Expert Tease Page 4

  My nipples turning taut from the arousal, our tongues and lips entangled in an intimate dance. A throaty moan escapes as she thrusts her hips back and forth, grinding and sending shocks to the most intimate parts of my body. Her kisses igniting the fire in my core as she trailed her lips lower to my neck. One hand trailing the contour of my body. My back arches at each playful nip at the base of my neck, each bite a bit of pleasure mixed with pain. Her hands steadily moving towards my panties, like a snake approaching its prey. Before she could feel how excited I actually was, I jumped up and came to my senses.

  “I’m not.” I stuttered “I mean I can’t do this!” Pushing her off me and getting off the bed in search of my clothes.

  “Maye. Stop.” Jade pleads.

  “I’m sorry. I’m not gay, or bi, or whatever you call it. I have to go.” Looking around the room.

  “It’s in the dryer.” She points to her left before adding “ You threw up, and I washed them.”

  I wasn’t sure why her tone hurt me, but this was all starting to freak me out, as much as I needed intimacy, I wasn’t sure I was ready for what was about to happen. What she started doing to me felt physically good, carnally it was hot as fuck but mentally, it was too much.

  “I had one of the guys drive your car back from the bar.” She says, leaning casually in the doorway “The keys are right next to your purse on the counter.”

  “That’s thoughtful of you.” Avoiding her gaze. “Thanks for taking care of me last night.”

  She starts to apologize “I’m so-”

  “Let’s not talk about it. Have a nice day,” Raising my hands, I cut her off “Bye.”

  A wave of shock hit me as I opened Jade’s front door and a familiar view greeted me.

  I was already home...

  MAYE

  Doing the odd babysitting job for Julie and other residents when Drake wasn’t available wasn’t going to pay my rent this month. The drive to Strip N’ Fitness was a short one. This would be our last class with Amber and Carlotta wanted to make a big thing of it and record our session. My phone chirps for the fifteenth time alerting me to a message. Jade’s name pops up on the screen, ignoring it, I pull my tote out of the passenger seat, heading towards Amber’s studio.

  “Hey Kiki, Amber here yet or are you leading the class today?”

  “She just went to the back, but I’ll be here working with your friend Carlotta, I think she requested a private.”

  “Oh, I didn’t know that.” Shrugging, I lean on the counter, “Today is actually supposed to be our last class, and I wanted to talk to Amber if you could go get her for me. I’d really appreciate it doll.”

  “Of course. You just wait right here. I’ll be back in a hot minute.” she says before heading through the closed door.

  I didn’t know Kiki well, but I had seen her once or twice at the resort we both lived at and once when Amber couldn’t make it to instruct us. Her black roots, a huge contrast to her bleached blonde hair and bright blue-green eyes that she coated heavily with mascara. The few times we actually conversated, her glossy pink lips, smacked loudly as she chewed and popped her gum. The door chimes, signaling the arrival of my girlfriends. I guess I could talk to Amber after our session as I walked to greet the gang.

  “Lottie!” I squeal with glee. “Look at you, I love those heels.”

  Her glow undeniable, I haven’t seen her smile like this in a while. Smiling she twirls, showcasing her ensemble like a kid in a parade.

  “You know I just had to go all out for our last class.” Carlotta struts over to me. Pulling a gold bottle out of her bag she sings “I brought Champagne!”

  “I can have a glass this time,” Ana says looking at her co-conspirator Liz with a grin “ Liz taught me how to pump and dump.”

  Giggling like school girls we make our way back towards to studio preparing for our final session.

  “What have you been up to lately Maye?” Liz asks while changing into her heels.

  “Yea, you had me worried for a minute, I know that you moved but I’m not sure what else has been happening with you.” Ana probes.

  Carlotta as always had to be the bearer of bad news. “How’s life after divorce? I saw B at Midnight Inn the other night, looking chummy with a group of friends. He was rather friendly with a brunette in their group.” My heart stopped beating. I could tell that the other shoe was about to drop. I hadn’t told the girls about Blake being gay, but Carlotta was about to.

