Thin Ice 7 - Echoes of Reckoning Read online

  16

  Ryan reluctantly knocked on the door. It opened moments later as Nikki regarded him calmly.

  “Mommy,” Rayne shouted making Nikki smile as she took her daughter from him, walking away from the door, leaving it open but not inviting him inside.

  Ryan came in, closing and locking the door. He’d brought Rayne over after she spent all day whining and crying for her mother.

  “Would you like something to drink,” Nikki offered, trying to be hospitable.

  She was angry as hell looking at him as he leaned against the bar regarding them.

  “Daddy, I wanna stay here with mommy,” Rayne piped up, running off to her room to play with her toys.

  Nikki looked at him after the statement, his face giving away nothing.

  “Hope we didn’t disturb your evening,” he told her taking her in.

  She was dressed for bed and the hunter green lace teddy set was one of his favorites.

  “Seeing my daughter never disturbs my evening,” she threw back curtly, walking by him into the kitchen.

  Opening the fridge she retrieved bottled water for herself and a beer for him, setting it on the counter and going to check on Rayne.

  Ryan casually sauntered around the condo while he was alone, looking for signs of anyone having been there. He heard laughter coming from the room knowing they were playing and having a good time. Walking to the bedroom, he turned on the 60” plasma TV mounted on the wall and began watching. His eyes of course took in every inch of the room, seeing nothing out of the ordinary. He began to get into the movie playing and soon lost track of time. Movement woke him from the light slumber as Nikki entered the bedroom almost two hours later.

  “Rayne is asleep,” she told him. “Please let her stay in her own bed. I’ll bring her back tomorrow,” Nikki pleaded, hoping he wouldn’t be difficult.

  “You’re sure she won’t be in your way,” Ryan asked, wanting to get a rise out of her.

  The casualness of her attitude was pissing him off. Nikki took a deep breath not wanting to curse when she opened her mouth.

  “Ryan, I’m not trying to argue with you,” she told him calmly. “If you want us over, then fine, but leave Rayne out of it,” she threw out as he rose and walked over to her.

  “If I want us over,” he questioned his voice tight. “You’re the one who threw us away Nikki,” he growled.

  “How the hell did I do that Ryan,” she asked, her anger growing. “Because I wanted to go to Law School, because I wanted to be at the top of my class,” she questioned.

  “Is that what you think it’s about,” he returned.

  “Look Ryan, do you. I just want my daughter to be happy,” Nikki flippantly answered.

  “Oh so it’s that easy, you don’t need me huh,” Ryan questioned.

  “Not really, no,” she answered.

  Ryan was furious, getting right up in her face.

  “So I don’t serve any fucking purpose in your life huh, you just need me to fuck you occasionally, is that it,” he challenged.

  Nikki scoffed. “I don’t need you for that either,” she told him smartly. “I have a drawer full of shit to get me off,” she went on, hand on her hip now. “And I don’t have to pet it, stroke its ego, deal with its bullshit, or be nice to it,” she finished, turning her back to him.

  Ryan reacted without thinking, throwing her on the bed, ripping the teddy from her body.

  “Stop Ryan, get the fuck off me,” Nikki yelled, mad as hell and breathing hard.

  “Shut up,” he barked, angry as she was.

  Ryan kissed her deeply as Nikki tried to push him off her, turning her head to break the kiss. She hated that her body was betraying her, nipples hard as rocks now from the kiss. Ryan continued kissing her neck, his hands playing with the hard nipples.

  He managed to get his pants and underwear off, lying between her legs grinding against her dripping wet sex.

  “Ryan, get out of my house,” Nikki tried as her body told her to shut the hell up.

  Ryan kissed her again in response, hard, and angry. Nikki was almost at orgasm the feel of his hot, throbbing, manhood giving her clit all she could handle.

  “You always on that bullshit,” Ryan growled in her ear as he entered her and Nikki moaned deeply, coating him with her pleasure.

  He held her tightly thrusting deeply into her as they clung to each other, mad as hell but unable to deny the pleasure the other was bringing. Biting her lip, refusing to give him the satisfaction of her screaming out as she came, Nikki braced herself as the orgasm hit her hard and fast. Ryan felt her, taunting her as he continued to thrust into her.

