Slick (5 page)

“I didn't know you were in here, Sylvia,” Jonathan said, pulling the chair back for Dana to sit.

“I just got here moments ago,” I said. Jonathan watched as the waiter put the wings and salad on the table.

“Oh, I see your lunch buddy finally made it,” the waiter said, looking at Dana. “Your friend was about to have lunch without you.”

“I, uh, got caught up in traffic,” Dana said. “She knew I was coming.”

Jonathan glared at me for a few seconds, and then he leaned down to give Dana a kiss. She put her hand in front of his face. “We need to talk about those flowers later, okay,” she said.

He ignored her, moved her hand away from his face, and kissed her cheek. “We'll talk about the flowers, baby, for sure. And as soon as we finish that conversation, we're going to talk about that cheap-ass men's cologne I smell all over you right now.”

Dana cocked her head back, I covered my mouth, and Jonathan walked away. I took a sip of my iced tea and shook my head.

“Your time is running out! I hope you've planned a life absent from Jonathan.”

Dana laid a napkin neatly in her lap. “Sylvia, Jonathan isn't going anywhere. Tonight, I'm going to tell him I was at the mall sampling some men's cologne for him.”

“That's not going to work because the key word he said was ‘cheap.' He knows damn well you ain't out sampling no cheap cologne for him. Not only that, but you look like you just got fucked. Your hair all out of place, your lipstick gone, and that outfit you have on got more wrinkles than an eighty-year-old white woman's face.”

Dana let out a deep sigh. “Is it really that obvious?”

“Yes. And I'm afraid to get any closer because I'm sure after screwing Lewis that coochie is clowning.”

“Girl, stop. For your information, Lewis adds extreme excitement to my life. He's not only handsome but he's creative, he's spontaneous, and he can make me come faster than any man I've ever been with.”

“If I can recall, a few years back, you were saying the same thing about Jonathan. It seems to me that the problem ain't with the man; it's with you.”

“Maybe, or maybe not. But I try very hard to keep my sex life spiced up with Jonathan. He's magnificent in bed, but we're always on his time. Sometimes, I can't wait for him to come home and make love to me. When he does, he's either too tired from working, or he goes right into his office and works there for the night. I get tired of putting myself out there for him. Just last week, I lit some candles in the bedroom, put on some soft music, stripped naked, and waited for him to come home. When he did, he turned on the lights, looked at me like I was out of my mind, and said his famous words: ‘not tonight.'”

“He's acting that way, Dana, because he ain't no fool. Deep down he knows you've been seeing someone else. You're lucky he's still having sex with you at all. Besides, Jonathan doesn't seem like the type of man to go behind another man.”

“I wish you would stop being on the outside looking in, because that's all you're doing. Nobody understands what I'm going through but me. I love Jonathan, but I'm not giving up on my relationship with Lewis until some things change.”

“Well, you need to get Lewis to change. Since the last time I talked to you, he's added two new women to his collection and the strawberry gel might be running a little low.”

Dana looked surprised that I knew about the strawberry gel. Also, she could tell I wasn't lying because I had a feeling as if she'd been there and done that with Lewis before. After my breaking news, there were no more comments about Lewis from her. But I found myself rushing through lunch so I could get back to the office and see if Jonathan would mention anything about Dana. I quickly downed my dessert, told Dana I would call her later, and jetted.

Surprisingly, when I got back to the office, Lewis was in Jonathan's office talking to him. I poked my head in to let Jonathan know I was back.

“Come on in, Sylvia,” Jonathan said. “And close the door behind you.”

I closed the door and stood behind the chair that Lewis sat in. First, Jonathan looked at Lewis, and then he addressed me. “Sylvia, my man here was just telling me about you not making an appointment for him yesterday. Now, you clearly heard me tell him to make an appointment so why would you not do it?”

“Because Lewis has an attitude problem, and I don't appreciate the way he talks to me, that's why.”

“So, I guess Crissy has an attitude problem as well?”

