by Xyla Turner
“NO!” I yelled right back.
The door flung open, he hopped out with angry eyes on me. “I said move your ass.”
“I said, not until you talk to me.” I folded my arms.
“You never back down do you? Huh?” He glared.
“You talk to me. Where are you going? What are you about to do?” I asked.
He stared and said, “I’m about to fix a wrong.”
My head shook in the negative. “No, what would be wrong is for you to get in any more trouble than you already are.”
“What do you know about it?” He asked. “Post say something to you?”
“Yes. He said, that you were already on leave. What happened?” I asked.
“Nothing that’s of any concern to you. Now, Kat.” Vic stepped to me. “I have to go and handle something, so please move and I’ll be back within the hour.”
“Vic, you’re going to do something crazy and I don’t want you to throw your career away for this. Okay? I know you’re upset but please, just stay with me. Okay?” I placed my hand on his chest.
His eyes briefly softened, then he said, “Sweetheart.”
Vic’s face descended and he kissed me hard on the lips. Temporarily, I forgot what was wrong and what had happened. The man kissed me so deep, my arms were wrapped around his neck and I was on my toes trying to not lose one bit of connection.
Oh God.
Vic backed up and said, “I’ll be back within one hour. Promise.”
He rested his forehead on mine and moved me to the side of the truck. Hence to say, I was a little dazed but I watched him get in the truck and pull off.
Damn.
“Girl, pacing around ain’t going to bring that man back here.” Sandy said for the fifth time.
“I know but he shouldn’t have left. What if something happened to him? What if−” She cut me off.
“Kat, we can’t go on what ifs.” She held up her hand. “It has happened and he felt like he needed to go and do that. You need to let him do what he’s needs to do. You have someone else watching after you besides your brother. He’s a cop and he knows how fucking cops can be and the best person to handle that shit is a cop. Believe me. Your own can tell you shit that nobody else can. Believe that.”
She pointed to me.
She was right and usually Sandy was all jokes and play but on this one, she was absolutely right.
I nodded my head towards her and went to back to filing papers. That didn’t stop me from checking my phone every minute or running towards the door anytime someone walked through.
Twenty minutes later, I heard a deep voice ask, “Sandy, where’s Kat?”
“Back there, having a conniption. How you going to leave her like that? She strong and shit but she’s fragile. I had to calm her down and I know you got to handle your shit and all, but you secure her first before going all half-cocked on some guy’s ass. But I’m glad you looking out though.”
“Vic,” I yelled and ran to him.
He was eyeing Sandy with a curious look and then he nodded acknowledging of her wisdom. Well, who the fuck knew?
“Hey, sweetheart.” He kissed my forehead. “Sorry about that.”
“Are you alright?” I searched his face, stepped back and looked over his entire body.
“I’m fine.” He nodded and smiled. “Can you get out of here?”
“Sandy, I’m out.” I turned to my coworker who was staring back at us. “I have to go, okay?”
“Yeah, sure. I’ll let them know.”
“Thanks.”
He grabbed my hand, took me took his truck and drove me to his house. It was a nice brownstone condo that he owned in Harlem.
“Have a seat and make yourself comfortable.” He said as he went to the larger than life kitchen.
Vic’s living room had at least a sixty-inch television mounted on the wall. His leather couch and loveseat set looked fairly new and the hardwood floors were still glimmering.
When Vic returned, I was sitting on the edge of my seat and though I had significantly calmed down, I was still going through a range of emotions. Bordering anger, frustration, regret and guilt. In one hand was a bottle of red wine and two glasses in the other. He poured us both a glass of the wine and after a few sips, he went to grab a pillow and I brushed Vic’s hand and he flinched.
“What’s wrong?” My heart went on alert.
He paused.
“What happened?” I asked. “Tell me. I told you. Now, you tell me.”
Vic sighed and then said, “I had a chat with Post. That chat turned into something physical and then I left.”
“Vic,” I breathed. “Are you going to get into trouble?”
“Fuck them.” He sneered and shook his head. “I asked him three times. That fucker didn’t even give me the satisfaction of telling me the truth. No. Fuck them. You don’t police like that? That is not how we’re supposed to do our job. Then he fucking lays his hands on you. Manhandling you. Fuck them. He’s lucky it was only two teeth.”
Oh shit.
I grabbed his wrist and saw the indentions on his swollen knuckles. I wasn’t sure how I missed it before but he beat the shit out of him. Jumping up, I ran into his kitchen and grabbed a bucket and filled it with ice.
“I’m alright, Kat,” Vic called into the other room.
“No, you’re not. Your hand is swollen and you need ice.” I poured water into the large bowl with the frozen cubes and then I felt his presence behind me.
“Here,” I said when I turned around but his body was already caging me in.
“Don’t need ice,” Vic murmured.
My head tilted up to stare at him. “You do.”
“Nope, just need you.” He wasn’t smiling, joking or being remotely funny.
He meant that shit.
I was about to shake my head but Vic spoke before I could say anything. “Heard what you said in the car. I’ve been hearing it over and over again. So, I have a plan. Want to hear it?”
Oh boy.
