by Xyla Turner
More than a fuck.
JD finished in me just like he said and despite the nap I took earlier, I was asleep within the hour. The last thing I remembered was JD tucking me into him and murmuring in my ear.
You’ll be mine.
I could have dreamt that too.
Chapter 8
JD
It was like déjà vu all over again. Tess was in my arms the night after we had sex and there was no place I’d rather be than right there with her. For more than one night.
She began to stir, so I ordered breakfast and continued to hold her tight. Once room service knocked on the door, she woke up fully.
“Who’s that?” she asked with her scratchy morning voice.
“Mmm, sexy.” I laughed at her.
My voice was deeper, but hers was cute.
“Shut up.”
I got up, threw on my boxers she had thrown across the hotel room and my shirt. When I returned with the food, she was sitting up on the bed with her hair all about and looking freshly fucked with the covers draped over one side of her arm. The other side displayed her brown perky breast with the darkened areola begging to be sucked.
“Cover up, sweetheart. Or we won’t make it to the seminars and we both need to get there.”
She must have still been out of it because she did not cover up or even acknowledge that I said anything. I grabbed the tray of food and sat them down on the bed next to her. Then I crawled to the other side, wrapped my hands around her waist and pulled that taut nipple in my mouth.
“JD,” she snapped at me once she came to. “What are you doing?”
“Just having my breakfast. Yours is over there.” I latched onto her nipple again and slightly bit it.
My woman moaned just like I knew she would. Her hands cupped my head as she pushed me further into her chest. She wanted more and I intended to give it to her.
An hour and a half later, I was leaving my hotel room and running to the first session. We had another sex-infused round and managed to consume part of our breakfast. An hour before the first session, Tess started to freak out about being late, so I let her go through her long ass morning routine. Apparently having an Afro took a lot of time. It made sense why women didn’t want folks messing up their hair. I made it plain that I enjoyed gripping her hair and she made it plain that she didn’t mind me doing so.
My good girl. We were on the same page.
* * *
This time, I chose not to follow Tess to each of her sessions as I was interested in international business as well. Therefore, I didn’t see her until later that evening, which made me realize I didn’t have her cell phone number.
My phone chimed twice, letting me know I had a text.
Knox: You get ur girl?
JD: Yeah, what’s up
Knox: have 2 report 2 the family
JD: Fuck off
Knox: LOL – happy 4 u man srsly
I wasn’t sure how other family’s operated, but mine were the worst. Instead of them saying something to me directly, they send the asshole of the family to address me. I was the oldest, but damn.
Another text came through.
Fuck.
It was Sara.
Sara: Hey stranger, heard you were in Michigan, so am I. Let’s catch up
JD: At a conference – all day sessions
Sara: Don’t be silly. They give breaks. Troy told me where I could find you. How about tomorrow?
JD: Not a good idea. Let me let you know.
Sara: O K
Then there was Troy, the brother who always knew what was best for everyone besides himself. He was convinced that Sara and I were made to be together. Even after I explained how we didn’t click. He was set and in his mind, he was right.
Dammit.
The last sessions ended at five o’clock, which I was happy about because I wanted to take Tess out to a nice restaurant. I kept hearing about Coast Side, so that’s where we would go.
Detroit was an interesting city with some parts being very run-down and others that were more upscale. I knew it was a city in transition but hearing about it and witnessing it was two very different things.
The restaurant was in a ‘transitioning area’ and I should have cottoned on when the taxi driver asked twice if we wanted to go there. We received a few eyes but the staff were very friendly and gave us whatever we asked for. Tess loved the food, so that was a score for me. She told me about her god-mother who was Caribbean and would make ox-tails and beans and rice for her all the time. I made a note of that so I could learn how to cook it for her.
She was so beautiful and full of life. It seemed that being in the restaurant brought back so many memories and finally she let her guard down and was filling me in about Tess Rainey. We ate and chatted for a little over two hours. I even ordered some more food to take back to the hotel because she enjoyed it so much.
As we were walking down the main street to get a cab, a lady of the night walked passed and smiled a gritty one at me. It was blatant, but Tess either did not see it or didn’t acknowledge her at all.
Then the woman called, “Hey handsome. I like ‘em tall.”
Shit.
I smiled back at her and wrapped my arm around Tess’s shoulders. She just laughed at the whole ordeal and shook her head. However, the lady of the night did not stop there. We were standing in between the main intersection waiting for a cab to ride by. There were so many cars driving by, we just assumed a cab would come along as well.
“Hey,” the street walker crooned.
She was now on the side of me, licking her blue lips with a leopard halter top on, a black mini skirt and knee high boots. Tess poked her head around to look at her, then the woman waved one long blue talon at her. Tess smiled and held up her hand. I was about to turn around and block her from doing anything until she said, “You hungry? I have an extra plate of jerk chicken and rice.”
The woman squinted her eyes at Tess, then when she was satisfied with her response, she said, “Sure. I could eat.”
Tess took the brown paper bag off her wrist and said, “Here you go. You got a warm place to stay?”
