by L. Hillis
“Maybe, we should stop.” She said breathlessly, trying to ignore her aching core.
Danny immediately halted the assault on her thigh and said, with his chest heaving, “I’m sorry, couldn’t help myself.”
He put his head on the wall. You idiot! He chided himself.
“No, I’m sorry.” She said sliding down. She righted her dress and panties.
“I will see you later,” she said quickly, as she hurried into her apartment. Monique puffed out a breath and put her back against the door. Monique’s most intimate part throbbed, begging for release. She ran to take a cold shower. Danny looked down at his hard member and groaned. He walked to his car and drove home. Monique heard howling as she got dressed and stopped for a minute. She hadn’t seen any wolves around there. Monique got in her pajamas and sat in her favorite chair with some juice with ice. She took a little longer in the shower but she was still on edge. Monique took out the note laying on her bed - Everyone suffers at least one bad betrayal in their lifetime. She was really confused now. Monique tried to focus on the dead flowers and the note, but that kiss invaded her thoughts. His lips felt so good against hers. The feel of being pulled closer by his strong hands, and the feel of his hard member. Her fingers wanted to dial his number and ask him to come. Monique couldn’t do that though, she let out a heavy sigh. She turned the TV to her favorite show to distract her, and fell asleep on the couch, dreaming of him and his skillful fingers. She wondered what else he was skilled at.
A whoosh of cool air woke her. She woke up and looked at the window. Indeed, it was open. Was that opened earlier? She thought she closed the window. It’s not like she would have noticed it in her rush to her shower. Her hands went to her chest. As her cellphone rang, she hurried and answered without looking at the caller ID.
“Hey baby,” the voice from the phone said.
Monique recognized that voice.
“I told you I’m not your baby anymore,” she said through her clenched teeth.
“You will always be my baby.”
Monique rolled her eyes and asked, “What do you want?”
“Why didn’t you answer my call earlier?”
“I was busy.”
“Too busy for me?”
“Yes,” she said, with a deadpan voice.
“Well, I wanted to let you know I will be down there in two weeks. I have business down there. See you soon.” When he was done, he hung up.
Monique put her hand to her head and massaged her temple. She always had a headache after talking with James. Monique did not want to see him, but he was going to make sure she does. They were just going to argue and fuss, and she didn’t want that. As far as she was concerned, that part of her life was over. Monique vehemently refused to be like her mother, and she was intentional about it. Her mother and father argued over everything. Luckily, a girl named Trace lived near them, and so, most of her time was spent at her house. Trace wasn’t her best friend but they were friendly enough. She got into the same type of toxic relationship with James. Monique’s parents weren’t exactly a good example of what she could strive for. Every time they would argue, she feared that her dad would one day snap and slap her mom; but he never did. Monique always wondered why one of them didn’t just decide to leave. As far as she could remember, the arguments were incessant. Her mom died from a heart attack when she was twenty-one. She knew it was from the constant arguing. A few months after that, Monique left home and met James. She was young and dumb. Four years of her life wasted but she eventually did leave. Her and her dad still talked but she kept her distance. She vowed to never waste her life as her mom did.
Chapter 5
As she was lost in her thoughts, her phone rang again. “Hello?” She could hear breathing but nobody answered. “Hello?” She repeated. Heavy breathing was heard but nothing else. She hung up thoroughly creeped out. Her phone rang again.
“Hello?!” She answered angrily.
“Hey are you ok?” Danny asked with concern.
“Yeah, sorry” Monique replied, quite remorseful that she yelled at him wrongly.
“Hey, sorry about tonight. Did I do something wrong?”
“No,” she said quickly. “I was into it. I just don’t want to move too fast this time.”
Danny felt hope grow in his chest, but he still asked, “This time?”
Monique fell silent, but summoned courage to say, “I will tell you some other time.”
“I understand.”
“What are you doing?” She asked.
“Taking a walk in the park, enjoying the fresh air.” He lied, while buttoning his jeans.
“That sounds nice. One day, I will join you.”
“How about tomorrow around seven?”
“Sure.”
“Goodnight beautiful.”
“Goodnight.” She said, as they ended the call.
Monique was smiling broadly, and had butterflies in her stomach. She couldn’t wait until the next day. She had those crazy fantasies. Muscles tightening under her grip, the way he shoved her against the wall, hiked her leg up and balanced her with ease, then his two talented fingers swallowed by her hungry sweet spot. Monique thought of the bulge she rubbed between his legs and couldn’t wait. She hurried to her top drawer and pulled out her longtime friend. She made sure they were going to catch up all night. She made sure it worked and had a long conversation with her friend all night. Anticipation and excitement bloomed in her chest. She really wanted to see Danny again. Monique fell asleep with Danny occupying her mind.
The next day, Monique woke up excited. She fixed breakfast and decided her refrigerator was looking empty, and so, she had to stop at the grocery store.
As she was pushing a cart down the aisle to go get eggs, she saw Shawna.
“Hey girl,” said Shawna.
“Hey, what you doing here?” Monique asked, in excitement.
