The Available Wife (7 page)

Germaine stood there like a detective waiting for a confession. It pained me when I made my next move. I opened my bottom desk drawer and pulled out a blue and black striped wrapped box.

“I wanted to surprise you.”

“You’re kidding me, right?” he laughed after pushing the box that I tried to hand him.

“Fine! Be ungrateful!” I snapped and dropped the box back into the drawer, happy that I didn’t have to give Kingston’s gifts away.

“Nikki, where in the hell am I gonna put the earrings? My ears aren’t fucking pierced,” Germaine seethed then pointed to his earlobes. “And you know I could care less about expensive watches. I can tell time just fine on this ten-year-old Citizens,” he said tapping the worn watch.

I needed to get him out of my shit, but didn’t know how. To my surprise, he did it for me.

“Don’t hurt yourself thinking of a lie, Nikki. Just remember this. What’s done in the dark always comes to the light,” Germaine said before gliding toward the door. He bumped into Jalisa on his way out.

Shit! I didn’t feel like being bothered by her either. She was wearing a pair of Jimmy Choo Verity sandals and a black spaghetti strap mini dress. Her long, black hair was pulled back into a very stylish ponytail. She was always in model mode.

“Hi, Germaine,” she greeted him with a smile.

“What’s up, Jalisa?” he replied nonchalantly.

Jalisa glanced at me and gave me a look of wonderment. I guess she figured by Germaine’s reply that I’d said something to put him in such a mood.

“Well, can I at least get a hug?” she addressed him. “I haven’t seen you in a while.”

They embraced for a few seconds while I picked through my food that I no longer desired due to the unwanted interruptions. After the hug, he tried to walk out, but Jalisa grabbed his hand. “Are you okay?”

“Ask your damn friend,” Germaine nodded toward me then walked out.

Jalisa walked toward the chairs in front of my desk as if she was walking down a runway. She then sat down and crossed one long leg over the other. But when she opened her mouth to speak, I stopped her.

“Before you ask me anything about Germaine, save it.”

“Actually, I was going to ask why you’ve been avoiding my calls.”

“Jalisa, you know I’m busy.”

“With work or
him
?

I glared at her and answered, “Both. Conversations about him are off limits as well,” I warned. She knew I meant business.

“How are the boys?”

“They’re fine. How are you and that guy Austin doing?” I quickly changed the subject.

“His ass is out the door. I had to get a restraining order against him because that fool went psycho on me when we were in Paris.”

“What?”

“Yeah. He was jealous of my blossoming success and tried to start using me as a punching bag.” My eyes widened as she continued. “He hit me once and that was all it took. I kicked him out of my loft and he would show up at my modeling gigs causing a mess. I had to move because he kicked my door in.”

“Damn, Jalisa, are you alright?”

“As long as I carry my nine by my side, I’m good. Now, I know why my dad got me those lessons at the gun range,” she laughed.

I returned the laughter because I remembered those days at the gun range. She was fierce with a gun and anyone would be a fool to be staring down the barrel of it. “So, how long are you here for?” I asked.

“For a few months. You know there’s no place like home.”

“If you want to get technical about it, your home is in New Orleans,” I reminded.

“You know what I mean. I foolishly followed family,” she replied. “The contractor is ready to start the renovations on my condo.”

“So, are you staying with your folks until it’s done?”

“Are you crazy? I love my family, but I hate them as well. I’m staying in one of the model condos until it’s done.”

“Cool.” I was hoping I’d given her enough friendly chit chat because I was ready for her to leave.

“So, you went to see Kingston the other day when you hung up on me, huh?”

“I knew it was coming,” I mumbled.

“I’m assuming you did by your reactions. I’ve got to ask you this, Nikki. Why did you even marry Germaine?”

I cut my eyes at her. “I’ve told you before and I’ll tell you again. I thought he loved me until he deceived me just like all the others.”

“The man wanted to have a kid, Nikki. What was wrong with that?”

“This conversation is over.” I wasn’t about to sit and listen to that crap.

“Why don’t you just leave if you don’t love him anymore?” Jalisa questioned.

Between her and my mother, I don’t know who got on my nerves the most.

“Bitch, what do you think I’m trying to do?” Her eyes widened in disbelief. “It’s time for you to leave,” I spoke sternly after standing up and walking toward the door to let her know that I was serious.

“Wow! You’re kicking me out?”

“I told you that Kingston was off limits and now, you’re bringing up this bullshit about Germaine so, yes you have to go. I have shit to do anyway.”

