Thin Ice 7 - Echoes of Reckoning (8 page)

Tae was watching her sister as she talked and she had to agree with Priscilla’s assessment. Ashlyn was very into this guy and that made Tae’s protective nature come full blown.

“
Have you slept with him Ash,” Tae finally asked point blank.

Her sister blushed deeply.

“
No, but I want too,” she finally answered in a hushed, almost whispered, tone.

Tae sighed but didn’t chastise her sister for her feelings.

“
Have you two been intimate on any level,” she fished again.

Ashlyn looked up, biting her bottom lip. Tae already had the answer and didn’t push her further.

“
Ash, look, you know I’m a straight shooter,” Tae began as her sister nodded yes. “I won’t tell you what to do, because only you know when you’re ready to take that step,” she went on as Ashlyn listened silently. “I’m just going to say take your time and be sure, I mean 150% sure, that it’s what you want and he’s the man you want it with,” Tae said as Ashlyn nodded.

“
And of course make sure he straps up,” she teased as her sister finally smiled and chuckled with her.

“
OK,” Tae asked giving her another look now.

Ashlyn reached out and hugged her.

“
Thank you Tae,” she told her sister lovingly. “I didn’t have anyone else to talk too,” she added softly.

Tae didn’t comment. While she knew her parents loved Ashlyn, the generational differences kept them from being as close as they could have been.

“
Well now that you’re telling me Mr. tall and sexy might be my new brother-in-law and shit,” Tae began teasing once more. “Can I at least know his name?”

Ashlyn giggled, finishing her soda and burping loudly as they both laughed, finally settling down and answering Tae’s question.

“
His name is Hayden,” she told Tae smiling proudly. “Hayden Sa’Cari Lemmings.”

7

Kim was still deep in thought about running into Tyshon. She’d been weighing his story, trying to dissect it from every angle and while it did have some holes, she couldn’t argue with the logic of most it.
He’s still so damned fine,
she thought her body betraying her, her nipples becoming hard. Kim had loved him deeply at one time. He was her first love and her very first. She remembered giving herself to him and how special he’d made her feel as he took her innocence. She also knew that was why his disappearing that day hurt her so deeply. Kim had felt rejected and betrayed when Tyshon failed to show up with the deposit for the apartment they’d been approved for. It hadn’t helped that she couldn’t find him anywhere in the city. His family had been no help, lending credence to Kim’s assertion that they didn’t like her very much. Picking up her cell, she texted him asking if they were still meeting for lunch. The reply was almost instant. ‘Of course, I’ve been waiting too damned long not to see you today,’ the reply read. Kim smiled slightly as the fire detector went off and reminded her about the forgotten pot of water on the stove. She was going to make hotdogs for KiSean.

Tossing her cell onto the bed, Kim raced into the kitchen and snatched the pot off the stove, burning her hand on the handle.

“
Shit,” she said loudly, quickly running the cold water over her hand.

Turning on the exhaust fan, Kim opened the window for the smoke to clear as she fanned the still screaming detector wanting it to shut up. Mook walked into the house as she was finally getting the contraption to only scream in increments. He smiled slightly asking what happened as Kim gave him a quick rundown and he shook his head leaving her in the kitchen, making his way to their bedroom and the shower. Walking into the master bedroom Mook heard the soft hum of the phone’s vibration. Thinking nothing of it, he scooped the device off the huge California King and held it in his hand.
Who’s Tyshon,
he thought seeing the text message on Kim’s screen. Curiosity getting the better of him he read the message before the one waiting, the frown evident as he did.
Slow down Mook, could be totally innocent,
his mind told him as he read Kim’s question and Tyshon’s answer. He really wanted to read the new message but forced himself not too, putting the phone back where he found it and heading into the shower.

Kim came back into the bedroom moments later hearing the water running. She sighed softly as she picked up the phone and read the new message. Looking over her shoulder she was glad Mook hadn’t seen the instrument or read the messages.
He would kick my ass and ask questions later,
she thought fearfully. She knew Mook was jealous and he didn’t play.
I’m not into Ty like that, we’re just having lunch,
Kim told herself as her mind laughed and asked her why her nipples were hard and her panties wet thinking about him then. Pissed off, Kim sucked her teeth and called her mind a liar. The water stopped and Kim pushed all the thoughts out of her mind quickly erasing the messages as Mook entered the room clad in black form fit boxers.

“
What’s on your agenda,” he asked calmly, wanting to see if she’d tell him about her lunch date.

“
Nothing special,” Kim replied, not lying, but not elaborating either.

“
Hmph, okay cool,” Mook replied not giving away the knowledge he held.

“
What about you,” she threw back, beginning to undress.

“
Getting licenses for the business and liquor licenses, permits,” he told her calmly.

“
Dancer auditions later on,” he threw out as Kim’s head snapped up.

“
So you both decided to open the strip club,” she asked trying not to sound irritated.

Mook shrugged slightly. “Yeah, it’s a profitable venture.”

Kim took a deep breath and blew it out slowly but didn’t comment. She wasn’t happy about Mook auditioning dancers but she didn’t want to blow such a little thing out of proportion either.

“
You pissed,” he asked looking into her face now.

“
No,” Kim tried, hoping she was pulling off the lie.

“
Hmph,” Mook returned but didn’t dispute.

“
So if that’s not the reason, tell me why you’re punishing me,” he threw out as Kim gave him a quizzical glance.

“
What are you talking about Mook,” she returned genuinely lost.

“
You haven’t let me touch you in almost two weeks now,” he said simply. “You’re either tired, or you don’t feel good, or you just don’t feel like it,” he added as Kim sighed again.

There was a lot going on in her head and honestly she just hadn’t felt like sex lately.

