The Appraisal

by Brielle Montgomery

  “It’s about time.” The voice, made husky from years of Virginia Slims and shots of vodka, carried easily from the porch.

  Jayla grinned as the figure seemed to glide over to her. Despite the time, those mature wrinkles creasing her gorgeous face, that hair in a pixie cut and dyed black to mask the silver streaks . . . Patricia Dixon had not aged a bit.

  “I’ve missed you so much,” Patricia said, enveloping her in a hug. “I feel like I haven’t been around for you like I should have.”

  “You taught me well,” Jayla said. “I’ve been doing great, but I’m so glad you’re back.”

  Patricia hooked her arm through Jayla’s and steered her toward the house. They climbed the porch steps and went inside.

  The house’s interior was as sweeping and majestic as the exterior, with beautiful, expansive ceramic tile floors, elaborate archways, and heavily adorned chandeliers hanging from cathedral ceilings. A light jazz tune came through the built-in speakers, and the subtle smell of honey and jasmine coated the air.

  Jayla took a seat in the living room, kicked off her heels, and stretched her legs out on the plush couch. “This place is gorgeous,” she said as Patricia made her way to the bar. “Your retirement present?”

  Patricia brought two Long Island Iced Teas to the couch and sat opposite Jayla. She handed Jayla a glass. “Something like that,” she said and took a sip of her drink. “You know I enjoy the finer things in life.” Patricia wiggled her fingers for effect, allowing the expensive diamonds on her rings to glitter in the light. “And I can afford it, so hell, why not? You only live once, right?”

  “So true.”

  “But I want to hear all about you, ma’am,” Patricia said with a sneaky grin. “What’s new? Who you been into lately?”

  Jayla laughed and relaxed, a smile on her face. It felt good to be able to discuss this with the woman who had started it all for her, the woman who knew her, and this business, better than she did.

  “Business is still successful,” she said with a proud smile. “Got an influx of clients at one point, but I’ve gotten it under control. Sometimes, it can get a little crazy, a little overwhelming, but you know I’m good, so I can handle it.” She paused. “Thanks to you,” she added, raising her glass in a mock toast of gratitude. She debated telling her about her niece but quickly decided against it. Not until she got that girl on some kind of leash or something.

  “I didn’t do anything but open you to a new way of thinking,” Patricia said. “You were the one that caught on so quickly. Eager and determined. You were always one of my best and brightest students. I know my girl. Nothing you can’t handle.” Patricia’s compliment was laced with a subtle innuendo, one Jayla was more than familiar with. Patricia let her tongue linger on her bottom lip while she lowered her eyes and let them graze over Jayla’s body.

  The sexual gesture had Jayla smiling at the thought. She hadn’t had Patricia in what seemed like a long time. She loved Patricia, almost in a motherly sort of way, but she thought of the way Patricia could make her pussy sing, and she was reminded that Patricia wasn’t anything more than a woman. A woman who had the best body money could buy and who got her money’s worth with her enormous appetite for sex.

  Jayla remembered that while she was in “training,” Patricia had taken a direct, hands-on approach. She had shown her how to give and receive pleasure, had allowed Jayla to watch her on assignments. Patricia had even exposed Jayla to her first threesome, and Jayla remembered she had absolutely loved watching her sex herself with toys. But it hadn’t been all about sex. She’d helped Jayla with makeup, given her counseling, shopped with her for disguises. Hell, she’d been there for her since day one. And Jayla would probably always feel indebted to the woman.

  “Damn, I missed you, Puma.” Patricia’s voice had lowered with desire. “Take off your clothes and let me see how much you’ve grown.”

  Jayla sat her drink down and did as she was told. She stood, peeled off her clothes, and let them pool at her feet. The slight chill in the air caused goose bumps to form on her arms and thighs. Her nipples hardened under Patricia’s scrutiny as she stood there naked, quiet, as Patricia’s eyes absorbed each and every curve.

  “Turn around,” Patricia instructed.

  Jayla almost felt weak from the sexual tension that had suddenly overtaken the room. She felt her pussy heat up from the attention as she turned her back to Patricia. She was glad her mentor was still proud of her.

