Forbidden Fruit

by Nika Michelle

  I pouted. "You mad at me baby? I just wanna make sure that I have everything I need. I didn't mean to spend too much. It's hot as hell in Barbados. What you want me to wear?" I asked.

  Diablo just stared at me and shook his head. "Let me see the receipts."

  "I don't know what I did wit' 'em," I lied.

  "What if you need to take sumthin' back? What you goin' do then?"

  "I tried everything on already. Don't worry Ablo. It ain't like I broke you."

  "You need to discipline yourself Ayanna. If you want a nice weddin' you gotta learn how to hold out on shit."

  "Oh please." I rolled my eyes at him. I don't see you holdin' out on nuthin'. You just bought a new bike yesterday." I was referring to his money green and black Kawasaki Ninja.

  "Well, it's my money." As soon as he said it he wished he could take it back.

  "Oh, it's like that now?" I asked. "It's not ours anymore? Now it's yours. Oh okay Diablo. What happened to what's yours is mine? Fuck you." I walked into the kitchen and grabbed my red Fendi bag off the counter. I grabbed a bundle of folded receipts and went back into the bedroom. "Since it's so fuckin' important for you to track my spendin' here're the receipts. How 'bout you gone and hire a personal accountant to make sure I don't exceed your fuckin' budget!" I threw them at him.

  Diablo looked at me like I was crazy. We'd never argued about money before. He bent over and picked up the receipts. He studied them one by one. I sat on the bed and waited for the verdict.

  "Eighteen thousand dollars Yanna? You sure you got enough shit?" He asked sarcastically.

  "Is that too much?" I asked.

  Diablo bit his bottom lip and grabbed his cell phone.

  "I'll be back to take you to the airport. I need to make sure my niggas on the grind, so I can afford you," he said walking out of the room.

  I got up and followed him. "Don't be like that Ablo. Sumthin' else must be botherin' you. You ain't never tripped about no money before."

  He stopped and turned to look at me. "To be honest I wanna stick my mufuckin' foot in my mouth. I'm the one who suggested you and your girls go on this trip and now I don't want you to go. I'm goin' miss you," he said and looked away.

  "So you not mad about how much money I spent?" I asked hopefully.

  He shook his head. "Hell nol. It's my fault you spoiled and I don't mind spoiling your ass. Your plane leave at four in the mornin' right?" He asked.

  I nodded. "Mmm hmmm."

  "I'll be back way before then. I gotta make sure them niggas gettin' that paper. Can't let my baby fall off." He walked over and kissed me softly on the lips.

  "Love you."

  "Love you too."

  * * *

  I sat beside Princess on the plane. She really seemed happy, and nobody expected the drastic change in her; especially not the men who were used to getting their share of the poohnanny. She had cut all of them off by changing her cell number and avoiding them all together. D Roc had let her go. He was confined to a wheelchair and understood that he couldn't give Princess what she wanted or needed. Ace on the other hand had a harder time letting go.

  "Ablo told me that Ace was pissed when he saw you and Tre together," I said.

  "I know. He told me that he wasn't goin' to sit back and let that nigga just take me like that. I couldn't believe Ace's hard ass could be so soft over some pussy. Shit, that's all the fuck it was. Raphael, the dude from the spa was buggin' the hell outta me too. We gotta find another spa to go to," she said.

  We talked a little more and then fell asleep. When we landed in Barbados we were ready for some sandy beaches, turquoise water, and fine, exotic island men.

  * * *

  The cab pulled up to my apartment and I sighed. I didn't want my island vacation to end, but I was glad to be returning home to my man. He was in Brooklyn handling some business with this dude he fucked with named Sly. Sly was his X connect. Diablo had just discovered that Xtasy was a gold mine. He hadn't been dealing with X long, but the profit he made so far had been worth the risk of the new business venture. Niggas and bitches gay and straight were rolling hard on that X. Diablo had been dealing with Sly for a few years and had trusted that he had his back.

  I'd finally gotten my things inside and the first thing I wanted to do was relax in a bubble bath. I ran some hot water into the tub, added some bubble bath, lit some candles, and put Luther's greatest hits in the CD player. Talk about setting the mood. I really missed my man. He was due home the next morning and I could hardly wait. I noticed that I hadn't seen Dame. Ablo must've taken him with him. I smiled at the thought of seeing my baby. That's when my cell phone vibrated on the back of the toilet. I reluctantly jumped out of the relaxing bubbles to answer it.

  "Ablo got knocked," an unfamiliar voice said.

  "Huh?" I asked. "Who the fuck is this?"

  "It's Fatz. Ablo's cousin in Brooklyn. Look this is Yanna right?"

  "Yeah. What happened?"

  I was already drying off and preparing to get dressed.

  "That nigga Sly is sly for real. He a rat yo'. He tipped the police to the deal. The pigs was already there waitin'. It was a set up, and cuz felt that shit.He told me he knew sumthin' won't right. He didn't take the bait, but them niggas got him for conspiracy," he explained. "He won't get his first appearance 'till the mornin', so I don't know how much his bail goin' be. The pigs killed my brother Nino. It’s fucked up ma.”

