Thin Ice Read online

  As she sat alone for a few moments Kaitlyn thought about the three men prevalent in her life right now. Tariq, she was completely enamored over, but didn’t dare touch because of his habit. Landon, whom she found herself sexually attracted to now, but still wasn’t sure she wanted to give in. Ice, who was deadly, intriguing, and absolutely sexy all at the same time. Kaitlyn had to admit she was flattered that Ice was attracted to her, but scared at the same time. She knew his reputation well. Ice consumed his women, and then threw them away when he was done.

  Kaitlyn wanted to learn the business from Ice, really learn the in and out’s of how he accomplished what he did. Thinking about him turned her on more than she’d readily admit to anyone, especially him. Ice was shorter than Tariq and Landon, at 5’10”, but he was stunning. His body was bulging sensuously no matter what angle you took him in, from his huge biceps, to his rippled chest, and firm thighs, and his marvelous butt. Kaitlyn smiled slightly thinking of the rumors she’d heard about Ice and how extraordinarily endowed and skilled he was.

  “Here we are,” Landon told her breaking Kaitlyn’s thought and bringing her back to the now as he handed her the plate with the delectable rib eye steak contained.

  “Wow, thanks,” Kaitlyn told him looking at the huge steak. “You wanna share this,” she asked giving the steak a wary look.

  Landon chuckled seeing her expression and effectively reading her mind.

  “That’ll be fine,” he replied as she sat the plate down on the table in front of them and cut the steak, feeding him the first piece.

  They continued to chat pleasantly as they ate, exchanging short kisses, unaware of their being observed by both Evan and Jaleesa, each for very different reasons.

  *****

  “So, you making any headway,” Evan asked Landon as he prepared everyone an after dinner drink inside the suite as the two women sat outside still enjoying the game.

  “Yeah, I think we’re actually communicating,” Landon replied taking the brandy from him and sipping it.

  Evan voiced his approval. “Think you’re gonna get into her panties tonight,” he asked bluntly, causing Landon to strangle on his drink.

  “Whoa man, slow down,” he laughed. “I just got the woman to actually stop thinking I was a warty toad,” he finished, still chuckling at his friend’s candor.

  Evan laughed himself. “I’m sorry man,” he replied “I keep forgetting she isn’t like Jaleesa when it comes to the booty,” he chuckled as Landon frowned slightly.

  He and Evan were good friends, but they had a lot of differences when it came to women. True he’d bedded his share and some of them he hadn’t had a lot of respect for, but any he’d thought enough of to bring into his world and here to the private suites, he’d definitely respected. He also hated the fact that Evan put his hands on the woman, although Jaleesa didn’t seem to think there was anything wrong with it. She did stay every time he did it. So who was he to judge? The women laughing brought Landon out of his thoughts and back to the present.

  “Glad to see you’re enjoying yourself,” Landon told Kaitlyn returning to her and handing her the crown she’d asked for.

  “Yeah, although the other team probably isn’t,” she replied chuckling slightly.

  Georgia was trouncing its opponent by a score of 68 to 21 right now in the fourth quarter with only seven minutes left to play.

  “I’m sure they aren’t” Landon replied smiling with her.

  Taking Kaitlyn’s glass from her hand, Landon set it on the table with his own and turned to her taking her face in his hands as he kissed her deeply finally acting on the sexual electricity that had been floating between them all evening.

  “Kaitlyn, you know how very much I want you,” he told her as they parted and he caressed her back. “Please, don’t deny what’s happening between us,” he continued, kissing her chest and gently caressing her breast.

  “Do you want me?” he asked looking into her eyes again.

  Kaitlyn wanted to stop him; she needed to stop him and when she opened her mouth that was exactly what she’d intended to do.

  “Yes,” she answered instead, her mind and mouth betraying her.

  “Baby, I want you too,” Landon returned and kissed her again deeply.

  “Let’s get out of here,” he whispered in her ear as she nodded mutely already on fire with desire, and rose to leave with him.

  Jaleesa had been watching their interaction and smiled with satisfaction knowing what was about to happen between them.

