Chapter 13
THIRTEEN
It had been seventy-nine days since Rather appeared again.
For sixty days , I’d been deep inside her, in every position and every chance I got.
In eleven days, she’d be walking down the aisle and I wasn’t the man she was marrying.
Considering the code of the Triad and Kofi’s pending marriage is written in stone, there’s absolutely nothing left for me to do but accept my permanent position in hell. The life of leisure and liberation I once lived would be no more.
Images of her in the white dress brought a smile to my face. Kleigh had snapped the photos the day she met her at the fitting and sent them to the family’s group she created without Kofi. Rather was stunning.
Her hair was swept out of her face and her smile was beaming. She looked happy. That’s exactly what I wanted for her, happiness so grand she couldn’t contain it. Seeing her walk down the aisle would crush my spirit but it would feed my soul.
There was someone I loved dearly benefiting from the nuptials that were sure to knot my stomach a hundred times over. But, if I had to choose between love and my brother’s life, I’d choose him a hundred times over. It was easy math.
Maybe one day I’d find someone as magical as Rather. Maybe I wouldn’t. What I did know was I’d only get one Kofi and it was time that nigga sat his ass down. A kid and a wife was exactly what The Triad of Ara prescribed. He was a liability to us all.
The Chemist had managed to shake himself loose of the unwanted attention, but Kofi was barking up an entirely new case with the government. Unlike Chem, he wasn’t fucking a Fed. He was fucking basic, busted women who had nothing to lose but sleep at night with his dick all up their back.
His honeymoon was set to last six months. They wouldn’t return to Clarke until he was tanned the color of tar. That would give us time to clean up the messes he was leaving all over the city and set him on the straight and narrow. Hopefully by then, Rather’s womb would be expanding and preparing to bless the family with a child.
That was our ultimate goal. The way he cared for Princeton and would stop everything to come running if he needed his uncle was evidence he was responsible enough to father a child. More than likely, it would be just what he needed to sit down, consider his choices, and make better ones.
“Look alive, nigga!”
Kofi tossed a Red Bull in my direction.
“You’re going to need that with your old ass. Princeton can’t save you tonight, nigga. You’re out with the boys and shit is about to get ignorant.”
He wasn’t telling me anything I didn’t know. Chuckling, I held the can in the air and popped it. Appeasing Kofi was my sole intent tonight. Otherwise, I’d be home preparing for bed. I couldn’t let him down on his night. He was preparing to commit himself and that was a huge deal to us all. It was imperative I celebrated with him.
I killed half of the can while his eyes were still trained on me.
“That’s what the fuck I’m talking about. We’re up all night, spending this bread and celebrating life.”
He was accurate. He was turning a new leaf. Money was plentiful and it would be spent.
A flock of women boarded the private aircraft. I didn’t have prior knowledge of their involvement, but I wasn’t in attendance to complain. I was simply supervising to make sure my brother returned in one piece. Who he fucked wasn’t my business.
As they all got seated, he slid toward me and took the seat next to me. I shut my phone down so the picture on my screen wasn’t visible.
“Listen, there are five of these fine motherfuckers. I done hit ‘em all but sharing is caring, right? I’m taking two for myself tonight. The thickest one and that one, Hailey. She’s my favorite. You can have one for yourself. Killian already trying to stunt like his little brother and knock down two, but we’re going to see if that nigga really bout the shit he claim.”
“I have no interest in either of your guests. You and Killian and have them all to yourself. You and Silk. Ice. Whoever. I’m here for the fun, my bro. You can keep the pussy.”
“Nigga, you sure you ain’t getting poked out here?”
“Don’t make me shoot you in your fucking mouth, Kofi.”
“So serious,” he sniggered. “But, real shit, you sure you don’t want none of this pussy? It’s free.”
“Nothing in life is free, Kofi. And, make sure you’re strapping up. Your wife is expecting an STD-free husband without a child on the way.”
