"Everything I'll give to you darling but
Until we reach morning you're mine
And don't you worry now baby
I'm the man you been craving this time
Guess you been dreaming 'bout me day and night
I think that's real 'cause then you won't forget me
And it's the reason why I hold you tight
And I won't pray that day dies in kind
You know I wished you were here all the time
(You know I wished you were here all the time)
Living my fantasies out in real life…"
James Vickery—"Until Morning"
"Erik?"
"Hey."
"Are you all back in San Diego?"
"Yeah."
Erik stood up and closed the sliding glass door to his balcony.
"How are you?" he asked.
"Doing well."
"Um, Deuce might still be sleep and Marina is out surfing…"
"By herself?"
"No…um, Sugar is with her. We all got back late last night and she crashed here after driving us back."
Calista was quiet.
"She spent the night?"
"Yeah."
Erik saw Yvette leaving the guest bedroom and he jumped up from the bed and walked toward her waving his free hand at her. Yvette stopped and stared at him. Her blue hair bonnet was lopsided on her head from a rough sleep. She tightened the red terrycloth bathrobe she wore around her waist.
"What?" Yvette mouthed.
Erik muted his phone.
"Calista is on the phone. I told her Sugar spent the night here. Talk to her real quick and pretend like you're outside with Marina too."
"Why?"
"I don't want her to know about us yet…like that. I told her Sugar crashed here because it was late—"
"It was late—"
"But she won't hear it like that from me without suspecting more."
He waved his cell at her.
Yvette took his phone and unmuted it.
"Hey, Calista! How are you? Erik? He went to the bathroom real quick. We got in so late girl. Yes, we had a great time. The Moreno family really took good care of us. There were so many people there! That family is huge! I'm exhausted from all that constant activity. Anyways, here's Erik again. Sugar is showing me how to surf so I'ma go back outside."
Yvette gave him the cell back and he gave her the "okay" sign. His sister shook her head at him and walked down the steps.
"Is Deuce up?" Calista asked.
"I don't think so."
"I called too early then. He keeps his cell on mute all the time. Thought I could reach him through you better."
Erik caught a glimpse of Deuce walking into the family room carrying a bowl of frosted flakes.
"Looks like he's up. He's eating cereal. Hold on."
Erik walked down the last of the steps and eased into the family room.
"Your Mom," Erik said holding out his cell.
"I'll call her back."
"Talk to her," Erik insisted.
Deuce took the phone and rolled his eyes.
Erik strolled into his kitchen.
Yvette started the coffee maker and grabbed some mugs from the cupboard and headed to the island counter. She sat on a stool and tapped her finger on the marble.
"She's going to find out about you and Sugar. Just tell her that you're seeing her. Get it over with. All this tiptoe shit isn't healthy little brother."
"I don't feel like dealing with her issues and her knowing about Sugar too—"
"You are a divorced man. You fell in love with someone else. Your personal life is your personal life. You let her control so much of your existence. I don't understand it. Let her be big mad. Oh well."
"Easier said than done."
"Stop making her out to be this delicate flower. You know how many Black women juggle mental health, kids, divorce, and building wings as they free-fall over a cliff? Without the resources to spend months in a fancy wellness center? God, Erik! You piss me off with her."
"I want custody of my kids. I'm trying to keep our shit calm, Vette—"
"You have custody of them now. Deuce wants to stay with you. Use your lawyers to do what's best for them. Not her. That's all I'm saying."
The coffee maker chirped and Yvette poured them both hot steaming mugs.
"You need to talk to Deuce about her. Most kids want to be with their mother but he is hot in the feet to get away. That's a red flag," Yvette snapped at him.
Marina and Sugar burst back in. They left their wetsuits outside and walked barefoot through the house in swim shorts and tankinis.
"Coffee?" Erik offered to Sugar.
She snapped her fingers at him.
"Bagels and orange juice, Sir," she snapped playfully.
Marina copied her, snapping her fingers against Erik's cheek.
"Your Mom is on the phone. She's talking to Deuce,' Erik said.
Marina ran away to look for her brother. Erik slid off of the stool he was on.
"Off to get your breakfast," Erik said.
He kissed Sugar's cheek and grabbed his keys from a hook on the kitchen wall.
"Bacon croissant!" Yvette called to him.
Erik went to retrieve his phone. Marina was chattering away on it as she sat next to Deuce on the sectional.
"Have your Mom call you on the house phone," Erik said.
"Mommy, Daddy needs his phone back. He's going to get me bagels and juice. Okay. I'll wait."
Marina swiped the phone and handed it to Erik. The landline rang and Marina snatched it up and resumed talking about fishing and sparklers.
Deuce followed him to the garage.
"Sup, boy?" Erik asked pulling on his son's hair.
Deuce swatted his hand.
"I didn't say anything to Mom about you and Sugar."
Erik had a feeling Deuce would keep that to himself.
"Are you really okay with me and her?"
