Relapse: A Novel (13 page)

Lootchee admired her from afar; she was even more beautiful in person. Mesmerized by her full package, he watched with lust-filled eyes as she came down the escalator. Her jeans showed off her curves, and her olive-green wrap shirt revealed just enough for his imagination to go full-tilt. Dior sunglasses made her look like a superstar, his star. He waited for the escalator to descend, and like a perfect gentlemen he stood with a beautiful bouquet of roses.

Lootchee looked better than she had remembered. He looked good enough to eat and simply delectable in his money-green shirt, blue denim jeans with money-green trim, and sneakers to match. He beamed a perfect set of pearly whites at her.

“How was your flight?” His voice was deep and sexy.

Beijing was so busy staring at him she almost didn’t hear him speak to her.

“Oh,” she said, snapping out of her less-than-pure thoughts. “It was cool. Are the flowers for me? They’re lovely!”

“Not as lovely as you are,” he said. He put his arm around her
waist and gave her a hug. His cologne did something to her. It was alluring.

“This is Steve.” Lootchee nodded toward the man to his left. “Let him take your bags.” Beijing handed her carry-on to Steve and then pointed out her other luggage coming around on the carousel.

Steve was six foot seven and black as a winter night on a Georgia back road. His head was almost perfectly round with a shine like it had just been waxed and polished. He scooped the two suitcases with one hand while Lootchee escorted her to the white Rolls-Royce Phantom. The car was beautiful. She had ordered Phantoms for a couple of clients, but had never actually ridden in one. Steve hurried ahead of them and opened up the door for the couple.

After putting the bags in the trunk, Steve slid his massive frame behind the steering wheel and peeled out with the precision of a professional driver.

Beijing sat back and enjoyed the smooth and luxurious ride. Once they got onto the highway, she asked, “So, what time does the party start?”

This time his smile revealed a tad of guilt. “There isn’t one.” And then he admitted, “I just wanted you to be here so we could spend time together.”

“So you mean to tell me that Tuesday wasn’t your birthday?”

“No, but I do have a special celebration planned for us.”

Bitch, get the fuck out of this car and go home! This nigga is full of shit! Run, bitch! Run!
She started to second-guess herself for flying all the way to Texas to meet a man she had only met one time for about thirty seconds and talked to on the phone for a few days.
What the hell was I thinking? Am I that desperate or hard up for a man? TJ was right about Lootchee. I need to figure out how the hell I’m going to bail
. When she turned to him, he met her gaze. His smile was mesmerizing and intoxicating in a way that made her tipsy. She felt her resolve melting with each passing second.

“What else have you lied about?” she pulled herself together long enough to ask, wanting to be upset but finding it impossible with such a charming free-spirited guy.

“Ouch, baby!
Lied
is such a harsh word. I just slightly misled you in order to get you where you needed to be.” The words rolled from his mouth like chocolate from a fountain.

“And where is that?” she managed to ask.

“Right now … right here … with me.”

Beijing gazed out the window of the Rolls-Royce at the Dallas skyline, smiling on the inside.

“So where are we off to?” she asked.

“I thought I’d get you settled in at the house, and then we could grab something to eat.”

Lootchee slid an arm around Beijing’s shoulders. “You look so nice, so stunning,” he whispered, but she could feel his breath tickling her ear.

She had no intention of being swept off her feet with a few well-placed words.

“Thank you—” she paused for a moment. “—but can you drop me off at the hotel I reserved? It’s been quite a long day and I would like to take a shower and pull myself together. I’ve been in these clothes since early this morning.”

Lootchee was offended. “Hotel room? I wouldn’t hear of it. You’re staying at my house,” he insisted.

“That’s not going to happen.” She shook her head. “I would hate to think that you got me twisted with a chick who doesn’t know any better. I’m not dumb enough to spend the night at no man’s house I just met.”

“I’m just trying to show you southern hospitality at its best.”

“No matter how much he wines and dines me, I
do not
play that game.” She scooted a few inches away from him in the backseat to let him know that she was serious.

“You’re serious, ain’t you?”

“As a heart attack.”

“Then I guess you got me twisted also, because I don’t deal with bitches, only with ladies. And I don’t take rejection well either.”

“You’ll get used to it,” Beijing said.
Let him be mad
, she thought.
He is not getting his way with me
. “I’m staying at the Tabby.” She was playing this mental chess game with Lootchee and enjoying every minute of it.

“You know, I don’t really like the way things are going at all, but I’m going to still respect yo’ gangsta.” He smiled. “Damn, girl. You are something else and don’t let anyone tell you anything different.”

Reluctantly, he instructed his driver to take them to the hotel.

The Rolls coasted to a stop in front of the Tabby of Dallas, the newest addition to the hotel chain. They were instantly met by a valet and a bellhop. Lootchee told them the car was fine while Beijing directed them to the bags in the trunk.

After checking in, Lootchee walked her up to her room and suggested that he’d pick her up in two hours for dinner.

“I’ll be ready,” she said, accepting the offer. Then shut the room’s door, leaving Lootchee standing there with his hands in his pockets.

Lootchee arranged for them to have a private dinner at Arthuro’s, an upscale restaurant.

“This place looks closed,” she said.

“Not for us it isn’t.”

An Italian man with salt-and-pepper hair and a warm smile appeared in the doorway. “Lootchee,” he said with a thick accent, “I’ve been expecting you. Good to see you again.” He gave Lootchee a hug, patting him on his back. “Who’s the lovely lady?” Anthony asked, looking at Beijing.