“
I’m not punishing you Mook, honestly, I’ve just been stressed as hell with the move, and all the new responsibilities and stuff,” Kim explained as Mook continued to look at her his mind seeing the text messages again.

Maybe she’s tired cause she’s letting Tyshon up inside her,
his mind pitched as Mook felt his anger rising.

“
Baby, I promise, I’m working on it okay,” Kim tried as she walked up to him and hugged him tightly her bare breasts on his chest.

Mook was immediately aroused.

“
Come here,” Kim told him taking his hand.

She pushed him onto the side of the bed going to her knees and giving him pleasure. Mook closed his eyes and enjoyed her tongue as she brought him closer and closer to release. He wanted to make love, but all his body was screaming for right now was an orgasm. Kim felt his member begin to spasm and knew he was close. She continued sucking him greedily as he groaned deeply and she removed her mouth in the nick of time, his release erupting and running down his still hard shaft.

“
Better baby,” she asked sweetly as she cleaned him up.

Mook told her yes and kissed her softly. Kim smiled and headed into the bathroom, closing the door and turning on the shower. Mook rose, picking up her phone and checking it, seeing the messages erased. Casting a side long glance at the bathroom the expression on his face dark and perilous, put it down, dressed and left the house before Kim could finish her shower.

*****

“
Figures she would know who the bitch was,” Layla threw out as she and Cyiarra talked.

She’d arrived in Atlanta almost four days ago, her furnishings and belongings arriving yesterday. Cyiarra volunteered to come over and help her get settled, bringing Hasaan with her.

“
You don’t like Tweety very much do you,” Cyiarra asked.

“
There’s just something about her, and I mean, what kind of friend is she if she knows the trick your man is cheating with but won’t tell you,” Layla answered.

Truthfully she hadn’t cared much for Jaleesa since they met and had words no one knew about.
“I need you to keep your eyes off everyone’s man up in here,” Jaleesa told her evenly. “I don’t know what the hell you’re talking about,” Layla flared. “Look trick, I don’t play games, neither do any of the chicks in that room, so you need to find your own man and stop making plans for one of ours,” Jaleesa hissed as Layla’s eyes narrowed. “You don’t know me, so don’t be calling me out my name,” she returned as Jaleesa smirked. “Secondly if you bitches are all that and taking care of your men, then a fine ass woman like me wouldn’t be a threat to you bunch of has been hoes,” she fired as Jaleesa burst into laughter. “Bitch, odometer statements on your pussy don’t make you a better woman, but hey do your thing, don’t say I didn’t warn you when you find yourself in a fucked up position, getting fucked up,” she finished and calmly walked away leaving Layla fuming.

“
She did call and try to warn me though,” Cyiarra returned.

Layla sucked her teeth and rolled her eyes. “Warn you, CiCi, are you serious,” she told her incredulously. “That heffa is probably trying to cover for her girl because she doesn’t want you to actually find her and confront her trifling ass,” Layla calmly explained.

Cyiarra frowned slightly as she breathed deeply.

“
We’re still going to find out who the bitch is,” Layla threw out once again. “We need to try and figure out a list of who this Jaleesa chick knows that obviously Tariq knows too, and then we’ll know who miss thing is,” she explained as Cyiarra nodded slightly.

She couldn’t lie and say she didn’t want to know who the woman was. She wanted to see her completion. See if the woman was younger, prettier, just what exactly it was about her that caused Tariq to forget his promise of fidelity and go outside their relationship.

“
Shit Layla, I don’t really know the inner circle like that,” Cyiarra finally admitted.

Layla was thoughtful for a minute before coming up with a new idea.

“
You talk to Kim right,” she asked as Cyiarra told her yes. “Cool, you invite her for a girls lunch and we’ll all talk, we’ll ask pointed questions, but not enough to raise her suspicions, then we’ll go from there with the info we gather,” Layla told her as Cyiarra nodded that it sounded like a great idea.

“
When do you want to do it,” she asked as Layla told her the sooner the better and Cyiarra pulled out her cell dialing Kim’s number.

*****

Tyshon smiled as she entered the restaurant. He motioned and Kim turned walking toward him.

“
Hey, glad you made it,” he told her, rising and pulling out her chair.

He kissed her cheek gently as Kim’s head spun. She was paranoid as hell sitting in the restaurant with him.
Relax, Mook is having dancer auditions,
her mind told her as the jealousy flared once more.

“
You look beautiful,” Tyshon told Kim taking in the atomic tangerine sundress.

It flattered every beautiful and vivacious curve she possessed, keeping his eyes glued to her the entire time they sat.

“
Thanks Ty,” Kim returned amiably.

They chatted pleasantly about inconsequential things while they waited for their food and even into the meal. Just as they were finishing up, Tyshon asked a question.

“
Is it too late for us, Kim,” he asked calmly, never taking his eyes off her.

She sighed lightly. This was the conversation she’d been secretly dreading since running into him.

“
Ty, I’ve made a new life,” she told him as gently as she could. “I have a son, a husband,” she added hoping it would answer his question.

He seemed to think about that for a while before putting his fork down and addressing her again. “So you just forgot all about me, about us, you just stop loving me all together huh,” he asked the hurt mingled with anger and frustration surfacing.

Kim swallowed hard. She didn’t want to hurt him, but he was talking about a love affair that was over years and years ago.

“
Ty, it’s not like that,” she began as he continued to watch her wordlessly.

“
I mean look at it from my perspective, you disappeared without an explanation for years,” Kim told him logically.

He relaxed to some extent then.

“
I know Kim,” he replied softly. “It just hurts to know that another man has your heart now, especially since I still love you so very much,” he told her reaching over and caressing her face.

“
Ty, I don’t think you love me, I think you love what we used to have,” Kim tried, wanting him to see reason.