  She heard the rustle of clothes as Patricia undressed, and Jayla’s breath caught from excitement. It had been too long. She gasped in surprise at the sudden sting when Patricia slapped her ass, then gripped each cheek in the palm of each hand. Jayla shut her eyes and swallowed a moan as Patricia gave her a gentle massage, kneading each cheek like dough. Then she replaced her fingers with her lips and tongue. Instinct had Jayla bending over to brace herself against the wall, allowing more exposure. She had almost forgotten Patricia had always loved her plump ass. Sure enough, she felt Patricia bury her face between her crack and heard her moan at the glorious feeling of the supple flesh swallowing her face. She used her hands to spread Jayla’s cheeks apart and devoured her, letting her tongue glide up and down her crack before using it to moisten her hole. Jayla tossed her head back in ecstasy. The woman damn sure hadn’t forgotten how she liked it. Cum trickled down her thighs as Patricia continued her feast, using her tongue to massage Jayla’s ass while she simultaneously smacked it for emphasis. The clap of flesh pierced the air, heightening the glorious feeling even more.

  Jayla murmured something inaudible, a cross between a plea and a moan, and as if reading her mind, Patricia reached between Jayla’s spread legs and began stroking her clit with her thumb.

  “Come for me, Puma.” Patricia whispered the encouragement.

  Shit, shit, shit. Jayla let her head fall and let out a weak cry as she came, feeling the gush of her juices spill over Patricia’s hand and wrist.

  Jayla slid down the wall on a breathless sigh, struggling to calm down from the orgasm. The smell of sex was strong and delicious, a fragrance completely normal to the pair. She didn’t move as Patricia took off her pants, revealing long, slender, smooth mahogany legs that led to a clean-shaven pussy, none of which held any evidence of her actual age. She grabbed Jayla’s outstretched foot, positioned her toes against her own swollen clit. Jayla smiled, wiggled her toes and rubbed Patricia’s pussy lips until her toes were wet. Patricia gripped Jayla’s foot to keep it in place as she rotated her hips with the movement. When she felt Patricia’s pussy clench with the impending orgasm, Jayla quickened her pace. Knowing how she liked it, Jayla stuck her big toe in to catch the steady stream of cum as it burst free. Patricia clenched her thighs, and her body jerked.

  When she sighed and relaxed, Jayla shifted to lie down beside her. She wasn’t one to cuddle, but Patricia liked to cuddle with her, and it had been a minute. So she lay in the crook of Patricia’s arm and sighed as Patricia gently stroked her shoulder. The plush carpet was soothing on her skin. They lay in silence for a moment, basking in the afterglow of their lovemaking. To anyone else, their relationship could have seemed strange. To Jayla, she couldn’t have asked for a better mentor.

  “I guess that was your ‘welcome home’ present,” Jayla murmured.

  Patricia laughed. “You still got it,” she said. “I can see why you are so successful.”

  “I was taught by the best.”

  Jayla could almost feel Patricia’s satisfied smile at the compliment. Then Patricia moved her lips, like she wanted to say something, but she didn’t speak.

  Sensing the hesitation, Jayla lifted her head and stared into the woman’s gorgeous face. “What is it?” she prompted.

  “I just don’t want you to get stuck in a never-ending cycle,” Patricia said. “Don’t feel compelled to ride this golden goose out for twenty or thirty years. That’s one advantage of it being so lucrative. So you can retire young and sit back.” She gestured to the massive
living room. “And reap the benefits.”

  Jayla nodded. “You’re right. But I’m enjoying myself. I’m helping women and getting paid.”

  “Let me ask you this.” Patricia shifted slightly and began gently stroking Jayla’s hair. “I asked you this once, and I’ll ask you again. Where do you see yourself in five years? Still working?”

  Jayla pondered the question. The scrutiny had her averting her eyes, and feeling slightly uncomfortable, she sat up. Ten years wasn’t really long at all. Shit, Patricia had been in the mix for nearly twenty.

  “I don’t know,” she answered. “I know eventually I’ll stop. I just don’t see it right now.”

  “Jayla. Don’t get so sucked in, you can’t find your way out. Stay on top of your game, remember?”

