Thugs And The Women Who Love Them (12 page)

A
fter a little welcome home party with Micki and their family, Jaz put on a beige miniskirt by Bisou Bisou, some brown leather Boudicca boots and a cashmere beige sweater. She left her mother's house to go catch up with Faheem. Because of school and work she hadn't seen him in two days, and she missed him. She drove toward his west side liquor store, hoping to see his Jag parked out front. It was there, so she pulled up behind it, turned off the engine and popped a peppermint Certs in her mouth. She had a smile on her face as she went inside.

“Hey, Uncle John. Buzz me back,” she said to Faheem's Uncle John. Uncle John was 6 foot 4 inches, bald, brown-skinned, and wore an eye patch over his right eye. He ran this liquor store on the west side of town for Faheem.

“What's shaking, Miss Jazzy?” He said as he pushed the buzzer.

“I just dropped off Micki. She's home.”

“Oh, yeah? That's good. Jack and Glenda are getting too old to be watching all them youngins. I hope she stay out of trouble.”

“Me, too. Where's Faheem?”

“That knucklehead is back there in his office.”

Faheem's door was locked. Jaz knocked. The radio was blasting “It Wasn't Me” by Shaggy. She knocked louder.

“It's me,” she yelled.

The door popped open. Faheem had a blunt hanging out his mouth and a pile of money in his hands. He was counting money, then wrapping it in colored paper strips with dollar signs on them. It was impossible for Jaz to tell which bills were real.

“Hey, baby.” She went over and kissed him on the cheek. She took off her brown snakeskin jacket and set it with the matching handbag on the chair across from Faheem. “I just dropped Micki at the house. She can't wait to meet you.”

After he finished counting the last stack, he put the blunt down. “She a'ight?”

“She seem like it. Nervous, but she seem okay. She claims that she's gonna stay on the straight and narrow. But we'll see. I hope so, for the kids' sake,” Jaz said as she watched Faheem stack the piles of money.

“Why you got that short-ass skirt on?” Faheem said. “Come here.” Jaz got up and sat on Faheem's lap. He kissed her, sucking on her tongue to taste the peppermint Certs she'd just swallowed. He started kissing her neck.

“Don't start nothing you ain't gonna finish,” she whispered in his ear.

“Baby, you know I takes care of mines,” he said. “That's why you came over here wearing this short-ass skirt. You ain't slick. I know what you up to.” He started unbuttoning her sweater. Jaz had on no bra. Faheem started biting on her nipples. She couldn't think straight when he did that.

“You think you know me so well. Who else's nipples you been sucking on like this?” she teased while she licked his ear.

“I only like to bite on yours. Yours always taste like chocolate.” He reached under her skirt and pulled off her moist thong. She unfastened his jeans and pulled out his dick.

“Where're your condoms?” she asked him as she squeezed it and made it harder.

“You ain't got one?” he asked her through his moans.

“Why should I carry them around with me? I ain't fuckin' nobody else.”

“You better not be,” he said as he flicked his finger back and forth real fast across her clit.

“Baby, that feels so good,” she moaned in his ear. Faheem kissed her deeply as he slid two fingers in and out of her wet tunnel. She held on tight as her hips gyrated round and round.

“Faheem, where is your condom?” she asked, licking the sweat off her top lip.

“I know you ain't try'na say a nigga can't get none of his pussy just 'cause he ain't got no latex?”

“Yes, that's what I'm saying.”

“A'ight.” He started biting on her nipples again and went back to flicking his fingers over her clit. Jaz's breathing got heavier and she started moaning and groaning. He grabbed his dick and slid it on in. Jaz wrapped her legs around his back and the chair rocked back and forth as Faheem pumped inside her. The deeper he went the louder Jaz hollered. Finally, they both exploded in unison and sat there holding each other.

“Ummm. Thank you, baby,” she whispered in his ear. “Don't forget my trip to New York is tonight.”

“It's tonight?” He sounded surprised. “I thought it was Saturday.”

“Don't try to front, Faheem. You knew we was taking Micki out. You got the limo and VIP passes.”

“Shit! I thought it was Saturday. I'm supposed to meet some people there. What time is it?” He looked at the clock on his desk. “I got shit to do.” He lifted her off his lap and stood to kiss her one more time. “Don't be in New York getting into no shit, Jaz, or this will be your last time going.”

