by Jade Jones
“I love your daughter,” Romeo confessed. “More than I love myself…”
“Perhaps you should show her that,” Arthur said. The look in his wise eyes told Romeo to stop bullshitting. His daughter was definitely a keeper.
***
That afternoon, Kimberlyn found herself thumbing through the envelope’s cash again. Fifteen thousand dollars to be exact. It wasn’t like Desmond to just stick money in her mailbox. He was a real nigga and if he wanted her to have money, he’d just give it to her.
Kimberlyn had just finished preparing Jordan’s after-school snack when her cellphone rang. Her cheeks flushed bright pink after noticing it was Desmond. Images of their passionate night came to mind. He had dropped her off at five in the morning; her pussy throbbed just thinking about it. Desmond had shown no mercy.
“Hey, baby,” Kimberlyn sang into the receiver.
“What’chu gettin’ into this weekend?”
“I don’t know. Don’t have any plans yet.”
“Cool. Keep it open. I wanna take you somewhere,” Desmond said.
Kimberlyn cheesed like a schoolgirl crushing. She loved whenever he went out his way to surprise her. “Okay. I’ll make sure I have a babysitter.”
“Aight. I’ll get up with you later, babe. Enjoy ya day.” Desmond was just about to hang up but Kimberlyn stopped him.
“Hey, quick question before you go. Did you leave some money in my mailbox?”
There was a heavy pause on Desmond’s end before he responded. “…Nah...”
“…Oh…okay. Well, that’s all I wanted to know,” she said. “I’ll see you later.” Kimberlyn barely gave him a chance to respond before she hung up and ran to get the money. Once she retrieved the envelope, she rushed to the hallway bathroom.
Kimberlyn felt sick to her stomach just thinking about where the money could’ve came from. Dropping to her knees in front of the toilet, she opened the envelope and dumped the cash.
“Damn. Like that? Guess my money ain’t good enough, huh?”
Kim jumped and dropped the money when she heard a familiar voice behind her.
19
Kimberlyn barely wanted to turn around. All of the color flushed from her face when she saw Cool standing in the doorway of her bathroom.
“What the fuck are you doing in my house?” she asked teary-eyed. So many old emotions came rushing back when she saw him. His crazy ass was still on the run, but somehow he’d made time to pay her a visit.
“What’chu mean? I brought you this house. What? I ain’t welcome in my own home no more?” The crooked smile on his face made Kimberlyn want to slap him. She couldn’t believe she’d loved him blindly at one time.
Jumping up, Kimberlyn made a move to walk past Cool. She wasn’t about to play his games. “I’m calling the police—”
Cool quickly grabbed Kim and slammed her against the wall. “Get off me, Christopher! What do you want?”
Cool didn’t respond as he snatched her robe open. She wore nothing but a silk thong underneath. “Why you actin’ like you don’t fuck wit’ a nigga no more? I came back for you—”
“You should’ve stayed the hell away!” Kimberlyn screamed, fumbling to close her robe. “You got some damn nerve coming here after everything you’ve done! You put me in the fucking hospital for Christ’s sakes! We are over!”
Cool was pissed that she was flexing on him. Back in the day, he’d had her wrapped around his finger and now she didn’t even have love for him. Every designer clothing item she owned, he brought her. He even put her in the big house she slept in every night.
"So you ain’t my bitch no more?” he asked in a low tone. His piercing hazel eyes stared at Kim as he awaited a response. It would be hard replacing her if she said no. There were plenty bitches out there. But none that put up with his shit and loved him like her.
Kimberlyn tried to walk around Cool but he blocked her with his body. At 6”2, he towered over her by nearly an entire foot. With smooth caramel skin and a toned physique, he was a pretty boy but had the ugliest attitude. The small crescent shaped scar over his left eye came from a bar fight. Cool also had a temper. He was a thug by nature, and lived life as such.
“Answer the question, K. You ain’t my bitch?”
“How dare you even come to my house after everything you did?!”
Hot tears streamed down her cheeks as she tried to push past her ex-fiancé. Her robe was wide open, exposing her bare breasts. Cool wouldn’t let her by. Instead, he kissed away her tears wishing he could kiss away her pain. He knew he’d fucked up.