“And that’s exactly what she’ll get, police ass nigga.”
“Get the fuck out of my face. I’m here for a good time. Don’t ruin that for me.”
“I’m not. I’m just happy your old ass out. Wheels up in five. Come alive, nigga.”
It didn’t matter how much of an asshole he was, Kofi owned such a huge piece of my heart. I’d clear the whole globe for him.
Berkeley City. It was my brother’s destination of choice. Though it was an easy drive down to the city, the thirty-minute flight guaranteed our safety and swift return. There wouldn’t be a fully sober individual leaving the strip club Kofi had chosen and reserved the largest section they had to offer.
I sat back and watched from afar as everyone indulged in pointless debates and constant laughter. It was a blessing seeing the men I shared the same blood with make it to the age of twenty-one. Where we came from, niggas were blessed to see twelve. Our father had gotten us out of the trenches and into mansions around the city.
Though my mother was left with hundreds of thousands when her mate passed, she was afraid of draining her accounts by moving out of the hood. She hadn’t worked a day in her life and didn’t plan to start. The money she was in possession of would have to last a while, or at least until she found something worth investing in.
Before she could, I was born and her world changed. My father became her sole provider. Till this day, he provided for her. The money she was holding onto gained interest each year. She was sitting on a bag with the deed to her home, a new car every three years, and whatever her heart desired. Between my father and I, she didn’t have to worry about anything.
By the time we were comfortable in-flight, the wheels were on the ground.
“Ready to have the night of your life?” Kofi asked, patting my shoulder.
With a shrug, I answered his question.
“This nigga uptight and shit. Needs his dick sucked. Which one of you ladies would be kind enough to loosen the tension in my big brother’s spine? Nigga puts in so much fucking work he probably hasn’t seen his own dick other than when he’s washing niggas blo?—”
“Enough.”
His words were beginning to slur. His balance was questionable. Killian and I locked eyes, instantly. What was understood between us didn’t need an explanation. A simple head nod assured me he was on the same page as me and letting Kofi out of our sight was not happening at any point of our night.
“I’m up for the challenge. He looks like a big boy.”
The petite, caramel skinned beauty with dimples deep enough to fill with semen spoke up.
“I’d split you in half, love. Stay in your lane.”
The rest of the crew erupted in laughter. Kofi pounded the seat next to him, finding my response comical. Until he had the chance to experience Rather in ways I had, he wouldn’t understand my lack of interest in any other woman.
She had some shit you couldn’t shake back from. Paired with her personality, aura, and essence… She was a triple threat. It wasn’t easy agreeing to give yourself to anyone else when you knew you had access to something as celestial as Rather’s pussy.
“As long as you piece me back together, I don’t mind.”
“I don’t have that type of time.”
Dismissing her a second time, I hoped she received the message. If not, the next words to come from my mouth wouldn’t be as tolerable. They’d likely fuck up her whole night.
“Everybody out. Everybody out,” Killian interjected, saving Kofi’s guests from embarrassment.
One by one, we filed off the plane with Killian and I staying behind the rest of the crew.
“Four hours, maximum.”
“I’m on the same time you’re on,” Killian agreed.
“He’s already plastered. Your clip loaded?”
“And ready to eat through some flesh.”
“Because someone is going to jail or to the morgue tonight if we don’t keep this nigga in line.”
“It won’t be one of us.”
“Can’t be,” I assured him.
“You good, though? Can’t believe we got your ass out of the house.”
“All hands on deck tonight. Besides, I couldn’t miss his big night. This nigga won’t be living the bachelor’s life too much longer.”
“This nigga really about to tie the knot before the both of us. Shit wild but the shit is necessary. I’m happy Pops stood ten toes down behind his decision. The last thing I want to do is lose that nigga, no matter how foolish he is.”
“He is a fucking headache, but he’s our headache.”
“For life.”
“For life.”
“You ready to spend that fucking money on them hoes, nigga.”
