Chemistry: The Chemist

Chapter 13

The stress of the case was weighing on me. Familiarity wasn’t debatable at this point of the investigation. I missed my mother. I missed my best friend. I missed the freedom of going and doing as I pleased. And I missed the time I spent with Chemistry before I discovered his identity.

“It will all be over soon, Johanson. We just need more specifics. Where does he live? Does he have any secret locations we should know? Tailing him has led us nowhere. I am afraid I’ll lose one of my agents if he catches wind that we’re following him so we fall back. You’re our only hope.”

“I understand Jack. But I keep making it clear that he is not like the others. He doesn”t make mistakes. I stumbled upon him by chance. Hadn’t he approached me, we’d never know who he was. He’s given me nothing,” I lied, gnawing at my bottom lip as I did so.

Chem hadn’t given me much, but there were a few things I was obligated to report. I hadn’t. The house in Berkeley. His family’s jeweler. His driver, Aden. His staff. The amount of time it took us to get from his place to mine. The amount of turns we made. The exact turns we made. Yet, I had nothing.

“That sucker has his shit air-tight.”

“He’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen before. I’m beginning to feel like we’ll never dismantle their operation. We don’t have enough on him.”

“What we have, we’ll make stick.”

“The word of a dealer that simply wants a way out of his own troubles?”

“Well since you put it away, I guess we don’t have much on him.”

“Give me some time. Maybe he’ll slip.”

“Let’s hope he does. Otherwise, we’ll bring him in on what we have, shake everyone around him down, and piece some shit together from there. Once he’s captured, I’m sure someone will come forward with some information.”

“Possibly so. Have you finalized the profile for my best friend?”

“Yeah. Yeah. We’re finishing up. It should be ready in a few days or so.”

“Make sure it goes back to childhood. Just in case, Jack. I don’t want to bring any harm to her or her husband. But, this case is taking much longer than I anticipated. If I’m going to continue, then I at least need someone I love on speed dial for those days I need some fresh air and normal conversation. If it’s not one of you all I’m talking to, it’s him or my damn walls.”

“Understood. Just hang in there. We’ll take care of it and make sure everything checks out, down to the school yearbook pictures.”

“Good. Talk to you later.”

“Talk to you later, Johanson. And good work out there.”

“Tell me that when this is all over.” I sighed.

“I’ll tell you again then.”

He ended the call, freeing me from bondage. The cafe’s restroom wasn’t exactly where I wanted to be on the private call, but it was the only solution for Jack’s impromptu call. I swirled the iced matcha I’d ordered, hating the fact I’d brought it in the bathroom with me. However, the stirrer that stopped it from spilling out of the small opening at the top that offered some sort of relief.

I emerged, reentering the crowded cafe and heading straight for the door. My loft was two blocks away. The wind swept my ponytail over my shoulder. I adjusted the YSL sunglasses I’d picked up in Berkeley with Chemistry’s encouragement. He was such a fucking influence.

Even my altered strut was inspired by him, his lifestyle, and the parts of it he offered me. My head was a little higher. My nose pushed into the air a little more. My shoulders were a bit more squared. My spine was straighter. My words were fewer. As if everyone around me could sense who it was I was bending over and busting it wide open for, I entered spaces differently, now.

I belong to Chemistry. I imagined there was a sign pinned on me somewhere that let everyone know. The way groups parted to give me unrestricted access on the sidewalks, held doors open long before I approached them, greeted me so pleasantly, and accommodated my needs with me hardly having a chance to ask, I assumed the thought wasn’t too farfetched.

Make him proud, Egypt.

It didn’t matter how many miles away he was, his presence was always felt. Though he wasn’t around physically, he had eyes on me. That much I knew. When the report was made, I wanted to be sure it included how much of him was beginning to shine through me.

