“Gotta make a call babe. I’ll be right back.” He bolted out of the double doors and I continued to try and console my best friend.
“It’s too much going on Tay. Can I stay with you tonight? I can’t go home. I’m scared. What if they come after me? I know that Chang did some dangerous shit, but I never thought his life was really at risk.”
“Okay, you can stay with me as long as you need to.”
“Thank you so much Tay,” she said in a grateful voice. Then she started crying again. “I can’t stop.”
I gave her a sympathetic look. “I understand that this is hard for you. Cry as much as you need to. I’m here and I’m not going anywhere.”
She nodded and held on to my hand. “I think this is the hardest thing I’ve ever had to deal with.”
I couldn’t imagine what I would do if that had happened to Rah. Then I thought about Dean’s verdict, but it wasn’t important at the moment. The most important thing was making sure that my best friend was safe, as well as finding out who killed Chang and why.
Chapter 20
Seandra
I was out at a night club in South Beach with two of my female costars from “Nothing Even Matters.” I’d kind of pulled away from my “Cinnamon Star” cast members because I didn’t want to explain what had happened between Ahmad and I. So, for the moment Melody and Rochelle would have to do.
Melody was a tall, statuesque, almond complexioned beauty that had started out on Broadway. She played my nemesis in the movie, but we had hit it off in real life. Rochelle was shorter than Melody, but she was thick in all the right places. Her skin was the color of hot fudge and her beautiful caramel brown eyes were soft and alluring. Her nature was calm and laid back and I guess I needed that at the moment. She played my loud, boisterous best friend in the movie.
“So, what’s going on with you and Pierre?” Melody asked with a grin on her face. She was sipping on a Cosmopolitan.
“Nothing is going on with us. We’re just friends. You two have asked me that same question a million times and I still have the same answer.” My glass of Long Island Iced Tea was empty, so I walked toward the bar.
That’s when I saw a camera flash in my face. It temporarily blinded me in the darkness of the club. We’d been in the VIP of course, but it didn’t stop the media grubbers. Damnit, I couldn’t even go out in peace.
I’d tried to get Tay to come, but she was consoling her friend Reba. What had happened to her boyfriend was unfortunate, so I didn’t press the issue. Of course I knew that Nell wouldn’t go out with me. We still weren’t talking and she chose to stay at home wallowing in her own sorrows. I was doing the exact opposite. Shit, if anything, I wanted Ahmad to see me enjoying life, not losing it.
As I ordered my drink, I noticed that Ahmad, of all people, was sitting at the bar. I tried to get away without him seeing me, but when I heard him call my name, I knew that it was too late.
“Seandra! Seandra! Wait!”
Instead of turning around to acknowledge him, I continued to walk over to my new associates. That was when I felt his hand on my shoulder.
“You know you heard me,” he said as he swung me around.
“What the hell is your problem?” I asked pushing his hand off me. “Are you stalking me?”
He looked at me and shook his head. “I don’t have a problem and no I’m not stalking you. I had no idea you’d be here.” His speech was slurred and it was clear that he’d had one too many drinks.
“I can’t believe that you’ve been reduced to this. Where is the man that I used to know Ahmad? You’re pitiful and there is nothing that makes me want you anymore. As a matter of fact, I’m disgusted…”
Before I could get it all out he had slapped the shit out of me. Once I realized what had happened, I dived on his ass like I didn’t have on a short dress. My thong was all up in the air as I attempted to whoop his ass.
“Stop Seandra, shit, baby, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to do that,” he said trying his best to restrain me.
It was no use; I was throwing punches left and right. Next thing I knew, somebody was pulling me off his ass.
“Let’s get out of here before shit gets worse,” I heard Melody say as she and Rochelle dragged me out of the club.
* * *
When I got home I was still livid as hell. I couldn’t believe that Ahmad had the audacity to put his damn hands on me like that. He had never hit me the whole time we were together, so once again he was acting out of character. By that time I knew that I would never take him back. As far as I was concerned, he could forget that he ever fucking knew me.