“Get off me,” Kim cried. She writhed beneath him but he was far stronger than her.
Pinning one of Kim’s hands above her head, Cool crushed his lips against hers. In the beginning, Kimberlyn tried to put up a fight. But eventually, as always, she gave in. As much of an asshole as he was, there was still a tiny shred of love in her heart for him.
Cool was like an animal as he ripped her panties off. It had been too long since he felt her insides. He wasted no time freeing his massive dick; his jeans dropped around his ankles. A shade darker than his skin, his pipe was so hard that Kimberlyn could see the veins pulsate. Her pussy became wet at the mere sight of it.
Cool intertwined fingers as he held her hand above her head. Hoisting her up, he slid inside slowly.
“Oooh,” she moaned after his entrance. It only took a short moment for her to get her rhythm. But when she did, she rode him like a horse jockey.
Cool fucked Kimberlyn on the hallway wall like they’d never had past conflicts. She hated her pussy for betraying her. Apparently, it missed him more than she did.
“This shit still gets wet for a nigga though,” Cool said. He held Kimberlyn effortlessly with one arm while he pumped. Her breasts bounced as she rode him expertly. She had to wrap her arms around his neck to keep from falling. Every so often, she would hit his shoulder. Apart of her hated his ass, but the other side loved him. Cool was everything her mama warned her about, yet she couldn’t get enough of him.
Without warning, he turned around and laid Kimberlyn on the carpet. Sliding between her thighs, he proceeded to stroke fast-paced. He surprised Kim when he grabbed her by the throat. Cool loved that rough shit, but luckily so did she.
He decided to tease her a bit by pulling out, and slapping her clit with his dick a few times. Kimberlyn shivered and moaned in response.
“You still love me?” Cool asked.
Kimberlyn didn’t answer.
Giving her something to talk about, he slid back in and drilled her shit. When he snatched out that time, she squirted all over his dick.
“Unnnh!” Kimberlyn’s entire body shook uncontrollably.
Cool didn’t stop there. He wasn’t finished with her ass by far. Sliding back in, he fucked her until her eyes rolled in the back of her head. “You still love a nigga?”
“Shit! YES!” Kimberlyn screamed. As always, good dick made her say anything. Cool had her trapped in a state of euphoria; she was under his spell.
Cool made her cum a second time. That round he came with her as well. As soon as the moment passed, regret settled in the pit of Kimberlyn’s stomach. Cool leaned in to kiss her like shit was sweet, but she quickly turned her head away. It was obvious that she was no longer feeling him.
Cool did her the favor of climbing off. Chuckling to himself he went to the bathroom and handled his business. Anger and resentment coursed through Kim as she listened to his piss splash against the toilet water.
She felt like a cheap prostitute as she laid naked on the floor in her own wetness. What the fuck am I doing, she asked herself.
Cool walked back out and offered her a hand to help her up.
Kimberlyn looked at it and rolled her eyes. Tugging her robe back on, she quickly stood to her feet. “I want you out of my house before I call the cops,” she snapped. Their moment had come and gone. Now it was time for his ass to roll out.
Cool laughed and shook his head in amuseme
nt. “You something else. You know that shit?” he said, pulling his clothes on.
“I don’t want you to come back. You aren’t welcome here—”
“Hell, I ain’t. I’m welcome anywhere my son lays his head. Remember dat shit.”
“Jordan is Desmond’s s—”
Kimberlyn’s sentence was cut short after Cool clasped a hand over her mouth and slammed her against the wall. The back of her head bounced off the surface. She could feel a hickie forming soon after.
“Bitch, if you have my seed grow up thinkin’ that shit, I’ll never forgive yo’ triflin’ ass,” he said.
Kimberlyn shoved Cool off of her. “Get out my house!” she demanded. Kim pushed him again, then again, then again. “Get out! Get out! GET OUT!” She shoved him all the way out her front door.
She was just about to slam it in his face when he said, “You wanna know whose money that really is?” he asked. “Ya lil’ boyfriend. I took it after I put two in dat mufucka personally.”
