by Nico Jackson
Kendra bit her lower lip. “I don’t know if I’m ready for anything serious. I’m not even out of this marriage yet.”
“We can take it slow. If I press you, you tell me to back off, okay?”
“Okay.”
“Take a shower and get some sleep. You had a hard day.”
She kissed him. “You’ll let me go to sleep?”
“Eventually.”
“And if I want to go to sleep right away?”
“Then you go to sleep. It’s not like I’m gonna rape you.” Jay stood and held out his hand. “Come on.”
She took his hand and followed him into the master bedroom. He opened the closet and began to undress. Kendra sat on the bed. She watched the muscles in his back and arms as he took off his shirt and threw it into the hamper. He stepped out of his pants and put them on a hanger. He stretched and put on a pair of stretchy pajama pants.
He turned and saw her watching him. “Aren’t you supposed to be in the shower?”
She set her drink on the nightstand and pulled her shirt off. “I was admiring the view.”
Jay had a half smile.
“If you weren’t so dark,” she said, “I could see you blushing.”
“Get outta here.” He leaned over and kissed her. “Go take that shower. Get that jail funk off you.”
“I smell?”
“You’re not fresh as a damn daisy, no.”
Kendra finished undressing and put her clothes on a chair. She went into the bathroom and turned the shower on. There was a new toothbrush, toothpaste, towels, and a white terry cloth robe. She brushed her teeth and got in the shower. Her brand of body wash was on the shelf. She hoped the smell wasn’t in her hair. She wasn’t about to try to wash her hair without her own products.
She stepped out, dried herself, and pulled on the robe. She went into the bedroom. Jay was in bed watching television. One of his tee shirts was on the bed. She pulled off the robe, put on the shirt and got in. He held out his arm so she could put her head on his chest.
“That’s better,” he said. “Now you smell like you always do.”
“My soap was in the shower.”
“Yeah. I want you to be comfortable here. There’s an empty drawer in the bathroom. You bring all the stuff you need and put it there. I made room in the closet, too.”
“How did you know my brand?”
“I pay attention.”
“You said we could take our time.”
“Then don’t bring anything. You do what you want.”
“Right now, I just want to go to sleep.”
He turned the television off. “Good night.”
“Are you mad?”
“No. I’m giving you what you want. What’s the problem?”
“Nothing,” she said. “I’m good.”
3
Kendra worked her way through the spreadsheet, trying to decide how conservative she wanted to make her projections. Her new target was a vending machine route. The price seemed fair, but she looked hard at the sales numbers. If they were true, the business was making a lot of money. If they weren’t true, she could convert the money Jay had hidden into quarters and dollar bills. She looked up the prices of candy bars and recalculated. It wasn’t strip club money, but it could provide steady cash flow.
He had a strip club, laundromats, and real estate. Jay was slowly moving his money into legitimate funds, and he was happy. Kendra was a pro at laundering money, and she enjoyed it. It gave her the kind of thrill she didn't get from her normal work.
A call from the front desk interrupted her. "Kendra, your brother is here."
Kendra cursed under her breath. "I'll be right there."
Bobby was standing when she got to the lobby. She nodded at the receptionist. "Thanks." She looked at her brother. "Hey, I wasn't expecting you."
"What are you saying? You don't have time to be bothered with me?"
Kendra held her smile. "Let's go back to my office and talk." They walked in silence until she closed her office door. "What the hell are you doing here?"
"You got something I want."
"I do? What can that be?"
Bobby fell into one of the client chairs. He crossed his legs. "I know you're in the game. That's why you fucking Jaylen.”
"Who I spend my time with has nothing to do with you."
"So you admit it, huh? You not his type, sis. He's just messing around until he finds something better."
"So now I'm not enough for him? What's your problem?"
"I don't got a problem. Not any more."
Kendra sat on the edge of the desk. "Well, I'm happy for you. Why are you here?"
