by Ancelli
“You’re welcome. Anything to make you smile.” He grazed her knuckles.
They talked about anything she wanted to, but every now and then he would glance at Jewel’s table.
“You’re not hungry?” Connie asked with curiosity.
“No, not much appetite.” He pushed his plate away.
“How’s your son?”
“He’s doing good, giving his mother a hard time.” He took a gulp of his drink. “I talk to him every day. He’s getting so big. I can’t believe he’s almost eight.” José remembered the first time he’d held his son in his arms.
Carlitos had been three days old when he first set eyes on him. Olga hadn’t called him; he’d found out through his mother. He’d had his doubts, but the moment he held him, he knew the boy was his son. Carlitos resembled his grandfather Miguel. He had the man’s eyes, nose, even his chin.
“Time does fly.”
“Yes, it does.” He thought of the last time he’d seen his son.
“Are you sure he’s okay? He didn’t want to go back.” She spoke softly.
“Carlitos is fine.” He chuckled. “He just doesn’t like his mom’s boyfriend.”
“Do you have a problem with her moving on?”
“No, we never had a relationship. We were on and off, all the time. I wish her well. As long as he treats my son good, I don’t have a problem.”
His relationship with Olga had been toxic from the beginning. They were each set in their ways, never willing to compromise. She, too, hung out with the wrong crowd, and when he’d tried to get away and do better, she’d convinced him to stay. They’d go their separate ways, but she’d always begged him to come back, and he did. She was never the only one.
The breaking point for him had come when she’d left his son with his mother, never mentioning anything to him. He wasn’t mad that she’d wanted to go to college to better herself; he was pissed because she handed their responsibility to his mom. Everything had been good for a while. Carlitos lived with him for three years, until things started going downhill when he lost his job, and couldn’t even pay the rent on his one-bedroom apartment. Eventually, he’d had to take his son to live with his parents again, feeling like a failure, just like his father.
He’d moved from friend’s basement to friend’s couch, then in his car, taking small jobs here and there, from construction to hustling, trying to stay away from the streets. José would go by his parents’ home and visit or take his son for a day or two, but soon the visits became fewer and farther between. For six entire months, feeling sorry for himself, he’d stopped going altogether. Until he’d realized he was hurting Carlitos.
She gazed at him. “What do you want from me, José?”
“Honestly, Connie, I don’t know.” He told her the truth. He didn’t know what he wanted from her. He was used to hitting it and leaving. But he wanted to change his ways. Why not start with her?
“Maybe we can see where this goes.”
“You want to give it a shot?” He touched her arm.
“Yes, but we need to keep this between us.”
He arched his eyebrow. “Why?” His voice came out a little loud.
“Work.”
“Just work?” José sat back.
“José, you’re so different than anyone I’ve dated. I have to get used to the idea.”
He gave her a sarcastic smile. “I’m not the uptight men you’re used to.”
“It’s not that.”
“Then what?” He moved his chair. “Nothing I do will ever impress you.” He placed his napkin on the table. “Excuse me, I have to use the restroom.” He stood and stepped away. He passed Jewel’s table and that sucker had her hands in his, making her laugh. She didn’t even notice him when he walked by on his way back to Connie.
He returned to his table more pissed off than when he’d left, and he didn’t understand why.
“José, I’m sorry.” Her eyes were soft. “I like you, I’m just scared.”
“Of what?”
“That you’re going to hurt me.”
José took a deep breath. “Connie, I don’t know what will happen, but I’m a changed man. I know you’ve heard of my past, but that’s not me anymore. I haven’t slept with anyone in months.”
Her lip curled.
“One day, I want what everybody has.” The waiter came over with the check, and José pulled out his wallet.
“José, I got it,” she said in front of the waiter.
“Are you fucking crazy?” he glared at her, and put two hundred dollars on the table. “Keep the change.” He waited until the man left. “Connie, don’t ever do that. I was raised to treat a woman like a queen. I will never let you pay for anything.”
Chapter Six
José parked in one of Connie’s assign spaces. He opened the door, stepped out, and walked over to the passenger side then opened the door for her.
Connie placed her hand in his. He helped from her seat.
“José, thank you for a nice evening.”
She surprised him by hugging his waist. He hugged her back. “Thanks for giving me a chance.” He pulled back and skimmed his tongue against her lips. It started out sweet, then turned passionate. José hadn’t been expecting her to take control of the kiss. She placed her hands around his neck and pulled him down. Her tongue made its way into his mouth and twirled around his. He could hear her moaning into his mouth. Damn, she was a good kisser. But he was supposed to be trying to be a good guy. He slowly pulled back.
Her eyes where still closed. “I think it’s time for me to go.” José touched her arm.
“You’re not coming up?” she asked, grabbing his hand and pulling him toward the building.
Fuck being a good guy, he thought, following her as she punched in some numbers on the pad to the main entrance. They walked over to the elevator, and he pushed the triangle button.
The doors opened and they slipped in. He couldn’t keep his hands off her. Connie smiled and moved slightly away. “Not here. Someone might see us.”
He moved closer to her and pulled her in by the waist. “I don’t care who sees us.”
