Taeja

32. Chapter 32

32

As Sakara’s professor walked away, Taeja sat up. She smiled as Sakara took off her gloves. “Thanks for the clean.”

“No, thank you,” Sakara said, smiling. “I would’ve failed my practical if it wasn’t for you.”

Taeja’s smile brightened. It always filled her with a burst of pride and joy whenever people praised her. “No problem.”

“Let me follow you outside,” Sakara said. “Jaheim should be here soon.”

Taeja hummed as they walked outside. They were greeted by the community that was slowly coming to life. They stopped outside the gates of the small college compound, and Taeja peered at the students, vehicles, nature, and buildings. A mongoose ran across the road and Taeja smiled.

Sakara chuckled from beside her. “You still have that thing about you.”

Taeja looked at Sakara. Even at school, Sakara made it her point of duty to make simplicity look expensive. Her face had light makeup and extra shiny lip gloss. Her hair was combed into a sleek ponytail.

“What thing?” Taeja asked.

“Being fascinated by everything.”

“Oh… I was wondering what my life would’ve been like if I grew up here.”

“We would’ve been inseparable, that’s for sure.”

Taeja frowned. “I’m sorry I don’t remember much about you.”

“It’s fine. Most people don’t have any memories before age— See Jaheim ya. ”

A car stopped at their feet and the window went down. A man of a light-brown complexion with his hair in braids looked at Sakara from head to toe before his eyes settled on Taeja.

Sakara smiled and ran over, yanking open the back door. She frowned when Jaheim chuckled. “Weh mi baby?”

“Your aunt,” he said, his voice cool as he looked at Taeja.

“Way how yu pull up so slow, I thought you had ZsaZsa.” Sakara rolled her eyes at Jaheim as he came out of the car and leaned against it. She stood beside him, and he threw an arm over her shoulders.

“Easy yuself, mami,” Jaheim said. The gold chains resting atop his white Tee gleamed as the sunlight touched it.

Sakara huffed and looked at Taeja. “Tae, this is Jaheim.”

“Yu shame a mi?”

Sakara’s brows furrowed. “No. How you reach deso?”

“Yu nuh introduce me as yu man.”

“She knows.”

“Tell her again. Nuh know how yaa leff off the title.”

Sakara rolled her eyes. “This is Jaheim, my boyfriend.”

Jaheim grinned before looking at Taeja. “Nice to meet you, Tae.”

Taeja smiled. “Likewise.”

“I’m going inside before they start wondering where I am.” Sakara tipped to kiss Jaheim, leaving a glossy mark on his cheek. “Get her home safely.”

“See you later, mami.” Jaheim slapped Sakara’s ass as she walked out of his hold.

Sakara stopped before Taeja and tugged her into a hug. “Let me know when you’re at Aunty. Wear something sexy tonight,” she said, then lowered her voice. “You should take it easier when you’re in your bedroom. The back of your throat is bruised.”

Taeja’s eyes widened. She was speechless as Sakara released her and walked away.

The evening was just like yesterday — Damon, Cassedi, and Taeja were at the front of the house while Zain was in the backyard, barking at someone on the phone. The only difference this time was that ZsaZsa was here, and Taeja was searching Damon’s skin for ticks.

“Mi nuh know why you tek up yourself bout yago ketch cow,” Taeja said.

“I was trying to help Miss Pansy. Her husband died, and she has no one,” Damon grumbled.

Taeja smiled at Damon’s back. “You’re too sweet for your own good. And I think you’re good.”

“Thanks, baby,” Damon said.

Taeja nodded, moving to the nearby pipe to wash her hands. After she finished, she returned to her seat on the steps leading to the veranda.

Cassedi chuckled. “Damon, tell her the nice part.”

Damon’s eyes widened. “No.”

“What happened?” Seeing Cassedi smirk but not answer, Taeja gasped. “Wow, Cassedi. I’m your child ino.”

Cassedi laughed. “When Damon went for the cows, they chased him.”

Taeja burst out laughing. “What?”

“I thought it was a myth that they hate red,” Damon stated bitterly.

“Waii!” Taeja screamed, holding her belly, and almost toppling over.

Damon glared. “It’s not funny.”

