by Mia Madison
I drew my face in a playful expression. “Ooh la la.”
“Yes, bish!” she smirked. “And when I get my card—he’s adding me as an authorized user—I get to spend whatever I want to plan the wedding.”
“When is it?”
“Exactly one year from now,” she said. “I want it to line up perfectly with the renewal of our vows. Ready to go virginity shopping, Maid of Honor?”
My heart beat excitedly and I jumped off the couch at the news. “What?! Hell yeah! Let’s go!”
Nick
After Dilayla left, I took my phone off airplane mode. True, I didn’t have a girlfriend, but I’d been curving—or ignoring—other women ever since we met.
Trinity’s name covered my screen. She was the girl I hung out with at King of Diamonds before Dilayla walked onto the scene. She was a little friend of mine, but we weren’t on the same page.
Trinity was gorgeous, Japanese and black, petite and very curvy. She was also a business owner. She owned a beauty salon in downtown Miami, and did local celebrities and dancers’ hair.
The problem with Trinity was that she had three kids with two different men. Both men were extremely jealous, and they played a lot of games with her child support and her children’s well-being. These weren’t broke men by any means, but their basic attitude was, “If I can’t have you, I’ll make your life a living hell.”
I’d bailed Trinity out of situations several times in our two-plus years of friendship, but it became clear there wasn’t anything for us to build when she had two men who refused to let go.
I didn’t prefer to date women with kids, but I still gave them the opportunity. It was women with kids whose fathers came with drama that turned me off.
Trinity knew how I felt. I cared for Trinity deeply as a friend and a woman, but these feelings weren’t romantic. They couldn’t be. There was too much craziness involved with her exes. Yet she refused to listen. The more I told her, the more ignorant and resistant she became. Beauty and brains were a hard combination to turn down, but when I thought of the headache a life with her would have, it wasn’t impossible.
Where have you been? Why aren’t you answering the phone? What’s up with you lately? Hello. Hello. Hello.
I scrolled through all of her messages, and then clicked the voice note she sent.
Nick… I don’t know why you keep playing. I’m trying to reach you. I know you ain’t got your phone turned off cause you’re out there entertaining some thot… Call me back. I need your advice.
I sighed. Whatever it was, it could wait. I didn’t have the energy to blow my high with another round of Trinity’s typical baby-daddy drama.
I looked at Dilayla’s text chain, opening it to take a look at her pictures. Beautiful women crossed my path every day. This is Miami after all. But there’s a difference between beauty that’s skin deep, and beauty that seems to be otherworldly.
Dilayla was five feet three, with deep-caramel skin, super curves for days, and long, black, curly hair. It danced down her back in defined licorice spirals and stopped just above her ass. And as an ass man, let me tell you she had one of the sexiest asses I’d ever seen. It was large, round, and poked out just right. A real onion booty that would make a man cry—and it was million percent real. That was beauty for me in a world of Brazilian Butt Lifts.
The first thing that caught my attention about her? Pretty almond-shaped eyes that seemed dreamy yet missed nothing. She had an innocent gaze that made her seem more like a pouty angel than vicious woman.
Kenny had just brought her and Raquel to our VIP, and I couldn’t help but drop everything and turn to her. Trinity was there with her friends, but nothing was happening.
Sitting between Trinity and Dilayla was imperative. I knew Trinity felt like being catty. Her plans were to seduce me with her friends and have a good time that night.
Being covered in the wet, orgasmic juices of three beautiful women sounded like a good time for most men. I couldn’t lie, I was interested but I hadn’t slept with Trinity in over six months. Her baby daddy tried to kick down the door the last time he caught wind of us together. Since then, I just couldn’t do it.
That’s why, when Trinity and her friends became disrespectful to Dilayla, I dismissed them. I didn’t have time for the drama or cattiness, especially when I made it clear we would no longer pursue anything romantic or sexual. We had an intellectual and emotional bond, but I couldn’t take it further if I wanted my sanity in check.
