Chapter 6
CHAPTER
SIX
Muse
A month later
Music blasted from the speakers at my brother’s party, and I couldn't help but think about the honey-eyed beauty that occupied my mind lately. Era and I had been spending a lot of time together because of MJ’s condition, and she was wiggling her way into my heart.
I hated that I was vying for the affection of a married woman, but damn, I couldn’t help myself. She was funny, smart as hell, super creative, and caring. MJ was growing attached to her too and that was really getting to me.
She was married, and once MJ’s sessions were up, then what? I couldn’t just let another four years go by without seeing her. I was in quite the dilemma, and I had to figure this shit out soon.
A hand tapped on my bar, signaling to get my attention, pulled me from my thoughts. Standing in front of me were two light-skinned baddies that were built like full stallions. They stared at me lustfully as their glossed lips pursed in my direction.
“My sincere apologies to you two beauties. What can I get you?”
“Two shots of tequila with a side of those lips and dick,” one of them spoke brazenly as the other laughed.
I chuckled because women were always so bold when they approached me, but I enjoyed their vulgar and flirty ways. “I’m sorry, ladies, but that’s not on the menu. I can, however, make you anything you would like to drink.”
They smiled. “You’re going to seriously pass up the opportunity to fuck sisters?” the other baddie questioned this time.
“Yes, ma’am. I have to decline because I’m celibate, but whenever I change that, I’ll be sure to look you ladies up,” I expressed with a sexy grin then set two shots of tequila in front of them. “It’s on the house, ladies.”
“It could be on us, but you playing around. In the meantime, I’m Sasha and this is my sister, Monet. We’ll take one of your business cards because we’re always having parties. Toodles, Muse,” Sasha voiced as she read my name from my business card.
“I appreciate you ladies. Enjoy your night.” They waved goodbye, and Desmond strolled right over.
“Damn, lil bro. I can’t believe you really be turning down pussy left to right. You sure you not…” and he let his sentence trail off as he drunkenly laughed.
“Had you been anyone else and asked me that dumb ass question, you’d probably be picking up your fucking teeth.
” Desmond laughter stopped and he sobered up at the mention of me kicking his ass.
“I’m trying to be all Zen and centered, so I’ll let that pass.
No, I’m not down low or gay. I just want one woman I can freely give myself to with no worries. ”
“My bad, bro. I didn’t mean to offend you.
I just really don’t know how you do it. You’ve always been physically strong, but now it’s like you’re mentally stronger.
You’re a better man than me because I couldn’t do it, bro.
More power to you.” Desmond tossed back the shot I’d given him and shook his head.
Standing from his seat at the bar he howled.
“I’m about to go and find those two light skinned baddies you turned down and eat both of their pussies until the sun comes up. ”
Desmond swaggered away, and I grunted because deep down, I wanted more. I wanted to eat pussy until the sun came up as well, but for the right woman. I shook my head and wiped down the bar in Desmond’s luxury apartment and served drinks for a few more hours, until it was time for me to head out.
When I was all packed up, I exited his building and climbed into my SUV.
I was hungry as hell because all Desmond’s wives had ordered was that lil finger food shit.
My ass needed real sustenance. I sped out of his driveway and coasted through the streets of downtown Halla Grove, until I stopped at one of my favorite Mediterranean food spots that was open twenty- four hours.
I ordered enough food for two people because I was hungry as hell.
When my order was up, I thought about Era as I slid into my SUV.
I wondered if she was still at her studio? No, she couldn't be. It was late as hell on a Friday night, and she was probably with her husband and his other wives.
Envy and hate filled me because of that punk ass nigga, but I still wanted to drive by, so I did.
Upon first glance, it did look dark and empty, but the closer I drove, there was a single light on, and I paused in the middle of the street and studied the silhouette through the almost see-through drapes.
That was most definitely Era's curvy figure that worked at one of her pottery stations.
Hurriedly, I reversed and parked. There wasn’t a second to waste because this was a chance to have her all to myself again. Swiftly, I exited my truck and grabbed the food then trekked to the storefront's door.
Knocking on the glass loud enough for her to hear me, the drapes moved, and she looked out the window.
Her eyes widened as a happy smile covered her face before she disappeared.
In seconds flat, she opened the door then swiftly pulled me inside.
I immediately engulfed her into a tight hug, and she melted in my arms. My six-three height towered over her five feet plus height, and I basked in the warmth of our embrace.
Soft jazz music circulated around us, but at this particular moment, nothing else seemed to matter. Her hair smelled like cherries and almonds, but there were light notes of vanilla wafting from her along with the pottery mixture. Slowly, we separated, and joy was evident in her honey brown eyes.
“What are you doing here? How did you know I was here?”
I grabbed the flap of her overalls and led her over to the table we ate at a couple of months ago. “Go and wash your hands while I set dinner up.”
“Alright, love.” Era switched away, and I chuckled at how I had changed her mood that fast. It appeared I wasn’t the only one smitten in this situation we had going. I wasn’t sure at all, but maybe tonight we could figure this thing out.
Once I had our food plated, I took my seat, and Era returned. “Mmm. Everything looks and smells so good,” she cheered happily.
“It is, but let’s say grace first.” We bowed our heads then I led grace because I wasn’t sure if she could or not. When I finished, we dug into our meals. We ate quietly for the better part of our meal until I sipped some of my water, then finally answered her question.
