by ROD HARLEY
“Toya’s very pretty.” I turned and looked back at Michelle. She smiled at me. “Come on, Kalem, after all you’ve told me about her don’t you think I would recognize her if I saw you two together. I’m not blind you know.” I turned back to the night sky. I can tell that she really loves you, you guy’s love each other.” I exhaled my frustration.
“Yeah, well, that didn’t do much for me tonight. She’s still out there with Malcolm.” I walked over to the bed and sat down; Michelle sat down next to me.
“Did you ask her to be with you tonight?” I shrugged my shoulders.
“Not really. I kind of hinted at it but like I said she was there with somebody, she wouldn’t have left with me.” Michelle shook her head and chuckled.
“She spent the first fifteen minutes at the party talking to you, and the rest of the night staring at you across the room. She wasn’t paying any attention to her date, trust me she was dying to be with you. I don’t even think she likes that dude she was with all that much.”
“What makes you say that?” Michelle looked at me like I was stupid.
“Did you even hear anything I just said?”
“Yeah, I heard you.” Michelle shook her head.
“Why don’t you give her a call?”
“Now?”
“Yeah. Call her up and ask her to meet you somewhere tonight, I bet she says yes.” I hesitated and considered her challenge. Michelle frowned at me. “What are you waiting for, call her,” she said thrusting her cell phone towards me. “You know you want to,” she added lying back on the bed. I stood up and walked back over to the window, reached into my coat pocket and pulled out my cell. Michelle smiled at me as I dialed up Toya’s cell. I turned away from her facing the window. I heard her get up and walk into the bathroom as the phone started ringing. I inhaled deeply and exhaled nervously, the phone continued to ring. I was about to hang up when Toya picked up.
“What’s up, Booby?”
“Nothing, just calling to see what you were up to?”
“On my way home.”
“Are you alone?” Toya laughed.
“Yes.”
“Do you want to be?” She was quiet. “Toya?”
“No,” she answered softly.
“I’m coming over.” Again Toya was silent. “Okay?”
“Okay.” I hung up the phone without even saying goodbye. I walked over and knocked on the bathroom door, Michelle stepped out wearing some shorts and a T-shirt. She brushed past me and sat on the bed.
“Are you leaving?” I walked over and leaned on the wall.
“Yeah, I’m going to meet Toya.” Michelle smiled.
“So I was right then?”
“Yeah, you were right.” Michelle jumped up and walked over to me. She gave me a hug and a kiss on the cheek.
“Told you,” she said basking in her victory on her way back over to the bed. I chuckled at her antics.
“So, what time are you leaving tomorrow?” She sprawled out on the bed and turned on the television.
“Seven-thirty in the morn; am I going to see you before I leave?” I nodded and started walking towards the door.
“No doubt. I’ll give you a ride to the airport.” I stopped halfway there, turned around and walked back over to Michelle lying on the bed. I bent over and kissed her on the forehead, she looked up at me surprised.
“What’s that for?” I turned and started heading for the door. I called over my shoulder on my way out.
“That’s for being you, and for being a friend,” I said turning back to glance at her. She smiled and waved as the door closed behind me. I headed straight for the elevators, I didn’t want to waste any time making my way over to Toya’s place.
I pulled into Toya’s driveway almost twenty minutes to the exact second after I walked out of Michelle’s hotel room. I parked my truck right next to Toya’s Benz, got out and headed for the front door.
Toya must have heard me pull up because she opened the door and was standing in the doorway before I could make it all the way up the walkway to the front door. She was still wearing her outfit from the party, still looking good as hell.
I gave her a hug and closed the door behind me. She led me down the hall, through the dining room, out onto the balcony overlooking the valley. Toya was leaning on the railing when I walked up behind her and wrapped my arms around her waist. We both stared out into the night sky immersed in each other’s presence. I kissed her on the cheek.
“This feels nice.”
