Deuce laughed at what his mother said because it was always the same thing with her. Wanda always claimed that she didn’t want to get in his business, but that’s exactly what she always did. He loved his mother, but Wanda was a trip. She was messy as hell and knew everybody else’s business. Warren was no better because he always sat around and gossiped with her. Deuce had a big family on both sides and Wanda knew everything about them. She was close with Ace’s brothers and sisters and that’s who she always hung out with. They were just as messy as she was and Zina was the enemy to them all. She was too dumb to see that though and she was always putting his cousins in their personal business. Every time mad day came around, they told Wanda everything and she always ate it up. He used to defend his wife, but it was pointless. Zina always went right back and put herself in even more bullshit. Deuce always told her to stop putting everybody in their business so that was her own fault.
“I’m about to get going ma. I’ll talk to you later,” Deuce said as he stood to his feet.
“I’ll have your dinner ready around five this evening. Are you gonna stop by or do you want me to bring it to you?” Wanda asked him.
“I’m good ma. I told you that you don’t have to cook for me. I got a wife at home,” Deuce replied.
“A wife that don’t feed you. When’s the last time she cooked anything?” Wanda asked.
“What makes you think she doesn’t cook?” Deuce countered. It was true, but he would never give Wanda the satisfaction of hearing that from him.
“Don’t try to play me for a fool Deuce. Her own kids told me that you get up and make their breakfast every morning. She’s probably too hung over from being out in the clubs all night. You know I’ve always made sure that you, Warren, and your daddy had a hot meal on the stove every day. That heifer is over there starving my baby. Turn around. It looks like you’ve lost a few pounds,” Wanda fussed as she ran her hand around his waist.
“Yep, he did lose some weight,” Warren instigated while looking him up and down.
“Stop acting like a hoe Warren. You gossip more than the average female,” Deuce snapped.
“I’m just saying nephew.” Warren shrugged.
“Have you been taking those vitamins that I got for you, Deuce? Your daddy took his every day up until the day he died. And Warren still takes his too. You really need to take them since that wife of yours ain’t feeding you,” Wanda argued
“I love you, ma. I’ll talk to you later,” Deuce replied, ignoring everything that she’d just said.
Wanda was still going on as Warren acted as her hype man. Deuce let her fuss just like always and made his way to his car. He made it a point to see or speak with his mother daily since he was her only child. Phone calls were better because he could rush her off the line when she started up with her mess. Deuce tried hard to respect his mother, so he always left before he said something that he would later regret. Wanda was a great mother, but all that messy gossiping got under his skin. That was exactly why he never stepped foot in her house whenever he and Zina got into it. He always went to his maternal grandmother because she was nothing like her daughter. He could talk to his grandmother about anything and she never uttered a word to anyone about it. As soon as he left his mother’s house, Deuce headed straight by his grandmother, Mildred. He smiled when he pulled up and saw her sitting in the rocking chair that was on her porch.
“Hey, my love.” Mildred smiled when Deuce walked up her stairs.
At sixty-seven years old, Mildred looked damn good for her age. She kept her gray hair cut close and she went to the barber shop with Deuce every week to make sure it stayed neat. Mildred had been widowed for ten years, so Deuce made it a point to always spend time with her. She was a retired school teacher who loved kids of all ages. She sometimes went to Wanda’s nursery to help out and that gave her all the joy in the world. Zina often dropped the kids off to her when she ran the streets, but Mildred didn’t mind. Deuce was her only grandchild, but he was too old to spoil now. She was a feisty old woman who spoke her mind and that’s what he liked the most.
“What are you doing sitting out here?” Deuce asked her while leaning down to kiss her cheek. He sat in the rocker next to hers that once belonged to his grandfather.
“Nothing much. I was talking to my neighbor, but she just left. Where are you coming from?” Mildred asked him.
“I just left from by your daughter,” Deuce said, making her roll her eyes up to the sky.