“Okay…okay. I won’t bring them up anymore,” Jalisa tried to convince.

“Yes, you will and you know it so to keep me from cursing you out when you do, I think it’s best that you leave.”

“Listen, I came by to see if we could have lunch and do some catching up,” Jalisa continued as if she was prolonging her departure.

“As you can see on my desk, I have lunch,” I replied. “Look, I’ll just see you at the party.”

She stood up with much attitude and walked out without a goodbye. I didn’t care that she was pissed. I was tired of her being in my business. After closing and locking the door, I walked back over to my desk then dropped in my chair and blew a long sigh of relief. Germaine was getting too close for comfort and I needed to get my act together before he got any closer. Logging onto my online bank account, I skimmed over my get-a-way account and smiled. Me, Kingston and the boys were gonna be set once I left Germaine.

My smile turned to a frown when I opened my email account and saw a message from my blackmailer. I slapped my hands across my mouth to keep from screaming when I opened up a few pictures of me and Kingston going in and out of different hotels. I knew I had to put the Niquole and Kingston plan into full force action before that son-of-a-bitch exposed me to the world. In the meantime, I prepared to visit my bank for the new wire transfer.

CHAPTER 8

I was eager and anxious to get inside of The Roxy for Fortunes’ album release party partly because I knew this female group was gonna blow up, but mainly because I was dying to see Kingston. I was apprehensive about inviting him, but couldn’t deny him access into my world after receiving his breathtaking, unexpected gift.

When the limo pulled up to The Roxy’s entrance, a slew of reporters and photographers were waiting for my arrival. It didn’t take long for the handsome, freckle faced limo driver to open my door and extend his hand to me which also came along with a wide face smile. It seemed like he’d been practicing before picking me up. As soon as he helped me out, the camera flashes started as well as the chatter. I glanced on both sides of the red carpet and noticed that the reporters and photographers were held at bay by purple, velvet ropes that were the same shade as my dress. It was my time to shine.

I placed my right foot on the carpet to show off my stunning, five-inch, Prada stilettos. When the flashes died down, I gracefully struck a pose with a huge, bright smile on my face. I was the shit and I knew it. I floated down the red carpet in the beautiful dress that I felt obligated to flaunt knowing that
he
was going to be at the party. I continued to smile at all of the cameras as I made my way inside the club forgetting the fact that I had left Germaine behind. There was no need to flaunt him by my side when he wasn’t the one that I wanted to be there with anyway. Besides, we hadn’t spoken to each other since he walked out of my office earlier that day.

I was excited to see the place packed from wall to wall with fans, rival label mates and top executives. I knew there was gonna be a huge turnout, but this was beyond what I expected. It made me realize that I was on my way up. I made a mental note to purchase Meagan another bag because she’d outdone herself as usual. The pink and purple strobe lights did it for me because she knew those were my favorite colors. It didn’t take long for me to make my rounds and mingle while secretly searching for Kingston. Germaine had become close friends with many of my associates and clients, so I knew he wouldn’t be bothering me for much of the night.

I walked and smiled at the spectators and accepted numerous praises and congratulations. I paused when one of them decided to grab my arm. My heart skipped a few beats because I knew it was Kingston. I frowned when I turned around and saw that it wasn’t.

“Nice party, Niquole.”

I stared at one of my rivals and fought back the urge to roll my eyes and walk off.

“Thanks, A.J.” I forced a smile then stared into his gray, hypnotic eyes. I glanced around the room so that I wouldn’t fall under his spell as I had once before. “What are you doing here anyway? Shouldn’t you be back in Louisiana tending to your own label?”

“Damn, is that how you greet me?” he asked cynically. A.J. and I had history; history that continued into the present. “I came by to show my support. I can’t wait to hear these new girls that you’ve signed.”

Why was he lying? I knew he could care less. “If I were a naïve bitch, I’d believe you.”

“I’m not lying, baby. I wish you much success since most of it belongs to me,” he smiled, then attempted to kiss my cheek. I pulled back for fear that Kingston would see. “What’s wrong? It would be just like old times. You said it best; what no one knows won’t hurt them.”

“Bye, A.J.,” I tried to stomp away, but he stopped me.

“You don’t want our little secret to come out, do you?” he asked.

“You don’t want our little secret to come out either. Do you think your wife will stay married to you if it does? And when she does leave you, she’s taking more than half,” I replied with a fierce look on my face. “I’m done with you, A.J. You had your chance.”

“Now, you’re lying. Even after our bullshit, you still couldn’t and can’t resist me. ‘Til this day, I still think your oldest son is mine,” he replied with a huge grin.