“Listen to you. I'ma act like you didn't even say that,” she said as she picked up her thong off the desk. “What you need to be doing is stop trying to get me pregnant. This is the last time you're going to hit it without any latex!”

He buckled up his pants and looked at her. “What's the matter with getting pregnant?” He walked over to her and started caressing her butt.

“You know I want to finish school first.”

He started to say something, but kissed her instead, circling his tongue around inside her mouth. She felt him getting hard and stepped back.

“I need to wash up before I go get my hair done.” She went into the bathroom, and when she came out he was on the phone. She kissed him and mouthed,
Catch you later.

T
he limo arrived at 7:30 on the dot. The four divas were dressed to impress. Jaz sported a red leather tube top and a black leather miniskirt by Anton, with ruby-studded ankle boots by Cesare Paciotti. Since her hair was naturally curly, she had her hairdresser wash and condition it, and trim it. Angel wore a leopard print jumpsuit that cleaved almost to her belly button and was open all down her back. She'd sprinkled gold dust all over her exposed skin. Micki wore a black mini-dress by Plein Sud and some black leather Gucci shoes. Her hair was short and spiked. Roz wore a python tube top and python pants by Andasimo. She had a fur scarf covering her shoulders. Her hair was in a bob, flipped up. They were definitely in the house.

During the limo ride from Jersey to New York, they reminisced, drank champagne, listened to music and chilled. The only thing missing was their girl Kyra. Micki was so happy to be out that she cried. It felt good to be free. Free as in no jail and no drugs. And it felt good to be accepted by her family.

The first stop was Sylvia's Soul Food spot in Harlem. It was good that they had reservations 'cause the place was packed. Once they were seated, they ordered a feast of fried whiting, curry chicken, macaroni and cheese, brown rice with mixed vegetables, a broccoli casserole, carrot soufflé, gingered asparagus and whole wheat biscuits. After tasting a little of everything, no one had room for dessert. Jaz had them wrap the leftovers so she could take a plate to Faheem and give the other one to the limo driver. It was a little after 11:00 when they left Sylvia's. Time to go clubbin'.

Faheem had gotten them some VIP passes for a party thrown by the New Jersey Nets. The limo brought them to the front of the club, where people were still standing in line, hoping to get in. You could hear the music pumping all the way outside. The girls headed past the fools in line, and went straight to the bouncer. Once they flashed their VIP passes, he lifted the velvet ropes and let them in.

“Welcome, beautiful ladies,” he said as he held open the door for them. They stood in the doorway and checked the place out. The joint was jumpin'. Kid Capri was the DJ and of course he was settin' it off.

“This is a nice club.” Micki admired the décor and the beautiful people everywhere. “Very nice.”

“Ooh, I see Stephon Marbury,” Angel said. “I'm taking him home tonight.”

Roz said, “We just got here. I have to look around first.”

A hostess came over and asked the group to follow her. While they walked to their table, the brothers in the joint were checking them out. By the time they sat down, niggas were already sending drinks to their table, asking them to dance. Every one of them refused to dance because they decided to sit for a few to down their drinks and check out the crowd. Micki was all the way live. She was the first one to step out on the dance floor, dancing with two brothers at one time. Mystical screamed “Shake your ass,” and both Angel and Roz had to jump up for that one.

Jaz was hoping Faheem would show, so she just sat at the table, chillin'. That's when she noticed this fine brother checking her out. He looked like Eric Benet, even had the dreads. Shaggy was moaning “Mr. Boombastic.” Jaz had to get up for that one. As soon as she did, the Eric Benet look-alike came over and followed her to the dance floor. They were groovin' right through to Ludacris dropping bows. Jaz was getting hot, so she excused herself from Eric and went to freshen up. She squeezed her way to the ladies' room past the ballers, ball players, and rappers. This was the place to be.
Not one scrub in the place.
She smiled to herself.

After she freshened up and managed to get back to her table, the waitress brought over another drink. She told Jaz it was from the fine baller heading her way. Jaz looked up and saw the brother.

“You ain't never lied!” Jaz said to the waitress who walked away with a smile. This brother was Ginuwine F-I-N-E. He had on a light gray, silk Italian suit. Jaz admired it as he came and stood directly in front of her.

“Can I join you?” he asked.

“Sure,” Jaz answered with a sexy grin.

“My friends call me Smooth.” He extended his hand.

“I'm Jaz. Nice to meet you. And thanks for the drink.”

“The pleasure is all mine.”

