I nudged her waist and whispered, “We’ll talk later.”
Besides that, the spicy aroma of sex was still coming from between my legs, and the way Steven was eyeballing me, I wasn’t sure if he suspected something. I crossed my legs, attempting to tone down the smell.
A few minutes later the wedding got started. I was doing okay, until I saw Korey and his groomsmen come into the room. He did not have a smile on his face, and his eyes searched the room. They stopped as soon as they got to me, and I quickly turned my head in Veronica’s direction. She nudged my side again, but I shifted my eyes away from her too. Just so I didn’t have to look at Korey, I dropped my head and softly massaged my forehead. I was starting to get a headache, and when the wedding party started coming down the aisle, I put on a fake smile.
“They are too cute,” Liz said about the flower girl and ring bearer. I agreed, and when Steven finally looked into my eyes, I was caught in a trance. If I weren’t already so sticky and wet between my legs, I would have hiked my dress up again. He finally blinked and looked away, right before the moment of truth came. “Here Comes the Bride” played, and everyone stood. The double doors in the back opened, and Claudette stepped into the room, looking prettier than I had ever seen her.
Even her lips didn’t look as big, and her hair was pinned up on top of her head. The dress she had on looked like it was embedded with tiny diamonds, and it had a flaring tail at the bottom. No wonder she was anxious for all of us to come to her wedding, because there would have been no way for her to brag about this without us seeing it. We definitely had to see for ourselves. Liz was all smiles, and so was everyone else. When I looked at Korey, though, he held his hands together in front of him, but there was no expression on his face whatsoever. His eyes were glued on Claudette, and I was relieved that they weren’t on me. She made it to the front, and everyone took their seats. Korey stepped beside her, and they both faced the minister.
He gave his spiel about who gives this woman, and her father stated, “I do.” The ceremony continued, and since they had prepared their own vows, Claudette was asked to go first. She took Korey’s hand and smiled as she looked into his eyes. The same blank expression was on his face.
“Korey, from the first day I met you, I knew that we would someday be standing here. Being with you has given me so much joy, and I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you as your loving wife. I promise to always remain faithful, loving and supportive of you, and because of the man you have always presented yourself to be, you truly deserve it. I love you with everything that there is in me, and I look forward to making you one of the happiest men in the entire world.”
Oh, my, God, I sat there thinking. How in the hell would he offer a comeback to something like that? The guilt from what we had done was already eating me alive, and I really didn’t even like Claudette. I could only imagine what Korey was feeling, and when I saw his eyes water, my stomach started to rumble. He continued to hold Claudette’s hand, but before he spoke, he played it off and wiggled his finger underneath his right eye like something was in it. He blinked to clear the water from his eyes, then took in a deep breath, slowly releasing it.
“Claudette, you have truly been too good to me. Thing is, I am not deserving of your love, nor have I ever been.” I sat up straight, holding my stomach with anticipation of his next words. “I brought you here today, and made you go through all of this, knowing deep inside that I did not want this. I’m so sorry, baby, but I’m not in love with you anymore.”
Everybody was in complete and utter shock. In a few seconds, pandemonium was about to erupt, and no sooner than I thought it, it did.
“Oh no, he didn’t,” one lady shouted.
“Shame! Shame on you,” said another older lady standing with a cane.
“Son of a B!” a man shouted at Korey as he started walking down the aisle. When his eyes connected with mine, I prayed to God that he wouldn’t come over to me. He didn’t, and as he was walking out the door, Claudette and her father were yelling his name. Another woman had stormed after him, and I assumed since she looked like Claudette, she was her mother. Her face was beet red and her tightened fists were in the air.
“You lousy motherfucker,” she shouted, going after him. “How could you do this to my daughter!”
Claudette started crying in her father’s arms, and her grandmother stood up, thanking everyone for coming.
“It looks like there will be no wedding today, so thank you all for taking time out of your busy schedules to be here. We ask that you leave now so the family can deal with this alone.”
