All That and a Bag of Chips (24 page)

The night was coming to an end and the crowd started to diminish. Chanelle and Spoonie came over to say their good-byes for the evening.

Chanelle said, “Girl, I saw you over here handling Craig's old girl. Is everything all right?”

“Yes, everything's under control. I'll tell you about it tomorrow. See you guys later and drive carefully.”

Craig told them goodbye and asked Venice if she was ready to go. She was but they waited for Joshua to finish talking to some girl. When Joshua joined them, Craig asked him if he wanted to crash at his house. He thanked him but told him to drop him off at the hotel. Joshua knew Craig and Venice needed some privacy. They walked together out into the parking lot.

Joshua said, “Thanks for letting me hang out with ya'll. I had a really good time and I got some numbers, dog!”

Venice said, “I don't know why. You know Cynthia's got you on lockdown.”

Craig laughed and said, “Don't mind her, man. Handle your business.”

It was about three a.m. when they dropped Joshua off at the hotel. As he got out of the truck, he gave Venice a big hug and kiss and said, “Hey man, you make sure you take care of my girl.”

“Don't worry, I will. See you in the morning.”

Once they drove off, Craig said, “You two are really tight. It's hard to believe that you never hooked up with him.”

“That would be like messing around with my brother. Joshua's my blood, that's all.”

Craig headed for the interstate, then told Venice he wanted to stop and get something to snack on. He called an all-night diner and ordered some hot wings. He knew there was something to drink at the house so that area was covered. On the way to the house, she fell asleep. Craig, for some reason, enjoyed watching her sleep. He pulled up to the diner's drive-up window and picked up the order.

The waitress that gave it to him said, “If you didn't have that girl in the car with you, I'd let you take me home with you!”

She was about fifty years old and let out a loud laugh. Craig thanked her, laughed also, and pulled off. The smell of the hot wings woke Venice up.

Craig asked, “How was your nap?”

“Short.”

“We're almost home. I practically got picked up by someone.”

“Who?”

“That old lady at the diner.”

Venice snickered and said, “I must say, Bennett. You're quit the ladies man.”

Back at the house, Venice kicked off her pumps. “I'll take a couple of those hot wings.”

She proceeded to walk toward the bedroom, taking off her jacket and unzipping her skirt as she walked away. Craig stopped for a moment to admire the sexiness in her movements. After she was out of his sight, Craig shook his head and mumbled, “Damn!”

He heard the shower turn on as he poured their drinks and without another thought, Craig put the bottle down and walked toward the bedroom. Venice was letting hot steamy water run down her back, massaging her tired muscles. She couldn't help but think about Jarvis. She hated it when he was angry with her. She told herself that she would call him as soon as she could to straighten things out. With closed eyes, she let the warm water splash in her face and over her soft cinnamon skin. About that time, Craig entered the shower.

“What are you doing in here?”

“Relax. Trust me.”

Smiling, he took some gel in his hands and began to lather and massage her body. He started with her shoulders and back and went on from there. The touch of his strong hands against her skin was electrifying. She also took some gel into her hands and lathered his chest and arms.

They continued to lather each other and Craig said, “You don't realize what you do to me? I'm starting to get used to this.”

Venice smiled back and asked, “What do I do to you?”

“Everything.”

He found her lips and once again tasted the sweetness her mouth gave him. She blushed, then held his hand in hers and massaged his hands and fingers. In its own way, what she was doing was very erotic.

When she finished, he gave her another kiss, deepening it. “Thanks. That was nice.”

“You're welcome.”

He grabbed a towel and stepped out of the shower. A few moments later, she also exited the shower and joined him in the bedroom. Venice fell across the bed.

She said, “I'm so tired! It's been a long day.”

Craig, dressed in shorts and a T-shirt, replied, “Come here.”

She crawled up to him and straddled him. “What's up?”

He looked at her seriously. “You.”

