Paper Dolls

by Sienna Mynx

  “What are you doing here?” he asked.

  “Don’t act like you don’t know!” she said through clenched teeth. “Matt’s in the hospital fighting for his life because of your fucking ego!”

  He blinked at her shocked. “What the hell are you talking about?”

  She charged at him and attacked. Hitting him with her fists and kicking at him. “You bastard, you had him beaten like some animal! You bastard!” she screamed and fought him. AK dropped the bottle in his hand and it crashed on the hard floor. He held her off. He had to pin her to the wall.

  “No he didn’t! I did it!” Red shouted at her.

  Valentina stopped struggling. AK let her go. They both looked to Red who glared only at Valentina. “I showed AK that magazine to prove you were nothing but a lying whore! Acting like you better than us, when you were fucking Matt, and punking a real man.”

  AK pushed Valentina aside. “What did you do, Red?”

  “I got the boys, baby. We took care of it. Let that fool know that he can’t fuck with you—”

  AK slammed Red against the wall. “What the fuck did you do?”

  “He’s in a coma, Earl,” Valentina said with disgust. “How could you be so evil?” she asked Red.

  AK blinked at Dirty Red shocked. She touched his face with affection. “I did it for you, baby. Those two hurt you. They tried to destroy you. I got you your revenge.”

  “Get out!” AK slammed his fist into the wall so close to Red’s head Valentina thought he hit her. Both women jumped at the flash of rage. “GET OUT!”

  Dirty Red backed away. She looked at AK with raw hurt. “How you gonna take it out on me when she was the one to play you? I was here for you! You weren’t thinking about her a minute ago when I was sucking your dick. You asshole! Now your boys are all down, but you ain’t! What kind of shit is that?”

  “Get the fuck out of my house before I snap your neck!” he shouted.

  “Well fuck you, AK! You made a big mistake homie! A big fucking mistake!” she said and stormed away. Valentina paced in his room and he looked up at her when he came back in. He stopped and stared at her for a moment.

  “How’s Matt?”

  “He’s in a coma, that’s how he is!” Valentina shouted at him.

  “I’m not doing this shit again. Get out!” AK said.

  “What? That’s all you have to say after what your friends did to him?”

  AK shook his head. “Get out!” he walked over to his bed and sat.

  “Tell me the truth, did you have anything to do with this? Did you?” Valentina asked.

  He looked up at her. “You think I did, don’t you? You think I’m so fucking weak that I would have Dirty Red fight my battles? You never knew me at all, Valentina, and I sure as fuck never knew you. In fact I can’t stand the sight of you! Get out!”

  Valentina wiped her tears. “I’m sorry, I should have known you wouldn’t do this.”

  She walked over to him and knelt before him. “I can’t ask you to forgive me now because I don’t deserve forgiveness. But I want you to know that it wasn’t lies, not my feelings. None of what I felt for you was a lie.”

  When he did look into her eyes she saw more than his pain. She saw the same distrust she carried all her life. He was right. They were similar. They had so few people in their lives they could really count on. And now she made the list of a long line of disappointments for him. She stood. She went to him. He didn’t push her away. Instead he folded his arms around her waist and hugged her the way he used to. He hugged her ass and thighs. She rubbed his shaven head. “Will you ever be able to forgive me, Earl?”

  “I love you, Valentina,” he wept. He held onto her tighter. In that moment she was willing to give him anything. If it would stop every ones’ pain she’d be his. Break it off with Matt and just make the sacrifice. But she knew that would only destroy and sully what they shared. “I don’t know how I’m going to get past this,” AK said.

  “I’m sorry.”

  He released her. She wanted to touch him again but it was wrong. “I’ve got to go now. I’m sorry, Earl.” Valentina walked fast out of the room. She glanced back once to see him close his bedroom door. She forced herself to keep walking. And soon she was running.

  **

  Valentina pushed open the door to Mattel’s room. He was alone. She went inside with her heart in her throat. She leaned over the bed and kissed his brow softly.

  “Hey, you’re going to have to open those sexy eyes for me, Matt. The doctors say you can, so please. Wake up for me.”

