6 comments/ 4177 views/ 2 favorites Mistakes Ch. 02 By: kamillelove Three Months Later... Kimani's leg shook as she stared at the clock. 12:15pm. She sighed as she realized only fifteen minutes had passed and she still had an hour and forty-five minutes to sit and pretend Harrison wasn't sitting directly beside her and Dr. Rosenburgh wasn't watching her every movement. Why had she even agreed to this? She asked herself. She did not want to be here, with him, talking about their problems with a complete stranger. Kimani looked at Harrison and almost lost her cool. Ooh, she hated him! Harrison kept his eyes straight as he felt Kimani's eyes bore into him. He could feel the hate radiating from her and he just knew he was wasting his time trying to make them work but he couldn't let her go. He needed her in his life. He just didn't know how to get her back. Dr. Rosenburgh looked at the detached pair and felt it was time for the grand introduction. "Well, I am Dr. Jennifer Rosenburgh and I am what I'd like to call a marriage counselor extraordinaire. I have a 96% success rate and those I couldn't put back together I sent to my husband Frank to be set apart in divorce court. He's a judge by the way. Anywho, you can call me Doc, or Rosen, or Jenni, with an "I" not a "Y", or Hot Stuff, but never Dr. Rosenburgh because it sounds awful formal and this ain't a formal place I'll tell you that. So, after that little spill let's dig in, shall we? So, why are y'all here today?" Kimani looked at the fast talking chubby woman and almost laughed. How was this Paula Deen wannabe supposed to help her marriage? Dr. Rosenburgh saw Kimani eye her warily and she decided to try something different. "Okay, since y'all don't feel like talking about today, let's talk about yesterday. Well, not really yesterday, but what everyone says feels like yesterday, the day you two met. Tell me about it." Harrison coughed and looked at Kimani who seemed to have checked out of the appointment completely before speaking, "Well, umm, I met Kimani during the Southern Heritage Classic, my junior year at TSU. I was at the game and I was focused. You see I watch sports for the game, the technical aspect of it, not the hype and fanfare that goes with it so when I watch I like it to be quiet but there was no such thing during that game because the entire time I just kept hearing the most obnoxious screaming and cursing from behind me. It got so annoying that I finally turned around to give whoever was hoopin' and hollerin' a piece of my mind and it end up being no other than Ms. Kimani James." Kimani couldn't help but smile as she thought of that day. Harrison noticed the dimples forming in her cheeks and continued. "She was decked out in blue and white with a tiger on her cheek and a scowl on her face and she was yelling at the top of her lungs, 'What kind of play was that?! Stop blitzing and run the ball you dumbasses!' I couldn't help but laugh at her enthusiasm but I guess a losing team wasn't all that funny to their number one fan because in seconds she was down those bleachers and in my face." "I wasn't in your face." Kimani chimed in. Harrison was taken aback by Kimani's rebuttal but welcomed it with the thought, "at least she's talking." Kimani started again, "Well seeing as your like 6'4" and I'm just 5'5", I technically wasn't in your face, I was in your chest. And I remember I was in your chest because I remember poking it as I went off on you for laughing at my team." Harrison laughed and Kimani playfully swatted him. "You know I don't play about my Tigers!" Harrison heard Kimani laughing and saw the twinkle in her eyes that he thought was gone forever and he almost tackled her then and there. She was so beautiful and caring, so loud and funny. She was damn near perfect so why the hell did he do something that let her slip away. Kimani saw the hilarity drain from Harrison's face and knew what he was thinking. "How did we get here Harrison?" Harrison just shook his head. He didn't want to think of the bad things, he just wanted to think of the good times with his wife. So he finished the story. "So as this pretty little firecracker dug a whole into my chest with that finger I ever so politely asked her to stop before picking her up and kissing her silly." Harrison looked at Kimani who just shrugged. "So after his impromptu display of affection, I slapped him silly and went back to my seat, and when I saw him leaving I decided to follow because let's be honest any man that kisses you to shut you up has keeper qualities. So as he walked out of the stadium, I jumped on his back and told him to take me home." "And I obviously agreed because as she said, let's be honest, a woman that slaps you after your first kiss definitely has keeper qualities." "And you've been together since that day?" Dr. Rosenburgh asked. "Yep, until about three months ago." Kimani said resting her head on her hands. "What happened three months ago?" "The reason we're here." Harrison answered as he slouched back into the couch. "And that is?" "I found him in bed with another woman." Harrison sighed and Dr. Rosenburgh nodded. "But still, why are you here? I thought it would be a no brainer to get a divorce if a person cheated." "My thoughts exactly. But he won't sign the divorce papers unless I do this." Kimani said while cutting her eyes at Harrison. "Why won't you sign the papers Harrison? I mean you cheated and I just thought when you do that it's a way to end the relationship while making a back up plan with someone new." Harrison blew out a breath. This woman was irking his nerves. Did she know anything about them before she decided to take their case? "Look, I don't want a divorce because I love my wife and I believe she still loves me and I want us to work, to be a family, because I didn't have that. And in regards to your assumption of cheating, that's not it at all. I didn't cheat as apart of an elaborate scheme to end things with Kimani, I did it because of how the woman made me feel." "How did she make you feel Harrison? Huh? How'd Miss Nia make you feel?" Kimani snapped. "Because I believe I was the one that made it her lifelong job to make you feel loved not some bitch off the street." Harrison groaned, "It's not about being loved Kimani. It's about feeling appreciated. Doc, we had problems before I cheated," "What problems?" Kimani interrupted. "The only problem I can think of is that I spoiled you. That I did everything for you, gave you everything you ever had, and," "No, that wasn't the problem. The problem is that you believe that you did everything and I did nothing. Like I gave no effort toward this relationship. You see Doc, Mani always throws that in my face. 