She remembered when she was about twenty and had a pair of purple Converse high tops. For one whole summer she wore them sockless. They had ended up stinking so badly she’d had to throw them away. Shoes needed socks. Oh, to be twenty again. The things she’d do differently. The only thing she’d keep the same was having Cece. It was a love so strong that nothing could tear it apart, not even when those troublesome teenage years arrived.
Cece called from the kitchen. “It’ll be seventeen dollars and fifty-seven cents and a tip. We have to tip. Sam says it’s our duty as citizens to make sure everyone makes a living wage.”
“Just dig in my purse,” Ruth called back. She finished getting dressed and studied her image in the long mirror on the back of the bedroom door. She looked okay for a middle-aged woman. She hoped Tamika thought the same.
***
Ruth did the silly romantic thing and brought flowers, a bottle of wine, and the pie. She hoped Tamika wouldn’t think it was over the top, but she hadn’t been invited for dinner at a woman’s place for a long time. Too long. She’d chosen peonies because they were referred to as the rose without thorns. They also symbolized happiness in love and prosperity. She did the prosperity part to show Tamika that she believed in her poetry and her desire to run her own business. Ruth had looked online to find just the right flowers. She didn’t know if Tamika would look up what peonies symbolized, but Ruth didn’t care because she knew.
Ruth took Dorset Street across town. Downtown was filling up with couples strolling or sitting at outdoor tables at the new wine bar in town. The ice cream parlor also had outside tables where families sat enjoying ice cream cones. As mayor, Clementine had done wonders securing business loans for entrepreneurs eager to improve the downtown area. Put a woman in charge and good things happened that benefitted everyone, Ruth thought. As she waited at the traffic light, Ruth watched the families at the ice cream parlor. That would be a good place for Cece and Tamika to finally meet. There was nothing like an ice cream cone to sweeten any situation.
She pulled up in the parking lot of Tamika’s fourplex. She lived in the Archfield Arms. It was one of Fenton’s older buildings. It had been a mansion back in the early nineteen-hundreds and had weathered well. It was made of limestone blocks, with large windows and Doric columns leading up to a heavy oak door. The buzzer was set into the wall and was a sign of the modern necessities that an old building had to have. Although Fenton was reasonably safe, it wouldn’t do to come home and find criminals waiting for an unsuspecting tenant in the entry way.
She pushed the button and Tamika’s voice crackled over the speaker, “Come on up.” The door buzzed, and Ruth went inside. The entryway had white tiles with small black diamonds in the center of each. A massive, dark, oak staircase dominated the room. Ruth could visualize a bygone era when debutants paraded down the stairs to meet their beaus, their long silk dresses cascading behind them, their demure faces expecting the adoration awaiting them at the bottom of the stairs. She looked around. There was no elevator.
Ruth tucked the flowers under her arms, held the wine in the same hand and balanced the pie box in the other hand as she ascended the stairs. On the first landing, there was a large lead-paned window that overlooked a garden full of flowers that appeared well cared for. They must have a gardener. The whole building looked well maintained. Tamika had good taste in living accommodations. She climbed up the second staircase to a long hallway which ended with two doors—3B and 4B. Tamika opened the door to 4B. She wore ecru-colored wide-legged linen trousers and a low-cut lavender blouse that accented her cleavage. Tamika had very nice breasts and Ruth thought of them often—a guilty pleasure.
“It’s a good thing I’m in shape, those stairs might kill a lesser person,” Ruth said.
“Try bringing up groceries,” Tamika said. She smiled when Ruth handed her the peonies. “These are lovely. You know I worked as a florist before I became a barista, so I know the significance of peonies.”
“I’m not getting anything by you,” Ruth said.
“No, you’re not. Come in, come in,” Tamika said. She gave Ruth a quick peck on the lips. She glanced down at the pie and the bottle of wine. “You come bearing lots of gifts.” She took the pie. “So, I’m betting everyone in town knows we’re having dinner.”
“Pie gives it away every time.”
Ruth followed Tamika to the kitchen. Tamika got a vase and handed Ruth a corkscrew. Ruth set the pie down on the counter and began to open the wine as Tamika pulled two glasses out of the cabinet.
