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Could It Be? Ch. 02

By: zia27



Author's note:

Hi everyone.

Firstly, thank you for your constructive feedback and encouragement. I apologize for the very long delay in writing the second part of my story. I know how frustrating it when writer takes forever to post.

When I started writing this story there are a few things that I never considered, which ended up counting against the progress of the story. It took me a while to plan the rest of the story. Then work, studies, life, etc happened and the story took a back seat.

Here's the second installment. Constructive criticism is welcome. 

*

Five days. That's how long it took for Erik to muster enough courage to call Thina. In those five days he had come up with every reason in the universe not to call her -- mostly around the fact that (1) he had never paid much attention to or been drawn to black women before, (2) his upbringing didn't exactly allow for him to mix with other races and thus he couldn't imagine himself dating a black woman, (3) her age -- he was sure she was in her early 20s and (4) he really wasn't keen to get involved with anyone at the moment. His hands were full as it is. 

With all the "cons" he came up with, there were only two "pros" to call her. He was attracted to her and he had a good feeling about her. Plain and simple.

Now that he'd made the call and she'd agreed to go out for dinner with him, he was left wondering why he tortured himself for five whole days. During their conversation, he hadn't been nervous (as he had thought he would be), and he definitely didn't make an utter fool of himself. 

Thina, although attracted to Erik, was not keen really keen on seeing him again. Had Erik not been directly involved in the campaign and their meeting at the restaurant purely coincidental, she would have had less fears. But if anything were to develop and then go wrong between them the agency could end up losing the account and she, her job.

And so when he didn't contact her for the rest of the weekend, she thought that maybe it was for the best. Besides she wasn't looking to get involved with anyone at the moment, work and studies were her main priorities.

Then he called. 

Though he'd given her his business card she never bothered to save his number. So when an unknown number showed up on her phone screen five days later, she simply answered the phone. 

"Damn it," she silently exclaimed upon realizing who it was.

Their conversation was brief and to the point -- first he said he hoped he hadn't caught her at a bad time, then he asked her how she was, about her weekend and work. Thina, on the other hand, was tongue tied and said more "ahuhs" than actual words.

"So, I'll make reservations for Friday and let you know the time later today ok."

"Ahuh," Thina responded. Only to realize a second later that she'd just agreed to go to dinner with him. Another silent "Damn it."

"Great, I'm looking forward to seeing you again Thina."

"Me too."

Ok then, talk later."

"Ok, later," she responded.

For both of them the next two days were easy - until they started thinking about their pending dinner date. Erik, although usually very composed and in control would find himself unsure -- of whether asking her out was a good idea. He had the type of personality that disliked not being in control and being uncomfortable -- which is exactly how he felt about the Thina situation. He liked her but was unsure how things would turn out. By Thursday evening, he'd resolved to just have this one dinner and see how things went. It was just dinner and he definitely wasn't looking for get into anything serious.

Thina, on the other hand was stressing about what to wear, if she'd have enough time during the day to do her hair, whether Erik really liked her or was just curious, what would happen between them, how she would deal with him professionally if things turned out fine, or if things didn't turnout fine!! What would happen to her job?

As Thursday rolled by she had not only gotten more nervous but had also she realized that her Friday schedule was back-to-back meetings: she would not have time to do her hair but literally had 30 minutes between her last meeting and dinner! The headquarters of agency she worked were in the US, and because of the seven-hour time difference between the New York and South Africa, she often had tele- or video conference meetings early evening, her time.

Friday came and straight after her video conference meeting, Thina dashed to her car for her gym bag and then went back up to her office's women's toilets.

"What are you doing?"

"Haaaa -- Oh you gave me such a shock. Never heard you come in," Thina replied, heart beating fast due to adrenaline. 

"Sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you. I though you heard me come in," Michelle replied while moving closer to where Thina was standing.

Thina quickly recovered, avoiding Michelle's raised eyebrows, and focusing back on her reflection in the mirror.

"What are you doing? Michelle's asked again, peeking into the toiletry bag in front of Thina. "Wait, are those wet wipes?" She added before peeking into the make up bag next to the toiletry bag...then noticing the pair of high heels on the floor.

She moved to stand closer to Thina. 

Both of them were now facing the ladies toilet mirror -- looking at each other's reflections. 

"Oh I was just freshening up," Thina finally replied while reaching for another wet-wipe.

Michelle stood half-confused as Thina delicately wiped her face and neck.

"Tee, you're going out tonight?"

Now Thina was dabbing moisturizer, priming her skin for make up "Uhuh", she replied.

Michelle slowly took another look at the entire set-up and Thina's attire -- she was still wearing the same black shift dress she had on during the day, there were high heels on the floor whilst she still had on the flat pumps she was running around in during the day, the make up bag, the earrings laid out, the tiny clutch bag, the...

Thina saw the glimmer in Michelle's eyes in the mirror and silently asked God why Michelle of all people had to walk in on her. She was as curious as they come and was sure to be asking a lot of questions.

"You going on a date!" Michelle screamed, stopping herself from jumping up and down.

"No, I'm going out for dinner."

"With whom?"

"With friends."

"Oh really? Is that why you're in the ladies toilet wiping yourself down with wet wipes, changing shoes and bags, and putting on make up?"

"Shhh not so loud Michelle. Geez, and they say black people are loud," Thina smiled.

"Tee, you didn't say you had a date," Michelle screamed again. Then added in rapid succession: "I could have handled the video conference meeting without you. Who are you going out with? Wait let me help you with your make up and you can tell me about this guy you're meeting. You are on your own with the hair though, can't help you there. So what's his name? Where did you meet him?"

***********

Thina had never been to Chez Michel before. She had read about the restaurant but had never been "moved" - to her it was simply one of those places that the rich spend their money on delicate little pieces of food, the not-so-rich went to be seen, and the lucky ones were taken to for special occasions. She didn't' fall into any of these categories. Yes, she was impressed when Erik confirmed their reservation and time. But she took it in her stride. She had been more impressed when he offered to pick her up from her house. Given her busy day, it's a good thing she had opted to drive herself there.

Michelle, while continuously quizzing her and barely waiting for responses had assured her that her frame sculpting black shift dress, deep purple leather clutch and black high heels were perfect attire for such an establishment -- formal and classy. 

But now, as she sat in her car in the restaurant parking lot, checking her make up in the rear-view mirror two things made her nervous: the delicate tiny piece of food she might encounter (she was way too hungry) and Erik.

***********

Erik was already seated when Thina was led to their table. As he stood to give her a peck on the check and pull out her chair her nerves were at boiling point. Not long after they were seated and exchanged brief details of how their respective days were, a waiter appeared offering them something to drink. 

"Wine?" Erik asked.

"Yes, wine is fine. Red please."

"Fancy anything in particular?"

"Red, cabernet sauvignon or merlot please. I'll let you decide which one."

After going through the wine list Erik informed the waiter of their choice. As soon as the waiter turned his back. "So you like-" he said.

And Thina simultaneously also said. "I'm curious, how-"

Realizing that they'd both spoken at the same time, Erik said "Ladies first."

"I was just going to ask how you managed to get a reservation here on such short notice. After your initial call, barely an hour had passed when you called again to confirm the time," Thina stated.

Smiling, Erik replied "Let's just say I come here often. This is one of my favorite restaurants. The food is great and the wine selection is outstanding. Same goes for the service."

"I take it you're a fan of French cuisine then?" Thina enquired.

"Yes, as matter of fact I am. Not to say I eat here all the time. A lot but not all the time. I work just up the road so it's also perfect for meetings with clients."

Thina chuckled.

"What's funny?" asked Eric.

"The business meetings here would be just before hitting the strip clubs right....where the other client 'meetings' take place?"

It was Erik's turn to chuckle, "Hey, who told you about that?"

"Erik, I've been working with your company for years, I know how you boys play."

