“Uh-huh, right. I guess we’ll see.”
“So, what are we wearing tomorrow?” Pearl asked.
“Well, I was thinking about wearing the dress I wore in Constance and Diego’s wedding last year. The long one with the low scooped back, it‘s black and white.”
She gave a small laugh. “I told her I’d get a few good wears out of that dress. What about you Pearl?”
“I don’t know, I’ve got white one with all the glittery stars on it,” she said between bites. “With the right bra, my titties could look like they do in my dreams,” she said giggling.
“What about you, Chica, or do we have to go shopping?”
She shrugged and picked up her glass. “I don’t know. I’ll see what I’ve got and…” She choked on her drink, laughing. “Girl, who am I fooling? Yeah, we’re going shopping.”
“Well, I guess Club Caliente` will earn its name tomorrow, huh?”
They laughed together and finally clicked their glasses.
Chapter 6
Pearl drove to Jake’s house after dinner, knocked once and walked in.
“Honey, I’m here!” She closed the door and looked around the living room.
“Jake? Where is he?” She pushed open the double doors to the kitchen and poked her head in.
“Jake? Where is he?” Going back to the living room, she noticed a bright orange paper on the coffee table.
“Hmm…”
Take this paper with you
And match it to its juice
Smiling she took the note to the kitchen and opened the refrigerator. Inside was a champagne flute with a bright red piece of paper on top of it. Taking a sip she read the note.
Take the glass and
Climb the stairs to paradise
Tucking the red paper under the orange paper, she put both under her arm and went to the stairs. Hanging from the ceiling in front of the steps was a white note.
Gather the flowers
Of my color
She yanked at the note, putting it with the others and looked up the stairs. Red rose pedals and white roses alternated on each step. Taking another sip, she smiled as she collected the white roses. At the top of the steps lay the last rose with a bright blue note on top of it with the same color ribbon attached to it.
Follow me
Adjusting the roses carefully in her arms, she gathered the ribbon. Knowing it would lead to Jake’s room, a different smile played on her lips. Opening the door slowly, she poked her head in.
“Jake?”
“Come in, baby. Close the door,” he whispered.
She stepped in, closing the door behind her, and waited for her eyes to adjust.
Three candles burned across the room giving off just enough light to see strings of smoke swirling around the ceiling. An erotic, woodsy smell tickled her nose as she picked up on the soft jazz playing somewhere in the room.
His king-sized, black lacquer waterbed gave off a faint glow as the fire light bounced off it. In the center of the softly swaying bed, Jake laid grinning, holding a glass that matched hers.
Her mouth dropped open as she stared at him, struck by his masculine beauty.
The combination of his casual grin and seductive pose set her loins on fire. His white skin glowed softly in the dim lighting as he lay comfortably with one leg out and the other bent at the knee, framing his manhood that stood at full staff. The sleek black hair that was on his head was lightly sprinkled across his chest and stomach and swirled in thick circles around his impressive piece. On his neck lay a single gold chain that just barely caught the light. It was a simple, but an elegant ornament that helped to display him as a magnificent specimen of the male species.
She gulped at her drink to wet her mouth that suddenly went dry. “You look incredible,” she said just barely over a whisper.
“Thank you.” His smile widened. “Would you like a closer look?”
Not waiting for an answer, he finished his drink in two swallows and put the glass on the night stand. With a combination of power and grace, his long legs carried him across the room to her in a few short strides. Taking the roses from her he ripped the pedals off and threw them across the black sheets of his bed. He threw the stems in the corner and sat down on the bed, pulling her into his lap.
“Mmm, you smell good, too. You know I love it when you wear Obsession.” She smiled.
“Of course, that’s why I wear it. I’m trying to impress you while I plead my case.” He kissed her shoulder.
“Really? Well, you’re doing an excellent job.” She finished her drink and put her glass next to his.
