Imagined Love (19 page)

“Relax, baby, it’s just me and you,” Richard cooed, pulling her back to him. “Show me how you please yourself,” he whispered.

“I don’t,” Jade admitted.

“Why not? How can you teach someone else to please you if you don’t know what you like? It’s your body, baby girl, and you should know how to work it better than anyone. I bet you’ll like it too because I’m realizing you’re not as prudish as you pretend to be. A little shy, maybe, but definitely not a prude. You know what you’re doing, Ms. Jade, and I like it a lot. I can’t wait to see more. So show me what pleases you. I’ll do it too. Shoot, I’ll even race you,” he laughed loudly and so did Jade as she climbed into the warm bath. “You mystify me, little lady,” Richard said, as he lowered the lid on the toilet and took a seat.

“Why is that?”

“Well, everything about you oozes sensuality. Your eyes, the way you walk, absolutely the way you smell, and even the soft lull in your voice says sex. Take for example when I showed you the cake I made. You said thank you, but what I heard was, oooh, Richard, how can I ever thank you,” he purred in a deep, breathless voice, as he rubbed his nipples.

“Oh, stop it, I do not sound like that,” Jade laughed loudly.

“Trust me, you do. Everything about you is erotic and I assumed you’d be this wild, insatiable little thing who would send an old man like me to a nursing home. But this shy, innocent woman appeared and I found it surprising but very endearing. So then I expected you to be timid and insecure between the sheets but a little bit of a vixen showed up and almost did me in!” he chuckled. “I believe you’ll be a monster once you trust enough to let yourself go completely. And you can feel free to practice on me anytime you like. As a matter of fact,” Richard said then climbed in to the tub with her, “we can start now.”

Jade leaned back and took a few minutes to tell him her whole sexual history including the fact that she’d only had sex four times. That number included their rendezvous as well. Richard was still stuck on Jade saying her first time had been forced and asked what that meant. So she told him the whole story about Alonzo, Katrina, and their family. That’s when he learned Landon wasn’t really her brother.

Richard tried to hide it, but that bit of information got under his skin and he was immediately suspicious of their relationship. Jade reassured him there was absolutely nothing going on with her and Landon and that there never had been. He was her big brother, end of discussion.

Richard was surprised by his reaction. He’d never been a jealous person and didn’t know why he was responding that way over a girl he barely knew. It was weird and he wanted to forget about it so he apologized and asked about Damien. He was curious as to why they’d only slept together twice since he was supposed to be her boyfriend.

“This is kind of strange, don’t you think? We just made love but we’re in here talking about me sleeping with other people. I’m surprised you’d even be interested. Most guys aren’t.”

“I’m not most guys. And I’m not asking for the reasons you may think. I don’t like the idea of another dude being with you. To be honest, it was really pissing me off to hear it. But it does help me understand why you are the way you are. If someone had done to me what Alonzo did to you, I’d be closed off and distrustful too. How could you not be after being betrayed that way? Poor Damien didn’t have a chance. But I’ve got you now,” he said, wrapping his arms and legs around her as water splashed all over the floor. “And I’ll do whatever I can to knock down those walls you’ve built around your heart. You’re a really sweet girl, Jade, and I don’t wanna see you keeping yourself guarded because of what people did to hurt you. Just be free. And I don’t only mean sexually, even though I’m looking forward to seeing how loose you can get. Okay, okay,” Richard shouted, after he tried to guide Jade’s hands between her legs again and she snatched away from him. “Next time,” he said, wrapping his arms back around her. “Just don’t be afraid to go for what you want, whatever that might be.”

Jade told him about her dreams of owning a business but didn’t get the impression he took it seriously. Richard sounded like he was humoring her more than he was being encouraging. When she said as much he squeezed her tighter and whispered that she could do whatever she wanted to do. Though, it was quite clear his mind was somewhere else. Richard kissed and caressed Jade and they made love again. Afterwards he carried her to his bed and oiled and massaged her body until she nearly fell asleep. The fact that she was starving kept her from conking out completely. Even though it was nearly three o’clock in the morning, Richard made Jade a pancake breakfast with bacon, eggs, and fresh squeezed orange juice. It was delicious and just what she needed to finally fall asleep.