"Well, honestly...yes, that does happen but not all the time. Sometimes." Quickly changing the subject Erik added "Seriously you'll love the food here. And if you ever need an 'urgent' reservation here, let me know. I'll organize. Same if you want a tour of the underground wine cellar...only for special customers."

"Impressive," said Thina.

Eric winked, tilted his head back and with a satisfied grin blurted "Who's your daddy?" They both burst out laughing as the same time. Thina was in stitches.

"Oh my word, did you really just say that? Are you like stuck in 1998 or something? Very corny Erik."

"Terrible, I know," Erik replied.

A few heads around them turned in their direction. After trying her best to settle down and failing, Thina replied "Denny. Crane."

It took Erik only a second to catch up -- she was replying to his 'who's your daddy.'

"Aha, so you're a Denny Crane fan. Great character, superb show."

"I'm a big fan," Thina replied. "I have the entire series on DVD."

"Confess, how many times have you watched them?"

"Actually...promise you won't laugh..." Thina said slowly.

"I promise I wont laugh Thina."

"Ok, I just can't force myself to watch the last disc. It's like I don't want the show to end...I've been putting it off for almost a month now."

"Really? Wow, that's..." Erik burst out laughing.

"Ok, ok, ok I know it's stupid but I just can't. Hey, you said you wouldn't laugh at me."

"No, it's not stupid. It's natural not to want a good thing to end. Happens all the time. Like I don't want tonight to end."

He realized what he'd just said and was going to change the topic when the waiter appeared.

Dinner was going well for both of them. The anxieties that both had before were gone. 

Erik was at ease around her and she seemed to be the same. She laughed at his silly jokes, and would occasionally lean over the table just a bit when she has something equally silly to say. Thina was having a ball. Underneath all that 'serious banker' exterior was a man who was funny, not afraid to laugh at his own expense, loved movies and books as much as she did, was a gentleman, was proud of his roots, a keen biker and traveler. Plus the food was not so itsy bitty after all. At least not what she'd ordered.

They spoke about everything under the sun: starting by asking each other if the other was seeing anyone -- they both declared that they were single. They also spoke about their families, work, hobbies, childhood memories, bad habits, and friends. They both found out that they were both not originally from Johannesburg but had moved there for studying and thereafter, work. 

Erik told Thina about his career in finance which started when he was twenty-one years old and how, after sixteen years in banking and investments he still loved what he did. He also told her funny and wonderful stories about his childhood on his parents' farm, where he and his two brothers were born and raised. And as he recalled to her how he was raised to be proud of his Afrikaaner heritage. Then silently thought of how both his parents would have heart attacks if they heard one of their sons was dating a black woman. 

Thina told Erik about her family: her sisters, brother, niece, nephew and parents. She had grown up in the east coast of South Africa. Due to the past political system in South Africa, the environment Thina grew up in was practically foreign to Erik and his curiosity kept getting the better of him as he asked question after question about her upbringing. Growing up, the only black people he knew were the help on his parents' farm. As an adult, his entire team, which included a couple of black guys, went for drinks after work once in a while. And that was it if you didn't count the cleaning lady who cleaned his house twice a week. 

Other than her upbringing Thina also told him how, during her last semester at university she had tried, unsuccessfully. to find part-time work in the advertising industry and had resorted to volunteering her services to a very small agency where she worked for three afternoons a week until two months later when she started earning a bit of money for her hard work. After graduating she had worked with another advertising agency for a year before moving to her current job. She also told him about her part-time post-grad studies. 

Erik, who had been worried about her age, guessed her at about twenty-five from all the information she had shared. This made her a bit younger than the women he preferred to date.

As they sat across each other eating, talking and laughing, Thina could not help but notice things about Erik that she had missed the first time they'd met. She noted that they grey of his eyes was almost transparent, especially when he smiled or laughed. She also noticed that his upper body was quite well defined. Just remembering how it had felt when he held her in his arms brought a tingling feeling. 

All along their conversation, Erik had to restrain himself from kissing her. Everything about her was sexy to him. She was also one of the most determined women he'd come across in a while and at the same time he sensed a certain vulnerability about her. Plus, he got hard just by looking at her - her full lips were begging to be kissed, her skin glowed under the lights and he was literally getting lost in thought in her dark brown eyes that seemed to change shape and dance when she got excited by conversation. 

Eventually, not being able to contain himself any longer, as she leaned into the table a bit to tell him something funny, he also leaned in and kissed her. The kiss wasn't as hungry as their first kiss. It was quick yet more tender. As soon as their lips parted, they both knew they were in trouble. The way their bodies reacted to it was beyond anything they had expected. It awakened more desire in them. Erik no longer just itched to continue where they left off at the parking lot last week, but also felt an unfamiliar feeling; a need to take in more of her, to discover more. 

Thina could literally feel her wetness seep out of her body onto her underwear with each passing second. Her knees got weak even though she was sitting down and she had to hold on tight to the sides of her chair to keep herself from sliding from it and ending up under the table. As Erik retracted to his seat Thina quickly glanced around, becoming aware that they'd attracted a few stares. She quickly recovered, smiled and said:

"This random kissing in public places is becoming a habit," she said.

With lust completely taken over him, he blurted: "We could kiss randomly elsewhere. I mean I...I enjoy your company and...I...I'd like-"

"Elsewhere sounds good. But honestly I think its best if we called it a night." Thina replied. 

As much she really wanted to take their kissing elsewhere, she was not going to. Given the way things had happened tonight she didn't trust herself not to end up going beyond just kissing him. Too damn soon, she reasoned.

Eric wasn't expecting her to want to end their date at that particular moment but he agreed, so he asked to the bill.

Moments later, next to Thina's car, Erik had her in his arms for yet another kiss. This one wasn't random. It came and felt natural. It was the kiss of two people who liked each other, had a good time, had shared a bottle and half of wine, enjoyed each other's company and wanted to see more of each other. After what seemed like eternity they parted. After Thina fished out her car keys from her purse, Eric took them from her hand, disarmed the car alarm and opened the door fro her.

"Goodnight Thina. I reaaaaaaaally had a great time."

"Me too Eric."

"Call me when you get home ok. Want to know if you got home safely."

"Will do, goodnight."

With that Eric slowly closed her car door, watched her start her car and drive away.

Only when he couldn't see her car anymore did he start walking towards his own car.

***************

Twenty minutes later, just as Eric was driving into his garage, his phone rang. Thinking it was Thina he smiled as he put the device to his ear. 

"Erik, it's been three weeks. I miss you. Fancy some naughty fun tonight?" said a sultry voice.

"Fuck it!" Erik thought before actually he replied...

Could It Be? Ch. 03



"Anna," Erik said wearily.

"Hey stranger. What do you say we get together tonight?" said Anna-Marie, otherwise know only as Anna.

"I'd love to Anna but I've had a hellish week. In fact I just got home from work right now. Gonna hit the shower and then get some much needed sleep."

"Oh I think I know the perfect way to help you relax baby. All you have to do is lie back and enjoy."

"I'm afraid I have to skip on our arrangement. I'll give you a call during the week ok." 

Erik chose his words carefully. He had to remind Anna that theirs was an "arrangement" of sorts. Nothing official. Nothing promised. Just convenient.

"Well ok, I'll talk to you later then. Goodnight." Anna replied, disappointed and all the sultriness gone from her voice. 

"Goodnight Anna."

They both hung up.

Anna-Marie or Anna, was taken aback by Erik turning her down. He had never done that before. She wondered if he had started seeing someone -- in which case, she'd have to find out who and up her game. After their break-up she had worked way too hard to keep him interested to lose him again! In her mind, they were going to get back together. 

"But he did sound tired. Maybe he really did have a bad week/day," she thought to herself.

She quickly dismissed the thought, not wanting to second guess herself. She resolved to find out exactly what he's been up to lately.

