She lifted her head and wiped her tears. “Jaylin, I love you. I’ve always loved you, but you have been too blind to see that all along you’ve had everything you’ve needed. Did it ever occur to you that if you gave our relationship a chance, I would eventually come around and give myself to you? Not once did you give up your women for me. I’ve always been in this with somebody else.
“I refuse to go on like this anymore. Some things need to change. All of my girlfriends are getting married, making commitments, and I’m still hoping for things to work out for us. I’m not getting any younger, and neither are you.”
I couldn’t say anything. I knew what I had put her through, but I thought she understood what a man like me needed. I got up to pour myself a shot of Martel. When the doorbell rang, I poured a double shot because I felt something heavy about to go down.
When I opened the door, Felicia walked in, Scorpio stepped out of my bedroom, and Nokea stood up next to the couch. Damn, I thought. What in the hell am I going to do now?
Since Scorpio was my new lover, all eyes were on her. She had on my black silk robe, tied so low that we could see part of her left breast.
“Who in the fuck is that?” Felicia asked.
“You know, for a woman who’s supposed to be classy, your mouth is extremely foul. Chill out with that, all right?” I tried to play it cool; after all, this was my house and I was in control.
I looked up at Scorpio. “Hey, why don’t you come downstairs? I want to introduce you to some friends.”
As Scorpio walked down the steps, her pretty, tanned legs and private parts peeked through my robe. I know damn well Felicia and Nokea got a peek because they looked as if their insides burned with fire. Scorpio stepped into the living room with Felicia and Nokea, who were already moments away from killing each other.
“Ladies, first let me say that I don’t want no shit up in here tonight. We’re going to settle this like adults, and everybody’s gonna go home happy, all right?”
Scorpio had a smirk on her face. She appeared to be getting a kick out of the drama. “I heard all the yelling, so I stepped out of the bedroom to make sure everything was okay. I really don’t want to be a part of this, and if you don’t mind, I can just go. You’ve already made it clear to me where things stand with us, so there’s no need for me to stay and battle it out with these two women.”
Now, that was my kind of woman. She was thrilled by the drama, but she wasn’t going to put me on blast in front of everyone. “Thanks, Scorpio. I appreciate you not stressing a brotha. Just leave the robe on my bed when you change.”
“Of course,” she said, making her way back up the steps.
Felicia cleared her throat and started working her neck. “Sorry, Mr. Rogers, but it’s not that easy for me. I need to know what’s up with us right now. I’m not going to play second to neither one of these bitches because I’ve done it long enough. When I saw Miss Homebody over there today, she said you were closing some doors in your life. I want to know if that door is supposed to slam on me. If so, I came to hear it straight from the horse’s mouth.”
I looked at Nokea. She didn’t say a word, but a look of disgust was written all over her face. But tonight, I was standing my ground. If neither of them liked it, too bad. The world was mine, and I determined who stayed in it. At this point, I didn’t think either of them were capable of stepping.
“Felicia, I’m gonna say this to you and Nokea—if she’s listening. I am not going to limit myself to just one woman right now. Maybe in the future, but that is something I can not predict. I enjoy being with the both of you, and I refuse to choose one over the other. If you can’t roll with that, then roll out. If you don’t appreciate a brotha’s honesty, then I don’t know what else to say. I’m tired of repeating myself over and over again. It’s starting to get very frustrating for me. So, tonight, I’ll let the both of you decide. Either you’re gonna roll with me or you’re not. I’m not going to lose any sleep either way it goes.”
There was silence. Scorpio walked downstairs with her white jumpsuit on, looking just as spectacular as she did when she came in last night. Nokea and Felicia looked at her with jealousy in their eyes as she walked over and kissed me on the lips.
“I’ll call you tomorrow,” she whispered then made her way to the door.
I hated to see her go, but I was sure she’d be making her way back to me soon. I turned my attention back to Felicia and Nokea.
“So, ladies, what’s it going to be?” I rubbed my hands together, waiting for an answer.
