by Tamara Black
TWENTY-TWO
Tanesha
As soon as they left, Tony turned to me.
“You ready to get out of here?” he asked.
“I don’t think we should leave,” I said. “My brother…”
“Your brother is the reason we’re in this mess. Because of him, Bullet thinks I screwed him over.”
“You should have never told him you were recording him.”
He shook his head. “No, I made the right decision.”
“You just don’t like my brother,” I said.
“Let’s just get out of here for a while, okay?”
“Where?”
“I don’t know. See a movie? It’s dark and we won’t be seen.”
“A movie? Right now? In middle of all of this?”
“Yes. It’s the perfect time. We’re so stressed out, we need to just chill out and relax a while.”
“I can think of better ways to relax than going to see Star Wars with all the other geeks.”
I grinned as I walked over and slipped my arms around his waist and grabbed his ass, pulling him toward me.
My breasts pressed against his body like they were always meant to be there.
He kissed the top of my head.
“That’s not enough,” I said, grabbing his hand and leading him into the bedroom.
I closed the door and positioned a chair under the handle to block it from being opened. When I turned around, he already had his shirt off, his muscles rippling as he stepped to me and took me in those strong arms of his. My worries dropped away one by one as we kissed.
Our lips danced an age old dance, signaling our love for each other. He lifted my shirt off. I reached around and undid my bra, my breathing quickening.
He lifted one breast and kissed the nipple before moving to the other.
“We don’t have time for that,” I said, grabbing him between the legs.
I could feel his hardness underneath the jeans. He took off his pants and boxer-briefs as I slipped out of mine.
We pressed our bodies against each other again. The feel of his naked skin against mine turned me on.
He picked me up and carried me across the room to one of the walls. I clung to him tightly, looking deep into his eyes.
The moment he entered me, I moaned, unable to believe how much I’d missed sex with him.
Animal lust took over for both of us as our bodies moved as one.
His hard, smooth cock plunged in and out of me frantically.
I pushed against him, his pubic bush brushing my clitoris.
“Yes,” I screamed.
“Shhh,” he groaned in my ear.
His insistence turned me on even more. All I could think about was making him happy for the rest of our lives. I missed my old life, but in that moment, all I could think about was the way he filled me completely.
As I drifted comfortably toward an orgasm, he moved away from the wall, still holding me in his beefy arms. I kissed his neck, wanting more of him inside me.
He set me on the edge of the bed. I turned over and exposed my backside to him.
“Fuck me, baby,” I begged.
His cock felt even larger from this position as he thrust in and out of me while grabbing my thick ass cheeks.
“Yes,” I cried out, stifling my scream in the sheets as I came.
He continued moving in and out as waves of pleasure washed over my body.
When he came a minute later, I could feel him explode inside me.
I got up and wrapped my arms around him, holding tight.
“That was better than Star Wars for you too, right?” I teased.
A smile spread over his face. “All of them put together.”
We took our time cleaning up. Once finished, we went outside in the backyard and sat on the porch steps looking up at the sky.
“There’s so many stars we can’t see with all the city lights,” he said.
I nodded, not caring in the least. “You’re my star, baby. And that’s all I need.”
He put his arm around my waist and pulled me closer to him.
“That helped so much,” I said. “I’ve been so stressed about all of this.”
“Me too.” He turned his head and kissed me on my cheek. “I’m here for you.”
“I miss my kids so much.”
“You’ll see them again soon. Your brother sounded like it’s about over.”
“Because it is,” my brother said, walking out the back door. “What are you two doing out here?”
“Nothing,” I said. “Dang.”
“Get inside.”
“Give us a minute,” Tony said, not moving.
“Do you always have to be so difficult?”
“We’ll come inside in a minute, Andre,” I said. “Just go.”
After he went inside, I turned to Tony.
“He is helping us get away from Bullet and that weed gang.”
“I know, but it’s the way he’s going about it that leaves a bad taste in my mouth.”
“You two need to learn how to get along,” I said, bumping against him lightly.
A few minutes later, we stood up and went back inside. They had brought a sack of subs from Mr. Hero which were quite tasty.
TWENTY-THREE
Tanesha
The next day, Jerome and Tom came to us in the bedroom as we watched television on a small television on the dresser.
“We need to talk,” Jerome said. “Something came up, and we both need to leave now. You guys stay here and everything will be fine, okay?”
“What’s up?” Tony asked.
“Don’t worry about it. Just stay here.”
Before we could question them anymore, they both dashed out of the room like it was on fire and they were trying to escape.
I turned to Tony. “That was odd.”
“Yeah, but this could be our chance.”
“Our chance for what?”
He smiled. “To get out and enjoy a little taste of freedom again.”
“Do you think that’s a good idea?”
“Are you scared to sneak out of here with me, Tanesha?”
