*in Stinkmeaner's voice* WHAAAAT'S GOOOOD NIGGAAAA?! WHAT'S REEAALLY GOOD?! XD XD XD
HEY GIRL HEYYYY! I'M BACKKK! Back with another chapter and a WHOLE bunch of heat! I wish I had time to do shoutouts but I'm just gonna cut it short! I appreciate EVERY SINGLE ONE of ya'll reviews! And I'm thankful for the compliments and support! I hope I don't disappoint with this chapter!
WARNING! LEMON AHEAD!
Enjoy!
The following day after their date, Huey spent nearly all day on his sign language app trying to find the sign Jazmine used. He went through almost the entire dictionary and couldn't find diddly-squat. He kept replaying her motions in his head over and over again. It was really bothering him that he didn't know this and there was only one other person he could contact.
Huey barged into Riley's room, which was a complete pig stye, and found him on his computer.
"What the fuck nigga?! You don't KNOCK?!" Riley spun around in his chair.
"Shut it. I need Trisha's number." Huey started hopping over the distorted clothes and food wrappers on the floor.
"FOR WHAT NIGGA?! You ain't finna be hittin' on MY piece nigga! Ain't you supposed to be gettin' wit' Jazmine deaf ass?!" Riley shouted.
"RILEY! This is fucking important! Nah I'm not hitting on her! I just gotta ask her a damn question!" Huey gave him his phone and waited for him to take it.
Riley looked him up and down and just shook his head, taking the phone and putting her number in it.
"Here, nigga! Don't be getting' no ideas mothafucka! You my brother and all, but I'm stingy 'bout mines!" Riley pointed to himself.
"Shut the hell up, Riley. Damn! And clean this shit up! No female wants a messy nigga either!" Huey kicked Riley's clothes out of the way as he made his way out.
"Don't be kickin' my shit nigga!" Riley shouted.
"Then what are they doing on the floor?" Huey said continuing to kick them out of his way.
"MOTHAFU!..." Riley let out before Huey slammed the door behind him.
He went back to his room and hit the 'Call' button by her number. She picked up after the fourth ring.
"Hello?" Trisha answered.
"Hello, Trisha. This is Huey Freeman." He introduced.
"Oh! Hey, Huey! How's it going?" Trisha greeted.
"I've had better days. But listen, I got your number from Riley because I had a question about Jazmine…more like about what she signed really. I thought you could probably help me out." Huey asked in a stale tone.
He was a snob about asking others for help. He was used to getting along on his own and never really needed help with anything. But now, with Jazmine, he felt completely lost and helpless. He didn't like it.
"Hmmm, okay. Yeah, I'd be happy to help. Although, it would be better if we met in person so I can see what you mean." Trisha suggested.
"Alright. Where should I meet you?" Huey asked.
"I'll shoot you my address. It's only 5 minutes from where you guys are. When you're here just text me."
"Okay. I'll be there soon."
They both hung up and Huey grabbed his keys and coat and headed out the door.
The drive was in fact five minutes and he pulled up to her apartment building. He text her letting him know he arrived and one minute later, he saw her open the front door for him. She saw his car and waved for him to come.
Huey got out and made his way across the parking lot, entering the door with her.
"How's it going?" Trisha asked as she led him up to the second story.
"It's going." Huey followed her and into her apartment.
There was furniture set up but still boxes stacked up in the conjoint kitchen and in the living room. There were a dozen paintings leaning up against the wall and what looked to be a pottery spinning wheel right in the middle of the room. There was also a wine rack in the back wall with not a slot vacant and…she was listening to opera?
"Excuse the mess! I'm still trying to organize my art space," Trisha hurriedly began to clear up the scattered boxes and packaging debris off of the furniture.
"An artist's mind is never organized." Huey pointed out.
"Touché!" Trisha pointed at him. "But I wouldn't dare call myself an artist." She shrugged as she went to her Bluetooth speaker and turned it off. "Can I get you anything?"
"No thanks. I'm good." Huey politely declined. "Turandot right?" Huey named the opera, much to Trisha's shock.
"That's right!" Trisha acknowledged. "Impressive, Freeman! I know what you're thinking; The pottery, wine, paintings, opera." Trisha giggled. "Real Italian, I know."
"No, I think it's very cultured." Huey complimented.
"Thanks," Trisha said sitting down on the couch. "So, Jazmine told me you planned to show her the city yesterday. I hope all went well."
"For the most part, yes." Huey answered sitting down on the chair across from her. He was about to speak but he hesitated. "Look, I'm not all about telling my business, but you're closer to Jazmine than anybody else, and I don't know who else to ask about this."
"I promise, it stays between me and you. As an interpreter, I am sworn to complete confidentiality.
But as a friend, I will do everything I can to help." Trisha said as she scooted closer to the edge of the couch.
"Cool. Well," Huey rested his elbows on his knees and clasped his hands together. "Last night, she had gotten pretty upset. I thought it was something I did, but she told me it wasn't." Huey struggled for the right words to use next. Trisha leaned in forward, listening intently. "She had signed something to me that I couldn't catch on. I do know she signed 'I am…", but I couldn't figure out the last word. I searched all on my ASL app and on the internet, but no luck."
