“I’ll call a doctor to come and look at it,” he said.
“Trust me,” I said, limping. “It’s not that serious. All I need is some ice and to elevate my foot for a while.”
When we made it back to my room, Raymond opened the door and we went inside. We made our way to the bedroom, where I plopped down on the bed. He got ice and a towel then kneeled down in front of me. He removed my tennis shoe and ankle socks. After holding my foot in his hand, he placed the cold, iced towel against my swollen ankle.
“You might need a doctor to take a look at this, Cydney.”
“I said no. The ice is fine.”
Raymond continued to hold the ice against my ankle. He reached for my other tennis shoe to remove it. I felt so cared for, and knowing that our minimal time together was running out, I reached out to touch his wavy hair.
“What are you doing, Cydney?” he asked, while moving his head away from my touch. Those panty-dropping green eyes were doing something to me.
“I…I, before I go, I want to satisfy your needs and mines.”
Raymond’s eyes shifted to my ankle, as he held it in his hand. He laid the towel on the floor and opened it. He then reached for a piece of ice.
“Are you positive that this is something you want to do?” he asked. “You’re not obligated to do anything. Just being with you these few days have truly been more than I could ever ask for.”
I didn’t hesitate to answer. “I’m more than sure about this. If I had any doubts, I wouldn’t do it.”
I pulled my tank shirt over my head. Raymond looked at my perky breasts filled in a Victoria’s Secret black lace bra. My nipples were erect and once I unsnapped the bra in the front, my breasts were clearly in his view. He leaned forward to kiss me—I’ll be damned if it wasn’t one hell of a kiss. His lips were soft and his tongue was light as it turned inside of my mouth. As we kissed, his hands cuffed my breasts. He removed my bra, pressed my breasts together and wet my nipples with the ice in his mouth. Getting more anxious for him, I reached down to the zipper on his shorts and unzipped them. He broke away from our kiss to take another glance at my breast. After wetting his lips with his tongue, he placed more ice cubes in his mouth. He leaned in again, causing me to scoot back on the bed. He laid over me and we both smiled as I watched him lower his mouth to my breasts again. The ice cubes, along with the coolness from his mouth, caused me to tremble. He sucked them so good and licked the melting water as it rolled down my sides. When the water rolled towards my belly button, his tongue followed the water that flowed in every direction.
Already, this man was making love to me. His touch was gentle. I hadn’t felt this way since Isaac and I stopped making love. I closed my eyes from the feeling. It was more than I could bear, especially when I felt Raymond easing down my shorts. Seconds later, I laid there in my thong, watching as Raymond got naked. The size of his package didn’t compare to Isaac’s, but I was positive that Raymond would do his best to please me. He held another piece of ice in his hand and shifted his eyes between my legs.
“If this gets too cold, let me know,” he said.
He put the ice cube back in his mouth and lowered his head. My thong remained on but he teased me with it on. I could feel his tongue and the cold ice pressing against my coochie lips. I wanted to feel more, so I reached for the string on my thong and pulled on it. Raymond helped to pull the thong away from my skin. He dove right back into me, from my front side to turning me over on my back side. The electrifying feeling made me crazy. So crazy that my toes curled and I started taking deep breaths. The heavier I breathed, Raymond’s licks, slurps and sips got more intense. And just when I was on the verge of coating his lips with my juices, he stopped. He wrapped my legs around his waist and positioned himself to enter me. Seconds later, I came. We indulged ourselves for at least an hour, and when all was said and done, Raymond allowed me to see what I had been missing.
We were drenched in our own sweat. The room was hot, but filled with steam. He was back on top and my legs were wrapped tightly around his waist. He looked down at me and kissed the tip of my nose.
“Don’t go,” he said, taking deep breaths. “You can’t just walk out of my life like this. I have to know…are you married? Are you a happily married woman?”
I searched into his eyes and paused for a long time before answering. “I…I’m married, but not happily married. I came here to get away from my husband. Please don’t make me talk about him right now, though. We can talk about him later, okay?”
