Crossroads

by Skyy

  “Denise.” Mariah held both of Denise’s hands. “Not only do I have a wonderful job, but I’m a trust fund baby. I’m set, everything in this apartment is set. Hell, if I wanted to go buy a house in the Hamptons I could pay cash.”

  “OK.” Denise looked puzzled. She’d never heard Mariah mention her fortune before.

  “So any money you put toward anything would be only to make you feel more comfortable. So if that’s what you want to do, drop a hundred on the cable bill. But it’s not for me, it’s for you. But any money you give me, I’ll just put aside and give back to you later.”

  Denise lowered her head. She thought about Lena. Mariah’s money made Lena’s fortune look like chump change. Denise looked into Mariah’s eyes. She felt a twinge of guilt.

  “I’m not gonna win at this, am I?”

  Mariah shook her head. They both laughed. Mariah turned around, laying into Denise’s arms. Denise ran her hand through Mariah’s hair. She kissed Mariah on her forehead.

  “So, do you have any ideas about what you want to do?”

  “Not yet, but I’ll figure it out soon.” Denise glanced at the envelope on the table. She picked it up. “I got this.”

  Mariah took the envelope from Denise and opened it. Mariah’s eyes widened as she pulled a beautiful black invitation out of the plain envelope. Even Denise admired the beautiful invitation.

  “Oh my God!” Mariah gasped as she read the invite. “Denise, wow! I knew it.”

  “What?” Denise sat up in anticipation.

  Mariah flipped the invite around. “Do you know what this is?”

  Denise shook her head.

  “This is an invite to one of Melanie’s exclusive dinner parties. I knew it.”

  “You knew what?” Denise leaned back

  “Well, I got a call from Melanie’s camp asking me about you.”

  “Why?” Denise felt on edge.

  “I don’t really know, but they wanted to know about where you were from and your basketball career.”

  “And you just gave up my info?”

  “I figured she was booking you for a job.” Mariah could feel Denise’s anger. “But then I realized that Melanie could have just called your agent. So, I knew it had to be something more. I think you might be tapped.”

  “Tapped? What the hell is that?”

  Mariah smiled. She placed her hand on Denise’s thigh. “Denise, it’s a good thing. Melanie has made a lot of stars. The last person she took under her wing is now a supermodel. You have to go to the party.”

  “What? You want to go?” Denise looked at Mariah.

  Mariah’s smile dropped. “I didn’t get invited.”

  “What? But you would be with me.”

  Mariah stood up. “You don’t understand, Denise. When I say exclusive, I mean exclusive. Only the person whose name is on the invitation comes to this. And those names don’t usually include my kind. But you need to go.”

  Denise stared at Mariah, who picked up her shoes and headed to the bedroom. Denise stood up and followed.

  “So you are saying that I can’t take you because you’re white?”

  “A white, bisexual agent. Not what Melanie is known for.”

  “That’s some bullshit, Mariah, and you know it.” Denise sat on the edge of the bed while Mariah pulled off her work clothes.

  “Don’t look at it like that. It’s just that Melanie is all about empowering black gays and lesbians in the industry. It really is a big honor to even attend.”

  “Well, I don’t see it like that. I’m not going to go.”

  Mariah’s head jerked around toward Denise. Her serious face was on. “Denise, look, if Melanie has taken an interest in you, you would be a fool not to go. Melanie can open a lot of doors for you, but she can also close a lot of them as well.”

  “So, if I don’t go she’ll blackball me? She doesn’t seem too great.”

  “I’m not saying that, but I am saying that she is a very powerful person who knows very powerful people. Maybe even people who can get you back into the league sooner rather than later.”

  Denise’s heart skipped a beat. The thought of playing basketball excited her. “You really think that could happen?”

  “I can’t say for sure, but if there is a person who might be able to help, it would be her.” Mariah looked at Denise. She knew Denise’s mind was racing. “What do you have to lose?”

  28

  Lena nervously looked around Terrin’s apartment, staring at items as though it was her first time seeing them. Her hands were trembling. She shook them, trying to shake off her nerves. It was like it was her first time.

  Terrin looked around her room. She lit every candle, giving the room a soft incandescence. The jasmine-scented candles permeated the room with an intoxicating fragrance. Terrin gave the room one more look over. She wanted things to be perfect.