“I know, it feels perfect,” she answered still staring out at the night. “I missed you, Booby.” I sighed.
“I’m here now and I’m not going anywhere.” Toya laid her head on my shoulder snuggling into me. She wrapped her arms around mine tightening my embrace of her. I held her in my arms indulging in the savory warmth her touch exuded. We stood out there locked in embrace, reacquainting ourselves with the comfort of each other’s presence for about an hour and a half before heading back indoors.
I took off my jacket, threw it over the back of the recliner and sat down on the couch in the living room, while Toya went into the bedroom to shower. She came out twenty minutes later wearing baby-blue boxer shorts and a matching tank top and slid onto the sofa next to me. Her hair fell over her shoulders and down her back. I leaned forward on the sofa. Toya edged closer to me. I turned to her.
“I’ve been thinking about something you said to me a while back when we talked about us getting together.” Toya stared at me, curiosity evident in her eyes. “You said that after all the years we have known each other, I shouldn’t need a couple of days to figure out if I wanted to be with you. You were right. But the thing is I’ve always known that I wanted to be with you, since we were kids. There has never been anyone else for me. I know these are just words, but I need you to trust me and believe that I mean the things that I say to you.” I looked into her eyes, deep into her being.
“Toya, I love you. I’ve loved you as far back as I can remember, before I even knew what love was. You’ve always been the woman that I’ve wanted, the woman I fall asleep and dream about. I wake up every morning longing to hear your voice announce a new day. You’re in my heart, baby.” A tear rolled down Toya’s cheek. I reached out and wiped it away caressing her face with my hand. “I want you to understand something. I’m going to do whatever it takes to make you happy, us happy. I just need you to give me the chance.” Toya smiled at me tears streaming down her face. She buried her head into my chest.
“I love you, Booby.” I hugged her passionately kissing her softly on the top of her head.
“I know you do, baby. You’ve been loving me long enough, now it’s time for you to let me love you back.”
Later that night I was stretched out in Toya’s bed staring at the ceiling. She lay next to me her head resting comfortably on my chest as I playfully wrapped her curls around my fingers. I could smell the sweet aroma of the strawberry-scented lotion Toya had put on before climbing into the bed. It was the best feeling in the world laying there next to her, indescribable. I leaned forward and kissed Toya on her forehead and smiled. She lightly stroked my exposed chest with her fingertips. It felt awesome. I kissed her again this time on the cheek. She lifted her head and turned to face me. My hand still caressed her hair as we made eye contact, staring into each other, both finding the love we knew only existed in the other, and the lust we had suppressed for far too long.
I slowly pulled her lips towards mine. Eyes closed, I immersed myself in the soft pleasures the touch of her lips unleashed in me. My lips parted allowing Toya to probe inside. As our tongues intermingled, I imagined she could taste the words that not too long ago announced my love and devotion to making her happy. She pulled her lips away from mine and climbed on top of me, massaging my chest with her hands, while continuing to stare into my eyes.
I ran my hands over her shoulders exploring her body. I moved down her chest my fingertips lightly stroking her breast, evoking a sigh from her lips. She
reached up and pulled the straps of her tank top over her shoulders, down her arms, baring her breast, with nipples beautifully erect and supple. I lay there staring at her; she was even more beautiful and sexy than I ever imagined she could be. I had waited so long to get to this point with Toya, but I didn’t feel pressed or anxious in the least. I wanted to take my time and experience all her love had to offer.
I rolled Toya onto her back and knelt on the bed straddling her waist. I grabbed the bottle of lotion off of the nightstand, squeezed some into my palm, and began massaging her shoulders with slow, deep, penetrating compressions. She closed her eyes and moaned her approval. I worked my way slowly down her arms to her fingers massaging each one individually, before focusing on her palms.
I continued down over her stomach to her thighs. With her legs draped over my shoulders, I worked deep into her hamstrings. She sighed appreciatively as I worked her calves, down to the soles of her feet, before massaging her toes, paying special attention to each one.
