Whos Loving You (13 page)

T
exting was not my thing, but Red Velvet loved it. Maybe I’d call or respond to her some other day. Honey and I had made love all night long, and when I got that strange text from Red Velvet, I decided not to show up at Two Restaurant with a stripper who half of the male patrons had probably fucked. What was I thinking, offering to take her to a nice public place? I bypassed the restaurant and drove straight to Honey’s house instead. I had enough strange things happening. Plus, I wanted more of my sweet Honey love. We’d had a fucktastic time last night, this morning, both.

En route to Honey’s house, I called ahead. “You sure you’re up for company again tonight?” I sure hoped so. My dick had got hard off and on all day, whenever I thought about how Honey had me pulling toys out of her pleasure chest. I think we used the whole tube of Sweet ’N Blow.

“I was just about to call and confirm. You know you’re flakey. If you’re really coming, come on. Hurry up,” Honey said. “If you’re not here in an hour, don’t come tonight.”

I didn’t want to argue her point, but just because I didn’t do what she wanted, when she wanted, did not make me flakey. My comprehension was good and my vocabulary somewhat extensive, but that wasn’t even a real word. I refused to spoil our evening. To add a little fun to our sexcapades, I stopped off at Best Buy and repurchased
The Boondocks
series, went to Albertsons and got one pint of Cherry Garcia, then headed to Honey’s. That woman made me feel so alive, I felt like I was having an out-of-body experience.

Honey greeted me at the door, dressed in a long, black, sheer lace gown with a split from the center of her tits to the floor, so I could see that her Brazilian wax was fresh. I didn’t care who saw us. I knelt in the doorway, before her pussy, then kissed her soft lips.

Bracing her hands on the opened door, Honey spread her legs and sat her pussy on my face. Ducking underneath her legs, I lifted her onto my shoulders, braced her back against the door, and began eating her sweet pussy. I eased her clit between my teeth and sucked her into my mouth.

Honeysuckle oozed onto my tongue. Lowering her to her feet, I unzipped my pants, pulled out my dick, turned Honey so she faced the door, raised her lace gown over her firm ass, then penetrated her nice and slow, so deep my nuts sandwiched between her lips.

“Grant, yes. Fuck me, baby,” she moaned. Her body remained motionless, letting me take the lead.

I had no problem with that. I wanted to please Honey every chance I could. “Get on your knees,” I told her. I knelt behind her. I grabbed my dick, rubbed my head all over her wet pussy, then glided deep inside of her. Holding her shoulders, I slammed my dick hard against her ass.

We fucked our way onto the porch and damn near into the driveway, like two dogs stuck together. I never wanted to pull out. “Damn. How could I have ever stayed away from this sweet pussy?” I said. “Damn, baby.”

Honey reached behind her head, snatched off the ribbon that held her ponytail in place, then reached between her legs, tied her ribbon around my nuts, and pulled me closer to her while she stroked her clit.

“Baby, cum with me,” I whispered in her ear. Honey’s body trembled. I collapsed on top of her. Watching the sunset fade into night, I kissed Honey’s lips. “I think we’d better get inside. Where is everybody? It’s awfully quiet.”

“All the girls have cars now, so they’re out. I think they’re at Atlantic Station, shopping, but who cares. What’s in the bags?” she asked, closing the front door.

“Damn. I forgot all about those bags,” I said, picking them up off the white-marble, million-dollar floor. I loved Honey’s flooring so much, I’d decided to do the same at my hotel and condo building downtown. I grabbed two spoons from the kitchen, then followed Honey into her bedroom. I pulled out the DVDs and the ice cream.

“That’s why I love you,” she said, softly gripping my hand. Honey moved my hand to her pussy and her hand to my dick. “We need to shower.”

After fucking outdoors, I knew we had to wash up. I thought she just wanted to feel this big dick again. I got into the shower first and lathered my body. The hot water felt good. Being back in Honey’s house with her was where I belonged. Hm, she’d never spent the night at my house. We’d have to change that. As I stepped out of the shower, Honey said, “Leave the water on.”

I kissed her, then made my way to the bed and lay down. What in the hell was I doing? I only had a fraction of the information I’d come for. I’d forgotten to ask her about Sunny and to clarify the story behind all the money. Wasn’t like she’d offered to bring up the conversation again, either. I had to know more about my Honey love, or else my ass might end up behind bars with Valentino, whoever he was.

