by T. L Smith
Milanka tries to overpower me and keeps on moving faster, but now I have the control, shifting her to my own will, up and down, slow and sensual. She bites my shoulder making me pause, then takes the control back straight away, up and down, fast and hard.
We both come minutes later, and the moment she does, her eyes go back to normal and she drops down and pulls away from me, turning and reaching for her clothes, then starts dressing fast.
“Milanka…”
She pauses as she puts on her shirt, then turns away quickly while finishing getting dressed.
“I’m not one of those men, Milanka.”
The words that come next shock me, as she walks out the door. “You are to me now.”
She doesn’t even slam the door. Milanka just walks out like it was nothing and I’m nothing to her.
Did I do that to us? Should I have kept us at a longer length?
I didn’t want to and still don’t, but now I’m not sure I want this side of her either. The void side, because it’s not her, it’s her mask. The second my pants are on, the door to my office flies open and my hopes vanish at the sight of Cherry standing there. She sees it in my face and I turn to walk straight back to my desk.
“What did you do?” she asks.
I know she cares but right now I don’t want to talk. “Go away, Cherry.”
“What did you do, Connick? That girl looked like she fought a battle and lost a part of herself while she was doing it.” Her words ring true because that was what had just happened. Except, I don’t think she lost a part of her, I’m pretty sure she stole a part of me.
“I don’t fucking know anymore.” My shirt is still on the floor and so is her bag. She didn’t pick it up when she left. All she took were the clothes on her back.
“Well, you better fucking work it out. Was it her mother? Was she upset about her?” Shaking my head, because I don’t really know, I stand there. “Fine. Maybe give her some time.” She walks out, slamming the door, the same way I expected Milanka to. Leaving me with questions on my mind, and wondering what the fuck I’m meant to do now.
Do I chase Milanka?
Do I leave her be?
Who the fuck knows.
Is there someone that does?
Because I want their fucking number as soon as possible.
Chapter 10
Milanka
I want to smack myself across the head then place it in an oven, turn it on, and set myself on fire. Yep, that about describes how I feel right now. His hands got the better of me, but somehow I managed to turn my feelings off and think of him as no one, even though the minute it was done I knew exactly who I’d had sex with, and it wasn’t no one, it was Connick, fucking with my emotions again.
He doesn’t do it on purpose. I guess he just can’t help it. That’s why it’s safer for me to keep distance between us. If we don’t touch, maybe we could function as adults instead of two crazed sexed-up teenagers every time we touch.
Sitting out the front of Serena’s house, I wait until it’s safe to go in. Von is still there, and I don’t want to interrupt anything that’s going on between them, so I stay in the car that’s Connick’s, with no luggage or keys to my house, the same driver who picked me up from the airport and thankfully he doesn’t ask questions as he waits up front. Everything is in the bag I left in his office. So, my only choice was to come here until I can face him again.
Checking my phone, I see Cherry has sent me an email with all the instructions of what Connick had arranged for my mother’s funeral, and going over it all, I see he did more for her than she probably deserved—flowers, a burial service, the works.
But the question is… who would attend her funeral apart from me?
Who else even knew her? I don’t even know because I have no idea who she is. The moment that thought of maybe no one knowing her leaves my mind, I think of me and my life. Then I hear a door slam, and I know that’s not me and I’m not like her. I now have a friend, and I was even willing to let someone else into my life—Connick. Even if that hasn’t worked out how I’d planned, I’ve tried. Maybe I won’t ever try again, but I did try this once.
I watch as Von gets into his truck and leaves. He doesn’t look my way and speeds out of the driveway. I thank the driver as I get out and walk to her open front door. She’s standing just inside, and I go enter and see she has a lost look on her face. She manages to fake smile when she sees me.
“Von asked me to never leave again. Seriously, doesn’t he realize it takes two to make those babies, it wasn’t all me. He can’t expect me to not want to have a life. I was only gone for the weekend. Gosh…” She walks away, and I follow her in, then she stops and turns to face me. “What did he want?”
“My mother died.”
Her hand raises to her mouth and she gasps. “I’m so sorry, Milanka.”
I shrug my shoulders, not processing it all just yet, but she doesn’t push for more.
“So, tell me, where’s your bag?”
“In his office.”
“Should I ask even why it’s in his office… and you are here?”
“I forgot it.”
She laughs before she walks to one of her kids who’s screaming—the baby.
“How did it go with Von?”
She walks back out rolling her eyes. “You’d think Von would understand what I have to deal with by now. But no, he said don’t contact him for a week. He needs a break. I laughed in his face and told him he was dreaming. I didn’t fuck myself and make these babies.” I laugh at her words and it feels good to actually laugh. “I know, right? The nerve of him.”
“I really have to get that bag. It has my house keys and wallet. What was I thinking?” I slap my forehead and try to think of another way. “Cherry,” I say in a surprised thought. I bring up his office number he used to call me on and hope it goes through to her office phone and not his. I hear her voice as soon as she picks it up.
“Cherry it’s Milanka here.”
“Hi, Milanka, you calling about your bag?”
“Yes, it has all my stuff in it.”
