BOMAW 12-14

by Mercedes Keyes

  Sylvia laughed, gasping as she tried to draw her body off of him, he grabbed her and held her, "Where you think you going? You ruined this photo shoot, I hope you know that - blown it right to hell." He complained, of course happy that she had.

  "You got no self-control, shud'na gimme no wine." She returned, weak, replete and glowing.

  They lay on the floor a few moments, happy for the thick plush carpet beneath them that Shawn insisted upon, made it easy for floor shots, still - he grabbed a pillow and pulled it beneath her head, and another under his arm. He pulled her against him, holding her tight, and his auto response was to place his hand over her mid-section. "My son okay?"

  "I do believe." She turned to her back to look at him. "You ever do this with the other women you've photographed?"

  "Ohhhh, don't ruin it baby, don't ruin it."

  "I wanna know? Yeah - uh-ha, lil'wine, candles, low lights, camera - action! Yeah, you will be doing high school photos and family portraits only, hell with that!"

  Shawn started laughing, "Now Sylvia!"

  "Uh huh, yeah - I get the picture now - you screw all them naked women you have paintings of?"

  "Sylvia! No, I did not!"

  She started grabbing her clothes; he was laughing, "Baby, just you - I swear!"

  "You must think I'm crazy, that I was born to be your exclusive fool!"

  Shawn sat up incredulous, he couldn't believe how in a blink of an eye, she went from crying out his name in ultimate pleasure, to telling him off and accusing him of doing the same to her as he'd done to other women. In truth, he hadn't done anything like this sense he was teenager newly arrived in L.A. - "Sylvia-a-a... baby, come on - awww sweety, you're wrong, I swear, I don't have one picture or painting of a woman I seduced the way I did you tonight, swear to God, cross my heart, hope to die, come on baby, really, I mean it."

  Sylvia was kneeling with her clothes before her, staring into his eyes, he grinned that grin, and then smiled, puckering his lips, he threw her a kiss, "Come back here now."

  As she was about to give in, her eyes grew wide, "Oh no, I hope you have toilet paper in that bathroom, your stuff is running - yuck!" She shot to her feet, heading for his bathroom.

  "Wash it up and come on back here, I'm getting photos of you if it takes all night!" He called, standing himself. Deciding he'd better wash up the same. Lucky for them, the kids had bought bathroom stuff for the studio, which included hand soap, terry cloth towels and paper towels.

  Refreshed, they went back into the studio, Shawn still wearing his briefs and Sylvia with one of the blue robes that a client would wear before dropping it to pose. Sylvia sat on one of the many benches as Shawn prepped the room for a real session, this time - seduction excluded. She was lost in thought swallowed up in the blue robe, playing with one end of the belt, watching him, really inspecting him as she'd done many times before. It still stunned her that a man like him, would be in love with a woman like her. Sylvia wasn't blind or delusional, when she looked at herself in the mirror every morning, it wasn't to see a raving beauty staring back at her. Her daughter was quite a beauty, and she was thankful that she didn't look like her. At best, when Sylvia checked her reflection, she figured what she saw was ordinary at best - yes, she could do the make-up and it helped, but there were many black women that she would have to take a back seat to when it came to looks. Vivian for instance, was in her estimation, the most incredible black woman she'd ever seen, that included fashion models. As she sat, she also thought about Armundo Sr. he'd gone for her after having Meribel, who she also felt, was the better looking of them - why? Shawn, she knew, was one helluva good looking white male, he was the perfect 40 something specimen, with everything going for him. All the things women wanted in a man, he had, barring his tendency to be controlling, domineering, overly protective, possessive, intrusive, in charge and a tad bit Neanderthal, for all intents and purposes, he was a winner - why did he set his sights on her? She was so deep in thought she hadn't noted him glancing at her, until finally he was there, dropping to his knees before her, looking into her eyes.

  "Hey, I chose you, I love you - because - you are everything I've ever wanted in a woman..." He started.

  Sylvia sat up shocked that he seemed to know what she was thinking, "Huh?"