The doors opened on the third floor.
“But I do.” She giggled and grabbed his hands. They hurried to her apartment. Connie opened the door with a click. “Come in.”
“You sure you want me to?” José leaned on the doorframe.
“Yes. I want this…”
He stepped over the threshold. José grabbed her, kissing her lips. He kicked the door shut behind them. His cell phone went off and he ignored it, instead picking her up. Connie wrapped her legs around his waist, grinding on him. He imagined what he could do to her with the way her body was moving. He pulled her shirt free from her pants, and his right hand slipped its way up her bareback.
“José…” she whispered against his lips.
He stared at her, her ass in his left palm. “I’ve wanted you for fucking months. Don’t deny me.”
She smiled, pulling at his shirt and then fumbling with the buttons. He placed her on the back of her couch, and she took the opportunity to slip off his shirt and toss it on the floor. “I want you, too.”
Connie shed her shirt, and bra.
José touched her nipple with his fingers, making her groan. He bent down and wrapped his lips around her right nipple, sucking her like a man in need. He’d waited long enough to have her.
“Yes…” Connie moaned, placing her hands on the pillows behind her. José switched to the other tit, nibbling and sucking.
José kissed his way back up her torso to her neck, all the way to her lips. He gazed at her, combing his hands in her hair, and tugged.
“Don’t pull my hair!” Connie snatched at his hand.
He watched her carefully, gently releasing his hold on her hair. He understood that some women didn’t like shit like that; he would have to take it easy. “Okay, no hair pulling.” He eased back and his cell phone dropped on the floor.
Connie
licked her bottom lip and opened her legs wider. José leaned in placing his hands down the waistband of her pants. “Oh God…” She groaned as his fingers grazed her labia.
At that moment, José looked down to the floor and saw he’d missed several calls from Javier and Jewel. He pulled back his hands, and hurriedly grabbed the phone.
“What’s wrong?” Connie straightened up.
“I’m not sure.” José swiped his fingers on the screen and listened to his messages.
“José!” Jewel sounded rattled. “I need a huge favor. Please pick me up at Mercy Hospital.” His heart started beating fast. What the fuck could have happened? He’d just seen her. He keyed up the other message. “If you can’t make it, can you at least text me.” The last one was the angriest. “Forget it!”
“Shit!” José snatched his shirt off the floor.
“What happened?” Connie slipped off the sofa.
“I’m sorry, Connie,” he said with regret as he gazed at her half-naked body, “but I have to leave.”
He saw the hurt in her eyes. “You’re going to leave me like this?” She pointed at her figure.
“You think I want to leave you?” He slipped on his shirt, not worrying about buttoning it up. “I’ve wanted you for months, but a friend needs me.”
“A friend?” She pulled her blouse on, and huffed.
He tipped up her chin with his finger. “Don’t be mad.”
Connie twisted her head, strolled to the door, and swung it open. “I hope your friend is okay.”
“I hope so too.” José tried to give her a kiss but she took a step back. He didn’t have time for her attitude; Jewel needed him. “We’ll continue this later.”
***
On the way to Mercy Hospital, José called his brother.
“Where the hell have you been?” Javier asked.
“With Connie. You knew that.”
“And you couldn’t answer your phone.”
“What happened?” He pushed his foot down on the gas pedal.
“Jewel was in an accident!”
“Is she okay?” José couldn’t explain why, but he held this breath until his brother answered.
“Yes. She has a couple of bruises.”
“What the fuck happened?” His grip on the cell phone got tighter.
“She was at a stop light. The fool behind her wasn’t paying attention and hit her.”
“Stopped at a light? She was on her bike?” He was surprised. He’d seen her earlier at the restaurant and what she had on wasn’t appropriate for riding a motorcycle.
“Yes. She was heading home after a date.”
“I’m going to fucking hurt whoever did this to her.” José gripped the steering wheel tight, making his knuckles turn white.
“It was an accident.”
“You’re sure she’s okay.”
“Yes, but her bike was totaled.”
“I don’t care about the damn bike. She shouldn’t have been riding that fucking bike.” José shook his head. Jewel was riding her bike because she’d been sweet enough to let him use her car. “I’m on my way to the hospital.”
“She’s already home.”
José spun the car around and headed to Jewel’s house.
***
José rushed through the front door. The house was dark. He flipped on the light switch and marched toward Jewel’s room. He softly knocked on her door, opened it, searched for her light, and slid it on.
“Turn it off!” Yelled a woman—a woman’s voiced he’d never heard before.
He stood at the door, staring at a blonde woman lying next to Jewel, and frowned. Seeing her earlier that night with that dude had made him rethink his opinions about her. Maybe she was bisexual?
“Jewel, are you okay?” He peered at them.
She leaned up on her elbows. “It was just a few scratches.”
“A few scratches, my ass.” Her guest struggled to sit up, exposing her bulging stomach. For some strange reason, he felt relieved.
“José, this is my bestie Emma.” She moved to sit on the edge of the bed. “Emma, this is my roommate.”
“Hmm, the one that didn’t pick up his phone?” Emma frowned at him. “The one that has your car…?”