“Yes, she does.”

“Just because you seem to think certain people around here have attitudes, that doesn't mean you interfere with them seeing me. Last night, I made an important appointment with Crissy, and I'm trying to help this brotha move up the corporate ladder. So, the next time I get a complaint about
your
attitude, it's going to cost you.”

I couldn't believe how Jonathan had put me on blast, and I hated to go there with him like this. “Fine, Jonathan, and help whoever you want to help, that's your business. But Crissy, Lewis, or any other fool up in here will not come to my desk and disrespect me. You don't pay me enough to put up with bullshit and I'm not going to do it.” I swung around and stormed toward the door, opening it.

“Sylvia,” Jonathan shouted. “Close the door. I'm not finished talking to you yet.”

“Yes, you are,” I said and then walked out.

Feeling as if I was ready to kill somebody, I quickly gathered a few things at my desk and left. There I was trying to protect Jonathan and he had the nerve to diss me in front of that stupid fool Lewis. And the “that's what you get, bitch” look Lewis gave me as Jonathan talked was enough to send me over the edge. It took everything I had not to blurt out him fucking around with Dana, but as usual, I refused to go there.

By the time I reached the highway, Jonathan called me on my cell phone. I turned it off and laid it back down on the seat. When I got home, I called Lorenzo so I'd have something to tear into, but unfortunately for me, the sex wasn't even worth it. I needed something better, and there was only one man who could give me what I really needed.

 

Sylvia was out of her mind walking out on me today. After I wrapped up my conversation with Lewis, I called her cell phone and later tried her several times at home. Getting no response, I went into my four o'clock meeting and wasn't out until seven.

I was in no rush to go home and see Dana because I knew my argument with her was probably going to last all night. She was seriously working my nerves. There was no way for me to sweep her lies under the rug as if they didn't even exist. She put the evidence of a cheating woman out there and she seemed to be purposely doing so. She had to know her lies weren't adding up, and if she thought I believed her, she was out of her mind.

After sitting in CJ's for about an hour enjoying several drinks, Audrey came over and sat next to me at the bar.

“I hope I didn't take anybody's seat,” she said with a smile.

“No, hey, it's anybody's seat who wants it.”

“Good, because I'm claiming it.”

I took a sip of my cognac and looked over at Audrey's tall and thin light brown legs. “So what's a nice looking woman like you doing in a place like this on a Wednesday night?”

“I was waiting on one of my girlfriends to join me, but she stood me up. And when I saw you sitting at the bar, I decided to hang around for a while. Question is, though, what's a handsome man like you doing here all alone?”

“Well, I'm just about to wrap this up.” I gulped down the last of my drink.

“Do you have any plans after you wrap this up?”

“As a matter of fact, I do.”

“Would you be willing to cancel your plans and meet me at my place in about an hour?”

Again, I looked at Audrey's beautiful legs, visualized them high on my shoulders, and thought about her thick, juicy lips going up and down on my dick. When I remembered Sylvia telling me about Audrey's previous sex partner, I declined, not wanting to be the morning news.

“Audrey, I'm married. Besides, you shouldn't be putting yourself out there for a married man.”

“If I know he's not happy I will. And you, my dear, are far from it.”

I stood up and Audrey stood up as well. I didn't bother to elaborate on her comment because she wasn't worth my time. “Where are you parked?” I asked. “It's late and I'd like to walk you to your car.”

After I paid the bartender, I walked with Audrey to her car. On a piece of paper, she wrote directions to her place and her phone number. She told me if I changed my mind to stop by.

Having no desire to go home, I called Sylvia's place, again, to see if I could reach her. The number was still busy so I figured she must have taken her phone off the hook. Trying to calm things down before work tomorrow, I drove by her place to see her. Her car was parked outside, but as I walked to the door, I could see that the inside of her house was dark. I knocked for a while, and as soon as I turned to leave, an overly muscular brotha opened the door with a towel wrapped around his waist.

“May I help you?” he said in a deep, strong voice.