  Lena sat on the couch. She took a deep breath. She knew she had to get a grip. She laughed to herself; she didn’t know why she was so nervous. It wasn’t her first time at bat. Her mind drifted to Denise and the first time they made love. She was nervous, but more anxious than anything. This was different. Lena’s heart was racing, and her palms were beginning to sweat.

  Terrin peeked around the corner. She watched as Lena rocked back and forth on the couch. She smiled; Lena looked so innocent, and so beautiful to her.

  “We don’t have to do this.” Terrin walked into the room, startling Lena.

  “Oh, I’m good. I just—”

  “You are just a nervous wreck.” Terrin giggled. “Lena, we don’t have to do anything if you aren’t ready. I don’t want to make you feel uncomfortable.”

  Lena’s body began to relax. She sighed. “I’m sorry. I feel like a baby.”

  “Nah, it’s not like that. You’ve only been with one woman. It’s only natural to be a little nervous.”

  Lena walked over to Terrin. Terrin wrapped her arms around Lena’s shoulders. Terrin’s lips slowly planted a kiss on the top of her forehead. The last of Lena’s nervousness dissipated.

  “Can we just go to bed, and if the mood comes, then we explore from there?” Lena’s big brown eyes brought heat to Terrin’s body.

  “That sounds great to me.” Terrin smiled, hoping Lena couldn’t see the longing in her eyes.

  Lena’s mouth dropped as she walked into the room. She looked at Terrin, who just smirked as she walked over to a set of candles and began blowing them out.

  “I feel really bad now.”

  “Don’t.” Terrin blew the last of the candles out. “They are a fire hazard anyway.”

  “Do you have a shirt I can put on?” Lena pulled her shoes off. The cold hardwood chilled her body, causing her nipples to perk up.

  Terrin tried to not notice them. She threw a white tee at Lena. Lena walked into the bathroom.

  Get a grip, Terrin said to herself as she pulled her clothes off. She pulled her pajama bottoms up and got into the bed.

  She listened as water ran in her bathroom. She wanted to enter. She wanted to see how Lena’s body looked naked. Terrin never wanted to see a girl naked so badly before. Terrin’s mind raced. She couldn’t figure out what it was, but Lena had a hold on her unlike any girl before her.

  Terrin’s phone began to blare. She silenced the ringtone and ran out the room.

  “You have some fucked up timing, you know that?” Terrin whispered as she headed to the kitchen.

  “Shit.” Cat inhaled from her rolled up cigar. She exhaled slowly, allowing the thick weed smoke to cloud her car. “My bad, dude. I just wanted to check on yo ass. You fuckin’?” Cat smiled causing her already tight eyes to slant even more.

  “Would I have answered the phone if I was?” Terrin took a sip out of her bottle of water.

  “You already hit?”

  “Naah.”

  “Why not?”

  “I don’t think she’s ready. She seems really nervous, and I’m not trying to rush her.”

  “Whhhuuutttt! Oh
snap, you really feeling cutie, huh?” Cat grinned.

  Terrin’s face lit up. “I can’t lie. It’s something about her. I think she could be the one.”

  “T.”

  Terrin turned at the sound of Lena’s sexy voice calling her name.

  “I gotta go,” Terrin whispered. She hung the phone up before Cat could say good-bye. Terrin took another gulp of the cold water before heading to the back.

  Lena turned to the door when Terrin walked in. Terrin did a double take. Lena stood at the side of the bed, her perfectly manicured feet on the cold floor and Terrin’s shirt hanging just low enough to cover the places Terrin wanted to see more than anywhere else.

  “I don’t think my shirt has ever looked that damn good.” Terrin walked farther into the room. She fought to maintain her composure.

  “You are so silly.” Lena blushed.

  Terrin pulled the covers back on the bed. The last thing she wanted to do was sleep.

  Lena could see the lust in Terrin’s eyes. She wanted to take the step, but something was holding her back. Her mind drifted to Denise.

  “Well, I guess we should get in bed now. I can turn on a movie if... .”