  Jayla nodded. She thought she was. “There’s something else,” she added, and Patricia lifted her eyebrows. “I met someone. A guy . . .” She trailed off as Patricia stared. “I don’t know what to do about him. He won’t go away.”

  “Of course not. Look at you.”

  “But still. He’s determined. And I’m tired of fighting him off. Plus . . .”

  “You like him,” Patricia said, finishing her sentence for her. She didn’t bother waiting for a response. “Yeah, those are the tough ones. But are you ready to let this man in your life? Seriously?”

  Jayla bit her bottom lip in consideration.

  “What about trust?” Patricia added. “Do you trust him?”

  “I don’t know him.” She sighed and felt Patricia’s knuckles lightly graze her back.

  “Maybe this is your sign.”

  “Sign?”

  “Sign that you need to reevaluate your own life and see where you are. You’ve been working for years. Have you even come up for air?”

  “No.” Jayla pouted with the admission.

  “Exactly. You’ve set goals for yourself. Have some fun. You don’t want to wake up at my age, alone.” Her voice cracked with the last statement and had Jayla glancing up in confusion.

  “That doesn’t sound like the Patricia I know,” she said.

  Patricia laughed. “Oh, it’s still me,” she said. “I didn’t say, ‘Fall in love.’ Just enjoy your life. You need to decide, what does Jayla Morgan want?”

  Jayla turned to straddle Patricia, and playfully, she began rubbing on her titties. She smiled suggestively.

  “Jayla Morgan wants to hear all about what you did on this fabulous trip and then afterward.” She leaned down and flicked her tongue on Patricia’s neck. “I want to play.”

  Patricia frowned and ran her nails through her cropped hair. It was obvious she wanted to say something else. But she smiled instead.

  Hours later, after the two had fallen into a hazy buzz, laughed over Patricia’s travel pictures, and had had fuck fest round two, Jayla eased out of the driveway. Impulse had her pulling out her cell phone as she steered the truck with one hand.

  She didn’t expect Derrick to answer when she returned the call. It was after eleven, but she was feeling good and horny again. Damn, Patricia could have a bitch thirsting, but for some reason, she wanted to speak to him.

  “Hey, you,” she greeted when he answered on the third ring.

  “I must have been on your mind,” Derrick said. “Because you were definitely on mine.”

  Jayla grinned. “Actually, you were. I was just talking about you to a friend.”

  “Is that so? And what were you saying?”

  Jayla grinned as she remembered the sexual play. “Just . . . stuff,” she teased. “But I did want to hear your voice. What are you doing?”

  “Watching some sports highlights. You sound like you’re driving.”

  “I am. On my way home.”

  “Well, be careful out there.”

  His concern had her glowing. Jayla hesitated with the next statement. Fuck it, she decided and blurted it out. “Let me come over.” She could tell she had finally caught him off guard with that bold statement.

  “Why?”

  “Because I want to see you,” she said. “If sex just so happens to come into play, I damn sure won’t stop it.” Jayla was feeling bold after the powerful sex sessions with Patricia.

  Derrick chuckled. “Your offer is tempting, but I don’t want you to get the wrong idea.”

  “And what is the wrong idea?”

  “I want us to maybe build toward something,” he said, his voice carrying a gentle patience. “And I don’t want you to think that’s all I’m wanting from you.”

  The respectable gesture turned her on even more. Damn, the man seemed perfect. And challenging. She thrived on a challenge.

  “Well, what if I just come over and we watch a movie?” she said.

  “I want you, Jayla. Bad,” Derrick admitted.

  Jayla had to tighten her thighs to keep from creaming right there on her leather seat.

  “But,” he went on, “I want you in the right way. Not like some cheap piece of ass.”

  Jayla pouted. Funny. That was exactly what she was feeling like at the moment. “Okay,” she mumbled, not bothering to hide the disappointment in her voice.

  “How about we start with a date?” Derrick suggested, his voice seeming to drip with the sexy appeal of the idea. “We don’t have to worry about Tara or Kevin. Just you and me. We can do it the right way and let whatever happens happen.” He was silent for a moment. “And then,” he added, “when the time is right, I can lay you down and make love to that gorgeous body. Sex you in all the right places.” He moaned for effect, and Jayla’s eyes widened at the delicious thought. “Fair enough?”

