by Pat Tucker
Before she climbed into the backseat, Leela watched as Samantha and Kent exchanged googly-eyes. She rolled her own, and buckled her seatbelt the minute Malone slammed the door shut.
Leela watched as Malone darted around the front of the truck and eased in next to her. Once nestled next to her, he threw an arm over her shoulder and pulled her close. What the hell was she doing? Why didn’t she run back upstairs? She wasn’t strong enough for these close encounters.
“It’s gonna be okay, Sweetness,” he said and snuggled next to her. Leela tried to ignore the tingle that shot down her spine. She wanted desperately to send a subliminal message to Samantha asking for rescue, but it felt so good to be in his arms. She was conflicted.
Instead of signaling any kind of SOS or distress signal, she allowed herself to sink into the comfort of Malone’s strong arms.
Kent took off and Leela couldn’t help but wonder what they looked like. From the outside, they probably appeared like four people headed for a double-date, but for her, on the inside, a constant battle brewed.
If Riley found himself in a similar position, she’d want him to do the right thing. Samantha was a newly single woman. She could keep company with Kent and Malone, but Leela had a husband, and if her husband found out, she knew, nothing good would come from the situation.
“Hey, can you guys drop me home?” Leela finally asked. Samantha whipped around in her seat and looked back at her with confusion across her face.
“We’re gonna go grab a bite and some drinks,” she said to Leela.
“Yeah, it’s still early. We won’t keep you out too late; promise,” Malone said.
Leela was so angry with Samantha, because she knew better and that Riley would have a fit if he caught a glimpse of what was going on.
“Not tonight for me, guys. I’m really tired. I think I should go home, turn in early,” Leela pressed.
Kent’s brown eyes fixed on her through the rearview mirror. “You know, I think Leela’s got a point. She’s probably not in the mood to be out on the town. How about we get some takeout, grab a movie from one of those Redboxes and chill at your place, Sam?”
“Oh, that’s a great idea!” Samantha quickly added. “You’re so thoughtful, Babe.” She leaned over and kissed Kent’s cheek.
Leela wanted to throw up a little in her mouth.
“Yeah. That’s probably much better anyway,” Malone chimed in. “Sweetness, your grandmother is gonna be okay,” he said, and pulled Leela even closer. “I just feel it. Trust me, I’m usually right about this sort of thing.”
Later, as Kent pulled up in Samantha’s driveway and hopped out of the car, Leela didn’t move a muscle. She waited for Malone to hop out, like she knew he would. Then she quickly reached up and yanked on Samantha’s weave!
“Oouch!”
“What is your problem? You know I ain’t got no business hanging out with this man!” Leela said quickly.
There wasn’t enough time for Samantha’s response, before both of their car doors opened.
“Ladies,” Malone said, as he extended his hand to help Leela climb out of the backseat.
Leela felt like such a fraud. She watched as Samantha sashayed up the walkway and unlocked the front door.
Inside Samantha’s house, the men moved around like they were daily fixtures in her space.
“Can I talk to you for a sec?” Leela asked Samantha.
“You guys go ahead. I’m gonna fix the food, and Malone is about to whip up some drinks,” Kent said.
“You sure you don’t need me to help?” Samantha asked as she tried to make her way toward the kitchen.
“We got it covered in here, Babe. Go talk to your girl,” Kent said. He used his hands to shoo her away.
Tired of waiting for permission, Leela grabbed Samantha by the shoulder and gently shoved her toward the back bedroom.
“He says they’ve got it under control,” Leela said.
“But I can…”
“You can come back here so I can talk some sense into you!” Leela said, as she led Samantha toward the bedroom door.
The minute they were behind closed doors, Leela pulled in a deep breath. Her eyes narrowed as she focused her stare on Samantha. “What the hell are you trying to do?” she asked.
Samantha shrugged. “I dunno what you’re talking about.”