I peeled my clothes off and threw them on the floor on my way to the bathroom. After turning on the double showerhead, I jumped in and let the water beat soothingly on my weary body. Once my shower was over, I got out, grabbed a fluffy towel and wrapped it around myself as I walked to my bedroom. My phone was ringing on the nightstand and I grabbed it. It was Pierre, so I didn’t hesitate to answer.
“What’s up gorgeous?” He asked with no clue about what had just transpired between me and Ahmad.
“I just got into it with Ahmad at a club. It was crazy.”
“The club on a Monday night?” He asked.
“Yeah, it was a listening party for a local artist, so I took the invite. I forgot about the fact that if I got an invite Ahmad probably did too. He was at the bar and when he called my name, I tried to walk off, but he wasn’t having it. He had the nerve to grab my shoulder and then slap me after I told him that I didn’t see anything in him anymore. I jumped on his disrespectful ass. After that Mel and Ro pulled me off him and got my ass out of there. If it wasn’t for them I’ll probably be locked up. I just don’t want to deal with my mother after she finds out about it. Shit, of course somebody recorded it. It wouldn’t be black people if they didn’t.”
“Wow. He hit you? What the fuck is wrong with him? He must’ve lost his mind for real Seandra. He has no business putting his hands on you. I’m going to put my hands on him!”
I could tell that Pierre was really angry, but I didn’t need him and Ahmad getting into it again. The drama between them was not flattering and I didn’t want Pierre fighting in my honor.
“No, don’t worry about it. I’m okay. He just does not have to worry about me doing Cinnamon Star anymore. I don’t want anything else to do with his ass. That’s my good word. Even if the thought of taking him back had crossed my mind that shit is out now.”
Pierre let out a loud breath. “I don’t like for a man to put his hands on a woman. That shit burns me up!”
I remembered Ahmad telling me the same thing when he revealed his mother’s abusive relationship with his step-father. Well, that must’ve been some bullshit. Maybe it was some bullshit that Pierre was spitting too. After what I had gone through with men, I didn’t trust them as far as I could throw their asses. As far as I knew he was saying whatever he had to say to get me in bed.
“Thanks for your concern Pierre, but I’m about to go to sleep. I guess we’ll talk tomorrow since we both have to be on the set.” The thing was, I wanted him to know that our relationship was strictly on a platonic level. There was no way I was throwing myself head first into some bullshit with another man.
* * *
The next morning I was up by six am feeling refreshed. I had promised myself that I wouldn’t turn on the television, or get on line out of fear of seeing what had happened between me and Ahmad. When I checked my phone there was a text from Seantay that was some kind of website link. I pressed it and it took me directly to TMZ. Of course the video had gone viral, but what really pissed me off was the fact that it did not show him slapping me. All it showed was me jumping on him in a fitful rage.
Then that Negro had the nerve to Tweet that I had gone off on him because he was talking to another woman. He claimed that I was the jealous one who didn’t want his career to advance. What really pissed me off was when he said I tried to trap him by poking holes in our condoms and
not asking him not to wear them in an attempt to get pregnant. What the fuck? That fool had turned everything around to make me look like the psychotic one.
I was not the one who was jealous. He was. There was no way I was going to take that bullshit lying down. I was so grateful that the Plan B pill had worked and I was not pregnant by him for real. There was no way I would’ve thought Ahmad would ever resort to that. Payback was a motherfucker and I was going to roast his ass.
When I got in my car I turned on the radio. Of course they were talking about my fight with Ahmad. I was just about to turn it off when I heard that the jury had reached a verdict in Dean Monross’s trial. The only thing was, I had to wait until after the commercial break to find out what it was.