Cassedi chuckled. “It was.”

“No sah!” Taeja dried tears from her eyes. “Cassedi, you should’ve taken pictures.”

“I was busy trying to catch the rope. Yu shuda see me a run backa them ina the bush. Mi hope nuh more ticks nuh deh pon mi fi jump pon ZsaZsa,” Cassedi said while looking at ZsaZsa, who was sucking her thumb and listening to them. “A Sister Pansy grandson afi come help we.”

“I wish I was there,” Taeja laughed, ignoring Damon’s glare.

“Maybe next time,” Cassedi said. “We need to get ready to go to Westmoreland.”

“Oh, right…”

Cassedi’s brows furrowed. “We don’t have to go if you don’ t want to.”

Remembering the conversation with her mom last night, Taeja shook her head. “No, I want to. It’s just making me sad that I’m leaving tomorrow. I feel like I didn’t get to spend much time with you.”

“We can extend the trip to Saturday if you want,” Damon suggested.

“I’d love that, but she has school,” Cassedi said.

“My professors usually start teaching on the second day. I don’t mind staying longer,” Taeja said.

“I’ll see what I can do,” Damon said.

Cassedi nodded and stood. “I’ll go shower Cookie. Sakara’s classes are almost over, so she and Jaheim will be here soon.”

After Cassedi disappeared into the house, Taeja grinned at Damon. Damon hissed his teeth and stood.

“Watch ya!” Taeja laughed and grabbed Damon’s arm, stopping him. “You’ve been here for two days and you’re acting more Jamaican than me.”

“I love it here,” Damon said.

“We can come back soon,” Taeja promised, and he nodded. “I’m going inside to get ready, too.”

Damon nodded, following her into the room. He sat on the bed and watched as she dressed.

Taeja chuckled. “Are you sure there aren’t more ticks on you?”

“I showered five times. You searched me and Cassedi did, too. I’m fine.”

“Mm… Okay.” She slipped on a summer dress, then walked toward him. She straddled him, took his face between her hands, then pecked him. “Thanks again for following me here.”

“Anything for you, baby,” he said, and Taeja smiled as he wrapped his arms around her waist. “Why do you taste minty?”

Taeja blushed and looked away. “Nothing.”

He looped a finger beneath her chin and made her look at him. “Taeja.”

She pouted. “Mi nuh name Taeja.”

“You’re Taeja when you’re being stubborn. Answer me.”

“I have a cough drop in my mouth.”

His brows furrowed as he placed the back of his hand on her forehead. “Are you feeling sick?”

“No… Sakara saw that I’ve been sucking dick.”

Damon chuckled as he moved his hand. “You haven’t been sucking mine.”

“You’re barely in the house. How mi fi dweet?”

“I’m in the house now,” he teased.

Taeja smirked and attempted to move, but he halted her. “Sucking dick never kill nobody before, Damon. Move your hands.”

He smirked and released her. “I’ve never done temperature play before.”

“Me neither. Don’t be rough with me.” Taeja kneeled on the floor before him.

Damon stood, and she helped him out of his pants. She kissed atop his boxers, then freed his dick. She tucked the cough drop into her cheek, removed the piercing, then handed it to him.

Taeja spat on Damon’s dick, stroking and kissing until it was fully hard. She sucked the head into her mouth while meeting his eyes, circling the tip with her tongue and using her hands to do the same to his shaft. The cough drop melted on her tongue, sending cold sensations along his sensitive flesh and increasing the pleasure.

For the both of them.

Her clit throbbed as Damon’s breathing gradually increased from above her, becoming rugged and needy. Holding his gaze, she moved a hand off his shaft, then took all of him into her mouth. Inch by inch until he was at a hilt.

Taeja couldn’t breathe, but she let him stay there for a few seconds. Long enough for him to enjoy the vibrations stemming from her throat and the coldness of her mouth.

Damon swore, his voice low and raspy. “That feels so good, baby.”

Taeja’s heart fluttered. Damn, his voice. She knew she was doing a good job, but she wanted to do a great job. For him.