"Yeah. She's cool. Dad…"
"Yeah?"
"I don't think you should say anything to Marina yet."
"She'll be upset, huh?"
"I think so. Mom was juicing her for information about where Sugar slept last night."
Deuce's eyes regarded Erik's with curiosity. A trickle of discomfort ran through Erik's stomach. He had taught Deuce the essentials of sex and the boy wasn't stupid. He knew Sugar slept in his bed.
"What did Marina say?"
"She's a spaz, she ignored Mom as usual and went off about riding the ATVs."
"Did your Mom ask you about it?"
"No. We talked about Mission Bay High."
"Okay. I'ma go to Einstein's and get this food. We'll talk more later. But I need to know something."
"What?"
"What's up with your mother? Why do you want to leave her so bad?"
The directness threw Deuce for a loop. For once the boy was speechless.
"Get in the car," Erik said opening up his Acura.
The drive over was filled with NPR news on the radio and Erik adjusting the heat in the interior.
"Talk to me," Erik said.
Deuce thrummed his fingers on the door armrest.
"I don't feel comfortable around her anymore."
"Be more specific lil man."
"She looks at me sometimes in this weird way. I can't explain it…it's like she stares at me like I'm a stranger or something. We argue a lot over stupid stuff that she never cared about before, and she picks at me even when I try to ignore her. She doesn't do that to Marina. She's just on me all the time non-stop. I can't breathe around her. I don't get into any bad shit, Dad—"
"Language—"
"Sorry. I do what I'm supposed to do. My school work. I act right at all her social events. Around her friends. And she drinks a lot…"
Erik glanced over at him.
"Mainly at home. She drinks and smokes her cigarettes in the house and just stares out of her bedroom window like she's in a daze."
"Marina doesn't have problems with her?"
"No. Mom almost…" Deuce turned his head to look out of the passenger window.
"She almost what?"
Erik pulled into the Einstein Brother's parking lot. Turning off the engine he faced Deuce. He let his son take his time answering.
"She almost acts like she's not interested in Marina because she's so controlling of me. Marina has it easier over there. I'm tired of the mind games. Just being in the room with Mom stresses me out."
"She doesn't physically do anything to you all that's bad, right?"
"Nah. She'd never do nothing like that. To her, me and Marina are like her perfect little minions…I mean…I know it sucks to get divorced, but she doesn't even try to make a better life for herself. There's this guy that she talks to—"
"She's seeing someone?"
"That would help," Deuce blurted out fast.
Erik smiled at him.
"You wouldn't be mad if she did?" Deuce asked.
"Nah. I'd be happy for her."
"I've never met this dude. I just hear her talking to him sometimes."
"How you know it's a guy?"
"You can tell. But she just friend zones him. I think he's Allison's cousin or something. I heard them talking about Mom dating again and putting herself out there. Even that actor dude from "Putnam Grand" has been tryna holla at her—"
"Which one?"
"The skinny one that plays the sheriff—"
"Ole corny dude?"
"Yeah. He's nice. We met him at the SAG Thanksgiving fundraiser in Santa Monica. She talked to him a couple of times. But she just ignores people and picks at me."
"This program she's in will change everything for her. She'll be a better person—"
"I want her to be better, Dad, I really do. I just don't want to stay with her when she does come back. I need a break."
They went into the shop and Erik purchased enough food and beverages to take care of everyone at home. They carried their goods back to the car and the ride home was pleasant. Deuce was happy. Erik was happy. Marina seemed happy too when he stepped back into his home.
His daughter, sister, and Sugar sat in the family room playing a video game and cheered when they saw all the bags in Erik and Deuce's hands. Everyone ate while watching Yvette and Sugar face off in a war game.
"Marina, could you go up and get my cell phone charger in my office," Erik said.
Marina jumped off the sectional next to Yvette and ran up the stairs.
Erik followed her.
His daughter happily grabbed the charger from his desk. Erik slipped into the room and closed the door behind him.
"Sit down, baby girl," he said pointing to the chair in front of his desk. He took the one behind it.
Marina's eyes watched his face with open curiosity. Erik sat his hands on his thighs.
"Did your Mom ask you about Sugar?"
"Yeah."
"What did she ask you?"
Staring at Marina was like looking at his own face as a child. She really was his little twin without dimples. Wide round nose. Full lips. Animated eyebrows. Chipmunk cheeks.
"Mommy asked if Sugar stayed with us."
"What did you tell her?"
"Am I in trouble?"
"Nah. I'm just curious."
"I said she spent the night here."
"That's all?"
Marina nodded, then she touched her cheek.
"She asked me where but I didn't know."
Erik tapped his knee.
"You like Sugar a lot, huh?"
"Yeah."
"I want to tell you something, baby girl. You know Mommy and me are divorced. We aren't getting back together again. We are going to love you and take care of you and Deuce for as long as we live. I know you were very upset about Deuce wanting to live with me, but he's having a difficult time with Mommy—"
"I know."