“Give me your address and I’ll bring it over.”
While giving her the address, I wait to say what I want to next but I don’t know how to without being obvious. So I fail and say it anyway, “Don’t bring him.”
She goes silent for a second or two and then says, “I won’t. I’ll sneak out for a coffee and bring it over.”
I thank her and hang up my cell. Serena comes back in after putting her kids down for a nap and plops down on the seat next to me.
“I don’t think I want to work at the bar much longer.”
Her eyes go wide as she stares at me. “What do you want to do?”
“Just… something different, you know? I don’t even know what, though. I’ve never really thought of what I wanted because I could never achieve it in the past. I don’t see why I can’t now though.”
“Good on you. Now you just have to figure out what that is.”
We sit and chat, talking about possibilities and the time goes fast, because, in what feels like no time, Cherry is standing at the door with my bag in her hand. She looks perfect as usual and smiles brightly when she sees me.
“He asked me to tell you to contact him… in your own time.”
Of course, he did.
She hands over my bag, and behind her I see the girl that was at the bar. She’s dressed in a short top, and her tattoos are on display.
Cherry follows my eyes and laughs. “I heard you met Harlin. Don’t worry about her, she means well… sometimes.” She laughs.
“Who is she exactly? He didn’t tell me much about her.”
I can tell she’s thinking of an answer because she pauses before she answers me, “She works for him. Well, sort of. Harlin does her own thing, but she has been a loyal friend for many years now.” I nod my head and watch as Harlin walks up to where Cherry and I are standing at the door.
“Looking good, Milanka.”
She winks at me and Cherry shakes her head.
“Nice to see you again.”
“I’m sorry about your mother, Milanka,” Cherry says, placing her hand on my shoulder.
“You want to go out? Maybe have some fun?” Harlin asks with a smirk on her face.
Cherry starts shaking her head at me slowly with her eyes wide. I look to her then to Harlin, not working out why.
“She just got back from her vacation and I’m sure she wants to relax.”
“Oh you… hush. I’m going out with some friends mud sliding. Have you been?”
“She would love to go,” Serena pipes up from behind me. I turn to face her and she ushers me out the door, kisses my cheek and shuts it after whispering, “Have fun.”
I’m a bit shocked, but I can’t hide away with her any longer.
“Umm… sure. Do I need to change?”
She laughs and takes my bag in her hand. Cherry is watching us while shaking her head. The sun is starting to set and it’s getting dark. Harlin doesn’t wait for me as she starts walking off, and I see a motorcycle I didn’t know was there parked behind Cherry’s car.
“Just be careful with that one. She’s a handful, and if you don’t want to do anything, tell her no. She isn’t that scary.” Cherry walks off leaving me to follow Harlin.
Why on earth did I agree to go with her again? I don’t even know her.
She passes me a helmet as soon as I’m near her and my bag is strapped onto the back of the bike. She looks hot, really hot, sitting on a black Harley. As soon as I’m on, I wrap my hands around her waist and she speeds off so fast that I grip onto her hips hard. I hear her laugh as she goes way too fast around the corners, and soon we’re out on the highway.
My hands start to relax and wrap around her waist. I start to look up at the twinkling stars flying past and I love it. The experience is a combination of exhilaration, fear, relaxation and pleasure. I certainly understand why she rides if this is what it feels like every time, because I want to do it. Get a bike. Feel free.
Harlin takes a left down a dirt road and the only light now is that of her bike. I wonder where she’s taking us, until we come across a large area full of cars and other bikes, and they all have their lights on pointing to a large hill. She stops, and I climb off with her following behind. So many people are here, at least twenty of them, and it instantly makes me feel nervous to be around so many people. The gathered crowd starts yelling her name as we walk up the hill. I follow closely behind her and notice they’re all men—no other women are here but Harlin and me.
“Who’s your friend, Harlin?” A man, clearly the leader of the group, stands tall watching me as we walk closer.
“A friend. Keep your fucking hands to yourself or I’ll chop the bastards off.” She turns to face me. “That’s Jason. He’s harmless unless you have fucked with him before.”
Umm… I don’t even know what to say to that. She introduces me to a few others and passes me a beer. I shake my head, and she gives me water instead. Jason stares for longer than necessary, and I realize I’ve walked in on their little meetup or group. They all know each other and seem to be friends, while I stand looking at the ground, wondering why I’m here.
Jason nods his head to me when I look up, he seems like a scary man. His eyes are hard, maybe not as hard as Connick’s, but still not someone you’d want to piss off. He’s wearing a wife beater and jeans, and there are no shoes on his feet. His beard is short and trimmed perfectly. Actually, he’s quite a good-looking man, and he’s covered in tattoos, unlike Connick who doesn’t have one on his body.
“You ready for some fun?”
Looking down the hill we’re standing on, I see that it’s all wet and basically mud. The hill is huge and has a very large drop. Now, I’m not afraid of heights, but I’m not sure about sliding down that either.
“Down that?”
She smiles and nods her head, taking off her top and shorts, all she’s left in is a bra and panties. I wait for the whistles but they don’t come. Turning around I see them watching her.
