A ten-thousand-dollar fine and incarceration was not the way I wanted this beautiful woman to end her night. If she got a DUI, that was exactly what would happen in Georgia. I drained both of her drinks. Gave her a tall glass of cold water.
“And who else you got?” she replied. “My daughter?”
Whoa. Don’t tell me fifty is on one too like Charlotte.
“I’m just trying to make sure you’re okay. That’s all.” That wasn’t completely true but it would be if she threw tude my way again. I had enough problems with my gurl.
“I apologize,” she said. “Why are you being considerate of me?”
Could be considerate of her daughter, too, but that Alexis was certifiable on some Mars dominating-type shit. Couldn’t lie, Alexis had my attention. I did not sense Blake had low self-esteem. Maybe the big five-O had kicked in making her feel some type of way about her daughter.
“Why not?” I told her. “You don’t believe you deserve to be treated nice for no reason? You’re gorgeous.”
Her lips curved.
“That’s what I’m talking ’bout. Chill here for a few while I close out my shift.”
“I’m going to shop. Maybe that’ll cheer me up.”
And sober her up. I dug into my pocket, folded two C-notes, placed them in her palm. “Buy us something. I gotta make a run. I’ll get back in an hour. You’ll get off for two. I promise.”
She was quiet. At fifty, she should be grown up to answer direct. I needed a response or I could go to Charlotte’s and chill.
“Here you go, bruh,” LB said, handing me a to-go bag with my food. He patted me on the back.
The order was originally for Charlotte. Now it was mine. I needed the sixty minutes to go home, shower, change, and meet Blake back here. Hopefully the menu selects would be ours if Blake opened her mouth.
“Thanks, man. I’m out in a sec.” I looked at Blake. Her eyes were glossy, lids were midway. “Meet me outside of Sprinkles at eight-fifteen.”
“In an hour?” she asked, then nodded.
Good. She was paying attention.
I confirmed, “In exactly one hour.”
CHAPTER 14
Alexis
Spencer offered his number. I declined. Never gave him mine.
The charade added a layer of mystique to fuckable-azz Mr. Domino. His sexual energy sparked heat from my Good Good. Not many individuals could do that. I was positive my mom wouldn’t spread for him.
I squashed females who laid claim to what wasn’t theirs just to prove my point. The way I saw it, everything was fair game. But if a bitch didn’t have game, they’d already tapped out. If I changed my mind and took Domino up on his offer to hit this pussy, I knew where he worked.
Mom was probably back home with Fortune watching television. I had no regrets for what I’d said to her earlier about my dad, I just wished I’d waited another day. Mercedes was known for being condescending. I had bad timing and a worse temper. My upside was I didn’t hold grudges. Devereaux was passive-aggressive. Sandara was quick to splash her drink, easily charmed by lames, and cared too much about what others thought of her.
I didn’t give a fuck about an opinion rendered!
I texted my mom, Enjoy the rest of your birthday. 2mrw will b tons of fun! Can’t wait for your makeover. Love you!
An apology might’ve sent mixed messages. I’d continue the convo when I saw her. Parking outside my gurl’s apartment building at Atlantic Station, I texted Chanel, I’m downstairs.
Waiting for her, I texted James, Meet me at my place in two hours.
Flirting with Domino made me juicy and put me in the mood for my guy’s dick. I didn’t step out on James because he wasn’t great in bed, I diversified because I wanted to. Men cheated remorse-free and so did I. Chanel had to work tonight. Taking her on a dinner date before she clocked in, plus seeing her after I was done doing James, would make her happy. I didn’t regret leaving my food at the Cheesecake but I felt famished for more than fish.
“You look sweet, C,” I told her soon as she got in the car. “Where you want to eat?”
She had on jewel-beaded flat sandals and a green, orange, and yellow tropical dress. Without shoes, C was five-six, one inch taller than I. Her maxi was sleeveless and she was braless. The seatbelt separated her breasts. I noticed her nipples were hard.