Pulling away, she used both hands to stroke his dick, her mouth meeting her hands as her head bobbed up and down his shaft. Spit dribbled out the sides of her mouth, some tears gathering in her eyes whenever his dick blocked her airflow. But it was all worth it to see Damon like this. With his hand loosely tangled in her hair. With him using his free hand to hold up his shirt .

His moans were low, strained. The door was shut but not locked, and anyone could burst in at any time and see them. The risk of getting caught made Taeja’s pussy wetter than it already was.

Damon’s defined abs taunted her. To run her hands up it or trail her tongue along the hard muscles.

But she didn’t. She focused only on his dick. And his balls.

She pulled out and slapped his dick on her tongue before taking it in her mouth again, loving how he tasted and felt in her small hands.

Licking underneath his shaft, she looked up at him while using one hand to play with his balls and the other to pump him. Quick with a tight grip. Only loosening when she used her thumb to play with the pre-cum leaking from his tip.

Damon was putty in her hands as he neared his end. Inhaling a sharp breath, Damon ordered, “Go faster.”

Taeja hummed a response, doing as he demanded. She tightened her grip around his shaft, sucking hard and fast until his hips bucked and he came undone within seconds.

Not wanting her dress to be ruined, she swallowed every drop before it had the chance to drip out of her mouth. His cum tasted like the minty cough drop as it slid down her throat, an odd mix of warmth and coldness, but she didn’t mind.

Wiping the back of her hand across her mouth, Taeja watched as Damon stepped back, trying to regain control of himself.

“You liked it?” she asked.

Damon nodded. “I loved it,” he said with a grin, stooping to kiss her forehead and mouth. “Next time, we’ll use ice.”

Taeja nodded as she stood and finished getting dressed. When she got done, she left Damon in the room to take a business call. She went to the bathroom, freshened up, and returned to the living room to see Zain. He was sitting on the sofa, already dressed, and squeezing a ball.

She sat beside him, and he tugged her closer by the waist. Taeja smiled as she laid her head against him. “Are you okay?”

Zain sighed. “Yeah. ”

“Sure?” she asked, and he nodded. Taeja didn’t believe him. She was about to press him harder, but she refrained as Cassedi entered the living room with a pampered ZsaZsa by her side.

“Sit in the chair, Cookie.” Cassedi pointed at the sofa across from the one Zain and Taeja sat on. After ZsaZsa obeyed, Cassedi went to the kitchen.

Watching ZsaZsa, Taeja realized she looked more like Jaheim than Sakara. From her light-brown complexion to her straight nose. A phone ringing pulled her from admiring her cousin.

“Taeja, grab that phone for me, please! It’s on the dresser. My hand dem full a season,” Cassedi yelled from the kitchen.

Taeja ran to the room. She’d never been in Cassedi’s room before, and what she saw surprised her.

Cassedi had several pictures of herself and Jerry tucked between the pane and glass of the dresser. Taeja stepped closer, entranced by the pictures, while the ringing phone became a distant memory.

In all the pictures, her parents smiled brightly. When they were getting married… A throwback to college… A dinner date… And in this one Cassedi was pregnant while Jerry kneeled before her and kissed her belly.

“TAEJA?!” came Cassedi’s yell from the kitchen, ripping her back to reality.

“Me a come!” Taeja grabbed the phone and ran to the kitchen. She was unsure if she should say anything about the pictures, so she answered the call and put the phone to Cassedi’s ear before returning to sit beside Zain.

ZsaZsa was staring at Zain. It surprised Taeja when the girl hopped off the sofa and walked toward them.

Taeja smiled. “Hey, ZsaZsa.”

ZsaZsa ignored her. She was too focused on Zain. She stopped before them, then stretched her hand out.

Zain’s eyes widened as he glanced between ZsaZsa and Taeja. “What does she—”

“The ball, I think,” Taeja answered.

“Here…” Zain said, offering the ball to ZsaZsa.

ZsaZsa accepted it with a small smile and Zain yanked his hand back. He stiffened when ZsaZsa crawled onto his lap and laid her head on his chest, focused on the ball in her hand.

“Taeja…” Zain’s hands curled into fists at his sides.

“Come here, ZsaZsa,” Taeja tried to take ZsaZsa, but she shrugged off Taeja. Taeja glanced at Zain, who looked uncomfortable. “I think she likes you.”

