Jaded: The First Cut is the Deepest

by Shawn C. Thompson

  “The feeling is mutual. I’d love to take you out this weekend, preferably Friday. You ever been on a yacht?”

  My mind envisioned the clear waters and blue skies.

  I couldn’t refuse.

  “With you would be the first time.” I flirted coyly.

  “Then I’m the first.” He returned.

  For some reason I felt it a little easier to fall into Denise’s agreement with me. I guess being compensated for laying in other people’s money had its perks.

  “Call it a date.”

  We talked for a few more minutes before I made up an excuse to get off the phone.

  “Hmph he even sounds sexy.” Myla commented, returning from the kitchen with more popcorn in hand.

  “Doesn’t he?” I remarked, snatching the bowl from her. “But we must remember, this is a job. I get what Denise needs, give it to her, and collect the rest of my money.”

  “Sounds easy enough.” Myla shrugged. “Maybe with this last bit all of us can move outta town or something. I prefer someplace exotic like Consumel.”

  “All of us?” I questioned playfully.

  “Yes bitch ALL OF US, don’t do it.” She put her head on my shoulder and continued her daydream. “I could be your 24-hour nanny. Hell, I already watch Junior as it is.”

  I snickered at her.

  “Mm I don’t know, having a club hoe watch my son is definitely child endangerment.”

  “It’s foul mouthed club hoe to you!” She revised.

  Myla and I spent the rest of our night drinking wine and gawking at the men in Tyler Perry’s new Madea movie, while in the same token damning them for the reason our hearts and minds were so troubled.

  CHAPTER 10

  The few next days leading up to Friday were a blur. Although I tried to my best to remain occupied with work, the idea of losing my son was just too overwhelming. To keep from spreading my bad “juju” around the counseling center, Tegan suggested that I take PTO and return home. Once he realized I wasn’t having that, we compromised in the form of him letting me stay isolated in my office for the remainder of the week to do case notes.

  It was one thing to counsel people into wellness who had lost everything but it was another to go through it yourself.

  I struggled to apply my velvet lipstick while waiting for the traffic on I-405 to cease.

  I was en route to finally see Delano Gathers.

  “The hell us women go through to impress a man” I muttered, using the rearview mirror to glance at myself.

  I wore a clear contrast from my usual attire in a black mock neck lace dress and stilettos.

  Hair was done to cover one side of my face.

  Tonight I would be the epitome of sex appeal, or at least, my best rendition of it.

  Solange Knowles sang hymns of “Canes in the sky” easing my mind and before I knew it, I was parked in front of one of Delano’s many penthouses.

  “This is incredible” I mused, taking a quick picture of the place to show Myla.

  Delano’s penthouse was made almost entirely out of glass with fixtures and supports in charcoal grey wood. Leading up to the door was a concrete walkway and three light fixtures on either side to give the house an obscure mystique.

  My heels clicked against the concrete as I tiptoed towards the entrance and knocked on the door.

  “If it isn’t beauty incarnated.” Delano greeted, leaning in to kiss me on the cheek.

  He looked dapper in his green print shirt and nude chinos.

  “Thanks, lovely place.”

  I grinned and ran my fingers through my hair.

  “Lovely face.” He returned, stepping aside to welcome me in. “Make yourself at home. I have wine in the fridge.”

  I looked at him seductively as I walked into his home.

  “Wouldn’t you like to wait for the guests?”

  “I wasn’t aware that anyone else would be showing up.” He replied.

  Halfway towards the kitchen, I couldn’t help but to admire the wonderfully decorated living room. Paired with cream and chestnut furnishings, the smell of sandalwood filled my nostrils.

  Delano crept behind me with a glass of wine for the both of us.

  “See something you like?”

  “Just about everything in this house. Don’t tell me you designed this all yourself.”

  “I wish I could but, I didn’t. Denise has had a pretty big hand in making this house a home.”

  “Who is Denise?” I questioned, trying my best to play dumb.

  “My wife.”

  The look on his face was one of coolness. This was the type of man that knew any woman would be lucky to have a sliver of his time, married or not.

  “Hmm, I wasn’t under the impression that you were married.”

  “You never asked.” He returned.

  I took the glass from his hand and took a dainty sip.

  “Mmm what is this?”

  The flavoring of the wine was an instant hit with my taste buds.

  “Its Bodegas Roda Cirsion.” The foreign name eased its way from his mouth as if it were his native language. “I buy them whenever I visit Spain. You ever been to Rioja?”

  “Nope. Never been anywhere outside the states.”

  “That’s a shame. I would have assumed your husband would have flown you around the world as beautiful as you are.”

  “Husband?” I repeated, confused as to how he would know that information.

  He nodded his head towards my ring finger.

  “The first time we met, I noticed your ring. Tonight, it’s gone. Any particular reason why?”

  I kept my lips pursed on my wine glass to buy some time to think.

  “Oh, that ring. It’s a family heir loom, I wear it on my ring finger from time to time.”

  “Hm, I see.” Delano answered, taking a seat on his leather couch. “I’d keep a ring on that hand too if I was you, keep all those men away.”

