Fixin’ Tyrone (25 page)

Mia wanted to stop him. She wanted to tell him that he didn’t have to, that she knew how bad he wanted to be inside her and she was ready, too. But when she put her hands on his head to pull him up, Tyrone sucked a spot that made all arguments null and void. Not only did she want him to keep going, but if he stopped on his own Mia was liable to break his neck.

As the strokes of his tongue increased, Mia’s hips became more and more difficult to control. She slipped to the right and left. She bounced, and wiggled, and at one point squeezed her thighs against his face so hard, he had to come up for a breath.

He stared up at her, and she stared back at him with a look that went way past
come hither
.

Tyrone kissed his way up. His tongue dashed in and out of her belly button, then traced up to her chest. Mia’s breasts were small. Tyrone grabbed one in each hand and sucked her nipples one at a time.

Mia was so wet he didn’t have to reach down to glide himself inside. He entered her like a hand sliding in a glove, and Mia climaxed within seconds. Tyrone did, too, but Vasantha was right about something: He had the stamina of a sixteen-year-old.

For the next few hours, they did things Mia hadn’t done since they were in love some ten years ago. She got on top and grinded like a stripper on the pole. When she was spent, Tyrone rolled her over and mounted in his favorite position. But Mia didn’t experience any trepidation with doggy style this time. She knew exactl
y
what Tyrone was doing back there. He was holding on for dear life and jabbing like Ali in his prime.

When Mia climaxed for a stunning
fourth
time, she could no longer support her body weight on her limbs. She slid slowly until she lay flat on her stomach, but Tyrone didn’t stop then like Eric had. Tyrone kept on stabbing for another twenty minutes. Mia thought he would go on forever, and it was just fine with her if he did, but eventually his movements became erratic, and she felt him pulsating inside her.

When he was spent, he rolled off and lay flat on his back. His chest rose and fell like a sprinter nearing the finish. He craned his neck towards her for a kiss, and Mia reached for him, too, but they both fell asleep before the smooch was completed.

* * *

Mia woke up at three in the morning. She went to the bathroom, then roused Tyrone and told him he had to leave.

“Why?” he asked.

“I don’t want the kids to wake up and see you here.”

“But I’m
tired
,” he whined.

“It won’t be like this all the time,” she promised. “Just let me talk to them and tell them what’s going on. They need to hear it from me before they see you walking around here at six in the morning.”

Tyrone grudgingly complied. They shared a sensual kiss on her porch, and Mia slept like a rock when she got back into bed. When morning came, her body didn’t want to get up, but her brain raced like a runaway train. She did not regret the time spent with Tyrone. On the contrary, she was excited and couldn’t wait to see him again. Thug love may have led to a lot of sorrow back in the day, but last night, it was everything she needed.

PROVERBS 26:11

Mia always tried to look her best on Mondays. Today she wore a dark chocolate suit with slacks rather than a skirt. She had on a white blouse with a chiffon, leopard-print scarf. She stood before her full-length mirror knowing she looked good, but even better, she
felt
good. The intimacy with Tyrone last night left her radiant and invigorated, even though she only got a few hours sleep.

She went to the dining room to see how breakfast was going. Once again, TC’s plate was half empty, while Mica’s fork was still sparkling clean.

“What’s wrong?” she asked the grumbling grade-schooler.

“I don’t like eggs,” Mica said.

“Yes, you do,” Mia said. “You eat eggs all the time.”

“These are nasty.”

Mia leaned over to get a look at her plate, but it looked like Crystal did a good job. The scrambled eggs were light and fluffy.

“I’ll eat hers,” TC offered.

Mia shook her head. “No, she’s gonna eat it. And you’d better be halfway through by the time I get back.” She gave Mica a hard look, then went to check on her sister.

Crystal’s door was closed. Mia walked in and flipped the light switch. Crystal rolled onto her stomach and buried her face in the pillow.

“What’d you do, get back in bed?” Mia asked. “Where were you last night?”

Crystal rolled over groggily. She held a hand over her eyes and squinted through her fingers. “I was with Sydney.”

“What time did you get home?”

“I don’t know. I know Tyrone’s car was still here.” Crystal grinned. “I thought you wasn’t giving him none.”

Mia couldn’t help but smile. “I thought I wasn’t either.”

“Was it
good
?” Crystal asked. “Did he really wait for you?”

Mia didn’t have to answer; the glow on her face told the whole story. “I think it was the best ever,” she said.

Crystal’s eyes lit up. “
Ever
?”

Mia scanned her memory bank, but nothing she experienced in the last decade compared. “Yeah, I think it was . . .”

Crystal shook her head in awe. “That boy loves you more than anything,” she said. “You lucky.”

Mia considered that for a second and agreed that she was. When she got back to the dining room, Mica surprised her with a half-eaten plate. She looked up at her mom and smiled.

“I like the country, Mama,” TC said.

“I do, too, baby.”

* * *

Mia’s day at work was hectic. When Miss Tenery stepped into her office a few minutes before lunchtime and said Mr. Manitou wanted to speak with her, Mia thought she heard the woman wrong.

“
Mr. Manitou?
”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Mia looked first to her phone and then back to her secretary’s skinny face.

“No, he’s
here
,” Miss Tenery said. “He didn’t say what he wants.”

Mia asked the woman to show him in.

She fixed a look of unease on her visitor when he walked into her office. Mr. Manitou wore a blue suit with a black tie today. Mia was disturbed by his visit, and her expression showed it.

“May I close your door?” he asked.

Mia nodded. When he sat down, she asked him, “To what do I owe this pleasure?”