“Oh, so I guess he didn’t have a phone, huh?” Landon snapped when Jade came strolling in at noon. “I was worried sick about you, idiot! Why wouldn’t you call and let me know you weren’t coming home?”

“Sorry, warden. I didn’t mean to keep the prisoner out past curfew,” Richard retorted, annoyed by Landon’s attitude. “I told you I’d take good care of her. And I did . . . repeatedly,” he smirked.

“What the . . .? Who you think you talking to?”

“Alrighty then,” Jade said, pushing Richard out the door. She didn’t understand what was happening between him and Landon but she didn’t like it. “Do you wanna go back and give him all the dirty details? Apparently that whole, ‘it’s nobody’s business but ours’ got kicked to the curb,” she snapped once they were back at Richard’s truck. “What the hell was that about?”

“I’m sorry, baby. I don’t know what came over me but I actually felt like fighting that guy!”

“What?”

“I know, I know, it doesn’t make a bit of sense. You got me acting crazy, girl. What am I gonna do with you?” Richard asked, as he pulled her close to him. “I’m sorry, though, Jade. Landon was just worried about you and I shouldn’t have made the situation worse. I’m sorry, okay?”

Jade gave Richard a quick hug and kiss and watched him drive off before going back inside to deal with Landon. He and Gabrielle were arguing about the way he’d spoken to Jade. She thought he was rude and had embarrassed the woman by treating her like a child. Jade agreed but Landon didn’t see it that way. He thought she was selfish and inconsiderate for not bothering to call to let him know she was staying with Richard. Tired of arguing, Jade apologized and promised not to let it happen again.

After talking with Gabrielle for a while, Jade and Landon got in a few hours of practice before the step contest later that night. It was obvious he was still upset so Jade suggested they take a break and gave Landon the opportunity to tell her what was bothering him. To her surprise, he confessed being jealous. He felt excluded from Jade’s talk with Gabrielle about the date and his feelings were hurt.

“You big ole punk,” Jade laughed then hugged him.

They warmed up Landon’s leftover Chinese food, got comfortable on the couch, and then she told him everything about her adventures with Richard.

“Bow chicka bow bow,” Landon hummed. “Sounds like old boy turned you out. Well, almost, huh? His weak ass couldn’t make you cum! But you wrong for faking it, Jade. I don’t know why y’all women do that mess and have men thinking they really doing something. You better cut it out or he’ll never please you. I bet if you refuse to fake it next time he’ll break his back trying to get you to the ‘promised land’! Watch what I tell you.”

“So you don’t think a woman’s ever faked with you?”

“Hell, no! After I put all this on her,” he laughed loudly, pulling his pants up high on his waist. “I’m just playing. All of y’all devious heifers probably fake it!”

Landon chuckled. “Just be careful with this guy, baby girl. Okay? I don’t wanna see you get hurt,” he said then kissed her forehead. “Enjoy him, but don’t start thinking he’s the one because I promise you he’s not. Trust me. Just have fun with him,” he said and was about to head to his bedroom.

“Let me ask you something, Landon. Do you think I’m a tease? Richard said I ooze sensuality and he had all these ideas of what I would be like and was surprised that I wasn’t.”

“Well, I know you’re not a tease but I can see why men think it. Everything about you screams sex, little Willa. You are definitely your mother’s daughter. The only difference is that she uses her sexuality to her advantage and you don’t. Willa will flirt and flatter a big, nasty, bloated thing just to get him to do what she wants whereas you’ll only flirt if you’re interested in the guy. But yeah, I get what Richard was saying. Even when you’re in your ratty pajamas and got that nasty bandana wrapped around your head you still look alluring. Speaking of which, when are you gonna wash that filthy thing?”

“Shut up, stupid,” she laughed. When Landon went to his room Jade thought about what he’d said and hoped he was wrong about Richard.

A few hours later Jade and Landon met Tamara at the stepper’s show. And as was normally the case when women met him, she went nuts. Apparently Tamara had forgotten about the talk she and Jade had concerning Gabrielle.

