* * *
Kendrick
I went through a range of emotions last night—lust, love, anger, regret, and helplessness were just a few of them. Waking up with Matisse in my arms helped with some of them, but I’m still a little unsettled. I know I need to do what she said, and just keep showing her I want her for her, just the way she is. I’m hoping the outfits I brought for her to choose from, along with the shoes I got at the flea market, will help with that.
“I got you a couple of choices,” I tell her, handing her the bag.
There’s a coral dress that dips low in front and has a halter top, exposing most of her back. It has a short flirty skirt that should hit her around mid-thigh. The other outfit is a light blue romper. It’s also sleeveless, with a ruffled “v” in front and back, and the shorts will barely cover her ass. I even got her a lacy thong, and those little pads that will cover her nipples—I called Stella to ask, since neither outfit will allow for a bra.
“Do I have shoes?” she asks, looking inside.
“Yes, but those are a surprise.”
“Okay, Dr. Mysterious,” she tells me, grabbing her toiletries and Chucks as I follow her out of the tent.
We split up again, and I clean up my beard a little after washing up. I’ve got on a t-shirt and another pair of cargo shorts, along with my favorite leather thong sandals. If I want her to be herself, then I need to dress how I’m most comfortable, too.
I’m waiting for her when she comes out in the romper. Her ass is peeking out, most of her tattoos are on display, and her makeup is perfect. The smile on her face tells me she’s happy with my choices.
“I love them both, so I decided I could change into the dress for dinner later, if that’s okay.”
“Whatever you want. They’re yours.”
“Thank you. Just…thank you. No guy I’ve ever dated has bought me clothes before.”
“It was my pleasure,” I tell her as I take her hand to walk her back to the tent.
I’m giving a wide berth to the other couples, who are still looking at us like they want us for dinner—or in this case, breakfast. Once we’ve packed up all of our stuff in the tent, I tell Matisse to close her eyes while I take her shoes out of the bag.
“Can I open them now?”
“Yes.”
She blinks a few times, and then launches herself into my arms. I catch her up in my arms as she wraps her legs around my waist and locks her lips with mine. “Care Bears. You got me fucking Care Bear heels.”
“I saw the little animals all over your apartment, and then the girl at the flea market had them in your size.” They are mostly pink with the logo, bears, rainbows and clouds all over them.
“You are so getting your cock sucked sometime today.”
“If you insist,” I tell her with a laugh.
“Oh, I do.”
I keep her in my arms as I reach down to grab our bags and walk out into the zoo. I have one arm under her ass so the others don’t get much of a show before I set her in her chair for breakfast. While we eat, the zoo workers take down the tents, getting ready for the park to open.
“I should take the bags to the car before we walk around. Will you be okay?”
“I’ve only been taught five different ways to kill a person with my bare hands so far, but I think I’m good.”
“Smartass.”
“You love me.”
“I do. I’ll be right back.”
I run the bags out, and bypass the lines to get back in. Matisse rolls her eyes at me as I approach her and the couple at her side. “We’re still saying no, but thanks again for the offer.”
“We’d be up for anything, and I can tell you would be, too,” the guy says, reaching for her. She grabs his hand and twists, bringing him to his knees. He’s turned on, and not repulsed by it, which means I need to step in.
“No means no,” I remind him, pulling Matisse to me as she flips him off.
“I need to apologize again for this group,” I tell her as we walk towards those pandas she loves so much.
“You more than made up for it last night, and there will always be assholes who think I’m easy.”
“Easy is not a word I would ever use to describe you.”
“Choose your words carefully, Doc.”
“Smart, funny, sexy, gorgeous, hot, delicious, sarcastic, compassionate, loyal, honorable. I could keep going, but I think you get the point.”
She jerks me back when she stops, because our hands our linked. “You really do love me.”
“I really, really do.”
“I love you so much, too.”
“That’s all I could ever ask for,” I tell her, taking her into my arms once again.
After seeing the pandas again, we go to the gift shop, where she goes a little crazy over everything. I insist on buying whatever she wants, and I’m not sure if I can fit anything else in my rental car once we’re loaded up. I don’t mind being a little squished, because the smile on her face is worth it.
Chapter 15
Matisse
A trip to my hometown wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the National Mall. Kendrick has never been here, so we wander through all the monuments. I’m playing tourist, so I agree to the selfies he wants with me. Honestly, I’d probably agree to anything he asked me for at this point.
We don’t have time to see everything, but I know he wants to see some of the museums. I take him to the National Museum of African Art first. “This reminds me of my home,” he says, his accent more pronounced because of the emotion in his voice.
“I’d like to see your home.”
“I’ll take you there. One day.” There’s more that he’s not saying, but I don’t push him. He’ll tell me when he’s ready, or at least I hope he will.
I’m walking around the gift shop, picking up some jewelry and scarves for myself and my friends, when I see him standing in front of a beautiful sculpture. He reaches out as though he wants to touch it, but then puts his hand back. I place my chin on his shoulder as I look at it.
