"Black." She reached for the mug and took her first sip.
"Me too." He mimicked her and took another sip. "You look beautiful."
Self -conscious she pulled the towel from her head and dropped it on the counter behind her. "Thank you." She took another sip of coffee. "What are you doing today?"
"I have to go into the office this morning then I have a few errands to run this afternoon."
"Are you nervous?" She asked.
"About?" He asked what she referred.
"Moving?" She clarified.
The move to London catapulted his career to the next level. On his return to New York, Derrick expected a shift in his role at the firm. The timing of it sucked, since running into Erica, but his career came first. "I'm feeling mixed emotions, but this is the opportunity of a lifetime for me."
" The career aspect of it is exciting but moving to another country alone can't be easy. Do you know anyone there?"
"I know someone that moved there six months ago."
"So he'll show you around."
"She. It's an ex-girlfriend from two years back. She's kept in touch with me after I broke it off and I'll reach out to that girl Maureen. We have a lot in common, so she'll be good company."
"I thought it was your first time meeting her," Erica asked confused by his 'lot in common' remark.
"It was, but she's a lawyer like me."
Erica's heart dropped into her stomach. Derrick felt being a lawyer meant they had a lot in common. Erica mentally and physically pressed her feet firmly into the ground. He'd meet up with his ex and his blind date. Instead of expanding on that small tidbit, she changed the subject. "Are you hungry?" Erica asked as she stood from the stool.
Derrick had grabbed her hand before she moved out of reach. He pulled her towards her and gave her a long kiss. When he finished, Erica stepped back and stared at him with a smile. "Do you like eggs?"
"Love eggs."
"I'll make us breakfast."
"Do you mind if I jump in the shower?" He asked as he stood up and brought his empty coffee mug to the sink.
"Go right ahead. There are fresh towels in the closet in the bathroom."
Ten minutes later, Derrick walked out of the bathroom in his boxer briefs from the night before. Erica faced the counter, her back to him. She busied herself plating food. He sat on the stool and waited for her to finish. Erica had set down napkins and forks for breakfast.
She hummed a song Derrick didn't recognize. She startled when she turned around, "You scared me."
"Did you forget I was here?" A playful grin crept from his lips.
"No. I thought you were still in the bathroom." Erica walked over with a glass in each hand. A putrid colored thick liquid filled each one. She placed one in front of Derrick and one where she sat. She walked back to the counter and grabbed plates. She walked over and put them on the island. She sat and ate.
Derrick looked at his plate. The bread looked more like seeds, nuts, and grains pressed together disguising itself as bread. On top of the bread was a soft -boiled egg with specks of black pepper on top. He glanced over at the glass but not for long. The color reminded him of diarrhea.
Erica finished half her glass of sludge and her square of pressed seeds, nuts and grains when she looked over at Derrick who had yet to touch his food. "Oh, I'm sorry I should have asked if you like pepper on your eggs."
"Oh don't worry I don't mind the pepper." Derrick rubbed the back of Erica's damp hair. Derrick knew he'd have to man up and eat the breakfast Erica prepared him. "Um honey, what's that?" Derrick pointed to the glass with the sludge in it.
"A green drink." She replied as she lifted hers to her mouth taking down another gulp smiling when she finished as if reassuring him of its deliciousness.
"It's not green. It's more grayish brownish." He explained.
"That's from the blueberries, but there's Kale, Swiss chard, spinach, celery and even some Romaine lettuce. It's good for you. You'll love it."
Derrick pasted a half -hearted smile on his face as he brought the glass up to his mouth.
He smelled it first then took an undetectable sip and let it linger on his tongue. As his taste buds noticed its unique complexity, he swallowed. The need to regurgitate crept up, but he tamped it down. Only about one hundred more sips like that, and he'd finish. Next, he tackled the bread, the bread was palatable and the egg with the pepper, well, it went down easy.
As Derrick finished up the rest of his breakfast, the gray juice grew more palatable with each sip, and Derrick enjoyed Erica's healthy version of egg and toast.
