"Turn me inside out, you make my heart speak
Need no one else, you're all I need
Personality, everything you do
Makes me love everything about you
Your smile, your style is so fly
I can't deny I got a crush on you
And that is true indeed and I'm diggin' you
You make me believe that
Your love is one in a million
It goes on and on and on
You give me a really good feeling, all day long…"
Aaliyah—"One in a Million"
Kris hadn't been feeding her ancestors.
Standing in the middle of her grandmother's home that had become her refuge in the west, she stared at the sad altar that she had created when she first arrived in Mariscal. It sat in the windowsill of her bedroom where it could receive the first light of the eastern sun.
A small clear glass bubble ball vase sat in the left corner of the sill on top of a rectangular cut of purple silk. Two small succulent plants in tiny green plastic pots rested against a dark blue empty wine bottle with two cut holes that held burned incense. One dark purple shot glass she bought in the Atlanta airport on a layover bumped against a few colored crystals. A half-burned stick of palo santo wood rounded out the simple offering.
The glass vase had been empty for weeks since Jordan had left. The shot glass bone dry. She had been too lazy to fill the vase with moon water or the shot glass with good Haitian rum. No wonder her head split with pain. Her long-dead relatives had been trying to get her attention for months and migraine-level tactics had to be deployed. She couldn't allow the inattention to go on or else she'd be struck down again with some other affliction to shake her up and shake her right.
It was time for a late summer cleansing. From top to bottom.
The first thing Kris did was to buy three brand new glass bottles with twist caps from Target. She boiled them, checked her calendar, and waited for the next full moon to arrive. Keeping her hair covered for three weeks, she went to work at TLS like normal and kept her interactions with Erik cordial but strictly platonic. He didn't seem to mind. The moment they returned to Texas, he was busy at the saloon and his family ranch. There was talk of him opening another bar in the next county and he made several trips with Blue down to Houston and Austin.
Her nights were spent hanging out with Rekia and two other servers. They went to the movies, out to eat in fancy bistros, and spent some fun times bowling in the heart of the city. The night before a new full moon was to arrive, she gathered the cleansing tools she needed to fix her home. Fresh herbs from the farmer's market and the small herb garden she grew in a wooden planter with a matching trellis out on the back porch. A new mop and broom that she bought and blessed. Fresh incense flavors of sage and citrus to charge up the air in her home.
She boiled, steeped, and strained her herbs then sat on her back porch to sip a glass of red wine as she waited for the sun to go down. The wine rich in flavor and deep aromas lulled Kris into a state of relaxed energy. She meditated on bible verses from the book of Psalms for hours until moonlight kissed her face. Walking back into the house, she picked up the three glass bottles that were full of distilled water. The lone tree in her backyard blocked some of the light from her back porch, so she grabbed an old ladder and leaned it against the house. She took her time going up and down the ladder carrying a blessed bottle and placed them all on the roof of the house so the moon could shine on them all night.
The next morning after retrieving the bottles and taking an herbal bath in the tub to clean herself properly, Kris made a moon water cleanser inside a large plastic bucket. Dumping in the essence of the herbal waters she steeped and mixing in the moon water, she scrubbed everything in the house from ceiling to floor, and from windows to furniture until her fingers pruned. It took her six hours to sweep, scrub, and later smudge down every room. Her body was full of sweat and aches, and by the time she finished by sprinkling homemade Florida Water on both porches, she had collapsed on her couch and fell into a deep bone-weary sleep. She awoke to a balmy evening and curled up into a ball and cried. Crickets chirped outside, and the sound of a neighbors laugh in the next home made her sit up and take stock of what she would do next.
Jordan had been so threaded into her being that not having him cleaved to her had her disoriented… floating rudderless in an open sea of doubt. She had a job that paid a decent wage for East Texas. She had time to write without distractions with the needs of someone else vanished. Kris pulled her knees up against her chest. The first thing she wanted to do was finish transcribing everything she recorded at the trail ride and compile them into various article pitches. She had enough material to do more than just a story about her riding. She would need to create a spreadsheet of upcoming calls for papers in journals and conferences across the country.
Kris took a shower and made herself a ham sandwich on wheat bread that she ate at her kitchen table. The house smelled pure… blessed. The quiet that had bothered her with Jordan's absence became a soft blanket of soothing comfort. For the next six months, she was going to concentrate on writing. She had her own income and place to call her own.
She bit into her sandwich as her cell vibrated on the table. The number on it was unfamiliar.
"Hello?"
"What are you doing, sis?"
