“Bling, you’re up next!” a voice announced. Bling made his way on stage.
Keisha and Tara caught up on each other’s lives until they were interrupted by a well-known artist. “Why don’t you take my number and call me tonight.” He spoke directly to Keisha.
“I know you saw me with Bling.”
“Bling is a small fry compare to me. Mi money nuff!”
Keisha walked away from him to an area where she could see Bling’s performance.
“I will take his number if you don’t want to,” Tara announced.
“But he didn’t want you,” Keisha insulted her.
The weekend went by so fast. She wished she had one more night in paradise. But Bling had to return home to attend the recognition dinner her uncle was throwing in honor of his artist. She wished he would forget about his wife and bring her as his woman. She felt like Bling was hers to keep. She didn’t want to give him back. She would hear him talking on his phone and she knew he was talking to his wife. But Keisha was the one in his bed so it didn’t matter to her. His wife was the one being lied to, not her. But for now Keisha was his wife until he was away from her.
The final night in Jamaica together Keisha went all out. She showed him all her tricks. She didn’t want him to forget about her. She wanted him to think of her when he went back to his wife. She wanted Bling to call out her name when she was making love to her. She wanted him to see her face whenever he said “I love you” to his wife.
Bling was also enjoying the fact the he was now an artist and could live his life like a rock star. They spent most of the weekend getaway indoors. Nothing could separate them from the bedroom. Keisha spent the final night sleeping in his arms, dreading that tomorrow they would have to part. This was the only other man Keisha was interested in for his heart, not his pocket.
A little after she had run away from home, she got married to the man she thought would love her for life, until she found out that he cheated on her a few months after the wedding with his ex. She vowed never again to love another man but to take them for whatever she could get. And that’s how it’d been, until now. She was falling in love with Bling and she couldn’t deny it.
The plane landed and they knew that they had to separate at the airport. Keisha despised having to walk behind him like a stranger as if they didn’t know each other. She hated the fact that his wife usually volunteered to pick him up from the airport whether he wanted her to or not. Bling gave Keisha a tight embrace and she didn’t want to let go.
“Honey!” He heard his wife’s voice calling for him.
He quickly released Keisha. “My album will be out soon. Show your support!” He dismissed Keisha like one of his fans.
Keisha walked away, disgusted. His wife ran into his arms and Keisha witnessed their embrace. “Can you smell me on him, bitch?” She stood from a distance and watched them. There was no denying that’s where Bling’s heart was and she was envious. Keisha felt like no woman should come before her and his wife was definitely the frontrunner. At first Bling was just a business arrangement with her uncle, and the deal was already sealed, but she was now on a mission of her own to make Bling forget that he was a married man.
Bling glanced over his shoulder to locate Keisha. His eyes met her piercing stare, but he turned his attention back to his wife before his wife became suspicious. There was something about Keisha that he couldn’t get enough of. It was like a magnetic force that kept pulling them together and drifting his attention away from his wife.
Keisha turned to walk away, not noticing the luggage that was next to her. She almost tripped but she quickly caught her balance. Keisha went outside and Hype was patiently waiting for her, leaning against his car. Hype was infatuated with her, so he was perfect for her little plan.
Patrick was having an artist appreciation dinner for his artists but she wasn’t invited. He didn’t want his secret weapon to be seen at his events and to have anyone connect the dots. Keisha felt that she should be at the event because if it weren’t for her, he wouldn’t have signed his two hottest artists right now. Besides, she wasn’t going to do any more undercover work for her uncle because her main focus was Bling. But Hype was going to be her arm candy at this event and hopefully she could make Bling jealous.
“Come to papa,” Hype said as he stretched his arms forward, waiting for her to run to him.
Instead she quick step past him. “Open the truck.” Keisha put her shades on, blocking her eyes from the sun. She wore a long, flowing skirt with a tight-fitted blouse showing her belly. The wind blew slightly, making her skirt sway with the motion as if she were a Hawaiian hula dancer.
“Hello to you too!” He took the bag from her and she proceeded to open the passenger door and plant herself in the seat. “What’s your problem? I was expecting a better greeting than this.”
“I’m just a little jetlagged that’s all.” She had Hype wrapped around her little finger tighter than a sewn-in weave. She made him promise not to discuss their friendship with anyone, because he was a young tyrant who needed bragging rights. Secondly, she didn’t want her double dipping to come to light because Keisha knew she was playing with fire. Hype was nothing but an extracurricular activity. He was more like a fun little puppy that you try to teach new tricks.
“Didn’t you say tomorrow was the artist appreciation dinner? Will you be attending?” she asked with her ulterior motive.
“Yes. If the big man wants to acknowledge the work I’m doing I have to show my face,” he said with a cocky attitude.
“Aren’t you the big man? A recognition dinner just for you,” Keisha said sarcastically.
“A few others will be mentioned too. So did you change your mind about accompanying me?”
“Since you made it crystal clear that this dinner is in celebration of you, why I would want to miss it?” Keisha knew her uncle would be upset with her but working for him was a wrap.
