by D. Camille
Miles kept his eyes on the road.
“Most of the time,”
“Most of the time?”
His eyes narrowed. “I’m a black man living in a place where I can be hunted like an animal. Where I can be put in a position where I’m unable to protect not only myself, but my family...if I had one. I’m expected to be strong, fearless provider...even when means are purposely withheld from me to do that very thing.”
Liv listened quietly.
“How can I feel safe? How can I make a black woman feel safe, black children feel safe, when we’re all at the mercy of systems designed to keep us in fear?”
She let his heartfelt words sink in for a long moment.
“I’ve never had a man kick it to me like that.” She told him. “And you’re right, I do want to see my black man as a strong, fearless provider for me and our children, but I’ve never considered the burden he carries with that expectation.”
“I also understand the burden that our women carry.” Miles shared. “I see how you’re a target of the white woman in her desire for attention, invisible to the white man unless he wants you sexually, and sometimes both invisible and a target of our own black men, who don’t know themselves or their history.”
Unable to speak, Liv simply stared at him.
“Too deep?” he asked.
“Never…”
He looked at her. “I like that.”
“Damn...you surprise me.” Liv said, shaking her head in wonder.
“Why?”
“I think you do it on purpose.” She answered. “You keep yourself very reserved and only let people see what you want them to see, when you want them to see it…”
Miles nodded. “That’s accurate.”
“But why?”
“It’s easier…” he answered simply. “People see me and make assumptions, so I give them what they want.”
“Until you want to give them more…”
“Until they earn it.”
Liv smiled. “So I earned the pleasure of your conversation?”
“Yeah…”
“How?”
“By simply listening…” Miles told her.
Sitting back again, Liv didn’t understand why his words gave her such pleasure.
“Congratulations on your new project.” She told him.
“Thank you, Liv.”
She looked outside and tried to figure out the man driving...and figure out how was she going to go back to Dallas and forget about him?
******
At the studio building, Miles led Liv inside and began showing her around.
“So I have several classrooms, a film room, a couple of sets and a few meeting rooms.” He explained.
“Wow, it’s so big.”
Miles looked down at her.
“I hear that all the time.” He teased.
“Show me the rest.” Liv said with a smirk.
“I hear that, too…”
She frowned at him and he laughed while taking her hand.
“Let’s take the tour.” Miles said and led her through the building.
They entered one of the sets arranged like a living room.
“What do you film here?” Liv asked.
“The kids film a talk show.” Miles replied. “They discuss issues important to them as well as music, clothing, and news that matters to them.”
Liv nodded. “That’s a great outlet.”
“They have a channel where they post.”
“I’d love to see it.” She commented. “Send me the link.”
Miles took out his phone and fulfilled her request.
“Sent.”
“Thank you.”
Slipping his phone back into his pocket, Miles pulled her into his arms.
“So, do you want me to show you how to make a movie?” he asked sexily.
“What kind of movie?”
He lowered his head and kissed her neck.
“One where you’re the star…”
Liv grinned. “Are you serious?”
“Yep…”
“Is this what you do?” Liv questioned. “Bring women to make porn?”
“I don’t make porn…” Miles replied, still kissing her flesh. “And I don’t bring dates here…”
“So I’m special?” she asked.
He lifted his head and looked into her face.
“Priceless…”
Liv looked around the room.
“You really want to make a movie?”
“With you...yes.”
“What are you going to do with it?” she asked warily.
Miles kissed her lips.
“Watch it when you’re gone all the way back to Dallas.”
“Miles, I swear if I see this anywhere…” Liv warned.
“I’m not that dude, Liv.” Miles promised. “This will be my first movie, too.”
Liv didn’t look like she believed him.
“What the hell do you think I am?” He asked.
“Why me then?”
“Because you’re bad…” Miles replied. “You’re beautiful, you’re sexy...and I never want to forget you.”
She glanced at the camera that was already set up, then at the man standing before her.
“Are you scared?” he questioned.
“Scared that I’m going to have to come back to Detroit and really kill you.” Liv answered.
“Come here,” Miles said, cupping her face. “You’re Taylor’s sister, and she’s marrying Mathias, who is Malachi’s brother. Malachi is a straight killer, okay. I’m not trying to come up missing, by exposing you. This will just be between us…”
“Do I get a copy?”
He smiled. “You want one?”
Liv nodded. “Hell yeah.”
“So it’s okay?”
She glanced at the camera again, then at the sofa.
“Over there?” she asked.
“Yeah…”
Liv pulled his head down to her and started a heated exchange that made them both want more. Finally, when they parted, she whispered, “Let’s do it.”
Miles released her and went over to the camera on the tripod. While Liv watched, he adjusted some settings until he was satisfied. Moving back to her, he took her hand and led her over to stand in front of the sofa.
“Right here.” He told her, then took her bag and dropped it on the table. “Don’t worry about the camera, just focus on me.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck. “That’s not hard at all…”
“Now, that’s one I never hear…”
“You’re so much sexier when you’re talking about your work.” Liv told him.
