"Wow," Lalana breathed.
Next stop on their tour of the three-story home was its massive kitchen, done entirely in stainless steel with floor-to-ceiling walls resembling steel panels. Countertops were made of silver and grey stones that matched a backsplash made of similarly colored glass cobble stones. An electric, ceramic glass cooktop rested in an island in the middle of the kitchen.
The rest of the house included ocean views in three of the bedrooms, and a double-sided marble and stone fireplace in the family room that matched perfectly the one in the master suite. Lalana imagined the different ways each room would lend itself to unusual positions for her to fuck ROC in.
"Wow!" she said again once they'd reached the house's largest ocean-front deck.
"Yeah, I like it out here," ROC answered. "It's where I come to chill, you know, clear my mind and shit."
"Man, I don't think I'd ever leave. How often do you come out here?"
ROC shook his head. He sighed, and stretched out on a lounge chair. "I'm on the road a lot, but I try to get out here as much as I can — 'specially during the summer, or at least when I'm not on tour. Last year, I had this bomb ass party out here. It was supposed to be small and private, but Paparazzi swarmed like bees to the hive 'cause you know hip-hop royalty came out in droves." ROC leaned back on the chair. "It was all good, 'til the neighbors freaked about the loud noise, blasting music, and the parking nightmare. The next day or so, the shit was splashed all over the tabloid pages. So I said I wasn't throwing any more get-togethers. I figured this would just be my hideout."
Lalana sat next to him, quietly listening and struggling to comprehend the glamorous life he described. When ROC finished talking the two sat together watching the sun rise.
Their closeness gave way to long and heated kisses. Soon Lalana felt a river flowing between her thighs. ROC's powerful hands traveled her body. It was seconds before two of his fingers slipped deep inside her.
Lalana released a moan as ROC continued to finger-fuck her, using his thumb to work her clit. Each time he entered and pulled out, a gush of her warm juices drenched his hand. She quickly became so swollen and sensitive that the slightest touch triggered even more wetness. Just as Lalana was ready to rip the rest of her own clothes from her body, the doorbell chimed.
ROC pulled back, licked his lips, and breathlessly announced: "Food's here."
Lalana chuckled to herself as she watched him struggle to adjust himself. He was hard. No matter how much he tried to adjust and readjust, there was no mistaking the condition ROC's cock was in.
"You think this shit is cute, huh?" He asked after realizing Lalana laughed as his expense.
"Whaaat?" she squealed, laughing harder.
"Yeah, wait 'til we eat. I'm gettin' in that ass," he promised.
Lalana licked her lips, "I was wondering how long it would take for you to turn up the heat."
ROC's eyebrows raised as he smiled; then he jogged back into the house to get the door. The breakfast was wheeled in on a linen-covered table set with china and silver.
"Where did the food come from?" Lalana asked, marveling at the spread.
"I have someone who looks after the place when I'm not here," ROC answered. "He takes care of stuff like that."
Lalana didn't say anything, but wondered what it would be like to have someone wait on her hand and foot. "So where is he now?" she asked as ROC lifted silver covers from their plates.
"He don't stay here, at least not when I'm here. He's close enough to get here when I need him. That's all that matters, right?"
Lalana smiled.
She and ROC feasted on Spanish omelettes, Belgian waffles, country potatoes with gravy, and two thick slabs of honey-cured ham.
"You one sexy sista," he said, his mouth full of food.
Lalana chuckled.
* * * *
"Wanna go for a walk along the beach?" ROC asked Lalana after breakfast. Lalana paused, stunned this hard-core rapper would display such a sensitive side.
ROC shrugged his shoulders. "We ain't gotta go if you don't want."
"No," Lalana answered quickly. "Of course I want to go."
"Let's roll then, 'cause don't think I forgot what I promised you."
"What? What you tell me?" she asked.
"That ass. It's mine, the second we get back. I just wanna walk off some of that food."
