“Hell no. If I call you into my office for some midday pussy, I expect you to bend over my desk and spread your legs without question.”
“You’re ridiculous.”
“Do you accept the job or not?”
“Yes.”
“Good. I’ll pick you up at nine.”
“Fine.”
“And, Cin?”
“Yes.”
“Don’t wear any panties.”
I end the call before she can respond, and I dial Logan.
“I’m on it. I’ll make this disappear. Charges won’t be filed and Jerry Skinner will be offered financial compensation for his troubles,” he says right away, already deducing the nature of my call.
“Excellent. Let me know when it’s done.”
“Will do.”
I could kick myself for being so excited about seeing Cin every day.
My mom turns off the television and gets up from the sofa when I enter the apartment, concern evident on her face.
“Cin, I want you to tell me what’s going on, and I want to know right this second.”
“I got fired today,” I say, closing the door.
“Art is more than just a friend, isn’t he?”
“Yes.” I walk over to the table and sit down.
She stands in front of me with her arms crossed over her chest.
“Mom, I’m sorry I lied to you. Art could never be just a friend to me. I love him.”
“Does he love you?”
“We’re trying to figure everything out.”
“He still thinks you told his secret.”
“It’s complicated.”
“He’s not a good man for Sebastian to be around. He’s violent and unpredictable. Adrian was good for you.”
“Art has always shown kindness towards Sebastian. Do you honestly think I would let him come near my son if he didn’t?”
“I didn’t mean it like that. I only want the best for you.”
“You have to let me live my life. If being with Art is a mistake, it’ll be a lesson I’ll have to learn on my own.”
“I was there to pick up the pieces the last time, remember? You cried almost every night for months. I never want to see you that way again.”
“He’s my Romeo. It’ll always be him.”
“There was no happily ever after for them. That love story ended in tragedy.”
Art and I were only supposed to be temporary. We were fooling ourselves to think six months would be enough when a lifetime wouldn’t be sufficient.
“He can only bring you heartache. When it ends, I’ll be there to pick up the pieces again.”
I’ll break with him, but without him, I’ll shatter. Either way I’m fucked, so I might as well stay with Art in purgatory.
“Be quiet, the story about you and Art is up next,” Anneli says, stuffing popcorn into her mouth.
We lounge next to each other on her bed. She insisted I come over to watch What’s Poppin? I’ve seen it a few times before but decided it wasn’t for me. The gossipmongers on the show call themselves “The Posse.” There are four of them—Dylan, Mickey, Candy, and Shelly. In my opinion, they’re a miserable group who glorify in digging up every dirty detail about the lives of celebrities to discuss on the show.
“This isn’t my movie premiere that’s going to turn me into an instant sensation overnight, you know.”
“Yes, it is. That reminds me, I want your autograph before you leave.”
I roll my eyes. “Not hardly.”
My eyes are glued to the television, bracing for the bullshit that’ll be said about Art and me.
“Arthur King has been out of the spotlight for some time, but yesterday evening he made a grand reappearance. Let’s take a look,” Dylan says.
The video of Art knocking Jerry out is shown.
“Wow, that was some punch. He could give Mike Tyson a run for his money,” Mickey says.
“Do we know what happened?” Dylan asks.
“Apparently, he went into a blind rage because another man was talking to his girlfriend.” Shelly wags her eyebrows.
“You’re kidding me. Arthur King has a girlfriend? I don’t believe it,” Candy says.
“It’s true. Her name is Cinnamon Belo,” Mickey says.
“It won’t last. There’s no way he’ll stay monogamous. The man is a sex machine,” Shelly chimes in.
“Ewww, she’s dressed like a homeless person.” Candy laughs.
“Bitch.” I throw popcorn at the television.
“What the hell does he see in her? He could do so much better,” Candy adds.
Anneli moves the bowl out of my reach when I go to grab for more. “No wasting delicious snacks here.”
“These two have a history. We’re going to have a virtual chat with a few of their friends from high school after this commercial break,” Dylan says.
“Oh no.” I have a sinking feeling one of those friends may be Trevor.
“Who do you think it is?” Anneli asks.
“I’m afraid to find out.”
The show comes back on and there on the wall behind “The Posse” is a large screen with Bri and Danny on it.
“We have with us Brianna Lockhart and Danny Livingston to provide some insight about the explosive history between Arthur King and Cinnamon Belo,” Dylan announces.
“What can you tell us about Art’s mystery girl?” Shelly asks.
Bri scoffs. “She’s hardly a mystery. She’s a huge-time slut who cheated on her boyfriend with Art. She became pregnant and didn’t know which one was her baby daddy.”
“I can’t believe we were ever friends with that bitch,” Anneli says.
“She’s not lying,” I say.
I can’t be mad at the truth.
“What are your thoughts, Danny?” Candy asks.
“Art has always been a loose cannon—fighting and doing dangerous stunts. Not to mention he tried to kill himself…”
Bri, Danny, and those “Posse” assholes air our dirty laundry for all to see. I’ll be considered the biggest slut in the United States, and Art a sick whack job.