Needless to say, they planned to spend another night of heat and fire. He took his time with her as he caressed her body. He whispered in her ears as he kissed her body gently. He knew he had her right where he wanted her, begging and moaning.

Venice was nearing the point of hyperventilating when Craig kissed her and whispered, “How does that feel, baby?”

Breathless, she said, “M-m-m-m, nice.”

Craig began to give Venice what she was waiting for. She gripped the sheets as he flicked his tongue on her body. Then it only took one thrust of his hips and Venice's breath left her body. His rhythm was quick and exact. He knew her spot. This went on for quite some time until Venice screamed out in Spanish. Craig looked down at her in shock as she continued to whisper to him in Spanish. Venice had never done this with anyone unless they were
hitting it correctly. This excited him even more as his body trembled and his love flowed.

Exhausted, he stared down at her with a strange look on his face. Breathless, she slowly opened her eyes and said, “Stop looking at me like that.”

“Where did that come from?”

“You know where it came from. You know what you were doing to me.”

“I was hoping for a response, but I never expected that. I almost lost my damn mind, girl. You made me wanna tear up something.”

Venice smiled. “It feels like you did. I thought I was going to have a heart attack. You're trying to get me addicted to you.”

He played in her hair and asked, “And what would be so wrong with that?”

“I'm scared,” Venice readily admitted.

“Of what?”

“This. Us.”

“It's because of him. Isn't it?”

Venice was silent for a moment.

“Craig…it's so complicated.”

“Because you're making it complicated. You know how I feel about you. Maybe if I spoke Spanish, I'd know what you were saying.”

Venice grinned and asked, “Do you want to know what I said?”

He kissed her cheek. “Yes.”

She put her arm around him and said seductively, “I said you feel so-o-o good! I want you so much! Then I said some curse words and finally I said that I love you.”

Craig blushed. “I wish I could've heard it in English.”

She brushed her lips against his and said, “The night is young.”

He smiled and they continued to kiss deeply and meaningfully. She laid in his arms for the rest of the night. Craig was finally content that he knew Venice loved him, but Jarvis still lurked in the shadows.

C
raig craved Venice all the time. She was smart and fine. He had no idea that he would end up turned out over her. He'd dated women before, but none like her. He couldn't put his finger on it, but it was definitely different. Craig found himself staring at her all the time, trying to figure it out. He could see why her ex was so possessive and dreaded losing her. Venice had an air about her. She didn't take any shit off anybody and she and was very, very, independent. Some men would've thought that she was too independent. Craig had never dated anyone who didn't constantly call or try to keep up with him. Venice was one of a kind and he wanted her all to himself.

It was about four-thirty when Craig was awakened by Venice's voice. As his mind adjusted, he laid there listening.

“Please don't. Please! I won't say anything! Stop! Please!”

Craig rose up to listen closer. Venice began to whine in her sleep and appeared on the brink of screaming out.

“Venice! Venice! Wake up! What are you dreaming about?” Craig asked, shaking her awake.

Venice began to come out of it, but she didn't seem to recognize him. She screamed out and started pushing him away. He grabbed her arms and shook her again.

“Venice! It's me, Craig! Venice! Wake up!!”

It took a few seconds, but she finally woke up completely and hugged him tightly. She began breathing very hard.

He hugged her. “Calm down. What's wrong? What were you dreaming about?”

“I don't remember. I just remember being scared. I just want to go back to sleep.”

Craig was a little puzzled, but decided to momentarily leave it alone. He pulled the covers over them and Venice immediately went back to sleep. Craig, however, couldn't go to sleep. Venice's actions had caught him off guard. She hadn't even recognized him at first. Even though it would be difficult, he decided to wait until morning to pursue the issue.