"You know? Can you tell me what's going on with them?"
Marina's eyes dropped to her lap and she cradled her hands against her stomach.
"They don't get along."
"Why not?"
She shrugged.
"You can tell me everything sweetheart. You're not snitching on your brother or Mommy. I just want to help make it better."
Marina's face crumpled then and her right hand covered her eyes as she wept silent tears.
"Ah…Muffin…come here…come here…"
Erik held out his arms and Marina climbed off the office chair and walked around his desk to climb on his lap. He stroked her braids as her head nestled under his chin. She felt so small against him.
"What is it?"
"Mommy doesn't like Deuce's friends. She says they make him act ghetto."
"Ghetto? How?"
"They come over to the house and listen to music all the time with bad words and they cuss in his room when they play video games. They watch music videos with girls that have big butts and he's always in the bathroom trying to rap and he stopped going to soccer practice. He just wants to skate now."
"Has he done anything bad at all? Like, be disrespectful to Mommy or anything?"
"No. Mommy says he's not acting like himself and they fight about it. She yells at him and he slams his door and stays in his room all the time. Even Grammy fights with him. She said the 'N' word, Daddy."
"What exactly did she say?"
Marina wiped her eyes.
"Deuce was rapping in the kitchen when we were with Grammy and Grandpa for Thanksgiving and Grammy said she didn't want him walking around the house acting like some street…"
Marina whispered the word nigger in his ear.
Erik closed his eyes.
"She said that exactly?"
"Well, she said thug at first like Grampa does, but Deuce got in her face and said 'Say what you really wanna say…a nigger.' Then Grammy said, 'Yeah, a no-good street nigger' really loud."
"What did Deuce do after that?"
"He yelled at her to shut her mouth and called her a racist. They argued and then he ran to his room all mad. He didn't eat dinner or nothing. Mommy drank her wine and sat in the kitchen crying. He was so mad, Daddy. He had tears in his eyes and everything."
"What else?"
"Mommy just says he keeps changing and she doesn't like it. Deuce gets real angry when she says that. He doesn't really hate Mommy, does he Daddy?"
"I'm not happy that he isn't happy there. Do you see why he wants to stay with me? Can you understand why he wants to go away?"
"Mommy doesn't mean to act like that. She's just sad."
"Deuce is sad too."
"I just want everyone to feel better."
"I know, baby girl. Deuce will feel better being with me more. How do you feel about being with Mommy?"
"Okay."
"Just okay?"
Marina's eyes welled up more.
"I wish she could take a vacation to San Felipe like us. She would be happy again. If Papi and Miss Belinda taught her how to fish and if she could ride the ATVs…"
She cried into his chest. He could feel the small hot tears soaking his shirt.
"Do you want to stay with me too?"
"Yes!" she wailed.
Erik rubbed her back.
There was a knock at the door.
"Give us a minute," Erik said.
"You two okay?"
It was Yvette.
"Yeah, we're just having a Daddy and Muffin chat," he called out.
"I have Marina's other bagel for her. Deuce is trying to eat it."
"Come in," he said.
Yvette walked in and saw Marina on his lap weeping. She closed the door behind her and placed the toasted and buttered breakfast on the table. The small white plate it sat on had thick tomato slices on it with a side of cranberry cream cheese.
"A little heart to heart?" Yvette asked.
"Yeah," Erik said clearing the lump in his throat, "we'll be down in a bit. Working out some things."
"Take your time. Sugar is showing Deuce how to play her guitar, and I'm going to go back to bed since I hadn't planned on being up until noon. Feel better, Marina. Okay?"
Marina nodded her head against his chest with a hand covering her face.
Yvette slipped out and Erik rocked Marina in his arms.
"I don't want Mommy to be all by herself," Marina whimpered as her tears slowed down.
"Sometimes it's good to be by yourself. It helps you think clearly. Mommy has a lot of friends too, remember?"
"Yeah. But her feelings will be hurt if we leave her."
"In order for her to get better, Mommy has to deal with her own feelings. I want you and Deuce to feel safe and happy and not have to worry about anything else. It's not good to be in a home where people scream at each other and call each other names. That's why me and Mommy can no longer be married. I wanted you and your brother to live without all of that bad stuff. Things are better now—"
"Because of Sugar."
"What makes you say that?"
"Sugar makes everyone happy. Even you, Daddy."
Erik took the plunge.
"She's going to be around here a lot more—"
"Because you're her coach."
"That and…I like her, baby girl."
"I know."
He stared at Marina.
"You know?"
Marina nodded.
"I don't just like her for a friend."
Marina's eyes blinked a couple of times.
"I want to be with Sugar. I want her to be around us all the time."
Marina still looked confused.
"Do you want to marry her or something?"
"I would just like to have her as my girlfriend. How do you feel about that? You said you liked her. Would you still like her if I had her as my girlfriend?"
"Yeah. But…"
"But what?"
"Can Mommy have a boyfriend too?"
