No Perfect Affair

by Charmaine Galloway

  “Mel, you hungry?” Rodney asked, pulling me from my thoughts.

  “Yes,” I said as I lay my head on his chest and listened to his heartbeat. I didn’t want to leave. I wanted to just lie in his arms. I yearned for his touch. I wanted that moment to last forever.

  After we got dressed, we went to a small café and ate breakfast. After we ate, he asked me to drop him off at his mother’s house. When we pulled up, he gave me a kiss, told me he loved me, and that he would call me later. I felt good. He didn’t tell me we were a couple, but he told me that he loved me, and he was only making love to me. So I felt that in a few weeks or maybe a month, we would make it official. He just needed a little time, and I didn’t mind giving that to him.

  5

  Sasha

  Lately, it seemed like Melody, Asia, and I had been going to Club Headliners every weekend. I knew Melody was going to meet up with her boy toy Rodney. I wished he would get his act together because she was a good woman, and I knew how much being over thirty without a mate was really stressing her out. I knew he was a playboy, but dang, I thought by now he would have grown out of that stage of his life. He was hitting forty.

  I knew Asia enjoyed going out to get away from those little hellions of hers. And she did enjoy tossing back a few shots of tequila like it was Kool-Aid. I felt sorry for her at times. She walked around with low self-esteem because she was overweight in her midsection. She would complain about how her clothes fit her. She needed to stop worrying about her flaws and get it together. The first man that said she was cute, she took him in and catered to him like she was his sugar mama. I told her that she shouldn’t be spending her hard earned money on no man, but when I told her that, she would just blow me off and tell me to mind my own business. She had a good job; she was one of the highest-paid Realtors in the area. There were plenty of women that had flabby midsections because they had children. But I wasn’t going to let her worry me.

  * * *

  I looked in the mirror at my five feet five, 150-pound physique. If I should say so myself, I looked amazing. I took a bottle of Avion Silver Tequila out of the cabinet that my husband had stashed away and sipped on it as I got dressed. I decided to rock the long sleeved, skintight, thigh-length Versace dress that my husband purchased for me last week.

  I enjoyed going out because my personal life sucked. The only action I had in my life was writing short erotic stories that I was thinking about publishing in the near future. Asia and Melody read them and said they were hot. I wished I had the courage to show my husband so we could re-create the scenes in our bedroom. But I knew it would hurt his feelings if I told him that lately, our lovemaking was pretty boring.

  Jonathan spent most of his weekends away playing golf tournaments. I couldn’t stand golf. Even when he tried to explain it, I got bored listening. My husband and I worked at the Chrysler assembly plant. Jonathan had been there for seven years, and he was a plant supervisor. I had been working there for four years, and I was an assembly operator. I liked my job, and I made good money. I received my BA in communications, but it was so hard to find a good-paying job, even with my degree. I always wanted to be a news broadcaster, but my childhood dreams never came true.

  Jonathan and I met on the job. We dated for two years; then we got married. We didn’t have a big wedding because I’d never been the one to want to plan a huge fairy tale wedding and spend all that money for one day. Plus, I was pregnant with our first child. I did put pressure on him to marry me before I had the baby because I had seen so many women having babies out of wedlock and their baby daddies leaving them to care for the babies by themselves. I wasn’t going to be left with no hollerin’ baby to raise alone. And I wasn’t going to have no baby daddy. We flew out to Las Vegas and were married in a small chapel.

  I fell in love with Jonathan because he truly knew how to treat me like a queen. He wined and dined me, respected me to the fullest, and pampered me like a real man is supposed to pamper his woman. But it wasn’t just about him spending all his money on me; he was a gentleman. He pulled out my chair and opened doors for me. He was loyal, and he loved me for who I was. Where I’m from, that type of man was hard to come by. He was definitely a catch, and I caught him.