Many of us were still sitting there in shock, trying to figure out what in the hell had happened. Veronica kept nudging my side, but I was too afraid to face her. Steven looked at me again, and then turned to Liz. He stood up, and held out his hand so she could take it.
“Are you ready to go? Obviously, there’s not going to be a wedding, so let’s go.”
Liz took his hand and slowly stood. “I wonder what happened?” She continued to look at Claudette being comforted by her father. “I hope she’ll be okay.”
“It’s clear that the young man had a change of heart. I’m sure she’ll get over it,” Steven said.
Liz’s brows rose higher, and the look she gave Steven was devious. “That’s not nice to say. He shouldn’t have done that. What a hurtful thing to do to her.”
“You have no idea what was going on with the two of them. You’re on the outside looking in. Hurtful or not, at least he was smart enough not to go through with it. You’ve got to give him credit for that.” Steven wasn’t backing down, and that’s what I liked about him. A man who spoke his mind was all right with me.
Liz was so disgusted that she walked away from him. As we exited our row, Steven was close behind me. So close, that I felt something touch my backside.
“Excuse me,” he said as we stepped out of our row. “I didn’t mean to bump you.”
“No problem,” I said. “Just make it up to me later.”
Steven winked and left to go find his upset wife.
Veronica, however, saw the entire exchange.
“What did you mean when you asked him to make it up to you later? Make what up to you?”
“I didn’t say that,” I lied. “I said, ‘Tell Liz to call me later.’”
“You need to stop your lying,” she said as we exited the hall. “I heard what you said, and I can’t believe you said that to him. What if he tells Liz you said that to him?”
“He won’t, trust me.”
“Why not?”
“Because he has every reason not to say a word to her, that’s why.”
Veronica was trying to put two and two together, and she had forgotten about all of the drama that had happened inside. “Girl, please don’t tell me that you’re doing it with Mr. Smith too. I’m going to drop dead if something is going on with the two of you as well.”
I hated to go there, but it felt good for me to get this off my chest. “I hope you got your casket already picked out, because it is what it is.”
Veronica playfully dropped to the ground, and the people around us asked if she was okay. “I’m fine,” she said, slowly getting up. “You and I are going to your apartment right now to talk! I need to know why you disappeared at the wedding, and about you and Mr. Smith. I definitely didn’t see that one coming, but all I can say is, you are one happy-go-lucky dog!”
I knew Veronica would understand, and yet again, I made her promise to keep my secret. For whatever reason, I trusted that she would.
Chapter 8
After the funeral—wedding—was over, I thought I’d be able to breathe a little, especially since Claudette would be off for the following week from work. I had no time to do anything, as Liz was on my back, ordering me around and expecting me to do everything. All I could say was that you sure could tell when there was trouble in paradise. Liz’s attitude had changed, and I knew it wasn’t all about her issues with Mr. Aimes. The
way she and Steven had snapped at each other at the wedding, it was obvious that they had issues with each other. Liz wasn’t like Claudette, though. She had never been around here running her mouth about her husband. She didn’t have pictures all over the place, but I was so lucky that she brought him to the Christmas party. I still hadn’t heard from him, and after our little exchange at the funeral—sorry, wedding—I thought he would have called. I was very anxious to hook up with him again, and if he hadn’t called me by Thursday, I was going to check in.
Other than that, Korey had called to thank me for helping him see the light. He was interrupting Wheel of Fortune, so I was tuning in and out of the conversation.
“You weren’t the only person I was seeing, Chase, and my life was spiraling out of control. I felt bad about what I had to do at the wedding, but I actually did Claudette a huge favor. She doesn’t see it now, but one day she’ll understand. Meanwhile, where does that leave us?”
“It leaves us out on a limb, because you haven’t learned yet how to play by my rules.”
“It’s hard playing by your rules, only because I want so much more from you. I have some major thinking to do, and if I think this can work out for me, I’ll be in touch.” He hung up, and all I thought was Whatever!
