Close Quarters: A Novel (Zane Presents)

by Ray, Shamara

  “I’m sure nothing I do would sound exciting to you tramps.” Their snickering filled the kitchen while I set the rest of the food on the table. “Do you think you can stop laughing long enough to bless the food?”

  We bowed our heads and gave thanks. Giselle was sliding pancakes onto her plate before the word “amen” left our lips. “Smells good, Melina.”

  “Eat up. I want my god baby to be nice and healthy.”

  “You must want me to turn into a blimp. If I keep eating like this I won’t be able to fit anything.”

  “Speaking of fitting, what are you guys doing next weekend?”

  “I don’t have any plans,” Charlee said.

  “I may be on call at the hospital, but I’m not sure, why?”

  “I want you to come dress shopping with me.”

  “Have you picked a wedding date already?” Giselle asked.

  “I wouldn’t quite say that, but the wedding will be in April.”

  “April? I’m due the first week of May. I’ll be as big as a house.”

  “You’ll be beautiful,” I said.

  Charlee narrowed her eyes at me. “That’s less than six months away. What’s the rush?”

  “It’s a long story.”

  “Give us the short version,” Charlee demanded.

  “The Harlows don’t like long engagements.”

  “And you’re okay with this?”

  “I’ll have a wedding planner doing the majority of the work.”

  “I meant are you okay with the Harlows calling the shots?”

  “No, I’m not, but I don’t feel as if I have a choice.”

  “So, what, you’re their puppet now? The Harlows are pulling your strings and you have no control?”

  Giselle stopped eating and looked at Charlee with wide eyes.

  “I’m not anyone’s puppet.”

  “But you’re letting the Harlows dictate what you should do.”

  “Bebe is a little difficult to deal with and sometimes it’s just easier to go along with her.”

  Charlee sucked her teeth. “You can let them run you if you want, but I know one thing, it wouldn’t be me.”

  “You need to discuss this with Ellis. Address the problem before you marry him or it will only get worse,” Giselle said.

  “It can’t get any worse than it already is.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

  MALIK

  Kai wheeled her car out of the service station. I sat in the passenger seat, keeping an eye the road. Her driving wasn’t too bad, but she got easily distracted while talking. The driver in the car next to us blew his horn as Kai strayed into his lane. I just shook my head. She went on and on about how much she loved the holidays and couldn’t wait until Christmas. I was only half-listening when I caught the end of her question.

  “So will you?” she asked.

  “Will I what?” I said, diverting my attention to her.

  “Come with me to pick out a Christmas tree.”

  “When?”

  Kai looked annoyed. “Were you listening to anything I said, Malik?”

  “Of course, I was, but I was also concentrating on your driving, since you didn’t seem too preoccupied with it.”

  Kai took a playful swipe at my arm. “I said that I wanted to get my tree today and wondered if you wouldn’t mind going with me. I’ll need help getting it up to my apartment.”

  She had me just where she wanted me. My car was parked at her apartment and if I wanted to go my own way, I couldn’t. What choice did that leave me? I relented. “I don’t mind.”

  Kai flashed a cryptic smile that I was apprehensive to interpret. It probably resembled how a spider must look at a fly caught in its web. Was Kai intricately spinning a web from which she didn’t want me to escape? I immediately unraveled that thought. I was not one to get entangled in anyone’s traps. Never have. Never will. Kai was on another level, but she was still a woman, and I knew women. Kai was used to men doing what she said, when she said it. She knew how to use her assets to get what she wanted. And, yeah, at that moment I was indulging her. But Kai shouldn’t have underestimated Malik Denton.

  We turned into the parking lot where the Christmas trees were being sold. Kai and I stepped out of the car and joined the people milling around the aisles, checking out the various trees.

  “What size tree do you want?” I asked.

  Kai touched the branches on a spruce tree in front of her. “I don’t know but not too big or too small. Maybe a six-foot. Don’t worry; you’ll be able to carry it,” she teased.

  “Me, worried? I think you know by now that I can lift, flip and carry when necessary. I handle my business.”

