Crossroads: An Anthology

by LaShaun, Elizabeth

  “Mm, that’s what I like to see,” Delia purred once more as Elijah fought not to slap the hell out of her.

  She was about to mount him raw when he stopped her. “No,” he said simply as she frowned slightly.

  “I won’t get pregnant,” she told him, wanting very much to feel Elijah’s glory uncovered.

  “No,” he said simply again.

  Delia surrendered and retrieved the condom, putting it on him before sitting on his erection and riding him hard.

  Elijah closed his eyes refusing to look at the ghost riding his lap. He wouldn’t even let his mind entertain that it was Delia atop him. He instead pictured Jasmine and all the things he wanted to do to her once they made love. Just as he was slipping deeper into the fantasy, Allison screamed vividly into his minds eye. He saw one of their more violent sexual encounters complete with beating and strangulation. Allison was into some very dark and deviant sexual behaviors, but Elijah enjoyed the hell out of experimenting with her. His breathing became more and more erratic as he thought about her. Allison was really into the strangulation thing and she would beg him to choke her to orgasm.

  Elijah had been a bit leery the first couple times, but after the initial shock wore off, he found he enjoyed it as well. He vaguely heard Delia moan as his mind continued showing him Allison’s beautiful face contorted in agony and ecstasy as he strangled her and thrust deeply into her. “Elijah,” Allison croaked. “Yes,” she managed again as he held her fast. “Ohhhhh,” she moaned loudly coming hard. Elijah came hard at the same moment as Delia groaned in delight. He opened his eyes breathing hard, still holding the woman’s hips tightly as she smiled down at him.

  “That was spectacular as usual,” she told him, getting off his lap as Elijah rose and headed to the bathroom.

  Time to get back to business, he thought once more, alarm code on his mind as he walked back into the bedroom.

  *****

  Jasmine was excitedly looking forward to tonight. Finally off from work she was headed straight to the mall. When Elijah told her about the Latin club and wanting to salsa, she knew a new dress was in order. Got to have new shoes too, she thought chuckling aloud and walking still toward the bus stop.

  “You want a ride,” the familiar voice called out.

  Sighing deeply Jasmine turned finding Damian slowly following her down the block.

  “No Damian, I’m fine,” she returned.

  She really wasn’t in the mood at all today. Damian wasn’t listening to her. They’d talked the other night and Jasmine iterated again and again that she only wanted to be his friend. While Damian said he understood and would respect her wishes, he obviously hadn’t.

  “Jazzy, it’s not a date,” he tried. “I’m just offering you a ride.” Turning to him once more, she stopped walking.

  “Damian, thank you for the offer, but I’m fine,” Jasmine replied a lot calmer than she felt.

  “OK, fine,” he replied, raising his hands in surrender. “Would you like to get out later on,” he asked immediately after. “Thank you, but I have plans,” Jasmine returned simply. She could see the questions in his face, but thankfully he controlled himself and didn’t voice them.

  “Well have a great day Jazzy,” Damian said finally before pulling away and heading down the street.

  Please let him catch a clue, Jasmine thought as she arrived at the bus stop and the bus arrived simultaneously. Boarding and paying her fare, Jasmine found a seat and relaxed. She thought about the date tonight once more, wondering if it would lead to anything long term. She really wasn’t the type for quick flings. Jasmine liked committed relationships that were long term. She wanted to be married. Unlike some of her friends and even the women she worked with, Jasmine wasn’t running around pretending that she didn’t want a lasting and legally binding commitment from a man. She felt that as a woman it was the respectable thing to do. She knew it was pretty old fashioned thinking, but that was how Jasmine felt. I hope he’s not a player or any of that craziness, she thought sighing deeply as the bus stopped at the mall and she disembarked. Jasmine headed inside, the dress she wanted dancing in her minds eye.