“And you talking about you’re surprised I’m outside. Nigga, all he had to do was whisper strip club and I was in. Ain’t shit like ass in your face, money in your pocket, and the entire world at your palms.”
“Fuck celebrating that motherfucker. We’re celebrating life!”
“That too.” I nodded. “That too.”
Kofi took the first SUV. Silk and Ice piled into the second one. Killian and I, along with two of the women from the plane, followed behind them in the third.
Left.
Right.
Light.
Right.
Three miles.
Light.
Left.
A mile.
Right.
“You have arrived at your destination.”
It was a twelve-minute drive to Lust. I remembered every turn, stop light, and lengthy stretch. In the event our escape depended on our recognizance, it was important I knew how to get us back to where the fuck we’d come from.
Hastily, everyone filed out of the SUVs at the very back of the establishment. The private entrance lowered the chances of unwanted encounters. With Kofi leading the pack, it was best we stayed far away from the crowd and moved along in silence.
The bass of the speakers grew louder as the entry to the main floor opened. The hostess led us through the dimly lit space and to a section near the main stage.
“This won’t work,” I said to no one in particular as I pushed forward to get the attention of the hostess who’d shown us to the section.
“Hey,” I called out, “Excuse me.”
With her chest inflated and her braces on full display, she turned around to face me. “How can I help you, Cutie?”
Cutie? I couldn’t help the distortion of my facial features.
“You’re talking to a grown ass man, love. Ain’t shit cute about me.”
“I–”
“Now that we’ve got that out of the way, this section won’t work.”
“That’s the section you paid for.” With a roll of her neck she reminded me of what I already knew and tried storming off. Before she could get far, Killian stepped in front of her and nodded in my direction.
“Ma’am, my brother was still speaking to you.”
“Like I told your brother, this is the section you paid for.”
“Then, I can pay for another one. We need something against the wall. Something like that.”
“It’s not close to the stage. Whoever reserved the section was adamant about it being close to the stage.”
“And, I’m adamant about it being against the wall. We brought in enough cash to bring the motherfucking stage to us. We’re not worried about that.”
I took a look around, trying to find a better spot and a solution to our problem before chaos unfolded.
“That one. Give us that one.”
“This one is twice that size.”
“Then give us two of them motherfuckers. Baby, do you care about your job? Because it doesn’t seem like you do. You’re not very helpful right now. I’ve expressed this section doesn’t work for us. Fix it or find me somebody who will. In fact, bring me the boss. I prefer conversing with peers on the same level as me. They are fluent in problem-solving. That doesn’t seem to be your strength.”
“One second. Let me go see what I can do.”
“That’s your best option.”
She stormed off toward the door we’d just come through. Waiting for her to return wasn’t in the plans. If she wasn’t willing to make a way, I would make my own or we wouldn’t be enjoying their entertainment for the night.
The duffle in Ice’s hand wasn’t for decoration. We weren’t purse-toting, fashion-forward niggas. By definition, we were gangsters. That bag was full of bands, not air. It was bound to be a movie when the zipper was toggled, but the previews wouldn’t resume until we were comfortable with our seating arrangement.
“Gather them all. We’re moving.”
I was still in clear view of everyone I’d come with as I stopped in front of the reserved sections that had piqued my interest. I laid the signs confirming the reservations made for them on the tables down gently and backed up in the booth until the back of my legs were pressed against the leather. A quick sweep across the club put my worries to rest. The view was flawless.
Back against the wall . My father’s lesson hadn’t failed us yet. Tonight wouldn’t be the night we went astray.
“Perfect.”
Killian gathered everyone who’d taken an interest in the section we’d been given. Kofi had yet to plant his feet, which let me know he wasn’t too plastered to consider the danger of our location. Without hesitation, he followed Killian over to the sections I’d claimed for us.
“I was not feeling that shit,” Kofi admitted as he slid into the booth beside me.
