Consequences (10 page)

I shrugged my shoulder, struggling to keep from crying. I'd been doing a lot of that lately. “It's worse, but he's my husband and I love him. Last week I got him to agree to see the minister for marriage counseling. He seems willing to make things work, yet he refuses to admit that anything is
really
wrong with him. Tristan, I feel like I am losing my mind.”

“We can't have that,” he teased. I know he was trying to make me feel better.

“Nope, it's been long enough. Tonight I'm going to suggest that he see a therapist, because I really think he is suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. It's just hard when he's just in so much denial.”

He gave me a long, hard stare. “I really wish there was something I could do to help you out.”

“You can.” I forced a smile. “Talk about something else. How are you and you-know-who doing?”

Tristan looked more than happy to change the subject. Who could blame him? At the mention of Lorenzo his face lit up. “We're doing really good. That man practically lives at my apartment when I'm not at the station. We're talking about me opening my own boutique.”

“What?” I was still having such a hard time envisioning the two of them together.

Smiling, Tristan nodded his head. “You know I've always wanted to open my own business and with my sense of style, I really think I could make a success of it.”

I definitely had to agree. “You know how much I love going shopping with you. And you definitely know how to coordinate outfits.”

“Well, you know what they say . . .” He gave a dramatic sweep of his hand. “Every girl needs a gay man as a best friend.”

“Someone to gossip with and definitely to take along shopping,” I added with a chuckle. “I think it's a fabulous idea!”

“I know, right.” He was glowing with excitement. “Anyway, Lorenzo plans on showing me how to get my business off the ground.”

“Wow! It sounds to me like Lorenzo is really good for you. What's up with him and Tammy?” Tristan gave me one of his saucy grins and I could tell he was dying to tell me something. “What?”

He looked to his left, then right, and said, “He told her last week he wanted a divorce.”

I was floored. “What?”

Tristan nodded. “Lorenzo said sister girl went off calling him all out of his name! But that heifer refuses to leave 'cause you know it's Lorenzo's house, so he said he'll just do things the legal way.”

I shook my head. “Too much drama for me, but at least you seem happy.” I couldn't resist a smirk.

“Yeah, girl. Happier than I have felt in a long time. I really feel that Lorenzo is the one. That man makes me so happy and treats me like a queen. I've never had a man be so good to me before. Look.” He leaned closer so I could see the diamond studs in his ears.

“Dang! You got it like that?” It had to be at least two carats.

His grin broadened. “I told you. What we have is special.”

“I sure hope so.” At least for Tristan's sake.

We talked a few more minutes; then I grabbed my things and hurried home to see if something special was still waiting for me at home, or if Mr. Hyde had returned.

14

Trinette

“Netta, come quick!”

I tossed aside the baby magazine I had been reading and hurried up the stairs as fast as I could manage, considering I was six months' pregnant.

“Where you at?” I called, hoping he hadn't fallen, because there was no way my big ass could help him.

“I'm back here!” he called, and I followed the direction of his voice to the bonus room. My heart was pounding and I was nervous what I might find. I turned the knob, stepped into the room, and gasped. “Surprise, baby.” Leon stepped to the side grinning ear to ear.

I couldn't believe it. What had once used to be my workout room had been transformed into a high-end nursery. The room was a soft yellow, and a blue sky and clouds covered the ceiling that looked so real it was like the room now had skylights.

“Leon, it's beautiful. How did you manage all this without me knowing?”

“Easy. I had the wallpaper man come in while you were at work. Then I hired an interior decorator to design the room.” He looked pretty pleased at himself and he had every right to be. I walked around admiring the large wooden rocker near the window; there was a tall dresser drawer, a changing table, and a large crib covered with beautiful stuffed animals. I rubbed my stomach and for a split second I wished it was Leon's baby I was carrying. It's such a damn shame. I loved Jrue and looked forward to spending my life with him, yet a part of me wanted to give Leon what he had always wanted, a son.

“This room is so beautiful.”

He grinned. “I was hoping you felt that way.”

“I do.” I leaned over and wrapped my arms around him. Leon pressed his mouth against mine. I parted my lips and allowed his tongue inside.

“I still can't believe we're having a baby.” He eased his head back, stared at me, and for a second I thought he was about to cry. He was so excited about the baby. And again I felt guilty, because all my husband had ever wanted was a family.