  “She looks nothing like you.” Carlotta waves my reaction off as insecurities and takes a sip of the champagne I didn’t realize she already has opened “She’s far too simple. Eyes way too far apart.” The breath I didn’t know I was holding escapes with a chuckle, filling them in on what life after divorce felt like.

  “No way, you got drunk and kissed a girl!” Carlotta said.

  “Don’t forget the reason she didn’t show up to the session that week was because she got drunk and ended up the girl’s bed.” Liz laughed.

  It was Ana’s turn to poke fun at me “I bet she kissed a girl and liked it too.” She said, “Look she’s turning pink.” They were never going to let me live this down.

  “That’s not the worse part” I paused “She lives in the same community I do. Like her cabin is opposite mine, and she keeps texting me.”

  Tears leaked out of Carlotta’s eyes while she guffawed loudly. Struggling to catch their breaths at my expense. It was Liz who spoke up first.

  “You mean to tell me that not only did you try to run away after a kiss you clearly enjoyed but you couldn’t run far because she’s your neighbor?” Laughing she pours me a glass of champagne. “Only you would find yourself in situations worthy of reality tv. I think it’s a gift.”

  Before I could defend myself against their playful teasing. Amber walked in looking like the mother of all things sex appeal. Long legs clad in black leggings. Painted on with perfection, hugging every curve. Her black Louboutin’s that you couldn’t help but look at, marveling at the way they made her ass look even rounder, not only were they original but they gave her, even more, reason to tower over us with her Amazonian height.

  “Ladies, it’s our last session together. How about you show me the sexy that I taught you.” With a sway of her hips, Amber leads the way to the studio floor.

  Chanel West Coast’s voice played through the studio’s system, and I shimmied across the floor, heading towards the pole. I wrap my leg around it, making a funny face at Ana who cat called and hollered as I spun myself around the slick, cool, metal rod. My friends were cheering and yelling “take it off” teasingly as I made my way down the pole and landed in a split. Sitting up on my knees. I caught my breath just in time to see Carlotta hand Ana her camera and pull a chair from the back to the center of the room.

  “Good job Em, way to kill it on that pole. Now that you’re batting for the other team and all.” She says, teasing me like she always did as she crossed path.

  Kiki, who I didn’t see enter the room, shifts slightly to give me room to stand with my friends.

  “Great job out there girl! You’re a natural. Might even give me a run for my money at the club.” Kiki says, her eyes still focused on Carlotta.

  “Club?”

  “Yea, Club Haze. I work there three nights a week.” Glancing at me she adds, “Gotta go help your friend over there. See ya!”

  “Let’s go, Lottie!” Ana squeals, bumping my hip with hers and hands me a glass of champagne, before turning to me, “So how are you really? You okay?”

  “I’m okay for now, I guess.” I shrug taking a sip out my flute. “I just have to find a job, or I might have to move in with you.” I finish, mirroring her nonchalant hip bump from earlier.

  “I’m sure you’ll find something. You have a degree and smarts, and I’m sure being pretty doesn’t hurt your chances either
.” She laughs.

  “Okay, Nana. No more bubbly for you.” Taking her flute and adding it to mine. “How many glasses have you had anyway? You’re only supposed to have one postpartum.”

  “Hey don’t rain on my parade. You kissed a girl and liked it.” She said snickering.

  That confirms it. She had one too many. Watching my girls have fun and let loose reminded me that life goes on, even when I’m wallowing in my self-pity. I still wasn’t over Blake and how he hurt me, and Jade was a whole different can of worms I refuse to open up. I’ll just keep ignoring her text messages.

  “Come on girls, get off your laurels and dance with us!” Amber calls us over. Turning the music up a little louder.