"I see," Trisha nodded. "Do you remember the gesture she used? Then I can tell you."
Huey nodded and faced more directly towards her. He put his hands out in front of him and began to sign 'I am…' and paused a second to remember how exactly she moved her hands as to demonstrate correctly.
He moved his hands the same way she did, with the same emotion. Trisha's eyes widened as she sat up straighter.
"She..She signed that to you? Are you sure?" Trisha asked.
"Yes. It's been replaying in my head all day. Why? What does it mean?" Huey leaned in in anticipation.
"It means…mourning," Trisha informed him. Huey sat back in disbelief.
"Mourning… " Huey repeated. Trisha nodded. "I'm sure you can guess what I'm going to ask next."
"That I can't tell you." Trisha shook her head. Huey gave her his signature scowl. "You can give me that look all you want. I'm still not gonna tell you," Trisha shrugged unbothered.
Huey sighed in frustration and stood up, walking to the opposite wall where the paintings were stacked behind each other. He pulled one back to see it was a Roman portrait of some kind.
"Is that how she became mute? The person she is mourning for?" Huey asked looking back over at her. Trisha nodded.
"And then some," Trisha added.
"What is that supposed to mean? You're not giving me a lot to go off of," Huey crossed his arms.
"Listen, Jazmine has been through a lot," Trisha stated standing up as well. "And I know you wouldn't be here if you didn't care about her. But you have to understand, the burden is all hers. It's not my secret to tell. And it's more than you think."
"I'm honestly lost when it comes to her. I feel like I'm walking on thin ice. Everything I do seems to be wrong." Huey said.
"That's because you don't know her story, Huey. But I'm honestly shocked that she freely told you she's in mourning. She doesn't let anybody know." Trisha walked up to Huey and sighed. "Don't worry. I'll talk to her. But you have to promise me something."
"Depends on what it is," Huey raised his eyebrow. Trisha crossed her arms and gave him a serious look. "Alright fine. What is it?"
"You have to promise, that if she tells you, you won't look at her any differently. That you won't see her as a victim, or someone to be sympathized. She hates that more than people who feel like they have to talk for the both of them." Huey nodded in agreement. "Say it." Huey rolled his eyes as he huffed.
"I promise, I won't look at her as a victim." Huey muttered. Trisha grinned as he brushed her arm kindly. "Thank you."
"You're welcome. And good luck," Trisha replied.
"Thanks."
"I'll walk you out," Trisha led him out of the living room and down the stairs.
Jazmine stayed in bed all day, crying. She squeezed a pillow close as she sobbed in fetal position. She didn't eat, she hardly slept, she didn't answer her phone. She just lied awake, having crying episodes every other hour.
Every time she thought of Huey's embrace, their kiss, and his wanting her to be his, her past memories shut him out and tormented her further, like her own conscience wouldn't allow her to think of him in that way.
When she imagined Huey's face, she saw Matthew's. When she imagined the touch of his hands, she could feel his instead. When she thought of Huey's voice, she heard his voice ringing in her ears. She felt trapped in her own mind and she didn't know how to escape.
Wednesday came, and Trisha came knocking on her door. She waited a few moments, and no answer. She shook her head as she pulled out her phone and FaceTimed her. The phone was ringing, so that meant her phone is in fact on. Jazmine didn't answer, along with the other fifty-eleven calls she's ignored. Trisha banged on the door harder this time.
"I know you're in there! Even if you won't pick up the phone!" Trisha shouted through door, her Jersey accent peaking through. Jazmine peeped out from under her comforter, but ignored her and rolled back over. "JAZMINE!" Trisha began knocking continuously. "MAHHDOONNNN! IF YOU DON'T GET YO ASS UP AND ANSWER THIS GOD DAMNED DOOR!" Trisha's knocks picked up pace along with strength until she was basically pounding it.
Jazmine rolled her eyes and slowly rose out of bed and got out. She put on her purple satin robe and house slippers and went to the front door, unlocking it and swinging it open.
"Jesus Christ! What happened to you?!" Trisha asked in her Jersey accent. "Girl were you held hostage or something?"
Jazmine just gave her a dull look. Did she really just drag her out of bed after nearly breaking her door down, just to critique how she looked? Yeah, she knew she looked rugged, but she was very close to slamming the door in her face.
'What do you want, Trish. I'm not in a good mood,' Jazmine signed.
"What do I want?! You told me to come today for work, remember?" Trisha shot back sliding past Jazmine and into the house. "And why are you in such a bad mood?"
Jazmine just huffed and went back to her room. Trisha followed her and watched her plop back down on the bed face first in a starfish position. Trisha just smirked and shook her head as she sat on the edge of the bed next to her.
"Is it Huey?" Trisha knowingly asked.
'Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding!' Jazmine pointed her finger towards the ceiling repeatedly, without lifting her face from the mattress.
