Contentment washed over her, and she felt that her life had new meaning. Even though she would have to live her life impersonating someone else, at least she was getting the opportunity to be alive again.
Of course she’d have to make some changes to Imani’s life. Her fingers flitted to her hair and she winced when she felt the texture. Straightening her hair would be at the top of her to-do list. There was no way she could deal with unmanageable hair that she had no idea how to style or maintain.
Twenty minutes later the timer rang and Mila took the pizza out of the oven. She would have preferred pepperoni but until she got a chance to shop for the kind of pizza she preferred as well as stocking the fridge with all of her other favorite foods, the spinach and mushroom pizza would have to do.
After she finished eating the pizza and after having ice cream for dessert, she took a long, luxurious shower and then put on a red satin and lace nightie that she selected from Imani’s lingerie drawer. She spritzed herself with Imani’s perfume and then climbed back into bed and snuggled close to Logan.
Her hand went straight to his manhood and rubbed and caressed until it stirred to life. When Logan’s eyes fluttered open, she smiled at him and said, “It’s not morning yet, but I’m ready for round two…what about you?”
“I’m always ready,” he agreed in a sleepy tone of voice. “But you mean round three, don’t you?”
“Oh, yeah. That’s right—round three,” she said, frowning when she recalled that Imani had enjoyed Logan’s body before she had.
Logan gently pulled her on top of him. “Ride me, baby,” he said in a husky voice.
She eagerly climbed on top of him and when she inserted his thickness inside of her, she let out a cry of passion. In that moment of utter bliss she vowed to herself that she’d never relinquish control of Imani’s body—not even long enough for Imani to go to her nursing job. Mila intended to start looking for another job as soon as possible, and if she didn’t make enough to cover Imani’s monthly bills, she could always move in with Logan. Speeding things up in the relationship might not sit well with Imani, but was perfect for Mila.
As Logan stroked in and out of her, Mila possessively tightened her muscles around his length.
You’re mine, Logan, and I’m yours. You have to forget about Imani because I’m not going anywhere.
CHAPTER 13
Imani fought to open her eyes, but she couldn’t. It was as if an invisible force was trying to pull her back to sleep. After a few moments of struggling, she awakened with a gasp. Her head was pounding, as if she’d been hit over the head with a heavy object. For some reason she felt dizzy and disoriented. In fact, the room seemed to be spinning around as if she’d had too much to drink. She thought back to last night and remembered having only a glass of wine at dinner.
What’s wrong with me, she wondered and she grasped her head, trying to make the spinning stop. She flinched when she suddenly became aware of Logan who was sprawled out next to her. From her peripheral vision she tried to spy on him and enjoy the attractiveness of his long limbs and muscular arms without him knowing that she was looking, but the room was spinning so fast she had to squeeze her eyes closed in the midst of appreciating his physical appearance.
She cracked her eyes open and noticed that she was wearing red lingerie, which was a shock to her because she couldn’t recall putting it on. She searched her mind and although she clearly remembered dinner and most definitely remembered making love with Logan, she had no memory of changing into the flimsy lingerie.
This is so weird, why can’t I remember?
Finally, the room stopped spinning and she sat up and looked over at the dresser on the far side of the room, trying to make herself remember going through the top drawer and selecting the red lingerie. But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t pull up the memory.
Feeling thirsty, she threw the covers off and moved to the edge of the bed.
“Where’re you going,” Logan asked sleepily. “I didn’t forget about round four,” he said with a hoarse chuckle. “I just need a little more sleep. Okay, baby?”
“Okay,” she muttered confusedly and then patted his arm and rose from the bed.
Round four? What was he referring to? Surely he wasn’t talking about a fourth round of sex. Sure, she had been experiencing a sex drought but three times in the same night seemed over the top. It was good to know that he had the stamina to make love over and over, but it would have been nice if she could remember.
Concerned about her memory loss, Imani threw on a robe and trudged to the kitchen. Maybe a cold drink of water would clear the cobwebs from her brain.
She gasped aloud when she stepped inside the kitchen. The room was in shambles. There was a half-eaten bag of microwave popcorn with some of the contents spilling out onto the kitchen counter. Next to the popcorn were several Oreo’s on a saucer that had been pulled apart and only the creamy centers had been eaten. In the middle of the kitchen, on top of the granite island was a plate that contained a partially eaten cheeseburger, remnants of pizza crust, bits of spinach and mushroom, and an empty Pom bottle was placed next to the plate.
Puzzled, her eyes roved around the kitchen and landed on the stove. She flinched at the sight of a cookie sheet that contained two congealed slices of pizza.
What the hell is going on? Imani absolutely never left her kitchen in such a state of disarray. Furthermore, she didn’t slice open Oreo’s; she bit into the cookie, enjoying the chocolate outside along with the icing on the inside. The only plausible explanation for the mess was that Logan had gotten hungry during the night.
He could have at least cleaned up behind himself, she thought and then smiled in amusement. She really didn’t mind cleaning up behind Logan, she decided as she began to clean up the mess. Hell, after the sweet love they’d made last night she was willing to start doing his laundry as well as cook his meals.
