, fellas, come over here and take a picture for the newspaper dude."
I posed for the photo and then spoke to Chuck, a reporter for the local newspaper. Bernard excused himself; and Chuck and I found some seats beside Mr. Ferguson and Mrs. Butler. Our attention was immediately drawn to a woman who burst into the room, as if she was the headliner for the evening. Dressed in form-fitting jeans, thigh-high boots, a long blond wig, and a fur jacket; she loudly spoke and waved to everyone. I immediately recognized her and her miniature twin marching behind her, wearing an almost identical outfit--minus the wig.