  Kai laughed. “You always manage to make everything about sex.”

  “Who mentioned sex? I was just letting you know that I won’t have a problem getting your tree into your apartment. I guess we know where your mind is.”

  “Nice try, Malik, but I got your message loud and clear. I’m starting to think you have a one-track mind.”

  “I thought that’s what you liked about me,” I said, smiling.

  “Oh, I do. But sometimes it’s good to know that there’s more to it than that.”

  I kept walking down the aisle, inspecting the trees. So she was going to take it there. I guessed the topic of conversation came along with the activity. We were shopping for Christmas trees together. A very couple-like thing to do. It was obvious that Kai would start hinting at what she wanted from me. She wanted more. Until she decided to broach the subject head-on, I wouldn’t either. Kai was an intelligent, articulate woman. If she wanted to talk about what was going on with us, then she would. I could tell that she was only feeling me out at the moment. She wanted to gauge my reactions, wanted to see if I would take her bait and delve into a serious relationship discussion. Kai didn’t know that I wasn’t fond of fishing and unless she asked a direct question, then she shouldn’t expect a direct answer.

  • • •

  The attendants secured the tree to the roof of Kai’s car. We drove back to her place in relative silence, with the exception of the radio. She didn’t have much to say after her comment about my one-track mind.

  I moved to change the station. “Do you mind?”

  She shook her head to signify she didn’t. It was apparent she wasn’t talking to me and I decided that I would cut our day short. I would get her tree upstairs, then take my leave. Hopefully it wasn’t too late to catch up with the fellas.

  When we arrived at her place, I told her to head upstairs; I would untie the tree and bring it up. She mumbled something and then briskly walked into the building. I took my time removing the tree from the car. The doorman met me out front, guided me inside the building and directed me to the service elevator. The service elevator crept slowly to the eighth floor. The doors opened, letting me out on the opposite end of the hallway from the main elevator. I was few a few doors down from Kai’s apartment. She left the door ajar for me.

  She was leafing through her mail when I entered. “Can you set it up in the stand over in the corner?”

  This time I was the one to silently nod. I set the tree in the stand and removed the cord that bound the branches.

  Kai had a box full of ornaments on top of the coffee table. She started rifling through the box, not acknowledging my presence.

  I clapped my hands together. “All right, Kai, I’m gonna get out of here and let you decorate your tree.”

  She looked up at me. “Don’t leave, Malik.” I stood in place. She came over to me and pulled me toward the couch. “Please.”

  “What’s wrong with you?”

  “Nothing’s wrong.”

  I cocked my head to the side. “Really?”

  Kai unwrapped my scarf, slinging it over her arm. “I haven’t said much since we picked the tree, but I’m cool. Have a seat. Do you want a beer?”

  And so it begins, I thought. I sat down on the couch, eyeing her wearily. “Okay. I’ll have one.”

&n
bsp; Kai returned with my beer and a better attitude. She chatted easily while she strung lights on the tree. I spent the rest of the day slouched on her sofa, drinking Heineken and suffering through her decorating the damn thing. Kai cooed over each ornament and then dangled it in front of me before she put it on the tree. I thought my lack of response made it obvious I didn’t share her enthusiasm for Christmas bulbs, but she kept showing me anyway.

  I must have dozed off because when I opened my eyes, Kai was on her knees in front of me, undoing my belt. She had candles burning in the living room and Ledisi playing softly through her Bose system. Through partially opened eyelids, I could still appreciate what I saw. Kai wore a pair of stilettos and nothing else. I let her remove my clothes and lead me into her bedroom. More candles were burning, illuminating her sexy sanctuary. She crawled onto the bed, pulling me with her. She reached over to the night table and retrieved a pair of handcuffs.

  I asked, “Are those for you?”

  She smiled at me, pressed her fingers to my lips, requesting my silence, and then gently pushed me back against the pillows. She slipped a silk scarf from behind the pillows and blindfolded me. I was in total darkness, dick standing at attention, impatiently waiting for the action to jump off.