“Don’t worry. I’ve got you. It’s your night young nigga.”
“Yes the fuck it is and it’s about to get stupid.”
“Have your fun. I’m your eyes and ears for the night.”
Ice and Silk took the booth next to us. Killian, Kofi, and I stayed in the one at the very end.
“This section is reserved for the night. I was clear when I told you that,” she sassed.
The hostess had returned with management. We’d already settled and weren't moving.
I leaned in, unbothered by her tone of voice, “And, I was clear when I told you I wanted it.”
“You can’t decide whe–”
“And you–” I interrupted her, “No longer have permission to speak to me. I asked for the boss. Where that nigga at, because these motherfuckers ain’t it.”
“Boss man sent us.”
“Why isn’t he here himself?”
“He’s not here tonight. He’s home.”
“I’m sure he has a number.”
I removed my cell from my pocket, ready to find out everything there was to know about the owner of Lust, down to which toothbrush he used to brush his teeth in the morning.
“There’s no need to call him. We’ll work it out. Move some shit around. Enjoy your night and let us know if there’s anything else you need.”
“Your best five.”
“Come again?”
“Your best five. If they aren’t here tonight, get them here by the time that bag opens. We’re feeling a bit generous tonight.”
Wealth was dancing in the diamonds of our watches, chains, and teeth. Killian’s entire mouth was iced out. Kofi had on more jewelry than a chart-topping rapper. Me, on the other hand, preferred a more simple approach.
The new Richard Mille on my wrist made it difficult to conceal my account status, but that’s exactly how it was supposed to be. My father had taught me a long time ago that a man’s timepiece should announce his presence in a room before he ever had the chance to.
Just like it told the time, it would tell another man how to speak to you, how to address you, how you operated, how much work you’d put in, and how full your belly was each night you went to bed.
“Don’t worry. We’ve got you.”
The two niggas she’d brought over to assist us gave us a thumbs up and got back to business.
I’d requested the best five in the building or in their bed and that’s exactly what we’d been given. They rotated each time one of them hit the stage. It was crucial we kept our lineup fresh.
“This motherfucker gots to come home with me,” Killian leaned over and said to me.
I sipped from the same cup I’d had for the last thirty minutes. He was on his sixth. I’d counted each one. Kofi had gone from sipping cups to sipping straight from the bottle. I couldn’t keep up.
Though I was on my level, I was far from intoxicated. I had to be everyone’s eyes. Someone had to get us back to Clarke safely and there was no doubt in my mind it would be me.
“You said that about the last three. There won’t be enough room on the plane if you stay another twenty minutes, nigga. Where will we sit?”
“Plane? I’m taking her to the hotel.”
His claim was news to me.
“Hotel?”
“Penthouse suites. Kofi reserved four of them in the event we decided to stay.”
“Kofi has an appointment with the jeweler at noon. Has he forgotten.”
“I don’t think the nigga gives a fuck. He’s having the time of his life.”
With a shake of my head, I scoffed, “He’s going to be on that plane by eleven. I don’t care if I have to drag him to that motherfucker myself.”
“I’ll take his legs. You got his arms?” Killian looked at me.
There was a second of silence before we both sniggered.
“You’re drunk.”
“Then a motherfucker. But, real shit. This one, I’m taking home.”
He smacked the stripper that had been working overtime in front of him on the ass. I couldn’t blame him. She was gorgeous with a body that made you consider taking her fine ass out of the strip club and securing her membership at the country club.
“You wouldn’t be wrong. Not at all.”
Jeezy pounded the speakers around us, forcing everyone to yell at the top of their lungs with their chests penetrating the air. Kofi’s arm went around Killian’s neck as Killian turned toward me and began tapping my chest.
“Still playing with them Ms, thinking like a felon!” Killian recited the words we all knew by heart.
A few lines passed before Kofi joined him. “That work don’t even come like that.”
“Fuck is you selling?” I added.