“I was bartending at my brother’s party that wasn’t too far from here. You crossed my mind like usual, so I thought I’d humor myself and see if you were here, although it was late as hell. Low and behold, you were here. What you doing here so late on a Friday night?”
Era wiped her hands and took a sip of her water before she responded. “Friday’s are demon days for Syris. There’s so much alcohol, sex, and all kinds of promiscuous activities going on, and I just hate being around it. So, I escape to my solace and leave him to his dealings.”
“If you don’t mind me asking, how is it being married to a man with multiple wives? If you feel uncomfortable answering, you don’t have to at all.”
Era played with her napkin then addressed me. “It’s the worst possible life you can imagine.”
“Then, why are you there?”
She looked up at me, and I was taken aback at the storm brewing in those honey brown orbs of hers.
If looks could kill, I’d be a puff of smoke already.
“I’m sorry, but that’s a discussion for another day.
All you need to know at the moment is that it wasn’t my choice.
” She quickly wiped her eyes, and I felt like a whole asshole for making her sad. I needed to change the mood and fast.
“Mizz Lady, how come you never showed me how to make a flower pot, cup, or plate or some?”
She smiled broadly as she sniffled. “I don’t know. I just assumed it wasn’t your cup of tea.”
“Anything that involves you, is my cup of tea. Now, come and teach me how to make something.” I stood, then pulled Era from her seat, before I kissed her wet eyes.
We hadn’t shared a kiss yet, but I hoped God put it in the universe for it to happen tonight.
I was fiending to taste those full lips of hers.
“Let’s focus on us tonight. Can you do that for me?”
“Yes.” She nodded. I released her and she walked over to the drawer where she kept the one size fits all aprons, then handed me one. “So, you won’t mess up your nice attire.”
“Aww, you think I look nice?” I inquired with a smirk while I pulled on the apron.
“You always look great.”
I chuckled. “Don’t ho me out to make me feel good.”
She laughed loudly, and I enjoyed her carefree and happy laughter. Whew! I’m glad I made her feel better. “I’m not hoin’ you out or gassing you up. You really are a very attractive brotha, and not to mention you always smell incredible.”
I stared at her for a beat because she was about to make me risk it all for one night.
“Come sit behind me, so I can show you how it’s done.
” Era took her seat on a small stool, and I followed right behind her.
She started her machine, and I watched how the murky grayish mixture blended and mixed.
It began to swirl, and Era jumped right into molding it.
Once she had it where she wanted it, she grabbed onto my hands and immersed them into the warm liquid. Together, our hands molded the mixture in silence as Maxwell serenaded us from her playlist. It was crazy because this seemed to be our song.
This was by far the most intimate shit I’d ever done with a woman, and it was mind blowing. Her small hands guided mine, and I had no problem allowing her to lead me. My eyes strayed from the pottery mixture for a moment, and I observed Era.
Fine like hairs framed the side of her face and the back of her neck. The same fine hairs covered her warm brown eyes, and I noticed how hairy she was. It was definitely a turn on of mine.
Her ponytail hung down her back and although her hair was long, I can’t lie and say I would’ve loved to run my fingers through her curls she had before.
When I snapped out of my thoughts, I looked down to see her staring up at me.
Her lips were pursed, and her honey brown eyes said everything she couldn’t.
Era didn’t need to say anything because the message was quite clear. Our eye contact never broke as I leaned down slowly, and she turned more to face me. We eased closer and closer, until our lips finally met. The moment had come, and this meeting was long overdue.
Our lips and tongue slowly tangled as they adjusted to the plushness of the foreign intruders. Era’s arms wrapped around my neck as my arms clamped tightly around her waist. Quickly, I pulled Era onto my lap because I needed to feel more of her. I needed her as close to me as possible.
Slowly, her curvy figure rolled onto my swollen erection, and this time, she made me shiver. It’d been a minute since I’d experienced this feeling and in any damn minute, I was about to blow prematurely. I needed to slow us down. Gently, I broke our kiss, and her eyes fluttered open.
“Wha—what’s the matter, love?”
I rested my head against her ample breast as I caught my breath. She was the only person who didn’t know I was celibate, and she needed to know. Rising, I stared into her eyes.
“I’m celibate. I haven’t slept with a woman in the past seven years. It’s been about finding myself and the woman for me before I go down that path again. How does that make you feel?”
Era’s eyes were wide from shock until she climbed off me then turned off her pottery machine.
“What you’re doing is major. Most of the time in society we see women making decisions like that, but men, not so much.
I applaud you heavily because you are a great man to me and it just seems like the more I learn about you, my heart shatters because I could never fully have you to myself. ”
I stood from my stool and pulled her into my arms. Sweetly, I kissed her eyes then licked her tears that coated my lips. “We’ll cross that bridge eventually, but tonight, let’s embrace the time that we’re sharing now.”
Era smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. I could feel she wanted out of her marriage, but the hold her husband had on her was something. Then, a thought came to my mind. “If you had plans to stay here overnight, where were you going to sleep?”
She smirked. “This place is fully equipped to fit my needs. There’s a full bedroom in the back, private bathroom, and mini kitchen,” she replied with a small yawn.
“Music to my ears. Let’s get you ready for bed because I plan on holding you all night long.”
“Really?”
“Yes, really. Furthermore, tomorrow or Sunday, we can have a little dinner and a movie here. How does that sound?”
“Like a dream, baby.”
“Good to hear.” I scooped Era up into my arms, then we headed to the back, leaving all of our troubles there.