“ Me ?” Zain choked out, looking at ZsaZsa with knitted brows.

“Yes. You,” Taeja replied, glancing at Cassedi, who returned to the living room.

Cassedi smiled. “Cookie, yu find new friend?”

Too fascinated by the ball, ZsaZsa didn’t answer.

“Do you want Cassedi to take her?” Taeja asked.

“Yes,” Zain answered without missing a beat. “I mean, no. I don’t know.”

Taeja laid her hand atop his, and he unclenched his fist to grip her hand. “She’s a baby. She won’t hurt you, and you won’t hurt her.”

Zain nodded, awkwardly clearing his throat as he tried relaxing.

Seeing movement in the corner of her eye, Taeja looked over.

Wayne entered the house, holding two laden bags in his hands. “Hey, Tae.” He cleared his throat as his eyes flickered to Zain. His brows knitted briefly at ZsaZsa before he looked at Taeja and gulped. “Mi carry apple fi yu.”

“Apple?” Taeja stood and walked toward Wayne. She smiled as he showed her the apples, which had a rich, purple color. “Thanks, Wayne.”

He nodded. “I heard you wanted some, so I brought some for you. Also, as an apology for trying to… look you.”

Taeja chuckled, amused by his nervousness. “Yu good, Wayne. You couldn’t have known that I’m your cousin—”

“Nuh tell him dat,” Cassedi interrupted. “Nasty wretch. Everything yu walk and look.”

“It’s fine. Really,” Taeja reassured Wayne, who nodded while handing her the bags. “And thanks for this.”

Taeja brought the bags to the kitchen. She took two apples out of it and washed them in the sink. She brought them to Damon. He was still on his business call, but he accepted them with a big smile. Taeja nodded, then returned to the living room .

Wayne was long gone.

ZsaZsa was in Cassedi’s hold.

And Zain was biting back a smirk.

Taeja nervously tapped her finger on the table. She knew the woman sitting across from her was hooking onto her every movement.

Cassedi cleared her throat.

Taeja’s shoulders slackened as she felt the woman look away from her. Taeja looked up, relieved that the woman was looking at Cassedi. She used the time to get another good look at the woman.

Her lips were painted a fiery red. Her long locs were twisted into a fancy top knot with a multicolored scarf wrapped around it. Those cold eyes didn’t strip away any of her beauty. She looked like an empress from folklore.

Taking a sip from the glass of red, the woman laid the glass atop the table. “She has his eyes.”

Cassedi’s brows furrowed as she looked at Taeja. “I think she has mine.”

“Maybe I am imagining it because I have not seen him in a while,” Merissa said.

Detecting the trace of disdain in her aunt’s tone, Taeja chuckled nervously. “Is that a good or bad thing?”

Merissa’s icy gaze settled on Taeja. “A bad thing.” She moved the glass to her lips, taking a long sip. Humming as she placed the glass on the table, Merissa sat more upright. “When Cassedi told me you were here, I did not know that you would want to meet me.”

“Why wouldn’t I want to meet you?”

“Because the family wants nothing to do with Jerry or his kin,” Merissa said, her eyes flickering to Cassedi. “However, I hold no contempt toward your mother. She is always welcome in my home, despite how she came into it.”

“What do you mean?”

Merissa’s eyes widened, narrowing as they settled on Cassedi. “You never told her?” she asked, and Cassedi shook her head. Merissa scoffed. “Figures,” she mumbled, grabbing the wine glass to take another sip.

“Never told me what?” Taeja moved to the edge of her chair. “Cassedi, you said you told me everything.”

“You tell her, or I will,” Merissa insisted.

Cassedi sighed. She lowered her head as she whispered, “Jerry is a jacket.”

“Hardly,” Merissa muttered. “Teddy was delusional like all mistresses are, but she is not completely deranged.”

“Teddy was a side piece?” Taeja blurted, pursing her lips when Merissa’s glare settled on her.

“If that is what you want to call it,” Merissa said. “When I was a girl, she was our housekeeper. My mother was crippled from the waist down, and Teddy was always right there — with her legs open and obedient like a dog. She thought my father would have left my mother for her, but he never saw Teddy as more than a woman with feelings between her legs. Not even when she presented Jerry as his. Teddy was hurt, so she left Westmoreland, and I do not know where she went from there. I never kept track, but I happened to reconcile with Jerry in college.”