  "I know you Sylvia Lucinda McPherson, I know you. Those women that I've painted, don't move me. They mean nothing to me. What you see when you look in the mirror, doubting you, is not what I see. I see, a dark, African-Asian looking type beauty, who is full of integrity, self-respect, dignity, honor and pride. Full of talent, intelligence and direction. You're clean, fastidious, loyal, faithful, and you love with every fibre of your being. You're generous and giving, and your arms are open, and all you want, is to be happy, live a life in peace, have friends you can trust, watch your children prosper, and beside you - have a man who loves you and you alone, faithful and true, as you would always be. I know you - and you know me, that I am - that man. Don't question that - don't fear it, don't doubt it. I am here - to stay - my heart - belongs to you." Though he spoke from his heart, he saw the twinkle in her eyes switch on him.

  "I wasn't thinkin' that, I was thinkin' how this material would look as curtains in my bed and breakfast. Have to ask Shanna what she think?" She almost kept a straight face, but the look on his made her laugh. He burst into laughter as well, "That's the last time - I am pouring my heart out - to you! You ingrate!" He stood shaking his head.

  "I'm just kidding baby, really I am." Sylvia stood, walking up behind him, putting her arms around his waist, rubbing his hairy belly.

  "Yeah right, just tread all over my heart, it's yours, do whatever you want with it, don't mind me." He went on dramatically.

  Sylvia laid her head against his strong back, "It amazes me how you can sometimes read my mind. You make me feel loved, Shawn ... I do feel loved, and that's - the wonder of it all, because - besides my kids, you're the only person I know, who really and truly loves me."

  He held her hands to him, glancing back over his shoulder, even though she was too short for him to actually see her, "That's not true, your mom and dad love you. Sheila and Dennis loves you, Vivian loves you."

  "Not the same, as when a man - loves you. The way you love me; all those other loves, are wonderful - but what I get from you, is the kind of love, that makes someone who loses it, feel as if they could just - lie down, go to sleep, and not wake up again. I know how someone might be tempted to do it, because it's something, that is only given once." She hugged him, her hands pressed flat against his chest, and that's when they both felt him, Jesse James stirred enough that even his father felt him against his buttocks.

  "HEY! What was that?" Shawn pulled away and jumped around to look down into Sylvia's smiling face.

  "You felt that? That was him, I think he's waking up."

  Shawn dropped to his knees, both hands going beneath the robe to her bare skin and just as his palms made contact, Jesse James shifted as if turning over, her entire tummy moved. "HOLY SHIT! Did you feel that?!" He thundered jubilantly, looking up at her.

  "Well yeah, he's inside of me you know." She laughed, a tear coming to her eye at the look on his face. And as if rewarding his father, Jesse James shifted and moved all the more as if unable to get comfortable, he really set himself into great motions, moving her stomach as he moved. Shawn stayed on his knees, holding onto her, experiencing it for the first time with her as Jesse hadn't been big enough for him to feel it yet, but now, he could not only feel him moving, but could see him in action.

  "Ah Sylvia, look at my son, Godalmighty, look at him! Jesse James, can you hear me, this is your dad, son - this is your dad! Ah, earlier you know, you'll have to excuse me, I was feeling a bit randy and well..." Sylvia threw her head back exploding into laughter at him, "... it's one of those things. So ah, in the future, just move out the way, give dad a few minutes and ah - I'll be done and you can move back to where you're comfortable, like now." Shawn grinned, winking up at Syl
via, "Is this great or what? I'd fuckin' keep you pregnant if I could, I swear I would."

  Sylvia stopped laughing, "But you ain't! Get that idea out of your head right now!"

  Shawn stood with that grin, "We'll see." He winked.

  "Hell with that, this is it!"

  "We'll see."

  "You wanna take my picture? Quit trippin' then, admit, this is fine right here."

  "Well one more at least." He protested.

  "My turn, we'll see."

  Chapter 295

  The Playground, Mundo's gig...

  When Ben and Marcus pulled up and parked in the lot down the street from the club, they immediately spotted Mundo's Blazer.

  "Whassup my brotha-a-a'!" Marcus sang out to the Blazer in the high pitch, black slang that sounded as authentic as if coming from a brother, getting geared up for the night ahead. They were about to get out of the car when he called out, "Wait! Lemme check - hold it, hold it, awww shit! Should've done this before we left, rushing me, see what I've gone and done." He complained checking his wallet for condoms, "This is really cutting it close, I only have two." He held up the condoms to show what he was talking about, "I can't be limited this way, you carrying?" He asked Ben.