'I do this and I did that, I gave you this and I made you that' always making me feel like less." Kimani looked at Harrison in shock. "So I made you feel like less? What do you think I felt like getting up at five in the morning everyday taking care of you and your son, then going to work taking care of people I love but I know are going to die, only to come home where I have to take care of the house, cook and clean, take online classes, put Amir to bed and sex you at the end of the day. I put 200% into everything I do and there is no 'thank you' there is no 'I know you're tired let me take care if that', I work my ass off and you go cheat because I make you feel like less. You're on some straight bullshit and I'm ready to go, so Julie, Jodie whatever your name is call my lawyer and tell him I tried." Kimani grabbed her purse and stood but stopped dead in her tracks when Harrison spoke. "Hold up, sit back down we're not through." "What?" "You heard me. You will sit back on this couch and you will listen to all I have to say so bring that ass back." Kimani was so confused that she found herself doing as he said. She sat back on the couch and looked at him in astonishment. Harrison looked at Kimani intently as he talked. "I understand the sacrifices and I get how hard you work for me, Amir, and yourself and I appreciate it more than you'll ever know, but it doesn't give you an excuse to treat me like my role is secondary in this family and this marriage. I provide for us. I pay the bills and I buy the little things that you don't think of. I don't ask you to do half the things you have decided are apart of your job description you did because you feel I can't handle it which in turn hurts me and makes me feel like less. Shit Mani, it could be something simple like writing a grocery list and you dictate what store, what foods, even the paper it's written on and in the end you do the grocery shopping anyways because you say 'I would forget something'." "Wow, this is interesting. Kimani, do you do this?" Dr. Rosenburgh asked. Kimani pondered they're relationship and realized, "Yes. I guess I do but I've always been this way. I'm the oldest of five children and at fifteen when my mom died I became the mom in my house. I had to do everything. It's just how I'm wired. I never meant to immasculate him." "Now say that to him Kimani." Dr. Rosenburgh instructed. "Harrison, I never meant to do that to you. However, if this is how you felt why didn't you just tell me? Why go out and cheat on me?" Harrison knew Kimani was hurting and he wiped the tears that escaped from her eyes away. "I thought I tried. I would bring it up but I felt you wouldn't listen so I would let the conversation slide but I realize now that I was shutting myself down before I even started. But I know now that I have to speak up and that's what I'm doing now. I fucked up. I cheated. And I was dead wrong. I admit those things but I also admit that I love you Kimani, more than life itself. You and Amir are my world and without you I have nothing, so I won't sign those papers because I know there's more for us. We have a future that can be unparalleled but only if we work for it. It may hurt and there may be tears but we can get past this. We just have to try Mani. Will you try with me?" Kimani knew this was a life-changing decision. No would mean an ugly divorce and yes would mean forgiving Harrison, forgetting his mistakes, and forging a future in spite of their past, and both of these options didn't seem promising but looking at Harrison she felt the hope that he felt. She loved him and her love went beyond his faults just as his did for her. "Baby?" Kimani refocused on her present situation and realized both Harrison and Dr. Rosenburgh had been waiting on her answer. "Will you?" Harrison felt like he was proposing again as he awaited her answer. He knew he didn't deserve a chance but he was internally praying she'd say yes. He felt his heart tighten as she opened her mouth to speak but what she said released all the tension in his body. "Yes Harrison, I'll try." And without warning just like the day they met he kissed her, and it was like giving water to a man dying of thirst. Harrison had longed to kiss Kimani's lips since the appointment had started and feeling them against his was like a spark to an internal flame. He kissed her with with all the passion in his soul. He needed her and he this was going to show it. Kimani found herself entangled in a liplock she hadn't even seen coming but god she was happy it was here. Truth be told under all that anger and resentment she'd been harboring toward Harrison she still loved and wanted him more than any man she'd ever been with, and in that moment her body was screaming for him. Three whole months without his touch, his kiss, his affection was long enough, she needed this. She needed him. Kimani wrapped her arms around Harrison's neck as she kissed him with matched intensity. All of their problems seemed far behind them as they made out like teenagers on a therapist's couch. Dr. Rosenburgh watched the steamy reunion for a second before pulling out her whistle and giving it a sound blow. Kimani jumped out of Harrison's arms at the noise. "What the hell?" "Sorry for interrupting you two but I can't have stains on my couch." "We're sorry Doc." Harrison apologized as he withheld a laugh. Dr. Rosenburgh put the whistle away as she spoke, "Uh huh. I guess I should change that speech cause although this ain't a formal place it sure ain't your bedroom." Harrison laughed out loud then and Kimani looked at him like he was crazy. She was mortified and he was laughing. What kind of shit was that? Kimani hid in her hands as embarrassment washed over her. Dr. Rosenburgh saw that Kimani was upset so decided to set her straight. "Honey don't get in your feelings, I was only teasin'. Trust me if I was angry you'd know it. As a matter of fact I'm glad to see some people can work it out themselves. It makes my work easier. Plus, I got to use my