“Gave you niggas a whole lane, whole lane,” Killian jumped in.
“That’s better than me frontin’ a nigga the whole thang,” I chimed in, using my free hand for emphasis.
The bass rattled every piece of glass in the establishment. The dancer on the stage clapped her ass to the beat, making tidal waves in the process. Everybody was up on their feet, spitting lyrics as if they applied to them.
As for us, they weren’t fiction. Everything we were spitting were facts. Nevertheless, the unison of the entire building had the fine hairs under my Louis Vuitton jacket standing at attention.
“Love this money making like Mitch, can’t leave the gammmmme,” Kofi sang.
“Only thing get us excited is money and caine,” Killian finished his sentence.
The Dj let the record spin, doing everybody a favor. The song could loop three times and we wouldn’t be tired. The track almost felt like a personal anthem.
“I can work four pots at a time.” I patted Killian’s chest, reminding him of the times. “Bitch Imma robot.”
“The only thing keeps crossing my mind–”
We said in unison, “I hope the doe locked.”
I skipped the next line to finish my piece with, “Twenty seasons straight no stain. Let’s call it fate.”
I let them take the rest and settled for watching them rally around the life we’d built for ourselves with the foundation our father laid for us as children.
My brothers . They were a beautiful sight. I’d lay my life on the line for them. Any day. Any time. Any place.
The night continued without flaw. Long before the DJ was scheduled to stop spinning hits, we pushed our way through the back door. Kofi was unable to stand. One of his arms was draped over Killian and the other dangled over my shoulder.
“I love y’all. I swear,” he slurred.
“Yeah,” Killian replied, knowing he wouldn’t shut up if no one did.
“Nah. Nah. For real. I know a nigga be fucking up. I know. But, Ima get my shit together. Y’all set me up with one of the baddest motherfuckers in all of Clarke. I’ve been a bitch about it, but I get it. I understand. I do. I promise.”
He was rambling, but I was listening. It was this very moment I’d been waiting for all along.
“I’m ready, though. Ima buy us a fat ass crib. Have a few kids. Sit my ass down. I can’t keep up with all the women I’m fucking, their birthdays, Valentine's Day, Christmas… It’s a shit show, man. Every fucking year. I’m trying to remember one birthday from this point on. Celebrate Valentine’s Day with one woman. Celebrate Christmas with one woman. Stick my dick in one woman. Well, after I stick my dick in the two I have lined up for tonight.”
We all joined in laughter.
“I’m taking the week to sober up and get my head in the game. Pops won’t ever talk to my black ass if I fuck this up. Moms won’t forgive me if I destroy her dream wedding. Kleigh– I can kiss my favorite person in the world goodbye if I don’t come through. I can’t disappoint them.”
Kofi’s sober thoughts were the new source of entertainment.
“Plus, that fucking maniac of a brother she has will likely kill me if I play his sister.”
“It’ll be war.”
“Have you not heard of The Huntress nigga? We won’t stand a chance. She’ll take us all out before we can blink. And, if she can’t get the job done, it’s seven other motherfuckers that can. I guarantee you the little baby that Fed pushed out is in training right now. I’ll bet my last she knows how to shoot a pistol right now.”
“She’s a baby,” I reminded him.
“I don’t give a fuck. Bet me,” he challenged.
“I’m not betting you, Kofi. You’re right.”
I wasn’t in the mood to dispute his claims.
“I don’t trust the women you’re contemplating taking to the penthouse that I knew nothing about.”
“It’s cool. They’re cool. I promise. Hailey gone make sure I’m straight.”
“I’m going to take the second bedroom in the suite, Boss,” Silk hollered over his shoulder.
“Appreciate it.”
“You know I’ve got his front and his back. He’s alright. I can bet you that.”
Silk wasn’t lying. He had saved Kofi from destruction so many times I’d lost count. Tonight was more of the same. With him in the same suite as Kofi, he’d be looked after and cared for as if one of us was near.