"Yeah. Mommy can have a boyfriend if she wants one."
"Does Sugar want you for a boyfriend?"
"I think so."
"But you're old."
"I'm not old."
"Older than her."
"She doesn't mind."
"Will she live with you?"
"Sugar kinda lives everywhere right now. She's going to travel a lot—"
"Like you?"
"Yeah, like me…"
It sank in right then. They would both travel a lot during the year. Their schedules would be a bit chaotic for dating on the regular.
"Finish eating the rest of your breakfast," he said.
Marina sat on his lap and ate her bagel with cream cheese and tomatoes. When she finished, they just sat together on his chair and watched the ocean outside his office window.
###
Erik watched Marina run up to Deuce and whisper in his ear. The look on his son's face was shock, but he masked it real fast as he handed Sugar her guitar.
"I need to talk to you," Erik said.
He kept his voice steady, trying not to alarm Sugar.
Deuce followed Erik back up the stairs to his bedroom. They walked out to the balcony and sat across from each other on the lounge chairs.
"Your grandmother called you a nigger?"
"She said the word, yeah."
"She does this a lot?"
Erik felt his jaw clench.
"They say thug when they see stuff—"
"Stuff like what? Black people?"
"She's old Dad, she doesn't know any better—"
"Yeah, she does. Does your Mom say it?"
"Nah. Grammy said it because I called her out on it. I know what they mean when they say thug. It means nigger to white people. They only say it when Bertram and Sergio come over. I do the same stuff I do with my white friends from Country Day and they don't say anything when it's them. Mom too. But as soon as I'm chilling with the guys over here it's a problem."
"Why didn't you tell me this before?"
Deuce looked out toward the water.
"Cuz I didn't want you to think Mom was racist. She's not, she's just…she's biased because of what she sees and hears on TV and when she gets around Grammy and Grandpa it just comes out more because they don't want you around us anymore."
"You never have to hide anything from me. No matter how bad it is. Hear me?"
"Yeah. I just didn't want you to come at Mom. I know how you are about stuff like that, especially with Grammy and Grandpa. I don't like them anymore. Ever since you and Mom broke up, it's like their true colors came out. Mom just ignores them, but sometimes I wonder if she feels the same way sometimes. Especially since I said I want to go to Mission Bay."
Deuce faced Erik again.
"Are you mad, Dad?"
"I'm disappointed that your Mom didn't check her parents—"
"You're mad. I hear it in your voice."
"No more keeping stuff like this from me, okay?"
"Okay."
"Your Mom is going to do better."
"Alright."
"Go chill," Erik said.
Deuce left him and Erik sat on the balcony and tried to calm his mind.
"Hey."
Erik turned and saw Sugar standing inside his bedroom on the balcony threshold. He walked over to her. His hands went for her waist and he pulled her in close. He kissed her lips and gave a big smooch to her cheek.
"Are Deuce and Marina okay?"
"Yeah. I told Marina about us."
"How did she take it?"
"Good as far as I can see. There's some other stuff going on at home for them, and I needed to get some one-on-one time for clarification."
Sugar seemed relieved. She wrapped her arms around his neck and rested her face next to his.
"I like this," he whispered in her ear.
"Me too."
Sugar grabbed his hand and pulled him back downstairs. They joined his kids in the family room where they all sprawled out on the giant sectional and watched a wild movie about a giant snow monster on the SyFy channel. When the movie ended, Deuce and Marina were ready to watch a new one involving a giant anaconda fighting a giant alligator. Yvette was up then and Erik checked his cell.
"You want to run to the workshop with me?"
"Workshop?" Sugar asked.
"Where I work on my boards."
Sugar's eyes lit up.
"Sure!" she said.
"Deuce? Marina? Wanna come with us?"
Both of his children waved bye to him.
"I can take a hint," Erik said.
They ignored him, their eyes stuck to the big screen.
"We'll be back later," Erik said to Yvette.
"Take your time. These two are locked into this channel. It's a marathon of creature features," Yvette said.
Erik grabbed his keys again and Sugar followed him.
###
Sabine's eyes tried to take in the hundred or so boards lined up against the walls and hung up on racks.
Erik made her wear goggles and a respirator mask as he gave her a tour of the workshop he used to make his one of a kind hand-crafted Killmonger Stingray boards. A popular surf shop near the La Jolla shores housed his workspace for him free in exchange for exclusive rights to sell his creations in their shop.
Sabine was impressed with how well he finessed things he needed on some other company's dime. The moment he stepped into the shop the store owner was fawning all over him.
"We sold out over the break, man," a leathery-faced man with bright muddy eyes said shaking Erik's hand.
"Spider, this is Sugar," Erik said.
The fifty-ish white man had a strong grip on her hand as he pumped it up and down vigorously with a huge smile on his face.
"I watched you up in Huntington," Spider said.
"Yeah?" she said.
"We expect great things from you, young lady! See?"