"Oh man..Hon' what happened? Was it that bad?" Trisha scooted closer to her until her foot knocked over an empty glass bottle. Trisha reached down and picked up an empty Pinot Grigio wine bottle, with just barely a swallow left. "What the?... Jazmine really?" Jazmine peeped up at her with one eye like a guilty three-year old. "Barefoot wine? This shit is garbage!" Trisha put it back down on the floor.
The both of them gave a hearty laugh. Jazmine sat up and pushed her hair behind her ear.
"So what happened?" Trisha gave her a calm and empathetic look.
'Trish, it was going SO well! He took me to go see art, we went to Town Center, the Science Museum, we walked around the Plaza. I even got him to take a picture with me!' Jazmine searched through her bed to find her phone. When she did she pulled up photos of them and showed them to her.
"Oh, wow!" Trisha stopped on the last photo, where they wee looking at each other, with what looked to be love in their eyes. "Jaz, honey, these are extremely cute! You two look like one of those Instagram couples, except this isn't just for no clout! You guys look so good together!" Trisha complimented handing her back her phone. "Okay soo? What else happened?"
'Then we went to a coffee shop and we just sat and drank tea, enjoying each other's company. Then he took me to our favorite childhood spot and….' Jazmine stopped.
"Aaannnnd?..." Trisha gestured her hand for her to continue.
Jazmine pointed from her right shoulder to her left shoulder with her index finger, followed by flattening her hand and touching the corner of her mouth to her cheek. Trisha's eyes widened and she hopped off of the bed.
"YOU GUYS KISSED!?" Trisha screamed.
Huey DEFINITELY left that part out.
"OhmygodOhmygodOhmygodOhmygod! No way! No fuckin' wayyy!" Trisha jumped up and down excitedly. "Wait, was it good?!" Jazmine smirked as she shyly nodded her head yes. "Tell me then! How did you feel girl?"
'Like I was on cloud 9. It was so…intimate. For once I felt so sure of myself…until,' Jazmine got choked up and she almost began to cry again. 'I couldn't help but cry!' Jazmine sloppily signed in between sniffles.
"Oh no…no no no, hey come on, Jaz don't do that," Trisha hugged her and rubbed her back trying to comfort her. "So, what happened? Did you guys stop? Or what?" Jazmine sat up and wiped her tears from her face.
'Yeah we stopped!' She gave her a 'duh' look. 'After I done ruined the mood! He took me home and he told me that he was sorry if he crossed the line or whatever. But I told him…I liked it very much.'
"Okay! So that's good then!" Trisha said.
'But I let him know I'm not ready yet.' Jazmine reaffirmed her.
"I know…" Trisha said. Jazmine gave her a confused look.
'You know what?' Jazmine asked.
"Huey came over yesterday and told me that you had signed to him you were mourning, but he didn't know what the sign meant at the time. So he came to ask me about it." Trisha informed her. Jazmine looked like she was about to get upset but Trisha quickly spoke before her. "I DIDN'T tell him anything! Only what the sign meant! I would never betray you like that Jaz."
'Right, but I signed it to him quickly because I didn't WANT him to know what it meant!' Jazmine palmed her forehead. 'Now he's going to want to know why!'
"Because he cherishes you, Jazmine. He only wants to get to know you, outside of the many years you two were separated. You need to tell him, hon'."
'I don't know how to. I haven't spoken about that night in five years. You're the only one who knows, outside of my parents.' Jazmine sighed deeply. 'He wants to be with me Trish. He really does. But how do I let him?'
"Well, J. I think you just stated the problem and solution yourself. You haven't spoken about it for that long. You haven't spoken your truth. You keep it all bottled inside. You can't expect to find peace with this until you're at peace with yourself. Speaking the truth will set you free more than you can imagine Jazmine."
'I'm afraid, Trisha,' Jazmine admitted.
"Of what? Letting a man love you? Letting yourself be happy? Finally freeing yourself from fear? Jazmine you are stronger than that."
'I don't want to be hurt again! I'm afraid to latch on to somebody just to have them ripped away from me again! Yes, it's been five years! But I still feel his presence everywhere I go! I replay that night every day in my head. I can't let it go.'
'Is it worth living in misery for the rest of your life? Is that what Matthew would have really wanted? Ask yourself that! I know you still carry him in your heart, as you should hon'. But it's okay to move on. No one is telling you you have to go out and marry this man tomorrow. From what I've seen, Huey is a real gentleman. He would wait on you hand and foot until you are ready. I'm sure of it. But you gotta tell him babe.' Trisha signed.
Jazmine thought of her words carefully. It sounded like they've had this talk a million times…probably because they have. But this time, it was completely different. She may have actually found someone who she wanted to move on with. But she was still fearful from the past, and maybe speaking on it (actually signing about it) would give her that kick in the butt she desperately needed.
'Okay…I'll do it. I'm going to tell him. Will you be there with me?' Jazmine asked.
'I can if you want…but I honestly believe this is something you must do on your own girl,' Trisha signed as she held her hand.
'But how is he going to understand me? I know he doesn't know much sign yet, and it will take me forever to write it all down. If you're not there to interpret, then how am I going to tell it?' Jazmine asked.
