Angela came in with a glass of wine for each of us; she knew how well wine relaxed me. She sat on the plush carpeted floor in front of me with her legs folded. I could see right up her short skirt, and I’m sure her intention was to let me see.
She came over to me on her knees. “Jaylin, let’s give a toast.”
“Toast to what? To how tired I am?”
“Well, if that’s what you want to toast to, then go right ahead. But I was thinking more like a toast to mo’ money, mo’ money, and mo’ money.”
“Now, I’ll drink to that.” We both laughed and clinked our glasses together. She tapped my glass so hard the wine splashed on my expensive pants. I jumped so the wine wouldn’t seep through them. “Damn, Angela, what are you doing?”
“Sorry. I didn’t mean for that much to spill on you.”
“What do you mean, you didn’t mean for that much to spill on me? Did you do that shit purposely?”
She looked at me and smiled. “You know I did. I was hoping you’d take them off and send a sista home with a smile on her face like you did for Felicia the other day.”
I walked over to my desk and dabbed my pants with a handkerchief.
“Angela, I ain’t trying to go there with you. Old man Schmidt would kill me if he knew what we used to be doing up in here, and you know he works late every single night. Sorry, baby, but I can’t take the risk anymore. Besides, ain’t your husband satisfying your needs?”
“No, he’s really not. I mean, he’s satisfying my financial needs, but I’m always up to having sex with you.”
“Um . . . sorry to hear that your needs aren’t being met. I can’t help you though. Once again, there’s too much risk involved.”
While I continued to dab my pants, Angela closed the door then came over and kneeled down in front of me again.
“Let me at least have these pants cleaned for you.” She started to unbuckle my belt. I grabbed her hand, unable to believe I was turning down some pussy.
“Look, I can’t go out like that, Angela. Sorry.”
“All I want to do is taste it, Jaylin. You don’t have a problem with me doing that, do you?”
My thang was already on the rise, and taking a risk might be worth it. At this point, there wasn’t no sense in trying to reject her. A little blowjob never hurt anyone.
I closed my eyes and allowed her to go to work. She must have really been practicing on her husband because her slurps and deep throat had me on cloud nine. She wasn’t good at this before, but had earned herself a B+ tonight. I was in a trance, leaned back in my chair, until I heard two people talking. Angela hopped up and I quickly buttoned my pants.
No sooner had I zipped them and sat at my desk than Schmidt knocked and stuck his head in my office. He introduced Angela to one of his friends, and I scooted my chair close to my desk so he wouldn’t notice my wet pants.
“How do you do, Roy? It’s nice to finally meet you,” she said, nervously shaking his hand.
“Doug wasn’t kidding. He does have a beautiful wife. It’s good to finally meet you too.”
“And this here is my top investment broker, Jaylin ‘Millionaire’ Rogers. Jaylin, this is Roy Johnson. He’s going to be our new sales and marketing manager.”
I reached out and shook Roy’s hand. “Nice to meet you. Good luck on your new position.”
“Thanks,” he said.
“Jaylin, Angela, we’ll let you two get back to work. Angela, Doug said he’s been trying to reach you. Give him a call to let him know when you’ll be leaving.”
“I sure will, Pops. I’ll call him right now.” She gave him a kiss on the cheek.
Now he had the fragrance of my goods on his face. Never—and I mean never—again.
I made that clear to Angela, and she left my office with an attitude. Afterward, I closed my door and picked up the phone to call Scorpio. Angela had gotten me pretty worked up, so I figured I’d finish off the night with some workable pussy. The sound of Scorpio’s sexy voice caused me to display my pearly whites.
“Say, baby, it’s Jaylin.”
“I know who this is. Not only that, but I know what you want.”
“Oh yeah? And what might that be?”
“You want me to meet you at your place and make love to you all night long.”
“You’re partially correct. First, I want to invite you to go on a cruise with me to the Bahamas in a couple of weeks, and then I want you to meet me at my place tonight so we can exchange some juices.”
