She forced out a gasp of surprise. “Oh, Yuri. It’s beautiful!”
“You like it, Mommy?”
“I love it, sweetheart. Thank you. I’m going to treasure this bag forever,” she said, cupping his face.
“Your turn, Daddy.” Yuri watched his father with happy anticipation.
Like his son, Shawn didn’t waste any time tearing off the paper and getting to his gift.
“I needed these,” Shawn said, holding up a shiny pair of clippers.
“I picked them out, Daddy!”
“And your head is gonna be the first head I cut with these.”
Silently sulking, Vangie snapped another picture as father and son shared a moment.
“This is from me,” she said, sticking a white envelope in Shawn’s hand.
Shawn pulled out two Eagles tickets, eyed them closely, and let out a loud boom of pleasure. “Baby! Yo, how’d you get these good seats?”
“That’s my secret,” she said, picking up the camera. With the camera in front of her face, she hid her immense discontent as Shawn posed, holding up the Eagles tickets that Harlow had made possible.
CHAPTER 32
1995
Eating a bowl of cereal, Harlow sat on the couch watching a cartoon that was out of focus.
Scratching her head, Jody stumbled into the living room. “Good morning. How you feeling, baby?” Jody asked in a pleasant voice.
Harlow gave her mother an odd look. Jody’s tone was too cheerful to be normal; especially at eight o’clock in the morning.
Jody sat next to Harlow, and stroked her daughter’s hair. “You okay?”
Harlow inched away from her mother. “Yeah.”
“Bleeding yet?”
“No.”
“Not even spotting?”
Spotting? What’s that? Harlow turned up her nose and shook her head.
“What about cramps?” Jody looked hopeful.
“I said, I feel fine.”
“Well, it’s been three days. How long did Miss Cakie say it’s supposed to take?”
Harlow didn’t have an answer. Miss Cakie had told her to expect clumps of blood, and Harlow wasn’t looking forward to that.
“Did you follow her instructions?”
Harlow shrugged.
Growing agitated, Jody sighed. “Look, I gave that old bitch a lot of damn money, and something needs to be happening right about now. Didn’t she tell you to move around…to be active?”
“I guess.”
Jody looked at Harlow, blinking impatiently. “You guess? What exactly did Miss Cakie tell you to do?”
“She told me to jump rope.” There was an edge in Harlow’s voice.
“Then jump some damn rope.”
Harlow rolled her eyes. “I don’t to go school anymore, so how am I supposed to jump rope?”
Jody gritted her teeth and took a deep breath. “I’m not in the mood for your shit, so don’t work my nerves. You don’t need a rope. Just do some jumping jacks, something like that.”
“Jumping what?”
“It’s an exercise. Don’t y’all do exercises in gym class?”
“We play basketball sometimes, but we usually do freestyle dancing or we watch a movie with a sports theme. I don’t know anything about that back-in-the-day stuff you’re talking,” Harlow said with a sneer.
“You better watch your mouth. I’m not one of your lil’ girlfriends; I’m your goddamn mother.”
“Well, act like one,” Harlow mumbled. Harlow was starting to see Jody in a different light. Her mother was as skinny as a twig, and always looked a hot mess. She wasn’t the scary, imposing figure she’d always seemed to be. Her mother was a pitiful, drugged-out wreck.
“I’ma slap the shit outta you, girl.” Jody’s voice trembled with anger.
Daring her with her eyes, Harlow boldly looked her mother up and down, and then stared in her face.
“See, you starting to act like you think you’re grown. Ever since you had that goddamn procedure you’ve been showing your ass. I’m not having it.” Jody reached into the pocket of her robe and pulled out a pack of Newports.
“I’m bored, Jody. There’s nothing to do all day. I wanna go back to school.”
Jody lit a cigarette and blew smoke in Harlow’s face. “Well, you can’t go back until you drop that load.”
Scowling, Harlow fanned the cigarette smoke away from her face. “Why not?”
“Because I said so.”
“This house is starting to feel like a prison.”
“Ain’t nothing I can do about that. Do what Miss Cakie told you to do and you’ll be back in school.” She blew more smoke in Harlow’s direction.
