Krystol
Prelude
Mrs. Daniels, Mrs. Daniels, can I have your autograph? We are huge fans of your books!”
“Of course you can have my autograph.” I quickly signed the books that these two girls had purchased. Looking back on where I came from, who would have thought I would make it where I am today?
“Aurica”!
“Yes, Mom?”
“Call 911…Andre, get your fucking hands off me!”
Here they were, arguing once again. My mother and father argued constantly, and he would always hit her.
“Stop hitting me!”
My father had hit my mother for the last time. I was always tired of him abusing her when she came in from work. I was determined to make him pay for it. I was now fifteen years old and my father had been hitting my mother for years. I couldn’t take it anymore.
That night, when my dad was sleep, I got out of bed to put some clothes on. I had always loved animals and I had two cats and a pet snake named Sissy. Today, I had just gotten Sissy, a copperhead snake, from this guy who had endangered animals on which he did research.My mom told me I could keep it as long as it was kept in my room.
“Eeewww, Aurica, what kind of snake is that?” My mom said.
“It’s just a garden snake.”
“Are you sure? It doesn’t look like it.”
“Have you been to the pet store again with the allowance money I gave you?”
“Yup, Mom!”
“Oh, and Aurica…don’t forget I have to work tonight, and I won’t be back until the morning.”
“Mom, do you have to work at night again? I thought day shift was your shift at the hospital.”
“Aurica, now hush your fuss--you know I have to work to pay the bills.”
“I know, but dag!”
My mom had a look of disgust on her face as I walked past her with the snake.Damn, she has to go to work again and leave me here with my rapist of a father.Good thing this is his last night alive, I thought to myself as I headed upstairs.
I had to lie to her about the kind of snake it was. Sissy was pretty much safe…until she bit you.
My dad would go to the refrigerator every morning around 3 am and take another drink, and then whoop my mom’s ass again--for no reason. He had to be to work at 6 am, so he had to get him a refresher drink in.Little did he know that tonight he would have his last drink.
After I put on my clothes, I looked at my watch and saw that it was approximately 2:55. I heard my father get out of the bed and walk down the stairs.
After he took his drink, he went upstairs and got back into bed.As I entered my parents’ bedroom, I had Sissy in her tank.
“Hey, Dad!”
“God damn it, Aurica. You scared the shit out of me!” I laughed when I saw his eyebrows raised in fear.
“Sorry, Dad...Hey, Dad!”
“Aurica, what the fuck do you want? It’s three in the morning, girl! I have got to get to sleep ’cause I got to get to work early in the morning. Unless…you want to have fun with Daddy again…like we did on your birthday.”
“You sick fuck! Raping me was the worst thing you did to me and I’m going to tell Mom!!” I was so mad with rage that I started shaking the cage and Sissy became agitated. “Why do you always hit mom all the time when she works and pays the bills, and all you do is drink all day?”
“Bitch, I am a grown man; I don’t have to answer to you, and your mom needs to listen to me and be put in her place! Don’t fucking ask me anything about what I do.”
I was livid and steamed with rage.
“You are a poor excuse for a man, and you deserve to die and rot in hell. I will never forgive you for raping me on my birthday while mom was at work.”
“Bitch, I told you to shut your damn mouth. I have to get some sleep! Take you and that ugly ass snake and get the fuck out of my room!”
I was beyond pissed, so I shook the cage even harder. Sissy was hissing with rage, too, and she started bucking up at the lid of the cage.
“Aurica, stop shaking that damn cage before that snake gets out!”Then he covered his head back up, trying to go back to sleep.
I opened up Sissy’s cage, lifted the bed, and let her go on to the bed.
“What the fuck are you doing? What the fuck are you going to do with that little-ass snake? I’m not scared of it!”
“I’m not going to do anything, motherfucker. Sissy, here, is going to take care of everything!”As I let the snake out, I could see Sissy squirm through the bed, heading towards Andre.
“Aahhh, Aurica get it, get it!”
“Get what, Daddy??The snake from biting you? Listen to me, you sick bastard. Now you know how it feels to be in pain and not be able do anything about it, huh?”
“Ooohhh…myyy…Goddd!”
He was being tortured and I loved every minute of it. I couldn’t help but point and laugh at his stupid ass while he was in pain. After Sissy bit him, I waited patiently for the venom to take effect. He screamed in pain.
“Bitch, I’m going to kill you”!
I stood there with the look of triumph on my face, because I knew that he couldn’t hurt my mother or me again. “You think so? You will be dead before I am, you bastard!”I bent down while he was in bed squirming and squiggling in the in pain. “How does it feel for your life to flash before your eyes?”
“You better pray that God sends you an air conditioner on your way to Hell!” My face was turning red while I was talking to him, because I was indeed pissed off. My coward of a father had raped me and had been beating on my mother for years…enough was enough.