  "Tell my baby I'm comin' to get him," I said. “And I‘m sorry about your brother.”

  I called Diablo's lawyer Mr. Heinstead and then I called Uncle Pete. He had a few legit businesses that he could use as proof of income to get Ablo out. Uncle Pete agreed to find a bail bondsman before we left. I pinched some money off the stash to cover the trip and the percentage of his bond. I made sure that I had more than enough.

  I wrecked my brain trying to figure out why Sly would snitch on Ablo. Not only did they do business together, but they kicked it when either of them traveled to the other's domain. I heard Uncle Pete's horn beeping outside. I grabbed my coat and left.

  We arrived in Brooklyn at eight fifteen the next morning. Uncle Pete knew how to get around the city, but we got directions from Fatz anyway. We pulled up to the jail and three hours later Diablo walked out a free man. I was clinging to him so tight that I sat in the back with him while Uncle Pete drove.

  "Baby, you haven't said more than three words to me since we walked outta there."

  "Can't say much baby. I just can't believe that nigga was a snake." I could see the strain of the previous day's events on his face.

  "I'm sorry baby," I said.

  "For what?" He asked.

  "For leaving you, and for spendin' too much money."

  "Fuck the money baby, okay, fuck that. That was all a plot to get you to stay at the crib. I had a feelin' sumthin' was gonna happen."

  "Baby? Where's Damien?" I'd just remembered that he wasn't in the apartment when I got home.

  "Oh, Dame's at Ace crib. He breedin' pits too. Dame is in demand. That's good money," Ablo said looking out of the window.

  "You scared baby?" I asked holding his hand.

  "Of what? Prison?" He asked kissing my hand.

  "Yeah."

  "No and yes," was the answer he gave.

  "Why both?" I asked resting my head on his chest. The steady beat of his heart comforted me. I relaxed a little, but not much. The situation at hand had me uncertain about our future. He was facing a minimum of three years and a maximum of twelve.

  "Prison don't scare me. What scare me is thinkin' 'bout bein' without you for that many years." His eyes filled with moisture and he looked out of the window again. "I took advantage of the time...you know. The shit is crazy 'cause I live a risky life. Every fuckin' day I do sumthin' that could tear us apart, but now I'm faced wit' losin' you and it don't seem worth it."

  "Ablo, baby, you goin' beat this. You ain't goin' nowhere and neither am I. And if you did get some years in prison I would still be th
ere for you." I meant every word.

  "How the hell can you honestly say that.? Huh? We would be on totally different paths in life. I would go crazy thinkin' 'bout some other nigga touchin' you." He looked at me and I could see raw anger in his eyes. There were no tears in sight. "The thought of another nigga kissin you'… fuckin you. I'm the only mufucka who s'posed to do that," he whispered in my ear and rested his hand between my thighs.

  "Ablo baby, I would never..."

  He placed a finger on my lips. "Don't go there okay. Don't fuckin' play games wit' me. This is as real as the shit get. If I get some years in the pen you know where that's goin' leave you? You goin' be vulnerable to the bullshit niggas be spittin'. The Feds goin' take everything. Then what? Huh? You goin' give up the warmth of a man beside you at night? You goin' let some nigga wit' money take my place? You say you wouldn't when you know you can't go back to bein' hungry and cold. You used to steal shit, and run drugs. You goin' go back to that?"

  My eyes met his. They reflected just as much pain and stress as his.

  "All I know Ablo is that I love you, and I would try. I could give up sex for you. You're the only man that I wanted since I was fourteen. I ain't even worried 'bout money. I already know the drill. I'd just have to live off what you stashed until you get out. I could sacrifice for you baby. I could not imagine not havin' your arms around me. I don't want no substitute. If it ain't you it ain' nobody. I'm so attached to you and I wouldn't be able to breathe without you. How could I function?" Tears were falling down my cheeks now. "Shit I don't know how to live without you. Who'd take care of me?"

  "See, that's the shit right there that scare the fuck out of me. I can't take care of you from no prison cell. I'll be leavin' you out there like Tre did Princess. Look at how she did him. I'll be throwin' you to the fuckin' wolves. The streets will eat you up and spit you out lil' mama. I can't put you out there like that. I just can't let you go like that. The shit killin' me baby." He looked away again. I knew that he didn't want me to see any sign of weakness in him. He felt the need to be strong for the both of us. It was killing me too. He rubbed my hair and held me close.

  "Let's just concentrate on now Ablo. Let's not focus on anything else."

  He kissed me on the lips. "When I was in that cell baby everything I ever did to hurt you crossed my mind. Then I realized that this shit would just add something else for you to cry about. I'm so sorry baby girl. I ain't leavin' you without a fight. That's word on my unborn seeds and you know how serious that shit is. I could've sworn that your scent filled my cell. It was like you was there wit' me. Then it dawned on me that maybe after seven years the way you smell became part of my memory. I missed you like hell shawty. God...I ain't never missed you like that before. So it ain't even bein' locked away that's scary. The thought of losin' you scare me baby. It's the only thing I fear other than God."