  She didn’t see Damian as he entered the mall almost right behind her, discreetly following her at a distance. Jasmine headed into the Boulevard and began looking at dresses. She found an electric purple offering that form fit from her breasts to her waist, then flared dramatically. It was tank strapped with a deep plunge neckline. Perfect for showing off the girls, Jasmine thought and chuckled to herself, heading to the dressing room to try it on. Damian watched her as she played with the dress, his eyes following her as she walked to the dressing room, the deep frown on his face as his mind whirled and he fumed knowing Jasmine had a date, and it wasn’t with him.

  *****

  “Tell him I’m not here,” Montgomery told his secretary as he held his phone.

  His door opened 45 seconds later as Jaheem strolled inside. “I tried to stop him Alderman,” the woman was explaining, obviously flustered.

  “It’s okay,” he replied simply as she nodded and left them alone. “What do you want Jah,” Montgomery threw out regarding the man in front of him with disdain.

  Why anyone would want to throw away their lives trying to fight for the rights of the scourge of the earth that lived in ML King Gardens was beyond him.

  “I want you to halt this damned project you and your boy Clayton are cramming down the people’s throats,” Jaheem replied point blank.

  Montgomery scoffed before pulling out a cigar and lighting it. “Jah, you seem to be out of touch with your people,” he returned sarcastically. “They are all on board for the project and their brand new homes,” Montgomery told him calmly. “I’m sure they are,” Jaheem returned. “People who have never had anything of course would jump at a pipe dream like you’re selling,” he told the Alderman.

  “I’m not twisting their arms, Jah,” Montgomery returned. “We don’t have to play the game in here,” he went on. “It’s just you and me and we both know those damned people don’t give a shit about anything except their next government handout.”

  Jaheem was deeply offended by Montgomery’s words as well as his condescending attitude. “Not all of them are like that,” he tried as Montgomery again scoffed.

  “Half the women in the projects have 3 or more children, barely a high school education, and no prospects for either husbands or jobs,” the Alderman spat. “The men,” he began contemptuously. “They’re either drug dealers, thieves, pimps, or killers,” Montgomery told Jaheem. “What we’re presenting it the best thing that will probably ever happen to them in their lifetime,” Montgomery arrogantly informed Jaheem.

  “The best thing in their lives, really,” Jaheem questioned incredulously. “Being moved into houses built on top of a landfill,” he threw at Montgomery, the irritation evident.

  The Alderman waved his hand in dismissal.

  “More than they actually deserve,” he returned haughtily.

  Jaheem had heard enough. “Well that doesn’t matter, because you’re going to call a stop to the shit and they are going to stay where they are,” Jaheem told him as Montgomery gave him a look. “Then you’re going to take that same money you were going to use to relocate them, to fix up the place they are in right now,” he finished as Montgomery opened his mouth to speak. “Be quiet,” Jaheem told him rising. “I’m leaving this with you,” he said of the manila envelope he still held. “You look inside, then think about your project and ask yourself how much you’re willing to actually pay to make it happen,” Jaheem finished cryptically. Without another word he laid the envelope on Montgomery’s desk and walked out of his office.

  Chapter Seven

  The club was live and Jasmine was having a fantastic time. This is seriously fun, she thought continuing to take in the club and the patrons. She slyly looked Elijah over once more. The man was incredibly fine. He was wearing all black; silk shirt and tailor fit pants. The ice in his ear, around his neck and wris
t, brought life to the otherwise monotone ensemble. The only other hints of color in his outfit were the black and grey Kenneth Cole’s he paired with it. Jasmine could not believe how much of a gentleman Elijah was. He opened doors for her, complimented her non-stop and he didn’t touch her without permission, even to hold her hand. She smiled slightly thinking of the electricity of his touch when he took her hand headed to the dance floor.

  Jasmine was thankful now for her curiosity a year or so earlier when she’d signed up for the salsa lessons on a whim. She was proud to be able to keep up with Elijah and not make a total idiot of herself.

  “Would you like another Sangria,” Elijah asked breaking her thought.