“Oh, and by the way, Dad, Sissy’s venom has already taken effect--in case you were wonThe look of fear quickly came across his eyes as he took his last breath. Laying in the bed, Andre was stretched out and looked frail. Andre weighed about 250 pounds and was about 5’10”. Within minutes, he now more; now just a memory. A few minutes passed and I slowly reached out to poke his hand and his body was completely limp. I stood there for another fifteen minutes or so just staring at him, and I slowly reached out to touch his hand one more time just to see if he would move. In that short period of time, his body was already starting to get stiff and his hand was cool.dering.” The look of fear quickly came across his eyes as he took his last breath. Laying in the bed, Andre was stretched out and looked frail. Andre weighed about 250 pounds and was about 5’10”. Within minutes, he now more; now just a memory. A few minutes passed and I slowly reached out to poke his hand and his body was completely limp. I stood there for another fifteen minutes or so just staring at him, and I slowly reached out to touch his hand one more time just to see if he would move. In that short period of time, his body was already starting to get stiff and his hand was cool
The look of fear quickly obscured his eyes as he took his last breath. Lying in bed, Andre was stretched out and looked frail. Andre weighed about 250 pounds and was about 5’10”. Within minutes, he was no more; now, he was just a memory. After a few minutes, I slowly reached out to grab his hand and his body was completely limp. I stood there for another fifteen minutes or so, just staring at him, and I slowly reached out to touch his hand just one more time to see if his body would move. In that short period of time, his body had already began to get stiff and his hand was cool.The look of fear quickly came across his eyes as he took his last breath. Laying in the bed, Andre was stretched out and looked frail. Andre weighed about 250 pounds and was about 5’10”. Within minutes, he now more; now just a memory. A few minutes passed and I slowly reached out to poke his hand and his body was completely limp. I stood there for another fifteen minutes or so just staring at him, and I slowly reached out to touch his hand one more time just to see if he would move. In that short period of time, his body was already starting to get stiff and his hand was cool.The look of fear quickly came across his eyes as he took his last breath. Laying in the bed, Andre was stretched out and looked frail. Andre weighed about 250 pounds and was about 5’10”. Within minutes, he now more; now just a memory. A few minutes passed and I slowly reached out to poke his hand and his body was completely limp. I stood there for another fifteen minutes or so just staring at him, and I slowly reached out to touch his hand one more time just to see if he would move. In that short period of time, his body was already starting to get stiff and his hand was cool.The look of fear quickly came across his eyes as he took his last breath. Laying in the bed, Andre was stretched out and looked frail. Andre weighed about 250 pounds and was about 5’10”. Within minutes, he now more; now just a memory. A few minutes passed and I slowly reached out to poke his hand and his body was completely limp. I stood there for another fifteen minutes or so just staring at him, and I slowly reached out to touch his hand one more time just to see if he would move. In that short period of time, his body was already starting to get stiff and his hand was cool. The look of fear quickly came across his eyes as he took his last breath. Laying in the bed, Andre was stretched out and looked frail. Andre weighed about 250 pounds and was about 5’10”. Within minutes, he now more; now just a memory. A few minutes passed and I slowly reached out to poke his hand and his body was completely limp. I stood there for another fifteen minutes or so just staring at him, and I slowly reached out to touch his hand one more time just to see if he would move. In that short period of time, his body was already starting to get stiff and his hand was cool. The look of fear quickly came across his eyes as he took his last breath. Laying in the bed, Andre was stretched out and looked frail. Andre weighed about 250 pounds and was about 5’10”. Within minutes, he now more; now just a memory. A few minutes passed and I slowly reached out to poke his hand and his body was completely limp. I stood there for another fifteen minutes or so just staring at him, and I slowly reached out to touch his hand one more time just to see if he would move. In that short period of time, his body was already starting to get stiff and his hand was cool.
“Finally, your nut ass is dead. I hope that venom that’s burning through your veins is the same burn that you will feel on your way to Hell. You will not be able to hurt me or my mom again!”
As I turned around to go downstairs and get the phone, Sissy was headed out the door, swirling around. The cage was in my hand, and I opened it up in front of Sissy, and she slid her way back in. Quickly, I closed the cage with the lid. I quickly took Sissy and put her in my room quietly. Grabbing my phone in the room, I called my mother first.
“St, Georges Hospital, how can I help you?”
“Yes, can I speak to Lynn Daniels, please?”
“Sure ma’am, just one moment. Can I ask who’s speaking?”
“It’s her daughter, Aurica.”I started to cry fake tears as I sat on my bed calling my mother.She got on the phone soon after.
“Hello, this is Lynn.”
“Mom…Mom, something is wrong with dad!” I tried to get my thoughts together. I was thinking of what to say about what happened to him.
“Aurica, stop crying and slow down! Tell me what happened.”
“Well I don’t know…I went to go to the bathroom, and Dad usually calls my name when he hears me walk around the house. This time he didn’t call me, so I peeked in to check on him, and I didn’t hear him snoring!!When I walked over to the bed, I didn’t hear him breathing either, so I hurried up and called you. Mom, I’m sooo scared…he looks dead!”
“Oh, my lord Jesus-wait, I’m calling 911! You stay in your room and wait ‘til I get there, okay?”
“Yes, Mommy.”
It took almost 45 minutes for my mom to get to the house. The paramedics and police still hadn’t come, probably because we live in the hood. They always take their time coming.
“Aurica? It’s Mommy. I’m here.”
I ran downstairs with tears in my eyes.
“Okay, did you check on your dad to see if he was in a deep sleep?”
“Heeeck no! I know he’s dead; his body is cold.”
My mom didn’t answer me; she just ran up the stairs and went into the bed room. I thought to myself, Mom you will realize that we are better off without his psycho ass!
“Aaaahhhhhh”!!
While she was screaming, the paramedics banged on the door like they were the cops. I opened the door and let them in. They had a stretcher with them, and I told them to go upstairs.
“Mom, the paramedics are on their way up!!!”
I yelled as loud as I could. I didn’t know what she was doing up there. I just wanted the night to be over with. Moments later, the paramedics pronounced Andre dead. With my mom looking like a zombie, we had to wait for the medical examiners to come and pronounce Andre dead. I couldn’t help but smile a little while his body was just lying there. My mom was sitting on the couch in a daze like the mother in the movie Boys in the Hood when her son got killed.The medical examiners finally arrived and said it appeared as though he died of a stroke.
I thought to myself, Yea, he died of a “stroke” alright! My blood was boiling. I was so upset about what he did to me. The flashbacks of him raping me made me ball up my fists. The memory was so fresh; it was as if it was happening to me again…
“Okay, Aurica. Daddy is going to make you a woman...are you ready?”