“I assure you that he’s not and if he was, would you take care of him?” I asked cynically already knowing the answer would be no.

“I take care of mine, Niquole.”

“Yeah. When you have no other choice.”

“How ‘bout I fly you out to New Orleans like old times?” A.J. asked as he slowly grinded up against me.”

I needed him to stop. He was taking me back to the days and nights he would send my body into an orgasmic fury. I quickly obliterated those images and climbed down off that cloud when I thought about Kingston.

“No,” I answered bluntly. “You need to move before you get me in trouble,” I scolded and gently shoved him off of me.

“With who? Germaine?” he laughed. “That nigga has his nose wide open for you.”

“For your information, I’m not talking about Germaine,” I said and rolled my neck.

“Enlighten me.”

“What is it that Jay-Z says? I’m on to the next one.”

“So, you’re still fooling around on your husband, huh?”

He didn’t need to know all my business. “No, I only fooled around on him with you even after our piece of shit relationship went sour.”

“Liar. Why did you even marry him?”

“Why did you marry your wife?” I returned.

“You should’ve just stayed single if you’re gonna be available to men like that.”

“So, you’re calling me a whore now?” I chuckled.

“If the shoe fits, wear it…and it looks to me like you’re wearing it well,” he said after glancing down at my shoes. “I’ve had you a few times since you’ve been married and I’m more than sure this new nigga has, too. Ain’t no telling how many have been in between.”

“The world will never know,” I winked.

I hated it when his Lamman Rucker looking-ass smiled at me with those mesmerizing, eyes and smooth brown skin. I was a sucker for them both. I hadn’t been with A.J. in over a year. In fact, I never should’ve fucked around with him after we left each other alone. We both had done dirt to each other, but one thing was for certain, he was a great fuck if not the greatest I’d ever had.

“I’ll be in town for a few more days. Get at me. I’m sure you still have the number,” he said before stealing a kiss then walking away.

A.J. was a bold one and that was why I couldn’t leave him alone. We were the black version of the War of the Roses couple; minus the marriage. I regrouped once I realized I was in the packed club with thousands of eyes and four of them belonged to Germaine and Kingston.

For about an hour, I engaged in several conversations while secretly scouring the room for my man. I then grew uneasy when I couldn’t find him. Trying to contain my anger, I downed glasses of champagne when the waiter or waitresses walked past me with their trays filled with neatly organized champagne flutes. When I felt my phone vibrate in my purse, the flute that I was holding instantly hit the floor. The group that I was supposedly conversing with stared at me with curious eyes. I guess they were trying to see if I was drunk, but I wasn’t. I just wanted that vibration in my purse to be from Kingston.

“Excuse me,” I said to them before departing.

As I gently pushed through the crowd, I rummaged through my purse for my phone. I located it as soon as I stopped in front of the bathroom. I blew a sigh of relief when I saw
Mercy
flash across the fuchsia, backlit screen.

“Hello?” I answered after covering my left ear so that I could hear.

“You look so beautiful.”

“Where are you?” I asked while scoping the room with a huge smile on my face.

“I’m here watching you.”

“I want to see you.”

All of a sudden, I caught a pair of eyes staring at me from across the room.

“Do you see me now?” Kingston asked as he flashed those bright whites that complimented his dark skin so well. If I hadn’t known who he was, I would’ve mistaken him for Tyrese Gibson. “There’s a door leading upstairs to your right. Meet me there,” he said before hanging up.

I watched him glide across the room in his white, button down shirt and blue jeans. His demeanor made the simple outfit look like platinum. I watched as several females cut their eyes at him as he walked past. They obviously wanted what I was about to go get, but they could cancel that shit. I wasn’t about to share my man.

When I located Germaine in the crowd and saw that he was still busy chatting and getting hammered, I decided to make my move. The crowd was thick which made my journey extremely hard, especially with everyone stopping to congratulate me. I didn’t wanna be rude, so I stopped to chit-chat for as long as I could, but eventually had to excuse myself. Besides, I wasn’t paying attention to any of that shit anyway. My focus was on that door, and after shaking several more hands, I finally made it. I turned to see if anyone was watching me before I disappeared on the other side.

“What took you so long?” Kingston asked.

“My party,” I answered, then quickly changed the subject. “Kingston, we have a problem.”

“I’m sure it’s nothing that I can’t handle. What is it?”

“Germaine found the jacket.”

“What jacket?”

“The one with Hummer’s blood on it.”