“This lovely lady is Beijing, so serve us nothing but the best, because she’s very dear to me.”

“Say no more.” Anthony smiled. “Follow me.”

The restaurant was beautiful, modern with an old-Italy feel.

“This place is gorgeous,” Beijing said after being seated. “I hope the food tastes half as good as this place looks.”

Once they were seated, Beijing noticed the surprised look on Lootchee’s face when she ordered her food in Italian. In fact, Anthony and Beijing began talking about Lootchee right in front of his face.

“Can you clue me into the conversation?” he asked.

“He simply asked how long I had known you. And I told him it felt like a very long time.”

Lootchee nodded. “You speak Italian?”

“Just a little,” she answered modestly.

He smiled. “Impressive.”

Six delicious courses and a bottle of wine later, Lootchee said, “Lady Italy, I have another surprise for you.”

Five men made their way out from the back of the restaurant over to Lootchee and Beijing’s table. It was New Edition. They were in town to perform at a throwback show on Saturday night at a local club that Lootchee happened to be promoting. He’d hit them with a few extra bucks for a last-minute favor to serenade Beijing at the restaurant.

“Beijing,” Johnny Gill said in a deep baritone, “this song is for you.” Music floated from hidden speakers, and the group sang their hit, “If It Isn’t Love.”

After the mini concert, the two enjoyed each other’s company with nonstop chatter the entire ride from the restaurant to the hotel.

“What an amazing night. I’ve never had anyone serenade me before,” she said back at the hotel.

“There’s a lot of things you can experience with me that may be your first. Like you, I’m a very resourceful man,” he said, “and can make things happen that are beyond your wildest dreams.”

“I can believe that.” Her eyes were gleaming. “This is a pretty nice start.”

“If I ask you a question, will you promise to give me an honest answer?”

“If I can, sure I will.”

His eyes grabbed her, pulling her full attention toward him. “Are you glad that you’re here with me?”

The words eased from her mouth in a melody. “I am,” she admitted.

Lootchee was delighted. “Music to my ears. Then everything I did was worth it.” He gave his trademark smile.

“Oh, I almost forgot. I have something for you. Well, it was for your birthday but I guess I can give it to you anyway.” Beijing reached into her duffel bag and removed a beautifully wrapped box. “Go ahead and open it,” she urged him.

Lootchee took his time removing the wrapping paper from the flat, rectangular box, revealing a Gucci wallet inside. “I love it,” he said. “I got a pair of Gucci sneakers at home that’ll go perfect with it.

“Thank you.” He gave her a big hug. “I’m surprised,” Lootchee added, looking at her.

“Why?” she asked. “I came here thinking that I was going to your birthday party.”

“Well, because besides sexual favors, women really don’t shower me with anything. I usually just go cop whatever I want.” He admired the wallet. “You know how to score big points, huh?”

“I’m glad you like it.” Neither one of them spoke for a moment as each tried to figure out what to say next. “I guess this is good night,” she murmured.

“Aren’t you going to invite me in for a drink?”

“Of course … I’m not.” She rejected his begging eyes. “I told you. I’m not some jumpoff that wants to give you some sexual favors, so see ya tomorrow.”

“I’ll be here first thing in da morning.” He barely got the words out before the door to her room closed. He laughed at himself, not believing that he’d have to wait until the next day to see her.

Beijing lay in bed thinking of Lootchee and what a wonderful time they’d had. Sure she was a little peeved about lying about his birthday, but that seemed like something that could be overlooked. After all, he was being the perfect gentlemen and showing her a wonderful time.

She made a mental note to get Rayna a thank-you gift, because Lootchee was different from the guys that she usually dated.

This trip was just what she needed to get her mind off Don, his foolishness, and all the madness of work, she thought. If the rest of the weekend came close to tonight, it would be well worth the time.

A knock at the door brought her out of her thoughts. She slipped on a robe, tied the belt, and went to the door to peek out the peephole.

It was Lootchee.

“Funny, I was just thinking about you,” she confessed.

“I’ve been thinking of you too.” He looked deep into her eyes as if he was searching for something inside of her. “Actually”—he smiled—“you’ve all I’ve been thinking of. Can I come in?”

“I told you …”

“You told me tomorrow,” he said, looking at his watch. “It’s after midnight. It’s officially Saturday. I promise I won’t try anything.”

Beijing threw reason to the side and listened to her emotions. She stepped away from the door. “Come on in, but you’re not getting any.”

“I’ll be on my best behavior.” Lootchee threw his right hand in the air before adding, “Scout’s honor.”

Once inside he said, “I’d like to lie down with you and hold you in my arms.” Before she could speak he said, “I promise I will be on my best behavior.”

She couldn’t say no to him. He removed his clothes; she took off her robe and got under the blanket. Lootchee slid in behind her, wrapping his arms around her soft warm body.

“All we’re going to do is spoon,” she reminded him.

Beijing was enveloped inside Lootchee’s strong arms when she was awakened by the hotel phone. She picked it up.

“Good morning, Ms. Lee. This is Roger from the front desk. There’s a Mr. Lootchee down here in the lobby waiting for you.”

Beijing’s eyes went to the other side of the bed, then to the clock. The bed was empty and the clock glowed 6
AM
. Last night was a dream!