by Sienna Mynx
“Mmmkay,” she agreed.
Zephyr opened her door and Clayton followed her back in. “I won’t be long, would you like something to drink?”
“I’m good.”
Zephyr looked back once more over her shoulder. She couldn’t help but notice the way his eyes remained trained on her ass. What message was she sending him by allowing him in her home while she showered just a room away?
“I can wait next door if you like?” he asked.
“Well, nah it’s okay. I’ll be right out.”
Mr. Stripes walked out of her room and rubbed against her ankles. The kitty looked up at him, surprised to have a morning visitor.
“Hi, Stripes.” Clayton said. He knelt to touch the cat. Zephyr watched as Stripes went right to him. José and Stripes pretty much ignored each other. It was good to see her baby take to someone other than Raven. Valentina hated cats.
She gave him a parting smile before she disappeared inside her bedroom. She closed the door and made sure to lock it before undressing. A day in the Atlantic with Clayton seemed to be what the doctor ordered. So Zephyr did her best to hurry. She never showered and dressed so quick in her life. She was slow to put herself together even under her most demanding of schedules. It was something about a man in her place other than José, while she showered, that made her jumpy. Not because she was shy. Far from it. Her mind just played with the possibilities she wasn’t ready to consider.
So despite not wanting to keep him waiting too long, she decided to make an even bigger impression. Once out of the shower she walked in and out of her closet wrapped in her towel. She tossed an assortment of colorful summer dresses to wear on the bed. She settled on a very light silk kimono dress that stopped mid thigh, with the large bell sleeves, and a wrap around tie. It was white with yellow, gold, and brown leopard print along the trim of the sleeves and hem.
Putting on black and gold accessories, she noticed the deep V neckline and frowned. It was too flashy. On top of that her four inch Dior wedge-sandals dressed it up too much. They were going on a boat, not a date. Sighing she took it off and grabbed a pair of her Dolce & Gabanna jeans, and a white button down linen shirt that she tied into a knot under her breasts. She put on her golden thong Louis Vuitton sandals and decided to let her hair air-dry. When she opened the door she peeked out shyly. She found him patiently waiting with Mr. Stripes in his lap. He stroked the back of the cat and met her eyes with approval in his. Tossing her semi-wet hair, she stepped out with confidence.
“I’m ready,” she said.
“Wow, so it only takes one hour for perfection?”
“Did I take that long?” she frowned. She looked at her watch. “I really didn’t mean to.”
“It was worth every minute.” He smiled.
“Let me feed Mr. Stripes.”
“I hope you don’t mind but I already did. He just finished.”
“Well?”
“The poor kitty was starving,” he joked.
“It’s okay. That was my fault for forgetting my baby.” She picked up Stripes and rubbed her nose against his, then took him to the kitchen to check his water dish. “Mama will be back soon.” Mr. Stripes lapped at his water ignoring her. Zephyr gave him one long stroke while she filled his bowl again, and then rose. She grabbed her purse and keys then headed for the door.
Once outside in his Porsche she relaxed. “What kind of boat is it?”
“I have an Islander, it gets up to 50 mph. I was thinking we could take her down to the Keys.”
“Really? It’s a nice day to go to Key West. I’ve always loved it there. Valentina had a place out there once.”
“Valentina?” he asked.
“My best friend. She used to be with the Black Diamonds.”
Clayton’s head snapped around. He looked over his sunglasses at her. “The singing group the Black Diamonds? Valentina Diamond?”
She smiled. “Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Valentina of the Black Diamonds is your best friend?”
Zephyr laughed. “Yes, one of my best friends.”
Clayton shook his head. “I’ll never get used to how the celebrities just roam the streets in this town.”
“Miami’s a city not a town.” She teased. “Besides they were people before they were famous, right? I know for a fact that Valentina was.” Zephyr laughed, “So I take it you like Valentina?”
“I love the Diamonds. What red-blooded man wouldn’t? Those women are—well they can sing.”
