Nympho (10 page)

S
ince I still wasn't confident Tanya had gotten my message, I took step one of fucking up big-mouth's life by calling and reporting her for child abuse. After I hung up the phone, Rico pulled up on a nifty-looking crotch rocket, hog, or whatever the hip name for bikes was these days. I was impressed to find out it was a Harley, but I didn't let on. I stood in the doorway of my house and watched Rico's eyes glaze over me like he was in some sort of trance. I was wearing heels, extra tiny booty shorts exposing my tattoo of angel wings just above the crack of my ass, and my hair was out, swinging freely. I had applied a light layer of MAC makeup to accentuate my lips and eyes. My bedroom look had quickly become my every day look.

I'd be lying if I said I didn't enjoy the way his eyes traced every curve of my body. Trey often mumbled compliments while watching women on TV, but rarely complimented my figure. Negroes out in the street hooted, hollered, and even cursed while running out of barbershops to shake my hand and get up close to me when I walked by, but my own man acted as if I were invisible to him.

“Que pasa? Mami, you look fantastic. What video shoot did you just step off of? Go get your tennis shoes and a bathing suit. I'll put them in my bag.”

When I returned, Rico's sticky compliments made me temporarily forget our previous heated conversation. He always seemed to know what to say, and how to say it. I warned him that he'd better not pop wheelies or mimic Evel Knievel, after which he wasted no time letting me know he belonged to a motorcycle club and drove with the utmost care. Once that was settled, I popped a helmet on my head and experienced my first motorcycle ride, holding tightly onto Rico's trim waist.

We arrived at a restaurant on Wisconsin Avenue, in North West, D.C. Rico's manners were as impeccable as his looks. He opened each door until we reached a hostess who looked up Rico's reservation. To my surprise, Rico knew more than a few things about Japanese culture. As we followed the Japanese woman, I noticed bonsai plants, paper lanterns, bamboo-and-wood trim, and Japanese prints. The schoolteacher in me enjoyed walking into another culture, if even for a short time.

I was quite puzzled as to why we walked past the main seating areas, but I continued following Rico and the hostess. Rico took off his shoes, and I followed suit. I did know that in the Japanese custom, shoes are taken off upon entering certain spaces to preserve the sacredness and cleanliness of the room.

“Do you know what this is?” Rico asked as we stood in front of a room with a sturdy fabric sliding door. I didn't answer. “A zashiki. It's perfect for a romantic evening or business meetings.” Rico pointed to the floor. “T
atami
mats are used for the flooring; this is the traditional floor covering in Japan.”

“I had no idea you'd eat at a place like this or knew anything about Japanese culture,” I said, sounding a bit impressed.

“If you want to be successful in life, you've got to network and rub elbows with the right people. I'm sure Trey means well when and if he takes you out to eat, but he's a buffet and butter roll kind of guy. I prefer to balance out my life with exotic experiences, and this is only the beginning of the things I could show you. A man owes it to his lady to help her to grow culturally, among other things, mami. Kneel on the cushions. In casual situations, men usually sit cross-legged, while women sit on their knees laying both legs to one side.”

Rico and I sat across from each other at a rosewood table in the appropriate positions on cushions that were placed on the floor. A server delivered a little basket with hot, moist, almond-scented terry-cloth towels, and the hostess delivered fresh, warm tea. Rico ordered for us and they both left us alone in the room, closing the sliding door behind them. I didn't have a problem with his desire to choose what I would eat since I obviously didn't know much about Japanese cuisine.

“I'm not here to listen to you bash Trey, and I won't tolerate it, Rico. So what was so important that you wanted to see me?” I asked, pouring a cup of tea.

“Don't play with me. Isn't it obvious? I told you what I want, and now I'm showing you the whole package you could have with me.”

“All that's obvious to me is that you like stabbing your boy in the back.” I took a sip of what I discovered was green tea and put it down.

“And you don't? And you didn't? The way you made love to me spoke volumes, Leslie.”

“Everyone makes mistakes.”

“That wasn't a mistake, and you know it. You wanted it. You enjoyed it, and you've thought about me every day since then. What happened between us was something we both needed.”

“It's nice to know you think you have ESP, but I beg to differ.”

“Why are you fighting this, mami? Why are you being so tough on a man who adores you?”

“What do you mean by that?” I asked, playing dumb.

“I wish you'd get past your hang ups. Why are you fighting me by closing your heart? I know you feel what I do. This isn't my imagination playing tricks on me—you're feeling Rico. Admit it.”

I raised my right index finger and pointed at him. I knew it surely violated some Japanese custom, but I felt like being rude. “Rico, don't trip over your ego. Not this again. Remember, you forced me into submission today. I was not a fully willing participant, if the truth be told. You know what you did and what you said to get me here.” I let my arm fall.

“I didn't force you to come. I just made a simple request. Many business deals in D.C. are done over a meal and a cocktail.”

“Don't play with my head, Rico. You know the truth of the matter.”

“I just want you to know you can always count on me. Think about what I said every time Trey treats you like dirt. When you find something you like, the smart thing is to stick to it and make it stick with you. So, I'll pay your bills and give you whatever you want. Money is no object. I'll take good care of you—much better than you think. I choose you, and I want to bless you with some of the good fortune I've got.”

“I don't need a man to throw money at me to be impressed. That's not my m.o. at all.”

“Maybe not, but don't lie. You are impressed by exotic experiences such as this one, and this is only the beginning. All I need is someone to manage my money and take care of me. I'm used to dating white woman because they give me what I want.”

“Well go back to dating them then,” I snapped.