Erik, on the other hand, was wondering if the time had come to end his arrangement with Anna-Marie Vorster. She was one hell of a fuck and had bailed him out a couple of times as his date for work functions but he was not interested in re-kindling their failed relationship. They had dated for just over a year -- with the last few months of their relationship year spent breaking up and making up as she attempted to move herself into his house and pressure him to marrying her. During their relationship they had talked about getting married. Actually, she had, and he had merely agreed with her, not wanting to upset her. Although he had loved her, he just wasn't ready for marriage. When he eventually came clean she understandably walked out on him only to come back a month later. By then Erik had resolved that the break up was in her best interests as she deserved better -- someone who would give her the type of commitment she wanted.

Anna-Marie, on the other hand, had realized that Erik was the most suitable husband material of all the men she had ever dated in her life, and thus worth swallowing her disappointment of him not being too keen to get married.

When he rejected her attempts of reconciling, instead of letting her emotions get the best of her, Anna used her body, something he always had difficulty resisting, to keep him close. And so for the past four months since their break-up, they were "friends with benefits". 

Before Erik fell asleep that evening, he wondered if he was getting way ahead of himself with Thina, and if cutting Anna off was a good idea: Yes, he wasn't interested in having a relationship with Anna again, but she had her advantages.

Thina on the other hand had his attention but was "uncharted waters". And he if admitted the truth, he was a little scared of whatever it is that he might be getting himself into. He acknowledged the fact that he was a little confused. That meant not being in control. Not good.

**********

The following week Erik did two things that gave him some form of control: 

He sent Anna a nice apology gift and resolved to try and stay in her good books without actually sleeping with her until his got his head together. This way he still had her to fall back on if Thina didn't work out.

The second thing he did was to spend more time with Thina. In his mind, he was looking a moment that would either confirm that Thina was more than an attraction, or that she was a passing infatuation.

That moment didn't occur that week. 

Instead they had a lunch dates, exchanged a crazy number of text messages and nightly phone conversations. She was like a drug...one hit/lunch date/text message and he wanted more. Yet, when he had a break from her his head was filled with thoughts of why he shouldn't go there. 

Thina was loving the attention though also still apprehensive. She liked the fact that he did the calling, inviting to lunch, etc. And she appreciated that he was so considerate: asking her where she would prefer to eat, offering to collect her from her office and then drop her off after lunch. This was all new to her. In her books, this not only meant that he was interested, but was a gentleman as well -- very different from guys who'd simply inform her where and when. 

But she still had her reservations. In addition to their work relationship and his race, she had in the previous week also learnt that he was 13 years older than her. That was too old. What could he possible want from her, other than a good time with a younger woman. A younger black woman.

As yet another Friday rolled by she told herself she'll address these issues and then move on, one way or the other. That "address these issues" moment never came. 

That same evening, after seeing a movie at the local art house cinema,they had a night cap at a local hangout. 

"Have you met with Stella lately? How's the campaign going? When are we seeing the creative stuff?" Eric fired at Thina.

"Yes, I did meet with her, twice actually. Don't take this the wrong way but I think you should ask Stella about that. She's my client and your company's marketing director. I'm sure she'll be more than happy to give you an update. It's just that you and I --"

"- I understand. No need to explain. I actually admire your work ethic. No worries, I'll ask Stella," Erik interjected.

"I'm just curious, that's all. Stella and her team do a great job. With your agency's assistance of course," he added.

Thina was relieved. She wanted to keep work out whatever was happening between her and Erik Bekker. Nor did she want to tell him that they had actually finalized the campaign creative approach and were going into production the following week. She had gotten the impression that Erik, although a banker by trade, perhaps wanted to be more involved in the campaign. Not a good idea - Thina knew from experience. It just spelled disaster. 

The evening wore on and it was time to head home and somehow it had become routine for the two to find themselves kissing each other goodnight in parking lots. 

It was meant to be a goodnight kiss. But this particular kiss was after three weeks of both of them realizing then trying to fight what was going on between them - and failing. This particular week had started with both of them wanting to establish something...wanting to confirm the realness of the attraction...wanting to address reservations...subconsciously looking for a way out. And yet there they were, in another parking lot, their bodies filled with lust.

Thina was standing on her toes, and Erik had bent down to her. As he was sucking her lower lip his one hand rested on the side of her car, his other cupped her butt, firmly pressing her towards his body. Thina's arms were around his upper body, also pulling him towards her. As she made contact with his erection Thina let out a moan, her arousal deepening. The dampness she had in her panties turned into a flood. She moaned deeper as his tongue explored her mouth. Then he let go of her ass, instead caressing her breast and gently pushing her back against her car. She had to fight the urge not to guide his hands to her ass so that she can wrap legs around his waist and feel his erection all the way up against her again. Luckily some of her sense came back to her -- they were after all in a public area. 

Erik's thoughts were not far off Thina's. What he actually wanted to do was to unzip himself, lift her to his waist, pull her panties aside and have his way with her against her car. With that image in his mind he started caressing her soft breasts. His entire hand covered one as he rubbed his thumb over a hardened nipple. 

The moment he felt her tiny hand stroking his hardened cock, he stopped caressing her breast to watch her stroke him through his pants. All along he'd thought he was hard but watching her took his hardness to another level. He closed his eyes and lost himself in the feeling she was giving him. Then his senses came back to him. He had to stop her before she made him cum. Pulling his lips away from hers and reaching for her hand:

"Thina..." 

She stopped and looked at him with surprise.

"Babe we're in a parking lot. This is not right and I don't want you exposed like this", he said while straightening himself and looking around before adjusting his erection.

The word "babe" at that moment were not lost to Thina. But more than that she was embarrassed. 

Smiling self consciously and said, "You're right. I...I wasn't thinking."

"Hey, come here," Erik said pulling her towards him by her waist. He gave her a kiss on the forehead and said: "You did nothing wrong. Ok. In fact you did everything right," he chuckled.

"We both just got lost in the moment that's all."

By now Thina was looking at the ground, highly embarrassed by her actions in public.

"Thina look at me."

When she eventually looked at him, Erik was overwhelmed by her vulnerability that his arousal reawakened. "Don't feel bad, you did nothing wrong. Besides, the place is empty. We're the only ones here."

Another kiss on the forehead, "Come home with me," he said. 

"Erik...I don't think..." she said.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing. I just don't think going home with you is a good idea."

"Why not? I just want to be with you, in private. I'll stop when you tell me to -- we won't do anything you don't want to. I just want to be with you."

A moment of honesty on his part: "Thina these past three weeks I've known you have been a rollercoaster for me in a way you can't imagine. And right now all I know and all I want is to be with you."

He also added: "I'm not going to rush you into anything. I just want us to continue this..." he gestured between them "in private. We'll come back for your car whenever you want to go home. I promise."

"Promise?" Thina asked.

"I promise," Erik said, holding out his hand for her to grab.

When she placed her hand in his and walked up to him, Erik automatically raised it to his lips and kissed it. "I promise," he said again. He led her to his car, opened the passenger's door for her and closed it after she got in.

During the ride to Erik's house conversation was about inane things -- both parties trying to hide their nervousness. Erik lived in a housing estate on a golf course but unlike most housing estates, the houses didn't all look the same.

"You never mentioned you lived in a golf estate or play golf."

"I don't really. I'm quite bad at it. This was just too good of an investment to pass up. Plus the developers were selling plots and owners could build as they please pending the developers' approval of the plans of course. Can't go wrong with such on a golfing estate."

"It definitely seems so," Thina stated in amazement as Erik pulled up to his house and waited for the automated doors of the triple volume garage to open.

"Nice house." Thina said of the mostly glass-walled and white double storey house.

"Thank you. It feels too big sometimes but I'm hanging on to it for a few more years," Erik stated as he drove into the garage, parking between a huge motorbike and Erki's second car. He got out to open Thina's car door and let her towards a side door.

"Ladies first," he said after punching in an alarm code and opening the door that led to his kitchen.