“About that,” José stared at the bruises on her right leg and arm. “I’m sorry, I didn’t hear my phone.”
“It’s okay. I know who I can count on.” Jewel’s voice was laced with disappointment.
José walked farther into the room. “What the hell does that mean?”
“It means exactly what I said.” She stood, weaving in place. “Emma, you need to get home to your husband. I’m fine.”
“I can’t leave you alone. The doctor said you need to be monitored.” Emma glared at José.
“She won’t be alone,” José scowled back at her, “so you can leave.”
“Excuse me?” Emma gave him a dirty stare. “Don’t come in here telling me what to do, mister.” She pointed her finger at him. “She’s like a sister to me, and if anything happens to her—”
“Emma,” Jewel said softly. “I’m okay.” She smiled, and did a little shimmy. “Nothing’s broken. Go home to your family. I’m fine.”
“Are you sure, Jewel?” Emma asked, getting up too.
“Yes.” She picked up Emma’s purse and glanced at José. “You’re a great friend.”
Emma hugged Jewel hesitantly. “If you need me, call.” She kissed her, and on her way out, she stopped in front of José. “You better take good care of her.” Then she waddled out of the room, leaving them alone.
As soon as her friend left Jewel’s features changed, and she gave him a dirty look. “You can leave, too.” She groaned as she crossed her arms over her chest.
“You really think if I had heard your messages sooner, I wouldn’t have been at the hospital?” He scowled back at her. Did she really think he wouldn’t be there for her?
“Whatever, José. I called you four freaking times.” She limped out of her bedroom and he followed.
“I’m fucking sorry.” He stared at the bruise on her cheek. “What happened?”
“It doesn’t matter. I’m fine.”
“It matters!” He raised his voice.
She stopped and frowned at him with her eyebrow arched. “Don’t you yell at me.”
José sighed, and calmly asked, “What happened?”
“I got hit from behind, but I’m alive.” She continued to the kitchen, and opened the refrigerator, grabbing a bottle of water. “I have a hard head. I’m good.”
“Muñeca, you scared the shit out of me.” He strolled up to her and hugged her. “If anything would’ve happened to you…”
“It didn’t.” She moved out of his embrace. “And I’m not your doll.”
He hadn’t realized she understood Spanish; he would have to watch what he said in front of her.
“Go call your date.” She took a gulp of water.
He arched an eyebrow. “Connie can wait.”
“It’s obvious that I interrupted your night out.” She looked at his jeans, nodding obliquely until José caught on they must be unzipped. “I’ll be okay.” She moved toward her bedroom.
José zipped his pants, then reached out to grip her wrist. “I don’t think so.” He released her as she glared down at their linked hands. “I told your friend I would stay with you.”
“Emma doesn’t have to know. You’ve been waiting for months for the opportunity to go out with Connie.”
“You’re right, but right now you’re more important than some stupid date.” José strolled into the living room and sat, and she trailed him, finally sitting next to him.
She watched him. “You really like her, don’t you?”
“Yes, I do, but I don’t think I’m good enough for her.”
Jewel crossed her arm over her chest and tilted her head. “You’re good enough!”
“I thought you were mad at me?” He smiled flirtatiously.
“I am.” She
chuckled.
“Still friends?” He touched her chin.
“Always.”
Chapter Seven
“Good morning beautiful.” José stood by the window in Jewel’s room, watching her sleep, as he spoke to Connie. The first thing he’d done when he’d woken up was to check up on his new roommate. “Um, about last night…maybe we can finish what we started tonight?”
“I think it’s a good thing you had to leave, because we probably would’ve done something I’d have regretted.” Connie’s voice left no doubt: she definitely sounded irate.
“So what are you saying?”
“We’re moving too fast. I think we should slow down a bit.”
He strode out of Jewel’s room, gently closing the door behind him, and moved into the living room. “You were the one that invited me up to your apartment, and it wasn’t for coffee.”
“I know. My mistake.” These words carried remorse.
“I would never make you do anything you don’t want to do.” José opened the sliding glass doors and stepped out to the back yard. He sat on the wooden chair. “Look, Connie, I’m tired of playing games with you. If you don’t want to continue seeing me, just fucking say so.”
“Excuse me!”
“You heard me, I’m getting sick and tired of one-minute-you’re-cold and the next, you’re hot.” He was pissed, and starting to see her for what she really was: a stuck-up brat.
“You’re the one that left last night to help a so-called friend.”
“She is a friend.”
“She?” Connie huffed. “I should’ve known.”
“Yes, she. What, I’m not allowed to have female friends?” She didn’t answer. “I’m done chasing after you. If you want me, the ball is in your court. Hit me up when you’re ready for a real man.” He swiped his phone off, and sighed. He needed a damn cigarette.
“Penny for your thoughts.” Jewel stood in the doorway, her hand wrapped around the handle of a coffee cup.
She was dressed in those damn shorty-short PJs. He couldn’t help but stare at her thighs. He was having a bad case of blue balls. José needed to find something to distract himself. He turned away and inspected the shed behind them, which was in need of some work. Next weekend, he would buy some materials at the hardware store and fix it.