Naughty 2: My Way or the Highway (11 page)

“Heather,” I said, shaking her hand. “Tell your father I said thanks.” I ran back into my office and grabbed the gift bag off my desk. “Here you go. I must decline his gift at this time, but please, don't forget to thank him for me.”

She took the bag from me. “Sure, Jaylin. I'm sorry I took up so much of your time. My father always teases me about rambling on and on.”

I opened the door for Heather, and after she waved good-bye to everyone, she left.

I stood by the staircase and tightened my robe. Everybody was still looking at me, so I had so say something.

“I . . . I'm going to go upstairs and change into something else. It's not appropriate for my guests to see me like this, and if I had changed earlier, my boss's daughter wouldn't have seen me almost half-naked.”

“Well, go put on some clothes,” Scorpio said. “Why are you standing there trying to explain?”

A sigh of relief came over me, and I hurried upstairs to my bedroom. I grabbed a pair of jeans and a black wife-beater from my closet, then took a quick shower. As I was looking in the mirror brushing my hair, Stephon stood in the doorway to my bathroom.

“Now
that
was risky,” he said, folding his arms.

“What?”

“Negro, you know what. Don't play me like a fool.”

I snickered, “Was it that obvious?”

“Nope, but if she would have taken her panties with her, I probably wouldn't have ever known.” Stephon tossed Heather's panties to me. “I went into your office to use the phone and those were on the floor.”

“Damn, man. Did anybody else see them?”

“Uh-uh. And before you ask, they don't suspect anything either. They actually down there talking about what a great boss you have, and how nice of him to send his daughter over here with a gift.”

“Whew, I'm so relieved. I know it was risky, but I like doing shit like that. Besides, it's my day, and I intend on going all out.”

“Nothing wrong with that,” Stephon said, sitting down on my bed. He gripped his hands together and dropped his head. I came out of the bathroom and sat next to him.

“Are you all right? I mean, you look as if you have something heavy on your mind.”

“I'm cool. I just wonder when one of us is going to settle down and chill, man. I see how happy you are with LJ and Mackenzie, and I really would like to have that type of love for somebody one day. You know what I mean?”

“Yeah. I definitely know what you mean. My kids mean everything to me. And I do mean everything. A woman will never mean more to me than they do.”

“Yeah, but I wouldn't mind having some crumb-snatchers around like you do. It's something about them that be having your ass glowing like a motherfucker. Hopefully, I might have something in the making right now.”

“Straight up? So, you got a baby on the way?”

“I think. That's if she ain't lying about it.”

“She...she,” I said rubbing my goatee in deep thought. “Aw, Mona thinks she's pregnant?”

“Nope.”

“Rachelle?”

“Nope.”

“Fool, I'm not gon' sit here and go through all of your women. Who?” My forehead wrinkled and I gave Stephon a hard stare. “No! No! No!” I yelled. “Don't tell me it's Felicia!” I hopped up and grabbed my money clip off the nightstand. I counted out $500 and threw it on the bed. “Man, please. Whatever you do, make her have an abortion. Take the money, please!”

“Jay, it ain't even like that. You know I don't need your money. Felicia and me talked about it, and I really want her to have the baby.”

I plopped back down on the bed and shook my head in disgust. “Why, man? She ain't gon' do nothing but cause you some serious grief. And how do you know it's yours anyway? We both know she be sleeping around like a motherfucker. I know how badly you want a child, but plan this shit out with somebody else.”

“Hey, I ain't too thrilled about her being the mother of my child either, but if she's pregnant, then I'm for it. Just like you were when Simone got pregnant. Remember? She was a piece of work her damn self.”

“Okay, and don't go bringing up that bitch. I could kill her for taking my daughter away from me, and whenever I see her, I plan to do just that. Anyway, whatever you decide, you know I got your back.”

“I know.” He reached over and slammed his fist against mine.

“Now, in the meantime . . . I got a question for you,” I said.

“Shoot.”