Nokea didn’t say anything, but as usual, Felicia was the first to open her big mouth.
“All I wanted to know is if you were ending it tonight to be with Nokea. Since you’ve made it perfectly clear that you’re not,” she said, looking at Nokea, “we might have been able to work out something. But I have a problem with this Scorpio chick. Sex has only been between you and me for some time.
I don’t know if I can get with you screwing around with someone else. So, what the hell is up with that?”
“What’s up is that I like her. I’d like to kick it with her like I do y’all, but it seems to be a problem all of a sudden.”
“You damn right it is! It’s a problem because I don’t want no diseases from that bitch. If you ask me, she looks nasty, so I’m calling the shots on this one. When you’re done with her, call me. Maybe I’ll be there or maybe I won’t. Who knows? But I don’t want to hear from you as long as you’re still with her. This one here,” she said pointing at Nokea, “I can deal with. But that tramp who just left, I can’t.”
“So, in other words, the competition is getting too steep for you, huh? See ya later, Felicia, and don’t let the door hit you on the way out.”
Felicia tucked her purse underneath her arm and stamped her way to the door.
“Hey!” I yelled. “Don’t have a change of heart tomorrow, because you know I don’t play these back and forth games.”
She ignored my comment and slammed the door. I wasn’t bothered one bit by her departure. I knew Felicia would come running back. This time, though, I’d found a replacement for her, so it wouldn’t be as easy for her to get back in.
Nokea sat on the couch with her fingernail in her mouth, staring at the wall in front of her.
“So, Miss Lady, are you a goner too?” I wasn’t in the mood for any more bullshit.
“I’m not going anywhere, Jaylin. I refuse to lose you to women like them, and with our history, I know that one day you’ll come around. I just hope I can deal with—”
I sat beside her and rubbed her hand. “Nokea, you understand me better than any woman I’ve been with. And deep down, you know how I feel. So, trust me this time. It’ll all work out for the best.”
She laid her head on my shoulder and closed her eyes. “I hope so, Jaylin. I truly hope it does.”
My hopes weren’t as high as Nokea’s. There was no doubt that Scorpio would interfere, but I just wasn’t ready to part ways with her yet. Her good-ass loving had me hooked. Maybe even more hooked than I was willing to admit. I hoped that tonight’s events didn’t compromise my arrangements in any way. Nokea seemed to be consistent with the new program, and I would bet a million dollars that, by the end of the week, Felicia would jump back on the bandwagon too.
8
NOKEA
Today would change my life forever. It was my birthday, and Jaylin had made plans to take me to Cardwell’s at the Plaza for dinner. Afterward, we arranged to get a room at the Sheraton Clayton Plaza Hotel so I could finally show him how much I really loved him. It was time. And just maybe, things between us would be different now.
When I talked to him last night, he said he hadn’t talked to Scorpio or Felicia. So, it was time to make my man as happy as I could, since his other women were out of the picture. He apologized for the other night and told me that he regretted the confrontation, that he never intended to hurt my feelings, and that he’d used a bad choice of words, referring to sett
ling down with one woman. I still didn’t know whether to believe him, but it was partially my own fault. After all, the choices in this relationship were really mine. I couldn’t get mad at him for sleeping with other women if I allowed him to do it. If I could just hang on for a while, this drama would soon be over. Being with Jaylin was what I truly wanted.
Besides, Daddy loved Jaylin, and so did Mama. They always wanted us to be together. When I called Mama the other night and told her about what happened, she told me Jaylin was just going through a phase every man goes through. She said Daddy had done the same thing to her before he decided to settle down. And even though she insisted she was ready for some grandbabies, she wanted me to be sure about committing myself to Jaylin, and encouraged me not to be a fool.