“Hi, is . . . is, uh, Sylvia here?”

“Yeah, she here,” he said, stepping away from the door so I could come in.

I stepped in and stood by the door after he closed it. He went into Sylvia's bedroom, and moments later, she came out with a royal blue silk robe on that was cut above her knees. She tied it tightly around her waist and looked at me as I stood by the front door.

“Hey, I . . . I can come back if—”

“Jonathan, have a seat,” she said, sitting on the arm of the couch.

“Are you sure? I didn't mean to interrupt.”

“You didn't. We're finished and he's getting ready to go.”

Moments after I took a seat, the man came out of Sylvia's room fully clothed. He stood in front of her and opened his arms. As they embraced and kissed, he massaged her ass. He then patted it and told her he'd call her tomorrow. Before he left, he said good night to me and closed the door behind him.

Sylvia returned to her spot on the arm of the couch. She crossed her legs and gathered her robe together so I couldn't see her healthy breasts.

“Do you need to go put on some clothes?” I asked.

“No. I'm comfortable. Now please tell me why you're here?”

“Because we need to talk about what happened today.”

“Jonathan, before I say anything to you, please know that regardless of you being my boss, I'm going to speak my mind in my own house. After tonight you may decide to fire me, so are you sure you want to have this conversation?”

“Trust me, I can handle it. Just don't start calling me names, all right? Anything else, I'm prepared for when it comes to you.”

“Good, because I'm not coming back to work until we get one thing straight.”

“And what's that?”

“Don't ever put me on blast like you did today. If you have a problem with me, pull me aside and confront me. It was tacky of you to confront me with Lewis around and I kind of lost some respect for you.”

“You really think you got me in check, don't you?” I said, laughing.

“No, but I know you be thinking about your mistakes after you've made them.”

“Calling you into my office and confronting you about going off on people wasn't a mistake, Sylvia. And even if you don't like Crissy or Lewis, you still need to show them some respect when we're in the workplace, especially Crissy. Her father owns sixty percent of the company and you might have to answer to her one of these days.”

“Before I answer to that thing, I'd work at McDonald's. Lewis and her are on my hit list. They're always telling you stuff about me, but if you only knew what I knew, mister.”

“And what do you know?” I asked. “That question is, of course, pertaining to my wife.”

“Uh, no,” Sylvia said, getting off the couch. She walked over to the huge picture window and looked outside. “You are not going to get me caught up in the middle.”

I got up and stood next to her. “Come on now, Sylvia. Who is he?”

Sylvia cocked her head back and sniffed. “Have you been drinking?”

The direction of my eyes lowered to her thick breasts, which were now clearly showing.

She tightened her robe again and nodded. “Yeah, you've been drinking. I can tell because you never looked at me like that.”

I shrugged. “I've been drinking a little, but answer my question. I already know she's seeing someone, but I want to know who he is.”

“Jonathan, you are so wrong coming to me with a question like that. I don't know anything. Dana doesn't tell me anything anymore. Just in case you haven't noticed, we're not as tight as we used to be.”

“I've noticed and I wonder why?”

“We're just not. She's moving in one direction and I'm moving in another.”

“Yeah, I bet she is.” I went back over to the chair and sat down.

Sylvia stayed by the window and folded her arms. “Have you tried talking to her about your feelings?”

“Not really because I'm so angry with her that a part of me really doesn't want to know the truth.”

“Well, if you need answers, you need to go home and talk to her. I don't have the answers for you.”

For now, I left it there. We sat around for the next hour or so talking about work, the crazy people there, and Lorenzo. I told Sylvia he looked like the Incredible Hulk and insisted she could do a lot better. When she implied I was jealous, I denied it.

“Jealous of who?”

“Jonathan, don't play with me. You know darn well you were jealous because that brotha was fine, and because he had just finished making love to a beautiful woman such as myself.”

“You're right. I want more than anything in the world to see how great you are in bed. And if that brotha beat me to it, then yes, I'm jealous.”

