Black Queen, Dark Knight

by Amarie Avant

  I take a deep breath. I don’t want to cause Luxury any more heartbreak than I did before. Besides, Nowitsky had it coming. There’s no need Interpol drilling questions into her. Nowitsky had so many enemies that just about anyone could have murdered him.

  For now, I’ll allow the taxpayers money to confirm Miss Whitson’s safety just for a short time.

  Victor

  As Burt went to get Luxury, I took a quick cab back to Bulgari. Disregarding the missed calls from my Mother and a few other deals in Arlington that needed to be dealt with. I went to the luxurious bathroom and turned on the infinity tub for Luxury. Opening the brown bag of L’Occitane almond bubble bath, I poured the contents into the steaming pool of water, as the suite door opened, and voices traveled toward me. So, I leave the water running and start for the living room.

  “… Burt, you are so kind,” Luxury says, slipping out of her jacket as he takes it.

  “Is there anything you would like?” he replies. Darn Burt The Butler really is putting the moves on this one. With all the others, Burt usually leaves me to my own devices. It’s easy to see that he cares for her, too.

  “No. Take a load off, I commend you for working with that one for so long,” Lux replies, glancing at me, to which Burt smiles as if they have a secret.

  “What’s going on here?” I ask, leaning against the living room archway. Burt gives a cocky smile and retreats to his bedroom.

  “Inside joke,” she chuckles, as I pull her into my arms. Luxury’s head nestles against my chest.

  “Well, I’m glad you’re doing okay under the circumstances,” I reply.

  “Yeah, I think Burt pretty much made my day! He told me about your ‘sniffing’ the chairs of beautiful ladies as a toddler.” Luxury looks up and smiles, though sadness masks her eyes.

  “You don’t believe everything that senile old man says?” I smile for Luxury’s sake, though on the insides I’m seething about the cunning Everhart. It’s Burt’s time to get some rest from watching Luxury, but when it’s my time to rest, I’ll be searching for Everhart instead thanks to Paul and Monica’s tapping into the NYPD database.

  I walk Lux into the bathroom, expecting to clear her mind before we discuss Nowitsky’s death–if she wants. But she speaks, giving a summary about how everything played out.

  “Well, Little One, good thing you had a hero.” I smile, even if a random person gets all the credit, Lux is safe.

  “Yeah, I’m just glad I didn’t look back and have to see another dead body,” she replies. Luxury hasn’t told me about Gina’s death, but I’m to assume that’s whom she meant.

  “Allow me to wash away all your worries, little one,” I tell Lux while pulling her shirt over her head. Lux’s beautiful curly hair goes falling all around her shoulders, like a reddish golden lioness’ mane. Then I bend down and kiss her pillow lips. After undressing Luxury, I take her hand and help her into the water.

  “Mmmm,” she sighs as bubbles tickle her voluptuous body. I unbutton my shirt at the wrists and push the sleeves up.

  “Victor, aren’t you getting in?” Luxury pouts.

  “Not until you’re clean,” I take a crystal pitcher from the ledge and scoop it in the water, as Luxury leans back. Then slowly pour it in her hair. Next, I grab the shampoo and wash. A moan seeps from Lux’s sexy lips making my dick harder than ever, when I had already been horny at just undressing her.

  My fingers entangle around her soft hair, and my fingertips begin to massage Luxury’s scalp as her head falls back onto the leather headrest, she sighs. Her face is the most beautiful sight I’ve ever seen, satin skin all dewy as the steam from the soapy water surrounds her. Moans escape from her mouth. This prompts me to stop for a second, take in her beautiful plush lips for a kiss.

  Tenderly, I wash the soap from her hair with the basin of water, and then apply the moisturizer that the Bulgari beautician told me to use. Again, I massage her scalp that holds that beautiful, unruly brain of hers. Reaching down, I kiss Luxury once more, since the taste of her thick mouth has fascinated me. As my hands work in the moisturizing conditioner, I take to the nape of her neck. That tiny little hook has her moaning even more.

  Eyes in a dreamy state and with dew on her diamond skin, Lux murmurs, “God, I love you, Victor.”

  Silence.

  My mind centers on a coherent strand of thoughts for a while just so I can continue rinsing her hair. Lux’s eyes stay closed, but her cheeks redden at the lack of my response.