“What if I tell you I’m busy or I can’t find a sitter? Will you call someone else to exchange some juices with tonight?”
“Good question, baby, but nobody can make my juices flow the way you do. So, what time should I expect you?”
“Your juice sounds delicious. Give me an hour and I’ll be there. Don’t have me waiting, because I don’t like to wait when I’m anxious.”
“You, wait on me? Shit . . . never. I’m leaving the office now.”
“And, Jaylin, I like swimming pools too. Why don’t I meet you in the pool area? Let’s say the Jacuzzi?”
“I’ll go home and get it warm for you.”
I hung up and got my ass out of the office as quickly as I could. Angela and I took the elevator down to the parking garage, and when I rushed her to her car, she started in with the questions.
“Jaylin, who were you talking to? I heard you tell somebody you were on your way,” she said with one leg hanging out of her car.
“Angela, don’t go questioning me. We don’t have that type of relationship, so please don’t start. And as for what happened in my office today, it will never happen again. If those two had been just a minute earlier, we could’ve lost our jobs.”
“Now, you know that isn’t going to happen. Pops trusts me and so does Doug. They have no idea what went on with us in the past, and they surely don’t know what’s up with us now.”
“Well, good, because there’s nothing going on with us now and I’d like to keep it that way. So, good night and be careful.” I closed her door.
She rolled her big bubble eyes and started her car. I didn’t care how mad she was, I just couldn’t continue to do shit like that. My career meant more to me than anything.
Somehow, I managed to get stuck in traffic on Manchester Road, since I tried to take a shortcut. But by the time I got home, Scorpio’s car wasn’t there, so I figured I had time to warm up the Jacuzzi and put on some relaxing music. I got out of my work clothes, showered, and went into the kitchen to get some chocolate-covered strawberries I had in the refrigerator just in case I wanted to set the mood.
I went to the pool area and turned on the Jacuzzi so it would be nice and warm before Scorpio came. Then I put on some soft music and stepped my naked body into the Jacuzzi and waited for her. I poured myself a glass of wine and set her glass next to the tray of strawberries. I left the front door slightly cracked so she wouldn’t have to knock when she came.
As the water bubbled and steamed, I closed my eyes and dozed off. Shortly after, I was awakened by the touch of her soft, wet lips. But when I opened my eyes, I saw that is was Felicia standing over me.
“Are you expecting someone, Jaylin? I know you ain’t sitting out here butt naked in the Jacuzzi by yourself.”
“Yes, I am expecting someone, Felicia. Why don’t you go home and I’ll give you a call tomorrow.”
“Nope, can’t do that. I’ve been leaving you messages all day long and you haven’t returned any of them. I thought we had an understanding.”
“Look, I’ve been busy! That’s why I haven’t returned your phone calls. I planned on doing so, but I just hadn’t gotten around to it.”
“But you’ve gotten around to calling some other bitch over here. Who is it? I hope it ain’t who I think it is.”
“Felicia, it ain’t none of your business. I told you before, don’t be coming over here unannounced. It used to be cool, but since you tripped like you did the other day, the rules have changed.”
“And you need to go before my company gets here.”
Felicia put her hand in the water and tried to grab my goods. I grabbed her hand and asked her again to leave.
As soon as Felicia stood up, Scorpio stepped into the pool area and closed the sliding glass doors behind her. She looked delicious in a red fishnet bikini that revealed everything. She dropped her flowered wrap at the door and strutted over to me like Felicia didn’t exist. Her long, shiny hair was slicked back, and her curls dangled on the left side of her shoulder.
Felicia’s eyes looked like they were shooting ammunition. She couldn’t keep them off Scorpio’s stunning beauty.
When Scorpio picked up her wineglass and sat in the Jacuzzi beside me, it was time for me to escort Felicia out. I stepped out of the water, bare-bodied and all, and told Felicia it was time to go.
“I’m leaving, Jaylin, but would you at least have the decency to walk me to the door?”
