by Skyy
“I know, baby, but please bear with me. You know it’s work.” He paused. “Dude, where are your safety goggles and hard hat?” he yelled. I knew he was talking to a worker.
“Baby, I’ll let you get back to work. I’m at your place, so I’ll see you later.”
“I’ll try not to wake you.”
“Okay. Bye.” I wanted to say, “I love you,” but I didn’t again.
I snuggled under the covers and tried to get some sleep. Unlike Will, I ran a bakery, so I was at my workplace by 4:00 a.m. For that reason, I didn’t burn the midnight oil during the week and instead got some shut-eye. I tossed and turned on this night, and finally, I decided to get up. It was 8:20 p.m., and I missed my baby. I knew he’d crawl into the bed after midnight, and I’d have to get out of the bed by 3:00 a.m., and I needed more than a kiss on this night. I needed dick. That would be the only way I’d fall asleep.
I slipped on my yoga pants, my tennis shoes, and his Bears hoodie. I grabbed my phone and headed downstairs. I went into the kitchen and got his dinner, which was in a Ziploc container, popped it in the microwave, and prayed that it would still be warm after my thirty-minute drive to his work site. Yes, I was ghetto at heart, because I grabbed the wine, a corkscrew, and two red Solo cups. I put all that, plus napkins, a small bowl of salad, and salad dressing, in a paper Olive Garden bag that I took from my stash of restaurant bags, which Will had begged me to toss, and then I was off.
I drove, hoping I’d give him a sweet surprise and not an unpleasant one. I knew how meticulous and precise Will was when it came to work, so I hoped he wouldn’t frown at me for showing up.
“I’m looking for Will,” I said to one of the workers as I got out of my car.
“He’s in the trailer.” He pointed to a trailer about twenty-five yards away.
“Thanks.”
I retrieved the Olive Garden bag from the passenger seat and hurried in that direction. Before I could make it to the two short steps in front of the trailer door, a woman walked out. She looked like a model. Tall, slim. Damn that . . . She was petite, with a body I had never owned, even when I was at my slimmest. She was gorgeous hands down, and for the first time in our relationship, I felt insecure and jealous.
“Hi,” she said as she walked by me, and I paused to watch her head to a dark BMW.
“Hello,” I whispered, and I knew she didn’t hear me, because my voice had abandoned me. I stood still for a moment, and she drove away. I debated whether I should just leave. As soon as I decided to walk away, the trailer door swung open, and it was Will. He spotted me.
“Baby, hey.” He smiled.
I tried to detect if his smile was fake.
“Hey, baby,” I said nervously.
He approached me quickly and kissed me. “I didn’t know you were coming by, bae. What’s all this?”
“Your dinner.” I tried to say it with a straight face. I didn’t want to look upset or pissed because I had seen a drop-dead gorgeous woman walk out of his trailer.
“Thank God, honey. I’m starving. I have to do a quick check. Go inside.”
“Yes.” I nodded, and he was off.
Okay, Lynn, maybe it was nothing. Don’t get crazy, I told myself as I walked to the trailer. Once inside, I surveyed the area. His desk was too cluttered for them to have done it there, but Will did have arm strength, so they could have done it against the wall. I did a check of the trash, looking for condoms, and when I saw there were none, my heart started to beat even harder. Please, God, tell me he didn’t do her without protection. I was going out of my mind.
Moments later he was back. He started to unload the Olive Garden bag, which I’d placed on his desk. “Baby, thank you, because your man is starving. I’m so hungry, I can eat a horse.”
Folding my arms across my breasts, I tilted my head. “Are you sure that’s all you’re hungry for?” It just jumped out of my mouth.
“Huh?” He looked puzzled.
Crazy had come out. I hadn’t wanted her to, but I was jealous, and I wanted the truth. “The big-titty chick with the small waist, in the blue dress and heels, who I saw walking out of here when I arrived.”