  I’m rarely in this predicament. Women usually scream out threads of love during climaxing. I reach down and kiss Luxury’s lips. Her soapy hands go to my face, as she deepens the kiss with her tongue swirling around mine. The warm water drenches my sleeves and down my chest as Luxury’s mouth takes me deeper than I’ve ever been.

  “Please, Victor… say it back,” her voice is breathless as she lets me go. The crinkle in Lux’s eyebrows and how her teeth pull in the soft flesh of her bottom lip, gives a faint wish that I will feel the same about her. At least one day she hopes that thought becomes a seed of belief in her mind.

  Should I stop the absurdity? Love? Lux can’t be the recipient of such a strong emotion when it comes to me. Someday soon I must return to my reality. And to think, I’ve been enjoying a shared one.

  For now, I grab a plush towel from the marble countertop next to the infinity tub, and then scoop Lux out of the bath. I press her sexy, wet body to my chest while wrapping the towel around her.

  “Vic…” Luxury is notably worried.

  “Do not speak.”

  Luxury takes in a deep breath, eating words that beg me to reciprocate her love. Though she's getting us both wet, I welcome Luxury’s legs around my waist as I carry her tiny body into the bedroom. I sit her at the edge of bed to dry her off, and then smile while ruffling her crazy, curly hair. Luxury doesn’t smile back.

  I grab the lotion off the side table, saying, “You've had a long hard day.”

  She nods.

  “Don't think, little one.”

  She again nods as tears brighten her amber eyes. I kiss one before it can fall down her cheeks.

  In an alternate universe, I would give her the world, but for this short time that we have left, it doesn’t need to get complicated. “Luxury, let me make you happy.”

  Her intoxicating brown eyes finally sparkle as I place my palm between her beautiful breasts and connect with her beating heart. Lux lays back and I pick up one of her legs while standing before her. Allowing it to lean against my shoulder I start to massage her feet, kneading into that soft delicate arch and then each of her cute toes. Putting more of the coconut lotion in my palms, I continue to work my way up her calf and silky toned legs. I concentrate all my energy into remembering every curve in her shapely body. I want some piece of this woman to reminisce about; my senses are heightened as I continue to graze over them letting my fingertips adorn her soft skin. I grab the other leg and show it the same attention all the while watching the placated look on her face. Luxury’s worry about my love slowly begins to wan away and I breathe easier.

  But this addiction has me wanting to taste again besides; I need to take full control of Luxury’s thoughts. I must have her so consumed with satisfaction that she doesn't have time for one thought. My lips go back to her mouth. That's where the madness began. Then trail the curves of her breast my mouth sucks Lux’s nipple inside and then I lightly clamp my teeth at the base of her big breast. Then I slowly and sensually drag my mouth off Lux’s skin, scraping her sensitive skin between my teeth. The mix of pain and pleasure has her breath catching. Now French kisses against her tummy have Luxury’s heart sputtering. When I get to my goal, I gently spread her legs and then take a deep inhale of her fragrance box, and her sweet aroma makes me salivate. My tongue dives right into an ocean twirling around. Lux moves. I pull myself away from my desire and command her to stop.

  “Vic... I need that…” She pouts and grabs the pillow instead. As her hands tighten and twist agai
nst the silky pillowcase, my mouth gets to know each and every corner of her pussy. But I don't stop slurping up that syrupy sweetness as I give Luxury the only part of me she can have.

  Then Luxury’s moans become pure erotica that has been given a voice. The only sound I ever needed to hear begins as a soft melody traveling from her sexy lips.

  3. 2. 1... Lux has lifted off into heaven as she explodes in ecstasy. There will never be such a more gorgeous sight than the look on her face. So, I grab Luxury’s ass cheeks and scoot her even closer to the edge of bed. She is in full submission now and unable to speak. With one hand, I take off my belt. I can't take my eyes off her intoxicating ones. Then shove down my trousers. Damn I need a condom.

  Luxury eyes my dick with a whimper. Lux wants a taste but has been forbidden to speak.

  “Come here,” I oblige. Getting on her hands and knees with a smile, Lux bites her lip as she crawls over. Instead of sitting at the edge of the bed, she gets on the floor and kneels, inwardly understanding that it is required of her.