“We’ll have a glass while I give you the grand tour,” Tamika said.
“I’d like that,” Ruth said, taking the glasses that Tamika handed her. She poured the wine. “It smells good in here.”
“It ought to. I’ve been cooking all day,” Tamika said.
“Really?”
“No, we’re having lasagna, a Caesar salad, and bread. No garlic.”
Ruth lifted one eyebrow. “Does that mean I get a kiss later?”
“I think we should kiss now,” Tamika said. She slipped her fingers into Ruth’s front pockets and pulled her close, pressing her lips to Ruth’s. Tamika’s lips were full and soft, her tongue tentative, then more aggressive. She released Ruth, saying, “Consider that an appetizer.”
“I like the menu already.”
Tamika took Ruth’s hand and led her into the dining room just off the living area. The apartment was spacious. The walls were a pale yellow and the new carpet was a white Berber.
“The carpet looks nice,” Ruth said.
“The light color is a concern, but it sure beats the baby-poop-colored stuff from before. I’ve got two large rugs at the cleaners, one for under the dining room table and another for the living room. That ought to help keep the white, white. I don’t know what the landlord was thinking, but it’s what we got.”
“It’s a great apartment.” It was, too. There were large lead-paned windows in the living room. On the window sills were houseplants growing in all sorts of pots. The pots were art in themselves.
Tamika caught Ruth examining the pots. “I did two semesters of pottery in college. It was fun, but after a while I had too many pots. That’s when I took up indoor gardening.”
Ruth noticed the rosemary and basil. “I see you grow your own herbs, too.”
“Steph gave me cuttings,” Tamika said.
“Spreading the wealth.”
There was a comfy brown leather couch with matching chairs and a large round coffee table with a selection of poetry periodicals sitting in a neat pile, and a vase with dried flowers and pods in it. On one wall, bookcases full of books, not bric-a-brac, took up the whole space. There was a hutch in one corner that contained the television set.
“And now the bedroom,” Tamika said. “Just so you know where it is.”
“Uh huh,” Ruth teased, “In case I ravage you on the couch and then want to move to the bedroom.”
“You read my mind,” Tamika said, taking Ruth’s hand again and leading her down the hallway.
The bedroom was also quite large. A king-sized sleigh bed took up a good portion of it. On one wall there was an antique dresser and a matching standing wardrobe.
“Beautiful,” Ruth said, lightly caressing the dark wood of the wardrobe.
“These old buildings don’t have much in the way of closet space,” Tamika said. She opened it up. Everything about it was neat. Exceedingly neat.
“You’d make a good firefighter.”
“Because I’m neat and organized?” Tamika asked. “And I know you are. I lived with a complete slob and it drove me crazy. I vowed never again. Too much stress and I never understood the mindset. I’m not like freaky or anything.”
Ruth smiled.
“I’m jabbering,” Tamika said.
“Actually, I’m relieved that I’m not the only one feeling nervous. I used to be rather suave back in the day, believe it or not.” Ruth self-consciously shoved her hands in her jean pockets.
“I was a black goddess worshiped by nubile young bodies.”
Ruth let out a laugh.
“You don’t believe me?” Tamika said, with mock indignation.
“Let’s see how nubile you are later,” Ruth said.
“Is that an invitation?”
“Definitely.”
***
“Dinner was delicious,” Ruth said. They were sitting on the couch, lounging, and drinking the last of the wine.
“I’m glad you enjoyed it. We will get to that pie, don’t worry,” Tamika said.
“We have to. Molly will know if we don’t. I swear she’s got a tracking device, the pie-ometer, so she can track the consumption.”
“I hope the tracking device is edible,” Tamika said. She leaned her head on Ruth’s shoulder and it felt like the most natural thing ever.
Ruth said, “I’m very comfortable with you.”
“You mean I have a soft head?” Tamika asked.
Ruth chuckled. “You know what I mean.”
Tamika kissed her. “I’m glad. Because the feeling is mutual. And for the record, I haven’t felt like this in a very long time.” She kissed Ruth again. Ruth kissed her back, their tongues intertwining together in a slow dance of anticipation.