"Hold on…let me think," Trisha said as she tapped her fingers on the mattress. A couple moments went by before she thought of the solution. "I GOT IT!" She yelled as she clasped her hands together. "So, you're going to skip work today, you're gonna go upstairs, go into your office, and write out your story as best as you can. Think it over, take your time, and make it solid and don't be afraid to include your feelings, and thoughts. And then, you give it to me, you voice-record me reading it, and take it with you to play for him. You sign along with the audio, so it will still be you reading your words. My voice will just be interpreting the story for you…how does that sound?"
Jazmine simply smiled and hugged her best friend.
'That sounds perfect.' Jazmine made two 'OK' signs with her hands.
"Alright." Trisha smiled. "Then get up there and get to writing."
Jazmine sighed and hopped out of bed and headed upstairs into her office. However, as soon as she had the pen and paper in front of her, her mind went totally blank. Her memories flew right through her head at a million miles per hour. And the more she strained to think about it, the more painful it became. This may be harder than she thought.
Four whole hours passed before Trisha came up to check on Jazmine. When she opened the door, there were at least a dozen crumbled up drafts of paper thrown everywhere. But Jazmine was well underway finishing the final draft of her story. She could see tears streaming down Jazmines cheeks as she wrote, with small sniffles escaping her nose. Jazmine was so into her writing, she didn't notice Trisha entering her office. So Trisha decided not to interrupt her, and sat down in the armchair.
Jazmine wiped the final tears from her eyes and clicked her pen, indicating she was finished. She sat back in her chair and sighed deeply. Trisha got up and stood on the other side of her desk, picking up the papers.
There were six pages of single-spaced, perfectly marginalized, beautifully handwritten paragraphs, front to back. Sadly, there were tear-stains on the outer margins on almost every page.
"You ready?" Trisha asked softly.
Jazmine took another deep breath and nodded her head.
Huey and Riley were chilling out in the living room. Riley was playing video games while Huey read a book. Robert was out on a date with Ebony for the night so it was just them in the house. Until they heard their doorbell ring. Huey closed his book and went to open it. He was shocked to see Jazmine standing there, with Trisha not far behind her.
"Jazmine…Trisha, please come in," Huey stepped out of the way and held the door open for them. Jazmine eyed Huey nervously as she stepped through the doorframe. He noticed the papers in her hand, but didn't pay it any mind right at the moment. "Can I get you two anything?"
"No thanks, Huey, I'm good." Trisha answered. Jazmine simply shook her head. "But Jazmine, here, would very much like to talk to you…in private?" Trisha hinted.
"Yeah, not a problem…RILEY!" Huey shouted, making both women jump.
"WHAT NIGGA!? YOU JUST MADE ME LOSE GOT DAMMIT!" Riley stormed into the main hallway but paused when he saw Trisha. "Awh…hey," he said in a much smoother tone.
"Hey," Trisha's voice fell soft. A long silence fell over the four of them, while Huey and Jazmine eyed back and forth between Riley and Trisha.
"Riley, why don't you take Trisha for a spin in Dorothy. Give us a minute," Huey reached into his pocket and tossed him the keys.
"Shoo, dat's a bet bro," Riley nearly took off before Huey snatched him back by the arm.
"NO fuckin' peel offs! I mean it, Riley!" Huey nearly growled.
"Nigga you better get yo damn hands off me before I..!"
"Uhm..Reezy," Trisha called out just loud enough for them to hear. Riley stopped in mid sentence and just looked dead at her. "I just made my famous Ziti earlier today…If you would like a taste." That made everyone turn and look at her.
Riley smirked and gave a soft chuckle as he brushed past Huey. Huey just raised his eyebrow at his weirdly love struck brother passing him. It wasn't many females who Riley just shut up for, actually none at all.
"Girl you fine and can cook?! You must be heaven sent!" Riley approached her looking her up and down.
"Consider it a date," Trisha winked. Riley didn't need to hear any more. He grabbed his black coat out of the closet and guided them out the door before Trisha snuck a quick wink at Jazmine.
When the door finally closed, it was left with that same familiar silence they frequently shared. Jazmine clung on to the papers as she shifted her weight from side to side.
'Let's go sit down,' Huey signed gesturing to the living room. Jazmine nodded and walked ahead of him to the living room. She sat down on the couch with the papers resting in her lap. Huey went over to turn off the TV Riley left on and sat down next to her.
She was dressed comfortable in black leggings and a PINK brand sweatshirt, but she still looked beautiful. Her golden curls framed her face perfectly, and her gaze was soothing and warm. She didn't appear to be nervous, but by now Huey knew she could put on a good poker face.
'So…' Huey touched his four fingers to his thumb. 'How are you doing?'
'I'm...doing alright,' Jazmine signed back. 'Just have a lot on my mind.'
'I understand.' Huey held his hand near his head and flicked his index finger from the tip of his thumb so that it pointed up. They shared a short silence before Huey spoke aloud. "Listen, Jazmine. I just wanted to say I'm sorry again for the other night." Jazmine held her hand up telling him to stop.