“Man, I bet you taste good,” Tamara said, licking her lips as she shook Landon’s hand. “Milk chocolate is my favorite flavor.”

“I’ll meet you inside, Jade,” he frowned, pulling his hand away. The disgust Landon felt was obvious from the expression on his face.

“I guess he don’t like big girls, huh?”

Jade reminded Tamara that he had a girlfriend. Yet, even if he didn’t, Landon wouldn’t have responded well to her. He liked all different types of women—Black, White, big, or small—but he didn’t go for the brazen, tactless type. A girl with a filthy mouth, outside of the bedroom that is, was a huge turn off to him. Jade always thought it had to do with Cicely and the way she used to talk to him, but he disagreed. Landon didn’t seem to notice how quickly he did away with anything or anyone who was even remotely similar to his mother. He hated Cicely and wanted nothing like her around him. So Tamara wouldn’t have stood a chance.

The DJ introduced Landon and Jade as Lyndon and Jane from Gary, Indiana and the crowd wasn’t very receptive. He winked at Jade and told her to stay focused on him and no one else. Landon spun her out and they went for it. Pretty soon the crowd was clapping and cheering and the two of them danced their hearts out. There were nine other couples that performed so it took a long time before they got the results. Landon and Jade were ecstatic when they were announced as the second place winners.

“After you, Jane,” Landon laughed, as they stepped their way up to the judges’ table for the trophy and four hundred dollar prize! That night they decided to enter as many contests as they could and save the money in order to start a new business together. The next one was on the following Saturday in Emeryville so Landon and Jade knew they needed to start rehearsing immediately.

Monday morning Jade was excited to see Richard pull into the parking lot at Quik Stop. She didn’t know until that very moment that she was worried he wouldn’t come anymore. The two of them spoke briefly when she got home from the stepper’s contest and he congratulated her on the win. However, Richard never called on Sunday to say yes or no to her lunch invitation.

“Hey,” Jade smiled at him. “How was work?”

Richard leaned over the counter, gently took her face into his hands, and kissed her passionately. “Bump that newspaper. This is what I really wanted to come in here for. Good morning,” he said before kissing her again.

Jade fanned herself with a brown paper bag trying to cool her rising temperature. She was completely aroused and tempted to lock the doors and take Richard to the storage room. The fact that Mr. Phillips was back there finishing inventory nixed that idea.

“You know, the other night was my first time doing it in the bathtub like that and I really liked the way you . . .”

“Sh,” Jade warned, wide-eyed.

“Oh . . . uh, good morning, sir. How are you today?”

“I’m fine, young man, and you?”

“Good, good,” he smiled, hoping Mr. Phillips hadn’t overheard what he’d said. Richard didn’t care for himself, but he knew Jade thought of her boss as a father and would’ve been embarrassed for him to know about her sex life.

She officially introduced Richard and Mr. Phillips and they shook hands and made idle chit chat for a few minutes until Mrs. Phillips called to let her husband know breakfast was ready.

“Alright, baby girl, I need to get some sleep. But I was hoping you could come by for lunch today. And perhaps a little treat,” he winked. “You game?”

“Of course. I’ll see you at one,” she said then kissed Richard goodbye.

Nearly six hours later Tamara walked into Quik Stop for her usual chili dogs and conversation but Jade had to cut it short so she could meet Richard. Ever since he left the store all she could think was being with him again. She really did like him and was anxious to see where their relationship could lead.

Jade was excited to see the little picnic Richard had set up on his living room floor. He made the best grilled ham and cheese hoagie she’d ever tasted! It was even better than the Bunny Girls she used to eat from Lincoln’s back in Gary. Jade barely spoke as she wolfed it down along with the barbecue chips and pickle spear. Once she was done, Richard handed her a wrapped present. Jade blushed after she opened it and found a red thong and bra set and a yellow silk teddy from Fredrick’s of Hollywood.

“I thought you could add it to your collection. Just promise you’ll think of me whenever you wear it.”

“Well, this will actually be starting a collection since I’ve never worn a piece of lingerie in my life!”

“Jade? Are you kidding me?”