Mr. Manitou took a deep breath and stared into her eyes. “Mia, I would like to talk to you about what happened at the restaurant on Friday.”

Mia shook her head. “Mr. Manitou, I don’t think—”

He put a hand up. “No, Mia. Please. Let me say what I have to say.”

She rolled her eyes and shrugged.

Mr. Manitou clasped his hands together and held them under his chin as if praying.

“Mia, I would like to apologize for what I said to you at the restaurant. I was totally out of line. My words were inexcusable, and for that I am deeply sorry.”

Mia didn’t say anything.

“I was speaking with some of my American friends,” he went on, “and they tell me your situation is not so uncommon in the States. It was
shocking
to me, I cannot lie, but I believe there were cultural differences that led to our misunderstanding. My friends tell me I should not condemn you for what happened so long ago. I am willing to give it another try if you will accept my apology.”

Mia couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “What?”

“If you will forgive me,” he repeated, “I would still like to see you on a romantic level.”

Mia shook her head. “I don’t think that would be a good idea. You hurt me, Mr. Manitou.”

His expression was even more forlorn. “Mia, I am sorry. What I did was totally out of line. You have every right to curse me like a dog, but my apology is sincere.” He reached into his breast pocket and came out with a long jewelry box. “Here. I have brought a peace offering.”

Mia was hesitant.

“Here. Take it, please.”

She took the box and was very surprised by what was inside. He gave her a beautiful pearl necklace. It was exquisite, and Mia didn’t have to rub them together to know they were real.

“Mr. Manitou, I can’t—”

He put a finger to his lips. “No, Mia. Don’t say that. Every man will be an asshole sooner or later. I got my ignorance out of the way early, so there’s nothing but good times for us from now on.”

He was so hopeful, and cute. Mia smiled. “Okay, Babatunde. I accept your apology.”

“Really?” His face lit up. He wiped his brow comically. “Honestly, I did not think you would forgive me. This is great. We should go out again. Are you free tonight?”

“Slow down,” Mia said with a giggle. “How about I call you and we go from there.”

“That is fine,” Mr. Manitou said. “I cannot wait to hear from you.” He gave her one last grin and turned to leave the office.

Mia stared at her pearl necklace for a long time after he was gone. He was right: a lot of guys were assholes, but very few made up for it with expensive jewelry. If this was how Mr. Manitou courted his women, she didn’t mind. She didn’t mind at all.

* * *

Miss Tenery stepped in again at noon and asked if she wanted to share a pizza, but Mia told her she was stepping out of the office today.

As a manager, Mia was allowed an hour and a half lunch break, but she rarely took advantage. Usually, she ate at her desk or grabbed a Snickers and soda, but today was a beautiful day.

Mia took the elevators down with no briefcase in hand for the first time in recent memory. She walked through the front doors of the Prospect building, and the sun felt good on her skin. She had pep in her step and a smile on her face as she navigated the streets of downtown Overbrook Meadows. She couldn’t remember the last time she actually walked downtown, but there was a Cajun restaurant just a few blocks away. An African guy once told her she should eat whatever she wanted whenever she wanted to.

Across the street from the restaurant, Mia spotted a Zale’s jewelry store. It reminded her of Mr. Manitou’s gift, and that made her think of Tyrone. She thought about his silver necklace and decided to replace it with a gold one. She knew it might be telling to buy him a gift immediately after good sex, but if she was going to fall in love with him, she’d do it however she wanted. She would buy him a gift if she chose to, and she certainly had the means to do so.

Mia walked into the jewelry store and told the salesman she wanted a gold necklace for a certain gentleman. The associate took in her appearance and steered her to a group of beautiful chains ranging from $2,500 to $6,000.

Mia told him, “I don’t like him that much.”

“Ah, come on. Nothing says love like a big price tag,” the guy said.

“And no one loses their commission faster than a pushy salesman,” Mia countered.

The jeweler relented, and they settled on a fourteen-karat Figaro necklace for $400. Mia carried her gift in a small bag and wore a big smile when she left the store.

There was something about Tyrone. Ten years ago he had her feeling the same way. He only wanted to please her, and Mia felt guilty for making him jump through so many hoops. She gave him her body, but still felt like she owed him something. The sex might have been fleeting, but the necklace would let him know he was her man now.

At Razzoos Cajun café, Mia had crawfish étouffée and rat toes (stuffed jalapeños). Mr. Manitou was an odd man, but he did know how to enjoy life. Eating by herself did not take away from her mood or the meal. Everything was just fine.

* * *

Mia didn’t get out of the office until 6:42 p.m.

After such a long day, she ached to be home with her family, but decided to drop off Tyrone’s present on the way home. She wanted to see him again. She wanted to see his eyes light up when she gave him the necklace. She wanted to kiss him and feel his arms around her.

She got to his house at a quarter after seven, but Tyrone wasn’t home. His mother answered the door.

“Mia! How you doing, baby?”

“I’m fine,” Mia said.

“You sho’ look sharp in your little suit,” the woman said.

Mia smiled. “Thank you, Mrs. Story. Is Tyrone here?”

“Naw, baby. I haven’t seen him since three. He’s probably around here somewhere. Did you check over at Byron’s house?”

“Uh, I don’t know who Byron is.”

“That’s one of his friends since before he got locked up. I thought you might know him.”

Mia shook her head.

“Well, why don’t you check over there by Sycamore Park,” the woman suggested. “He be over there sometime.”

Mia wasn’t going to search the whole city, but Sycamore Community Center was on the way home, so she decided to ride by and check. It only took her three minutes to get there. The park was big, full of pecan trees. It was also crowded, but Tyrone was the only light-skinned brother there. He stood out like a sore thumb.