Daniela's voice crackled to life on the speakerphone.
Kris grinned.
"I'm here too!"
Tamu's voice rang out loud in Kris's kitchen.
"We miss you! Are you doing okay?" Daniela said.
"I'm good—"
"We're coming out there to see you when we get our vacation time," Tamu shouted.
"When?"
"The Mariscal rodeo in November," Daniela said.
Kris chatted with the woman for over an hour and her spirit lifted. Talking to them had her yearning for more friends. Friends that were all her own and not connected to Jordan. Talking to Daniela and Tamu, much like talking to Rekia, let Kris know how much sisterhood she had missed out on over the years. She allowed most of her university friendships and childhood chums from back home to fall away in seven years.
She finished her meal and conversation and walked outside to sit on her porch steps in the early moonlight. Anticipation grew in her belly. Her cell buzzed again. Swiping chiggers from her legs and flying creepy crawlers buzzing by her nose, Kris stared at the avatar.
Erik.
She hadn't laid eyes on him for the last ten days and the fireflies dancing inside of her midsection made her nervous. A jittery finger swiped her phone.
"Hey," she said.
"Miss me?"
Why could she hear a smile in his voice? Was that even possible?
"Nobody misses you around here," she joked back.
"I'm coming into TLS this week. You wanna hang out after work and catch up one night?"
"Um… yeah, that'll be cool. Things working out for you?"
"I got some thangs brewing. Nothing too solid to share yet. I'll be back in Mariscal late tonight—"
"You're still out of town?"
She didn't mean to cut him off.
"You do miss me!"
Kris closed her eyes. She did miss him.
North Carolina had spoiled her with his time and attention. Being back in Texas made the real world place a buffer between them. As womanizing as he was, Erik ran two businesses and looked after his grandparents well. How he found the energy to get all the things he did in twenty-four hours done every day amazed her. When he was about his work, he was about his work. He was serious about it. His singular focus encouraged her to be about her business too. Penning words to paper and creating a body of work she could be proud of.
"See you tomorrow at work," he said.
He hung up before she could say goodbye and she was tempted to call him back just to listen to his voice once more. Her body still tingled when she thought of his hands all over her inside of his trailer. Returning to Mariscal had her exploring her body in ways she never did before. She and her clit were on a first-name basis and it didn't take her long to get excited and sexually stimulated just thinking about Erik. Every night found her fingers between her legs, her thighs wide open like butterfly wings as she brought herself to many orgasms. Her cries of self-pleasure boosted her confidence, and she carried that new cockiness with her to work.
She ogled men openly, wondering what was between their legs, wondering if their dicks hung left or right, wondering how their mouths would feel licking her vulva as she released on their tongues. She walked around TLS with sticky panties wedged in her folds. The men there must've been smelling her pheromones because they flirted with her harder even as their eyes brazenly raked across her breasts. Kris felt open sexually. In control.
Even as she kept Erik at a respectable distance to cultivate the closer friendship they were developing over the weeks, she had to admit that she wanted him. She feared he would switch up the moment he had her though. He was a conquering lion accustomed to bagging women and moving on when he was bored. She liked him as a friend. Cherished his family now that she knew them so much better. But there was a line in her head. If she crossed it with him, he would run soon after. She knew it in her gut. All his talk of her having him for herself sounded suspect. He wanted to fuck. She did too. The post-coital scared her. Erik could do friends with benefits, but she wasn't sure if she wanted that just yet. At least not with him.
Dragging herself into the house, she undressed and crawled onto her bed, her mind on Erik still. Playing with her breasts, Kris imagined his full lips cascading down her body. Before she knew it, she had four fingers crammed into her pussy and pressing forcefully against her wall until she shrieked Erik's name and spasmed all over her hand. She rolled into the fetal position and panted. Her orgasms took a lot out of her just by herself. She couldn't imagine having another with Erik deep inside of her. She would probably die. He was so intense.
Kris drifted off with her fingers snug against her mound with Erik's name falling from her lips.
The landline in the house woke her up. She didn't rise to pick it up, but the answering machine came on.
"Girl, where you at?"
Rekia's voice sounded worried.
Kris jumped up and checked her cell.
She was late for work.
A quick shower revived her, and she tied her hair up once more in a yellow head wrapped tucked at her nape. Throwing on a jean skirt and her new dark mahogany boots, she hooked on a sturdy bra and tossed on a brand new work shirt.
She burned rubber on the highway and trudged into TLS sheepish and apologetic. The noon lunch rush was in full swing, and Rekia was hustling trays of food and drinks.