I leaned sideways, gestured for a kiss. Her chocolate lipstick mixed with my red. “Suite Food Lounge or Stats is cool,” she suggested, then said, “You think about what I asked?”
“Suite it is,” I decided, driving south.
Chanel loved the lemon pepper wings drenched in lemon juice, smothered in black pepper, and the hot ones were my favorite. I talked a text to Al the manager, “You at work, question mark. My girl and I are coming through period.”
William Alfred Williams replied, The usual table, drinks, and food?
“You got me set?”
4sho but don’t start no shit tonight Alexis. Cool?
“Cool.”
Halfway there, Chanel asked again, “You think about what I asked you?”
I waited for the signal light to turn green, then I made a U-turn, and headed back toward her place to drop that bitch off.
“Fine, Alexis. I won’t ask again,” she said.
Making another U-turn we were silent until I valet-parked at Suite. I knew she was feeling some type of way but better for her to be salty than me.
We sat at our usual table for two in front of the projection screen. I avoided the hookah side of the lounge. The setup over there was nice but the people smoking were amped. I didn’t need any influences in my system outside of my mai tai.
After we settled in for five minutes, our food and drinks arrived. C gazed at me with sad eyes then looked away.
“What is it?” I asked.
“I want us to have a baby,” she said.
Unexpectedly, my drink spritzed in her direction. I wiped my mouth. “No, C. Where is this coming from?”
“I’m starting to get tired of dancing. We can adopt.”
“How are we supposed to support a kid? Nah, you haven’t thought this through.”
I’d lost my appetite. She nibbled on her wings and sweet potato fries. There was no way I was leaving James for C. I knew that’s where the baby idea came from. She’d have to work to support us. I’d become a stay-at-home mom.
“You love me, Alexis?”
“C, you know I do.”
“Then say it.”
Shaking my head, I told my gurl, “Eat up. I gotta go.”
CHAPTER 15
Blake
Was Spencer flirting to bait me in, or was he sincerely attracted to me?
My cell rang. I sat on a bench outside the Cheesecake Factory. It was the man I’d put out yesterday. I pressed the button on my Bluetooth, then answered, “What?”
Switching from checking out athletic gear in the window, I began people-watching.
“Where are you?” Fortune demanded.
Though the day was almost over and he’d blown up my phone earlier, filled up my voice-mail box, now that I answered there was no “happy birthday.” No “how are you doing?” No “I apologize.” Nothing. There was no remorse in Fortune’s voice.
“Com’on, Blake. I can’t take this. I’m tired of being in my car. How long you gon’ be?”
My jaw dropped. “I don’t have to answer to you and you’d better not be at my house.”
“Where else am I supposed to be?”
Spencer approached me. “You chill?” he asked.
I nodded, smiled. I clenched the cash he’d given me in my hand. “I’m good. See you shortly.”
“Who was that I heard? What you mean you’ll see him shortly? You’d better not be giving away my stuff.”
Looking at the time on my cell, calmly I replied, “I’m busy, Fortune. Good-bye.”
“Hurry home,” he said, ending the call as if we were still together.
From now on what I did with my p
ussy was my business. Maybe treating myself to some dick would cheer me up. Admiring Spencer until he was out of view, I could be a damn fool, an old fool, or just plain stupid if I allowed this young man to seduce me any further. Or he could become my inspiration to try new things. Walking through the Nike store, I entered the mall. Opening my hand, what felt like two bills, was. I figured they were twenties. They were hundreds. The new, crisp, colorful ones.
What I needed to do with this cash was give it back. Didn’t want to feel obligated. Spencer hadn’t done anything to make me feel sex was all he wanted but my spending his hard-earned money didn’t seem right.
I texted Brandon for advice letting him know, He gave me $200 to buy us something.
Brandon texted back, Make sure it’s sexy bitch! Cute shit is for little girls!
Walking into The Body Shop, I sampled a fragrance, then thought about Sandara. I handed the cashier my gift card, took a picture of my two items, then texted the pic to my baby.