Zephyr’s laughter filled the car. He looked over at her and couldn’t help but join her. She had one of those infectious laughs that kept you smiling.
“Of course none of them are as beautiful as you,” he added.
“It’s okay, Valentina is beautiful. She has many admirers. I can introduce you to her.”
“No, no thanks. I’m better with the fantasy,” he said.
“Well you may meet her anyways. We’re neighbors and she comes by all the time.”
Clayton shook his head. “I’ll just say something goofy, and look like an ass.”
“Trust me you’ll get comfortable with Valentina real quick. She gives you no choice,” Zephyr said.
The car sped up the turnpike right through the toll. With the permission of their Florida Sun Pass they headed south. He reached and hit a few buttons on his dash and cued up Valentina’s voice. She looked at the radio and then him. He smiled and she laughed. She began to work her shoulders and snap her fingers. Clayton kept looking from the road to her as she sang the song, which included the backup mix.
“I guess you do know her,” he chuckled.
Zephyr relaxed into the seat and enjoyed the ride. Clayton loved the way she made him feel at ease. She never seemed out of place in any situation. He hit the screen on his dash and punched up a phone number, letting it dial up on the car speaker. He spoke in Creole and winked at her. He then ended the call. He could see the curiosity in her face.
“We’re all set,” he said when the call ended.
“For?”
A sly smile formed but he kept his gaze trained on the road.
“A surprise,” he answered.
Zephyr nodded. “Well I like surprises, so bring it.”
**
At the marina they drove past the parked cars along the pier, until he found his number and swerved into a compact designated space. He snatched off his sunglasses and put his arm around the back of her seat. “So you ready for the real South Florida experience?”
“You say that like I should be worried?” she asked.
“Nope. Just making sure. Sailing isn’t for everybody.”
“I’m a big girl, Clayton,” she put her sunglasses in her natural curls. “Besides this isn’t my fist time on a boat,” she said.
“Let’s do it,” he said.
Zephyr opened her car door and left him staring. Clayton shook his head, just be cool, man, just be cool, his inner voice spoke. Zephyr made him anxious. Her manner and the ease of being with her was as enticing as her sex appeal. Clayton wasn’t good at dating since his divorce. Zephyr wasn’t even ‘available’ to date. But the pressure was on. He had to make a good impression.
Getting out of his car, he walked over and pointed. “There, the one with the purple and red stripes at the end of the dock.”
Zephyr put her sunglasses back on her face to block the glare of the fireball in the sky. She scanned the pier for his boat. The fishy dank smell of the ocean greeted her. The soft lapping sound from the wind pushed the murky waters up against the sides of the boat and it bobbed on the waves with a very calming effect. She enjoyed the cooling breeze that carried a fine mist of ocean spray.
“Nice,” she said.
He put his hands in his pockets to keep from reaching for hers she supposed.
“Follow me.”
Zephyr fell in step behind him on purpose. He possessed the one physical characteristic she loved about men, his calves. It was a primary reason she dat
ed athletes. A man with nice calves and hard thighs did it for her.
Clayton was one of those men. His legs were slightly bowed and his calves were rock solid. She stared at them and actually moistened her lips, preferring to walk behind him alone with her naughty thoughts.
He looked back at her. “I have a preserver for you.”
“Oh?” she said. She looked up. He now had on his sunglasses. He smiled as if he knew what she was doing. Zephyr quickened her pace and walked at his side. “Will it match my outfit?”
“Well? Maybe.”
She laughed. “I’m kidding.”
They reached the boat and he took her hand to help her step from the pier to the bobbing vessel. It was a two-seater. Clayton hopped down, then reached and opened the back hatch. He grabbed the two preservers, giving her one.
It smelled of mildew and was awkwardly fit. But she worked the straps and put it on like a good girl. She pulled her crinkly hair out to spread around her shoulders. Clayton got out of the boat then untied the stern. Zephyr tried to ignore the constant bobbing, she was glad she didn’t eat before they left. It helped spare her the nausea.
