Succulent

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Succulent Page 8

by Zane


  “Goaltending what?” I asked, playing dumb and giggling.

  “This juicy little cunt of yours,” Amani responded, plunging first his fingers and then his tongue back into my waiting yoni.

  I thought about reciprocating. I thought about getting on my knees and unzipping that man’s pants with my teeth, taking his pretty brown cock in my mouth and sucking on it long and hard until his cum trickled down my lips like honey. I thought about blindfolding his sexy ass and taking him out to the back alley behind my apartment, letting him fuck the hell out of me on the steps of the fire escape, fuck me hard against the cold, redbrick walls of my building. Yeah, lying there on my back, this beautiful black man’s face buried deep inside my grateful cunt, I thought about a whole lot of things. But, in the end I decided to just lie there like a queen and savor this rare moment of complete female selfishness. I decided to let him just do his thang. Besides, with the way Amani was moaning with the pleasure of giving me pleasure, I was quite sure there would be plenty of other times in the future when we could try out some other tricks. But, even if there weren’t any “other times,” even if I never heard from this sweet, chocolate prince again after tonight, it felt so good and so right to simply receive this one time; to accept the adoration that was being given to me. I realized at that moment that it wasn’t merely the “touching” I had been missing so desperately, but the being touched. And this amazing young brother with his talented tongue had touched me to my very core.

  Almost Identical

  Linda “Sunshine” Herman

  I don’t know why I listened to Joy. Even though I was born ten minutes before her, she was the bossy one. Everything was always about what she wanted, and I always gave in. Over the years we had shared everything from toys to friends. Now she wanted to share something more personal. She wanted me to pretend to be her while she traveled to the Bahamas with her “sugar daddy.” That meant I had to entertain her live-in boyfriend, Roderick, while she was away.

  “Just tell him you’re on your period.”

  That’s the best she could do? I was supposed to tell him that I was on my period for seven whole days?! Joy and I were identical but we were as different as night and day. Roderick, who had only met me once, should have been smart enough to know the difference. He and Joy had been living together for a few months. He should have known when she got her period. We were twins but not everything was the same. If you had ever watched Girlfriends, it was easy to see that she was Lynn and I was Joan, even though we resembled Toni. I just wished I had more of Maya’s attitude though.

  “Joy, that man ain’t no fool. He knows when you get your period. Besides, I don’t know what the two of you do for fun. What does he like to eat? What’s your pet name for him?” I was giving in.

  “Faith, you know me. I call every man Pumpkin. As far as eating is concerned, you’re on your period, remember?” she teased.

  “Ha! Fucking ha! I meant, what foods does he enjoy, freak!”

  “I’m not much for cooking, so, he normally brings home takeout.”

  I learned as much as I could about Roderick Ford. After all, I would be Joy for the next week. Luckily for her I could request vacation without jeopardizing my job, and her sugar daddy, Hiram Sanders, was paying for my plane ticket. Of course I was traveling light. If I was going to be Joy, that meant wearing her skimpy clothing as well.

  Joy and I have traded places before. I was the one who took all of our important tests in school. The teachers couldn’t tell us apart. So, on test days, we were sure to dress exactly alike. Thanks to my study habits, we both graduated with honors. Thanks to Joy, we also graduated with reputations for being easy because she pretended to be me with my boyfriends. Even though I wouldn’t go all the way, she would.

  Now we’re both twenty-four-year-old adults. I live in Atlanta, Georgia, where I work as an editor. Joy lives in Miami, Florida, and her job is being pretty and having fun. Every now and again she may take on a job as a waitress or a hostess. For the most part she is taken care of by men like Hiram Sanders.

  Hiram, from what Joy has told me, is damn near fifty years old. He is widowed and has two sons, both of whom are older than Joy and me. Hiram is filthy rich and loves nothing more than the company of a young, beautiful woman on his arm. He’s not looking for another wife, which is fine with Joy. She’s not looking for a husband. She simply wants someone to pay her bills when they’re due.