“You think so, huh?” He slid her off his lap and laid back with her. “Well, you ain’t seen nothing yet, baby.” He palmed her cheeks and kissed her softly.
“Well, not that I want to stop you from pleading your case, but I did go home and think about what we talked about earlier, and I think you’re right. Maybe it is time we took our relationship to the next level. We have been together almost a whole year and--”
“Really?” His handsome features exploded with joy. “Oh, Pearl, I swear I’ll make you happy. You won’t regret it.” He kissed her all over her face. “We’re going to make a great couple,” he said between kisses, and then stopped abruptly.
“What?”
“I think need to say something first. Dr. Phil was on T.V. at the shop one day and he was saying to the men that you should tell your woman up front why you want to be with her and tell her often how much you love her. You know, keep the lines of communication open.”
“Dr. Phil?”
“Work with me, baby. I’m trying to make a point.”
“Sorry. Go ahead.” She muffled her giggles.
“Thanks.” He kissed her and cleared his throat. “Ok, here goes. I started liking you in the beginning when we were doing the lunch thing. I have no idea when I fell in love with you, I just know I did. I want to be with you because you’re smart, sexy, beautiful and fun.” He climbed over her and played in her hair. “Besides, you’re a twin. If I’m lucky I might get to have that twin fantasy I‘ve been having since I was 19,” he said with a teasing grin.
“Jake!” She slapped at his shoulder playfully.
“Ok, ok. I’m kidding about the twin thing, but I’m serious about the rest. I need you to understand that, ok? I want to be with you for you.”
“Well, honey, if Dr. Phil says…”
“Pearl…” he whined falsely, rolling his eyes.
“Ok, ok I’m sorry.” She chuckled. “Yes, baby, ok.”
He kissed her, again. “Now, enough verbal talk. I’m sure you’ll understand my body language clear enough.” He kissed her neck. “Because I think…” he kissed the right side, “…you’re wearing…” he kissed her forehead, “…way too many clothes…” he kissed her lips, “…for this atmosphere.”
He pulled her to her feet and removed her shirt and bra. Kissing her down the valley of her breast, he pushed down her shorts and smiled.
“Girl, you came to my house with no panties on?” He chuckled.
She giggled. “Well, you know, I was just trying to be helpful.”
He pulled her shorts over her feet. “You did that for me? Well, I’m going to have to thank you properly for being so darn helpful.” He chuckled, again.
He rose slowly, sliding his hands up her body, reaching her shoulders. Taking a small step back, he took his time looking her up and down and took a deep breath.
“You are so beautiful. I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of looking at you.”
His voice was soft and seductive and it fueled the fire he already lit in her loins.
He held both sides of her face and kissed her deeply, engulfing her with his need, completing her internal combustion.
She didn’t realize she was moving until she felt the coolness of the sheets and the rose pedals on her back. Opening her eyes, she saw the hot blue fire of desire smolder behind his and felt his arousal rising between them. She surr
endered herself to him.
His hands slid over her sensitive skin, grazing over her black cherry nipples, turning them to little pebbles as they responded to his touch.
“Mmm…” She took a deep breath and a small smile touched her lips.
He reached over to the night stand, then returned kissing her belly, brushing something across her nipples.
“Oh! Jake, what was that?” she whispered.
“Nothing, baby, just a little ole feather,” he said in a soft teasing voice and switched nipples still kissing up her torso. “Do you like it?”
She giggled. “Mmm, hmm.”
He smiled. “Good.”
He reversed his kisses, trailing the feather behind each one. Pausing just below her belly button he licked and kissed her, watching the goose bumps appear, and then continued down one side of her hips to her thigh. He kissed and licked down one side while gliding the feather down the other. Moving up between her legs he could feel the heat from her loins and see how much she wanted him.
“Jake…” she whispered, almost panting.
“Shh, not yet,” he whispered back.