Hype placed his hand on her leg, feeling confident. He was going to be seen with this beautiful woman on his arm. “I’ll have my stylist pick up a few dresses for you.”
“You are too kind.”
“You are my queen and my queen deserves the best.”
She wanted to be with Bling at this very moment. But for now she had to compete with his wife and she knew it would be a strong competition. But Keisha knew that she lacked the skills to keep him satisfied and that was Keisha’s biggest strength. Keeping a man happy in the bedroom was her forte.
Keisha got home and her driveway was blocked off by a moving truck. The back was open, exposing furniture and boxes. “What the hell is this?”
Hype couldn’t put the car in park fast enough before Keisha got out of the car, hollering at the man blocking her driveway. “You are blocking my damn driveway!”
“You have to take that up with the lady of the house.”
“I’m the lady of this damn house. You need to unblock my driveway.”
Nikki and Tina came outside, carrying boxes with the word BREAKABLE written in bold letters. The look on Keisha face was priceless. She was unaware that Nikki had intentions of moving out.
“You are an ungrateful bitch! After all that I did for you?”
“Aren’t you tired of singing the same old song?” Nikki passed the box to the mover and he took it to the back of the truck.
Nikki went back into the house and Keisha went after her with claws out, reminding her of everything she ever did for her as Nikki gathered the rest of her belongings. “I’ll live to see you regret choosing Mark over me!”
Nikki was taken aback by the comment and paused to process what she just heard.
“If you honestly think that he loves you, you are even more delusional than I thought.”
“Delusional. You need to get a fucking grip. You need to understand that I run my life, not you. You are just mad because you won’t be able to put your nose in my business anymore.”
“So all of a sudden you can pay your own rent?”
“Mark? On a cable guy salary?” She laughed. “Oh, I forgot you have no taste for luxury.”
“Yes. Mark. He loves me, despite what you think of him.” Nikki walked past Keisha and headed outside, but Keisha was hot on her trail.
“Why are you so interested in Nikki’s life?” Tina chimed in.
“What are you even doing here?” she lashed out at Tina.
“I’m helping her move away from your crazy ass just in case you haven’t noticed.”
“So all of a sudden both of you grew balls. But both of you will come knocking at my damn door.”
“I highly doubt it.” Nikki got in her car and Keisha power-walked to her window.
“Aren’t you forgetting something?”
“Are you really expecting me to say good-bye?”
“No, bitch. I’m expecting my damn keys back.”
“I’m one step ahead of you. Check the garbage.”
“You will get what’s coming to you!” Keisha bellowed a loud, daunting laugh. It was as if she were possessed by demons. Tina knew nothing good could possibly come from that.
Tina was confused as to why Keisha was so interested in Nikki’s relationship with Mark. She came to the conclusion that Keisha might be jealous of Nikki, but why should she be? Keisha could have had anybody she wanted. It was mindboggling to Tina.
“She is just setting herself up for a fall. I can’t believe she can’t see through his lies,” Keisha ranted.
“Whose lies? What lies, and what are you talking about? When others are doing well, you see it as a threat, and instead of commending them you find ways to keep them down so you will always be on top,” Tina defended Nikki.
Deep inside Keisha knew that she was the problem. Nikki was accomplishing the things that her parents wanted for her and deep inside she was disappointed in herself. But she put up a front to hide her true feelings. Keisha didn’t respond to Tina. She picked up her bag and went inside.
Chapter 15
Mark sat outside Nikki’s new apartment, awaiting Nikki’s arrival. She was delighted to see him and gladly ran into his arms. Mark found her a cozy one-bedroom apartment on the other side of town. He wanted her away from Keisha and that’s exactly what he did. The neighborhood wasn’t spectacular but the apartment was newly refurbished. She exhaled deeply, releasing all the negative energy that had consumed her before stepping into her new apartment.
“Welcome home, baby. It’s just me and you.” Mark led her to the carpeted, unfurnished living room and she was startled. He had set up a picnic in the center of the floor. “This is all for you.” He surprised her with her favorite chicken salad and a bottle of champagne. He also had a few balloons with the words WELCOME HOME written on them.
Thank you, God, for sending me my Mr. Right, and if I am dreaming, God, please don’t make me wake up. “You are full of surprises. I wonder what else you have up your sleeves.”
Mark lifted her off her feet then walked over to the festivity he had set up for her. “This is how a real man treats a lady.” He popped the champagne bottle open and it sprayed everywhere. Nikki shielded her face with her hands.
Mark’s phone started to ring in his pocket. He handed the bottle to Nikki and forced his hand inside his fitted jean pocket and retrieved his phone. He viewed the number but ignored the call.
“Here you go, baby.” Nikki handed him the glass.
“Cheers to your new home.”
Nikki paused before drinking. “Cheers to our new home. That’s more like it.” Mark’s phone started to ring again and he handed his glass to Nikki and proceeded to the door. “Where are you going?” she questioned.
“I’ll be right back. What is it!” he answered, closing the door behind him.