Cool wanted to hurt Kimberlyn before he left since she was hurting him. He’d foolishly convinced himself that they could rekindle what they once had. Now he felt silly—like the naïve females he often took advantage of.
Kimberlyn’s mouth went dry after hearing that, but she held her composure. “If you come on my property again, I’m shootin’ ya ass myself on sight!” With that, she slammed the door on him and their relationship.
20
The following afternoon, Shayla and a couple of her co-workers were walking through Lenox Square when her cellphone rang. After noticing the caller was none other than Romeo she dated on answering. She was still mad at his ass, but she could never stay angry too long.
“Hello?”
“Where you at? I swung past ya crib and saw you wasn’t there?”
Shayla smiled. “Since when do you care about my whereabouts?”
“Since the day we met,” he answered honestly.
Shayla blushed; he always knew what to say. His game was impeccable. “I’m at the mall,” she told him.
“Which one?”
“Lenox.”
“Real shit? I just came over from Lenox. Which department store you by?”
Shayla told her girls to hold up while she looked around. “Fendi.”
There was brief shuffling on Romeo’s end, before he said, “Turn around.”
Shayla heard his voice in real-time as well as on the phone, so she knew he was behind them.
“Damn, Shay. That’s yo’ baby daddy?” Ashley, her 21-year old co-worker asked. She had to keep herself from looking too hard out of respect.
“He fine as fuck,” Tamara added, sizing him up.
Romeo’s wardrobe was immaculate as he swaggered over towards the women. He wore a black Rick Owens t-shirt, leather pants, and high top snakeskin Giuseppes. The gold jewelry draped around his neck shined brightly. Romeo had a fresh, crisp lineup, and he smelled of Clive Christian cologne.
Romeo didn’t miss the lustful stares from Shayla’s friends. Then again, he’d always had that effect on the ladies.
“Bitch, let me find out you dating a model,” Tamara said as Romeo walked over.
Shayla blew a raspberry and laughed. “He is not a model.”
“Bullshit,” Ashley instigated. If given the opportunity, she would gladly take Romeo off Shayla’s hands. Friend or not, her boyfriend’s looks were heart-stopping. What the hell can she do with all that anyway, she thought to herself.
“Hey, babe. You look beautiful,” Romeo greeted. Seeing Shayla in person made him fall in love with her all over again. Lately, it seemed like the only time they saw each other was unexpectedly. But damn, was his baby mama stunning.
I need to stop bullshitting, Romeo told himself.
Shayla was cute that day in a black and white maxi dress and vintage denim jacket. The Jeffrey Campbell sneakers on her feet elevated her two inches. Even in casual wear, she was gorgeous. Her smooth deep chocolate skin glowed unlike ever before. Something about a dark brown sistah did shit to him.
Romeo pulled Shayla into a hug and kissed her deeply. The kiss actually caught her off guard because she wasn’t expecting so much passion. They were just beefing a day ago, now they were making out in the middle of Atlanta’s most popular shopping mall. Their relationship was truly an unusual one—but neither could deny their love for the other.
Shayla was breathless when they pulled apart. No man had ever made her feel the way Romeo did. Her knees buckled whenever they made eye contact, and she melted with each touch. How he could be so irresistible would forever remain a mystery.
“What are you doing out here?” Shayla asked.
“Had to get my watch tightened.” The $32,000 Cartier on his wrist sparkled beautifully.
Shayla cleared her throat and turned to her girls. Even to that day, Romeo still made her somewhat nervous. His cocky but suave demeanor was unlike anything she’d ever encountered. “Romeo, these are my co-workers Ashley and Tamara.”
“Hi, Romeo,” they sang in unison.
He nodded his head at them and turned back to Shayla. “I’m actually finna get up outta here. I got some business to take care of real quick. But why don’t you buy yaself somethin’ nice while you here.” Romeo handed her a small knot of cash. It was enough to splurge on herself and her friends if she chose to.
Shayla took his money so as not to insult him. He was doing the most in front of her girls, but judging from their expressions they loved the entertainment. Besides, she did feel a little special from the extra attention. “Okay.”