"I want in. I'm tired of pushing boxes around."
"You can push boxes around, or you can go back to prison. Either way, it's got nothing to do with me."
"You're fucking the boss. There's gotta be a place for me in the organization."
"There is no organization. What you're talking about is legitimate business. Something you know nothing about."
Bobby snorted. "You're the one that don't know nothing. You think you so smart. Just 'cause you got all those honor grades in high school and went to college. You not near as smart as you think you are, Kenny. You don't know what you doing, you don't know what you're into."
She folded her arms. "If I don't know what I'm doing, why are you here?"
"I told you, I'm tired of going to that dead ass job every day."
"And I told you, I don't care. My home was searched. Your parole officer showed up with a cop, and they tossed my house. I've gone through enough bullshit because you like to cut corners. I couldn't care less about your job problems. My life would be a lot simpler if you would just go to work and stop thinking you can beat the system."
Bobby shifted in his seat. "You ain't listening. I want in."
"No, you're not listening. The only reason you’re sitting here shooting off your mouth is because Jay is protecting you. He's the only reason you're not in the ground right now."
Bobby jumped to his feet. He pointed his finger at Kendra. "You don't get to talk to me like that! You always thought you were better than me!"
Kendra shook her head. "I never thought I was better than you. I just made better choices."
"You never had my back! You never looked out for me!"
“Now I know you're crazy. I'm not going through this with you again. You need to get out of my office, and go bother somebody else. You can miss me with your pitiful act.”
Bobby shifted from one foot to the other. “Whatever you doing with Jay, I know it's illegal. You always played like you were a good girl, but you really like getting dirty. I want my cut, Kenny. I want what's coming to me.”
"If you really got what was coming to you, you'd be dead by now. I don't know what made you come up with that crack-head idea of robbing the trap house. There are people who would see you dead, and you got the nerve to be in my office acting like lost your damn mind. You need to get out of here and leave me alone. I'm not interested in what you think you deserve, or what you want. I don’t owe you shit. You need to get your life together. Grow up, and act like a man."
Bobby thumped his chest. "I am a man! You always treat me like I'm a baby!"
Kendra studied her brother’s face. His eyes were wild and red, like he had been crying. His nose was running. “I wouldn't treat you like a baby if you didn't act like one. Are you using again?”
Bobby wiped his nose with the back of his hand. “No! It’s me or him. You gotta choose. What’s it gonna be? The nigga you hardly know or your flesh and blood?”
“I don’t have to choose anything. You should be more careful. There are a lot of people who want you dead. You need to come down off of whatever you took and get out of here. I don't have time for this.”
Bobby turned towards the door, then whirled around. "This ain't over, Kenny. This ain't hardly over." He stomped out the door.
Kendra got up and closed the door behind him. She sat at her desk and put her hea
d in her hands. Bobby had always been a spoiled brat, but this was getting out of hand. She picked up her cell phone and hit Jay's number.
"Hey, beautiful. What's going on?"
"I want to talk to you about something," she said. "I need to see you."
"Of course. Come on over. What do you want for dinner?"
"It doesn't matter. I should be there in about an hour."
"I'll be here."
Kendra listened to Jay's slow and steady breathing for any sign that he was awake. She tried to slide out of his arms without waking him.
"Hey, you okay?"
Kendra's breath caught in her throat as Jay's warm arm slid around her waist and pulled her back to him. "I'm fine. I've got an early meeting."
He turned to look at the clock and back at her. He caught her gently by the chin and pulled her face back towards his. "You don't have a meeting at four in the morning. You were making a run for it. You've been leaving before I wake up. You feeling guilty about Isaac?"
The concern in his voice caught her off guard. She could barely see his face in the soft light from the bathroom. He wasn’t the boy she remembered. He had a soft, sensual energy that she found irresistible. But it was the way he treated her that cut her to the core. The way he genuinely tried to understand her. He listened, and he remembered what pleased her. After months of neglect with Isaac, it was overwhelming.
