Secret Indiscretions (22 page)

Geneva could only shake her head and be thankful that she'd finally opened her eyes to the kind of man she was married to. She made a mental note to remember to have a process server serve Johnny with separation papers first thing Monday morning.

“Damn,” Donetta said. “If he was hurt up that bad, I wonder how his friend is doing?”

“He's much worse off than Johnny,” Shartell said.

“Oh, no,” Geneva gasped, putting her hand to her mouth again. “Is he in the hospital?”

Shartell shook her head. “No, he's at home, probably searching Monster and Indeed.com at this very minute. They fired him the day after everything went down.”

“What? He just got promoted to that position.”

“And he just lost it. Girl, you know they can't have the director of security fighting on campus. He even threatened to kill Johnny in front of people. Communicating threats like that in this day and time is a no-no. Zero tolerance is real.”

Donetta uncrossed her legs and stood. “I don't know the man, but I feel sorry for him. And I can't blame him for wanting to kill that no-good Negro, 'cause Johnny Mayfield ain't shit. Plus he cost that man his job, and a good one at that.”

If Geneva thought she was tired before, she was exhausted now. She could only imagine how Bernard felt, and Candace, too. Although she knew she had nothing to do with what had happened, she felt a little responsible. She didn't know if her leaving Johnny had sent him off the deep end, or if he was already at the edge. A sick feeling came to her stomach.

“Don't let that bastard rain on your parade,” Donetta said. “Count your blessings that you got out of it when you did. Pretty soon he'll be someone else's problem, if he already isn't.”

“That's right,” Shartell said. “Keep your head up and enjoy your life.”

Geneva knew they were both right, and that she had a lot to look forward to. She and Donetta had been talking about opening a salon together for years, and in the week that she'd been staying with her friend they'd decided to turn their dreams into action. They had an appointment next week with the Small Business Administration to start filling out loan applications. Her personal life was also on the rise, thanks to Samuel, who'd shown her more love and care in a week than Johnny had done during their entire five-year marriage.

Geneva knew that none of the great things that were happening in her life would be possible if she'd stayed with Johnny. From the moment she walked out of her house, her life had skyrocketed to happiness. Johnny was a bad seed, and what happened to Bernard was proof that she needed to keep her distance from him. As Geneva packed up her bag to leave the salon and prepare for her dinner date she made up her mind that she was going to stay as far away from Johnny as possible.

 

J
ust as the season had changed from late summer to late fall, Samuel's relationship with Geneva had blossomed from unexpected attraction to undeniable love. Their relationship not only enriched his life emotionally, he'd physically benefitted as well, the result of a twenty-five pound weight loss. Through diet and exercise, Samuel had slimmed down his once pudgy waistline, increased his muscle mass, and improved his endurance. He'd gone from cute and sweet, to handsome and sexy, and he felt on top of the world with Geneva by his side.

They'd been seeing each other for four months, and it had taken that long for him to convince Geneva to finally come to his place and spend the night. Her initial hesitation was due to the fact that she was technically still married, and Samuel wasn't. But now, after several months had passed, she couldn't wait any longer to share private time with Samuel, outside of Donetta's house.

Samuel sat close to Geneva on his lone couch in his small living room, sipping wine, and eating cheese and crackers that he'd prepared for their first date in his apartment. The room was lit by several cream-colored pillar candles of varying sizes, and the air was filled with the sound of soft jazz that serenaded them from Samuel's extensive iPod playlist.

He was glad that his divorce had happened just as quickly, and without litigation, as his friend, Jerry, had said it would. It also helped that Vivana had wanted to end their marriage just as much as he did, and added to that, she didn't want to challenge the abandonment and alienation of affection claims that Jerry had lodged on Samuel's behalf. After the papers were filed and the thirty-day waiting period was up, Samuel was a free man. But Geneva hadn't been so lucky. Johnny was making things difficult, and refused to agree to the terms Geneva was asking for in the separation agreement she'd filed, which was only her rightful half of their marital assets. Johnny knew she was entitled, but he refused to comply, and that's why they had a court date set for next month.

“This is nice,” Geneva said, stretching her legs across Samuel's lap as she sipped from her wineglass. “This was a long week and it feels good to finally relax.”

“Yes, and at my place instead of Donetta's.”

Geneva smiled and looked around Samuel's sparsely furnished apartment. “The candles are a nice touch.”

“I'm glad you like them.” Samuel made sure he paid close attention to Geneva's likes and dislikes, and he knew that she loved candles. He enjoyed pleasing her and bringing a smile to her face because of how she made him feel. If his day was stressful or his mood was down, one smile from Geneva would erase whatever was wrong. He loved what she brought to his life, which was balance, support, and happiness.

