“Damn, Dayna. What the hell is wrong with you? You can’t just suddenly disrupt my life and expect me to go along with it.”
“It’s not all about you, Reed,” she said calmly. “This is also about me. I don’t love you, you obviously don’t love me either, and this horrible marriage is like an anchor weighing me down.”
Reed gritted his teeth to control his mounting anger. He forced himself to speak in a calm tone. “I know your parents spoiled you. Gave you everything money could buy. But you’re a big girl now and you should know that in the real world, people don’t always get everything they want.” The threat behind his words was unsettling, but Dayna stood her ground.
“Your lack of cooperation won’t stop this divorce.”
“But I can delay it, and in the meantime I’m going to make sure your life is a living hell,” he announced menacingly, and then clicked off.
Dayna held the phone briefly and then hung up. Somewhat shaken, she thought perhaps she’d have to involve her parents after all. Reed sounded really vicious, as if he were gearing himself up for some vindictive action. She’d be damned if she was going to sit back and allow him to wreak havoc upon her life. She’d call her dad first thing in the morning to let him know that Reed had threatened her. Her dad would know what legal options were available to her.
Chapter 16
Oddly, the unpleasant exchange with Dayna had aroused Reed. It was as if his hatred for his wife had materialized into a hot hand that now caressed his groin. He jerked his neck toward Dottie’s Hair Salon and leaned on the horn. What was taking that whore so long?
The door finally swung open. Buttercup popped outside wearing a red wig, tight low-rider jeans, and a skimpy red top. Liking what he saw, Reed nodded in approval.
She climbed inside the Lexus. As she bent slightly to place her purse on the floor, Reed caught a glimpse of a red thong sticking out of her jeans. His aggravation began to subside until thoughts of Aziza entered his mind. The smell of Aziza still filled his nostrils; the acrid taste of her vaginal juices remained on his tongue; he felt a yearning so strong he had to restrain himself from pushing Buttercup out of his whip. He felt like roaring away from Delancy Street and screeching to a stop in front of the nearest ATM machine to get the two hundred dollars Aziza charged.
But he couldn’t. Thanks to Dayna’s temper tantrum and hollow threats, his cash flow would be limited for a while. He had to exercise control. However, he knew it would be hard to find satisfaction in an ordinary pussy. He felt like doing something freakish and wondered what kind of debased act he could talk Buttercup into.
“Where are we going, Joe?” Buttercup asked. Reed had told her his name was Joe when he’d first met her and had never bothered to tell the foolish girl otherwise.
Reed shrugged. “I guess we can rent a room at that spot on Fortieth Street. They charge by the hour, but I think we might need more time than that.”
“How long you think we’re gonna need?” Buttercup looked apprehensive.
“I’m just saying I know you want to get high. That’s gonna take some time.”
“No I don’t. I’m clean,” Buttercup exclaimed with pride.
“Since when?”
“Two weeks, nigga,” she said playfully.
“Aw, that’s nothing. You’ll be back doing your thing the minute you get your hands on some money.”
“That’s a lie. I got money. I get my grandma’s SSI check.”
“Oh yeah? How much is that?”
“Come on now…mind your bizness,” she said with a wink.
“I hope that Social Security check is worth moving out to your own place. I can’t understand how you can bear to live in that ancient ruin. No disrespect, Butter, but damn…your great-grandmother’s house doesn’t seem fit to live in. I’m surprised the people from the city haven’t kicked y’all out and boarded it up. That place is a health hazard.”
“Stop trippin’. It ain’t all that bad. Besides, I gotta reason for staying there.”
Reed rubbed his jaw in thought. “Oh yeah, what’s the reason?”
“Like I said, mind your bizness, nigga. Now how much you plan on spending tonight? ’Cause if you ain’t talkin’ what I want to hear, you can just drop me off at the Apache.”
“Naw, I gotchu, I gotchu,” Reed promised.
Buttercup stuck out her open palm. “Then stop talkin’ shit and let me hold something.”
