If I Were Your Woman (5 page)

“I really want to put together a collection of photographs of New Orleans.”

She twisted around to look at him over her shoulder. “Really? I think it's a great idea.” She finished off her chips. “The whole notion that after more than a year no real progress has been made over there is mind-boggling. And we can't let people forget what happened.”

“Exactly. I know I don't have the kind of money or political influence to make a difference at that level, but pictures speak a thousand words.” He reached around her to the snacks on the coffee table, dunked a carrot into the dip, and took a bite.

She nodded her head in agreement, trying to stay focused when his finger teased the underside of her breast.

“I thought that once I was able to get enough photos, I could mount a show, use the proceeds to send down to the people. Know what I mean?” He pushed her bra up and cupped her breast in his large palm.

She sucked in a breath. “I think that's brilliant.” Her mind raced with possibilities. “I could help you. I could do the publicity and secure a venue when the pictures were ready.”

“You would do that?” He squeezed, just a little.

“Of course,” she said on a sigh. “It's what I do.” She turned to face him. They were chest to breasts. She smiled and ran her finger across his mouth. “I think it's a wonderful idea.” She draped her leg across his hips. “It comes from your heart and that's what'll make it special.” She paused, searched his eyes. “It's the thing that makes
you
special.”

He reached out and ran his hands through her hair, then pulled her to his waiting lips.

A sudden hunger exploded inside her, taking her by surprise. The driving need to have Tony fill her made her dizzy with want. The hours of playing and innocently teasing each other was like a pot left for hours to boil. She slid her hand up under his sweatshirt, trailing her nails along his chest. He breathed hard against her mouth, then unsnapped her bra from the back. Her breasts sighed in the delight of being set free.

“I want you so bad it aches,” he groaned, struggling with the button on her pants.

She pushed his hand away and unfastened her pants pulling them and her panties down in one long motion. Her voice was a harsh, teasing whisper. “How bad? Show me how bad you want me.” She stroked the hard rise in his jeans until it felt as if it would burst through the fabric.

All at once she was pinned beneath him. Hot lips seared across her neck, along the rise of her breasts, nibbling and taunting. His mouth captured a hard nipple and suckled until she thought she'd go mad. She writhed beneath him, needing release, pushing her pelvis against him in a sinuous rotating motion.

His mouth moved lower for further exploration, stopping for a moment on her fluttering stomach. A cry caught in her throat when his wet tongue licked the candy between her legs. He pushed his hands beneath her hips to pull her closer, his mouth capturing her completely. He sucked gently on her clitoris that had swollen and was beating like a tiny drum.

Her entire body shuddered. She wanted more, wanted to give him more of what he sought. She draped one leg over the back of the couch, the other she braced on the coffee table.

“It's yours,” she moaned. “Take it. All of it.”

When his tongue slid inside her, an explosion went off in the center of her being. White light flashed behind her lids as her body shook from the inside out.

“Ooooh, God!”

Without losing a beat Tony thrust up inside her. Her eyes flew open and she stared directly into his. He moved in and out then in slow, maddening circles. “Is this what you want?”

“Yes, yes, yes.” She drew her long legs around his back.

“Good. So do I.”

He kissed her so softly it could have been a dream. A kiss so sweet and tender, tears sprang in her eyes from the pure joy of it.

They made love in slow motion as if needing to etch every move, every sensation onto their minds forever.

Stephanie felt the slow but steady changes in Tony. The muscles in his back tightened into thick ropes, his thrusts became deeper, harder, more demanding, faster. His heart raced and pounded against hers, his breath hot and quick along the valley of her throat.

She opened herself even wider, raised her hips higher, offered up the fruit of her breasts for him to bury the groans that rose from the bottoms of his feet, the sound a mixture of agony and pure ecstasy.

And then…she was there with him. That telltale heat that pulsed in the pit of her stomach. The tiny shock waves that surged through her limbs. The loss of all reason, her body becoming a conduit for giving and receiving pleasure. The awesomeness of it, the power of it gripped her. Her body surged upward, desperately needing the flames that raged within her to be put out.

Tony expelled a shuddering groan and all the love, the lust, the need to satisfy her rushed from him to her and she gobbled it up with one powerful contraction after another until they were both weak, drained, and utterly sated.