whistle for something different. You see, usually I use that whistle to stop people from killing each other on my couch but today I got to use it to stop people from getting kinky on my couch." Kimani couldn't help but laugh at that and soon the three of them were cracking up together. After everyone calmed down Dr. Rosenburgh spoke. "Okay y'all, I got some homework for you. I want you two to spend the weekend together. There's to be no baby, no work, no distractions, and definitely no sex." Harrison could feel the painful case of blue balls forming as she spoke. "I want you to connect on a mental, emotional, and spiritual level before getting physical because sex is often like putting a band-aid over a gun shot wound. I want you to practice communicating effectively together and individually, Kimani I want you to allow Harrison to make the decisions, to take control, to be the man, while Harrison I want you to make sure your decisions cater to the desires and needs of Kimani as well as yourself. And to help you out I'll have Stacy at the front desk give you recommendations of a few vacation spots that are nearby." Harrison grabbed Kimani's hand in his and smiled with anticipation. This is what he had been waiting for an opportunity to prove to Kimani that he could do better, they could be better, better than they ever were before. Kimani on the other hand was filled with hesitation and she voiced it. "I thank you for the support Doctor but I don't think we're ready for this." "You're speaking for me again Mani." Harrison commented. Kimani looked at Harrison and knew she'd poked a hole in the balloon that had been carrying him during his happy high. "I'm sorry. Let me rephrase that. I'm not ready for your homework. It's just for me a whole weekend together seems a bit excessive for a couple who only decided fifteen minutes ago to try and work it out." Dr. Rosenburgh pursed her lips in deliberation of that thought before saying, "I understand your concern but I urge you to use this weekend as a way to determine whether you should pursue the relationship any further. It may seem premature but I know you would rather do this now than waste months in therapy to come to a conclusion you could've made in the beginning." Kimani sighed as she relented. "Okay. I'll do it. I will try not to be controlling and I will try to communicate effectively with my husband over the course of three days and nights but be warned Harrison I'm a work in progress and forgiveness won't come over night. Let's just take it slow and don't press your luck. Okay?" Harrison gave nodded his head and agreed. "Well now that that's settled, look at the time. Your appointment is finished. I believe we've made excellent strides toward reconciliation and the weekend will truly determine what's next for you two." Dr. Rosenburgh announced. On her way home Kimani couldn't shake the feeling that she'd jumped the gun. Was she really ready to try and mend their broken relationship? Could she really forgive him? She didn't know. Three months they had been apart. Three months she had let the hurt and anger marinate in her belly to a point where she was scared to give a shit because doing that might just be more painful. Kimani huffed and looked at herself in her rearview mirror and gave herself a pep talk. "I love him. I love my family. I can do this. I will do this and everything will be alright." ************************************************** "Did you hear what happened with Dr. Hanson?" Leann said to Ginger as she typed. "Ooh, what happened? I want to know!" Ginger spun around in her chair so she was facing Leann. "You know Handsome Hanson news always gets my full attention." Leann stopped typing and turned to Ginger in full Wendy Williams mode. "So apparently Hannah left him." "Shut up!" Ginger yelled. "Why?!" Leann hushed Ginger and she apologized. "Sorry, but why?" Ginger whispered. Leann took a breath before explaining. "Well, apparently Hannah had gotten fed up with his hectic schedule and him choosing his job over her, so she went out and found someone who appreciated her." "She cheated?" Leann nodded. "Mmm huh, with a woman named Suzanne." Ginger's eyes became saucers as Leann's words sank in. "Holy shit!" She squealed. "No way! A woman! Hannah left fine, sexy, handsome Hanson for a woman! Fuck outta here! How do you know?" "Because I was at the bar where it all went down and I heard everything." "Heard what?" Dr. Jase Hanson asked as he came to the desk. "Dr. Hanson? I didn't know you were coming in today." He watched Leann and Ginger exchange looks before they began talking over each other. Jase tried to follow them both but it was impossible do he just asked them to stop. "It's fine I don't want to know anymore. I actually came by to pick up the patient information for my rounds." Leann smiled nervously. "Right, those. Here you go." Leann handed the charts to Jase and he thanked her. "I guess I'll be on my way." He smiled again and began to walk away but Ginger stopped him. "Dr. Hanson can I walk with you? I kind of wanted to talk to you about something." Jase cringed. He already knew what she wanted to talk about and he didn't want to hear it. "Umm maybe some other time I really need to get to work." He walked away quickly before Ginger could respond and turned a corner away from the drama. He knew Ginger wanted to talk about the demise of his relationship. She always had to stick her nose in others people's business and Leann was always ready to tell it. He blew out a breath and ran a hand through his hair. He really wished Leann hadn't been there that night because he was pretty sure by the end of the day the whole office would know he'd been dumped. He wasn't upset over the break up, admittedly he was relieved. They'd been together for a year and a half but things had been less than perfect for a while. Hannah was always complaining and nagging about commitment and how he worked too much, talking about he didn't really love her, which was true and if he'd admitted it they would've probably been done six months ago, but, he hadn't been so now he was the guy who'd been dumped for a girl, and that just hurt his pride. Jase sighed. There was nothing he could do though except whether the storm of pity glances and jokes, keep a low profile, and stay busy. And he knew the best way to stay busy was to stay