What Lies Between The Sheets

by Yusuf Al-Rahman

  As soon as she walked away, our waitress came to take my order, and I wished she were on the menu.

  Oozing sex appeal, she shifted her weight to the left and licked her lips. “May I take your order sir?”

  “Thank you but I am going to wait until my date comes back.”

  “Such a gentleman; well just wave your hand and let me know when you’re ready.”

  “I’ll do that, thank you…”

  “Vanessa.”

  “Thank you Vanessa.”

  Women are strangely attracted to a man who is with another woman. I wondered if it is some type of pheromone radiating off of Monica that is sending signals of a ‘good mate’ to Vanessa. As soon as Monica returned, we ordered and began to converse.

  “Are you sure your husband isn’t going to just pop up here?”

  “He hates Japanese food, and he is away on a business trip with his staff and secretary.”

  “Enough said.”

  This was the start of a beautiful evening, and although I was having a really good time I still couldn’t get Sasha off my mind. I was feeling guilty because she probably wouldn’t have done something like this to me.

  “Are you okay? You seem to have zoned out for a second.”

  “I’m okay. I just realized that I had a meeting tonight and I can’t be late.”

  “Wait a second, the night is young so you can’t leave yet unless you really want to.” Monica traced my palm with her fingers which sent a tingling sensation through my body.

  The offer was very tempting; after dinner I gave Monica my three-point kiss; her left and right cheek, then her forehead. I walked outside to the front and flagged down a cab. The moment I reached for the door and opened it; someone pushed me into the cab. I turned around and realized it was Monica.

  “Monica!”

  “I’m sorry did I scare you?”

  “Hell no, but had my reflexes kicked in it may have been a different story.”

  “Aww, I’m sorry.” Laughing she settled into the backseat with me. “I just haven’t had this much fun in a while.”

  “Destination please!”

  “Take me towards...”

  Monica interrupted, “60th and Park Avenue please. Thank you.”

  Glancing at her smiling I realized I was in trouble. I was going to be real late getting to Sasha’s house. The funny thing was; I started not to care. As the cab continued on to Park Avenue, Monica and I begin christening the rear seat with aggressive kissing. It wasn’t love but lust, passion, and desire. It had been too long since I had touched, let along kissed a woman; it was becoming very hard for me to contain myself; literally. We arrived at our destination and Monica guided me into the elevator past the doorman, and pressed the button for the top floor.

  As soon as we walked in, the luxury stunned me. The penthouse was so big that you could probably put my moderate apartment in the living room and still have ample space. She pressed a button on a remote the size of a PSP and songs from Maxwell filled the house. One thing led to another and I began to unbutton her blouse as she did the same to my shirt, until eventually we were both completely nude. As my hands slowly caressed her body, the electricity that sparked between us seemed to ignite a fire that had been pinned up inside both of us for far too long.

  We made love in every room. The scent of our desires lingered throughout the air.

  “I really needed that. Thank you.”

  I was somewhat out of breath but sexually satisfied, “The pleasure was all mine, believe me!”

  After the prolonged period of euphoria began to dissipate, I started to feel guilty because I was supposed to be at Sasha’s house. After quickly putting on my clothes, I prepared to leave. “Monica, I hate to leave but I’m late for a meeting.”

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t know you really had to go.”

  “It’s not your fault, I didn’t exactly protest either.”

  “Okay, well just call me next week or something so we can get together again; that’s if you have the time.”

  I stared back at her and before I could speak she voiced my thoughts.

  “I’m a straight forward woman and if you feel like this type of friendship is not good for you, I will understand. I know I’m married and everything so if…”

  I interrupted her with a soft kiss on her lips to calm her and close out the evening. “Don’t worry. I’ll call you soon, good night and sweet dreams.”

  “Sweet dreams to you too.”

  At the moment, I didn’t know if I was becoming a character out of a typical urban novel. This newfound, uninhibited, attitude was dangerous but powerful because it made me feel confident and invincible like nothing could faze me. I saw myself starting to become a habitual liar.

  Moments later, the familiar feeling of guilt overwhelmed me as I made my way towards Sasha’s door. After two deep breaths, I knocked and waited to see if she would open it. The door opened and there she stood in a silk robe.

  “Hey.”

  “Sorry I’m so late. I completely lost track of time earlier and I should have called.” The story was a half truth to see how she would respond.