Downtown Clarke was a melting pot. Its beauty was undeniable and my promise to explore it more hadn’t been broken yet. Each day I wasn’t climbing from under Chem’s covers or lying beside him underneath mine, I made my way through the lobby and into the sea of opportunities downtown presented. Today, I decided to try iced matcha for the first time. Tomorrow, if my schedule permitted, I’d try the ramen spot just three doors down from the cafe.

I arrived at my building with matcha lining my lip. It had a pleasant, very potent taste to it while remaining mellow. Smoothly, it ran down my throat, soothing its warmth. The walk to and from the cafe in the Clarke sun had my temperature slightly elevated.

“That’s good.” I moaned, tasting the honey I’d added to my order.

Oblivious to my surroundings, I strolled through the lobby, into the elevator, down my hallway, and to my door. I entered while finishing off my drink and scribbled in a trip to the cafe onto my mental schedule. They’d definitely be seeing me soon.

“Oh shit.”

My path to the kitchen was obstructed. The sound of sturdy boxes and my ice nearly hitting the floor forced me to pay attention to where I was going. The new additions to my place hadn’t been there when I’d left. A smile creased the corners of my lips as the culprit came to mind.

This man.

Brown boxes lined the floor, apparently brought up to my place by concierge. I hadn’t ordered anything online as of lately, but Chem had. I imagined he’d burned a hole through his credit card. On the shipping label of the brown boxes were names of every store we’d visited in Berkeley and a few we hadn’t gotten a chance to.

Does he know when to quit? Where will I fit all of this?

On cue, another phone he’d provided me began to vibrate. Carrying so many of them around was becoming a headache. I kept the phone I’d been issued home for the most part, tucked away until it was time to check in or I received a notification through email to answer a call that would be placed at a designated time.

“Do you ever quit?” I whispered into the phone, setting the cup of ice on the counter and heading to the bedroom closet where I stored the agency’s phone.

“Spoiling you? No. Why would I?”

“Maybe because I’m running out of room at my place.”

“That’s why we have a big ass house with big ass closets, Eden. If they’re not enough, then I’ll build you one that is.”

“Chemistry, no more.”

“I just thought I’d tell you sorry in advance.”

“Sorry? For what?”

“You haven’t been in your bedroom, huh?” He tittered.

Before responding, I exited the closet, back peddling into my room where things began to become clearer.

“Did you– I know you didn’t– Wait. Where is my bed?”

“I get the best sleep in it, Choc.”

“Does that mean you just come jack it from my place?”

“What other choice did I have?”

“I don’t know, maybe find one like it,” I suggested, holding my chest as I laughed.

“Why when yours was right there.”

“Chem, this is insane.”

“Have you learned anything about me yet?”

“I have, which is why this shouldn’t surprise me.”

“It shouldn’t. Besides, I’m a reasonable man, Eden. If you want to sleep in your bed, then fine. I understand. But, whenever the feeling arises, there’s only one place you’ll find it. Me and the bed are a package deal. To sleep on it, you have to be sleeping with me.”

“Isn’t that some crap?”

“It’s fair. Don’t lie. Just think about it.”

“In the meantime, what will I sleep on?”

“There’s a bed in the loft area.”

“I don’t want to sleep up there. I like being near the window.”

“Then you know what you have to do,” he teased.

“Sleep with you.”

“You say that like it’s bad news. I’m going to need you to sound a bit more enthused.”

“Chemistry, do you know what days without you are like?”

“You’ve mentioned it.”

“So, you should know I am losing my mind right now. Nights with you are good for my body, my heart, my head, and my soul. Nights with you bring me peace, comfort, joy, and ease.”

Ease?Effortlessly, Chemistry had managed to cultivate the life I aspired to have. He’d done so without breaking a sweat. It had been so seamless, I hadn’t realized until this very moment.

“Ease,” I repeated just above a whisper. “How do you do that?”

“Do what, exactly, Choc?”

