Still thicker than water

by Takerra, Allen

  Ree… have you ever kissed anyone the way you kiss me… ……

  Never……

  Good…promise me you never will………

  I won’t……

  Promise? ………

  Promise……

  And he hadn’t.

  The next day, the girls decided to take advantage of the free spa packages that they were given.

  “I can’t believe you forgot to tell us about these,” Sasha said to Jayde, as they all headed downstairs on the elevator. They had spent all night after dinner at the hotel lounge, and now were looking forward to winding down with a little relaxation time, followed by some sightseeing and shopping. At least that’s what was on the Sasha itinerary.

  “Girl, after seeing that fine ass bellhop, I forgot what the hell the conversation between us was even about.”

  Tatum remained quiet, half hung over, and half thinking of Ree. She couldn’t help but feel like she was so close to him, yet so far. She wondered if she should go searching for him or leave it alone.

  How mad would I be at myself if I leave Jamaica without seeing ‘what if’?

  The doors opened to the main floor, and as they were coming out, Rodney was coming in.

  “Excuse me, can you tell us which way is the spa?” Sasha asked him. He smiled warmly at the ladies and pointed straight ahead.

  “Right that way lovely ladies, you can not miss it.”

  They thanked him and he went to get onto the elevator.

  “One more thing,” Jayde said. “Where’s the other bellhop?”

  “The other bellhop?” Rodney asked, confused.

  Jayde nodded, she couldn’t stop thinking of how fine he was.

  “Yeah, you know. The one who brought us these.” She held up the envelopes. “Brown skinned, his hair was like-”

  “Okay, that’s enough, thank you,” Sasha said to Rodney, pulling Jayde away. “We’re going to the spa Jayde, not to find the bellboy.”

  Jayde pouted and crossed her arms.

  “Aw c’mon, I just wanted to see if I could make his little broke ass day, that’s all.” She laughed and Tatum and Sasha chuckled as the girls made their way across the lobby.

  Once they reached the spa, they were blown away. It was completely decorated in white, with white calla lilies in vases and white bowls with white chocolates inside. There were white leather chairs and white marble floors. They approached the young girl at the register.

  “Hello ladies, how are you this afternoon? May I get you ladies a package menu?”

  Tatum handed her the envelope.

  “Hello, we received these yesterday.”

  The woman looked at them and looked back at the girls.

  “Great, you guys get a fabulous treatment today. A full body massage, spa pedicure, and manicure.”

  “Do we get a facial too? If not, can I purchase one separately?” Jayde asked, but was cut off by another voice.

  “You can most definitely get a facial, no charge.”

  The girls turned and found Trinity standing there, looking radiant.

  They all exchanged hellos and Trinity turned to the worker.

  “Can you please get my friends some towels and robes…and you know what, get one for me too, I think I may join you ladies.”

  The girls all giggled.

  “Rough day?” Tatum asked.

  “Already,” Trinity agreed. “This season is so busy. I’ll be happy when everyone goes home and everything goes back to normal…well, everyone except you guys,” she joked. The girls shared another laugh as the worker brought them towels.

  “By the way, thank you for this,” Sasha said, excited about getting her favorite thing, a massage.

  “No problem…it was actually my man’s idea.” She blushed just thinking about Ree.

  “Some man, the way you blushing,” Tatum teased. “Let him know that we said thank you, as well.”

  Trinity beamed.

  “Girl, you have no idea, he is, whew,” she laughed. “But will do. Okay ladies, let’s go get changed and pampered.”

  After the girls were dressed in their robes, they emerged from the locker room and found the female masseuse waiting. She was surprised to see Trinity with them.

  “Ms. Trinity, you get treatment today, too?”

  “I am, Mildred. I am treating myself. Ladies, this is Mildred, and she is a miracle worker.”

  The girls said hello and introduced themselves and Mildred focused on Tatum.

  “Ms. Trinity, this is your sister? You two look alike.”