They made small talk for about a half hour. Jaz found out that homeboy played for the New Jersey Nets, as a rookie and had graduated from Princeton two years ago. They had a lot to talk about since that was Jaz's school. He had gotten his B.A. in biochemistry, so Jaz was taking a lot of the classes he had already taken. The conversation was real cool, and he wanted to talk to her again. He gave Jaz all of his numbers. She gave him her pager number. Jay-Z started crooning “HOV! HOV!”

“Wanna dance?” he asked her.

“Let's go!” Jaz bounced out of her seat without hesitation. They danced through Jay-Z rapping “Give It to Me,” Q-Tip's “Vivrant Thing,” Ruff Endz saying “No More,” and Shaggy swearing “It Wasn't Me.” When they heard Juvy say “Back that ass up,” it was on.

Jaz was getting her groove on when she looked up and saw Faheem coming her way. As he headed over, this female grabbed him and whispered in his ear. Faheem grinned and shook his head. He pointed at Jaz. The girl snapped her neck and looked Jaz up and down. Jaz winked at her and kept dancing. The female gave it one more try, whispering something else in Faheem's ear. Faheem blushed and left the pouting sister on the dance floor.

“Excuse me, partna. Can I cut in?” Faheem was staring at Smooth.

Jaz kept dancing, watching Faheem. Smooth looked at Faheem, then at Jaz.

“Can't you wait until this song is over, bro?” Smooth said.

“Fuck, no. I can't wait. This is my woman you all up on.”

Jaz knew that shit was about to get out of hand. She tried to calm everybody down.

“Smooth, this is my man Faheem. Baby, this is Smooth. He balls for the Nets. We was just talkin' about Princeton, 'cause he graduated from there and we took a lot of the same classes.”

Faheem just stared at Smooth.

“Take care, Jaz,” Smooth said. “Thanks for the dance.” As he turned to walk away, he mouthed the words,
I'll call you.

“See, this is just the reason I don't like to go out. These niggas will have me sittin' on a murder charge,” Faheem said.

“Faheem, baby, why you got to come in here trying to trip?” She gave him a hug.

“I ain't trippin'. Niggas just need to know when to step, that's all.”

“If you wasn't looking so good, I would've kept dancing with that baller,” she joked. He was wearing a black leather baggy jumpsuit. The zipper was down, showing his smooth chest and his iced necklace with the initials FM. He had a big rock in his left ear and an iced up Rolex. It looked like he just came from the barber, with a fresh cut and trimmed mustache. He wore the Carolina Herrera cologne that she bought him. She couldn't help but put a passion mark on his chest. Luther was starting to heat up the atmosphere, blowing “A House Is Not A Home.” Faheem pulled Jaz close and caressed her behind as they danced.

“Baby, you look so fine,” she said as she rubbed his chest.

“You do, too, even though you out here half naked.” He sniffed her hair and then kissed her on the neck. “You smell good, too.”

“So do you. How long have you been here? I was hoping you would come.”

“Bout an hour. I told you I had some business to take of. I brought Brian with me. He wanted to see your sister.” Brian was the daddy of Micki's five-year-old, Misa.

“Brian introduced me to your sister. She is all the way live.”

“I told you,” Jaz said. “Why he come here looking for her? He couldn't wait until she got home to talk to her?”

“I don't know, baby. It ain't my business.”

“I hope they don't start no shit up in here.”

“He seems cool. He said he want to make it right with her and be a father to his daughter.”

“That would be a good thing. Even though he waited five years.”

They both got quiet and closed their eyes. Jagged Edge was singing “Promise” and Faheem was singing along softly in Jaz's ear. She had put two more passion marks on his chest. The longer they slow danced, the harder his dick got.

“Damn, baby. Let's sneak off somewhere.” He was holding her tight, kissing her all over her neck.

“I can't leave my girls here. That wouldn't be right.”

“We'll only be gone for fifteen minutes. They won't miss us,” he whispered into her ear.

“You can't wait until we get home?”

“Baby, my dick is hard now.” He opened his eyes and was looking dead at Smooth. “Damn! What you say to that nigga? He standing over there watching me feel your ass. Niggas like him want to get respect but they don't know how to give it. I would be wrong if I went over there and smoked his ass.”

Faheem broke away from Jaz and headed toward Smooth. A big vein was popping across his forehead, and Jaz knew that meant he was heated.

