Just Can't Let Go (22 page)

CHAPTER 43

Ebony

I parked my Benz in the lot by the salon. I had been coming to Marcus Darlin since I was nineteen and on the “if you're going to have a man with money you must look the part” grind. So wherever Marcus Darlin went, Goldie followed.

Stepping into his shop, he told me, “Girl, you know I love you to have cleared my calendar on a Saturday afternoon just for you. I'm so proud of you, Mz. Goldie.” Marcus Darlin locked the door. “Honey, we can't have your fans coming up in here. I know you're about to tweet it.”

He was right. I sat my designer handbag on the sofa in his lounge area by the window so my
#fans
could snag a pic. They wouldn't see me, though. I followed Marcus into his private room in the back.

While tweeting,
#imthatbitch #richfriends #MarcusDarlin
and attaching a before selfie, I told Marcus Darlin, “Goldie is dead, bitch. I'm Ebony Waterhouse.” I'd started believing that was true.

Marcus Darlin said, “Ya mama named you Goldie. I'ma call you Goldie. Take off those Hollywood shades and sit in my chair. You're not the only one with a life. I have a date tonight with my new wealthy white sponsor, honey.”

We both could relate to having sponsors. Didn't matter that we'd both come up and now had our own money. I winked and smiled at him. “Yas, bitch. We still value the system of,” Marcus Darlin chimed in as we said together, “getting paid, throwing shade, being laid, and spending others people's bread.”

“That's the American dream,” I said, sitting in his chair. “I'm going to have to find a way to get you on my show.”

“I stay ready,” Marcus Darlin said, running his fingers through my hair.

He was right about that. Marcus Darlin worked his
#fashion #body
better than most women. His hair was bronze today, faded on all sides, spike twists on top. His gray-hazel contacts were the same as mine. One might think he was from Scotland with his long-sleeved wrap dress that stopped right above his ankles. Those deep pockets of his weren't at the hips for nothing.

“I have an idea. I'm going to insist that you be my exclusive stylist on set. That'll get you in front of Devereaux. I know she'll love you. Hell, she might even give you your own series, bitch.”

“You're the star of the show, bitch. Don't start acting like it's your show. You know Devereaux Crystal is my client too. All her sisters and her mama have been coming to me for years just like you. What are we doing today?”

His stomach was flat as mine but was cushiony soft. Said the only thing he liked hard on his body was his dick. The juicy-looking red lips tattooed on his neck was
#allthat
. I didn't have and didn't want any tats.

“Make me sexier. I need to turn up. But Dev wants me to keep these cotton-candy clip-ins.”

As Marcus Darlin said, “Honey I'm tossing these.” He dropped them in the trash. “I'll dye you some human hair that color and sew it in. That way you can tease as you please.”

“For real. All of the Crystals come to you?”

He nodded real slow. “For years.”

“Alexis too?”

“Yes, Goldie. All includes Alexis with her on-again/off-again pregnancies.”

Staring at Marcus in the mirror, I said, “Say what? By whom?”

“More like whoms, but you didn't hear this from me. First it was for her fiancé, James. That man is so fine. I wish he would cross over. I might sponsor him and have his baby.”

We laughed, then I asked, “Who's the next daddy?” I inquired, trying to stay on track.

“Mr. Cheesecake, Spencer Domino.”

My jaw dropped.

“Aw, bitch. I recognize that look. Don't tell me you fucked him too? Yup, you did. I can see it all over your face. Did he make you squirt too? Too late bitch. You took too long to answer.”

“How do you know all of this? And how do you know any of it's true?”

“Honey, I only know what people tell me. Let's just say, Spencer is Alexis's brother. He boned her mother first. I heard he has a Leaning Tower of Pisa package. I wish he'd cross over too. I'd have fraternal twins. One for him and the other one for James. Back to business. I'm feeling Devereaux on this blend. It looks hot on you.”

Tripping in my head, I nodded. “You know I love my red lip, but with this I have to rock my raspberry pink matte lipstick.”

“Back to the gossip. I know you've heard that Alexis is about to inherit a few mil. You'd think that bitch already had it rolling around in that Ferrari one day, the Bentley the next. That bitch came up overnight. The same way you did when the ink dried on your marriage license. How's Big Buster? He still on my team?”

Laughing, I said, “Whatever, bitch.”

“Oh, your dick is safe with me. I don't like 'em that damn old no matter how much he has.” Marcus Darlin leaned to the side, snapped his finger.