“They refrain from their wicked words when I get undressed now, due to me twisting and turning their man parts.” She winks and nods to my clothes. I shake my head because I don’t have anything on underneath. I got dressed too fast when I left Connick’s office.
“Okay, let’s do it, together?” she questions.
I nod my head and she grips my hand. I kick my shoes off and follow her, squeezing her hand harder than I should. She doesn’t say a word and sits down in the mud, I follow and can instantly feel it on my legs.
“I prefer head first, but we can slide for now… on our asses?”
Nodding, she pushes forward and I do the same. There is mud everywhere, literally everywhere, as we start to drop and slide fast. I don’t let go of her hand either, and she screams of happiness as we get closer to the bottom. Lifting our hands up in the air but still connected, I feel free, my hair is being whipped backward, and my voice is loud as I scream.
When we stop, we land in a pool of mud, and I’m instantly covered completely. The boys cheer from the top, then as we look up, they’re all coming down. Harlin gets up and starts running up the side of the hill again, and I get out, following her. We do it again, only this time I go face first, and don’t care that I look like I’ve lived in a mud pile for weeks. I’m sure this is going to take months to come out of all the crevices of my body, but it feels so good. Our third time down, we stay in the pool at the bottom, full of mud with some of the boys. Jason is one of them, though. I didn’t recognize him because he’s also covered in it.
“So, you one of Harlin’s friends?” I look to her and she smiles.
“Connick’s friend,” she says, laughing. I notice that they all glance over at me after she says that.
“Harlin doesn’t really have many friends, apart from Connick and Cherry,” he explains.
“Which is odd because he isn’t really the friendly type,” I say with a laugh. No one laughs with me. Instead they just stare.
“She’s allowed to say that. In fact, she could stab him…” she looks to me, “… and he still wouldn’t want to kill her,” she tells the guys.
“Yeah, I doubt that,” one of the guys says.
I look to Harlin, not sure what’s going on, so I crease my brows.
“We better go. Fuck!” Harlin stands waving her hands at me to get up. As I do, I see his car pulling up. He gets out and checks his watch on his wrist, then looks up the hill. I slip multiple times while trying to stand, and someone helps me by picking me up out of the pool. The moment his hands leave my body, I turn to thank him quietly, and that’s when I see Connick pulling the man by his hair out of the mud pool. He turns him and starts punching. A scream leaves my mouth and I stand there in shock.
“Now, Milanka,” Harlin says to me, handing me a helmet, her bike is right beside her. How did she get it so fast? And why is he beating on that man? No one stops him, they all just watch. I can’t stand it any longer, so I walk closer to him with the helmet in my hand and hit Connick across the head with it, making him stop. He looks up, and even though I can’t tell the color of his eyes I know they’re gray now. His face is rock-hard like it’s set in stone, and his eyebrows are pinched while his mouth is in a tight line. He gets up, wipes himself off, and takes a step toward me. I do it again, hitting him this time in the legs with the helmet. Connick stops and looks at me. I turn back to Harlin, who’s on the bike waiting for me, and climb on fast before he reaches me.
She drives off and soon we are on the open road. I tell her where to go although I am yelling, and soon we’re at the front of my house. I hop off, and she unstraps my bag, handing it to me. I’m not even sure what to say to her because was that all my fault somehow?
“Did you want to shower?” I point to my house, she nods her head and follows me up, as I fish the keys out of my bag. Switching on the lights, I find nothing has changed, but so much for me has changed.
&nbs
p; “Don’t stress over it,” Harlin says, pulling her shirt off. I don’t know how she had time to get dressed. Maybe when I was hitting Connick? She undresses until she’s completely naked in front of me, and I look away, not sure if this is just her or if she’s trying to make me uncomfortable. “He’s going to kill me, though, for taking you there. Not so much you.”
“He hit that man for helping me out of the mud,” I exclaim, with my eyes wide in horror.
She brushes it off with her hand and walks to the shower turning it on then popping her head back out.
“They will now know who you are, and they won’t touch you again.” She disappears and I hear my cell vibrating in my bag. I pull it out and notice that I have ten missed calls from Connick since I left. I throw my cell back in my bag and go to my room to find some clothes and something for Harlin, who somehow I have come to like.
“Your turn.” She walks in my room with only a towel wrapped around her, and I hand her some clothes. She lays on my bed as I walk off. I shower quickly, washing my hair and my body, and know I haven’t gotten all the mud out but don’t care. I need to sleep for like a week. She’s dressed when I come out, and my clothes look good on her. A hessian bag would probably look good on her, actually.
“Master wants my presence,” she jokes with me. “He said you haven’t been answering, so now I am off to answer for you.”
“Tell him not to come.”
“He was just here. Don’t worry, I told him to go. He’s waiting out front for me.” She walks out, waves back with her hand, and leaves me standing there, wondering what the fuck just happened.
Chapter 11
Connick
Angry, frustrated, mad, so many emotions are flying through me that I can’t work them all out, but I have to admit, most are anger-related. Harlin struts her shit out the front of Milanka’s house using the stairs and smiling as she comes down.