Revolving Doors

by Perri Forrest

  The room was eerily silent. Just minutes before we were grinding like our lives depended on it and howling something like wolves in the wild. But as I watched him, it was as though he was having a telepathic conversation with the ceiling.

  I didn’t understand. How did we go from hot, passionate sex…to deep thought?

  “Ken, Is everything okay?”

  No answer. Seemed like déjà vu.

  Taking that as my exit stage left, I lifted up and swung my legs over the side of the bed. As I scanned the room for my clothing, I suddenly felt his hand on my side. His finger traveled up and down my back.

  “You leaving, Gabriella?”

  Are you serious right now?

  I turned around to look at his face.

  “I hope not, because I was hoping you’d spend the night with me.”

  “Huh? You went missing. I took that as you being…uh…for lack of a better word, done with me for the night.”

  “Yeah, right! That is far from the case. Sorry for drifting off, was having a moment.”

  Having a moment…I wondered what that was about. Insulting would be if he had detached due to thoughts of another.

  I didn’t want to care, but let’s face it, what girl wouldn’t be taken aback if a man made love to her and then drifted off shortly thereafter?

  Shit, he’d just gotten Grade A pussy and he was “having a moment?”

  Puhhlease!

  “Nothing to worry about,” he offered. “I’m good…but I could be better if you laid back down with me…” he said lightly tugging at my arm. “Come back to bed, please.”

  “So, you’re not done with me?”

  He exposed that trademark smile.

  “Nuh uh. Just trying to catch my breath, that’s all. Need to get a second wind to handle you, young lady.”

  “I couldn’t tell. Seemed you handled me pretty well. I have no complaints.”

  He blushed before responding, “That’s good to know.”

  “Well, I’ll admit…you had me worried for a bit there. I was thinking I had to approach Valentina about switching a couple of dates around when you checked out on me.”

  “Whoa! Hold up! There will be no switching of dates. I like things just the way they are,” he remarked as he pulled me next to him. Besides, we got us a contract,” he kidded.

  It felt good being in his arms. It was comfortable there. I could hear him taking short breaths in the quiet of the room, and as he rubbed along my lower back.

  “You know…” I started, “I do have to, at some point grab some overnight stuff from my suite.”

  “What stuff? All the stuff you need is right here in this bed with me.”

  Feeling his package poke against my skin, I was in complete agreement.

  “You’re right…that is all I need. However, dot dot dot, there is also that thing called eating that we need to do in the very near future. I’ve managed to work up a healthy sized appetite with your help.”

  “You’re absolutely right,” he said suggestively. “Eating is a must…”

  A short time later, with my clitoris securely nestled between his lips, being licked and suckled like the last skittle in the candy jar, I was gifted with yet another supergasm. Amazing.

  ~*~*~

  After a fulfilling and memorable lovemaking session, we showered, dressed and headed to the lounge for Feijoada, fruit salad, Guarana, flirting and plenty of conversation. There was more to discuss since the complexities were tackled and out of the way.

  He offered information that surprised me: He’d spoken to Mike several months back on a trip to visit his parents. My heart skipped a beat knowing he had been that close and I hadn’t so much as run into him.

  Apparently Mike was recently divorced! That was an unexpected newsflash. According to Kenny, the story went something like, he was deeply in love with his wife, but admitted to making a “stupid mistake” that cost him everything.

  Good for you, Mya for taking a stand!

  The biggest shock was yet to come: There was a child as well.

  “You’ve got to be kidding me!” I exclaimed. That was when I couldn’t hold it in anymore. “I can’t believe he did that to her. She’s such a sweet person.”

  “You know the story?” he asked surprised.

  “I know pieces, but it’s nothing worth elaborating on.”

  “Wait, that’s weird. He never mentioned you to me when I saw him.”

  “Why would he have? It was ten years ago when you and I last spoke, as well as when any of us were in the same circle together; I doubt I crossed his mind. And besides, my interactions were primarily with Mya, his wife…or ex-wife, I should say. I just happened to find out that she was married to Mike when I was in her office one day and saw a picture of him.”

  “Oh…okay,” he stated. “But yeah, he seemed pretty broken up. I felt bad for the guy when I was listening to him. I guess he’s in a forced situation because now he’s backtracked to Joi. Go figure, after all these years they somehow found their way back to each other, but under strained terms. From what he told me, he doesn’t want her, but he also doesn’t want his child growing up without her parents.”

  Out of curiosity, I asked, “Did he happen to say how old the baby is?”

  “Yeah, he said he had recently found out about the baby, but that she’s already 2½ or something like that.”

  “Damn,” was all I could manage, “That’s so fucked up.”

  I couldn’t help play sleuth as he spilled details.

  Mya concluded that I was privy to information that I wasn’t. I felt horrible. I didn’t say it aloud, but I didn’t believe for one second what Mike told Ken – that he recently found out – because as bad as Joi had it for him, she wouldn’t have kept that secret for a million big ones. I was convinced of that. And he lost his wife because of lust he couldn’t control.

  Bem Feito, Mike!

  The only way I might believe that Mike found out late about his daughter would be if there had been earlier concerns on Joi’s part about who the father actually was between Mike and Nate, or anyone else for that matter.