“I’m buying you that for your apartment.”
“What? No. It’s too expensive. I don’t need it.”
“I don’t need all of that panda stuff you bought me at the zoo, either. Let me do this for you, Kendrick.”
“Thank you,” he says, taking my hand from his waist to kiss it lightly.
I take him to the American History Museum next, hoping to lighten his mood a little. He does smile more here, looking at all of the artifacts and memorabilia on display. I can still see that the other museum is haunting him, though, and I don’t know what to do.
We skip the gift shop here, and walk back out into the sun. “Are you hungry?” I ask.
“I could eat,” he tells me.
I lead him to the National Museum of the American Indian, which in my opinion is one of the coolest looking buildings here. The exhibits are also amazing, but I don’t think either one of us is in the mood for that right now, and that’s not why I came here. The cafe here is one of the best I’ve ever been to.
“A food court?”
“The best food court you’ll ever go to. I guarantee it.”
“Show me what to get?”
“Of course. Do you want to share?”
“I’d love to.”
We walk around, loading our trays with fry bread tacos, salmon, sweet potato donuts, lamb stew on rice, and some guava tapioca for dessert. A table by the waterfall opens up, and I snag it, sitting down on one side, and hoping Kendrick will sit next to me, which he doesn’t. We don’t say much as we eat; although Kendrick seems to be enjoying everything.
I want to say something, or apologize for bringing up whatever bad memories he’s remembering, but I hold my tongue. I feel pressure on my hand as I look down at my plate. I look up and meet his eyes, which are filled with both love and regret. “I’m sorry, Matisse. The museum made me homesick, and I’m not handling it well.”
“Why don’t you go back
and visit? I’m sure Reina would give you time off if you ask to go between missions.”
“Sometimes, going home isn’t as easy as getting on a plane.”
“I don’t suppose you want to talk about it?”
“I do, but right now is not the time—or place. What I’d really like is to finish this wonderful meal with my amazing girlfriend, and then go see some roller derby. I know you came here to see your brother, and I’ve been monopolizing your time.”
“I would love to spend the rest of the day with both of you if that’s really okay.”
“It’s more than okay,” he tells me, looking at me with eyes full of love. “Now, can I have a bite of that tapioca, or are you going to hoard it all for yourself?”
“I might be persuaded to share some.”
“I’m willing to barter. What have I got that you want?”
I crook my finger so he moves in closer. He leans over, trying not to get any food on him, before he gives up, and comes around to sit next to me. I scoop up some pudding on my spoon and hold it out to him. “That right there earned you a bite.”
“I should’ve been sitting here all along.”
“Yes, you should’ve.”
“What else would like, my love?”
“An IOU for that magical tongue of yours.”
“You don’t need one of those. Just get me alone, take of your clothes, and it’s a sure bet I’ll have my tongue on your body.”
“You’re so romantic,” I tell him with a laugh, feeding him another bite.
“You inspire me.”
We continue on like that, me feeding him the tapioca in between finishing off my other food. He eventually starts feeding me the donuts, with his arm around me while his thumb brushes my side boob. I could definitely get used to this.
* * *
Kendrick
I feel bad about almost ruining our day, and also for keeping Matisse from her brother, so I beg off of spending the rest of the afternoon with them. I also tell them to go to dinner without me, saying I’ll meet them at the rink before the first bout. I’m feeling out of sorts, and I need to straighten my head out before I see Matisse again, because I’ll be damned if I’m going to keep messing things up with her.
“Shouldn’t you be sexing up your woman?” Waverly asks me when she answers the phone.
“She’s visiting with her brother, which is why she’s here, after all.”
“Ah, he doesn’t like you. Who can blame him?”
“He likes me,” I insist.
“Then why are you calling me?”
“Matisse took me to the African art museum here, and I freaked out a little.”
“Because?”
“Even though you don’t miss our homeland, I do. You know that,” I remind her, letting my frustration show.
“I could go back, so you can too.”
“No. I won’t allow them to take you. You are more important than a country I left long ago, when I walked away from a family that was too selfish to protect either of us.”
“You gave up everything for me.”
“No, my friend. I’ve been given everything because of you. You’re the best friend a person could ever hope for. And now I have Matisse.”
“Maybe you could go back without me. You know, sneak in.”
“If they caught me, you’d be taken. I’ve been working with Reina on her training plan for torture, and even if they aren’t as talented as her, I would break. I hate myself for even saying it, but I would.”
“We’re back to square one then.”
“You still want to talk to Reina when I get back?”
“I think we have to.”
“No matter what happens, I’ll protect you to the death.”
“Since I’m technically your bodyguard, that should be the other way around.”
“You haven’t been my bodyguard for years, and we’ll save each other, just like we always have.”
“Matisse will save you, too, if you need it.”
“She already is,” I say, and then have to ask what I’ve been scared to. “You really think she’ll be okay with everything once she knows?”