 

Wrapped in thick terry cloth robes, with music playing in the background and snow falling silently outside, Stephanie and Tony sat in the center of her queen-sized bed sipping on her chicken soup.

“This isn't half-bad,” Tony teased.

“Told ya.” She grinned in triumph.

He glanced toward the window. “Looks like we might be here for a while.”

“Might not be such a bad thing.” She winked at him.

“If the rest of the night is anything like the session we just had I'm all for it.”

“It was kind of spectacular.”

“I wanted you to know how I feel about you, Steph. When it comes to you I can't hold back. I want you to have all of me and I want to leave you so satisfied that you can't think straight.” He stared into her eyes until she turned away.

“Mission accomplished,” she said softly.

“And there's always more where that came from.” He pointed a finger at her for emphasis.

Tony placed his bowl of soup on the nightstand, reached for hers, and put it on the stand as well. He looked at her for a moment. Stephanie felt warm from the heat in his eyes. He leaned slightly forward. His finger traced the outline of the opening in her robe. Her heart quickened. Both hands gently pushed the folds aside. The robe slid off her shoulders to settle around her waist.

“You're incredible,” he said, his voice thick with desire. He touched her exposed skin so softly as if she was delicate china.

Stephanie closed her eyes and drew in a long, slow breath. She lifted the weight of her breasts in each hand while the tips of Tony's fingers grazed across them. He eased her back against the stack of pillows and unfastened the loosely tied belt of her robe. She bent her knees. Tony stretched out between them. He touched her center and found her wet and ready, which only heightened his own need.

He looked into her eyes as he pressed against her opening. “I love you, Steph,” he whispered the instant before he entered her.

Stephanie closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around him as tight as she could. She could offer him anything, the pleasure of her body, her laughter, her ideas, her time, her loyalty and respect. But she knew, even as he loved her with all his being, she couldn't give him what he wanted most.

B
arbara did a last check on her apartment before the girls arrived. Her grandmother's dining table was covered with a white linen tablecloth and the chafing dishes were filled with fried chicken, grilled shrimp, macaroni and cheese, fresh green beans, and seasoned rice. There was also a tossed green salad with the plum tomatoes that the girls loved. Ann Marie was sure to bring an island delicacy, Ellie dessert, and of course Steph would bring liquid.

She'd been preparing for hours. She wanted everything to be perfect, extra special, and not so much because they were welcoming a new member into the tight fold, but because it had been a while since they'd all gotten together, to just relax and enjoy each other's company.

Barbara was just adding lemon to the glass pitcher of iced tea when the doorbell rang. As was tradition, Ann Marie was the first to arrive.

“Hey, girl,” Barbara greeted, bending down to kiss Ann Marie's cold cheek.

“Whew, frosty as a frigid woman out there,” she quipped, stepping inside.

Barbara chuckled and closed the door. “But at least all that snow is finally gone. Thought we were in Alaska for a minute.” She sniffed at the tray in Ann Marie's hand. “Hmm, something smells good.”

“Flyin' fish and callaloo. Had to hurry and get it out of the house before Sterling ate it all. Man always meddling in me damned pots.”

“And you love it.”

Ann Marie's petite face lit up. “Yeah, I do. Didn't ever think I'd want a man around me all the time…but I can't seem to get enough of being with him. Ya know.” She looked into Barbara's eyes, looking for understand and validation of her feelings.

Barbara put her hand on Ann Marie's shoulder. “I know exactly how you feel.” She took the tray from Ann Marie and walked toward the kitchen while Ann took off her coat and hung it in the hall closet. She followed Barbara inside.

“Wow. What a spread,” Ann said, looking at the table. Barbara came in and added scented candles and linen napkins to match the tablecloth. “You can transfer your food into the tray on the end.”

Ann Marie followed the instructions of the hostess and added her contribution to the fare.

The bell rang again.

“Could you get that, Ann?” Barbara called out from the kitchen.

Ann went to the door. Stephanie held out her bottle of wine in one hand and a six-pack of Coors in the other. Terri held a covered tray of appetizers.

“Hey, Ann,” Stephanie greeted, breezing in. “Sure smells good up in here. I'm starved already.”

“I wasn't sure what to bring,” Terri offered, following Stephanie inside.

“Whatever it is, we'll be sure to eat it. I can guarantee that,” Ann Marie said, closing the door behind them.

