by Briann Danae
“Whatever. With your mean ass. The fact that you’re standing here like I ruined your life, when really it’s the other way around, is crazy. I thought we were better than that?”
Her voice quivered at the end, and she hurriedly cleared her throat. She hated how emotionless and detached Lano was. He’d always been slightly disconnected, but at a point in time, they shared a special bond. Samia badly wanted that back.
“Thankfully, you don’t get paid for that shit, huh?”
“Fuck you!” she hissed, before abruptly turning around and walking away. If she stared at him and allowed his harsh words to affect her any longer, Samia would’ve done something she’d surely regret.
“You can’t, and that’s the issue,” Lano mumbled with a shake of his head before he walked out the door.
Once in his ride and out of their high-priced ass neighborhood, Lano turned on some music. California living wasn’t the same as it was years ago. Shit was much more complicated now. He hated that he had to address Samia the way he had during their last few encounters, but baby girl wasn’t grasping them being over. Lano wasn’t sure why not, because he gave her no reason to think something would transpire between them. He just hoped Samia took the hint. Had Anika caught wind of her advances, it’d be a wrap for sure.
“Suryha, get your little behind down!” Solai hissed, stomping over to her daughter.
Being a new mommy of one, Solai wasn’t sure how the journey would be, but she sure didn’t expect for her baby girl to be climbing on everything her little arms and legs could reach. Suryha was a busybody and had she fallen off the coffee table, Solai would be a crying mess.
“Don’t be hollering at her,” Anika said as Suryha’s chunky cheeks popped into the screen. “Hi, boo!”
Suryha gave her a stank face, and Anika laughed. “Girl, she is mean mugging the hell out of me.”
“That’s because she thinks she’s grown. I blame her daddy and god daddy. Between Juvie and Sen, I don’t know how she gon’ make it,” Solai said with a shake of her head. “Anyway, girl. What you up to?”
Adjusting her MacBook on her lap, Anika glanced over at the notes she had been jotting down for the past hour or so. She was excited, yet nervous as hell about up and moving to California with Lano, but the transition wasn’t as bad as she thought it would be. Thanks to Lano’s father, DeNelo, they were housed comfortably in a four-bedroom home in Compton. Her brand-new Jag, Lano purchased for Christmas, had been delivered a few days after they touched down, and Anika was slowly learning her way around.
Lano didn’t really want her out and about with the drama he had brewing in the streets, but Anika wasn’t a stay in the house type of woman. She followed his instructions for the first few weeks, but after that, she had to step out. Being cooped up in the house with him was one thing, but Lano was always out, and Anika was bored without him.
“I’ve been looking for jobs,” she sighed heavily as if it were the worst thing in the world.
“What you sound like that for? You’re looking for one, so there has to be a reason.”
“There is. I’m tired of just sitting in the house. Lano is always gone, we hardly get out unless it’s with his people, and I just want something to do.”
Solai snickered. “A job will definitely occupy your time.”
As a physical therapist, Solai knew all about clocking in and keeping herself busy through the week. She loved being a mother and devoted girlfriend to Juvie, but she’d never quit her day job. As much time, tears, and hard work she had put into her degrees, she was showing up and on time for work every day that God allowed her to.
“Exactly,” Anika exhaled. “The thing is… I don’t know what I want to do.”
The friends shared a laugh.
“No more call centers or retail, I know that,” Solai said.
“Hell no. I’ll be in someone’s jail cell the way these customers act nowadays. It may sound crazy, but I looked up some modeling gigs.”
“Why would you sound crazy? I think you should do it. You fine as hell, girl.”
Anika flipped her hair over her shoulder and smirked. “Thanks, girl. I’m a little nervous though. I’m not skinny and petite like most models. I’m a solid size fourteen, five foot nine, with big ass titties, a fat ass, and full lips.”
“And?” Solai said. “You’re still fine as hell and just as beautiful as a skinny bitch. Don’t play with me.”
Anika chuckled but nodded her head. She’d never been the one to feel ashamed about her weight or size. She embraced her extra pounds, dangerous curves, God given plump lips, and beauty. In a city like California though, she wasn’t sure how she’d be received. That’s if she actually went through with her search.
