by Anna Black
“Yeah, okay, pumpkin. But you should have called your momma last night. That way, she wouldn’t have been so disappointed.”
“I know, Daddy, I just didn’t know I would miss it. I had my alarm set and everything.” She had to hurry and get off the phone because she hated lying to her parents.
She felt Tracy bump her and she put a finger to her lips so he would keep quiet. If her daddy knew she missed her momma’s event due to lying up with some guy, he’d never let her off the phone.
“Well, your mother will be all right, just be sure to call her this evening.”
“Where is she?”
“She’s still at the church. They’ve got a program for the teenagers today, and you know your daddy can’t tolerate them youngsters.”
“I know, Daddy.” She laughed. Her daddy was the oldest of the old-fashioned.
“Well, pumpkin, I hope you feel better soon.”
“Okay, Daddy. I’ll call Ma later on this evening,” she said, glad to be getting off the phone.
“Okay, darling, feel better,” he said.
“Okay. Bye now.” She did another fake cough before she hung up.
“Oh, so you got a virus?” Tracy asked, teasing.
“Be quiet, man. It’s because of you I missed an important ceremony for my mother today.”
“Oh, now you gon’ blame me? As I recall, you were the one in the hall last night all on a brother, not wanting me to leave.”
“Man, please,” she said, smiling.
“And it was you saying, ‘Ooh, Tracy, baby. Right there. Yeah, baby. Yes, baby. Ooh, ooh.’”
She hit him with her pillow, and he laughed. She smiled, and he began to caress her back. His touch was so nice. She closed her eyes and sighed.
“November,” he said softly.
“Yes?”
“What happened between us was good, and I’d like to get to know you a little better. I’m not looking to rush into anything.”
That made her a little uneasy. Men never want to rush into anything, but they rush the panties. They always want to tap that ass.
“Well, Tracy, to be honest, I don’t want to rush either, so there is no pressure. I didn’t expect this to happen, but I’m not naming our children or nothing like that.” She smiled, hoping he understood that she knew sleeping together didn’t make them a couple.
“Okay. I just don’t want you to think that I’m trying to play you, because I’m not. I have been in a couple of relationships, and people were hurt. I don’t wanna hurt you, nor do I wanna get hurt. You are a beautiful woman, and I do like you, but I just want us to take it slow.”
“That’s fine. I don’t have any problem with that.”
“Cool. So, are you hungry? Because a brotha is starving.”
“Man, yes.”
He spoke between soft kisses on her neck. “How about we get dressed, go grab a bite, and then come back and do what we did this morning?”
“How about no?” she returned.
“Huh?”
“How you gon’ give me the ‘let’s take it slow’ speech and try to get me sprung at the same time?” His dick was too good. She’d be a stalker with him messing with her like that.
“Oh, so you don’t wanna do it again?”
“No, I didn’t say that, but if we are taking things slow, I’m not trying to get set up. The shit is good, and I will not become a Tracy addict.”
He got up. “Okay then, I gotcha.” His body was killer, she thought as he stretched. “Let’s shower and go eat, and then we go from there.”
“Sounds good,” she said.
Not five minutes later, they were in the shower together.
It was going to be so hard to not fall for him and not want him, November thought as he sucked her nipples. He had a way with her body that she had never experienced before.
They finally managed to get out of her apartment by dinnertime. They ate and talked and laughed. November had a good time with him. He was so cool, and there was no denying that they were feeling each other. She secretly hoped he would become her man.
They went back to her apartment and relaxed on the couch and watched a couple movies. It was close to eleven when she realized she hadn’t called her mom. She knew that would have to be the first thing done the next morning.
The twelve o’clock hour was approaching fast, and she started to get sad. Tracy would be leaving soon. They both had to work the next day, and she should have been heading to bed because she was not a morning person. She fought the urge to yawn, but couldn’t help herself.
“You tired?” Tracy asked.
“Yeah, a little,” she responded, hoping he wouldn’t take that as a sign to go.
“Well, it’s late. I should be going.” He got up from the sofa.
“Yeah. I’m going to shower and lay it down.”
“Can I call you when I get in?” he asked.
Aww, now he wanna call a sista, she thought, smiling inside. “Sure, you can call me if you wanna call.” Somehow, she couldn’t stop smiling around him.
“Yeah, just to say good night.”
She walked him to the door. “Okay then, call me to say good night, if you’d like.”
They stood there for a few moments, kissing slow and sweet.
“Good night, Tracy,” November said, breaking their embrace.
“Good night, November. I’ll call you when I make it home.”
“Okay.”
She stepped into the hall and watched him walk down the steps. When the downstairs door closed, she heard Roderick open his door.
“Aww snap, Shareese, you finally getting some,” he said, teasing her like he was a ten-year-old.
“Roderick,” she yelled in annoyance.
“I know, I know. Mind my business.”
“Exactly!”
“I would, but keep in mind you can hear through these vents, girlfriend. And what I heard last night and this morning and this afternoon made your business my business.”