"I'm here! I'm here! Sorry!"
Kris went to the small staff room, tossed her purse and keys into a metal locker, and slammed it shut. One spin of her combination lock and she was ready to hit the floor.
Erik was nowhere to be seen, but it was early.
Kris did her rounds in the main bar section and collected her large tips. She shook her hips to the music playing. By the time the live band had set up on stage and the scorching sounds of zydeco thundered inside the saloon, she had forgotten all about Erik. Until he swaggered in.
She was teasing a group of Mexican men with her simple Spanish and enjoyed their playful corrections to fix her rolling "r's" when her eyes landed on the entrance. One side of the double doors came open, and that man strolled in like the world was in his pocket. Kris stopped near the bar to watch him and when he rounded the packed section of patrons where she was standing, his eyes slid over to hers. Kris's heart thumped in her chest. His momentum shifted, and he moved toward her until two women who clamored for his attention as they held drinks in their hands blocked him.
The interruption gave Kris time to catch her breath, and she stood there with a hand on her chest like she had witnessed some favorite celebrity sighting. That had never happened before with him like that at that level. She actually had to step away for a moment and ask the bartender to give her a glass of water. Her mouth was dry, and she licked her lips several times to moisten them.
"Sup, shawty?"
Erik nudged her with his arm and she had to step back because he smelled so damn good, and looked even better. Tight black Burberry button-down shirt that accentuated his chest and biceps. Expensive dark designer jeans and brown Nolan Brogue boots rounded out his work ensemble. He cuffed the sleeves with his hands as he eyed her with curiosity.
Kris gave him a head nod and a smile. Erik glanced around and moved closer to her lowering his head to her face.
"You were on my mind all day."
His lips were right there.
A trickle of sweat trailed down her back and her breath intake quickened. She swallowed the bit of spittle in her mouth and fought the urge to kiss him in front of the bar. He must've sensed her desire because he straightened up quickly and moved behind the bar. Washing his hands at the bar sink, he stepped into his role as bartender and left her to fend for herself.
The evening progressed, and the saloon jumped with music and mirth. She couldn't keep her eyes off of him. She caught him checking her out too. Once, when she cleared some bar tabs at the bar register, he eased past her and allowed his groin to rub against her backside. She pushed back into him and he winked at her as she sauntered away.
On his cigar break, she watched Erik leave the building. Quickly going to the kitchen, she requested chicken street tacos and a coke for him. No one questioned her because she or Rekia usually took it out to him in the evening. She grabbed the carton when his food and drink were ready and strolled out of TLS heading for Erik's truck. He stood against the front of his Chevy fishing for his lighter, his cigar fixed in his other hand.
"Snack?" she offered holding up the carton and soda.
A grin spread his thick lips. He pulled out his keys and tapped his truck alarm.
"Get in," he said.
Kris walked around the vehicle and climbed into the passenger seat. She was surprised when he started the truck and drove them to another part of staff parking that was further away. He took the tacos from her and she watched him eat and drink. It didn't take long to finish.
"Thank you," he said wiping his hands with the wet wipes she brought in her pocket.
"You're welcome."
"Why are you acting all shy?"
"I'm not acting shy."
"You keep looking away from me."
"You were eating. I don't want to watch your mouth all open with food."
"There's no food in my mouth now."
Her gaze flitted back over to his face. He reached over and stroked her right knee.
"Leg all jumpy… what's going on?"
"Nothing."
He leaned in closer. She held her breath.
His eyes glinted with mischief.
"Penny for your thoughts," he whispered.
His scent, the curve of his lips, and the hunger in his eyes weakened her. Her fingers went around his neck and she kissed him, allowed the fleshy softness of her mouth to overwhelm him. Erik's left arm went to her waist and held her there.
They kissed for their entire break, necks moving slowly side to side, tongues delving in fiery mouths, fingers giving soft tiny circles on necks and thighs. Erik broke away first with a soft sigh. He glanced down at his crotch.
"You go back in. I gotta wait until this goes down," he laughed.
Her eyes cascaded down to where his hand pushed down on the erection poking a tent in his jeans. Kris rubbed her fingers across it and Erik's body went stiff. He grabbed her hand.
"Don't start anything, girl… oh shit…"
Kris squeezed his length then unfastened his belt.