  “Terrin ...” Terrin’s eyes focused on Lena’s. Lena’s big brown eyes gazed into Terrin’s. The sullen look worried Terrin. “I’m really sorry about everything, the fact that I’m so ...”

  “Lena, don’t.” Terrin quickly walked around to the other side of her bed. Lena’s perfume lingered on her body. “You don’t need to apologize for anything.” Terrin placed her hands on both sides of Lena’s face.

  Lena looked at Terrin like a scared puppy dog.

  “I know this is a big step for you, and I know you aren’t over your feelings for ... her ...” The thought of Denise didn’t sit well with Terrin. “I am just happy that you are here with me and that you are allowing me to be here for you.”

  Lena’s eyes began to water. “I don’t know what is wrong with me. Denise has a new girlfriend. I shouldn’t care this much. I shouldn’t let her affect me like this.”

  “Hey, you are completely justified in the way you feel. Honestly, Lena, she’s the fool. ’Cause I find it hard to believe that there is another woman in this world that could compare to you.”

  Terrin wiped the tears that flowed down Lena’s face. Lena felt a sense of relief. She felt safe with Terrin, like nothing bad would happen as long as she was in her arms.

  Yet her mind still drifted to Denise. Images of Denise sexing another woman flooded her mind. She could see the woman’s body, her chocolate skin against Denise’s flesh. She could hear her moaning the way Denise had made hermoan.

  Lena shook her head. She looked at Terrin, whose eyes hadn’t left her.

  “Terrin.”

  “Lena.”

  Their eyes completely focused on each other, their hearts beating rapidly and in sync.

  “Take me.”

  There were no more words. Terrin’s hand pulled Lena’s face in close to hers. Their mouths met, immediately embraced in a sensual kiss. Lena’s tongue invaded Terrin’s mouth. Terrin greeted it with a slow suck, their tongues dancing.

  Lena moved backward. Terrin wrapped her arm around her and pulled her into her arms with ease. Slowly, Terrin slowly lowered Lena onto her bed. The sexual beast inside of Terrin was roaring to get out.

  Lena closed her eyes as her head hit the soft pillow. She didn’t want to think about anything. The only thing she wanted to feel was pleasure. She felt her leg being lifted. She could feel the cool, wet tip of Terrin’s tongue making its way up her thigh. Lena bit her lip in anticipation as Terrin’s fingers gripped her thong, slowly pulling it off.

  “Mmmm-hmmmm.” Terrin murmured as her eyes finally set on Lena’s completely naked body. It was better than she expected. There wasn’t a blemish in sight, no unsightly marks or hairs.

  Terrin ran her index finger down the very small landing strip on Lena’s womanhood. Her pussy was so smooth, Terrin knew it had to be a wax job because no razor could do it. She smirked. Lena made her mouth water. She had to have her.

  Lena was pleasantly impressed as Terrin expertly worked her tongue inside of her. Her body writhed with the teasing pleasure. Where Denise took her time, Terrin dove head first into her. Lena found herself loving the aggression. Denise was always so afraid of hurting Lena that she was overly cautious. Terrin went in confident that she would please her, and it showed.

  Terrin pulled on the clit with her lips as her broad tongue licked the full length of Lena’s pussy, lips, and clit, extending it as she pulled and sucked with her mouth.

  Lena moaned.

  Terrin captured the head of the clit and teased its most sensitive spot. Lena felt her body jerk and Terrin took her cue.

  Lena’s body shook as the woman skillfully teased the tiny spot with barely the tip of her tongue. Lena wanted to escape as she felt the jolts shock her convulsing muscles.

  Terrin held her tightly and pulled her closer; her mouth and tongue anchored on the tiny knot and danced around it.

  Lena twisted to escape, her body bouncing along the mattress. Her moans caught in her throat. There was no escape. Terrin held her firmly in her mouth’s grasp.

  Lena’s body continued to tremble. Shades of red danced in her head as the intensity of her orgasm grew closer. The lovemaking shook her to her core. No one had ever loved her this way. It was as though Terrin had been given a map of all of her pleasure spots and memorized each one. She deftly moved between the hard, swollen button of a clit and the cavernous, quickly flooding pussy.