"Thank you," she replied.

After turning the lights on, Erik asked her if she'd like something to drink. And she replied: "No thanks."

"You're so polite. I love it - it's...refreshing. You never forget to thank the waiters, the guy behind the counter at the cinema..." he trailed off as he moved towards her. He actually found it a turn on as for thim there was nothing more off putting than rudeness.

"Funny you should say that because I think you're quite the gentleman yourself."

"I'm afraid I'm not always a gentleman," he smiled mischievously as he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her towards him for a kiss. 

"That's ok, I'm not always a lady myself," she murmured, taking a short break from the kiss.

"Oh really? Can't wait to see your not-so-lady-like behavior" Erik said while gently moving Thina towards the island counter located in the middle of the kitchen.

"Let's just say I have my moments."

"Anything I can do to bring forth such a moment?' Erik asked looking as sincere as he could while thinking about what the night promised as he pinned her between the kitchen counter and himself and placed his hands underneath the sides of her skirt, slowly moving them up her thighs.

"Just keep doing what you're doing..." she responded, looking straight into his grey eyes.

"You're such an easy date!" he teased.

"Keep talking Bekker." Thina tried to look irritated.

"I meant to say you're sexy. Very sexy."

'Whatever" she replied, feigning a pout.

"Come here sexy, with your 'whatever' lips."

Another long deep kiss. They were continuing from where they'd stopped in the parking lot. His hands on her fleshy butt, her arms around his neck. Him rubbing his erection against her, Thina reveling audibly at the sensation. Letting go of one butt cheek he pushed her skirt up to her waist then moved his hand to the front of her thong feeling her heat before he touched her. He let out a deep moan once his hand made contact with the wet fabric of her underwear. "Is that for me? he asked while palming her pussy.

"Uhuh", was all Thina could get out while spreading her legs a little to accommodate Erik's hand.

Feeling her through the fabric only lasted a few seconds. Erik pushed her thong to the side and played with her lower lips before going for her clit. He marveled at the pleasure he was bringing her as her head fell back slightly, eyes half-closed, while balancing herself on the counter with both hands.

"Look at me."

"Oh Erik..."

"Thina look at me," Erik said, a little sterner this time. 

His tone made her open her eyes, only to catch him staring at her with a wild look in his eyes as he stuck a finger into her wet and slippery pussy, not hesitating to probe and stroke her. 

"Erik...oh my God..." A second finger went in.

After some time of thrusting his fingers in and out of her, Thina started riding Erik's fingers, overcome with lust that she'd never felt before. The sensation was so good she never wanted his fingers to leave her. With each movement of her hips she could feel an orgasm creeping up on her. For a few seconds she entertained the thought that she had never climaxed while being fingered before, and that the man bring her this unknown pleasure was... She quickly pushed the next thoguht away.

With her mind back to the matter at hand, no pun intended, she was ready for him. She wanted to feel him inside her. But first, she has to return the favour. She didn't want to seem selfish so she reached for his cock. Upon contact, Erik stopped her.

"Later ok. I want you to enjoy yourself for now." 

True. But another part of him was scared that he'd cum in his pants the moment her hand made contact with his dick. He didn't want to cum just yet.

Thina was a bit relieved by Erik's reaction. She honestly doubted if she would have done a half-decent job considering that she was getting weaker and weaker. Her body was giving in to Erik's fingers, ready to explode. Had it not been for the counter she was leaning against she doubted if she would have had enough strength to hold on to him for support, let alone give him as much pleasure as he was giving her.

Erik was more that pleased by her reaction and sounds. 

"You like this? You like my fingers inside you? 

Another kiss. Third finger went in. That sent Thina over. She rode his fingers with such a wild hunger that the kiss broke. Screaming Erik's name she came all over his hand -- an indescribable feeling that had her pussy wanting more, giving more, tightening, gripping and sucking in Erik's fingers - while alternating between wild moaning, panting and screaming. She completely let go of everything and just felt only what her body was going through. Erik 

had to prop her up against the counter again with his other hand. 

He was also just about hanging on. Between the hand he was using to hold her up, the grip her pussy had on his other hand's fingers and trying his best not to cum - he was fighting a quite battle. 

It was the sheer ecstasy on Thina's face that kept him holding on. He felt he could hold on for as long as he had to keep that look of ecstasy on her face. This moment was supposed to be sexual. But Erik felt it was more than that. This was something else. Exactly what, he didn't know. He pushed the thought to the back of his mind.

As she slowly came down from her high Thina had just enough strength to hold Erik's face between her hands before she was dead weight again. When it was over Erik removed his soaked fingers from her pussy and brought them up to his mouth.

"Hmmmm you taste lovely sexy Thina."

Thina was slightly shivering with goose bumps forming all over her body - her normal post-climax reaction. She could only manage a faint smile.Erik reached for her pussy again, releasing another shiver from her. He licked her cum juices off his fingers yet again.

"Baby I need taste more of your sweetness," he said as kissed her while taking her thong off, only breaking the kiss once his hands couldn't push the underwear down any further. Bending down, he finished the job, throwing the soaked pair behind him. On his way up he stuck his tongue out and gave Thina's pussy a lick, then grabbed her waist and lifted her up onto the counter with both hands and laid her flat on her back on the marbled surface.

The cold marble against Thina's ass caused her to shiver again. Erik, positioned between her legs, pulled her limbsfurther apart then took a step back. Bending slightly to take a better and closer look at her pussy, he was mesmerized by the sight before him. Bare folds of brown skin, glistening with cum. Then there was her bud, starting off darker then becoming lighter and tipped by a drop of pink. Last but not least, that opening that made it all complete -- surrounded by brown flesh but also pink at the opening and inside. So beautiful and curious to him. He'd seen lots and certainly enjoyed them but he'd never seen one like this before. For a few seconds he zoned out, taken by the sight before him.

Then his tongue darted out and he gave her a once over lick from the bottom to the top. Thina, not expecting the sensation got a pleasant surprise and cried out his name.

As Erik continued to explore her folds with his tongue he held her legs apart and raised. He licked and nibbled, cleaning her up while she thrashed about on the counter moaning only as woman having great sex would. 

Never in her life had Thina been eaten out like this. Her only prior experience was a half-hearted dart on her clit with the tip of a tongue which lasted for all of 30 seconds.

But now, laying here on the counter of Erik's kitchen, he had just introduced her to another dimension of sex. One she knew she would never let go of again - just like she was pushing her pussy out towards Erik's face more and more not wanting him to ever stop. 

He let go of her legs, only to spread her pussy wide open with both hands, followed by another bottom to top lick but this time he'd stiffened his tongue and pressed it hard and flat against her pussy. And that's when Thina came again. As soon as Erik realized this he went for the kill and stuck his stiff tongue inside Thina' warm, slippery and pink hole while reaching out, grabbing her waist and pulling her lower body and pussy to his face, so much so that he could only breathe her hotness. Not that this stopped him from fucking her with his tongue. Her cum juice was plentiful and he just lapped it up. 




Could It Be? Ch. 04



*The following morning.* 

"Thina. Thina, wake up." 

"Hmm?" 

"Hey sleepy. Wake up. Hey, good morning...afternoon," Erik said. 

"Oh crap...what time is it?" Thina asked, frantically sitting up. 

"About noon," Erik replied with a kiss on the forehead. 

"Noon! Why didn't you wake me up? Thina screamed, jumping out of the bed, "I missed class!" 

She was frantically picking up and trying to put her clothes on 

"I didn't know...Thina, wait...can you just slow down for a second." Erik grabbed her arm gently. 

"Erik, I was supposed to be at class at 9am." 

"Babe just calm down for a second." 

Once she's stopped her fussing, Erik continued... 

"I didn't know you had to be in class this morning. You didn't mention it last night.' He said the last part with a smile, then added "I understand you're upset but you're about three hours late now, so please just calm down." 