"Kris…"
Erik's voice went deeper, and she looked up at him. Glassy eyes stared her down and his sexy mouth looked wanton and ready for more of her wet kisses. He didn't stop her from zipping down his jeans as she freed his dick from his pale gray boxer briefs. Erik pulled her in close as her delicate hands wrapped around his tip and stroked down to his balls. She ran her right index finger over his slit as it released a copious amount of pre-cum. Using it to lubricate his length, she watched his eyes watch her hand. Kris kept moving slowly with deliberate twists under his frenulum, the thick ridge making her mouth water. Fat and juicy is what she played with and once he groaned out loud and pressed his cheek against hers, she knew she had him under her spell.
Erik reached out and placed his hand over hers, and they stroked together in a steady rhythm. More pre-cum oozed out and spilled over their fingers making them slick and sticky. When Erik's head fell back on the seat, Kris let the tip of her tongue dart across the head before giving little kisses that made him rest his right hand on the back of her neck.
"Put it in your mouth."
He wasn't asking.
It was a command.
He reached down under his seat and made it move back with the touch of a button. She did the same with her seat. She sat up on her knees and positioned herself over his lap and engulfed the head of his dick. Erik lifted his hips a little and made her take more and she gagged. Pushing down on his stomach, she bobbed her head in his lap. Unlike Jordan's slender dick, Erik's had girth, and it took her a long time to handle it all without choking each time she slid her lips down toward his groin. She went down too far and a waterfall of saliva erupted from her mouth as she raised up to relax her throat. Her eyes were blurry and Erik rubbed the side of her face.
"You alright?" he chuckled.
"It's a lot."
"You were working it. Keep going."
He urged her to lower her face again.
"Take this off," he whispered tugging on her shirt.
She pulled it off and unfastened her bra too.
"Fuck," he hissed reaching out to caress her softness with his calloused hand.
Kris went back to her former position as Erik repositioned his seat again to lower the back. Letting her breasts hang over his waist, she licked the sides of his dick and found her arousal deepening as he moaned and encouraged her.
"Look how you're doing that dick… baby… damn…"
Her eyes caught sight of his cell phone next to his waist. She raised up.
"Shit, I'm really late getting back—"
"Girl, you betta finish this—"
"Erik, I'm on the clock now—"
"And I own the place… finish taking care of this shit, girl."
"Blue will get mad—"
"Blue works for me."
She ran her fingers across her lips.
"I wish you could see how fine you look sitting there with them titties out. Like a Playboy Bunny."
He reached out and touched her hoop earrings then rubbed a knuckle across her head wrap.
"Sexy," he said.
His right hand went to his length, and he fisted himself. He stared at her breasts and she jiggled them just enough to make him twist his lips.
"Lemme fuck your face, baby. I wanna nut all down your throat."
Kris went down on him, and Erik draped his right arm across her naked back. He buried his hand under her skirt and slid her panties to the side. She gasped and released his dick from her mouth when she felt his fingers penetrate her. She was slick with arousal and they both could hear his digits pleasuring her. She whimpered in her throat and thrust back on his hand.
"You want this dick in your pussy, huh?" he asked.
Her head dropped forward, and she swirled her tongue around his tip.
"Yeah, you want this dick in there. So wet… ooh… tight pussy…"
His cell phone vibrated.
Erik reached for his side, glanced at the phone, then gave a loud sigh.
"Hold on, baby," he said.
He touched his phone screen and raised it to his ear.
"Yeah, w'sup?"
Kris could hear the voice on the phone. It was Blue. Looking for her.
"She's on her way back," Erik said.
He hung up.
"Why are you putting your clothes back on?"
Bra hooked together once more, Kris snatched up her shirt and pulled it over her head. She tightened her head wrap and swiped her lips. Tugging on her panties she fixed her skirt and pressed the seat button to return the passenger seat back to its original position.
"I have to finish my shift."
"This ain't over."
Kris dropped down from his truck and shut the door. She ran back to the entrance and headed to the restroom to wash her hands and rinse her mouth. The rest of her night working was hectic but ended quickly. She left TLS with Erik mixing drinks and watching her go home.
Because she didn't work the late shift, Kris was able to catch her favorite TV show and snack on Cheetos before midnight in her favorite saffron yellow t-shirt. A loud rumble outside made her turn her TV down. She jumped up from her couch and went to the living room window and pulled back the old pale blue curtains her grandmother wouldn't let her replace. Erik's big orange truck took up space in front of her house.
She opened the front door and stood barefoot watching him step out of his ride.
"What are you doing here so late?"
His long legs bounded her steps. He lifted her up with one arm.
"Whatchu think?"
She grinned, and he carried her inside slamming the front door shut with his foot.