'I'm not,' Jazmine signed.
'Really?,' Huey signed. 'So you're not upset with me?'
'On the contrary,' Jazmine grinned. 'I am very happy with you.' Huey rose his eyebrow.
'I can't tell you how long it's been since…' Jazmine paused. '…I've felt such affection, and it was so nice…It really was.'
Huey smirked and nodded at her signs, understanding all the gestures she's made.
'I'm glad to hear that.' Huey signed. 'It's been a while since I've felt something like that too,' he admitted.
'Really?'
'Yeah,' Huey made a fist and flexed his wrist forward. 'I'm sure Trisha told you about me coming over?'
'Yes, she did. You did not know what 'this' meant.' Jazmine signed 'mourning'.
'I am well aware of its meaning now,' Huey's demeanor slightly changed. "You know you could've told me Jazmine. I never would have rushed into things." Huey said aloud.
'Exactly.' Jazmine pinched her index finger and thumb together in both hands, made a circular motion with her top hand before moving it down to meet the other hand. 'If I would've told you I'm in mourning, then you never would have kissed me. And I never would have gotten the courage to come and talk to you tonight.'
'What do you mean?' Huey signed.
'Before I tell you, I have to know for certain, that I can trust you,' Jazmine slightly crossed her wrists with her palms facing upward, and made both hands into a fist, like a squeezing motion. 'That you will treat and look at me no different than you do now.'
'Of course.' Huey confirmed. "And I am promising this to you as your friend. Because I want you to feel comfortable telling me about any and everything, coming to me when you're happy or upset," he said aloud. "Just like when we were kids."
Jazmine grinned softly and reached her hand down to his on the cushion between them. His scowl slightly softened as he looked down at her hand over his. He responded by taking her fingers into his, slightly squeezing.
After a moment, Jazmine opened the papers and set them down on her lap. Huey got a view of the dark ink in cursive penmanship and he perked up a bit. She also took out her phone and went through it a couple seconds before laying it face up on the coffee table.
Jazmine closed her eyes and took a deep breath in, and released it slowly. Huey turned his body more to face her, focusing all of his attention solely on her. She opened her eyes and looked at him in his.
Then she opened her locket and began writing something. She tore it out and handed it to him.
This is my 1st time talking about this since it happened.
Plz bear with me.
Huey nodded and signed, 'Tell me.'
Jazmine leaned over and hit 'Play' on the Voice Memo app. She straightened out the papers on her lap and faced him. A couple more seconds passed before Trisha's voice spoke out through the speaker.
"This is Trisha Romano, reading for Jazmine Dubois."
Jazmine put up her hands, ready to sign along with the recording, as she read the papers in front of her.
Trisha watched as Riley devoured his second plate of her baked ziti. They sat in her kitchen at the dining table, which had the typical Italian, red and white checker-patterned tablecloth over it.
She was thankful she had finally gotten everything unpacked just in time. She wouldn't have wanted her crush seeing her place in its "just moved in" stage.
Her apartment looked like an Italian museum, with all the classical Roman paintings hung up, her basil and parsley plants growing in her own hand-made pots along the window, and her vintage gray suede furniture. There were two glass end tables that were held up by marble Greek statues and Sicilian maiolica ceramics were decorated everywhere.
"God damn, woman," Riley sat back in his chair patting his stomach. "You could put Olive Garden out of business!"
"Please!" Trisha scoffed. "Olive Garden isn't even real Italian food! They don't compare in any way shape or form!"
"Yeah, well you done messed up giving me some. Cause now I'm finna be over here all the time," Riley said as he put his hands behind his head.
"You are making yourself too comfortable Signore," Trisha chuckled as she picked up his plate and rinsed it off in the sink and put it in the dishwasher.
"Signore huh?" Riley rose his eyebrows. "Girl I told you you can't be talkin' like 'dat wit' me."
"I know you did," Trisha agreed nonchalantly as she stood back against the counter..
"So why you keep doin' it?" Riley stood up, making his way over to where she was at.
"Because I know it turns you on," Trisha said smoothly with a knowing smirk on her face. Riley's eyes widened.
"You sho' right about that," Riley looked her up and down as he inched closer to her, trapping her between him and the counter.
Trisha's smirk turned into a timid look as she immediately started to get nervous. She could definitely talk a good game, but the way he looked at her made her drop her front. His beautiful brown skin, his handsome features, his extremely built body, his penetrating stare, almost the same scowl as his brother's, but more desirable. He was now a single breath away and all she could muster out was…"W-Would y-y-you like some wine?"
Riley smirked even more at her sudden nervousness. He had to admit, he was used to getting that reaction.
"Yeah, I would," Riley answered following her into the living room.
"Red or White?" Trisha asked.
"Let's go red," Riley decided.
Trisha nodded and took a bottle of Chateau Pontet-Canet, 2004 from the bottom of the wine rack. She got a wine glass for her and a stemless one for him. She used the cork screw to open the bottle and poured them both a generous amount.