A text from Phoenix registered on my cell.
I'm at the house with Nya.

I replied,
What house?

“Can you believe this? I gave Phoenix a key to my house in Brookhaven.”

Marcus Darlin interrupted, “Devereaux's fiancé, the one you've been fucking for the last two years, Phoenix, has a key to your house now. You crazy as hell. I know it's the one in Brookhaven. Hell, can't nobody get up in Fort Knox Conyers with all them damn gates. Why now, Goldie?”

“With the show and him wanting to manage me, I just thought it would make it easier for us to see each other.”

Marcus Darlin stopped shampooing my hair. “What the hell is wrong with you women? You get your time to shine and you give away the spotlight to a man who doesn't deserve it. When you see him, demand your key back. If you tell him ahead of time, he might make a duplicate.”

I texted Phoenix,
I'll be home when I'm done.

Where are you?
he questioned.

I replied,
I'll be there in two hours, three tops.

Didn't really matter when I got home. It was my house, not his.

I texted Spencer,
Meet me at my house in two hours.

Spencer didn't have my Brookhaven address yet. Had to keep my two sides and their locations separate. I wasn't a sex addict. Phoenix was the only steady affair I'd had since marrying Buster. Spencer was a crave I wasn't ready to phase out.

Had to get more of that good dick before dealing with Phoenix and Nya. I was no babysitter. I did not want him bringing her to my house on the regular. This was the last time he could come over with his kid.

“Girl, you'd better appreciate that your husband's dollars keep the film rolling on
Sophisticated Side Chicks ATL,
honey, or you'd still be an unknown.”

My jaw dropped.

“Damn, Goldie. You didn't know that shit either? Bitch, I need to lighten the color of your hair.”

CHAPTER 44

Spencer

E
bony's text was right on time after getting Blake's message about calling the police.

Fuck Blake. Ebony was the only one I wanted my baseball bat hittin' raw.

Lusted for her 'cause this celeb feline was drama free. Raising my hand to knock, it fell on the other side of the threshold as she opened her door.

“Wow, I'm feeling the sexy all up in here. Love the fresh cotton-candy blend.”

She gave me one of those
Gone with the Wind
fabulous twirls. I could smell the perfume in her hair. For a moment, the scent reminded me of Charlotte. She used to do the same.

“Let's go outside,” she said, leading the way.

The sun was shining bright. It was damn near ninety degrees. The Jacuzzi was nice, but I was ready to skinny dip in the pool this time.

Picking up a remote, she clicked a few buttons, naked people popped up on a projection wall. Girl-on-girl action. That was what was up. Instantly, my dick got hard.

“Let me undress you,” she said. Not waiting for a response, Ebony removed all my clothes.

“Where's your legal?” I asked.

“He's at home.”

My eyes scanned the room. Was dude hiding this time? Was he upstairs?

“Solid?”

“We have a house in Long Island. He's there most of the time.”

I exhaled. “Chill. How you wanna do this today?”

“I want you to watch me play with my pussy while you stroke your dick in the shower. I wanna see the water splash off your sexy body. When I'm ready for you, I'll spread my legs. Come to me and I'm going to lick you dry. While you watch me star in my homemade video, you're going to jackoff all over these pretty titties.”

The breeze was fresh, slightly humid.

Ebony slowly walked to the outdoor wet bar, poured two glasses of cognac, sat hers on a short roundtable beside a lounge chair that was positioned directly in front of the shower. Handing me a glass, she told me, “Drink this.”

She refilled me, placed the glass in a cup holder on the wall next to the shower. “For when you're done. But go slow. It's not often that
I
get to watch.”

Sitting on the edge of the lounge chair, she snipped the tip of a cigar, dipped it in the cognac. Firing it up, she wrapped her lips around the end.

I stroked my dick wishing it could trade places with that damn stogie. I despised smoking, but her drag was so damn sexy I had to make her the exception. Admiring myself, I faced Ebony. Did a slow grind for her. Turning sideways, I did soft, long, slippery strokes from the head to the base. I wanted her to see all of this dick that she was about to get. Preferably in her ass.

Holding the cigar in one hand, Ebony fingered herself with the other. Real sexy, she said, “That's hot, Spencer. Just like the inside of my wet pussy.” She pulled out her finger, eased it in her mouth. “Wanna taste me?”

I nodded. Stroked my shaft faster.

“Get your ass over here then, man.”