Reed chuckled and turned onto Market Street. He pulled up in front of the Wine and Spirits shop. “I know you didn’t stop drinking,” he said as he turned off the ignition. “What do you want? A bottle of gin?”
“I swear to God.” Buttercup raised her right hand. “I quit doing all substances.” She sounded weak and unconvincing.
“Who do you think you’re kidding? You know you still get your drink on. What are you saying…if you have a drink, you’ll start smoking that shit again? I know you’re not that weak.”
Buttercup grappled briefly with the dilemma, then shrugged. “Okay, get me a bottle of Hpnotiq.” She figured if she broke down and took a drink, she might as well let him treat her to something that cost more than eight dollars a bottle.
Reed came out with a chilled bottle of Hpnotiq and handed it to Buttercup. He sped to Fortieth Street and parked in front of a rooming house. “Wait while I take care of the room,” he instructed. “Oh yeah, I have cups in there.” He pointed to the glove compartment.
After making the arrangements, he came outside and beckoned Buttercup. She trotted across the street, tightly clutching the Hpnotiq as it were a four-thousand-dollar bottle of Hennessy Timeless cognac.
The no-frills room was practically bare. No bureau, no chair, not even a closet. There was a hook on the back of the door, a bed with a lumpy mattress, and a chipped wooden nightstand. The single window was covered with a grayish-colored shade.
Reed took the bottle from Buttercup, cracked open the top, and poured her a drink.
“Ain’t you drinking, too?” she asked when she noticed he’d filled only one plastic cup.
“Naw, this shit is for women; it gives me a headache. But go ahead, drink up.”
“Don’t be trying to get me drunk so you can take advantage of my womanhood,” she said jokingly. Then turning serious, she said, “Now look…I might laugh and joke but I get serious when it comes to money.” She stuck out an open palm.
Reed looked stung. “After all this time we’ve been dealing with each other, you still don’t trust me? You think I’d run out without paying you. Damn, Butter, I thought we were better than that.”
“Whatever,” she said, taking a swig from the cup.
Reed reluctantly withdrew three twenties and handed them over. “Are we straight now?”
“Hell no, nigga. Not after that shit you put me through. There were welts on my ass for days.”
Reed peeled off another twenty.
Buttercup nodded in consent.” Now we’re straight.” She stuck the money in the pocket of her jeans. “But this money don’t give you permission to start beatin’ on me.”
“I told you somebody slipped something in my drink. I’m cool now.” Reed started pulling off his pants. “You miss Big Daddy?” he asked her as he stroked his expanding manhood, which had started to throb with a dull ache.
Buttercup took two big gulps of the blue elixir to help get into her role. “Uh-huh, I missed you,” she said un-convincingly, then downed the entire cup and helped herself to more.
“Then why are you ignoring him?” Reed complained. “Look at him.” He pointed his generously sized member in Buttercup’s direction. “Give my man some attention, baby.”
Buttercup walked over to Reed holding the cup of Hpnotiq in her hand. She bent down on one knee and guided his penis into the cold blue liquid.
“Aw shit,” Reed moaned. He squeezed his eyes tight and leaned back, ready to enjoy whatever freaky thrill Buttercup had in mind.
She licked the dripping liquid from his dick, moaning
and making slurping sounds as she licked him dry. Then she took in just the head of his dick, encircling it with the tip of her tongue teasingly. She began to suck on it, pulling in an inch at a time. She stopped suddenly and took another swig and inserted his dick inside her fluid-filled mouth.
If her juicy mouth hadn’t felt so cold, Reed would have felt like his dick was inside a vagina filled with cum. After a few moments the liquor felt warm and Reed’s thrusts became so hard and violent, the liquid began to seep out the corners of Buttercup’s mouth.
Feeling like she was about to choke, she pulled back, swallowed the Hpnotiq and allowed his penis to slip out.
“What’s wrong, baby? Why’d you stop?” Trying to push himself back inside Buttercup’s mouth, Reed wore the expression of a desperate man.