With the turn of the key and purr of the engines they coasted out of park, and then across the blue waves out of the harbor. Clayton stood as he wheeled them past the returning boats. Zephyr leaned back and soaked in the sun. It was heavenly. When the speedboat accelerated she felt airborne. It dawned on her that José had two of these things and never once took her out on them. Frowning she sat up. She stood next to Clayton looking out at the sea. She could see other boats around them. One of the boats pulled a parasail behind it.
“So you’re divorced?”
He looked over at her. “I am.”
“I’ve never been married. That must have been hard.”
“Marriage or the divorce?” Clayton joked.
“Both I suppose. I mean my parents have the best marriage in the world. But I’ve also seen painful breakups and betrayals in marriage. I don’t know, I guess it depends on the person.”
“True, it does,” Clayton agreed.
He didn’t say anything else and Zephyr didn’t want to push. She dropped the topic altogether.
“So you date José Batista?”
“Well yes, I do. I’m sure you’ve seen him. He lives with me.”
“Must be hard dating someone famous?” Clayton asked.
“True. It’s not easy at all,” she said.
She felt him looking at her. Did she reveal he was a cheating, lying sack of camel dung in that answer? God she hoped not. She didn’t want to project how duped she was when it came to José. Nervously she avoided his eyes.
“How did you two meet? Or am I crossing the line by asking this question? Imposing?”
“Valentina’s album release party. No imposition. I just didn’t peg you for the kind of guy to take a girl out on your boat, to talk about her boyfriend.”
He laughed. “True. It’s a pity though. Since I’ve joined the dating scene it seems like all the good sisters are always taken.”
She stared at him. “You prefer to date black women?”
He smiled. “My mother’s black, every important woman in my life has been black, so I’d say it’s a preference, yea. I have a thing for black beauty.” He caught the way she looked at him. “Well, I mean I think all women are beautiful. If I met a white or Latin woman and we had stuff in common, I mean…I date who I have something in common with, no, I’m saying—”
She touched his back and smiled.
He shook his head. “Hey, I meant no disrespect. I forgot you were adopted.”
“None taken. Would it offend you if I told you I’ve never dated a black man before José?” she asked.
Clayton flinched. He looked back over to her. “Why?”
“Preference, like yours.”
“You got something against black men?” he said a little too sharply.
“No. I just never met one that I connected with.”
Clayton looked back out at the sea. Zephyr felt the tension between them. “Clayton, it’s not a dig at you or anything.”
He smiled at her. “Actually, it’s a missed opportunity.”
“Huh?”
“If you weren’t with José Batista I could be your first. Kind of like the idea of that,” he smiled.
Zephyr laughed. “You do huh?”
“Everybody has a first time, Zephyr. It’s the most memorable.”
“Not always.” She laughed.
“Well you got a point.”
She sat down. The speedboat zipped across the blue waves sending spray in the wind. She was glad she decided to wear her hair free and flowing. With the humidity and moisture she couldn’t have a hairdo anyway.
Looking up at Clayton she considered the fact that she wasn’t actually involved. She could share with him that it was over with José. But something held her back. Raven was right. She needed to be a little more guarded and protective of herself. Besides, getting free of José would be a big job. Especially since the man was tangled up in her life financially. He bought her the BMW she drove around for her birthday.
“Here we are!” Clayton said.
Zephyr rose. She grabbed the handle on the front dash for support. She could see the approaching shoreline. “Wow? Seven miles to the Keys seems like three on water.”
“Yes!” he said. He spun the wheel left and steered them in.
“So what’s the surprise? Can I know now?” she asked.
“Taking you to a family owned restaurant, called Tap-Tap. They have a live band as well. They should be just opening up,” he said.
“Haitian food, yum.”
“You like it?” he asked.
“Do I!”
Clayton found the perfect place to dock. Free of her icky preserver, she cleaned herself up. She was glad she didn’t wear her wedge heels as she walked over the stern to the pier. He helped her up by lifting her by the hips. She liked the feel of his hands on her.