“I told that lazy ass son of mine to come help me clean out the garage. That bastard still ain’t show up yet. I only wanted to throw a few things out of there and it wouldn’t have taken him long. I would have paid him for helping me,” Mildred fussed.
“Paid him? That’s your son and making sure you’re straight is his job,” Deuce argued.
“I don’t know what to say about that boy. Wanda got him too damn spoiled. He would have never played that shit with me and his daddy. I’m happy that you didn’t let them cripple you like they did him. Lazy ass probably can’t even boil water,” Mildred complained.
“Come on and show me what you need done. I don’t know why you didn’t call me to begin with. You already know how Warren is,” Deuce said as he stood to his feet.
“I know baby, but you already do so much around here. I hate to bother you when I have a son who can do it.”
“It’s not a bother grandma. I’m your only grandchild and I’m happy to do it. Now, come show me what you need me to do,” Deuce said as he helped her up from her chair.
“Thank you, baby. How is everything at home? You haven’t stayed the night in a few months so that’s a good sign,” his grandmother said as she led the way to her garage.
“Nothing has changed, but I’m trying grandma. I used to get so mad that I wanted to knock Zina out and that’s why I used to leave for a few days to calm down.”
“You know better than to put your hands on a woman. That’s not how you were raised,” his grandma scolded.
“I know and that’s why I always leave before it even gets that far. My pops always said to walk away and that’s what I do. Truthfully, I’m to the point where I don’t even care no more,” Deuce admitted.
“Don’t give up on your marriage baby. Y’all are still young. Just give it some time,” Mildred replied.
“Alright, let me know what you need me to do,” Deuce said when they walked into the garage.
Deuce ignored what his grandmother said because he was tired of hearing it. Mildred meant well, but he was tired of going through the motions. He was doing his part, but Zina needed to get her mind right. It was time for a change and he meant every word that he said to her earlier. He was making moves with or without her. Either she could roll with him or get rolled over. The choice was hers.
Chapter 4
“Harder baby,” Lyric begged, as Javier held her leg in the crook of his arm and stroked her slowly.
He was behind her, but they were both positioned on their side. Sex with Javier was always good, but Lyric wanted him to switch it up periodically. Javier was on his grown man love making shit and she was cool with that too. Still, Lyric needed him to lose his mind and beat it out the frame sometimes. Javier was her third sex partner, with Bradley being her first and Spencer being her second. Admittedly, Javier was the best with the many positions and places he liked to have sex. He didn’t like to be too rough with her, but Lyric wanted him to be forceful at times. She knew he had it in him and he’d proven that a few times when they had quickies at the office. He couldn’t take his time then and Lyric loved when he got aggressive.
“I have to take my time with you, sweetheart. We’re not at the office, so there’s no need to rush,” Javier whispered as he nibbled on her ear.
“Ahh,” Lyric moaned when he pulled her closer.
He didn’t go harder, but he definitely went deeper. She never had to worry about not being satisfied because Javier always delivered. It almost felt like he was trying to climb inside
of her as he stroked her passionately. It felt like their bodies were connected as one and that was his goal.
“Cum for me baby,” Javier said as he licked her neck, making her entire body shiver.
He felt Lyric’s body quiver and he knew that she was close. She felt so good to him and he knew that he wouldn’t be too far behind her.
“Ooh… shit,” Lyric moaned softly.
Even with the condom on, Javier felt her juices coating his erection when she came. A few minutes later, he filled up the condom right before pulling out of her. Lyric’s sexy body was coated in sweat, turning him on even more. Before she had a chance to get up or do anything else, Javier flipped her over onto her back.
“I got a few more minutes to spare” He smiled as he lowered his body and positioned himself between her legs.
He used his tongue to part her lower lips before he started sucking and licking her just the way she liked him to. Lyric always smelled so good and Javier could never get enough of her.