 

Venice woke up Sunday morning
feeling exhausted. Craig was still asleep and she wanted to just lie there and watch him sleep. He was so sweet and sensitive, which was very special to her. How could she be so lucky to find someone to help fill the void of missing Jarvis so much? Venice knew her mother would love to meet him and she was anxious to take him home to meet her family. Thanksgiving was coming up and it would be the perfect time. Bryan had already given his okay. The final call would be up to her daddy, the other man in her life. She didn't know how Jarvis would take the news.

Craig began to stir out of his sleep. He opened his eyes slightly to find Venice staring at him. “Good morning.”

“Good morning.”

He pulled her over to him so they'd be lying face to face with his arm around her waist. “Venice, is everything all right with you?”

“Why do you ask?”

“You don't remember what happened last night?”

Venice assumed that he was talking about their passionate session and blushed. “I could never forget that, Craig.”

“Not that, Venice. You don't remember screaming out in your sleep and fighting with me?”

She looked confused and said, “Fighting with you?”

“Venice, you were talking in your sleep. Something about please don't.”

The blood left Venice's face. “It must've been a bad dream. I don't want to talk about it anymore, okay?”

Craig wasn't satisfied with her answer. “Has someone been bothering you, Venice?”

“No, Craig. It was just a bad dream.”

“Whatever you say. But I need to tell you that I find myself getting spoiled waking up next to you. It's been a while since I've been
with someone seriously like this, but I'm starting to like it. We haven't actually talked about where we want our relationship to go, so I'm opening the door for you to express yourself, if you'd like to.”

Venice smiled and replied, “Baby, you know I enjoy your company, but you also know I have issues. The main issue being Jarvis. I'm in love with him, but I'm also in love with you. I'm dealing with a lot of stress because I let this happen and I don't want to hurt either of you. Can't we just take it one day at a time?”

“Venice, I know what I want. I want you. I know you're trying not to cause anyone pain, but in this situation, someone
is
going to get hurt. I hate the thought of you with him, but I'm sure he feels the same way. They say it's better to have loved and lost than not to have loved at all. That's the only thing that keeps me going, besides knowing that you love me back.”

“That was beautiful, Craig.”

“Thanks.”

Craig then took his pillow and hit Venice with it playfully. She grabbed her pillow and fought back. He chased her through the house and cornered her in the den. Venice tried to fight her way out, but wasn't so lucky. He grabbed her around the waist and they plummeted onto the sofa. Both of them laughed and struggled for breath. They took a moment out to rest. Then he started tickling her. He held her down with his body, pulling her arms above her head so that he could tickle her underarms.

Venice screamed and laughed at the same time. “Stop! I'm going to get you back!”

“Whimp!”

He gazed at her lovingly and Venice knew in her heart that he wanted to get intimate again. Instead, he helped her up and asked, “Are you hungry?”

Venice pressed her body against his and ran her hands up his muscular chest and around his neck. Gazing into his chocolate chip eyes, she said, “They said there's nothing like breakfast in bed.”

She backed him into the bedroom and they crawled back under the covers. Smiling, he asked, “What are you doing?”

Venice giggled. “If you don't know, then I'll have to show you.”

Moments later, with their sweat drenched bodies intertwined, Venice said, “That's the best breakfast I've every had.”

“Me, too. I would love seconds, but we'd better get over to the hotel to see your brother off.”

“Okay, but dinner's on me.”

“Have it your way. I'll pick up the whipped cream.”

Laughing, they got dressed.

They all met in the lobby and Bryan once again gave Venice money. She told him that she was fine, but he insisted. He asked for her bank account number so he could send her money that way. She thanked him and gave him a goodbye hug and kiss.

Joshua and Craig were having a chat over to the side until it was time to go. Joshua came over to Venice. “Girl, you take care of yourself. I had a great time. Craig is cool, so try not to mess it up. Okay?”

Venice had tears in her eyes. “Okay. I'm going to miss you, Josh. Thanks for coming.”

“You know you're my boo. You just start finding us some furniture for our apartment.”

“I will, Joshua. You guys have a safe trip and call me when you get back.”