  “Sure, that’ll be fine,” Jasmine replied as she smiled again. Please let this be the real thing, she prayed silently. Elijah was so perfect in so many ways. He was an excellent conversationalist. He actually knew about art and sculpture, a couple other closely guarded secret interests Jasmine held. He’d traveled extensively and delighted in telling her about the various countries that he’d seen.

  “Why don’t we leave and have a late dinner after you finish your wine,” Elijah suggested leaning close to her ear so he would be heard above the music.

  Jasmine was on fire praying she could hold out and not let him charm the clothes off her tonight.

  “That would be great,” she replied smoothly not betraying the smoldering fire burning deep inside her at the moment.

  *****

  Allison couldn’t believe her luck. She’d come to Scorcher to enjoy the Latin rhythms, dance and relax. It was also the one place she didn’t have to worry about slow dancing or love talk with Kevin, her date. Allison was no fool and she knew certain things were expected of her in order to climb the internal ladder she was perched upon. Kevin Whittington was already Special Agent and second assistant to the Jr. Director of the Bureau. He also had a serious crush on her as Allison used it to her full advantage. He wasn’t a bad looking man, but he wasn’t cute either. He was rather normal; dark brown hair with green eyes and perfectly tanned skin. There was nothing that really just stood out about him. He treated her well enough and of course gave her the inside scoop on all the power plays and players. Allison had of course slept with him. Big mistake, she thought sighing deeply. Now Kevin had convinced himself he was in love with her. She suspected he was more in love with the fact she was the first black woman he’d ever dated or slept with. He was constantly talking marriage, children and futures with her. Those were the last things on her mind right now, but he didn’t know that. So until he found out, or she obtained the position and favor she wanted, Allison would play along.

  Kevin was oblivious as Allison once again regarded the couple seated on the other side of the room. She’d seen him earlier as they danced and he took her breath away. Elijah was still so damned sexy too her. Who is this woman, she wondered not at all liking the way her ex was looking into the woman’s eyes. Allison had seen that look before, when it used to be directed at her. Elijah really cared about this woman and that pissed Allison all the way off. Maybe I should investigate her a bit, she thought jealously. The thought was quickly dismissed as she realized she didn’t have any idea who the woman was. Allison knew every one of Elijah’s day of week chicks, but this one was new and she obviously meant something to him for him to be with her on the weekend. Allison continued to watch as they rose about to leave and Elijah put his arm around the woman’s waist drawing her close and giving her a simple, sweet kiss on the cheek.

  Bitch, Allison fumed furiously. Her mind immediately told her to swallow her pride and beg him for another chance. I can’t, she thought sadly. Knowing what Elijah did and being who she was, Allison knew he was lost to her. It still didn’t stop the hurt or slow the jealousy as the couple walked out of the front door and her imagination took flight about what would transpire between them for the remainder of the evening.

  *****

  Damian watched the couple as the man opened the door and held it as Jasmine got into the Porsche. Closing it, the man walked around to the driver’s side and got in as well. Who is this clown, he fumed cranking his car and beginning to follow them. Damian knew he was dead wrong, but he told himself that Jasmine would never know. I gotta know what I’m up against, he continued to think. Taking in the car, Damian knew he was fighting an uphill battle. His simple Dodge Lancer was no match for the luxury vehicle. Jazzy’s not like that, his mind piped up. Grunting Damian knew that much was true, but who could blame her for wanting something and someone better than the struggling she’d done most of her life. Damian made decent money at the office where he worked in the IT department and he could provide them a good lifestyle if Jasmine would just entertain the idea of them being together again. His cell rang and he frowned deeply looking at the caller ID.

  “What is it now LaNeesa,” Damian asked tiredly.

  “You need to come by the house and see me,” she told him, her tone tense and angry.

  “Why,” he asked simply.

  “Because we need to talk that’s why,” LaNeesa returned.

  “I’m not in the mood for anymore drama today LaNeesa, seriously,” Damian returned.