“Well, if you hear my business again, act like you don’t. Good night, Roderick!” She slammed her door. “Damn, I can’t wait to get outta this building. These are the nosiest folks in the world. Damn!” she yelled and went to take her shower.
Chapter Seven
That night, Tracy called November, and they ended up staying on the phone until after two a.m. She was tired the next day at work and couldn’t wait to get home and lie down. He called her, wanting to come over, but she was too tired. Although she wanted to see him, she couldn’t open her eyes long enough to even talk to him on the phone. She didn’t want to say no, but she did. Their schedules were tight the next couple of days, so they didn’t see each other, just traded lots of phone calls and text messages.
Thursday, she told herself to wait one more night to see him so she wouldn’t have to get up the next morning, but it was impossible for them to stay away from each other another evening. After Tracy promised that he wouldn’t keep her up late, she agreed to let him come over. She made it home by six thirty, and he was at her place fifteen minutes later.
When he got upstairs, they kissed for an eternity, it seemed, to make up for the days they hadn’t seen one another. She reminded herself not to allow this fine-ass man to reel her in, but his kisses were so intoxicating. She knew if she didn’t watch it, she’d be in love. She backed away from the kiss and let out a breath to calm herself. If they kept it up, she would be naked in her living room, which wasn’t a bad idea, but they had plans to go out to dinner.
“Come on, Tracy, we betta cut this out before something happens.”
“Well, in that case, let’s not stop,” he said, grabbing her and giving her another kiss.
“Come on, baby, stop it. I’m hungry. You said you’d take me to dinner and let me get some rest tonight.”
“Okay, okay. I’ll leave you alone. For now.” He grinned a devilish grin.
She put on her shoes and got her purse so they could leave. They went to a nice restaurant do
wntown where they ate good food and enjoyed wine and the nice atmosphere.
She excused herself to go to the ladies’ room, and when she got back, she saw a woman walking away from their table. What was going on? November watched her smile over her shoulder at Tracy. And he was smiling back.
When she sat down, she didn’t say a word or ask him any questions. She played with her food, barely eating it, because that woman had made her feel so uneasy. Did they exchange numbers? Did Tracy even tell her that he was on a date? Why did she walk away giving him a seductive glance over her shoulder? Tracy acted as if nothing happened and he kept the conversation going during dinner, even though she was short with her responses and didn’t add much commentary to the conversations they exchanged.
When they got in the truck to ride back to her place, she had a little attitude, but she didn’t say anything. After all, he wasn’t her man.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
“I’m fine,” she said sharply.
“No, you’re not. What’s wrong?”
“It’s nothing, Tracy. Don’t worry about it.”
“Okay,” he said.
Being the sensitive Sagittarius she was, she got even angrier. She knew it was childish, but she wanted him to figure it out or at least try harder to see what was bothering her, but he didn’t. When they got back to her place, she hopped out before he had the opportunity to get the door for her. She walked ahead of him, and when she got inside, she threw her keys on the table.
“Okay, November,” Tracy said, “I’m not a mind reader, and I can’t fix it if you don’t tell me what’s bothering you.” He sounded genuinely concerned.
Now, she was too embarrassed to say what it was. “Listen, Tracy, I’m just bugging out, okay? I’m cool.”
“You sure?” He lifted her chin and looked her in the eyes.
“Yes,” she said with a faint smile.
He smiled at her. “Okay then, give me a better smile than that one.”
She tried to look like she was fine, but she could tell he knew that she wasn’t completely cool. She stood there for a moment or two with her fake smile then she turned away to remove her shoes. She excused herself to her bedroom and was about to peel off her clothes when she heard music from her living room. When she went back out, Tracy wasn’t in the living room. He came out of the kitchen and handed her a glass of wine. She took it and smiled, deciding to drop the attitude.
He pulled her into his arms. “Novey, just relax. This could be good if you just chill and take it one day at a time and we take our time to get to know each other. Don’t get upset over small things, baby. I know that scene at the restaurant with the chick walking by the table brought on the attitude, but I’m not that guy. She spoke, asked if I was dining alone, and I told her I wasn’t. She flirted a little and said that was too bad, and she continued on her way. It was nothing, and nothing happened. If we make it, it will just be you and me. I don’t share with others, so just relax and let’s just see how it goes.”
The tension eased in her shoulders. She smiled and relaxed as they swayed to the music. After a couple of sips of her merlot and a slow dance, they made their way into her bedroom.
They were into making each other feel good when she remembered she needed to keep her voice down. Nosy-ass Roderick probably had his ear to the vent. She had a hard time being quiet, and her soft moans and heavy breathing echoed off the empty walls of her room. She had taken everything off, getting ready for her move. Her body sang as he stroked her insides with his instrument.
They went two wonderful rounds before they finally passed out. Before she knew it, her alarm buzzed. She couldn’t believe that the morning had already come. She dragged herself to the shower trying not to wake Tracy, but she failed.
He stepped into the shower with her, and she pleaded with him to allow her to shower and get to work on time. She was tired. He had her drained from the previous night. Her pussy was sore, and all she wanted to do was shower, grab a cup of coffee, and make it through another long day.