Her breathing was close to erratic as she clutched the sheets, “Jake…please…”
Smiling, he brushed his face across her pelvis, traveling to her face. “Yeah, baby?” He kissed her neck.
“Don’t tease me, Jake.”
“Oh, come on, Pearl. Just being near you and not being able to have you is a tease for me.” He kissed across her collar bone to the other side of her neck. “Mmm, your skin is always so soft…” He dragged his face slowly across her breasts, sniffing her. “You always smell so sweet…” He pushed her legs open with his own and slid himself into her without hindrance. “Mmm, and you always feel so damn good.”
They moved in perfect harmony, their own private symphony. He took his time, taking her to the brink of ecstasy and backing off several times until she grabbed his butt, thrusting him further, letting him know she was ready. Struggling with his own climax, he managed to hold it off until he felt her body erupt around him and heard her cries of euphoria bounce off the walls and echo in his ears. When his own pleasure roared within him, begging for escape, he turned the gentle waves of his bed into tidal waves with his release.
Hours later, she awoke to find him still asleep beside her in a fetal position.
arefully she removed the arm he had thrown over her stomach and slowly slid out of bed. Dressing quickly she pulled the flyer from her shorts pocket and left it on the pillow next to him. Running her fingers gently through his hair, she kissed his forehead and left.
Having made it to her own bed just before sunrise, she didn’t wake until the early afternoon and followed the smell of food to the kitchen.
“Well, look who decided to join us.”
She dragged herself to the table and dropped her head down.
“Here you go, sister dear, this will perk you up,” Opal said in a singing voice, sliding a cup across the table to her.
She forced her head up. “Mmm.”
“You should have been up for breakfast, girl. Debbie was working her magic.
She made waffles,” she said perkily.
Pearl sipped her coffee staring at her over the cup. She sent a quick look at Debbie, who just shrugged.
“Yup, with the waffles she made sausages and eggs and we had orange juice, too.” She smiled excitedly, almost bouncing in the chair.
“Mmm, hmm…” She nodded and sipped her coffee, watching Opal as she reminded her of a child on Christmas morning, bouncing from gift to gift.
“Yup, she put strawberries on them, too. Oh, oh and the coffee was good, too. Uh-huh, it’s French vanilla--do you like it? I liked it. It was good. It went perfect with breakfast, and…”
“Opal, did she put drugs in the damn waffles? Why the hell are you so damn bouncy?”
“What? Can’t I just be in a good mood?”
She looked at her quizzically and turned to Debbie.
Debbie threw her hands up and laughed.
She took another sip and shook her head. “What are you making now, Deb? I’m starved.”
“Just throwing together some seafood stir-fry,” she said with a shrug. “A little shrimp, crabmeat and some lobster pieces. I’m just throwing it around with some onions and mushrooms.” She showed her the wok.
“Over rice?”
“You want rice?”
She nodded, finishing her coffee.
“Ok, rice, too.”
“Pearl, Pearl, you know what else, you know what else we had with breakfast?”
She put her cup down in the sink. “You know, Opal, you’re a little scary when you’re like this. I’m going to take a shower.” She stared at Opal as she walked by and shook her head again.
Debbie laughed and continued cooking.
“What?”
They ate lunch together before they went out, spending the rest of the day shopping. When they returned, Opal was rushed to do Pearl and Debbie’s hair and Debbie helped her with her own.
“Chica, can you see if there’s a pair of stockings in that top drawer,” she said pulling the rollers out of her head.
“Stockings? Uh-uh, girl, no stockings with that dress.”
“But my shoes are closed toe.”
“Then paint your toes and change your shoes. We don’t do stockings in the summer, you know better than that. What color do you need?”
“Black,” she said digging through her makeup case.
“Ok, let me check my closet.” She started to go next door to her room, but changed direction going across the hall to the master bedroom. Knocking once she walked in.
She looked around the room and laughed to herself, “Is she ever gonna change this room? It still looks the same as it did when she was in her room.”