“I think it’s going to be hard for her at first, because we’ve crafted our stories well, but once she hears it all, she’ll understand.”
“I hope you’re right.”
“Me, too.”
“Listen, I have to go and meet Matisse and her brother, so I better go. I’ll see you tomorrow night.”
“Night, Kenyi.”
“Night, Wave.”
I hang up with her, not feeling any better, but not really feeling worse, either. Jerking myself off in the shower takes a little of the edge off, too. Grabbing my keys, I head to the rink to see my girl.
As soon as I walk in, I see Matisse in the coral dress. She looks amazing as usual, and I can’t help but smile knowing I bought her that dress. My smile disappears when I notice how stiff her shoulders are, and then I see them. The bastard and his wife are sitting behind her, their mouths moving.
I run down the stairs, and reach them in time to hear him say, “Is your new guy married, too? Is that your kink, Matisse?”
I move down his aisle, pull him to his feet, and punch him so hard he falls onto the people in the row behind him. Blood is gushing from his broken nose, but I’m not done yet.
“Get up, you piece of shit.”
His wife screams as he looks at the blood like he doesn’t know where it came from. It came from me, and I’m planning on making him bleed some more. He finally gets it. “You hit me. You hit me!”
“Get up so I can do it again.”
“You’re crazy! He’s crazy!”
“What’s the matter, huh? You only like to mess with women? That’s all you know how to do—lie and cheat?”
“He didn’t lie!” his wife screams.
I advance on him, and he cracks. “Okay, so I lied about being married, but look at Matisse. She’s walking around in a dress like that, just asking for it,” he says as the people behind him dump him back onto his own bench.
“You lied?” he wife screeches. “How could you do that to me?”
She runs out, and he starts to go after her. I place my foot on his chest, and apply pressure as his eyes go wide. I’m not quite done with him yet.
“I bought her that dress, and she’s wearing it for me. I’m the one who’s going to ask her, and not assume she wants something just because she dresses the way she wants. Women’s clothes aren’t invitations.”
“She said yes to me. I didn’t rape her or anything.”
“You are one of the luckiest men on Earth because she wanted you. This smart, sexy, fiercely beautiful woman gave you everything, and only because you lied. I’m really thankful you’re a lying and cheating piece of scum, because now I have her, and I know what a treasure she is.”
“My wife is going to leave me.”
“That’s a shame, because from what I’ve seen, you two belong together.”
“Matisse,” he says looking behind me, “do you want to get back together?”
I wait because this is something I can’t answer for her. “Are you kidding me right now? Fuck no, I don’t want you,” she tells him. “Let him go, Doc. I already told you he wasn’t worth all of this.”
I turn to her then. “And I already told you that you are.”
She puts her hands on my face, and pulls me down to her, kissing me hard. I wrap my arms around her, lifting her onto the row with me as I kiss her back. “Thank you,” she tells me when we take a breath.
“I meant everything I said.”
“I know. That’s one of the things I love about you—I know I can count on you to speak up if you see something wrong.”
“It’s not in me to sit by and see injustice happen.”
“Careful, or Faith’s going to put you into service.”
“She’s tried. Believe me, she’s tried. Right now, I’m happy taking care of people.”
“W
hat you do is amazing, and I’ve been in awe of you for months. You already know that, though.”
“I hope you know I’ve been in awe of you all that time, as well.”
“I do now.”
“Hey, can you two take it somewhere else so we can get back to the bout?” Haring yells to us, but it’s not really a question. We both start laughing as we nod. “And good job taking care of my sister, man.”
“Come on, Doc. I have someplace I want to take you.”
Chapter 16
Matisse
I pride myself on being a strong, independent woman, but seeing Kendrick defend me like that was hot. Like, my panties went up in flames, hot. It wasn’t just the way he punched Bill, but also what he said about all women. He believes what he said, and his respect is more attractive than anything else about him.
I lead him out of the rink area and through the door into the men’s locker room. My brother insists on being all about equal opportunity, even though no guys have taken him up on the offer to start their own teams. This locker room doesn’t get used unless he needs a shower—or tonight, when I need to blow my boyfriend.
Locking the door, I push him against it and kiss him. That’s all we do for several minutes, his hands on my hips, and mine on his biceps. I love kissing him, but I want more. My mouth waters at the thought of more.
My lips are still on his when I start moving us backwards. When the backs of my knees hit a bench, I break the kiss and sit down, his crotch at the perfect level for what I want to do.
“You don’t have to do this,” he tells me.
“You didn’t have to do what you did last night.”
“I wanted to.”
“Exactly. I want to do this. You have no idea how much I want this.”
“I’d never deny you anything you want, Tees. I’m generous like that.”
I undo his shorts, and push them down to his knees. Leaning forward, I lick him through his briefs, before closing my mouth around him to suck gently. His hips jerk forward, making me smile. I use my hands on the side and my teeth on the middle, pulling his underwear down only far enough for him to pop free.
Society Girls: Matisse Page 11