“No, that’s not it at all, but…”
“But nothing. We’re in Cleveland. The chances of the Colorado Weed Mafia finding us here are so low.”
“Yeah, I know, but…”
“Come on, Tanesha,” he interrupted. “Let’s go downtown and see what Cleveland has to offer.”
“I could use a drink or two if I’m honest.”
“Hell, maybe we could find someone with a little weed.”
“That’s what got us into this mess in the first place.”
“No, it was my mother and her gambling.”
“I’m sorry,” I said. “Let’s do it.”
We got out of bed and got ready to leave. He stood behind me in the bathroom, brushing his hair while looking in the mirror. I washed my face, watching him, falling more in love every moment I spent with him – even the mundane ones.
“Let’s go see what Cleveland has to offer,” I said.
As soon as we walked outside into the cool evening air, a rush of excitement filled me.
“Which direction do you want to go?” he asked, shutting the door behind us.
“My heart says left. I wish we had our phones so we could call a cab.”
“I saw a few bus stops when we drove in the other day.”
“Bus beats walking,” I said, not too proud for public transportation.
“It’s good for the environment too.”
Our problems drifted from our minds as we walked a couple blocks to a bus stop. After fifteen minutes, one stopped. We got on after it lowered itself to the ground with a rushing sound of air. I paid the fare, and we found a seat in back of the empty bus.
“I hope this bus is going somewhere good,” I said.
He laughed, taking my hand. “Anywhere is fine as long as you’re there with me.”
“Aww.”
I lean
ed over and kissed him on the lips. Outside the windows, the city passed us by.
“The buildings are getting bigger,” I noted.
“Let’s go another five stops, and we’ll get off.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
A few blocks away, we pressed the button to signal the driver to stop. The doors in back slid open and we hopped off. Joy coursed through my body as we walked towards one of the bigger buildings.
“That’s the Terminal Tower, I think,” he said.
“How the hell do you know anything about Cleveland?”
“I loved the Browns and Indians growing up. It’s good to root for the underdogs.”
I took his hand in mine. A block away, we came to a brand new casino called the Horseshoe.
“Do you want to go in?” he asked.
“No, let’s go somewhere else.”
A block past the casino, we found a corner bar with Jazz music streaming into the street from inside.
“That sounds interesting,” I said.
“Let’s go in and have a few drinks before we go back.”
“Oh, crap,” I said. “How are we ever going to find our way back to that house?”
He smiled at me. “I remembered to get the address before we ventured away.”
“You’re incredible.”
We strode into the Jazz joint like we owned the place or had been going there for years. Other patrons welcomed us immediately. I glanced around as we sat at a table and waited for our drinks. In the dimly lit space, I saw a lot of artistic types laughing, talking, and generally having a good time.
“It’s open mic night,” Tony said.
“You going to get up and perform for me?”
“You know it, baby.”
I laughed. “I got to see this.”
He went over to sign-up for a spot as our drinks arrived. I took a sip of my rum and Coke out of a straw. The gravity of our situation tried to poke my mind, but I managed to fight it off as Tony returned and sat down next to me.
“You actually signed up?”
He nodded then took a drink.
“You’re reminding me why I like you so much.”
“Oh, you forgot, did you?” he teased.
I held out my thumb and index finger pinched together.
“A little bit, maybe. All this craziness.”
“It’s going to be over soon, and we can move forward and start a family together.”
“I’d like that.”
The lights dimmed even further as a spotlight shined on the makeshift stage on the far wall across from the bar. A man in a brightly colored tie-dye shirt walked to a microphone.
“Thanks for coming out tonight. We have a lot of great talent tonight. First off, let’s hear it for our house Jazz band, the The Cleve Three.”
We cheered and clapped along with the other fifty or so people packed into the tight space.
“First, we have Amanda Dollinger with a reading of poetry.”
Here we go with the boring, I thought, but boy was I wrong. A proud African-American woman got on stage and walked over to the microphone stand. It squealed a bit as she adjusted the height.
“He’s so tall,” she said.
The audience laughed.
“Thanks to The Cleve Three for backing me up tonight.”
The three-man band next to the stage all waved. Amanda took a deep breath before words poured out of her mouth. She wasn’t singing, but she wasn’t rapping or just talking either. When combined with the saxophone and other instruments, her words took on an otherworldly tone.
I looked over at Tony, smiling from ear to ear. He nodded his head.
We both turned back to the stage, sipping our drinks and enjoying the entertainment. After two other acts just as amazing, the emcee called Tony to the stage.
He stood up and raised his hand in the air while walking up. I couldn’t take my eyes off of him as he climbed on stage and walked to the microphone.
“Is this thing on?” he asked into the mic.
The audience laughed at his nervousness. I fell even more in love with him in that exact moment. He leaned over and said something quietly to the band. As they began to play a familiar tune, he sang Killing Me Softly by the Fugees.