  Watching the girls have fun and dance confidently in their own sexiness was a fun way to end our last session. Kiki and Amber decided to show us how the professionals really did it. It was down to the last eight counts when Amber and Kiki had their twerk off which was sexy as hell. The way their bodies moved. Their firm backsides moving to the beat of the music, splitting and pole tricks were the icing on the cake. The phone for the studio rings just as the lights flickered on and off signaling the end of our session.

  “Ladies,” Amber addressed us “I had the most amazing time teaching you how to own your sexy. I hope I see you all again.”

  “Of course,” Ana answered catching us all by surprise, “I have to get rid of this baby weight, and you’re gonna help me get back in shape. I’ll call you once my doc gives me the okay to work out again.”

  “Great.” She says just as the phone rings again “I should probably get that.”

  “Go!” We all chorus. Laughing as she walks away.

  “Hey Maye, you mind giving me a lift back to the resort? Amber has some stuff to handle in the office.” Kiki asks.

  Switching to my sneakers, I tell the girls to go ahead without me.

  “Sure Kiki. I just need to talk to Amber about something first. If you can wait, I’ll give you a ride back.” I say tucking my heels into my tote.

  “Yea I can wait.” Pointing towards the office “I’ll go see if she if she’s off the phone.”

  Picking my bag up and heading towards the front of the building just as Amber walks out of the office with Kiki in tow.

  “You wanted to speak to me sugah?” Amber asked.

  “Yea, I wanted to know if you were looking for help around the studio? You know, teach a few classes part time?” Wringing my hands as I spoke.

  “Oh, no honey.” She said, looking at Kiki. “I already have Kiki, and my niece comes into town next weekend for the summer break, and I already told her she can have the job.”

  “Oh.” I sigh “That’s okay. Thanks for the classes.”

  “I’m sorry sweetie, I really am. I wish I could.”

  Her phone rings before I could say it was okay and lie to myself once again.

  *****

  The street lights glowed against the wet road, reflecting the shimmer back into my eyes. Traffic was horrid; backed up from one light to another. We were at a red light just outside of Endings when Kiki turned the radio down.

  “So you’re looking for a job.” She asked

  “Yup. Gotta pay the bills.”

  “You know, with skills like yours, you could make a lot of money at Club Haze.”

  “Club Haze? I’m not a stripper Kiki, no offense. I had fun at the class, but I’m not sure I’m okay with dancing naked in front of men.”

  “Not offended. I was just trying to help. Just so you know, I make seven hundred dollars on a slow night.” She said turning the music back up.

  “That was the end of the conversation. I wasn’t going to be a stripper. I am a college educated woman. Why would I want to take my clothes off to entertain men? It was just one step short of prostitution. Right? My moral compass decided that it wasn’t even up for debate at that point. I WILL NOT BECOME A STRIPPER. Right?” Internally, I was at war. Again. I found myself doing that a lot lately. I seriously hope it wasn’t becoming a habit.

  JADE

  Four months later

  Tossing the phone on the bed with a groan. I turn to Ashley; “What else do I have on the agenda for my trip?”

  “Well you have one more meeting with Lars & Associates this afternoon, but…” She pauses.

  “But what Ashley?” I prompt.

  “But I have a feeling, I should reschedule. She still hasn’t replied huh?”

  “No, but that doesn’t mean that I should just sit around and wait for her. I mean I apologized. I even sent a letter and flowers to her cabin. So it is what it is.” Pulling the pillow over my head. Shielding myself from what Ashley was about to say next. I knew all too well the words that were about to come out.

  “It was one kiss, Jade. A hot one, but still one kiss.” Pulling the pillow off my head, she looks at me. “This isn’t like you. You’re one of the most logical people I have ever met, and you’re basically pining over one woman, who kissed you and then ran way.”

  “Exactly she kissed me back.” Interrupting her tirade.

  “ONE KISS JADE! Get over it!” She yells.

  “You’re right. I think it’s time I let it go.”

  “If you’re gonna let it go. I think you should delete her number, ever single trace of it from your phone. That includes the cloud.”

