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“Okay, I understand,” Dee spoke on the phone while pinching Winston’s arm. “Yeah, please keep me informed, Kelley. Bye.” She hung up the phone.
Winston scooted beside her, his leg hanging off the bed. “What did he say?”
“The same thing he said on TV. He won’t have more information until he investigates. Winston.” She ran her hands through her hair. “Jonathan is dead. I mean he’s really dead.”
Winston pushed his shoulders back. “Hell, let’s get the invitations ready for the party.”
“Winston.” She gaped at him.
“I don’t wanna hear it, Dee.” He raised his hand. “Jonathan got what he deserved and I’m not pretending I ain’t happy.”
“He’s dead. Deep down don’t you feel a little sad?”
“Nah, I’m good.” He grabbed her waist and puckered his lips. “Where were we?”
“I can’t believe you.” She pushed him away. “I need to know how he died and unlike you and Lydia, yes I care.”
“Why?” He rose on his elbows. “Didn’t you want him gone?”
“Yes, but—”
“Then you should be just as happy as I am that he is.”
****
“Here we go.” CeCe entered his ashen bedroom with two glasses of Coke spiked with whiskey.
In a blue and white knit top and denim booty shorts, Jessica Jacobs lay on top of the white and gray bedspread. Her reddish-brown curls, sprawled against the black-and-white checkered pillow. “I like your apartment. It’s warm and cozy.”
CeCe glanced at the bluish-gray carpet. “I hope that’s not all you like.”
She giggled, curling her sexy legs underneath her. “Why don’t you come over here?”
He held his breath, stomach bubbling from nerves.
An allusive smile hung off her Valentine lips. “You nervous?” She pulled him to the bed by his T-shirt. “Give me that before you spill it.”
CeCe chuckled, sweat peeling from the edge of his hairline.
“Relax.” Jessica sipped from the glass and cuddled next to him. “Why are you tense?”
“I don’t know.” He stared at his white dresser. “Sometimes I get a little nervous.” A bead of sweat fell off his face. “I don’t want to ruin this. It took forever to get you here.”
She gave him a teasing under look as she took another sip.
“Jessica?” He stroked his jeans. “Why are you here?”
“You invited me.”
“I mean...” He stared at her peach neck, imaging his hands around it until she lost breath forever. “What made you wanna come?”
“I told you, CeCe.” She set the drink on the nightstand and whispered in his ear, “I like you.” She kissed his cheek. “Why else would I be here?”
I don’t know. Women have so many motives.
She kissed his neck, massaging his bulge. “You’ve been coming in the coffee shop for a month begging to take me out.” The scent of cinnamon and pastry danced from her breath. “Well, I’m here.” She kissed him. “Don’t waste it.”
“I won’t waste it.” He shoved her on the mattress and kissed her, ramming his tongue inside her mouth.
“Mm.” She pushed on his shoulders as he yanked her top up and gripped her breast through her lacey, white bra.
“You want this, huh?” He seized her neck as he maneuvered her legs apart with his.
“No.” She twitched, tearing her lips from his. “I don’t like it rough like this. CeCe?”
“What?” He kept kissing her, his impeding pleasure outweighing her demands. “Like you said let’s not waste this moment.”
“Wait, CeCe.”
He gripped her neck tighter.
“Stop!” She kicked. “CeCe.”
He lifted his head, catching the horror in her aquamarine eyes. “What?”
“Let me go.” She wiggled.
He let her go.
She jerked away from him, shivering against the headboard. “What’s the matter with you?”
He wiped her raspberry lipstick off his mouth. “What?”
“I should go.” She gave him that patronizing look women did right before they rejected him. “This was a mistake.”
“You wanted to come home with me.” He snatched her hand. “Isn’t that what you said?”
“Yes, but—”
“You can’t just change your mind.”
“I thought you were a nice guy.” Tiny lines surrounded her pouty lips. “But, this feels strange and there’s a smell in here.” She sniffed. “I smelled it the minute we got here. Don’t you? It’s faint but it kinda reeks.”
“It’s a maintenance issue in the building.” He grabbed her, going for a kiss. “Ignore it.”
“No.” She jumped off the bed, pulling at her clothes. “This feels weird. The smell and everything.”
“You didn’t care about the smell a few minutes ago.” He leapt in front of her. “You didn’t care about anything but getting in my pants and now you’re having an issue?”
She darted her eyes. “Please move out of my way.”
He held his waist. “Why should I be shocked you’re a tease like all the rest?”
“That’s not true.” She trembled, rubbing her hands. “I like you but this just isn’t the right time and we don’t know each other that well yet.”
“Why can’t women ever be honest?” He gritted his teeth. “It’s me, isn’t it? You think I’m weird, right? You think I’m strange?”
Her eyes widened as if to beg for mercy. “No.”
“I’ve been down this road a million times. The script is always the same.”
“CeCe, I like you.” She touched his shirt. “We can do this another time—”
“No.” He grabbed her. “We’re doing this now. You’re not going anywhere.”
“Please.” She tried to break free. “Let’s forget this ever happened.”
“I can’t forget.” He shook her. “You women think you can just do what the hell you want with no regard for my feelings?”
“Please,” she screamed. “Let me go.”
“No, no, Jessica. You came here to have sex.” He manhandled her. “You came here flirting with your sweet words and lies.”
“No.” She wailed. “Please.” She pushed at him. “Someone, help!”
“No one’s gonna help you.” His forehead seeped with sweat. “You did this, Jessica. You got me all worked up and now you want to leave?” He huffed and puffed. “Hell no.”
“CeCe.” Her lips quivered, her bosom heaving. “Let me go or I’ll call the police.”
“You shouldn’t have come, Jessica.” He shoved her on the bed and got on top of her. “You’re finishing what you started.” He locked her arms behind her head and unbuttoned her shorts.
“No!” She wept, closing her eyes. “Don’t do this, CeCe.” She thrashed, turning her lips from his kisses. “Get off. No!”