“Why do you keep looking at Scorpio, man? I've noticed all day how you can't keep your eyes off my woman.”

Stephon laughed. “Cause man, I'm not gon' lie to you no' mo'. But, uh, she's one woman I wouldn't mind getting down and dirty with. Just looking at that ass sends me in la-la land. I sure in the hell be glad when you figure out what you're going to do with her because I am one brotha anxiously waiting.”

“Damn, it's like that, huh? But do you straight up think she'll get down with you, when she got all this to look forward to?”

“I know she would. While she's still kicking it with you, too.”

“Negro, please. I thought I was one confident-ass brotha, but you got me beat. I say let's put some money on it. I got five thousand dollars that says she wouldn't give you the time of day.”

“And I'll match your five and say that she would.”

“Bet. And since you've been wanting to fuck her so badly, I'm giving you the go ahead. I'm not even going to interfere. You got one month to come back here with some evidence. I'm giving you some extra time, but if you are as confident as you seem to be, I don't think it will take you that long. And thirty-one days after today, I'm coming to collect my money. So, you'd better have it. If you don't, I'll send my hit man out to get you.”

“Fool, the only thing I'm going to be hitting is that fat ass and pussy on your woman. And when I come to you next week and show you some evidence, don't go drinking your life away trying to soak up the pain.”

I grabbed Stephon's hand and pulled him off the bed. Since I had a lot of faith in Scorpio, this was quite easy for me. Stephon and I laughed about the bet and we headed back downstairs.

Nanny B had already cleaned up everything, but the ladies were still sitting around chatting.

Scorpio looked at Stephon and me coming toward the great room. “Just abandon your company. We don't care.” She went into the kitchen. Stephon watched her walk away, then he looked at me and winked. Trying to show him who had the upper hand, I followed her.

“You don't feel abandoned, baby, do you?” I asked, wrapping my arms around her.

“Sometimes, yes I do.” She removed my arms and had a blank expression on her face. “Do you have plans with Nokea tonight? She's been talking about this café you meet her at every year and said that you were having dinner with her tonight.”

I kissed the back of her hand. “It's just dinner, Scorpio. We were supposed to meet there for lunch, but since Nanny B planned this surprise for me, I guess Nokea wants to go there for dinner.”

“What about what I had planned for you? I guess I have to put my plans on hold until some other time, huh?”

“No, I didn't say that. I didn't know you had plans for us. Now that I know, let me get rid of everybody, and I'll meet you at your place. I'll schedule a late dinner with Nokea so we can spend some time together before I go. Okay?”

“No, it's not okay and I don't feel right knowing that you're going to be with her tonight. I was anticipating on you spending the night with me.”

“Scorpio, look. I'm doing the best I can under the circumstances. I've been dining with Nokea at Café Lapadero on my birthday for years. Don't ask me to change something I've been doing for a long time. Work with me this time, and don't ruin my day.”

She rolled her eyes and left the kitchen with an attitude. I followed and kindly asked everybody to clear out after LJ and I opened our gifts. And when I unwrapped a beautifully framed black and white picture of Mackenzie and LJ, my heart melted. They were sitting back to back and were grinning hard like they were looking at me. Excited, I placed the picture next to Mama's on the fireplace mantle. It was perfect. Other than the teddy bear Nokea had given me the previous year, this was the most touching gift I'd ever gotten.

Nokea was the last one to leave. We walked to her car and I told her I'd see her no later than nine. She complained about the time, but it was the best I could do. We decided that LJ and Mackenzie would stay at my place with Nanny B that night.

By five o'clock, I was looking spectacular and was ready to go. I peeked into Nanny B's room, where she was napping with Mackenzie and LJ. I tapped her shoulder and told her I wouldn't be back until later. She told me to have a good time, reminding me to lock the door on my way out. I didn't see any lights on when I arrived at Scorpio's condo, but her car was parked outside, so she was there. I figured she was probably still upset with me, but at least I had the decency to show.