Tamika’s fingers found their way under Ruth’s shirt and gently caressed Ruth’s stomach. Ruth inhaled sharply. Tamika pulled away. “You okay?” she asked.
Ruth nodded. She leaned over and picked up her wine glass from the coffee table. She downed the last of the wine quickly. “I’m just…nervous. I haven’t done this in a very long time.”
“How long?”
Ruth shrugged. “Since Cece was born.”
“Wow.” Tamika downed the last of her wine.
Ruth searched Tamika’s face. “I blew it didn’t I? Now I made you nervous,” Ruth said softly.
Tamika looked Ruth in the eyes and said, “It’s like riding a bicycle, you know.”
“I’m afraid,” Ruth whispered.
“Then let me do all the work,” Tamika said. She leaned down and nuzzled Ruth’s breasts through her shirt. Ruth felt Tamika’s warm breath and the silkiness of her shirt combining to create an erotic sensation that she hadn’t felt in a long time.
“I think…” Ruth said breathlessly, “that I… want to go for a bike ride.”
Tamika laughed. “You call that suave?”
Ruth pulled Tamika in for a long kiss. When she pulled away she said, “Better?”
Tamika answered by grabbing the tail of Ruth’s shirt and pulling her into the bedroom.
***
Tamika undressed herself and then Ruth before pushing her onto the bed. Tamika lay beside Ruth and looked at her long, muscular body. “You’re so white,” Tamika muttered.
Ruth laughed. “I’m beyond white. I’m glow in the dark.”
Tamika bent over Ruth, licking and nibbling her ear.
“Oh my god,” Ruth breathed. “You found my number one spot.”
“Number one? Really?”
“Okay, maybe number two,” Ruth said.
Each lick of Tamika’s tongue, each gust of warm breath in her ear, sent delicious shivers down her body. Her nipples were so hard they could cut glass. Tamika rubbed her palm over them, making little circular motions that Ruth swore she could feel between her legs.
Ruth turned on her side, facing Tamika. She pulled Tamika’s leg over her hip. She looked down at their intertwined bodies and marveled at how good they looked together. Tamika’s molasses-colored skin and her own creamy complexion. The starkness, the difference, was arresting. Ruth didn’t think she’d ever seen anything more erotic.
Ruth ran her hand over Tamika’s butt and buried her face in her neck. She breathed in Tamika’s ear and tentatively licked. “Do you like earplay?” Ruth breathed.
“I like everything. Just don’t you dare stop,” Tamika answered.
Ruth pressed her pelvis into Tamika’s. They began to move in sync, pressing their heat together. I could do this all night, Ruth thought. I could slide my skin over Tamika’s for the rest of my life and never grow tired of it.
Ruth slipped her fingers under Tamika’s legs and found the center of her heat. She was all velvety softness.
Tamika moaned and pressed herself to Ruth’s fingers. Encouraged, Ruth delved deeper into Tamika’s folds.
“Mmmm,” Tamika said. “I want you. I want all of you.”
Ruth obeyed. She placed two fingers inside Tamika. Then three. Tamika moaned her appreciation. Ruth couldn’t believe what she was feeling. She felt so silky, so smooth, so erotic and wet and lovely and… oh my god, Ruth felt like she could crawl up inside Tamika, all of her, get lost in the movement, the in and out, the lovely, delicious fucking.
Ruth watched her hand move in and out of Tamika’s pussy, slow at first, then harder and faster. Her long pale fingers moving, teasing gasps and moans from Tamika. She had never felt so powerful, so wanted, so longed for.
Suddenly, Tamika inhaled sharply, her back arched and her pussy clenched tightly around Ruth’s fingers. She shook, her muscles clenching and unclenching. Ruth quickly moved between Tamika’s legs and buried her face in the source of Tamika’s pleasure.
This time, using her tongue, Ruth licked and stroked. Tamika shook, new waves of pleasure coursing through her body. Ruth brought her to another climax, only seconds behind the first one. This time the climax was different, sharper, more well-defined.
“My god,” Tamika gasped. “Oh my god. Oh my god, I can’t take anymore.”