  The girls laughed and Sasha and Jayde looked for the resemblance, and there was one. Both ladies had long curly black hair, mocha dark brown complexions, and wide bright smiles, but Tatum was prettier by far. And her face was much softer.

  “No, she is not. But I will take that as a compliment,” Trinity smiled.

  The girls were split up; Sasha and Trinity were to start with massages, and Jayde and Tatum with facials. They were on their way to their rooms when Trinity asked the girl who performed the facials, if she would do hers as well.

  “I’m not sure if I have time for both and I would much rather get my facial first.”

  The girl looked confused, not sure of what to do.

  “I can only do two at a time,” was all she could say in her light voice. She didn’t want to get in trouble.

  Trinity laughed.

  “Sweetie, I’m the manager.” But Tatum intervened.

  “No, it’s okay. I’ll get my massage first. I’d rather do that...we can switch.”

  Tatum saw that unlike the massage room, the room for the facials had both girls in the room together. And although Jayde was cool, she would much rather have Sasha to talk to during facials. She and Trinity agreed to switch.

  Tatum entered the massage room and took off her robe. She wrapped the towel around her and laid face down as she was accustomed to doing. The room was quiet and she wished that she had Sasha to talk with her during massages as well. She pulled all of her hair forward and let it hang toward the floor as she tried her best to zone out. Her thoughts immediately went to Ree.

  I can’t believe I’m here. It took me over two years to muster up the courage, but I’m here. I have to find him. I have to see him. I miss him…

  Tatum continued to zone out as she waited for Mildred to come in and work those miracles on her.

  Meanwhile, at the front of the spa, Ree entered in search of Trinity. He had thought of the way he had been treating her, keeping her at a distance, the way she had brought up the whole kissing situation, everything.

  Then he thought of how he had asked Tatum to come with him, how she had turned him down, and then how she had never come even after he reached out to her again. He had been so sure that he had succeeded in getting Tatum out of his system, but for some reason, she recently had crept up in his mind again. She was the only woman that Ree had ever felt strong enough about to even consider it being love, but that was over two years ago, and it was time to let that go.

  He wanted to make it up to Trinity for the way he had dipped out on her the night before. He greeted the girl at the register and asked if she had seen Trinity. Before she could respond, Mildred walked up.

  “Hello Mr. Knights. Ms. Trinity is one of my rooms, prepping for a massage… Room 207.”

  Ree winked and smiled.

  “Thank you, Mildred.” Even Mildred couldn’t help but to swoon at his charm as he made his way down the hall.

  “Ms. Trinity is a very lucky woman.”

  “Indeed,” the other girl agreed.

  Tatum was halfway into a sleep when she finally heard the door open and Mildred enter the room. She heard the footsteps as she approached but couldn’t bring herself to say anything, she was fully relaxed. She kept her eyes closed and anticipated her massage as her mind kept her in peaceful thoughts of Ree.

  Finally, Tatum felt a pair of strong hands working on her back and she exhaled.

  Ree was instantly aroused at
the sight of Trinity’s smooth back exposed and a small towel only covering her bottom half. He rubbed his strong hands over her smooth skin and noticed that she felt extra soft today. He leaned down to her, and she smelled so good, so much like…damn, there goes my mind again, he thought.

  “You smell so good,” he whispered, in his deep baritone and kissed her lightly on the back. He inhaled her scent and it was like an aphrodisiac to him. It awakened his senses in a way that they hadn’t been in a long time. “Damn,” he whispered, working her over with his hands.

  Tatum’s heart raced and she was sure that she was dreaming. But it feels so real. None of her dreams of him had ever been this palpable. She could feel him, hear him clear as day, smell him. She parted her lips and submitted to the ecstasy. It felt so real that she wanted to cry, and she could feel every nerve on her body coming to life and her juices began to form.

  Ree licked the spine of her back slowly and Tatum moaned in pleasure. He could feel his dick harden as he inhaled her intoxicating scent and rubbed her smoothness. They both were in the brink of passion. Tatum, sure that she was in a sensual dream. And Ree, feeling as if he was reminiscing of another time.