“No, I’m not kidding. I told you my relationships haven’t exactly been the lingerie wearing type. And I would’ve been too embarrassed to put it on anyway.”

“Trust me, baby girl. You don’t have anything to be embarrassed about. Besides, I’ve heard women say it’s not really for us men anyway. They wear pretty, silky things to make themselves feel beautiful and sensual. So get yourself some sexy drawls, girl!”

Richard fed Jade a bowl of strawberry ice cream and they made love before she had to go back to work. The next day he came into the store for his morning kiss and asked to spend Friday night with her. He promised it would be a platonic date so she didn’t think he was only interested in taking her to bed. And although that should have been comforting, it made Jade feel insecure. She wondered if it meant Richard was no longer attracted to her. So she reread “The Art of Seduction” chapter of one of Katrina’s books to get some ideas for Friday night.

“Hey,” Richard beamed when Jade opened the door. “Uh, I did tell you we were going to Sizzler, right?” he asked, admiring her form fitting little black dress. Even more alluring were the four-inch heels Jade wore with the diamond like straps coiling up her legs like a snake. “How come you’re so dressed up, baby? Don’t get me wrong, I ain’t complaining. You look sexy as hell!”

“Well, I’ve been dying to wear these new shoes and they only look good with this dress,” she smiled, devilishly. “Oh, can you zip me up? Landon and Gabrielle are gone for the night so I didn’t have anyone to help me.”

Richard said he’d be more than happy to do it then she turned her back towards him. He closed his eyes and hummed as he got a whiff of her other favorite perfume, Coty Wild Musk Oil.

“So your roommates are out for the night, huh?” he asked, planting soft kisses on the back of her neck. “Ooh, you know something? I’ve never really seen your apartment before. Maybe you can take me on a little tour before we go to dinner. What do you think?”

“Well, this is the living room.”

“Umm huh,” Richard cooed, still kissing her neck.

Jade took him by the hand and showed him the kitchen, bathroom, and Landon’s bedroom. “Oh, and what do we have here? I think this is my spot,” she smiled knowing full well that was the only room Richard was interested in seeing.

“Wow! That’s a big, wonderful bed. I bet it’s nice in there.”

“Yeah, it is. It’s lonely, though. I’m the only one who’s ever been in it. Poor, poor neglected bed,” Jade sighed.

“I guess we need to do something about that,” Richard smiled, as he slid her dress off revealing the yellow teddy he’d given her. He just hummed and helped her out of that as well.

Nearly two hours later when Richard awoke Jade was sitting on her bed next to him eating a sandwich and watching TV.

“Please tell me I haven’t really been asleep for . . . two hours!” he yelped, looking at his watch. “Baby, I’m so sorry. Why didn’t you wake me?”

“You seemed so comfortable. And when you started snoring I figured you were really tired. Or maybe it’s just my big, wonderful bed. It is nice, huh?”

“Yes it is. I don’t feel this good in my own bed!” Richard said, as he searched for his clothes. “But I’m sorry, Jade. Maybe we can still catch the movie at least. Just let me get cleaned up and we can go, okay? Man, I feel so bad.”

“There’s no need to feel bad, Richard. We can still go if you want or we can just hang out here.”

“Nah, I don’t trust this bed of yours. I’m scared I’ll pass out again if we stay so let me get myself together and we’ll go.

An hour later, laughing over dinner at Sizzler, Richard told Jade that he’d like to sleep in her bed again. She smiled thinking he meant he wanted to make love to her again but he literally meant he wanted to sleep in it.

“I’m serious, Jade. I haven’t slept that comfortably in I don’t know how long. Your mattress is just right. It’s not too hard or too soft but just perfect.”

“Alright, Goldilocks,” she laughed. “I’ll try not to be too offended that you liked my mattress better than you liked me.”

“Baby girl, please, you know that ain’t true. Your bed is comfortable and all but it was you that put me out like a light. You seduced me,” Richard whispered then covered his chest as though he’d been violated. “I was all set to be a good, wholesome boy and you lured me in.”

“Yeah and it was so hard to do that.”

“I know, huh?” Richard laughed. “I guess I was just excited for my turn to experience the big, wonderful bed.”

