by Judy Powell
When he finally lifted his head his eyes burned with the intensity of his desire. She could feel the pounding of his heart, his quickening breath against her cheek, the rock hard length of him against her body.
“Thought you’d gotten away from me, huh?” he growled teasingly into her ear. “Now it’s time to pay.”
He lowered his mouth to hers again, but this time he was gentle, teasing. As he kissed her he gently circled a nipple with his thumb until he had her arching her back, begging him not to stop.
She reached up to caress his face with trembling hands then slid them down his shoulders and his sides until she got to the barrier that was the waistband of his jeans. She slid her hands to the front and wrestled with the top button until Lance eased her frustration and rose to shed his trousers. She reached behind and undid the clasp of her bra to release her breasts to his view.
She had an enticing view of her own. He stood tall, the muscles of his arms and stomach firm and taut. But it was another muscle that held her gaze. His desire was plainly evident and her heart beat hard in anticipation.
He took her hands in his and pulled her up to stand in front of him. Then he knelt in front of her and lifted his hands to unbutton her jeans and pull it slowly down her legs. He kissed her stomach and tickled her legs with his lips. He bent to kiss her knees then slid his tongue up the inner part of her thigh until her legs trembled and she felt as if she would collapse.
Just when she felt she could take no more he rose and slid a strong arm around her waist and tilted her back until she was lying flat on her back. He covered her body with his own and as she opened to receive him he captured her mouth in a searing kiss. She rose to meet his every thrust and was soon riding the waves of passion until the bubbling volcano inside her erupted into hot streams of liquid fire.
Later as she curled up in the darkness beside him she drifted off to sleep, a satisfied smile still on her face.
19
“I don’t know about that,” Top Cat growled as he sucked on a cigarette.
“If it’s inconvenient…” Summer began then caught her breath and coughed violently as he blew a cloud of smoke across her desk and right into her face. Her eyes watered and she pulled a tissue from her pocket to dab at them, still wheezing.
When she finally caught her breath she looked pointedly at the cigarette in the young man’s hand.
“If you don’t mind,” she said sternly, “I would appreciate it if you would put out that cigarette.”
He gave her a sullen look but stubbed it on her desk then flicked it in the direction of the waste basket. He missed and it fell onto the carpet. He made no move to get up to discard of it properly.
Summer swallowed a reprimand. She looked down at her notepad then back at the rapper who sprawled in the chair in front of her.
“Okay,” she said, not hiding her annoyance. “Let’s try this again. When can I come see you on your own turf? You tell me where and when. It’s totally up to you. I’ll make myself available.”
“So you wanna hang out with Top Cat, huh?” he said, as he smiled smugly.
“I’m afraid not,” she said coldly. “It’s a lot more than just hanging out with you. My purpose in wanting to spend time with you in what I call your ‘environment’ is to get a feel for who you are, outside of what the public sees on stage.”
“The human interest thing you were talking about, huh?” he said casually, as he picked his teeth.
“Exactly,” she said, trying to ignore his unsavory behavior. “I want to see something of your personal side. Now, come on,” she leaned forward and tried to smile encouragingly, “you’ve got to give me something.”
“There ain’t much to say,” he shrugged, “except I grew up in the projects and I ain’t there no more.”
“Okay,” she said in a coaxing tone, “what else?”
“I live downtown.”
“Uh-huh,” Summer encouraged, “go on.” He wasn’t giving her much to work with.
“Listen,” he said, “I ain’t into this interview thing. I ain’t the talkative type. You said you wanted to see me in my ‘environment’ so I’ll just take you to the projects. That’s where I came from so I guess it would make to sense to start there.”
“That’s sounds like a great idea.” She nodded, leaning back in her chair.
“Tomorrow – be ready for two o’clock.” He looked at the thick gold watch on his wrist and the many rings on his fingers glistened in the light. “I gotta split. I got things to do and people to see.”
“Well, thanks for your time. I’ll be ready at two.”
“Cool.” He got up and padded in his sneakered feet to the door. “Catch you tomorrow,” he said and closed the door behind him.
Next day they pulled into the parking lot of the State Street Homes around two-thirty in the afternoon. Top Cat was dressed in a large sweatshirt and jeans that fell low on his bottom. He wore a large cap pulled down over his face and sunglasses. His two bodyguards had traveled in the Land Cruiser with them and Summer was told that he’d chosen this vehicle so that he wouldn’t be recognized quickly. He was in no mood to be mobbed by fans today.
When they entered the building Summer was immediately hit by the dank odor and the darkness of the hallway. They headed for the elevator and Top Cat pushed the button for the sixth floor. They exited and there was the sound of a child screaming in the first apartment they passed.
“I’m going to take you down to where I used to live,” Top Cat said to her in a low voice. The guy who lives there now with his mom, he’s my homie. We’re real close so he’s probably the best person to tell you about me.”
As they walked down the hallway they passed a group of teenage boys who fell silent and looked up at them guiltily. Their attitude told Summer they were up to some mischief. The boys eyed them but seemed not to recognize Top Cat. He knocked on the apartment door.