  I give her a head nod and she sits back up again. Looking up at me, Lux smiles as she begins to take in my cock. One of her hands grips my ass as she pulls herself back and forth gaining a rhythm that makes my legs begin to shake. I grab a fist full of Lux’s hair in order to steady myself as she begins to play with my balls with her other hand.

  “Come for me, Vic,” Lux murmurs against my dick, and before she can get another mouthful, I snatch her up to eye level and with one hand grab her cheeks. Looking in her eyes, I ask, “Did I say you could speak?”

  My lips claim hers, and then I quickly set Luxury onto her own two feet, turn her around and press my manhood against her soft, round ass. My other hand reaches around and strokes her clit.

  “Mmmmm,” she sighs as Luxury leans back and grinds against my dick, I quickly grab a condom from the side table. Then step back, licking my lips at the view of her ass while slipping it on. With her ass against my hard frame again, I quickly reach around and toy with Lux’s clit.

  “If you aren’t moaning, Lux, then you do not speak.” I command, “Touch your toes.”

  As Luxury plants her feet wide then bends over, I catch her thighs. I relish the sensation of how tight her pussy is as I make my way inside.

  Luxury’s body has become my world and all I know is the sound and the feel of her powerful orgasm. All night long a staccato of screams has Lux’s mind in a blur. I plan to fuck her until she forgets…

  Luxury

  Babies.

  Plural.

  All I can do is think of having Victor’s children. Not because of his impeccable genetics, and angular facial features. But I must have lost my mind this morning after waking up in Victor’s arms.

  Wow. I’ve never actually awoken in his arms. Usually Victor is up with a cup of Gray Earl tea or just dominating the chair by the bed and looking at me as if I’m so much more beautiful than I am when I wake up.

  Nothing compares to the safety of his naked, hard body molded against mine. Last night, Victor heard me clear as crystal declaring that I loved him.

  The utterance of those three powerful words, wow. Shame on me. That was a slip up. However, his washing my hair? You would have said the words too. I know it. The way he touches me, oh, so sensually, I won’t believe that it isn’t love. Can’t.

  After knowing him all of 20 days, I would be a fool to say so, though. Theoretically, the ‘slip up’ indicates I meant the words. Sure, I meant them. From the deepest part of my heart I love this man. Yet, it’s entirely too soon to shed my soul. Matters of the heart do not abide by the rules and regulations of the mind.

  I take to looking out the window of the S550 as people walk past faster than us in traffic. A thick tension has taken over, creating an imaginary barrier. Because after professing love last night, we fucked like it was our first time. Maybe Victor wanted to leave me in this delirious state, all in the hopes that I would forget to have made such a profession of adoration. He put me to bed with a lethal dose of dick. Each time we have sex; Victor makes it feel like our last. So, I know sex wasn’t just so good to cover up the fact that he has no feelings for me. The two are unrelated: he fucks out of this world, and he doesn’t care for me. Oh, what am I saying? This man makes me try to rationalize things and I end up more confused than ever.

  Anyway, this morning, I awoke as if a lifetime in a coma had me feeling like Sleeping Beauty. As I rolled over and looked up into clear blue lakes that are Victor’s eyes, I asked how many children Victor wanted in the future.

  Now we’re in this car, barely making leeway in traffic, yet having not one word to say to each other. Victor reaches over and takes my hand. My fingers are so little within the calloused hand of Victor’s as he sits next to me. This all makes me want a child even more. Just the thought of a baby’s tiny, velvety hands within the folds of my own, makes me untwine my fingers from his grasp.

  I WANT VICTOR’S BABIES!

  “Luxury,” Victor says in this sexy throaty voice of his. All the while I can recall him saying, “Yes, two sons,” a few hours ago. He wants two sons in his future. That is, if he was telling me the truth!

  “Don’t, Victor.” I move to my own corner of the posh car.

  Vic rubs his face.

  It seems seconds later and I’m looking up at the art store right below our loft. Victor starts to undo his seatbelt, noticing my worry, just as Dad is coming out of the side-bared gates.

  “Don’t. I’m just a fuck, Vic. Don’t waste your time on chivalry,” I get out quickly and slam the door. Holding my breath, I walk across the crowded street, and stop for a messenger bicyclist zipping past. I don’t even have to turn around to know that the Mercedes has continued on.