“No, Faheem!” Jaz pulled him back. “Ignore him. He ain't nobody. Dance with me. This is the jam.” Mystikal was screaming “Danger! Danger! Get on the floor!” Jaz danced close up on Faheem and laughed.

“Why you gotta act all jealous? I don't act like that when I see these females sweatin' you. As long as we don't disrespect each other, then it's all good. You fine as hell, Faheem. I know they gonna try you. Like that bitch who was whispering in your ear. Who was that?”

“Somebody I used to fuck with.”

“What she want?”

“She wanted me to fuck her.”

“Mm-hm.” Jaz crossed her arms over her chest. “See what I mean?”

“I told her my woman was right over here. That's why I pointed at you. Jaz, do we supposed to be groovin' or playin' 20 questions?”

“Twenty questions, baby,” she answered as she bounced to “Can I Get What What.”

“Okay, then why you give that nigga your number? I saw him say I'll call you.”

“'Cause we took some of the same classes at the same school and he bought me a drink. I was just being polite. I only gave him my pager. Plus, I told him you was my man.” Jaz grinned and rubbed all up on Faheem.

“You know you wrong, right?” Faheem said as he grooved to the music. He was just as good as Jaz on the dance floor. They looked good together.

“When he page you, you better not call him back.”

“Oh, so it's like that, huh?”

“Yup, it's like that. I'm trying to look out for you.”

“And how is that?”

“All that nigga wanna do is hit it and run. You'll be lying there pissed off, feeling guilty, and then you'll be crawling back, asking me to take you back.”

“Faheem, you're fulla shit. You know that, right?”

“Nah, baby, I'm dead serious. Don't fuck with me, Jaz.”

“What up, Faheem? Good to see you, man!” Someone came up behind them and shouted. Faheem turned around and smiled.

“What up, Buju?” He grabbed the brother and they hugged. “This my woman, Jaz. Jaz this is my partna, Buju.” Buju grabbed Jaz's hand and kissed it.

“Faheem, call me. I got business to discuss.” Faheem nodded at him and Buju disappeared into the crowd.

“Where your girls at?” Faheem asked Jaz as he grabbed her hand and pulled her off the dance floor.

Jaz looked around. “It's no telling where they are.”

“Come on!” Faheem kept pulling her.

“Faheem, dance with me,” she whined.

“Dance? Baby, I want some pussy. We can run to the limo real quick.” He wouldn't let go of Jaz's hand as he looked around for her girls. He spotted Brian and Micki and started grinning.

“Yo, Brian!” He was heading for their table and literally dragging Jaz behind him. Brian and Micki were having a serious conversation. They looked up when Jaz and Faheem were standing beside the table.

“Yo, look after Angel and Roz for a few.” Faheem told Brian. “We'll be back in twenty minutes.”

Brian nodded and then looked at Jaz.

“What's up, Brian?” Jaz asked him. But before he could say anything, Faheem was pulling her through the crowd.

They barely had the door to the limo closed when Faheem started tonguing Jaz down. He laid her back on the leather seat and reached up under her skirt. Her thong came off in one swift motion. He could feel how wet she was, and he couldn't wait to get up in there. He pulled down her tube top and went to work on her hard nipples.

“Do you have some protection, Faheem?”

“Naw.” He stopped sucking for a second to answer her. “You ain't got none?”

“Faheem. Don't start. You knew you was coming; why don't you carry them with you? Why is that so hard for you to do?”

“Why would I be carrying some protection? I wasn't planning on fucking nobody on the way up here.”

“You was planning on fucking me!” Jaz yelled. She was getting mad. “I told you I'm not trying to get pregnant right now. Why can't you respect that?” She pushed him up off her.

“Shit!” Faheem spat. He looked at Jaz to see if she was gonna give in. From the expression on her face, she wasn't budging.

“We can wait until we get home, Faheem,” she told him. “This is your pussy. It ain't going nowhere.” She kissed him and he took the opportunity to slide two fingers inside her while he sucked on her tongue.

“Faheem, baby, not without some latex,” she moaned.

Faheem pulled his fingers out and she watched him taste her juices.

“Damn, baby,” he said. “Sit tight.” He went up to the front of the limo and banged on the glass.

“Yo, Akbar!” He banged again. The window came down some and Faheem mumbled something to the driver. The driver said something back and Faheem pulled his wallet to give the man some money. Akbar put something into Faheem's hand, closed the partition and got out of the car. Faheem climbed back to Jaz with a grin.