  She kissed his split lips softly and when she lifted her head his blackened eyes parted just enough to show he was awake.

  Valentina smiled. “Hi! Can you see me?”

  He didn’t smile or show any recognition. That made her heart ache. The doctors said he could have brain damage, or wake with memory loss. They just had no way of telling. “Baby, it’s me. It’s me.”

  Valentina wept. She nodded her head when he blinked at her. “Yes, yes, yes, it’s me, you’re going to be okay. You’re going to be okay.”

  **

  She sat in the chair staring out of the window. Mattel was whisked away for more tests. All she could do was wait. The door opened and Bill walked in. Valentina looked over at him and stood. “Hey, he’s still having those tests run.”

  “I saw Jarrod in the hall. I wanted to update you.”

  “Okay,” she said.

  “The police questioned AK, he gave them a statement about his entourage. They’re charging his crew with assault and battery, and two of them with attempted murder, due to the severity of Matt’s injuries.”

  “Just two?”

  “Yes, including the one named Dirty Red? AK’s cooperation has her named as the instigator.”

  “That’s good,” she said softly.

  “It’s not your fault, Valentina.” Bill smiled.

  “Tell that to Jarrod. He can barely stand the sight of me.” She dropped back into the chair. “I can barely stand the sight of me.”

  “He’s worried about his brother. We all are. Matt is going to be okay though.”

  Valentina shook her head, sadly. “My friend said that there are seasons, times when bad things happen. So much bad has happened, Bill, I’m wondering if Mattel and I should have ever gotten together.”

  Bill walked over. “I haven’t spoken to Matt in a few days, but I can guess that after everything I’ve seen, that he’s finally told you about his feelings?”

  She looked up surprised. “You knew?”

  “He told me he loves you, Valentina.”

  “And look what that cost him. He could have been killed.”

  “Matt would see it differently, and so should you. If you don’t they win,” Bill smiled.

  The door opened and Mattel was pushed inside. Valentina clasped her hands in front of her and gave a tense smile. She was so nervous. Mattel was still weak, but he was alert and his gaze was fixed on her. She walked over to his side. “How do you feel?”

  He gave a slight nod. The doctor walked in. “His MRI is good, and the CAT scan shows no lesions or brain swelling. In fact we are all a little shocked at how well he’s doing. But we’ll need to monitor him. Make sure there are no seizures or any other cause for concern.”

  “Thank you, doctor,” Bill said. He shook his hand.

  The doctor said a few words of encouragement to Matt before he left. Valentina couldn’t stand still. She walked over and fixed Matt’s pillow. He glanced up at her but didn’t speak.

  Bill stepped to the foot of the bed. “I’m going to take care of everything. You focus on getting out of the bed.”

  Mattel blinked his answer of thanks.

  “Valentina, I’ll see you again,” Bill said.

  “Bye, Bill,” she smiled.

  He walked out. Valentina looked down at Mattel. “I’m going to take care of you, do you hear me? I’m going to be right here. I’ll cook for you—”

  Matt groaned. Valent
ina blinked. She saw him try to smile and she smiled. A heavy burden lifted from her shoulders. He wasn’t angry with her. He actually smiled.

  “I love you so much, Matt,” she leaned in and brushed her lips over his. He lifted his hand and touched her face weakly.

  She lowered the bed rail and got in the bed with him, carefully. Valentina rested at his side and touched his bandaged chest. “You’ll be okay, we’ll be okay,” she said. “You’re stuck with me, Matt, hope your heart’s strong.”

  He reached for her hand and squeezed it. Valentina closed her eyes. “We’re going to be just fine.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  Forgiveness

  “And you taste so good too,” he whispered.

  Valentina’s lips parted. His tongue darted in. Her lashes fluttered from the sinfully delicious taste of him. The union they shared was brief. He swallowed. His pulse raced, and the blood rushed to her face and cheeks.

  “What is it? That sticky sweet taste?” he asked.

  “Strawberry, my soda,” she chuckled.