“Yes, baby, just like that,” Lyric moaned as she pulled him in deeper and grinded into his face. She was trying to take over and Javier couldn’t have that. He had to be in complete control in and out of the bedroom.
Grabbing her hands, he pinned them to her side. Javier used his mouth as a weapon and assaulted Lyric’s kitty. She wrapped her legs around his neck as she squirmed and moaned. Javier showed her no mercy. He flicked his tongue at lightning speed until Lyric cried out and exploded on his tongue. Javier kept licking her until she begged him to stop and tried to push him away. Lyric was spent. She unwrapped her legs from around his neck and just laid there, trying to recover from the two hours of mind blowing back to back orgasms. Javier looked at his handiwork and smiled cockily at Lyric’s unmoving form.
“You okay?” he asked while pulling her damp body into his.
“I just want to sleep,” Lyric replied as she reached for the cover.
“Sorry sweetheart, but you can’t,” Javier said as he stood up and stretched.
“Why not? It’s only six thirty,” Lyric noted.
Javier had been up since about three that morning, going over some of his documents for court. Once he was done, he was about to get a few hours of sleep until he saw Lyric’s naked body lying in his California king sized bed. She was beautiful, which was why he woke her up with his face buried in between her legs. He loved waking up to her in the morning, whether it was at her house or his.
“I know it’s early, but you’ll be late if you go back to sleep. Come take a shower with me. The water will help you get up,” Javier suggested.
“Yeah and I have to go home and get dressed anyway.” Lyric yawned.
“You wouldn’t have to if you left some clothes here like I told you to,” Javier pointed out.
“I have clothes here already,” Lyric said as she got up from the bed and walked over to his dresser.
“Not just workout clothes Lyric. I mean work clothes and whatever else you might need,” he replied.
He and Lyric sometimes went for an early morning jog, so she always kept extra workout clothes at his house. Javier wanted to share all of his space with her and not just one drawer. Lyric grabbed a few of her items from the drawer and walked into the bathroom and started the shower. She tested the temperature of the water before stepping inside and under the showerhead. She heard everything that Javier said, but she didn’t bother with a reply. He made it known that he was ready to take their relationship to the next level, but Lyric was hesitant. It seemed like every time she made her mind up to give someone a chance, she got messed over and walked away with a broken heart. She wasn’t naïve enough to think that her relationships would be perfect, but she often wondered what she’d done so wrong to make the men in her life always want to cheat.
Lyric wasn’t conceited, but she knew that she was the full package. She didn’t only have her looks and shape to offer a man, she had a good heart to go along with it all. She was smart, independent, and down to earth. She wasn’t a slouch in the bedroom and she loved to try new things. Sadly, all of that still wasn’t enough. Some of the most beautiful women in the world got cheated on and Lyric knew that she wasn’t exempt.
“You can’t keep avoiding this conversation Lyric,” Javier said as he stepped into the shower with her.
Lyric was so wrapped up in her thoughts that she didn’t even hear when he entered the bathroom.
“I’m not trying to avoid it. I’m just not ready to have it,” she replied honestly.
“That’s unacceptable to me, Lyric. I keep telling you that I’m not Spencer or that other loser who you were with before him. I’m thirty years old and I don’t have time to play games. I know what I want and you’re it for me, baby. I’m ready to take that next step and make this official. I’ve been begging you to meet my parents for weeks and you refuse to even do that. Am I doing something wrong here? Let me know if I am and give me a chance to get it right,” Javier said as he buried his face in her neck.
“You’re not doing anything wrong Javier. I just have to get over my own relationship insecurities,” Lyric admitted.
“What can I do to help?” he questioned.
“Just be patient with me,” Lyric replied as she looked at him.
“I can do that, but you have to do something for me too,” Javier countered.
“What’s that?” she asked.
“Have dinner with me this weekend,” he replied as he stroked her face lovingly.
“That’s it? That was easier than I thought,” Lyric smiled.
“Me and my parents,” Javier said, wiping the smile from her face.