“Change the channel. I can’t listen to any more of this.”
Anneli mutes the television. “Don’t let what they’re saying get to you.”
“It’s impossible not to. One day, Sebastian is going to see this interview. What will he think of me?”
“He will think you’re an amazing mom who took very good care of him,” Anneli says, putting the bowl on the bed to give me a hug.
“I hope you’re right.”
“I know I am.”
“Thank you.”
“No problem, babe. How about we find a movie to watch starring hunky Jason Momoa?”
“Sounds good to me.” I turn on my back, causing the bowl of popcorn to topple over on the bed.
“Damn, you’ve been fidgeting since you got on this bed. What’s the matter?” Anneli says, cleaning up the mess I made.
“Nothing,” I say, looking away from her.
She gives me the side-eye. “You’re definitely lying. Tell me what you’re hiding. I’ll hound you until you do.”
“Nothing major. I got new ink.”
“What? Why didn’t you tell me?”
“It’s not a big deal.”
“Let me see it.”
“It’s in a private area.”
“Really? I’ve seen your naked ass plenty of times before. Now strip.”
“Okay, but you have to promise not to overreact.”
“What the hell did you do?”
I move to my knees, pulling down my bottoms and panties.
“What on earth possessed you to get his name tattooed on your ass?” she shouts.
“It wasn’t exactly my choice,” I say, tugging my clothes up.
“What do you mean?”
“Art gave me the tattoo.”
Her eyes narrow. “Did he force you to do this?”
“We have a unique relationship.”
“I don’t want to.”
“You’re crazy to have anything to do with him!”
“What Art and I have isn’t meant for other people to understand.”
“You can’t—”
A knock sounds at the door, interrupting her tirade.
“Are you expecting someone?”
“Christian brought dinner.”
“I’m going to go. I don’t want to be a third wheel.”
“Nonsense. I told him you’d be here and he offered to bring enough food for you.”
“That was nice of him.” I follow Anneli out of the bedroom.
The smile slips from my face when Adrian walks in behind Christian. We haven’t seen each other since the day I broke it off with him.
Christian holds up a few pizza boxes. “Dinner is served.”
“Yummy. You can put those bad boys right there.” Anneli points at the small round table next to the kitchen.
“Sure thing.” He kisses her on the cheek. “Hi, Cin, it’s nice to see you again.”
“Yeah, it’s been awhile.”
“I’ll be right back,” Anneli says, closing the door. “I have to use the bathroom.”
Adrian and I stare at each other.
“Cat got your tongue?” he jokes.
“Oh, I’m sorry. How have you been?”
“Good, hanging in there. You?”
“The same.” There’s an awkward pause. “I really should get going. My mom had surgery a few months ago. She’s recovering nicely, but I don’t want to leave her with Sebastian too long. He can be a handful.”
“Don’t do that.”
“Do what?”
“Use that as an excuse to hightail it out of here.”
“I’m—”
“Don’t lie.”
“I just don’t think it’s a good idea for me to stay.”
“I came here to see you. Christian mentioned you’d be here, so I invited myself. How pathetic is that?”
“Adrian—”
“We had a good thing going, didn’t we?” He caresses my jaw. “What went wrong?”
“I’m with Art now.”
“Being with someone didn’t stop you before.”
“I was young and dumb. Don’t throw that in my face.”
“I’m sorry. I’m still pissed about the whole situation. Why did you choose him over me? I’m good for you, Cin. It’s not too late for us.”
“There was no chance for us once he came back into my life.”
He pulls me close to him and molds his lips to mine.
I break away. “Adrian, stop.”
“I still want you, Cin.”
“What’s going on?” Anneli asks.
“I have to go. I’ll call you when I get home, okay?” I leave the apartment.
Today’s events have left me drained. I turn off the ignition and exit my car, determined to get inside, take a hot bath, and go to sleep. The headlights of the car parked behind mine flick on. I hold my hand up to shield my eyes. A man steps out of the vehicle, but due to the blinding light, I can only make out his silhouette.
“What the fuck, asshole?”
As the lone figure approaches, I’m able to make out his facial features.
“I’ve been calling you!” Art shouts.
“I was at Anneli’s and forgot my cell in the car.”
“What kind of fool do you take me for? You were out fucking another man!”
“That’s not true. I was at Anneli’s. Call and ask her if you don’t believe me!” I yell.
“I can’t trust her word. You whores stick together!” he roars.
Art grasps my shoulders and shakes me violently. I bite down on his chin. He retaliates by digging sharp nails into my neck and hauling me to his car. I’m thrown into the back seat, but he doesn’t climb in behind me. Instead he gets on his knees on the ground and rips my shoes from my feet.
“What are you doing?” I kick out at him.
“I’m going to smell your pussy, and if it smells like sex, I swear to God I’ll beat the living shit out of you.” He yanks my jeans down my legs and throws them to the ground.
“I told you where I was.”