  “It’s cool, I figured you lost track of time or something, so I put the movies away and fell asleep on the couch.” What a relief, Sasha wasn’t too upset. She stepped away from the door and allowed me to follow her into the house.

  “Would you like some coffee or something?”

  “How about some tea?”

  “I could do that.”

  “So how did your evening go?”

  “It was okay, it was a nice turn out.”

  “Really? That’s cool. So what did you do? Did you meet any new people?”

  Women can be so persistent, so I decided to just tell the truth to see what would happen. At this point in our friendship, I realized it was a gamble because Sasha could very well become angry with me for lying or simply respect the fact that I told her the truth and forget the whole thing.

  “Sasha I have to be real with you.”

  “What’s the matter?”

  “There are some things that I left out of my story about being so late.”

  “What are you trying to say…you lied to me?” Sasha set the tea cups down on the counter and waited for me to respond.

  “Not exactly, there are just some things that I neglected to mention.”

  Sasha was silent as she began to stir honey into her tea.

  “I met a girl earlier this week and we went out tonight then…” Sasha giggles and interrupts, “You know, ever since I met you, you have been nothing but nice to me. If you have a date or something just communicate with a sister. Friendship is built upon communication and trust.”

  “I trust you.”

  “So why didn’t you tell me?”

  “I was just looking out for your feelings.”

  “I can take a lot of things, that’s what true women represent…strength.”

  “I hear that.”

  “The only thing I can’t easily forgive is a dishonest person.” Her words cut like a knife because I was once in her shoes, and I knew what she was talking about. The surprising thing was she was so kind, it was killing me inside. She took me by the hand and said, “I am your friend, and I appreciate you so promise me you will always tell me the truth.”

  “I promise Sasha I will.”

  “Thank you. That’s all I ask for.” She embraced me and gave me the most affectionate hug. I realized that I could tell her almost anything and she would always be in my corner. This was the start of something beautiful.

  The next morning was a gorgeous Saturday and my boys and I were in the middle of a basketball game. I had just spent the night having sex with a wealthy beautiful woman and gained an even closer friend in Sasha. I felt like I was in control of everything in my life.

  “Hustle, pass the ball around because they’re bussing our asses right now,” yells Eli.

  “Don’t worry, I got this.” I take an ill-advised jump shot that wa
s way off and overshot the basket.

  “What are you doing?” Yells Aaron.

  “My bad guys.”

  The other team quickly checks the ball in. At half court I see a lazy pass, steal it, and I’m off full speed down the other end of the court. I dunk the ball in the net and come down way too hard on my foot.

  “Ah…shit!” Everyone runs toward me cradling my leg.

  “You okay?” said Aaron as he pulls me back onto my feet.

  “Ouch! I think I just sprained it but I’m cool.”

  Another player from the other team looked at my foot and recognized that it was swelling aggressively and said, “I had the same thing happen to me last year and I went home thinking it was only a bad sprain. Two weeks later X rays revealed a fracture.”

  “Damn, then I better go to the hospital just to make sure everything is okay.”

  “Hope you feel better man.”

  “Thanks.”

  The game was postponed even though technically they spanked us.

  Later at the emergency room, Aaron and I realized we might be there longer than anticipated. My foot was starting to throb, and I became a little impatient.

  “What the hell is taking so long man?”

  “Easy, the E.R. is one of the slowest places on earth. It’s like calling the police in the hood or the DMV any day of the week.”

  “I hear that but my foot is killing me man.”

  “Just put it up on one of those chairs.”

  “You’re right man that does feel a little better.”

  “So, tell me something man; how have you been lately?”

  “What do you mean?” “

  A brother has been incog-negro for a while and I just want to make sure you’re cool with all the shit that has been going on.”

  “I’m cool, actually I met this chic the other day named Monica and we had dinner together last night.”

  “That’s what’s up, but what happened to that other girl that you were supposedly head over heels for...What’s her name?”

  “Sasha.”

  “Yeah Sasha, I thought that was you player.”

  “Ah, we still talk but we’re just friends.”

  “What about Charmaine? You know she still loves you.”

  “That’s all good but I don’t think we would make a good match.”

  “Why?”

  “Well she is a party girl. Don’t get me wrong because I go out now and again, but not three days a week.”

  “Well, you have to remember her life keeps her constantly on the go so she tries to find fun anyway she can.”

  “And long term things don’t fly with her.”

  “True.”