Ruth couldn’t stop even if she had wanted to. Tamika tasted so good, so perfect, so delicious. She tasted like honey and salt and Ruth was so hungry, hungrier than she’d ever been in her life.
Suddenly, Tamika grabbed Ruth and pulled her up until she was straddling Tamika’s face. “My turn,” she whispered.
Ruth almost screamed from pleasure when she felt Tamika’s tongue caress her folds. Tamika began to lick, long luxurious licks, taking her sweet time. Then Tamika’s long fingers found their way inside her. Oh my god, she had never felt anything so good. She was being fucked and licked at the same time. She was so full and sharp pinpricks of pleasure were shooting up her torso and down to her toes.
Ruth rocked on Tamika’s fingers and shivered with each stroke of her tongue on her clit. She ran her hands up her own body and pinched and rubbed her own nipples. It was almost too much pleasure to bear.
It didn’t take long. It was only a couple of minutes before Ruth’s world exploded. She grabbed the headboard of the bed and yelled out. It was a primal, animal scream that escaped her lips. She had never made a noise like that before.
Then again, she had never been fucked like that before, either.
After she had caught her breath and the orgasmic spasms had slowed, Ruth curled into Tamika’s side. She nuzzled and licked and sucked Tamika’s gorgeous brown nipples, taking her time, like a cat who is sated on cream, but licks the empty bowl anyway.
“That was…incredible,” Tamika said.
“I’m afraid you’ve really done it now,” Ruth said.
“Done what?”
“Opened Pandora’s box.”
“Is that right?” Tamika said.
“Mmmhmm,” Ruth said. She rolled Tamika over onto her stomach and climbed on top of her.
“Again?” Tamika asked, “You want more?”
“I have to make up for lost time,” Ruth said. She eased her fingers inside Tamika and they both moaned at the same time.
***
Later, in the candlelight, they held each other. Ruth’s face was nestled under Tamika’s chin. The lovemaking was over, their lips were swollen from kissing, their bodies were sated and their pent-up sexual yearnings that had been months in the making were finally gone.
“You’re wonderful,” Ruth said. She leaned up on one elbow and looked down at Tamika’s face. “And I don’t mean just in the sex department.”
“You’re not so bad yourself,” Tamika te
ased. She traced one fingernail lightly around Ruth’s nipple.
They would’ve made love again, Ruth was certain, if her cell phone hadn’t rung. Cece’s name came up. Ruth thrust her head back on her pillow. “It better be important.”
“Cece?” Tamika said.
“Yes.”
“She’s probably just nervous because it’s so late or she needs to go to the hospital,” Tamika said.
“I guarantee you, it’s the former.”
Tamika smiled.
“What’s up?” Ruth said, answering her phone.
“When are you coming home? I miss you so bad,” Cece’s tiny voice admonished.
“Are you in bed?” Ruth asked. She turned slightly away from Tamika. She found it impossible to see Tamika naked and keep her mom hat on at the same time.
“Yes, but I can’t sleep,” Cece whispered.
“Have Millie make you some warm milk and honey,” Ruth said, trying to keep the exasperation out of her voice.
Tamika reached over and took Ruth’s other hand. She squeezed it, seeming to say, it’s all right, we’ll get there.
“They’re napping on the couch. I don’t want to wake them up.”
Ruth tried to distract her. “Did you have fun?”
“Uh huh. We made cookies and blew bubbles and Bernie taught me how to play poker.”
“So, you should be tired.”
“Can’t you come home now?” Cece said, a slight quiver to her voice.
Ruth sighed in resignation. “I’ll be there soon. Bye bye. Love you, too.” She clicked off. She looked over at Tamika. “I’m so sorry. It’s not how I wanted to end our evening. I’d love to stay over and cook you breakfast.”
Tamika kissed her cheek. “We’ll get there.” She sat up and wiggled into her underwear. “I think I should meet Cece. I can see where she feels left out and that scares her. It’d scare me if I were a little girl. Believe me, I suffered through quite a few of my mother’s boyfriends. I know where she’s coming from.”
Ruth touched her cheek. “Thank you so much for understanding.”
“You’re not getting rid of me that easily.”
Cross Your Heart (True Heart Series Book 4) Page 17