“Grocery shopping. I got my nephew for a few days. He got my refrigerator looking empty.” She exaggerated the ‘empty’ a little.
Monique giggled.
“So how was your date?”
“I enjoyed myself. He was such a gentleman until the end of the night.”
“Ooh details.”
“Well, after we left the restaurant, he drove me home and walked me to my apartment. Then I kissed him. It was so hot.”
“I bet, you go girl.”
“Then I backed out. It was mind blowing but I didn’t want to move to fast.”
“Listen Danny is not James. He is a gentleman and he likes you. Do what you feel, and don’t be afraid to do it. By the way, I have been waiting four years for somebody to put a new flavor of candy in that mouth.”
“Shawna!” Monique chided.
“What? James was sour.” She said, with a movement like she was gone to puke.
Monique outrightly laughed, drawing inquisitive stares from other shoppers. James used to be a sour taste in her mouth, but now, she tasted a sweet flavor in her mouth because of Danny
“Thanks Shawna, I needed that.”
“I got your back girl.”
They hugged and promised to call each other. Monique got a few more things, walked to her car and drove home. She got to her apartment, put up the food, and then sat down and looked at an action movie. It was the “Kickboxer” movie; according to her, it was an oldie but goodie. Monique grabbed bottled water and sat down and watched TV. The movie riled her up. It made her courageous and decided that after one more date with Danny, she would let her desires roam free.
The doorbell rang. She fixed herself and answered the door with a smile. No one was there. She was about to close the door when she looked down and saw a piece of rope with a card. The card read Do you like being tied up? She threw the rope and note in the trash. She shivered from the note, rubbing her arms. Monique wanted badly to call Danny and tell him about the notes and gifts, but she decided against it and went to bed.
.
Danny and Monique walked the trail wi
th light winds blowing around them.
“So what’s your favorite thing to do?” Danny asked.
“Run.”
“Really?”
“Yes, it’s where my mind can relax. I love to listen to jazz while I run.” Monique confirmed.
“That’s good you have an outlet.”
“What’s your favorite pastime?”
“Reading. I like being taken away.” Danny responded.
“So that must mean you have a good imagination.”
”I daydream all the time.”
“About what?”
“I dream about you.” Danny said, in a cheesy manner.
“Me?” Monique said, stopping and looking at Danny.
“Deeply kissing you, swirling my tongue around yours,” he said looking her in the eyes. “Kissing your chin back to your luscious lips while my hand holds your head. And my other hand holding your side, sliding down to your butt and giving it a squeeze.”
Monique licked her lips, cleared her throat, and then said, “Let’s continue walking.”
She walked off pretty fast. Danny smirked and caught up with her.
“Hey, I don’t want to rush you but can we talk about you being hurt?” Danny asked, feeling concern for her.
Monique was quiet and avoided his eyes. He persisted, “I just don’t want to pay for anyone else’s mistakes. I really really like you.”
“I like you too.” She said, stopping and looking in his eyes.
He heard her quiet voice say, “My ex really hurt me. How do I know you won’t do the same?”
Danny looked into her eyes, framed her face with his hands, and said, “I won’t hurt you.”
For some reason, Monique believed him and told him about James.
“Another woman couldn’t hold a candle to you,” he said, making her blush.
After his cute deflection, Monique continued, “He said he’s coming down soon. I just know he wants to see me. We always argued and ever since my mom died, I vowed to not be like my parents.” She stared into space as she rounded up, “My parents argued constantly and violently. It wasn’t physical or anything but they would throw stuff and be up in each other’s face. One time, they were arguing and I went to my room to blast my music. Shortly after, I thought it was weird because I didn’t hear anything. I went out of my room to check, and saw my mom on the floor, clutching her chest. My dad was on the floor with her, talking panicky on the phone. Tears ran down her face. I ran and knelt by my mom. She was still and she had a faraway look in her eyes. I shook her, but got no response. I screamed ‘mama’ over and over but nothing. Fear gripped me, and I didn’t know when tears started rolling down my cheeks as I screamed her name. The ambulance came and we followed the van to the hospital. Dad and I sat in the waiting room while they rushed to the back. The doctor came out a few minutes later with his face looking sorrowful and told us mom was gone.” More tears dropped, and hit her neck. “My dad’s face looked pained. He cried so much. It was the first time I saw him cry, but I couldn’t deal with that. I had my head buried in my hands, and let out a horrible cry. My tears soaked my shirt.” Monique had a faraway look in her eyes, and tears streamed down her face.
Danny hugged her. He hated that she was in so much pain and worst of all, he could do nothing about it. He felt her tears run down his shoulder, hitting his bare arms, as he rubbed her back.
“I’m sorry,” she said, sitting up.
“No, I’m sorry, I wanted to know.” He wiped her tears with his finger, then laid a soft kiss on her lips. He grabbed her hand and they continued walking. It didn’t take long for them to find something to brighten the gloomy mood. Soon, Monique and Danny got in a lively debate about an episode from Law & Order.
“What’s your proof?” Danny said.
“He lied to the police. He did see her the day she was killed.”
“Doesn’t make him guilty.”
“Yes it does. He lied.”
“Maybe he didn’t remember.”