working. That's why he was here on his day off. He looked down at his first chart, found the room number, and headed that way. Time to get to work. Nia was a ball of nerves as she waited for the results and when she heard a knock her heart started beating double time. Jase opened the door to the room speaking as he entered and never letting his eyes leave the chart. "Hello Ms. Jones, I'm Dr. Jase Hanson." He looked up and was instantly knocked speechless. Ms. Jones was easily the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen with her dark chocolate skin, full lips, ample breasts, and as his eyes traced down her body past her small waist he smiled at the round hips and what he assumed to be an equally ample derriere completing her figure. Mistakes Ch. 02 Nia rolled her eyes at the gaping doctor.Ugh, she hated when guys looked at her like a piece of meat that's partially the reason she'd pursued Harrison. He'd seen more than her body. He'd seen her heart and soul. But that was over or at least it would be over if these results said what she needed them to say. "Um can you stop staring at me like you want to eat me and read the results please?" She snapped. Jase shook his head and apologized. "I'm sorry that was not very professional of me but I was just stunned by your beauty is all but you're here for results?" She nodded and Jase smiled. He knew she'd been too good to be true. She probably was here for herpes. Nia watched Dr. Hanson as he checked her chart and she noted his broad shoulders, tan skin, and dark hair. He was handsome for a white boy she couldn't deny that but there were more pressing things on her mind than Hot Hanson. Nia could feel that nervous ball exploding and spreading waves of anxiety through her veins. Jase looked at the chart then back at Nia. She didn't have herpes but she's was definitely going to have something. He forced a smile as he delivered the news. "Congratulations Ms. Jones, you're pregnant." Nia felt her heart drop to her stomach. She was pregnant. Dr. Hanson continued to talk but it was like he was Charlie Brown's teacher because all she heard was whamp, wha, whamp, whamp, wha as she digested the news. Jase could tell Ms. Jones had blanked out during his whole explanation of how important the first trimester was so he tried to get her to focus. "Ms. Jones, did you hear me?" Nia looked at Dr. Hanson and shook her head. "Well I was just saying you're 14 weeks along therefore it's essential for you to begin prenatal vitamins as soon as possible." Nia just nodded. It was like she was in a daze. No way could she be pregnant. No way could this be happening. This was too much. "Is the father going to be in the child's life? It would be great to have the extra support." Jase knew it was a personal question and he knew he was a jackass for asking only as a way to figure out her relationship status but it had to be done. There was something about her he just had to have and yeah she was pregnant but she was sexy and she'd stay that way for a few more weeks which he knew would be enough time to hit and quit. Jase frowned when he realized what he'd just formulated as a plan. Even to himself it sounded despicable but he just had to have her. Nia stared at Dr. Hanson as his question sunk in. That single question brought her out of her state of shock over the discovery that she really was pregnant and threw her into a state of panic when she thought of Harrison's reaction to the news. Would he want to know his child? They hadn't spoken in a month and when that had happened it wasn't a good conversation. It was a break up conversation, that "It's not you, it's me" spill and it hadn't handled it well. She'd cried and yelled but he just apologized and left her alone and in pieces. Well not really alone, since she was now carrying his unborn child, but definitely in pieces. What the hell was she going to do? This couldn't be happening to her. She didn't want this. It was too much. She tried to take deep breaths to calm down but all the air in the world couldn't stop the panic surging up inside of her. And before she knew it she was crying. She hid her face in her hands as she bawled her eyes out. What the fuck was she going to do? Jase was surprised by her outburst of emotions and if it had been anyone else he probably would have left and sent a nurse in because he just didn't do feelings. But seeing her cry pulled at heart strings he didn't even know he had had and before he knew it he had put down his chart, knelt down in front of her, took her hands in his and looked her straight in her eyes. And speaking barely above a whisper he tried his best to comfort her. "Ms. Jones, now I don't know your personal business but whatever it is you can make it through. You seem like a wonderful woman which leads me to believe that you'll make a wonderful mother. You just have to believe that for you and that child and everything else will be okay." Nia looked in Dr. Hanson's cool blue eyes and could see his sincerity. And oddly enough his belief in her made her feel a little better, like everything would work itself out. Jase released Nia's hands and stood back up when he realized what he'd done. He had cared and that was a big no-no. Looking into those big brown eyes he had seen how scared she was and all he wanted to do was protect her, take care of her. Jase shook his head at that thought. What the hell was he thinking? She was doing something to him and he didn't like it. He had to get out of there. "This is what you should look for at your local pharmacy." He quickly scribbled down the prenatal vitamins on a scrap of paper and handed it to her, but when his hand touched hers he didn't want to let go. The feeling was different from when he had held her hands as she cried. Then he had just wanted to hold and comfort her but the feeling from this touch was like an electric shock that made him want to push her up against a wall and fuck her until she was screaming out his name. Jase looked up into her eyes and noted how dark they'd gotten and smiled at the knowledge that he hadn't been the only one affected by the touch. "She felt it too." He thought to himself as he let go of the paper. Nia laughed nervously as she pulled herself out of her lust-filled haze. She hoped he hadn't seen how bad she had wanted him from that one touch but from the slick smile on his face