“Daddy, I don’t want to do this! Please don’t.”
“Aurica, lay down. It will only hurt a little bit, and then it will feel good.”
Hearing the door close brought me out of my trance of remembering what my dad did to me.I sat there crying fake tears, not reacting to Andre’s death, while my mom was in shock. I knew that I had to protect me and my mom, by any means necessary.
Chapter 1
Sitting in my living room waiting for my husband Garie to quickly get dressed, I was excited to attend the 3rd annual Black and White Tie Affair that was held only for authors. I was excited because they always gave out awards and acknowledged us authors. I was wondering if I would get the same standing ovation as I did the last time. As I was daydreaming about receiving my award, Garie scared me when he yelled, “Aurica, Baby, what do you think about this Black Armani Suit to match your black Gucci Dress”?
“Garie, it’s fine, honey! Can we please go now? Only gay men are concerned about the name of their clothing-- are you trying to tell me something?”
He laughed out loud and said, “ Fuck you, Aurica!”
“Oh baby, I intend to, but right now we have to get ready to go. The limousine is waiting for us.”
“I’m trying to hurry, baby-- I just want to look good for you on your special night.”
This was my third time attending this ceremony. The last year, I had won for the best horror novel, Sweet Innocence.I knew that I would win tonight; all of my books were best-sellers and my writing was off the chain.
Finally, Garie and I were ready to go. “Garie?”
“Yes, sweetie?”
“I just want you to know that I love you.”
“I love you too, Boo.”
On our way to the ceremony, I began to daydream about my past. I was living with my mother, Lynn, in downtown Wilmington, while she worked two jobs just to support us. Hustlers were on the block selling drugs while I was always in the house writing and listening to gunshots that would pop off almost every night. Those were the days, and I will never forget where I came from. Life was often hard for me and my mother, especially when she had to quit one job. There was hardly any food sometimes, and she was denied food stamps because, according to their charts, she made too much money, which was bullshit. The system always will keep people down. From that moment on, I made up my mind never to struggle and to always have the best. I guess that is why I worked so hard to get into Spelman College, and then on to graduate school.
*******
As we go out of the limousine, there were paparazzi everywhere, snapping pictures of me and Garie. “Mrs. Daniels, how do you feel about being nominated for the third time in a row for the best horror novel?”
“It feels surreal--may the best author win!” I could tell that Garie was nervous because he was holding my hand for dear life. He always got a little tense during important functions. I didn’t understand it because he was better at socializing than I was any day. As we went inside of the beautiful ballroom, there were decorations everywhere. The theme colors were black and white; it was almost like a movie premiere.There were glass walls with suspended chandeliers with white roses hanging from them. There were about thirty tables that had reserved spots ready for the special nominees. Delicious food trays were everywhere and waiters were circulating around the room with appetizers. On the tables, there were food trays, cheese and crackers, cucumber sandwiches, and Swedish meatballs, which were my favorite. The venue was very nice, and it was very upscale.
“Madam, would you care for a drink?”
“Yes, champagne please.”
“And you, Sir?”
“I’ll have the same.”
I will never be able to understand why Garie orders champagne when he doesn’t like it. I guess it’s his way of fitting in with the crowds.
While I was mingling with other authors, one of my good friends, Julius, who was nominated for best romance novel, whispered to me.
“Look at these bourgeois people; I hate coming here pretending I like them.”
Julius was a drama king, for real. But he was always handsome with his 5’10 frame, perfect smile, and a goatee to die for. He always smelled good, too. Julius had an arrogant streak to him that a lot of people hated. We clicked so well because I had that same streak. But I never cared what people thought about me; I am a true diva!
“Julius, play nice, now…these bourgeois people are who pay us. Well, them and our fans.”
“Yea, you’re right, Aurica. And honey, your dress is gorgeous!”
“Thank you.”
“You know you can rock some Gucci.”
“You haven’t changed a bit.” I laughed.
Garie whispered in my ear that he was going to mingle and get to know people so he can pass out his business cards. He loved to tell people that he was a lawyer. But that’s my husband and I love him dearly. I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Moments later, everyone had gotten to their seats, waiting for the ceremony to start. Julius and his wife, Karrie, sat next to Garie and me.
The host started to speak:
“Good evening, and welcome to the third annual Best-Selling Authors’ Award Ceremony. Tonight, we have a special guest joining us: Carl Weeber. Before I bring Carl out, I want to name the nominees for tonight: Mrs. Alicia Evans for her best-selling drama novel, “You Can Look But You Can’t Touch”; Mr. Julius Garrison for best-selling romance novel, “He Loves Me, He Loves ME Not”; Mrs. Aurica Daniels for best-selling horror novel, “Sweet Innocence.”Everyone began clapping their hands. Once he named me, I tuned him out. There were about twenty different nominees for each category. Carl Weber, a best-selling author and screenwriter, came out and spoke about his life story. Everyone was bored to pieces. We had heard the same stuff at the last ceremony.Before they decided to move on with the ceremony, Maxwell, a famous singer, came out and sang a couple songs. My heart melted when he got on stage. I was so glad that we were sitting up front. As soon as he walked on the stage, I screamed and jumped out of my seat. Garie gave me a pissed off look, but hell, I didn’t care. All of the women jumped and screamed in unison when he sang his debut song, “Fist Full of Tears”. All of a sudden, Maxwell came off stage and began singing to the crowd. Of course, I extended my hand, and he kissed it. I had almost come on myself, with his soft and tender lips touching me. I mean, Garie has nice lips, but Maxwell! At that point, it didn’t matter if I had won the award or not; I was more than satisfied.
Chapter 2
After Maxwell finished performing, Carl Weber came back on the stage to announce winners for the awards. I was so beyond nervous. I squeezed Garie’s hand so tight that he asked me if I was okay.