“Your turn?” she frowned.

The waitress came over to ask if they needed anything. Richard told her they were fine but Jade didn’t even look at her. She was waiting to hear his response.

“Your turn?” she repeated.

“Well, I thought maybe Landon had dozed off in it a time or two.”

“Why in the world would you think something like that?” she snapped.

“Look, Jade, I’m not trying to piss you off, okay? Just look at it from my point of view. Here you have two young, single, attractive people living in close quarters night after night, year after year and you’re trying to tell me that nothing ever happened?”

“Nothing ever happened, Richard. I don’t know why that’s so difficult for you to believe but Landon and I never even thought about it.”

“You may not have but I know he has! I’d bet my life’s savings on that. Okay, okay,” he said, seeing how annoyed Jade was becoming. “Maybe Landon’s just a better man than me because there’s no way on earth I could live in the same

house and not make love to you. Hell, I couldn’t even make it through this platonic date without taking you to bed. And it’s obvious you and he love each other so why wouldn’t you have smacked bellies at some point? It could’ve turned out to be a mistake but how could you resist doing it at least once? I mean, did y’all ever come close?”

“No, Richard. We don’t have those types of feelings for each other,” Jade said, growing more frustrated with him. “Haven’t you ever known a woman that was sexy and attractive but you just didn’t have romantic feelings towards her?”

“Yeah, but I still would’ve screwed her at some point in a situation like yours and Landon’s.”

“Well, I don’t know what to tell you, Richard. I haven’t slept with Landon. I’ve never come close or even fantasized about it. He’s my big brother. And Alonzo is his brother and that wouldn’t be cute to screw multiple members of the same family. So can we drop this because I’m really tired of talking about it? You obviously don’t believe me and there’s nothing I can do about that.”

Richard was curious to know if her previous relationship with Alonzo was the reason Jade wouldn’t allow herself to be romantically involved with Landon. However, he knew it was best to let the whole thing drop. He apologized for upsetting her and promised not to ever bring it up again. Then Richard made a stupid joke to make Jade laugh before they raced to his truck to head to the cinema.

During the month of May, Richard and Jade had plenty of fun times. He invited her for lunch at least once a week, sometimes more, and they were up on all the latest movies. Making love was still high on their list of priorities and they made time for it whenever possible. Landon had a fit every time Richard showed up at all hours of the night to pick Jade up for a few hours then bring her back like she was his hooker! He told him not to do it again but it was obviously Jade’s choice to go or not and she always chose to go. She was falling for Richard and believed Landon was wrong about him not being the one for her. It wasn’t love just yet, but they were getting close—or so she thought.

By June things slowly began to change. At first it started off with a few unreturned calls. Jade had invited Richard to her apartment for dinner and he never responded. Then he came into Quik Stop the next week for his morning kiss as though nothing was wrong. He gave a lame excuse and promised it wouldn’t happen again. And then it did, the very next week. That time Richard was supposedly so busy with work that he couldn’t spare a few minutes to let Jade know he was unavailable. When she spotted him in a restaurant with another woman he swore it was just a business dinner and that there was absolutely nothing going on between him and his co-worker. Jade knew better but she chose to believe him anyway.

Landon had made plans to propose to Gabrielle during her family’s July Fourth picnic and Jade left a message for Richard to join them. In fact, she’d left several messages the week leading up to it because she really wanted him to be there. And it had nothing to do with Landon since he and Richard could barely stand each other. Jade just wanted to feel like she was part of a couple. She wanted to do something other than hanging out at Richard’s townhouse or going to the movies. She wanted him to be a part of her life in a way he had managed to avoid since they’d been involved.

Jade was upset and embarrassed when he didn’t show up or call and figured it was time to call it quits. Richard was obviously done with her and didn’t have the decency to say it to her face. So in her fury, Jade left a message on his answering machine letting him know she was done with him.

On Friday, the day after the picnic, Jade had just finished her shift and was heading home when Richard pulled into the parking lot. He jumped out of his truck with a huge smile and ran up to give her a hug. He lifted Jade off her feet and swung her around.