Dilayla was reserved, but it didn’t stop me. Her feisty, playful side came up when we started discussing football. She was a real fan of the game, even though it’s only been something she’d been into the last three to four years.
She didn’t remember my career at all, but I didn’t blame her. I was a good player, but that was over six years ago. To be honest, the Miami Dolphins aren’t known for winning games or going to Super Bowls, so despite my love for the game, I didn’t have a memorable streak either. It may have been different if I was on the Patriots, the Broncos—even the damn Falcons.
We bonded over travel and basketball too. She told me she worked for the Miami Heat, and therefore got tickets to games.
“I’m a season ticket holder,” I said. “I sit court side. We should link up sometime and watch the games.”
“That sounds dope.” Her smile widened. “Employee tickets are kind of corny anyway. I usually give them to my brother.”
Before the end of the night, it felt like I was talking to one of my best friends, except this best friend was stunning.
That’s how we ended up in bed together, cuddling without sex. I was more excited to spend time in her presence than I was at the fantasy of sleeping with her.
Her office was a few miles away, and she was off after lunch, so I invited her over. Nothing crazy, just to hang out and watch a movie. We could’ve caught dinner or ordered in afterward.
Even though she’d just left work, Dilayla arrived dressed in hot shorts and a tank with no bra. That let me know she was down for more. It was a fight, but I didn’t take it there with her. About an hour into the movie, she yawned and I simply brought her to my room. We didn’t do anything, just laid down together. It was the middle of the day, but it was a balmy, breezy day that was perfect for chilling.
Something about falling asleep next to her was soothing, and I was out like a lightbulb myself. I floated naturally, on a cloud of bliss, and I couldn’t help but feel the intoxication of her lazy smile as she woke from her slumber.
Everything was cool, and then her phone went off. That’s when we found out our best friends, Raquel and Kenny, had gotten married.
Raquel was beautiful, the epitome of bad and boujee. She and Dilayla were both enticing, so the shock we felt wasn’t because she wasn’t his type. I was just caught off-guard by how rapidly their connection evolved. Kenny never rushed into relationships. He guarded his heart as much as I did, maybe even more, especially because he knew the life-altering decisions they could come with.
Entering a relationship wasn’t on my mind until I met Dilayla. I was a playboy; I enjoyed the company of plenty of women, most of whom wanted to live fast and blow cash. We lived for the exchange for memories we could rejoice in when we were old and in rocking chairs. There was nothing comfy or relatable beyond flash and fun.
But Dilayla’s energy was different. The connection I felt with her and the way we just flowed together had my nose open. Dilayla gave me a sugar rush, I wanted to stay up under her. I didn’t know what it was about her… but she was fuckin’ stellar.
“I’m going to celebrate with her!” Dilayla proposed, looking for her shoes. We chatted briefly about hanging out later that weekend, because it was Friday evening. There was a lot that needed to be celebrated over the next few days, and tonight I had to grab Kenny and Dom and get some answers.
“Are you gonna get some girls from KoD to come through? I can get Morelli?” Dilayla asked. “I told you Morelli’s my cousin, right?”
I winced internally. Morelli was fire, but she was no longer allowed to be on my hit list. Of the two, I wanted Dilayla more, and I didn’t need those problems.
“I don’t know… that’s your cousin.”
Dilayla made a flirty face at me. “We met at the strip club, dude. She’s a dancer, and she makes her money dancing. I can’t hold it against you. Besides, you’d be supporting my family.”
It’s a little crazy hearing a girl actually recommend another girl she knows for entertainment, especially adult entertainment. I resisted, because truth be told, I didn’t want any issues, but Dilayla insisted she could get Morelli and a few of her friends to come through.
“Hey, it’s cooler to have them come perform for a few stacks guaranteed than it is to be in that crazy Friday crowd,” she argued. “Pay my cousin a good five stacks, pay the other girls two or three, order pizza, and put up a show.”
“Do you see a pole in my house?” I said, snickering.