  “I know the shit is good, don’t try to fight it,” he told her, biting her neck hard now. “Best fucking sex I’ve had in a while and I always have to fight your stubborn ass,” Ryan told her as his strokes increased.

  “Get the fuck up off me,” Nikki told him, lying with every word.

  She was quickly approaching orgasm number two and if he got up now she would kill him. Ryan ignored her, going deeper as his member began to pulsate and he felt his end nearing.

  “Fucking, shit,” Ryan cursed aloud as he and Nikki came simultaneously.

  Breathing hard still, he looked into her eyes and said nothing. Rising Ryan gathered himself and walked over to her dresser opening the drawer.

  “Have Rayne home by noon,” he told her evenly. “And here,” he barked, tossing the vibrator onto the bed. “See if this bullshit can fuck you and make your pussy cream like I just did,” he finished, turning and striding from the room.

  Nikki threw the vibrator against the closed bedroom door furious with the words spoken, even angrier because he was right.

  *****

  Mook was feeling absolutely no pain. He’d started at Memoirs when he and Tariq met. They talked, both admitting the issues in their respective relationships. Tariq stopped short of telling him who he was having the affair with, but he did confide some changes he was about to make. They’d smoked five or six joints, drinking shots of cognac as they indulged. Both realizing they were too high to drive, they called a cab, sharing the ride. Mook came to the safehouse, not wanting to go home just yet. He brought a bottle of cognac with him from the club as well as the rest of the weed. He’d been enjoying both for the last three hours since his arrival. The TV was blaring as Sports Center babbled and he paid little attention. Hearing the door close and movement in the house, Mook shook his head to clear the buzz slightly; picked up the Desert Eagle he’d brought with him and headed toward the sound. Even in his high state he was careful not to make any noise as he stalked his prey. They’re gonna be sorry they broke into this house, he thought almost chuckling aloud. Catching himself, he made his way closer to the kitchen. He’d figured out that was the source of the noise. Standing right outside the doorway, Mook quietly cocked the gun. Taking a deep breath and shaking his head once more, he stepped into the open door.

  “Shit,” Tae yelled, dropping the mayo and ketchup bottles in her hand.

  “Mook you scared the hell out of me,” she told him, taking in the gun.

  Mook smiled, apologizing, and put the gun down.

  “What are you doing here,” she asked him as she continued to stock the house.

  “Wanted a little down time,” Mook told her looking her over as she moved around.

  The soft pink wrap dress was turning him on as he looked at the sexy body it covered. Her breasts heaved rhythmically as she breathed, causing him to unconsciously lick his lips.

  “What are you doing here,” Mook threw back, needing to take his mind from his thoughts.

  “I stock the houses once a month,” she told him, her tone suggesting he should have known that.

  “Mm, ok,” he replied walking closer to her, looking into the fridge.

  “You bought roast beef, cool,” he told her still pilfering around inside and getting in her way.

  “Mook, move,” Tae teased.

  He did as she asked, casually
brushing up against her as he did, causing her nipples to harden. Tae had to quickly turn away. She hadn’t forgotten how attracted to Mook she was at one time, and obviously neither had her body. You’re with Shells, her mind told her. She frowned slightly at the thought. Shells had left for New York this morning still not explaining in any form, what happened at the Farmer’s Market.

  “Hmph,” Tae said aloud.

  “What,” Mook asked hearing her.

  “Nothing, thinking out loud,” Tae returned smiling now and putting up the last can. Turning to walk out of the kitchen and put up the tissue she’d bought, she found herself face to face with Mook.

  “Excuse me,” she tried, moving to her left intending to go around him.

  Mook took a step forward, pinning her against the counter.

  “Mook, move,” Tae told him, trying not to look into his eyes.

  “Look at me,” he told her, his words slightly slurred.

  She wondered if he were drunk or high.

  “Come on Mook stop playing,” Tae told him, pushing him gently.

  Mook took her arms, into his one hand, placing them behind her back. He lifted her chin with the other hand, bending down and kissing her. Tae panicked. She knew this would only lead to something they would both regret. She snatched her arms out of his hands, supposing the fact he was slightly incapacitated helped her accomplish the goal.

