The Secret First Lady: The Naked Truth (6 page)

              She walked back into VIP and grabbed her drink from Rachel. She poured it down her throat and started dancing provocatively on the football player.  Rachel had no idea that her roommate was as high as a kite. She just knew that her enemy turned friend was enjoying her night.

              Rachel was enjoying her night as well. She periodically exchanged seductive looks and friendly smiles with Dream
.
  He finally walked over and held a short conversation with her.  They exchanged numbers and planned on having lunch later the following week. Ms. Jones didn’t have the best luck with men, but she couldn’t hide under a rock for the rest of her life.  As soon as the Atlanta singer and song writer made his way back to the other side of the room, up walks a very distinguished looking gentlemen.  He smelled good and was dressed in all white Gucci attire.

              “You are a beautiful lady. Pardon my candor, but I’ve been watching you all night.” He was suave and possessed a little swag.

              “Oh really? And what brings you here tonight? You must be shopping for something or someone to take home tonight; sorry, I’m not for sale.” Rachel sipped on her coconut rum mixed with pineapple juice and turned her back to the gentleman.

              “Ha-ha. I get it.  Because I’m a white man in a predominately all black club, I must be shopping or black girl hunting? That’s the problem with women; with people. We get so caught up on what is thought to be normal, the very idea of trying something or someone different scares us.”

              Rachel looked the blonde haired, blue eyed man up and down. He was an attractive white guy.  Rachel was digging how up front he was.  She took a stick of gum out of her purse and placed it into her mouth. She gave him a friendly smile and batted her lashes at him.

              “I’m Mike.” The gentlemen stuck his hand out for a friendly handshake.

              “Nice to meet you, I’m normal.”

              “Your parents named your Normal? Ha-ha. Now that is definitely something different.”

              “No, my parents named me Rachel. I was just letting you know I stick to what is normal.” Rachel chewed her gum and gave Mike a flirty little look.

              “Aww, that’s too bad, Rachel. I can look into your eyes and I can tell that sticking to the norm has left you hurting and crying on many occasions.” He winked his eye and gave a grimace that displayed his deep dimples.

              Rachel was shocked and impressed with his conversation. “What the hell do you know, white boy?”

              “White boy? Well congratulations for noticing the obvious. I may not know much, but I do know a beautiful woman when I see one. I can look at you and tell you deserve a good man or deserve to at least get to know one. Should you decide to try something different, call me?” He placed his business card in Rachel’s hand and walked off.

              She looked down at the card and looked up. He walked back over to her with one last retort.  “By the way, I’m Italian.” They smiled at each other and he disappeared into the crowd.

             
Hmmm. Something different may be what I need in my life. Where’s Leah?
She found her in the corner hugged up with some guy other than the ball player she’d been romancing all night. “Hey, Leah, are you ready to go?” Rachel smiled at her and gave her an apologetic look for interrupting.

              “No, the party just got fun. How about you go and I’ll find a ride?” Leah was high and she wanted to end her night with a good screw.

              “How about no! I’m not leaving you; I think we should go now, Leah!”

              The guy looked at Rachel with a trying to be persuasive grin. “Trust me, it’s cool, little momma. My name is Phillip and I promise she is in good hands.” He smacked Leah on her butt and pulled her closer to him.

              “I’m not your momma and I’m not leaving without her.”

              “Damn, shorty, chill! You actin’ like she’s your woman or something!”

              Rachel rolled her eyes at the ignorant lad and snatched Leah away from him. She wasn’t hating, but if something was to happen to Leah, she was not trying to be solely responsible for the extra children in her home. Leah could barely walk without Rachel’s assistance.  Rachel scolded her as they walked to the car. “Are you crazy? Your ass don’t know anybody in this city and you trying to go home with somebody? Get your mind right, please!”

              “Ha-ha. You’re right, Rachel. Girl, I’m buzzing.” Rachel shook her head in disgust and helped Leah get into the passenger seat.

Chapter Eight: Ice Cold

              The next day, Rachel kept her promise to the children. She loaded them up into her SUV and took them to Fun Land, while Leah snored through her alcohol and cocaine induced sleep.  She wondered how people could cruise through life with no goals or not knowing where their next meal would come from.  True enough, she’d taken Leah out to show her a good time, however, she didn’t expect for her to get totally wasted. She looked at her ex step-children and hoped they would have a successful life. She enjoyed the quality time with them. The look in their innocent eyes said they could get use to their life style. Rachel decided to do everything she could to ensure they had a somewhat normal life.

              Rachel held Olivia while the bigger kids played on the games and rides. Corey took a break from running around and joined them at the table. His little eyes gazed at Ms. Jones with curiosity. “May I ask you a question?” One thing Rachel noticed about Leah’s children was that they actually spoke well and were well-mannered considering their former environment.

              “Sure, Corey. Ask away.” She gave him a soft squeeze on his cheek.

              “Are you our other mom?”

              Rachel smiled at her ex-husband’s little lad. She didn’t quite know how to respond. How would she feel if Christina or CJ were calling another woman “momma”?  She studied the ground searching for a correct response. “Well-uh. It’s like this, Corey, when I was married to your father, I was considered your stepmom. But you only have one mother and that’s Leah. Your mom cares a lot about you.”

              “Well I wish you were my mom. You are very nice, Rachel,” he shot a mischievous grin in her direction.

              “Thank you, Corey, but don’t say that to your mom; it might hurt her feelings.”
Why do I care about her feelings?
  “Now go play with your sister and brothers, it’s almost time to go.” He waltzed off toward the other kids. Rachel remembered how the sight of Curtis Senior’s other children used to make her sick.  But what woman wouldn’t feel some type of way after their husband’s infidelity presented one love child after another. It takes some type of woman to get rid of a cheating husband and then help his mistress and her children escape distress.  Some may call Rachel Jones crazy or perhaps stupid; others may say she’s brilliant for keeping her enemy close.

