Chapter 4 Semi
Semi
Things in the shop were coming along good.
The shelves Case had been stacking were just about filled, the chairs were lined up neatly, and my station looked like it could see its first client any second.
I was laying out my clippers, checking the weight in my hands before setting them down, while the kids kept each other busy in the corner.
Semerah stayed locked in on her iPad while CJ was steady trying to pull her attention away.
Case dusted his hands off and leaned against the wall, eyes sliding toward me. “You ready for tonight?”
“It’s just a date. The fuck I gotta be ready for?” I countered.
“Yeah, but you’on date and neither does Zora.”
“Bro, what you tryna say?” I knew my brother well enough to know that he was trying to say some shit without saying it.
“Just make sure you’on get caught up. From what I’ve heard, Zora doesn’t stick around for long. She treats men the same way we treat women when we don’t wanna be bothered. She’ll keep it casual until she’s over it, and then she’s gone.”
“And where you hearing all this?” I asked.
“I know things.” He grinned.
I shook my head and laughed. “Maya got you sounding like a bitch wit’ all that gossiping like a bitch.”
“Don’t be a hater,” Case smirked.
“Then stop talking like one,” I shot back. “But for real. I appreciate you looking out, but this is just a date… a first date at that. I’m not tryna marry the girl.”
“I hear you, bro. I’m just making sure you’on go into this shit looking for more than she’s willing to give.
I would hate to have to explain to Maya why she has to get another stylist because the one she had magically disappeared.
” I laughed at his dumb ass but respected his stance on the situation.
We finished the last of the boxes, swept the floor down, and stepped back to look at what we accomplished.
The shop looked good, better than I expected with a week still left before opening.
I wiped my hands clean and walked over to Semerah, crouching in front of her.
“I’m ’bout to head out, Peanut. It’ll be late when I get home, so I’ll come get you in the morning.
Be good for Uncle Case And TiTi Maya. Aight? ”
“Aight,” she mocked me.
We went through our handshake, and I kissed her forehead before turning to CJ and did the same with him.
“Aight,” I said, grabbing my keys. “I’ll catch y’all later.”
“Aight. Be safe, bro.”
“Bye, Daddy!”
“By Uncle Semi!” Everyone said their goodbyes at once.
Once I made it outside, I glanced across the street and noticed that Zora’s car was gone, and her shop was closed for the day. That made me grin before I even pulled out my phone.
Hope you’re getting ready for me tonight.
Her reply came faster than I expected.
Zo: Maybe I am… maybe I’m not.
I had to chuckle because this girl loved to play that tough role.
Don’t play with me, Zora. I’ll see you later.
Zo: Maybe…
I slipped the phone back into my pocket and shook my head as I climbed behind the wheel.
I kept telling myself it was only a night out, nothing heavy, but that was a lie, and I knew it.
Zora wasn’t built like the women I had dealt with before.
She had her own way of moving, like she set every rule herself, and the more I thought about her, the more I knew I wanted to be the one to test them.
***
I stood in the mirror and admired myself as I brushed my waves.
I was a simple nigga, but I didn’t slouch when it came to my clothes.
Tonight I settled on a cream and blue Dior tee with a pair of distressed jeans, completing my look with a pair of Travis Scott Limited Edition Jordan 1s in the same color.
Once I had my chain and watch secured, I grabbed my wallet, keys, and phone and locked up.
It took about twenty minutes to get to Zora’s spot.
When I pulled up, I parked, killed the engine, and walked up the path with my hands in my pockets.
When I knocked, it didn’t take long before the door opened, and there she was, standing in the frame with her purse already on her shoulder.
I let my eyes scan her thick frame that was covered in one of those oversized shirt dresses that hung off of her shoulder.
Her red hair was curled and flowing freely, and the subtle makeup she wore was still no match for her undeniable beauty.
“Damn, Zora,” I said, not taking my eyes off of her. “You really tryna make this hard on me tonight.”
Her gaze dragged down my fit before sliding back to my face. The corner of her mouth curved. “You don’t look bad yourself.”
“I know,” I responded with a cocky smirk, causing her to laugh.
I stood back as she locked up. When she was done, I offered my hand, and she slipped hers into mine without hesitation. I walked her to the car, opened the passenger door, and waited for her to settle before closing it behind her. Once we pulled into traffic, the conversation flowed effortlessly.
“You always been in Diamond Cove?” I asked, glancing at her.
“Born and raised. My family’s been here forever. My parents died in an accident when I was young, so it was just me and my older brother for the longest until he met his wife and they had my niece.”
I see we have more in common than I thought.
“I’m sorry to hear about your people. My mama died when I was fourteen. That’s when Case’s mama stepped in,” I revealed.
“Oh, so you and Case are brothers?” she asked.
“Yeah. That’s the closest thing I got to a sibling.”
“I knew they weren’t originally from here, so you came to be close to them?”
“Yeah,” I said with a nod. “Life had me moving different for a while, and it was time for a change. That’s why I put my shop here.”
Her smile pulled subtle at the corners. “Sounds like a man with a plan.”
“I don’t waste time on things I don’t plan on keeping,” I told her.
