“I can't right now,” Secret said as she pushed Lucky from in front of her and went in search of the aisles she needed to be in to put the remaining items in the basket in.
“Wait! Secret wait!” Lucky rushed behind her and grabbed her arm.
“Hey, is everything okay here?” the store manager came around the corner and asked. He looked down to see Lucky gripping Secret's arm. “Hey, young man. Get off of her.”
“Dude, I'm having a conversation with my girl,” Lucky told the store manager while Secret was trying to loosen her arm from him. He kept a tight grip on it though.
“Well, this looks like more than a conversation to me. You are being physical. If you don't take your hands off of her right now, I'm calling the police.”
Lucky released Secret and stormed over to the manager, pointing his finger and getting all up in his face. “Man, I said I'm just talking to my girl here.” Spittle was flying out of Lucky's mouth.
“That's it. I'm calling the cops now.” The store manager went storming back up the aisle.
Lucky looked at Secret in a panic. His eyes pleaded with her to do something. She knew that look all too well. She'd had the very same look in her eyes that day of her arrest. She'd pleaded with Lucky but he did nothing. Payback was a bitch.
Secret watched as the store manager pulled out his cell phone. She then looked back to Lucky and his pleading puppy dog eyes. She took a step toward her manager. “Wait, Mr. Farmer. Please, no need to call the police,” Secret told him just as he was about to dial 911.
Mr. Farmer looked to Lucky and then back to Secret. “I understand domestic violence. My mother protected my father for years. You don't have to be afraid. I'll be a witness andâ”
“Mr. Farmer, no, it's not like that. He's my baby's father. He was sharing something very important with me about the baby. He was touching me more so out of passion versus being violent. I'd never allow a man to put his hands on me. Ever.”
Mr. Farmer stared at Secret a few more moments trying to read her face. He wanted to make sure she was telling the truth and just wasn't afraid of the repercussions from her abuser if the police were called.
For assurance Secret said, “And after hearing about your mother, you can best believe I'll never let a man put his hands on me. I'm so sorry your mother went through that, and that you had to experience that. I won't allow that to happen to myself or my child.” Secret rubbed her manager's shoulder. “But thank you so much for caring enough to want to protect me.” She was still speaking to her manager but looked to Lucky when she said, “No one has ever protected me like that before.” She looked back to her manager who 100 percent believed everything Secret was saying.
Mr. Farmer looked to Lucky. “Hey, I'm sorry about that, man. It just looked likeâ”
Lucky cut him off. “Don't worry about it. Like my girl here said”âhe pointed to Secretâ“thank you for looking out for her. It's good to know that if something did happen to her, there is a good person like you around to take care of her.”
The pride building up in Mr. Farmer was obvious by the way his shoulders lifted and he held his head up high. “I just did what any decent person would do. That's all.” He looked to Secret. “Secret, we need you on register four.” He then walked away.
Once Mr. Farmer was gone Lucky walked over to Secret. He touched her on her elbow. “Thank you so much.” He exhaled. “You didn't have to do that for me. I don't even know why you did considering . . .” His words trailed off as he shook his head.
Secret finished his thoughts. “Especially since you didn't do the same for me when you had a chance?”
Lucky nodded. “That would have been a golden opportunity to pay me back.”
“I don't need to pay you back, Lucky. âVengeance is mine thus sayeth the Lord.'”
Lucky had a confused look on his face. “What's that supposed to mean?”
“According to my grandmother, it means God can get you back way better than I ever could.” Secret pulled her arm away from Lucky and walked away while throwing over her shoulder, “And by the way, I'm not your girl.”
Lucky watched Secret walk away while mumbling under his breath, “Not yet anyway.”
Chapter 20
“Ray, oh my goodness! What are you doing here?” Secret said after slinging open her door.
Ray looked Secret up and down. Secret was dressed in a nice flowing off-the-shoulder chiffon top. She wore white leggings underneath and some studded flip-flops. Her hair was in flat twist straight back and she wore some silver dripping earrings. “Looks like you were expecting company, just not me.” Ray looked over Secret's shoulder and into her apartment. She could see where the dining room table was set. There was even a candle in the middle of the table.