“Garie, my palms are sweating--I am so afraid!”
“Baby, you have nothing to be afraid of! You know you got this.”I loved how Garie always kept my spirits up when I was nervous.
I gave him a grin as he kissed me on the cheek. Julius sat across from me with his wife; he was smiling with his fingers crossed, in hopes that he would win for his category.
“And now…to announce the winners of the Black Tie Awards Ceremony for the Best-Selling Authors.” My heart was beating a mile a minute and my face was sweating so badly that my makeup was starting to feel sticky on my caramel-colored skin. I was so nervous that I could hear the sound of my own heartbeat. My legs were shaking so uncontrollably that Garie touched my leg.
“Before I announce all the winners, I will just say that all of the nominees are great authors, and I encourage you to keep writing and do what you do best: create stories.”
“Oh my God…if he doesn’t hurry up and get on with it,” I thought to myself. I took a quick sip of my champagne before he said another word. The anticipation was killing me so much that I was going to have an anxiety attack soon if he didn’t get on with it.
“For best Romance Novel, the winning award goes to…Julius Matthews!” I screamed loudly as I got up and gave Julius the biggest hug. I was so happy for my friend. Everyone in the crowd gave Julius a standing ovation. Julius walked up to the stage with his cool swagger, because he just knew that he was the shit. Standing on the side of the stage, Julius was smiling and looking at his award that he had won. I just sat there in my chair, hoping that my category would be next up.
“For the Best Drama Novel award, the winner goes to…Denise Mitchell.” Denise had on a silk white gown with gold embroidery on it with a matching purse and shoes. She looked gorgeous. She was also a good friend of mine. One thing about the literary world: we made friends easily and always stuck together. I clapped and cheered for Denise, and she stood on the side of the stage next to Julius, holding both her award and the roses Carl Weber gave to her. All the women who won an award always got roses.
It was time for my category up next and I was scared shitless. I couldn’t believe that I had worked so hard and came so far to be sitting here at this prestigious ceremony. I was truly grateful. I had come a long way from Riverside in Delaware, where I grew up.
Looking at Garie, and then at the crowd, I felt a little queasy. I think that the anticipation was getting to me. I quickly got myself together to listen to Carl.
“And least but not least…the winner for the Best Horror Novel goes to…Aurica Daniels!”
“Aaahhhhh!”
The crowd went wild!! Looking at Garie, I could see the excitement on his face and that twinkle in his eye. He was so happy for me that he started to tear up. I smiled endlessly as Garie gave me the biggest hug.
I couldn’t believe that I had won. Garie hugged me so long and gave me the most beautiful passionate kiss as he whispered in my ear, “You are my inspiration, my reason for living. I love you…and go get your award.” I flashed my amazing smile and I walked up to the stage, lifting my black dress as I climbed up the stairs in my stiletto heels. I hugged Carl and began to cry on his shoulder. Winning the award made me very emotional, because I had worked so hard to get to where I was. Garie was looking at me with amazement in his eyes, and I walked over next to Denise on the stage. Denise gave me a hug around my waist as we were standing on the stage. My eyes locked with Julius as he gave me the thumbs up in congratulations. The feeling that I felt was one of reward and fulfillment that I chose a career that worked for me. Writing was my gift, and I could never see myself stopping doing what I did so well.
There were six more people to win awards that night. After we received our awards, we all took pictures, and enjoyed the party. Everyone was dancing, eating food, getting drunk, and taking millions of pictures and posting them on their Facebook and MySpace pages. Maxwell came out and sang another song called “This Woman’s Work”. Sitting at the table by myself texting my mother the great news, I felt a tap on my shoulder. It scared me so much that I almost dropped my phone on the floor. I turned around quickly in fear and heard Garie speak.
“May I have this dance? I heard this was your favorite song.”
Garie took my hand and twirled me around slowly to the beat of the song. I always liked when Garie was romantic. I never saw it often as I’d like because he always worked long hours at the law firm, but I was soaking it all in at this very moment.
“Aurica, I want to say congratulations and let you know that you are the most gorgeous woman in here.”
“Garieee, you’re making me blush.” He kept his eyes on me with that sexy smile, delectable dark chocolate skin, and lips so perfect that when he kissed me, I got weak in the knees every time.
“Baby, I can’t help it if my wife is beautiful.”
“Yea, I am--aren’t I?”
I always had confidence in myself. Some people thought I was conceited, but that was their shit. I thought of myself as a diva all the time.
“I have a surprise for you when we get home, okay?”
“Well, why are we waiting here? Let’s go now!”
“You really want to go now?”
“Yes, we need you tonight!”
“We??”
Garie looked confused because he didn’t know what I was talking about.He gave me the ‘what you talking ‘bout, Willis?’ look!
“Yes, ’we’--me and my cat that you love petting so much.”
“Well, let’s go…the limo should be waiting, anyway.”
We both started laughing as we walked around the room to say goodnight to everyone. I hugged and kissed Julius and his wife Karrie on their cheeks. Garie and Julius were talking while I chit chatted with Karrie.
“Um…somebody ’bout to go celebrate their success the right way,” Karrie remarked.
“Karrie, you know I’m about to put it on him, don’t you?
“Girl, you know I know Julius ain’t goin’ know what hit him once I fuck the hell out of him tonight!”
We both clapped hands and shared a laugh.
“We taking it back to the hood fucking--where we fuck in the whole house and just knock shit down and don’t worry about it until the morning,” I exclaimed.
“Hell yea. I know, girl.”
If I didn’t know anything, I knew how to please my husband sexually. The power of the pussy is a beautiful thing, and it can carry people far if they let it.
Chapter 3
When Garie and I got in the house from the party, he told me to go upstairs to the bathroom. Before I even got my shoes off, Garie picked me up and carried me to the stairs.
