by Lena Skye
Joshua stared at me again and I fidgeted under his scrutiny. His eyes welled up with unshed tears and he walked away backwards.
“I’ll see the two of you around. I hope that you’re happy with what you have done but don’t come to me about any of your damned problems. I don’t want to hear it.”
Kenneth and I watched in silence as Joshua walked to his car and drove away.
“Well, that happened a lot faster than I expected,” Kenneth said while shaking his head.
“Yeah tell me about it,” I responded feeling terrible and knowing this was not the end of it.
We headed up to my place and I suddenly felt exhausted. I no longer felt like having sex but instead I wanted to be held. I wanted to feels Kenneth’s protective embrace around me. I was startled after our confrontation with Joshua.
“Do you think he’s going to hate me forever?” I asked Kenneth as we rocked back and forth in my bed.
“I don’t think that he hates you now. I think he’s just really hurt. He thought that you were the woman for him and it sucks to lose you. Trust me, I know. But with time he’ll get over it. He’s my best friend and he’ll back off and give us the space that we need.”
I sighed and snuggled against Ken’s body. I wanted more than anything to believe him about Joshua but I still couldn’t get his stare out of my head. He looked at me with hurt and hatred. He didn’t look like he would ever get over his heartbreak. He may forgive Kenneth but he was never going to forgive me. I wasn’t even sure if I deserved his forgiveness. I’d trampled all over his heart after promising him that he was the one that I wanted, even after he’d asked me about it.
I didn’t lie to him. I told him my own personal truth at the time. The problem with feelings is that they are liable to change at any given moment. We humans can be such fickle creatures. I wished that I could have been more decisive in my decision about the both of them earlier on but I had no clue about what I wanted. It took everything that transpired to get me to realize how much I was meant to be with Kenneth and not Joshua. Joshua didn’t realize it yet, but we weren’t a good match. He was simply a delayed rebound for me and people rarely end up with a rebound. He was a nice guy but he wasn’t the kind of man that I needed in my life for a long term relationship.
I closed my eyes and allowed my exhaustion to take me away. I dreamed of my time in Vegas and how happy I was that Kenneth finally wanted to be back together. I dreamed of our future children and of what it would be like when he proposed to me. I was ready for the life that he promised me and I couldn’t wait for it to begin.
*
Over the next few days my life began returning to normal. I met with a few of my clients and even found a new designer in the process. I’ve been searching for an emerging male designer who has the look that my boutiques need, but I’ve yet to find one. I would rather not offer those services than settle with a designer that isn’t what I’m looking for.
I’m keeping my fingers crossed with the hopes that I’ll stumble across someone great soon. Fashion is forever changing and there are always new people coming on the scene. So it’s only a matter of time before I find someone. Patience is a virtue that I’ve learned to value in my business. A small misstep will have horrible trends popping up in Atlanta and I don’t want to be known for starting them.
I finally decided to meet my girls, Jasmine and Patrice for lunch. I’d been avoiding them for a few days because it seems like all of Atlanta knew about me and Kenneth getting back together. Some people are happy about it and some people think that I’m a conniving slut but oh well. It’s hard not to internalize all of that crap and to just let it bounce off of me. People really have no clue about what truly happened and so they speculate and create their own stories. It is funny how people will doubt the good things they hear about you, but they will believe the bad things in an instant.
I haven’t wanted to face my friends yet because I wasn’t sure exactly where they fell on that spectrum. I can handle other people judging me harshly but it would be too much for me to realize that I my friends feel the same way. Nevertheless, I have to give them the opportunity to tell me how they feel.
We met at our favorite Zuma Sushi and Saki Bar and ordered a few rolls of sushi before we really spoke to each other. The tension between the three of us was so damned thick. They both looked at me as I stuffed my face with a salmon.
“Girl, I know you aren’t just going to sit there and act like nothing is going on,” Patrice said breaking the ice.
“I don’t know what to say,” I said defensively.
Jasmine rolled her eyes at me and gave me a grin, “I don’t know why you’re acting like that with us. You know that we have your back no matter what. So don’t insult us with the bullshit.”
I looked at Patrice’s face and she was in agreement with Jasmine. I felt tears prick at the back of my eyes and I felt bad for ever doubting their friendship. We’d been friends since our freshman year of college and they have never turned their backs on me even when I made decisions that they didn’t agree with. They were so much more than my friends, they were my sisters.
“You two just don’t know how happy I am to hear that.”
“This is nothing new,” Patrice said, “So spill the fucking beans. We want to hear from you what’s been going on because I’ve had to put people in their places all over town over the last few days.”
“Well it’s true, me and Kenneth are back together. I didn’t plan for it to happen and I’m sure that you both know that. Actually Kenneth was planning it the entire time.”
“So that’s what the trip to Vegas was really about,” Jasmine said.
I gave a quick nod, “Yeah, apparently he concocted it all to get me away from Joshua.”