              Rachel allowed the children to play for another thirty minutes before she took them back to their lovely abode.  Leah was finally awake and looking a bit tired. Dark circles rested under eyes and a satin scarf covered her hair. “Welcome home, guys! I was up doing a little cleaning. I hope you don’t mind I used your computer to do some apartment searching. I know I can’t stay here forever.” She was still a little high from the line she secretly snorted.  She grabbed Olivia from Rachel and gave her a big kiss.

              “Yeah, sure, that’s fine.”

              “Would you like me to cook dinner?” Leah tried sounding helpful.

              “No, they had plenty to eat. Just make something for yourself. Oh and I made you a hair appointment for tomorrow.”

              “Thanks, but I really don’t have any money for that,” Leah said taking a bite out of her fingernail.

              “I’ll take care of it. I figured you’d want to look at some apartments as well as put in a few job applications. It’s good to make a good first impression.” Rachel went off to her room to take a bubble bath and relax. She thought about the handsome Italian guy from last night. After playing in the suds, she oiled up and laid across her bed. She found his business card. It read:
Mike Rizzo, Florida Grizzles Head Coach.
  Rachel wasn’t much of a sports fanatic, but she was smart enough to know this guy was a big deal. She fantasized about trying his Italian sausage. One freaky thought after another crowded her brain. Just as she refurbished her spiritual life, impurities took over her mind. She hadn’t been to church in two Sundays and if she picked up the phone and called Mr. Rizzo, she’d probably be missing a third.

              She bit her bottom lip, pondering over the right decision to make.
Should I prepare for Sunday morning service or should I sample some Italian food? 
There was no comparison. All her life, she tried to do what seemed to be right. She was a good girl, a loyal wife to her cheating ex-husband, and more than a follower to the late Pastor Jackson. 
I want to live for me. Life is too short to always do what is right.
  She picked up the phone and punched in the ten digits written on the business card.

              “This is Rizzo.” The other end announced who he was.

              “Hello, Mike, this is Rachel. You may remember me as Normal. Hee-hee,” she laughed at her silly comment.

              “Hello, Miss Normal. I’m surprised to hear your voice,” he was smitten by her voice.

              “Oh really? Why so surprised?”

              “Do you really have to ask?”

              Rachel recovered from two heartbreaks; they say the third time’s a charm. Just in case he or the next didn’t work out, she decided to go in her next relationships completely numb with a heart cold as ice. No more heartaches for Ms. Jones, she was going to skate through relationships if that’s what satisfied her temporary thirsts.
Forget love, it’s all about me for once.

              “Nah. I know why you feel that way. I was calling to redeem myself.”

              “Oh yeah and how are you going to do that?”

              “How about I come over and show you?” Rachel surprised herself. She was always cautious. The old Rachel would’ve never invited herself over a strange man’s house.
I guess Jay-z said it best, “Once a good girl goes bad, she’s gone forever.”

              She wrote down his address. Found some sexy panties to hug her small cheeks. She threw on a pair of
Express
Jeans, a peach tank top with a sexy bra, and a pair of Chanel sandals. She kissed her babies allowing Leah to babysit and peeled out in her Mercedes.

              Mike had a nice mini mansion in Snellville. He lived three houses down from the retired NBA player, Dominique Wilkins. Rachel learned that when football season was in, he resided in Florida, but Atlanta was home for him. He was divorced and had no children.  They sipped on some fine wine and exchanged stories. After Rachel’s fourth glass of wine, she cut to the chase and popped the question.

              “Mr. Rizzo, would like a piece of chocolate cake?”
Did I just say that? Oh well, we’re both grown.

             
His blue eyes undressed her. He took the wine out of her hand and placed it on the coffee table. He licked his tongue across her bottom lip. She kissed him, running her hand up his shirt and massaging his chest. He removed his shirt.
Damn, he must be part animal.
Rachel thought as she examined the furry coat of hair that draped over his chest and back. He assisted her in removing her tank top. Mike was fascinated with her big breasts and large chocolate nipples. He scooped one of breast up in his palm and started feeding himself. “Uhm. I like the taste of chocolate cake,” he whispered in her ear and then worked his way down to her navel. He kissed around it and gave gentle bites to her flat stomach.

             
Do I really want to do this?
He pulled off his jeans. 
Damn this man is sexy.
His exotic features had her aroused. He dropped his boxers and to her surprise, he was hung like a donkey. She couldn’t wait to experience her Italian lover. He used his tongue to wet her body down. She absorbed it like a sponge, cleaning up a spill.

              He felt so good. Even though his weapon was fully loaded, he was delicate with every stroke. He paused here and there to make sure his chocolate delight was okay.

              “Yes. I can take it,” Rachel cried out as she gazed into his ocean blue eyes.

              “It’s obvious you can take it, but I want you to enjoy it.” He kissed her lips and stroked her up and down until the two of them burst. Their yelps sounded like a melodious tune.  She rested her head on his fleecy chest for warmth. He held her tight, cleared his throat, and ran his fingers through her jet black hair. “Tell me about yourself, Rachel. What makes you laugh? What makes you cry? I want to get to know you,” he spoke in a genuine tone.

              Rachel was use to men speaking to her with sincerity. Those same men also let her down. She sighed and massaged his chest with her index finger. “My name is Rachel Michelle Jones. I’m divorced with two children and I just had the most amazing sex with a complete stranger.”