“Well, it's true, sweetheart. We're finally going to have a baby. You just be ready to hire me a personal trainer when this is all over because I'll be damned if I don't get my body back.”

Chuckling, Leon drew me close. “Netta, after this you can have anything in the world you want.”

That was exactly what I liked to hear.

His lips traveled to my cheeks, then lips. “All this talk about having a baby has me horny as hell. Why don't you come over to this rocking chair and straddle your man's lap?”

The last thing I wanted was to have sex, but I know not to bite the hand that feeds me. Besides, when Leon is feeling good and happy, he is generous as hell.

He unbuckled his jeans and they dropped to the floor; then he lowered his boxers and took a seat. I removed my maternity pants doing a little striptease just the way I knew he liked it. My panties followed.

“C'mere, baby.” Grabbing my hands, Leon dragged me down on top of him. For several seconds our eyes locked while his fingers stroked my face. “You have made me the happiest man in the world. How could I be so lucky?”

I laughed. “I guess you just happened to be in the parking lot at the right time.” We had met while attending college. I was walking across the lot to class when Leon had pulled in driving a brand-new Toyota Camry. As soon as he climbed out, he had my full attention.

He groaned. “Oh, what a day that was.” I had ended up straddling his lap on the front seat the way I was doing him now.

Leon reached down between my thighs and discovered I was wet. “Leon.” I moaned his name and spread my legs, welcoming his touch. “That feels good.”

“I know something that feels better.” He lifted me up until I felt the head of his erection nudging my kitty-cat. Then with one glorious push he found his rightful place and I exhaled at the feeling of him being inside me again.

“Shit!” he hissed.

Leon drew back, then plunged, pumping his hips and had the chair rocking. I just prayed that for once he could hold on long enough for me to get mine. Eyes closed, I gyrated my hips and cried out his name, loving the way he felt, but it still wasn't enough.

“That's it, baby . . . ride your dick.”

I loved the way his erection felt sliding in and out of my wet kitty. I rode him long and hard, coming out to the tip and thrusting down onto him.

“Damn, that feels good,” he moaned, and started rocking upward, meeting me halfway. “Yeah . . . that's it . . . ride that dick,” he chanted over and over and his voice, low and aroused, had me pumping wildly over his length. I moved up and down, loving the way the head tickled my G-spot with every downward thrust. Leon reached down between us and rubbed my clit in quick little circles, matching the fast, heated rhythm of my thrusts. All conscious thoughts were erased as I was met by a wave of ecstasy. Leon started pumping hard and fast. The faster he moved within me, the more I wanted.

“You belong to me,” he whispered against my lips and my eyelids flew open. He had never said anything like that before. Claiming what was his just wasn't something Leon did, yet I found it to be the most arousing thing he had ever said.

I looked up into his eyes as his thrusts became feverish and he ground his hips into me. As the feeling of an imminent climax built, Leon held on to my waist, slamming my body down onto his penis. Within seconds my pussy clenched and after one final thrust, I screamed as an orgasm claimed me.

“God, Netta.” He kissed me, then several jerking spasms also delivered him over the edge.

My limp body collapsed against him, sending the chair rocking. I couldn't remember the last time sex had been that good between us. Maybe because I had been so busy with other things and consumed with my own life. It was something that had me wondering about all that I was planning to give up to start a new life with Jrue.

“Netta, baby, I need to talk to you about something.”

I pulled back, almost afraid to hear what he was about to say. For a moment I wondered if he knew . . .

“I need to fly to Germany for a couple of weeks.”

“What?” I said. Then my shoulders began to relax as I realized what he'd just said. “Oh.” I felt like a bubbling fool.

“We're having problems at our overseas office and I need to go down and see why they keep having the same issues.” He blew out a long, frustrated breath. “Trying to manage a team in Germany from here is a lot of hard work.”

While he rattled on explaining the issue, my mind was already planning how I was going to spend the time he was away. It meant I had more time to spend with Jrue. I was so excited I had to catch myself from smiling.

Leon gave me a doubtful look as he stroked my arm. “This really isn't a good time with the baby coming and all—”

I wasn't hearing that nonsense, so I quickly cut him off. “Sweetheart, we still have three months before this baby is due. You go handle your business.” Mentally, I was already picturing two weeks of Jrue and I holding each other.