Spider pointed to a picture of the old newspaper article with a picture of her and Erik on it at Black's Beach. It felt so long ago to look at the photo of the two of them. Her parents had it hanging up at the restaurant too.
"We're going to head to the back," Erik said.
"Don't stress that shoulder out," Spider said.
Erik waved a hand over his head as he led Sabine to his private sanctum.
The workspace was wide open and large enough to have two other board shapers working already. With a high ceiling and good ventilation along with bright fluorescent lights illuminating any flaws in the board-work, it was a great spot to create surfboards. One section was clearly marked off for Erik and he gave her the gear she needed to breathe properly and keep her eyes protected.
The two men, one Asian and the other white gave Erik head nods as they used electric planers to smooth down boards. They left the space when they saw Erik was about to get busy.
Erik pulled off a tan cover from the board he was working on. A dense white foam blank was underneath resting on a workhorse table. Erik pointed to their masks.
"We can take these off for now. The guys are gone."
"They always leave when you come in?"
"I called ahead of time and told them I wanted some alone time in here. They have other stuff to do, so it's all good."
"You don't want them to know your secrets?"
He smiled and those dimples made her tummy flutter.
"I make them a ton of money. They want me happy and here all the time," he said.
Sabine placed her respirator mask on a counter and watched Erik lift a light plywood template from a shelf. She touched the foam blank.
"ESP foam," Erik said.
Sabine nodded as Erik placed the template over the blank.
"Put your hands here," he said pointing to the template.
Sabine laid her palms flat on it at the top and Erik grabbed a thick pencil and traced the board template onto the blank from nose to tail. When he finished she moved her hands.
"I just wanted you to feel like you did something," he teased.
She smacked his side playfully.
"Hold this," he said.
She held the template for him as he turned the blank over to trace the other side.
"You do it," he said taking the template from her.
"No, I don't want to fuck up your work that you have to sell."
"This is just another prototype."
"I don't know-"
He kissed her and those soft lips of his made her brave.
"Line it up on the stringer line…"
She did what she was told and he handed her the pencil. She traced around the template nervously.
"Perfect," he said rewarding her with another kiss. The butterflies in her belly moved up to her chest. Those gentle lip pressings were doing something to her thoughts. Her eyes stayed glued to his thick fingers as he put on his mask. She did the same and he took out a jigsaw and cut away the excess foam he didn't need around the board.
Erik secured clamps around the blank board and switched out the jigsaw for an electric planer. He was delicate with the board as he used the planer on both sides of the board. When he reached the softer white foam under the harder surface, he switched out to using finger planers for precision.
Sabine watched with deep respect the work Erik put into making his own boards. She was caught in the trance of his hands and fingers as he shaped the image in his mind onto the material he fondled. She found it incredibly sexy. It was time-consuming, but she loved sitting on the metal stool near him and watching the muscles in his arms flex, loved watching him bent over the board smoothing his hand across the surface like he was caressing a woman's body. Her body.
When he moved into shaping the curve of the rails, he stopped to look at her.
"Is it boring yet?"
"No."
He glanced at the clock above the wall near them.
"I'll work on these rails a little more and then we can head back to the house. I'll pick up dinner on the way back. Thai okay?"
"Yeah. Take your time."
He took off his mask and sat it on the board. He walked over to her and lifted hers off.
"What?" she asked.
He wrapped his arms around her shoulders.
"I like having you here watching me."
"I'm learning a lot."
"Good. I'ma have you design your own board."
"Really?"
"Yeah. A surfer should try to make at least one board in their lifetime. Nothing like riding on something you made yourself."
He stared into her eyes and she became soft inside all over again. His lips joined hers once more but this time, his tongue sought out the inside of her mouth and the sudden rush of intensity startled her as she threw her arms around his neck. He had her panting and her panties sticking to her folds by the time he pulled back from her.
"Stay with me again tonight."
"It's a school night."
He shrugged.
"You can sleep in while I get the kids off to school. Yvette has errands to run and she has to check on the house in La Jolla since Calista is gone. We can be alone and I can give you your New Year's gift."
"New Year's gift?"
"Yeah…me."
Sabine threw her head back and laughed and Erik's lips found her neck and sucked on it. Her legs kicked out as she felt her toes curl in her shoes.
"Erik, don't start nothing you can't finish in here—"
"I can give you some dick right now if you want it—"
"Erik!" she laughed.
Sabine pushed him back and he held onto her waist.
"You'll stay with me?"
"One more night, but I have stuff to do. Laundry. Meet up with Stacy and get back to work…training…"
Her voice trailed off as his mouth found her neck again planting little promises of more pleasure later.
"I can't wait to taste you again," he sighed in her ear.
Sabine felt her lips pucker up as he nibbled on her earlobe.
"I want you to sit on my face…cum all in my mouth…" he whispered.
"Fuck…Erik…"
Sabine rested a palm on the back of his neck as his fingers squeezed her breasts through her shirt.