Downing my drink, then hers, I placed the glasses on the tile. Moved the wicker round table behind her lounge chair, then I lowered the back of the seat two notches.

“Lay down and place your legs over the top,” I told her as I made the wicker table my seat.

She took a long drag on her cigar before she positioned her body. I slid her hips to the very edge, put her ass in my palms, brought her closer to me. I needed full access to this vulva and vagina. Flicking my tongue for her to see, slowly I moved toward her clit.

Ebony puffed on the cigar. When the tip of my tongue lightly touched her clit, I kept it right there. She tossed the cigar aside and spread her lips wide for me.

“Um, hmm,” I said. Inserting my middle finger, I gave her that come-hither motion that she'd come to enjoy. “I could eat your sweet peach forever.”

My mind flashed to Blake remembering how I made her squirt the first time we had sex. Dude could never be me. Even if she married his ass she'd be back for this Spencer special.

Adding my pointing finger to the mix, I sucked Ebony's clit real slow. Did that running man on her G-spot, massaged right above her pubic bone, pressed gently against her bladder.

Every woman didn't squirt for me in less than twenty minutes. Some thirty. Others ten. I was a patient man. Sitting on this table, I was chilling soaking up sunshine.

Ebony played with her titties. I felt her G-spot swelling. The bubble protruded more and more. I kept the pace. Running with my fingers. Suctioning that precious pearl.

A lot of women didn't gush because they couldn't relax. That, and they didn't mentally stay with the feeling. Some gave up too soon. Others tuned in, but before they released they'd tense up and blow it.

Closing my eyes, I gave her a slight come to me pull on the inside using both fingers while bearing down right above her pubic area.

Felt like I was in the shower all over again when she ejaculated in my face. Fluid seeped into my ears. I rattled my head as Ebony belted a soprano, “Spencer!”

Couldn't lie. Making her scream like that . . . that shit turned me on.

CHAPTER 45

Blake

B
runch turned into a late lunch.

The ride from the restaurant to my place to get my car was nice. I rested my head on Bing's shoulder. “I'm a little nervous about my new position.”

Bing's fragrance was heavenly. I could inhale his scent and never tire. He told me it was the same cologne President Obama wore, John Varvatos.

His driver parked beside my Benz.

“I'm proud of you, Blake. When you get to corporate, my best advice is to listen more than you speak.” He grazed his fingertips over my hair. “Make a mental note of who's in charge and what person thinks they're running the show.” The back of his hand stroked my cheek. “Best way to tell, hon, is when you're in a meeting, the person who silences the room where you can hear a pin drop when they say their first word is highly respected. That's the real PIC. Person in charge.”

“That's solid.” Soon as I said those two words, I heard Spencer's voice in my head.

“Solid? Hmm.”

I was done with Spencer. Hadn't realized his lingo had crept into my psyche. Definitely couldn't use that vernacular at corporate.

“That's sound advice. Thank you,” I said, rubbing Bing's thigh. “I wish we could share the rest of this day.” I exhaled. “I suppose I've prolonged the inevitable long enough. Better start my four-hour drive.”

“When you fly back in on Friday, I'll be waiting for you.” Bing traced my lips with his finger. “May I,” he asked.

I closed my eyes. His lips glided across mine. His mouth opened. The sweet taste, the minty scent, from his tongue to mine was divine. I could fall in love with this man over and over again.

Getting out of his car, I got into mine. I was cruising Interstate 85 north on all the good memories Bing had given me. From the Lobster Bar at Chops to feeding me lobster at his house to our phone conversation to now, I had to say I was impressed.

It was nice not to be consumed with my past but present with my future. I thought about my girls. The two I'd worried about most were now my least concern. Devereaux had been quiet since the family meeting with Dakota. Overall, I was pleased with how they were concerned for one another.

I talked a text to Alexis,
Send me a picture of Max.
Truth was, I missed my Yorkie and my man. Living in Charlotte, I'd be closer to a few of my siblings.

Brandon had promised to come visit me in a few weeks. He was temporarily promoted to my old position. Hoped they'd make him the new branch president. If not, he could use the experience and go elsewhere.

Powering on my sound system, I listened to Joe, Kemistry, The Whispers, Angela Winbush, Chrisette Michelle, and Will Downing. Three and a half hours later I was happy to be at my destination thirty minutes early right at the start of sunset.

I'd hoped Bing would've called to check on me. The bellman retrieved my luggage, handed me my keys.

When I opened the door, I couldn't believe what I saw.