After work, I drove to Macy’s and bought a beautiful powder-blue negligee that accented my light brown skin. The front was lace and had a V-dip all the way down to the tip of my coochie hairs. The back was a thong and showed my butt that Jaylin admired so much. I bought some strawberries and cream body lotion to make sure I smelled extra fresh for him tonight. Then, I called him at work to make sure we were still on, and to thank him for the roses he had delivered to my office today. Angela answered with her usual attitude, and then she asked me to hold.
“Jaylin Rogers.” It sounded like he was busy.
“Would you like for me to call you back?” I asked, knowing that I would be disappointed if he did.
“Naw, I got a minute. What’s up?”
“Nothing much. I just wanted to thank you for the roses, and I wanted to find out what time you’re picking me up tonight.”
“You’re welcome—nothing but the best for my lady. I’ll see you around... sevenish?”
“Jaylin, are you sure you want to do this tonight? I mean, I’m ready, but I know you had your doubts before.”
“I’m as ready as I’m ever going to be. I want to make sure you’re ready. If not, baby, then now is the time to tell me. I’ve been thinking about your sexy little self all damn day.”
“I’ll see you tonight.” I blew him a kiss before I hung up. It was good to know his thoughts were about me. I just hoped I didn’t disappoint him. I’d dreamed of our moment together, and everything felt so right.
When I got home, I called the Sheraton to make sure everything was set for tonight. Jaylin had already taken care of things, but I didn’t want anything to go wrong. So, I called reservations just to confirm.
I pranced around in front of the mirror in my blue negligee, hoping it was more than satisfying for Jaylin. I even called my best friend, Patricia, to get her opinion about the negligee and to get sex advice.
“Girl, whatever you wear, Jaylin will be pleased. Personally, I think he don’t deserve you, but anyway—”
“I didn’t ask for your negative opinion about Jaylin, Pat. I just wanted to know what you would wear to turn Chad on.”
“Nothing. Chad doesn’t give a shit what I put on. As long as I’m naked, he’s good to go. And if I know Jaylin, he’s the same way. He only cares about what’s underneath.”
“I know, but I want to kind of tease him a little bit.. . you know? He’s been with all these women and has so much experience. I just hope I can please him. I wondered if you could share some tips with me.”
“The only tip I’m going to give you is don’t have sex with him yet. I ain’t trying to be hard on you, but if you’re having doubts about it, then why do it? All of these years, I’ve been so proud of you for not giving in to him. I wish there were more women like you who would wait until they get married. At the rate these men are going, nobody should be fucking.”
“Well, you got that right, but I need to do this for me. If I really love Jaylin, and know deep in my heart we’re going to be together, then why not?”
“I just want you to be sure, that’s all. I don’t know if giving yourself to him is going to change anything about him. He’s got some personal issues he needs to work on, and it ain’t got a damn thing to do with you.”
I disagreed, but Pat was more than welcome to offer her opinion. After tonight, things would be different between Jaylin and me. After all, it seemed like he’d almost waited a lifetime for this moment to come, and nothing was going to stop it from happening.
9
JAYLIN
It was good to be off work. I rushed home and changed so I wouldn’t be late for dinner with Nokea. She was so sweet. I had put all my issues with other women aside for the week just to make her happy. Felicia called and left me several messages, but I didn’t call her back. I guess she finally realized that when I say something, I mean it. She walked out on me, and for now, she was staying out until I was ready.
My mind, though, had been kind of messed up. The thought of fucking Scorpio again stuck with me twenty-four /seven. I thought about her ass at work, at home, and even looked for her at the gym. She called and said she would be out of town for a few days and would call when she got back. And even though I wanted to hear from her, maybe a relationship between us wasn’t going to work out. I couldn’t stop thinking about her lack of cooking skills and her child, not to mention the fact that her fucked up car didn’t look too good in my driveway. I wasn’t looking for a perfect woman, but I at least wanted a woman who could cook.
I dropped the keys on the kitchen table and hurried to my room to change. I put on the gray suit Nokea had picked out for me at Saks Fifth Avenue and put on a crisp white shirt underneath. I left a few buttons undone so she could see my chest that she admired so much.