“Baby, you are taking too long to get upstairs…I have a surprise for you!”
“Well, excuse me,” I said with a chuckle. When Garie put me down, there were red roses and candles all over the room.
“Baby! This is beautiful!”
“There is a surprise for you in the bathroom.”
Finally taking my shoes off, I ran into our huge lavender bathroom. I suddenly skidded to a halt. Music was playing and Maxwell was standing there beginning to sing. My first thought was, why the hell he have Maxwell in the bathroom and not the living room?Then I thought, how much did he pay for him to make the trip over here? However, I did see that he had his bodyguard standing next to him. Garie was always spontaneous like that, which was one of the reasons why I fell in love with him.
“Aaahhhhh!Garie, is this for real? Baby, how did you…when did he…oh my god!”
The look on my face was definitely surprise and I was almost speechless. I thought to myself, How did Garie pull this off?I know he was on the phone a few weeks ago with an important contact, but that couldn’t have been Maxwell!
Maxwell was actually standing in my bathroom with candles and rose petals around him, singing “Bad Habits” from his new album. I was in heaven. I quickly ran up to Garie and hugged him so tightly with tears streaming from my eyes.
“Garie, tell me how you pulled this off, please--the suspense in killing me!”
He let out a small laugh.
“Okay, okay, I’ll tell you. You remember when I told you that I had an important case a few weeks ago?”
“Yes.”
Maxwell was still singing while we were whispering to each other.
“Well, the client was Maxwell’s manager. I knew this ceremony was coming up, so my client asked what he could do to repay me for winning his case. I told him about your event tonight and he said, ‘Okay, say no more. I will have Maxwell do a couple songs at your gathering’. And he didn’t charge me much at all.”
“Baby, you are so great to me--I love you so much!”
He patted my hands while Maxwell was finishing up his song. Standing in the bathroom with Garie, listening to Maxwell sing to me, made me feel very sexual. I began getting wet right away. Garie could feel the heat, too, ‘cause he kissed my neck from behind while we were listening to Maxwell finish his song.
Once he finished singing, we all went downstairs and took pictures and Maxwell signed autographs. It was great and Maxwell was so down to earth. When he left the house, we went back into our bathroom to get into the Jacuzzi that was still hot and filled with bubbles, which I always loved.
As we were slowly kissing, Garie helped me out of my dress. I quickly unzipped his pants and felt his hardness in my hand. We got in the hot and steamy Jacuzzi.
“Damn baby, this water feels good.”
“I know it does, but you are going to feel and taste even better.”
“Baby!” I couldn’t help but blush and smile. I loved Garie’s smile and the seductive looks that he was giving me. I just knew that tonight, he was taking me to ecstasy and back.
I walked over to Garie in the Jacuzzi and started kissing his left ear softly.He slowly grabbed my face and kissed my soft, full, caramel lips. While I was kissing Garie passionately, and he began rubbing between my thighs. He was looking at me like I was his prey and he was ready to pounce on me like a lion. I could quickly feel myself getting wetter and wetter. I began to moan and move around so much, I thought I would slip and fall in the Jacuzzi the water made it feel so slippery…
“Uuummm, mmm.Garie, it feels so good, baby.” By this time, he had placed two fingers inside me. I didn’t know if the warm water was making it feel better or what.
While he was fingering my pussy, I couldn’t help but place my hands downand rub on his head.
“Ahh, ahhh”.
“Damn Garie, you want me to cum, don’t you?”
He just kept fucking me with his hand, spreading me open. As he was thrusting harder on my pussy, my leg began to shake uncontrollably.
“Uummm baby, I’m about to cum…aahh, I’m cumming, I’mcumming!”
“That’s right, baby…go ahead and cum.”
As I was cumming so hard, Garie continued to dive in my pussy. When he finally released his hand, he tasted it.
“Baby, you always taste good.”
“I can tell,” I said, still breathing hard from the great orgasm that I just had.We got out of the Jacuzzi and into the bed.
“You are so beautiful, and I am so proud of you tonight--winning that award.”
“Thank you, baby.”
Climbing on top of Garie, I sat on him slowly, and he started to massage my breasts.
“I love you, Aurica,” he said as he closed his eyes and moaned softly.
“Mmm, I love you too, baby.”
Placing my hands on his muscular chest and grinding my curvy, thick hips up and down on his hardness in circular motion, I heard Garie began to moan softly.
I looked down at him while I was riding, because he was making the craziest faces.
“Mmm, Aurica, I love it when you ride me. Damn, this pussy is soo good.”
Looking at him with a devilish smile, I began to ride my husband harder and with more force. Then as I gripped his chest with my hands, I started bouncing up and down real hard. I was riding him so hard that I could hear my pussy swooshing, like waves in the ocean.
“Damn, Aurica!”
He moved his hands from my waist down to my butt while he was guiding me to continue to ride harder.
“Ahhhh, Garie, Garie!”
I was about to climax again and my thighs started to tense up. I started to lose my rhythm and get a little weak. Our bodies were covered with sweat but that didn’t stop us one bit. I quickly got off of Garie and he climbed on top. He hurried up and placed both of my legs on his muscular chest as I licked my lips at him seductively, giving him the eye. I bit my bottom lip, which always drove him insane. Looking at my red painted toes, he grabbed my right foot and placed it in his mouth, sucking on my big toe softly.
“Mmmm…” I moaned.
“You like that, baby?”
“Yes!”
As he quickly entered me, Garie started pounding me so hard that I had to grip our silk sheets. He gripped both of my legs on his chest as he was making love to me. I couldn’t help but bite my bottom lip as I was moaning so hard.
He was moaning so loudly; I just know that our neighbors heard him.
“Aaaah…shit, damn baby…I’m about to cum.”