"Best believe I'ma be all in your pussy tonight…"
"Erik…"
His fingers pinched her nipples through her bra. He stopped and looked down at her face. Erik dazzled her with his big toothy smile and she stroked his neck.
"I can't believe I actually have you," he said.
He ran his right thumb across her cheek right under her eye.
"I'm still tripping," he said.
"Me too."
"I know it's soon, but you can stay with us anytime you want, Sugar. You like to bounce around and we're both going to be coming and going a lot. But you can have a base."
Erik reached into his front pants pocket and pulled out a key.
"The alarm code is Marina's birthday. My bed is your bed now."
"Damn…"
She stared at the key.
"Take it," he insisted.
Palming the key, Sabine held it for a moment before stuffing it in her own pocket.
"Thank you."
"Stay whenever you want. Yvette would love the company. The kids will be in and out for school and other activities. You know I want you with me as much as we can be together."
She kissed him and gave him another hug before she hopped down from the stool.
"Let's get out of here and get some food," he said.
Sabine helped him put things away and before he hung up the unfinished board, she ran her hands across the smoothness.
"You have so much talent," she said.
He winked at her and walked into the workshop restroom to wash his hands. He wiped down his clothes a bit and he held out his hand to her. She rested her hand inside of his and let him lead her to the rest of their day.
###
It was a routine of sorts.
Sabine slept with Erik nearly every night for their first month together in his bed.
Their bed now.
Deuce and Marina adjusted to her regular presence no different than they had been with her in Baja California. Erik's doctor and his sponsors made him take January and February off to heal completely. They didn't want to chance him competing and messing up the rest of the year. The Pro Tour didn't officially start until April, but Erik wanted to compete in a few qualifying series events just to get up to speed. He decided to make March his official start of the year. It made Erik happy, and he spent his time being a total house Dad and attentive boyfriend. Yvette stayed in Calista's house a lot allowing the third floor of the house to be their private love nest and Erik took advantage of that with her. At one point, Sabine had to ban Erik from her pussy just to give it a rest. Her young athletic body could not handle the loving he was bringing down on her and she tapped out too many times until she had to put him on timeout. For her vagina's sake.
The newness of everything thrilled her, and his touches and kisses…all that thickness between his legs had her gasping and crying out so much that it scared her. She never had loving that strong before. Physically or mentally. Erik doted on her and the children and she felt spoiled rotten by it.
She could use any of his cars, even the new all-electric silver Porsche Taycan he bought to reward himself for following the doctor's orders. Several times she and Stacy would pick up Asia and Yolanda and go turbocharging up and down San Diego to go clubbing in that car. Erik went extra deep inside of her on those nights she came home, reminding her to keep her hot to trot ass in check. She was always a little extra vocal during those heated sessions bouncing on his dick.
Erik also coached the hell out of her.
With the kids out of the house, he drove her to the good waves wherever they were in San Diego and made her do practice heats. Bruce was summoned to the house to train her in Erik's home gym. There was still no word on his or Colin's relationship, and she didn't ask about it although she did see Colin a few times at Surfgeist when she worked on her underwater training and kickboxing again. Colin was friendly with her and seemed happy to see her using his facility again, but she kept their interactions brief. In the middle of January, she flew out for the Florida Pro qualifying series and made an impressive second-place showing. She didn't get down on herself too much losing to a Florida native because her body and mind were on Erik and the kids. The moment she returned to San Diego, Erik was on her ass as her strict coach and by the end of February when she flew to Australia to compete, she made damn sure to come home with a first-place win in time for her birthday.
Deuce and Marina baked her a strawberry cake with vanilla cream cheese frosting and she was impressed that they cooked chicken Marsala with fancy mushrooms for her at the house inviting her parents and friends. Sabine found herself watching her parents closely as Erik gave them a tour of the house, but she settled into the idea that they had accepted him as her man. She spent more time with Erik at the beginning instead of their home, and by her birthday she was completely moved in with him and his children whenever she was in town. She traveled three times a month out of the country to compete and do promotional work for Maverick and her body finally embraced the taxing schedule it took. All the work was to get her invited to the big show.
Eating her cake and enjoying her family and friends admiring her first-place trophy, Sabine mentally packed for Tahiti next. Belmira called her to wish her a happy day and it was a delight to be back on good terms with her Bad Cat homie. She missed her and promised to fly out to watch her compete in her first Pro Tour appearance in April.
"Hey, you look like you are in deep thought," Belinda said nudging Sabine's arm.
The party had moved to the patio and the ping pong doubles tournament that was happening between Cedro and Robert against Deuce and Yvette. Thus far, Deuce and Yvette were whipping Papi and her brother to an inch of their lives.
Sabine watched them from the dining room window that faced out onto the patio.
"Just a little tired," Sabine said.
"You and Erik look happy. The kids too."
"We are. Sometimes it feels like I'm only here for a few minutes before I'm off again."
"Everyone's getting along?"