  She continued to badger and cajole for the next ten minutes until he finally relented and told her he would come. Satisfied finally, LaNeesa disconnected and he was able to return his full attention to the couple now parked and entering the Chapparal. Nice, Damian had to admit of the exclusive steak house. Obviously this guy had money and it was going to be one hell of a struggle to keep up with him. I’ve got too, Damian thought again sighing deeply. He glanced at his phone seeing the time and decided he would head over to LaNeesa’s. I’ll swing by her house after I leave there, Damian thought, praying silently that he didn’t see the Porsche parked outside when he did.

  *****

  “You’re awfully distracted,” Kevin commented as they drove home.

  Allison had complained of a headache. “Sorry, just not feeling all that great,” she told him honestly.

  She was actually physically ill thinking of Elijah falling in love with another woman. I’ve got to find out who she is, Allison made up her mind. As unfair as she knew it was, she didn’t want him to love anyone else except her. That’s pretty hypocritical, her mind condemned as Allison immediately dismissed the thought.

  “Come on,” Kevin told her sweetly as he turned off the ignition.

  She was dismayed to see they were at his house and not her own. Allison didn’t want to be bothered with him tonight, but what choice did she have. He was still the key to the lock on that glass ceiling she needed to get inside. Obediently following him inside, Kevin told her to go lie down and he would bring her something for the headache. He arrived moments later with the water and aspirin.

  “Just lay back and relax baby,” he told her once more, kissing her lips softly.

  Allison managed a weak smile and said nothing more as she closed her eyes.

  Her mind was on overdrive behind the lids. She heard Kevin moving around but she didn’t open her eyes. Allison was still thinking about Elijah and the woman together. Her imagination was running rampant. She saw them together, naked, making love to one another. She heard Elijah telling the woman he loved her and he wanted to be with her always. Allison saw the woman smile and tell Elijah she loved him back. Overcome with anger and fear she sprang up in the bed startling Kevin who was about to lie down with her.

  “Bad dream,” he asked stroking her face gently.

  “Yes,” Allison replied honestly.

  Smiling at her, Kevin climbed under the Seafoam green comforter, pulling Allison close and looking into her eyes. “Let me make you forget,” he told her huskily.

  She almost opened her mouth and told him he was nowhere near qualified to do that, when she simply smiled and wrapped her arms around his neck. Kevin began kissing her lips his hand roaming her body. Allison forced the dark thoughts out of her mind about Elijah and the new woman, allowing her body to relax and enj
oy the things Kevin was doing to her. He’s not Elijah, her mind told her as Kevin entered her and began thrusting into her. Sighing deeply Allison began faking her orgasm once again, as she answered her minds accusation. No one will ever be, she thought sadly finishing the scripted response just as Kevin came hard and collapsed on top of her.

  ****

  “Man you called me over here for more of this bullshit,” Damian tersely told LaNeesa.

  “Damian, it’s not that crucial, I just wanted you to know,” she replied calmly, handing him the piece of paper.

  Fuck me, he thought looking at the sheet seeing the positive pregnancy test results. He and LaNeesa were careful at least ninety-eight percent of the time. Had to be that night I got high, Damian thought as his heart broke. He wanted children; from Jasmine.

  “So what you wanna do about it,” he asked, praying deep inside she wanted an abortion.

  “You don’t want it, so I could have an abortion I guess,” she replied and Damian almost smiled.

  “I mean I think it would be for the best,” he tried diplomatically.

  LaNeesa grunted shortly but said nothing. Damian came over and sat down on the couch beside her, taking her hand and looking into her eyes.

  “You and me aren’t even together anymore, LaNeesa,” Damian tried. “It really wouldn’t be fair to the child.” She continued to regard him wordlessly before sighing deeply and speaking.

  “Yeah, I knew you would want to throw it away,” she told him angrily. “I’m not having an abortion stupid,” she threw out laughing now. “This is your damned baby and you’re going to step up and take care of it,” LaNeesa told him nastily. “Now if miss thang that you’re so busy chasing don’t have a problem, shit, neither do I,” she told him.

  Damian was fighting hard to control his temper. He wanted to punch her with all that was in him. Sleeping with her was a disaster and now he was going to spend the rest of his life paying for it.