  “Mook, stop, seriously,” she told him trying again to move away from the counter.

  Mook looked at her for a while saying nothing. His eyes slowly scanned every inch of her body, the look sending her temperature to scorch, when he finally returned to her eyes.

  “I want you,” he said simply, kissing her again, lifting her from the floor.

  Lust, the hurt of Shells betrayal, and revenge came full blown as Tae wrapped her legs around his waist and Mook carried her into the empty bedroom.

  She felt his lips on her neck as his hands untied the dress opening it as he sat her up and removed it and her bra. Mook’s lips were on her nipple, the tongue stud teasing the surface as she squirmed beneath his touch. He reached down, grabbing the g-string and ripped it from her body as Tae gasped slightly, her sex even more drenched from his forcefulness.

  “Waited way too long,” Mook murmured as he kissed her stomach and began heading south.

  Tae bit her lip as his tongue met her clit and Mook brought her wordless pleasure. He began using the tongue stud on her, her screams of pleasure permeating the room.

  “Mook, damn,” Tae cried out as she came hard and he sucked her clit harder.

  Tae thought she was going to stop breathing it felt so good. Mook brought her down from the orgasm, kissing his way gently up her body stopping at the breasts as he fingered her and she drenched his fingers. He kissed her lightly, slipping his fingers into her mouth.

  “See how good you taste,” he teased as Tae sensuously sucked them, turning him on she could see.

  Without a word, he withdrew his fingers, returning his lips to her own. Tae’s body tensed as she felt Mook’s massive girth sliding inside her. Too late to stop now, her body reasoned as Tae relaxed and allowed herself to enjoy the act they were performing. Mook was breathing hard, kissing her neck and shoulder as he consumed her. Behind the closed lids his mind was embracing what he’d secretly desired for so long. They both began increasing their rhythm, respective orgasms looming. Tae arched her back as Mook went deeper, her g-spot obviously having a bullseye that he hit with accurate precision again and again.

  “Mook, yeah, shit I’m cuming,” Tae moaned right as she arrived.

  Mook held her tightly, hearing the soft and steady gushing of her sex and satisfaction with his performance. He felt his own end looming, thrusting deeply twice more, using every bit of will he had, he pulled out just as his semen surged forward, finding her skin instead of the inside of her tight walls.

  *****

  Cyiarra was still regarding Tariq, trying to digest the words that had just come out of his mouth.

  “You’re high,” she told him, hoping to sidestep the conversation.

  “I’m not that damned high, CiCi,” he threw back angrily. “The shit isn’t working for me,” he told her again.

  “So you want what exactly,” she tried, wanting him to see how idiotic the things he was saying were.

  “I want you to find a place and I’ll pay for it, I’ll take care of Hasaan’s needs, but I don’t want this together shit anymore,” he told her plainly.

  Cyiarra lost it. “You can’t be serious,” she screamed. “You want me to move out,” she asked incensed. “Why, so you can be with that bitch you’re fucking once a week,” she yelled.

  Tariq’s eyes narrowed and he got up in her face.

  “You don’t worry about what the fuck I’m doing or who I’m doing it with,” he growled.

  Cyiarra took a breath and tried to calm down.

  “Tariq, please, we can work this out,” she tried, tears forming in her eyes. “Tell me what it is you need me to do,” she pleaded.

  “Nothing CiCi, damn, don’t you get it,” he told her trying not to hurt her any more than he already had. “I got with you before I was fully healed, and we moved too fast,” he explained patiently.

  “Bullshit, Tariq,” she yelled again, crying in earnest now. “We dated for almost three months before we even had sex,” she continued.

  “What makes her so damned special Tariq,” Cyiarra continued to badger. “Why would you break up our home, leave our son, all for this woman,” she asked as Tariq made himself another drink and let her talk.

  “I’ll do whatever you want Tariq,” Cyiarra told him. “Please, think about this, think about what you’re saying, what you’re doing,” she tried her pleas falling on deaf ears.

  “CiCi, don’t make this any harder than it is,” he tried as she began to sob deeply.

  “When Tariq, when do you want me out of your life,” she asked painfully.

  “No sense in prolonging it,” he told her as she broke down again.