  My pint up breath escapes.

  Mom had this saying about a man that will fight for you. God, the words evade me even now as tears sting my eye ducts.

  “Luxury, where have you–!” Dad pauses his ranting to peer into the ultra-dark tinted windows as the S550 passes. “Where have you been? Who have you been with?”

  “Dad…” I look around as we catch the eye of window shoppers and people passing by in puffer coats. I place my chilled fingers inside of the new peacoat Victor bought on the way out of the hotel.

  “No! Detective Caruso called me last night,” Dad’s light brown eyes are nearly wet with tears. “I haven’t had a wink of sleep, worrying about you! Hell, I even went down to the precinct and almost got myself tossed in jail late last night, trying to figure out what happened to you when Caruso called me yesterday evening. I even threatened to sue. Saying how they could lose you after letting you go!”

  “Sorry my phone died yesterday evening. Please, let’s go inside and talk.” I try to reach past him and grab the wrought iron handle of the door, but he shakes his head, and does it instead. Holding the gate open for me to enter through first.

  The rickety elevator ride seems even longer that the ride from Bulgari to home this morning. Instead of kicking off my shoes at the door and pulling out of my coat to yesterday’s pair of jeans and shirt, I start for the kitchen with Dad on my heels.

  The brick and stainless-steel kitchen beckons me to make myself a pot of tea. So, I grab the shiny red teapot from one of the six burners and take it to the refrigerator door to slowly pour water into it.

  “Luxury, if you don’t speak, I will pull out my belt and–”

  “Daddy, I’m not a little girl!” I damn near slam the teapot back onto the fury red burner.

  He looks at me sideways. The sunlight streaming through all the windows sets his reddish hair to flames as Dad glares me up and down. “The hell is wrong with you? Luxury, your store was robbed yesterday, and you don’t have the decency to call or come home!”

  I speak as he tries to catch his breath. “Dad, I’m okay.”

  “Child, I can’t with you right now.” He puts his hands up as if at a loss. “I’ve tried so many times, told you we could move anywhere under the sun and here is where you w
ant to live! Child think!” Dad’s index finger goes to his forehead; his chest is puffing so hard that he might blow a gasket.

  “I am thinking, Daddy. Thinking about taking a shower and putting yesterday behind me, so I don’t want to give a recount of yesterday, okay?” My tone falls flat, “Can we talk about something else, after I change?”

  “Sure, that’s okay.” Dad puts his hands on the dining table in a defensive stance as he looks across at me. “Caruso told me exactly what happened. Now who was that in the car?”

  “Dr. Finch.”

  He slowly takes a seat. The talk about my flower shop and how I’ve been managing these days will have to wait.

  “So, Finch is something special then? For you to…” Daddy can hardly imply or even utter the words about me sleeping with Victor. His heart is torn that I’ve gone to another man for comfort. So, I speak for him.

  “Yes, Victor means more to me than I even want to realize.” At the soft whistling of the teakettle, I pick it up from the burner before it can give an alarming screech.

  “Okay, Lux,” Dad shakes his head and gets up. “When you’re ready to talk about you let me know, baby. I love you.”

  With my back to Dad, I don’t even utter the words in reply. If Victor can withhold them from me, then I can withhold them from Dad. I’ve made it so easy for Dad in the past. Made getting over Mom’s death, such a manageable thing, that I’ve neglected me…

  Victor

  My iPhone twists in my hand as I consider calling Luxury. I’ve never chased after a lady in all of my life. With her the rules have changed, but there are certain lines that shouldn’t be crossed.

  Yet for this tiny, sweet, gorgeous young lady, the sky must be the limit. Luxury deserves the type of man that is able to be attuned to her every need. Not to say that I don’t have that covered while under the sheets. But she deserves the entire package, with a red ribbon on top.

  Instead of calling her, I meet Doctor Whitson at his suggestion at Berto’s Bar and Grill. This hole in the wall, surrounding by artistic gems in the center of Harlem boasts that it was established in 1972 on the sign. Berto’s Bar is simply downtrodden on the outside, but as I neared a place that a “Duke” wouldn’t be caught entering, fresh flavors entice my nostrils. As a man of my word, I grabbed the sticky door and opened it, with the notion that I would hear out the good doctor.