The door was slightly open, so I pushed it and walked in. Candles were lit all over the living room, and on the floor, rose petals had been dropped into the shape of a heart. In the middle of the room was a chair, and, figuring that was most likely my place, I strutted over to take a seat. I loosened my tie and then called for her.

“Patience my dear,” she said. “Good things come to brothas who wait.”

Scorpio came in, moving her desirable body to the rhythm of Miles Davis. She knew how crazy I was about his jazz. She wore a short black negligee trimmed with fur. It accented her high-yellow skin, which was oiled all over. Her breasts showed through the sheer material. A black silk thong with tiny diamonds on the string line led to her ass. Much of her curly hair dangled on her shoulders and the rest was clipped on top, just how I like it. As her beautiful eyes stared me down in the candlelit room, I couldn't help but sit there and think how lucky I was. She was by far the most gorgeous woman I'd ever been with. Pussy couldn't get no better than hers, and I was out of my mind for even making such a bet with Stephon. Just the thoughts of another man touching her devastated me.

The music stopped and Scorpio placed her foot between my legs. I put my hands on her hips and started to remove her thong. She stopped me and straddled my lap.

“Do you love me?” she asked, looking into my eyes. I nodded. “Then, I need to hear you tell me. So, again, do you love me?”

“Yes,” I said softly. I reached for her thong again, but she held my hands still.

“Why haven't you told me this before?” I shrugged. She put her arms on my shoulders. “What took you so long to tell me?” I shrugged again, then looked away. “Jaylin, if you don't talk to me, I'm going to blow out these candles and call it a night. So, for the last time, what took you so long to tell me that you love me?”

I shrugged again, “Afraid . . . I guess.”

“Why?”

“Because.”

“Because, why Jaylin? Stop beating around the bush and tell—”

“Because you talk too damn much.” I held her waist and moved her off my lap. “Take off your thong.”

“No, that's for you to do.”

“I've been trying to, but you won't stop running your mouth. Besides, you do it. It arouses me when I watch. Do you mind?”

“No, I don't mind, but I'll need your help.” She placed her foot between my legs again, then dropped her negligee to the floor. I reached up to rub her breasts, closing my eyes. In deep thought, I lay my head against her stomach and wrapped my arms around her. No doubt, I was falling for Scorpio. She had definitely made a way out of no way for me. She lightly rubbed her fingers through my hair, and once our peaceful moment was over, I backed away from her. “Would you please take those off for me like I asked you to?”

Scorpio turned in front of me, bent over and removed her thong. “JAYLIN'S” in black cursive letters was tattooed on her ass right above the rose that was already there. She turned her head and smiled, “So, do you like?” she asked.

I placed my finger on the side of my face and pretended not to see it. “Back up a bit so I can clearly see what it says.” She backed up and I held her ass cheeks in my hands. “Jaylin's, huh? I guess that means this is my ass, right?”

“Nobody else but yours, baby. So, Happy Birthday, and again, do you like it?”

“It's nice, but you don't have to tattoo my name on your ass when I already know it's mine.”

“I just wanted to give you a little assurance. Just in case you think I might be slipping.”

“Assurance, huh?” I grabbed Scorpio's waist and circled my tongue across my name. Then I rubbed it hard with my thumb to make sure it was permanent. When it didn't smear, I turned her body around so she could look at me. “Now, that is assurance. I just hope you don't expect me to do no shit like that.”

“No, I don't. All I expect from you is for you to treat me like a lady, to respect me, love me, and to fuck me every chance you get. Everything else is totally irrelevant.”

Now she was speaking my language. I squeezed my legs tightly together, and could already feel how good this night was going to be. She reached for my tie to draw me closer. After she pulled it over my head, she removed my jacket and started unbuttoning my shirt. Trying to speed things along, I took off my belt and pants. We stood naked, and held each other.

“Why do you love me so much?” I asked.

“Because.”

“Because why? And don't play games with me, Scorpio. I'm serious.”