Nobody

by Tiana Laveen

  “Turn that radio on, baby. Over there by my vanity.”

  He walked over to it and switched it on to The Black Eyed Peas rapping, ‘My Humps.’ They hooked gazes and burst out laughing.

  “Really?” Jessica tugged at the sheets that barely covered her large breasts. “You couldn’t find anything better than that, Mr. Deejay?”

  “How is this my fault? All I did was turn it on. I’m not a music genie, pulling songs out of my hat. Let me see here… I haven’t messed with an actual portable radio in a minute. You’re an old soul, Jessica. This is bizarre.” Static and bursts of commercials, rhetoric from talk radio stations and songs he knew damn well wouldn’t fit the mood played from the speakers until he landed on ‘No Love’ by August Alsina ft. Nicki Minaj. “All right… yeah! This is more like it!” He swiveled around and rubbed his hands together… hungry, dick throbbing and hard, ready for action.

  He jumped on the bed like some wild jungle cat, sparking a guffaw from her succulent lips and pressed his groin against her pelvis. Catching her lower lip between his teeth, he shoved her thighs open with his knee and yanked the sheets up to his waist, covering them both. He squeezed her breast and she arched her back, sighing. Lips wrapped around her dark nipple, he tasted the taut flesh and the ocean between her legs rubbed against his skin, making his cock stiffen.

  “Come here… I wanna feel your mouth on me.” Grabbing a fistful of hair, he quickly rose onto his knees to give her better access to his dick and balls. She slurped and sucked with voracity and need. Saliva and precum dripped down as he gave fast, short pumps, his groans echoing and drowning out the music. “You give the best fuckin’ head, baby. Shit!” His imaginary crown slipped as he squinted at the ceiling. Balls tightening, his climax built. “Move.” He abruptly shoved her away, causing her eyes to widen in shock… then she smiled. “I knew it… you nasty woman. You want big daddy Kane to take you… Murder the pussy.” She exploded in laughter as he turned her on her side and lifted her leg to guide himself inside her hot oasis… made just for him.

  She sighed and trembled as he worked his big dick within her juicy, ebony slit.

  “Ohhhh fuck, baby… Jessica, you’re so wet… so damn wet!” Thrusting slow then fast, he held onto her waist, holding her leg up by the ankle like a dancer. Pressing his forehead into the back of her head, he took her, rammed hard as he could inside of her, eliciting a series of choppy, broken screams. The bed rocked violently. She shook, pussy punch pouring down her leg, and she creamed all over his dick.

  “Look at all that frosting! Ugh! Came all over my dick, wifey… Shit, baby! I like that!” He held her tight to him as she came and came again. When her orgasm subsided, he switched to shallow thrusts, then turned her over onto her stomach, ready for more action. Bringing her ass up in the air, he wrapped one arm around her waist then impaled her from behind, rocking her hard. She shuddered and screamed, bucking against his thrusts, making him almost lose control. The smacking of his balls against her swollen pussy was in tune with the music… mere coincidence, sounding oh so right.

  Meanwhile, Rihanna crooned, ‘Kiss It Better’ loud through the speakers. The guitar riff soothed him, made him feel as if he were floating in another world while the warm, sweet pussy he destroyed pulsed against his dick. Her walls closed in on him, hugging his nature, obliterating his resolve. He used his body to push her down on the bed, never letting up with pumping his dick like a piston within her. He wished he could drown inside her… He wanted her to be his torrential rain. Their fingers intertwined as he had his way with her, his harsh thrusts rumpling the sheets beneath their writhing bodies. Her soft ass softened his blows, but he was determined to string this out. The quickie was cancelled. He needed her in so many ways…

  “You feel so good in my pussy!” she cried, her voice muffled, face planted in the pillow.

  He relaxed his thrusts, moving slow and easy, sliding up and down, grinding against her pussy. Wanting to look into her eyes when he came, he withdrew and turned her on her back, then grabbed her legs and put them around his shoulders. He’d always thought she had the softest breasts and legs, but at this moment, he noticed her stomach was smaller. Still squishy and soft to the touch, but her waist was more tapered. Her thighs, too, looked slimmer. The woman had been working hard to lose weight, especially with the wedding on the horizon, but he never felt a need or desire to tell her she needed to change. As long as she was healthy and loved him like she did, remained the brilliant person that she was, she would always be beautiful in his eyes.