“Yes?” A hoarse female voice came from inside.
“It’s Michael,” Top Cat said. “Craig inside?”
“No,” she responded.
There was the sound of locks and the door opened to reveal a woman of about forty-five years with curlers in her hair. “Come in,” she said with a smile. She stepped aside to let them into the apartment.
The room was very small and dark and the smell of cigarettes stained the air. The woman clutched a dark blue robe around her body. There was a picture of Martin Luther King and one of Malcolm X on the wall, and the black and white portrait of a bride and groom was on the coffee table. The furniture looked old but there was a flat screen television and a huge stereo system in the living room.
“So where’s Craig, Miss Pete?” Top Cat asked.
“Down by the basketball court, where he always is. Been there for the last couple of hours.”
“Everything alright with you?” Top Cat looked around the room as he spoke.
“Yeah, I’m doin’ alright.” She nodded and her rollers bobbed up and down. “Craig’s taking care of me now.”
Top Cat jerked his head in Summer’s direction. “This here’s Summer Jones from the office. She’s trying to do a story on me so she wanted to meet some of my friends. That’s why I took her here, so she can meet Craig.”
The woman turned to Summer with an interested look. “Craig can tell you all kinds of things about this boy. They grew up together. But I can tell you stuff, too.”
“Yes,” Summer prompted, “like what?”
“Like this boy is one of the nicest boys you will ever meet.” She smiled as she looked across at Top Cat. “The boy has the kindest heart. You know I had to do surgery last year for my heart and it’s Michael here, who paid for it. He never stopped looking out for us. And there are at least three kids in this building who he’s sending to college. Is it three, Michael?”
“Four,” he said offhandedly, as he peered out the window at the grounds below.
“See what I mean? Chile, you ain’t goin’ find nobody kinder than this boy.”<
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“I certainly appreciate that information,” Summer said earnestly.
“Anyway, you run down to the court now. You’ll see Craig down there.”
“Yeah, he’s there,” Top Cat said. “I see him.”
They went downstairs and as they approached the basketball court. Top Cat pointed Craig out to her. There were only four of them and he was the tallest and lankiest of the players.
“Hey, Craig,” Top Cat shouted and the man looked over at them. His thin face split into a wide smile.
“Hey, man, what you doin’ here?” He sauntered over to them. “And who’s this foxy lady with you?”
He whistled and came up to her. “Hey, baby, you got one sweet bumper on you.”
Summer was so taken aback by his outspokenness that she couldn’t respond.
“Hey, hey, hold up,” Top Cat said. “This here’s a lady from my office, so you watch your mouth round her, a’ight?”
“Sorry, man, my bad.” Craig raised his hands and backed away, grinning. “Sorry, lady.”
“Summer’s doing a story about me so she’s gonna ask you some questions. Wants to get to know my personal side,” Top Cat explained. “Come on, let’s go sit over there and you can bring her up to speed.”
They headed for the park bench and by the end of her interview with Craig Summer had found out that Top Cat, or Michael Parker as he was known to his friends and family, had been a quiet little boy who never got into trouble but as he got older he became more outspoken and was dubbed as a rebel in school. He was always the ringleader of any student action and he was always there to defend people. He was known to beat up a few bullies in his day.
He had a softer side, too, because he took care of his family and friends. The people in this building, his old home, respected him a lot and were proud of the achievements of one of their own.
Top Cat had dropped out of school at the age of fifteen and started hanging out with rappers on the south side. He was pretty much unknown until a few years later when he did a demo tape and sent it in to Munroe Productions. They called him in for an audition and he was immediately taken on board.
Now, two years and three albums later he was a success story. One of his albums had gone platinum and now he was in the middle of promoting the third.
After the interview was over and Craig had returned to his basketball game Top Cat pulled out a cigarette and took a draw.
Summer turned to him. “How do you feel about the demonstrations that took place after the launch of your last album?”
“I heard about them.” He leaned his head back and let out a long cloud of smoke.
“Yes, but how do you feel about it?” Summer shifted slightly to avoid the smoke.
“Nothing I can do about it,” he shrugged. “I can’t stop them from demonstrating if they want to.”
“But these are your fans and their parents. Don’t you care about that?” She frowned.
“I can’t let these people phase me, a’ight? I’m just doing my thing,” he said, nonchalant. “If they want to demonstrate that’s their business.”
“But what if all the fans had the same concerns about you? Then where would you be?” she demanded.
He was silent. He sat forward on the bench and rested his elbows on his knees as he stared out in front of him.
Summer spoke again, more gently this time. “It’s the fans who’ve made you the success you are.”
Top Cat nodded. “Yeah, I know.” He looked sober.
“That’s why it’s important for the fans to get to know the other side of you,” she explained.
“But what’s my private life got to do with them?” He frowned. “It’s none of their business.”
“Of course, we won’t get too personal,” Summer agreed, “but the more they get to know about you the greater the connection they’ll have with you. Do you understand that?”