I bent down and gave Scorpio a kiss. As expected, she made it juicy and teased my lips with her tongue. “I’ll be right back. Don’t you go nowhere,” I said.
“Hurry. I can’t wait much longer,” she said, starting to remove her bikini top.
Felicia rolled her eyes and shook her head. I pulled the sliding door over and motioned for Felicia to follow. When we got to the living room, she paused and poked her finger at my chest.
“This is ridiculous and you know it. This bitch ain’t nothing but a freak! The both of you walking around here with no damn clothes on like it’s a freak fest or something.” She gazed at my stuff. I knew damn well she wished it was her in that Jacuzzi instead of Scorpio.
“Look, Felicia, get your fucking finger off my chest. This is what’s going to happen when you come over here without an invitation. I’m not doing this to hurt you, but when you go searching for shit, you’re definitely going to find it. So stop searching. I’ll call you tomorrow. Just maybe, I’ll see you on Friday.”
“To hell with Friday, Jaylin. One day, you’re going to regret everything you’re doing to me.”
“You’re doing it to yourself, Felicia. You for damn sure can’t blame me for nothing.”
She slammed the door and Mama’s picture fell off the mantle. I walked over and picked it up. I stood for a moment and thought about Mama. I wondered if she was proud of me. Wondered if she knew what I’d been through after she died. And I wondered if she was upset with me for not being with Nokea.
I placed my lips on her picture and put it back on the mantle.
When I went back outside, Scorpio was still in the Jacuzzi, enjoying the chocolate-covered strawberries. I got back in, and after she straddled my lap, I wrapped my arms around her. She put a strawberry in my mouth then poured wine on her breasts for me to suck them. Her nipples were at full attention when she intervened during my performance.
“Jaylin?”
“Yeah, baby.”
“I don’t ever want to see Felicia over here again. She’s becoming a pain, and I don’t like to be hurt.”
“I’ll take care of her. Don’t you worry your pretty little self about Felicia because she won’t be coming back any time soon.”
I put Scorpio into position and prepared myself for a long and enjoyable night. As for Felicia, she had to go. Not only because Scorpio wanted me to let her go, but because she was becoming a pain in the ass. I didn’t know how I would break it to her, but I knew ending it with her had to be done soon.
16
FELICIA
Friday came before I knew it, and Jaylin was a no show. I didn’t know how to handle his rejection. It sure as hell didn’t feel good. This Scorpio bitch took up too much of his time, even time away from Nokea, I suspected. I had no clue when he saw her. It appeared that she was put on the back burner like I was. If that was true, then maybe it was time for us to pull together and try to get Jaylin to come back to reality. He was somewhere in la-la land thinking that all he needed to satisfy him was Scorpio.
She was nasty-looking to me. I didn’t care what he said. I mean, she had a nice body, but did she have to flaunt that motherfucker in front of females? I wasn’t interested in looking at the ho, but any time a woman got a red rose tattooed on the back of her ass, you can’t help but notice. She might as well have shown up naked. Tiny-ass red bikini wasn’t hiding an inch.
Jaylin didn’t think I noticed, but he was full of lust as he watched her. I was afraid he’d fuck her right there in front of me. He never looked at me like that, and I can’t even recall if I’d seen him look at Nokea like that. He’d definitely fallen for this hoochie, and the only one who could come between them was Nokea.
When I got home from work, I called Nokea’s house. Her number had been changed, and when I tried her cell phone, I found out that had been changed too. What was up? Something wasn’t right, and I was anxious to find out what it was.
I called my ex-boyfriend, Damion, and told him to meet me at my house later on tonight. I refused to be alone on another Friday night, and since Jaylin was full of games, Damion would just have to do.
I changed clothes and decided to pay Miss Homebody a visit at her house off New Halls Ferry Road. I knew she would be stupid enough to let me in, especially if I pretended I was looking out for what was in Jaylin’s best interests.