She shrugged. “You have flat ceilings. Strippers travel with their own poles.” She stopped in the living room and pointed. “Right here, I bet there’s a beam. All they need is their stud finder and the show’s fucking amazing.”
“You know, you are so different from most women.” I couldn’t help but look at her in playful awe. “Most women wouldn’t dream of helping a man look at other women.”
“Well, one, Morelli is my cousin. Two, I think women are beautiful works of art, especially when they dance. And three, I’m getting pole lessons.” She smiled a delicious, wicked smile. “Tell you what? You get a pole, and there’s a solid chance I might come over and use it for a little while.”
“Oh?” I said. I leaned my arm over her as she lay against my front door. “I guess I’ll need to have my racks ready. Make it rain all over your pretty ass.”
She gave me a sultry look, one that let me know she was down for the experience. She looked down and giggled at the way her statement made my dick jump. My dick was getting brick through my grey sweats, but I couldn’t help it. Dilayla was ethereal without the tricks and gimmicks, but the idea of her putting on a show for me alone? Heaven on Earth.
And I would definitely have racks—thousands of dollars in singles—ready in case she wanted to explore that experience.
She narrowed those innocent eyes and hissed lightly, teasing me before she leaned forward, kissed me on the cheek, and smiled. “Text me later, hun!”
I watched her saunter down the hall, switching that gorgeous ass. When she entered the elevator, I texted the guys, determined to meet. We needed to have our shotgun bachelor party, one that matched this shotgun marriage that happened.
The guys agreed to come over by eight p.m.. I just had to text the entertainment. It should’ve been tough, attempting to get dancers, but Dilayla had already contacted her cousin. Morelli was eager to perform, and the price was right. I knew she would easily make the five thousand dollars Dilayla demanded for her and more. Kenny, Dom, and I were anything but stingy with our entertainment.
I grabbed my keys to finish my errands before the evening started. I needed beer, and some more of that Rinaldi wine Dilayla brought over. I wanted to make sure she was comfortable whenever she visited. Today couldn’t be the only time.
Pizza and wine with her would be amazing. In my mind, I could still hear her squealing with delight over her best friend’s shotgun marriage. I recalled the cheerful manner in which her brown eyes widened, the way happiness spread throughout her being. Those memories forced my heart open. I couldn’t help but think about how often I could make her smile like that. Warm and serene.
And in the back of my mind, the craziest question came to my head. If Kenny could settle down… why can’t I?
Kenny, Dom, and I met up at my condo almost an hour after Dilayla had left.
“Congratulations, bro!” I congratulated him.
“Thanks man,” he said, giving us fist bumps and hugs.
“What the fuck happened?” Dom asked. “You literally met her last week, and now you’re married.
“Well, there you go,” Kenny said. “You know ‘what the fuck happened.’”
“Just like that?” Dom inquired. “Did you even get a pre-nup?”
Kenny shook his head, lazily, which forced Dom to groan. Dom was our accountant, and well paid. His number one priority was making sure we managed our finances decently.
“You have too many assets to just marry her without a pre-nup. After a week?!” I could hear the frustration and disbelief. Dom’s heart nearly pounded from his chest.
“There’s nothing to worry about, man.” Kenny shook his head, still smiling that crazy ass smile. “When it’s real, you just know. She’s real. There’s no need to even… I’m good, man.”
Dom and I looked at each other. Kenny was definitely in love. It was in his smile, the way he fingered his diamond wedding band, the relaxed manner in which he carried himself… and ultimately in the fact that he didn’t even see the need to sit with his lawyer, his financial advisor, and Dom to iron out his prenuptial agreement.
“You’d better hope nothing happens,” Dom said. He looked sullen and disappointed.
“We’ll be fine, man,” Kenny said. “She’s told me she’s okay with a post-nup. I just needed to marry her.”
“What made you realize she was wifey?” I had to ask. This was so unlike Kenny, but he was so at peace. He even looked different.
