Imagined Love

by Diamond Drake

  “I know,” Pierce said, planting a kiss on her forehead. “Look at us in here acting like two horny ass teenagers. But I like knowing you’ll get buck wild with me when the time comes,” he laughed and tapped the countertop. “Well, let me get going. I need to go home and ice my back.”

  “Why, what’s wrong with you back?”

  “You had your legs wrapped around me so tight that you almost broke it! I was like damn this girl is strong!”

  “Alright, get out!” Jade laughed loudly, as she pushed him towards the living room. “You got jokes now, right? But I wasn’t the one moaning, ‘ooh Jade, ooh baby’!”

  They both doubled over with laughter. Then once they were able to compose themselves, Jade walked Pierce to the door.

  “So we’re still on for tomorrow? Grabbing breasts doesn’t get a brotha kicked to the curb, does it?”

  “Nah, I guess I can let it slide this time,” she smiled.

  “Good. Well, I guess you better go ahead and kiss me now so I can go.”

  “Kiss you? You kiss me!”

  “Why you always gotta be difficult? How come you can’t just say yes Pierce and do what I say? Huh?” He smiled then kissed her gently. “I’ll call you, okay?”

  “Okay . . . and thank you for tonight.”

  “No problem. I’ll grab your breasts whenever you want.”

  “Get out of here, ole crazy self,” Jade laughed and gave him a quick kiss.

  Ten minutes later, as had become their nightly ritual, Pierce called her and they talked until the wee hours of the morning.

  The next day at around noon Pierce was back at Jade’s place to get her for their double date with Jamel and Tamara. The Addisons were excited to finally meet the man they’d heard so much about as well as have some time away from their three kids.

  “Damnnnn!” Tamara shrieked when Pierce walked in. “He is gorgeous! No wonder you been walking around on clouds since you met him. What’s up, Captain America?” she smiled then shook his hand. “Shoot, I would’ve hopped up on the counter too!”

  “Would you shut up?” Jade gasped, as she pushed her friend. “Hi, honey. This is Tamara who apparently likes repeating things told to her in private in front of everybody. And this is her husband Jamel Addison. This is Pierce Jamison.”

  “Hey, what’s up, man? It’s nice to meet you,” Jamel said, shaking hands with Pierce. “And don’t pay my wife any mind. She’s not well.”

  They all laughed then headed out for pizza. It took ten minutes to leave the parking lot because Jamel fell in love with Pierce’s car. It was a 1970, charcoal gray Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396 with black leather interior and silver rims.

  “Damn, dude, do you need a condom?” Tamara asked in response to the sensual way Jamel was rubbing the car. “You out here acting hard up like you didn’t just get some before we left the house. Get your ass in the car and quit embarrassing me,” she laughed, playfully pushing him into the backseat.

  Pierce laughed too as he did the entire drive to the restaurant. He really liked Jamel and Tamara and felt as though he’d known them for years. And it was quite clear how much they both loved and respected Jade. Tamara adored her and made it plain that she’d have no qualms about jacking Pierce up if he hurt her.

  “He’s the one, Jade,” she announced after grilling him over lunch.

  “I agree,” Jamel added. “You hit the jackpot, didn’t you? He’s tall and handsome with a store full of food! You must be in heaven,” he teased.

  They all laughed and continued to make jokes about how much Jade ate. She’d eaten a medium pepperoni pizza with extra cheese by herself and was already talking about the buttered popcorn she was going to get at the movie theater. Pierce could go broke trying to feed her!

  “What are you doing?” Pierce frowned when Jade grabbed the check. “It’s my treat. I’ve got it,” he said, trying to take it out of her hand.

  “It’s okay, I’ll get it. You always pay.”

  “Girl, give me this thing. What did I tell you about being difficult? Just say yes Pierce like I said. I’ll be right back,” he said then headed to the cash register.

  When they arrived at the movie theater Pierce walked around to open the door for Jade and helped her out of the car.

  “Aw, you’re such a gentle . . .” Jade took off running towards the box office to buy their tickets before he did.

  “Get her man!” Jamel called, after Pierce jetted behind her.