“Yeah, I do.”
“Good. Enjoy.”
The woman took the bag from Tess, looked at me and said, “You better hold on to her. They don’t make em’ like that no more. Believe me, I know.”
“I know too,” I laughed.
“Thanks, sis.” She looked at Tess, who only nodded. “Tista! Tista! Girl, we got some good food!” She yelled at another woman of the night who was standing in the alleyway. “Oh, y’all looking for a cab. Go two blocks that way. They don’t come over here.”
“Thanks,” Tess called back to her as she made haste to her friend.
I hadn’t the faintest idea why or how but I knew standing there and witnessing that moment in time, I was falling in love. It was too soon. It seemed impossible, but I swear to God. My heart burned and ached for her in a non-sexual way. I wanted her in my life, permanently. It was almost as we met by chance, but we no longer had a choice. Like it was meant to be.
I wanted her and I wouldn’t stop until I got her.
* * *
Our next two days were both informative and filled with each other. We ate dinner, went to bed, woke up and showered together for the next two nights. I kept us from having deep conversations until our last night. Her flight was set to leave in the morning and she was going to Florida for vacation. When I told her I wanted to go, she just laughed it off.
“Tess,” I grabbed her hands. “What happens next?”
“With what?” Her eyebrows closed in towards her nose.
“Us, sweetheart.” I inhaled. “What happens with us.”
She looked to the side, exhaled and said, “I don’t know, JD.” Frustration was laced in every word.
We were back at the hotel because we just had seafood at the pier. We stuffed ourselves and effectively avoided the talk of us until now. I needed to know. Her flight left
at eight tomorrow morning, so I needed to know.
“I haven’t brought it up, but I need to know where you are with this. I’ve made my stake clear. I want you and everything that comes with that. I’m willing to do long distance. I’m more than willing. Are you? Can you commit? We’re not jumping over brooms, sweetheart. We’re just committing to each other. That’s a start. I just want to start, Tess.”
Her eyes were on her shoes, so I lifted her chin for them to be on me.
“Look, how about you think about it tonight alone without me clouding your judgment. Then I’ll accompany you to the airport either way. We either say goodbye or I’ll see you in Florida.” I kissed her lips. “I want to see you in Florida. Badly.”
“JD, just stay tonight,” She whined.
“You need this time.”
“You’re trying to punish me, aren’t you?”
“I swear to God, this is no punishment I’d put on myself, but I want you all in Tess. Not because I persuaded you, but because that’s what you want. I’ll take you any way I can get you, but this will only last if you’re as committed as I am.”
She sighed, then said, “Fine.”
“Okay, tomorrow, you’re leaving around eight right?”
“Right.”
“Good. I’ll meet you in the lobby.”
“Fine.” She was pouting with her cute little bottom lip sticking out.
I pulled away from her, but she held on to my shirt.
Damn.
“Don’t fucking do this, Tess. You can’t give me an answer now, so sleep on it and give me one in the morning.”
She still didn’t let go of my shirt. I grabbed her wrist and backed her up against the wall with her hands and mine near her face. Leaning in, I whispered, “You say the word, Tess. Tell me you’ll give us a try. I’ll move heaven and earth for you, sweetheart. One word.”
She sighed and looked down. “Fine, JD. See you tomorrow.”
Fuck.
I leaned down and kissed her forehead and left.
Sleep didn’t pass by my room and neither did peace or rest. My body was anxious and I was awaiting my sentence to happiness or a miserable, unfulfilled life. I was not jaded enough to believe that I’d have this forever, but I knew that I would feel lost for a significant amount of time. If my family thought I was miserable then, they’d probably have me committed this time around.
I grabbed some breakfast downstairs at the hotel restaurant around seven-thirty, then waited patiently for Tess to come down in the lobby.
“Ohhh, darrlliinngg,” a high pitch voice sang.
Motherfucker.
I turned around to see nobody else but Sara. She was standing in jeans, a light pink plaid shirt and her open navy pea coat with her standard cowboy boots. Her blond hair was whisked to the side and her makeup looked like it was done by a professional. She spent hours doing it and we had been late plenty of times for events due to her makeup mishaps.
“Heyyy, darling,” she sang again with that smile that would melt any man’s heart.
Any man that didn’t know her that was.
“Sara, what are you doing here?” I asked, yet did not move.
She glided over to me, sliding her arm up my chest and over my shoulder. “Don’t ya just look so handsome.”
“Sara, what are you doing here?” I repeated.
“We talked about this.” Her other hand slid over my chest then to my shoulder.
“No, I told you I’d get back with you. I didn’t, so you don’t just show up to a business event and we have no plans.”
“JD, you were always so serious about your business. I came when the conference was over, you have to give me credit for that.”
What in the fucking hell?
“Sara, what do you need?” I tried to move her hands. “I’m about to leave.”
“Nothing, just thought two old friends could get better acquainted. Like ole’ times.”
“Sara, nothing has changed. We’re still two different people with two different expectations. Therefore, we’re at the same place, we left off.”