Riley couldn't keep himself from staring, but Damn this woman was blessed! She was slim and toned, but still held curves in all the right places. She was perfectly tan which made her look more ethnic, a mature face with piercing dark brown eyes to match. He noticed the way her brown waves and curls with mild golden highlights fell around her face and her adorable set of freckles that ran across her nose and cheeks. He was absolutely enchanted.
"Uhhmm..Riley," Trisha called out to him for the third time, trying to hand him his glass.
"Awh!..err..my bad," Riley snapped out of it and took it out of her hands. He was about to take a sip but Trisha stopped him.
"Ah ah ah! Wait! It's bad luck to not cheers before sipping from a new bottle," Trisha informed him. She held her glass up and Riley chuckled as she clinked his glass to hers. "Salute," she said softly before they both took a sip.
Trisha kept her eyes on him over the rim of the glass. She saw how he practically swallowed the whole glass whole. She shrugged and decided to the same.
"Damn, that's good," Riley licked his lips. "Sweet, tangy, smooth," he described.
"Yeah, it's surprisingly one of my less vintage wines, but it still aged just…"
"I wasn't talking about the wine," Riley interrupted. Trisha stopped and looked at him, to see him giving her that same reeling smirk.
"You're so full of it," Trisha chuckled as she poured herself another glass. She poured some more into his glass as well.
"Nah, I'm dead serious. You as fine as wine girl," Riley slightly groaned.
"And just how many females have you used that line on? Hmmm, Reezy?" Trisha put her hand on her hip as she sipped from her glass.
"Just the ones who cook for me, and who can actually cook… so just you love," Riley retorted with a wink as he sipped.
"Yeah, whatever," Trisha scoffed.
"And just how many dudes have you invited over," Riley said inching closer to her again. "…to taste that ziti of yours." Trisha tried hiding her tension by sipping on her wine, but Riley could already tell how easy it was for him to make her as such. It was honestly such a turn on to him.
"J-just you, Riley," Trisha answered.
"Mmmhmmm, now I know you tellin' stories," Riley said in disbelief.
"No, for real. You're the only guy I've ever invited over. Not just here in Woodcrest, but even back in New York AND Jersey." Trisha informed him. Riley looked at her surprisingly.
"Damn, so you just be holdin' it down by yourself then huh?"
"Yeah, I guess." Trisha shrugged as she walked towards the couch and sat down, resting the bottle on the coffee table. "I'm sure you see how involved my work is. Especially with Jazmine. With all she's been through and coaching her and interpreting for her, and looking after her, I don't really have much of a social life. Not that I'm blaming her! I love working with her and she's been the greatest best friend anyone could ask for. It's just that I haven't had time to build a relationship with anyone." Riley listened and nodded his head.
"Sounds like you and Jazmine are in a pretty stable relationship already," Riley joked as he sat down beside her.
"Exactly," Trisha laughed. "But it does get lonely sometimes." Trisha traced her fingers along the stem of her glass.
"You have any family near here?" Riley asked sipping his wine, more like gulping it.
"Not since I started college. My family moved back to Italy so my father can continue his…business," Trisha hesitated.
"You must really miss home. Yo homeland I mean," Riley said. Trisha reached over him and grabbed a small painting on one of the end tables.
Riley couldn't help but stiffen as she leaned over him. A few wisps of her hair brushed against his face and he was hit with a rush of crass thoughts. He also got a whiff of her scent, a perfume that met her personality exactly: savory, sweet, but spicy. The side of her face was just barely within lips reach in front of him. It was almost torturous.
When she sat back down on her side of the couch, she held the framed painting in front of him. It was a beautiful, colorful, painting of Venice Italy, parallel strips of buildings along the aqua blue canal, with water taxis and sales boats floating along the ports.
"That whole complex there, and those two buildings there a cross the bridge are all owned by my father. That's his childhood home there, where Mi nonna still lives. Mi papi runs the winery out of those two buildings there, and see that white motor canoe there? He takes it out of the port and wayyy upstream to his orchard where he collects the fermented grapes and more bottles of wine from."
Riley gazed at the picture with her in astonishment. The picture brought out so much life and the way she spoke about it made it that much more real.
"You miss it huh?" Riley asked.
"More than anything," Trisha gave a solemn smile.
"When's the last time you were back there?" He saw Trisha tense up with a blank stare, before shaking her head with a weak smile.
"Not since my sophomore year of college… been a while but… it's for the best," Trisha tried saying unbothered, but he could tell it weighed heavily on her. "It gets harder and harder with each passing year, but I love my family so much and I know they miss me." Trisha sighed and swallowed the rest of the wine that was in her glass. She shrugged and put it down on the coffee table. "What about you? How is your family?" Riley could see she wanted to move on from talking about her family, so he just went with it.
"Granddad's all the family we got here. The rest of our family is down in Chicago. Unfortunately, we make trips down there more than enough times for me. You think I'm something? Just wait 'til you meet them niggas. They gon' get on yo last nerve!" Riley shook his head.
"I have PLENTY of experience with annoying family members, trust me," Trisha chuckled. "What about your parents? What are they like?"
Riley paused for a minute and decided to finish the rest of his drink.
