by Blue Saffire
“We can tell them whenever you’re ready. You know how I feel about it. I love my brother’s sons like their mine, but I want them to know him too,” Alex sighed.
I knew that. Alex has always wanted to tell them. I’m the one that changed my mind. As I started to learn my sons’ personalities, I wasn’t sure any more if telling them would be the right thing.
“I know,” I nodded. “I think we should tell them soon. Their almost eighteen. I need to face this. It’s going to hurt no matter when I do. I think their ready.”
“Then we’ll tell them soon,” Alex said and kissed the top of my head. “No more worrying tonight.”
chapter Nineteen
Not Ready
Meliyah
I drove myself to school the following week and Aliyah and Alexis rode with me. Aunt Tali couldn’t help herself. She bought me a new wardrobe to match my car.
I just knew I was too cute. Victor would park next to my car and pretend to hang out with his friends until we all got in my car and left school for the day. He wasn’t fooling anyone. He was only making sure no one stopped us.
When Friday rolled around, I was excited. Raul calls me all the time now. After school, I was supposed to drive to the city to meet him and he was taking me to City Island for dinner. Harry was going to bring him to meet me and we are going to take my car.
I got up extra early that morning to get ready for school and my date. I put on a pair of red rider boots and a tight pair of black jeans. I layered a red tank top over a white one and carried a lightweight red leather jacket with me.
Once school was over, Alexis and Aliyah met me to walk out of school. I was a little annoyed that Alex rode with Victor today. I wanted to leave without Victor being involved. I had planned to rush out and leave before he got to his car, but now he would know that I left. Alexis and Aliyah would have to ride with him.
I told Aunt Tali I was going to hang out with some friends after school. I hated to lie, but I know she didn’t want me with Raul. Right now, I just want to figure things out with him. I understand her warning, but I just want to see if staying away from him was the right choice.
Victor gave Alexis and Aliyah a funny look as they went to climb into his car. He looked over at me as if he was going to speak, but he pressed his lips and rolled his eyes at me. I just jumped in my car and took off. I had someone that wanted me. I had enough of Victor treating me like an enemy.
When I got to the city Raul was there waiting in the Hummer. He jumped out and got in the car with me. As soon as he got in the car, he pulled my face to his to kiss me. He moaned and smiled as his tongue hit my mouth. I had just finished a pineapple candy and the sweet taste laced my mouth.
“You taste as good as you look, Mama,” he moaned.
“Thanks… I think,” I laughed.
“You missed me?”
“Yeah,” I chimed and this time I meant it.
“Let’s go,” he smiled and kissed me on the cheek. “Go straight up this way.”
We talked as we drove to the restaurant. Each time I peeked over at Raul he was staring at my thighs or at my chest. But the way he did it didn’t make me feel wrong. He was smooth about it, not like Pedro who’d always been like a vulture.
When we got to the restaurant Raul wrapped his arm around my waist and led me inside. When we were seated, he sat back with a big smile on his face. I sat looking at the menu and playing with the necklace he gave me.
“What you want?” Raul asked.
“The shrimp and wild rice with a lobster claw,” I smiled.
“Word, you making sure I breakout the wallet?” He chuckled as he looked over at me.
“I can treat you if you want,” I teased.
“Nah, I got you, Baby. Get anything you want.”
“Oh really and what do you want in return,” I asked and raised an eyebrow.
“I got what I want already. You here, right?” he chuckled.
“Good answer. I thought I was going to have to pay for my own meal.”
“Word, you think I need to buy you shrimp and lobster to get in your pants?” he laughed and scanned my body.
“That’s you talking. I didn’t say that.”
“Yeah, whatever, Ma,” he laughed.
The waiter came over and took our order before Raul started a new conversation. I like the way he smiled when he talked, it made him look handsome. We talked until the food came and then Raul excused himself.