His eyes increased. “Damn it, Niquole! What the fuck?”

I jumped at his harsh tone, but could understand his anger.

“Where’s the jacket now?”

“I threw it away,” I lied.

“Next time when I tell you to let me handle something, let me handle it, okay?” he said in a sexy yet soft, aggressive tone.

“Okay,” I agreed.

“Now, back to you. Why did you cut and dye your hair?” Kingston asked as he ran his fingers through my new, jet black layered bob.

“I didn’t think you’d notice,” I blushed.

“I notice everything about you,” he winked.

Before I could speak another word, he pushed me against the wall.

I smiled seductively. “I see that you miss me, too.”

He lifted me off the floor and attacked my neck with those juicy lips. My chest soon received the same attention. I slapped my hands against the concrete wall and clawed at it with my French manicured nails. Closing my eyes, I was slowly slipping into ecstasy; a place where I easily slipped into whenever I was with him.

“Kingston, we can’t do this here,” I breathed in his ear when his fingers slipped under my dress.

“You just don’t know how bad I want you right now,” he replied. “You look so damn good in the dress. I knew you would.”

I grabbed his cheeks and pulled his lips to mine. I needed to taste them. However, we both jumped when the door swung open and two men and a woman appeared. They seemed to be drunk as they giggled, slurred and staggered.

“Sorry,” one of the men apologized as he led the others back into the party then closed the door.

“Kingston, we need to get back,” I spoke frantically. “We’re gonna get caught.”

He ignored me as well as the close call. Moments later, he slowly lifted my dress then pushed my body against the door so that no one could open it again. My heart rate instantly began to increase as he slipped my thongs to the side and fingered me until I was drenching wet. It never took long for me to get in the zone. I listened to my pussy smack her lips as he fingered me faster and faster.

Kingston could feel me squirming “You think she’s ready, baby?”

“Yes,” I whimpered.

He unzipped his pants then glided his love stick inside of me.

“Kingston…Kingston,” I moaned softly. I wrapped my arms around his neck and my legs around his waist.

“I hear you, baby. Talk to me.”

I licked my full lips. “Oh God!”

“Baby, he ain’t nowhere up in here. It’s all Kingston.”

I moaned and breathed heavily as I took all of him. Even though there’s no such thing as a quickie with Kingston, I had to rush both our orgasms before people started looking for me. I groped his soft, pimple free ass, pushed him deeper inside of me then started my thrust workout on him. I wanted us both to climax together. Seconds later, I got my wish as we both erupted. I covered his mouth because I knew when Kingston reached his peak, he was known to get loud. With the music on full blast, I’m sure no one would’ve have heard him, but I didn’t wanna take any chances.

After catching our breaths, he set me down. Luckily for me, I was carrying my purse. I never left home without feminine wipes or body spray, so I pulled out one of my wipes and ripped it open.

“You’re gonna do that now?” Kingston asked as I wiped all the cum from between my legs.

“Duh. I can’t do it out there,” I giggled.

He didn’t bother to respond. Instead, he rushed back inside the club leaving me behind to clean up our mess.
Damn you could’ve at least given me a kiss
, I thought to myself after pulling my dress back down. Five minutes later, I reentered the club and stopped dead in my tracks when I ran into Germaine.

“What were you doing?” he glanced over me like I was hiding something.

“I…I needed some air,” I stuttered hoping that he didn’t see Kingston walk out of the door before me.

“You needed some air, huh?”

“Yes, I needed some damn air,” I replied harshly then tried to walk off. He grabbed my arm and jerked me back toward him. “Germaine, let go of me,” I ordered.

“Tell me what were you doing, Nikki?”

I glanced around the room and noticed a number of eyes on us. He was not about to punk me at my own damn party. I jerked from his grasp. “Don’t you ever put your damn hands on me like that again! What the hell is wrong with you? I told you I needed some air!” I tried to walk away, but Germaine snatched me again. This time, it was a little harder and caused me to stumble.

“Don’t walk away from me like that. I’m trying to talk to you.”

I could smell the alcohol on his breath. I couldn’t believe that he was nearly drunk already. As I was about to light into him, I managed to spot Kingston at the bar tossing back tequila shots. He was too occupied in a conversation to witness what was going on with me. Part of me wanted him to come to my rescue, but I knew that wouldn’t be wise. I frowned as I watched a woman peck Kingston’s cheek then slide her fingers between his. She seemed a little bit too comfortable for her to be one of the hoochies in the club then I saw it; her ring finger. She was his wife.