Chapter Twelve
The Plan
VIC
I definitely had her attention.
“Yes, what’s your plan.” She relaxed against the counter. “While, we’re talking about the plan, put your hand in the ice water.”
Damn.
I put my hand in the ice water but kept her caged in.
“First, we get on the same page. I’m white, I’m a cop and I don’t understand everything that comes with being black. I’ve learned from policing the streets and television and I’m certain those are not good examples. You’re black, you don’t like cops and you know very little about what is means to be white and having that privilege. You’ve learned policing from the media and personal events and those weren’t necessarily good examples, too. Am I right?”
She stared at me for a beat, then nodded her head, “Yes, you’re right.”
“Okay, I like you a lot.” I continued. “I like you more than a lot, I have a feeling about you and me. I don’t get feelings about women, so I’m going with my gut. With that being said, don’t you ever leave a conversation that we’re having like you did in the truck. I understand some reality hit us in the face but we need to build this.” I motioned between the two of us. “So that when it hits, we’re stronger, not divided.”
She nodded her head and said, “Okay, Vic.”
“Good. Now, this is our plan. You and me, Kat. We teach each other. If I don’t understand, I ask. If you don’t understand, you ask. We need to check our assumptions, our biases, and our shit at the door. Whatever the fuck that is. Even our instincts, we check with each other. We don’t assume, we don’t judge, we fucking grow. Okay? Even if we don’t agree, we seek for understanding and empathize. We don’t allow others into our bubble to infect and if people don’t fuck with us, then that’s their fucking loss, Kat. I know you’re tight with your brother and your family but shit, the way things stand, I’d like to fucking march with you guys. So, the issue is no lon
ger that I’m a cop but is it that I’m white and does that stand well with you.” I said. “Don’t spare my feelings because in order for any of this shit to work, we must be honest. Brutally honest.”
She exhaled but her eyes stayed on me.
“I like the plan,” Kat inhaled. “I agree with you on all points but I need you to know, it’s easier said than done. You and I both are over thirty years of age. Our lives are a direct reflection of our experiences, our thinking has been formed and our sense of self, has for the most part, been established.”
“Yes, but then I met this woman who changed the game for me in so many ways. She challenged me, provoked me, ignored me, and worked with me. My thinking changed. And you met this cop, who did the same. We are not the same people we were a month ago, three months ago. Shit, DaShawn’s life and death have changed my life tremendously and I’ll never be the same again. We make new experiences, Kat. It’s not going to be easy, but together, sweetheart, we got this.” I challenged her.
“Vic, I’m with you.” She nodded as the back of her hand swept the side of my face. “I’m with you and I’m sorry about the truck incident. I, uh, I panicked and that was not cool.”
“It’s cool to panic, Kat, but understand, that’s what I’m here for. To catch you, protect and help take on that panic.” I shrugged. “Panic all you want, but you do it in my arms, got it?”
“Got it,” she said.
My head dipped down to taste her lips for the second time that night. My hand started to tingle so I removed it from the ice water, bent at the knees and picked her up in my arms.
Kat yelped but immediately wrapped her arms around me as I took her to the bedroom.
“You have a nice place,” she commented as I laid her on my king size bed.
“Thanks,” I responded while ripping off my shirt. “It was my uncle’s and he left it to me.”
“Oh nice!” She exclaimed as I pulled her scrub bottoms off.
Kat took off her top, then her bra, while I removed my jeans and briefs. Those brown eyes stared at me, then she mouthed, “Missed you.”
Shit.
I crawled between her and began to spread those long legs; displaying my glistening treasure. My thumb rubbed her clit, causing a low moan to escape her lips.
“Vic, I want you bad, honey. Please.” She was panting.
As much as I wanted to take my time with her delectable body, I understood the need. I had it too. Leaning on my elbow, I moved up her curvy body and whispered against her lips, “Missed you.”
“Then, take me.” She teased.
My hand wrapped around her ankle, so I could pull her leg back and entered her completely after three thrust. She was so goddamn tight, I wanted to savor every moment.
“Oh God,” she breathed.
My hips continued to move inside of her as Kat met me stroke for stroke. Her hand grabbed her breast and I damn near lost it while rocking within her.
“Squeeze them,” I murmured.
“Yes,” Kat moaned as she grabbed both of them and began to squeeze and twist her nipples.
“Oh shit,” I was getting close.
Then, my girl took one of her breasts and put it in her mouth and held the nipple there with her teeth.
“Holy fuck,” I growled as I sped up and came inside of her warm channel.
“Goddamn,” I exhaled. “Sorry, sweetheart but that was hot as shit and I haven’t seen you in a while.”
“Shh,” Kat covered my mouth with her finger. “We’re not done. Just getting started, so get your second wind.”
“Yes, ma’am,” I murmured against her finger before I put it in my mouth to suck.
The woman wasn’t lying when she said we were just getting started. After three more rounds, her riding the fuck out of me and sucking me dry, we both passed out around three in the morning.
My nostrils inhaled the sweet smell of bacon and coffee. When I turned over, the space was empty where I had once held her. After brushing my teeth and relieving myself in the bathroom, I moseyed into the kitchen and saw a sight that I swear stopped me in my tracks.