Secret followed Ray's eyes to the table. “Oh, that. Yeah, well.” Secret turned to face Ray. “But, uh, you can come in.” Secret stepped to the side.
“You sure? I don't want to interrupt your evening.”
“You came all this way. At least come in and say hi. Besides that, I've missed you.”
Ray stepped into the apartment. “I can tell.” There was a hint of sarcasm behind Ray's tone.
Secret immediately felt convicted for having not even bothered to pick up the phone and call Ray these past weeks. After all, if it had not been for Ray stepping in to save the day, Secret could very well still be in jail. And it wasn't because Secret hadn't appreciated everything that Ray had done for her that had kept her from calling up Ray. It just felt so awkward.
It was no secret that there was some type of attraction between the two women. They'd shared a kiss at Ray's home. Not just some little “Secret kissed a girl and she liked it” peck. It had been a deep, passionate kiss that had sent chills through Secret's body. Had she not recently given birth to Dina at the time, Lord only knows what might have happened between the two that night. Never ever having felt that way about a female before, those feelings she was having toward Ray scared her. So it was safe to say that fear was the main reason why Secret hadn't reached out to Ray.
Ray stepped inside and Secret closed and locked the door behind them. Ray sniffed the aroma wavering throughout the room. “Mmmm. Smells good in here.”
“Yes, I just finished cooking dinner,” Secret said. Feeling as though it would be rude to have Ray over smelling all that delicious food and not offering her any, she made a suggestion. “I'd love it if you'd do me a favor. Come and taste some of what I cooked and tell me what you think.”
Ray stuck her hands down in her pockets. “Nahh, from the times you cooked while staying at my place, I'm sure it's just fine,” she complimented her. “Where's Dina?” She looked around. She saw a couple of Dina's toys and her baby swing, but the baby was nowhere in sight.
“She's down for the evening. Well at least for the next few hours. That child doesn't hardly sleep through the night.”
“Yeah, that must be tough, getting up in the middle of the night.”
“I really don't mind. Her little face puts a smile on mine every time.”
“I imagine. She has a face just like yours.”
Secret blushed at Ray's compliment. “Anyway, come.” Secret waved Ray into the kitchen. “Taste this food for me.”
Ray followed Secret into the kitchen and watched her take pans out of the oven and lids off pots on the stove. Secret retrieved a spoon and fork from the kitchen drawer and fed Ray samples of all the different foods she'd prepared.
“Girl, you are the young, black Martha Stewart,” Ray teased.
“So I take it you approve?” Secret asked.
“Absolutely.”
“Then I'll have to have you over and cook like this for you sometime.”
“I'd really like that, Secret.”
The two just stood there smiling in silence. Finally Secret figured she should speak on whatever this thing was, or wasn't, between the two of them.
“Look,” both women began at the same time. Then they both laughed. “You go ahead.” Again the two women spoke at the same time.
“I just wanted to say that I hope I haven't made you uncomfortable in any way.” Ray finally got her words out.
“Uncomfortable.” Secret feigned dumb. “Why would I be uncomfortable around you?”
“Come on, Secret. Let's not play games. We're better than that.” Ray took Secret's hands into hers. “You're a sweet girl. Nice and beautiful. I just want to clarify that in no way did I want anything from you in return for helping you out. So I hope with that kiss and getting my little feel on I didn't make you, you know, feel like you couldn't be around me.”
Secret shook her head. “No, no, it's not that at all. I'm a big girl. Trust me, every decision I make, I make on my own. Good or bad. Besides, I'm the one who kissed you first. Remember?”
“I hear you,” Ray said. “So was it good?” She looked into Secret's eyes.
“Huh, what?”
“The kiss, was itâ”
“Oh, it was good, real good,” Secret expressed.
Ray smiled. “I was going to ask was it a good decision to kiss me.”