“But I don't feel good about leaving my pregnant wife alone. I want to be there for your doctor's appointment.”

“And you will . . . when you get back. By then I'll be seeing my OB every week.”

Leon still didn't look convinced, so it was going to take a push on my part.

“I'm going to be fine. I promise if I have any issues, I'll call you.” I gave him a saucy grin.

“And I'll be on the first plane back.”

I kissed his lips, trying to reassure him. “I'll be fine. We have enough going on at work to keep me busy. Trust me, women used to have babies in the morning and be back out in the cotton field before sundown.”

I kissed him again and then gripped his length between my fingers. I was willing to do whatever it took to get my husband on that plane. That meant Jrue and I would have plenty of time to play house and plan our future together.

15

Nikki

“
Gurrl . . .
he tried to blow my back out!”

Uh-uh. There was no way I was letting Tristan take me there. I had better things to be doing with my afternoon than listen to him giving me a play-by-play of his evening with Lorenzo. “Tristan, I don't have time to be listening to your nasty ass stories.”

“You know you're lying, right?”

“No, I'm not,” I laughed. “Some of us have work to do.” I chatted a few more minutes before I finally got off the phone, shaking my head. Tristan was so in love. Every time I talked to him it made me think about when Donovan and I had first started dating and how inseparable we were. Reverend Williams had mentioned during one of our counseling sessions that we had to remember to find time for each other. Even though we were married, it didn't mean we couldn't still date, as long as it was with each other.

I yawned and stretched my arms over my head. I could always tell when I had been sitting in front of a computer for too long, because it made my shoulders hurt. I'd been going through the sales numbers all morning and was starting to see double. Glancing over at the clock, I realized it was almost lunchtime. As I rose from my chair to do a full body stretch, an idea came to mind. When was the last time I'd had lunch with my husband? Far too long as far as I was concerned.

I made sure Karen had the store under control, then hurried out to my car. The weather was beautiful for September, and I was rocking Dereon jeans and a royal blue shirt and gold pumps. I had just had my locks tightened on Saturday, so I let them hang loose around my shoulders. I climbed in my Lexus and drove over to Sweetie Pies restaurant for some of their collard greens, oxtails, and peach cobbler, then jumped on I-70.

The last few months had been good. Donovan and I had weekly counseling sessions with Reverend Williams and church every Sunday. He still refused to see a therapist, but at least at home his mood was calmer and he wasn't accusing me as much of messing around on him. Things were damn near normal and I was just grateful for that. I was no longer nervous about going home.

I couldn't believe how lucky I was to find a parking spot with as much traffic as there was on Page Street. Skillfully, I parallel parked my car a few doors down from the shop, then reached for the bag of takeout on the seat and climbed out the car. As I walked past the storefront window of the barbershop, I could hear loud talking all the way out onto the sidewalk.

“That mothafucka is full of shit!” I heard Lorenzo shout; then the room erupted with laughter. As usual, he needed to be the center of attention. If they only knew what I knew, their friendly neighborhood barber would suddenly be the talk of the area.

As soon as I swung the door open and stepped into the shop, all eyes were on me. I glanced around at all four workstations. Gabby was the only female who worked at A Cut Above the Rest, and it appeared she had already left for lunch.

“What's up, baby girl?” Lorenzo greeted with that signature grin of his. I could see why Tristan had fallen for his charm and pretty-boy looks. He was waving a pair of clippers over an older gentleman who was sitting in his chair.

“Hey, Lorenzo,” I replied, then waved at all of the others. “What are y'all in here laughing about?” I asked with false curiosity.

“Not a damn thang.” He winked. “What you got in that bag smelling all good?”

“Nothing for you.”

“Oh, why you wanna hurt a brotha like that bringing that good shit up in here! You should have brought enough for all of us,” he joked.

“Nah, Sweetie Pies is just for my sweet pie,” I chimed in.

Grinning, he shook his head. “I guess I'm gonna have to call and have my baby bring me something down here to eat,” he said with that cocky attitude of his.