The feel of Toya’s body under my touch brought out pleasures I had never before experienced. I leaned over her and kissed her neck. She arched her back, reaching up to caress my chest with her hands. My tongue blazed a trail down her neck to her shoulders, discovering and exploring every cleft that made up her exceptionally sculpted frame. I continued kissing and licking her, slowly working my way down to her perfectly round breast. I worked my tongue around one then the other, circling from the base slowly up to the peaks of her nipples. I sucked and nibbled gingerly on her erections evoking a sigh of satisfaction from Toya.
I continued down her stomach lingering momentarily on her belly button. My hands moved up the outside of her thighs and slid under her boxers, finding the elastic waistband. I seized hold and slowly slid the boxers off her hips, over her thighs and feet, and dropped them at the foot of the bed.
Toya eyed me communicating unmistakably her desire. I took a moment to dwell in the alluring beauty her nakedness offered me. She sat up on the bed, stared into my eyes and began to unbuckle my belt. Her hands moved slow around my waist to my butt. She pulled my pants down to my knees and slid her hands slowly up the back of my legs, cupping my cheeks. The pleasure was shameful. Toya lay back on the bed, her eyes glued to me, as I stepped out of my pants and threw them on the floor. I took hold of her foot and softly kissed her calves. She reached up with her leg and pulled down my boxers exposing my semi-erect penis. It was strange because I was more excited at that moment than I have been in my entire life. I would have expected to be harder than ever. I’d never experienced that level of comfort making love to a woman. It was a wonderfully new experience.
Toya reached up and gently took my penis in her hand. Encouraged by her touch, it slowly grew to maturity. A sultry smile crept over her face. I put my hands on her shoulders and gently guided her down to the bed. We kissed passionately, reveling in the feel of each other’s nakedness.
In Toya’s eyes the message was clear, it was time. She reached down and took my staff in her hand, guiding me to her opening. The moist warmth of her juices caused me to moan and shiver. I kissed her on the lips soft and sensuous. Her hands moved down my back to my rear. She gripped me firmly and pulled me to, then slowly guided me deep inside her loving.
We made love to each other slow and with conviction. Each penetrating thrust was an exploration of the new depth of our relationship. The emotions I experienced were overpowering, so much so that I struggled to keep from crying. Every new sigh or moan from Toya, her emphatic embrace of me, sucked me deeper into her being, and further opened the Pandora’s Box of emotion threatening to explode within me. I felt liberated, like a forty-year-old virgin making love for the very first time.
We slowly worked ourselves into a frenzy building to a sweat-draped, emotionally taxing climax, until with hurricane like fury we released in a continual wave of eruptions. It was exhilarating. I felt like a bird, caged from birth, and finally set free to explore the world and all nature has to offer.
As we lay in each other’s arms, I closed my eyes and basked in the realization of what I had experienced. An incredible, almost unnatural beginning to an unfamiliar type of relationship. Total emotional, mental, and physical commitment. It was frightening to think that we could possibly achieve that level of connectedness ever again. I was a little unnerved, almost panicked.
Toya reached over and caressed my cheek with her hand. She kissed me on the forehead and looked into my eyes. She kissed my lips and whispered “I love you.”
Her voice, her touch, the words I love you, erased whatever brief reservations I had. I pulled Toya’s face closer to mine and kissed her softly on the lips. I gazed into her eyes.
“I love you too, baby.”
The next morning I was up bright and early. I took a quick shower and got dressed. I was careful not to wake Toya as I exited the bedroom and shut the door behind me.
A little later I returned to the bedroom. I stood at the foot of the bed and enjoyed the sight of Toya asleep. She must have sensed me hovering over her because she opened her eyes and looked up at me. A bright smile crept over her face as she sat up in the bed, her arms folded across her chest in disbelief. I walked around to the side of the bed and set the tray I was so carefully balancing on the bed beside her. It revealed a spread of Toya’s favorite morning meal. Scrambled eggs with cheese, two thick slices of smoked ham, an English muffin lightly toasted and smothered in butter, and one jumbo-sized glass of orange juice. I leaned over and kissed her on the forehead.