“How is Joshua doing? What happened when he found out?” Patrice asked.
“Well he was pissed off to say the least. He was sitting outside of my apartment when Kenneth brought me home from the airport.”
“Oh damn,” Jasmine said as her eyes got wide.
“I know, it scared the hell out of me. I didn’t know what he was going to do but Kenneth talked him down and smoothed it over as much as he could at that point.”
“I can’t really say that I blame him,” Patrice said, “It sucks to be on the losing end of a relationship.”
I knew that she was right and I couldn’t shake the guilt that I felt. I took a sip of my cocktail and focused on devouring the rest of my sushi roll.
“So what happens now?” Jasmine asked.
“Well, Kenneth and I are back together. I’m so happy about it and he’s so different this time, believe me. He said that he was ready for us to start a life together and I believe him.”
“Well he did go through a lot to get you back. He paid for all of us to come to Vegas, I don’t even want to think about how much that set him back,” Jasmine said.
“He could have saved all of that money and got you a ring instead,” Patrice chimed in.
I looked at her and rolled my eyes, “Whatever Patrice, I think that it was a really nice gesture and I appreciated it. It was nice to see him put in some real effort to get me back this time and he is doing really well financially these days. Hopefully we’ve gone through our last breakup because I’m over the emotional roller coaster.”
My last comment sparked a musical performance from Jasmine. She began to sing the chorus of the song Emotional Roller Coaster by Vivian Green.
“I see that someone is in a good mood,” I laughed, “Could that have anything to do with Cedric?”
Patrice almost spat out her sake at my comment. It was known that Cedric and Jasmine couldn’t stand each other. The two of them were like oil and water. They always butted heads and ended up throwing insults whenever they were in the same room together. However, in Vegas they got pretty cozy. It’s funny what a change of scenery and a few drinks can do. I used to joke that they secretly loved one another and the two of them would give me stares of death. Jasmine wou
ld actually threaten to do bodily harm.
“Mind your business,” Jasmine said with a coy smile.
“Nope, we’re in your business too,” Patrice said.
“Well if you must know, we aren’t together…yet. We’re exploring the possibility. He isn’t as bad as I thought and I’m finding myself liking him.
“Well you liked him already,” I said, “But I’m happy that you two are acknowledging it. You were so closed off after what happened with Amelia and he who must not be named.”
She sighed, “You’re right. Cedric and I were talking about that this morning. I think I was pushing him away because of my past experiences and that’s why we had such a cantankerous relationship. I felt like I wasn’t ready to really like anyone, I was too afraid of being hurt by another man.”
“But now,” I said trying to lighten the mood, “You’re ready to get it in again.”
“Oh she’s more than ready,” Patrice said, “She and Cedric can’t keep their hands off of each other.”
“Is that so?” I asked excitedly.
“Hush up the both of you. We’ve talked about my business enough today. What we need to talk about is when Patrice is going to find her a man.”
Now it was Patrice that rolled her eyes.
“I don’t need a man right now. I’m busy dammit and when I come across a man that piques my interest then I’m open to the possibility. But right now I haven’t met anyone yet.”
“We have to stop hanging out with only the fashion industry. Most of these men are not straight and we’re surrounded by women all the time.”
“You have a point,” Patrice said, “So I’ve been thinking of trying online dating.”
“Really?” Jasmine and I asked in unison.
“Yes really. It’s not like I go out much and I think it would be a great way to meet people outside of our social circle. I’ve already started 2 different profiles and I’m speaking to a few people. I have my first date on Saturday.”
“Be careful, you could be meeting an axe murderer or something,” Jasmine said, “And make sure to keep us updated.”
“I hope you have a good time,” I said.
“I hope so too,” Patrice said.
“Anyway Nikki, I don’t want to keep bringing the situation back around to you but I just feel like it has to be said,” Jasmine said focusing her attention on me.
“Spill it,” I said bracing for her words.
“Don’t put up with any of Kenneth’s shit this time around. If he starts exhibiting the same signs as last time, then please leave. You know you deserve the best.”
“I’ll keep that in mind Jasmine,” I said.
“I feel bad for Joshua but I’m happy for you,” Patrice said, “I just really hope that it works out for the both of you this time around. But you know that Kenneth isn’t the type of man to settle down with one woman. He just does not do relationships but I hope to be proven wrong.”
“I feel bad for Joshua too,” I said, “I hate that he thinks that I used him to get to Kenneth. That’s what people are saying. I would never use anyone like that. Also Kenneth has changed. He’s not the same man that he was a year ago.”
“Yeah Josh hates your guts girl,” Jasmine said, “but time will heal his wounds.”
“I sure hope so.” I sighed.
#Chapter2
“You’re the most beautiful woman here baby”
Kenneth
Well what can I say? Life is better when you trust the process.