Spencer didn’t ask for my number. He gave me the option to contact him. Didn’t act as though he’d be upset if he never saw me again. I strolled past a few stores then entered Aldo’s. Tried on a few pair of red high heels. Bought the sexiest open-toe pair then went to Victoria’s Secret. Bought a black lace nightie and a red thong.
Glancing at my watch, I saw it was eight-thirty. I grabbed my bag and receipt then hurried toward the cupcake store praying I hadn’t missed him. Was I supposed to wait inside the mall, the store, or out front? I stood still for a moment then exited through the turnabout. I looked right toward the Cheesecake Factory, scanned the parking lot across the street, then glanced to my left.
“Would you like me to get your car?” the valet asked.
I’d almost forgotten I’d given him my keys. “Yes. Please,” I said, handing him my ticket. When he drove up, people started taking pictures of my car. I’d probably had one too many drinks because why else would I be frantically in search of a stranger?
What I wanted right this minute was what I needed. My own Nikko. The man I’d gotten rid of was toxic. I refused to spend another day living for . . . him.
My cell rang. It was my unwanted ex. Just when I motioned to press my Bluetooth and tell Fortune to leave me the hell alone, I heard, “Don’t answer that.”
Turning around, I looked up and directly into his eyes. I’m not shy and don’t know why I looked down but there was his dick imprint.
Yeah, he was hung.
Spencer took my bags, then spoke with authority. “Let’s go, birthday woman. I’ve got plans for you.”
Softly, I said, “My car is right here.”
His eyes widened. His closed-lip smile slowly grew larger. “If you don’t mind my spinning your wheels, I can come back and get my car tomorrow.”
Dropping my keys into his hand, I said, “Let’s go.”
CHAPTER 16
Blake
The garage door opened to his apartment building. I couldn’t breathe.
“This is where you live?” I asked as he drove past the fourth floor where Alexis usually parked. I didn’t see her car. She was probably at the strip club.
I wanted to switch seats, drop him off where he’d left his car, then pray I’d never see him again. He drove over one familiar speed bump then another until we were six stories high. Spencer backed my Ferrari into a space marked VISITOR PARKING ONLY. I’d been here before. I waited for him to open my door. He reached for my hand. Taking a deep breath, I was here now.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, leading me to an entrance I’d walked through a week ago on my own.
I didn’t answer.
The elevator opened. At least he lived in a different building and we weren’t on the same floor as my daughter. Spencer did not need to know that Alexis lived in building four on the fourth floor and he was in number two on the fifth. Or maybe he was already aware but hadn’t mentioned it. Perhaps that was why they were friendly when she left the restaurant. I decided not to inquire. Not tonight. Maybe tomorrow. Maybe.
“It might seem difficult to get into the building but it’s not. If a person’s timing is impeccable, they can follow another car into the garage, then wait for someone leaving or entering the building then walk right in.” He stared at me. “You chill?”
“I’m fine,” was all I’d said. I knew what he’d said was true. Wasn’t sure why he’d told me. Hoped he wasn’t the kind that encouraged women to stalk him.
There were almost four hundred apartments here. I barely saw Alexis’s next-door neighbors. Truth was, I knew my child well and I didn’t want them two friends or friendly.
Spencer slid his hand in his pocket, pulled out a black ring with a Falcons emblem. A lot of keys dangled but there was only one lock on his door. I wondered if any of those keys fit the home of any females he was sleeping with. I noticed how his fingers danced in a rhythmic motion until he found the one to unlock his front door.
“Welcome to my haven.” He unarmed the alarm, then sat my packages on a royal blue velvet bench at the entrance. “Get comfortable, sexy.”
I stood near the door. The chocolate hardwood floors, high ceilings, and stainless appliances were the same as Alexis’s. His layout was different. There wasn’t a loft; his living/dining area was more spacious. Most things in the room and on the walls were indigo-blue or black. A bookshelf was near the front door. The titles I scanned were all nonfiction.