  Four months into our marriage, I had a miscarriage. I was five-and-a-half months pregnant, and it was a girl. I was hurt, but Jonathan was devastated. He named the baby and kept all the ultrasound photos. We had a small home-going for Johnasia, and he visited her grave every month. I tried to delete her from my memory because she wasn’t full term anyway.

  Melody thought I was harsh when it came to how I felt about the baby I lost. Maybe I was that way because I never had a mother to love me. My mother was crazy, and she didn’t want me. I thought that having that miscarriage was a blessing because I would never be a good mother. And if I ever told Jonathan what I had to go through as a child, he probably would understand why I was taking birth control so I wouldn’t get pregnant ever again. But I just couldn’t come to grips enough to tell him about the birth control.

  My phone rang, pulling me out of my thoughts. “Hello.”

  “Hey, boo, are you ready? I’m around the corner.” It was Melody.

  “Yes, I’m ready. But should I drive my own car? You know when you see Rodney you are going to want to leave with him,” I giggled, but I was serious.

  “He told me he wasn’t going out tonight. He’s watching the game.”

  “Okay, whatever. Here I come,” I said as I slipped on my Versace heels.

  That was the first time Rodney wouldn’t be there. That dude didn’t miss a night out at the club. It was like his second home. So he must have been with another chick. I just hoped my girl didn’t put all her emotions in that dude again, ’cause I didn’t want her to be crying in my ear if, and when, he broke her heart.

  The club was packed like always, and the music thumped through the speakers, playing one of my favorite songs by Rihanna.

  “Pay me what you owe me. . . . Don’t act like you forgot.” I sang out the lyrics as I bobbed my head to the beat.

  The club was very basic. It had a nice-sized dance floor, a rectangle-shaped bar that was in front when you walked in, and a few tables lined against the walls. There was also a pool table by the dance floor. They served food from the kitchen in the back. We went there frequently because that was one of the only clubs that checked your ID at the door and had police officers on-site. We were too grown and sexy for the other clubs that let the young crowds through the doors with no security on deck.

  We walked over to the bar where I ordered Cîroc with cranberry juice. I turned my head and saw Asia talking to this fine brotha. He was slim, chocolate, with a baby face and a low haircut. His eyes connected with mine. I quickly turned my head and took a sip of my drink.

  “Hey there, Ms. Lady,” a baritone voice said from behind me.

  I was caught off guard. I turned around to see where the voice came from. It was the guy that Asia was talking to. “Hello,” was all I said.

  “My name is David. I saw you walk in with Asia, and I asked her if you were single,” he said, looking into my eyes seductively.

  He stood about six feet, and his muscles popped out of his shirt as if he had just left the gym. “And what did she say?” I asked, looking into his sexy, light brown eyes.

  “She told me to come over and ask you.” He smiled, showing the gap between his two front teeth. It was sexy on him.

  “Well, I’m married,” I said, turning my head back to take another sip from my drink.

  “Why do all the fine woman have to be taken?” He shook his head in pity.

  I smiled but said nothing. My song was on. It was “Slow Motion” by Trey Songz, and I started to dance in my seat.

  “Can I at least have this dance? I see you like this song.”

  I smiled and nodded my head. He took my hand and walked me to the dance floor. I loved dancing. I tried to dance for my husband in the bedroom, but he would tell me to stop b
ecause he was so lame.

  I gently pushed David out in front of me so he could watch me as I slow grinded my body and rolled my hips for him while my hands were over my head. He licked his lips as he watched me, then took a napkin from his pocket and wiped the sweat from his forehead. He slowly reached for my hand, and I walked closer to his body as I continued to slow grind. His cologne smelled so good. Then he placed his hands on the small of my back. His touch was gentle but strong.

  “Damn, baby, you are so sexy. You didn’t even tell me your name.” He blew his hot peppermint breath in my ear.