“Hello, ladies,” Barbara said, stepping out from the kitchen. “Glad you could make it, Terri.” She put the punch bowl on the table.

“Thanks for having me.”

“Make yourself comfortable. It's all self-serve, so have whatever you want whenever you want it. We definitely don't stand on ceremony around here.”

Stephanie took Terri's coat and hung it up with hers in the closet. “Don't tell me I beat Elizabeth here,” she called out.

No sooner were the words out of her mouth then the bell rang again. “I got it,” Stephanie said.

“Sorry I'm late,” Ellie said, a bit breathless. “But I think my sweet potato cheesecake will make up for it.” She grinned triumphantly, taunting Stephanie by waving it under her nose as she came inside.

“I vote we break tradition and have dessert first,” Stephanie said.

Now that everyone had arrived, Barbara put the music on low as the ladies sat around playing catch-up and loading their plates.

“I still can't believe that it's been less than a year,” Elizabeth said.

“I can still remember that night. We were drunk as skunks,” Stephanie said.

“Speak for yourself,” Ann Marie piped in.

Stephanie tossed her a look. “If I remember correctly we almost had to pick you up off the floor a couple of times.”

Ann Marie rolled her eyes. “Damn Coors done addled your brain.”

They all chuckled.

Elizabeth raised her glass in a toast. “To Barbara, who came up with the brilliant idea to open a spa for men.”

“Hear, hear!” they chimed.

“And to Ann Marie, who convinced us that hovel of a building could be transformed into a showplace,” Barbara said.

“To Stephanie for whipping up a PR campaign that put us on the map!” Ann Marie announced.

“And to our sista Ellie, who holds it down each and every day,” Stephanie said. “Wheeling and dealing with those
fine
men!”

“Amen,” they chorused.

Stephanie turned to Terri. “And to our new sista friend, Terri Wells.”

“Welcome to the family,” Barbara said.

Terri looked from one welcoming face to the other. “Thank you for including me. This is all so new to me.”

“Whatcha mean?” Ann Marie asked, and took a long swallow of her drink.

“Having girlfriends.” She shrugged a little. “I've really never had one—except for Mindy.”

“You have four of us now and we can be real pains in the ass when necessary,” Ann Marie said.

“You got that right,” Stephanie said, and winked at Ann Marie.

“How long have you all been friends?” Terri asked.

They all looked at each other, then started talking at once. Every combination from ten years to shopping mall meetings, to gossiping under hair dryers and everything in between.

Barbara held up her hand. “You know what, ya'll? We never really thought about how we all became friends. Sometimes it seems like we were always friends.”

“Sure does,” Elizabeth echoed. “I do remember when you and I met,” she said to Barbara. She braced her arms on her thighs. “The twins were still in their double strollers.” She chuckled at the memory. “I was walking along Lenox Avenue and you stopped me to say how cute they were.”

“Yeah, yeah, I remember.”

“Then I think you asked me if I knew which way to the library and I told you that's where I was going.” She grinned. “While we walked and talked we discovered we lived only blocks from each other. And the rest as they say is history.” She turned to the ladies. “Barbara invited me and Matthew over for dinner and we met Marvin.”

Barbara's eyes clouded over for an instant as she thought about the loss of her husband. Ellie reached over and touched her hand.

Barbara cleared her throat. “It has been a while, hasn't it? Twenty-odd years ago.” She pointed to Stephanie. “We met in Pathmark.”

Stephanie tossed her head back and laughed. “We sure did. Place was packed on a Friday night. Ellie was with you, right?”

“Yep. And we all wanted the same cab!” Elizabeth laughed. “Come to find out you lived down the street from me.”

Stephanie turned to Ann Marie. “And how did you get all up in the mix?”

Ann Marie cut her a look. “Being the businesswoman that I am, I was canvassing the neighborhood for potential sales. Ellie was sitting outside her house with the twins. They must have been about, what, nine, ten years old, Ellie?”

She nodded. “About that.”

“Anyway,” Ann Marie continued, “I started talking to her about the benefits of home ownership and she told me she'd been trying to tell her friends the same thing for the longest but they wouldn't listen and maybe I could talk some sense into them. Somehow or other Ellie wrangled an invitation for me to come to Barbara's for one of y'alls get-togethers.” She turned to Terri. “And I've been stuck with them ever since!”