  I don’t know how she and Roderick met. He actually seems like a decent guy. He’s a painter and works full-time teaching art to youths. Even though he’s thirty-three, he has never been married and has no kids. He seems to think the world of Joy, but I’m sure she only moved in with him because she needed a place to live and was between men like Hiram.

  I arrived in Miami just hours before Joy was to leave for her cruise. She met me at the airport. My beautiful sister was dressed in a white tube top and no bra. I thought her breasts were going to fall out at any moment. She wore the shortest and tightest pair of jean shorts I had ever seen. If I didn’t know better, I’d think Roderick painted them on her. The heifer completed her look with a pair of three-inch heels.

  “Joy! You know I don’t have any piercings!” I reminded her when I was nearly blinded from the bling of her navel ring. It had to be an entire carat.

  “It’s just a clip-on!” she said as she removed the diamond. “I haven’t decided if I actually want the real thing.”

  Her long, curly hair was braided back. She had failed to tell me that she had gotten braids. My hair hung loosely on my shoulders. There was no way we’d have time to get my hair braided. Joy had told me that Roderick was normally home by six in the evenings. It would take longer than that for someone to braid my thick hair.

  “What about the braids?”

  “Just tell him you took them out, Faith! Dang!”

  Even though I was doing her a favor, Joy was getting irritated with me. I don’t know why she didn’t tell him she was coming to Atlanta for a week. I felt so uncomfortable; going to their home and pretending to be her. Roderick would see right through me.

  “Don’t forget the art exhibit on Friday,” she reminded me. That was the reason I had to be her. Roderick’s work was being displayed at an exhibit, and of course he wanted his significant other at his side.

  Joy gave me a tour of their small apartment. There was one huge bedroom. In the center was a king-size bed. Paintings of nude women of all colors filled the walls. They were beautiful and detailed.

  It was easy to learn the apartment. There was nothing there but a bedroom, bathroom, and a kitchen. There was no living room area, den, nor dining room. The tour lasted all of five minutes, and after briefing me on a few things, Joy was gone.

  It was only four o’clock. I had two hours to kill before Roderick arrived home. I decided to spend that time cleaning the messy apartment. The chairs in the bedroom were covered with clothing. The bed had not been made. I could tell Joy lived here.

  “It smells good in here. I know my girl ain’t cooking.”

  Even though I wasn’t supposed to, I couldn’t resist cooking. Roderick came home to the smell of fresh garden peas, baked herb chicken, broccoli-and-rice casserole, and peach cobbler. After cleaning the small apartment, I’d gone down to the corner store. If I was going to be there seven days, I had to stock the refrigerator with more than an onion and bottled water.

  Before I could speak, Roderick planted a soft kiss on my full lips. Even though he had paint splashed on his clothing, he looked good in a white T-shirt and blue jeans. He even smelled good. It felt good being so close to him. He was more handsome than I had remembered.

  “I went to the store and picked up a few things,” I said, trying not to blush.

  He put his hand to my forehead and asked, “You okay? You sure you don’t have a fever?”

  I laughed, despite the butterflies in my stomach. Joy didn’t cook. It wasn’t because she couldn’t, though. Ma Ollie, our maternal grandmother, had ta
ught us how to cook. Joy had no choice but to learn. Unlike school, she couldn’t get me to stand in for her. Ma Ollie knew us apart.

  “I just felt like cooking. Sit down and I’ll fix you a plate.”

  Roderick and I ate our meal in the small kitchen. I listened to him talk about his students and what kind of day he’d had. I couldn’t help but notice how good-looking he was. I was mesmerized by his Terrence Howard eyes and his Allen Payne lips. I wasn’t supposed to be attracted to my sister’s man, but I was feeling him. My nipples were hard and there was no denying the heat and moisture between my thighs.