Imani returned to the bedroom carrying a bottle of water for herself and a bottle for Logan. Although she padded into the room softly, the sound of her movement awakened him.
“Good morning. Brought you some water,” Imani said, setting down the water bottles on the night stand.
“Good morning, beautiful,” he said, sitting up and reaching for the water. He cracked open the lid and chugged it down. “Ah! Thanks, I needed some agua, how’d you know?”
She shrugged. “I figured that after your salty late night snacks you’d be thirsty.”
Logan’s brows scrunched together. “What do you mean? The only late night snack that I had was you. And you tasted sweet, not salty,” he said with a grin.
At the mention of their lovemaking, Imani felt her cheeks warming up and she dropped her eyes bashfully.
“Aw, you’re blushing. That’s cute, but where was that shyness last night?”
Since most of last night escaped her, all she could do was shrug. “Didn’t you make pizza, burgers, and popcorn last night?” she asked.
Logan made a puzzled expression. “No! I only left the bed once last night, and that was to go to the bathroom. But if memory serves, I remember smelling popcorn coming from the kitchen, and you weren’t in bed.”
“But…” Imani clamped her mouth shut. Anything that she said would only make her seem like a kook.
“Do you take sleeping pills?” he asked.
“Uh, why?”
“I read somewhere that sleeping pills can cause people to eat in the middle of the night—with no memory of it in the morning.”
“Well, I did take half an Ambien,” she fibbed. It was better to blame the night-binging on a pill than to admit that she’d lost a portion of her memory for no apparent reason.
Logan squinted at her suspiciously. “Don’t tell me the pill is the reason for your voracious sexual appetite, and don’t tell me that you’ve forgotten about that too.”
“How could I forget about last night,” she said in sultry tone as she slipped out of her robe and eased into bed. “I’m r
eady for round four.”
Enfolded in Logan’s arms, Imani furrowed her brows and wondered why she couldn’t remember binge-eating and could only remember having sex once last night. There had to be an explanation. Entertaining the thought that she might be losing her mind was a rabbit hole she didn’t want to go down again. She was mentally sound and refused to believe otherwise.
As Logan caressed her body and kissed her passionately, she was focused on all the things she couldn’t remember. She told herself that the first chance she got she’d do a Google search and find out if Xanax had similar side effects as Ambien. She’d also check to see if it caused sleepwalking. Although she hadn’t taken a Xanax in over a week, maybe some of the drug was still in her system.
After another toe-curling lovemaking session, Logan and Imani took a shower together. In the shower she noticed that her bottle of coconut-mint bath gel was inside the shower caddy instead of being on the side of the tub where she usually kept it. It was yet another peculiarity from last night, and she wondered if she’d actually been sleep-walking.
After the sexy shower she didn’t want Logan to leave, but he had made plans to take the little boy he mentored to a chess tournament in the park.
After he left she went online and discovered that midnight binges were not a common side effect of Xanax but some people did experience it. She also read that increased sexual appetite was a side effect. Satisfied that she had the answer to the mystery of last night, she felt like a weight had been lifted off of her.
Ten minutes after Logan left her apartment he began sending her text messages. She invited him to come back over later that evening to Netflix and chill. Under normal circumstances when she was involved in a new relationship, fear of rejection would have prevented her from taking the initiative and extending an invitation. However, with Logan, she felt comfortable enough to let her feelings show.
She had the day off and remembered that her friend, Niles was off, too. Wanting to spread some of her joy around, she texted him and asked if he’d like to join her for lunch—her treat.
Niles texted back and suggested they meet at a restaurant in his neighborhood. Imani had told him that she was paying, and she was surprised that he didn’t pick a more expensive place.
Imani and Niles arrived at the same time and took a seat in the crowded waiting area. The place had a homespun vibe and its nautical theme of sea creatures and pictures of boats looked a little dismal.
“I’m surprised how packed this place is,” Imani remarked.
“We won’t have to wait long,” Niles assured her. “I have clout with certain members of the staff,” he said with a wink.
Sure enough, they were called a few minutes later and were escorted to a table.
They sat down and Niles said, “I know the place doesn’t look like much, but the food is fantastic, which is why it’s so crowded all the time. And the eye candy here is scrumptious as well.” He nodded his head toward a dark complexioned, gorgeous young man who was busing tables nearby.
Niles gave the guy a head nod and a smile and the guy nodded his head but didn’t return Niles’s smile.
“His name is Francois,” Niles informed. “He’s from Haiti and he hasn’t been here long.”
“Ah! No wonder you picked this place. It all makes sense now,” she said, laughing.
“No, I didn’t come here just because Francois works here. The food is really good. You’ll see.”
Imani ordered clam chowder soup, a fish sandwich, fries, and lemonade.
“I’ll have fried clams as an appetizer, and then I’ll have lump crab meat over swordfish, New York Strip steak, seared scallops, a baked potato, asparagus, and a pitcher of beer,” Niles told the waiter.
“Damn, you’re greedy,” Imani teased.
“I’m a growing boy,” he responded with a smirk.