  “That’s why I can’t be with her Aaron. It would be like a constant roller coaster all over again and I promised myself never to do that shit again.”

  As soon as I finish my sentence, my name is called, “Mr. Styles!”

  “Here! Come on Aaron.” As we walked into the triage my mouth falls open as I exchange glances with the nurse.

  “Have a seat over here Mr. Styles.”

  “Okay.”

  “So you hurt your ankle?”

  “Yes.”

  “How did it happen?”

  “We were playing basketball and I came down wrong on my foot after a dunk.”

  “Okay, the only way to determine if it is broken is by X ray but I will gently palpate your ankle.”

  “Do what you do best.”

  “Can I remove your socks?”

  “Sure.”

  This nurse had the warmest and softest hands I’d ever felt. I began to wonder how soft the rest of her body was.

  “You have a beautiful accent miss.”

  “My name is Imani.”

  “Imani, Nice name.”

  “Thank you Mr. Styles.”

  “So where are you from?”

  “Brazil.”

  “I heard it’s really beautiful; I plan to go there someday to see for myself.”

  “Really? What’s been stopping you?”

  “Time.”

  “That’s sad I hope you find time.” She focused her attention back on my ankle. “It seems to be swollen pretty bad Mr. Styles.”

  Aaron stands in the background just watching as I ran game on the nurse.

  “Thank you, it was very nice to meet you, maybe we’ll see each other around sometime?”

  “Maybe. You never know right?”

  “Take it easy.”

  Aaron whispers in my ear, “why didn’t you try to get the digits?”

  “Easy, I have a strategy.”

  One hour later, I am finished and we made our way to the main exit. The result of the exam revealed no fracture but a bad sprain that is just as painful as a break. The gel cast and crutches were really going to slow me down a bit, then I thought that maybe I could use it as an advantage for sympathy.

  “Hey Aaron, wait a second.”

  “What’s up, you still in a lot of pain?”

  “Not really, I just forgot to go back and get the math from that nurse, Imani.”

  “Okay, do you want me to come with you or are you cool by yourself?”

  “Nah, I’m good, just meet me in the front with the whip.”

  I hopped off and went to the emergency room hoping that Imani was there. As I approach the triage station a nurse asks me, “Can I help you sir?”

  “Yes, I’m looking for a nurse. Her name is Imani.”

  “She’s in the back with another patient, but is there something I could help you with or would you like to leave a message for her?”

  “Actually, tell her Mr. Styles stopped by to say hello.”

  “Okay.”

  I walked out because it isn’t good to pursue someone that you just met. As I approach Aaron’s car a voice from behind called out to me, “Mr. Styles!”

  I could tell by the accent it was Imani; smiling I turned around and approached her. She met me halfway down the walkway.

  “You can call me Jamal.”

  “Well, my coworker told me you asked about me.”

  “Yes I did, and I see you came out here looking for me. You don’t think I know you’re stalking me? Keep it up and I might have to call your boss.”

  “So what did you need?”

  “I know the hospital is one of the strangest places to encounter people, but I wanted to know more about Brazil, Brazilian food, and most importantly you.”

  “Well why do you want to know more about me?”

  “I think you’re interesting, beautiful, and I know there is more that you can tell me about yourself. Plus, with you I have three of the things I want where as if it was someone else, I would only have two because you wouldn’t be there.” I chose my words carefully and I figured she was thinking two things about me; I was a player or just an interesting guy with a lot of charm.

  Imani smiled which was a good sign. “And what exactly would you want with me.”

  “Some walks, talks, and possible dinners to get to know you, nothing too serious. I figured you spend your days caring and looking after other people so it would be nice to have someone do the same for you.”

  She looked down at the ground, then over to me, “That sounds like a good thing but I have to be real with you; I have very little time because of my work schedule so I can possibly go out with you but no dates are written in stone.”

  Based on what she said I could almost assume that she had been hurt before due to her work schedule. To any other man looking for a serious relationship with a beautiful woman, that would pose a problem. Fortunately, her words were music to my ears because I wasn’t looking to get serious. My failed engagement had me evading everything resembling commitment.

  “I just want to take you out for dinner and see where it goes.”

  “Okay, I would like that.”

  “Here’s my card. Call me whenever you have the time.”

  “I have to go back inside, but I’ll call you.”

  “T
ake it easy when you go in there. Don’t let work mess up that beautiful smile of yours.”