"Erik, I have to go." 

"Ok, but let me finish, please. I'm sorry you missed class. I honestly didn't know you had to be up early, ok." Erik continued, "Look, you ARE three hours late. What time do your Saturday classes end?' 

"At 1pm," Thina replied quietly. 

"Well there's less than an hour left of class. Which WITS campus" 

"Braamfontein," she replied. 

"Ok, that's about a good 15 minutes away. You also need time to shower..." 

"Erik..." Thina loosened herself from his grip and tried putting her clothes again. 

"Let me finish please. Again, I'm sorry you missed class. But you're not going to make it today. OK. Maybe you can call a friend for notes or whatever...but just don't leave like this..." 

"Like what Erik?" she asked. 

"Like this..." he gestured wildly. "You got up, got mad and are about to fly out of here." 

"Well, what do you expect?" 

"I understand you're a bit mad. But think about it, you've missed class already. If you still want to leave, fine. But just not like this, in a cloud of anger and clothes. Can you at least slow down...I'll get you something to eat or drink while you take a shower. Then I'll go drop you off at your car. If you still want to leave." 

"Ok, you're right. I'm sorry. I should have said something last night. And I shouldn't be angry at you," Thina said sheepishly. 

"It's ok," Erik smiled. "Can we start all over again please?" 

Thina covered her face with both hands, "Yes, we can." 

"Good morning...afternoon Thina." 

"Good afternoon Erik," Thina uncovered her face 

"Slept well?" 

"Yes, I did, thanks. You?" 

"I slept well. Didn't sleep much because you kept me busy. But I am not complaining," Erik smiled and gently brushed Thina's cheek. "I figured I wore you out and that's why I didn't wake you up." 

"Wore me out? You're funny Bekker, but I'm a deep sleeper." 

"Deep sleeper my ass! I wore you out sexy." 

By now they were both seated on Erik's bed and he was nuzzling her neck. 

He straightened himself, "Look, I actually woke you up to tell you that I need to step out for a while, should be less than an hour. We can go grab your car when I get back, and...come back here?" He asked, hopeful. 

"Erik, I already missed class and I also need to get a few other things done today," Thina replied. 

"Like?" he asked. 

"I have stuff to do, errands to run. Plus I need fresh clothes..." Thina protested. 

"Ok, so can I run out to the office quickly while you shower and eat. I'll come back, go drop you off at your car, you do what you need to and come back here?" He was really hoping that she'd agree to spending the day with him. 

"Sure, sounds like a plan," Thina agreed. 

Erik got up, "Good, I'll be back soon. Shower's over there. There's breakfast in the fridge, just needs warming up. Lizzy's down stairs, try to stay out of her way..." And he was out the door. 

Thina was worn out and welcomed the hot shower. Stepping out, she encountered an older woman in Erik's bedroom, busy examining Thina's skirt with a disgusted look on her face. Both were shocked to see each other. 

Dropping the skirt, the woman took a step back. Thina self-consciously made sure the towel around her body was fastened. The woman was old enough to be Thina's mother. The woman tilted her head to the side a bit, squinted and mumbled something to herself while shaking her head. All Thina caught was the word "Erik". 

Thina was still holding on to the towel when it occurred to her that she ought to greet the woman. 

"Uhm, molo ma (hello, mother)," she sheepishly said, her eyes trying to locate the rest of her clothing around the bedroom. (Thina is speaking her home language, Xhosa) 

(In the ethnic South African cultures, to show respect, you always refer to strangers old enough to be either of your parents as ma/mama or papa/tata/baba/nthate—depending on the language that person speaks. Those slightly older than you are referred to as sisi/ousi (female) or bhuti (male)-both signs of respect. You do not call a person older than you by name, unless they give you permission to). 

"Dumela ngwana ka, o kae? (Hello my child, how are you?)" The woman replied in her language, Tswana. 

Ndiphilile ma, enkosi. Wena unjani? (I'm fine, thank you. How are you?). Thina was starting to feel a bit awkward as the woman was scrutinizing her, from head to toe. 

"Ke teng," (I'm fine) came the abrupt answer. "Bitso la hao ke mang?" (Your name?) 

"Ndi ngu Thina. (I'm Thina). 

"O mo Xhosa?" (Are you Xhosa?), the woman asked. 

"Ewe ma." (Yes, ma) 

"Le na ke Lizzy. A kesi buwi hantle si Xhosa sa gago, o was se bua se Tswana?" the woman said. (I am Lizzy. I do not speak your language, Xhosa, well. Do you speak Tswana?) 

"A ke se bua hantle ma Lizzy." (I don't speak it well ma Lizzy) Thina replied. 

"SiZulu sona?" (Do you speak Zulu?) 

"Ewe ma, sona ndi yasazi." (Yes, ma, I know Zulu). 

"Ok ke ngwana ka, asikhulume sona sizo zwana kakuhle." (Ok my child, let's speak Zulu so that we can understand each other). 

(South Africa has 11 official languages, 9 of these are ethnic. Because Johannesburg is the melting pot of South Africa, you find different ethnic groups from both within the country and neighboring countries—different people speaking different languages. However, most Johannesburg dwellers try to learn and speak Zulu - it's the most common ethnic language in the country and is regarded as the middle-ground of languages in Johannesburg. Thina speaks Xhosa and the woman, Tswana. The woman is suggesting that they switch to Zulu so that they can understand each other.) 

The woman eventually put Thina's skirt down on the bed. Looking at the bed then back at Thina, she said "UErik ungitshelile ukuthi unesivakashi. Angiwenzi umandlalo wakhe uma enezivakashi, uyayazi loko. Ngiqoqa nje. Phela sengikhulile, uErik lo ngingu mama kuye." the woman said as a matter-of-fact while eying the bed. (Erik told me he had a guest. I don't make his bed when he has guests. He knows that. I'm an old woman - I could be his mother.) 

What the woman said stung Thina a bit. She knew that she couldn't possibly been the first woman to sleep in Erik's bed but she still felt not only a pang of pain but also sensed the woman's disapproval. 

Not minding Thina, the woman continued, "Ngizoqoqa ngishanyele la. So, ngicela ugqoke uye ezantsi uyokudla, mina ngizosala ngiqoqa." (I'm here to clean and vacuum this room. So can you please get dressed and go downstairs, there's food - you can eat. I'll stay here and tidy up.) 

By now Thina just wanted to be out of Lizzy's sight, so she quickly grabbed and put on her clothes and was out the door in no time. She headed downstairs, went to the kitchen and grabbed a plate of eggs and sausage from the fridge, and popped it in the microwave oven. Then she called Erik. 

"Hey babe, everything ok?" he asked. 

"Uhmm, yeah, kinda. I just met mama Lizzy," Thina whispered. 

"Ha ha ha, why are you whispering? He laughed. 

"Erik, it's not funny. She's -" 

"Her bark is worse than her bite. Don't' mind her. Lizzy's actually the sweetest person I know. As long as everyone stays out of her way and lets her get on with her work. She's harmless," Erik continued. 

"She's old enough to be my mother. I was so embarrassed. I walked out of the shower...and there she was...then she made some comment about not making your bed," Thina said rapidly. 

"Oh, I see." Erik wasn't laughing any more. "Don't mind her. She's probably in a bit of shock. But let's talk when I get home ok? I should be there in the next 20 minutes of so." 

"Ok, see you in a bit." 

They hung up and Thina dialed one of her classmates to ask about the work covered in the class she missed. She was doing her postgrad studies part time, two evening classes during the week and every other Saturday. The classmate, Lebo, agreed to email Thina his notes and assignment topic. Thina was more than grateful. She regarded herself a diligent student, and given the amount of money and time she was investing in her studies while also juggling a full-time job, she only missed class if she was sick. 