  Each stroke took Lena closer to her ultimate destination and farther away from her former loves. Brandon had long ago disappeared. Denise’s face lingering in the recesses of her mind was quickly fading with each masterful stroke of Terrin’s probing tongue.

  Terrin wrapped her arms around Lena’s ass. She devoured Lena, sucking the hot wetness that poured from within her. She let the taste linger momentarily on her lips. She wanted to savor every sweet drop.

  Terrin slowed down long enough to spread the lips in front of her. The skin glistened in the soft moonlight filtering in through the high windows. She wanted to slow down, take in every moment, but she couldn’t get enough.

  Terrin was convinced. Lena’s sweetness was her crack. She wanted to live inside of Lena, bury her entire head within the folds of those lips, feel the round soft curves of her walls close in on her, and drown her with her pleasure. Whether it was the saltiness of her sweaty skin, or the sweetness of the nectar pouring from her flower, Terrin had to have it.

  She pressed her face into the heat of Lena’s pussy and thrust her tongue deep inside.

  Lena bit her lip. The explosion was present. Her legs bucked.

  Terrin held on, wanting to capture it all.

  Lena moaned, grabbing Terrin’s shoulders. Her back arched as she exploded. All of her hurt, anger and passion flooded out with her orgasm, like a broken dam.

  Terrin moaned as Lena’s sweetness hit her tongue and filled her mouth. It was better than any piece of candy. Lena panted. Her chest rose and fell. Terrin looked up at Lena. Even covered in sweat she was the most beautiful girl she had ever seen.

  Terrin rolled over to her side of the bed and wrapped her arm around Lena. They spooned and hugged close. Terrin wanted to say something, but her instincts told her to remain quiet. She held Lena, sealing the night with a kiss on the back of Lena’s neck.

  Lena knew she had to do something. She squeezed Terrin’s hand and pulled her as close as she could, her ass pressed against Terrin’s boxers.

  Terrin knew what the gesture meant. She knew she had made Lena happy. That’s all she wanted to do.

  They fell asleep, both silent, both satisfied.

  29

  The large church was filled with the celebrity community. Almost everyone was dressed in black. Cooley tried to hold back tears under her dark shades. She stood in the line, heart beating harder with each step closer to the casket.

/>   Big Ron sprung for Sonic’s funeral. Cooley thought about her friend. She had died in a roach-infested hotel room. The rapper who once ruled the female rap game lay dead from an overdose, broke and alone. Guilt took over Cooley’s body. She felt her knees buckle.

  Sahara placed her hand on Cooley’s shoulder. Cooley looked at Sahara’s beautiful face. Her hair was pulled back in a bun. Sahara’s black Armani suit made her appear regal to Cooley. She loved the toned-down look more than Sahara’s normal sexy attire.

  “I don’t know if I can do this,” Cooley’s voice cracked.

  “It’s OK, sweetie. Just take your time,” Sahara said as they drew closer to the casket.

  The scent of the hundreds of flowers entered their noises. Large flower sprays covered in roses, gladiolas, and other flowers covered the front. It was beautiful; Cooley hoped Sonic was happy with the funeral and turn-out.

  Cooley took a deep breath. One foot at a time, they walked up to the bronze casket. Cooley pulled her shades off. Her bloodshot eyes welcomed the cool breeze. She looked at Sonic.

  Cooley’s mind drifted to the first time they met. She looked more like she did that first night at the Jam Zone party than she did the last time she saw her alive.

  “Bruh, I’m sorry,” Cooley whispered. “I, I hope you can forgive me.” Tears flowed down her face. “I”—Cooley turned her head; she walked away from the casket, unable to take anymore.

  Cooley and Sahara took a seat on the second row. Cooley lowered her head.

  James sat next to Sahara. “Wade’s having a hard time, I see,” he whispered to Sahara.

  “Yes, they were very close.” Sahara rubbed Cooley on her back.

  “Sad story, but I guess that’s what happens when you live like that.”

  Sahara wanted to slap James. She looked at his smug face. She was glad Cooley didn’t hear him, or the funeral would have been turned out.

  Cooley and Sahara listened as friends and industry associates talked about the good times they had with Sonic. Cooley laughed at some of the funny stories.

  The preacher called for anyone else who wanted to say a few words. Cooley stood up and walked to the front.