I wanted so badly to ask him which “baby” he was referring to: Tammy or Tristan. Like I've said, I don't have a problem with a man being gay. What I had a problem with was a man pretending to be something he wasn't.

“Where's Donovan?”

Lorenzo tipped his head toward the back. “In his office.”

I nodded, then following a two-finger wave walked toward the rear of the building. I could feel the heat of somebody's eyes on my ass. I tell you . . . men ain't shit. Without knocking, I pushed the door open and spotted Donovan sitting behind his desk with his back toward me. I stood there for several seconds, watching him staring out the window. He looked so sad my heart hurt.

“Baby?”

Startled, his head whipped around; then his expression softened with a grin when he spotted me. “Hey, you. Whatcha doing here?”

I sashayed into his office and lowered the bag to his desk. “I thought I would bring my handsome husband some lunch,” I purred, then walked over and kissed his mouth.

“Your man loves those kinda surprises.” He brought his lips over mine again and kissed me long and deep.

“Mmmm.” I lowered onto his lap and wrapped my arms around his neck.

Donovan eased back slightly. “By the way . . . you look sexy as hell today.”

I grinned up at him. “Thank you, baby.”

In a matter of seconds my husband's hand crept inside my bra, not that I was complaining. Instead, I groaned loud and deep before my hand traveled down to his crotch that was nice and hard.

“You wanna eat lunch first or are you ready for dessert?” he asked with a dark, penetrating stare. The way he was licking his lips, I knew he wasn't talking about the peach cobbler.

“Let's eat first; then I've got the rest of the afternoon to enjoy my dessert,” I answered.

“I'm too hungry to argue.” Donovan kissed me once more, then focused his attention on lunch. “Okay, let's see what's in the bag.” He reached inside. I noticed his eyes sparkling like a little kid as he removed the Styrofoam containers. “I'm surprised you were able to get in that place. Ever since Sweetie Pies' reality series started airing on television, I heard the lines have been crazy as hell.”

I was pleased to see he was happy with my choice. We used to eat there a lot but hadn't been there in a while. “I got there early enough to beat the crowd.”

“I see.” He opened up the container and stared down at oxtails and rice. “Oh, yeah! My baby knows exactly what I like. I'm about to tear this up. Then I'm going to tear that ass up,” he added with a playful wink.

I loved when he talked dirty to me. “Then I guess we better hurry up and eat.”

I slid off his lap and took a seat on the edge of the desk and reached for my own lunch. While we ate we had small talk like normal married couples. Discussing household bills and Aiden until I remembered what we had learned in our counseling sessions that the importance of “dating” your husband was to talk about each other.

“Don . . . I was thinking . . .” I hesitated, not sure how he may react. “How about we take a trip next month? Just you and me?”

He swallowed his food, then washed it down with a gulp of orange soda. “That sounds like a good idea. Where you wanna go?”

“I was thinking maybe a cruise?”

He stared at me doubtfully. “I don't know about being confined to a ship for that long.” He looked almost frightened at the idea and that was the last thing I wanted, so I quickly suggested something else.

“Okay, then how about we just fly to Jamaica for a week?” I quickly suggested.

He chewed while he considered that option. “I like that idea.”

“You do? Oh, good!” I was so happy. Just the thought of spending a week on an island alone with my husband already had my juices going.

We were talking and laughing and having a good time, and by the time we had finished eating I had this feeling that everything really was going to be okay.

“You know you're the only woman I've ever loved, right?” He pulled me by the arm and drew me closer.

I smiled at him. “And you're the only one I've ever wanted. But since we live in the ‘Show Me' state, I think I can show you better than I can tell you.”

“Oh, really?” he laughed.

“Absolutely. Now how about my dessert?” I purred. I always did have a weakness for chocolate.

I pushed his chair back and dropped down to my knees. “Lift up,” I commanded and reached for the waistband of his jeans, signaling for him to raise his hips slightly off the seat.

“What are you doing?” he asked with a nervous laugh, although he knew damn well what was about to go down.

“Just kick back, relax, and enjoy the show.” I dragged his jeans and boxers down over his waist and my husband's beautiful penis sprung free. The second I wrapped my hand around his erection, Donovan squeezed his eyes shut and moaned.

“Daddy, what's wrong?” I asked in my baby voice.