  He drew back. Her eyes were now locked with his. He liked the way she touched and caressed his jaw. He loved how she rubbed the inside of her thigh against his leg, and worked her ankle up his calf muscle before she hooked her leg around him. He eased his hand into her shorts and she rewarded him with a sly smile. But she never looked away. That’s why he loved her. She was a fearless, talented, hard-edged beauty inside the sexiest body he’s ever seen. His face came in closer. And when their lips met again it wasn’t strawberry soda that crossed his mind. She removed her hand from the side of his face and responded to the kiss by rubbing her sex against his leg. Her hand travelled between them to stroke his bandaged chest and then delve lower.

  “I want you so bad, so very bad,” he said into her mouth before he swallowed her tongue. Never in his life had he wanted someone more desperately. Sadly it was only theses kisses that he survived off of since the nightmare of his attack. A tease and feel up was all he could give her. If he dared try anything else she panicked and said he couldn’t physically handle it. Oh, he could. If only she’d give him the chance to prove it. When would the torture end and she finally be his?

  Valentina resisted. She fought it with everything in her. She told herself he needed time to heal, and rationalized that she understood. Well she did understand. But long nights lying in his arms were wearing thin on her resistance. It was even worse when he insisted on fondling, and touching the most intimate parts of her body.

  “You’re mine, right? Say it, tell me again, I like to hear you say it,” he said.

  He kissed her cheek and neck. He pressed the bone of his existence into her thigh, and his erection was impressive. She fantasized about swallowing it, or taking it from behind. The games were driving her insane.

  “I’m yours. Oh yes…yes, baby. I’m yours damn it!” she said as her tongue darted in and out of his mouth changing the frequency and intensity of their kiss. She nipped at his lips in protest when he tried to speak. She wanted to kiss. It was her only appeasement.

  “I can’t wait any longer!” he huffed, and pinned her beneath him. Panicked she tried to push him off. “Stop fighting me, Valentina! Let me make love to you, let me in,” he said and pinned her hands down.

  “Eeew! Would you guys quit it?”

  Matt lifted and Valentina pushed him aside. Zephyr stood at the opening of the beach tent with two plates of food in her hands. Her brows were creased. Her button nose wrinkled up into a frown. She stepped in and Clayton followed carrying their drinks. “Get a room or something!”

  Valentina rolled her eyes and laughed. She checked to make sure nothing was revealed with her bikini top. She inhaled the roasted smell of the hotdog with ketchup and mustard, and her stomach churned.

  “Did you get me something?” she asked.

  “No.” Zephyr said as she sat down. She had two hotdogs and chips on her plate, and a hamburger for Clayton on his. She passed it to him. She had the nerve to ignore Valentina’s puppy dog pout. “Girl, it’s hot out there, and I have two hands, Valentina. This is for me and my date.”

  Mattel was on his side. He continued to run his fingers up and down Valentina’s thigh. “She’s got a point, babe. You hungry? I can go get you something.”

  “No, you aren’t well enough yet.”

  “He looks fine to me,” Zephyr said. She bit her hotdog. Mustard dropped to the side of her mouth.

  “Let me help you.” Clayton offered. He leaned over and kissed the mustard away.

  Zephyr smiled. She looked away but smiled. She then turned her attention back toward Valentina. “You’ve got to stop treating him like a baby.”

  “Hey, Zee, leave her alone. I like being treated like a baby,” Mattel said with a wink. He grabbed a beer from the cooler behind him and popped the top.

  Valentina pouted. “You could have brought me a hot dog too at least!”

  “Oh here, you big baby!” Zephyr said. She gave her the other hotdog. Valentina took it with greedy enthusiasm. She grinned back at her friend. Matt rubbed the icy beer over her thigh and Valentina squealed. He gave her a look that they weren’t done, which she rolled her eyes to.

  Her legs and butt cheeks were exposed underneath her cut-off shorts. She wore a floral pink and yellow bikini top. With his back to Zephyr and Clayton, Mattel kept lifting the triangular piece of fabric to pinch her, or flick his tongue at her nipple. She was glad Zephyr didn’t notice. Valentina munched on her hotdog. When she looked over at her friend once more Valentina had to admit that Zephyr looked beautiful. Zephyr wore a tangerine bikini with a matching sheer sarong. She chose to sweep her hair up into a ponytail to the top of her head. Large silver hoops dangled from her earlobes. It was cute to see Clayton stumble all over himself to be in her presence along with half of the other men on the beach. But Zephyr remained shy and aloof to the attention as always. Maybe that was why José found it so easy to cheat on her. Often times a man understood the value of a woman before she did.