  I only knew parts of her life. Other than that, I felt he knew about the baby the entire time and somehow it all came to a head and he was exposed.

  So much time had passed and I wasn’t aware that she had birthed a child. Wow, Joi was somebody’s mother. The feeling was bittersweet.

  Bitter because if it weren’t official before, it was in that moment…we were no longer friends. There was a big stomach I missed out on seeing. A baby shower that I hadn’t been invited to.

  Sweet because she had a beautiful little one that I was sure was nothing short of adorable. Unfortunately, I would probably never get the chance to meet her.

  I always felt in my heart that if there ever came a time for kids or marriage, for either of us, no matter how long it had been since we had communicated, one would reach out to the other.

  Not to be, I guess.

  Learning of the situation, made me want to reach out to Mya. I finally understood why she cut me off without notice. In some way, she blamed me, and made me guilty by association. Either that, or she felt too ashamed, to have anything to do with me since I knew all involved parties.

  I could only imagine how devastated she must have been when the sordid details came to light.

  If Mya was as smart as I thought she was, she figured out the truth and knew that he had been carrying on that affair with Joi for a while and that the baby situation wasn’t one he had recently found out about.

  Poor thing. I could only hope her family rallied around her when he devastation hit. There were certainly enough of them to support her in her time of need.

  I made a mental note that I would at least try to contact her. If she shot me down, then so be it, but I would make an attempt once I was back home and settled.

  ~*~*~

  “So…” he sighed after a filling meal and lengthy conversation, “…now that we’ve discussed any and ever
ybody’s business, why don’t we head to your room and get down to some business of our own.”

  “You don’t have to ask me twice, I’m right behind you, Mr. Augustine.”

  I didn’t know how the remainder of our time would go, but the way he made love to me brought about a feeling that made me surrender to him like I hadn’t any other. There was a connection that felt as though it had never been compromised.

  In the moment, it felt good, but it also scared me to death. They were feelings I wasn’t prepared to experience – or even sure I wanted to give in to.

  The next day, Natalia and I would be gone for a part of the day at Samba class, and maybe that was a good thing. I needed to be somewhere he wasn’t in such close proximity to so that I could regain the composure I felt myself slipping away from. Emotions were making a strong attempt at penetration.

  I couldn’t afford for that to happen.

  No, not at all.

  CHAPTER 51

  ~*~*~

  The next morning, I slid out of bed and hopped in the shower, Ken managed to sleep through it all. When I left, I kissed him on the cheek and ducked out.

  When Natalia and I returned that evening, there was plenty of activity, and the pool and hot tub were the busiest I had seen them in a long time.

  The bustle of energy reminded me of being a kid in Rio and mesmerized seeing the city that never went to sleep.

  We spotted Valentina in the restaurant area having dinner with Alexio, the two of them looked cozy and comfortable with one another.

  “They look like they’re made for each other,” Natalia remarked.

  “Don’t they?” I exclaimed excited at the sight of them. “I think he knows, but Valentina needs to recognize. I can’t wait for the day.”

  “I kinda think it’ll happen sooner than later,” Natalia added.

  Both Natalia and I secretly hoped that they had an impending love affair because we knew he would be good for her.

  I found myself smiling, at the overall picture. Valentina spotted us and waved to acknowledge our presence. I ran over to say a quick hello since I didn’t know if they’d still be in the area when I emerged from my shower. Natalia headed to her suite.

  An hour later, when I knocked on Ken’s door and he didn’t answer, I went in search and found him sitting in the bar area hanging out with Natalia and her guy.

  I approached from behind and planted a soft kiss on the back of his neck. He turned around and smiled.

  “Hey, y’all! I greeted.”

  “Talia, how did you beat me down here?” I asked her.

  “You know you take forever in the bathroom!” she laughed. “I got in the shower, got out and got dressed.”

  “I don’t take that long!” I yelled, as Kenny shot me a knowing glance.

  “Right! Don’t forget you’re talking to someone that knows you really well.”

  “You’re right,” I said in defeat. “Point taken.”

  Natalia’s guest began laughing at the exchange, as did Kenny.

  “Gabriella, meet Carter,” she said proudly, in a starstruck sort of way. “He’s been treating me very well,” she commented looking into his eyes.

  “Hello Carter,” I said extending my hand, “It’s nice to meet you and nice to know you’re taking care of my sister.”

  “Sisters?” he queried.

  “Sisters” we confirmed in unison.

  I took my place on Kenny’s lap in the sofa chair he had moved to and as I sat down, I turned his face toward me and affectionately kissed him on the lips.

  “Hey you,” he said, sliding his arm around my waist. “You’ve been MIA today. Missed you when I woke up and you’d abandoned ship.”

  “Sorry,” I whispered. “Did you feel me kiss you on your cheek while you slept?”

  “I thought I felt those soft lips on me, but when I woke and you were gone, I was sure I’d dreamt it,” he smiled.

  “No, baby love, it really happened.”

  He leaned in and whispered in my ear, “You look amazing in that dress! I’m already trying to figure out how I’m gonna get it off around that perfect peach.”