“No.” She fought my grip on her wrist. “No, JD. There have been some changes. Major changes. Father spoke with me about my lack of ability for being flexible. I know a man like you has needs that I need to fulfill, including your work hours and.” She leaned in and whispered, “Sexually.”
How could I forget? Sara W. Lighthouse did not want to be spanked, did not fancy replicating oral favors and allowed nothing back door.
How the fuck could I forget that?
“Sara, while I’m glad you spoke with the great sheriff, I’m not…”
“JD?” Tess called from behind me.
Goddammit.
I let go of Sara’s wrist and she took that opportunity to sidle closer to me, causing my body to tense.
“Tess,” I said and tried to back away. “Are you ready?”
“Who’s ya friend, JD?” Sara’s asked as her arms slid around my neck, pressing her chest against mine.
“Oh, I can talk to you later,” Tess said. “The hotel has a service available to take me to the airport.”
“Who is your friend?” Sara repeated.
“Sara,” I tried to pry her hands off of me. “This is Tess. Tess, this is Sara.”
“Nice to meet you, Sara,” Tess smiled but it didn’t reach her eyes.
Fucking hell.
“Hey,” Tess picked up her luggage. “You two catch up and I’ll see you around.”
She quickly turned around and walked to the concierge.
“Sara,” I managed to pry her arms from around me. “As I said, this was not a good time and I’m leaving.”
Her eyes narrowed, “Who is she to you?”
“What do you mean?” I started walking towards the desk.
“She means something to you.” Her eyes shrunk to slits. “Who is she?”
“She’s a friend,” I replied.
“No,” Sara was following me.
“I have to go.”
“Yeah, with your friend.” She pointed towards the door.
I looked to see Tess with the concierge heading outside the hotel towards a large white van. Without looking back, I took off running until I caught up with them.
“Tess, I’m taking you.”
They both turned to look at me.
“It’s okay. This is a shuttle service. Ramon has gone through the trouble of setting me up last minute, I don’t want to leave him hanging.” She smiled again but it still didn’t reach her eyes. Not like she had when we were together. “Hey, catch up with your friend. You can hear about the ways she can accommodate you more.”
Holy fuck.
“Tess, it’s not like that. She just showed up, my brother told her where I was at and she came. I haven’t dealt with her in years. I’m not interested. I told you what and who I want.”
“JD. There’s no need to explain. I’m heading out and I’m sure we’ll see each other at some other conference, right?”
No, no, no.
“What the fuck is that supposed to mean?”
“Ma’am,” the concierge tried to get Tess’s attention.
“No, she’s coming with me.” I reached out and grabbed her bag. “Tess, what the fuck are you saying?”
“JD, give me my bag.” She was following me.
“Not until you explain what the fuck that comment means.”
She stopped walking behind me, crossed her arms and said, “You know damn well what that means. We see each other at conferences, we fuck, and we leave and do it all over again. That’s the only way we’ll be together, conferences or until the other is in a relationship.”
Tess didn’t blink, smirk or crack a smile. Did she mean that?
“Can I have my bag, please?”
“No, get your ass in the car or I will drag you to the airport or keep you here. Pick and do it swiftly.”
Her arms folded over her chest. “I don’t like being put in a box, JD. Now give me my
bags so I can get on my way.”
“No,” I opened my trunk, threw her bag inside and slammed it shut.
“JD,” She said in a warning tone.
I walked around to the passenger side and opened the door. “You leaving Detroit today or not?”
She exhaled, got in the car and tried to slam the door, but I had a grip on it. When I got in, her hands were clasped together and her face was faced forward.
“Tess.” I tried to reach for her hand, but she snatched it away. “Fuck.”
She had two hours before her plane left, so I put the car in gear and headed towards the airport. The silence was deafening because she had the wrong idea and she was making decisions without me.
“Fuck, Tess. Talk to me.” I came to a stop at a red light.
Nothing.
“Tess, you can sit here and make decisions about us by yourself, but if you’re the woman that I believe you are. You will listen to me and hear me.” She inhaled but remained quiet. “Sara is an ex and my brother Troy thinks we still belong together. So, he sent her here because she’s hasn’t gotten over the fact that we will no longer be a couple. That was over two years ago. I’m not interested in her at all and she’s a possessive shrew so that was the scene you walked up on. Nothing more. I have no repressed feelings for her as she’s a vision killer. I don’t need that in my life. Ever.”
She continued to remain silent.
“Furthermore, I don’t like what I believed you were trying to insinuate. I told you and I meant it. I’ll go wherever, travel, and fly-in and out. Whatever I need to do to make this work. You just have to tell me what you want. I’m all in because I want you beyond a conference. This isn’t about sex, Tess. It is everything.”
Nothing.
“Goddamn it, Tess! Say something.” I snapped.
She slightly jumped but said nothing.
When we arrived, she hopped out of the car and went to the back. I slammed my door and stalked towards her but I did not open the trunk. Instead, I wrapped my arm around her stiff body, placing her in front of me as I faced the rental car. Moving into her space, I tried a different tactic and lowered my voice.