  Pierce was surprised by how fast Jade was and had to run full speed to catch her. He grabbed the back of her shirt to slow her down then wrapped his arms around her waist and hoisted her in the air. Jade screamed and laughed like a little girl when Pierce tossed her over his shoulder like it was nothing.

  “Yes, let me get four tickets for Dead Presidents, please,” Pierce said as though it were perfectly normal to have a woman draped over his shoulder.

  “Oh my goodness,” Jade laughed as he put her down, “look at them!”

  Pierce let out a roar at the sight of Jamel and Tamara. Apparently they were inspired by the playfulness of the lovebirds and decided to join in the fun. Tamara, who outweighed her husband by fifty pounds, straddled his back while they stumbled towards them.

  “We’re almost there, baby,” he panted moments away from being smashed into the ground. “I got you.”

  After the movie, ice cream, and a go-cart race, Pierce drove back to Jade’s apartment. Everybody had other plans for the evening so their double date had to come to an end. Jamel and Pierce were still talking about cars when Tamara pulled Jade aside to talk.

  “Now this is how it’s supposed to be. He the one, beauty queen, I just know it,” Tamara declared with tears in her eyes. “I’m so happy for you, girl. Captain America is the one we’ve been praying for.”

  “Why do you keep calling him that?”

  “Girl, look at him all tall with that broad, muscular chest and little waist. Can’t you just picture him in a tight blue leotard and some red boots? Shoot, I bet if you give him a chance he’ll earn that star on his chest! I don’t know how you can resist him, beauty queen. I would’ve gave it up that first day and everyday after that.” They both laughed.

  “Okay, little mama, we need to go,” Jamel said.

  “See you soon, Captain America,” Tamara smiled then gave him a big hug. “Okay, beauty queen, call me later. And remember what I told you . . . show him.”

  “Bye, ole crazy woman. I’ll call you tomorrow,” Jade said as she hugged Jamel and Tamara goodbye then watched them drive away.

  “So what are you supposed to show me?” Pierce asked.

  “My inner hoe,” she giggled. “By the way, I’m sorry about earlier. I didn’t think Tamara was going to talk about the countertop incident in front of you. I was so embarrassed and didn’t want you to think I had given her blow by blow details

  about it. She asked if my inner hoe had emerged yet and I told her it almost did on my kitchen counter and I left it at that. I’m so sorry. I hope you weren’t too embarrassed by it.”

  “There’s no need to apologize. You can talk to your friends about whatever you want. I trust you know how much to divulge and to whom. Plus you already warned me Tamara’s liable to say anything so I wasn’t surprised or embarrassed. So are you ready?”

  Jade was confused by his question. He knew she had made plans to have dinner with Landon and Gabrielle and he was going to his mother’s for their Sunday dinner. That was the reason they chose to have an early date with Jamel and Tamara. It soon became clear Pierce was trying to convince her to come with him. Jade had joined his family for a few of their get-togethers and they loved having her there. Pierce gave the sad, puppy dog eyes and even used Dane and how happy he’d be to see her as a way to make Jade change her plans.

  “Oh, babe, I can’t,” she sighed. “Even though we work together everyday, Landon and I haven’t hung out in a while. And Gabrielle is off so it’s the perfect day to have dinner and spend some quality time t
ogether. Besides, I don’t wanna become a nuisance at your mom’s house. I know she said come by anytime but she may not have meant it every time. “Aw, don’t do me like that,” Jade said when Pierce continued with the pitiful, pouty faces. “Come on, dude, you know that would be foul to cancel on them after they’ve been cooking all day and preparing for me to come over.”

  “Okay I’ll tell you what. Let’s go inside and call them. For all we know they could be enjoying each other right now and need some quality time alone. You could be doing them a favor. Please, can we just try? If they’re waiting for you then I’ll leave and try to explain to my poor little son why his favorite girl didn’t want to see him today. But if they’re busy then you can come with me.”

  The guilt trip led them inside to call Landon. Pierce stood behind Jade and wrapped his arms around her shoulders as she dialed the number. He kissed her cheek and rocked from side to side silently praying Landon and Gabrielle were otherwise engaged.

