by Carrie Macon
“Yes. What, you thought my greatest talent was running my mouth?”
“I do think your greatest asset is your mouth but I actually think your greatest talent is kissing, but…it was a joke. Don’t start shooting daggers at me. You left yourself open for that one. No. These are very good.”
“Well thank you.”
“You should taste her pound cakes and ice box lemon pies.” Felton said from the back seat. “Man she can throw down on some baking.”
Shyla turned around in her seat as far as her seatbelt would let her. “Why Felton Childress, I think that’s the nicest thing you have ever said about me. Thank you.”
“It’s simply the truth. Now Essence can burn up some food and she can bake like no bodies business, but she can’t hold a candle to Shyla.”
Shyla spit out her coffee, Zackary burned his tongue and Essence pouted.
“Well thanks, Babe.”
“Baby, come on now. You know it’s true. Even you have said it. You do tons of outstanding things but Shyla is the best baker in this family. Mama V is going to love her,” Felton replied. Essence folded her arms across her chest and moved away, but he pulled her back.
“Aww baby, don’t be like that. Pouting ruins the skin around the mouth. Please don’t be mad at me. You know I love you.” She didn’t respond but she did sit back under him.
“It’s true.” Zackary turned to Shyla. “My mom is going to love you. You’ll meet everyone this weekend.”
“Everyone? Who is everyone?”
“Everyone is family and anyone over when we arrive.”
She felt like she was going to have a panic attack. What if his family didn’t like her? They probably wondered what he saw in her. She probably wasn’t what he was used to. She was thick, not thin, nor very tall. Her hair wasn’t very long, shoulder length, but it was all hers. She mentally raked her hand through her tresses. She could see herself loving Zackary, even when he got on her very last nerve. He was arrogant at times but only with her. She felt drawn to him when they met but she didn’t want to see where it would lead to.
Zackary wasn’t an extremely tall man, just inches above six feet tall but he was a looker. He had skin the color of double milk chocolate, silky smooth, dimples as deep as the sea, a smile that would stop traffic, and his eyes were a crystal hazel with a tint of gold. The clothes and cologne he wore was expensive. There was nothing generic about him but he didn’t go around flaunting himself in front of others. His hair was a rich curly black; his eye lashes fanned his cheeks. Women would pay to have these babies, and the piece de resistance, that body. Talk about a body that most men would love to have and all women could only hope their man sported. Zackary looked as though he lived in the gym but the closest he got there was riding a bike with his girls or one of the horses that he owned. His six-pack showed through his shirts, and his suits fit him magnificently. If there ever was a man who could wear a tux, Zackary Trellis was him. Tyson Bedford has been replaced.
Zackary’s arms measured seventeen inches around on the right arm and sixteen and a half inches on the left, flat stomach, thighs like Adonis and lips as juicy as a Christmas turkey. And just as plump. Shyla remembered. Before Shyla knew anything they were driving through Carmel Valley. She and Zackary talked the entire way and listened to his collection of jazz and blues, while Essence and Felton took a three hour nap.
True to his word, they missed the morning traffic and made it to Napa before breakfast was being served. The countryside was beautiful, Shyla thought. She had never seen so much greenery in her life. It was more beautiful than she could have ever imagined. Even the cows, horses and other cattle on the way was better looking than the ones she’d seen in recent years traveling up north to San Francisco and Sacramento.
“Wow. That’s a big house.” Shyla said as they were getting the luggage from the car.
“My parent’s place. I’ll take you over to meet them later on today. They won’t get in until lunch time.” He took her bag from her hand and escorted her into his house.
He told everyone where their room would be. “I know that everyone got up early this morning, so once you get to your rooms you can take a nap or whatever. Just be ready for dinner by six, you know Mama V don’t like stragglers. I’m going back to bed.” He looked over at Shyla. “Care to join me?” He winked.