“You’re lucky I’m in a good mood or I’d make you pick up a portion of the tab.”
“Why’re you in a good mood?” He gave her a knowing smile. “Oh, don’t tell me! You finally got your back cracked! Logan got some of that tight nookie after dinner last night.”
Blushing and smiling, Imani nodded her head.
Niles leaned forward and gave her a high-five. “It’s about time. No wonder you’re sitting here glowing and carrying on. And your hair is looking extra shiny, too…” He paused and gave her a piercing look. “Let me find out your boy gave you a facial and a special deep conditioner for your hair.”
“Ew! You’re so nasty,” she squealed.
“Well, did he?”
“No! I’m not into wild sex.” She looked around at the nearby tables, and making sure no one could hear her, she spoke in a whisper. “But we had sex three times last night and once this morning.”
“Say what?”
“Can you believe it?”
“Let me get this straight. After he worked hard combing through all the cobwebs to get to your cooch, you threw your legs up in the air like you just didn’t care,” Niles teased. “Whew, chile. You are such a hypocrite.”
“How am I a hypocrite?”
“You called me greedy when I ordered my food, but your greedy behind didn’t have any problem draining that poor man of all of his strength. You took all your sexual frustration out on that man, like it’s his fault that your twat has been out of commission for almost a year.”
“It hasn’t been a year, so stop exaggerating,” she said, giggling. “Seriously, though. I’m glad I was celibate and waited for the right one. Sleeping around gets old after a while.”
Niles made a face. “It never gets old for me.”
Imani laughed. “Anyway, Logan and I are good together—in and out of bed. I can really see a future with him.”
“Oh, Lord. You done laid up with that man and now you’re dickmatized. Look, here, Imani, you’re gonna scare that good man off if you start talking about a future.”
“I know the rules, Niles. You don’t have to give me advice on what to say and what not to say. I’m confiding in you as a friend. But you’re the one that’s starting to sound like a hypocrite.”
“Moi?” Niles touched his chest in feigned indignation.
“Yes. You asked me if you could start planning my wedding before I even went out on my first date with Logan, so don’t act like you don’t see the potential for a future between Logan and me.”
Niles folded his arms. “Well, that was before you slept with him. Men change after they get the booty. In my opinion, the way he acts in the upcoming days and weeks will let you know whether or not he’s a keeper.”
“Oh, he’s a keeper,” she said confidently.
Niles smirked. “I guess you’re trying to say that you got that bomb-ass, snapping snatch?”
Imani snickered. “I’m not saying all that, but I am saying that he isn’t going anywhere. He’s into me just as much as I’m into him.”
“All right girl. You said that with so much confidence, you got me convinced. So…what do you think…a summer wedding? Or would you rather walk down the aisle in the winter or next spring?”
Imani laughed. “You’re hilarious, Niles.”
They were both having a good time, laughing and talking when the waiter brought their food. Imani sank her spoon into the bowl of soup and tasted it. “This is delicious.”
“I told you,” Niles said with a wink as he dug into the smorgasbord of food that the waiter placed before him.
Niles stopped eating and reached out and grasped Imani’s free hand and then brought it up to his lips.
“What are you doing?” she asked with a puzzled look on her face.
“I’m making Francois jealous. All it takes is a little competition to make a man act right.”
“Are you two seeing each other…or are you still in the flirting stage?”
“We’re seeing each other. Nothing official,” he said with a shrug. “We’re just fuck-buddies, I guess…but I want us to be more than that.”
There was a look of
sorrow in Niles’s eyes that touched Imani’s heart. Out of friendship and compassion, she rubbed the top of his hand soothingly. “You can’t force a relationship,” she said. “If he’s the right one, he won’t make you feel less than; he’ll make you feel like a king.”
“You’re right. He’s over there acting like he doesn’t know me very well, but tonight he’ll be knocking on my door.”
“You have to make him respect you, Niles. When he comes knocking, just don’t open the door.”
Niles frowned and gazed at Imani like she had two heads. “Don’t open the door? Girl, I’m not giving up that long, thick Haitian dick just to prove a point.”
All Imani could do was shake her head. They finished the meal and after Imani paid the check, she and Niles headed for the door.
Outside the restaurant, Niles held her hand as he walked her to her car. She assumed he was still putting on a show, just in case Francois was observing them from the window. She wished Niles was experiencing the kind of warmth and joy that she was feeling. She was happier than she’d been in a long time, and it was only a matter of time before she and Logan were both dropping the L-word.
While reflecting on her wonderful life, out of nowhere, a stray cat trotted up to Imani and began circling around her ankles. It was a filthy, feral animal with half an ear missing. It had dirty, patchy fur and an open wound on its left leg.
Imani backed away from the cat. “This poor thing must be starving. Maybe we should buy some cat food,” she suggested, looking around for a convenience store.
“Hell if I’m feeding that mangy beast,” Niles said with his face contorted in disgust. “I don’t know about you, but I’m not trying to catch a case of rabies.” He turned toward the cat and stamped his foot, trying to scare it off. “Get the hell out of here, you nasty-ass, alley cat.”
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