Chapter 18
Afew weeks had passed, and I was back to being a bachelor. Gone was the rotation of Ivy as she moved in with Dos. They were really making a go of their relationship. It had been years in the making, but I was happy they finally got there. The only thing I kept from the arrangement was my work schedule. I realized that I did want a life outside of Mystic and separate from Dos. I think we had become so dependent on each other after we made up that we didn’t realize how that played into the situation with Ivy. I told Dos It would be ok for him and Ivy to move freely about the club. It was only right that they be allowed to love out loud even in the club. Didn’t matter if I was there or not, I would respect their wishes; after all we were family.
My early mornings were spent at the gym. My workouts didn’t stop for no one. After a week of Crystal not showing up, I gave up on waiting. I chalked it up to the right woman at the wrong time. Crystal came along at a time when I was so wrapped up into my own bullshit that I almost missed out on getting to know such an amazing woman. I just wasn’t available. Plus, the experience of being in a three-way relationship allowed me to see that I could love that I was ready to love. I was hoping that Crystal would give me the honor of showing her I was mature enough for the kind of relationship she deserved.
I was working at Mystic. It was a Friday night. Stacy was managing the floor, and I was tucked away in my office. We integrated a new software system, and I was entering the data into the computer when there was a knock at the door.
“Yup.”
The door opened. I was expecting to see Stacy, or another team member. To my surprise it was Crystal. She looked fine as hell in her skinny jeans, white draped tank top and green blazer. She stood three inches taller in her stiletto heels. I stopped immediately to stare at her.
“Hey Umar. I hope you don’t mind, Stacy told me to come on back.”
“No, you’re fine.” A wide smile rose across my face. I stood up and walked to the front of my desk. My stomach ached with butterflies like I was a school age boy with a crush.
“What are you doing here?”
“I was hoping that I would catch you here tonight. The last time I saw you a lot happened. I just needed time to think things through.”
She was right. The last time we spoke was Ivy’s party and we did do some crazy shit that night. I knew my sex wasn’t the issue. The way she moaned and how she took this dick, I knew she wasn’t backing away from me because of that. I killed that pussy. It had to be something else.
“What’s on your mind?”
She paused and took a deep breath before speaking. “I knew when we met that you lived a complicated life. From owning this club, the nightlife, the relationship with your bro and Ivy. You were very transparent with me, and I appreciated that about you. I couldn’t deny that I was attracted to you, but..”
“But what?” I reached for her hand, and she gave it to me. I pulled her just a little closer so that she was partly in between my legs as I leaned on the edge of the desk.
“Umar, I just don’t think this is what I want right now. Don’t get me wrong, I had fun that night with you and everyone else.” She blushed and I saw her body shiver as she reflected on that night. “Yeah, I knew I fucked her pussy good.” I thought to myself. “But you don’t have room for me right now, and before I can even think about sharing you with anyone, I need to be comfortable having you to myself.”
“That’s where you’re wrong.”
“Umar don’t try to talk me out of this. It was hard enough coming to tell you this face to face.” She pulled away from my hands.
“I said you’re wrong. I’m single now. I have been for weeks. I came to tell you at the gym, but you stood me up. I ended things between me and Ivy. Her and Dos are off living their happy for now lives.” She looked up at me for the first time since she entered my office. “Did you hear me Crystal, I’m free to learn how to love you. I know it will take some time, and I’m ok waiting. I just want the chance to show you I’m ready to love.” I reached for her hand again and this time I pulled her all the way into me. I held onto her waist.
“Why didn’t you just tell me that?” She hit me on my chest playfully.
“You didn’t give me a chance to talk.” I pulled her even closer cuffing her ass in the palm of my hand. She moaned. “You know, I love it when you moan,” I said through clinched teeth, thinking of all the things I wanted to do to her.
“Umar, I’ve wanted you for so long. Are you sure?”
“You can put that on the U in my name. I have never lied to you and never will. And as long as you can handle that, I’m yours baby.”
Crystal leaned into me and kissed my lips.
“Naw Ma. You gonna have to kiss me like you mine. Let’s try this again.”
She smiled and parted her full lips as my tongue made its way into her mouth. Our tongues twisted and twirled in full delight. Her kiss quenched my aching soul. I had never felt so alive and ready to live.