The Wrong Shade of Lipstick

by B. M. Hardin

  Levi managed to pull himself away from me, but only for a second. He yanked down the jeans and the thong that I was wearing; tossing them both on the floor.

  Levi threw my legs apart and stared my pu-tang right in her face. She bucked at him, spitting out her juices little by little, second by second. Levi moaned or maybe it was a grunt, and then head first he dived in.

  Levi taunted her, and threatened her with flicks of his tongue. He sucked and licked and a few times I believe he nibbled. The way he pleased me with his mouth was out of this world. It was unusual; different… new.

  It was simply not the normal. Levi always pleased me; but he was a lover. He was intimate and patient. But whoever this was that was eating my cherry pie---was the complete opposite.

  Levi waited patiently for the cum to ooze out of my bottomless pit and into his mouth. He made unnecessary but entertaining noises as he slurped and swallowed the evidence of my satisfaction.

  Glancing down at him, I saw that in a matter of seconds he was back on his knees and crawling back on top of me.

  I felt somewhat terrified because I was unsure of what to expect.

  Who was this love making machine and what the hell did he do with my husband?

  I felt him enter me, as hard as a rock. He filled up my insides instantly and simply lingered there. My eyes were sealed shut but when I noticed the lack of movement, I opened them. Levi was staring at me---again.

  But he didn't say a word. Hell, call me blind but I don't think he even blinked. I wasn't sure what he was up to but I started to rock my hips back in forth.

  For a while, he remained still; didn't move nor did he speak.

  Finally, he leaned back, lifted up my legs, placing them knee to knee and then placed my feet flat on his chest.

  He slid deeper and deeper inside of me, lifting me up slightly, palming my entire ass his big, warm hands.

  He began to stroke; slowly at first, keeping eye contact the whole time. I tried to pretend as if he wasn't getting the best of me---but he was. My insides were doing something unusual; something different. I was feeling something that I hadn't felt in a long, long time; if ever.

  From my lip biting, pillow gripping and throbbing vagina, Levi assumed that he was doing one hell of a job and that’s when the pounding began.

  The room started to spin and it became impossible for me to keep quiet or to keep my cool. Levi was doing some damage to my gangsta’--and I was enjoying every minute of it. Levi surprised me when he started to dirty talk; which was also out of the normal---and as strange as it was; it was driving me wild. Whatever Levi was doing to me, I didn't want him to stop but of course, as with all good things---eventually it comes to an end. In unison we both exploded, allowing our juices to reunite and it felt more than good. Levi removed his over worked penis from my tired insides; collapsing on the bed beside me. I heard him mumble a thing or two and almost too soon; the room filled with his snores.

  I laid on my side, watching him from behind in silence.

  If I wasn't sure before, after the way that Levi had just put it on me; I was absolutely sure now.

  That old dog had been somewhere and picked up some new tricks… and mistakenly brought them home.

  ~***~

  Charlotte called in for the third time this week. She said she was going through a lot and that maybe I should consider finding a new store manager.

  She had become more than distant lately and I couldn't seem to get her to open up to me.

  Whenever I tried to investigate, or whenever I started asking questions; she would end the conversation with the quickness.

  Immediately after hanging up with her I called my husband.

  "Hey," I said, all the while trying to think of a topic of conversation since I was only calling him to see if he picked up.

  "Hey baby. What are you up to?" He asked.

  Levi sounded normal; nothing out of the ordinary.

  "Nothing; Charlotte called out again, so I'll probably be staying late at the store tonight," I told him and almost instantly regret sharing that piece of information with him. I didn't want Levi to know my schedule. I never wanted him to know where I was at all times.

  It would make it too easy for him… and her.

  "Damn. Well, I guess it all worked out. I was planning to work late tonight anyway. I'll probably be heading home around the same time you are," Levi said dryly.

  It was something about the way he said it. He said it almost as if it he wanted me to believe that it bothered him a lot more than it actually did.

  But now wasn't the time or the place, so I didn't start an argument.

  "Ok. Well, hopefully I'll be home before you to get dinner started," I said. If he knew better he would feel some kind of way about me making his food; I’m just saying.

  "Okay baby. See you at home," he said and hung up his phone. It was only around three in the afternoon so I called the store’s assistant manager to tell her about her promotion to Charlotte's position; and to beg her to come in on her day off, in order to close the store.

  Excited about the news, she agreed to come in around six, which would still give me more than enough time to get home before Levi.

  Six o’clock was there in no time and as Ashley walked in, I walked out.

  I decided that I wouldn't call Levi until I had left the grocery store. Tonight, I was going to make his favorite; lasagna, salad and cheddar, garlic biscuits.

  No, it wasn't because I felt he deserved it. It was simply because I knew I was a better cook than Charlotte was. You know--- just in case.

  Getting the bags into the car I called Levi before pulling off.

  "What's up?" Levi answered---as if he was busy.

  Immediately I knew he wasn’t at work; just by the way he had answered the phone.