  They smiled at one another as he increased his pace, sliding in and out of her sweet, flowing valley. She squeezed him tighter with her thighs, and he fell deeper inside of her, eliciting a soft purr from her delicious lips.

  Cupping the back of her neck, he brought her in for a kiss. Their mouths crashed and he felt a tingle up and down his spine. Hip muscles tight, he worked his groin in slow, circular motions, driving the woman wild. Dark hands clutching fistfuls of the white sheets, pleasure and pain etched across her face, high cheekbones catching a glow… His dick plummeted into her wetlands over and over, the slushy, wet sounds turning him on, for he was making love to the one that owned his heart.

  “You lied, Kane. I have things to do and you’ve tricked me. This isn’t a quickie.”

  “So what?” He winked.

  “I ain’t complaining. Your dick game is on point but I’m just saying.” She grinned up at him, matching his tempo. Swaying her hips back and forth she met him at each turn, their bodies flush at each pass. “You’re going to be in trouble for flaking out on your meeting.”

  “They can wait. I’ll tell them I had an emergency pussy appointment. You needed some dick distribution.”

  She playfully hit his chest. Catching her wrist, he layered it with kisses. Moments passed entirely too fast… the minutes stolen too soon. What he’d do to be able to stop time. Wrapping his arms around her knees, he brought her ass to his chest and delivered a rapid pounding that sent both of them into an orgasmic tailspin. “I’m cummin’, baby!”

  A few more hearty thrusts and he reluctantly pulled out of her, releasing his load onto her stomach. Unstoppable groans escaped his mouth as he drowned in climactic euphoria, his seed spilling all over her smooth skin. Jodeci’s, ‘Feenin’ played right then, as the sweat dripped down his face, and he was spent. Reaching for a couple tissues on her nightstand, he made quick work of cleaning up his appreciation from her canvas. He tossed them in the trashcan then lay down, lacing his hands around her back… As if of their own volition, his fingers crept to her ass and squeezed. The warmth and softness of her temple felt too good to release just yet. They were quiet for so long, he almost fell asleep, but then he heard her cough. He rubbed on his face.

  “I need to know something, Jessica.”

  “What is it, baby?” She ran her fingers through his hair.

  “Sometimes I can’t believe that I found someone like you, someone to walk this journey with me. I tell myself, you know, in the back of my mind, ‘Kane, nobody is that kind… nobody is that beautiful on the inside.’” She smiled sadly at him. “You’re so rare, Jessica, and I’ve been around the world. I know this as fact. You’re such a beautiful soul, baby.” She pressed her head into the pillow and locked eyes with him, paying close attention. “I think I’m dreamin’, baby. Why’d you go out of your way to help me, huh? You didn’t even know yet if I had anything to offer you, no guarantee that things would get better with me. You believed in me and you didn’t even know me. I’m so grateful that you did what you did, but why’d you take a chance on me, Jessica?”

  She smiled and caressed his face. He caught a glimpse of her sparkling engagement ring and kissed it.

  “Because, Kane, if it’s not me, then who? If I were you, and you were me, I’d want someone to have a little faith in me, too. Someone to believe in me, encourage me. You said that the mail lady before me ignored your mail piling up in your box. You said the neighbor who lives acro
ss the street who flirts with you never asked genuinely if you were okay – she put her desires first. Nobody that offered a service or came knockin’ to sell something asked you, ‘How do you feel today, sir?’ If they said something like that, it wasn’t because they actually cared; it was just to do a sales pitch, empty small talk. Somebody had to do it, Kane. My mother raised me and my brother to care about other folks besides just ourselves.

  “Those lessons stayed with me. Someone had to finally be honest with you and at the same time, be gentle and show genuine concern. Being cruel to people doesn’t change or help them. I want to see in history where someone got their shit together due to being threatened? They did what was asked in order to survive, not to make a genuine change. Nobody grows from threats, evil, mean words, sharp criticisms with not a shred of kindness, consideration or empathy. That’s not how this thing called life works. This world is terrible sometimes. We’re so mean and nasty to each other.”

