by M.J. Kane
Chapter 20
Time had run out.
I glanced at my watch. Ebony would be ready for me to pick her up in a few hours. A quick shower, shave, grab a bite to eat, and be on my way. Oh yeah, make sure the room was straight since this was where we’d spend the night.
I really wanted to get a hotel room, but she insisted it would be a waste of money. Her logic made sense. My intention was to leave with a memory of a night neither of us would forget. But it didn’t matter where we were. Just being together would be enough.
My clothes landed in a heap on top of my laundry basket. I grabbed my outfit for the evening and lay it on the bed. Black slacks, a black dress shirt, complimented by a blue and black tie. I would even wear my black dress shoes for the occasion. A glint of silver tinsel resting on my nightstand grabbed my attention. Ebony’s gift. She was going to love it. I debated all day about surprising her when picking her up, but decided tonight, when we were alone, would be the perfect time.
While in the shower, I reviewed the list of things handled in preparation for my departure.
Dylan and Peter had been working for me for months. They knew my customers, but didn’t know the amount of work it took to run the business. I decided to entrust Peter with the finer details and the computer software used to track the finances. After two weeks, they were prepared. Since neither of them owned a vehicle capable of carrying the tools required for the job, I left my truck and the equipment in it in their care. Even though it cost money, I added them to my automobile and business insurance for the next few months. I had confidence in their ability to take care of the business. But hey, shit happened.
Upon signing with the label for the duration of the tour, I received a check. I hadn’t seen that many zeros on a piece of paper with my name on it. Ever. After paying on some bills like my student loan I paid my half of the rent and utilities for the duration of my time away. My one splurge was buying the guitar I really wanted, a sweet Fender Rodger Water’s Precision Electric Bass Guitar. The original price had been a breathtaking twelve hundred dollars, but I found it on sale for eight hundred, brand spanking new.
The rest went into my savings account where I’d been squirreling away money, bit-by-bit. As much as it took a load off of my pocket having Javan for a roommate, it was time to get my own place. I had a future to plan.
A dog…a wife…kids.
I wanted Ebony to be my wife. If we could make it through the next couple of months apart, we could make it when I got back. Before I asked her to marry me, I needed something to offer her. Buying a house would be one of the first things I researched upon my return.
But, first things first.
I stared into the bathroom mirror and adjusted my tie. Damn, I looked good. I smirked and added a few shots of the cologne Ebony loved.
A knock on the doorjamb startled me. I peered over my shoulder and saw Javan’s hulking frame.
“Looking good, man. It’s about time you picked up my sense of style. It’s a shame it took hooking up with a sista’ to do it,” he ribbed.
“Hey, I know how to dress. I just don’t need to strut around like a peacock.”
“Oh, you’ve got jokes.”
I grinned and turned out the light. Javan moved out of the way and followed me down the hall.
“You all packed?”
“Yeah, I’m good.”
“You leave on Sunday, right?”
“Yep.” I palmed my keys and stopped in the kitchen for a bottle of water.
Javan shook his head.
“What?” I gulped the ice cold liquid.
“All those women…man, it’ll be ‘ho central. I’m jealous.”
I lifted an eyebrow and laughed. “I’m working, J. Besides, I don’t have time for anyone else. I’ve found the woman I want.”
“Ebony?” He chuckled. “You sure about that? You know what they say, when the cat’s away, the mice play and all that shit.”
“Nah, I’m not worried. She’s waiting for me, and I’m saving it all for her.” I disposed of the empty bottle.
Javan eyed me for a moment. “A woman like her, wait? Yeah, right. I tell you what; I’ll keep an eye on her while you’re gone. Believe me; she’ll be well taken care of.”
Every muscle in my body went on alert. I turned slowly and faced him. “What did you just say?”
“I said, don’t worry. I’ll keep an eye out, you know, in case Ebony needs anything. Damn, man, what did you think I meant?”
I studied Javan’s eyes for any reason why I should not trust him. Yeah, he’d made hints of wanting to get with Ebony, but he’d backed off when he learned we were a couple. In fact, we’d double dated with him and Yasmine several times. Ebony didn’t let on he still bothered her.
I couldn’t find a hint of deception. It was probably my possessiveness, making a simple comment into something more. “Guess I misunderstood you.”
“You got that right. I’ll be gone tonight so you love birds can swing from the rafters if you need to.” He grinned.
That solidified it. I needed my own place, even if it was an apartment.
“Thanks.” I glanced at my watch. “Gotta go.” I shook his hand and left.
My foot was a lead weight on the way to Ebony’s place.
By the time I rang her doorbell, the anticipation of seeing her again had driven me crazy. The front porch light came on, door opened, and my love stood illuminated by the light.
My heart stopped beating, my mouth went dry, and my body went into full attention. How was it possible after I’d seen, touched, kissed, and lusted over every glorious part of her naked body, did it feel like seeing her for the first time?
Her auburn hair sat high off her shoulders and hung in springy spirals, which framed her lovely face. She wore the same black strapless number she’d worn the night we met, leaving my eyes free range to travel across her delicious throat, to the necklace that was a constant decoration, and over ample cleavage.
I loved the way the black liquid fabric hugged every inch of her body. It felt like I had x-ray vision and could see through the silky material. I would never be able to forget the image of her chocolate nipples, and her taste forever imprinted on my tongue.
I allowed my eyes to wander farther down, past the midpoint of her thigh where the dress ended. Black strings wrapped around sexy calf muscles and down to her barely-there heels.
“Tonight, I only want you wearing the necklace and nothing else.” I let my eyes roam over her body again. “Well, you can keep on the heels.”
Her naughty laugh made me grip the doorframe to keep from carrying her up to her bedroom and making it happen now.