  I didn’t say a word. I turned around and arched my butt against his manhood. I could feel his hardness. He then gripped my hips with his hands, and I continued to grind against him. Any other time if a man would put his hands on me while I danced, I would’ve push his hands away, but not this time. I had yearned for this type of touch for a while. My mind had zoned out for a few minutes. It was like I was reliving one of the scenes in my short story. The main character was alone at the club with her man, and they were dancing; then they got naked, and they made love in the club. I had to come to grips with myself before I started taking off my clothes. I was in the mood to do whatever. I wanted to be free. I was into my character’s mind, the one that I wrote about in my erotic stories. I wasn’t myself. The song went off. He pulled me close, my chest collided with his. He asked, “Can I have you tonight?”

  Without even telling him my name. Without thinking. With no hesitation, I said, “Yes.” I wanted him, and I didn’t care that I belonged to someone.

  6

  Asia

  Last night was crazy. I couldn’t believe that Sasha left the club with David. What in the heck was this world coming to? Ain’t she married? Melody had the nerve to catch an attitude because I let her leave. I sat back and allowed my mind to replay last night.

  “Where’s Sasha?” Melody asked as she looked around the club.

  “She just left.” I rolled my neck and tooted my lips, but I was smiling on the inside. I could feel it. It was about to go down, and I was going to be front and center when Ms. Goody Two-Shoes crumbled once the spotlight was on her.

  “With who?” Her eyes were wide like saucers.

  “With an old friend of mine.”

  “Who?” she spat.

  “David,” I barked. She needed to calm down, acting like Sasha was her child.

  “Was she tipsy? Why would she leave like that?” She questioned me like she was the FBI.

  “I don’t know. I wasn’t babysitting her. Maybe you should have. Why you asking me all these questions? I’m leaving,” I said, and I walked toward the door. Melody followed behind me. She ranted and raved about why I let Sasha leave. She tried to call her phone, but the girl didn’t answer. We then got in our cars and went our separate ways.

  I knew David from college. We had the same sociology class. We both were going to school to receive our BA in business administration. We became really cool. One night after I attended a frat party, he saw me walking alone, and he stopped.

  “Why are you walking out here alone at two o’clock in the morning?” He sounded like the police.

  “I’m good. My dorm is just right there.” I pointed to the huge building that was about twenty feet away.

  “Hop in. I’ll give you a ride.”

  I got in his car, and we ending up talking for a while. We had a few things in common, so he invited me on a date the next day. I went, and we had a good time. I spent the night at his dorm because his roommate wasn’t there. We had sex that night and a few times after that. I didn’t fall in love or nothing. I just looked at it as having a little fun. After that, we kind of grew apart. It was nice seeing him at the club. I haven’t seen him since college. When I saw him, he was so interested in knowing who Sasha was. I told him her name, and I also told him she was married. Obviously, he didn’t care because he took her home with him. They darn sure didn’t go out for coffee or a burger. And they definitely didn’t go to Sasha’s house.

  I really didn’t care for Sasha that much. Yeah, I loved her because she was my cousin, but I couldn’t stand her. But it was only right to stay cordial with her. She married my first love. Melody, Sasha, and I went to the same high school, and so did Jonathan. Jonathan and I graduated the same year. Even though Jonathan and I never dated, he was the first boy to ever kiss me. Sasha knew that he was my first crush. When she told me that she had gone to Las Vegas and gotten married, I wanted to knock her teeth out of her mouth. We were all at dinner, and that’s when she made her announcement.

  “Hey, ladies, I brought you here to tell you something,” Sasha said full of glee.

  “What? You and Jonathan having a baby?” Melody said with excitement.

  “Yup,” she grinned and continued. “And we got married.”

  “What?” I blurted out.

  “When? And why weren’t we invited?” Melody spat.

  We were both furious with her.

  “It was the spur of the moment. We flew to Las Vegas and got married in a small chapel. It was just the two of us.”

  “Why would you marry him, Sasha? You knew he was my first crush.”

  “Girl, are you serious? That was in high school. We are grown now, and we’ve been together for a few years. Can you get over the past and just be happy for me?” Sasha hissed.