He paused. “Baby, that’s Yvonne. That is my partner’s lady. He told her he was here at the site, and she came down looking for him, so relax. I’m with you, and you only.” He kissed my forehead. “I’m not that guy, babe. I’m starving. I’m glad you’re here, and I’m grateful for this meal,” he said, ignoring my jealous pouting. He helped himself to the dinner I’d brought for him. “If you’d walked in here five minutes earlier, I would have introduced you two, Lynn, so don’t give me that face. I love you, babe. You’re the only woman for me.”
He’d said it. He’d said it first. He loved me.
I swallowed hard. “Okay. I’m sorry, Will. I just saw this gorgeous woman sashay out of here, and all sorts of things ran through my head.”
“Well, check the mirror, baby. I got a gorgeous woman too.” He sat and popped the lid on his microwaved food. He started eating, so I moved to open the wine.
“By the way, I love you too, Will.” I smiled, and he smiled back at me.
“I know,” he said.
“You know? How could you know?”
“By the way you’ve treated me over the past six months, baby. I mean, if neither one of us had ever said it, it wouldn’t have mattered, because it’s all in how we take care of each other. And don’t stand there, acting as if you didn’t already know too.”
“I did, but I didn’t want to be the first to say it,” I confessed.
“Well, I’m not used to saying it. But it was time to let you know.”
“Well, I’m happy about that news, and I love you back.”
I handed him his drink and sat. He finished his meal, eating every morsel. When I was pouring our second cup of wine, there was a knock on the door.
“Come in,” Will called.
“Boss, there is a problem,” one of his workers explained.
Will stood. “Stay put,” he told me.
I nodded. It was now 9:50 p.m., and I should have been asleep. I sat and waited, and twenty minutes later he was back.
“Is everything okay?” I asked.
“Yes, but I’ll be here for a while.” He locked the door. “Take off your clothes.”
“Baby, someone will hear us.”
“Listen,” he said, and I did.
All I heard was noise. Construction noise.
“Now, take those off,” he insisted. “I need some before my sack bursts.”
I stood and took off my bottoms.
“The hoodie too,” he instructed. “You know I want to see your pretty titties.”
I did what I was told. There was no space on his desk, but the other desk was free and clear.
“Come over here.”
I did what he said.
“Do you have condoms?” I asked.
“No,” he answered before going down on me.
In the back of my mind, I wondered what the hell we were doing. We always, always used condoms. “Baby, I don’t know. We don’t have condoms.”
“Whatever happens, happens, Lynn. I’m all in,” he said and made his way back up to my lips. He pushed my thighs farther apart, and then he slid inside of me.
I closed my eyes and allowed my man to pleasure me without the plastic. He felt new, good, and I loved feeling his flesh inside of me. “Aah, aah, aah,” I moaned as he pumped harder.
“Your pussy is so good, baby. You’re gonna make me cum. I’m going to explode in this wet pussy,” he cried, closing his eyes. That look he always had when he was inside of me was on his face, and it was a look of enjoyment.
When he opened his eyes, though, the expression on his face started to change, and his soft words grew louder, and his hips moved faster, and he pushed deeper. I was going out of my mind with pleasure as his organ slid in and out of me, giving my walls a rhythmic massage.
My spot got wetter, my walls contracted tighter, an
d we were now one in this dingy trailer he had claimed as an office.
“Will, baby, I’m going to cum, baby. I’m going to cum all over your dick, baby,” I yelled.
My body was experiencing a new level with him, and when I exploded, I felt my muscles spasm. He countered with his own explosion. We kissed deeply as our fluids mixed. I was on a high. “Drunk in love,” as Bey would say, and I only wanted this man. I wanted only him, and I worshipped him at that moment.
“I love you,” I breathed in his ear.
“I love you too, baby,” he said and pushed his tongue into my mouth so deep, I couldn’t help but suck it.
I was his, and I had claimed him as mine, even if he felt differently. I had made my own declaration of what we were, and that was inseparable. No way I’d ever let him go.
Chapter Nine
Lynn
“So do you think you and Will may get married?” Yvonne asked.
She and I were in the kitchen alone, while Will and his partner, Lance, were watching the game. Lance and Will were thick as thieves, and Lance ran the company with Will. The fact that Lance was Will’s best friend made it impossible for me to avoid Yvonne.