“That… puts a lot into perspective for me,” Taeja said. “But it doesn’t sound like you believe my father isn’t your brother.”

“Of course, he is my brother. He looks just like my father with a face only a mother could love.” Merissa glanced at Cassedi. “Love really is blind.”

Cassedi glared. “Don’t go there, Merissa. Just answer my daughter’s questions.”

“Do not tell me you are still hung up on him?” Merissa asked, her brows raising to her hairline. “I am the one who gave you a place to stay when your family kicked you out because you insisted on finding a way back to Jerry. He did not even try reaching out to you. Not once.”

Taeja glanced at her mother, a weight resting on her shoulder. She looked at Merissa. “Can I get a moment with my mom, please?”

“Sure.” Merissa grabbed her wineglass and left the table. “I will be on the balcony.”

Once Merissa was out of earshot, Taeja asked Cassedi, “Is it true?”

“About Teddy? ”

“About you. Do you miss my father?”

Cassedi tensed, nibbling on her lower lip.

Taeja scooted her chair closer to her mother’s. “I have his number memorized. I can call him if you want to… talk to him.”

“I don’t know what I’d say to him.”

“It’ll come to you,” Taeja said, pulling her phone out. “It’s just like when we spoke on the phone. It’ll be awkward at first, but if you still feel the same way about each other, everything will move smoothly.”

Cassedi looked at the phone like she was afraid of it.

Taeja rested a hand on her mother’s lap. “You don’t have to if you don’t want to,” she reassured. “I know he put you through hell, but if it helps, you were happy with him before Teddy completely inserted herself into our lives.”

Cassedi smiled, resting her hand atop Taeja’s and squeezing it. “You’re so different than the person Teddy tried turning you into.”

“I know,” Taeja said, smiling as she thought of Miss Charm. “I’m going to get Zain to drop me back at the hotel. I think Damon’s going to stay with you.”

Cassedi chuckled. “He’s waiting for me to finish playing Sudoku with him. I’ll make the call to Jerry quickly. Are you sure you don’t want to stay?”

“Honestly? Mi fass and waa know wa unu a chat bout. But I feel you two have a lot to talk about. I don’t want to be here for that because you’re still my parents.”

Cassedi smiled again. “That lady who raised you did such a good job. I’m indebted to her.”

Taeja laughed while standing. “Miss Charm doesn’t believe in debts. Later, Cassedi.”

“Bye, baby girl.”

Taeja joined Merissa on the nearby balcony. “Merissa, I’m leaving. It was nice to meet you.”

Merissa nodded, tightening her grip around the stem of the wineglass. “I see you have two boyfriends. I am proud of you.”

“Why?”

“It means Teddy did not brainwash you into adapting to the family’s outdated traditional thinking. You have all my respect. ”

Taeja smiled. “That’s the nicest thing you’ve said to me all evening.”

Merissa hummed. “Safe flight tomorrow.”

“I’m leaving on Saturday instead.”

“I see,” Merissa said, taking another sip before turning her back to Taeja.

Giving her aunt a last look, she went downstairs. Her guys were on the driveway, talking amongst themselves. Zain saw her first, and he stood more upright. When Damon saw her, he smiled. Taeja walked into Damon’s hold, relaxing as he wrapped his arms around her and kissed her forehead.

“How’d it go?” Damon asked.

Taeja sighed. “I was hoping to meet more family, but I don’t think they’d want to meet me.”

“Why not?” Zain asked, anger in his tone.

“Because they don’t accept outside children. The only one who doesn’t have a problem is Merissa because she’s been friends with my mom since college. I don’t know if Merissa likes me; she’s hard to read and reminds me of Teddy.” She sighed. “I’m scared to meet Cassedi’s family when we return to St. Ann tomorrow. No one likes my father, so they won’t like me.”

“That’s not true. I hate your father, but I love you,” Damon said.

“We…” Zain muttered, and Taeja looked at him. He gave her an awkward smile, and she returned a small smile before breaking Damon’s hug.

