The Desert Lion's True Colours

by Ikechi Hayden

  Perry started to reply but uninterested in what he had to say Leon walked through the door, passed Bo, back up the stairs and straight out the club into the humid Miami night air.

  Leon looked at the line outside the club, - which seemed longer than when he first went in and again allowed his mind to think about what he would do differently if the SPOT was his. He walked back towards his car and noticed a silver BMW M3, parked two spaces in front of his Mercedes. Leon on a whole wasn’t a BMW fan but what caught his eye was the guy sitting in the driver’s seat looking directly at him.

  The guy in the car knew he had been made. He was upset with himself. ‘Kevin, why are you so stupid? First rule of an effective stake-out, don’t be seen’ He thought. His name was Kevin Carter O’Neal, but for the last six years he only went by ‘Carter’. He had transferred from Counter Intelligence in Washington to Anti-Drugs Trafficking in Miami and felt he had taken a step backwards. With that being said, this was his first assignment in three years away from the single desk and computer he called home. As he watched Leon walk passed his car from the corner of his eye he knew his superiors were not going to be happy.

  Leon pressed the key-fob in his pocket and the door clicked ajar. He threw the Gucci sports bag onto the passenger seat and swung himself down into his. He hit the start button on the dash and once again the speakers came to life and the familiar words of Outkast rang out. After bobbing his head to the beat for a couple bars he hit another button and the roof detached itself from the frame above the windshield. Leon could here guys in the line saying ‘Yo that’s dope!’ under the wave of several women saying ‘Is that Leon?’

  Leon waited until the roof was fully folded and securely set in the boot before he drove off. As he passed the BMW he looked directly through the passenger side window and took a mental picture of the guy in the car.

  When Leon got back home the house was in darkness save the light in the hallway above the coat rack. Leon felt his way through to the kitchen and rested the bag on the dining table and threw his keys down beside it. He couldn’t put his finger on it but he sensed something – other than furniture - in the room. To help him see, he turned to the kitchen wall to switch on another light but before he could reach the dimmer he flinched as two hands surrounded his waist. Slowly Kerry’s silhouette came into shaded focus. Finding it hard to see clearly, Leon decided it would be better to just pull her in closer but before he could move his head for a kiss Kerry raised her index finger to his mouth.

  ‘Wait.’ She whispered.

  Kerry was also having trouble seeing in the dark so she placed her hands on either side of his face, stared into the area where she figured his eyes would be and whispered ‘I want you to know I love you and right now I want to show you how much.’

  The slight movement of Leon’s face in Kerry’s hands told her he was smiling and at that time, that was all she needed. Kerry turned around and started to lead Leon up the stairs to the bedroom however, halfway up the stairs Leon stopped in his tracks.

  ‘Shit!’ he exclaimed. ‘Baby I just remembered I forgot I had to call work back. I’m just asking you to give me two minutes. I’ll be right with you ok?’

  Kerry frowned but it was too dark for Leon to see it clearly.

  ‘Please baby, I’m home now. I’ll be yours in two minutes.’

  Without saying a word Kerry turned around and headed up the stairs to the bedroom. As she got to the landing Leon could see her brown skin gleaming in the lights of the bedroom he figured she put on before she came to greet him with her message of love.

  As she disappeared through the door Leon went back down stairs, picked the 3-5 million dollar bag up off the table and fitted it behind the couch. He then retrieved his mobile from out of his pocket and called Jay. It rang once and Jay’s familiar, jovial voice came blaring down the phone. ‘Yo, what’s the deal dawg? How you gonna go see Black without me niggah?’

  Those words caused the events of the evening to flash before Leon’s eyes. ‘I’m cool bro. You stress too much. Just know we’re close. Tomorrow I’ll fill you in aight.’

  Leon knew he didn’t really say much but he was confident it was enough to keep Jay contented for now.

  ‘Aight, we’ll meet up tomorrow then. Same place?’

  Leon replied, ‘same place.’

  ‘Aight man. Happy birthday dude. Be easy and if you can’t be safe…’

  Leon ended the conversation the same way they had done for the last twenty-seven years, ‘. . . then find space.’