Not that I hated her—no, that was too strong a word—but I truly didn’t like her much. Now, I might have been a bit harsh because I wasn’t accustomed to her kind—you know, the kind who lived off their looks and not their brains. I wondered what she’d do for money if she was in an accident that destroyed her perfect face. She wasn’t a black blonde, far from it, but she was definitely a professional gold digger.
She was classy. I’d give her that, because everything from her fake hair to her lashes, contacts, and nails were top-notch, but I had a thing against legal prostitutes.
Stirring my homemade mac and cheese in the extra-large bowl, I replied, “I don’t know, Yvonne. I mean, it’s only been a year. We’re good, but we have never discussed marriage.” I hated Will had invited them, but since I was a sucker for the kitchen, I had greens cooking, chicken baking, potato salad chilling and sweet potatoes on keep warm. I was not stranger to cooking, so I didn’t make a big stink about having them over.
“Well, I say persuade that ass. Lance thought I’d keep waiting on this diamond, and I told his ass either he’d make this official or I’d find another sponsor, and bam!” she yelled, throwing her five-carat diamond in my face.
“Well, I don’t believe in ultimatums anymore, Yvonne. He wants to because he wants to, not because I make him choose.”
She shook her head. “I know you’re a lot older than I am,” she said with no shame. I assumed I had this young madam by ten, maybe twelve years, but this heifer had just called me old. “But you have a lot to learn. Lance is not only fine as hell, but he is also paid, and Will is going to be as rich as Lance is someday, so I suggest you get in now.”
I raised a brow. “Someday? Lance and Will are equal partners, Yvonne. Will makes just as much as Lance does,” I said.
The expression on her face said she had spoken too much, and she quickly replied, “Yeah, you’re right.” She stood up from the island. “Now, which way is the bathroom again?” she asked.
I stopped stirring. “Down the hall, third door on the left.”
I was now curious about what was really going on. I mean, Will lived well, and I had just thought Lance was flashy rather than wealthier. I poured my mac and cheese into the glass dish I’d set out, then put it in the oven. By the time Miss Fancy came back, I was cleaning up my prep area.
“So is there anything I can help with, Lynn? I’m not much of a cook, but I can make bomb-ass Kool-Aid.”
I chuckled. “No. Dinner will be ready soon. We can go in and join the guys. I cannot mix Kool-Aid with this wine.” I gave her a fake smile.
Beauty, no brains. Can’t cook. Probably don’t clean. And if I have to guess, her sex is probably a three. Shit, she had nothing on me.
“Whose winning, bae?” I asked Will when I sat down close to him on our huge sectional in the family room. That room was the most used because it was the only room we entertained ourselves and guest in.
“Chicago, baby. Up by seven, but the fourth quarter just started, so you know how it goes.”
“I know. Do you want another beer, baby?” I said.
“That would be awesome,” he replied.
I got up, and then I heard Lance say, “Um, Yvonne, I’d like another beer too.”
“Yo’ legs work,” she snapped.
“Don’t worry, Lance. I’ll get it,” I said and reached for his empty bottle.
“Thank you, Lynn. This one right here ain’t good for shit but spending my money,” Lance joked.
“Man, please. I please that dick, though,” she returned.
My eyes widened, although I was not surprised that this came out of her mouth. I just shook my head and went into the kitchen. I did a quick peek at my mac and cheese and stirred my greens. Potato salad was chilling in the fridge, and the sweet potatoes were done. All we were waiting on was the baked chicken breasts and the mac and cheese. Will had double ovens now, thanks to me, because I did all the cooking. As soon as I had said I needed another oven, he and two of his crew members had had one installed within four days.
He was sexy, talented, and loving. I honestly hoped marriage was in our future. I grabbed two beers from the refrigerator and joined the others.
“Here you go, Lance,” I said before handing him a beer.
“Thanks, Lynn.”
I flopped down next to Will, and before I could hand off his beer, he was up on his feet, cheering, because Chicago had scored. The Bears were up by two touchdowns against Green Bay, our rival team, and Will was happy. He finally calmed down, and I handed him his beer.