Taeja looked at Damon. “I’m leaving now. Thanks for staying with my mom.”

Damon nodded. “No thanks needed. I love her company.”

Taeja smiled. “She has my phone. When you’re ready to come back to the hotel, you have to call Zain.”

“Why are you making it seem as if I’m not coming to the party, too?”

Taeja scoffed. “Yu nuh realize yaa Cassedi tail?”

“I won’t disagree.” Damon laughed before giving her lips a quick kiss. He watched as Zain opened the door to Wayne’s bus for Taeja. He waved at her as Zain drove away.

They were heading back to the hotel. Jaheim, Sakara, and Wayne were there already. They’d spend the night there, while Cassedi and ZsaZsa stayed with Merissa. The hotel was exclusively for adults. Several of them were scattered around the island in tourist hotspots.

“Are you hungry?” Zain broke the silence.

“No, I just ate,” she answered, thinking about the delicious meal she had at a restaurant in Montego Bay.

“You didn’t really touch your food earlier.”

“I was nervous.”

“You should stop being nervous to meet new people. Everyone loves you.”

Taeja smiled. “That’s really sweet,” she said, and Zain crinkled his nose. “You look cute when you do that.”

“I’m not cute,” Zain said, repulsed while Taeja chuckled.

They didn’t talk much the entire journey back to the hotel, not that Taeja minded. She liked the silence with Zain. They were always comfortable.

Arriving at the hotel, they parked, then headed to their room. Wayne wasn’t in his room, so they knocked on Jaheim and Sakara’s door.

“I think Wayne is by the nude pool,” Sakara said as she accepted the key. “I’ll see you later, and remember to wear something sexy,” Sakara said, her gaze lingering on Zain before settling on Taeja. “They have a special guest.”

Taeja nodded before returning to her room with Zain. “Sakara confuses me,” Taeja huffed.

“How?” Zain asked.

“She’s okay seeing me with you guys separately. But once unu around each other, she look pon mi like seh mi a waa whore.”

“I told you about using that word to describe yourself.”

Taeja sighed. “I know. Sorry.”

“And the apologizing.”

“It’s good manners. I can’t stop,” Taeja said, and Zain didn’t comment. “I should probably go look at what I want to wear to the party,” Taeja said and Zain nodded, dropping himself on the couch and pulling out his phone. Taeja emptied the small bag of clothes she brought onto the bed, then picked out three outfits. She called Liyah.

“Tae,” Liyah breathed. “You finally returned my calls! I’m sorry about what I said. ”

Taeja forced a smile. “It’s fine, Liyah,” she said then flipped the camera. “Just help me pick an outfit.”

Liyah sighed before asking what was the occasion, and Taeja told her. “Wear the bikini with the shorts over it,” Liyah said, a silence falling over them after Taeja thanked her. “How’s Jamaica?” Liyah whispered.

Taeja dropped herself on the bed. “Better than I imagined. All the pictures and videos nuh dweet any justice.”

“Nuh weh nuh better than yard.”

“Says the girl who hasn’t been to Jamaica in years.”

“Like you?” Liyah laughed. “All of my family is here; I don’t have a reason to go unless it’s for vacation.”

“We should go on a vacation,” Mason’s voice came from in the background.

“Mason, how yu so nuff?” Taeja asked.

“Why are you so rude?” Mason retorted. “We’re breaking up with you.”

“Never. Go work on the special vows you want to say to me at the wedding.”

Liyah rolled her eyes while laughing, and Taeja smiled, thankful Liyah looked less stressed since she lived with Mason. “We’re going grocery shopping… Is it okay if I call you later?”

Taeja nodded, and Liyah’s shoulders sagged as she smiled. “Bye, Liyah— Mason, tek yu face out of the camera cause mi naa tell yu nun,” Taeja said, and Mason flipped her off before ending the call. Taeja laughed, tossing the phone aside and rolling over onto her belly to look at Zain. “What has all your focus?”

Not looking from his phone, Zain answered, “They have a playroom here.”

“A what?”

He looked at her, a tiny smirk on his face. “You don’t know what a playroom is?”

“No.”

Zain’s smirk widened as he stood. He walked toward the door and opened it, motioning his head outside. “Let’s go for a walk.”