“Hell yeah. Karla had us doing inventory all morning without any breaks, so I’m staving.”
“That’s Karla. She’s a workaholic.”
“You’re not lying.”
I sat the bags on the coffee table and told Kia to take out the meals. I went into the kitchen to grab some beers from the fridge and returned back. She grabbed one, thanking me before sitting it on the table.
We got our meals together as we asked about each other’s day. This was kind of weird because I had never done that with anyone. Instead, the conversations I had with women consisted of dirty talk, moaning and one-letter words.
“So, tell me, why is there no Christmas decorations around here? You have them set-up at the club.” Kia asked.
I put down my beer and sighed. “I just haven’t had the time to.”
“Is that really the truth? Because I heard you don’t like the holidays.”
“Of course Karla opened her big mouth.”
“Maybe. But, don’t feel bad because I hate the holidays too.”
“Why?”
Kia took a deep breath. “Because my mom passed three days before Christmas during my last year of college.”
“Wow. I’m really sorry.”
Kia didn’t speak as she stared at the wall. She cleared her throat while staring at me. “I tried not to talk about it too much, but the holidays just not the same without her. That’s why Cory felt I’d changed after her death, but to a certain extent, I did. I really did stop living because she was my voice of reason. She was my best friend. I felt a part of me died when she did.”
I stared at her, seeing how vulnerable she was at that moment. I knew it was tough talking about her.
“But enough about me. What about you? Why you don’t like the holidays?”
“Do I really need to tell you?”
“You don’t have to, but I would like to have a better understanding of who you are.”
I looked down at my beer bottle, not sure if I wanted to talk about this with her, but I’d go ahead. “It’s mainly because of the person who birthed me, Melissa. She never wanted kids; instead, she wanted to pursue a music career. Since she thought my brother and I were holding her back from it, she decided to leave us and our dad on Christmas Eve to go follow her dream.
“We didn’t hear from her until a decade later when her career went nowhere and she didn’t have a place to go. My brother, Aaron, forgave her, but I didn’t, never have and never will. And that’s only because she keeps doing her disappearing act when either an opportunity comes along or when she’s bored.”
I glanced at Kia, who gave a sympathetic look. I sighed.
“I don’t need your sympathy.”
“I wasn’t giving any to you; it’s just sad that you can’t forgive your mom.”
“Seriously, Kia…”
“I get it, she hurt you and you should feel some sort of way, but at least your mom is still here for you to forgive. At least she’s still here for you to see and talk to and to give a hug to. At least you can create new memories to erase the painful ones that you’re still holding on to. Because believe me, if I can have one moment with my mom again, I wouldn’t take that for granted.”
Kia tried to not cry as she got up and went to the window. I looked up to the ceiling, wondering how to break the ice after that moment. I didn’t like being sentimental and I didn’t know how to handle sad moments. Instead, I tried to block them out with doing something I loved, mainly sex. But, I knew that wasn’t happening between Kia and I. Not tonight anyway.
“I know our situations are not the same and I really do sympathize with yours, but you don’t know the hell I have went through with Melissa. That’s something I don’t try to talk about and I probably never will.”
Kia stared at me. “I was just putting my two cents in, but maybe I shouldn’t have.”
“It’s cool, Kia. I understand where you’re coming from though. But, can I ask what your mom passed from?”
“Breast cancer. She was already at stage four when the doctors discovered her cancer. She didn’t have a chance since it spread throughout her body.”
“Oh wow.”
“I just wish she was here, that’s all.”
I went closer to her, as she stared at me. I gently put my arms around her and she put her head on my chest. She closed her eyes, giving a quiet sigh and I held her tighter.
“You probably didn’t expect this, huh?”
I looked into her eyes, seeing the innocence in her. She quickly looked away and buried her face into my chest again.
“It’s okay, Kia. Besides, we have all night to do the project. So if you need to talk, cry, whatever, it’s cool.”
“Thanks.”
“I do consider us friends now.”
Kia looked up. “Really?”
“Yeah, I do.”
“We did kiss. Friends don’t kiss each other.”
“That was for a plan that failed.”
“Only because I found out about Cory’s cheating ways.”
“Maybe we need to try again with that kiss.”
Kia gave a strange look. “Why?”
“You know you want to.”
“Who said that I did?”
“You do. I can tell how you’re staring at me right now.”
“How did we even get to this topic?”
I smiled. “Just admit it, so we can start working.”
“I’m not going to because I don’t.”
I lifted up Kia’s chin to stare at her. “What are you afraid of?”
“I’m not afraid of anything.”
“Yeah, you are. Once I do kiss you, you’re not going to want to stop.”
“I will stop.”
“Put it to the test then.”
Kia sighed. “Fine, but you’re going to look pretty dumb when I do…”
I didn’t let her finish as I gently grabbed her waist and pressed my lips between hers. It felt different the second time around. If felt more sensual and exciting. Hell, it just felt fucking good.