"Yeah. It felt fast…staying here so much. I know you and Papi probably talked about it—"
"No, we didn't. I think Baja let us see that this was going to be a reality. As long as you and the children are doing well, then Erik must be doing what needs to be done. We don't have to worry so much anymore. We know him better. He's a good man, Baby."
"Thank you."
Belinda's eyes glanced at Deuce as he smacked the ping pong past Robert. Marina ran after the ball to fetch it for them so the game could continue.
"Mommy?" Sabine said.
Belinda's eyes held concern.
"She's coming back soon."
Sabine sighed and sat back in the dining chair.
"Next week."
"Does she know?"
"He told her. I'm not ready to face her."
"You can't hide from the mother of his children."
"I know. I did nothing wrong and yet…the circumstances are just…"
Sabine stared at her hands.
"She thinks this is just a short fling."
"Is it?" Belinda asked.
"No. It's real. We make it so real, Mommy."
"What are you worried about the most?"
"I worry that she'll act a fool. Or use the kids to guilt Erik. He doesn't want her to have joint custody anymore. He transferred Deuce to Mission Bay yesterday. He's looking around here for a school to place Marina in."
"Why doesn't he want her to share custody?"
"He feels that she is unfit."
"Is she?"
"I don't know her. I've only seen her at her worst or most flakey. I can't make a judgment like that. Deuce and Marina want to be with their Dad."
"That should tell you something."
"It does. But she could be better and I think he should give her a chance to prove herself. At least wait a few months. But I'm just his girlfriend. I don't have a say in that."
"He listens to you, right?"
"He does."
"Tell him that."
"It's not my place—"
"You share a home and help care for the children. It is your place to give an opinion. He can do with it what he wants, but you do have a voice."
Her mother regarded her with more warmth.
"He's taking good care of you," Belinda said.
Sabine smiled.
"He is. I think we've sorted out how to separate the coach and boyfriend stuff now. The balance is so on point. He's helping me make my own surfboard."
"Yeah?"
Sabine nodded and twiddled her fingers.
"What's wrong?" Belinda asked.
Sabine touched her face and felt out of sorts for a moment.
"Sugar?"
Belinda reached out and touched her hand.
"Have you ever had things go so good that you get scared that something bad will happen to ruin it? Sometimes I feel like I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop. Part of it is Calista, part of it is me living this dream life now. I want to pinch myself all the time—"
"Stop. Baby…enjoy this. You worked hard. You showed up. Accept your blessings."
"I do. I do. I just…"
Marina's laughter as Erik lifted her upside down and shook her caught Sabine's attention. Deuce ran into the house.
"You're up," he said.
"Let's go whoop their butts," Belinda said.
Sabine stood up and followed her mother out. They did not beat Deuce and Yvette, but they came close and she felt better moving around everyone.
"Happy Birthday, Ma," Erik said giving her a kiss on her cheek.
"I opened all my gifts already, but you told me I had another one coming?" she said.
"That's a special one. And you'll have it tomorrow. It's not something everyone can see. Just you and me."
"I thought you gave me that already this morning," she teased.
"Nah. This one…hmmm…this one is…we have to leave out of town for this one. A private theater experience."
"Ooh, a destination gift?!"
"Shhh…just be ready to go tomorrow by four."
"The kids?"
"Yvette will see to them. Overnight."
"Now I'm intrigued."
"You should be."
Sabine spent the rest of her birthday night wondering what Erik had planned. When the children were put to bed and Yvette had turned in, she pestered him about it.
"What should I wear?"
"Something sexy."
"I don't have time to buy anything."
"You have all kinds of clothes. Just wear that silky gray low-cut top I like with the black skirt."
Lying on their bed together, Sabine fretted about outfits and shoes.
"You won't give me one hint?" she begged.
Erik brushed his lips against her shoulder and she shivered from the contact.
"Please?" she whined.
"I have spoiled you too much. Haven't I?"
She pouted and batted her lashes at him. Erik reached under his pillow and pulled out a long pink satin jewelry box.
"This is your hint," he said.
Sabine opened the box.
"Ooh," she said.
Erik knew how to spend money.
The long delicate white-gold chain sparkled in her fingers. The end of the chain was twisted into an exquisite rope bundle.
Her eyes flicked back up to Erik's.
He took the necklace from her and placed it over her head and rested it between her breasts on her lavender camisole.
"Can you guess now?" he asked.
"A Shibari show?"
"A private one. Members only."
Sabine touched the necklace again.
"Thank you," she said.
She kissed his forehead.
Erik showed her his rope collection in his walk-in closet, but he never tied her up or spoke anymore about his love for rope binding. Sometimes, when he wasn't home, she would go into the closet and open up his dragon cabinet and stare at the pictures of his past lovers and study the intricate rope bondage. She tried to imagine him tying her up and she would get jealous of the women on the cabinet, her fingers itching to rip them out and throw them away.
Erik turned off the lights and he spooned around her. Sabine ran her fingers along his hands cradled on her stomach and heard his breathing deepen into a relaxed state as he fell asleep holding her.