  “We are… I’ve been cruel sometimes, too. I’m guilty of not showin’ enough compassion. You’re the best teacher for me.”

  “I’ve done and said things that weren’t so kind either, so please don’t think I’m absolving myself because I’m guilty as charged. But I am just saying that I can’t recall my intention ever being to hurt someone, you know? We’re human. The truth needs to be told, but sometimes we just need to think about why we’re saying what we’re saying to people. It’s either to hurt them or help them. Ain’t no in-between. I helped you to elevate you. I could see you were sick and tired of living your life that way. I know what it feels like to be stuck and nobody coming around to help you…”

  She pulled at the sheets, as if not certain whether to cover herself or reveal more of her body. He inched closer to her, wrapping his legs around hers. He kissed up and down her shoulder, neck and chest while she played with his hair.

  “They say hurt people hurt people, Jessica.”

  “Well, healing people heal people… We share that newfound freedom. I saw you were beautiful on the outside and the inside. Never woulda thought someone like you and me would be friends, let alone lovers and fall deeply in love…” Her voice quivered slightly. “And I realized, you saw something in me most missed. Not my skin. Not my body. Not what you could use me for… No, you saw my heart. You saw me for me.”

  “I saw your true colors. You were like sun rays when I opened my front door and you were standing there with your uniform staring up at me with these soulful dark brown eyes.” He leaned in and kissed her nose.

  “And I watched you fall in love with me, Kane. Little by little, day by day… I could see it in your bright blue eyes. I was afraid at first, feeling like this was some trick, but you encouraged me to keep on healing, too. You treat me like a princess.” Her eyes watered and he trailed his thumb across her cheek, loving her harder and harder as each second passed. “I had to heal, so that when you tell me you love me, I can now allow myself to believe it, too. That’s why I kept pushin’ you, helping you… ’cause I had to. I see you in me, and me in you. You’re my soulmate.” She pointed to her black rose tattoo and then his own. “Simple as that.”

  Tripp, Owen, Olivia and Taylor sat on the couch looking like cutout dolls while Mom and Dad sat across from them on the loveseat. The fireplace jumped with white and amber flames, making their faces appear orange from the heated glow. Kane stood in the middle of the room smoking a cigarette, his muscles tense and his lips sealed shut as if he had lockjaw. The vibe was off, the energy strange.

  This is going to be some fuck-shit, as Jessica says…

  They’d just gotten into town and instead of unloading at the hotel, they’d opted to swing by unannounced. Now they were in his house two hours early, and he’d been in the middle of a much-needed nap after a long work day.

  “Come on and sit down!” Dad smiled at him, flashing his pearly whites. “Why are you standing there like that, so far away? Come be with us.”

  “Just feel like standin’ right now is all.”

  Dad’s smile slowly faded. He shrugged and turned away.

  “Your sisters and brothers rearranged their schedules just to see you this weekend, Kane, so I hope you don’t mind that we’re a bit early. We were just so excited to see you!” Mama squealed in her typical overly dramatic way, clutching her knees with clasped hands, her small blue eyes twinkling.

  “I missed you,” Olivia chimed in. Her freckled face and strawberry blond hair was pulled back in a long ponytail. “I’m sorry I didn’t call, but after you told us not to call anymore, I—”

  “No, I told Mom and Dad not to call anymore. Not you.” The woman’s mouth opened as if she wanted to respond, then she quickly snapped it shut. He did not want to get into an argument, but he could feel it in his bones. It would be inevitable. “Anyway, can I get you anything else to drink?” He pointed to a few half-empty bottles of water that were sitting on the coffee table.

  The room lit up with forced smiles.

  “No,” a few said in unison.

  Did they choregraph this shit?