I put my hands into her hair while my tongue caressed hers, feeling my body growing alive by every touch and kiss that Kia was giving me. Damn, I wanted her right now. We moved our way to the couch as I sat down. She straddled me, putting her weight against mine.
“I knew you weren’t going to stop.”
“Shut up,” Kia whispered.
We continued our make-out session, when Kia finally did stop. She got up, leaving me horny as hell.
“We should get started on that project. You do have a deadline to meet.”
I glanced at her, wondering what the hell she was doing. She got me all hot and bothered. Normally, I was the one doing that to a woman, not the other way around.
“We can always work on the project later.”
“You asked me to help you, so I am. You didn’t think we were going to fuck tonight, did you?”
I laughed. “Look at you with your potty mouth. And no, I didn’t think we were, but I was hoping we could get into some other type of action.”
Kia leaned against me and put her lips to my ear. “In due time, baby. In due time.”
I stared at her, speechless and she gave me a wink before going to the desk. I smiled, realizing I had finally met my match.
18.
Kia
What a night! One minute, I was crying my feelings about my mom to Cane and the next, I was tonguing him down on his couch. I wasn’t expecting that, but I wasn’t complaining about it. Not at all.
Once we were able to get ourselves together, Cane talked about the project and what he expected to find through his research. While I was looking online on my phone, I looked over to see Cane staring at me.
“What?”
“Nothing. I can’t seemed to get what just happened out of my head now.”
“We just kissed. It’s not like we had sex.”
“That’ll happen soon.”
“Aren’t you optimistic?”
“Karla did mention about the Christmas event you do at the club every year. What’s your plans for it this year?”
“That I don’t know yet, but maybe you can help me with it.”
I nodded. “I can see what I can do.”
“Now, what about your issues with Cory and Brooke?”
I looked up from my phone and gave Cane a confused look. “What about them?”
“Are you going to resolve your issues with them?”
“Why should I?”
“Because I know you’re probably going to go back to Houston for the holidays. Don’t you still talk to your dad? I’m sure you’ll run into someone there.”
I pulled down my phone. “I don’t think I’m going back to Houston. My dad will understand.”
“Have you talk to him since you been here?”
“How did you even know about my dad? Let me guess, Brooke.”
“She may have mentioned about him. But I understand your feelings since I’m not speaking to Melissa.”
“It’s not the same, Cane. I do talk to my dad; it’s just right now, I’m trying to get myself together.”
“I understand. Just when you think you figured things out, something else comes along to fuck all of that up.”
I nodded. “That’s so true.”
We worked in silence for a few minutes until Cane sighed.
“I need a break.”
“We just started.”
“That’s why we need a break.”
“Did you use your project as an excuse to have me here?”
“Not at all, but I can’t concentrate on anything while you sitting there looking all sexy.”
I blushed. “Seriously?”
“Just saying.”
“Fine, let’s take a break.”
We sat down on the couch as I stared into Cane’s beautiful eyes. “Do you like what you do? I mean, you own a club that makes pretty good money.”
“So, you wondering do I really need the job?”
“Pretty much.”
“It is my day job; I went to college to make something of myself. I never thought about owning a club until Aaron gave it to me. I just thought it was a way to pick up women.”
“Of course.”
“But, as I got more involved with it, I realized that I do love it more than being an executive. I love that I don’t have to answer to anyone and I can do whatever the hell I want.”
“Why don’t you quit?”
“Because I’m far into it. I just got this promotion, so it would be sort of shitty to just up and quit.”
“But, you’ll be more happy if you did.”
“Isn’t that the same as you being a nurse? I’m sure you still want to become one.”
“That’s not the same.”
“If you were a medical assistant for so many years, then you still want to become one. You’re just scared to.”
“I’m not scared.”
“Well I guess we have something in common with our careers.”
“Who’s to say I want to remain a bartender? I do like being one.”
“Probably so, but I believe you have a passion for helping others. That won’t change.”
I looked towards the window, thinking about the moment when I was excited about being admitted into nursing school. It was a dream come true, but it never came to pass. I figured after my mom passed that there wasn’t any point in pursing my dream. It was just going to blow up in my face.
“Let’s get our minds off of this.”
“How?”
“You’ll see.”
I gave a curious look as Cane urged me to the kitchen. I wasn’t sure what he was up to, so I didn’t know if I should go along with it.
“It’s not bad, Kia. It’s just us having a little fun. You want some fun, don’t you?”
“I did, but…”
“So, you should trust me.”
“I haven’t know you that long to trust you.”
“You’ve known me long enough. Come on.”
I was hesitant to follow him, but I figured what the hell and went to sit down on the stool in front of him. He pulled out a bottle of Tequila and smiled.
“Just so you know, you’re staying in the guest room tonight.”
“Thanks, because I’m probably going to need to if I drink this.”