“Yeah, I guess.”
He flicked the cigarette onto the pavement then said, “Let’s go. This place is getting to me.” He stood up. “Want to get to know me? Come see my crib. That’s where you’ll get to see the real me.”
“Fine.” Summer accepted his invitation. He had a point. She couldn’t dwell too much on his past although she wanted to gather all the background information she could. She would also have to look at the man as he was now.
They drove to a building on Ohio Street which was known for its luxury apartments. The lobby was spacious and luxurious with marble floors and walls. There was a huge chandelier in the middle of the ceiling and roses on a round glass table in the center of the room. The attendant greeted them and they took the elevator up to the penthouse suite.
It was even more exquisite than the lobby. As she entered the apartment she was struck by the rich elegance of the decor and the obvious high quality of the furniture. The beige carpeted hallway led into a spacious living room with a massive cream colored leather couch behind which open drapes provided a spectacular view of the city and lake below.
“You have a beautiful apartment,” Summer said, as she walked over to stand by the window.
“Yeah, it ain’t too bad up here. Come on. Let me give you a tour.”
His kitchen was about the size of her entire apartment and the master bedroom had a huge four poster bed with a sheer gold canopy. She raised her eyebrows when she saw it but made no comment. There was a Jacuzzi in the bathroom. He had a personal gym and a library, as well as a mini music studio.
“Wow, I’m impressed,” Summer said.
“Thanks,” he said. “I had the designer fly in from Europe to do all this.”
She nodded, still looking around. Then, she said, “Could we begin the interview now?”
“Sure, why not? Have a seat. I’ll be right over.” He spoke to the bodyguards who had made themselves comfortable in the living room. “Y’all can give us a break now. I’ll give you a buzz when I need you.”
After they had left he turned to her. “Sometimes I need a little more privacy. After having them around all day they get on my nerves.”
Summer smiled sympathetically. “I understand. I don’t think I could have people around me twenty-four seven.”
“Want something to drink? Wine, Martini?”
“I’ll just take a soda, please,” she said.
“Got some Pepsi.”
“That would be fine, thanks,” she nodded.
While he got the drinks she pulled her notepad, pen and Dictaphone out of her briefcase. He came back with the drinks in a couple of minutes and rested her glass on the coffee table then sat at the other end of the couch. He reached over to the lamp and dimmed the lights.
She looked up, frowning. “I need the light, please. To write.”
He rested his glass on the coffee table, then leaned over and pulled the notepad and pen out of her hand and slid along the couch until he was very close to her. He rested his arm on the couch behind her head and whispered, “You don’t need to write anything down. Just relax and I’ll tell you everything.”
She straightened up quickly and pulled as far away from him as she could.
“You’re attractive, you know that?” He sidled closer still. “What are you doing, working for Lance Munroe? He’s too old for you. Wanna come work for me?”
Shock had Summer speechless for a moment then she recovered and became filled with outrage.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” she demanded, fixing him with her most severe frown. “I’m here to interview you. Nothing else. Now please take your arm from behind me.”
“Come on, baby. I can do a lot for you; I got the money to give you whatever you want.”
“I’m not interested in your money. I’m here on a professional basis and I would thank you to remember that.” He voice was filled with disgust.
He pulled back, suddenly angry. “You know how many women are falling all over themselves to get me? You think you’re so high and mighty. What makes you so special?”
“That�
��s not important. I’m here to do an interview. Now do you want me to interview you, or don’t you?” Her voice was cold as she stared at him.
It seemed to have no effect, as his face relaxed again, “Yeah, you can interview me…if you’re gonna be nice.”
She rose and spoke in an indignant tone. “It’s obvious that we’re getting nothing done here. As I told you, I want nothing from you. I only want to get this story.”
“You’re worried about a story?” He gave an ugly sneer. “You’d better be nice to me, girl, or you’ll have lots more to worry about. Just a word from me and Lance will kick your butt out the door.”
“Really?” She laughed. “You run right along and go cry to Lance. We’ll see how far that gets you.”
He hesitated, as if thrown by her lack of fear. “Yeah, I’ll talk to him-“
“You just do that,” she said, cutting him off. She picked up her briefcase and stood up. “I think it would be best for both of us if I go now.”
He glared up at her. “You can find your way out.”
She shrugged, “Not a problem.”
She whirled and strode confidently out of the apartment, leaving him sitting with his arm still resting on the back of the couch.
As she rode the elevator down to the first floor she smiled at herself in the mirrored walls and shook her head. She was actually proud of how she had handled the situation.
Just a couple of months ago she would have lost her cool and flown into a rage, but she was improving. She’d certainly changed a lot in a short while. Well, she was glad. She knew that in her line of work she would need to call on this new-found composure quite often – working with ‘prima donna’ singers was no easy task.
******
It was Friday evening and Summer had made it to the library. At last. She’d been trying all week to get some work done on her thesis but she had worked late almost every evening. Now she really had to get cracking or she’d be in serious trouble.