Sylvia's brow rose. “Are you serious?”

“No, I'm not,” I said, laughing. “I'm only kidding.”

“See, you play too much.” She stood up and opened the door. “Why don't you take your butt home before you get hurt up in here tonight?”

I looked at my watch and I couldn't believe how late it was. “I don't feel like going home. Do you mind if I crash out on your couch for the night?”

“Yes, I do mind. The last thing I need is for Dana to know that you're over here. She's already upset about the flowers and I don't want to hear about how I'm trying so desperately to steal her man.”

“If she calls, just tell her you haven't seen me. You don't want me to have an accident tonight, especially since I've been drinking. Do you?”

Sylvia closed the door. “Don't be trying to play games with me, Jonathan. You are not that drunk where you can't drive home. If Dana calls, I'm giving the phone to you so you can talk.”

“Fine,” I said, moving over to the couch. “Can I please get some covers and a pillow?”

Sylvia walked off into the other room. When she came back with the cover and pillow, I was down to my boxers, while still on the couch.

“Here,” she said, looking at me as with lust locked in her eyes.

I took the pillow and cover from her. “Are you okay?” I asked, as she was still staring.

“Yeah, uh, I'm fine. If you need me, I'll be in the other room.”

Just then the phone rang. Sylvia answered and I could immediately tell it was Dana. I shook my head and whispered to Sylvia that I didn't want to talk. She told Dana she hadn't seen me, and then told her she'd call her in the morning.

“Thank you,” I said after she hung up.

“Anytime.” Sylvia turned down the lights and went back into her room.

Trying to get comfortable, I fluffed the flat pillow and lay on my back. I propped my feet on the arm of the couch, since I was so tall, and looked up at the ceiling fan that blew cool air on me.

After finally falling asleep, I was awakened by the sound of water running in the shower. I looked at my watch and it was only two-thirty in the morning. I knew damn well Sylvia wasn't getting ready for work already, and when she came out of the bathroom, I called her name.

“What?” she whispered.

“What are you doing?”

“Washing my ass, that's what.” I laughed and she turned on the light. “Have you been asleep?”

“Yeah, I was until you started making noises.”

“Sorry, but I needed a shower.”

“And I need some sleep. Now, turn the light out and leave me alone.”

Sylvia laughed and turned out the light. When she went back into her bedroom, I couldn't help myself from thinking about having sex with her. Knowing that she was naked underneath the towel aroused me, and finding myself a little bit jealous of her boyfriend, I knew some type of feelings were there.

Just as I started to doze off again, I was startled when Sylvia sat next to me on the couch. The room was mostly dark, and when I asked Sylvia what she was doing, she placed her fingers on my lips.

“Don't say a word, Jonathan. Tonight, I'm coming clean and I haven't a clue what this is going to do to our friendship and our work relationship. Thing is, I can't hold back any longer.”

Before Sylvia could say another word, I sat up on my elbows, and then moved her hair away from her face. I placed my hand on the back of her neck and pulled her lips to mine. Feeling the nervousness in her body as we kissed, I backed away. She slid off her robe and rested her naked body on top of mine. As the kiss continued, I rubbed my hands up and down her back, and over the mountain of her soft ass. Feeling my steel rise between her legs, she straddled herself and reached inside of my boxers to touch my goods. She rubbed my head against the slit of her pussy, but when I tried to ease inside, she stopped me. She lifted herself off me and let out a deep sigh.

“I'm sorry, Jonathan, but I . . . I can't.”

Not saying another word, she walked off into her bedroom and closed the door.

Dying to finish what we'd started, I got off the couch and went to her door. I knocked a few times and when she didn't say anything, I opened it and went inside. I could see Sylvia lying in bed sideways while resting her head on a pillow. I eased up from behind her and put my arm around her waist.

“I had no idea how difficult this was for you,” I whispered in her ear. “One day at a time though, Sylvia; one day at a time.”

She nodded and held my hand together with hers, as we both fell asleep.