Kat was moving around in the kitchen as if she had been here for years. The music on her cell phone was playing softly, while she hummed and swayed those hips.
Fuck me.
It was like déjà vu but I could see the two of us and two kids crawling between her legs while she cooked us breakfast.
Damn.
My legs brought me to her, wrapping my arms around her body and pulling her back into mine.
“Morning,” I whispered in her head full of hair.
“Ahh, good morning.” She patted my thigh. “You didn't have any coffee, so I had to buy some.”
I laughed. “Yeah, sweetheart, I don't drink coffee but from now on, I'll make sure I'm fully stocked.”
“Good. Breakfast is almost ready.”
“I like you here, like this.” I blurted. “I see you here.”
“What? Barefoot and cooking for your ass.” She joked.
“Nope!” I said quickly. “In this space as if you’ve always been.”
Kat turned around to me and asked, “Is that so?”
Her searching eyes were on mine as she watched me.
“What do I have to do so you’ll know that I’m all in? Told you, Kat. I got a feeling.”
We stood for a while staring at one another until she heard the eggs sizzling. Then she pushed me and said, “Go put some ice on that hand.”
“Yes, ma’am.” I did as she said.
We ate breakfast and since she didn’t have to work and I was still on leave, we took a day trip to Philadelphia. My dear Kat never had water ice, a Philly cheesesteak and their famous pretzels. When I proposed that we go, she balked and said, “Come on.”
“Why the fuck not?” I replied.
“Well, it’s short notice and two hours away.” She shrugged.
“Oh, you and me, mama. We’re going to have fun.” I slapped her ass and said, “Get dressed, I’m taking you home to get a change of clothes because we’re headed to Philly.”
Her eyes grew bright and she said, “Are you sure?”
“Fuck yeah.”
We drove there, parked in a lot and traveled the streets of Philadelphia via the SEPTA buses between North Philly and South Philly. We ate all damn day and ended our journey on South Street to get some ice cream. It was a fun and adventurous day that ended with her sleep on my shoulder on the drive back at eleven as we crossed the Manhattan Bridge.
The look on her face the entire time was pure joy. Kat was so excited, it made me more excited to show her more and get her out of New York. She shared that she had comfortably stayed there and never planned to leave. She regretted never going away to college but that one day, she did want to finish her bachelor's. I encouraged her to do it and told her that I finished my bachelor's at night during my first few years before the academy. She seemed surprised and then nodded her head and said, “That’s motivating.”
The next day, Kat had to work the evening shift but we did go to a mid-morning yoga session and bless her heart, she carried my mat. We ate lunch in Upper Manhattan and then we went to the Bronx Zoo, where Kat gushed over all the animals and we actually got to watch two monkeys fuck. It was short and quick but it worked.
When I brought her back home, she said, “I’m having fun with you, Mr. Ritter.”
“Good!” I exclaimed. “Wait until you see what’s on the agenda for next week.”
“There’s an agenda?” She asked, when she dropped her purse on the couch of her apartment.
“Oh yeah,” I flopped down. “You’re not working next weekend, so we’re going to Niagara Falls for the weekend. On Wednesday, you’re off for the day, so we’re taking helicopter lessons and maybe the week after, we’ll do the hot air balloon.”
My mouth was steadily going, I didn’t see that she stopped in her tracks and was staring at me with an opened mouth.
“What? Don’t give me that I’m scar
ed shit. You’re one of the strongest women I know.” I snapped.
Kat walked towards me, positioned her knee in the sofa and straddled me.
“What are you doing?” She asked with a straight face.
“What do you mean?” I asked back.
“What are you trying to do?” She said slowly.
“You mean with my agenda?” I placed my hands on her ass. “Building us, experiencing new things together and having fun in our thirties.”
“No, no.” She shook her head. “No, Vic. You’re trying to make me fall in love with you, right?”
My brows came together as I said, “Well, fuck yeah.”
Kat burst out laughing and then planted a huge kiss on my forehead.
“Well, be careful what you wish for, Victor. You just might get it.” She climbed off of me and went to the back.
I followed her and said, “Is that a promise?”
She laughed and said, “One day at a time, Mister.”
My head nodded.
One day is what we would do.
Two months had passed since that day we talked about taking it one day at a time. We had traveled, explored, and went on multiple adventures. She loved every bit of it and because she worked at night and I was back on active duty, we coordinated our schedules and anytime we had a chance, we were with each other. When I finally returned to duty, if I worked late, I would bring her dinner at the ER and we’d eat in the nurses’ lounge. We did a couple of double dates with D’asia and Ryan, which turned out to be the women ganging up on the men and our bossy ways.
Kat and I also went to DaShawn’s grave site and visited his mother. She was doing well and working closely with UNITE and a few local agencies to help prevent what happened to her son to someone else. Kat hadn’t mentioned her brother to me but I gathered they were on the outs because there was a march across the Brooklyn Bridge and she was visibly upset. There was no need for me to mention anything because I figured she had no idea about the gathering and was officially out of the loop. That evening, I tried to take her mind off of it by taking her out to dinner but it still bothered her more than she shared.