She shook her head. "No, Jay. I never think about Isaac when I'm with you."
He considered this for a moment. His gaze met hers and he seemed to look for something. He nodded. His hand moved down and Kendra's breath caught in her throat. He still clasped her chin in his other hand, and he made sure that her eyes stayed on him. When she gasped, a small smile appeared on his lips and she felt the hand go lower.
The heat of it dipped briefly below her waist. She felt his fingers trace her belly button. It sent a sudden jolt to her core. She was already wet again. She felt her thighs tremble as she anticipated the touch of his hand between them.
Instead, the sensation leapt up her body and Jay grasped her breasts. He grinned when she moaned. His fingers closed around her already hard nipple. Kendra shivered as he teased them with at turns a light and firm pressure. His hand lazily alternated between the two until the growing need at her center became almost unbearable. She met his gaze again with a pleading look. "Jay..."
"Oh? You need something from me?" His voice was low and playful. "I thought you had to leave. Changed your mind?"
Kendra bit her lip as she shook her head. She pulled back the sheet and parted her legs so he could tell how much she wanted to stay. She was practically glistening and the scent of her arousal filled the air.
Jay tried to keep his cool but she caught the way his Adam's apple bobbed and the way his eyes darted down and swiftly up again.
"You're not playing fair, baby." Jay groaned.
"Neither are you." Kendra smile and ran her hands down Jay's chest and lower. Her fingers drifted down until she gripped him. He was already hard. His erection throbbed hot and heavy against her fingers. She grasped it and stroked him. She felt his whole body stiffen and go very still.
He closed his eyes. "Shit."
She played with him slowly and tortuously. His hand moved from her chin to cradle her head and he pressed his forehead against hers. Kendra felt the air between them change. His hand left her breast and slipped down between her legs. He lost himself in pleasure but the further and further he fell into it, the closer he held her to him. The searing heat of his erection pressed against her thighs, inches away from her tingling sex.
She rained kisses on his face and neck. Right away, he rose and caught her mouth in his own. They collapsed back into the bed. He pinned her arms to the bed and his mouth traveled from her lips to her neck. He sucked on her nipples and she writhed against the electric touch of his tongue.
He kept her pressed against the bed as the hot, wet line of his mouth drifted down her belly and finally lower.
Kendra cried out when she felt his tongue meet her sex. He draped her legs over his shoulders so he had complete access to her. She moaned as she felt the slow, delicious caress of her tongue as he ran it over her labia, darted into her depths and finally flick a mischievous touch over her bud. He was slow and deliberate. She rocked and thrust her hips towards him as she chased the irresistible feel of him. She felt his teeth brush against the softest parts of her skin as he smiled.
He slid one finger into her and fingered her slowly as he lapped on her more urgently. Kendra moaned and writhed. She mumbled under her breath as she felt her body rushing to its peak. "Jay, Jay..."
"Yeah, say my name just like that." He murmured as he propped himself on one elbow. He continued to play with her, pumping his fingers faster and faster as he licked the last traces of her off his lips. His gaze was hooded as he took the sight of her in. "You are so beautiful."
Kendra could not stand it. She tried to draw him closer with her legs. "I want you inside me."
He laughed softly and leaned in for another passionate kiss. Then he caught her easily around the waist and flipped her over so that his erection pressed firmly into the cleft of her ass. He teased her bud, circled it, parted her lips and fingered her lightly.
"Jay, please."
He kissed the base of her neck and then trailed nips up its length until he slowly kissed her ear. "Tell me. What do you want?"
"I want you inside me."
"Say it again."
"I want--" She gasped as he slammed into her. The tenderness was gone. He stroked her hard, and she felt herself going toward the edge. Her orgasm was so hard and long that her legs trembled. She cried out and heard Jay groan. He pulled out and flopped onto his back. She rested on her elbows and looked at him.