  “Hey, baby girl, you on your way? You won’t believe the incredible perch I found for us. I’ll fry it when . . .”

  “I’ll call you later,” Pierce whispered and kissed her cheek.

  “Landon, I’ll be there in like ten minutes, okay? Let me say bye to Pierce right quick and I’ll be on my way. Okay . . . boy, shut up of course we’re dressed! I’ll see you in a few minutes,” she laughed then hung up and went right into Pierce’s arms. They held each other for a few minutes, neither wanting to let go. “I’ll call you tonight, okay?”

  “Okay,” Pierce sighed.

  It was with a sense of sadness that they finally let go of one another and drove off to their separate destinations. Pierce felt bad for trying to guilt Jade into canceling her plans but he just didn’t want to be without her. He could still smell traces of her perfume in his car and it drove him crazy. Every time they talked or spent time together he wanted her even more. Jade felt the same way. She was in love with Pierce and her heart ached whenever he wasn’t around. Even though she knew it was too soon, Jade daydreamed about being his wife and coming home to him and Dane everyday. She didn’t dare say it, though, for fear of scaring Pierce away. If only she knew how often he thought the same thing.

  25

  Chapter Twenty Five

  The week leading up to the Halloween party was unusually busy and Pierce and Jade didn’t get to see or talk to each other as much as they wanted. Landon and Jade were having every problem imaginable in regard to the upcoming wedding. Shipments were delayed, orders lost, and the bride who’d become suspicious of her groom-to-be was threatening to call the whole thing off! Jade had to work late nights to pull it all together and get everything back on track.

  Pierce had to fill in two nights that week when Blake, the swing shift clerk, called in sick with the flu. He also had to meet Ms. Mathis for a parent-teacher conference at Dane’s preschool and find another Batman costume since the one he bought no longer fit. The ice machine broke and had to be repaired and some of his vendors didn’t have everything he’d ordered. It was all a bit overwhelming but not being able to have time with Jade was what frustrated Pierce most. So he decided to take some time with her even if it was just for a few minutes.

  “Hey,” Jade smiled, after Landon escorted Pierce to her office. “This is a nice surprise.”

  He placed the bags of food on her desk and squeezed her tight when she got up to hug him. “I miss you,” he whispered.

  “Aw, I miss you too, babe.”

  “Yeah I can vouch for that, brotha. If Jade’s not talking about you then she’s staring at your picture like a goofy ass teenage girl.”

  “Was anybody talking to you? Get out of here,” she snapped.

  Over their Kentucky Fried Chicken lunch Jade asked Pierce how the conference went with Dane’s teacher. She was proud to hear how well he was doing and how much Ms. Mathis adored him. What nearly made her cry was hearing how Dane told his whole class that his mommy wrote the best stories in the world! Jade’s heart melted knowing he thought of her that way. She definitely thought of him as her son and said as much when clients asked about the picture of him on her desk. Pierce thought Jade would flip out once she learned Dane had volunteered her to come to his class to read one of her stories, but she was fired up about it. She even asked him to get a list of all the students so she could use their names in a story she planned to write specifically for them.

  “You’re awesome, you know that? Thank you so much,” Pierce said, as he planted a soft kiss on her lips. “Ooh, tastes like chicken,” he laughed. “Well, I know you’re busy so I’m gonna head out. I just wanted a few minutes with my favorite girl to let you know how much I miss you. I’m looking forward to the party Saturday. I can’t wait to meet Laura Charles,” he smiled. “So I was thinking I could pick you up at around seven. I’ll take Dane to his party and to my mom’s for

  the thing she has planned for the kids. Then I can take off to come get you and we’ll go the grownups’ party.”

  “Oh, okay,” Jade said, looking close to tears.

  “What’s wrong, babe? Why are you about to cry?”

  “I’m sorry. I just assumed I was going with you to take Dane to his party. But I’ll wait until you come to get me at seven.”

  “Come here, babe,” Pierce cooed, taking Jade into his arms. “I would love for you to come with me and Dane. I always want you with us. So please don’t look at me with those sad eyes. I can’t take it. Shoot, you almost had me about to cry up in here.”