  I took the seat next to him.

  “If I didn’t know any better, id assume you were tryna gas me up.”

  “As long as I’m able to pay for the gas then it wouldn’t matter would it?”

  He moved toward me as I backed up.

  “Actually it would. Money is not my motive unlike most of the girls you are used to dealing with I’m sure.” My sudden attitude caught him off guard. “A real woman isn’t impressed by things she can earn herself.”

  I could feel the white lie burning the corners of my lips.

  Money was my motive, well that and a bit of vicarious revenge.

  “Good to know I’m in the presence of a lady.” Delano swooned, rising up from the couch to walk toward the deck. “Would you like another drink before we head out to the yacht?”

  “I’ll let you know when I’m finished with this one.” I chuckled to lighten the mood. “Do you have a bathroom I can use?”

  “Sure, down the hall to your left.”

  I rose from my seat and flounced toward the bathroom, knowing his eyes were on my ass.

  Once I closed the door behind me, I breathed a sigh of relief and reached for my phone.

  It took two rings before Myla answered.

  “Wassup sis?”

  “Shh.” I whispered, crouching by the toilet as if that would make my voice less audible. “I’m at the house.”

  “Whose? You mean Delano’s? Where are you at exactly?”

  “In the bathroom.”

  “Don’t tell me you are on your period.”

  I shook my head at her.

  “No, I’m just nervous is all.”

  “What does his house look like? His car? Has he hit on you yet?”

  “Nice and nice.” I replied, keeping my eyes on the bottom of the door to make sure no one was approaching. “Yes, he has. I think he thinks I’m some type of booty call.”

  Myla’s amusement on the other end began to upset me.

  “Well aren’t you? I told you that man is gonna want something more than a little chit chat. He
wants some of that ill nana.”

  “He can forget it. I am a married woman” I protested, covering my breasts like they were bare.

  “You WERE a married woman. Just have fun, let loose for once. Maybe it will keep your mind off the court case.”

  “Thanks devil’s advocate.” I spewed.

  I could hear footsteps coming toward the bathroom.

  “I’ll talk to you later girl, bye.”

  “Is everything alright Ivory?” Delano questioned, pressing his face against the door.

  “Everything is fine, just fixing my hair.” I lied.

  When I opened it, Delano met me with a sincerity that hadn’t been apparent previously.

  “Listen, if what I said earlier offended you, I apologize.”

  I watched the movement of his lips as he continued.

  “I’m just used to dealing with the same type of women. Girls as you call them. They all want my money, hell, all my wife wants is my money. I never get a break.”

  His confession made me feel guilty about my conversation with Myla.

  “It’s cool, I shouldn’t have been so harsh.” I smiled with my eyes and offered him my hand. “Wanna take me to see the boat? I bet it looks amazing at night.”

  “Right this way” He respond, grabbing my hand to lead the way.

  ***

  “And the rest is history.” Delano explained, opening our third bottle of wine for the night.

  I could feel the waves swaying us at a smooth rhythm as I delved deeper into the abyss that was his mind.

  By the looks of what surrounded me, the funds I’d be receiving from Denise was chump change compared to what they owned.

  Delano’s yacht was styled with light contemporary furniture and dark contrast wall coverings. A glass bar area that held an extensive collection of imported wines, stood in the center. To add to the ambiance, a large observation deck made from Plexiglas, was created in place of the yacht’s original structure.

  It was truly a sight to see.

  After almost an hour of conversation, I had learned that Delano and Denise Gathers were introduced to one another through their parents. Both families very affluent and rich. At the time, Delano explained that he was engaged to a completely different woman whom he had loved dearly, only marrying Denise to satisfy his parent’s obligations.

  “Do you love your wife?” I asked, using my career as a marriage counselor to my advantage.

  “I learned to love her.” Delano replied, taking a break to look out at the obscure and distant sky. “She and I are like night and day, which I know is typical with most married couples but not in ways that make me more attracted to her.”

  “Different how?”

  “Well for starters, she is a complete control freak, likes everything to be her way and her way only. I’m more of a go-with-the-flow type of guy. Life is less stressful that way.”

  “I can definitely see how that might be a problem.” I said candidly “women are naturally prone to anxiety so be easy on her.”

  “I tried to give her the benefit of the doubt.” He returned, walking over toward the window nearest me. “But when a woman is constantly checking your emails, phone, and following you to work, it makes one a little less forgiving.”

  “Well if it makes you feel any better my husband...”

  I put a hand over my mouth.

  “So then you are married?” Delano quizzed, smirking and taking another sip of wine. “If you are its okay, it’d be like the pot calling the kettle black if I judged you.”

  I chucked more-so because of the alcohol than the topic of conversation.

  “Separated.” I admitted.

  I knew it probably wasn’t wise to disclose too much of my business to Delano but I figured a little self-disclosure wouldn’t hurt.

  “We are in the process of getting a divorce.”

  “Is there any particular reason why?”

  “Irreconcilable differences.” I answered vaguely.

  “That only works for the entertainment business. It’s just you and me, promise I won’t tell.”