Shyla smiled and took his hand in hers, nestled up to him as close as two people could get. She guided his arms around her body, placing them right where she wanted them, on her backside. Then she wrapped her arms around his neck pulling his head down to her waiting mouth. It wasn’t the Jamaican kiss or even the one the night before, it was better.
She was toying with him again, but he didn’t know that. He was too busy trying to get Shyla to be his.
She then turned his head and nibbled on his ear. He squeezed her bottom as tight as he could.
Essence and Felton couldn’t believe it. These two were actually making out in front of them. They had no shame. At one point Essence put her hands across her husband’s eyes.
“Do you know what I want to do to you?”
“Tell me,” he urged pulling her even closer.
Shyla whispered in his ear and immediately she felt him rise to the occasion. He stood there like a statue, hard as cement.
“What is she saying to him?” Essence asked. Felton shrugged being as he couldn’t see a damn thing.
“Now, do you think you can handle that?”
His eyes were glassy but he didn’t have a problem answering. “Absolutely.”
She wasn’t expecting that. She was expecting him to back down. She thought what she had said would have shocked him, but it hadn’t.
“So baby, does that mean when we get in there I can be on top?”
“Okay.” Essence screamed. “We’ve heard enough. Let’s go baby. This is too much for your ears.”
“But Ess.”
“Felton, now! This is too grown for us.”
“You can be anywhere you please.” Zackary kissed the tip of her nose.
“Oooh. I am going to love making you mine. I’m going to go take a quick shower, lather myself up real good, rinse off, puff and perfume and then I’m going out to find something to do. I’ll join you later. Say in about twenty years.”
Zackary stood with his mouth dropped open.
“Close your mouth dear. Mosquitoes are all up in this area.” She waved her hands in the air, then gathered her suitcase and rolled it down the hallway to the first room she saw. When she closed the door she fell onto the bed laughing. If she hadn’t stopped when she did, she and Zackary would be christening his bedroom.
Felton walked up to Zackary and blatantly laughed in his face.
“This is so not funny, Felt.”
“Brother, this is funny. This is hell a funny. I can’t believe you fell for that. I see my schooling you about falling for those kinds of tricks didn’t sink in.”
“It sunk in alright. But that woman is going to be mine before this damn weekend is over. Trust me on that.”
He walked to his room and slammed the door. Now was not the time to deal with Felton. He had to take care of a more pressing matter, the matter that was pressing uncomfortably against his zipper.
Chapter Ten
Shyla was walking near a pond behind Zachary’s parent’s home when he rode up on his filly.
“Hey beautiful.” His horse was too close.
She almost jumped out of her skin. “You scared me.” She screamed clutching her shoes to her chest.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to do that. I just wanted to see if you’d come riding with me.”
“I don’t think so,” she said backing away and looking somewhat nervous. Or maybe it was fright.
“And why not? You’re not afraid to be up here alone with me, are you?”
She placed her hand on her child barring hips. “Wouldn’t that just make you feel special? I am not afraid of you Zackary Trellis and I don’t want to ride on
your little horsey either.” She poked out her face.
The horse shook her head as if she was annoyed. Shyla backed away a little more.
“Hey. You’ll hurt Fluoride’s feelings.” He said rubbing his horse’s brow. “Isn’t that right baby girl?” She was a beautiful golden brown with a white diamond in her forehead.
Shyla laughed. A big hearty laugh. “You named your horse Fluoride? Where are Tartar Control and Colgate?” She bent over laughing.
The horse stood up on her hind legs and jumped at her. Shyla nearly fell into the pond.
“Down girl. Down.” Zackary soothed. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I think so.”
“I was talking to the horse. The mean old lady didn’t intend to hurt you, baby girl.”
“I’m sorry.”
“And you should be. Don’t you know that animals have feelings too? My girl is just a little temperamental today. Now if you’re really nice, I’ll let you pet her.”
“No offense to your “baby girl“, but I won’t be petting her or any other horse. She doesn’t like me.”