As soon as I put on my Rolex, the doorbell rang. I’d told Nokea I would pick her up tonight, but knowing her, she was anxious to see me and couldn’t wait. I jogged down the steps with one black sock in my hand and the other on my foot.
Looking through the glass doors, I could clearly see it was Scorpio. I was pressed for time, but she was a sight for tired eyes, so I opened the door. I couldn’t help but display a tiny smile.
“What brings you by?” I asked, closing the door behind her.
“I just got back in town. My daughter and I took a short vacation, and when we got back, she wanted to spend some time with my sister. I’ve been thinking about you, so I took this opportunity to come see you.” She looked me up and down. “Are you about to go somewhere?”
“Yeah, I was. I have a dinner engagement tonight that I’m running a little late for.”
“Do you mind if I stay here until you come home? I promise I’ll have something sweet for you when you get back.” She walked up to me and buttoned my shirt. I placed my hand over hers to stop her.
“Look, why don’t I just call you tomorrow. I’d hate to keep you waiting all night long.”
“So, your dinner engagement is going to take all night?” She pressed herself against me and my dick throbbed for her. I had to get to Nokea, but I was starting to think I could possibly cut our evening short and come home.
“No, my dinner engagement shouldn’t take all night. I’ll try to get back here as soon as I can.”
Scorpio turned and walked up the stairs. She wore a shiny black leather skirt and a halter top with a string that crossed in the back and wrapped around to the front. Her black heels made her damn near as tall as me.
When we entered my bedroom, she sat on the edge of my bed, and I sat on the other side to slide on my sock. I knew time was getting away from me, so I went to the closet and stepped into my shoes. I looked for my black belt that was hidden away in the back of my closet. When I stepped out of the closet, Scorpio was already naked underneath the covers.
“You look awesome,” she said. “I’m jealous because I’d love to be by your side tonight.”
I would’ve loved that as well, but I knew it would be wrong to play Nokea on her birthday.
“I’ll be back,” was all I could say. I took my wallet off my nightstand and headed toward the door.
“Oh, Jaylin,” Scorpio said softly. I turned, and she pulled back the covers and opened her legs so I cou
ld get a peek. “Try not to be too long. I’m anxious to feel you, and returning home early will bring you great rewards.”
I walked over to the bed and leaned down to kiss Scorpio’s lips. She aggressively pulled me down, and I eased my body on top of hers. Her body was so soft like Charmin. My hands wandered all over her, but when my dick got hard, I quickly hopped up.
“I’ll be back as soon as I can, all right?”
She nodded and I left.
Nokea opened the door, looking amazing. I had stopped thinking about Scorpio at home in my bed so that I could give Nokea the attention I thought she truly deserved. She always presented herself as a classy woman. Tonight, she wore a peach stretch dress that hung off her shoulders. Her short cut was neatly lined, and her makeup had been perfectly done. Her beautiful round eyes shone when she saw me come through the door.
“Hello,” she said, wrapping her arms around my waist. “You look handsome.”
“You look beautiful too. Turn around so I can get a good look at you.” All I could think about was taking off her dress tonight.
“So, are you still taking me to Cardwells?”
“Yes, but I want a kiss before we go.”
Nokea smiled and gave me a few short pecks on the lips. She redid her M˙A˙C lip gloss, and then we left.
While driving down Interstate 70, my mind wandered back to Scorpio. She had it going on. When I visualized the prettiness between her legs, I licked my lips. I wanted to fuck her so badly, and thoughts of it made my dick hard.
Nokea reached for my hand. “Did you hear me?” she asked.
“No, I...I didn’t. What did you say?”
“I said you’re driving awfully fast. We’re going to get there, okay?”
I chuckled, but no matter how hard I tried to focus on my conversation with Nokea, I couldn’t. I drove to the lake, and after realizing I was an hour away from St. Louis, I knew there was no way in hell I would make it back to Scorpio before the night was over. I parked my car by the dock and we got out.
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