Romeo gently touched her growing belly and kissed her again. “I wanna talk. Call me when you get back to da crib, aight?”
Shayla batted her long, natural lashes. “Will do.”
“It was nice meeting you ladies.”
“Bye, Romeo,” Ashley and Tamara sang.
Shayla laughed and shook her head after he walked off. She didn’t mind her co-workers swooning over him. Besides, they had no idea of the drama that came with his good looks.
“Damn, I need me a Romeo,” Ashley giggled.
“Ya’ll hoes too much,” Shayla laughed.
All of a sudden, her cellphone rang again. That time it was Kimberlyn. “Hey, girl. What’s up?”
“I just pulled up to the spa right now. I was hoping you could join me,” she said. “I need to talk to you ASAP.”
***
It was approximately 2:30 p.m. when Shayla arrived to Glam Time Nails & Foot Spa. Kimberlyn was already in a chair, soaking her feet while getting a fill-in. She was finally returning to her old self again. “Hey, boo. I saved this one for you,” Kim said, motioning to the chair beside hers.
Shayla kicked off her sneakers and took a seat. One of the employees quickly rushed over to get her set up. “What’s up, bay? How are you today? Everything cool?” she asked, sipping on her water bottle. Shayla dipped her feet into the bubbling, warm water. The pedicure was right on time.
“Somewhat. Where you coming from?”
“Lenox. I ended up bumping into Romeo’s crazy self. He practically had my co-workers drooling at the mouth. That boy is too much for TV.”
“But you love it,” Kim laughed. “I swear ya’ll asses can’t stay away from each other.”
Shayla laughed too. Kim was right. No matter what was happening, life just seemed to pull them together. “Whatever, K.”
Kimberlyn reached over and touched Shayla’s protruding tummy. “Damn, girl! Your belly’s over here looking like a busted can of biscuits. This baby’s getting big quick!”
Cracking up with laughter, Shayla slapped her friend’s hand away. “Shut the hell up, bitch. Anyway, what’s new with you?”
Kimberlyn finally became serious and settled back in her seat. Sighing deeply, she ran her hand through her wet and wavy hair. Kim had that good, soft grade of hair; she didn’t need to wear weave or clip-ons.
“Cool’s back in town,” Kim admitted.
“What?! From where? I
sn’t there a warrant out still for his arrest? Did you see him?” Shayla’s questions came a mile a minute.
“…I did more than just see him,” she confessed.
Shayla’s eyes grew big and suddenly Kim felt guilty all over again. “We fucked yesterday afternoon,” she blurted out. “Then we fucked again later on that night...” Kimberlyn couldn’t believe she’d allowed things to go as far as they did—especially after she put his ass out the first time. But what was done was done, and she couldn’t take it back now.
“Bitch, are you retarded?!” Shayla snapped on her. She didn’t care how harsh she may have sounded. Kim’s poor decision-making was just plain old stupid. “You’ve got to be kidding me! Have you forgotten everything that negro has done to you? Rita’s probably rolling over in her grave!”
Kimberlyn opened her mouth to respond, but Shayla quickly cut her off.
“Speaking of which, what about what he did to her?”
“He didn’t mean to do that to Rita,” Kim said, defending him. “It was an honest mistake.” She was starting to sound like her old self again too.
Shayla frowned at her best friend. She wanted to slap some sense into her, because she didn’t even recognize Kim. “Well, what about when he shot at you?” Shayla reminded her.
“Cool didn’t intend for me to get hurt—”
“Kimberlyn, listen to yourself! What are you saying? That Cool isn’t guilty of the shit he put you through? Open your eyes! You sound childish as hell right now.”
“Childish? Bitch, miss me with it,” Kimberlyn said. “You still living at home with your motherfucking parents, too scared to tackle life head on. I don’t know why I even thought I could be real with you. You don’t know shit about what me and Cool got. You too busy chasing that puppy love with Romeo’s ass.”
Shayla looked overly offended by Kim’s remark. “Puppy love?!” she repeated sarcastically. “Bitch, I’m carrying his baby.”
“Are you?” Kimberlyn asked, raising a threaded brow. “’Cuz last I recall you were still checking for Dexter.”