She listened, appalled. She couldn't believe what she was hearing.
"Alright, that's enough. Both of yall, out," Cameron scolded.
"Oh word, you kicking us out now? Damn, already acting brand new over this chick," one of them jeered. "Yo, you see his face, B?"
"Yeah. The face of a pussy whipped nigga!"
Laughter filled the air.
"Out!"
The laughter continued, until the door slammed, silencing them.
Reese was repulsed. Was this how they talked about her when she wasn't around?
After a while, Cameron appeared with a sigh.
"Anyway, where were we?"
She rolled her eyes, disgusted with him. Cameron got on the bed and crawled toward her. Placing his hand on her thigh, he leaned in for a kiss but she backed away with a heated glare.
"Don't kiss me."
His head jerked. "What?"
She focused on her phone.
"What's the matter with you?" he asked, confused.
"I overheard you and your little friends talking."
He lowered his head with a sigh.
"So, I'm an independent black bitch who acts like she doesn't need a man." She nodded with pretense smile. "Glad to know I'm the butt of everyone's jokes."
"Look, they didn't mean that. That's how they always are."
"Why did you even bring me on this trip?"
"You know why." He sat on the bed.
"No, I don't. Because apparently, I'm just ruining your fun."
"That's not true."
"According to your friends, it is."
"Look at me."
She didn't spare him a glance. He placed a finger on her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze. "You think if I didn't want you here, I would've asked you to come?"
She rolled her eyes, folding her arms.
"I brought you here, because I wanna share this experience with you. There's no one else I'd rather have here."
That wasn't enough to comfort her. Despite the seriousness in his tone, she still couldn't understand why he wanted her out of all people. Moments like these, only brought her back to the reality of the situation. She was a 38 year old woman dating a 27 year old athlete. She would be fooling herself to expect any different from him. Yet here she was, already caught up in the web they had tangled themselves in.
What was she doing?
"Sometimes, I just feel like I'm making a mistake." She shook her head.
"About what?"
"Being involved with you."
"It's no mistake."
"And how can I be so sure?"
"Alright, look at it like this." He leaned back against the headboard. "Take away all this shit. The fame, the women, the media, everything. When it's just us two, what do you feel?"
"A lot of things."
"What's the number one thing?"
She paused for a moment.
"Fear."
"Why fear?"
She let out a sigh. "Because, I find myself falling deeper for you than I realized."
Her heart tightened at the revelation as they both fell silent.
"C'mere." He patted the spot beside him.
She moved closer to him.
"You know the one thing I learned in boxing?" he asked. "It's just you and fear in that ring. Not the other person. Not the ref. No one. Just your fear. That's your real opponent. And you could either let it knock you down, or you keep fighting that muthafucka till the bell goes off."
Reese grew quiet, his words resonating with her.
"I say that to say, we all got something we're scared of. All of us. But we shouldn't let that stop us from achieving what we really want...even if that means risking our hearts in the process."
That struck a chord with her. She thought about her own life. Her struggles, her demons, her fears. As strong as she had become over the years, there were still some dark aspects in her life that haunted her till this day. And no matter how much she tried to move forward, she could never build up the courage to conquer them completely.
"I want you to do something for me," He pulled her out of her thoughts.
"What?"
"Let go."
"Let go?"
"Yeah. I want you to let go of what you think...and go with what you feel. Will you do that for me?"
She paused for a moment, nodding. "I'll try."
He kissed her lips and she welcomed their soft touch. He pulled away, rubbing her cheek.
"That's all I ask."
Chapter 31
The time had come. His favorite event of the year. The Espys. It was the time he and his peers gathered for one night to be awarded and acknowledged for their contribution to sports. Tonight, he had been nominated for 'Fighter of the Year', along with two other MMA fighters and another champion boxer from a different weight class.
He and his crew were riding in the limo on their way to the red carpet. Including Reese, whom was seated beside him. The whole time, he couldn't take his eyes off of her. She looked so beautiful in her striking gold dress and high heels that seemed to emit a luminous glow .Her elegant style complimented well with his designer black suit, silver vest with a matching tie and dressy shoes.
These past few days had been wild. Nonstop events, from parties to dinners...to parties. And much to his surprise, Reese had been able to keep up with it all. He didn't think she would, but she proved him wrong.
This had all been a test. He wanted to see if she could handle this lifestyle. Not everyone could. But even with the all the flashing lights, the hounding paparazzi, the celebrities and everything else that Hollywood had to offer, she had been able to carry herself with grace, and rub shoulders with the best of them. Like a pro. And that turned him on more than anything.
As they sat in the backseat of the limo, he watched as she took sips of her wine. She was nervous. He could see it. She barely said a word, immersed in whatever thoughts were swirling in her brain.
"You'll be fine. Don't worry," he whispered in her ear.
"Huh?" She turned to him.
"You'll be fine."
"I'm just so nervous." She placed the flute in the cup holder.
"No need to be. It's not as scary as it looks, I promise."
She nodded with a deep breath.
"You look beautiful.”