"Our parents died when we were kids. Huey was eight, I was six, just two weeks before my birthday. It was some pretty gruesome shit, but…" Riley reached into his pocket and pulled out his wallet. He reached into it and pulled out a small picture. "I know that they loved us."
Trisha looked at the picture and was in awe. It was of their father and mother standing lovingly side by side, with Riley and Huey standing in front of them, not so lovingly. She noticed the father first, how Huey and Riley were literally spitting images of him, except his skin tone was a deep cocoa color: his penetrating scowl, his handsome face, his large Afro and neatly trimmed facial hair, and above all, those dazzling wine-stained saucers he passed down to his sons. The mother, on the other hand, Trisha could definitely see her features in Riley exclusively. Her slightly lighter complexion, but pitch black, unruly curly hair and light brown, almond-shaped eyes. Her smile was bright and welcoming. Trisha could feel their love through the picture and she could tell how their death had impacted him.
"Ayy Dio mio," Trisha exhaled as she fixated on the picture. "I'm so sorry, Riley. They really were a beautiful couple. You all looked very happy…even Huey!" Trisha consoled.
"Yeah, I don't even remember the last time I seen him smile after that to be honest. But I know my mother would've loved you." Riley put the picture back in his wallet and into his pocket.
"So you're saying you would introduce me to tua famiglia?" Trisha grabbed the bottle and poured them both the last of its contents. "Why, Signore Freeman, we barely know each other."
"Keep talkin' to me like that, and we gon' get to know each other just fine," Riley said as he bit his bottom lip.
"Oh is that right?" Trisha smirked.
"Si, esatto," Riley retorted with fluid pronunciation. Trisha was taken aback as she gave him a surprised look.
"To getting to know each other," Trisha raised up her glass.
"To getting to know each other," Riley raised his as well and they clinked their glasses together again.
They downed their drinks and placed them on the table, until Trisha's home painting slid off of her lap and onto the floor.
"Shit," Trisha cursed. She picked it up and dusted it off, thankful the glass didn't crack. "Years of wine tolerance and I still act like a clutz." Trisha shook her head.
She reached over Riley again to put it back on the end table. As she put it back, she was about to sit back on her cushion, but Riley couldn't resist the second time.
He had snuck his arm around her waist and held her close where she was at.
Trisha stopped and looked him in the eyes. She bit her bottom lip nervously as she saw the lust growing deeper and deeper in him.
With his other hand, he slowly reached behind her head and pulled back her soft locks of hair from the side of her face and behind her shoulder, exposing her bare jaw and neck. He leaned in and took a deep breath in, taking in the sweet smell of her perfume again.
Trisha's eyes fluttered shut as she felt his breath on her neck. She rested her hands on his solid arms as he pulled her closer and kissed right on the crook where her jaw met her neck, resulting in breathy moan from Trisha. He moved his mouth from her jawline to her ear.
"Let me get a taste, Mami," Riley whispered as he licked her earlobe. Trisha gave a violent shudder and responded by turning her head and crashing her lips to his.
Riley immediately grasped her thigh and brought it around to his other side, making her straddle him. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders while he worked his way down to her hips. They began switching their heads to opposite sides, deepening the kiss, exploring the other's mouth to their fulfillment.
It wasn't until Riley began sucking on her bottom lip, that Trisha released a moan. Her head slowly fell back in bliss as he released it. He softly grasped the back of her head, entangling his fingers in her hair as he turned his attention to her neck, suckling and slightly biting.
"Ahhh..sss..Reezy," Trisha let out. She responded with a tender grind on his pelvis, making Riley groan aloud this time. She took that as a sign to continue and began working her hips on him, getting him more excited.
His hands traveled back down to her waist, guiding her movements. She looked him deep in his eyes with a sultry look that immediately made him…arise and she got cocky when she felt it hit against her core. She continued swiveling her hips in circles on him as she rose her blouse above her head and off her body, leaving her in a brown lace bra.
Riley ran his hands up and down her firm body, making Trisha dip her head back blissfully at the feel of his rough hands on her skin.
"You so fuckin sexy baby," Riley groaned dipping his hand under her bra as he pulled her weight more down on him as he pressed upwards.
"Mmmm..sss…ouuu," Trisha moaned . Riley responded by sitting up and wrapping his arms around her, undoing the bra clasp.
"Lemme see dem titties, girl,"Riley whispered. Trisha smirked as she pushed him back against the couch.
Riley smirked back at her at her being in control. She kept her eyes on him as she slowly removed the straps and let the bra fall from her breasts. Riley licked his lips like she was a feast ready to be devoured.
Trisha began to swivel her hips again in a circle like a belly dancer, her hip bones accentuating every time she rotated them. She played with her voluptuous C-cups in front of him, twiddling her nipples between her index fingers and thumbs. Then she brought one hand up and began messing in her hair, making her ruffles fall down all around her face.
"You such a fuckin' tease," Riley smirked as he brought her face to him and tongue-kissed her feverishly. He made his way down to her jaw and neck, careful not to leave any hickeys.