Her eyes narrowed, letting me know she caught my underlying meaning. “Your daughter must keep you busy then.”
“She does. She’s the only one who gets me moving any way she wants.”
“That’s how it should be. My niece has me the same way.”
We engaged in small talk for the rest of the drive. Her laugh was so intoxicating… I had to remember this was just a date.
Once I pulled up to the restaurant, I handed the valet the keys and went around to open her door again. She took my hand, climbing out with one brow raised.
“A gentleman, huh?”
“Only for you,” I countered.
Inside, we were led to a dimly lit corner table, and soft music setting the scene.
The waiter handed off our menus and took our drink orders before leaving us alone.
Zora had my attention more than anything else in the room.
The waiter brought our drinks back, and that’s when she caught me staring, and I didn’t even care.
“You’on even try to hide it,” she teased.
“I’ain never been the type of nigga to hide from shit,” I replied, leaning forward.
Her smirk deepened. “Cocky.”
“Honest,” I corrected.
When dinner came, the conversation still flowed.
She talked about the Barbies and their big race that was coming up.
I thought it was dope as hell for a group of females to race.
That shit was sexy as fuck. I told her about how I started cutting hair, and about building something solid for Semerah.
I even let her know about my piss poor excuse for a baby mama, and like most people, she was disgusted.
“So this is how all your dates go?” she asked, leaning into the table with her chin resting on her hand. “Take women to the nicest spot in the city, spit game, and hope they forget to check for red flags?”
I smirked, sipping my drink. “What red flags you catch?”
“You’re too smooth… too put together. Men like you usually have something messy hiding in the background.” She shrugged.
I leaned in. “What if I told you I’ain have any mess?”
“Then I’d say you’re lying.” She laughed, low and easy. “But at least you’re entertaining while you lie.”
By the time dessert came, I had accomplished my goal of making her smile.
The ride back to her house was quieter, but not uncomfortable.
She asked a few more questions about the shop, and I asked more about her car club.
When we pulled up at her house, I parked in the driveway and prepared to help her out.
“You wanna come inside for a nightcap?” She flirted. I could tell what type of time she was on, and I didn’t mind one bit.
“I can.”
Once inside, she headed straight for the kitchen. “White or dark?” she asked, pulling down two glasses.
“Whiskey for me… if you have it,” I said, leaning on the counter.
She poured the drink and then handed it to me before fixing herself something lighter. I took one sip before setting it down, moving in close enough to crowd her space.
“You kinda close, ain’t it?” she asked, raising her perfectly arched brow.
“You want me to move?” I cowered over her, sliding the glass out of her hand and setting it beside mine.
Her laugh came out soft right before I kissed her.
Her lips parted like she’d been waiting all night for this moment.
Her hands were roaming over my chest, and the drinks were forgotten as I led her upstairs into her bedroom with her direction.
Once inside, she fell onto the bed with a laugh that melted into a moan when I pulled her dress up, kissing down her body until she was squirming.
“Semi,” she breathed out through her shaky voice.
I looked up from between her thighs, grinning before continuing my mission. Her moans deepened when my tongue slid over her clit. When my fingers pressed inside her, curling until her hips shot off the mattress. She clutched my head, voice breaking. “Fuck, Semi. Don’t stop…”
She didn’t have to tell me twice, because I didn’t plan on it. I sucked harder while my fingers stroked deeper until she came hard against my mouth.
I didn’t give her time to recover before I was covering my dick and sliding inside of her.
“Mmm…shit.”
“Fuck,” we sounded off at the same time.
Her pussy soaked and gripped the fuck out of my dick, and I had to send a quick prayer up not to cum too quick. I could tell she was used to dominating niggas, but she would learn soon enough that I’m not that nigga.
“Gah damn, Zo,” I groaned at the feeling of her walls sucking me in.
Her moans rose, sharp and raw, while her body shook as I folded her legs up and drove deeper. “Fuck, Semi,” she whimpered as she clutched the sheets. “I’m… shit. I’m cumming.”
“Let that shit go then,” I demanded as I fucked her through it. Her cries dragged as her body clenched around me. When she went limp, I flipped her over, yanked her ass up, and slid back in.
“Throw that ass back,” I muttered, slapping her ass.
She looked back over her shoulder, looking sexy as fuck with her red hair wild before doing as she was told.
Her body gripped me again, tighter this time, and I groaned as I slammed into her, pulling her hair, kissing the side of her neck while she came apart on me again.
The sound of her moans drove me over until I spilled into the condom with a rough groan against her skin.
“Fuck…”
We both collapsed onto the sheets, slick with sweat and breathless. She turned her head, eyes half-closed but still holding that grin.
“You are… something,” she whispered, her voice wrecked.
I smirked, brushing my thumb across her mouth. “You ain’t seen shit yet, mama.”
She laughed, low and shaky, and closed her eyes. I lay there beside her, staring at the ceiling while my breathing calmed down.
I told myself this was just a date, but with her laugh still echoing in my head and her taste still on my tongue, I knew better. Zora wasn’t just another notch on my belt. She had me caught up already, and I didn’t even care.