“So what time do you have to be at work?” she asked him as she poured him a cup of coffee in her extra thermos.
“Whenever I get there,” he responded.
She handed him the cup. “Oh, I forgot you’re the boss man,” she said, teasing.
“Yep, that’s what they call me.” He smiled and sipped his hot coffee.
“Well, I gotta get out of here,” she said, pouring her coffee into her Starbucks thermos cup, “because, not like you, I have to be there at eight thirty.”
“You want me to take you?” he asked.
“You wanna take me to work?” she asked, surprised.
“Yeah, I can take you, and I’ll pick you up this evening.” She thought it was an awesome idea. She hated driving to work in the traffic. “Okay, that’ll work, but please don’t be late picking me up, because Lord knows I am tired today and I want to get home as soon as I can.”
“I won’t be late, trust me. And why are you so tired?”
She raised an eyebrow. “You have to ask me that, Mr. All Night Long?”
“Oh, yeah, sorry. Sometimes I get a little, you know, carried away. Especially when it’s good.” He grabbed her from behind and kissed her neck. “Why don’t you take the day off?”
“No, Tracy, I can’t,” she said, breaking away.
“Why not? Call in sick or something,” he suggested.
“I told you I was saving my days for my move.”
“I know, but it’s only one day. Come on, we can hang out all day and . . . you know.” He nodded toward the bedroom.
“Nice try, but I can’t. I have to save my days. Trust me, as tired as I am, I would love to not go in, but I can’t.”
“All right, I understand that. But if you can get off early, let me know.”
November smiled to herself. She could tell he was digging her. She got her things, and they headed out the door. When he dropped her off, he told her that he may not be able to get her for lunch and she told him it was cool because she usually had lunch with one of her coworkers. They kissed, and he promised he’d be right there at six.
She went up to her floor and couldn’t concentrate on work. All she could think about was Tracy. She contemplated whether she should take a half day, but she ended up staying the entire day because she had a couple of afternoon meetings that she couldn’t reschedule last minute. In her last meeting, she almost had a panic attack, because the meeting had run over and she didn’t want to be late meeting Tracy that evening.
As soon as the meeting was adjourned, she made a mad dash to her office and quickly gathered her things. She almost knocked her assistant over when she jetted out of her office. “I’m so sorry,” she said in a rush but kept moving. When she finally got downstairs and walked out the revolving doors, he was there just like he said he would be, waiting for her.
She climbed in and apologized for being a few moments late, and they kissed and went to dinner. They spent the entire weekend together. November was on cloud nine.
Chapter Eight
Closing day arrived after a two-week delay. November was so ecstatic she couldn’t sit still in the chair. Tracy had to remind her to bring it down a couple of times because she was bursting and her pitch was louder than normal when she conversed with the banking agent. After what felt like hours of signing papers, she finally had her keys in her hand, and she couldn’t wait to leave the bank.
Unable to wait, she and Tracy headed over to her new place first before going to load up her things. Tracy had helped her by getting a few of his employees to help move her stuff. They were on their way back to her old apartment to start moving, and she was so excited she couldn’t keep still.
“You’re excited, I see,” he said.
“Yes, of course I’m excited.”
“And you should be. Your condo is very nice.”
“Thank you. I can’t wait to get all settled in.” She beamed as they headed to her place to load up her truck.
When they got to her old place, Tracy insisted she get out of the way while he and his crew handled everything. She didn’t argue, and she took a few moments to go and say farewell to some of her neighbors she loved, and to some, she was glad to be getting away from. Ms. Wanda hugged her so tight and long and carried on like her only daughter was going away. November would miss her old crazy-ass, nosy neighbors.
The guys got there and loaded her things fairly quickly and unloaded just as fast. In six hours she was completely moved in, and she was tired. She just wanted to eat and close her eyes. Her new furniture would be arriving the next day, so she had to move boxes out of the way to free up space.
She looked around and admired her new place. This was the way she was supposed to be living, not in that old, run-down apartment. Everything was new and upgraded, and her hardwood floors were gorgeous. She couldn’t wait to get organized. She walked over and touched the exposed brick on the wall. It looked even better than she remembered. Her kitchen was spacious, and the granite countertops and top-notch appliances screamed for her to cook a meal. She rubbed her hands across the mahogany cabinetry. It was definitely a dream come true.
“So, are you ready?”
“Ready for what?” she asked Tracy.
“To go over to my place.”
“No, man, that’s okay. I’m good. I’m just hungry.”
“Well, we can get a bite and then we can head to my place since you don’t have a bed.”
Although that made perfect sense, she wanted to spend her first night in her own place. “That sounds good, but you know I have to get up early and get some things done. I should stay here.”
“Like what, Novey? There is no bed, and I can have you back here as early as you need to be.”
“Are you sure?” she said, now agreeing with him. As much as she wanted to stay in her new place, she didn’t want to sleep on the hard floor.
“Of course I’m sure,” he said.
“Tracy, why are you so good to me?”
“Because . . .” He paused. “I’ve never met a woman like you, and if we make it, I promise I’ll always be good to you.”