He didn’t respond, so I laid my head on his chest, in deep thought. Yes, I wanted to stay, but I knew it was in my best interest to get back and put closure to my marriage. I told Raymond just that, and after continuously giving me reasons to stay, he finally said he understood and left well enough alone.
The sunlight coming through the room made me aware that it was time for me to go. Raymond was still asleep. I eased out of bed to take a shower and take care of my sore ankle. Before I did, I stood at the end of the bed, admiring the lower part of Raymond’s body covered in a white sheet. What a man, I thought. Why couldn’t I take him back to St. Louis and be done with it? Or why couldn’t I just stay here forever and never ever go back to the bullshit at home? Saddened by my departure, I slightly limped into the bathroom.
While in the shower, I couldn’t help but to shed some tears. A part of me felt guilty, and I was also saddened by my failed marriage. I knew going back home would mean arguing with Isaac and facing the fact that our marriage was over. We’d have to explain to our parents that things just didn’t work out and the thought of it tore at me. But ready to get it over with, I hurried to gather myself and dolled up my face with a touch of make-up. When I made my way back into the bedroom area, I saw that Raymond had left. I thought he’d gone into one of the other rooms, but when I checked those, there was no sight of him. Wondering where he’d gone, I went to the door and opened it. On the ground were some flowers and a card identical to the ones he’d given me several days ago. I picked up the card and flowers, and when I opened the card, it read: I’m not good with goodbyes. Have a safe trip back home, sweetheart. Our time together was precious and unforgettable. Love, Raymond.
I’d hoped to personally say goodbye to him, but I guess this was his way of not dealing with our departure. Maybe it was best this way, and after realizing that it was, I gathered my things and got dressed to go.
As soon as my plane touched down in the Lou, I dreaded getting off. Since I’d been gone, I’d deleted fifty-four messages from Isaac and twelve from Miguel. My mother had called three times and my mother-in-law called once. I figured Isaac had probably told them something, so before speaking to them, I wanted to see him first. No sooner had I got in my car at the airport and drove downtown to catch him at the police station, I spotted his truck at a BP gas station. I pulled my BMW next to his truck. When I looked inside, the truck was empty, but a car seat was in the back. I parked by a nearby pump, and as soon as I opened the door to go inside, Laquinta came out with her daughter resting on her hip. Laquinta had on a short and skimpy blue jean skirt and a jacket to match. Her weave was parted through the middle and it draped down the sides of her face, onto her shoulders. In ghetto fabulous form, she was headed for Isaac’s truck. She placed her daughter in the car seat and appeared to struggle with it. Wanting to get a closer look at her daughter, I stepped over to her and offered my help.
Laquinta turned in my direction. “It’s okay. I got it,” she said.
“Girl, trust me, it’s no problem. My baby’s car seat is so difficult, and besides, you have her facing the wrong way. The police will pull you over and ticket you for improperly seating your child.”
She chuckled and allowed me to help. “And to think, my husband is a police officer and he hasn’t said one word to me about her car seat,” she said.
I wanted to choke on my spit. Instead, I turned the car seat around, so that the little girl faced the seat. I buckled her in and got a good lo
ok at her. I couldn’t tell if she was Isaac’s child or not, but she really didn’t look like him. I didn’t know if it was me not wanting her to, or if she really didn’t have any of his features.
“There you go,” I said, smiling at the child. I looked at Laquinta. “You need to tell your husband that he should be ashamed of himself for not showing you this before. And, by the way, what did you say your name was?”
“Oh, I’m sorry. My name is Laquinta. My daughter’s name is Erica.”
“Nice to meet you, Laquinta. My husband is a police officer too. What’s your husband’s name? Maybe my husband knows yours.”
She scratched her head then spilled her words with pride. “Isaac Conley.”
My forehead wrinkled and I narrowed my eyes. “Are you sure? I thought Isaac Conley was married to someone else. I met his wife before. Did…did they recently get divorced or something?”