Thina finished her breakfast and washed the plate and cutlery she had been using. After settling down to check messages on her phone, Lizzy walked into the kitchen and said "Hayi ke, sengiqedile. Phele ngifike ekuseni kakhulu, mele ngi hambe manje." (I'm done. I'm going to leave soon, I've been here since early morning). 

She headed over to the sink and saw the plate that Thina had just washed. She turned to Thina and told her she shouldn't have bothered washing the plate, she was going to wash it. She smiled. She opened one of the kitchen drawers, took out a notepad and pen and started scribbling something. 

When she was done, she came over to Thina and stood in front her, on the other side of the counter. 

"Ngiyahamba manje. Ngicela unike uErik le list. Angenge ngilokhe noma ngingafake i-alarm ngoba kukho wena. Asithembe so phinda sibonane futhi Thina...konje isibongo? (I'm leaving now. Please give Erik this list. I'm not going to lock or set the alarm, because you're here. I hope to see you again Thina...what's your last name?) 

"Thina Kana," 

"Kulungile ke, usale kakuhle Thina Kana (Ok, goodbye Thina Kana)," said Lizzy, grabbing her bag which was also sitting on the counter. 

Ten minutes later, Erik came back. Thina was in the lounge, watching tv. Erik came and sat next to her, pulled her legs towards him and put them on his lap. He started rubbing her feet. 

"You good?" he asked. 

"Uhuh." 

"I probably should have warned you about Lizzy. She CAN be scary. But she's harmless. She's been my cleaning lady for over 10 years. I hope she didn't give you much of a hard time," Erik smiled. 

"Nah, she didn't. Just mentioned that she won't make the bed - that she never does when you have a guest," Thina said slowly, emphasizing each word. 

Pause. 

"Thina, ..." Erik started. 

Thina interrupted him, "But I think she and I are cool, sort of - she even smiled at me just before she left. And she left a list of things you need to buy," Thina said. 

"Okkkkk, maybe I need to have a chat with Lizzy about boundaries," Erik said. 

Pause. 

"You mad at me? At Lizzy?" 

"No, Erik don't be silly." 

"Well, you seem a bit pissed off by what Lizzy said..." 

"I'm not. Why should I?" Thina retorted 

"I don't know...maybe you think that I...Look she definitely shouldn't have said that to you and I'm going to talk to her about it. As for what's implied by what she said, well as I told you I'm not seeing anyone else so she's talking about past girlfriends. Past...that's all there is, a past." 

Erik trailed off. 

"Ok. Can we go get my car now? I really need to get out of these clothes," Thina said. 

"Yeah, I think so too." Erik smiled, his hands going up her legs. 

"Erik, stop it," she smiled. 

"Really? You want me to stop? 

Thina was now flat on her back on the couch, and Erik turned his entire body towards her, got on his knees on the couch and pulled Thina by her legs towards him. He tugged at her skirt. 

"You did say you need to get out of these clothes," he said. 

"You know that's not what I meant." Thina lifted her ass off the couch so that Erik could slide the skirt down her hips. 

"You're not wearing panties Thina." 

"I couldn't find them. You wouldn't by any chance know where they are, would you?" 

"Nope." Erik laughed. He was now taking off her top. The bra followed. 

When she was completely naked, Erik took a moment to admire her body. 

She tried sitting up, "Let's get you out of these." She gestured at his clothed body. 

In a second Erik's tshirt was off, he grabbed his wallet from his jean's pocket and took out a condom. He then stood up and took his pants off and quickly got back on the couch. Kneeling on the couch and facing Thina he put the condom on. The lowered himself on her warm body and they kissed. Thina raised one leg to better accommodate him, moaning as he ground himself against her. 

"Turn around for me baby," he breathed. 

Not exactly what Thina was expected as she was eagerly wanting to feel him inside her. 

Erik got back up on his knees on the couch and watched as Thina got up and turned over on her knees, her back to Erik. 

He caressed her back for a while and moved closer to her. His one hand reached under her, to feel her heat and wetness. He brought the hand back and grabbed her ass cheeks with both hands, separating them. He leaned down and licked her ass. Thina went crazy. 

"Erik," she purred. 

"Hmm?" 

She responded by pushing her ass back towards him. 

"Baby, don't torture me," she breathed. 

"Tell me what you want Thina," Erik said. 

"I want you." 

"I'm here." 

"Erik..." 

"Tell me what you want." 

"I want you inside me Erik." 

In a second, Erik's dick was inside Thina to the hilt. Erik had her by the waist, tight. He held her, not moving nor thrusting. Unable to take it any longer, Thina rotated her hips against him. Erik watched her ass, still holding on to her waist. 

Thina turned her head back to look at him, and found him staring at her ass. 

"Erik..." she parted her legs a little more and rotated her ass on his dick. He had her waist firm and tight. 

"Tell me what you want Thina." 

"I want you to fuck me." 

And Erik did just that. His thrusts were hard and fast, her ass slapping hard against his thighs. Thina was purring, in heaven. He was deep inside her. She leaned down on the couch and balanced on her elbows, pushing her ass upwards. Erik was unrelenting. Thina just kept pushing her ass out to him. Now she was panting and he was grunting. He removed his hands from her hips and separated her ass cheeks so he could watch his dick thrusting in and out of her pussy. The sight drove him crazy. She drove him crazy. She was now screaming and he could feel her pussy pulsating crazily on his dick. She screamed louder and was frantically moving her ass and gyrating on his dick. Erik could feel his balls tightening. Hands back on her waist as he thrust deeper, if that was possible. Faster, faster. Thina has lost all control by now, and her climax want not ending. She truly had never experienced anything like this before. Erik's release was just as frantic, accompanied by his loud groans. It was so good he felt pausing the moment and re-living it. 

Spent. They both has a still moment, catching their breaths. Erik then collapsed on Thina's back. He was heavy but she didn't mind. After a couple of minutes, he lifted his body up and helped her stretch out on the couch, he then lay on top of her. Only sweat separating them. 

"You can't leave Thina." 

She let out a lazy laugh. "I have to. I'll be back." 

"Promise?" 

"Promise." 

"Ok, let's lay here for a while, then we'll shower and I'll drop you off at your car." 

End



Could It Be? Ch. 05



After a while they eventually detangled themselves and Thina headed upstairs to freshen up while Erik headed to the kitchen to fix himself something to eat. His phone rang, it was his neighbor and friend, Dave. 

Erik met Dave on the golf course of their housing estate soon after Erik moved into his house, and they struck up a friendship. Dave was happily married – with three daughters and desperately trying to peacefully settle into middle age. He was failing on the latter because he was one of the best and most successful lawyers in the city – and that made him a very busy man. 

"Dave, howzit brother?" Erik asked (Howzit is South African slang for "how are you?", and South African males often refer to each other as brother – not sure if this prevalent in other countries too).

"Hey bud, I'm good. You?" Dave didn't even wait for Erik's response, he added "Please tell me that you're home. The girls have friends over and I need some peace and quiet to watch the rugby."

"Sure, come over. I'm around but I'll step out for a while and then come back to catch the match. Hope you don't mind," Erik said. 

"I don't mind at all man," Dave replied. They both hung up.

A couple of minutes later, Erik's doorbell rang. It was Dave. Dave, like most residents of the housing estate they lived in, used a golf cart to get around the estate.

"Man, I'm so fucking outnumbered in my house it's not funny. Today I can't even watch any of the four TVs that I bought, in my own fucking house." Dave said heading straight for Erik's lounge. "I wasn't sure if you're around and was actually heading to the club house to watch the match. Good thing I called you."

Dave was always complaining that his wife and daughters ganged up against him, and he could never win against them. As a result, he was often out on the golf course, at the club house or at Erik's house. Erik always welcomed Dave's company. 

"No problem. I was just making a sandwich, you want some?" Erik asked.