  “Damn Tariq, what is it,” she screamed now. “What the hell does this woman have that would make you turn your back on me,” Cyiarra asked, demanding an answer from him.

  Tariq finished his drink and calmly set the glass on the bar. Walking over to her, he looked down, directly into her eyes and spoke.

  “She has my heart CiCi,” he said simply, walking away as she crumpled to the floor, crushed and broken.

  17

  Mook woke with a pounding headache. Lying flat on his back still, he rubbed his hand across his face trying to shake the grogginess, rising finally and taking in the room. The empty cognac bottle sat next to the bed, the half smoked blunt in the ashtray. Frowning slightly he listened for any sounds of movement. Hearing none he rose and began walking through the house curiously. He went into the kitchen opening the fridge and frowning slightly. Closing it he headed back to the bedroom, stopping at the two other bedrooms and pushing the doors open. They silently gave affording him a view of the still empty, bed made, rooms. Mook sighed lightly turning and heading to the living room finding the TV off, the pizza box open with the remaining pizza still contained. His head was beginning to hurt more as he continued to think about the night before and what had happened with him and Tae. He turned and headed back to the bedroom, going straight to the bathroom.

  He gingerly pushed the door open, seeing the light under the door. It was empty. What the hell, did she leave, he thought frowning again. Looking at his reflection in the mirror the revelation hit him. She was never here stupid, his mind told him. The refrigerator was empty. There was nothing in any of the cabinets, no fresh supply of tissue, no panties on the floor, no scent of her perfume in bed. In his drunken, drug induced stupor he’d dreamt the whole thing.

  “Shit,” Mook mumbled, relieving his call of nature and going back to the bed, sitting on it.

  He knew what brought the dream on. He was already angry with Kim about the man she was seeing, and Tariq had
filled him in on the argument Tae and Shells were having, as well as the man going to New York to see his family. “So he still didn’t explain what happened,” Mook asked as they smoked the weed. Tariq sighed softly telling him he hadn’t. “I told him that might not be the best course of action,” he replied. “But you know how stubborn Shells can be,” Tariq finished as they continued to smoke. Mook sighed deeply, glad on the one hand they hadn’t been together and destroyed both their relationships; pissed on the other that he was still dealing with Kim’s secrecy and deceit.

  Checking his cell, he noted the time. 4:47AM. He also saw four missed calls from Kim; the last one an hour ago. Rising again Mook stripped the bed, putting the linens in the laundry room. He tidied up the mess, and threw out the pizza, taking the trash out and putting it in the large receptacle outside. Locking the door to the safehouse he called a cab, holding the black case once again in his hand. The cab drove up ten minutes later, Mook getting inside and giving the driver the address. The ride was uneventful and his mind raced the entire trip. Arriving once again at Memoirs, Mook paid the fare and got out, thanking the man for his service. The cab drove away as he reached the midnight black SUV, using the remote and unlocking the door. Mook climbed into the driver’s side, putting the case once again on the passenger seat and starting the truck. Glancing over to his left, he saw Tariq’s truck still parked. Mook headed back to the house hoping Kim was still asleep. He had to sort some things out before he talked to her, not the least of which, what he was going to do about her new boyfriend. Maybe she wants to leave you for this clown, his mind raced. It would explain the distance and why she suddenly didn’t want him to touch her. By the time the secluded, wooded, estate came into view, Mook was even angrier and determined to get some answers as he parked the truck and went inside.

  *****

  Cyiarra quietly crept into the kitchen opening the fridge and retrieving a bottle of water. Her head hurt from the crying induced headache and her eyes burned like someone had thrown sand in them. Opening the bottle and drinking over half of it, she ventured down the hall once more stopping at Hasaan’s room and checking on him. The child was fast asleep, lying contentedly on his back, leg hanging over the edge of his toddler bed. Smiling slightly she walked into the room and put him fully back in the bed as he whined softly, turning over and drifting right back off. She closed his door as she left and continued making her way to the master bedroom once more. Passing their guest room, she stopped, standing outside the closed door, staring. She prayed when she opened the door her man was lying on the bed inside. After he walked out of the kitchen last night she’d heard the front door close. Too scared to verify he was gone, Cyiarra had simply collapsed onto the king bed and cried herself to sleep.