He tried to catch his breath. "Come here."
She moved until her head was on his chest.
"Don't run from me. I'm not gonna hurt you. Do you hear me?"
She nodded. "I hear you."
"You need to get that divorce. You can't be mine as long as you're married to him."
She didn't respond.
He kissed her forehead. “I mean it. You are mine. I am yours, as long as you’re willing.”
4
Bobby walked into the strip club like he owned it. The creases in his jeans were so sharp they could cut bread, and he had saved for month to buy the blue shirt. He found a table near the stage and sat down. He took a deep breath. He liked the way it smelled. Booze, cigars and sex. Nothing wrong with any of those.
A server came over to him and smiled. She was short, and built thick, just the way he liked his women.”Can I help you? You want something to drink? Or do you want something else?"
Bobby smirked and stroked his chin. "I want some Hennessy. Bring me a bottle."
The woman returned a few minutes later with the cognac. She opened the bottle and poured a glass. She handed it to him and smiled. "Do you want any more glasses? Is someone joining you?"
Bobby patted the seat next to him and licked his lips. “I want you to join me."
"I'm sorry sir, I'm still on shift. Maybe I can send someone over to keep you company."
Bobby took a sip of the cognac. "You don't know who I am, do you?"
The girl shook her head. "I'm sorry, I don't."
"I know the owner. I'm a friend of Jay's."
The girl scrunched up her face. "I don't know who Jay is. I'm going to have to cash you out.” she said. "Just so you know."
Bobby nodded and waved his hand, dismissing her.
"I'll check on you later. You might want something to eat."
Bobby turned his attention to the woman on stage. She was sliding up and down the pole and humping it like she was a porn star. He gulped down the drink, then poured himself another. He was halfway through the bottle in a few minutes. He didn't see the server call the manager over, and he didn't see the bouncer until the man was next to him.
Bobby looked up and gave him a wobbly grin. "
What's up, my man? You come over here to tell me how ugly you are?"
Tiny clenched his jaw. He was used to drunks calling him ugly. “We're going to need you to cash out now."
"What's the matter? My money don't spend here? I was telling that bitch over there, I know the owner."
The bouncer frowned. "I don't even know the owner, and I work here. We are not up for this bullshit. You need to pay your tab and get out. You won't be served anything else."
"I told you, I know Jay. He's fucking my sister. He's almost like family, you know?"
The bouncer held out his hand. "Cash or credit card?"
"How much is it?"
"Three hundred. Three sixty when you tip your server."
Bobby stood. "I ain't payin' for this shit! This is robbery! You can't charge me! I can get this at the party store for thirty bucks."
"You're not at the party store," the bouncer said. He nodded to someone behind Bobby, and before Bobby could react he was being dragged out by the bouncer and his unseen partner.
"Jay owes me! He thinks he can fuck my sister for free?"
Bobby struggled against the two men, but he couldn't make any headway. They were too big, too strong and too experienced. They dragged him out of the strip club and tossed them out the door. Bobby turned around and rushed at them. The ugly bouncer punched him so hard he went down on his back. He staggered to his feet, and waited in. The bouncer hit him again, and he went down and stayed down.
The second bouncer look down to Bobby. "Looks like he's out. We calling the cops?"
"No, let him sleep it off." He reached down and searched Bobby's pockets. He pulled out the valet ticket, and gave it to the valet attendant. "Dre, pull this one around back. We’ll meet you there."
The two bouncers scooped Bobby up and dragged him to the back of the club. They put him in the back seat of his car and went back into the club.
A few minutes later, a white van pulled up. Two men pulled Bobby out of his car and threw him into the back.
When Bobby woke up, he was handcuffed to a table. He pulled on the chain, but it didn't budge. His head throbbed. He rested his head on his forearm. The door opened, and he jerked up. That made the pounding worse. A tall Hispanic man looked down at him.