As he said he was cumming, he started going extra hard. We both were moaning and breathing uncontrollably, and we came at the same time. My heart was pounding so fast! Garie slipped out of me and lay in the bed next to me. He kissed me softly on my forehead as our hands intertwined each other’s.
“Are you sure you have to go on your book tour tomorrow?”
“Yes, baby. I am going to five cities: Dallas, Texas; Las Vegas, Nevada; Charlotte, North Carolina; Richmond Virginia, and my hometown: Wilmington, Delaware.”
It’s going to be hard to go back home.
“Are you going to see your mom?”
“Yea, but I just can’t believe that she still lives in the same house my father died in.”
“How did he die, again?”
I was a little hesitant trying to think of the lie that I told him when we first met. After he asked me about my father, I had a flashback of killing him.
How does it feel to see your life flash before your eyes? I thought.I could see myself in the room shaking the snake, while she was in her tank, getting agitated and scared. Seeing myself pull that cover up and let the snake go made me feel good inside.
I jumped up out of my daze, reminiscing about the past, like someone was out to get me.
“Baby, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing…I just thought I heard something. Baby, I’m scared--could you please check the house?” Garie was giving me a crazy look because he didn’t hear anything, but he went anyway.
“Baby, of course I will.” Garie rushed and put his pants on as he stormed down the stairs. Soon as he left our bedroom, I quickly turned on to my side and pretended to be asleep. I could hear him come back upstairs as I quickly closed my eyes.
“Baby I didn’t see….”
He stopped talking once he realized I was sleep.
“Okay, I know you have to get up for your tour in the morning, so I’ll let you sleep.” Cradling me from behind, he kissed my cheek and then closed his eyes. Garie was asleep in five minutes while I was lying there, planning my next move for my exciting tour.
Chapter 4
It was about 4 am when I awoke the next morning. Last night, I had already made my schedule around the men that I would be seeing while I was away. I would have a book signing around where they worked or lived. There was Mark, Will, Andrew, and Malcolm. I had to catch my 6:30 am flight to the JFK New York airport. I would be landing in Dallas at 12 pm.
My publicist, Caren, and a car would be awaiting my arrival when I landed.
“Baby, are you sure you have enough money for the tour?”
“Garie, I told you that I had enough, baby; we have to hurry--you have to drive me to the airport”.
“Baby, I am just asking.”
“I know, sweetie.”
He kissed me passionately on my lips and smacked my butt after he finished.
“Garie, I don’t have time to be playing…c’mon, sweetie.”
“A’ightAurica--I’m just going to miss you.”
“I know you are.”
Garie chuckled and then began to put his clothes on. As he was getting dressed, I was drying off from getting out of the shower.We were dressed quickly, and Garie grabbed my bags and loaded them in the car. While he was down in the car, I was on the Internet checking all of my emails, in case one of the places where I would be signing at had cancelled.
“Let’s see…no cancellations thus far, which is definitely a great thing. Perfect!”
The first guy I was going to see was Mark, an African American male in his late 20’s with three victims that he hurt. But one of his victims was his daughter.
“I guess he’ll have to do!”
“Aurica!”
“Yes, baby?”
“The car is ready.
“Okay, baby. I’m on my way down.”
I hurried up and saved on my grey Blackberry the email that I was writing to Caren. Running down the stairs I tripped over the black shoe that I was wearing last night at the awards ceremony that was in the way when Garie carried me upstairs.
I jumped in the car with a panicked look my face.
“You alright?”Garie asked.
“Yes, I just don’t want to be late, that’s all.”
“Okay…you know that you can change your mind and just stay home with me, right?”
“Sweetie, you know that my fans want to see me,” I said with a chuckle.
“Okay, okay.”
We arrived at the airport on time; it was approximately 5:45 am. I was a little early for my flight. Garie helped me with my things inside the airport. He had tears in his eyes when he heard the announcement, “We are now boarding to Dallas, Texas…please report to gate 31.”
Holding me close, Garie said, “Baby, please call me as soon as you land.”
“You know I will.”
We kissed again and then I walked up the ramp to board the plane. I quickly found my seat and sat down by the window. I hated window seats. They always made me so nauseous. But oh well. I gotta do what I gotta do.
The flight attendant began to speak on the loud speaker.
“Thank you for flying with us at Delta Airlines. We will be landing in Dallas Texas in about six hours. Relax and enjoy your flight. We have attendants that are here to help, should you need anything.”
I was so excited for my new adventure to begin. I clicked my seatbelt and sat back in my chair, smiling with a devilish grin.
“Let the games begin!”
Chapter 5
There was this big black man sitting in the seat next to me, breathing hard. He was about 5’10, with brown skin and brown eyes. What made me notice him was that he had a scar underneath of his right eye. Even though he was a little on the heavy side, he had nice features. He had full lips and his nails were clean for a man. He was wearing a grey suit with his huge potbelly sticking out over his belt line.
I was thinking, “This shit makes me wanna throw up”! Trying to relax on the plane, I just closed my eyes and waited until I reached my destination. Drifting off to sleep, I was awakening by the plane hitting an air pocket. I jumped up in fear, scared to death by the noise.
“What the hell!”
The flight attendant rushed over to me to check on me.
“Ma’am, are you okay?”
“Yes, I’m sorry…I just haven’t been on a plane in such a long time.”
The attendant was wearing a blue stewardess outfit that was so tight you could see her ribs through it. You could tell that she was very young, because she had the little girl’s face. I looked at her name tag.
“Rebecca, is it?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“I’m fine, really…just a little shaken up.”
All of the other passengers who were sitting nearby were looking at me and snickering.
My laptop, which was placed in my lap, almost slid to the floor.
“Let’s see--Dallas Texas Sex Offenders Registry…”
I studied the registry closely again, just in case I wanted to change who I had picked from before.