“Javier-,” Lyric started before he cut her off.
“Please baby. I told them all about you and they’re dying to meet you. You’re going to make them think I’m lying or something. One dinner Lyric. That’s all that I’m asking,” Javier pleaded.
Lyric thought long and hard about what he was asking and it really wasn’t much. Still, she knew how that was going to go. Once she met Javier’s parents, he was going to be asking to meet hers next. Lyric wasn’t ready for that, but she didn’t want to be unreasonable. One dinner wouldn’t hurt her and it would obviously make him happy.
“Okay Javier. I’ll have dinner with you and your parents this weekend,” Lyric said, making him smile happily.
“Thank you, baby. You just don’t know how much this means to me. I’ll call them later to make sure they’re available,” Javier said as he grabbed her face and planted a juicy kiss on her lips.
He and Lyric discussed a few places to take his parents for dinner, but everything that she suggested was shot down. Javier was born with a silver spoon in his mouth, so his parents wouldn’t just eat anywhere. It had to be up to their standards. Both his parents started out as attorneys, but his father had gone on to be a judge. Javier was their second of three kids and he was their only son. He lived up to every standard that was set for him and they wouldn’t have had it any other way. When he told them about Lyric months ago, they were dying to meet her. Javier had only introduced them to one other woman and they absolutely loved her. Unfortunately, things didn’t work out and Javier hadn’t really cared about anyone else enough to bring them around. All that changed when he met Lyric and he really thought she was the one.
The Livingston’s were a very prestigious family, similar to the Malone’s. Javier needed his family to love Lyric just as much as he did and their first meeting was very important to him. He didn’t care if they approved or not, but his life would be so much easier if they did. His father wasn’t the problem but no one was good enough for him in his mother’s eyes.
“I’ll see you later,” Lyric said once she was showered and dressed.
“Lunch?” Javier asked as he pulled her close to his body.
“Will you have time?” Lyric asked.
“Yeah, I should. We’re starting closing arguments soon so the hardest part is done. Hopefully, the jury won’t take long to deliberate. I’ll be
happy when this case is over with.”
Javier was the lead attorney on a case that had been all over the news. A local gang had been terrorizing an area in Downtown New Orleans for months and they had finally caught up with them. Most of them had been tried and sentenced, but the last five, nonviolent ones were the last to go.
“Okay, well, I’m free if you can make it,” Lyric replied.
Javier walked her out to her car and kissed her goodbye. Lyric made it home a little before eight and immediately started getting ready for work. She had time to stop for breakfast and still be there on time. At least that’s what she thought. When Mr. Malone called and told her that he needed her to pick up something from two different offices, Lyric bypassed breakfast and got on the road. She didn’t make it to her office until after ten and Mr. Malone still wasn’t there.
“What’s up girl? Where your ass been hiding out at?” Jared asked when he saw Lyric enter the building.
He was just leaving out of the mailroom with his cart, getting ready to deliver the mail. He took the elevator up to the fourth floor with Lyric, hoping that he would get a chance to see Nova.
“I’ve been here every day. Your ass is the one who’s been hiding,” Lyric replied.
“You know I’m the only one in the mailroom. They been working my black ass something serious,” Jared replied.
He was so handsome to Lyric with his jet black skin and curly mohawk. She wanted Nova to give him a chance, but she understood her cousin’s apprehension. Nova had been in a verbally and physically abusive relationship for years and it was hard for her to get out of. It wasn’t until her ex got killed in a motorcycle crash two years ago that she was finally able to break free. Nova hadn’t been with anybody since then and she wasn’t in a hurry to start dating again.
“That’s a good thing. Staying busy means job security,” Lyric noted as they stepped off the elevator.
“Look at my baby with her sexy ass,” Jared said when he saw Nova sitting at her desk.
“Lyric!” Nova called out as she waved her cousin over to her cubicle.
Heartbreak And Past Mistakes Page 5