Raul said he didn’t like to talk when he ate. He considered it’s a time of meditation. That surprised me a lot. We ate in silence and when we were done Raul asked for the check. He looked like he was in a hurry to leave.
I was glad I had more of the candy I’d eaten earlier. As soon as we made it out of the restaurant, Raul had his hand on the small of my back while he leaned to kiss me. He used his tongue to steal the candy from my mouth and laughed as he kissed me on the neck.
“Let me drive,” he said and held out his hand for the key.
“No,” I said and frowned at him.
“Mama, I’ve been driving longer than you’ve been wearing a bra,” he teased.
“Doubt that,” I teased back.
He looked down my shirt and smiled. “You might be right,” he chuckled. “Give me the key.”
“I’m gonna beat you down if you hurt my car,” I grumbled as I gave him the key.
“I’ll take care of it like I’ll take care of you,” he said and pecked me on the lips as he opened my door.
“Where are we going,” I asked as he climbed in the driver’s seat.
“My place, I don’t want you to go home yet. Come spend some time with me.”
“Okay.”
I put my head back against the seat and closed my eyes as he drove. I was tired and I didn’t want to drive anyway. As he drove I felt him place his hand on my thigh.
He kept it there until we got to his place. His hand was warm and comforting. Nothing like the tingling I feel when I am with Victor, but it was still nice. I felt myself relax, falling in and out of sleep.
When we got to his place he parked my car in front of this nice building and we went inside. Raul placed his hand on the small of my back and led me into the elevator. As the doors closed, he pressed the button, then turned to me to kiss me.
Raul’s hands slid down from my back and he held on to my hips. When the elevator stopped, he pulled me out by my hips as he backed out. I followed, looking up into his eyes.
We went to the third door in the hall and he opened up to a gorgeous apartment. We walked through a small hall to pass a kitchen that looked out into a living room. There was a black leather sectional and a glass coffee table. There was also a huge TV mounted on the wall as well.
Raul pulled me over to the couch and flopped down on it, pulling me onto his lap. He reached for the remote and turned on the TV. He flipped through until he found a movie, then pulled me to his chest.
We sat watching TV for about a half an hour before he reached down to unzip my boots. I wiggled my feet out and he pulled my legs up onto the couch.
Raul started to rub my thighs and look me over. I went to move off his lap, but before I could, he leaned in to kiss me. It was light and gentle at first, which made me relax.
I placed my arms around his neck and kissed him back. As I did, he started to kiss me deeper and his hand slipped under my shirt. He pulled away to watch my face as he fondled my breast then my nipple. I just looked in his eyes as I bit my lip.
Raul pushed his other hand in my hair and pulled my neck to him. He kissed and sucked on my flesh making me sigh in pleasure. I liked Raul, I didn’t know if I wanted him to stop.
That’s when he laid me down on the couch and climbed over me, lifting my shirt and placing his mouth against my breast over my bra. He placed himself between my legs, pulling my calves behind his back. I moaned louder. He gentle, but seductive at the same time. He moved his mouth back to my neck and started to grind against me.
�
�You ready for me, Ma-me,” he whispered in my ear.
My mind raced. I understood what he was asking me. I just didn’t understand what my body was trying to tell me. I wanted to understand the more his hands brushed across and caressed my breasts.
I wanted to give in. As I closed my eyes to think I could hear Victor in the back of my head. ‘I want to be your first,’ rung in my ears. I knew Victor didn’t want me anymore, but I couldn’t get his words out of my mind.
“No,” I panted.
“Okay,” Raul whispered in my ear and pulled away.
“Sorry,” I murmured as I fixed my clothes.
“It’s nothing. We have time,” he smiled, looking me over. “I still can’t believe you just turned seventeen. You mad sexy, Mama. You make me want you, but I’ll wait till you’re ready. I know it’s worth waiting for.”
“Thank you,” I said and kissed him on the cheek.
“Listen you better get home. I don’t want you driving around late by yourself. I want you to come see me tomorrow.”