“You act like you tryin’ to push your jawn all the way down my throat; I’m not gonna allow you to choke me to death. Damn, I thought you wanted your money’s worth, but seeing as though you’re in a rush, then come on and get it over with.”
“Okay, okay. My bad,” he admitted as he tried to calm down. “Damn, you had me so excited, I just got carried away. How come you never did that shit before?”
“You ain’t never bought me no Hpnotiq before,” she said with a hint of arrogance. “You ready?” she asked with a seductive tilt to her head.
“I don’t know,” he responded with a chuckle.
Buttercup threw her head back and emptied the cup into her mouth. She crooked her index finger and beckoned him.
Reed slowly entered the watery abyss. With each thrust, he heard a splashing sound that was driving him mad. And like the tide of the ocean, the waves began to recede. Buttercup was slowly swallowing the Hpnotiq, but she left just enough in her mouth to keep it moist enough for his dick to slip in and out with ease. Suddenly, she put a suction hold on his stiff member, holding him captive, rendering him helpless as he succumbed to a heart-pounding, body-shaking, powerful orgasm.
When his heart stopped pounding and he could finally catch his breath, Reed glared at Buttercup. “I wasn’t ready to bust a nut. Damn, Butter!” he complained.
“Humph,” Buttercup muttered in response after spitting his cum into one of the plastic cups. She quickly gulped down more Hpnotiq. The bottle was now only half-filled.
He checked his watch. “We’ve only been here for about twenty minutes. I paid for two hours,” he lied.
“Nigga, I ain’t staying up in here for no damn two hours. I got shit to do.”
“Well, just give me another ten or fifteen minutes. Damn, baby, I haven’t seen you in a while. Why you wanna rush me?”
Buttercup sighed and poured herself another drink. “I hope you don’t expect me to sit here all night while you try to get it up again. Anyway, I’m not giving out no free head.”
“Free!” He balked. “I just gave you eighty dollars. You think you can make more than that at the club?”
“Probably,” she said skeptically. “I know one thing…I can’t make another dime if I’m sitting up in here.” She shifted around impatiently.
“All right. Here’s another twenty.”
Buttercup greedily snatched the money and tucked it inside her pocket with the rest of the cash.
She leaned over unenthusiastically and lifted his flaccid dick. Reed moved her hand away. “Yo, stop rushing. He ain’t ready yet.” Seeming relieved, she sat up and quietly sipped the Hpnotiq.
“Take those jeans and shit off. That might help,” Reed barked while tugging on his dick. He looked over at Buttercup. She put the cup down and propped up a pillow and huddled against it; her eyes had a drowsy intoxicated look. She was finally feeling the liquor. Good. He liked her better when she was high. And vulnerable.
Reed helped her out of her jeans and top and let them drop to the filthy floor. Skinny as she was, she looked real sexy in the red bra and thong. He squeezed one of her small breasts and then got up and hung his clothes on the back of the door. When he rejoined her, he put his arm around her, allowing her head to rest on his chest.
“Baby, why do you keep making me pay for it when you know how much I dig you? I think of you as my girl.”
“Stop lying,” she muttered in a sluggish voice.
“For real. Can’t nobody please me the way you do. Don’t you think if I didn’t have real feelings for you, I would have left your ass alone a long time ago? I could get my dick sucked by any one of those jawns at the strip clubs or I could pick up somebody out there hustling on the streets. But they’re not you. Now, I admit it; I’m not going to lie…it was just sex in the beginning. But then I started catching real feelings for you, but I wouldn’t let myself express how I felt knowing you were out there tricking with anybody for twenty dollars. And the more I think about it, I’m coming to realize why I acted like a madman the last time we were together.”
She looked at him with curiosity.
“It was jealousy, baby. I can’t bear the thought of you sucking on any dick except mine.”
“For real?” A ray of light shone in her eyes.
“I dig you, girl. But how can I consider you my girl if you’re out there doing whatever with whomever.”
She pulled her head away from his chest, sat up straight, and looked in his eyes. “What am I supposed to do for money?”