  Kai leaned over me, her breasts touching my chest. She raised my right arm over my head. I felt the handcuff enclose my wrist, then heard it click closed. She roughly yanked my left wrist, raising my hand toward the other. She handcuffed me to the wrought-iron headboard.

  “Somebody’s feeling freaky tonight,” I said.

  She didn’t answer me. I felt her move off the bed. I heard her footsteps cross the carpet toward the bedroom door. I called out, “Kai?”

  Ledisi’s mellow voice filled the room. Kai must have turned on the speakers near her bed. The deep bass line vibrated through the headboard. I felt movement on the mattress. I sensed Kai hovering close to me.

  A warm, thick substance trickled down my chest to my stomach. The sudden sensation made me shiver. Kai straddled me. She licked my earlobe, down my neck, then slowly licked my chest. She moaned as she traced her tongue in what she drizzled on me. She slid her breasts against my chest and then rubbed one of them against my lips. I sucked her nipple into my mouth. Warm honey. I sucked hard, licking all of the sweetness from her flesh. Kai drew her nipple out of my mouth. She resumed her exploration downward . . .mouth on my stomach . . .tongue in my bellybutton. She grabbed my stiff dick and sucked its length into her mouth. She worked her mouth and hands like a professional, moaning at the same time. I wanted to see her at work, wanted to grab the back of her head to control her flow. I tugged at the handcuffs, but they were secure. Kai licked and sucked me until I couldn’t hold it in any longer. I exploded in her mouth.

  Kai removed the blindfold. I squinted at her and she smiled at me. The same smile she gave me earlier in the car.

  I tugged my arms. The handcuffs clanked on the headboard. Trapped just like a fly. “Can you unlock these, please?”

  She went over to her dresser to retrieve the key, then released me from my bondage. I rubbed my wrists. My arms were beginning to tingle from being suspended in one position for so long.

  Kai went into her adjoining bathroom and turned on the shower. I lay on the bed with Ledisi lulling me into a state of complete relaxation. When Kai finally returned, she was fresh and clean, wearing a silky pajama shirt. I got up and went into the bathroom to wash the sticky honey residue from my body. I stood under the hot, streaming water, realizing that Kai had just freaked me. No words. No kisses. No control. Just sex. Kai wanted to make a statement.

  I dried off and wrapped the towel around my waist. I stepped back into the bedroom and Kai was under the sheets. I lay on top of the blanket and folded my hands across my chest. I looked over at Kai, sound asleep. She just had me how she wanted me—on her own terms.

  CHAPTER THIRTY

  MALIK

  I hung up the phone with Terrence and threw on my clothes. He was stopping by to pick up a pair of football tickets. I was supposed to drop them off to him the day before, but I didn’t leave Kai’s until the wee hours. I left there aggravated with myself for getting sucked into her holiday hustle and freaky shuffle.

  I checked the fridge for beer. Three bottles. I couldn’t have my boy over without a case of Heineken in the house. I had to make a quick run to the store. I knocked on Melina’s bedroom door. She answered me through the closed door. I told her I was going out for a few minutes and asked her to listen out for Terrence.

  I walked four blocks to the corner bodega. I heard muffled salsa music as I approached the store. I stepped through the doorway and bumped into Cinnamon, almost sending her bag toppling to the floor.

  Her eyes lit up when she saw me. “Hey, stranger.”

  I kissed her on the cheek. “How you doin’, Cinnamon?”

  “I’ve been doing fine. Just wondering why you haven’t called me.”

  I led her away from the door, away from the path of traffic. “I’ve called. A few times. You never answer your phone.”

  Cinnamon twisted her lips. “We both know that isn’t true.”

  “The truth is,” I took Cinnamon’s hand in mine, “I’ve been wondering why you haven’t hollered at me.”

  “I left a message with your roommate last week.”

  “See there. You can’t blame me for not returning your call when I never received the message. Mel is funny about telling me who called and when.”

  “You need to tell your roommate to learn how to deliver messages.”