It was obvious that the person on the other end wasn’t someone he wanted to engage in a conversation with. Nikki peeked out the window. She could see him pacing back and forth with his mouth saying a million words per minute. She could tell he was upset at whoever he was speaking with. His mannerisms made Nikki question his character because she never saw him this upset before. She couldn’t hear what he was saying because he was on the opposite side of the street.
Mark was making his way back and Nikki ran from the window and assumed her position on the floor, eating her salad. Before Mark could get both his feet in the door Nikki wanted answers. “What was that about?”
“That was my sister running her mouth about putting my mother in a nursing home because she has no time to take care of her.”
I don’t know what I was expecting him to say but to know that he is concerned about his mother makes him more of a gentleman to me. “I dread getting old,” Nikki stated.
“My sister is just ungrateful, that’s all.”
Mark finished his glass of champagne and poured himself another and finished it quickly. Nikki watched him intently, with the fork halfway to her mouth.
“I have to leave town tomorrow to go help her out for a few days.”
“Where does your sister live?” Nikki was curious.
Mark answered the question with a question of his own. “So did your roommate give you a sendoff party?”
Nikki rolled her eyes. “More like a kick in the ass out the door. I think she was behind all the unexplainable events that happened while I was in that house.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I would pick out an outfit for work and a mysterious stain would appear in the morning.”
“What are you saying?” Mark raised the glass to his head.
“The other day I was looking for my book and I know I left it on the table but it wasn’t there when I returned. Do you know where I found it?”
“Let me guess: it was taped to the ceiling.” Mark laughed at his own sarcasm.
“This isn’t funny, Mark.” The fork was carrying another piece of chicken to her mouth.
“Okay, okay. Where was it?”
“No, it was in the damn garbage!”
“How the hell did it get there?”
“That’s the same question I asked myself and now I know it was Keisha.”
“Do you really—”
“Who else would it be?”
“That girl is out to get you and you need to stay away from her. Trust me, she is evil.”
The fork was now resting on her plate. “You speak as if you know her personally.”
“Let’s not talk about Keisha right now.” He got up and walked to the fridge and got the ice cream. “Let’s think about all the places on your body I’m going to put this ice cream.”
“How about here?” She touched her neck.
“I was thinking someplace else.” He kissed her passionately while using his finger to spoon the ice cream and raised it to her mouth. Nikki lengthened her tongue and licked the ice cream from his fingers. She moaned, letting him know she was enjoying the foreplay.
“Baby, I love you,” she said aloud. It was the first time Mark was hearing those words from her and he now more than ever wanted her to experience real pleasure. “I want to feel you inside me, baby,” she said..
Mark entered her and she wrapped her legs around him. He gave her all his manhood and she moaned with each stroke. They climaxed together and there was no denying that the neighbors now knew their names.
It was eight p.m. when Mark woke up. Nikki’s arms were wrapped around him so he slowly removed himself from her grip, not wanting to wake her. Mark turned, facing her, and her naked body greeted his eyes. His manhood hardened in his boxers but he had to deny himself. He rummaged through the unpacked boxes and found a sheet to cover her chocolate brown skin. Mark took his jeans off the floor and his buckle rattled, causing Nikki to stir in her sleep. Mark paused for a moment, then proceeded getting dressed after she was settled. Mark tiptoed to the door and gently closed the door behind him.
It was seven o’clock in the morning when Nikk
i woke up, hoping to see Mark next to her. “How about bringing me breakfast in bed? I mean on the floor.” Nikki turned to face Mark but he wasn’t there. Thinking that he was in the kitchen she dragged her feet, still worn out from last night. “Babes, I don’t smell any pancakes or eggs.” Mark wasn’t in the kitchen.
“Are you in the bathroom?” Her steps quickened. “I would love to take a shower with you.” She pushed the door open but the shower wasn’t running. “He probably went to get coffee.” Nikki dialed Mark’s number but she didn’t get any answer so she left a message. “Can you make my coffee French vanilla with five sugars?”
To kill time she decided to unpack her clothes and bathroom products; then she took a shower. She wanted to be fresh and clean when Mark came home, just in case he wanted to have her for lunch.
Speaking of lunch it was almost twelve noon and he still wasn’t back. “Where the hell is he?” Nikki redialed the number. “Where are you?” she demanded.
“I’m at my restaurant. I mean, I’m at my favorite restaurant, buying lunch. I didn’t want to wake you when I left for work this morning.”
“I totally forgot that you had work today. What time will you be home later?”
“I have to leave to go see my mother after work, remember ? I’ll call you later.” He ended the call quickly.
Nikki removed the phone from her ear, viewing it as if it had a malfunction and Mark didn’t just hang up on her.
Lately she has been so preoccupied with Mark that she forgot about studying. With no plans for the day she decided to pick up her books and do some catching up.
After an hour of studying Nikki couldn’t keep her focus. Her mind kept drifting back to the night she just had with Mark. Her thoughts were discombobulated. She never thought she would fall in love with Mark but she could no longer deny that she was head over heels. “I should just surprise him at his job before he leaves.” Nikki closed her book and hurry to get dressed and run to her car.
Kiss Me on the Inside Page 12