Derrick put on his black suit and white dress shirt from the night before. He waited on the couch reading a yoga magazine from the basket next to the couch as Erica finished her hair. When the hair dryer turned off, Derrick closed the magazine and dropped it in the basket.
Erica walked out and looked to him. "All ready to go?"
He adjusted his cock slightly and smiled. "You look amazing."
Erica looked down at her legs. "Do you like these leggings?"
"I do. The leggings look like burgundy snack skin."
"It's a style from my new collection." She adjusted her earring making sure she secured the backing to the post.
"I'd like to see your work before I leave for London."
"Sure." She reached into her clutch and pulled out a white tube with colorful letters on it. Erica opened the tube and out dropped a bright orange stick. She brought the stick up to her mouth and breathed in.
"You Vape?" Derrick shocked. Erica didn't look like a smoker.
"No. These are aromatherapy sticks, nothing more." She handed it over to him as vapor billowed from her nose. "Try it. Breathe in, don't inhale, pause and breathe out through your nose."
Derrick did as Erica said. "I taste vanilla and something spicy. I like it."
"Take it with you. I have dozens." She gathered up her things and grabbed her keys. She looked at Derrick. "Ready."
"Ready." Derrick slipped the aromatherapy stick in his suit jacket pocket and followed her into the hallway. In daylight, it still looked 1940's dingy. The elevator doors opened, and they stepped in together.
"I'll be home around six." She turned to look at Derrick.
"I'll be here." He stared back at her, reached for her hand and brought it up to his mouth. He placed a small kiss on the back of it.
The elevator doors opened, and they stepped out. They walked through Erica's building doors and stood for a moment on the sidewalk. "I go this way." Erica pointed towards the right.
"I go this way." Derrick pointed to the left. He leaned down kissed her mouth. "Thanks for breakfast." Erica smiled, turned and walked in the direction of her office. About twenty feet from where she left him, Erica stopped and looked back. "Derrick." She yelled out.
Derrick remained in the spot where she left him. "Yes, Erica."
"You're welcome and thank you."
Derrick cocked his head to the side. "For what?"
"Amazing sex," Erica yelled back. This was New York, people packed the sidewalks and everyone passing turned his or her head to look at her than him. He stood still, smiling and shaking his head. She turned and continued down the sidewalk. He continued to stare at her tight little ass in those tight snake- skin leggings and her long black hair bouncing halfway down her back.
Six o'clock could not come quick enough.
As soon as Rebecca spotted Erica walk off the elevator, she bombarded her with questions. She started with the most predictable. "Did you have sex?"
"Yes." Erica kept walking as Rebecca followed by her side.
"How many times?" Again, another fair, predictable question.
"Three or four." Erica did not intend to count how many times they had sex, so she threw out any number.
"Was he good?" Rebecca walked backward to face Erica.
"You saw him, right?" She gave Rebecca a sideways glance.
Rebecca saw a vision of Derrick in her mind. “Yeah, that wa
s a stupid question.” So she jumped to her next question. "Big." Fair question.
"Huge." Honest answer. "He and I had sex before."
"Didn't you say he was your friend's ex-fiancé?"
"Yes."
Rebecca decided to let that one go. "Are you seeing him again?"
"Every day until Tuesday." Rebecca stopped, and Erica almost crashed into her.
"Why Tuesday?"
"He's moving to London for a year." Erica noticed how sad she felt when she said it out loud.
"I'm sorry, Erica."
"It doesn't matter. It's casual for both of us, and I'm okay with it."
"You lie." Rebecca reached for Erica's arm as she tried to walk past her.
"I am. Anyway, Derrick's ex-girlfriend is in London, and some other girl he's interested in, it sounds like they will all pick up where they left off."
Rebecca's shoulders sagged as she pouted her lips. "He told you that and still expected to get laid?"
"Not exactly. Derrick said an ex of his lived there and would show him around." Erica said, "and the blind date and he had a lot in common, so I guess it only makes sense to hook up while they're both there."
