living room that reminded one of an African paradise. The walls were painted tangerine with curtains made of a Kente cloth in colors of black, white, tangerine and lime. African masks and wood carvings littered the room tastefully, and throughout the room were yellow, orange and green candles in various sizes in specially picked candle-holders.
“So what are you doing with this lacey number on, barely covering your ass and titties? I know you don’t have anyone else up in my house.”
Sheila’s voice shook. “No, Victor, there’s no one here. I don’t feel so well. I might have a touch of the flu. I was preparing to lie down right before you showed up at the door.”
Breathing hard, Victor swooped down on Sheila and grabbed her by the shoulders. He began to kiss her neck. “I need you, Sheila. God, you smell good.”
“Uhh, Victor.” Sheila stood afraid to move.
Victor took off his coat and threw it on the arm of the overstuffed green chair that sat next to the plush green sofa. He pulled Sheila to him and eased her on the sofa and began to kiss her passionately on the lips and all over her neck, intoxicated with her scent. He slipped his fingers under her bra strap and pulled it down, exposing her breasts; her nipples extended at attention. He kissed them like a hungry man who had been deprived of food, savoring the taste to the very last drop. Then Victor lifted himself to get a better look. He knelt over Sheila and kissed her stomach, sliding his hands over her, exploring every nook and cranny, feeling her smooth and supple skin before finally lifting the sides of her panties so he could continue his pleasure.
Sheila placed her hands on top of Victor’s. “I don’t feel good, Victor. My stomach is rumbling and if I don’t get up, I might throw up.” Sheila grabbed her stomach. “I’ve got to go to the bathroom.”
Victor looked at her. “Damn, girl, I was almost there. Now, I’ve got to find some other way to get rid of this hard-on. You arouse me to no end, Sheila, with that fine body of yours.”
“I’ve got to go to the bathroom.”
Victor rolled his body to the side and let Sheila up as she fled to the bathroom. On her way in, she reached for her cell phone. Once in the bathroom, she sent a text and heaved a sigh of relief when she received a reply. She made an awful noise like she was throwing up, flushed the toilet, washed her hands, and went back to the living room to face Victor.
“Baby, let’s call it a night,” Sheila said, using every bit of tact to get rid of him.
“I know you don’t feel good. Why don’t you let me lie with you for a while? I won’t try anything.”
Sheila sighed. “Victor, all I want to do is go to sleep.”
“Just a few minutes,” Victor begged.
Victor laced his arms around Sheila’s belly as he held her close, bunched up on the sofa. Sheila’s face was twisted in a nasty scowl. She lay like a limp doll in Victor’s arms, but sat up at the abrupt ringing of the phone.
Victor pulled out his BlackBerry and saw that Trevor was calling. He started to ignore it but pushed the green icon and spoke into the phone. “What is it, Trevor?”
“Dad, some guys…detectives, came to the house looking for you.”
Victor pushed Sheila aside and brought both feet to the floor. “What did they want?”
“They wanted to talk to you. They wouldn’t say what it was about. They asked if they could sit until you returned, but I told them no.”
“Good. Did you get their names? Maybe I’ll try and contact them.”
“The black dude’s name was Ernest Marshall and the white dude’s name was Bryan Samuels.”
“Thanks.”
Victor ended the call. “Look, Sheila. I’ve got to run. My son called. Some old friends of mine got into town and are trying to catch up with me. Another day. I hope you feel better.”
“You do care.”
“Yeah.” Victor paused, reached in his pocket, and pulled out the gun. “Look, you can put this away. I don’t need it. I’ve changed my mind about what I was going to do with it.”
Sheila looked at him strange. “A few days ago you acted like your world was about to cave in and you had to teach somebody a lesson. Give it here; I’ll put it away. Thanks for understanding, Victor. I’m going to crawl in