Korey was too confused for me, and he turned me off by not standing up for himself sooner. If you didn’t want to be with somebody, just tell her. How simple was that? That’s what irritated me about most men. They never knew how to come clean, and always preferred to play these games that hurt too many feelings. Many women could accept the truth, but the thing was, the truth was rarely being told. By all means, I wasn’t an expert or anything like that, but I could respect a man who was honest with me, and one who didn’t keep secrets about his on-the-side relationships. Give me a chance to decide if I want to deal with you, but don’t be wining and dining me, and telling me I’m the only one when I’m not. That was bull, and in this day and age, that kind of mess was getting played out. Some women like myself were beginning to catch on, and if a man wasn’t willing to present to me who he really was, then he was basically wasting his time.
While I was at work on Wednesday, I had gotten a call from the nursing home in Norfolk, Virginia, telling me my father had passed away. He wanted to be cremated, and his girlfriend of eight years was ordered to do whatever she wished with his ashes. I wanted to force myself to cry, but why waste my tears? I had made peace with my father, and it was because of him that I couldn’t connect with men like I wanted to. I had even gone to counseling about what he’d done to me, but the counselor assured me that in time I would heal. I wasn’t sure if I had gotten to that healing point or not.
I sat at my desk, biting my nails as I thought about my father’s middle-of-the-night visits. I could never get the thought out of my mind of his sweaty body on top of me and the pain I felt from him ripping my insides apart. Thinking of that, yes, I had to wipe a tear that had fallen down my face. I wished the molestation had never happened, and I often wondered if I would have turned out to be a different person. My father often asked me if I loved him, and told me that if I did, I had to do certain things to prove it. The molestation started when I was nine years old and lasted until I was fourteen. By then, I hated him with a passion, and I knew wrong from right. It was because of him that I’d had relationship issues. I tried giving a man my all, but it never worked out for me. I kept finding myself being caught up with no-good men, and I wasn’t tolerant of the drama that came along with them. It was funny how women my age were thinking about when they’d get married and were planning to have children. All I was thinking about was taking care of me, and hooking up with a man who could give me the best pleasure he possibly could. I didn’t know if I would always feel this way, but for now, it was working for me just fine.
I left work on Wednesday, and instead of waiting until tomorrow, I had to go see what was up with Steven. First, I called his office to see if he was there. His secretary said that he was in a meeting, but would be wrapping it up shortly. I hurried to his office, not knowing if he would leave. When I got there, he was standing in the lobby, shaking hands with two other men. They walked away and I stepped up to him.
“Do you have a minute?” I asked.
Without saying a word, he turned and I followed him to his office. He closed the door and offered me a seat. I chose the one in front of his desk, crossing my legs in front of me. He sat behind his desk, looking a bit stiff.
“What brings you by?” he asked.
“I was getting worried. I haven’t heard from you and I thought I’d hear from you soon.”
“As you can see,” he said, looking down at the stacks of papers on his desk, “I’ve been a busy man.”
“All work and no play, huh? You shouldn’t deprive yourself like that, and I was so sure that you wouldn’t.”
“I don’t intend to for long. I had planned to call you, but some things have been on my mind lately.”
“Things like what?”
He sat back in his chair, tracing his trimmed beard with his fingers. “Are you involved with, uh, what’s his face… Claudette’s man? You know, the one who left her at the altar.”
I was stunned that he mentioned it and wanted to know why. “Why do you ask?”
“Because I sensed it. I noticed it at the Christmas party and at the wedding. His eyes are always glued to you like a laser beam, and something is definitely up with that.”
It amazed me how the men could catch on so quickly, but the women couldn’t. We were the ones known for paying attention, but I guess not detailed attention. I figured Steven was waiting for me to lie, but I had no problem being up front about the situation, especially to someone I wanted to involve myself with. “We were involved, but not anymore.”