she knew he had. "Well um, it was really nice meeting you Dr. Hanson and thanks for the pep talk." Nia stood, grabbed her purse to go, and held her hand out for him to shake. "Shaking hands was safe." She thought to herself as he took her hand. "Your welcome and please call me Jase." Nia smiled politely and introduced herself. "Okay umm Jase, I'm Nia if you didn't already know from the chart." Jase laughed and Nia joined in but she stopped when she felt Jase making soft circular motions with his thumb in her palm. "Note to self: Shaking hands is not safe." Nia thought as the sensations from his touch made her knees weak. "Actually I hadn't seen your name on your chart and that's probably because I wasn't looking for it but Nia is a lovely name." Nia thanked him and tried to ease her hand out of his grip but I just held fast and kept talking. "To make your next appointment go to the front desk. They'll probably assign you for four weeks from now but if you'd like to see me anytime before then you can make a date with me for tonight or tomorrow night." Jase winked at Nia and she was a little surprised. This white boy was bold and against what she'd liked to feel, she actually liked him. Nia pulled her hand away and this time he let it go. "Do you try to pick up all your pregnant patients?" She asked jokingly. Jase laughed. "No, but I can pick you up for our date." Nia raised a brow. "I didn't say yes." "But you didn't say no either." Nia crossed her arms against her chest. "So?" "So stop being difficult and just let me take you out. Please?" "I'm not being difficult." Nia whined. Jase rolled his eyes and Nia wanted to sock him in the jaw. "Fine, you can take me out. Pick me up at 7:00pm and dress nice because I want to go to Giorgio's. Got it." Jase smiled. "Yes, ma'am." Nia walked out then, all the while feeling Jase's eyes on her back and the weight of the world on her shoulders. Mistakes Ch. 03 Jase watched Nia's departure with a grin on his face. He watched her hips and that lovely ass sway and almost cried. Damn, how he hated to see her leave but how he loved to watch her go. Jase whistled as he thought of their date at 7pm. He was stoked, but they were definitely not going to Giorgio's. Hannah was always there on Fridays and to see she and her new lesbian lover would be too much for his ego to take. Plus, what he had in mind would definitely put him back in charge of their exchange. ********************************** "Oh my god! Shut up!" Kimani clicked off the radio and rested her head on the car window. She and Harrison had been on the road for six hours and the rotation of Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran had given her a migraine that could rival childbirth. Harrison looked at Kimani and sighed. She hadn't spoken to him since she got into the truck, glances, but no words. Maybe he had pressured her in therapy? She had been reluctant and he'd pushed her which if he knew his wife almost always backfired. But what was he to do? In his defence he was only trying to save their marriage. If it was up to Kimani they would be in divorce court right now. "Are you upset with me?" "Are you serious?" Harrison nodded. Kimani rolled her eyes. "Yes. I mean we've decided to try and yet you haven't spoken to me the entire ride so I wanted to know, if you're upset with me?" Kimani looked at Harrison's profile. His tense jaw and downturned eyebrows showed he was really upset and yet a little devil inside Kimani said, "Fuck his feelings. Who cares?" Kimani sighed because she did. She knew that train of thought would do nothing for her marriage. "Appreciate him." She thought to herself before speaking. "No Harrison I'm not upset with you I'm just tired is all." She watched the relief run over his face. "Well, from what the GPS says we'll be at the cabin in thirty minutes. We can rest before dinner if you like." "Okay." She whispered before turning back to the window. When they finally reached the cabin Kimani was truly speechless. Never had she seen a sight in nature so beautiful before. Kimani hopped out of the truck and stood before the view. The Smoky Mountains just laid out for mankind's enjoyment. Kimani smiled. It was simply breathtaking. She glanced at Harrison who had made his way to stand beside her. He had booked the mountainside chalet without any input from her and she was happily surprised. "You did good Harrison. This is beautiful." Harrison felt his chest fill with pride. "Thank you baby. I definitely had you in my mind when I chose it. Beauty on the outside and spectacular on the inside." "There's more?" "Of course there's more. We can't stand outside all night. They are bears up here." Kimani thought of all the bear attack survivor stories she'd seen on Animal Planet and shook her head. She liked nature but being one armed from Yogi taking a bite of her, didn't seem fun. "You're right. Let's go inside before we're eaten." Harrison laughed and followed Kimani around the truck and to the trunk to grab their bags. Harrison grabbed Kimani from behind and kissed her neck. "I don't think you're safe from being eaten inside either." Kimani felt her skin tingle from his touch but quickly pushed his hands away when she thought of Dr. Rosenburgh's instructions. "No sex Harrison." She reminded him as she picked up a bag and turned to face him. Harrison took the bag from her and sat it on the ground much to Kimani's chagrin. "Harrison that's Louis V!" "Whatever I'll buy you a new one but let's get back to this no sex thing." "What's there to talk about? Dr. Rosenburgh said no sex so there will be no sexual intercourse around here." "Who said anything about sexual intercourse? I just want to taste, not penetrate." Kimani rolled her eyes and sighed. "What am I going to do with you?" Harrison lowered his voice as he pushed against her. "Whatever you want, like, or need Kimani," Kimani's voice caught in her throat as his hand caressed her thigh. "I will do." He whispered as his hand drifted up her side. Harrison couldn't stop himself from kissing her. All he wanted was to taste her, to feel her succulent lips against his. His lips moved over hers seductively. He knew that Kimani was feeling the heat he felt because she took control of the kiss. Instead of the light coaxing he'd been going for, Kimani was serving up hard and commanding. Her lips and body were demanding