“Mark Wilson, Craig Smith, AndrewDawkins…hmmmm. I will still keep Mark Wilson; he lives right by the hotel we are staying.”
“Ma’am, who are you talking to?”
The man with the big pot belly actually had the nerve to say something to me.
“I’m not talking to you, so mind your damn business!”
I snapped at him and then I felt terrible. I was more afraid of flying than what I let on. I just wanted to hurry up and get off this god-forsaken plane already. I gave the man a sympathetic look that showed my apology.
“Sir, I’m sorry…it’s just that I am having a bad day, and this long flight is not helping at all.”
“Ma’am, I understand--I’m not feeling so hot myself.”
The whole time that he was talking, I couldn’t help but gaze into his hazel eyes. He looked really sneaky to me.
“I am Aurica--Aurica Daniels.”
“Hello Aurica. I am Mark--Mark Wilson.”
After he spoke his name, my eyes lit up like big saucers! Was this the person that I had jus’ picked?”
“Mark you look familiar…are you an officer here in Texas?”
“Not at all Ms. Daniels-- I hate the law. I got in trouble a few years back. But I do know who you are, Ms. Daniels. I am a fan of your books.”
“Oh wow, thank you.”
“I especially liked how you had Janice kill the man while she was sleeping with him! What gave you the idea to have that scene in your book?”
“My favorite movie is Harlem Nights.”
“Wow! I love that movie too.”
“No kidding! Well, I’m doing a book signing here in Dallas for a couple days, and if you’d like to rent it to watch together before I leave, that would be great.”
“That would be great! Here’s my card; contact me when you’re ready, but wait…will your husband be upset?”
“No, it’s just a movie, Mark.”
I went back to my laptop, researching ideas for my next book. I planned on starting another novel while I was on this short trip. Mark fell asleep while were still on the plane. I was smiling my devilish grin because the address that I had for Mark Wilson was the same one that he gave me that was on his card.
After about another forty-five minutes, the flight attendant finally came on the intercom.
“We have reached our destination: Dallas, Texas. Please enjoy your stay, and you can get your luggage as you get off the plane.”
After Rebecca’s announcement, I was so happy that I was getting of the plane that I jumped up first. I quickly got my things and darted to the exit. Once I got my luggage, I walked out to the front of the airport to wait on Caren and the car.
“Finally! Where is my publicist so we can go to the hotel room? I am so exhausted!”I grabbed my luggage when Mark snuck behind me and whispered in my ear.
“Ms. Daniels, it was a pleasure meeting you finally, and I look forward to our movie date.” I thought to myself, “Date… what date? This dude was buggin!”
“Likewise, Mark … see you later.”The sooner Mark got out of my face, the better.
I thought to myself, “The fat fuck don’t even know what’s in store for him!
Chapter 6
My publicist, Caren, and I finally got to our hotel room. I was beyond tired. Sitting in my room, I began to take off my blue shirt and jeans so I could grab a quick shower, all while humming “Kiss of Life” by Sade. I was startled by my cell phone when I heard it ring from off the nightstand.
“Hello”.
“Hey Aurica, it’s Mark, Did you make it to your destination okay?”
I forgot that I gave him my card. I was thinking in my head, “Why is he calling me?”
“Yes Mark, I did. Thanks for calling.”
“No, problem! Do you need anything because I can come right over?”
Mark was beyond annoying. I couldn’t wait to get our get-together over and done with so he could be history.
Damn, this guy is really trying to get some pussy. I can’t see him tonight, but tomorrow it is on and popping. I couldn’t help but to put on a devilish grin.
“Mark, thank you for your concern, but I am just going to grab a shower and go to bed. I will definitely see you tomorrow for our movie though, okay?”
“Okay, Mrs. Daniels. I mean ‘Aurica’. Call me tomorrow, okay?”
“Will do.”
As I hung up the phone, I continued to get undressed and turn on the shower. My cell phone started ringing again.
“Damn, this dude doesn’t get the point!” I screamed out loud while I was grabbing my towel.
I answered my phone in a rage.
“What??”
“Hey baby…what’s the matter? Is everything okay? Do I need to come there and whip somebody’s ass?”
“Baby, I’m sorry--you don’t have to do that. Then I would have to get you a lawyer.”
“I see that you got it, Aurica, but, I’m for real. I will go to jail for my wife…there ain’t no question about that.”
I could hear the seriousness in his tone.I couldn’t help but to hold my stomach as I laughed aloud so hard.
“Oh, you think that’s funny, huh?”
“No baby, it’s not funny. I’m just looking at the TV while I’m talking to you.”
I was thinking that I forgot to call Garie, which I had promised to do as soon as I landed.
“Hey baby, I’m sorry. No, everything is fine. It’s just that my luggage was lost, and the people have been calling me a lot--that’s all.”
“Lost!? How did that happen?”
“Who knows, but you know how it is.”
“I do know that…all too well.”
Our luggage had gotten lost while we were on our honeymoon.
“Do you need me to send you money so you can get the things that you need until your luggage is retrieved?”
“No baby, it’s fine. They are delivering it tomorrow morning, anyway.”
“Aurica, I’m worried; you really sound upset…maybe I will get on the next flight to Dallas.”
“No!”
Damn!I couldn’t believe that I just lied and hollered at Garie the way that I did.
“I mean…no baby, I’ll be fine. Besides, you have to work in the morning. I am ok, really.”
“Aurica, are you sure?”
“Yes, baby. Just not used to sleeping without you, that’s all.”
“Okay, baby. Well, I am glad that you are okay. Get some rest and I will call you tomorrow after your signing.”
“Okay sweetie. I love you!”
“I love you too, Aurica.”