  *****

  Leaving the arena, Landon had his car brought around and helped Kaitlyn inside. She was slightly uneasy leaving her own vehicle, but Landon arranged for it to be moved to private parking and assured her it would be fine. As they drove he held her hand kissing it softly and smiling at her. Kaitlyn sighed lightly praying he wouldn’t disappoint her and leave her more frustrated than when she started. They arrived at his building shortly afterward and headed upstairs to his loft.

  Upon entering, Landon offered Kaitlyn something to drink and she accepted. He left her alone to go and get the drinks. She took in his loft admiringly still praying she didn’t leave disappointed. It was exquisitely decorated with deep rich mahogany accents to go with the hardwood floors. Landon liked brass she saw, taking in all the brass works, lamps, and tables. He returned with her drink and sat beside her. They talked again for a few minutes asking each other more personal questions before he leaned in and kissed her deeply.

  Kaitlyn almost pulled away, the slight twinge of guilt over Tariq entering her mind, but didn’t and allowed the kiss to continue, completely enjoying his taste and his touch. Landon pulled her close and held her tightly. She found herself becoming more and more aroused as he kissed her. Kaitlyn began breathing raggedly as Landon continued his exploration of her mouth. His hands found her breasts and began gently fondling her nipples. They became hard immediately as Landon squeezed them gently. Mm, please let him know what he’s doing, Kaitlyn thought as he took her hand and led her to his bedroom.

  Landon took his time gently kissing Kaitlyn all over, once he’d undressed her, before settling himself in her sensitive area and tasting her. Damn, finally we’re together like we should have been in the first place, he thought as he heard her cry out softly from the orgasm she’d just experienced. Hmmm, this might be well worth the effort after all, Kaitlyn thought completely enjoying the first orgasm and eagerly anticipating more as Landon continued his work. Bringing her to the brink once more Landon made his way back up to her lips and kissed them. Kaitlyn pushed him gently onto his back and began her own exploration of his body. He moaned softly as she took him into her mouth, pleasuring him almost to the point of eruption. Make her stop, his mind told him. Landon wanted to be inside her, not just get head from her. Pushing her away lightly, he spoke.

  “Come here,” he told Kaitlyn, as he pulled her on top of him.

  Stopping briefly to put on the condom, Kaitlyn climbed on top and sat on his erection, feeling him begin to thrust deeply inside her as she moaned softly and matched his strokes.

  They pleasured each other nonstop for the next hour, each sensuously teasing the other right at orgasm, until they both finally fell over the edge and came hard in unison, collapsing in a sweaty heap, kissing each other tenderly. Mm, damn I ain’t know boyfriend had it like that, Kaitlyn thought wholly satisfied from their lovemaking. She experienced a brief terror attack thinking about Ice’s warning before dismissing it. Kaitlyn didn’t belong to Ice and she was free to sleep with anyone she damned well pleased, she thought before closing her eyes and drifting off to sleep as Landon held her and they remained intertwined.

  6

  Jaleesa smiled as she looked around the luxurious Buckhead condo. Tristan kept her very well, and she had absolutely no complaints. The beautiful antique furnishings stood out majestically against the beautiful downtown skyline. The plush wine colored carpet brought the evergreen with white accent window treatments to life. There was beauti
ful African art, and the gorgeous fish tank he’d had handcrafted especially for her, complete with rare and colorful tropical fish contained inside. Tristan paid for everything, even giving her money to spend.

  Tristan Carson was the GM or general manager, of the Georgia arena team, and he’d been instantly smitten with Jaleesa the night of the game when Evan introduced them one to the other. Jaleesa smiled recalling the phone call she’d received on her cell phone well into the wee hours of the morning. “Hi Jaleesa,” Tristan had greeted her softly. Jaleesa engaged him in small talk knowing something was on his mind before he finally propositioned her. Tristan explained that he was married and intended to stay that way, however he could and would offer her a great life if she would indulge his fantasies and give him the love and attention he didn’t get at home.

  Jaleesa had absolutely no issue with him being married. As a matter of fact, it made the arrangement all the better in her mind. She never had to worry about Tristan wanting to settle down, get married, or even have babies for that matter. He just wanted hot sex on a platter and she was more than willing to oblige. Jaleesa had been with a couple of white men before, but Tristan was the first she actually didn’t have to fantasize about someone else while she was with him. His skill was exquisite and he was sufficiently endowed to bring lasting pleasure. She couldn’t figure out why his wife seemed to have such an issue with him and sex, but she didn’t dwell on it. Life was good now both personally and professionally. In the two months she’d been Tristan’s mistress, she and Kaitlyn had gained leverage with four more arena teams and were supplying them exclusively.