“I see,” he said, sitting up straight, rubbing his hands together. “So, let me get this straight. You’ve been fucking him, and I suspect, you want to continue fucking me too. You work with Claudette and Liz, knowing that this can come out in the open at any given time. I’m supposed to take this risk, right along with you, and take a chance on destroying my twenty-five years of marriage to Liz. Is that what you want me to do?”
I uncrossed my legs and leaned slightly forward. “In case you forgot, it’s twenty-six years of marriage to Liz, not twenty-five. And I don’t expect you to do anything that you’re not willing to do. If you can’t handle this, then I understand. I really thought you could, and for the record, no, I don’t intend to keep fucking a boy when I can get pure pleasure from a man. If you aren’t the one, forgive me, Steven, for being so very wrong about you.”
He snickered. His look and body language were stern. “Listen, I can handle anything you bring my way, so don’t underestimate me. I’m not your average Joe, and I can tell that you’ve been at this for a very long time. For the record, though, if any of this ever gets back to Liz, or anyone else in that office, things are going to get rough. Not for me, but for you. Don’t get any ideas about me leaving my wife, because I simply will not do it. I’m already in love and I’m not looking to love again. I’m frugal with my money, so if you’re looking for a sugar daddy, you’re definitely in the wrong place. Last, but not least, do not come to my office again, or call here. We can only hook up at hotels, or if you have a better place in mind, let me know.”
I stood and stepped up to Steven’s desk. I rested my palms on it, clearing my throat just to make sure my tone was sharp. “You have no idea how much I appreciate a man who tells it like it is. And, for your records, I have no love to give. I don’t give a damn about your wife, and if she ever finds out about us, too f-ing bad. You will be way more hurt than I will, so you’d better be 100 percent sure that this is something you, Mr. Smith, can handle. As for your money, keep it, because I already have enough. And if I want you to be my sugar daddy, trust me, you will. For now, all I’m interested in is your big dick, and how you’re going to make sure that it delivers an immaculate performance each and every time
we get together. If it doesn’t, that’s the only time you’ll hear me gripe or complain. Because as soon as you fall short, I will drop you like a hot potato and pretend that you never, ever existed. Now, does that sound doable for you? If not, you let me know.”
Steven stood, then walked around his desk to stand next to me. He put his hands in his pockets, while staring at me for brief moment. “You got trouble written deep in your eyes. But you know what…you’re so fucking sexy that I’m willing to take my chances. I’m going to put that hot pussy of yours on speed dial, and I don’t want you complaining like you were the last time we got together. And if your performance starts to lack, I will dismiss you and go back to giving my wife my all. Meet me at the same hotel I mentioned before, tomorrow night at seven. Come prepared, and expect to stay with me all night. I told Liz I’d be out of town for the weekend, so I guess I’ll see you tomorrow.”
I moved in front of Steven, resting my arms on his shoulders. I pressed my body against his, just to get a rise. “Can’t wait,” I said, leaning in for a kiss. His kisses were always intense, and I rubbed the back of his head so he’d keep it coming. When his hands massaged my ass, I couldn’t help but reach down and give him a massage too. I comforted his package, feeling how hard and thick it was.
“Are you sure you want to wait until tomorrow?” I asked. “What about tonight?”
“Tomorrow,” he said. “That way we’ll have much more time.”
I agreed, and when a light knock was at the door, I backed away from him. He wiped his lips, and I followed him to see who it was. It was his secretary, telling him that she was wrapping it up for the day. He told her good night, then walked me to the exit as well.
As my mother always said, when you want something, pursue it. I did, and ten times out of ten, I got what I wanted, never settling for less. I spent the entire weekend shacked up with Steven at a hotel. No doubt, we did our thing, and it floored me how people reacted behind closed doors. Steven and I watched porn movies together, we got tipsy, and I enjoyed him taking Vodka shots from my belly button. When the alcohol seeped between my legs, he was there to sip it up. We couldn’t get enough of each other, and when Sunday night rolled around, I was beat.
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