Secret felt embarrassed. “Oh, oh, my bad, I thoughtâ”
“It's okay. I'm glad the kiss was good. I'm flattered.”
Secret looked down at her hands that were still nestled inside of Ray's. Ray looked down.
“Oh, I'm sorry.” Ray let go of Secret's hands. “I didn't mean toâ”
“It's okay. Please, I didn't mean anything by, you know.” Secret took Ray's hands into hers. She didn't want Ray to think she had looked down at her hands as a sign for her to not touch her. She liked Ray's touch.
Ray took her thumbs and rubbed the back of Secret's hands. “So soft.”
“Thank you,” Secret said. She could feel Ray tugging on her hands, pulling her into her. Secret didn't resist. She found herself nose to nose with Ray.
Ray leaned in slowly and brushed her lips up against Secret's. She then placed a kiss on them. On the second kiss, she could feel Secret participating. Slowly Ray slid her tongue into Secret's mouth. Secret began to inhale and exhale as she became hot and bothered. Ray pulled her hands away from Secret and placed them around her small waist. She pulled Secret into her then allowed her hands to cup Secret's ass.
She massaged Secret's butt cheeks as she deep throated her with a passionate kiss. Looking into Secret's eyes Ray took her hand and brought it around to Secret's private spot and began massaging her through her white pants.
“Ahhh,” Secret moaned.
Ray suddenly stopped. “What am I doing?” She went to pull away but Secret pulled her back close.
“You're making me feel good, that's what you're doing,” Secret said. “Please don't stop. I like it.” Secret pulled Ray up against her and began kissing her.
Ray gave in and allowed her hands to begin roaming Secret's body. She cupped Secret's breast through the chiffon shirt. She then placed her hand under the shirt, cupping her breast through her bra. Once again Ray allowed her hand to massage Secret's privates. Ray could feel the warmth coming from Secret.
“Damn, you're so hot,” Ray panted. Ray kneeled down and removed Secret's flip-flops. She then stood up in Secret's face, staring in her eyes as she slipped Secret's pants and panties down her thighs. She bent down again and slid them off of each of Secret's feet. She then lifted Secret's right foot up to her mouth and began massaging each pink-painted toe with her tongue.
The feeling practically drove Secret out of her mind. She grabbed the counter with one hand and the refrigerator handle with the other in order to balance. Ray was making her weak.
Ray ran her tongue across each toe, placing each one in her mouth, popping it out with a thud sound. She used her tongue to trace in-between Secret's toes. Next she placed kisses all up Secret's legs and thighs until her face was right at Secret's triangle. Ray used her mouth to nuzzle and part Secret's vagina lips.
“Oh my goodness,” Secret moaned.
Ray began licking Secret's clit like it was a lollypop. She sucked the clit and could feel Secret almost lose her balance. Ray sucked and licked like the last supper was between Secret's legs. With her hands pulling Secret into her face by her butt cheeks, she toyed and teased Secret's clit.
“Oh, oh, oh,” Secret began to holler until the sound of the doorbell interrupted everything. “Oh, shit,” Secret said, coming out of the trance Ray's tongue had her in. “That's my company.” Secret frantically began to put her clothing back on.
Ray watched at first, trying to get in where she could fit in to help Secret. “Here.” Ray handed Secret her flip-flops.
“Thank you,” Secret said, taking the shoes and putting them on her feet. She looked around the kitchen while patting her hair down. Everything looked and felt okay, so she headed to the front door. The doorbell rang one more time before she could get to it. “I'm coming,” Secret called out in a hard whisper, not wanting to wake Dina up. Before opening the door, she gave herself one last pat down. She cleared her throat and then opened the door. “Lucky,” she greeted him upon seeing him standing on her doorstep.
He looked Secret up and down, admiring her outfit and her post-baby body in the outfit. “I'm lucky as hell. I get to have dinner with your fine ass.”
Just then the door opened farther and for the first time Lucky spotted Ray. The smile that had been on his face faded.