“Don’t play stupid with me. Why do you keep making it so easy for Malone to get to me? You know good and well that you needed to tell me you were with them!”
“Why are you trippin’? Malone knows your situation. He really likes you,” Samantha said. “Girl, why you trippin’? The man knows the job is dirty. If he ain’t afraid, and is still willing to sign up for the position, why not sit back and reap the benefits?”
“Sam! I am married! I can’t be keeping company with some sexy man just because he likes me!” Leela screamed.
Samantha laughed.
Leela frowned.
“What’s wrong with you? What’s so funny?”
“You! So you admit, you think he’s sexy,” she said.
“Sam! I’m serious. Things are strained with Riley and me. I don’t need any distractions right now.”
“But Malone is so sweet. He simply adores you. Leela, when you’re with him, I don’t know what it is; but you’re like a completely different person. He’s a perfect gentleman, he’s handsome, and he has a great job. What’s there not to like?”
Leela stood with her arms crossed at her chest.
“Oh, I don’t know. How about my husband? Samantha, I am married! You’re right, Malone is all of those things and more, but I’m not trying to get caught in a love triangle. Besides, if he’s that damn perfect, why is he still single?”
Samantha cut her eyes at Leela and a sly grin spread across her face. “See, I knew you were feeling him. You two are so cute together!” she squealed.
Leela looked at her friend like she had really lost her mind.
“Leela. We have hit the jackpot with these two. Kent is everything! He’s a perfect gentleman, he’s so considerate, and I think I’m falling in love,” Samantha admitted.
“Well, I’m happy for you! But this is not a double-date, and I need you to respect the fact that I’m already married and I’m not trying to get a divorce!”
The smile fell from Samantha’s face.
“You know what, you’re right. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t encourage Malone, regardless of how he feels about you. It’s just that he’s so sweet and the two of you are so adorable together. But I’ll stop. After tonight, when he asks about you, I’ll shut him down.”
Leela gave Samantha a knowing look.
“I’m serious,” Samantha said.
Leela was unsure of what she feared more: her lying friend or the feelings she had developed for Malone.
CHAPTER
25
Free Fridays was a recipe for disaster. There was nothing good about a married woman being able to do whatever she felt like, no questions asked, no worries about guilt. Leela looked into this man’s eyes and wondered how she had lost herself so quickly.
She needed to put a stop to this before everything she knew became completely unrecognizable. After the delicious meal Kent and Malone had prepared, they were sitting around and about to watch a movie.
“Sweetness, would you like more wine?” Malone asked.
All evening long, he’d been the perfect gentleman. He was everything Samantha had described and the fact that he knew and understood her situation, but didn’t seem to care, gave Leela a sense of danger and adventure.
There was the part of her that understood that if Riley ever found out, he’d break both her and Malone in two, probably with his bare hands. But Malone didn’t seem like a push-over, either. Leela had a feeling he would be able to hold his own.
“No more wine for me.”
Leela caught the look Samantha had tossed her way, but she didn’t care. How could she get her girl to stop acting like they were two high-schoo
lers on a double-date? Samantha was completely comfortable despite the fact that what was going on in her house was wrong.
“Hey, Sweetness, come back here for a sec; I wanna show you something,” Malone said. He stood near the hall.
All eyes followed him there even though he was only talking to Leela.
“Umph. You scared?” Samantha asked.
Leela rolled her eyes. She giggled because while they’d been curled up together on the sofa, Malone had allowed his hands to wander all over her body. It felt good. She and Riley only really touched when it was time to have sex. Their cuddle moments had vanished years ago. And Leela never realized how much she missed that kind of touching until Malone came along.
Playing along with him, Leela eased up from the couch and followed him down the hall.
The minute he pulled her into the spare bedroom, which had become something like their love nest, and closed the door, he pinned her up against it and smothered her with a wet and sloppy kiss.
Leela could barely catch her breath as he pulled back and sucked her neck.