  A panicked phone call from the caterers brought their lunch to an end. Jade thanked him for bringing her favorite KFC meal and kissed him goodbye. Despite all of the issues she had at work that day, Jade couldn’t wipe the smile from her face. It was wonderful to feel loved.

  Things ran a little late at the reception and Jade didn’t get home until nearly six o’clock. She ended up missing Dane’s party anyway after making such a big deal about it and she felt bad. Pierce told her not to worry about it and that he’d be there to get her within the hour. Jade rushed to get showered and dressed in the black leather outfit Laura Charles wore in The Last Dragon when she asked Leroy to be her bodyguard. She was just about to put on her wig and makeup when Pierce knocked on the door.

  “Oh babe, look at you,” she cooed and rubbed his clean shaven face. “You look so cute,” Jade smiled, admiring him in his black karate uniform. “But you look like you’re about fifteen years old! Folks are gonna think I’m your sugar mama in this tight leather while you’re standing there looking all innocent and pure,” she laughed. “You look good, though, babe . . . my Bruce Leroy Green.”

  “You look hot! Shoot, you might need to wear this around the house sometimes,” Pierce said, rubbing his hands across her hips. “Yeah, we could have fun with this.”

  Jade invited him to join her in the bedroom while she finished getting ready.

  “So this is the queen’s lair, huh? And look at that bed!” he marveled, taking in everything. “Wow, it’s like a resort in here.”

  “My dad always used to say your bedroom should be the best, most comfortable room in the house. So I put a lot of time and energy into making sure my bedroom is.”

  “I see,” Pierce said and was about to hop on her bed but changed his mind.

  “It’s okay, babe,” Jade chuckled. “Nobody’s slept on those sheets and comforter but me. It’s safe.”

  “Aw man, am I that obvious?”

  “I can’t lie. I thought the same thing in your room that night we took Dane to the emergency room.”

  “Really? Well, there’s nothing to worry about on my end. My little guy is the only other person that’s been in my bed. Well, I hope so,” Pierce frowned, as a disturbing thought came to mind. “Hawn and Roland have stayed at my place to watch Dane and . . . ugh, I don’t even wanna think . . . yeah let’s change the subject.”

  Jade giggled at the expression on Pierce’s face like he had a nasty taste in his mouth. “I’m sure hearing about my past isn’t the m
ost appealing thing right now but I don’t want you to think I’ve been knocking back a string of dudes in here because it’s not like that. In fact, a lot of things you might assume have happened haven’t. But I just want you to know that even though I’m not innocent, I’m not a whore either.”

  “I never thought you were, babe,” he said then took a seat on her bed. “But you don’t owe me any explanations. We both have pasts. And I don’t mind talking about it, but I don’t want you to feel like you have to explain or defend yourself. I’m not in any position to pass judgment on you and . . . whoa, what is this? Oh, so it’s like that? I told you to show me all your pictures but you got a private stash back here! Umm huh, I see how you do me,” Pierce teased, admiring the provocative shot of Jade on her nightstand. “Where did this come from?”

  “Tamara wanted to get these boudoir shots done as a present to Jamel. She said she was nervous to go by herself and asked me to go with her. The truth was she just wanted me to take some too. I thought it was like porno type junk at first but when I saw some of the pictures the photographer had taken I thought they looked nice. And at that time I was still trying to get over the whole baby thing so I needed a pick me up. I felt really low and unattractive and just bad, you know? So I took the pictures.”

  Pierce asked why she hid them in her room and if he could see the rest of them. Jade stared at him for a moment trying to decide if she should share that part of herself with him.

  “They’re in the top drawer right there,” she said, pointing to her nightstand. Then she turned back towards the mirror to apply her lipstick.

  “These are magnificent, Jade. Each and every one of them is amazing,” Pierce said after he’d taken his time savoring each of the six shots of her. “You are definitely one of the true beauties of this world and I don’t know how you could ever not see that.”

  “It can happen, trust me. When I look at those pictures the first thing that comes to mind is the baby. I should’ve had a little bump but instead I had just lost the weight and was trying to forget the whole thing. And you know the crazy part about it is before that I was too scared to exercise and I was really careful about