"Blind date? What are you saying? You are always way too calm about these things."
"Forget about it, and I'm calm because I know better. Roll with what life gives you." Erica half believed her words. She knew she would never have that attitude about her work, but for relationships, passivity won out. Erica thought if it were meant to be it would be. So far, she and Derrick liked having sex, and it seemed to be as far as it would go.
Derrick arrived at Erica's apartment at 6:10. The security guard knew to let Derrick go up. He stepped out onto the ninth floor anticipation killing him. All day Derrick daydreamed about their week together. Only once panic took over when he thought of the possibility of them not getting along.
Erica was different from girls he dated. What if he found Erica's free spirit to be flighty and annoying?
He knocked on her door. Not a second later she opened the door wearing a little white t-shirt, melon colored silk panties and his gray silk tie around her neck. Her face bright with anticipation, her eyes shining and her lips parted. She stood on her toes, circled one arm around his neck, and kissed his mouth. Derrick wrapped both his hands around her waist and guided her into the apartment. He kicked back his foot to close the door behind them.
Their kissing became more deliberate. Erica shucked off Derrick's suit jacket and tossed it on the counter. She grappled with the tiny buttons on his shirt. Derrick helped her with the lower buttons at the same time kicking his shoes off. The shirt accompanied the jacket. The belt and the slacks dropped to the floor. Success! She had him where she wanted him, Derrick in his boxer briefs and a black pair of dress socks.
Getting her naked proved to be an easy accomplishment. Derrick slipped her little white tee over her head and flung it somewhere behind him, and her melon colored silk panties could wait till he had her on her back. The tie would stay around her neck where she left it all those years ago.
He shifted Erica onto the bed while he slid over her body. Their breathing quickened, and Erica gripped onto his skin and pulled him closer. His scent made her crave him more. Leather, spice and a woodsy scent mixed with a clean soap smell made her want to erase any possible distance between them.
She loved foreplay, but Erica needed Derrick inside her now.
She reached down between them and hooked her fingers around the waistband of his underwear. She pulled his boxer briefs over his hips, lifted her foot and let her toes drag his underwear down the rest of the way. While Derrick sucked and nibbled on her taut nipples, she removed her panties.
"Derrick, I need you inside of me." She took a deep shuddering breath. "Now."
Erica parted her legs and Derrick with his hand directed his cock at her swollen folds. Her sex warm and wet and the slight touch of the tip of his cock made his toes curl. With one firm thrust, he entered her.
Erica moved her hips to meet his. Every thrust firm and deep yet slow. He gripped the bed beneath her breathing into her neck. The achingly slow buildup teased her. Erica had never experienced an orgasm like this. It rose to a crescendo in her body than it plateaued and hovered low in her belly. The whole sequence continued until it didn't come down. The explosion rippled through her body from her toes to her head. She became incoherent, and she braced onto Derrick's skin hoping to steady the shock waves. He pinned her down and locked in with one last deep thrust. He followed her, his toes curled and clenched the sheets while his body jerked and his muscles convulsed, as he pumped thick warm cum inside of her.
Derrick dropped his weight on top of Erica. She felt comforted by the heaviness and warmth of his body blanketing hers. The cadence beating of theirs hearts lulled them into a deep sleep.
Erica woke before Derrick. Disoriented at first, she thought morning came too soon but realized it was still evening. Derrick's body no longer covered her. His arm and leg stretched across her body, but the majority of his body weight lay off to the side of her. She slipped off the bed without waking him.
She went to pee, and as she sat there, her stomach growled as a reminder she hadn't eaten a meal since 11:00 that morning. The mid-afternoon apple didn't count as real sustenance. Derrick stayed asleep while she tiptoed out of the bathroom.
Erica grabbed her phone from the table near her front door and padded along the floor into the kitchen. She sifted through the top drawer of the cabinet next to the fridge and extracted a sushi menu. Next, Erica grabbed her clutch and pulled out her wallet. With menu, wallet, and phone in hand, she went back into the bathroom and shut the door. She ordered an insane amount of food for two people.