  I was silent, but that moment, I had to catch my breath. It was like she stabbed me in the heart.

  From that day forward, I had to look into Jonathan’s eyes at every family gathering because he was married to my cousin. Sasha had broken the unspoken rule. You should never go behind yo’ girls and have a relationship with a man they fell for first.

  * * *

  Before she walked out of the bar with David, I tried to warn her that I had him first. But she just waved me off like I was a fly buzzing in her ear.

  “I didn’t know she was going out like no slut. The girl has a husband at home.” I shook my head with a devious smile on my face. I guess payback’s a mutha.

  7

  Sasha

  I told Asia to tell Melody that I was leaving the club, and I would be cool. She glared at me as if she wanted to say something, but I just walked away. I had a feeling that she was going to tell me that I shouldn’t leave the club with a man that I didn’t know. But right now, nothing mattered to me. I was on cloud nine, and I was going to do what my mind was set on doing. I was in a place where I wasn’t thinking about my husband, my vows, or my morals. I wanted to be spontaneous. I wanted to be free. I always wanted to live on the edge, but my husband told me no. I hoped that tonight my dream would come true.

  David and I walked out of the club, and he guided me toward the parking lot where his car was parked. He pushed the button on his key fob, and the lights to a CTS-V Sedan Cadillac blinked off and on. “The only way I’m getting into that car with you is if you let me drive.” I was fierce with my words.

  He looked into my eyes, smirked, and said, “All right, Ms. Lady, you can drive.” He gave me the keys, and we got in. I drove out of the parking lot to our destination.

  I pulled into Walbridge Park; then I drove down by the river and parked where there were no streetlights. I was tipsy from the drinks that I had at the bar. I’m glad we made it safely.

  “We are about to get it in at the park? You are a little freak, huh?” He smiled seductively.

  I didn’t say a word. I got out of the car and sashayed toward the front of his vehicle and sat on his hood. The stars were bright, and the sound from the water pushing into the rocks was soothing. He followed me. He opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something, but I placed my finger to his lips. “Please don’t say anything, David. Just do me. Take me now and take me hard.” My words must have sent fire through his blood. He grabbed me by the back of my neck, pulled me close, and kissed me forcefully. He then lifted my dress over my head and quickly removed my bra and panties, leaving nothing on but my stilettos. He devoured me. He feasted on me. He
drove me insane while tasting my whole body with a sexual hunger that I felt all the way to my toes. I enjoyed him more, knowing we were outside on the hood of his car. I allowed him to do whatever and however he pleased as the night wind blew through my hair.

  When he was done exploring my body with his tongue, he stood up, got a condom out of his pocket, and took it out of the wrapper. I watched him roll it over it his shaft, and I was pleased at what I saw. He then took my hand and pulled me to the edge of the hood of the car. He gripped my butt in his hands. I wrapped my arms around his neck, as he slid his manhood inside of me, and my inner muscles clenched him. I moaned as I looked into the dark sky. At that moment, something fierce and overpowering tore through him, and like a jackhammer out of control, he thrust me hard, quick, and deep. The deeper he went, the louder I screamed. He growled. Our bodies were completely naked and wet with perspiration as I dug my nails into his backside. We kept going until we both climaxed at the same time. I had never in my life felt so good. So free. So sexually pleased. He had blown my mind, and I had enjoyed every minute of it. I was out of breath as I searched for my clothes. I wished we could have gone another round, but I had to get control of myself.

  “Damn, babe, you sure know how to turn up.” He smiled smacking me on my butt.

  I exhaled, then blew out the air from my lungs. I was on ten, and I wasn’t ready to come down. I walked to the passenger’s side of the seat and sat quietly, trying to calculate what had just taken place. He got in the car and drove me to my house. I know that showing him where I lived was a very stupid thing to do, but it was four o’clock in the morning, and there was nowhere else he could take me.