“Be so damn good to me while simultaneously keeping me distracted so I don’t know what’s happening. And then moments like this bring clarity and I realize what you were up to the entire time. How’d I miss that?”

“Because your life with me is supposed to be so easy you don’t see it. You just feel it a little more and more each day. Eventually, it becomes so normal nothing feels out of the ordinary. By the time you’re having a moment like the one you’re having right now, all the chips have fallen into place, and because you weren’t worried about where they’d land… you actually had the chance to enjoy their journey. Enjoy your journey.”

I rested my back against the window, looking down at the shoes I had on. I was every bit of him, from my head to my toe. He’d bought every piece of clothing I’d worn over the last few weeks, down to my underwear.

“I love you, Chemistry.”

“Then show me. Be ready at seven. If I have to come upstairs and get you, we won’t make it down. I’m going to fuck you right where you’re standing, right where your bed used to be.”

Swiftly, I turned, trying to find him in the sparse crowd of people walking in downtown Clarke. I had no luck.

“Where are you?”

The silence on the line let me know he was no longer with me. He’d ended the call. I placed the phone on my chest. A chuckle escaped me. There was no denying what I felt for Chem. He had quickly become the center of my world. It wasn’t the case or my career that kept me up at night. It was him.

“Then show me,” I mocked him. “Be ready at seven.”

I pranced around the room, filled to the brim and unsure of what I’d pull from my closet to wear tonight or what look I was going for. Then it dawned on me. There were boxes in my kitchen. More than likely, Chemistry had already chosen what I’d be wearing.

6:54 p.m.

I bolted out of the door, nearly crashing into Michael. He stopped just inches short of me. Long-stemmed red roses filled his hand.

“I-I assume those are mine.”

“Yes, yes indeed they are, Ms. Reid.”

“Thank you, Michael.” I reached for the gorgeous arrangement, but he stepped back.

“I’ve been instructed to get these in some water. Move along, now. I hear you have a very special date with a very special gentleman tonight. Tardiness will not be accepted.”

“Thank you so much. There’s a vase under the third cabinet under the sink!” I yelled over my shoulder.

“Enjoy your night.”

I will. Chem would make sure of it.

With my head high and my heels higher, I strutted out of the lobby and right into the arms of the man waiting in black from head to toe. He’d learned fairly quickly that it was always the first choice and fell in line. Now, whenever we were together, we coordinated. It was intentional on his end, I supposed, but looked effortless.

A set of gold teeth gleamed under the light when his lips pulled back and a smile exposed his dimpled cheeks. My heart stopped. Time stood still. Everything around us evaporated. There was just him. There was just me. There was only us.

His hands gripped the butt of my jeans, cupping both cheeks. I stared up at him, completely and utterly obsessed with every inch of him.

The slit that ran down the center of my shirt exposed my skin. Chem’s hand rested against my stomach as his lips convinced me of their lonesomeness. I shed them of their misery, parting them with my tongue so I could explore the familiar warmth.

“Ummmm.”

Liquor. Peppermint. Pineapple.

Very unique, very distinctive flavors confirmed what I’d discovered the second he was in full view. Chemistry’s blood alcohol level was elevated.

“Good evening, Choc.”

His smile was contagious. So was his energy.

“Good evening, Chemistry,” I replied, biting into the peppermint that didn’t belong to me.

“After you.”

He ushered me into the truck and then joined me. Unable to keep his hands to himself, he wrapped one around my neck and shoved it backward. Involuntarily, my mouth slacked, giving him unrestricted access. Deeply and unapologetically, he kissed me.

My body grew warmer. My skin thickened with fine, tiny bumps. My breathing grew unstable.

Fuck.

My center throbbed. My chest caved. My heart ached.

Please.

As if he had telepathic powers, he released me. Breathlessly, I panted, trying to gather myself.

“Thief.”

The peppermint was no longer in my possession. Not even a crumb from the three pieces it had split into under the pressure of my teeth.

