Chapter 14—Tank Meets Lula
Wednesday, March 24
Tank normally didn't visit the Center on weekdays. With Ranger still 'in the wind,' he was too busy working, but last Saturday his heart had been hit hard by Cupid's arrow.
He was lost the moment she stepped out of her car and sashayed up the Center steps. She was everything he wanted in a woman—beautiful, black, buxom and bold. He couldn't get her out of his mind.
When Lester had talked him into helping out at his self-defense class on Monday, she was there again. She was a goddess in blaze red pants and zebra striped blouse, every magnificent part of her highlighted. Today, he had a chance to see her again, but this time he wouldn't be made to look the fool by Santos.
He'd arrived mid-afternoon, supposedly to use the gym. Tank wandered the grounds for awhile before heading into the main house. Trying to calm his nerves, he sat down in the massage recliner and turned it on, lulling him into a relaxed state….
He stood up straightening his suit coat as she came back from the powder room to their table. She took his breath away just as she'd done earlier in the evening when he'd picked her up for their date. He held her chair as she sat down. Her look of surprise brought a smile to his lips. Even a jaded hard-bitten soldier like him could be chivalrous for the right woman.
She was definitely the right woman. He never thought it'd happen to him, but he'd fallen hook, line and sinker for this gorgeous, outspoken, sexy hunk of woman. She was wearing a little black dress with silver trim that accented all her curves, and man, did she have curves. The dress wasn't too low cut, but her more than ample bosom was practically falling out the top.
He had to remind himself to look into her eyes, though that wasn't too hard—those chocolate brown eyes melted his heart and they had this bright gleam in them that told him she could be a spitfire. When she looked at him, he felt she was really seeing him, all of him, not just the hard exterior he projected. He reached over and took her hand in his, but was interrupted when the waitress came over and touched his shoulder, "Can I get you something to drink?"
Tank sat up and shook his head. Sunny had her hand on his shoulder, "Tank, can I get you something to drink?" she asked.
He hesitated for a minute, clearing his head. "Thank you, Sunny, but I was just going down to the gym to work out. Maybe later." He lumbered through the house and ran down the basement steps to begin his workout.
Tank finished his last set with the weights and went into the showers, ducking to avoid hitting his head on the shower rod. He dried off and swiped his underarms with antiperspirant. He knew he'd be nervous, but he didn't want her to know it.
He slipped a desert camo t-shirt over his massive chest, his dark brown skin contrasting with the beige and tans of the shirt. Army fatigues and boots completed his look. Since he was bald he didn't have to worry about how his hair looked.
Tank took the basement stairs three at a time, his 300 pound body surprisingly agile. He peered around the corner to the back lawn littered with colorful mats. The women were just starting to move out onto the grass, choosing their mats and stretching their muscles.
She was front and center, beautiful in her tight pink spandex gym outfit that showed all her glorious curves. A man could get lost in all that soft womanly flesh.
Tank slipped onto the porch and sat in the corner chair pretending to read a book. He watched over the top of the book as Lester began the class. He tuned out Les as he droned on about self-defense dos and don'ts.
Tank sat up when it came time for the class to practice their moves. Les had conned two of his friends, Benny Garza and a guy named Caesar Valencia, to be the 'attackers' this session. Tank knew them both and said a quick prayer for them. At least the protective gear had come in, so the men had a buffer between their bodies and the women's punches and kicks.
His lady of interest was paired with Stephanie and it was so funny to watch them together. There couldn't be two more opposite women, but she and Steph were laughing each time the other tripped or fell. They seemed like good friends.
Her attitude was written all over her, the sassy way she talked, her hips swishing back and forth. She 'attacked' Benny with considerable force, giving it her all. As strong as he was, Benny was having difficulties keeping the padded cushion between himself and this raging feminine dynamo.
First, she'd strike at his face and then swing her foot into his groin. She threw one punch after another relentlessly at her attacker. It seemed as if she was really angry at Benny. Tank decided he wouldn't want to be the one to make her mad. She was one sexy momma filled with fire. The hour flew by with Tank mesmerized by the big beautiful black woman.
He had to meet her, but he was afraid he'd make a fool of himself. The class was breaking up and she was coming over to the porch. Tank sank down in his chair trying to hide behind the paperback book he was holding.
She stopped on her way into the house, "How come you weren't in today's demo?"
Tank looked like a deer caught in a car's headlights. "Hi," Tank uttered.
"Well?" she asked.
"Uh…thought I'd give the other guys a chance to get hammered," he stammered.
She laughed. "I'm Lula Monroe," and held out her hand.
Lula…what a perfect name for this vivacious woman. Tank stood up, towering over the short but wide woman. "I'm Tank, Tank Hudson." He shook her hand careful not to hold it too hard.
Lula let her gaze travel up and across his substantial frame. "Huh, it's not too hard to figure out why they call you Tank. That's good. I like my men big."
Tank grinned. She liked big men. "I like my women big," Tank said, not noticing that Lula's eyes narrowed, her lips pursed and her hands flew to her hips. He could feel sweat trickling down the back of his neck. She was looking up at him expecting him to say something, anything.
He had no idea what to say or do next so he walked away, leaving Lula gaping open mouthed at his rapidly retreating back.