  Roderick unexpectedly joined me in the shower. I couldn’t tell him that I was on my period. The man was down on his knees with his head between my thighs before I could open my mouth and say anything. His tongue said “hello” to my clit as they introduced themselves. He squeezed my ass as he stroked my clit. I wanted to say stop but I was speechless. I didn’t notice the hot water turn cold because of the fire burning within me. When Roderick came up, without hesitation I went down. I took the full length of his swollen penis into my mouth. I licked it and sucked it with hunger. I hadn’t had a man in over six months.

  “I’ve never known you to be so unselfish,” he moaned before picking me up and carrying me to their bed.

  As he stared into my eyes, he entered me. A whimper escaped my throat as he gently pushed his love deeper and deeper inside my walls. Up and down and then slow circles. Up and down and then faster circles. Faster and faster circles, and then we both screamed as we climaxed. I called out his name. He called out Joy’s name. My pleasure was quickly replaced by guilt.

  “How’s it going?” Joy asked the next morning after Roderick had left for work.

  “Fine. Are you enjoying the ocean?”

  “It’s beautiful! Did Roderick buy the period thing?”

  Why couldn’t she just leave it alone and talk about her? “Yep.”

  “Good! Well, call me if you need to know anything. The only thing I can think of right now is the exhibit. Make sure you’re there to support him for me.”

  I agreed and was happy to end the call. I had lied to my sister. Even worse than that, I had betrayed her by sleeping with her man. Worst of all, I had enjoyed it and was looking forward to being in his arms again.

  Roderick and I made love every night after dinner. He used his tongue to explore every inch of my body. With him I always experienced orgasms. I was able to let go in a way that I had never done before. I felt free. I felt loved. I was falling in love with him.

  “There is something different about you, Joy,” he said as he watched me dress for the exhibit.

  He hadn’t said anything about my not having the braids. “My hair?”

  “I like it better this way, but that’s not it. You seem like a totally different person. I mean, I come home to a clean house and dinner every evening. You listen to me talk about work. I’m not complaining, but even in bed, you’re different.”

  I couldn’t help but be curious. “Better?”

  “You’re more giving of yourself. Before I felt like you were holding back. You seemed to enjoy me pleasing you but you were reluctant to do the same for me.”

  I could believe that. Joy was that selfish. She cared about her feelings above all else. I could imagine Roderick working hard to satisfy her only to be disappointed when she didn’t put any effort into satisfying him in return.

  “Well, enjoy it while it lasts,” I teased as I put the finishing touches on my makeup.

  I felt proud to be at Roderick’s side that night. I met some of his students and was impressed by the display of paintings. Every artist was African-American or Latino. On canvas they painted their history, the present, and a hopeful future. I couldn’t wait to get Roderick home.

  As soon as we closed the door, I pushed him back against the wall. I dropped to my knees and unbuckled his trousers. I took him into my mouth and gave him what Joy wouldn’t. Within seconds softness became hard as steel. I pulled harder and harder until he exploded.

  “Irreplaceable” sang from Joy’s cell phone. I knew it was her calling.

  “Hello?” I answered as I headed toward the bathroom. Roderick mouthed “Hurry up!” as he headed to the bedroom.

  “How was the gallery?”

  “Joy, it was beautiful! Roderick is really talented!” I beamed proudly.

  “He’s talented but those art shows bore me. I’m glad you enjoyed it.”

  “So, how is the trip?” I asked, wanting to change the subject.

  “I could live here! Girl, it’s beautiful and Hiram is spoiling me rotten! You may have to take home some of the stuff he bought me. I don’t have any idea where to put it!”

  I could see her smiling through the phone. I wished she could live in the Bahamas. I sure would have lived with Roderick forever. In five days, I had fallen in love with him. I didn’t know how Joy could live with him for three months and run off with old-ass Hiram for a week.

  “You’ll be back on Sunday, right?”

  “Yes, don’t forget to get out of the house before he wakes up. I’ll go home and tell him I was out shopping. He’ll never know the difference.”

  She was so wrong. He would know the difference. He would know that the loving and selfless girl was gone. He would surely notice that the selfish girl was back. He just wouldn’t know why.