“I’ma look more into it, but until then I’ma keep looking up these jobs. I can’t be spending all my man’s money and not bringing nothing to the table.”
“My nigga picked a good one,” Juvie said into the screen as he kissed Solai on the cheek. “What up, baby?”
“Daddy!” Suryha squealed as he picked her up.
In a trance, Solai’s eyes roamed over Juvie’s immaculate body. Shirtless with a pair of basketball shorts on that displayed the band of his Tommy boxers, Juvie stood in front of Solai looking like walking sex. He could be a model honestly. His sex appeal was out of this world, and though his dreads were gone, you couldn’t tell him he wasn’t the finest nigga to ever grace your presence. His hair had grown out some and sat atop his head in a curly manner. His luscious pink lips, bushy brows, and perfectly trimmed goatee had Solai reminiscing on the way she sat on his face earlier that morning.
“Your nigga didn’t pick anything. We were meant for one another,” Anika let be known.
Juvie chuckled. “Shit, you crazy than a mothafucka and he is too, so I guess you right.”
“I know I’m right. Let me go so I can fix dinner. I want to visit soon, most likely for Suryha’s birthday in a few months, but I’ll let you know for sure.”
“Okay, I’m sending out invitations, so I’ll mail you one,” Solai said.
“You better. Love y’all.”
“We love you too, boo. Let me know what you decide job wise.”
Anika told her she would, and they ended the call. Yawning, she stood to her feet and moseyed to the kitchen. Going from a two-bedroom condo to a four-bedroom house came with many perks — mainly a larger kitchen, which she loved. Anika loved to cook and thankfully, her man loved to eat. Lano had put on a little weight, but it seemed like it all traveled to his dick. He wasn’t a skinny nigga per se, but his frame was stocked up like he ate, slept and shit at the gym. He held weight where it mattered most; in his pants, his heart, and on his waist.
Turning on some jams, Anika swayed her body to the smooth sound of Legs by Eric Bellinger as she prepared a pot of chili. If she were back home in Kansas City, the March cold would be perfect for the meal and Anika had a taste for some. Once her pot was on low on the stove, and cornbread in the oven, she began to wash the dishes.
Walking in the house, Lano’s stomach growled at the smell of the chili invading his senses. Licking his lips, he closed the door with a lock and headed toward the kitchen. A smirk fell over his face at the sight of Anika rolling her hips. Grabbing his dick, he cleared his throat, making her jump.
“Boy,” she chuckled.
“There you go with that boy shit,” he spoke lowly, walking over to her.
Anika’s eyes lowered lustfully as she took in Lano’s frame. His six feet two stature loomed over hers. His hair was neatly braided in thick, large sized plaits, that hung to the middle of his back. His eyes were low from the pulls of the blunt he had just indulged in. She let her eyes roam his body, gaze upward at the sexy as sin tattoos decorating his neck before they landed on his face.
His warm, beige skin, light brown mysterious eyes, and wide nose had Anika open. She loved her some DeLano, and the look he was giving her let her know he felt the same.
“Hi, Papi,” s
he cooed, as he pulled her into his chest.
Kissing her lips, Anika thought he was just giving her a warm greeting, but realized he wanted much more when his long tongue invaded her mouth. Happily, she tongued him down as a firm smack to her ass made her release a moan against his lips. When her hand caressed his dick that stretched down the side of his thigh, she broke their lip-locking session.
“You missed me?”
“I always miss you. You feel how hard your dick is,” he said, tugging on the shorts she was wearing.
“I do. Can I have some?” she asked, with a smirk on her face.
“It’s yours. Take that shit.”
Gladly doing the honors, Anika yanked his joggers and boxers down, squatted between his legs and took his warm dick into her mouth. As he grew with each slurp, Lano stared down at her going to work. When she took him to the back of her throat and looked up at him, Lano shook his head and made her scoot back until the back of her head was resting against the counter.
“You gon’ let me fuck this pretty mouth of yours?” he asked, stroking her jaw as saliva dripped down her chin. Anika nodded. “Open up. Yeah…just like that. You know how I like that shit.”