  “I missed you,” she cried, half conscious.

  Ree stopped, instantly. He closed his eyes and tried to rationalize. It can’t be…It just. He backed away and stared at her; she was still facing down but suddenly looking like someone else. He was scared to say the name, scared that he just may be going crazy. But he wouldn’t have to.

  The instant halt on her dream caused Tatum to slowly open her eyes. What just happened? Did Mildred even come in the room yet? She turned over slowly and the breath left her body. Their eyes met, and the world stopped. After a few moments of staring, the silence was broken.

  “Tatum?” He barely managed to get out. Nothing in him could believe it, but it had to be real. She was here, and every emotion he could possibly feel went through him at once.

  “Destiny?” She found herself asking lightly to herself, still in a state of shock.

  Ree studied her as if she wasn’t real, completely in awe of her, and he ran his hands over his face to regain his composure.

  “What…When…What are you doing here?” He asked this as if her being there had thrown a monkey wrench in his new life. Tatum wasn’t sure if it was a good monkey wrench, or a bad one.

  She awkwardly moved around to cover her body with the towel as she stood up. She wasn’t sure how a minute ago she was ready to make love to him in her dream and now here in reality, she was nervous and embarrassed. She held her towel with one hand and used the other to run through her hair.

  “Um…I don’t know…Sasha wanted to come… and get away…and I figured…I mean I just thought since you…” She paused, flustered, and looked at him. She swallowed hard and then smiled lightly, taking in everything about him that she was crazy about, everything that she loved. It was him. “Are you even happy to see me?” She was still real and upfront, and he loved it.

  He smiled as he looked at her. She was even more beautiful than he remembered. Over the time he had forgotten little things, like the small beauty mark on her cheek, or the sparkle in her eyes, and the way her skin glowed. All of these things now all at once, combined with her essence and her beauty, let it be known, no one could hold a candle to her.

  “You have no idea,” he assured her. He went to make his way over to her and the door flew open, stopping him in his tracks.

  “Oh my god, I am so sorry, baby. Mildred told me she sent you to the wrong room.” Trinity stood there embarrassed for Tatum, and for Ree. And Mildred stood behind her.

  “I’m so sorry Mr. Knights... I had no idea Ms. Trinity was not here.”

  Trinity walked over to where Ree stood and the reality came crashing down on Tatum like a ton of bricks. The kisses on her back, the sweet words, his hands, his tongue, it was all for her.

  It was all my man’s idea… Trinity had said earlier. Her man…

  Tatum stared at Ree for a few long seconds and he looked as if he wanted to say something, but wasn’t sure of what. As if he knew how hurt and embarrassed Tatum could be, and he was hurt for her. Well, he had no idea.

  Tatum blinked away tears and looked down at the ground. She was mortified. Ree spoke her name.

  “Tatum.”

  Trinity looked up at him curiously.

  “You guys know each other, Sean?” She asked, sensing that there was something in the air, and definitely something in the way that he said her name. He answered her but kept his focus on Tatum, who just looked down.

  “Yeah…we know each other from the states.”

  Trinity was taken aback and by this time Sasha and Jayde had made their way to the door.

  “Ree?” Sasha questioned, shocked.

  “Bellboy?” Jayde asked, confused.

  Trinity intertwined her arm into his, a simple but territorial gesture. A message to Tatum that Ree paid no mind to.

  “Oh, wow. Well, these are the ladies that had problems with their reservations yesterday... It’s a small world, right baby?”

  Tatum couldn’t take anymore. Maybe hearing that he had moved on would have been a little easier to deal with.

  But seeing it right in front of her, with all of the pet names and love gestures, was like torture. She finally mustered up the strength to say…

  “I think I need to put my clothes on.”

  She stormed out of the room with tears in her eyes, without so much as a glance at Ree or his Tatum stunt double, and she made her way to the locker room with Sasha and Jayde hot on her trail. Ree called out her name one more time, but she didn’t respond. She didn’t even turn around.