Gnawing on my bottom lip, I scooted to the end of the row we were on. Distance was required if exiting the truck was in the plans at some point in the evening.

“That won’t save you, Choc.”

Chuckling, I pleaded with the man a few inches away. “Just let me pretend.”

“If you must.”

Chemistry crossed a leg over the over after grabbing a glass from the compartment in front of us. He swirled the liquor in his glass before sipping. He, then, extended his arm in my direction. Graciously, I accepted the drink. Pineapple was the first to strip my tastebuds of the toothpaste I’d used minutes ago. The cognac was next. I squeezed my eyes together in hopes of relieving the intensity of the burn. Luck wasn’t on my side. I handed the concoction over without having another sip. One was more than enough.

“Argh. That is awful.” I breathed out. “The splash of pineapple juice is fighting for its life in there.”

Finding my complaint humorous, Chem stared at me with a silly smile on his handsome face.

“Women–” He paused.

“Are the greatest gift from God.”

“Are dramatic,” he challenged.

“Oh, I thought you were ready to admit that other thing.”

“That’s true as well. I can’t deny it. I’m surrounded by them and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”

Chemistry’s logic was interesting. He valued women, their contributions to the world, and everything they stood for. However, he didn’t care to cultivate relationships with women who didn’t have the same last name as him or one of his brothers. Not until me, at least.

We quieted down. When my system was regulated, I inched closer to Chem. The distance easily got the best of me. As I snuggled against him, a silk fabric was lowered over my head, not stopping until my eyes were covered.

“Home?” I questioned.

“No.”

Instead of tossing questions out and hoping something stuck, I quieted down and settled in. The volume of the music increased, drowning my thoughts. Lauryn Hill’s voice boomed throughout the truck.

Ready or not.

Here I come.

You can’t hide.

I’m gonna find you.

The words were fitting. In the back of my head, I knew whether Chem was ready or not, my team was coming to find him. And now that he was in our line of sight, there wouldn’t be any hiding. He was too precious to our investigation. We knew exactly what he did and how he did it. What we didn’t have was evidence connecting him to his crimes.

He was not a drug dealer. He was not a smuggler. Neither was he a handler. Those occupations made our jobs easy. They laid the trap for themselves and were quickly captured with the evidence in bulk. Chem’s role was a bit more intricate. Advanced. Revolutionary. Innovative.

We wouldn’t capture him with shipping containers full of kilos or stash houses full of baggies. He forced us to do our fucking job and doing it well would be the only way we’d break the case. However, he made it impossible because I couldn’t separate my feelings from my fate. Truthfully, in no world could we exist. In the end, we’d end. There was no way around it. Hanging onto him was only prolonging the case.

The moment I disassociated and focused solely on the task at hand I’d crack it wide open. But, I wasn’t ready to burst the bubble we were in. I wasn’t ready to destroy all the progress we’d made. I wasn’t ready to undo all the things he’d done to me, for me. I wasn’t ready to break his heart or mine.

The wheels stopped spinning shortly before the wind whipped around the open door and into the truck. Chem’s warmth evaporated. He’d left me alone, but only momentarily. His hand was around mine, guiding me out of the backseat within seconds.

Careful not to tip over and fall head first, I took one step at a time. The echoing of my shoes urged the belief that we were in a large, open space. The chill narrowed the location down to three or more possibilities. However, I was almost certain of one place in particular. When my eyes were uncovered, my assumption became my reality.

A warehouse.

“Mmmmm. Mmm!”

Muffled sounds beckoned for my attention. Straight ahead, only a few feet away, I laid eyes on a bound and gagged figure. I stepped forward, trying to comprehend what was happening and why the person seated looked so familiar. Squinted eyes and a closer look confirmed my suspicions.

“Ch–”

“Aht. Aht,” Chemistry warned with a finger in the air.

“Wh– why is he– You promised you wouldn’t lay a hand on him.”