  Ben stood from the car, "No, sorry, can't help you."

  "No? You're kidding right?"

  "No, I'm not, I have nada!"

  "What? Well, what'a'yah gonna do if you - well - you know."

  "I have no plans to Marcus." He replied as they made their way down the sidewalk, they looked related, their coloring very close to being the same as far as skin tone, the same strong nose of the McPherson's, all of them had the same noses, chins, similar jaw lines; in the case of these two cousins, Marcus was the darker, taller of the two and not as broad as Ben, who was definitely going to follow in his sires footsteps as far as body mass was concerned. He had the physique of an olympic swimmer, very broad of the shoulders, very strong arms, and a fit sleek body that maximized his fitness.

  "Not even if ... well... you know, you and Crystal...." He tapered off, his suggestion clear.

  "Careful Marcus, be real careful."

  "Hey, no harm - but if you're really head over, it's gonna happen sooner or later, if you're lucky that is."

  "It's not like that between us, I'm not trying to get lucky with her."

  "Huh? Weird shit man, isn't that what being in love leads to?" He asked as if it made all the sense in the world to him.

  "This just may go over your head, but I'll try it out on you anyway - just in case you surprise me. One really and truly, has nothing to do with the other. You don't have to have sex with someone, to love them with everything in you."

  "But I'm sure it helps!"

  "It's a side effect, sex is - but I don't need her in my bed to love her."

  Marcus made a face thinking him insane, to him, sex and love, the same thing, except for when you just wanted sex, without love; everyone understood the process, but you couldn't have love without sex, but you sure could have sex, without love, which was a great concept as far as he was concerned; also, his directive for the time being. When they paid their way into the club, it was jumping, packed. He loved it, the place was warm, gyrating, dancing bodies everywhere because to his delight, Mundo was jamming. He saw him up on the stage and nudged Ben, smiling and nodding his head, this was going to be an easy pickup night, his "half-brother" was DJ'ing. That may have been stretching the truth a bit, but if it worked for him, hey, he figured that's all that mattered, they were in a sense, family enough for it to be effective. He couldn't wait to spot his conquest for the night, he didn't know who she was, or where she was, or what she looked like, but he was crazy about her already.

  Ben had made eye contact with Mundo, so he was aware that he'd arrived. Mundo also gave him a tilting nod to the other side of the club, against the wall. That clearly meant that Crystal was there, somewhere in the vicinity he'd just indicated. Ben stood at the bar, busy scanning the area as he ordered himself a drink, with Marcus beside him doing the same. She was there, he just had to find her, however, the distance, the crowd, the low-lights, and many head tops sitting against the wall, made it a chore. With so many present, dancing, talking, walking to and fro, blocking his view, it was going to require patience for him to find her. Marcus of course, clued up on what was happening, searched the crowd as well, leaning back to Ben's ear, "Thick as shit in here!"

  Ben only nodded, ever vigilant to locate her. With his drink in hand, Marcus getting his as well, they stood in place watching the activity on the dance floor, especially Marcus; who leaned to Ben once more, "Should we try and get a table?"

  Ben shook his head, "Not yet, I wanna find her first."

  "Well, if I find what I'm looking for first, I'm afraid you'll have to continue your hunt alone."

  "Is a piece of ass, all you came for?" Ben asked.

  Marcus smiled, nodded and then, "Yes - or else I could have stayed at home. I came for a piece of ass, and I ain't leavin' until I get one."

  Ben could only shake his head, one thing was certain, Marcus was nothing at all like his father, Derrick; he was more Jake than any of them. Not even Kevin was this bad. Standing as he was, sipping his drink, he couldn't help but think about his brother. He wouldn't admit it to anyone, but he missed him. He wasn't used to going this long without them talking, getting together to do something. Quite a few times he'd been tempted to be the first to step up and try to make amends, but not this time, not for this crime. Because of him, Crystal had gone back to Victor, and the possibility existed, that after all he would do to try and get her back in his court, he may fail. For all he knew, it might be over this very moment and he was setting himself up to soak in a fool's bath. Yet, there he stood, looking for her - regardless of it all - of what damage, permanent or not, Kevin had done.