“Okay,” I said softly.
Raul walked me to my car. After making sure I programmed the GPS, instead of trying to find my way home on my own, he kissed me good night. He made me promise to call him as soon as I got home.
I told him I would text if I couldn’t call. I saw him in my rear mirror as he watched me pull off and leave the block. It hadn’t been a bad date. Things just moved a little too fast is all.
I got home pretty fast and parked behind Al. Aunt Tali was going to have a fit. We all left our cars in front of the house, but Victor’s car was in the way.
It was quiet when I walked in the house. Victor walked toward the door as I entered. I planned to just ignore him until he grabbed my arm and pulled me into the den. He closed the doors behind us and turned to me.
“What do you think you’re doing,” he growled at me.
“What are you talking about?”
“You weren’t at any friend’s house,” he accused.
“What do you care?” I hissed. “I’m not your girlfriend, remember.”
His face softened and he walked toward me. He reached to stroke my hair as he searched my eyes. He sighed and reached for my waist. I didn’t know what to think.
“What are you doing to me, Meliyah?” he breathed and went to place his nose to my neck, “I -.” He stiffened as his nose got close to my skin. “You were with him. His cologne is all over you,” he growled and tore away from me.
“Victor what do you want from me? You said you don’t want to be with me,” I whined.
“I don’t want nothing from you. You were probably with him when we were together,” he hissed and narrowed his eyes.
“You know that’s not true,” I almost sobbed. “Victor, if you don’t want me then leave me alone.”
Victor turned and walked out of the room. I was tired of watching his back walk away from me. I stormed out of the room behind him and went up to my room.
I stripped out of my clothes and jumped into the shower. I washed as hard as I could. I tried to get Raul’s cologne off of me. I almost had what I wanted, I thought to myself. I was just that close to being in Victor’s arms.
chapter Twenty
Trouble
When I woke up the next morning my special phone was ringing off the hook. I had forgotten to call or text Raul. I had passed out after my shower.
Raul was pretty mad and worried about me. I had planned to stay home and not go see him, but when I heard how worried he was I decided to go. I needed to get out of the house anyway.
I picked him up not far from the warehouse and we went to his place. This time, we stuck to watching TV and a little kissing. Raul ordered in some Chinese when I got hungry, but when it was time to leave he made me go home earlier. Raul followed me half way in a blue Maserati.
When I got home, I went straight to my room and closed my door. It was after dinner time, so I was clear on that part of the night. I just wanted to relax and clear my thoughts. Raul text me to make sure I was home. I just answered and told him we would talk tomorrow.
I was happy when Monday rolled around. It was the last week of school. Being finals week, we were pretty much just going to class to take finals and then going home early.
I took off for Raul’s every day after school. Raul gave me a key to his place and he would give me money every evening before I left. He would leave extra money in the kitchen for me every day in case I got hungry or something.
I’d hang out there until he came home to spend some time with me. He usually rushed home the minute I let him know I was there. Raul was growing on me.
He made sure to follow me either half or all the way home every night, since the night I didn’t call him to tell him I got home. He has also made it a habit to bring me something when he comes home. Flowers, teddy bears, candy, and yesterday he brought me a gorgeous diamond ankle bracelet. I wasn’t expecting that one, but he wouldn’t let me refuse it.
I hadn’t planned to go see him the last day of school. One of my friends from school was throwing an end of the year party. It is all everyone had been talking about the whole week.
I had gotten dressed up for it and all. I wore a yellow halter top and a pair of black jeans that looked more like spandex, with a pair of platform heels. Alexis and Aliyah were so hype about the party. We were all in matching outfits.
I had been excited too. That was until we got to the parking lot and I saw Shelia sitting in Victor’s car. I was sick to my stomach.