He punches my leg. “Stop fucking kicking me!”
“Ouch!”
Next, my panties are torn from my body and my legs forced apart. He buries his face between my legs and inhales deeply.
“The loveliest aroma I’ve ever had the pleasure of smelling,” he growls before sliding his tongue over my clit.
“Art,” I moan, closing my thighs over his head as he laps at my pussy.
He gorges on my cunt, the ferocity of his feasting obliterating my cognitive abilities. I whimper in frustration when he lifts his head.
“Should I let you come?”
“Yes.”
“But you’ve been a bad girl.”
“I’m sorry.”
“You better make sure your cell phone stays by your side because if this happens again, you won’t be able to sit for a fucking month.”
“I understand. Please…” I beg.
His warm mouth latches onto my clit, and I come within minutes. Once the shudders subside, he crawls up my body, peering into my eyes while he slowly sinks his dick inside my saturated cunt. My passion-filled moans are swallowed by his kisses. I wrap my legs around him and cross my ankles at his lower back as he bulldozes through my center, showing me no mercy. My pending orgasm ebbs, then flows, until it breaks free. Art’s gyrating hips increase the magnitude of my climax tenfold, creating a perfect storm of ecstasy.
“Oh fuck,” he grunts, attaining his end.
We hold on to each other, basking in the afterglow of completion.
“Remember what I said,” he says between breaths. “I will hurt you if you don’t listen.”
“You hurt me even when I do.”
“I can’t help it.”
“I know.”
Can love between a man and woman be too strong? Maybe a love like this is destined to end in tragedy.
It really sucks being fired from a position I loved, but I have to admit it felt really good being able to cook breakfast for Sebastian and walk him to the bus stop. At nine o’clock sharp, Art sends me a text.
“Okay, Mom. I have to go.” I walk to the sofa and bend over to kiss her forehead.
“What are your job responsibilities?”
She’s not happy about my unpredictable relationship with Art—if I can even call it that. I don’t know what we are, but I can’t go on pretending he’s not important to me. Being without him isn’t an option.
“I’m not sure. Assisting.”
“Cinnamon.”
“Mom, don’t worry.”
“Why you shouldn’t be together is what draws you to each other. I understand what you’re feeling. I really do. I was young once. The exhilaration of going headfirst into a pitch-black room hoping to find a ray of light will lose its appeal. Trust me, the excitement eventually fades. Baby, what you have with him isn’t love. It’s lust.”
“I couldn’t turn my back on him even if I wanted to. Everything in my heart rebels at the thought of it.”
“How can I dissuade you from this path?”
“There’s nothing you can do, Mom.” My cell phone rings. “I have to go. Call me if you need anything. I love you.”
“I love you too,” she says, resigned.
Art is waiting in another one of his expensive cars as I emerge from the building.
How many does he have?
“Hey,” I say, getting into the car.
“How’d you sleep?”
“Good. You?”
“After that orgasm, I slept like a baby. I hope you’re panty-less today.”
“I am.”
“Good. You’re finally following directions.” He drives out of the parking lot and maneuvers into the flow of traffic.
“Did you watch What’s Po
ppin yesterday?”
“I don’t watch bullshit like that.”
“Bri and—”
“Cin, I don’t give a fuck. I’ve been in the limelight long enough to learn to ignore shit like that. You need to be prepared.”
“For what?”
“You’ve been branded as my girlfriend.”
“Am I?”
He continues as if I hadn’t asked the question. “You’ll start noticing people gawking at you, whispering, pointing, and taking pictures. The paparazzi may even start following you.”
He laughs at my horrified expression.
“You’ll get used to it. Don’t let it bother you.”
“That’s easy for you to say.”
“Soon it’ll become a normal part of your day.”
“If you say so.”
“When was the last time you saw Adrian?”
There’s no way he could possibly know I saw him last night.
“Where did that question come from?” I ask, not meeting his gaze.
“Don’t fucking play with me. Answer the damn question.”
“I haven’t seen Adrian since the day I ended it with him.” I shouldn’t have lied, but he’ll blow my seeing Adrian last night way out of proportion.
“Are you lying to me?”
“No.”
“Look at me.”
Unwillingly, I turn to face him.
“Are. You. Lying. To. Me?”
“I saw him last night,” I blurt.
His knuckles turn white as his hands tighten on the steering wheel. “Did you fuck him?”
“No, I swear. He came to Anneli’s apartment with her boyfriend, but I left right away.”
“Did he touch you?”
“Art—”
“Answer me!” he booms.
“He kissed me.”
He punches the dashboard. “Did you kiss him back?”
I shake my head.
“Did you like it?”
“No, I only want you.”
“What did you do when he kissed you?”
“I pushed him away.”
Art is a lot calmer than I thought he’d be upon hearing this, which scares me.
“He’ll be dealt with later.”
“Please don’t do anything stupid.”
“You’ll be dealt with too, for lying to me.”
“I was afraid of your reaction.”
“Now you can be afraid of the consequences.”
When Art Falls Page 11