Geneva had become just as much a fixture at Sandhill as some of the teachers were. Not only did she volunteer with the reading program, she split her time between several other projects and activities. Samuel marveled at how well she juggled it all. She managed to work at the salon during the day, devote time to her business plan of opening a salon with Donetta at night, and volunteer at the school on her days off, all while giving him her undivided attention when they spent time together. She was a good woman, and he felt blessed to have her in his life. Once her divorce became final he wasn't going to hesitate putting a ring on her finger.

Samuel knew that Geneva would be an excellent wife and a great mother. She was a natural nurturer, and it showed in the way she cared for him, her friends, her coworkers, and the kids at school. They both wanted a family, and had already talked about starting one in the very near future. They were just that sure of each other. In all the time he'd been married to Vivana, she'd never wanted to discuss having a family, but he and Geneva had already picked out names and decided on how far they wanted to space their children apart in age.

“Thank you, Samuel,” Geneva said.

“For what?”

She smiled and set her wineglass on the coffee table. “For loving me and for doing the little things that make me happy, like filling the room with candles.”

“That's nothing,” he said, but still appreciated her acknowledgment. “You haven't seen anything yet.”

“Oh, really? Then show me.”

Samuel's smile widened when he saw a familiar look in Geneva's eyes that he now recognized and welcomed with excitement each time she cast it upon him. It was a tantalizing look that let him know that she wanted him, and it turned him on more every time. He set his wineglass beside hers, rose from the couch, and pulled her up from where she'd been reclined. He brought her into his embrace and kissed her deeply as his hands traveled to the roundness of her behind.

“Mmmm,” Geneva moaned as she searched his mouth with her tongue.

It only took a minute for Samuel to feel the stiffness at the crotch of his pants. He pressed his body next to hers, causing her to grind herself against him. He carefully guided her back to his bedroom, which was just as sparsely furnished as his living room, but was replete with glowing candles, and a bottle of champagne resting in an ice bucket on the floor. He watched as she surveyed the room. His small dresser held most of the candles, and was surrounded by a framed picture of the two of them that they'd taken at the state fair a month ago.

Samuel watched Geneva's eyes dance with desire when they finally landed on the single red rose that he'd placed atop the Egyptian cotton sheets that had been pulled back, ready for their enjoyment.

“Oh, baby.” Geneva smiled. “This is just perfect.”

“Once I close on my new house next month I'll have a proper set-up for you, but I'm glad this will do for now.”

Geneva wrapped her arms around his neck and looked into his eyes. “I wouldn't care if you lived in a shack with no running water, as long as we're together, that's all that counts.”

Samuel knew that Geneva genuinely meant the words she'd just said. There wasn't a materialistic or superficial bone in her body, and her sincere kindness made him love her even more.

Slowly, he moved her over to his bed, gently easing her down to the mattress with care. He took his time, getting her ready for him. He knew that her ears, along with the small space between her lip and her chin were her hotspots, so he kissed, nibbled, and then licked her soft, fragrance-scented skin until she squirmed beneath him. Within a matter of minutes she'd shed her heavy sweater, he'd pulled off his shirt and khakis, and now he was helping her wriggle out of her skinny jeans. He smiled when he felt the wet spot in the crotch of her floral print panties.

Samuel eased his way down Geneva's naked body as he planted small kisses on her smooth flesh. She let out a sensual moan when he spread her legs and rubbed her inner thighs with his strong hands. When his tongue dipped into her creamy middle he felt his manhood swell and grow harder as he savored her delicious juices. “I love the way you taste,” he whispered, which excited both of them.

Samuel enjoyed the way she rotated her hips and jutted her pelvis forward, giving his mouth greater access to her wet mound. He didn't move when she placed her hands around the back of his head and pulled him further into her as he licked, sucked, nibbled, and lapped her like a kitten at a bowl of warm milk. Her moans and groans had him so turned on that he couldn't take it anymore, he had to have her. In one quick move, Samuel eased his body on top of hers.

Over the last few months he'd grown to know exactly what Geneva liked and precisely how she liked it, because again, he paid careful attention. He positioned his swollen head in the same spot where his mouth had been and slowly entered her, taking his time to rotate his hips after each inch he gave her. He took his time going deeper and deeper with slow, hard, movements until he'd filled her up.

Geneva wrapped her legs around his back and held on as he made love to her, moving in and out, back and forth, and side to side. All the while he kissed her as he looked into her eyes. He could feel her hips buck frantically, and he knew that meant she was about to explode. When he felt her arch her back and let out a carnal moan that lingered in the air, he smiled, knowing he'd satisfied her once again. He increased his tempo, thrusting in and out of her, making each stroke deeper than the last. It only took him a few minutes to join her in ecstasy.

Samuel ran his hand up and down Geneva's bare arm as she laid her head on his chest in the afterglow of their lovemaking. This had become one of Samuel's favorite things about making love to Geneva. He enjoyed feeling her body next to his, knowing that she was completely satisfied and relaxed, and that he was responsible for that state.