His answer was a combination of a grunt and a moan. I chuckled quietly, then leaned forward and blew my warm breath across the tip.

“Shhhhit,”
he hissed.

I started licking, sucking, teasing, and his hips jerked off the chair. “You like that?” I asked.

“Hell yeah.”

“Did I hear you say you want me to stop?” I taunted.

“Don't you even think about it,” he said, then opened his eyes and I caught him staring at me. Donovan knows how much I like him to watch.

I pushed my hair away from my face so I wouldn't miss his expression. Lust and love were staring down at me and my nipples hardened. Damn, I loved that man! Our eyes were still locked when I lowered my mouth over his erection, taking him as deep as I could manage. I then wrapped my fingers around the base and began to stroke.

“Babe, you look sexy as hell sucking my dick,” he hissed.

“Mmmm-hmmm, I love sucking my husband's dick,” I cooed between slurps. “I love the way it tickles the back of my throat.”

Together my lips and hand worked his entire length while Donovan continued to watch me, eyes glazed and soft, low sounds coming from between his lips. He held on to my head, guiding me, and rocked his hips in rhythm with my long, deep strokes. I moved up and down, again and again, and Donovan flinched and gasped. I flicked my tongue across the head and applied pressure to the large vein right near the tip. It was my husband's sensitive spot.

“
Shhhhit
, you about to make me nut!” he warned.

His words were magic to my ears. It felt good knowing I still managed to make him come after all these years. I moved faster, trying to deep throat him, and within minutes I heard a ragged cry. Donovan came and his penis pulsed inside my mouth. I sucked vigorously and swallowed every drop.

My husband collapsed against the chair, breathing heavily. “Damn, babe.”

I giggled. “I take it you enjoyed dessert.”

He looked down at me with half-lidded eyes. “That's my favorite.”

We were smiling at each other when I heard a commotion up front that caused my brow to bunch.

“Where the hell is he?” shouted a familiar voice. Next thing I knew the door to Donovan's office flew open and he jerked upright on the chair.

“What the fuck?” He gently pushed my lips from around his dick and fumbled to zip his pants. I was already trying to come from up under the desk to find out who had the balls to come barging into my husband's office like they owned the damn place. “Yo, what the fuck you doing barging into my office?” Donovan demanded to know. As soon as his zipper was in place, he slid his chair back and rose.

“Where the hell is my husband?”

I scrambled from under the desk and looked over the top and found Lorenzo's wife, Tammy, standing in the middle of the floor with a hand at her plump waist. The second she spotted me, she dropped her hand, rolled her eyes, and walked around in a circle like she was trying to calm her nerves.

“Tammy, look . . . Lorenzo must have gone to get something to eat. He'll be back shortly, but don't come barging in my office like that again.”

“Uh-huh,” she said to Donovan, but she was looking straight at me. “Let me guess. Nikki, you knew all along, didn't you?”

I glanced nervously at Donovan, then back at her. “What are you talking about?” I had a pretty good idea what she was hinting at, but when it comes to an angry wife, the best thing to do was play dumb.

She started charging me, temper flaring. “You know damn well what I'm talking about. That my husband's been fucking that bitch!” she screamed and slammed her hand on the desk. I flinched.

Clearly confused, Donovan looked from me to her. “Tammy, you need to calm the fuck down. Baby, what the hell is she trippin' about?”

I wanted to snatch Tammy by her neck and shut her up. Instead, I shrugged and faked ignorance. “I'm not sure,” I replied.

“Uh-uh. I can't believe you gonna stand there and act like you don't know what the fuck's going on!” Her head was swiveling around on her neck. “Donovan, your wife knows damn well what I'm talking about! Her bestie has been fucking my husband,” she said bluntly.

“Besties?” He turned and faced me. “Trinette's messing with Lorenzo?”

I laughed, trying to stall as long as possible. “Baby, don't be ridiculous. She's all the way in Richmond.”

“No, he's fucking her bestie . . . Tristan.”

“He's what!” Donovan shouted. Then he went from looking confused to amused. “Hell nah!” He started laughing. “I know my man ain't fucking that fag.” He turned to face me. “Is he, baby?”

I looked from him to her and wanted so badly to pretend I hadn't known anything about it, but I couldn't even fake it anymore. “No, she's right.”