Noticing the look on Lucky's face, Secret turned her neck to look at Ray. “Oh, Ray, yeah. Ray, this is Lucky. Lucky, this is my friend Ray. She just stopped by to say hey. She was just heading out.”
Ray came around, basically trading spots with Secret and extended her hand to Lucky. “Nice to meet you, Lucky.”
Lucky stared at Ray's face while extending his hand. “You look so familiar,” Lucky said, shaking Ray's hand.
“I work in the ER at Genesee Hospital. Ever been shot or stabbed? Perhaps I've stitched you up before,” Ray said.
“I have a couple soldier wounds. Maybe so.”
Not 100 percent certain, but Secret felt as though there was some tension in the air between Lucky and Ray. It could have been all in her head considering she was in the middle of getting eaten out by Ray when her date for the evening, Lucky, knocked on the door. A little awkward standing between the girl who just ate you and the guy who you're about to feed.
“Well, uh, Ray, I'm so glad you stopped by,” Secret told her. “It was good seeing you. I'll call you. We'll have to do lunch or something.”
“Yeah, that sounds good, considering I didn't get to finish eating, so I'm still a little hungry.” She rubbed her stomach while winking at Secret.
Secret began blushing and her cheeks turned a fiery red. Her mouth dropped open. She could feel Lucky staring at her. She looked to him and he had a proverbial question mark on his face. He wanted to know what was really going on.
“Uh, yeah,” Secret began to stammer to Lucky. “I, you know, had Ray taste the meal I prepared for you. I wanted to get her opinion.” There was silence. Secret didn't know if Lucky was buying her story. “Right, Ray?” she turned to Ray and said, her eyes begging for backup.
Ray paused for a minute, watching her friend squirm. She then replied, “Yep, that's right.”
Secret and Ray stood there staring at each other. Lucky stood staring at them, his eyes going back and forth from one to the other.
“Well, Ray, how was it?” Lucky decided to ask.
Still staring into Secret's eyes Ray replied, “How was what?”
“What you tasted,” Lucky said.
“Oh, that,” Ray said, snapping out of her trance. “It was delicious.” She licked her lips.
Secret pictured Ray's tongue rubbing across her clit. She twitched her legs a little and a moan escaped.
Both Ray and Lucky looked to Secret. Embarrassed Secret said, “Sorry. I'm just a little faint. Had to work all day, get Dina down for bed, and cook. I haven't even eaten myself, so perhaps we should go on inside and eat.” Secret took Lucky's hand into hers.
“Yeah, perhaps we should,” he agreed.
That was clearly Ray's hint to leave, but it took her a couple of seconds to get the hint. She then cleared her throat.
“Oh, yeah, well let me let you two go ahead and enjoy your meal.” Ray gave Secret a hug. “You take care.” She then pulled away and looked to Lucky. “It was nice meeting you. Enjoy your meal. Save me some.” She winked and then left.
Secret thought she was going to faint and only prayed that Ray's subliminal messages to her had gone over Lucky's head. She closed the door, locked it, and then turned to see Lucky standing there staring at her.
“What?” Secret asked.
Lucky shook his head. “I know ol' girl from somewhere.”
Secret shrugged. “Like she said, maybe you have seen her in the ER or something.”
“Yeah, maybe,” Lucky agreed, still pondering where he might know Ray from.
“I know.” Secret snapped her finger. “You might have seen her that night at the gas station when you came to pick me up after my mom put me out. She's the one who let me use her phone to call you. She was still there when you came to pick me up.”
Lucky twisted his lips while in thought. “Maybe. Must mean she was really worried about you if she waited there with you for me to show up.” Lucky let out a harrumph. “Your store manager, Ray . . . You got a lot of people who just happen to be in the right place at the right time showing up to rescue you, huh?”
Secret thought about Lucky's comment for a moment. “Hmmm, I guess I do. And you were one of those people as well,” Secret concurred. “Anyway, dinner is ready. Let's eat.”
Secret headed into the kitchen and fixed her and Lucky's plates. She set them down on the dining room table. Lucky was sitting over on the couch watching television.