She could barely fall asleep because of the anticipation.
###
They caught a flight to L.A. and a car service picked them up.
A sumptuous second birthday meal of Prime Ribeye and seafood was shared at The Penthouse on top of the Huntley Hotel in Santa Monica. Drinking champagne and fingering her gold bondage necklace, Sabine was wide-eyes and ready for anything with Erik.
After their dinner, Sabine expected to be driven to Hollywood or Beverly Hills or some swanky spot in Brentwood, but instead, they were driven down the 10 Freeway East and exited off of South Western Avenue into a working-class area that was a little rough around the edges. They made a left onto Adams Avenue. She kept quiet as the car drove them further east until they made a left onto a sketchy street filled with old Victorian homes converted into apartments. She felt a little better when the car stopped in front of a restored and well cared for three-story brown and green Victorian hidden behind a high gated yard and full bushes and tall imported trees.
Stepping out of the car, the house looked dark and silent. She instinctively reached for Erik's hand and squeezed it. He squeezed hers back and walked to the high wooden gate. He pressed a buzzer and the gate unlocked.
"You look great," he whispered to her before they entered the private home.
Inside, the décor was classic neo-Victorian chic with dark mahogany wood paneling and refurbished hardwood floors. Warm earth tone accents in the furniture and artwork made the house inviting.
Guests mingled throughout the first floor and there was a rich spread of designer finger foods mingled among the typical imported cheeses and meats Sabine had grown accustomed to. Pricey wines were available and Sabine helped herself to full-bodied red. She had the impression that people there knew one another well and Erik spoke to quite a few of them, introducing her by her birth name. She felt thrilled whenever he said, "This is my Lady, Sabine." She was thrilled to see that most of the guests were Black.
They walked into a part of the house that faced the opening of closed double doors that led to a large backyard. There were chairs spread around in a half-circle. A few people were already sitting facing an open circle.
A handsome Black man with a chiseled jaw and deep-set dark eyes walked into the circle. He cleared his throat and spoke loudly.
"May everyone please take your seats. The performance will begin shortly. Feel free to bring libations with you."
Erik snagged two good seats near the front. She could feel the crackling of anticipation in the air and she was amazed to see how many people were there as they crowded into the performance area. Those who were too slow to get seats had to stand around, and Sabine could feel the energy in the room pressing toward the circle. The lights dimmed until there were only two track lights illuminating the Black male announcer. He pulled out a thick black blanket and placed it on the floor.
"May I present to you all, Master Minahil and Jamila."
Stepping away from the circle, he stood behind an onlooker and the room became deathly quiet. For some reason, Sabine expected to hear music or something showy to accompany the introduction of the show, but two Black women stepped from the shadows. One was a deep brown-skinned beauty dressed in a soft gray form-fitting linen two-piece outfit and the other was a nude, light bronze-skinned lovely, busty, and full of curves that made Erik suck in a breath that she heard from his lips. The dressed woman tapped the naked one and the voluptuous honey dropped to her knees.
The announcer returned with two bundles of natural rope and handed them to Minahil. She took the ropes and unfurled one bundle. Her hands were reverent with the inch-thick length of binding material. Before anything was placed on the naked woman Jamila, Minahil bent down and kissed the woman on the lips and touched her face with a loving caress. Jamila's thighs spread and Sabine saw her waxed pussy lips part. Erik shifted in his chair. Sabine touched the necklace he gave her and she glanced at his face in the shadows. She could make out the parting of his lush lips and the deeper breaths he took.
Sabine turned to look at the women again and Erik threw his arm around her shoulder. She leaned into him craving the reassurance of his body next to hers. Her blouse opened up enough where he could see her breasts and his eyes danced across them before he turned his attention back to Minahil placing rope across the soft supple flesh of Jamila's breasts. The rope work was methodical, hypnotic, and several times Minahil stopped to check in with Jamila whose eyes glazed over. Minahil worked on the upper body first still using the single bundle of rope. Sabine leaned deeper into Erik and her voice hitched in her throat when she saw Jamila's folds glisten with arousal. Sabine's right hand dropped into Erik's lap and she felt the hard protrusion there straining against his slacks. He shifted again and his left hand clutched at Sabine's nipple deep inside her top. She could hear other people around them give soft breathy pants and sighs of longing. The air was tinged with an erotic need for release and Minahil took her time getting them there visually with her binding of Jamila's arms. Threading. Draping. Tugging. Pulling. Loving strokes. Murmurs in the ear. Soft kisses. Whimpering.
Sabine watched Minahil practice her craft for a spellbound audience.
Thirty minutes into the artistry, Sabine blinked several times.
Minahil.
Sabine knew this woman.
Erik gave a groan under his breath and Sabine closed her eyes.
Master Minahil was the woman inside Erik's dragon cabinet. The Black woman tied up nude with red rope.
Her man's old lover.