  Without warning, my blood started to boil. I was trying my best not to go over board because the fact of the matter was, I loved my husband and I didn't want to lose him; especially if I was wrong.

  I took a deep breath.

  "Hey, are you still at work?" I asked although not really caring to hear the answer...I mean; the lie.

  "Yes I am. I should be finishing up in the next hour or so," Levi stated, still sounding as though if he was really into whatever it was that he was doing.

  Ski, stop it. Just stop it already.

  I tried to convince myself that I was wrong. I took a deep breath and attempted to continue the conversation.

  "Well---" My sentence was cut short at the sound of what sounded like a piano playing in the background.

  I got quiet… and so did the noise. I waited to hear the sound again, but heard nothing except for Levi panting.

  We owned a piano. And I, as well as Charlotte, could play it very well. We had been playing it since we were small children. I knew for a fact that Levi couldn’t play because I had been trying to teach him for three years; and he still sucked.

  And there wasn’t a piano at his office; so where was he? My guess was that he was at home.

  And if that was the case then who was playing the piano; my piano?

  I know damn well he wasn't sleeping with my sister, in our house, and in our bed.

  I hung up the phone without saying a word. I sped down the road at the same speed that the beads of sweat sped down my face. I was as hot as hen piss and I was almost scared of what I might do to the both of them; if I caught them in the act. I started screaming and cursing out loud as I pulled up at my home---spotting Levi's car in the driveway.

  At work my ass! The only thing I hated more than a liar was a liar and a cheater---and Levi Lopez was both. Charlotte's car wasn't anywhere in sight but that didn't mean that she wasn't inside.

  I jumped out of the car with the car still running.

  I had made it all the way to the front door and before I realized that I needed my keys in order to get into the house. Running back to the car, I noticed that my phone was ringing. It was Levi…but it was too late.

  His ass w
as grass---and so was Charlotte's.

  I opened the front door and headed straight for the sitting room, where the piano was located. There was no sign of them; but I knew I heard the piano. I walked over to it, examining it. I wasn't sure what I was looking for but whatever it was I didn't find it. I circled around to the bedroom. The bed was still made and the room was just how I left it.

  Where are they?

  I heard a noise and followed the sound to the kitchen. There, I saw Levi in an apron and a counter full of mess. The table was set and was decorated with roses and small red candles. Whatever was on the stove was smoking.

  The fire alarmed sounded causing Levi to look up and see me standing there. He smiled and threw up his hands.

  "Well, so much for surprising you with dinner" he said grabbing a towel and fanning the alarm.

  Huh?

  Lord, was I losing my mind?

  **********

  ~* No matter who they are or what they think they know; A person who hasn’t been through the same situation…Doesn’t know a thing! *~

  Anonymous

  Chapter Nine

  It was April again, and I couldn't believe how much had gone on in just a year’s time.

  My daddy had passed away. I had gotten married. I found out that I had a daughter...by Zack; who was unfortunately my first love and also my sister’s ex-fiancé. I moved back home to North Carolina, which I still couldn’t believe and I had my own business.

  Also, Mama was getting remarried soon, to Deacon Stanley. I was surprised that it was happening so soon but then again, older people usually marry rather quickly. As mama says; time what’s for no one…what you don’t know or learn about a person in the first six months…you never will. So yes--there was going to be a wedding…again.

  And not to mention, Charlotte and I were more distant and disconnected than ever. We hadn’t talked in a while; she barely even answered my phone calls.

  If it hadn’t been for me stalking her, I would never see her.

  The last time I stalked her was about two weeks ago.

  Levi was working late, again, so I decided to sit outside mamas; just to see if I saw Charlotte, and to see if she left. Her car was parked outside. I had been sitting there for over an hour before I decided that it was silly, and that I was going to leave. But just as I started my car, Charlotte came out wearing sweat pants and a big black hoodie.

  She hurriedly got into her car and drove off.

  I followed her until we pulled up at a hotel.

  Charlotte went into the parking deck; I pulled over to call Levi.

  And guess what he told me?

  Levi told me that he probably wouldn’t be home until later that night; due to having to present a last minute business proposal.

  All of a sudden he had a presentation? Or was that code for meeting Charlotte at the hotel?

  Long story short, I cursed him out from here to Mexico and decided that I would wait outside the hotel to see if he came. But only twenty minutes after hanging up with him, I got a call from Zack, asking if I could watch Madison.

  So, I had no other choice but to leave. When Levi came home around ten o’clock that night, I didn’t have a word to say him. Madison was already asleep, so neither one of us bothered to say a word; though a conversation really wasn’t necessary.

  Levi and I were headed down the road to divorce.

  At least, that's the way I looked at it. After seeing what looked like him meeting Charlotte at a hotel, my suspicions of their affair shot through the roof and it had become almost impossible for me to keep my mouth shut.

  I was constantly accusing Levi of having an affair and Levi was constantly denying it. He was starting to complain about being tired of being accused and threatened to leave me a few times. He still had no idea that I thought it was Charlotte he was having an affair with; Charlotte still didn’t know either.