“Malone, you’ve gotta stop,” she purred.
Her fingers spread wildly against his bald head and seemed to pull him in closer. Everything he did to her felt amazing.
Their fingers laced together as he held one arm up and used his other hand to work her left breast out of its lace cup.
“Jesus, Malone!”
He filled his mouth and suckled her nipple like he needed whatever his lips pulled from it. Leela squirmed; she breathed hard, and tried to pull herself free.
“You’re gonna make me,” she whispered.
It was hot in the room. Their coupling generated the scent of sex before any penetration occurred. Leela wanted him; she wanted to let him do whatever he wanted. He felt good. Her hands traveled along his muscular back and again, she pulled him closer.
“Wait, let’s move to the bed,” she said.
Leela couldn’t believe she had made the suggestion, but she had.
When Malone released the hold he had on her, their eyes connected.
“You sure about this, Sweetness?”
That question brought Leela to her senses. She shook her head. “No, I’m not. I’m so sorry. I got caught up in the heat of the moment.”
“No, I’m sorry. It was my fault. I couldn’t resist. Here, let’s go back out there and watch the movie. I’ll be on my best behavior. I promise.”
“Okay. I think that’s a great idea. But I need a moment.” Leela motioned toward his crotch. “It looks like you do, too.”
Malone looked down. “See what you do to me?”
• • •
“What do you mean you looking for Leela?” Riley asked into the phone. He had gone from zero to sixty in less than a minute, and he was pissed. This was more than embarrassing. What did it look like, his mother-in-law calling the house to find his wife?
Where the hell was she if she wasn’t with her grandmother like she was supposed to be? From what he knew, they were all supposed to be at the hospital. That was what Leela had told him she was doing after work. Now Linda, who was at the hospital, was calling and looking for her?
“Well, let me figure out where she is and get back with you,” he said, as calmly as he could. It was all he could do to hold his composure as they talked. The last thing he needed was Linda’s nosey ass all up in his business.
“I called Samantha, but she ain’t answering, either, so I figured she’d be home with you by now.”
“Yeah. I got that, Linda. Look, lemme holler at you in a few. I’ll tell her to call.”
“Okay, but is everything okay over there, Riley?”
That’s exactly what Riley was afraid of. He knew how people thought. His wife was out late at night, not answering her phone, and of course it looked like the man had lost control. Oh, not on his watch! He’d get to the bottom of this crap and put Leela back into her place where she belonged.
“Yeah. It’s all good. I’ll have her call you,” Riley said.
But his nosey mother-in-law just wouldn’t shut up! She kept yapping and yapping and all he wanted to do was get her off the phone so he could find his wife.
“Linda. I said I’ll have her call you.”
That firm voice finally did the trick. Riley was so pissed he could draw blood. What the hell was Leela thinking?
Minutes after he finally wrangled Linda off the phone, he called his wife’s cell. She answered by the fourth ring, far too long for his taste.
“Hello?”
Riley didn’t respond right away. He tried to listen to hear whether sounds from the background would give an indicator of where she was and what she was doing.
“Hello?” She sounded frustrated.
“Where the hell you at?” Riley asked.
“Uh. What’s wrong?”
“Damn, Leela. How many times do I have to tell you about answering my questions with another friggin’ question? Where are you?”
“I’m just trying to figure out why you’re so pissed off, that’s all. I tried calling you earlier and you didn’t answer. I needed you to pick up my grandfather and bring him to the hospital.”
“Don’t even try to act like you’re at the hospital because I know you’re not there! Leela, I’m not for this bullshit!”
“Riley, cut it out!”
“Who you talking to like that?”
Leela lowered her voice. “I’m sorry. I’m on my way home now,” she stammered.
“That’s beside the point. I asked where you are now. I didn’t ask whether you were on your way home.”
Leela sighed.