Lalana smiled. He hadn't forgotten.
"That cool with you?"
"Oh, yeah," she answered. "But I don't want you to wear yourself out on the beach, 'cause I plan to make you work for it this time."
ROC chuckled at her comment while the two walked off the deck and down the path leading to the beach. At the bottom of the stairs, Lalana pulled off her sandals and allowed her feet to sink into the warm sand.
"Aaaahhh, this feels so good," she exclaimed.
"Yeah, I usually go for a run early in the morning, to kick off my workout," ROC replied.
She knew that body of his required a serious regimen. "Well it's only right that you kick off this workout you're about to get when we get back," she teased.
"Oh, I see you got jokes, huh?"
With rays of sunlight peeking just above a line of semi-darkness, Lalana was completely enthralled with the enchantment of the beach. Early-morning dew clung to their skin as warm sand enveloped their feet with every step.
"This is amazing!" Lalana exclaimed. Lalana and ROC were the only two people on the beach. At one point, they strolled hand-in-hand. Lalana felt like pinching herself.
By the time they turned to make their way back to ROC's house, people had crowded the shores. Nothing could spoil Lalana's tranquility, however. She kept stopping herself from fantasizing about her time with ROC developing into something more. Wouldn't they have an interesting story to tell their grandchildren?
They returned to ROC's deck drenched in sweat. "That was nice," he commented.
"Yeah, it was. A nice shower is gonna be the icing on the cake."
"A nice shower, huh," he repeated with a devilish grin.
Chapter Nine
By Sunday afternoon, deep depression had sunk in. Lalana didn't want her time with MC ROC to end, but knew the clock was ticking. Her thoughts constantly strayed to what life would be like after her whirlwind weekend.
ROC was on the phone when a knock came on the front door. Lalana answered it. Logan gazed at her with emotion-filled eyes.
"You okay?" he asked quickly.
Lalana was just about sick of this guy. She couldn't understand why he continued to question how she was doing. She was spending a dream-come-true weekend with her favorite rapper and this joker wanted to know if she was okay? She was more than okay. Lalana smiled and nodded.
"ROC's using the phone out on the deck," she said, holding the door.
"Oh, ya'all 'bout to go somewhere?" he questioned.
"Um, I don't think so. I believe we're spending the day in."
Something flickered in Logan's eyes that Lalana couldn't read. She didn't know why this man affected her. He may have known her back in high school, but everyone had grown so much since then. Lalana didn't need his protection.
She watched Logan's eyes dart around the room.
"So, I know you're fine, but, you doing okay? I mean usually the chicks are damn near losing their mind by now, you know, toward the end of the weekend." Lalana swallowed hard.
Logan's eyes widened, as though he just realized he said too much.
"I mean, what's that supposed to mean?" she asked.
"Nah, it's cool, Boo." ROC's voice startled her. She quickly turned, wondering just how much he had overheard. "I called him here. I need him to make a run for me."
When it became obvious to Lalana that ROC thought she was questioning why Logan was there, she pulled back a bit. She left the men talking near the door and eased herself into the master bedroom. She felt herself grow misty-eyed thinking about their time together. She couldn't believe she was already nostalgic. Lalana ran h
er fingers along the edge of the bed and pictured her and ROC making love in the shower all over again.
And what the hell did that friggin' driver mean telling her how other women behaved, like he was trying to judge her? She considered saying something to ROC about it, but didn't want to cause friction. While she was just a visitor, she didn't know what ROC's relationship was like with Logan.
Lalana could still hear ROC talking to Logan and wondered how long they would be. This was cutting into what little time she had left with ROC. It was a thought that stayed fresh on her mind.
An entire hour passed before ROC walked into the room.
"Sorry 'bout that, Shorty, had some business to handle. Dude's 'bout to make a run for me, and by the time he gets back, I'll have him drop you at the label," he said, as casually as if he was discussing the weather.