While she waited for the delivery, she stared at Derrick's sleeping naked body spread across her bed. His skin tone dark compared to her creamy color. His shoulders and back wide while his waist cut in with no lumps or bumps protruding anywhere. The hair on his body lay flat like strands of golden silk along his bulging muscle. Erica's eyes followed the line of his long, lean leg. It ended with a perfect foot.
Derrick took care of himself right down to his trimmed toenails and smooth heels. The comforter covered his behind and his other leg. Erica awful at reigning in her sexual impulses walked around and tugged at the cover. She slid the cover over his buttocks and stopped under the curve of his cheeks. He had the perfect masculine butt, thick and muscular but rounded to perfection and not too big. Perfect to grab onto while he pounded into her.
"Are you staring at my ass?" His voice muffled by the sheets and sounded groggy from sleep.
Erica startled. "You scared me." She slapped his ass.
"Well?"
"Yes, I'm staring at your ass."
Derrick flipped over, grabbed Erica and pulled her on top of him. "And?"
She giggled. "And what?"
"Do you like what you see?"
"Yes." She kissed his nose.
He tapped hers in return. "Good." Derrick nuzzled into Erica's neck.
"I ordered food. I hope you like sushi." She said.
"Thank you, I love sushi and I’m starving." He responded as he flipped Erica beneath him.
"Thank goodness because I ordered way too much."
Derrick stretched up putting his weight on his forearms. "We'll get through it." Derrick looked at his watch to see what time it was while Erica looked at his watch because it was a Rolex, she knew as much about watches as she did engagement rings but Erica knew she liked both.
"Let me use the bathroom. Are they delivering it soon?" Derrick pushed his body up and stood on his knees straddling Erica. He leaned down and planted a kiss on her belly button, which caused her body to shiver. He stood up off the bed and walked towards the bathroom brandishing his cock as he moved.
"Yes, the security guard will call up when it arrives." As the words left her lips, the intercom in her apartment buzzed. She ran to it and pushed the button. "I'll be right there."
&nbs
p; Erica threw on her little t-shirt and walked into her closet. She came out wearing simple black leggings and a pair of furry moccasins. Derrick walked out of the bathroom at the same time and eyed her up and down.
"I'll run down." He gathered his clothes.
"Don't be silly. I'm dressed already."
"No, you're not. You're not dressed." He scanned her body with his finger. "The tee doesn't cover your stomach, those leggings sit way too low on your hips, and I can see your tits right through the material. I'm going."
Erica huffed and grabbed his suit jacket. She put it on and buttoned it. "Is that better?"
"Much." Derrick stepped into his boxer briefs. "My wallet is in the inside pocket. Pay for the food with the cash."
"I gave them my credit card over the phone."
"So take the cash for yourself. You're not paying for dinner."
"Thank you but unnecessary." Erica reached up and planted a big kiss on his mouth. She tried to wiggle away, but he grabbed her and planted a more sensual kiss right back.
She fumbled backward, but he caught her arms steadying her. "I'll be right back." She said after she composed herself.
Dinner was delicious. The amount of food she ordered could feed four people, but the two of them ate everything themselves. While they ate, Derrick and Erica exchanged their personal success stories. Derrick admitted to Erica that the first time he made over one hundred thousand dollars he felt intense guilt.
Derrick came from a humble upbringing. His father worked as a janitor for a school system near to the home he grew up in, and his mother worked at the local grocery store on the register. They instilled in him the importance of education. They wanted more for him than they had. They knew the struggles they faced throughout his childhood to make ends meet, and they didn't want him to continue down that path.
At a young age, Derrick knew education as the only way out. He studied hard and earned a scholarship to Georgetown University. He knew of his path early on. The only quality time his father spent with him was in front of the television. Derrick knew his father worked hard and took overtime and odd jobs whenever they came up. So once a week they both met in front of the television to watch their favorite show, Law and Order. Because of that show, Derrick knew he wanted to be a lawyer.
The In-Between Girl Page 7