CHAPTER 33
Nivea put the finishing touches on her makeup. She stood in front of the full-length mirror in her bedroom and smiled, surprisingly impressed by her own reflection.
She looked amazing in her Christmas outfit. Skin-tight black sequined spandex pants, a sexy pair of knee-high leather boots, and a stretchy sheer top that clung to her curves, showing off a flat tummy and tiny waistline. Those few pounds that she’d dropped while she was dealing with Eric’s drama were all in the right places.
Her confidence was back. She felt vivacious and sexy.
There were no twinkling lights surrounding her windows, no wreath on her front door, and no Christmas tree. There was nothing that suggested that Nivea was feeling the Christmas spirit, except Mariah Carey’s carols that played softly in the background.
Lights were dimmed and every room was illuminated with the soft glow of a scented candle.
As she spritzed her wrist with a new fragrance that smelled divine, it occurred to her to that inserting a dab of powdered sugar inside her coochie would be a good treat for Knox, her good pussy-eating, secret lover.
She shook her head, imagining her sensitive pussy having a bad reaction to powdered sugar or anything foreign. She couldn’t even switch brands of bath gels without getting an annoying itch between her legs.
I don’t need any damn sugar up in my twat. The way Knox was lapping it up last night, my juices must be as sweet as honey.
The doorbell chimed. Nivea gave herself one last look in the mirror. She and Knox had been texting all day, and his visit was no surprise. He had slipped away from her parents’ house and out of Courtney’s clutches. He was outside Nivea’s door, ready to sample something tastier than Nivea’s family’s Christmas dinner.
It was obvious that Courtney didn’t know what to do with her freak of a fiancé.
But Nivea did and her plans were now in motion. Knox not only had an experienced tongue, the cute future doctor was holding like a damn horse, and had the stamina of a stallion.
Knox wouldn’t be sniffing between Nivea’s legs if her sister was on top of her sex game.
Sorry, Courtney, but you’re too young and dumb to be married to a doctor. Even if he is only a foot doctor, I’m much more deserving.
Grinning, she opened the door for Knox. No khakis or Argyle. He looked extra sexy in jeans and a Polo thermal pullover beneath his jacket. He was carrying a bottle of Ketel One vodka. A red bow decorated the bottle. How sweet.
But Courtney came up behind him, her arms filled with presents. Nivea’s smile vanished. What is she doing here?
“Merry Christmas!” Courtney exclaimed and pranced inside. “Mother wanted me to bring these gifts for you and Eric!”
Sending a menacing glance at Knox, Nivea rolled her eyes at the gifts.
Oblivious to Nivea’s distress, Courtney set the cheerfully wrapped gifts on the coffee table. She sniffed the air. “Mmm. It smells good in here. And you look great, Sis. What’s up? You and Eric going somewhere?”
“Yeah, I’m waiting for him to get off work.” Nivea was becoming a skilled liar. She shot another furious glance at Knox. Wordlessly, he handed her the vodka. Eyes cast downward; he refused to meet her gaze.
Courtney pulled off her coat. “Make yourself comfortable, honey,” she said to Knox.
“We might as well keep Niv company until Eric gets home.”
“No, no. You don’t have to stay. I’m fine,” Nivea said in protest.
“We have a lot to talk about,” Courtney said, practically singing the words as she held up her ring finger and held it in front of Nivea’s face. “You ran out of the house yesterday without getting a good look.”
At the sight of Courtney’s rock, Nivea flinched and recoiled like a vampire being tortured with a crucifix. “Um, yeah. It’s really… um…beautiful, Courtney,” Nivea stammered. She cut an eye at Knox. He averted her gaze.
“Look how clear it is,” Courtney bragged, holding her hand out at arm’s length as she admired her diamond.
“Where’s your ring?” Courtney asked, noticing Nivea’s bare finger.
“I’m cleaning it. It’s soaking,” Nivea quickly responded.
“Oh! How often do you have to clean it? Like once a week or something?”
“Depends.”
“On what?”
What a dolt! “It’s up to you, Courtney. I clean my ring whenever it looks dull.”