  Leon put the phone back in his pocket and headed up stairs to where the love of his life was waiting to show him how much love she had to give. While that thought made him feel good, he couldn’t help but wonder how long it would last.

  CHAPTER 3

  5:30am; Friday morning - the alarm clock on the dresser next to Leon’s side of the bed started ringing. With her eyes closed and working from memory, Kerry reached over Leon’s body and hit the large snooze button on top of the clock. Feeling her movement Leon stirred beside her and let out a slight groan. Kerry smiled trying to think of reasons why she felt so satisfied when he made that sound. She knew it was strange but for some bizarre reason, it reminded her of a large cat purring. It was comforting. Kerry moved in closer to Leon and rested her head on his chest. She let her mind run back three years to when she and Leon first met. She was working at Florida Memorial Hospital in the ER unit on the night shift. She remembered being called into the main ER after two gunshot victims were brought in. The first patient died in the corridors on the way to the operating room however the second victim, - who turned out to be Jay, had three gunshot wounds to his right thigh, one to the abdomen, one to the chest and three in his right arm. Leon was part of a group of several men who came in amongst a large group of police. It wasn’t until she was in the nurses’ area later on that night that she saw the report on FOX News. A random drive by shooting had taken place at the traffic lights on 2nd Avenue and Ives Dairy Road in Miami Dade County, killing one and critically injuring another - Jay.

  In the three and a half months it took Jay to recover, Kerry was one of the nurses assigned to his care. She noticed Leon was the only person who came to visit Jay. At first she did not know what to make of him. In fact she thought he looked too much like a pretty boy. He was about 6'3 with a smooth dark chocolate complexion. Always clean cut and in the latest clothes. He wasn’t the biggest guy around but his muscles were tight. He had high cheek bones, a straight jaw and full red lips. The typical model type – if you liked that kind of thing. If he was in Jay’s room when she was making her rounds he was always polite and regularly thanked her for the job she was doing however she could not help but think he was a little too nice, almost perfect.

  The day Jay was scheduled to be released from hospital; Leon approached her in the hallway while she was talking to three other nurses. His presence had interrupted their conversation and they all turned towards him expectantly but knowing full well he only wanted to speak to one of them. Without saying a word, he smiled at them all individually and then slid a piece of paper into Kerry’s side pocket, blew her a kiss and walked away before she could respond. As she watched him push Jay in his wheel chair through the hospital entrance the other nurses urged her to read the note. It read:

  ‘Dear Nurse Kerry,

  I just wanted to thank you for taking care of my brother.

  I hope I’m not being too forward but if it’s cool with you,

  I would like to show you my appreciation.

  How about dinner? Tomorrow night at 8 p.m.?

  The note ended with his number and ‘Ps: - I think you’re beautiful.’

  The next day Kerry took a chance and called Leon and she was happy to say that so far she did not have any regrets. Sure she was kept in the dark about what he really did for that fat club owner, who supposedly put on shows in Miami f
or big named music artists, but truth be told Kerry had not been totally honest about her past either. As Kerry lay on top of Leon, she could not help but smile and think how the life she was living now was a world away from what she knew. Kerry believed she was given two chances in life: one, to become a doctor and two, to feel wanted and loved. She took full advantage of the first and she was going to do everything in her power to hold onto the second.

  Kerry’s thoughts were finally interrupted when Leon opened his eyes.

  ‘Good morning beautiful.’ He said.

  Kerry noticed the vibrations that resonated from Leon’s chest while as he spoke entered the side of her face and down between her legs. She smiled and changed position so that she was now lying on her side next to him. Still lying on his back Leon turned his head to the right - so that they were now face to face - looked at Kerry and smiled.

  ‘You ok sexy?’ he said with a broad smile.

  ‘I’m great.’ Kerry replied smiling.

  ‘That’s good,’ Leon said with a chuckle. ‘I would hate for you not to be ok. Not after what you told me last night.’