  We remained silent until we hit the New Jersey turnpike. There wasn't much left to say.

  * * *

  Princess sat in front of the TV relishing in her new found peace of mind. Tre was out and she was happy as hell. Her one true love was out of prison and he was rocking her world. She had enjoyed Barbados, but she was happy to be home. Tre had access to his money and had promised to take her on a shopping spree when she got back. She was ready to spend his money. He could splurge until Diablo put him on.

  Ace had threatened Princess a few times over the telephone, but she ignored him. Ace was mad as hell about her being back with Tre. He claimed that he wouldn't catch feelings, but obviously he had. He said he was just mad because she disrespected him. She wondered how in the hell she disrespected him when she wasn't his girl.

  She flexed her small pedicured toes and stretched out on the couch. She'd been waiting a long time for Tre to come home. He had gone to Jacksonville, Florida to visit his family. That was where he was originally from. He had called a few hours earlier and said he was on his way home.

  "Damn, I missed you Kitty Cat," he'd said affectionately. "I don't wanna spend no time without you for a long time. Oh, and get right. I"m goin' tear that pussy up when I get there." When Princess hung up her body was on fire. No man ever really made her feel like he did. When he left her she vowed to never give her heart to another man, and she didn't. At first she didn't realize that she couldn't give heart to another man because Tre had it all along. There was no doubt in her mind that she loved him, and he loved her too; after all of those years.

  The sound of keys outside of the front door let her know that Tre was finally home. She wanted to see his face when he saw her in a sexy, black silk thong, and corset from Fredrick's of Hollywood. She had on four inched spike heeled boots that zipped up to her upper calves. He loved to fuck her in heels. Her hair was loose and flowed down her back. She hardly wore her hair down, and she knew that it would turn him on.

  The door opened and she could faintly hear Tre's shoes touch the carpet. Princess stood up so she could be in his view, front and center. Tre stopped in his tracks and stared at her gorgeous, brick house frame.

  "Damn," he whispered taking in her image in all black. He loved the way her creamy skin looked when she wore black. That shit was a turn on for real.

  "Hey baby," she said as he grabbed her thick hair and brought her mouth to his for a deep, tongue kiss. "Tre, ain't you gonna…?"

  "Shhh," he said rubbing her ass cheeks. He lifted her up and she wrapped her legs around him as they kissed. He pulled away, removed the corset, and took her hard nipples into his mouth. Sensations of pleasure rippled up and down Princess's spine as he pushed her against the wall of the living room.

  "Mmm, Tre," she moaned licking her lips in anticipation of what was coming. She knew that he would please her. He never failed at that.

  Tre placed her feet on the floor and helped her out of her thong. He looked at her pussy and immediately his dick grew stiffer. She'd allowed just a small patch of hair to grow. He gently lifted her leg and placed it over his shoulder. She positioned her body to ensure the highest level of pleasure. Tre was a master at eating pussy and she was not going to compromise the situation by being uncomfortable. He spread her brown pussy lips, exposing her pink clit. Using his tongue and lips he tasted every inch of her. When she came he stuck his tongue inside of her. He wanted to drink from her fountain as she did for him.

  "Uhh Tre," she moaned and pulled him up. "Say sumthin' to me," she begged.

  He looked at her, but still said nothing. The look in his eyes said it all. He wanted her bad as hell. His dick was so hard it felt like it would bust. He lifted her up again. His strong hand held her ass and the other one loosened his belt. Princess pushed his jeans and boxers off and grabbed his dick. She didn't even bother asking him if he had a condom as she guided him inside of her.

  Tre's body pinned her into the wall as he ran his fingers through her hair. It was such a relief to feel her. He'd wanted her every single day that she was gone. He couldn't even think about any other woman. "I love the way you feel baby," he breathed into her ear. "Mmm, you so hot, so tight so wet, so deep."

  "Ohhh, Tre," she moaned. "You feel good too baby." Her body tingled as his hands massaged her full hips. He guided her as he thrust deeper inside of her. "Mmm, that feel good baby. Right there."

  He could feel her pussy muscles squeezing his dick, but his mind was on pleasing her to fullest. He was an unselfish lover and made sure that she got hers first. He tried to block out how good her pussy felt as her walls gently caressed his dick. "Princess, baby, damn." He watched her face. She was so damn sexy when she bit her bottom lip like that. He could feel her body trembling, and her eyes were wide. He could tell that she was about to cum.

  " Like that...Tre baby...harder....deeper! Yes! Run that big black dick up in this pussy! Mmm! Yes! Grind for me daddy! Make circles in that pussy! Make circles in that pussy! Uh shit!" She screamed.

  He rotated his pelvis in a circular motion giving it to her like she wanted it. He went slowly at first and then faster and fa
ster, then harder and deeper. He knew that she loved it when he went up in it long and deep. Her eyes locked on him, and her mouth flew open, but no sound came out. He grabbed her and vibrated his dick on her spot. "Yeah, your spot right there ain't it! I can feel that mufucka! You gettin' wet as hell baby," he said and then suddenly stopped.

  'Turn around. I wanna watch that fat ass jiggle while I'm up in that pussy," he said.