Miles kissed her slowly, letting the fire build inside of them both, until they couldn’t wait any longer to be joined together. Reaching for the back zipper on her dress, Miles lowered it slowly, while holding her gaze.
Sliding the material down her body, he looked at her curvy form in a bra and matching thong. The dress fell to the floor with a soft swoosh and Liv stepped out of it right before Miles began blazing a trail down her neck to her breasts.
With no hesitation, he unhooked her bra and it too, fell to the floor. Cupping one soft mound, Miles’ mouth found the other, and began to suck her hotly into his mouth, making Liv’s breathing increase. Leaving her breast, his mouth moved lower where he lovingly kissed her stomach and then the mound between her legs.
Liv didn’t protest when Miles slid her panties aside and put his mouth on her. At the first contact she grabbed his head and groaned.
“Spread them for me,” Miles ordered.
Quickly, Liv obeyed and was rewarded for her obedience with a warm tongue and lips that forced her body to become slick with desire that Miles licked and swallowed. Holding on to him tightly, Liv couldn’t stop the scream that flowed past her lips.
Hearing the sexy way she announced her completion, Miles yanked her panties down her legs and waited for her to step out of them. On shaky legs, Liv balanced he
rself using his shoulder, then watched her panties disappear.
Miles stood to his feet and captured her mouth, invading it with his wicked tongue until Liv began pulling at his shirt. She tugged at the buttons until he removed it and her hands were on his firm chest. Miles smiled when she licked his flat male nipples, then his abs.
His breath caught, after Liv cradled his manhood in her hand. With a dark look in her eyes, she went for his belt, and the next thing Miles knew, his drawers and pants were around his ankles and he was being treated to a soft, full pair of lips around him.
“Shit…” he groaned.
With a smile in her eyes, Liv looked up at him as she fondled his sac with a hand, with her mouth firmly around him. Bringing him almost to the brink, Liv pulled back and saw the disappointment on his face.
“I’m going to let you finish, baby…” she told him. “But not like this…”
Liv reached into her purse and produced a packet, which she sensually applied to his hardness.
Miles kick out of his shoes, and stepped out of his clothing before sitting on the sofa and guiding Liv to follow. She straddled him and slid down inch by inch, staring into his face.
“I’m going to make you come so hard…” she whispered. “You’re going to tap out.”
Liking the challenge in her eyes and the way she was allowing him to fill her so slowly, Miles replied, “If you ever make me tap out, I’ll give you anything you ask…”
He saw the determination in her eyes then grabbed her ass and started the ride that took many twists and turns until Liv was on her knees, holding on to the back of the sofa for dear life as Miles plunged with deep strokes that made her yelp and bounce with each one.
Liv pounded the sofa with a fist. “Miles!”
Holding her tightly from behind, he gave her more until she have an ear piercing scream that triggered his own eruption.
Collapsing against the sofa, Liv tried to catch her breath as Miles loosened his hold and placed soft kisses on her back. Still trying to get her bearings, Liv felt Miles leave her body and then she was in his lap, cradled in his arms.
Gently, he kissed her face and smoothed her wild hair back. Lifting his head, Miles looked into her flushed face.
“Are you good?”
“Do you always ask that?”
“Do you always scream like you’re dying?” he asked.
Liv stared up at him. “No, I don’t.”
“I don’t always ask that, either...but with you, I want to know.” Miles said softly. “I don’t want to hurt you.”
“Those aren’t screams of pain…” Liv touched his face. “That’s all pleasure…”
“Are you ready for the next scene?” He asked.
“You sound crazy.”
Miles laughed. “I’m teasing you. Let’s get some food and go back to my place?”
“Is that an invitation?”
“Yeah, that’s an invitation.” He kissed her mouth.
Liv’s eyes lit up. “We can watch the movie when we get there.”
He nodded. “Then we can replay it in my bedroom.”
“I have to be back at Taylor’s by five in the morning.” Liv told him.
Miles didn’t know why the sound of that made him feel a certain way.
“Okay...I don’t want you to miss your plane.” He said solemnly.
Liv replied, just as solemnly. “Yeah...I don’t either.”
She linked her arms tighter around him and laid her head on his shoulder, while Miles held her and gently stroked her back.
Chapter 10
Leaving the studio, Miles and Liv settled into the SUV. After starting the engine, Miles turned to her.
“What do you want to eat?”
Liv shrugged. “It doesn’t matter.”
“Burgers?”
She frowned. “I can get burgers in Dallas.”
“Okay… what about chicken?”
“Nah, I don’t want chicken.”
He gave her a look.
“What?” she asked.
“What do you want to eat, baby?”
“I told you it doesn’t matter…” Liv replied.
Miles sighed. “Please don’t do this.”
“Do what?”
“Tell me that it doesn’t matter, then not want anything I suggest.” He pointed out. “Now what the hell do you want?”