Doing as she was told, Anika expanded her jaws and sucked him like he loved. Like the King he was. Nastily, she fondled with his balls making his head fall back. His low groans made her go harder.
“Fuck, Nik. Suck that shit, baby.”
When they first started dating, Lano wasn’t vocal at all during sex. But, with Anika, it was hard to keep quiet. He brought the freak up out of her, and she had unleashed the beast in him. With the back of her head placed firmly against the counter, Lano widened his stance and pumped his hips. Every time the tip of his dick poked the back of her throat, Anika got wetter. His shit tasted so good and had he not been ready to climb inside her; she would have gladly sucked the nut right up out of him.
Pulling her to her feet, Lano kissed her sloppily before forcefully turning her around. Yanking her shorts over her ass, he didn’t even bother to eat her pussy like he wanted to. Rubbing the seat of her moist panties, Lano pulled them to the side as Anika put that arch in her back that had her ample ass sitting up higher than it already did. Dipping lowly, he aligned the head of his dick with her slick center and pushed inside her.
Anika gasped and arched her back more. “Uuugh. Damn!”
Starting with slow strokes so he could fit all the way inside, Lano shook his head at how wet she was. Giving her booty a firm smack, he picked up speed. Letting his hands roam her body, he enjoyed the feel of her soft skin, the curves of her hips, and hard nipples between his fingers. Relentlessly, he pounded into her, trying to release his frustration.
Samia had pissed him smooth off, and instead of doing something reckless, Lano came home to bless his girl instead. With each stroke, his braids swung loosely, and the loud sounds of their skin clapping echoed throughout the kitchen.
“Goddamn, this pussy wet,” he groaned, pulling out, slapping his dick coated in juices against her ass. Plunging back inside, he bit his bottom lip.
“Ooh, I love this dick!”
“What chu’ say? I can’t hear you, Nik,” he said now toying with her clit.
“I love this dick!” she shouted.
“What else you love, huh? You love your man?”
Focused on throwing her ass back, Anika couldn’t even think straight let alone speak. Wrapping a hand around her neck, Lano pulled her back against his chest, still digging deep in her guts.
“Answer me, bae. You love a nigga?”
“Y-Yes! Oh, my gooosh. I love you DeLano.”
“You gon’ cum for me?” he asked huskily, before sticking his tongue in her ear.
Anika was about to pass the fuck out. The heat from the oven and stove being on plus how hot Lano had her, was sure to send her over the edge. When his hand dropped from her neck, she released a bated breath for what was next.
“Touch them fucking toes.”
Smiling, she bent over and did as she was told. The view of her round ass bouncing against him had Lano in a trance and ready to bust. Gripping her waist, he pounded into her with lethal strokes.
“Ahh, bae. I’m cumming. Shit!” Anika moaned as her orgasm washed over her.
Her pussy muscles squeezed around him, making Lano smack her ass roughly. His toes popped in the Givenchy runner tennis shoes he had on. Feeling his nut creep up, Lano pulled out and began to jack his dick. Hastily, Anika lowered to the ground and took him into her mouth.
“Damn,” he hissed lowly at the feel of her warm mouth.
Using two hands, Anika stroked his erection for less than thirty seconds when his semen began to coat her throat. Moaning, she did a little hum and made sure she had sucked him completely dry before removing her lips from his dick. Breathing hard, Lano looked down at her with even lower eyes than before and smirked.
“Was that good, Papi? With your sexy ass.”
“The fucking best, girl. You gon’ make me a bowl of chili?”
Smirking, Anika stood to her feet and licked her lips. “You know I got you. Let me go clean myself up. Watch the cornbread for me.”
As she walked away on shaky legs to their master bedroom, Lano blinked a few times trying to get back to reality. She had sucked him into another galaxy. Anika meant it when she said she had him. Her willingness to uproot and move across the damn world proved that much. Her loyalty was unconditional, and Lano hoped like a mothafucka that while they were out here nothing tarnished their relationship. After all they’d been through, he’d be damned if his dealings were the cause of them not being together. But, he could only hope because he was still needing to get at a few niggas’ heads, and wasn’t resting until he did just that.