a response and Harrison was happy to comply. He held Kimani's waist as he lifted her to sit on the edge of the truck bed. He locked their lips together again and Kimani's arms wrapped around his neck. Her delicate hands trailed up Harrison's neck and at the feel of her fingers rubbing over his bald head, a place she knew was a highly erogenous spot for him, Harrison groaned, low and sexy, a sound that had Kimani sizzling from the top her head to the soles of her feet. She nipped at his lower lip and Harrison smiled that movie star smile before lifting Kimani's shirt to expose her lace bra encased bosom. "Lace? Unexpected but duly appreciated." Harrison chuckled. He kissed her neck and Kimani pressed her hands against his shoulders. Kimani knew this was so not what they were supposed to be doing but God it felt so good! She closed her eyes as Harrison's tongue licked her collar bone. Kimani knew that she was losing her sense of control. But before she could give in "No sex" flashed like a beacon behind her eyes and Kimani knew she had to stop. She tried to use his name as a warning but it came out more like a moan as his hand cupped her breast. She bit her lip as Harrison ran his thumb over her nipple. He circled the sensitive nub until it was a hardened pebble straining against her bra. She tried to protest again but it was like he was deaf because his mouth lowered to Kimani's breast anyways, laving and suckling her nipple until she was arching into his touches. Harrison moved to Kimani's other breast but pushed down the lacy fabric to taste Kimani's pure skin. Her Hershey kiss nipple melted on his tongue and he knew that he had to have more. As his mouth worked her breasts his finger worked her jeans unbuttoning and unzipping until his hand had enough room to cup her mound. He felt her wetness and was overcome by the need to drink from her fount. "Mani I need to taste you." He groaned against the flesh of her breasts and Kimani was thrown. How had they gotten to this point? One minute they were barely speaking and the next they were on the fast track to fucking like monkeys. Something was wrong. "Harrison, stop." Kimani commanded breathlessly. "But---" "No." Kimani pushed Harrison away and adjusted her clothes before hopping down from the truck. "Kimani." "Uh-uh." Harrison watched Kimani pick up her bag and walk away. "Goddamn." He cursed as he picked up his bag. Harrison locked up the truck and pondered Kimani's behavior. She was cold one moment and on fire the next and he just couldn't understand how a person could flip like that. From the ferocity she just displayed he knew she was just as desperate as he was but she wouldn't let go. They had been so close to getting what they both desired and she still held back. He had to figure it out because if his aching hard on was any indication this was going to be a painful weekend for both he and his balls. Kimani was blown away by the cozy yet modern feel of the chalet's interior. From her tour of the two story home she discovered four spacious master suites with log furniture, private baths and jetted tubs, an outdoor hot tub, a pool table and the sweetest sets of rocking chairs placed on both of the covered decks. There she could breathe in the crisp Smoky Mountain air and woo-sah. She chose a bedroom upstairs and unpacked, all the while pushing away the feelings that Harrison's impromptu fondling had evoked. Kimani heard a shower downstairs and smiled to herself, at least she wasn't the only one suffering from ending their trunk affair. Kimani finished settling in and decided to test the comfort of those cute rocking chairs she'd noticed during the tour. Kimani plopped a squat in one of the chairs out on the deck and exhaled. She took in the sweeping view of the lush mountain foliage and distant mountain ranges and strangely felt better. This place really was great. It was quaint but comfortable, relaxing, calming, and peaceful, so far from Kimani's reality that she couldn't help but feel the sword of Damocles dangling over her head. Could this slice of serenity withstand the tumultuous emotions of a marriage on the rocks? It sure didn't look promising. She and Harrison had been at the chalet for all of forty-five minutes and had gone from 0 to 100 in under thirty seconds before crashing back to Earth in a blaze of avoidance and misplaced anger. "Don't focus on the bad, only the good." Kimani thought to herself as she watched the most beautiful sunset she'd ever seen in her life. It seemed like every hue of heaven and earth were smashing into each other right before her eyes and it made her think of she and Harrison, of how they collide, slamming into each other, blending until all that's left are stars, shining just like their love. Kimani sighed. How was she supposed to survive the weekend without giving into temptation? Her heart called for Harrison and her body, oh it screamed for him, and that combination with the knowledge that they were secluded had her better judgement flying the coop. Kimani closed her eyes and was assaulted by images of Harrison's hands running up and down her bare flesh, his tongue making figure eights around her wet center, his cock filling her to capacity as she cried his name. Her mind was overtaken by those pictures of them colliding like a sunset. Kimani opened her eyes and realized the sun had disappeared below the horizon. "Kimani?" She heard Harrison's voice and stood. "Yeah." "I...um...made reservations for Grace's Kitchen and...I, I" his voice kind of dried up as his eyes got a full drink of Kimani. She was simply exceptional. Kimani watched Harrison's eyes darken and decided to nip what she knew would follow right in the bud. "Umm okay. Well let me just shower and dress and I'll be ready in thirty." Kimani gently pushed past Harrison before hitting the corner and zooming up the stairs. Harrison ran a hand over his face in exasperation. He hoped the Doc was right about this weekend because Kimani running from him like he had the plague was hurtful. And as if she was sitting on his shoulder the Doc's voice filled his ear encouraging him. "Be optimistic. This is only the beginning. Forgiveness and reconciliation take time. She loves you and that's what you work from." Harrison went back in the house and poured a stiff drink. "I hope you're right Doc." He muttered before downing the