Thin Ice 7 - Echoes of Reckoning (25 page)

21

Shells had put it off as long as he could. He had to say something to Tae about that day in the Farmer’s Market. She was still distant, barely speaking in the two weeks since they’d fought and she confronted him about it. Making love was out of the question, as she still slept in Aiden’s room every night. Sighing deeply he steeled himself as she walked into the kitchen grabbing a cup, preparing herself a cup of tea. “Hey gurl,” Shells threw out lightly, praying she was in the mood to listen.

“
Hey Shells,” Tae returned, reserved but friendly.

“
Can I talk to you for a minute,” he asked tentatively.

Turning and regarding him, Tae almost said no, but decided she would hear him out. The tea kettle began to sing, starting softly before quickly escalating to a full crescendo. Tae removed the kettle pouring the boiling water on the raspberry chai tea bag. Adding some lemon and honey, she blew on it lightly, turning and finally joining Shells at the kitchen table where he remained seated.

“
What’s on your mind, Shells,” Tae asked calmly taking a tentative sip of the still scalding liquid in her cup.

Shells cleared his throat, took a deep breath and opened his mouth trying to explain the day at the market.

“
Hmph,” Tae remarked after his explanation, her facial expression still calm, though she raged inside.

“
OK, I don’t have an issue with you helping her shop,” she began, her eyes never leaving his. “But I do have an issue with your lips being on the bitch,” Tae finished evenly, letting Shells finally know exactly what she’d seen that day.

“
It wasn’t wut you tink, Tae,” he quickly defended, both hands up.

“
Really,” she asked, one eyebrow raised. “What was it then,” she returned, sipping her tea again.

Shells waited until she put the cup down and reached cross the table taking her hands into his.

“
Tae, she hugged me, yes,” he told her. “I went to pull away and turned my head de wrong way,” Shells explained sincerely. “She kiss me before I know what happened, and I push her away telling her dat I’m not interested,” he finished and swallowed hard, praying she believed him.

Tae saw the sincerity in his face and knew he was being truthful. It only served to piss her off more, since he could have simply said that two weeks ago when she asked.

“
Shells, why couldn’t you have just said that when I asked,” she threw at him.

“
You were already mad at me Tae,” he explained. “I mean, you know you get crazy when you get mad, and I figured you wouldn’t hear a word I had to say,” Shells told her matter-of-fact.

Tae sighed deeply; she supposed he had to admit he had a point.

“
I guess I was little mad too though dat you thought so little of me,” Shells added and she could see the hurt in his eyes.

Tae sighed again before addressing him. “I guess you’re right,” she told him quietly. “I just wanted to rip that heffa’s lips off,” she added as Shells chuckled.

“
I’m not the least bit interested in dat girl Layla, not at all,” he told her dryly.

Tae smiled this time, picking up her cup again.

“
Hmph, maybe I need to let her know that,” she said aloud as Shells immediately shook his head no.

“
No gurl, I already know what kind of talking you be doing if you go see her,” he added giving her a look as Tae laughed and feigned innocence.

Rising, Shells walked behind her chair, stopping and leaning down in her ear. “Why don’t you come into de room wit me, let’s make up,” he whispered, kissing her neck.

Tae felt her temperature rise as her breathing quickly became uneven. Without a word she rose and took his hand as they made their way into the master bedroom. Shells wasted no time letting Tae know how much he’d missed being with her, stripping her clothes from her in less than one minute flat, her on the bed, his tongue gently caressing her clit as she moaned her pleasure.

“
Mmm, Shells,” she sighed softly as the first orgasm hit her hard and fast.

Shells stopped temporarily as Tae helped him out of his own clothing, her mouth on his hardness as he now uttered a guttural moan of desire while she did her work. Being the talented man he was Shells maneuvered her petite frame onto his own, sixty nine now in full effect as they both pleasured the other. Tae couldn’t describe the sensation as Shells manipulated her softness sensuously with his tongue again and again. Shells was close to his end as Tae’s mouth worked his hardness, her tongue gliding over the shaft again and again. Pulling her away he deftly lifted her to a sitting position as his erection slid deeply inside her and Tae went to work, riding him like he loved.