“Good to know,” Courtney said with a firm head nod. “What time is Eric getting home? I wanted us engaged couples to make a toast together. We should all celebrate love!”
Ugh! My sister is stupid and revolting. “Why don’t we make this toast another time? I really have to finish getting ready,” Nivea said, hoping Courtney would take a hint, and realize that she wasn’t welcome.
“Oh, we’ll toast without Eric. I’ll get the glasses,” Courtney said and dashed to Nivea’s kitchen.
Alone with Knox, Nivea narrowed her eyes and folded her arms firmly in front of her. “What the fuck?”
“I tried to slip out without her, but she insisted on coming.”
“Why didn’t you warn me? How could you spring her on me like this?”
“I’m sorry,” he said. “I tried to text you, but she was sticking to me like she had some sort of sixth sense.”
“Bullshit! You’ve been sending me texts all day. It’s hard to believe that you couldn’t have slipped to the bathroom or some-where private to let me know that my sister was coming with you.”
Before Knox could respond, Courtney was back in the living room, carrying three tumblers that clinked together. She set them down. Knox twisted the cap off the vodka he’d brought and filled each glass.
Courtney downed her drink. “Ah!” she said and smacked her lips together. “Mother told me that you and Eric decided to push your date up. That’s great because Knox and I have decided that we want a June wedding. Guess where?”
“Where?” Nivea said dryly.
“OMG! Are you ready this?” Courtney said excitedly.
“Not really,” Nivea muttered.
“On the freakin’ beach! I’m having a beach wedding!”
Needing something for her nerves, Nivea threw back her drink and grimaced. “The beach?” She questioned Knox with her eyes.
Knox cleared his throat. “I love snorkelling; it’s a hobby of mine. Courtney thinks a beach wedding and a snorkelling party afterward would be a great idea.”
Courtney sat next to Knox. “We’re getting married in the Bahamas!”
Nivea couldn’t remove the grimace off her face. “What does Mother think about your beach wedding idea?”
“She doesn’t like it. That’s why I need you to back me up.”
“I’m not getting involved.” Nivea had heard quite enough of Courtney’s stupid wedding plans. “Courtney, you can’t even swim. It’s a ridiculous idea and I’m backing up Mother.”
“Aw, Niv!” Courtney whined.
“Listen, I have to finish getting ready—”
Courtney refilled the glasses. “Come on, party pooper. Have another one. You look great. Besides, we downed the first drink without making our toast.” Courtney held her glass in the air. “Here’s to Nivea and Eric’s little civil ceremony.” She swallowed her drink with one large gulp and refilled her glass. “And here’s a giant toast to my big, friggin’ beach wedding!” Courtney laughed uproariously.
Courtney was getting as sarcastic as their mother. Nivea turned her second drink up to her lips and threw it back.
Courtney smiled at Nivea. “See, all it took was some booze to loosen you up.” She looked at Knox. “Take your jacket off, sweetheart. We’re going to do shots until Eric gets home.”
Pulling his arms out of his jacket sleeves, Knox gave Nivea a sneaky wink. Nivea wanted to bitch slap him.
“At the beginning of my ceremony, I’m going to be wearing my gown. I’ve been looking at an awesome Vera Wang gown.”
“You have Vera Wang money?”
“Yup! Daddy is going to let me spend all of my college fund on the wedding. Who needs college when you’re married to a doctor?” She elbowed Knox and beamed. He smiled back.
Nivea was ready to physically toss her gloating sister out of her house. If it weren’t for the fact that Knox had revealed that Nivea’s pussy was addictive and he could no longer go through with marrying her sister, Nivea wouldn’t have been able to stomach Courtney’s bragging.
“My gown is going to have some secret snaps and right after the preacher marries us, I’m going to rip it off. I’ll be stripped down to a bikini. My body is going to be ripped. I had a feeling that Knox was going to pop the question soon, so about a month ago, I started working out at the gym twice a day.”