Laquinta panicked and reached for the gas pump to pump her gas. “I don’t know nothing about that. But thanks for your help.”
For the hell of it, I stepped up to her. “It’s a small world isn’t it, Laquinta? I’m Isaac’s wife, Cydney Conley. The last time I checked, we were still married. If it wasn’t for your child in the back seat, I’d take this truck and ram it up his ass for allowing you to drive it. However, I’m being awfully nice today, so when you see him, be sure to tell him that I’m home. How nice it was to finally meet you.”
She put her hand up near my face. “Whatever, lady. You need to take your issues up with your husband and not with me. He’s the one sniffing after my ass, so your gripes are falling on deaf ears.”
“Oh, you heard me. Loud and clear, especially when I tell you that child is not his. It’s been a pleasure seeing what kind of trash my husband has stooped to, and as a little advice, you need to introduce your daughter to her real father. Have a splendid day, Laquinta. Don’t forget to tell your, no my husband, what I said.”
She pursed her lips as she watched me get into my car and drive off the parking lot. Since chatting with her, I’d changed my mind about going to see Isaac. Instead, I drove to my office to see how much work I had to look forward to.
ISAAC
I was waiting for Laquinta to pick me up from the police station, but she was late. It wasn’t often that I let her use my truck, but since she had to take Erica to the doctor, I let her use it. That was way over three hours ago. She still hadn’t shown up. I was tired and ready to go home, and if she didn’t show up soon, I was going to let out my frustrations.
The moment I decided to take my police car home, she parked in front of the station. She smiled at me, as I yanked on the door to pull it open.
“Don’t ever ask to use my truck again?” I hissed. “Move over. I’m driving.”
She moved over and sat on the passenger’s side. “I was late because I took Erica to see her grandmother. My mother asked me to take her to the store. I couldn’t tell her no.”
I sped off with a continuous attitude. “But you can leave my ass standing out here waiting for you, right? Like I said, don’t ask to use my truck again. I’m tired, I had a long, rough day at work and I’m ready to go home.”
“I’m sorry, Boo,” she said, rubbing the side of my face. “You know I can always make it up to you later.”
“No thanks,” I said, removing her hand. “I’m not in the mood.”
Laquinta shrugged her shoulders. “So, are you dropping us off or are you staying with us?”
“I’m going home tonight. I need some rest. Besides, my dick hurt from fucking you so much.”
She laughed. “Naw, your dick hurt from making love to me and fucking all these other bitches in St. Louis. You might need to go get checked, if you know what I mean.”
“Woman, I will mess you up if you ever give me something. That wasn’t just a hint from you, was it?”
“Baby, I’m good. All good. Ain’t nobody tapping into this but Officer Isaac Conley. Besides, a woman doesn’t need nothing else as long as she got you, right?”
I smiled. “Why you over there trying to stroke my ego? We still ain’t fucking tonight, but tomorrow night you’d better be dressed in red.”
She laughed and so did I. When I yawned, I looked in my rearview mirror and noticed a car thick with thugs behind me. I stopped at the red light and they pulled up beside me. The driver lowered the window and yelled Laquinta’s name. She lowered the window.
“What’s up, Boo? Where you nigga’s headed?” she yelled.
“To go shoot some hoops.” He leaned forward and looked over at me. “Is that yo man?”
“Something like that,” she said. “Tell Jo-Jo to holla at me later. And don’t y’all hurt nobody tonight, alright?”
Before he could respond, when the light turned green, I drove off. The car sped up and paced beside me.
“Raise my window,” I said.
Laquinta hesitated, but she did it anyway. The brotha driving the car kept yelling her name and when he swerved over close to me, I slammed my foot on the brake. He stopped too, and quickly reacting, I pulled my truck over in front of him and got out. I had previously changed my police shirt, but still had on my pants and my holster was around my waist. As I approached the car, the driver’s eyes grew wide. I bent down to look inside of the car.
“Is there a motherfucking problem here?” I asked, showing them my badge.