An hour after the game was over—it ended with a Chicago victory—we were at the table, eating. I always shook my head at some of the things Yvonne said, but I normally ignored her remarks, because she wasn’t too swift. I was overjoyed when we walked them to the door and said good night.
Before long Will and I headed upstairs. I went into the bathroom, and when I came out, Will was in bed, surfing the channels.
“Baby,” I said, and he turned to me. I knew I should stay out of it, but I had to ask.
“Yeah?” he replied.
“How well . . . or let me say . . . How much control does Lance have in your company?”
“What do you mean?”
I went over and sat near him on the bed. “I just mean, what does he do differently from you?”
“Other than he can’t swing a hammer?” He laughed.
“Yes, I guess. I mean, how often do you look at the numbers?”
“Well, babe, to be honest, Lance handles that side of it. I have too much construction and actual manual labor going on to even look at that stuff.”
“Maybe you should,” I suggested.
His brow arched. “Come on, babe. Lance has been my boy since fifth grade. He is on the up-and-up.”
“I know, but it’s strange how his house is three times as big as yours. He has, like, four vehicles.”
“He likes to floss.”
“Okay.” I paused and breathed deeply. “I know you’re not as flashy as he is, and, baby, please, I’m not trying to stir up any trouble, but your company is worth millions. The work I see you do, baby . . . come on. No way he’s living ten times better when you two are equal partners. I mean, just look into it.”
“Where is this coming from, Lynn? I mean, are you jealous of the bullshit he laces Yvonne with? I mean, if you want me to buy you some bling, I can. I have lots of money to buy you or give you anything, love. Even a larger house, a fancier car. I just don’t splurge like Lance. Remember, I chose this home. This was my parents’ home.”
I could tell I was rubbing him the wrong way. “Will, baby, you know that’s not who I am. Yvonne just said something to me in the kitchen that raised a red flag, and I love you too much not to mention it.”
“What did she say?”
“She made a comment about you becoming as wealthy as Lance one day, as if Lance made so much more than you. So all I’m saying is, check it out, baby. See what’s going on in that office. You are so smart, Will, and talented, and you can turn a ghetto into paradise if you touch it. You work too hard, baby, and if there is something going on in that office that you’re unaware of, you need to check it out. I mean, being flashy is one thing, but I just want you to double-check that it’s flashiness and not thievery.”
He nodded and then put his head down. I touched his face.
“I’m sorry, Will. If I’m overstepping, please forgive me.”
“You’re not, and I hear where you are coming from. The truth is . . . ,” he whispered.
“What? What is it, baby? Talk to me. You can tell me anything.” I was concerned because his shoulders were slumped low.
“First, I want you to know that I trust Lance with my life, and I know he’s on the up-and-up, and given where we came from, I know in my heart he’d never do me in. And . . . ,” he said, trailing off. He turned his gaze to the muted television.
“Baby, talk to me. If you trust him and you’re okay, I’ll leave it alone. I’m sorry I said anything.”
“It’s not that, babe.” He dropped his head even lower.
“Will?”
“Lance does the finance end of it all because I . . . I . . . I can’t read,” He mumbled.
“Will, baby, what did you say?”
“I can’t read, Lynn. I know numbers—yes. I can measure, most time eye it, and know how much I’ll need. I can do anything hands on, but I can’t comprehend paperwork, contracts, or the legal stuff. Lance and I grew up together, but when I went to prison, he went to college. So that’s my secret.”
I touched his face again. “Baby, it’s okay. There is absolutely nothing to be ashamed of, because you’re brilliant. What you do, not just for me, but for the millions of clients, is noteworthy. You are a master at construction. Lance may not be doing anything underhanded, and I’m sorry for even bringing it up.”
I went on. “But I got you, baby. I will help you. I am not here to ruin your friendship or cause any trouble. I just know what you’re worth, and if he is taking advantage because he knows you can’t understand, he needs to be stopped. I just have your best interests at heart, my love.” My eyes welled up. I knew it was hard for him to share that with me, but I was his ride or die chick, if that was the accurate way of saying it. Just like that gold-digging ass Yvonne was Team Lance, I was Team Will.