My body flushed with heat. Hyperventilating, I began to run through the scenarios, the conversations, and all the information Chemistry had possibly gotten from the man in the chair.

“And I haven’t. If I’d laid a hand on him, Choc, he’d have a hole in his fucking head. Does this man have a hole in his fucking head?” He asked, pointing at Adonis.

“Mm! Mmmmm!”

Chem tilted his chin, closing his eyes in an effort to maintain his composure.

“He’s a noisy nigga, so yes, I’d love to put my hands on this bitch, but I’m a man of my word. I haven’t spoken to him and neither have I touched him.”

“Why is he here? I thought we were having din–”

It was then the aroma touched my nose.

“We are.”

“With him?”

“Of course not with him. I have other plans for him.”

Flustered, I began to feel my skin crawl. Whatever was happening had my stomach in knots. Adonis was a huge risk. I wanted to kick my own ass for ever mentioning him. I was so caught up in the moment, interlocking my world with Eden’s world that I gave a name that wasn’t supposed to be given. There was a complete work-up for Eden. Ex-boyfriends included.

Fuck.

“I don’t understand what’s going on,” I disclosed.

“Not a nigga alive will successfully break your heart and sleep peacefully at night as if that shit never happened. I think it’s time he got to experience what you dealt with… what you’re still dealing with.”

“I’m not.”

“Keep telling yourself that, baby, but when you’re ready to talk about it, you can sit on my sister’s couch.”

“Okay, maybe there is still some underlying pain there, but it’s not that big of a deal.”

“Every time you screen my calls, it becomes a big deal. The fact that you’re panicked if my time and attention aren’t devoted to you makes it a big deal. The way that you hold me at night as if I’m going to slip away and into somebody else’s pussy while you’re asleep makes it a big deal.

“How you tried to sabotage our shit before it even got started makes it a big deal. Instead of trying to piss me off by dipping and dabbing, I figured getting down to the source would help you begin to heal whatever this fuck nigga did. At least that’s what my therapist suggests.”

I hadn’t found a lie in his statement. I wished I had a rebuttal, but I didn’t. Though I’d completely blocked those memories, that hurt Adonis had caused, I hadn’t forgotten it. Daily, it was manifesting in my relationship with Chem.

Since Adonis, I hadn’t committed myself to another relationship out of fear history would repeat itself. Chemistry didn’t give me the opportunity to run from him. He was too addictive. Every change I got, I was running toward him with my mouth agape and my pussy drooling.

“So, we’re going to have a nice, quiet dinner in the room right over there. It’s soundproof. And together, we’re going to watch this niggas heart crumble.”

“Mmmmm. Mmmm. Mmm.”

Adonis sounded off as Chem’s driver handed him a device that he pointed at the wall. The bright lights lowered and a large screen appeared on the blank wall. A recording began to play. Baffled, I stood beside Chem waiting for instructions.

“A few weeks ago, Eden shared your name with me. Simultaneously, she shared that you were happily married with a wife and children. I put my boy Benny to work almost immediately. I was a bit taken aback when he reported back just three days later with your wife’s cell number, your home address, her office address, and an invitation to dinner on the one free night she has each week while you spend time with the kids alone.”

“Mmmm. Mmm.”

The guy I’d seen near my building on multiple occasions came into view. Shannon, who I’d learned was the woman Adonis had married years ago, stood in front of the camera moments later.

She’s an old friend.

Don’t worry about her.

I’m not fucking her Egypt.

Me and her are just friends.

I wasn’t with Shannon.

The lies came rushing back but were silenced when Chem’s voice rang out. Everything began to make more sense as he continued.

“That was two weeks ago. She’s been trying to give up that pussy ever since. Unfortunately, you weren’t staying with the children this week because you were set to catch an impromptu flight this afternoon for business and not return for three days. Because she couldn’t get to Benny, she told Benny to come over at eight when the children were sound asleep.”