It’s been a month since the Vegas trip and now that everything is laid out on the table, my life has been easier. Kenneth has been treating me like an absolute queen and even dropping hints about getting married. Last week he asked me what kind of ring I wanted.
Things were tense between us and our friends because they didn’t like the way that we hurt Joshua. But things are getting back to the point where we can all co-exist without a lot of tension. Joshua has been avoiding us both, although Ken and Josh talk every now and then. Joshua chooses to treat me as if I don’t exist. He doesn’t acknowledge my presence when we’re in the same room and I’m okay with that.
Even if we had no support, I would get through it because I get to wake up next to the man that I love pretty much every morning. It’s rewarding and I feel like my life is on the road to becoming complete.
“Good Morning,” Kenneth said into my ear before he kissed my neck.
“Oh yes, it is a good morning,” I responded as I felt his cock harden through the fabric of his underwear against my ass.
“Well are you going to put it to good use or what?”
“You know that I’m not a wasteful girl,” I said as I reached between us and massage his hardness with my hand.
His hand slipped into my panties and he mimicked my motions. I love our mornings together.
They’re the highlight of all of my days. Since today is Saturday we don’t have to watch the clock.
I closed my eyes and enjoyed the feeling of his hand rubbing my sensitive flesh. I moaned and increased the pressure of my hand on his cock. His hand rose from my panties and slipped underneath my t-shirt. He took my nipple between his thumb and forefinger and gave it a slight pinch. My entire body responded to his touch.
I couldn’t get close enough to him. I turned onto my back and he placed his body on top of mines. I silently thanked the lord that we both did our morning routine earlier that morning. That’s another thing that I appreciate about him, I’m not a fan of morning breath and neither is he. So we both make sure to handle things as early as we can so that we can have a great morning.
He pressed his tongue deep into my mouth and I happily accepted. His huge cock was pressing against my center and I grinded against him. I was sure that a huge wet spot had formed on my panties. He had the power to ignite my body like a torch to gasoline. No one had ever gotten such a passionate and genuine response from me.
When he and I made love, I was completely connected. My heart, my mind, and my soul belonged to him. I couldn’t wait any longer and I didn’t want him to get up. I pulled his boxers down and freed him. I anxiously pulled my panties to the side and placed his cock at my entrance.
“Are we being impatient this morning?” He asked in amusement.
“Yes we are, I’m being very impatient this morning. I can’t wait, I’m horny. Please no teasing.”
“Since you asked so nicely…” he said as he pushed deep inside of me.
“OH MY GOOOOOD,” I moaned.
He kissed my forehead and plunged into me again. I willingly gave my body to him, opening my legs wide to accept him deeper inside of me. I placed my hands on his ass and pushed him deep inside of me. His big powerful dick stretched me wide. You would think that I would have adjusted to his size but every time we had sex, it took my body some time to accommodate him comfortably.
My head thrashed against my pillow as he pulled and pushed into me. He was adding gasoline to the flames inside of me with each pump. I could feel his veins pulsating inside of me; he was going to cum at any moment. He could never last long in the morning, and that’s probably because he’s been brushing against me all night. He always says that it’s hard to get any sleep when I’m lying next to him because I’m too tempting.
I opened my eyes and I saw that he was looking directly at me. I licked my lips and released a moan. All of my juices broke free like they were pressing against a dam. He moved in and out of me with complete ease.
“Let me see you cum baby, give it to me,” I pleaded.
His face contorted in pleasure and he released deep inside of me, extinguishing the flames of my desire. I felt him injecting his passion inside of me and it soothed my swollen pussy. He rolled off of me and collapsed next to me. I lay my head on his shoulder and kissed him on his cheek. You have to love morning sex.
“Are you ready for Jasmine’s party tonight?” I asked.
“As ready as I’ll ever be, do you know that she even invited Joshua?” He a
sked.
“Are you serious?”
“Yeah, that was my reaction too. Joshua sent me a text last night saying that he would see me tonight at Jasmine’s party. I’m wondering what’s going through Jasmine's head. I know that he’s associates with everyone but I guess I just didn’t expect to see him there. What’s even more surprising is that he agreed to come at all.”
I really didn’t feel ready to face Joshua again. What I thought was going to be a fun night was about to be a night of awkwardness. I made a mental note to tell Jasmine off after her party was over. I wouldn’t be evil but I would have to let her know how much it sucks that she did it. Her being head over heels for Cedric was obviously warping her brain.
Kenneth and I enjoyed a leisurely day of doing nothing but drinking, watching movies, and flirting. I’ve come to love my days like this one and I don’t take any of them for granted. Once the clock struck 5 we started to prepare for Jasmine’s party. He looked absolutely delicious in his straight legged jeans, fitted black shirt, with a blazer. I matched him by wearing a killer all black dress that shamelessly hugged my curves and paired it with a classic black pair of red bottoms. They are the real thing because I don’t do knock offs.