She released a high pitched yelp when he bit down on her collarbone. That only encouraged Riley to go further south, trailing his tongue to the island between her breasts and sucking on it. Her breaths got more rugged when he turned his head and captured her right nipple in his mouth.
"Aaiii, Papi," Trisha let out as she felt him lightly nibble on it, while massaging the other breast.
"Mmm, say dat shit again, baby," Riley groaned into her skin, showing the same affection to the other breast.
"Ooouu..ssss.. e cosi bello Papiiito (It feels so good, Daddy)," Trisha reached down between them and lifted his shirt, revealing his built, mouth-watering body.
Trisha bit her bottom lip as she ran her long red nails down every pectoral and abdominal muscle. Her center began to moisten at the sight of him. As much as she wanted him to dominate her right now, she has always been the giving type.
Riley was about to lift her up, but she squatted back down on him and pushed him back against the couch again. At this point, Riley knew she was one used to taking charge. A habit he would have to break soon, but for now, it was unbelievably sexy.
She stood up off of him and knelt down on the floor in front of him. Riley's eyes widened as he realized what she was doing.
Her gaze stayed fixated on him as she reached for his belt and started to unbuckle it. He let her work him out of his pants and watched her hungrily as she carefully pulled the flap of his boxers back. At the first feeling of her soft hands around him, Riley's eyes fluttered shut.
Trisha smirked at his reaction and continued running both of her hands up and down his well-endowed length. She saw his jaw clench and his nostrils start to flare. It was the cutest yet the sexiest thing she's ever seen.
"What you gon' do wit that?" Riley looked her up and down.
But his smirk quickly fell when he felt her tongue lick from the base of his length, all the way up to the tip, where she swiveled it all around his head.
She began to softly suck the head, while teasing it with her tongue, making Riley tense up as he exhaled ruggedly. She took him out of her mouth and pumped him with her hands again as she licked her lips.
"Sto per tua succhiati Papi,(I'm going to suck you dry)" Trisha moaned lowly as she teased him with her tongue again.
Riley wasn't sure what she said, but all he knew was that it sounded sexy as fuck. His eyes rolled back at the feel of her tongue again. He almost doubled over when he felt her take him more into her mouth. She stayed there, still suckling him, before coming back up and working on his head again. Riley rested his arms and head on the back of the couch as she went to work on him.
Her head bobbed steadily on his lap, focusing solely on her task at hand. She had to admit, he was way more than what she was used to, not only in length but diameter as well, but she wasn't intimidated. It excited her even more. She added her hands to massage his base as she sucked his head, making Riley voice his satisfaction.
"Ooouu..sssshhittt," Riley took hold of her hair, just enough not to hurt her and guided her head movements on his lap. "Just like that baby.ohhh..fffuuuckkk," Riley's head fell back again.
She had taken him all the way in her mouth, his head penetrating into her throat. She bobbed her head faster, deep throating him every time. She made sexy moans and grunts, enjoying the taste of him and how he softly ran his hands through her hair. The vibrations of her voice drove him crazy, and he began to involuntarily lift his hips into her mouth.
"Got' damn dat mouf'," Riley let out. Trisha responded by running her hands up his waist and up his body, embracing and worshiping whatever she could get her hands on.
It wasn't until she took him halfway out of her mouth and solely focused on suckling his head while pumping both of her hands along his shaft that made him stiffen. Trisha looked up at him with those ginormous, brown, eyes, beckoning him to release.
"Fuck…fffuckkk..I'm bouta nut baby," Riley breathed, tightening his grip on her hair.
"Mmhmm," Trisha hummed as she picked up her speed and sucked him harder.
A few moments later, Riley pushed her head all the way down on his length, which she gladly followed, suckling him fully while she was at it. She felt him bulge in her throat, followed by a stream of something thick and milky that trickled down her throat.
Trisha knew when to lift up and release him, letting some of his liquid contents fall from his head onto her breasts and some dripping from her lips. When she looked up again, Riley had sunk into the couch with his head still plastered on the back of it, his chest rising and falling drastically.
He hazily lifted his head and looked back down at her, where she smeared some of his ejections from her breast with her fingers, and sucked them off with her mouth.
"Mmmm, looks like I got a taste of Reezy instead," Trisha moaned biting her lip.
Riley was honestly hypnotized. What the fuck did this woman just do to him? Never, not once, like literally NEVER has a woman ever made him cum from just head alone. He was at a loss for words, not just from how she practically stole a nut from him when it was supposed to be the other way around, but how fucking good she was.
He brushed off the daze in a heartbeat and in two seconds, he stood her up and picked her up bridal style.
"You finna get it now, mami," Riley growled as he carried her to her bedroom.
Mannn oh mannn, Looks like Trisha and Riley ain't wasting any time! Lolz!
And yes, I left a cliff-hanger with Jazmine and Huey because I'm just that evil! MUUAAHAHAHAHAHAHAA! But I promise, NEXT CHAPTER! Ya'll won't be disappointed! It's coming sooner than ya'll think!
But BE SURE TO REVIEW! Ya'll know the drill: More reviews, Quicker updates!
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