Her black Acura Legend was parked in front of her house. I could see a light on in her bedroom and that was it. The rest of the house was dark. I rang the doorbell repeatedly, not caring if she was asleep or not. I could see her through the glass door.
“Who is it?” she asked, as if she really couldn’t tell it was me.
“Nokea, it’s me, Felicia. I just want to talk to you for a minute, if you don’t mind.”
“About what, Felicia? You and I have nothing to talk about.”
“Yes we do, so please open the door. This is about Jaylin and his new woman. He and I got into a confrontation, and I wondered if you could help me with something. Please.”
I couldn’t believe I begged her to talk, but I was desperate. She opened the door looking terrible. I’d never seen her look so bad. The bags underneath her eyes showed stress. She looked as if she hadn’t slept in days; her hair was in tiny pink rollers, and her pink bathrobe was a wrinkled mess.
“Come in, but make it quick. I’m tired and need to get some rest.” She put her hands in her pockets and stood by the door.
“Do you mind if I at least have a seat? It won’t take long, but I really need to talk to you about something.”
We walked over to her sofa in the living room. She had really jazzed up the place since I’d last seen it. I’d come to her house three months after I met Jaylin and confronted her. He told me about their relationship, but I wanted to find out just how serious it was. I followed him to her place, and after he left, I went to door. At the time, Nokea seemed confident that Jaylin would dump me right away. She said it was something he routinely did, but I assured her that I wasn’t going anywhere anytime soon. Four years later, I was still here.
From what I could see, her place wasn’t that spectacular then, but now she had it fixed up like an African exhibit. All kinds of black art covered the walls, and she had a black statue in one corner that damn near reached the twelve-foot ceiling in her living room. She had a plush loveseat and sofa covered in Nefertiti cloth, and an old black baby grand piano jazzed up the room. A huge honey-mustard, green, and burgundy rug with swirls covered the shiny hardwood floors, and the burning candles gave the room a nice subtle fragrance.
“So, Felicia, what trouble are you here to cause today?”
“I’m not here to cause any trouble. I just want to find out where things stand with you and Jaylin. I know he’s been spending a lot of time with Scorpio and I wondered if you’ve seen him lately.”
“What do you mean, he’s been spending a l
ot of time with Scorpio? How do you know how much time he spends with her?”
“I know because every time I call him she’s over there. The other night, I stopped by his place and they were in his Jacuzzi having sex,” I said, spicing things up like I had seen it for myself.
“So, you had the pleasure of seeing them in action too, huh? I walked in on them in the shower, and after that, I ended it. Well, I tried to end it.”
“What? You saw them together in his shower? What did he say?”
“He didn’t say much. You know the usual excuses he makes for his behavior. He came over Monday night and apologized. And, stupid me, I was so vulnerable that I forgave him.”
“Monday night, huh? I had just seen him Monday afternoon. I went to his office and he couldn’t keep his hands off me. Tried to have sex with me right then and there. I went ahead and gave in, but I told him if he wanted to make love to me again, it would have to be in a better place.”
Nokea was quiet. She turned her head, and I could see her throat move in and out as she took a hard swallow.
“Felicia, after work, Jaylin came over here Monday night and made love to me. I felt something wasn’t right, but I let him do it anyway. How could I be so stupid?” She yelled and tightened her fist as she took a seat on the piano bench.
Her confirmation that she and Jaylin had already been intimate rubbed me the wrong way. Now I felt as if she was a bigger competition for me, and getting rid of Scorpio wasn’t going to be enough. I had to get rid of her too, but I didn’t want to let her know that her words had gotten underneath my skin.
“How could we both be so stupid, Nokea? I’m just as guilty, so don’t feel bad. The question is what are we going to do about it? If you want things to change, then we got to figure out what we can do to change them.”
“I’m not doing anything. I don’t want Jaylin anymore. I haven’t talked to him since Monday, and for me, that’s only the first step. If you want to fight for him, you go right ahead. But you won’t be battling with me.”
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