Chapter 21
Renell
Maybe I was treading dangerous waters, I didn’t know, but there was just something about Brock that I couldn’t shake. When he worked for me I didn’t see him in that light, but I guess now that I was single and he was no longer employed by me, it felt okay. I had found out that he was twenty five and had got his Masters’ Degree. I had assumed that with his boyish good looks, he had just received his BS.
“Why did you take such a low level position then?” I had asked him when we first spoke over the phone.
“Well, my course load was really heavy and I needed something easy. My father pulled some strings for me to get on with the company I’m with now,” he had explained.
His father was a pretty important man in the city of Miami. Not only was he a realtor who made millions, he also was the owner of a few major radio stations. Of course I didn’t know any of that at first, which was just like me.
I was sitting in my living room with nothing to do when Brock’s number popped up on my cell phone’s screen. My parents had talked me into letting them keep Resean, so I was lonely. Although Grady was dead, I still felt like I couldn’t relax. I missed having Ricky around and without my son there I was at a loss.
“Hello,” I answered anticipating another conversation on the phone with him like we were giddy teenagers. Although I wasn’t ready for a relationship, I liked talking to Brock. It was innocent being that we had only talked over the phone.
“Hi Renell. I just wanted to call and check up on you. I know you and your ex have been going through a rough patch and I wanted to make sure that you were okay,” he said sounding like he was genuinely concerned.
“I’m fine. To be honest I haven’t heard from him since then, which is fine with me.” My heart fluttered when I imagined Brock’s face. At first I was a little frightened by him, but that was probably because of what Grady had done. After talking to him he seemed to be more real than Ricky had ever been with me.
Ricky was affectionate and giving, but he didn’t really talk about himself or his past. It was like I was always left guessing with him, but Brock seemed to be an open book.
“So, what are you doing?”
“Honestly, I’m just sitting here with a movie playing on Netflix. I’m not watching it. My son is with my parents and I’m all alone.”
“Come see me then. We can talk face to face.”
“No Brock, that wouldn’t be a good idea.”
“No one will know that you’re here Nell and you don’t have to worry about me saying anything. I really care for you. I do. I have for a long time. I’m no longer your employee. I’m your friend. There is nothing wrong with us seeing one another. There is no pressure. I just want to be able to see your face instead of only hearing your voice.”
Damn, he was making it so hard for me to tell him no. I thought about it. He was right. Nobody would know that I was there and my son would be gone overnight. What better opportunity to see him? So, I gave in.
“Okay then, text me the address.”
* * *
Brock only lived about ten minutes from me in a nice one bedroom condominium. The view from the 25th floor was amazing and we sipped on Mai Tais as we sat on the balcony and talked.
“So, how old is your son again?” He asked as he glanced over at me.
“He’ll be three months old in a few days. This is the first time he’s spent the night away from me. I miss him terribly.”
“Hmm. Your parents did a great job with you and your sisters, so he’ll be fine.”
I nodded. “I know, it’s just the first time jitters I guess. They don’t get to see him often, so it’s great for them to bond. I called and checked on him before I got here and my mother said he was playing with his papa. I think that’s so adorable.” A smile lit up my face as I continued. “I’m so glad my father’s doing well. He really scared us with that heart attack.”
When I looked up I noticed the way Brock was staring at me. The look in his eyes was beyond friendly. He licked his lips as he spoke and I couldn’t help but notice that he had nice lips to be a white boy.
“You have a gorgeous smile Renell. It’s so radiant the way that it brightens your face. Even your eyes seem to dance when you smile. I would only want to see you look like that.” He leaned over to kiss my cheek and my entire body flushed.
“Thank you Brock,” I said trying not to show just how nervous I really was.
The thing was, I was a little too attracted to Brock. It might’ve simply been the lack of affection I’d been experiencing since ending things with Ricky. I wasn’t ready to move on with another man on an emotional level, but physical was a different story. Brock had sparked a flame and it was something I did not expect at all. Maybe I had been wrong about my smile not lasting. That time the unexpected was a pleasant surprise.
“So, I have a question for you,” he said moving his fingers along my palm softly. Something about that shit was really erotic.