glass. ********************************* Jase pulled up to Nia's home and smiled. "Not what I was expecting but cute." He thought as he walked up to her door. He rang her doorbell and regretted it instantly when it screeched a noise that sounded like nails on a chalkboard. Nia opened the door and frowned. "Don't use the doorbell." "Got it." "So?" Nia stepped onto her porch and Jase was dumbfounded. "You look so...damn...like...just wow." Nia beamed. She knew she'd done good with her dress. After her appointment earlier she'd went straight to Wolfchase Galleria to find a non-Harrison associated outfit and like a gift from God she stumbled upon the apricot body hugging dress that was currently driving Jase mad. It was simply perfect. It complimented her skin tone, hid any indication of a baby bump with its peplum, and made her feel like a million bucks just like every good dress should. "Thank you." She answered as she made a mental note to make Her-She her shopping destination from then on. "You're welcome. So are you ready?" Nia looked at Jase's attire and shook her head. "The question is are you ready? What are you wearing?" Jase looked down at his jeans and fitted black tee and shrugged much to Nia's dismay. "You can't go into Giorgio's looking like that. There's a dress code." Jase smiled deviously at Nia. "I know. That's why we're not going to Giorgio's." "What do you mean, 'not going to Giorgio's'? I specifically said, 'Giorgio's'." Jase laughed and Nia could feel her irritation rising. From the arm cross and tapping foot Jase knew he'd gone wrong with the laugh. "I'm sorry. I wasn't laughing at you just the situation. You're upset because you think I didn't hear you, correct?" Nia nodded her head. "Well, I heard you but I also saw you too. And you know what I saw?" "No." "Nia, I saw a woman who desperately needs to have fun and the uppity atmosphere of Giorgio's is no place to do that at all. So let me give you a good time. Please?" Nia thought it over and realized that she did want to have fun before life as she knew it burst into flames. With all the drama surrounding her a little escape from reality seemed like a ticket to heaven. She looked at Jase carefully and finally caved. "Fine, but do I need to change?" Jase's face lit up and Nia couldn't help the smile that formed on her own face. "No, but you are a little overdressed for where we're going." "Oh, well I'll change. It won't take that long." Nia opened her door to go inside and felt Jase following. She turned to him quickly. "What are you doing? I'm just making a quick change. You can wait outside." He looked at her like she'd taken his favorite toy. "Why? It's not like I'd steal anything." Nia rolled her eyes. "But you're nosy and I don't want you snooping around in my house plus I just met you so the jury is still out about the stealing." Jase gasped. "Me? But I'm the nicest guy I know." Nia laughed out loud this time. "Right, well if you're so nice you won't have a problem waiting out on my porch." It was Jase's turn to pout then as Nia slipped into her house with a wink and a "be right out". He had never waited on a woman, ever, and yet here he stood like an idiot waiting on Nia's goddamn porch. Jase shook his head. Jase Hanson, player extraordinaire, expert heartbreaker, getting stopped on a stoop. "A shame." Jase muttered as he paced. He'd come to her place to turn the battle of the sexes to his favor which he'd partially done by getting her to still say yes without Giorgio's in the cards but she unconsciously turned it right back to her side by dismissing him with that damn wink. But as annoyingly frustrating as the circumstance of working for a woman was, the process was actually exhilarating. No one, not any of the bimbos or even Hannah had ever had the effect upon him that Nia had and he'd only met her that morning. The knowledge of this alone made her more significant than he liked to admit to himself and of course it made him of her, the only woman that he'd ever loved, his mother. He remembered her smiling over him as she tickled him until he couldn't breath, her pushing him on the swings as he screamed to go higher, her crying as she discovered his father's many infidelities. He remembered asking why she stayed and she simply answered that she "loved" him and he vowed that day that he'd never fall in love. He would never give someone the ability to hold his emotions over his head and Nia was no exception to that rule, period. And as if on cue, Nia came out in an outfit that was simply made to test his resolve. She had changed into a little white tank top and paired it with skinny blue jeans and wedges. It would be plain on anyone else but Nia made it so erotic. The white of her tank contrasted with her dark chocolate skin perfectly and her breasts stretched the fabric so that their very peaks peered at him, beckoning his mouth to taste. He inhaled before allowing his eyes to trail down her body to the skin tight jeans that fit like a second skin. They flowed over her hips and thighs as if they were painted on and tapered down to peep toe wedge heels that made him wonder if he had a foot fetish since the sight of her aquamarine colored toenails were turning him on. He shuddered a breath as his eyes made the way back up her body to her awaiting face. She gave him a knowing smile and he could feel the blush creeping up his neck. Nia locked her door and Jase's eyes moved on their own accord, zeroing in on her round ass. It looked made for him to hold onto, to plunge into, to smack until she screamed from pleasure and pain. It called to him and he had to answer. Nia felt Jase's hands on her ass and resisted the urge to press against him instead she turned around and slapped the shit out of him. "What the hell Jase?! I turn to lock my door and you cop a feel!" She knew she had stunned him by the look of sheer shock on his face and then she saw the anger seep onto it. "Get this straight white boy, I'm not the black women you see on TV. I'm not some video hoochie or welfare baby mama or love and hip hop harlot panting after a check, I'm a real woman. A woman with a enough pride to have high standards and standards that include not getting groped by you. So get it together." His jaw tightened but he said nothing. Nia pushed past him towards the black Camaro he'd parked in her drive and he followed hastily