  Mildred turned around and left as well, but Trinity remained. She stared at Ree as he just looked straight ahead blankly.

  She didn’t want to let on, but she was terrified.

  “Sean… is everything okay?” She finally asked him.

  After a few seconds he looked at her and nodded coolly.

  “Yeah…yeah everything’s fine.”

  And then he walked out of the room and left her standing there alone. No hug, no wink, no smile, and definitely no kiss.

  “No, I don’t give a fuck! I am getting the fuck out of here… Jayde, if you don’t want me to hate you forever, I would appreciate it if you got on that little magic phone of yours, called up one of your jet friends, and got me a flight off of this fucking island!”

  Tatum was pissed. She was storming around the suite, throwing things into her bag with tears streaming down her cheeks. This was not apart of the plan. He was supposed to be like her, unable to move on. I mean yeah, he could’ve fucked around, but a serious relationship, that was not even in his character, unless it was with Tatum. Anybody else shouldn’t have even been able to get that close. Oh my god, he kisses her!

  Tatum thought of the way that he kissed her back, he had to kiss her lips twice as good. And it tore her apart, as much as she wished that it didn’t.

  Jayde was still in shock that Tatum’s man, the infamous Ree, was the bellboy that she had met. She snapped out of her thoughts.

  “Okay, now look, calm down sweetie…so, he’s got a bitch, so what, right? Just put your shit down and move her out the house…take back what’s yours.”

  Sasha sat on the couch stupefied. She couldn’t believe their reunion had played out like this. She wanted to console Tatum, but she wasn’t sure of what to say. Although it was worded all wrong, Jayde did have a point.

  “Are you even sure that it’s that serious?” Sasha asked Tatum, finally saying something.

  Tatum took a break from her tirade and answered.

  “Yes, I’m sure.”

  Sasha stood up and walked to her.

  “But how, how do you know?”

  Tatum was visibly upset by the question.

  ‘I just know!” She shot back.

  “How?” Sasha asked again, not feeling like that was good enough.

  “Because I know!” Tatu
m repeated. “I just know…I know…I know…him.”

  Her tears came down as she stated it again.

  “I know him.” She knew the way that he was with Trinity, was nothing light. Ree was not one to play games or waste his time with purposeless relationships. If she had his time, she meant something.

  Sasha wrapped her arms around her friend and rubbed her back and Tatum wiped her face with her hands. She couldn’t believe that she was crying.

  “Are you sure you want to leave?” Sasha asked.

  Before Tatum could answer, a knock on the door interrupted. Jayde figured she would be the one to answer, being that the friends were having a one on one.

  She opened the door and Ree stood on the other side, serious as ever.

  “Tatum here?”

  Jayde opened the door wider so that he could look in, and Tatum and Ree made eye contact. They both stood there staring at one another, and Sasha was the one to initiate conversation.

  “Ree, come in…Um, Jayde…why don’t we let them talk?”

  Sasha and Jayde made their way to Jayde’s room which was the furthest away as Ree came in, closed the door, and walked over to Tatum. His aura was so dominant; it was hard for Tatum not to swoon. There was an awkward silence as both of them tried to figure out what to say. Ree spoke first.

  “You know, about the room incident, and the massage thing…I’m sorry about that, Tatum. I know that whole situation was uncomfortable.”

  Tatum shook her head nonchalantly.

  “You don’t have to apologize Ree, you thought I was somebody else…right? So why are you sorry?” She hated that her words came out angry but she couldn’t help it.

  “That’s not fair, Tatum…and I wouldn’t exactly say that.”

  He thought of how lost he was, feeling her, smelling her, imagining that it was her, only to find that it really was her. It was never Trinity, even if it really would have been Trinity, it still wouldn’t have been her, not to Ree.

  Tatum chuckled, not buying it.

  “Well, what were you thinking, then?”