He pulled out two shot glasses and sat them in front of me. “We’re about to play ‘Never Have I Ever’. You’re up for it?”
“I didn’t think we were going to get this personal.”
“It’s just a fun way for us to get to know each other. That’s all.”
“We’re not in high school, Cane.”
“You wanted to live a little, so do it. Stop living afraid, Kia.”
I grabbed the bottle of Tequila and shot glasses and went to the couch. “Let’s do this.”
“Now we’re talking.”
I put the items on the coffee table as we sat across from each other at the table. I poured the liquor into the glasses as I stared at him.
“I’ll start,” Cane said. “Never have I ever shoplifted.”
We both stared at the glasses, not even attempting to pick it up.
“Seriously?” I said.
“Why would I need to?”
“Because you seem like the type.”
“I know you wouldn’t. Goody two-shoes.”
“Whatever. Never have I ever sent a dirty pic or sexting?”
We both picked up our glasses and downed our first shots. We both smiled.
“That’s common,” Cane said.
“Of course. Never have I ever skinny dipped.”
Cane grabbed the bottle of Tequila, poured another shot and took a drink. I bit my lip as I imagined him doing so. Of course I would have dirty thoughts right now.
“Several times,” Cane admitted. “Maybe I should get you to do it one day.”
“Maybe, but not today.”
“Like I said. Goody…”
“Yeah, yeah. Let’s continue.”
After an hour of playing, I found out that Cane loved to have sex in various places and multiple positions. He had even done an amateur strip show at Harlow’s, which was a strip club downtown. All Cane learned about me was that I accidentally wore my panties inside out, tripped and fell at a Destiny’s Child concert, and drunkenly made a fool out of myself and puked outside of a child’s bar mitzvah. Not my proudest moments, but at least it made Cane laugh.
Now, the two of us were lying on the couch, drunk as hell and was nowhere done researching for Cane’s project. I think that was the furthest from our minds at that moment.
“That was fun, wasn’t it?” Cane asked.
“Yeah, too much fun. My ass is drunk now,” I said and giggled.
“So am I. And I have to work tomorrow,” Cane mumbled.
“Aww, I’m sure it’s not your first time you stumbled to work half assed.”
“Whatever.”
“But seriously, I really enjoyed this. You kind of loosened me up tonight, so thank you.”
“I can figure out some other ways to loosen you up,” Cane said. He nuzzled my neck and I sighed.
“I’m sure you can.”
“You never expected our third date to be like this, did you?”
“Third? I don’t remember us having a first date.”
“We probably didn’t, but I think it’s one. It’s something if we’re spending this much time together.”
I stared at him, wondering if this was the alcohol talking because he’s talking like he liked me.
“We are spending a lot of time together.”
“Is that a problem?”
I stared at Cane and shook my head. “Not at all.”
“I’m sensing you want me just like I want you.”
“And you figured that out after a drinking game?”
“I knew it the first moment I saw you at Hawthorne’s.”
/> I stared at him as he pulled me closer. “You sensed it too.”
“I don’t know if it’s the right time for me to getting involved with you.”
“It’s probably not, but when will it ever be? That’s why we take risks in our lives, because you never know if something doesn’t work if you don’t try.”
I glanced at him and he winked. “That’s true.”
“So, what do you say?”
I smiled. “I really don’t think we should be serious, especially since I just got out of a relationship, but maybe I do need to get that feeling of being desired again. To feel wanted and to feel excited about something. You know what I mean?”
Cane nodded. “I understand.”
“That I do need. Although I have denied it plenty of times, I do want you.”
“How bad do you want me?” Cane asked with a cocky grin.
“Can you stop with the grin? I’m trying to be serious.”
“I know.”
“But, I want you very badly, but it’ll have to come at the right moment. I’m not going to just jump into something right now. I can’t.”
“Even if you’re tempted to?” Cane asked while caressing my shoulder.
I sighed. “Even if I’m tempted.”
Cane nodded. “Okay, if that’s how you feel, then we’ll take everything slow.”
I glanced at him. “Really? You’re being serious right now?”
“I am because I know the time between us will be soon, so I’m not worried about it.”
He put me in his arms as his fingers lingered down my thigh. His fingers continued to go to my clit and he slowly began massaging me. I closed my eyes, feeling his touch against me. This was not my definition of going slow, but it felt good.
“It’ll happen between us. And when it does, I’m going to make you feel just as good as I am right now.”
His fingers found their rhythm against me as my breathing became more erratic. I leaned my head back, enjoying the sensation, wishing it was him inside of me putting my body on fire.
My body trembled as my climax was coming near. I pulled him to me, biting his lips as a wave went through me. I pulled away from him and stared into his eyes. They were full of desire, just like mines were.
“Like I said, it’s going to happen.”
He gave me another kiss and held me tight. Before I knew it, I fell into a deep sleep.
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