  As he stood there observing his family, his heart sank. This was their normal. For him, it was odd, ill-fitting, and he wanted no part of this. He preferred truth over lies and fairytales. For most of his life, it had been his normal, too. Not until he got to college did he realize not all families behaved this way. There was a whole wide world out there meant to be explored. People from all walks of life who did things much differently. It had been a wakeup call. Some of his covert racist beliefs were challenged through his friendships. He discovered his true self and his parents hated when the real him had been born and baptized. They called it confused and worldly. He called it freedom.

  “You have a beautiful house, Kane! I mean, when we were here right after you moved, the one and only time you allowed us actually inside,” she blinked as if fighting tears, “we couldn’t see the full potential because there were moving boxes and what not everywhere, but you’ve done a fine job with the place.” Mom sat up and looked about, appearing genuinely impressed. “Oh my… there’s my mother’s platter.” She pointed to the dining room where the white and gold platter was displayed.

  “Yeah, that’s Nana’s platter that she always used. Thank you.” He plopped down in a seat not too far from his parents and leaned slightly forward, elbows on thighs, feet far apart. “All right, here’s the deal.” He took another draw of his cigarette then set it down in a black ashtray. He sucked his teeth, trying to find the right words for this conversation… but he knew there were no right words. This was just life. The bandage had to be ripped off. NOW.

  Clasping his hands together, he looked at his father, his mother, then his brothers and sisters. “I appreciate all of you for comin’. I am thankful that you respected my request not to bring your children, Olivia and Owen. Not because I don’t wanna see my nieces and nephews. I do miss ’em a whole lot, but because some of the things that need to be discussed are of a sensitive nature, best not have them present. Hell, the Kane you knew back in Dallas is not the same Kane sittin’ here in Houston. I’ve changed. A lot.” He stared at the jumping flames of the fireplace.

  “How so?” Dad asked, frowning.

  “I’ve conquered my fear… no longer a homebody. I go out practically every day now. It’s not always a walk in the park, literally,” he grinned. “but I do it and don’t have any big issues.”

  “Praise God!” Mom shouted, wringing her hands, a big smile on her face. “My prayers have been answered! I asked God to please lift this up off you, Kane, and he did! I know that God forgives you, Kane! We all do! He’s blessed you!”

  The room lit up with joy, as if it all had happened in a bottle… as if all it took was the hand of God and not any work on his part. As if the therapy, cries for help, sleepless nights, and the love of a good woman didn’t get him over that finish line… As if God didn’t use others to motivate him to do what was best and get him over the hurdle – his biggest challenge. He shoved his annoyan
ce to the side and continued.

  “And see, that’s just the thing, Mom,” He scratched his chin and looked away for a spell, trying to control his temper. “I don’t think God was mad at me. I was mad at me.” He pointed at himself. “You and Dad were mad at me, even tellin’ me that I had no business being at that party. I know you didn’t mean to, but you made it so much worse.”

  “So this is our fault now?!” Mom leaned forward, looking mortified.

  “No, but you played a part in my struggle.” She reared back as if she couldn’t believe her delicate, sensitive ears. “I had to forgive myself. That’s why this happened… because I was plagued with guilt. I didn’t have the support I needed and—”

  “Support?!” Dad barked. “We bent over backwards to—”

  “I DIDN’T HAVE THE SUPPORT I NEEDED.” His voice boomed as he spoke over his father, who did what he typically did: try to stop the truth train from racing down the track when it didn’t suit his fancy. “You can’t write my story for me, ya hear me, Dad? You can’t tell my truth. This is my life. It is run by God and me, period. You have your version of what happened and I have mine, so if you came all this way to distort my story to fit your own narrative, then you’re barkin’ up the wrong tree and have come to wrong place.”

  His father’s eyes glowed with what could only be described as rage. The older man grunted and lowered his gaze to the floor.

  “Kane?” his sister Olivia said meekly, raising her thin arm in the air. “I know things were rough when Lamont died. I think all of us appreciated that you were going through things. It was devastating.”

  “Olivia, Lamont’s death devasted me in a way that most people, not just you all, would never understand. We were extremely close and to have to live with the fact that we’d argued right before he died… it tore me up. It messed with my mind that that was the last interaction I’d had with this man, and there wasn’t a damn thing I could do about it. It was too late to apologize. I can’t rewrite history.”