  Kerry laughed. ‘Hmmm, last-night - was very nice.’ She said, - recalling their night of love making.

  Leon moved the covers and gently moved his body onto hers. Without saying anything else he kissed Kerry on the Lips. Kerry moaned in anticipation of what was going to happen next. She closed her eyes and whispered ‘I want to feel you inside me.’

  Leon couldn’t help but think how those words turned him on, no matter where or when he heard them. Kerry smiled as she felt his manhood twitch.

  ‘I think Dimey (her nick name for Leon’s Manhood) wants the same thing I want.’

  Leon moved position slightly and kissed her left breast. Kerry’s body jerked like she’d been shocked with electricity and arched her back as her lovers tongue played with her erect nipple. Leon reached his arm underneath her body and with his free hand reached down to spread her legs apart, leaving her open and exposed.

  ‘I made love to you last night,’ she said slyly. ‘. . . But now I want you to fuck me.’

  Leon noticed her face was part mischief and oddly enough part impatiens, so without another word Leon moved his hips forward, - entering her without fuss. Kerry released a sigh that seemed to come from deep within her.

  ‘That’s it.’ She panted.

  Leon moved his arm from under Kerry’s back, planted both hands on either side of her frame and started to apply rhythmic pressure. Soon enough Kerry started to move her waist in unison with each stroke. Leon looked down at her and thought how beautiful she looked, - not to mention how good she felt. It was as if they were made for each other. Leon’s movements were getting faster and faster. Kerry gasped, ‘That’s it baby, don’t stop.’ She moaned.

  Leon noticed her breathing was getting short and sharp. Her breath was hot and he was getting more turned on by the second. Her moans began to get louder.

  ‘Oh, baby.’ she called between breaths. Kerry could feel herself about to explode but without warning Leon stopped and backed away. A shocked Kerry opened her eyes.

  ‘NO, NO, what are you doing?’ she pleaded. ‘What’s wrong?’

  ‘Nothing’s wrong. I just don’t want you to forget this moment.’

  Leon eased his manhood out of its warm, wet home and moved his body down until his head was hovering over Kerry’s pelvis. Kerry grabbed the sheets in anticipation. Even though she was fully exposed she never felt more comfortable and without warning she started to feel a cool breeze on her clit. Relaxed, she gently rested each leg over Leon’s shoulders. Remembering the night before Leon said ‘You taste like strawberries.’

  Smiling Kerry rested a hand on the back of his head and seductively said ‘Suck my clit baby.’

  Obliging to her request Leon grasped her protruding clit between his lips and started to gently suck while at the same time licking its edges. Kerry shuddered and let out a scream.

  ‘OH MY GOD… ! What are you doing to me?’ she called.

  Leon kept going, applying a little more pressure with his tongue.

  ‘Baby, I’m coming.’ She said.

  She moved her hips forward and her hands from behind his head to cover her mouth. Without warning Leon backed away and before Kerry could come to terms with what was going on Leon turned her onto his stomach, slid a pillow under her waist and entered her wetness from behind. Kerry raised her hips to allow easier access and buried her head into the pillow to let out a scream. Leon noticed her thighs starting to shake so he kept on going until he heard the words ‘Baby, I’m coming!’ over and over until she said ‘Come with me baby.’

  Leon let go and Kerry could feel the warmth of him fill her insides. Leon pressed up hard against her and both of Kerry’s legs began to shake uncontrollably.

  They lay there without saying a word, just breathing heavily, smiling at the fact that they would not want to be anywhere else but in that bed with each other. Whispering into Kerry’s ear Leon said ‘I love you Shorty. No matter what happens, please remember that I love you.’

  Kerry smiled and between breaths replied, ‘I know.’

  As Leon eased his weight up off of Kerry’s back, the doorbell rang.

  ‘Oh my God… !’ She said exasperated. ‘. . . Who could that be now? Today is Friday right. I thought you had today off?’

  Leon was silent for a moment, and then said ‘I am. It’s probably Jay.’

  Rolling onto her back so she could see Leon straight on, Kerry said ‘Do you have to see him every day?’