Chapter 2
The ranting and raving Anika had heard about In-N-Out Burger from people back home had hyped the fast food place up. It was okay, but Anika would more than likely not have it again while they were in town.
“You not feeling it, huh?” Rylee, Lano’s cousin, asked with a smirk.
“It’s a’ight. Nothing to call home about.”
Rylee snickered. “Yeah. It’s cool on them drunk nights, but that’s about it for me. I just wanted you to try it. Where you trying to go next?”
The duo had been out for most of the day. Anika was glad she and Rylee clicked, especially with her not liking Lano’s other female cousin Ashley. The bitch had too much mouth for Anika’s liking, and she was Samia’s best friend. Cousin, best friend, or whoever, she could still get her ass beat. The first time she and Anika met on Christmas, Ashley let it be known that Samia and Lano used to be so in love and the two almost came to blows for her disrespect.
Rylee was different though, and Anika was trying to figure out how two women from the same family were total opposites. Rylee’s laid-back personality and her warm, welcoming demeanor to make Anika feel comfortable in another state were what made the two get along. Though she and Ashley were cousins, it’s just some shit she did and had been doing, since they were kids that rubbed Rylee the wrong way. She loved her because she was blood, but she didn’t rock with her like that.
Yawning, Anika said, “Girl, home. If I stop by one more store, I won’t be able to carry anything in.”
“You did go in. I meant to ask but didn’t want to seem nosy, but fuck it,” she laughed, making Anika chuckle.
“What you wanna know?”
“You bought hella clothes and shit like you go somewhere.”
Anika gave her the side-eye. “Girl, I go places. Just not with you. Don’t do me.”
“I’m just saying. This is the most time we’ve spent out of the house together. I was just wondering. Ain’t shit wrong with a new wardrobe, honey. Trust me. All those bags back there don’t belong just to you.”
Known to tear a mall down in one trip, it felt good to splurge a little bit. Anika had been refraining from going all out and getting a brand-new wardrobe, but with her recent interest in modeling, she
figured why not look fly. It’d been a week since she talked to Solai about looking into some modeling gigs but had yet to follow through with reaching out to any. Every time she thought of how to go about contacting one, her nerves would get the best of her.
Confidence wasn’t something Anika lacked by far, but this new journey she decided to embark upon was nerve-wracking. Being rejected was her biggest issue, and she had come to terms with that. It was a feeling she harbored ever since her father walked out on her, Aunyae, her older sister, and her mama. Then, her mother turning around and neglecting them for most of their lives didn’t make Anika’s issues any better.
It’d been a while since she felt that way, and thanks to Lano, he showed her what it was like for a real man to love her, but still. New adventures and taking risks caused her to slightly hesitate. Anika had a problem with setting high hopes for situations and being let down hard when it didn’t fall through the way she imagined it would. But, sometimes, you have to step out on faith and a prayer, and that’s what she was going to do.
“I’m thinking of… no. I’m planning to model soon,” Anika replied.
Rylee’s face lit up with excitement. “Really! That’s what’s up, Anika. Congrats, boo.”
“Thank you, girl.”
“You found an agency or you trying to be one of them Instagram models?”
The two snickered. Rylee didn’t knock the IG models who were really out there making something of themselves, but she couldn’t stand the ones who got their bodies done, added public figure to their bio and called themselves doing something. Rylee knew real-life models, who walked runways, collected checks and were really about their business outside of social media. If Anika was serious, she’d be sure to hook her up with some resources.
Anika sucked her teeth. “Girl, no. Ain’t shit wrong with them fine IG girls, but I’m trying to be more than a fine hoe on IG. Feel me?”
They laughed and slapped hands.
“Yeah, I feel you. You secured something yet?”
Anika shook her head. “Not yet. I plan to take a few pictures and upload them to my page. Nothing too serious, just enough to get some exposure I guess. I’ve been taking notes on certain hashtags, and shit like that. Hopefully, someone will hit me up before I hit them up.”