“Bounjour! Bienvenue!” A dark skinned man in khaki pants and a Hawaiian shirt approached them. Zephyr watched the two give each other a fraternal handshake and then hug. “And who dis lovelie ladie?”
“Dis heah is Zephyr,” Clayton said using his accent. She felt flush over the attention the men gave her.
“Hi,” she said and extended her hand.
“I’m Louis. Nice ta meet ya, Zephyr.” He kissed her hand. “Such a pretty ting she is,” he said. He held her hand a little too long.
“That’s enough, Louis. Can’t ya see the gal with me.” Clayton broke up the handholding. Louis laughed.
“Taint will be so happy ta see ya. Come, come, let’s go!”
Clayton took her hand in his. She allowed it. She walked at his side. There was a yellow jeep waiting for them. Zephyr got in the back and the men hopped in the front. The jeep spit out dust and pebbles as it sped away from the harbor. Key West was a beautiful collection of islands. The wild exotic flowers and colorful stucco buildings gave it the look of the tropics. Zephyr would have to suggest to Valentina and Raven that they return for some R&R.
“How we doing back there?” Clayton glanced over his shoulders at her. She gave him a ‘thumbs up’. Her long curls were now frizzed tangles. They were tossed all about her head. But she sat there and enjoyed the adventure. The jeep cruised through a residential neighborhood, and Zephyr feared it would be one of those excursions when she met the family too soon. But to her surprise there was a house redesigned into a restaurant right in the middle of the residence.
The three-story house was painted a salmon pink, and had a burnt-orange shingled roof. Clayton got out and pulled back the seat for her to follow. Once again he had his hands all over her hips trying to be helpful. She allowed it. Men.
“Dis ‘ere is me family place! You, sweet lady, are in fo a treat!” Louis announced.
Zephyr removed her sunglasses. “I can’t wait,” she heard the band playing from out back.
“Isn’t it a
little early for a party?” she asked. She checked her watch to see it was only ten minutes to eleven.
“Always a party here.” Clayton winked.
Zephyr smiled and climbed the steps. The strong curry and other spices that made up the delicacies in the kitchen immediately greeted her. Inside every corner of the restaurant was decorated in vibrant colors reminiscent of Haiti’s painterly tradition. Iron sculptures also adorned the walls, and mosaic tiles decorated the floor. There were a few men at tables eating. They glanced up at her then back to the wall mounted TV in the corner of the restaurant.
“Clay! Dey boi!” A short chubby woman with a round face, and small merry eyes came out. She wore a red and white scarf tied to the front of her head, and had two gold teeth to the front of her mouth. She looked to be in her fifties. “Te dome come home I tell ya. I knew ya would.” She kissed him and he hugged her tightly. Her eyes went to Zephyr.
“Who dey?” she asked smiling.
“Taint, this is Zephyr.”
“Awe look at ya. Ain’t ya pretty?” She said patting Zephyr’s cheek.
“Hi,” she said shyly, not sure what else to say.
“We came to eat!” Louis announced. He walked straight into the kitchen, as those dining looked up with mild interest.
“Sho ya did.” Taint grabbed her hand and pulled her through the maze of dining tables. Zephyr looked back at Clayton who just nodded she should go with the flow. She was taken out to the back deck where the band warmed up. An older man, minus his teeth, sat near them tapping his foot. A girl who looked to be thirteen with long dreadlocks danced in front of the band, barefoot. She was good. She kept in time with the island beat.
“Tis dere Clay gurl!” Taint announced.
“Well actually—” Zephyr tried to interject.
Everyone greeted her. Zephyr shook many hands and accepted several kisses to the cheek and lips. She was overwhelmed. But Clayton smoothly removed her from the crowd and helped her to a seat. Sitting down she blew out a breath. “Wow! Your family sure is friendly!”
Clayton laughed. “You know what some of that was.”
“Ah yeah, another kiss like that from your uncle and I’m going to have to get an engagement ring and force him to make an honest woman out of me.”