They all laughed at the memories, adding little tidbits and anecdotes as they ate and drank.

“Ladies, if Barbara's grandmother's table could talk—the stories it could tell. We have spilled our guts, tears, gossip, and a few drinks all over it during the years.”

“Ain't that the truth,” Barbara said, touching the edge of the table with affection.

“Amen to that,” Ann Marie said.

Then Stephanie changed the course of the conversation. “Ell, what were you telling me a few days ago about meeting a murderer?”

Everyone's mouths opened, and all eyes were trained on Elizabeth.

“Well, his name is Ali….” She went on to tell them of how they met. “Anyway, he was a former member of the Black Panther Party back in the sixties in Atlanta,” she said, her voice lifting with excitement and a hint of intrigue. “During a raid of their headquarters, there was a shoot-out and he was accused of shooting a cop. He was in jail until eight years ago until he was exonerated of all charges. He wasn't even there that night.”

“Wow,” they chimed.

“It boggles the mind how often our men wind up in jail for crimes they didn't commit,” Barbara said. “Really pisses me off.”

“And the sad part is, his wife divorced him while he was in jail. Took his two kids and he's never seen them again.”

“What a shame,” Terri said.

“Anyway, now he's working with Ron on his construction crew. He seems like a really nice guy.” She shook her head. “The girls were totally enamored with him and he has such a gentle way about him, I'm sure he would have made a good family man if he'd had the chance. He reminds me of someone, but I just can't put my finger on it.”

“Maybe you saw his picture somewhere years ago,” Terri offered. “I mean, it was a little before my time, but I do remember there being tons of photos and news clips about the Panthers.”

“How old would you say he is?” Stephanie asked.

“Hmm, early sixties.”

“You said he had kids?” she asked.

“Yeah, but when I tried to ask about them, he got really quiet. You could tell it still bothered him.”

“That's too bad,” Ann Marie said. “It would be easy to blame the woman. But sometimes ya gotta do what's best for you and the kids. She had to move on with her life.”

Stephanie stood up. “What about the kids? Was it fair to them to grow up without knowing their father?” she blurted out, stunning the group with the vehemence of her outburst. “Excuse me.” She walked out and went into the kitchen.

“Touchy subject for Steph,” Barbara said by way of explanation to Terri.

“I know all about family loss,” Terri said. “My mom, my dad, my brother…It does affect you. And it hits different people different ways.”

“I'll go talk to her,” Ann Marie offered. “It was me damned big mouth anyway.” She pushed up from her seat and went into the kitchen.

Stephanie was sitting at the table, staring into space.

“Steph, you know me run me mouth too much. Didn't mean to upset you.”

Stephanie waved her hand and sniffed. “It's okay, really. Any other day it probably would have rolled right off my shoulder.” She shook her head and sighed. “But lately, I'm all twisted in a knot. The slightest little thing sets me off.”

“It happens…to all of us.” She came around the table and took Stephanie by the arm. “Come on. This night is a fun night, not time to sniff and moan. You can do that later.”

Stephanie looked up at Ann Marie and grinned. “Damn, didn't we used to hate each other?” She stood up.

Ann Marie hooked her arm through Stephanie's. “Yeah, we sure did. I still can't stand ya,” she added.

They chuckled in friendship and returned to the party.

 

“Hey, Steph, thanks for inviting me tonight. I really had a good time,” Terri said as they stood outside Barbara's building. “You have some really great friends.”

“Now they're your friends, too.”

Terri smiled. “Yeah, I like the sound of that.”

Stephanie gave her a hug. “Get home safely. We'll talk next week.”

“Absolutely.”

Stephanie started to walk away.

“Steph…”

She stopped and turned. “Yeah?”

Terri approached. “I mean, I know I haven't known you as long as the others…but if you ever want to…uh, talk about the whole family thing…” She shrugged her right shoulder and let her statement hang in the air.

Stephanie nodded, a pressed smile on her mouth. “Thanks. I'll remember that.”

“Good night.”

“Night.”

Stephanie got behind the wheel of her car, started it, and waited for it to warm up before she pulled off. Then all at once a deep chasm of despair spread through her body like a fever. Tears sprang from her eyes and rolled unchecked down her cheeks. She lowered her head to the steering wheel and sobbed, deep racking sobs, something she hadn't done since the night they pulled her and Samantha out of the car wreck.