  “I’ll speak to her about it.” Situation successfully flipped.

  Cinnamon’s eyes softened. She reached up and stroked my chin. “I expect to hear from you soon.”

  “You will.”

  “I’d like to believe you, but for some reason, I just don’t.” She kissed my lips and then turned to leave the store.

  I pulled her back to me and kissed her for real. Deep. Intense. The kind of kiss that she would feel from her head to her toes. I knew I wasn’t planning on seeing Cinnamon anytime soon, if ever again, and I wanted her last impression of me to be better than what I had given.

  Cinnamon drew away from me with a dreamy look in her eyes, lips parted. She blinked a couple of times, then cleared her throat. “If only you meant that. See you around, Malik.”

  Cinnamon left me in the store, my mouth agape. A part of me wanted to follow her out of the bodega and back to her place, but I knew that was a bad idea. That was my ego thinking for me. My pride trying to take over. I understood what had just happened with Cinnamon, and even though I didn’t want to be involved with her anymore, I wasn’t prepared for her to not want to be with me.

  I laughed to myself—I was trippin’. I was through with Cinnamon, not the other way around. I grabbed two six-packs from the refrigerator, paid up front at the register, and then hurried back down the street.

  I learned a long time ago, when it comes to relationships, keep it casual and no one gets hurt. I don’t allow myself to be in a position to be dumped by anyone. Immediately after my breakup with Angelique, I thought we’d get back together. I waited for weeks for her to call me, and when I couldn’t stand it anymore, I broke down and called her. I waited for weeks for her to return my call. I spent many sleepless nights waiting for the phone to ring. Waiting to hear her voice. Just waiting. Always waiting.

  There were a lot of women that paid for the heartache and despair I was left with after Angelique. I still feel bad about the things I did to those women; it wasn’t right. But that was before I had a chance to work past the anger, to get over the hurt. It was before I realized that I needed to tell them relationships weren’t for me. I started to be honest from the beginning. Those that could hang, would hang. Those that couldn’t, wouldn’t. No one could accuse me of being a dog or unfaithful because I didn’t make commitments. I liked it that way, and so far, I was doing a damn good job of keeping it that way.

  • • •

 
Melina was in the living room fluffing the pillows on the couch when I entered the apartment. She was wearing a pair of cut-off shorts, a tank top and had a scarf tied around her head. She bent over to pick up a pillow that had fallen to the floor.

  “Not that I don’t appreciate the view, but maybe you shouldn’t bend over like that.”

  “You see plenty of ass on a regular. I’m sure the bit of cheek I’m flashing isn’t doing anything for you,” she said with her back to me, not bothering to look up from her task.

  “What if it was?”

  Melina stood up straight and turned around. “I’d say you better call Kai.”

  I cracked a smile and changed the subject. “Terrence will be here in a minute. Do you want to be seen walking around here resembling the maid or are you getting dressed?”

  She brushed past me and went into her room. I followed her down the hall. Her clothes were laid out on the bed.

  “You going out?” I asked.

  “I thought I would give you and your company some privacy.”

  I laughed. “Terrence and I don’t need privacy. He’s picking up some tickets and probably staying for a beer or two. You should stick around. Have a beer with us.”

  “No, that’s okay. You guys enjoy yourselves.”

  “One beer won’t kill you. Do you have plans?”

  “Not really.”

  “So chill with us. But please don’t wear those shorts.”

  “All right, let me get dressed.” She pushed me out of her room. “I’ll be out in a minute.”

  Melina wandered into the living room an hour later. What she was doing in her room for that long I couldn’t imagine. She was wearing a pair of fitted sweats, with a hole in the knee, and an oversized sweatshirt. Her hair was pulled back in a ponytail, curls bouncing at the ends. She came in sporting a bright smile that widened when she saw Dru sitting on the couch next to Terrence.

  Dru stood up and the two women hugged as if they were old friends. The gabbing commenced at the speed of light. I caught every other word as they covered multiple subjects within seconds.