  "Are we gonna stand here all night? Times wasting." Marcus nudged impatiently. His hormones were at a raging high, octane fuelled level and all he wanted to do, was get a moment away from the family to screw somebody. A warm, willing, sexy or not, female. Preferable, a bad girl - good girls made you feel guilty, he wasn't in the mood for feeling guilty, he was in the mood to get some pressure released and that meant a fuck buddy who'd want to walk away when the affair was done.

  "I'm not holding you here, I need to spot her first."

  "You here just to see her? Or to party?"

  Ben only glanced up at him and then back into the crowd.

  "Just to see her." Marcus answered correctly for him, shaking his head, "You got it bad, hope I never get it. It sucks!"

  Just then, her brother came to his rescue, Ben had to smile as he listened to Mundo, "Aaah yeah, it's hot up in here! Got too many sista's sittin' on the side, what's wrong what's wrong, ladies wha's wit'cha? Skirt too shoat? Shud'na wo'it!? Ridin' up showin' that'ass? I'on believe it, come on - get u-u-u-up - sho'that ass - get u-u-up, sho'that ass - get up! Ass on the flo', it ain't hot enuff up in here! No no no, it's time - it's time to - switch!" They all screamed out as he put on Will Smith's 'Switch' - "Aaaw yeah, I knew it - come on sista! Get ya'ass out there too!" He grinned at Crystal who stood with Rochelle, both of them poppin' and jerking, moving to the beat, keeping every gyration and shimmy right-on-time, laughing and moving. Mundo smiled, nodding and looking back at Ben, to see that he'd spotted her then. He saluted Mundo, watching the two women move across the floor, dancing with each other, looking good and knowing it.

  "Whoa! Who is that with Crystal?" Marcus asked.

  "Her friend, Rochelle I think her name is, you can forget it, she'll probably chew you up and spit you out."

  "Oh yeah, that's exactly what I'm looking for!" He grinned, flexing his brows, "Let's join'em!" He was practically rubbing his hands together.

  "Calm down, calm down, she's enjoying herself, I wanna watch her a bit." Ben returned calmly, doing just that. He stood with a smile coming to his face watching her, because she was smiling, grinning, having a good time dancing with Rochelle, he
loved seeing her smile, have a good time. Moving and switching with the song right on target, looking hot and smooth. He chuckled to himself at the mischievous look on her face. A guy came up to her, dancing up behind her, she turned quickly, gave him an evil look, with Rochelle next to her doing the same, both gave him the hand and turned away, switching back to the song. He laughed, enjoying the view.

  "You - need - help! I can't believe you - standin' here, laughing and grinning, when - you could be out there."

  "Marcus... shut up." He said with a smile, eyes still on Crystal.

  "Dude, let's go out there!"

  "In'a'minute, in'a'minute." He waved him off, waiting.

  The song was on it's way to switching, with a rapid tempo beat applied by Mundo of course, since he mixed it, African drums going into, Reel to Real's song, 'I like to move it.'

  Ben glanced up at Marcus and winked, threw his head back killing his drink and started moving it towards them across the floor through the crowd. Marcus threw his head back doing the same and howled, moving it as well, he loved that song. Anxiously he followed Ben, both of them dancing as they gained their way through. They had no problem holding the beat, rhythm coursing through their blood stream, Marcus included, his Spanish blood added to his lack of shyness; he was bold enough to get out and dance to anything, and could. With his height, arms up high, he cut through the crowd of milling dancers, his eyes on Crystal and her friend, especially her friend. She was Crystal's height, beautiful cocoa brown, like strong dark honey, her hair was cut short around the neck, perfectly tapered and smooth on the temples and sides, for the top to hang, straight and long to the side, a bang that hung to her chin. She was moving with amazing smooth rhythms, a slender, sleek body and nice ass, a real nice ass. Marcus had a mini tremor at the thought of gripping it in his hands as he laid into her, 'Yes! You are the one, tonight is your lucky night.' He thought and nothing else mattered after that decision was made.