He'd never been the kind of guy who ran through women like some men tended to do. His sexual experiences in college and as a young man had been good, but nothing to write home about. When he'd married Vivana, he'd expected the hot sex they'd had during their short months of dating to continue, but it had stopped almost immediately after their wedding night, and he'd been in a sexual funk ever since. He'd been nervous the first time he and Geneva had made love because he'd wanted to please her and he hoped he wouldn't disappoint her.

Their first time had been slightly awkward. He'd put so much pressure on himself that he fumbled and stumbled his way through the act. Sensing that his feelings had been bruised, Geneva had wrapped her arms around him, kissed him deeply, and told him to lay back and relax. She whispered lustful, erotic words into his ear, telling him how much he excited her and how much she already loved him, then she slid her body on top of his and eased her way down his shaft, rocking him until she orgasmed with a hard shudder. From that night forward, Samuel had been rocking her world and fulfilling her needs each time they made love.

An hour later they were back on his couch, eating lasagna and garlic bread that Samuel had picked up from their favorite Italian restaurant and had brought back for a quiet, romantic dinner at home.

“I wish I didn't have to go into work tomorrow,” Geneva said, munching on the savory pasta.

“Do you have a lot of clients?”

“No, just one, and I think I'm going to have to drop her.”

“Why?”

“Because she's becoming a pain.”

Geneva went on to tell him about her client named Cheryl, who'd started coming to her a few months ago. Even though Donetta and even Shartell didn't like the woman, Geneva had given Cheryl the benefit of the doubt because she knew she was going through a lot of personal turmoil and was misunderstood.

But over time, Geneva saw that Cheryl had begun to change. She'd become unreasonable in her expectations about her hair. She wanted Geneva to work magic, transforming her look every time she stepped into the salon. Color one visit, twists the next, a blow-out in between, and then finally going back to the weave she'd initially said she was tired of, all while expecting Geneva to know exactly what she wanted, then becoming irritated when her hair didn't turn out the way she thought it should. She'd even been grouchy a few times that she'd come into the salon, saying that her irritability was due to the fact that she was hungry from the low-calorie diet she was on. Geneva found that very odd, especially because it appeared that Cheryl had picked up about twenty pounds in the short time she'd been coming to the salon.

Samuel was concerned because Geneva made a point to leave business at the shop, rarely discussing her clients. But now she was being vocal, with a hint of dislike in her voice. “Do you have her number?” Samuel asked.

“Yes.”

“Then just call her and cancel your appointment tomorrow.”

Geneva sighed. “It irritates me when clients call and cancel on me at the last minute, so I'd hate to do the same.”

“But if she's becoming a problem you really should nip it in the bud.”

“I don't know . . .”

Samuel shook his head. He appreciated Geneva's trusting nature and dedication to professionalism, but he also hated to see her stressed. “With all that you've been doing, you need a break. I'm sure your client will understand, and if she gets upset it won't be a bad thing because you're going to drop her anyway.”

Geneva nodded. “I know what you mean, and I'm beginning to agree. I'd initially thought Cheryl was just going through a lot, which she is, but her attitude is more than I want to deal with. Every time she comes into the shop it's some kind of drama. She's the pickiest client I've ever had.”

“That's saying a lot.”

“Yes, it is. When I told all my clients I was going to take tomorrow off, she's the only one who wouldn't change her standing appointment, and insisted that I come in to do her hair.”

“That's kind of unreasonable,” Samuel said.

“You're right, it is. If I cancel her appointment that means we can sleep in tomorrow.”

Samuel reached on the coffee table and handed Geneva her phone. “Call that worrisome woman right now!”

Geneva laughed and dialed Cheryl's number. But to her disappointment it went straight to voice mail. Geneva frowned and whispered, “Voice mail,” to Samuel. She left Cheryl a quick message, letting her know that she needed to cancel their appointment and to call back to confirm that it was okay.

Later that night as they lay in bed with Samuel spooning Geneva from behind, his mind took him to the surprise he'd planned for tomorrow, which he would be able to start earlier in the day now that Geneva didn't have to work. He'd made reservations for them at the Roosevelt Hotel, so they could share a romantic weekend of luxury. Samuel had booked the honeymoon package in the presidential suite that included romantic amenities such as champagne, chocolate-covered strawberries, and a rose petal turn-down. He'd even gone by the Godiva store earlier and had them make a custom basket filled with Geneva's favorite chocolates, which he'd carefully stored in the back of his closet shortly before she'd arrived. He knew how hard Geneva worked, and he wanted to pamper her to show his appreciation and love. Samuel drifted off to sleep thinking about how surprised Geneva was going to be when he whisked her away to the luxury hotel downtown.