We climbed back into the SUVs we’d come in with the same drivers at the wheels. This time, there was a woman sandwiched between Killian and I. Though he was the more responsible of the sibling pair, he wasn’t above my concern.
“Killian.”
“What’s up?”
“I need you to tell me you can handle yourself tonight.”
“You don’t have to worry about me, Priest. I’m good. I can promise you that. My head is in the right place. This water will be my saving grace.”
He held up the bottle in his hand.
“I had liquid IV in my cup all day. I’ll be straight. I’m hydrated and will continue to hydrate.”
“Good.”
We arrived at Bergamont , our hotel of choice whenever visiting the city. It was in a secluded part of Berkeley and there were few people able to secure reservations in the prestigious dwelling. Your money had to be long and your connections had to be plentiful. Thankfully, neither was a problem for us.
It wasn’t until everyone had filed out that Killian noticed I wasn’t in tow. He turned back and opened the door of the SUV almost immediately.
“What you doing?” He inquired, face knotted with confusion.
“Staying overnight was never in my plans. I’ve made sure you and Kofi are safe. My job here is done. I’ll be back in the morning to drag that nigga out of the pussy and onto the plane. Be ready.”
“I got his legs,” he laughed.
“You’ve got the legs.” I confirmed.
“Bet. Be safe, nigga. See you in the morning.”
“First thing.”
He slammed the door and caught up to the woman waiting for him. I watched them all as they made it inside and through the lobby. When they turned the corner to get on the elevator, I tapped the seat of the driver.
“Let’s go.”
Twenty-three minutes later we were on the tarmac. I climbed the stairs of the plane alone. Clarke was on my radar. Soon, Berkeley would be in my rearview. There was nothing for me here. Everything I wanted, everything I needed , was miles and miles away.
I’m on my way .
Somberness weakened my resolve. The thirty-minute flight was the perfect reward after a night of socialization. Now that the party was over, I needed peace. I needed her .
It was four-thirty in the morning and I was sitting outside of Rather’s home with the engine of my car running and the phone pressed against my ear.
“Hello?”
Sleeping beauty, I thought as the scratchiness of her throat coated the line.
“Rather.”
“Yes?” She groaned.
“Open the garage.”
“You’re here?”
“I am.”
“Mm kay. Is everything alright?”
“It is now.”
“Okay. I’m coming down.”
I ended the call and waited for the garage door to lift. It wasn’t long before she appeared behind it, waiting near the garage door for me to enter. I killed the engine and stepped out, finally succumbing to the exhaustion of the full day I’d had.
I stopped a few feet short of Rather. She was in her best even when she slept. Beige slippers covered her feet. The same color pants and shirt covered the rest of her body. Pushed up over her forehead was a matching mask for her eyes. Her hair was wrapped around a big contraption that started at the center of her head and ended near her neck.
She’s truly a figment of my wild imagination . If I didn’t know any better, I’d swear she was made up .
The two drinks I’d consumed at Lust coupled with the one I had on the plane combined to give me a pleasurable buzz. I could feel the silly smile on my face, but couldn’t wipe it away if I tried. But, I had no reason to. Not with Rather standing before me.
“Hey.”
“Hey,” I responded, taking strides to reach her.
She held out her hand, convincing me to grab hold. I followed her toward the door. She shut off the garage light just as we entered her home.
Quietly, she led me into the kitchen. We stopped near the fridge where she retrieved a bottle of water. I leaned against the counter and expanded my limbs. Her body fit perfectly between my legs.
She untwisted the cap and placed the tip of the bottle against my lips. I opened up, allowing her to pour water into my mouth. After a few seconds, she lowered it, waiting for me to consume what she’d already given.
When she felt like I was ready again, she continued. Twice more, she repeated the same steps. The empty bottle crumbled as she tossed it in the recycling bin.
“Better?”
I nodded, pulling her closer. I couldn’t help but wrap her up in my arms.