“This shit has got to stop! I’m not tolerating this kind of behavior. It’s damn-near one-o-clock in the damn morning and I’m calling all around the city looking for my wife? Got your mama questioning me when you’re supposed to be at the hospital with her? Shiiiit. You got me messed up!”
“Riley, I said I’m on my way,” Leela repeated.
“You bet your ass you are!”
Leela didn’t have to tell him where she was, because he already knew. Once she hung up the phone, he dug up his iPad and logged on to the app to confirm his suspicion. Yeah. Things needed to change in the Franklin household and that change needed to happen like yesterday.
CHAPTER
26
Thoughts of Malone stayed on Leela’s mind way more than she wanted. Oftentimes, she caught herself comparing Riley to him, and she knew that wasn’t fair. But it was so hard for her to stop.
Riley was so rigid at times. Malone was carefree, like a dreamer. While Riley helped out with anything physically related to her grandparents’ breakup, Malone was there emotionally. He seemed to get it. He understood the craziness of a divorce after such a long marriage.
On date night with her husband, Leela sat inside the darkened theater and zoned out on the previews for upcoming movies. Her mind started to drift to thoughts of a perfect world. Malone was an all-around sweetie, but Riley exuded strength and took control when she needed it. Was there a way she could have them both?
“Oh, Jesus! I want him,” she muttered aloud.
She quickly glanced around to see if anyone had heard her confession. The theater was full, but the loud Dolby sound system had drowned out her voice. Her declaration was still safe. It was the first time she had verbalized it, but not the first time the thought had crossed her mind. When she noticed no one had paid any attention to her, Leela eased into the bucket seat.
She felt pathetic. On date night, she couldn’t stop thinking about her sidepiece. Leela jumped, startled, when her cell phone vibrated after a text message came through.
When she saw the name “Mary” pop up on the screen, she smiled.
It was a message from Malone and it was sweet and short.
I MISS YOU!
Leela looked around. She didn’t dare respond to Malone’s text message. She was just glad her husband still hadn’t returned from the concession area.
There was
no denying that she was now officially doing wrong. She thought about how put-out she was when Riley first presented the idea of Free Fridays. Now, she felt herself counting down the weeks and days until the next month.
It didn’t help that Samantha seemed to do everything she could to help Malone. Leela thought about the conversation she’d had with Samantha just before she’d left Samantha’s place.
“I can’t be here. I can’t be alone like this with him. I can’t do this,” Leela said in a panicky voice. Her adrenaline raced as she moved around the room, scared but excited. She needed to get her stuff together and get home before her husband sent out an official search party.
Samantha giggled like they were schoolgirls enjoying the sweetest joke.
“Listen, I wasn’t supposed to say anything, but the guys are trying to plan a trip for us next month,” Samantha said once her giggles subsided. She threw up her arms in mock defense. “Hold up; hold up before you start going all ballistic; we’re planning it around the next Free Friday. That way you won’t be acting all holy and stuff,” she said.
Leela froze. Her eyes grew to the size of saucers. Her mouth slowly fell open, until it nearly hit the floor. She couldn’t believe her ears.
“Before you go all ham on me, it wasn’t my idea,” Samantha defended.
“Have you heard anything I’ve said? Are you even listening to me?” Leela asked.
Samantha shrugged. “What?”
“Sam! I am married! I can’t just run off with you, Malone and Kent! We are not kids on a double-date!”
“Girl, please! Why are you tripping? I said we’re planning it around your next Free Friday.” Samantha shrugged again. “Can you imagine what Riley is doing during his free time? And if he’s with Bill, Girl, please!”
For a moment, Leela stood and watched her friend. She didn’t understand why Samantha behaved like they were back in their college days. Although they didn’t know each other then, that was the last time that Leela had thrown caution to the wind and behaved as irrationally as Samantha was suggesting.
Samantha danced around the room. “Girl, Malone is totally feeling you. All he does is talk about you. I’m just glad you guys found each other, because he is so sweet!”