"Nah thanks. My stomach is nicely lined for all this alcohol I'm going to drink," Dave said while gleefully looking at the plastic bag in his hand. He took out a bottle of whisky and placed it on the table then followed Erik to the kitchen. There, he opened a cupboard and took out an ice bucket, opened another and took out two glasses. He put some ice in the bucket and on his way out of the kitchen, he said "Eat up broer, I'll get started so long." (Broer is Afrikaans for brother).

Dave was soon back in the kitchen, "Forgot the coasters....we wouldn't want good old Lizzy giving you a hard time for water marks on the table." Dave laughed.

"Don't go there man."Erik shook his head. 

"Erik, I'm gonna get going." Thina called out.

"Anna here? You didn't say," Dave briefly turned to ask Erik, as he headed out the kitchen.

"That's not-" Erik looked up, only to realize Dave was already gone. He followed.

Dave caught Thina as she was still coming down the stairs, and upon seeing her, he exclaimed, "Heyyyy...."

Erik rushed past him and stood by the stairs. 

Thina didn't know that Erik had company. She stood on the last stair, smiled at Dave who was also smiling, and waited for Erik to introduce them.

Reaching out for Thina, Erik made the introductions, "Thina, this is my friend Dave. Dave this is Thina."

Thina reached out to shake Dave's hand, "Hi Dave."

"Hello Thina", he replied, shaking Thina's hand. Her handshake was firm.

"That's quite a handshake you have there," Dave added. 

"Yeah, I get that all the time," Thina laughed. 

Dave was still smiling - looking at Erik this time.

"Ready?" Erik asked Thina.

"Yep." She replied.

"So, Dave, I need to go drop Thina off and I'll be back," Erik said as he headed to the kitchen to grab his sandwich.

"Sure," Dave replied.

*****

When Erik got back to his house, Dave was on the couch, leaning back and concentrating on the rugby match.

Erik sat down opposite him, grabbed a glass and started filling it with ice, and added whisky. He leaned back on the couch.

Dave looked up, smiled and said, "Soooooooo, that was not Anna."

Erik chuckled, "And I tried telling you that but you were out the door before I could say anything."

Dave's grin grew wider and naughtier, "I see...I didn't know that you liked black women. Sorry man but there's other way of saying it."

"I didn't know either. I mean I like her. She's a great girl. It just happened, a few weeks ago actually," Erik replied.

"Oh, a few weeks ago? So this wasn't just a sleep over?" Dave nodded. "And I guess Anna doesn't know about....what's her name again?" Dave asked.

"Thina," Erik replied.

"Yes, Thina. So, I guess Anna doesn't know about Thina," Dave said. 

Pause.

"Oh, I sometimes don't miss my single days," Dave chuckled.

"Man, it's not like that," Erik said." Anna...Anna and I are no longer doing whatever it is that we were doing."

"You were fucking around. " Dave said.

"Thanks for pointing that out Dave. Yes, Anna and I are no longer fucking around." Erik said.

"Does Anna know?" Dave asked.

"Dave, c'mon, it's not funny." Erik said.

"I'm not trying to be funny. What I meant is, does Anna know that you two aren't fucking around anymore. Coz, you know she's buddy-buddy with Claire these days. And Claire hasn't mentioned anything to me about you and Anna not seeing each other anymore," Dave said –referring to the numerous lunches and outings that his wife has had with Anna in the past month or so.

"What? Erik sat up. "Dave, I haven't seen Anna in over a month...about two months. And I've been avoiding her for the past month." 

"Look, for the past month or so Anna and my wife have suddenly developed a friendship. Claire says Anna called her up one time and invited her for lunch....they've met up a few times," Dave said. He quickly added, "Look, I don't mean to get into your business but I thought you should know."

"Fuck," Erik sighed.

Dave's face suddenly lit up, "On the other hand....Thina's pretty and looks a little young though broer."

"Man, fuck off," Erick said.

Dave was now laughing, "As your friend and your lawyer, it's my duty to advise you against sleeping with underage girls."

Erik laughed and flipped Dave.

Dave leaned forward, "How old is she?"

"Not funny Dave," came the reply.

"C'mon, tell me," Dave teased.

"Twenty-four," Erik replied.

"Wow! Legal. But still young. You're one lucky bugger," Dave laughed. "Where'd you meet her?" he asked.

"Work. Dave, let's watch the match," Erik smiled.

" No, no, no let's talk man. It's obviously been a while. You work with her? Dave was curious.

Erik pointed at the tv screen, "Dave. Match."

Dave raised his hands like he's surrendering, "Ok, just one last thing. Talk to Anna. Look, I'm not sure what's going with you but if you say that Anna and you are no longer, then talk to her man. My wife has a big mouth and if Anna had told her that you two aren't seeing each other anymore, I'd know."

"Ja, sure." Erik said. (Ja is Afrikaans for yes)

Dave started laughing again, "I gotta say though-"

"Don't." Erik cut him off.

They spent the rest of the afternoon watching the rest of the game and talking about all sorts of things, staying clear of Anna and Thina. By early evening, when Thina called Erik to tell him that she was done and was heading back to his house, both Erik and Dave were beyond tipsy and were having a braai (barbeque )in Erik's back yard. All that alcohol gave them the munchies. 

(South Africa is a meat eating nation. Braais are serious business. Meat is serious business). 

"Thina's on her way back," Erik said to Dave after he hung up.

"Oh, thisssss is definitely not some one-time shleep over," Dave slurred.

"I like her, but.." Erik said.

"What?"

"Tssss like, first t I was thinking up all sorts of reasons not to even be in her company, let alone be with her lurkkkk this. Then I'd think about herrrrr and I want to ashk herrr out for drinks or whatever...then I tell myself not to. But I wassss curious, you know. I'm attracted to herrr and...."

Erik lost himself to his drunkenness for a while then continued "...and herrrr being black was like an issue, despite the attraction. I wasssss thinking about it a lot. You know. Like...shometimes I still do, a little. Then I'm with herrrrrr and she's a great girl. She's smart, funny...lives a normal life. I'm attracted to herrrr. So I'm like, what-the-fuck, why not?"

"Broer, as long as you're good and happy. That's all that matters. I'm serious. We were raised to never look beyond skin color and look where that got us..." Dave said shoving a piece of meat into his mouth.

They were basically eating the meat off the coals, saving some for Thina. 

Erik's intercom went off – the security guards at the main entrance were alerting him of Thina's arrival and wanted to know if they should let her in, as was standard for all visitors. Erik called her and told her to let herself into the house as the door was unlocked.

"She's back!" Dave drunkenly teased when Thina appeared, smiling.

"Babe, don't mind himmm, he's drunk!" Erik slurled.

"And so are you,"Thina gave Erik a hug. In return Erik lifted her up and gave her a kiss.

"No, not really. I'm a little tipsy. Not druuuunk. Dave's druuuunk. Dave's fucked. Hissss wife's gonna kill him," Erik said.

Thina laughed. "Ok babe." She then asked, "How did the rugby go?" 

"The Bulls won of course. See our little celebration?" Erik gestured towards the mean on the grill. 

Then he moved to stand behind her and wrapped his arms around her.

Looking at the grill, Thina asked. "Is that all you're braai'ing?" Erik had told her over the phone not to buy anything for dinner as it was sorted.

Dave replied, "My dear, this is your dinner. We already ate. Hope you like sssshicken."

"Thanks. Yes, I like shicken Dave," Thina smiled.

Erik laughed. He went to the kitchen to grab a plate and a bread roll for Thina. He came back, peeked through the glass doors and asked her if she'd like some wine. When he eventually got back outside, he found Thina and Dave deep in conversation. 

****

The three of them were back in the lounge. Thina and Erik were on the floor - Erik had his back against the couch and Thina sat inbetween his legs. Dave was sitting opposite them. Dave and Erik was catching Thina up on their golf, rugby and camping stories. 

Dave, although drunk, could not help but notice the chemistry between the two. After a while, he decided to go home before his wife called. For his friend's sake, he decided it best not to tell his wife about Erik's new girlfriend, lest she tells Anna. 