Honey’s cell phone chimed, interrupting my thoughts. The shower was going, so I imagined she couldn’t hear her phone. Walking over to her dresser, I picked up her iPhone. Blocked call.
Why not?
I answered. “Hello,” I said.

“Who’s this?” a woman asked. Before I answered, she demanded, “Put Lace on the phone.”

Okay, this person must’ve known Honey for a while, because she’d used her real name. I replied, “Lace, is not available. I can give her a message.”

Silence followed.

“Hello?” I said, trying to speak low so Honey wouldn’t hear me talking.

“Grant Hill, is this you?”

Fuck! How’d she know my name? “Yeah. Who’s this?”

“Tiffany Davis. Remember me?”

“Naw, I don’t remember you. Help me out.”

“Excuse me for being so blunt, but do you remember the cheerleader who covered your dick with peanut butter and—”

“Strawberry preserves. Goddamn.” My mouth hung open for a few seconds. “No way. Is that what you do for a living now? Are you one of Lace’s prostitutes?” I had to ask her but couldn’t believe I was having this conversation. Was I dreaming?

“Not hardly, sweetheart. I’m an undercover cop, so I arrest guys who solicit for sex. My undercover name is—”

Finishing her sentence, I said, “Sapphire Bleu.”

“Now how did you know that? Don’t answer that. Can you come to Las Vegas? I’ll get you a ticket, and you can stay at my place. I want to see you ASAP.”

And I needed to see her, too, to get the truth behind what was happening with my brother, Honey, and that Valentino guy. “I’ll make my own reservations. Give me your number.” I gave her my cell phone number, then said, “I’ve seriously got to go,” when the shower stopped.

“Grant?” Tiffany whispered.

“Yes?”

“I want you to know, I never forgot the way you respected me back then. It’s because of you that I know there are good black men out there. I just haven’t found one yet. I want to say thanks.”

“I gotta go.” Fearing Honey would catch me on her phone, I hung up, tossed her cell phone on the bed, got dressed, and left. There was no way I could make love to Honey again tonight. Maybe a different night. But not tonight.

Cruising out of Honey’s driveway, I mumbled, “Goddamn, Tiffany Davis.” They said bad luck came in threes, but three outstanding dick suckers in a row? That was all good.

T
oo much was enough. What sick-ass game was Grant playing? I was not giving him any satisfaction. I had other things to do, and if I met an interesting man, I was adding him to the top of my to-do list.

Folding three pairs of fitted jeans, three tops, a professional suit, and a few casual things, I packed for my trip to Los Angeles with Red Velvet, her mother, and Ronnie. I glanced around my room, wishing I could dispel Grant’s energy. Hopefully, his scent would dissipate before I returned in two days.

Six degrees of separation cut in half. What Sapphire had told me was beginning to bother me, but I had other things to do. I’d visit Sapphire on my way back from L.A. I showered, got dressed, then called Onyx downstairs to take me to pick up Velvet and her family and drive all of us to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

Handing Onyx the keys to my car, I said, “You drive.”

“You good?” Onyx asked, with concern, as she picked up my suitcase. She put it in the back of my SUV.

“I’m good,” I said, staring out the passenger window. I didn’t want to look into her eyes. She’d see my sadness. Quietly, I took a few deep breaths. Continuing to stare out the window, I told her, “I’m going to Los Angeles, and I’ll be back in a few days. You’re in charge. I want a full daily report on everybody. No overnight guests are allowed. And if Grant shows up here, do not let that motherfucker in, you hear me?”

Onyx said, “Everything will be okay. I’m sure he has an explanation. Maybe he had a family emergency and didn’t want to alarm you.”

“Yeah, right.”

“You just handle your business, and I’ll make sure everything here is taken care of to your satisfaction.” Onyx parked in front of Velvet’s house.

Getting out of the car, I wanted to scream. How could I fall for this bullshit-ass nigga? Walking up to the front door, I felt like a private investigator instead of the president of my own company. I was supposed to open the doors to my business today. Best not to. I was so pissed off with Grant, my clients would’ve been counseling and consoling me. I was glad I was going across country to L.A. today. I needed to occupy my mind with something productive and get far away from Grant before I seriously hurt him.

I rang Velvet’s mother’s doorbell.

An older woman opened the door, then called out, “Ronnie, Velvet, let’s go. Honey is here.”

This woman actually had faith that I could successfully arrange for her daughter and grandson to meet this Alphonso guy. I sure hoped she was right. Onyx helped them put their bags in the back of my SUV.