Shannon wasted little time undressing. Completely naked, she climbed onto the bed and beckoned for Benny to join her.

“After picking her brain and learning her kinks, he discovered she’d always fantasized about having sex in the bed she shared with her husband while being recorded. In the event she discovered his work trips were not really work trips, and were in fact time spent with another woman, then after she won the custody battle, their home, and half of everything he made for the rest of his life, she’d send him that fucking tape.”

Chemistry laughed with a shake of his head. Adonis had grown silent, his eyes big as saucers as he peered at the large screen where his wife was stuffing her jaws with Benny’s dick. He wore no protection. Tears touched Adonis’ cheeks and the sobbing began.

“Luckily for you, I’m on your side, Adonis. You don’t have to wait to see what your wife is up to when you’re away on business. Because I’m showing you.”

She quickly made a mess of the act. Saliva trailed down her chin and began to drip onto the bed as she bobbed, allowing Benny to stroke her mouth, simultaneously.

“I don’t know, man. It doesn’t look like her first time putting another niggas balls in her mouth. She’s way too comfortable but I could be wrong. But, uh, I have no interest, so I’ll leave you alone. I have a meal waiting for me.”

By the hand, Chemistry led me in the opposite direction. Relief washed over me. Learning Adonis wasn’t allowed to speak and hadn’t been spoken to resolve the tension in my chest, but it didn’t clear me completely.

“Chemistry,” I called out to him as we entered the private room that was lit with candles and smelled divine.

“Yes, my love?” Tenderly, he bit into the strawberry he picked from the small fruit bar against the wall.

“Sometimes I don’t understand you. There’s no reason for Adonis to be down there.”

“I never asked you to understand me, Eden. I’ve made it clear that it’s an impossible task.”

“Explain this to me.” I groaned.

“Eye for an eye.”

“Is that your explanation?”

“He should’ve chosen wiser.” He shrugged, picking up another strawberry, nearly making me lose my train of thought.

I wanted him to handle me that way. Gently. Carefully. Lovingly. Right off the table and into his mouth. That’s what I needed to forget everything happening downstairs.

He continued to make himself clear. Over and over. He’d wage war if it meant my happiness. He’d shed blood if it meant his. Still, as a woman of the law, I found it hard to wrap my head around it. Around him.

“Had he and we wouldn’t be together. It would be me who he’d married.”

“Had he and his life would’ve tragically ended if that meant having you to myself. Have you not gotten it through your skull, Eden? We’re inevitable. We were going to happen regardless. Now, fix your face before I think you’re in your feelings about that nigga and I end up breaking my promise. Let that man make it back home to his children, at least, because his wife is as good as gone.”

His hands were around my waist before I could protest. His lips pecked my forehead and then my cheek before I could push him away. I didn’t have the strength for either. He weakened me. Handicapped me. Stripped me of all my powers.

“You’re insufferable.” I sighed into his mouth.

“Suckable?” he mumbled. “I couldn’t hear you. Is that what you said?”

“I–”

His pants hit the floor instantly. The sound of his belt crashing into the concrete sent me spiraling.

“Then suck this motherfucker, Choc.”

I was on my knees in a split second. He’d never have to ask me to consume him twice.

I devoured him. He gripped my ponytail to gain leverage and slow me down. I fought against him but lost in the end. But, so did he. He pulled me up by the hair and kissed me with a vengeance as our food was delivered to our table.

We started with appetizers. Chem ended that course with me. We ate our entrees. Chem washed his down with more of me. Instead of dessert, I took Chem into my mouth, again. And by the time our plates were cleared off the table, my body had landed. On the cream linen, he fucked me as if the world was coming to an end.

By the time I pulled myself together and made it down the stairs. There wasn’t a sign of Adonis. Aden stood next to the truck waiting for our arrival. We climbed in and found comfort fast. He stroked my arm with two fingers, putting me at ease. Within minutes, I was asleep.