Behaving as if she were a hyperactive adult who needed a strong dose of Ritalin, Courtney jumped up from the couch, and moved around the coffee table. Taking center stage, she stood in the middle of the living room and pulled up her top, showing off her abs. “I’m looking good already!” Courtney turned from side to side. “Check out those side abs, Niv! I’m going to look so freakin’ amazing by June. OMG, my wedding is going to be so awesome. I want the entire wedding party to strip as soon as the ceremony is over. No one can be in my wedding if they’re not in shape. Everybody is going to look super hot. People are going to be talking about this wedding for…for like, forever!”
While Courtney was preoccupied with herself, Knox snuck a feel. When his hand snaked its way to Nivea’s hip, her immediate reaction was to swat his hand away in indignation, but she didn’t. Instead, she moved closer, allowing his hand to sneakily roam.
“Your ass looks good in those pants,” he whispered.
“I put them on for you,” she said softly.
“You look delicious.” He licked his lips.
Nivea turned her attention to her sister. “Courtney, your beach wedding idea might work. I want to hear all about it, but I can’t keep drinking this vodka straight. Here, take this bottle and go whip up some cocktails.”
“We’re gonna have cocktails? Oh, goodie! What do you want me to make?” Courtney was really so cute, it was sickening.
“Surprise me,” Nivea said. “There’s orange juice in the fridge. Peach Schnapps and grenadine on the counter. Be imaginative.”
“Okay!” Courtney dashed from the room, happy to oblige as long as she could have her sister’s undivided attention.
“And while you’re at it, fill up the ice bucket with some ice cubes!” Nivea yelled.
“Will do!” Courtney called happily from the kitchen.
Nivea turned to Knox, cupped his face and kissed him on the lips. Gave him tongue. He gave it back. A warm glow began to spread through her body. Her heart pounded in her chest. It was extremely thrilling to share a stolen moment with her sister’s fiancé.
Keeping an ear out for Courtney, Nivea broke the kiss. “I want you to get Courtney out of here,” she said with quiet menace.
“I will. Meantime, can I make it up to you?”
“How?”
“Let me suck your pussy…Courtney’s in the kitchen.”
It was an absurd suggestion. But the way her pussy began to tighten up, Nivea realized that she was aroused by the freakiness of Knox’s proposition. Nivea released a soft moan. The sexual tension between them overw
helmed her. Made her feel light-headed, caused her body to go weak.
Knox was bringing out a kinky side that she’d never known she possessed.
She tried to process how she could get her pants down and receive a tonguing with her sister in the next room. The thoughts that were skittering around her mind halted when Knox suddenly dropped to his knees. Sitting on his haunches with his back against the coffee table, he grabbed Nivea’s ass, pulling her legs apart and aiming her crotch toward his face.
Nivea made a small, wordless exclamation when Knox’s tongue touched the damp patch of her arousal. His tongue slid up and down the seam of her crotch. Pleasure fluttered in her stomach. She moaned softly, her body writhing to the rhythm of his tongue stroke.
His wet tongue slid up and down the copious flow of her juices that dampened the crotch of her pants.
Holding onto the swell of her hips, Knox cupped his mouth over her pussy and alternated sucking and nibbling on her pussy lips. His low groans vibrated against her pussy, and Nivea couldn’t stifle tiny whimpers of pleasure that escaped her throat.
Still in the kitchen, Courtney rambled on, having a one-sided conversation about her wedding.
As Knox brought her to feverish heights, she could only comprehend snatches of Courtney’s monologue. Nivea heard her sister say something about all of her friends being so jealous. She heard the words, snorkelling, musicians, sand, and tight abs. The sound of Courtney’s voice was terribly annoying.
I can’t concentrate! I wish my sister would shut the fuck up. But Nivea was being unreasonable and she knew it. She needed to hear Courtney’s running dialogue to know her sister’s position.
Somehow Knox’s lips found their way to her clit. He got a grip and managed to suck the swollen nub through the fabric. The sucking sensation was unbearably intense. Nivea went rigid. The beginning of a powerful orgasm rocked her as it travelled through her body. Pleasure throbbed down her neck and through her chest. There was tingling in her that went from her fingertips and down to her toes. Nivea groped for a throw pillow. Finding one, she used it to cover her face, muffling her moans.
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