  “Don’t forget to take the braids out!” I warned before we hung up.

  Sunday came too soon. For six nights I had lain with Roderick. We had made love every single night. Now, it was time to go. I kissed him softly on his lips, trying not to wake him, before leaving the apartment. I cried all the way to the airport and all the way back to Atlanta.

  The only thing waiting for me back home was my job. I had no man and no true friends. Ma Ollie had died a year ago, and our parents had been dead since we were five years old. My mother had killed her husband after finding out he was sleeping with her cousin. She’d then killed herself. Ma Ollie had raised Joy and me with Grandpa Bill’s help. He’d died of cancer the year we had graduated high school.

  Joy hadn’t called or flown up to kick my ass, so I assumed she didn’t know about Roderick and me. When she did call a few weeks later, I was completely caught off guard.

  “Don’t forget about next week. Roderick and I are coming up for Thanksgiving.”

  I had forgotten. Thanksgiving was always spent at my place. I’d go to Miami and spend Christmas with Joy. We would go to South Beach and enjoy the sunny weather and look for celebrities. We had been fortunate enough to see Miami Heat center Shaquille O’Neal.

  “Of course I won’t forget.”

  “I hope you cook something good because he has been pestering me about cooking since I got home. Why in the hell did you have to go and cook for him?” Before I could answer, she continued, “You know Hiram wants me to spend Christmas with him in Aspen.”

  “I thought we were spending Christmas together in South Beach again.”

  “I’ve got to figure something out. Maybe you and Roderick can go to South Beach. I really want to learn how to ski.”

  There she was again being selfish. Only she didn’t know how much it would mean to me to be with Roderick again. I agreed to think about it. I then tried to prepare myself for their visit.

  When our eyes met, it was obvious that he knew. Roderick realized that I was the one who had been unselfish; the one who had cooked his meals and had cleaned his apartment. He just didn’t know why I had done such a thing.

  “I’m going to take a nap,” Joy announced as she dropped her handbag on my white sofa and disappeared into the guest room.

  “It was you. I knew something was different,” Roderick finally said. “Why?”

  “Roderick, I…”

  “Please, don’t lie to me,” he said, his voice full of sadness.

  I couldn’t lie to him. I sold my sister out. I told him about her trip to the Bahamas with Hiram. I even told him about her plans to spend Christmas with
Hiram and have me spend Christmas with him.

  “Are you okay?” I asked when he covered his handsome face with his large hands.

  “I’m in love with you, Faith.” Before I could respond, I was in his arms. “I’ve been in love with you since the first night we made love.”

  “What is going on?” Joy startled us both. Neither of us had been aware of her entrance.

  “Let me explain,” I offered right before she slapped me hard across the face.

  Roderick stood between the two of us. “Joy, we didn’t plan this. You basically pushed us together when you used Faith while you were busy cheating with my boss!”

  His boss? I didn’t know Hiram was his boss. I had doubted that the two even knew each other.

  “You slept with my sister! And, Faith, how could you do this?” Joy didn’t wait for my explanation. She grabbed her handbag and stormed out of the house.

  I knew where to find her. There was only one place she could be. She would be at the cemetery with our deceased loved ones. I had to go to her. But first I had to let Roderick go. I cared for him but I couldn’t lose my relationship with Joy. She was all I had in this world.

  “Don’t say it,” he said when he read my expression.

  “She’s all I’ve got.” On that note I left him behind as I searched for my sister.

  It took some time but Joy and I worked things out. She spent Christmas in Aspen with Hiram and I stayed in Atlanta. Having nothing to do, I decided to visit an art show at a nearby museum.

  “You like that painting?”

  Without turning around, I knew the voice belonged to Roderick. He had painted the portrait of the beautiful women. They were twins. One had happy eyes and the other wore sadness in her brown eyes.

  “I guess I’m the one with the sad eyes?” I asked with my back still to him.

  “Actually, you’re the one with the happy eyes.”

 

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