“I know you feel proud to be engaged, and I know you feel secure with Trey. Mami, I want you—you may not see it yet, but you're my soul mate.”

“Right. I bet you said the same thing to my girl, Tanya,” I told him delivering a verbal jab.

“Quite frankly, Tanya didn't have what it takes to keep me interested.”

“Why, because she's not white?” I teased.

“It's more like this: if a woman wants a faithful man she has to be worth it. That part has nothing to do with race or color. I know you're a sex on the washing machine, hang from the chandelier type of girl. Boring and conservative just won't do. Rico can show you a finer side to life. One that's far better than what Trey can deliver. You have what it takes to settle my heart. What are you waiting for?”

I was considering whether that was a rhetorical question but was let off the hook when a waitress brought in our food. After she left, Rico began educating me, once again.

“You are supposed to eat a sushi piece in one bite, mami. Never try to separate a piece into two. You don't want to destroy beautifully prepared sushi. I'm teaching you all of this because one day, you'll need to know this and more. Here, let me show you. Open your mouth for me.” Rico poured some soy sauce on the small plate that was provided, and then dipped the sushi in it. Morsel by morsel, he fed me. It was a sensual experience and I hated him for it.

“I can feed myself. All I need is a knife and fork.”

“Knives and forks are only used for Western food. Spoons are sometimes used to eat Japanese dishes that are difficult to eat with chopsticks, but this is not the case. Now eat for me. It's not everyday that a successful businessman wants to feed a beautiful woman Japanese food using chopsticks. I'm a man of many talents.”

“I know what you're thinking, but Trey is doing just fine,” I lied, swallowing the sushi.

I thought of how many times I'd tried switching up our usual lovemaking spot, lighting some aromatherapy candles, and even drawing him a bath. Nothing. No response. Rico was correct; boring and conservative wasn't my idea of compatibility with a mate either.

“Bullshit. When's the last time he got inside of your head and had a heart to heart with you? When's the last time he talked to you about investments, asked you if you're making the money you'd like to make, or took the time to rub your feet? Don't get me wrong—I know that there's more than sex to a relationship. I have a checklist of requirements, and watching you has shown me you meet almost all of them. To put it bluntly, I want to be your man, Leslie. I think we could have a lot of fun together, and I want to be more than a shoulder to cry on. Get with Rico for real and
all
of your needs will be met. In my eyes, you're my ideal woman.” Rico's cell phone rang. He decided to answer it. “What is it? Cool. I'll call you back later. I'm in the middle of an interview.”

“In the middle of an interview,” I repeated, confused.

“Excuse the interruption. That was one of my good friends who's a district attorney here,” Rico said, bragging about his contact. “If you want another job, you've got it. I'm looking to hire a few new people for some projects, and I brought you here because I wanted to interview you.”

“And what kind of interview is
this
?”

“My fantasy, that's what. I've always wanted to interview a woman dressed in sexy clothes. You're doing a good job. How does $80,000 a year sound to you?”

“I'm doing all right for myself, Rico. I'm not some hoochie with claws for nails who wants to work in an office but can't spell and answer the phone properly, or thinks knowing the booty call steps is a sign of sophistication.”

“I know that, mi amor. What I'm saying is you're a school teacher. I already know you're not earning what you're truly worth. Play along with my fantasy, Leslie. All you have to do is enjoy yourself and keep me happy. If you can do that the rest of the evening, I'll offer you a once in a lifetime opportunity. I want to introduce you to some new things Trey can't. We can work and play hard together, Leslie.”

“How do I even know I can trust you?”

“I've got too much to lose, that's how. I'm not desperate, Leslie.” He grinned. “I'm just behaving as any sensitive ladies man would,” Rico added.

“I don't understand something here. You don't even seem to care about your friendship with Trey? How would you feel about losing that?”

“May the best man win. Enough talk about this subject. Calletee y cierra la boca, mami. Comer conmigo. Yo soy su nuevo novio. Cada dia de su vida, yo quiero su amor.”

“What did you say, Rico?” I asked, half frowning, but somewhat smiling.

“You love it when I talk dirty to you, don't you? I know it gets you all hot and primed to give Rico what he likes. It doesn't matter what I said. You're having the time of your life. Now shut up and eat. You know you don't know how to use chopsticks, mami.”

When I felt inspired to laugh, all signs of tension broke. Rico fed me sushi, morsel by morsel, and all I could think of was how Trey was indeed a buffet and butter roll kind of guy, and how he'd never arrange something as romantic as what Rico had done. The truth was the wrong man managed to soothe my soul and give me the attention I craved. I never admitted it, but it felt good to have someone like Rico hanging on to my every word like it was air required to breathe and live. While kneeling on the floor being fed by an obsessed lover, I realized that Rico's growing obsession was making me feel alive again.

After Rico and I chowed down, he paid the bill and explained that the evening was still young. When I asked him what was next on our agenda, he told me I should wait and see—all I had to do was hold on tightly to him and enjoy the scenery. As the wind hit my back, I discovered I liked riding with Rico. We jumped on Route 50 toward Annapolis. I'd never been there before although it was only an hour away from the DC area. Rico took me on a mini tour of the small town which was packed with local history. We crossed a bridge and traveled a short distance more where the streets were lined with bricks and opened into a dock area. We saw a statue of the famous writer, Alex Haley, The United States Naval Academy, the state house, the governor's mansion, and a historic Ivy League school called St. John's. Rico stopped at each location to tell me the history of each landmark. The teacher in me couldn't help but be impressed. I began to question if Rico really was the total package he claimed to be on numerous occasions. The brother actually had a brain to go with his body, sex appeal, and beautiful face.