“Mmmm.” My body released a satisfying moan when I felt her in my palms again.
“I’m tired, baby.”
“I know,” I responded.
“Come on.”
She stepped back and took my hand, again. Like a lovesick puppy, I followed behind her until we reached the bedroom where she got rid of my jacket. My shirt was next. Neatly, she folded it and laid it on the ottoman beside us. She unfastened my belt and jeans before pushing them both down my legs. I stepped out of them as she eased them out of my way.
Rather was the first in bed. She pulled me down onto the mattress with her. And, instead of wrapping her in my arms. It was her arms I was wrapped in. I wouldn’t protest. It was, undoubtedly, the best feeling in the world. There was no place I’d rather be.
Pressed against her chest with her legs and arms holding me as close to her as was physically possible, I found the peace I was in pursuit of.
Sunlight greeted me with kisses on the face. The brightness reminded me why Rather slept with a mask covering her eyes. No longer was I wrapped in those long arms of hers, permanently documenting her scent in my brain.
Instinctively, I slid my hand across the bed, expecting to find a cool, empty space. To my surprise, it was Rather’s frame I encountered. I pulled my eyelids apart, eager to greet her. Blurriness blinded me momentarily. When I finally regained my vision and got a glimpse of her, Rather was staring back at me.
“Good morning,” cheerfully, she chortled.
“Good morning.”
I didn’t recognize my voice. I’d raised it so many times last night so that I was heard over the music, I’d stressed my vocal cords.
“What time is it?”
She slid down while pushing the covers back. In one swift motion, she released my dick from my briefs. It was hard as a missile anticipating take-off.
“Even if there’s someplace you have to be right now, you won’t make it. At least not for the next few minutes.”
She’d made it clear I was stuck with her for as long as she wanted me and I couldn’t protest.
Spuh!
She hawked a load of spit on the tip of my dick. My chest caved. That pretty face of hers split to accommodate me, solidifying her claims. I wasn’t going any fucking where.
I placed a hand behind her head and guided myself into her mouth. Just like I’d done her insides time and time again, I fucked her warmth. The deeper I dived, the more her eyes glossed over.
“You’ve got it,” I told her, tapping the back of her throat with each stroke.
Her body curled as her gag reflex was activated.
Fuck.
Saliva was plentiful. Her tongue swirled around the head every time I retracted.
Shit .
My ass cheeks hurt from the clenching. She was lethal in her pursuit of my semen.
“Urgh.” The groan was the warning before destruction.
She was on the verge of puking. While it disgusted me to consider her meal on her good sheets, it made my dick harder and my stroke more intense.
“Don’t spit up or we’re starting over,” I warned.
Her eyebrows furrowed on her face. She strained to keep the contents of her stomach down. The bulge of my dick started from the very beginning of my shaft and began traveling upward. I wasn’t ready to bust, but I couldn’t let go of Rather’s head. Neither could I pull out.
“Get up,” I demanded, hoping she could manage to put me out of my misery. “Get up.”
She succeeded. With her knees tucked under her, she stared back at me with curious eyes.
“Take that shit off, Rather. Come sit on ‘em.”
Quietly, she rounded her shoulders and closed her eyes. Her demeanor changed in a split second.
“Talk to me.”
Her posture was different. Her words were softer. Her apprehension was apparent.
“My period is here.”
“So am I. You can get rid of them clothes or I can do it for you.”
The worry lines that creased her face dissolved at once. Swollen breasts and chocolate, pebbled nipples replaced the top Rather wore to bed. She handed it over, and nodded at the fresh sheets beneath me. I lifted up from the bed and laid the shirt down.
I maneuvered Rather’s body, positioning her right on top of it. She’d yet to get rid of the pants she’d worn through the night, which now made perfect sense. I slid them down her legs, expecting to find evidence of the monthly massacre.
Instead, I was met by a barely streaked sanitary pad in the center of her panties. I tossed it all into a pile beside the bed. With her body beneath mine, I placed my dick at her center.