Monique rolled her eyes.
“Let’s agree to disagree.” Danny said.
“Sure, I’m right, you’re wrong.”
Danny smiled and said, “There is an ice cream spot near here. Wanna go?”
He cut in in a bid to deflect from her rebuttal.
“Absolutely!” The trail ended and they got in the car.
They arrived at a place called Charlie’s. He held the door open for her. Monique’s eyes lit up when she saw the different choices of ice cream. He got vanilla ice cream with M&M’s in it, and she got butter pecan.
“Hey,” a man said to Monique.
“Hey,” Monique responded. “I haven’t seen you in forever,” she continued, as she proceeded to give him a hug. “What you doing here? It’s Abe right?” She asked.
“Yeah, I came back home because of family. You?”
“I guess I just missed home. I’ll see you later,” Monique said.
She turned around to find Danny’s eyebrows furrowed, and him staring a hole in the back of Abe’s head. Monique touched his arm, and his face immediately softened. They found a seat. As she took a scoop of her ice cream, her eyes closed, and she moaned in delight. He looked at her wishing he was responsible for the sound coming out of her. She slowly opened her eyes, and he hurriedly shoved a scoop of ice cream in his mouth. As Monique opened her eyes to see Danny shoving a scoop in his mouth, she wished she could kiss him again. Those delectable lips that held that sexy smile, and those talented fingers - she could almost feel herself riding them to completion. Her panties got moist.
Monique cleared her throat and looked around to see a few people enjoying their ice cream and holding conversations. She looked back at Danny who broke the silence on their table to ask, “Are you enjoying your ice cream?”
“Yes, I like this place.”
“Thought you would. So how is work?”
“Good. Just got a client who likes me, and I’m trying to find a way to let him down gently.”
Heat began in his stomach and spread to his hands. He puts his hand on his forehead like a visor, and then put his head down.
“Are you alright? Monique asked.
“Brain freeze.” He answered.
His voice sounds weird, she thought. She shrugged.
“Those aren’t fun at all.” Monique reached out and touched his cheek. He closed his eyes and leaned into her hand. Monique realized she already felt warmth in her heart for Danny. It can’t happen this fast, she thought.
She slowly withdrew her hand, and he lifted his head.
“Feel better?”
“Yes, much better because of you. Thanks.”
She blushed.
“So do you like this man at work?”
“He’s nice, but not my type.”
Danny felt better.
“I can’t blame him.” Danny said.
She smiled at him and ate more of her ice cream.
“So, tell me more about you.” He wanted feed his curiosity.
“Like what?” Monique asked, trying to quickly swallow her mouth full of ice cream.
“What’s your favorite movie? Favorite book? Favorite ice cream flavor?” Danny winked.
“Well my favorite ice cream is butter pecan.” She showed him her empty ice cream cup, and he smirked.
“Movie?” She asked.
“All the hunger games. I’ve read all the books. How about you?”
“X-Men movies,” Monique said. “I like to believe there are other creatures out there. I’ve always dreamed of meeting someone with powers. Someone abnormally strong or someone who can change into an animal.”
“Dreams come true sometimes.”
“I guess.”
They finished up and got in the car. He put on soft rock music, wound the windows down. She put her hand out of the window to feel the air go through her hair and hit her face; Monique felt good. The music relaxed her and the air felt refreshing. Just then, her phone rang. She looked at the caller ID,
rolled her eyes and silenced her phone. Danny saw her roll her eyes.
“Is everything ok?”
“Yeah, just my ex.”
“What does he want?”
“Who knows and who cares?” She was elated at the moment had no plans for James to mess it up.
“Well, he messed up letting you go,” Danny said.
Monique looked at Danny and smiled.
“Wait, did you just read my mind? Or did I say it out loud?” Monique asked, sitting up and looking at him. He nervously laughed and answered, “Umm, out loud,” glancing at her.
He smiled and she smiled back. He grabbed her hand with his free hand. Monique’s smile widened and she closed her eyes as the music and wind eased her mind. Right there, he had no worries. His father wasn’t on his mind, neither was the secret he was hiding from Monique. Danny pulled up to her apartment, got out of the car and came around to open her door. They walked to her door.
Monique said, “I really enjoyed myself today.”
“Me too.”
He gave her a quick kiss on her cheek, and then left. She went into her apartment confused. Danny got in his car reminding himself to go slow. He sat in the parking lot for a while, before deciding to leave. He pushed his member down, groaning. Meanwhile, Monique called Shawna and told her all that happened.
“Did you tell him to go slow?”
“No.” Monique said, thinking of the phone call she had with Danny. She mentally kicked herself, and said, “Yes!” She let out an exaggerated sigh, and asked, “What do I do?”
“Show him what you want.” Shawna advised.
“You’re right, it’s time to take control. So how are you?”
“Good, trying to get my nephew to go outside instead of constantly being on that 3DS. Kids and electronics.”
“How is George?”
George is Shawna’s off and on boyfriend.
“He’s right there, he made me mad the other day and we were arguing.”
“Tell him I said hi, and remember, pick your battles.” Monique advised this time.