  Hell yeah.

  “Fair enough.” She hung up and tossed the phone on the passenger seat. She hadn’t lied. It was a fair deal. But she didn’t play fair.

  Jayla didn’t realize where she was headed until she pulled into the parking lot of Spades. Her mind already fixed on Joi, she headed into the club and went straight for the bar.

  Joi was leaning against the bar, as if she’d been waiting for her. Her eyes lit up when she spotted Jayla. Without a word, Joi led her to their freak storage closet once more, where she proceeded to prop Jayla’s leg on a box, bury her face between her thighs, and lavishly drink her orgasms. Even after Jayla’s weakened knees had her slithering to the floor, Joi feasted by the mouthful, leaving Jayla’s pussy saturated and swollen.

  When she was done, Joi removed her own clothes and placed her pussy against Jayla’s, their legs in a scissors position. Their kitties purred against each other, clit caressing clit.

  It didn’t take long for Jayla to come once Joi began slapping their pussies together, and she shook with the force of the release as their juices mixed and ran down their thighs and their ass cheeks.

  Immediately, Jayla rose on shaky legs and, without uttering a word, staggered to the door.

  “Cherry, wait,” Joi called, but Jayla stepped out and shut the door behind her and hurried back to the parking lot.

  Her phone started ringing as soon as she had made it safely back to her truck. She glanced at the caller ID and rolled her eyes. The bitch had some nerve.

  “What is it?” she snapped when she took the call.

  “Damn! What’s supposed to be your problem?” Jasmine said. “I know you not still tripping about Alex.”

  “It doesn’t even matter, Jasmine. What do you want?”

  “I need some more assignments,” Jasmine answered, as if it was obvious. “You haven’t been throwing nothing my way.”

  Jayla scoffed. “Hell nah! Not after how you’ve been acting. Not to mention you’ve been setting up your own assignments, remember? So you should be good.”

  “Auntie, stop tripping. Do you have some assignments for me or nah? I’m trying to get this money.”

  “No,” Jayla lied, not caring if Jasmine believed her. She’d be damned if she continued feeding this monster. “Fresh out.”

  “So now you want to bullshit me? Really? It’s like that?”

  “I don�
��t have anything right now, Jasmine,” Jayla repeated. A long pause.

  “Fine. Be a bitch, then,” Jasmine mumbled before hanging up.

  Jayla’s phone rang again, and without looking at the screen, she answered the call. “What the fuck do you want now?”

  No response. Just silence. Jayla looked the screen and noticed the call happened to have come from an unknown number. By the time she arrived home, the same scenario had occurred several more times. Even when Jayla answered and cussed out the mystery person to hell and back, the caller remained silent.

  CHAPTER TEN

  Jayla blew out a hard breath as she slowed the treadmill and stepped down from the running belt. She felt the sweat trailing down the small of her back and a burning sensation, which signaled that she may have slightly overexerted her already toned muscles. She took a swig of water and pulled the damp sports bra over her head as she started up the steps. She had agreed to meet Derrick in a few hours, and she needed to get her body right.

  Her phone rang as she stepped from the shower. She took the call.

  “Hey, Jaye.”

  Jayla immediately frowned at the discomfort in her sister’s voice. “What’s the matter? Are you in pain?”

  Jocelyn sighed. “Just a little. This baby is sitting on every organ in my body, but I’ll be fine. Not too much longer, the doctor said.” She paused.

  Jayla sat on the bed, waiting for her to continue. Her sister definitely sounded like she wanted to say more but didn’t know how. “So . . . is everything all right, Joce?” she asked finally.

  “Not really,” she admitted. “Girl, I’m so damn pissed. Someone emailed me some pictures of Alex sexing another woman.”

  Jayla sucked in a breath. She damn sure hadn’t expected Jasmine to do that. “Um,” she said, fumbling for a response. “Damn. I’m sorry, Joce. Did you see who the girl was?”

  “No. But that’s for her own damn good. I would probably fuck her ass up.”

  “You need to be fucking Alex’s ass up.”