Lalana's heart sank to the bottom of her feet. Her mouth felt dry. Swallowing became a challenge. Lalana knew her time was running out, but his blunt manner just didn't sit right.
She got up and walked away from the bed. With her back turned to him, she asked, as nonchalantly as she could, "How long you think he'll be?"
"Well, knowing him, he'll probably show up around six or seven."
"Oh." Lalana refused to face him. She did not want him to see the water pooling in her eyes. Why did she think she deserved to be treated differently? Because she had won a contest? Was she hoping ROC would see something so unique in her that he'd tell her to leave her old life behind and join him on his ever-changing adventure?
The phone rang. As ROC answered, Lalana told herself it was time to stop thinking about the ticking clock. It didn't matter at all.
"Hey, I need to take this in another room," he said, motioning toward the phone.
The moment he walked out of the room, Lalana felt a sense of loneliness like nothing she had ever experienced. He was just in the other room, but how could he choose to spend time on the phone instead of wrapped in her arms?
"Hey don't forget, you get to keep all that stuff," he said, sticking his head back into the room. And just as quickly as he had come, he was gone.
Did he think that's what it was all about for her? So what if she walked away with a few designer outfits? The sad truth was, each time she looked at the clothes, lingerie and shoes, it would bring back sad memories of her time with him. Lalana wondered if she could handle that.
She packed her things, still focused on highlights her weekend. Once she gathered her things, Lalana dragged her bags out to the living room.
She found ROC sprawled out on the leather sofa watching music videos on mute with the phone glued to his ear. The sight was heartbreaking to Lalana.
"You cool, Shorty?" he asked, and pulled the phone from his ear temporarily.
Cool? She didn't answer right away at first. Did he really want to know?
"Damn, Dawg!" he screamed into the phone. He howled with laughter.
"Oh, shit, you wanna sit here?" he asked, straightening his body to make room for Lalana on the sofa.
She wanted to cry. Why won't he get off the phone? Did he not care that their time together was coming to an end?
"Dawg, I'ma check wit' you later," ROC said into the phone. Lalana breathed easier. But instead of taking her into his arms after he hung up, MC ROC sprang up and rushed off to the kitchen.
"Yo, I'ma 'bout to have a beer," he called. "You want one?"
She didn't answer. Then she heard ROC's phone ring again.
Chapter Ten
Lalana felt almost glad to see Logan several hours later when he returned to the house.
"Oh, it was real cool hanging wit' you," ROC said as she gathered her bags, as though Lalana was just an afterthought.
She stood stunned next to Logan, who wore a look on his face that said, simply, I told you so. Lalana hardly looked forward to the long ride back to the city.
As Logan took Lalana's bags to the car, ROC's cell phone rang. She thought he might let voicemail answer, seeing as she was about to leave. He answered.
With the phone held to his ear, ROC crossed the entranceway to Lalana and gave her a half-assed hug.
"Stay sweet," he whispered.
Lalana was hot. All day ROC treated her like some kind of stranger. But for him to be so dismissive? She knew their coming together was just a result of the contest; but she thought there was a real connection, as well. He had complimented her! He gazed into her eyes! They strolled the beach. They showered together. How could he not feel something?
ROC closed the door behind Lalana as she stepped off the front porch. Her heart sank.
"Yo, Lalana!" she heard a moment later. She wheeled around to look at him.
"Yes?" she smiled.
"Don't forget, the new album drops August first!" ROC called to her. "Make sure you and your girls cop that." He closed the door again.
Lalana was outdone. Her stone face broke, and a frown eased across her mouth.
"Hey, c'mon," Logan said. "Traffic's gonna be heavy."
Only then did Lalana pull her gaze from the front door.
"Oh, okay," she mumbled.
Instead of the Bentley, Logan helped Lalana into a Lincoln Town Car. "I tried to warn you," Logan started to explain. "I know you got used to riding around in luxury, but this is a good as it's gonna get."