****

A week later, Thina and Erik were snuggling in her favorite position in bed - her back to him and his arms wrapped tightly around her, with his chest pressed against her back.

"I really like the new hair," Erik said.

"Thank you," Thina replied.

Erik had been a bit shocked when he first saw her earlier that day. She'd taken her braids off and was spotting her natural hair, which was relaxed and blown straight, settling at her neck. She looked different without the long braids. Still beautiful to him though. Thina had told him to get used to a "different her" almost every month or so, as that's usually how long she kept her hairstyles.

"I'm going home at the end of the week, remember? Thina said snuggly and warm in Erik's arms.

"And we're finalizing the planning the pitch the account I've been working my ass off for. And I still have to go to class," Thina said.

"Oh ja, you're going to your cousin's wedding." Erik said.

"So, I guess I may not see much of you this week. Do we play this week by ear?" he added.

"Ja, let's, she sighed - dreading the week ahead.

"Fine by me," Erik said.

Thina sighed again, and Erik asked why.

"Just thinking about the last wedding we had in the family, my brother's," said Thina.

"What happened?" he asked. 

"In my culture, a wedding is everybody's business. There are so many things....like customs, that need to be fulfilled and multiple players, so it really extends beyond the bride and groom. It's a family affair and it often comes with drama because you can't please everyone. It's like, there's so much that's needs to happen before a couple actually exchange their vows," she said. "It can get complicated, and that's exactly what happened the last time"

Erik didn't really understand. "Like what?"

"Well, Let's just say a lot of people made it their business. And then some had silly expectations...relatives," Thina replied.

"Oh ok. Can I ask you something?"

"Sure," Thina replied.

"So, did your cousin's boyfriend pay lobola for her, and your brother for his wife?" Erik asked.

"Of course they did,"Thina smiled.

Erik knew that lobola was widely practiced amongst ethnic South African cultures. (Lobola is the dowry that a groom pays towards the bride's family).

"Anyway, everything aside, I'm looking forward to being with my extended family. It's always good when we're together," Thina smiled.

She then turned around and kissed Eric, "Now, back to the matter at hand..." She reached for his dick under the covers. "...seeing that we probably won't see much of each other this week, I think we should make up for the time we're going to lose." She was sliding down the covers, kissing him down his chest. 

"Totally agree," Erik smiled anticipating what was coming.

Thina slid her wet tongue down his belly to his pubic area. Reaching his dick, she took all of it into her mouth and wet it with her mouth. She then released him and used her hand to hold the base. She then took all of him in her mouth again. Erik moaned. He was now rock hard. 

She started blowing him, bobbing her head up and down - tongue firmly pressed against his hardness. Erik was relishing the pressure of the tongue and warmth of her mouth.

"Baby," he grabbed the back of her head by her hair. He just held on.

She loosened up her tongue, and answered, "Hmmmm."

"Thina, that feels so good."

Then she opened her mouth and slid her tongue from bottom to top, repeatedly. Erik liked it when she wet him all over and then slid her slippery mouth all over him. She took her time. She played around with him. Occasionally, she'd glance up to find him looking intently at her.

When he started feeling his cum rising up, he tried to stop her. "Thina, baby, ease up a bit. I'm gonna cum."

"Hmmmm."

At that, Erik let go of her hair and shifted back a bit, hoping that she'll stop. She did. She raised her head and looked at him.

"But I haven't had enough," she purred.

"Baby, I was about to come."

Thina just looked at him and went back to what she was doing. While talking, Erik's dick had cooled down a bit, and now, with Thina's mouth covering it again, the warmth took him right back to where he was before their little break.

"Thina, I'm going to come." He was trying to shift back on the bed. "Thina, wait. Baby, hold on," Erik was panicking. He wasn't ready to cum just yet.

She wanted him to cum. 

And he did. In her mouth. At her humming he stopped trying to fight it and just let go. Thina had never had cum in her mouth before and it tasted weird. She didn't really have any preconceived expectations of what it would taste like, but it was just weird. The act itself though was exhilarating. It made her feel sexy. She looked up at Erik and licked her lips, smiling. Panting, he managed to smile back at her, opening his arms. She slid up into this embrace and lay on his chest. 

****

*A few days later*

"Darling, I missed you! I was starting to think that you were avoiding me, Erik" purred Anna after sitting down across the table from him.

"I've been very busy, told you that," came the reply.

Erik had finally decided to formally tell Anna that they couldn't see each other anymore. After the conversation, he'd had with Dave, he realized that he'd been unfair to Anna – at the very least she deserved a conversation about the state of their arrangement. He'd put off telling her for days and eventually called her and invited her to dinner. Thina was attending night class on this particular evening.

Anna smiled, "So how have you been? I missed you."

"I'm great. Work is keeping me busy. How are you?" Erik sounded flat.

"Oh, you know me. I'm good, life's good. Even better now that I'm here with you," she replied.

Pause.

"So busy that you didn't even give me a chance to thank you, personally, for the lovely gift you got me," Anna added, seductively.

Erik had almost forgotten about the pair of diamond studs he'd bought her, trying to stay in her good books. "It was the least I could do then," Erik said.

"You always did know my taste," she purred.

"Anna—" he started.

"We haven't dined here in ages," Anna said, relaxing a bit and looking around the restaurant. "This is one of my favorite places, you know that."

"Anna, we can't see each other anymore. I'm with someone else," Erik said.

"What? You invited me here for dinner so that you can break up with me? "she shrieked in surprise. 

"What would you have preferred? A text? Erik retorted. "Wait, wait, we're not breaking up Anna. We weren't in a relationship" he added.

Trying to calm down, Erik said, "Anna, I'm sorry. We just can't see each other."

"Erik, just a month ago you were buying me gifts and...now this?" came Anna's reply.

"Anna-"

"How could you do this to me? When did this happen?" Anna asked

"When did what happen?" Erik asked.

"This so-called...whatever of yours?" she snickered. 

"Anna-"

She cut him off again, "Who is she Erik, anyone I-?"

Now it was his turn to cut her off, "I don't think that's of any relevance right now Anna."

"What the fuck Erik?" she was now getting angry again. "Don't I at least deserve to know?"

"Know what, my girlfriend's name? Why? How's is that going-."

"Your girlfriend?" Anna could not believe what she was hearing. After their breakup, for four months she had been available to him whenever he needed her by his side, hoping they will settle into some routine and eventually get back together. Not once did he ever refer to her as his girlfriend in all that time – all those times they had been together, went out, attended work events.

"Who is she Erik, one of our friends? How long have you been seeing her" Anna was trying her best not to cause a scene.

Erik could see that she was close to her tipping point.

"Look, I can't stay for long. I have to go," he was looking around for the waiter. He made eye contact with one and gestured for the bill.

"We're not done talking," Anna gritted through her teeth.

"Anna-"

Who the fuck is she Erik? She asked again.

Erik kept quiet. 

"All this time you were just stringing me along, weren't you?" Anna asked.

"We spoke about this Anna. Remember? You and I spoke about this. I told you that I was not interested in being in a relationship again. I made that clear." Erik said.

"And then we went beyond just sleeping with each other Erik. We did things couples do. We-", Anna was bright red with anger.

"Like what? He interjected. "Everything that happened between us, everything we did...it all followed the conversation we had. I did not want to be in a relationship. You said you were ok with that." Erik emphasized the last sentence. "Remember that Anna? Remember you telling me you were ok with our arrangement, huh?"

Erik also added, "I haven't seen you in about two months Anna. What type of relationship would that be, if we were in one? He waited for a response.

None came. The waiter showed up with the bill for their drinks, which Erik paid cash for. With the waiter out of earshot, Erik continued, "You know what this was Anna. It's been two months of you calling and texting and me not being very responsive. Two months." You know this wasn't a relationship."