Zackary dismounted the horse. “Of course she does. She’s just showing her authority right now.” He whispered to Shyla. “I think she’s a little jealous. I’ve never offered a lady a ride before.”
“Well that makes me feel special.”
“You should, because you are.” He winked.
The horse nudged him and Shyla held back a laugh.
“Let me introduce you two ladies. Shyla, this beautiful golden beauty is my baby girl Fluoride and Fluoride this beautiful, beautiful black beauty is…my…” he turned back to her. “How should I introduce you?” He was serious and waited for her response.
“Your friend, Zackary.”
“My friend? Are you sure?” He was disappointed.
“Yes. For now,” she slipped in.
His eyes perked up. “Well that sounds promising.” He gave her a quick peck on the lips. “Fluoride this is my friend, but soon to be more in the near future, I hope.” He rushed without taking a breath, “Shyla.”
The horse bowed then stood back up.
Shyla had never seen anything like it. She was a beautiful horse. The most she knew about horses, was that some were wild and some were tame but they were all very beautiful.
“See, she does like you. Fluoride doesn’t just bow to anyone. Come over here and give me your hand.”
Shyla moved back another step.
“Come on. We won’t bite. Not that I don’t want to, because I definitely want to, and in the right place, but I won’t.”
“I thought you were supposed to be safe? I would probably be safer with Fluoride,” the horse laughed.
Zackary glanced at the horse and said, “Not funny Flo,” then turned back to Shyla. “I am safe. Now come here.”
She reached her hand to his and he pulled her to him. Both their hands were sweaty from nervousness, for two separate reasons.
“Now gently rub right here.” He guided her hand right between the horse’s eyes. “See.” He looked at her. “She likes that. She’s spoiled that way. Afraid?”
She shook her head. “No.” She continued to rub the horse’s brow even after Zackary let her arm free and moved his arms to wrap around her waist.
“She is a very beautiful animal,” Shyla smiled. “How long have you had her?”
“Since she was a baby. She’s only two years old.”
“She’s huge for a two year old.”
“She’s an offspring of Seattle Slew, the Kentucky Derby winner.”
“Are you serious?” He responded with a nod of his head. “Do you plan on putting her in any competitions?”
“No. Our horses are for riding only, pure pleasure.”
“That’s good. I hate to see animals hurt, especially when it could be prevented.”
“Me too. Some people think we’re crazy for having this type of money on our land and not using it for gain. We’ve had offers to buy her and her siblings but it’s not worth it.” He reached over Shyla and rubbed the horse again.
“I agree. Good for you, guys.”
Now he was nudging her ear with his nose and nibbling with his mouth. “So will you go riding with me?” he whispered. She had that feeling again, but this time she wouldn’t give into the sensations.
“I can’t Zackary. I’m not even dressed for it.”
“You can run and change or ride sideways. You’ll be leaning against me.” That was one of the reasons for her decision. “I wouldn’t let you fall.”
“I know you wouldn’t. I still can’t.”
“Why not, Shyla? It’s just a short ride.”
“I just can’t. Isn’t that enough?” They stared one another down for what seemed like an eternity. Shyla finally looked away. She was still wrapped in Zackary’s arms so it wasn’t going to be easy to ignore him.
He turned her to face him. “Shyla. I really like you and I brought you here this weekend so that we could spend some time together. Away from our lives in L.A., so that we could get to know one another but we can’t do that, baby, if you object to everything I suggest.”
“That’s not what I’m doing.”
“That is exactly what you’re doing.” He released her and began counting off things with his fingers. He did that a lot. “You didn’t want to spend time together in Jamaica, you argue at every turn, you ignore my calls for weeks then you’re upset when I don’t return your calls, this morning you didn’t want to sit in the front with me. If Felt and Ess hadn’t been already comfortably seated in the back you would have had poor Felt ride up front. Now tell me I’m wrong.”