“How are you feeling?”
“Desperate.”
She swallowed hard. Rapid blinks confirmed her split nerve endings.
“I’m right here, Rose.”
“Put him in.”
I smiled, ready to put her out of her misery. I’d heard a handful of times that a woman's sex drive increased tremendously during her menstrual cycle. Her hormones were raging and more than likely, she was craving penetration during the very time the world had deemed it forbidden. I didn’t give a fuck what rules the world had created for women’s periods, but they didn’t apply to me. Today, they didn’t apply to Rather either.
“It’s the third day,” she revealed.
“I wouldn’t care if it was the first, my dear.”
I sealed her lips with a kiss and slid right into homebase. Her fingers tightened around my elbows.
“Uhhhh–”
Goddamn .
Upon entry, I understood my demise was near. I quickly learned it was likely the men the rules were made to protect. Because her walls were snugger. Her temperature was higher. Her depth was deeper. Her flesh was softer.
“Fuck,” I whispered in her mouth. “Damn.”
Passion possessed me. Pussy dominated me. I was losing the battle without even a slight chance of coming out the same man I’d gone in as.
“Umm.”
The pressure was far too intense, forcing me from the bed where I hovered over Rather’s body.
“My God. Mmmm.”
One look at her beautiful face and I was a fucking wreck. I reached below and swirled my thumb around her clit while applying pressure. I was near my ending and I needed her to join me on the other side.
“Yessssss.”
She arched her back, lifting it from the shirt underneath her. Her nipples spiked the air, inviting me in for a taste. I rounded my spine to meet her right breast.
“Priesssssst.”
She was the sweetest melody on a stormy night. She was the crackling of a warm fireplace. She was the purplish hue from the sun’s glow in the early morning hours when most of the world was sleeping. She was pleasure. She was pain.
Letting her go would be the hardest thing I’d ever have to do. It would cut me deeply, leaving me restless and wounded.
“Priesss— Uhhhh!.”
Her contractions pulled me deeper.
“Uhhhh.”
“Urgh.”
I participated in the blood ritual that was sacred and rightfully so. With each stroke of my dick, the knot our souls had established tightened. The final one sealed our fates and bid us farewell, breaking my heart in half.
I collapsed onto the bed next to Rather. We both lie speechless. The caving of our chests was the only movement made. Our sporadic breaths were the only sounds present.
The weight of our world came crashing down on me. Emotions swelled my chest. Hearing Kofi profess his intentions for their union felt more like confirmation for me than a confession of his. And, this moment felt more like closure than progress for Rather and I.
The deep, unsteady breath she pulled in sent a pang through my chest. I didn’t have to look over. I didn’t need to look over. I knew those big, curious eyes were no longer dry. For the life of myself, I couldn’t bring myself to see tears fall down her cheeks. I couldn’t see her cry. It would only make my departure much harder than it already was.
“I won’t see you again, will I?”
I sifted through the words in my head, trying to find any that would heal the brokenness we’d created. There were none.
“I never said that, Rather.”
She cleared her throat, trying to avoid the cracking that was inevitable. As soon as more words sprouted, so did more tears.
“You didn’t have to,” she paused to gather herself, “My heart said so.”
“Your heart is right, Rose. I have to go and I won’t return.”
From my peripheral, I watched her nod. I’d confirmed her suspicions. I’d broken her heart. And, I’d ended what would go down in my history book as the greatest seventy-nine days of my life.
I didn’t have the strength to look at her when I gathered my belongings. I didn’t have the strength to look at her when I strolled into the bathroom. I didn’t have the strength to look at her once I’d taken care of my hygiene and returned to her bedroom. And, I didn’t have the strength to look at her when I exited.
As she wept, so did I. Though the tears never touched my skin, they tatted my heart. Forever, I’d be reminded of her. Of us. Of what could’ve been but would never be.