Not a peep could be heard out of anyone as the entire room concentrated on Tony, the man I loved. His male voice turned the song into something entirely different, but it sounded amazing, unlike anything I’d ever heard before. He continued singing, mesmerizing the entire room.
As soon as he finished, the audience, myself included, erupted into applause. He bowed then looked directly at me across the room from the stage. I giggled like a little girl as happiness, more than I’d had in a long time, bounced out of my body like rays of sunshine.
It died down as the emcee returned to the stage. Tony jumped down and walked toward our table.
“I can’t believe you never told me you could sing,” I said as he sat down.
He leaned over and kissed me. “I’m full of surprises, baby.”
I threw my arms around him and hugged him tightly as he loved me softly with his touch. We stayed for two more acts, but decided to head back before the busses stopped running. Instead of calling a cab, I wanted to drag out our time together as long as possible before we returned to our temporary home.
The ride back to our hideout house on the bus was as romantic as anything found in fifty or more Harlequin novels.
TWENTY-FOUR
Tanesha
Andre stared at me with a hateful look in his eyes.
“What the fuck were you two thinking? You’re all over the fucking Internet today.”
“We had to get out of this house,” Tony said, stepping in between me and my brother.
“I hope it was worth putting your lives at risk.”
“It was,” I said. “Can we get a laptop or phone to see what everyone is saying about us on Facebook and Twitter?”
“No,” my brother said, reminding me of growing up with him.
“We’ve been cooped up in this house, and you won’t tell us anything about what’s going on with the case,” Tony said.
Andre held up his hand and bent his head slightly, shaking it.
“I’ve heard enough,” he said. “We’re going to split you two up so this doesn’t happen again.”
“That’s not happening,” Tony said, shaking his head as well.
“I’m staying with Tony,” I insisted.
“Come here, Tanesha. I need to talk to you alone.”
I looked over at Tony. He shrugged his shoulders and said, “Go ahead.”
Andre and I walked to the kitchen. He stopped in front of me, staring into my eyes.
“You know this is serious, right? Do you want to see your children again?”
“You know I do, Andre. Why can’t I even talk to them on the phone?”
“Because there’s a lot going on that you don’t know about.”
“Well, tell me,” I said, crossing my arms over my chest.
“I can’t right now, but it’s not good for you to be around that guy right now.”
“That guy has a name. It’s Tony, and I love him.”
“Whatever, Tanesha. You and Kendrick were meant to be together. He’s the father of your babies.”
“And he’s also an asshole that doesn’t love me.”
“What’s love got to do with it?” he hissed.
“More than you know, sadly.”
I frowned and tilted my head back, looking at him as I shook my head.
“Love don’t mean shit in the real world,” he said, grabbing my arms. “You need security, and Kendrick offers that to you.”
I pulled away from his grasp. “What’s up with all this Kendrick bullshit?”
“I’m trying to talk some sense into you in case anything happens to Tony.”
“What’s going to happen to Tony? What aren’t you telling me?”
“Like I said, sis, you don’t have the whole picture.
You need to trust me on this.”
After a deep breath, I said, very firmly, “No.”
“You’re a damn fool just like momma always said.”
“Fuck you, Andre. I’m a fool for trusting you. Why won’t you tell us about the case?”
“It’s complicated. I have to go.”
He walked past me. I joined him in the living room, standing next to Tony.
“We have to go,” Andre said, “But we’ll be back within an hour. Don’t fucking go anywhere while we figure this out.”
The three of them left the house, leaving Tony and I in the living room. He grinned at me as he reached behind his back.
“What?” I asked.
He pulled out a cell phone. I grabbed it.
“How did you get this? Whose is it?”
“It’s your brother’s phone. I told you I’m a man of many talents.”
“Pickpocketing is one of them, huh?” I swiped the screen of the phone. “Never mind, I don’t care. I want to call my children.”
“That’s why I got yours. Kendrick probably wouldn’t answer a call from my number.”
“Good thinking.”
I tapped his name in my contact list. The phone rang.
“Andre?” Kendrick answered.
“No, it’s me,” I said. “How are the kids?”
“They’re fine. I’m glad you called. Your brother said you might be calling.”
“He did? Why have you been talking to my brother?”
“About the children. Settle down.”
“Don’t tell me what to do,” I said. “Let me talk to my babies.”
“They’re with my parents right now.”
“What? You know I hate them, Kendrick.”
“And they hate you, but they have a right to see their grandchildren.”
“Have them call me,” I said.
“I will. Can we talk a minute?”
“No.”
I disconnected the call.
“Harsh,” Tony said. “But deserved probably.”
“Tell me about it. Let’s see what all this nonsense is about online.”
After searching for Killing Me Softly male vocals, a YouTube video popped up.
“That’s you,” I squealed like a teenager cheering for the home team in high school.