  Thinking about Kaitlyn made her thoughts to go Landon, and by proxy, Evan. He’d been absolutely furious when she broke up with him, threatening retribution. Sighing softly, Jaleesa pushed it from her mind, instead smiling again recalling Kaitlyn and Landon hitting the skins with each other on the regular. She was glad her friend was getting her release now, although Kaitlyn had confided she was thinking of ending the affiliation. Seemed Landon was getting in too deep. One thing Jaleesa knew about Kaitlyn, she was strictly business and to her it was just sex, nothing more. Her cell rang and broke her thought as she picked it up and saw it was her best friend.

  “Hey girl,” she quipped into the phone.

  “Hey Tweety, wassup for today,” Kaitlyn asked.

  Since hooking up with Tristan, she’d had to give up a lot more personal time, leaving her best friend moving dope and weapons solo.

  “Flying to Vegas,” Jaleesa returned as Kaitlyn voiced her acknowledgment.

  “How long you stayin’,” Kaitlyn asked again as Jaleesa told her only the weekend, apologizing for once again not hitting the streets with her.

  “Girl you got this man wrapped,” Kaitlyn chuckled, holding no grudge, as Jaleesa teased her about Landon being the same.

  “Yeah, he’s starting to hang on a little too tight girl,” Kaitlyn returned tiredly.

  True she enjoyed the sex they had, she had the feeling Landon wanted much more than she was willing to give.

  “Tariq hit me up, said he couldn’t find you,” Jaleesa threw out trying to find out what was going on.

  She knew how Kaitlyn felt about the man personally, so it perplexed her that Kaitlyn was avoiding him now.

  “What happened?” Jaleesa asked hearing Kaitlyn sigh at the mention of him.

  “We got into it,” Kaitlyn returned wanting to leave it there, but knowing that Jaleesa wasn’t going to.

  “And?” she threw out again waiting to hear an explanation.

  “He was with me when Landon called one day,” Kaitlyn began and Jaleesa immediately knew where it was headed.

  “KiKi, you can’t possibly be shocked by his reaction, can you,” Jaleesa threw back.

  Sighing again, Kaitlyn told her she knew.

  “So what was said,” Jaleesa queried again knowing it had to be bad for Kaitlyn to now avoid him completely.

  “He called me a whore,” Kaitlyn returned tightly.

  “And I called him a junkie bitch,” she added as Jaleesa sighed.

  “You know he why he was trippin’ now don’t you,” Jaleesa told her as Kaitlyn again acknowledged her understanding, but added it didn’t ease her anger or hurt that he’d stooped so low.

  “Did he apologize?” Jaleesa asked again.

  “Of course he did,” Kaitlyn replied.

  “So stop trippin’ and accept it,” Jaleesa scolded her.

  Kaitlyn could be so stubborn sometimes she thought as her friend sucked her teeth and told her she’d think about it.

  “Anyway,” Kaitlyn began effectively changing the subject. “I’m gonna be on the Southside this weekend,” she told Jaleesa who told her to only go during the day since she wouldn’t be there to have her back.

  “Yeah that’ll be cool,” Kaitlyn replied as the two talked more about their next delivery to the teams and the need to make travel arrangements, before saying their goodbyes and disconnecting.

  *****

  Tariq was toying with the idea of calling Kaitlyn again as he held his cell. He was absolutely miserable knowing she was sleeping with Landon, but even more devastated that she’d stopped talking to him. He hadn’t seen her in almost a month since they argued. Tariq knew he was wrong, but he had been hurt and jealous. Here he was trying everything in his power to show Kaitlyn how much he loved her and she was with another guy. Sighing deeply he knew he had to shoulder the blame. Kaitlyn thought he was a junkie and Tariq already knew where she stood on that.

  That was about to change though. Hasaan had finally been accepted into a residential treatment center. Tariq would still have to pay a portion of his bill but to see his brother clean and sober again it was a small price for him. If he could get KiKi to see him today he was going to tell her the truth finally. Apologize again for what he said to her, and hurting her like he did, then pray she forgave him and accepted him into her life, into her heart, and into her bed.