  The gasp that leaves my lips surprised even me. Ashley was really serious if she dared to mess with the cloud. She worshiped that thing. To remove something from my iPhone storage was like burning a bridge.

  “Are you serious? The cloud?” I ask, bewildered by her intense stare.

  “JADE!!!!! NOW!” she scolds, becoming miss bossy boots yet again.

  “Alright! Do it then.” Throwing my hands up in the air, I surrender “I think I really do need the rest of today off. Cancel my appointments while you’re at it.”

  Without a word, Ashley leaves me alone with my thoughts. I couldn’t stop thinking about the way her lips moved against mine. Holding the pillow close to me, I close my eyes and imagine the warmth radiating off of her body. The way her back arched at my touch. The feel of her I was already hooked, and as much I am trying to take Ashley’s advice and let it go. I couldn’t forget someone amazing enough to set a fire back in my body. Not just my soul. She made me feel alive again. I hated it that Ashley is right; I needed to forget her even though she still had my favorite jacket.

  MAYE

  The midmorning sunlight dazed my sleepy eyes as the pounding registered. Must be the first of the month because no one else bothered to visit me other than Edwin, the resort manager.

  “Alright. Alright.” I yell to the door just as the asshole knocks again. “I said I was coming. Have a little patience.”

  “Your rent is late Maye, and you still have arrears from last month;” He said looking at me. “One week to pay or you lose your deposit.”

  “You’ll have the rent today Edwin.” Slamming the door in his face.

  “Dammit Maye! This is not okay!” His voice muffled through the wooden door. “You better have that money, or I’ll have the locks changed!”

  With each minute that I stood leaning against the door, reality set in. This was really happening. I was going to get kicked out of my apartment. I was going to be homeless. Months of barely surviving caught up with me and I could feel something swirling around the pits of my stomach. I was going to be sick. I run to the kitchen sink, dry heaving as the tap water flowed out in steady streams of cold water.

  The despair and crippling anxiety bring me to my knees while I scream internally. Sobs tore through me, I couldn’t survive like this. This was going to break me; It’s not like I wasn’t trying. I was just too old for some, and there was no room in their inn for me. I had no work experience, and these small towns didn’t yield big jobs, so whatever positions we
re available went quickly. Gusts of wind blew through the cabin shutters, sending stacks of unopened mail scattering over the floor of the tiny kitchenette.

  Three brown manila envelopes holding Blake’s hush money sat there, taunting me. I promised myself that I wouldn’t touch a dime of that money. Pride wouldn’t let me do it, but I deserved it right? He was the one that left our marriage. I fought to keep it. I deserved to live the life I had always known.

  My already heighten emotions were playing tricks on my mind. “You deserve to be happy. You deserve that money.” My internal monologue sang to me on a loop as I crawled like a dog towards the piece of paper that could solve all my problems. I’m not going to use it. I just want to see how much I’m worth to him. How much thirteen years of marriage was worth. I couldn’t sink any lower than this. Could I?

  My Hand trembled as I reached for the envelope, tearing it open at the seam and pulling the white slip of paper out. Everything became fragmented. My thoughts, my memories, ideas, questions and time. I was disconnected from myself as I sat there, staring at the blank check. Maybe I’ll just pay off my rent for the next couple of months. I say trying to convince myself. Then I’ll just put back whatever I used into his account once I have the money. That could work. Right? Asking myself a question that not even I knew the answer to. Picking myself up, I shower quickly. Sweats and a t-shirt were the only thing I felt like dressing in, plus it was cold out. I didn’t need to dress up. Pulling my hair in a messy bun. I head out to start my day.

  Trepidation set in when I approached the bank. Was I really going to do this? My brain willed my legs to move though they stubbornly stayed put. Wait! If you’re going to do this, you need to decide on an amount stupid. The devil on my shoulder was right. How stupid would I be? “Hi, I’d like to cash this check with no final sum written on it.” Pretty, freaking dumb the devil snickered. Great now I was talking to myself. I needed to stop doing that.