  “Ooh, I can’t wait,” I purred. “I’m sure you will be able to figure it out. I have total faith in your skills.”

  “You do, huh?” he said pulling me closer to him, and kissing me on my neck.

  “You guys are not subtle at all!” Natalia said teasing us. “You know there’s a bunch of rooms upstairs, right? They even have beds in them,” she said winking.

  “I can’t help myself,” Ken admitted. “I like that this beautiful lady with perfect curves and a nice booty, is all over me!” he said rubbing my ass softly. “Not that it wasn’t always nice,” he declared.

  I was blushing at all the flirting. It had a nice feel to it.

  “Hold on,” Natalia interrupted. “You two know each other? I thought this was your first visit, Kenneth Jacob.”

  Ken and I exchanged quick glances.

  “It is my first visit,” Ken responded.

  I thought for sure in that moment when his name rolled off her tongue, she would put two and two together, but she didn’t. Why would she? There’s a million Kenneth’s in the world!

  I wanted to tell her earlier, but held back because she was filling me in on her lust for Carter, the millionaire. I didn’t want to interrupt. In addition to that, I didn’t want to dredge up the past.

  I waited a bit to see if Ken would contribute more to his statement. When he didn’t, I decided to play things down a bit.

  “We do know each other. Long ago, we crossed paths, had some mutual friends. I haven’t seen him in years and of all places, he pops up here.”

  I was sure she would connect the dots after that statement…especially with the “long ago” reference.

  “Oh wow! Was it awkward when you guys saw each other, or was it kind of like, damn what a small world?”

  “A little of both,” Ken responded, rubbing my back.

  “So when you guys knew each other before, it wasn’t anything serious, right?”

  “No, Natalia…nothing serious. Stop with the interrogation.”

  “How sweet is this!” she exclaimed with enough excitement for all four of us. “You know this could be fate stepping in, right?”

  Oh boy, how her tune would change when she found out the truth about Kenneth, being Kenny.

  The hopeless romantic was now on a roll and I needed her to stop already. Before she could continue her rant, Carter saved the day by suggesting they take a dip in the sauna. Perfect timing!

  The two of them departed for some alone time, allowing Kenny and me to recover from Natalia’s line of questioning.

  Over the past week he and I had connected, but not in an overly emotional way, as I was trying my best to fight as hard as I could against it.

  I hadn’t seen anything on his side that hinted at his feelings becoming involved, so I was able to hold back. The truth of the matter was that if the trip went any longer than it was supposed to, that might not be an easy task to complete.

  With my arm rested around his neck, I ran my fingers through his hair and asked, “Did you and Q miss me today, Papa?”

  A sly grin appeared across his face, and his eyes lit up.

  “You took it way back with that one,” he blushed.

  “We did miss you. So much so, that right now, my only thoughts are of seducing my way between your thighs – face first.”

  “Wow, Kenneth Jacob Augustine...that’s pretty damn sexy talk.”

  “You think?”

  “I do…and I like. All you really have to do is say the word.”

  “That’s it? Just a word?” he asked bright-eyed.

  “That’s it, baby! You paid a sparkly ass penny to have all the soft and wet you can handle, at your disposal.”

  As I spoke the words to him, I watched his facial expression go from excited to blank. He leaned further into the chair and I felt his hand slide away from my backside.

&nb
sp; “Did I say something wrong?” I asked snuggling up to him and attempting to get him back to where we were mere moments before.

  When I saw that he was maintaining his stance, I drew back to look him in the eye and saw a slight grimace.

  “Kenny?” I asked in an almost pleading tone. “Did I lose you?”

  “Damn. Is that all this is to you, Gabriella?”

  Genuinely confused, I commented, “I’m sorry. Is it supposed to be something more?”

  “You’re kidding, right?”

  “I’m not…but should I be? I’m sure you didn’t come here to talk emotions, right? Or did I miss something? Please tell me if I’m off base so we can clear the air.”

  When I made the comment, it wasn’t with malicious intent.

  I hadn’t expected the shift in my tone. I even caught myself by surprise. I didn’t realize how affected I had been by the earlier exchange.

  I secretly hoped he would step in when I lied to Natalia and divulge who he was. I didn’t realize how much I needed to know, although it was ten years later, that I meant something to him.

  He stripped me of that when he didn’t disclose. A part of me wanted him to yell to the world that he did at one time love me and that he was remorseful.

  Asking if the moment was awkward wasn’t enough. He should have initiated a dialog and not put the ball in my court to do so. He could have easily lead with, something like: “Oh my god. I never thought I’d see you again. There’s so much I want to say…”

  He said nothing! So I treated it like it was nothing. I mean what did he want from me?

  My strategy, my coping mechanism, was to adopt an ‘it’s all business and nothing more’ position to shield myself.

  “You’re confusing me right now, Kenny. What are we really talking about? You said you were trying to figure out how to seduce your way between my thighs and I said---”

  “I know what you said, Gabriella,” he interrupted. “No recap needed.”

  “Okay. But did I say something wrong?” I asked puzzled.

  After a few seconds of silence, he responded, “Absolutely not. You said nothing wrong. You did, however, kill the mood.”