He knew her so well. That was definitely her plan.
“You play around with me, get me hot and bothered and you pull away. And now you’re out her walking on this beautiful day when you could be riding with me and you say no like I’m some kind of disease.” She turned towards him furious. “And you insult my horse. You say you’re not afraid to be alone with me but you still won’t ride. I gotta tell you Shyla this really isn’t looking good for you. I mean, damn woman, what do you find wrong with me? Or riding with me?”
In the midst of his ranting something occurred to him. “Unless,” he looked at her as her eyes grew bigger. Had he figured out her little secret? He began to laugh.
“What’s so damn funny?” she demanded.
“Don’t tell me you’ve never rode a horse before.” She looked away.
“Is that it?”
Her eyes were misty but she didn’t answer, she didn’t need to. Her eyes told on her.
“That’s it.” He nearly choked out, “I’m sorry, baby. That wasn’t funny. I’m just surprised.” He reached for her; she pulled away.
“Not everyone knows how to ride a horse.” She picked up her shoes and walked off.
“Shyla wait. I was just joking with you.” She continued to walk.
Zackary tied his horse to the nearest tree and ran after her.
“Shyla, please wait.” She continued on, but he jumped in her path. She tried to move around him either way but he wasn’t allowing it.
“Will you please move out of my way?”
“No. Let me talk to you.”
“You’ve talked enough,” she said through gritted teeth. “Now move, damn you, or I promise I’ll scream and have everyone in ear shot running to my aide.”
“I don’t care, scream, but listen. I said I was sorry. We can ride Fluoride and I promise to go slow or we can use a smaller horse.”
“I don’t want to ride on your horse with you or without you. I don’t want a smaller horse,” she screamed. “I don’t even want to be here with you.” She threw her hand over her mouth regretting each word. It was a lie that slipped out. “Zack. I didn’t mean-”
He held up his hand stopping her next lie. He was genuinely hurt. “You could have said that yesterday before riding all the way up here with me.”
“I didn’t mean what I said.” She walked towards him but
his dark gaze made her flinch. “It’s just that…”
“Just what?”
She shook her head. “Nothing,” she sounded sorry. She hadn’t meant to hurt him, but she had. “Nothing,” she repeated.
“You know what Shyla you are a very beautiful and desirable woman but you’re also a stubborn assed woman. You want everything to work out for you but you’re not willing to compromise for the sake of others. No wonder you don’t have a man.”
She couldn’t keep the hurt out of her voice. “And you’re an ass. I don’t have a man because of big stupid jerks like you.” When she stormed off he didn’t try to stop her.
“That went well.” Taking up with her would be harder than he anticipated. “What now?” he asked himself.
“So what’s going on with you and my wife’s cousin?”
“Nothing worth talking about.” He was brushing his horse down in the corral.
Felton knew something had happened. Zackary was a talker and his favorite subject was Shyla.
“Last night the two of you had started making progress. Or was that a figment of my imagination?”
“We did, and today we set the women’s movement back fifty more years, so to speak.”
“You’re exaggerating. You have to be.” He gave Felton a soured look. “I still think she has a serious thing for you. Before, she just dismissed you. Now she dismisses you with feeling,” he chuckled.
Zackary stopped brushing Fluoride. “This really isn’t a laughing matter man. She’s been toying with me, making me feel things. I really think she hates me now.”
“That girl doesn’t hate you. You’re weakening her, bro. You just have to be a little patient. Shyla’s falling for you.”
“Right. Dude! I shouldn’t have to go through this much trouble to get a woman. I’m not hard up, I’m not cheap. I’m a damn good looking brutha.” He posed for the cause.
“So why shouldn’t I get the woman that I want? The one that I think, is right for me?”
“Okay amigo,” Felton patted him on his back. “You’ll get no arguments from me, but you have to know that Shyla has been through a lot and maybe it’s still heavy on her heart.”