“I don’t know if I can put it into words, man.” He blew air through his lips, contemplating my question. A dreamy look covered his face, and I swore I almost saw hearts orbiting around his head.
“You need to try. I gotta know something,” I pressed. I wondered whether or not these new feelings emerging around Dilayla were normal, or the sign I was just going crazy.
“Man, I can give you a sonnet about how I knew she was the One, but the truth is, when you know, you just know.” He shrugged with his arms behind his head. “From the moment I saw her, there was this undeniable spark to her. She wasn’t afraid to be herself. She wasn’t looking for anything but a strong connection. And our chemistry was explosive. I wanted her from the moment I saw her, and when I realized that dude she was waiting on would really stand her up, I decided she was mine for the taking.”
“You’re talking crazy,” I said. “That pussy must have been good.”
“Aye,” Kenny warned. “Raquel’s not a gold digger, nor is she a piece of ass. She’s not Angela, or Michelle, or any of these women I’ve dealt with before. She’s my wife. Respect her as such.”
His tone was casual but the solidity of his words let Dom and me know he was stone serious.
“My apologies, bro.” I held up my hands in surrender. “I didn’t mean to be disrespectful. We just usually talk about this.”
“Yeah, I get it, but still.” Dom and I nodded in understanding when Kenny dropped the bomb.
“We haven’t had sex yet.”
“What?” Dom and I looked at him like he was crazy.
“She’s a virgin,” Kenny explained. “Our first time will be tonight. Hopefully.”
“Hopefully?” I asked.
He shrugged. “I don’t want to push her. That’s big for a woman. I married her for the peace she brings me, not for what’s between her legs. Though I’ll admit…” His knees opened and closed with excited anticipation. “…I’m sure it’s priceless in there.”
That confession left Dom and me speechless. I ran my hand over my curls and shook my head.
“So Dilayla’s cousin is available for our bachelor party tonight,” I said. “She has two other dancers who can come through. You down?”
“Who’s her cousin?” Dom asked.
“Morelli.”
Dom’s eyes transformed from curious to instant adoration. In a flash, he returned to a neutral expression, but I’d seen enough to know Morelli had his instant approval. Dom was shy and cautious; he didn’t think he had what it took to land a real beauty who genuinely liked him. I
think it’d become a secret bucket list goal of mine to find him a gorgeous woman who was all about him. After I found one for me of course.
“A private party though? K’s already married. Why can’t we just go to the strip club?”
“For what? It’s a celebration. Why would we pack ourselves in VIP again, like it’s any other day?” I spelled it out for him. “We can get pizza, wings, beer, and kick back with live, lovely entertainment without the craziness of a regular strip club experience. Besides, I got it covered.”
“I’m trying to make love to my wife tonight,” Kenny said. “I don’t think she’d appreciate me coming home with stripper sweat and glitter all over my body.”
“Invite her,” I said. “Have her bring Dilayla. We met them at the club, right? It can be a joint bachelor party.”
“Oh, so you both get to have women, and I’m the odd man out, looking lonely with a bunch of singles?”
“Why must you be such a mood killer, bro?” I rolled my eyes. Dom was being so damn woe-is-me dramatic. “Having women makes it a more fun environment, and since Kenny and Raquel are one, they can party together. Dilayla is her best friend and the dancer’s cousin. It’s not that serious. Unless you want me to find someone for you?”
“Ugh, no,” Dom spat. “I don’t want any of your damn leftovers.”
I snickered, because he was right. I would have had to call something old and irrelevant just to keep him company.
“Hmmm,” Kenny said. He pulled out his phone and called Raquel. She answered immediately, and he asked, “Babe, Nick’s throwing us a joint bachelor party tonight. You can bring Dilayla. You down?”
I watched the smile spread over his face as he listened to her talk. She must’ve told him to enjoy himself, because he said, “Nah, I don’t want nobody else but you. If you’re not coming, I’m not doing it.” I knew then that he was in love, and there wasn’t any going back.
“Raquel, say yes!” I shouted. “Please! Bring Dilayla!”