“You,” Velvet said, standing in front of me. “I should’ve known. That’s how my mother found out what went down at the club.”

“Velvet, get in the car,” Velvet’s mother said. “Honey didn’t tell me anything. Mrs. Taylor did.”

Stch.
“Whatever. I’ll be glad when all of this is over. And I need to stop by and see my agent while we’re in L.A.,” Velvet said, getting in the car. “Ronnie, get in and move over. Sit in the middle. Grandma’s going to sit on the other side of you.” Velvet fastened his seatbelt. “I hope this trip satisfies everybody so I never have to do this again.”

“Let me speak to you for a moment,” I said to Velvet’s mother, who was standing outside the car. We walked a few feet away so no one could overhear our conversation.

“What? Is something wrong?” she asked.

“No, no. Before we leave, I just want to make certain you fully understand this trip may not produce the outcome you expect,” I told her. ’Cause I didn’t want her looking wide-eyed at me if shit didn’t go the way she’d expected.

“Yeah. Yeah, I know. But we have to try. Right? For Ronnie?”

“Whatever you want to do is right. Right?” I said, reaching into my purse. I handed her the envelope I’d received with Velvet’s name on it. “Open it.”

“What is it?” she asked quizzically, staring into my eyes.

“You won’t know unless you open it. Whatever is inside will determine how we approach Ronnie’s father.” If Alphonso had sent the seventy-two thousand dollars, everything was good. If not, he was going to wish he had.

“Shouldn’t Velvet be opening this? It is addressed to her.”

“I don’t want Velvet to be disappointed if it’s not what we expect. If she never knows, then she can’t be. Go on. Open it. We’ve gotta go. Please,” I said, looking at the envelope, anxious to find out if my efforts had been successful.

Sliding her finger inside a hole on the side of the envelope, she carefully tore the seal. She removed the contents. “Oh my God, dear Jesus,” she cried, stumbling into me.

“What is it? What?” I asked, reaching for the papers she was waving. I read the first few lines of Alphonso’s letter.

Stay the fuck away from me and my wife. Velvet is lying. I never touched her. There’s no way Ronnie can possibly be my son. I feel sorry for her….

“Could this be true?” I asked Velvet’s mother. “You think she made this up?”

A person’s first reaction was usually the real one. I believed Velvet. What I didn’t want was to get to L.A., confront this man, then have Velvet’s mother make me look like a damn fool, the way Grant had last night. In my line of work, many people got a bullet in the head for taking on a fight that wasn’t theirs.

“You still want to go? It’s not too late to change your mind if you’re unsure,” I said.

“Velvet wouldn’t lie about something like this. I say we go,” she answered.

Handing the letter and check back to her, I said, “Go put this inside. And whatever you do, don’t tell Velvet or Ronnie about this check until we return.”

Alphonso was trying to buy his way out of something. He might not have been sure about Ronnie being his son. Neither was I. But the thing Alphonso knew for sure was he’d raped Velvet. That was why he’d sent the check for seventy-two thousand dollars. There was more to this situation; I still didn’t know the real reason he’d tried to bully us into not coming. I got in the passenger seat and buckled up.

“Where’s Grandma going?” asked Ronnie.

“We’re not leaving your grandma. She forgot something,” I said, looking in the rearview mirror at Ronnie.

“Grandma never forgets,” Ronnie said. “Huh, Mommy?”

Velvet seemed preoccupied. She was working her thumbs like crazy, sending text messages. “Who are you texting like that?” I asked her. “Girl, you’re working them thumbs into a frenzy.”

“Yea! Grandma’s here. Let’s go,” Ronnie said cheerfully. “I’m going to Disneyland.”

Laughing into her Sidekick, Velvet said, “You are so stupid.” Then she typed some more. “Oh, I’m sorry.” She chuckled. “Just this guy I met the other day. G seems different. But they all do when I first meet ’em. He wants to make up for standing me up yesterday. He’s taking me out to dinner when I get back. Maybe if you’re not busy, Honey, you can join us and give me your take on him. I really like this one.”

I was the wrong person for Velvet to ask an opinion from. What was Grant’s problem? Damn, he was Benito’s brother. Both of those bastards were missing a few links.

“Well, he probably is. Different, that is. Just make sure he’s not you know what,” Velvet’s mother said.

I kept quiet and tried to map in my head how to proceed when we got to L.A. If what we had read was true, our visit could be disastrous.