I felt terrible that I was lying to my husband. Garie was the greatest. We don’t argue, we are both successful, and the sex is off the chain! After I got off the phone, I couldn’t help but smile thinking about how Garie always asked me how my day was or would rub my feet…just because. Hearing the water run in the shower broke me out of my trance. I got up from the bed and hopped in the shower. As I was bathing my curvy, thick caramel body, I was thinking about my evening tomorrow with Mark.I thought
“I wonder what sexy outfit I could wear to entice him with?”
Hmm, well we will be watching Harlem Nights; maybe something in silk will do the trick. Turning off the shower, I stepped out of the tub and wiped the foggy mirror with a towel. Looking at my reflection in the mirror, I just knew that I was that girl: from my beautiful eyes to my gorgeous smile and my pearly whites, I was a bad bitch!
Staring in the mirror, I smiled my best smile.
“Mark thinks he is untouchable, huh? Well, I am about to lay my hands on his raping ass!”
Chapter 7
Iwas out for the count sleeping when the alarm woke me up with the loudest beeping noise.
“It is too damn early to be getting up now!!” I was never a morning person at all.
I rolled over on the bed to hit the alarm clock to shut it off.As I glanced up at the clock, I saw that it was 6:30 am. My signing started at 8am but I still had to be up and ready. After I shut off the alarm clock, the hotel phone rang.
“Aurica Daniels.”
“Damn, Aurica…you wake up with your professional voice on. You ain’t playing no games, huh?”
“Caren, it is too early, girl!”
“Yea, yea, yea. I know you’re not a morning person.”
While she was talking to me, I mocked her silently on the other end of the phone.
“We have to get you to hair and makeup; it’s down the street from the Dock Mall where you will be doing the signing.”
“Okay, that’s cool.Just let me hop in the shower and get dressed. I’ll meet you downstairs in fifteen minutes.”
“Works for me, but Aurica, I’m not playing…fifteen minutes. Not forty-five!I know how you are.”
“Okay, Mother.”
She hated when I called her “Mother.”
“Oh, and Aurica, call your husband--he said your voicemail is full.”
“A’ight, no problem.”
I rushed out of bed and got in the shower. I was in and out in about ten minutes. I hurried and put on my jeans and a nice t-shirt for the signing. I knew that it was going to be hot today, so I didn’t want to overdress; plus, I like to be comfortable at all my signings. I feel that my fans respect me more if I am me and try not to overdo it.
On the elevator with my Coach bag dangling from one hand and my cell phone in the other, I was trying to check messages. The bag was so heavy with all my business cards and other promo materials that I stashed in it. Getting off the elevator, I was still checking my messages and bumped into someone by accident.
“Sir, I am so sorry.”
“Miss, it’s definitely okay; it’s not every day that a beautiful woman bumps into me.”
“Well, this beautiful, married woman sincerely apologizes.”
“It’s okay…have a good day, Mrs. Daniels.”
I gave him a peculiar, confused look. I couldn’t help but stop in my tracks when I realized that he knew my name.
“You may not know me, but my name is Robert. Robert Baxton.”
He extended his hand to me, and I gracefully shook it, staring up at him, trying to figure out if I know who the hell he was. He had to be all of 6’5; he was chocolate with wavy black hair and nice dimples. Boy, did I have a thing for chocolate men!
“Hello, Robert.”
“Mrs. Daniels, I didn’t mean to startle you by knowing your name.”
“Uh… it’s okay.”
“My daughter Victoria is a fan of your books, and every time you come out with a new one, Daddy has to get it for her. Plus, I couldn’t miss a beautiful face like that.”
“Oh, you have looked in the back of my books, too?”
“Yes, I have.”
I couldn’t help but blush from ear to ear. My dimples started to show.
“Aaaww, that’s sweet, Robert. Well, you are a good dad.”
“I try my best, Mrs. Daniels.”
“Please call me Aurica.”
“Okay, Aurica.”
“I have a business meeting here in the lobby and my daughter had a sleepover with her friends here at the hotel.”
“Oh…that sounds fun…but Robert, I have to get going. I have a signing at Dock Mall at 8 am. Why don’t you and Victoria come, and I will be glad to sign her books and give her a free copy of my latest novel.”
“Vicki would love that, and thank you.”
“No problem--here is my card with my numbers on it, and call me when you are on your way.”
“Okay, Aurica, it sounds like a plan.”
“See you soon, Robert.”
He waved his hand at me as he was waiting for the elevator.
Lawd, that man is fine, I thought to myself,If I was not married…
He looked nice in his pin-striped blue and gray Armani suit with the shoes to match.
Walking out of the hotel, I saw my car was parked out front with Carrie waiting patiently.
“Hey girl. I’m sorry I took long, but there was this fine man that approached me and said his daughter was a fan.”
“Oh, it’s cool. We are right on schedule…but Aurica, don’t forget that you are married to Garie. Look at that rock he put on your finger.” I quickly glanced at the gorgeous princess-cut genuine diamond ring. I couldn’t help but feel a bit guilty after Caren made that remark.
“Girl, please…I know I’m married, but I’m definitely not blind. Besides, I love my husband dearly. I would never cheat on him, unlike some people I know.”
“Hey, I’m just saying…you know people get cocky and big headed and think because they got money, they can do as they please. I’m just saying in general, Aurica. Don’t have a cow.”
“Haha, trust me--I know you ain’t talking about me.”
My stomach started forming butterflies because I was nervous about seeing Robert and his daughter, Victoria. I thought about those dreamy eyes that he had.
We pulled up in front of the hair salon and I hoped there wouldn’t be a long wait. Luckily, there was no one in the salon because it finally dawned on me that we were there before the salon opened. The one thing about being a successful author is the perks that come with it. As I was sitting at the sink to get my hair shampooed, I couldn’t wait until my evening with Mark Wilson.