  The quad had camped out on the beach. They lounged under the shade of a tent that Mattel and Clayton erected. Manny’s annual Freak-a-Leak event had one end of the beach roped off for celebrity invitees only, and handpicked friends and fans. It was the place to be. Under the hot sun, gyrating bodies celebrated and drank to the hottest tunes. Sticky Nipple rocked the stage with their electrifying tunes.

  “So did you call Rae? Are she and Alexander going to make it? Her group is headlining,” Valentina asked.

  Zephyr lowered her can of soda. “You’re kidding right? Those two haven’t left her condo in days. Every time I call she’s giggling and hanging up on me.”

  “Good grief, she can be so annoying when she’s happy. All that gushing on how much she loves her husband works a nerve,” Valentina said as she chomped down on the last of her hotdog.

  “I think a new or rediscovered love is sexy.” Clayton said. He gave Zephyr a suggestive wink.

  Zephyr choked on her soda and Valentina laughed. She wiped her mouth. “Yes, but a new friendship can be so sweet too,” Zephyr said.

  Clayton moved in closer. He kissed her shoulder. “Anything new with you is bound to be sexy and sweet.”

  Valentina looked down at Matt who arched his brow and met her stare. “The boy has skills,” she whispered.

  “I think I should take the trash outside of the tent,” Zephyr said and tried to stand. Clayton stopped her. He turned her face back to his and kissed her. Zephyr responded to the kiss in a way Valentina hadn’t seen her do with many men. In fact she was deep tonguing the man.

  “Ahem.” Valentina cleared her throat. “If me and my man can’t make out in the tent, neither can you.”

  Zephyr took her sweet time ending her kiss. She smiled at Clayton.

  “Let’s go for a walk.” Clayton said. He helped her rise. The two left out.

  “Alone at last!” Mattel said. He tried to bring her back down to the blanket.

  “What do you think about him
?” Valentina asked. She stared out of the tent at Clayton walking away, hand in hand with Zephyr. “I used to tease her so much because she didn’t date black men. I kind of found it offensive. And then she met José, a real fucking loser. Now she’s vulnerable and I don’t want her hurt again.”

  “His being black won’t hurt her, her naiveté will,” Mattel said. “Why did you tease her about dating white men?”

  Valentina shrugged. “I just thought it was a prejudice of hers. Funny huh? I mean I was guilty of the same prejudice.”

  “Why does it have to be a matter of race with you, Valentina?” Mattel asked.

  “Don’t get mad.” She cut her eyes heavenward.

  “I’m not, I just don’t understand why you see color first.”

  “Matt? Look at the world we live in. I’m a dark skinned woman. Name one culture on the planet where women aren’t buying bleaching cream by the gallons to avoid having my complexion. When I stand next to my two best friends I’m the shadow. How could I not see color first when that’s what they see?”

  Mattel fell back on the blanket, dumbfounded. “I never thought of it that way. Funny, for me it’s your skin that I love.”

  “A fetish?” she asked.

  “A preference. I don’t know why but I’ve always found dark skinned women beautiful. Even as a little boy. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder,” he said.

  “That’s interesting. For dark skinned girls it’s different. We struggle in a world that says exotic is beautiful. And in this fucking industry? Please. The first thing Katz records did when they released my promos was to lighten my skin.” She lay down next to him. She turned on her side and propped her face in her hand. “When I was growing up in Brooklyn, my cousins were all fair skin with long hair. I was dark skinned with kinky hair. I could tell you the names I was called in my own family. Fuck, turn on the TV, do you see any chocolate sisters with dreadlocks headlining any shows? As an anchor woman? No you see Zee or Rae, if you’re lucky. You never see me.”

  “Is that why you changed your look? Your hair?” he touched her locs.