Once seated, Logan walked around the car and climbed into the driver's seat. "So how was your weekend?"
Lalana was in no mood to have a detailed discussion with some freak harboring a high-school crush.
"Well, at least you'll have pictures to show to your friends," he responded to her silence.
"I didn't take any pictures with ROC," she whispered, fighting back tears.
Lalana swam in her own thoughts for the ride back. How could she get back into ROC's world? She convinced herself he only started acting standoffish upon realizing their time together was coming to an end.
ROC's silence in their final hours together spoke volumes to Lalana. She reasoned that he simply didn't know how to express his feelings. She was used to men bottling up their emotions. Then, the way he called her back after he'd closed the door and she was nearly at the car? Well, now she saw that for what it really was. He clearly had to give himself one last glance. Why else would he do that just to mention the album's release date? ROC had to have known Lalana would be well aware when his new album would drop. Thinking about it, she felt suddenly happy for being able to see through the smokescreen ROC had put up.
"You may not think you took pictures," Logan said suddenly. "But trust me, somebody did. I think he stopped using Paparazzi for these. I wanna say he's got a photographer on retainer."
"What are you talking about?" Lalana asked
"I'm just trying to remember how these things go. I mean, usually, it's Greg, my driver who handles ROC. Or is it Melvin?"
"You've got two other drivers?" Lalana asked. She wasn't quite sure why she asked, but she did.
"Oh, I've got a fleet of drivers, at least 12, but like I said, there are certain clients I like to handle personally, because their business is very important to me."
"How long have you been in business?"
"Let's see, I'd have to say at least 15 years now. I started out small, and things mushroomed. I guess you could say I've been lucky."
Lalana was surprised to find herself interested in what Logan was saying. "So, what did you mean about the pictures?" she asked.
"Oh, well, just don't be surprised if pictures of you pop up in some of the rags," he said easily.
"What do you mean by that?"
"Um, tabloids."
"You're trying to tell me that MC ROC would print pictures of me and him in tabloids?"
"Not necessarily. I mean it don't happen all the time. Some of these weekends never make it to the trash papers. But I'm sure you signed a release, just in case he needs to drop hints about his manhood. Or if record sales are slow, it could work as a much-needed boost to keep his name out there." Logan shru
gged. "You know, as another marketing tool."
He couldn't be serious. Why was this man messing with her?
"Are you saying that he purposely uses women in case he needs to get his name in the press?" Before Logan could answer, she added: "I just have a problem believing that."
"You never struck me as the type who didn't want to face facts," he said.
This man was starting to get under her skin. How dare he sit here and insinuate that she was being used? He was probably just jealous. It was so obvious that he harbored old feelings for her. Lalana made a mental note to call MC ROC the moment she got home and tell him all about his so-called driver.
"Damn, what was her name?" Logan questioned aloud, obviously talking to himself. "Tiffany, yeah, that was her name. But you know what, she actually made it into one of his videos. Which song was that?"
It was as if a light went off in Lalana's head. Did he just say some woman made it into a MC ROC video?
"You say she made it into one of his videos?" Lalana asked as gently as possible.
"Oh, she was last year's winner," Logan responded. "And like I said, next thing I know she's in a video. I can't remember the song, but now she's on one of those lame reality shows."
Lalana began thinking of a few reasons she might want to stay in touch with Logan, after all.
Chapter Eleven
"You are fucking lying!" Tina spat.
The popcorn in Lisa's hand was held between wide-open lips. She too was stunned by the words that had just come out of Lalana's mouth.
"You're telling us MC ROC's dick is really 12 inches long?" Tina blinked.
"Yes, girl. I am telling you with God as my witness. It's probably even longer and he ain't lying in his songs when he brags about going all night long, either," Lalana confirmed with conviction. "And let's just it's true God gives with both hands; because he knows how to use it too!"
Hip Hop Heat Page 4