  Leon didn’t really appreciate her line of questioning for a number of different reasons but he tried to put himself in her shoes and had to agree Jay’s timing was shit. Leon kissed her on the forehead and got out of the bed to head down stairs.

  ‘Err Mr Brown, don’t you think you should put some clothes on.’ She said.

  Leon looked down at his naked body and laughed.

  ‘Yeah, I think your right.’

  They both heard the doorbell ring again, so Leon quickly hustled into their en-suite bathroom and quickly rinsed his mouth out with some Listerine and gave him-self a T wash.

  The doorbell rang again and Kerry just about heard Leon say ‘I’ll be back’ in a really bad Terminator impersonation as he disappeared through the bedroom door and down the stairs.

  As Leon approached the front door he could see the outline of a man but the frosted glass made it hard to make out any details.

  ‘Who is it?’ Leon called.

  ‘Open the door Nathan, it’s me.’

  For a second the proverbial “Shook-Look” returned to Leon’s face. Not even Kerry new him by that name however he recognised the voice and unlocked the door.

  ‘Sexy, sexy.’ the man said looking at Leon in his shorts. ‘Is this how you greet everyone?’

  Leon didn’t answer, just turned around and walked back into the house, leaving the door open for his uninvited guest to enter on his own. As Leon walked into the kitchen he heard the door close and the words, ‘So what’s going on Nathan?’

  Leon turned around and looked into the blue eyes of the slim, grey haired white guy in his plain navy blue suit, white shirt and blue tie. He was tall but not very. No taller than 6'2. His skin was tight and leathery, making his face appear hard and rugged. He had high cheek bones and a distinctive square looking jaw. He could have passed for being in his mid-thirties but Leon new he was closer to sixty-five than thirty-five.

  ‘You know you can’t be calling me by that name.’

  ‘Oh, I’m sorry.’ The old man replied sarcastically. ‘Is that not your name, Mr NATHAN FERRON?’

  ‘Yo, I mean it. You can’t call me that. Kerry is upstairs.’ Leon replied.

  ‘What! She lives with you now?! Since when… ?’ The tall gentleman in Leon’s K
itchen was visibly upset. ‘Don’t you think this is something I should have been told about?’ He said.

  While Leon understood the reason why he was perturbed the gentleman’s voice was still much louder than he appreciated.

  ‘Yo, foreal, can you keep it down please.’ Leon was now pleading.

  The guy laughed, walked over to Leon and patted him on the shoulder.

  ‘Ok, I’m sorry.’ He said with a sly smile. ‘I see you really like this girl and that’s good. It makes everything seem so much more authentic.’

  ‘What’s that supposed to mean?’ Leon replied instinctively.

  The guy’s attitude changed to one of frustration.

  ‘You know what Nathan… ; don’t let me have to do something I should have done three years ago.’

  Leon knew exactly what those words meant and so he decided to change the conversation.

  ‘So what can I do for you Chief?’

  ‘I want to know why it is that Jay can check in when he is supposed to, but you can’t.’

  Leon sighed. ‘I couldn’t, it was a crazy week. Besides I know Jay would have told you everything anyway.’

  Not paying any attention to Leon’s hunched shoulders or innocent tone Leon’s Chief Officer replied ‘That’s not the point Nathan. You need to follow procedure.’

  The Chief’s speech was interrupted by the words ‘Good morning.’

  Both Leon and the guy in the suit turned around to see Kerry standing in the doorway of the kitchen. ‘Hey babe, I’m sorry. I was going to be up soon. I just needed to finish up some business.’

  Kerry didn’t allow Leon to finish but took it upon herself to find out who the suited gentleman was. ‘And you are?’ She enquired.

  Before Leon’s unwelcome guest could answer, Leon jumped back in with ‘Oh, I’m sorry Shorty, where is my manners. Babe this is Mr Edwards, Mr Edwards this is my girlfriend Kerry.’

  ‘Nice to meet you Kerry, I’ve heard a lot about you.’ He said smiling. ‘You and Leon have been going out for a while now huh?’