She stared at him. “I don’t know.”
“Then just say that,” Miles said. “Please…”
“You choose, I’ll eat it.” Liv told him. “Like I said...it doesn’t matter.”
He turned to the wheel and took off. After driving quietly for a few minutes, Miles turned to her.
“We’ll get a variety, and then you can have whatever you like.” He said, taking her hand. “Is that okay?”
“Yes, that’s okay.”
“Because I don’t want you eating my food after you say you don’t want any…”
Liv smiled. “You think I would do that?”
“Hell yeah.”
When Miles pulled up to the third restaurant, Liv looked at him.
“Really?”
“Listen, I’m getting enough food,” he replied. “Enough for both of us, because I’m hungry as hell, I’m not going back out...and I’m not sharing.”
“Fine. Is this the last one?”
“Yeah, I think so…” Miles kept his gaze on her. “You coming in?”
She nodded. “Yes, I have to use the bathroom, since we’ve been driving around for an hour getting food.”
With a look, Miles got out and opened the door for Liv. Together, they entered the restaurant and Miles spotted a group he knew sitting at one of the tables.
“Come this way, real quick.” Miles told her.
Liv looked confused, but allowed Miles to guide her with a hand on her back.
“Gideon, what up doe?” Miles greeted the young man sitting at the table with the rappers he’d visited the other night.
Gideon looked up and saw Miles.
“What up?” Gideon replied, looking around the table as the other men greeted Miles warmly.
“You did that shit on the track,” one told Miles.
Miles replied, keeping an eye on Gideon. “Thanks. What y’all up to?”
“Shit...just getting some of this food,” another answered.
Liv whispered to Miles. “I need to go.”
“Sorry, baby. It’s right through there.” He pointed in that direction.
“I’ll be right back.”
He nodded and watched her walk away, then turned back to see everyone at the table also watching her.
Frowning, Miles said, “What the fuck y’all looking at?”
“That’s you?” Gideon asked.
“Didn’t you see her walk in with me?”
“Damn Miles be smashing them bad bitches.” One of the rappers said in appreciation.
“Watch your mouth,” Miles told him.
The rapper smiled. “No disrespect.”
“You know them?” Miles asked Gideon, referring to the group he was sitting with.
“That’s my cousin, Steve.” Gideon pointed to one of the men.
Turning to Steve, Miles said, “You should hip your little cousin to the real game.”
Steve looked at Gideon. “What you been up to?”
Gideon glanced at Miles before answering. “Nothing.” He waited for Miles to contradict him.
“I’ll holla at you Gideon.” Miles told him. “In the meantime, don’t get snatched up in these streets.”
“I’m straight.” Gideon said shortly.
Liv returned to Miles’ side and he smiled down at her.
“Let’s get this food.” Miles said.
“Okay…”
As they walked away, the men at the table said, “Bye, Miss Lady.”
Liv looked at Miles. “Are they talking to me?”
“Yeah…”
Turning back, Liv waved. “Bye…”
The
couple ordered their food, and Miles gave the table one last look before heading outside.
“You didn’t introduce me to your friends,” Liv said walking beside him.
“Those aren’t my friends,” Miles replied. “And they don’t need to know anything about you…”
At the car, he opened the door for her.
“Are they dangerous?” she asked.
“They know what’s up.”
Liv climbed inside and Miles checked his surroundings before joining her.
“How do you know them?” Liv asked when Miles left the parking lot.
“From around the way…”
“What does that mean?”
Miles talked while he drove.
“When I was younger, I was into a lot of shit.” He explained. “I still have those connections...and reputation.”
“You were a bad boy?”
He smiled. “You know I’m a bad boy.”
“Can I pick the music?” Liv asked.
“Do your thing.”
Liv scrolled through her selections, then picked a nice neo-soul tune.
“You like?” she questioned.
“I do…”
Reaching over, Liv touched his hair and felt the soft hairs underneath her hand.
“Thank you for taking me to tour your studio...and inviting me to your house.” She said softly.
“You’re welcome, although you made me do both.”
“Are you complaining?”
Miles shook his head. “No.”
She continued stroking his neck.
“I’ve enjoyed my time with you.” Liv whispered.
“It’s not over yet.” He reminded her.
“Oh, I know…” she replied with a smile. “But, I wanted to tell you that before I got caught up in you tonight. You have a way of making me forget things.”
“Do I?”
“Yeah...you do.”
After they arrived at Miles’ home, he opened Liv’s door and gathered up the bags of food.
“Can you open the door?” Miles said, handing her his keys.
“I can carry the bags.”
“Just open the door please…”
Liv took the keys and walked with him to the entrance.
“Which key?”
“The silver one.”
Holding it up, she asked, “This one?”
“Yeah..”
After Liv unlocked the door, Miles waited for her to enter then followed.
“Turn on that lamp for me.” He requested and Liv touched the lamp.