“Naw, I was just trying to holla at ol’ girl.”
“It looked to me like you were trying to fuck up my truck. Why don’t all of y’all step out of the vehicle?”
As soon as I said that, frustration showed on their faces. The driver got out first, and when the other brother got out on the passenger’s side, the one in the back broke out running. I aimed my gun at the other three and dared them to run.
“I promise you, that if either of you run, I have no problem shooting first and taking names later! Now, get down on the ground!”
It was just my luck that another police officer was driving by. He turned his car around, and when I told him I needed back up, he called for it. I hated for a motherfucker to run. I wanted so badly to go after the fool who’d taken off. He was long gone and there was nothing I could do. The other officer called for back up and after the three fools were patted down and searched, one had a bag of marijuana in his pocket, another had some crack and a gun was found underneath the driver’s seat.
Laquinta had gotten out of the truck to see what was going on.
“Get back into the car and keep your eyes on Eric,” I yelled. “I’m almost done.”
She rolled her eyes, but did as she was told. If her stupid ass had not lowered my window, none of this would have happened. I was damn mad, especially since my work day was already over. By the time we wrapped things up, it was almost an hour and a half later. Once the tow truck came for the driver’s car, I got inside of my truck and slammed the door.
“I often wonder why I even fuck with you sometimes,” I said. “How stupid can you be, lowering my window, yelling out of it like some damn fool, while riding with a police officer? You knew damn well that those fools were going to trip, didn’t you?”
“I didn’t know nothing, nigga, and you’d better stop yelling at me like you my damn daddy. Just take me the fuck home.”
“No problem. And maybe you do need a fucking daddy in your life. Maybe your daddy should have been around to kick your ass for being so stupid…”
Laquinta gritted her teeth and reached over to slap the shit out of me. “My Daddy has ain’t got shit to do with this—”
I reached over and tightly grabbed her neck. “Do you remember what happened the last time you hit me!”
She couldn’t say a word. All she did was scratch my hand and try to pull it away from her throat. I jerked her head back, before finally releasing her neck.
“I’m through fucking with you, Laquinta.” I drove off. “This shit just ain’t working out for me. If Erica wasn’t in the back seat of this car, I swear I would fu
ck you up.”
She coughed and held her throat. “Good,” she spat. “You don’t even have to take me home. You can let me and my baby out right here.”
I looked at her with disgust. “Yeah, whatever. Your so-called friends were strapped and they could’ve driven me, you and Erica off the road. Obviously, they didn’t care. You need to think about that shit and get it together. Don’t fucking call me until you do.”
When I stopped at the red light, Laquinta opened the door and got out. She slammed it and started walking down the street. When the light changed, I pulled over and drove closely to the curb.
“Would you quit tripping and get in the car? You look like a hooker trying to get picked up.” She ignored me and kept on walking. “Quintaaa,” I joked. “Erica is starting to cry for you.”
She kept on walking, so I parked the car and ran up to her. I put handcuffs on her and escorted her back to the truck.
“Take these cuffs off me! I’m in no mood to be playing around with you.”
I shoved her inside of the truck and got back in on the driver’s side. “When I drop you off at home, I’ll take them off.”
“Then, hurry it up,” she said, pouting. “I’m sick of this shit.”
So was I, but like always, I tried to calm this situation that both of us created. “So am I, but why you still mad at me? I told you I ain’t fucking with you no more, didn’t I?”
“Trust me, I ain’t gon’ cry and I for damn sure ain’t gon’ lose no sleep.”
“I’m sure you won’t, especially since you’ll be talking to Jo-Jo later.”
She didn’t have shit else to say. And the second we arrived at her place, I removed the cuffs. She walked around to the driver’s side to get Erica, and I stood close to her as she opened the back door.
“What do you want from me?” I asked. “I’ve been trying to figure it out for a long time.”
She turned to face me. “I don’t want shit from you, Isaac. Nothing, right now, but I am thinking about slapping that smirk off your face since you think this shit is so funny.”
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