“Oh, that’s what I call my sexology department top one hundred. I’ve learned shit they didn’t teach a brotha in college, like a woman’s clit have legs underneath the hood.” Confidently, he said, “Yeah, I wanna make you walk and talk at the same damn time.”
What? My morals said, I should exit. My desires dictated me to stay. As I watched him stand at the kitchen counter preparing two vodka martinis, my heart rate increased. Two barstools faced him. I opted to sit on the black leather sofa. It was firm, yet soft. Spencer handed me a drink, then sat beside me.
“A toast. To a beautiful sexy woman. You make fifty fabulous. That’s what I’m going to call you. Fabulous.”
No man had given me that nickname. “I like it.”
“I like you,” he replied, taking a swig from his martini. He set his drink on a mirrored coaster on the black coffee table with silver mirrored trim. His hand traveled under my red dress, caressed my inner thigh, then slid down to my calf.
“Lay back. Relax.”
As he propped a black-and-blue pillow behind my back, I held on to my cocktail.
Spencer removed one of my shoes then the other. I let him. He scooted over, lifted my foot, placed it in his lap. My heel touched his dick. Opening a drawer under the coffee table, he retrieved a small bottle of baby oil, greased his palms. His strong hands massaged my ankle, arch, and toes.
I smiled.
“I know what you’re thinking,” he said.
“What?”
“Yes, it’s a warming drawer. I like to keep my oil heated at all times.”
He’d answered my thought. Lawd, please don’t let this man connect with my daughter. This was a first. No man who I’d met had pampered me like this. Not this soon. This youngster might know more about sex than I imagined.
“So what’s your story?” I asked. “Why aren’t you attracted to women your age?”
Soon as I’d said that, I wished I hadn’t. Blake Crystal you sure know how to mess up a good mood.
He changed his voice. “It ain’t cool being no jive turkey so close to Thanksgiving.”
I frowned. “What?”
He stopped rubbing my toes. “Please do not tell me you haven’t seen Trading Places. Please.”
“Actually, I haven’t.” Was I wrong for that?
“Don’t make me have to put you out,” he said jokingly. Resuming my massage, Spencer shook his head. “Never said I wasn’t attracted to women my age. It’s just that I’m not usually fascinated by anyone.” Looking into my eyes, he continued, “But we have sick chemistry that’s undeniable. Do y
ou know the major difference between mature and younger women?” he asked.
The olive in my mouth tasted like the fried chicken I loved at the Cheesecake Bistro at Atlantic Station. I was starving but food could wait. I had plans of feasting on this gorgeous young man. He was right. I couldn’t deny my sexual attraction.
I heard the chiming sound of a text message registering on my phone. I dug into my purse, got my cell.
Sandara’s text read, Ty mama 4 always taking care of us.
A picture of my three grandbabies was attached. They were seated at the dining table. Each made an X with their chopsticks. Their plates were filled with chow mein, salt-n-pepper prawns, spare ribs, salmon, and broccoli beef. I showed Spencer the photo. “These are my grandbabies.”
Frowning, he asked, “They all have the same mom?”
“Yes.”
“Which one of your daughters? The dark one that looks exactly like you?”
He seemed a bit too concerned for my liking. The only one who had my complexion was Alexis and why was he pretending not to know her name.
“No,” was all I said.
“That’s what’s up. Family first. I like that.”
I wanted to say, “I like you and your ass had better not go there with my daughter.” Instead I replied, “You have any kids?”
Shaking his head, he said, “Not ready for that level.”
I tried to shift mental gears from dwelling on if he liked Alexis more.
Spencer stared into my eyes. “The world won’t miss us for a few hours.” Taking my cell, he placed it on the coffee table. “Live in this moment with me, Fabulous.”
I let him take my phone because I enjoyed the way he took the initiative. I should’ve skipped drink number four. Even if my count wasn’t right this younger man was what I needed. I convinced myself if I sipped slowly, I’d be done in an hour with both my martini and this gorgeous man. My pussy twitched causing me to shiver.
“Everything chill?” he asked.
“So what’s the difference?” I was curious.
“Why don’t I show you in the shower.”
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