“Good morning, baby.” Toya covered her mouth with one hand and pointed at it with the other. I laughed. I couldn’t have cared less about her morning breath. I reached over and pulled her hand away from her mouth. Then I bent over and kissed her passionately on the lips. The smile on Toya’s face was priceless.
“I have to get down to the office.” Toya frowned and gave me a sad puppy dog face. I smiled at her. “But I’ll be back later.”
“Do you really have to go?” I sighed.
“Yes. As bad as I want to climb back into the bed and wrap myself around you, I can’t. I’ve got to do some work for a new client. Are you going into the office?” She shook her head in the negative.
“I’m working at home today,” she answered as I stood up.
“Well, I’ll see you later then. Enjoy your breakfast.” I turned to walk out of the bedroom.
“Booby,” Toya called after me and I turned to face her. “Thank you.” I smiled, turned and headed for the front door.
After a brief stop at my apartment to change clothes, I was off to the office. I was sitting at my desk looking over some paperwork when my cellular phone rang. I reached over and picked up the phone without taking my eyes off the paperwork.
“Hello.”
“Thanks for the ride to the airport, Kalem!” It was Michelle. I’d forgotten about my promise to give her a ride.
“Michelle, I am so sorry, I totally forgot about giving you a ride. Where are you?” Michelle burst out laughing.
“Don’t worry about it, Kalem. I figured I might not be hearing from you so I had a cab sent just in case.” I exhaled. “I assume that things went well last night.”
“So you’re not pissed?” Michelle giggled.
“Nope, not at all. I am curious though. How did it go? And, it better be good news because I gave up your offer for a free ride to the airport and instead took a cab that cost me forty-three dollars plus a five dollar tip.” I laughed.
“Last night was…the best night of my life.” Michelle was ecstatic.
“Okay, okay,” she said regaining her composure. “My flight is being called but I want to hear all about it, I’m going to call you as soon as I get home to Seattle.”
“Alright, have a safe flight okay, and thanks for everything.”
“You’re welcome,” she said her voice strained as if she were lifting something heavy. Probably her luggage. “Look out for my call.”
“Okay, I’ll talk to you la
ter.” After hanging up I leaned back in my chair and stretched my arms over my head. I was finally in a good place and it felt damn good.
Things were continuing to go well with Toya and me. The last week and a half has been amazing. It’s had all the excitement of a new relationship, but with the familiarity and comfort of a twenty-year marriage. Things have been going so well that I’ve been afraid to tell anyone about us for fear I will somehow jinx our relationship.
I was on my way down to The Foxx to meet Mark and Raoul for lunch. We were sitting at a booth in the back corner chatting and picking through what was left of our lunch buffet of hot wings, fries, and nachos. I hadn’t mentioned Toya or any other female for that matter, and for once Raoul hadn’t brought the topic up either. Our conversation to this point had revolved strictly around the world of sports. I was dying to tell Raoul about Toya, and for whatever reason he seemed intent on staying away from the topic of women. If I didn’t know better I would think he was doing it on purpose. And Mark was no help. He’s one of those brothers that is content to argue sports 24-7, especially basketball. Any other day that would have been fine, but today I had some more important things I wanted to discuss.
I was staring out of the window, tuning out Raoul and Mark’s pointless discussion on who is the best point guard in the NBA. My mind was down in Mexico somewhere. I was thinking about how nice it would be to get away with Toya for a weekend, or better yet a week. I’d had Mexico stuck in my mind ever since my visit to my jeweler, Ahmad last week. He and his wife had just returned from a trip to Mexico and were both raving about how awesome the trip had been. I’d been fixated on it ever since and was deep in thought when Raoul interrupted.