  Taking a deep breath and steeling himself Tariq dialed her number and waited on the call to connect.

  “Yeah, Wassup,” Kaitlyn answered brusquely.

  Tariq expected this reaction; he was just thrilled she’d finally answered at all.

  “KiKi, can we talk, please,” he asked calmly.

  The silence on the other end was deafening as he waited for her response.

  “You need dope,” she asked still cold and robotic.

  “No,” Tariq answered still praying silently. “I want, need, to talk to you, please,” he tried again.

  “Yeah, OK, where,” Kaitlyn threw back.

  “Wherever you’re going to be is fine KiKi,” Tariq returned trying to stay on her good side.

  “Fine, meet me at the game center, Lakewood,” she returned as Tariq acknowledged her direction telling her he would meet her in the half hour she requested.

  “Thanks KiKi,” he added softly as she grunted her acknowledgment and disconnected.

  I gotta reach her today when I talk to her, Tariq thought as he dressed. He needed to swing by the hospital and drop off the first payment, and then he was headed out I-75 to meet KiKi.

  7

  “Shit,” Tariq swore softly to himself after disconnecting from his boss. They needed him to come in right now and they weren’t asking. Sighing deeply he called KiKi dreading what he had to tell her. She answered on the third ring.

  “Hey KiKi,” Tariq greeted her going on to cancel their meeting.

  “It’s actually OK, Tariq,” Kaitlyn replied sounding more like herself.

  She’d had time to think while she waited on him.

  “I’d still like to talk, if you could find time to come by the job later maybe,” Tariq tried again.

  He didn’t want another day to pass without her knowing the truth. Sighing softly Kaitlyn told him she would try but she wouldn’t promise.

  “OK, KiKi,” Tariq returned gently. “I just want to say I’m sorry one more time,” he added as she sighed softly again.

 
“Yeah, me too,” she replied amiably.

  “We all right again?” he asked hesitantly.

  “Yeah Tariq, we’re all right again,” Kaitlyn replied as he smiled and let go the breath he’d been holding. “I’ll text you if I can get that way tonight, OK,” Kaitlyn added readying herself to disconnect.

  “I sure hope so KiKi,” Tariq told her and wished her a great rest of the day finally letting her go.

  Thinking back on the conversation Kaitlyn smiled; glad she and Tariq weren’t fighting anymore. She had to understand finally that he was just as frustrated they weren’t together as she was. It had to hurt to know she was sleeping with someone else, even as they spent time together, and he reacted just as any other man would have. Pushing the thoughts away Kaitlyn got up from the table she been sitting at and threw her trash away, heading outside as the supplier arrived, beginning her day.

  *****

  “What do you want me to do Ice,” Evan asked the man sitting calmly in front of him who could destroy his entire life with one phone call.

  “I want to know where the bitch is and who her contacts are,” Ian told Evan evenly.

  He’d found out about Jaleesa and Kaitlyn’s new found clientele and his own lock out from the festivities.

  “She’s off in Vegas this weekend,” Evan said bitterly.

  He was still smarting from Jaleesa’s manipulation of him and her new affiliation with Tristan.

  “Fine,” Ian returned still regarding the man in front of him. “Call me when she gets back,” he ordered as Evan nodded his understanding. “You are my eyes and ears from now on,” Ian continued. “Nothing better go on that I don’t have advanced first hand knowledge of, get me?” Ian told him coldly.

  “Yeah Ice, I get it,” Evan returned as Ian dismissed him and the man wasted no time leaving his presence.

  Brooding, Ian made himself another drink and rolled around the information he’d gleaned in his mind. I’ma kill that trifling bitch, Ian thought to himself of Jaleesa. He also thought about Kaitlyn and grew angry again. He’d found out from Evan that she was sleeping with Landon and he was absolutely furious about it. KiKi’s been running from me for three long months now, Ian thought draining his glass. Time to put the brakes on that sista, he completed his thought and picked up his cell calling Carlos. He had a quick errand for him. After giving his bodyguard instruction, Ian headed to the shower and dressed. He was going to see Kaitlyn and this time before he left they were going to come to some understandings Ian again thought as he grabbed his keys and headed out the door, turning on the GPS and locating her, making a left onto the interstate and heading to the Lakewood location the computer gave him.