  She had still failed to introduce her mystery man so pretty much the proof was in the pudding. I was convinced that Levi was her mystery man and that if I didn't do something about my situation sooner or later, I was going to drive myself insane. Divorce was my only option.

  Levi and I had just gotten into another argument and he stormed out---again. I started to call his phone over and over again until he picked it up but instead of calling him; I called my mama.

  "Mama," was all I managed to get out before I broke down. I was so stressed out. I didn't know how I had gotten to this point in my life.

  I could remember a time were everything seemed to be perfect and I was so happy.

  What happened?

  “What’s wrong baby?" Mama asked. I could hear the concern in her voice. I didn't know what to say.

  I didn't know where to begin.

  "Ma, I think Levi is having an affair," I admitted.

  I figured telling her that it was Charlotte would be too much; and I didn't want to her in the middle.

  "Oh, honey, are you sure?" She asked.

  By far the hardest question I had ever had to answer.

  I was sure; but then again, I didn't have any real proof. Everything was circumstantial; even the time I saw them together; but mentally, that was a conversation that I wasn’t ready to have with her or even myself.

  But mama had always said to trust my intuition and my heart told me that I was right.

  "Ski, Levi came to visit me a few days ago. Baby I don't think he's cheating on you. He loves you so much," Mama said.

  For some reason I became as furious as hell’s fire.

  So, mama was taking his side?

  And what right did Levi have to go see my mama about our issues?

  He had his own damn mama.

  Now, I looked like a fool because he had gotten to mama first and now she didn't believe me.

  Knowing it was the wrong thing to do, before I could stop myself, I hung up the phone in mama’s face; without saying goodbye.

  She called me back almost a dozen times but I only sent her to the voicemail. I had so much on my mind.

  And I had no one to talk to. Lately, I felt so alone.

  I didn't have many friends; none that I would trust enough to tell my business to. Charlotte had been the only one that I trusted enough to tell my problems but now that she was the problem; she was no longer an option.

  So, I guessed I would be stuck trying to figure out my problems all on my own.

  Assuming that the fresh air would help; I grabbed my keys and headed out the door, only to find that it was pouring down raining. I didn’t mind; I loved April showers.

  Rain always seemed to calm me down and set my mind at ease. I sat at the deserted park and listened to the pouring rain make a fuss on the hood of my car. I felt somewhat at peace for the first time, in a long time.

  No worries. No problems…just peace.

  Staring out of the driver side window, I began to day dream.

  The small girl that used to appear only in my dreams now appeared in my day dreams as well; frequently. I tried to see the visions all the way through but it never came to an end. I was sure that I was seeing the visions for a reason, but I had yet to put two and two together. I know one thing; I had better not be pregnant again because this time the abortion clinic was going to be this baby’s daddy.

  If in fact the crazy dreams and pregnancy saying was the truth… against my religion and all, I would be getting rid of this baby. I just wasn’t in that space anymore with Levi. The fact that I felt that way about my own husband was more than depressing but no matter how much I wanted to deny it; it was my reality.

  I allowed the rain to wash away the thoughts of the dream girl and the pregnancy possibility and I focused more on my failing marriage. I refused to have one of those dead end marriages. You know the ones where you simply tolerated your spouse or one where you allowed them to cheat on you for years until you finally got tired of it.

  I just wouldn't allow that for myself; I wouldn’t and I couldn’t do that to myself. I had been through so much
hell in my life already and I deserved a happy ending.

  I thought I had found it but I was wrong.

  Never in a million years did I imagine that things would be so bad between us; but they were.

  Not only had I lost my husband; I had lost my best friend.

  I could remember a time where disagreements and arguments were rare but here lately that was all we seemed to do. To be honest, it was more my fault than his.

  All I needed to do was be honest. If I was honest with him about my thoughts, whether good or bad, we could figure out what to do from there. I guess I was just afraid of the truth. And even more than the truth, I was afraid of being alone. It had taken me years to find a man that thought I was good enough to marry me; and one that was actually worth marrying. I didn’t want to start back at square one.

  I just wanted to be loved and happy.

  Why was happiness always so hard to get and to the ones that actually succeed in getting it, why is it so hard to keep it? I didn’t have all the answers; actually I didn’t have any answers at all. But the only way to get some was to stop thinking about everybody else and think about myself for a change. It was time to start talking.

  I decided that I was finally going to tell Levi my thoughts of his affair with Charlotte. I was going to put everything on the table and see where things went from there. I wished that I could kill two birds with one stone and have Charlotte present for the conversation as well but that was asking for too much. Though that would have been the best solution; it was going to be pretty hard to do since I hadn't personally heard from her in weeks and had only saw her a few times because I had inadvertently started stalking her every once in a while.

  Charlotte was as distant as the moon and the stars in a night sky. In my opinion, she acted like she was guilty.

  Out of the few times I had followed her or what have you, she always looked a mess. Nothing like the girl I had saw looking like a million bucks only months before. It was almost as if she had picked up some type of drug habit that none of us were aware of; and I wasn’t exaggerating.