I decided to surprise Raul and make him dinner. Aunt Tali isn’t expecting any of us home until after one in the morning. That would make Raul happy. He is always groaning about me leaving so early and wanting more time with me. He was kind of annoyed I wasn’t coming to see him anyway.
I went to the supermarket and went right to the apartment to start dinner. I put a chicken in the oven to let it roast as I prepared some plantains and rice and beans. I hoped my sofrito would come out the way my grandma taught me. Half way through, I decided to call Raul to let him know I was at his place.
“Hello, baby,” he answered his phone.
“Hey, come home,” I sang into the phone.
“Everything okay?”
“Yeah, I have a surprise for you. Come home.”
“I like the way that sounds,” he crooned. “Listen, I wasn’t expecting you, Mama. I’m taking care of something right now.”
“Aw Ra, you’re messing everything up. I don’t have to be home until one. Don’t you want to spend time with me?”
He sighed into the phone. “Yeah mama, I do. Give me an hour. I’ll see what I can do.”
“Hurry up,” I demanded and laughed.
“You got it,” he chuckled and hung up.
I guess curiosity got the best of Raul, because he walked in the door in less than an hour as I pulled the chicken out of the oven. I was so happy. This was the first time I had cooked for a guy.
Raul came up the hall with a big smile on his face. Once he saw me the smile got even bigger. He pulled me into his arms quickly and kissed me.
“You look good,” he said in my ear as he swayed me in his arms. “I’m glad you’re here I was thinking about you.”
“Did you miss me?” I giggled.
“You know I did. What you doing in here?” he asked as he looked over my shoulder.
“Surprise, I made you dinner.” I turned to turn off the rest of the pots and started to get the food on plates. Raul followed me wrapping his arms around me.
“Word, you can cook,” he laughed as he looked at everything I made. “Let me find out, Mellie.”
“Whatever, you hungry?”
“For you,” he whispered in my ear and ran his hand over my hips. “Why you come here looking like this, Baby?”
“You want me to leave?” I teased.
“No,” he quickly replied and pulled me tighter to him. “I just wish I knew you were coming. I didn’t have time to get you anything.”
&n
bsp; “Ra, I told you, you don’t have to buy me things all the time.”
“Yes I do,” he breathed in my ear and pulled my hair back to kiss my neck.
“Stop that,” I giggled and pushed him away. “Go sit down.” He laughed and kissed the side of my face.
I finished up in the kitchen as he went to the bathroom. When Raul came back, he sat at the little table he had right off the living room, next to the large windows. I took one of the beers he keeps in the refrigerator and placed it on the table next to his plate.
He watched me as his face beamed and he bit the side of his lip. I noticed his eyes were spending a lot of time on my hips.
“What are you looking at?” I teased.
“You, what time you have to be home?” he quizzed with a smile.
“One, why?”
“Nothing,” he chuckled shaking his head reaching for his fork. I watched as he started to eat. His smile widened as he chewed and he looked up at me. “Oh Mellie, Baby, you gonna make me marry you.” We both laughed, but he appraised me with new eyes as he thought something over.
“You like it?” I asked shyly.
“Yeah, you got skills,” he answered and went back to eating.
Raul tore through the plate. When he was done, I made him a second one and brought him another beer. I finished my food and sat to wait for him to finish.
I had gotten used to not talking while we ate together. When he finished, he sat back and stretched, then reached for the beer to finish it off. I got up to take his plate and go clean the kitchen. Raul reached for me, pulling me toward him to kiss me.
“Thanks, Mama, I needed that,” he murmured and searched my eyes as he held me.
“You’re welcome,” I replied and pecked him softly on the lips.
I made my way to the kitchen and started to clean up. Raul got up and disappeared to his room. I put the leftovers away in his refrigerator that always seemed so empty except for beer, juice and water. I put everything back where I got it from and went to sit on the couch to watch TV.
When Raul returned, he had on sweat pants with no shirt. His hair and chest looked wet. I figured he must have taken a shower. He was gone long enough.