“
That’s it gurl,” Shells mumbled lost in euphoria.

Tae loved his hands on her hips holding her in place as her orgasm again loomed near. They both came hard moments later, Shells moaning quietly and Tae crying out, her body trembling. Lying on his chest as they gathered themselves, Shells kissed her forehead tenderly.

“
Forgive me now gurl,” he asked lovingly as she giggled and told him yes.

*****

Ian was back in the Bayou again. This time there was no doubt they would kill the two men they were seeking. They’d set up surveillance and paid off one of the men’s inner circle. The man was disgruntled after being passed over for what he deemed an elevation in the organization and was looking to get even. Creeper and Pirate provided him the perfect tool when they casually mentioned wanting to find Sheik and Tagg, along with their ability to pay top dollar for the information. As much as it irritated him they still hadn’t killed the men yet, Ian didn’t mind returning since he got a chance to see Gabrielle again. She was definitely the high point of the visit. Her laser treatments had begun last week and he would get to see the progress today when he finally saw her. Ian thought about the conversation he and Ryan had concerning his affair as they returned yesterday.

“
I know you’re not in love with her, so what’s the angle,” Ryan asked calmly after confronting Ian about sleeping with Gabrielle and his admission he had. Ian shrugged slightly after the question. “She’s a wonderful person, and she took good care of me when I couldn’t care for myself,” he returned as Ryan grunted. “OK, but again, what’s the angle,” Ryan asked. “I know you well enough Ice to know you have something in mind, so what is it,” he badgered once more. Ian again sighed deeply before answering. “She’s a very pleasant diversion,” he returned as Ryan grunted. Looking his brother in the eye he spoke again. “How many,” Ryan asked simply, the question far more complicated. Ian chuckled, amazed at how well his brother knew him. “One maybe two,” he returned as Ryan again nodded. “She know that,” he asked as Ian told him no and he didn’t feel the need to enlighten her. Ryan nodded his understanding only saying one last thing about it. “You better make sure KiKi never, ever, finds out,” Ryan admonished, Ian readily agreeing with him.

Seeing he’d arrived Ian got out of the car and walked to the door of Gabrielle’s house, using the key she’d given him the last visit, he entered the structure.

“
Bri, are you here,” Ian called out.

“
Hi Ice,” she returned sweetly. “I’m in the kitchen,” she added as he smiled and told her okay.

Ian took his bag into the bedroom and sat it down, unpacking a few things and putting them on the dresser. He walked back into the house heading toward the kitchen and the fragrant aromas emanating from it.

“
Hi there,” he greeted her, reaching the room finally.

Gabrielle smiled and returned his greeting, as they kissed softly. Ian examined her face noticing that one of the large welts had been diminished significantly.

“
Looks really good Bri,” he told her caringly.

Smiling Gabrielle thanked him, agreeing with his sentiment.

“
I didn’t think it could be done,” she said quietly as Ian hugged her tightly, looking into her eyes.

“
Bri, I told you everything will be fine,” he assured kissing her again. “What are you cooking,” Ian asked peering over into the large pot on the stove.

“
Jambalaya,” she answered, turning and stirring it once more.

“
Smells delicious,” Ian told her as she let him taste a bit from the spoon.

“
Damn, that is good,” he exclaimed.

Gabrielle chuckled and told him she was glad he liked it.

“
I’ll do some bread later when we get ready to eat,” she added as Ian grunted slightly.

“
I have business tonight, so I’ll be late,” he told her looking into her eyes now.

“
That’s fine Ice, you have a key, so it’s whenever,” Gabrielle returned as they left the kitchen and went into the living room.

“
When is your next treatment,” Ian asked, referring to the laser procedure.