The walls were beige with a sea shell border around the ceiling. The two curios she gave her for her 16th and 20th birthdays still hung on both sides of the window. One held 11 tiny dragons and the other held 9 mini castles. Her phone and cup sat on her bookcase that doubled as a night stand at the head of her bed, and at the foot of her bed sat an old cedar trunk…the only thing left that belonged to their parents.
She sighed and Pearl’s voice brought her out of her day dream.
“Hey, Opal, what’s up?”
“You know it should’ve been me that took mom and dad’s room, you know. I would have laid it out.”
“I seem to remember offering it to you first, but you said it would weird you out doing the things you know you’d be doing in mom and dad’s room,” she said with a chuckle.
“Hmm, yup, that sounds like something I’d say.”
Her sister laughed. “Girl what do you want?”
“I just came to check on you. Are you almost done?”
“Yup, just about.” She fumbled with the clasp on her choker.
She walked over and helped her. “There you go. Can I help you with anything else?”
“Well, you can make sure the stars in my hair aren’t crooked.” She chuckled. “I know how you hate that.”
“That’s right. I worked hard getting this up-do done. It’s close to perfection, if I do say so myself.”
She straightened the tiny rhinestone stars that held her hair in place, pulled on the little curls in the back so they hung closer to her shoulders, then sat down on her bed with a soft sigh.
“Sometimes I wish I would’ve never dyed my hair. It could be just as pretty, black and shiny as yours.” She jumped up abruptly, with a smile. “Then the feeling passes and I’m over it.”
“You’re so crazy.” She giggled. “Go get dressed.”
“What?” She looked down at herself. “You disapprove of my warm, soft and fluffy bathrobe? It’s white,” she said with wide eyes, batting her lashes.
“Whatever.” She chuckled and stepped into her dress that rested on the trunk.
“Zip me up and go get dressed.”
Dressed and ready a short while later,
the girls jumped in Debbie’s gold Maxima and arrived at Club Caliente`. For two hours they mingled in a sea of black and white, talking and laughing with old friends and new.
“Holy cow. Ladies, to your right is one fine ass specimen of maleness, and he’s coming this way,” one lady said.
Turning, along with everyone else, Pearl watched the man walk across the dance floor. His eyes met hers as he came toward her like a tiger stalking his prey.
“Holy shit. Talk about your eye candy,” said another woman.
The black, double breasted Armani suit fit his body excellently, complementing his blue eyes and dark features perfectly and creating an image that mesmerized her as she watched him come closer. Hard as it was to tear her eyes away, she looked around her and noticed she wasn’t the only one who was wide-eyed, slack jawed and watching him breathlessly.
“Wow, he is a cutie. Pearl, what do you think?” her sister asked.
She swallowed to wet her mouth enough to speak. “He looks incredible,” she said in a hushed voice.
The ladies sucked in a breath as they watched him walk directly to them and stop in front of Pearl.
“I don’t think I’ve seen anyone look so beautiful.” He lifted her hand to his lips.
“How, how did you spot me in this crowd?”
“Crowd? What crowd? All I see is you.” He took her other hand and stepped back. “You are without a doubt the most beautiful woman in here.” He smiled and kissed her other hand.
Behind them they heard a low, but audible sigh and Pearl’s smile widened.
“Oh, hell no.”
Debbie laughed. “Now, now, Chica, Pearl has always had good taste.”
She sucked her teeth and tapped him on the shoulder. “Umm, excuse me. Hello. Yes, hi, believe it or not there are other people here. Like me, the one that looks just like her. That makes me just as beautiful, doesn’t it?”
“Chica, you are such a hater,” Debbie said in a hushed voice, poking her in the shoulder.
With the spell between them broken, he turned to the voice and smiled, sliding his arm through hers.
“Then that would make you Opal. A pleasure to finally meet you.” He offered her his hand.
The Yin Yang Effect Page 6