She gave him a soft smile, sparking a certain feeling in his chest. It was just something about her smile that did him in. Like the way those subtle dimples indented the corners of her bottom lip, or the way her eyes would gleam with warmth, revealing the softer side to her that he adored.
"Thank you," she whispered.
*
"And the Fighter of the Year award goes to..."
Cam closed his eyes, his heart pounding in his chest.
"Cameron Lewis!!!"
He hunched over, overwhelmed with joy. Applause filled the arena as everyone cheered him on. He stood up and gave Reese a hug, who also cheered with exuberance. With a smile, he eased out of the row and walked onto the stage. He shook hands with the presenter, a young NBA rookie, before collecting his trophy. He grasped the solid award, as he stood before the crowd, overwhelmed as they continued to applaud him.
When the place quieted down, he scanned the 400 guests in attendance. He nodded, fighting back emotion.
"As I'm holding this award, I remember being about 11 years old, watching the TV and seeing one of my favorite fighters, Roy Jones Jr, on this same stage winning the same thing. And I thought to myself, one day that's gonna be me." He bit his lip, staring at his trophy.
"Fighter of the Year, doesn't mean just being the best in the sport. It means the fight to keep going, regardless of the hardships life throws at you. I've been through a lot this year. I almost lost it all. My career. My reputation. All I worked for. Everything. But you know what? I didn't let it break me. I just think about all those kids out there that are watching right now..." He stared at the TV cameras. "I do this for them. I can't give up, no matter what. All m
y fans. Supporters. My team who helped me get here...Slick, Eddie, Yasmine, Polo, Leo, Nelson, Bug, Bryson, Deshawn...my friend and date, Sharese." He looked at her within the crowd, and she blushed with a smile. "So many people to name. I couldn't do this without them. They're the reason I got this far. So, thank you everyone for all the support. I love ya'll." He raised his trophy in the air, and the crowd cheered.
The cue music played, and Cam headed back stage.
*
"Yeah bitches!" Cam roared, as he and his boys popped the cork off their Champagne bottles.
After his win, they celebrated all night. From after party to after party, it had been a nonstop festivity. He and his entire entourage were now on his exclusively rented out party bus with a group of strippers, whom had been their source of entertainment. The neon lights flickering in the darkened bus, only enhanced the vibrant atmosphere as the hottest rap music of today pounded the speakers.
Cam raised his bottle in the air, rapping along to Bobby Shmurda's Hot Nigga. He and his friends danced to the smash hit, mimicking the signature dance the song entailed. Losing his balance, he stumbled onto the leather seat. Yeah. He was fucked up. And by now, he couldn't even keep count of the amount of liquor he had indulged throughout the night.
He glanced across at Reese, only to laugh at the sight of her slapping the ass of a stripper whom had been giving her a lap dance. She was drunk. She had to be. There was no way she would be doing that if she was sober. And after the way she had been chugging liquor all night, he wouldn't be surprised. But he enjoyed every bit of it. It was nice seeing her let loose. Even with all the sexy strippers here, all he focused on was her. No one could compare. Especially with the way she was wearing that purple cocktail dress and high heels, with that perfectly sculpted frame looking nothing less than delicious. Yeah. He was definitely tapping that tonight.
His focus shifted when a stripper straddled him. She twirled her hips, before bending over, displaying her plump ass in her G string. He licked his lips, slapping it. He snapped out of his trance when Reese approached them.
"Excuse me, bye!" She shooed the stripper away, imposed herself between them. The stripper scowled and walked away. Reese stumbled onto his lap and he grasped her before she fell over.
"Whoa! You good?" He smirked.
"She shouldn't even be dancin’ on you like that..." She slurred. "With her stanky ass booty."
He laughed. "Her what?"
"I saaiiid stanky ass booty. Are you listenin' Cam?"
All he could do was laugh. He thought he was drunk. But she was far gone.
"You even know what you saying right now?"
She nodded and planted her lips on his. Their kiss deepened as their tongues brushed hungrily and he rubbed her thighs, his insides brewing with lust. She pulled away, staring at him as she rubbed his neck. Her eyes blazed with flames of desire as though she wanted to fuck him right at that very moment. And he swore there was nothing sexier. She leaned forward and nibbled on his earlobe, a certain gesture that drove him crazy.
"I want you," she whispered in his ear.
*
They staggered into their hotel suite, kissing each other with desperation. They tugged on each other’s clothes as they planted sloppy kisses without a care. They moved in an animalistic state. Disregarding whatever amenities in their way. Cam grasped her ample ass in his palm, as the heat of her body rubbing against his erect manhood ignited fiery lust within. He couldn't get inside of her fast enough. He had been waiting for this moment all night. He lifted her up and placed her on the kitchen counter.
She broke the kiss. "Wait."
He breathed heavily. "What?"
"We're not doing that tonight."
His chest fell. "What?"
"Mmm-mmm." She shook her head, slowly unbuttoning his blouse. Her finger traced his bare chest, before trailing down his abs, arousing chills through his skin at her mere touch. She grasped his belt and yanked him roughly, lunging him between her warm thighs.