“I can help you out, baby. It’s not like you got a lot of bills. How much do you need to get through a week?”
Buttercup searched the stained and chipped ceiling for an answer. “I guess a couple hundred.”
“All right,” he said nodding. “Well, how much are you getting from your grandma?”
“Not much. She only gets a few hundred from Social Security every month. I’m working on some paperwork she needs to get her ex-husband’s SSI. After I get through that process, we’ll get a lump sum, retroactive from the time we applied.”
“That sounds pretty good. How much do you think you’ll get?”
“About four or five thousand, I think. That money will help out, but that’s not the money I’m really interested in.”
Suddenly interested, Reed shifted his position. “Oh yeah?”
“Right. When I was a little girl, my grandma used to brag about this money she had hidden somewhere in the house.”
Reed sucked his teeth. “Humph. That sounds like something a kook would say. If you moved into that rat-infested place based on something your nutty grandma told you, then you’re not dealing with a full deck your damn self.”
“For real! My hand to God, I’m not lying. Back when she was in her right frame of mind she showed me a whole lot of money. Rolls and rolls of money. My grandma’s old school. She don’t trust no banks. She had that money rolled tight with a rubber band wrapped around each roll.”
“And how much was in each roll?”
“I don’t know. I was just a kid, but I don’t remember any small bills—just fifties and twenties, maybe even hundred-dollar bills. Her stash filled up two coffee cans. She told me she was going to pay my college tuition with that money.”
Reed let out a loud guffaw. “College tuition! Okay, well you blew that dream, so I guess the money’s all spent by now.”
“Yeah, that’s what I thought until one day she was feenin’ for some snuff—”
“What the hell is snuff?” he asked with a grimace.
“Chewing tobacco. It comes in a pouch. Anyway, like I said, she was feenin’ and I ain’t have no money to get that shit for her. She went upstairs and the next thing I know, she done came back down with this old-ass fifty-dollar bill, talking about I better bring her back all her change ’cause snuff don’t cost nothin’ but fifteen cents.”
The potential for a sudden windfall of badly needed cash gave Reed a sudden adrenaline rush, but he kept a stoic expression. “And you think the money came from her stash?”
“It had to. Even the man at the corner store acted like I had gave him a bar of gold. He was talkin’ some shit about old bills being worth something and he was gonna c
heck to see how much he could get for it.”
Reed could no longer contain his excitement. “And you just gave that muthafucker a piece of currency that may be worth thousands?”
“What else could I do? My grandmother wanted her shit and I ain’t have no money. I don’t know if that fifty was really worth something or not. I’m just trying to point out that she still got that stash and I plan on finding it.”
Reed regained his composure, but his mind was working overtime on how to benefit from the windfall, if such a thing truly existed. “Well, look here, Butter. I don’t care about that money and I really don’t even think it exists. Dream on if you want to. In the meantime, if you’re gonna be my girl, you’re going to have to stop tricking. You hear me?”
Buttercup blushed with pride. “Whatchu sayin’? You don’t want me dancing no more, either?”
“You can dance, but no more selling pussy. That pussy belongs to me.”
“All right, Joe.” She giggled. “So…we’re like…goin’ together now? I can consider you as my man?”
He nodded. “And I’m gonna be checking on you at the strip joints to make sure you’re not cheating on me. I want you to go to work, dance, get your money, and be out. Look, it’s gonna be hard enough watching you let dudes push up on you, so don’t allow them to get all up in your face, talking shit and wasting your time. You hear me? And another thing,” Reed said sternly. “I don’t want you out all hours of the night. You should start dancing at the Honey Club; that joint opens early. You can start dancing there at two in the afternoon.”
“I know, but it don’t be no money up in there that early,” Buttercup whined. “I hate sittin’ around waitin’ for money to come through the door. I get frustrated quick and that’s when I start tricking.”
Reed shot her an evil look.
“I’m just saying…I mean, it’s not like I’m gonna still turn tricks. I’m just explaining why I think two o’ clock is too early to try to make some dough.”
Dangerously In Love Page 10