  Delano eyed me incredulously and took a seat in front of me, extending his pinky to seal the deal.

  I accepted.

  “We are separated because he cheated which I’m certain you know a little something about?”

  “I can’t deny that. But in my defense, I was not the first in my relationship to commit adultery.”

  “Two wrongs don’t make a right.”

  “This is true.”

  The dead silence that followed was enough to remind me of the task at hand.

  Despite how I personally felt about his actions, I needed to remember that I was there for a reason.

  “So what did it feel like” I began, standing up and walking over to him.

  His eyes remained fixed on my body.

  “What did what feel like?”

  “Cheating on your wife for the first time.”

  Delano wore a confused look.

  “Good I guess. Part of me felt unsure about what I was doing but the other part...”

  In a bold move, I reached for his dick.

  “This part?”

  “Yes, that part.”

  I rubbed the tip through his pants and began to feel it growing from my touch as he finished.

  “That part felt relieved. Especially since we haven’t had sex in almost a year.”

  “You can’t be serious?” I blurted.

  “So serious. Denise is busy all the time, managing her store and when she’s not doing that she’s out traveling the world with our money. My money.”

  I continued to rub his private area until I saw his head fall gently onto the back of the headrest.

  “Well, lets try not to focus on the pain. I can confidently speak for the both of us when I say we have each had our fair share.”

  “You’re right.” He reasoned, allowing his arms to rest at his sides. “I shouldn’t be unloading all of my problems onto you.”

  “It’s okay, just relax” I cooed salaciously.

  Had the wine not kicked in, I don’t think I would have mustered up the courage to do what I did next.

  As Delano’s eyes began to close, I unbuckled his pants and massaged his eight-inch member with my mouth.

  “Mmmm…” he moaned, gently holding my head.

  I used my hands to create a slow rhythm while his legs locked into position, letting me know I had him right where I wanted.

  “You like that?” I asked, doing my best impersonation of the porno’s that invade men’s fantasies.

  He simply nodded and forced the rest of himself into my mouth.

  As he pulsated from my wet aperture, I closed my eyes and envisioned myself as something other than who I was.

  Imagining what it feels like to be the jezebel

  The mistress

  The other woman.

  Delano groaned until he couldn’t take it any longer and pushed my head away, moving me upward to plant a soft kiss on my lips.

  The moment his warm lips touched mine, I felt a tingling between my legs.

  “Show me how bad you want me.” I encouraged.

  Without responding, he rotated me into a seated position on the leather couch and put his fingers in my spot.

  I whimpered in pleasure.

  The waves from the lake matched the effort of his fingers, moving in and out slowly and gently.

  Delano removed his index finger from my pleasure center, only to place them in his mouth to taste.

  “Mmm just like honey, better than any woman I’ve ever tasted.”

  “Even better than your wife?”

  “Much better” He assured.

  Despite my doubts of this being true, I pretended as if it were and slid the rest of my dress off.

  Once his shirt was removed, he pulled a condom from his pants pocket.

  “I love a man that stays prepared.” I said flirtatiously.

  “Always.”

  He positioned
himself to enter me as I exhaled in preparation.

  A mixture of desire and reprisal inched its way up my back with each delicate stroke, increasing with speed as the waves became more torrent.

  Our moans louder

  More aboriginal

  I could see from the focus in his eyes that he was in a different place. A place exclusive for those who were willing to chase their inhibitions.

  “Call me his name.” He ordered breathily.

  “What?”

  “Call me his name.” Delano repeated again, only this time more forceful.

  His request caught me off guard but for the sake of spontaneity, I complied.

  “Pierce….Pierce.”

  There was a weight lifted off my shoulders as I repeated the name that had brought me so much grief.

  So much pain.

  My breasts bounced to the cadence of Delano’s hungry libido, areolas stiff and at attention.

  I could feel myself on the verge of orgasm while he flipped me over and took me from behind.

  Each stroke more powerful than the first.

  The night sky welcomed cumulus clouds under a lust that caressed my skin from the inside out.

  This feeling was one I had never known before.

  CHAPTER 11

  “Is the food almost done?” Junior whined as he played Mario on the new Wii U his father had bought him.

  As of late, Pierce had adopted the habit of returning my son with gifts, probably because he felt guilty about what was going on between us.

  “Almost.” I replied, putting the finishing touches on a chicken casserole. “Be on the lookout for your Uncle Tegan, okay?”

  “Uncle T is coming over?”

  “Yes baby.” I said smiling.

  Myla had made herself scarce once I had revealed to her that Tegan would be coming over. Despite my numerous attempts at trying to get the two of them to bond, it seemed that the dislike they had for one another remained constant.

  Right as I set the food out for display, the doorbell caught my attention. I set the dish down on the table and totted over to answer it.

  “That chicken smells wonderful” Tegan exclaimed, practically slobbering over himself as he made his way inside.

  “Hello Ivory, I’m doing fine how are you?” I joked, following him into the kitchen.

  When we reached the dining room table, Junior was already serving himself a slice of casserole. Evidence of his hunger traced itself around his mouth.