Gabrielle told him she had an appointment next Tuesday.

“
Good,” Ian remarked.

She nodded, going on to tell him that Dr. Millage told her they would be finished in the next two months.

“
That’s fantastic Bri,” Ian told her honestly.

Gabrielle smiled again and his heart grew a bit more attached.

“
Ice,” she began tentatively.

“
Yes, Bri,” he returned waiting for her to speak. “I just want to say thank you again for everything you’ve done for me,” she told him as Ian smiled and pulled her close.

“
Bri, will you stop doing that,” he scolded gently as she smiled and laid her head on his chest. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly, praying as she opened her mouth. There was something else she needed to tell him.

“
Ice,” she began once more as Ian regarded her yet another time. “My period is late,” she told him softly, almost inaudibly.

Ian sat her up, looking right into her eyes, and made her repeat what she said.

“
Have you seen a doctor,” he asked his face expressionless.

She shook her head no.

“
I mean it’s only a week late,” Gabrielle tried.

“
Are you normally late,” Ian asked.

Swallowing hard she had to admit she wasn’t.

“
I think you need to take a test, don’t you,” Ian asked.

She nodded her head yes before looking up at him again.

“
You don’t have to worry if I am Ice,” she told him. “I’ll have an abortion.”

Ian’s expression never changed, his voice however did as he spoke, still looking into her eyes.

“
The hell you will,” he said deadly serious, rising and pulling her up with him heading out the car, destination, the local drug store.

****

Tae was relaxing still as she lay leisurely in bed. Shells had taken Aiden and left for a while, giving her some much needed down time. Her cell rang and she smiled seeing Jaleesa’s name on the caller ID.

“
Wassup chick,” she greeted her friend.

“
Hey Tae,” Jaleesa threw back amiably. “Kim’s on the line too,” she told her as Tae greeted Kim as well.

“
What’s up with ya’ll heffa's,” Tae laughed.

They both chuckled slightly before Jaleesa spoke again.

“
What you know about this bitch Layla, CiCi’s best friend,” she asked calmly as Tae frowned deeply.

“
I know that slut better keep her damned hands, eyes and lips of my damned man, I know that,” Tae replied acidly.

Jaleesa and Kim both grunted.

“
So you know the trick is tryna get up on Shells huh,” Jaleesa returned.

Tae enlightened them both about the thing she saw at the Farmer’s Market some two weeks ago.

“
Of course Shells stubborn ass didn’t tell me the real deal till this morning,” Tae added as they both murmured they could identify.

“
Well I think we should have a little chat with miss thang,” Jaleesa said as Tae chuckled slightly.

Kim smiled, but said nothing, knowing as well as Tae exactly what kind of chat Jaleesa had in mind.

“
I’m cool with that, we just need to decide time and place,” Tae told her.

“
Hmph,” Jaleesa returned before Kim spoke.

“
Well you know Memoirs grand opening is Saturday,” she told them. “I’m pretty damned sure she’ll be there with CiCi,” Kim told them.

“
But is CiCi even coming,” Tae threw out, knowing that Tariq had moved out.

Kim sighed deeply, as Jaleesa questioned Tae’s comment. They both brought her up to speed of that situation.

“
Damn, I didn’t realize,” Jaleesa returned, her mind racing.

She knew who the other woman was, though they didn’t.
Shit I hope KiKi knows what the hell she’s doing,
she thought growing quiet until Kim’s voice shook her thought.

“
She’s still totally in love with Top, so trust she’ll be there,” Kim assured.

They all agreed that Layla would come as well.

“
Bitch like that loves to be seen,” Jaleesa returned.

“
Tweety, I know Jacoury is coming, but,” Tae began and tapered off.

“
Yeah, way ahead of you there,” Jaleesa returned. “I’m not going anywhere outside of the club and I sincerely doubt anyone I used to know all those years ago will be there,” she told them adding she was getting her braids and wearing her contacts that night.