"We're gonna do it my way tonight," she whispered in his ear.
He blinked, taken aback.
"So here's what I want you to do. I want you to go over there...." She pointed across the room. "Get a chair. And sit down."
He stood there, in shock. Was she serious?
"I'm waiting." She folded her legs.
His jaw dropped. He wondered who this person was in front of him. There was no way this was the same Reese he knew. Her boldness throwing him off, yet exciting him at the same time, he hurried to the dining table and grabbed a chair. He placed it at the center of the room and sat down.
She hopped off the counter and staggered to him.
"Don't move," she ordered.
She bypassed him and he sat there with a grin. He couldn't believe this was even happening. His legs tapped the floor, as he waited anxiously for whatever she had up her sleeve.
When Janet Jackson's, Would You Mind, reverberated through the suite, he turned his head to see her strutting toward him. He salivated at the sight of her luscious body, clad in nothing but her black laced bra, thong, and purple stilettos. She appeared like a goddess, her aura dripping with seduction as she neared closer, staring at him like he was the prey she was ready to devour. His heart pounded quicker. Her heels clicked across the wooden floor as she approached him.
She stood before him, imposing herself between his legs. Her body towered over his, drawing his eyes to her juicy breasts.
"Those little strippers weren't doing their job. So, tonight, I'm gonna show you how it's really done."
Her words shocked him.
She began moving her body to the music. Her hips wined to the rhythm, as her hands caressed her breasts, enticing him beyond belief. Licking his lips, he rubbed her thighs and she swapped his hands away with a hardened stare.
"No touching."
He forced his hands to his sides, fighting the burning temptation to touch her. She turned around and bent over, twirling her hips, giving him a perfect view of her plump ass.
"I just wanna touch you, tease you, lick you, please you...."
The slow, sultry music immersed him in another world as he grew lost in her trance. She teased him torturously with every move she made, and he felt himself already on the verge of busting in his jeans.
He couldn't take it anymore. He needed her.
Unable to resist, he grasped her ass and she spun around with a glare.
"Didn't I say no touching?"
"Baby, you teasing me right now—"
"Nu-uh. See that's your problem...." She leaned forward and whispered in his ear, "You always wanna be in control...."
Her soft hand rubbed his abs, before trailing to his belt. "But not tonight."
She unbuckled it then pulled out his hardened muscle. She bit her lip, grasping it in her palm and he let out a groan of pleasure as she caressed it.
"Answer me this…" She licked his earlobe, with a moan. "Is this all mine?"
He nodded, his eyes rolling in the back of his head.
"Say it," she demanded.
"It's all yours..." he moaned.
"No one else’s?"
He shook his head.
"It better not be...." She placed kisses on his chest before descending further as she got on her knees. His chest heaved in arousal. When her lips slid along the tip, he flinched at her touch. Her warm, wet mouth enveloped him and his head fell back in ecstasy as she took him deeper.
"Fuck..."
She added pressure as she worked him, damn near pulling him out of his own skin. He gripped the chair, trying to keep control. If she didn't stop now he was going to bust.
"Shit, Reese...."
He clenched his eyes, swallowing back the bellowing moan clogging his throat. He didn't want to scream like a bitch. But he just didn't know how much he could take. She removed her lips and stood up. She stepped between his legs and raised her thigh, pressing her stiletto against his chest.
"You want this pussy?"
/> He nodded, his appetite feasting for her.
"Then if you really want it, take it," she demanded.
Without question, he ripped off her thong and thrashed his tongue on her wet clit. She gasped out a moan, rubbing his scalp. He savored her taste, his desire for her deepening by the second. He had enough of this shit. It was time to work this pussy like he wanted.
He grasped her waist and straddled her on top of his dick. As it slid within her moist walls, they both let out breathless moans, her haven swallowing every portion of him. He detached her bra, allowing her breasts to bare free and sucked her nipples as she rode him in a quickened pace.
He slapped her ass, gripping its ample flesh in his palm. They kissed with hunger. Reese sucked on his neck, before nibbling on his earlobe.
"I love you," she whispered.
He pulled back. "What?"
They stared at each other. He was in too much of shock to react. He searched for the truth in her eyes, but the glazed drunkenness in them shielded that possibility.
He frowned, confused. "You love—"
She kissed him again. As he tried to pull away, she trapped him in the hypnosis of her kiss, only weakening him in bliss.
Chapter 32
Reese woke up from her slumber with a throbbing headache. She huffed out a curse word and turned over on the soft mattress, only to be struck by the bright glare beaming through the window. She shut her eyes with a groan.
"Morning." Cameron entered the room. "Finally up?"
She pointed to the window. "The blinds..."
"Close 'em?"
She nodded.
He walked across the room and drew the curtains, dimming the room.
"How you feeling?"
"Like shit."
She deeply hated herself for drinking so much last night. Of course she wanted to have fun, which she did. But goodness, did she have to take it overboard? She didn't know what the hell she drank. And now look at her. A mess. Head pounding, dry throat, fatigue. And in any moment, she felt like she was going to vomit her intestines out.
Hook'd Page 18