“Okay,” I said before taking a sip of my drink.
“Have you ever been with a white man?” His aqua blue eyes stared into mine.
“Yes, I have actually,” I answered honestly. “Have you ever been with a black woman?”
“My preference actually,” he said without taking his eyes off me.
“Oh really? I never understood why anyone would have a preference. Why discriminate?” I asked thinking about how multi-cultural my family was.
He shrugged his shoulders. “Now, once again, I said my preference was black women, not that I wouldn’t date other races. I love women period. I can clearly tell that you are also of Asian descent. You’re beautiful Renell; everything about you. I just can’t help feeling the way I do. Don’t get me wrong, I understand that you just got out of a serious relationship. I’m not asking for you to make that leap with me. All I want to do is keep that smile on your face. Whatever I have to do, I will. Your pleasure’s mine and I do mean that.”
I couldn’t help but smile as I shook my head at him. “How the hell did you manage to make a sexual pass at me in a very innocent way?”
He chuckled. “Well, I am a gentleman, but I’m still a man.”
My smile faded as I thought about how serious and complicated a sexual relationship would make things. What if he didn’t know how to separate sex from love? There were men out there who fell in love quickly. What if I was the one who didn’t know how to separate the two? Was I too vulnerable for even a sexual relationship with no strings attached? I didn’t know. All I knew for a fact was that I was longing for the touch of a man and an orgasm would be even better.
“I am attracted to you Brock, but…”
“But what?” He asked a little too anxiously. “All that should matter is the fact that you are attracted to me.”
“I wish it was that simple, but things are moving a little too fast.”
“It is that simple Renell,” he said as he stood in front of me.
He took my empty glass out of my hand and placed it on the patio table. Then he dropped down to his knees and stared deeply into my eyes.
“What are you doing Brock?” I asked feeling the jitters mixed with intrigue as goose bumps covered my skin.
“Saving you from yourself, be
cause you’re overthinking this. I just want to please you; nothing more, nothing less. Why don’t you just relax and let me.” His words came out in a sexy, lust filled voice.
It was tempting as hell to just relax and let him have his way with me. One thing I did know from experience was that the one white man I’d been with had been very, very skillful with his tongue. Hmm, he definitely didn’t mind licking and sucking on every inch of my anatomy. I wondered if Brock was well seasoned in that area, despite his age.
“I don’t…”
He put his finger to my lips. “I promise you won’t regret it baby. Nothing will change. We’ll still only be friends. This will go only as far as you want it. No pressure. I just want to taste you so bad.” His eyes drifted down to my thighs and he sighed. “My mouth is literally watering.”
What the hell, I thought as I let him gently spread my thighs. He pushed my skirt up to reveal my white, sheer thong. After removing it he shook his head.
“Mmm, you are one sexy ass woman. I swear.” He cupped my ass cheeks in his hands. “Don’t be scared baby. Open your legs for me.”
My heart was beating out of my chest and although the moment should’ve been awkward, it wasn’t. As a matter of fact, before he even put his mouth on me, I was turned on to the fullest. So, I did as he said and opened my legs.
He slid his warm, wet tongue up my thigh and my skin immediately ignited. Teasing me mercilessly, his tongue did a sexy tango up my other thigh. I felt his hot breath on the freshly waxed skin of my pussy. It made me tingle all over.
“Mmm…you smell so sweet,” he whispered before slurping my hardened clitoris into his mouth.
As he sucked and licked slowly and expertly, I couldn’t help but open up wider. Damn, he was even better than Ricky and the white dude I dated.
“Ohhh….myyyy….” I grabbed his head and was grateful that he had his hair cute low.
“Mmm…Nell…” he moaned as he really got into it.
When it felt like the suction of his mouth was going to drive me over the edge, I couldn’t help but gyrate into his hot, succulent mouth.
Black Lace: Book 4 of the Black Butterfly Series Page 14