behind. He unlocked the car and they both got in. Nia buckled her seatbelt and made no attempt to speak or even look at Jase. But after a minute passed and he hadn't started the car she broke. "Jase?" She looked at him and he sighed. "I apologize Nia for my um...actions earlier. I really don't know what came over me and I did deserve your reaction to my advances." With that Jase pressed the push to start button, put the car in gear, and drove away from her home. Nia watched Memphis fly past her window as Jase drove. The city sped across her window as her mind raced to catch up.What had happened back there? She knew that Jase had been looking at her but had he really believed she wouldn't take offense to him groping her? "You never have before." She thought to herself. Which was right because up until Jase she'd never refused an advance like that. In fact, if she had met him a few months ago she probably would not have even blinked. Instead she would have most likely pulled him into her home and given him the business until he tapped out. But that would have had to be before Harrison. Before he made her feel like a woman, like a lady. Before he made her realize that she was worth more and deserved more. It would have had to be before he made her love him and definitely before she found out he was married. After that bombshell everyone was a suspect, Jase included. "Jase?" "Yeah?" "Are you married?" "What?!" Jase looked at her sharply and almost drove them off the road. He corrected the car and glanced at her before looking at the road again. "Are you married?" "Why do you ask?" "Just answer the question." "No, I'm not married and never have been." "Okay." Nia exhaled. "So can you answer my question now?" "What was it again?" Nia fidgeted in her seat. Jase looked over at her again and sighed. "Why would you ask if I was married?" Nia didn't want him to judge her so rather than go into detail of she and Harrison's affair she gave a sensible answer. "Because it's one of my dealbreakers. I made the list a while ago after a Tough Love marathon and," "Married men are on the list." He finished. Nia chuckled. "Right." She sighed and rested her head against her car window. That was close. She'd almost let him know her deepest secret. She wondered what he would think if she told him. What would she say? Would she go in guns blazing like Joseline Hernandez, side piece royalty, talking about, "Yeah my baby's daddy has a wife and kid at home, and what? I'm still that bitch." Mistakes Ch. 03 Or maybe she'd make it out like Leann Rimes. "We were in love and his marriage was just a technicality restricting our true feelings." Nia held back a laugh at the absurdity of it all. Her crazy stupid life with a baby. It would be so much easier with Harrison. She wouldn't worry or be scared because he'd be right there. Nia blew out a breath. She wanted to know where he was. What he was doing? What he was thinking? "We're here." Jase announced and Nia sat up. "Is here a parking garage because if so you must be one creative guy to make it fun." Jase laughed and it was nice to hear. "No not that much. We're at the FedEx Forum." "The FedEx Forum huh?" He nodded, got out of the car, made the walk around, and opened her door. He took her hand and she thanked him. "I guess the ride gave someone manners." Nia joked. "Hey I'm just a white boy trying to get it together." He said in a mocking tone. Nia almost got offended but then she noticed the gleam in Jase's eyes and the smile on his face and she realized he was joking too. "You better." She said coolly as he led her, hand in hand, toward the Forum. He smiled at her and she felt like melting. "I hope you like basketball." He said as they made their way through the crowd. "Nope." "Really?" "Nah, just kidding I love it and it's players. Tyson Chandler, Mike Conley, Blake Griffin, yum." Jase rolled his eyes at her and she laughed. "But seriously, I love basketball. My brothers all played and I did too until one of the girls tried to get me in the shower." "So, there's no hope for a threesome." Nia cut her eyes at him and he put his hands up. "I was just kidding." "Right. But anyways, I stopped playing and started cheering instead. That's how I paid for college." "Well, I hope you're up to do some cheerleading tonight because the Grizz definitely need some motivation." "Oh, don't worry. I've still got it." Nia did a high kick and Jase laughed and clapped. "Thank you, thank you." Nia bowed and smiled. "With me on their side they'll be flying down the court." "Damn right." Nia took Jase's hand again as he led her inside. He smiled at her as he gave the cashier their tickets and she felt giddy. He was so...so her. When she was with Harrison she'd felt like he was the ying to her yang. Where she was loud and outgoing, he had been quiet and reserved. He was laid back, calm, cool, and collected, keeping her steady when she was ready to blow up the world. But Jase, Jase lit the fuse to the bomb. Maybe it was because he was just like her but it seemed he grated on her every nerve. He was so damn frustrating and he made her want to scream for more reasons than one. But then he'd make her smile and laugh and those little moments were what made her heart fill with emotions that she didn't want to share after falling so hard for Harrison. "Nia?" "Huh, yeah?" "I see you took a mini mental vacation there." "Yeah. Something like that." "Well, get your head in the game. It's go time." "Woo!" Nia laughed and this was going to be fun. ********************************* "So how's the steak?" Kimani asked politely. "Fine." Harrison answered just as nicely. Kimani sighed as she forked another bite of her pasta. They had been doing this question/one word answer stuff since they'd left the cabin and Kimani was sick of it. "Harrison, get the check. It's time to go." Harrison looked up in confusion. "What? Why?" "Because this," Kimani said while motioning towards the dinner, "is boring." "I thought you'd like it." Harrison downcast his eyes and Kimani realized she'd bruised his ego again. "Damn this man is sensitive." She thought to herself. Kimani sighed and reached for his hand. "Give me your hand." Harrison laid his hand in hers and Kimani laced her fingers with his as she spoke. "Harrison, I appreciate you bringing me to such a lovely dinner and I love that you thought of me and what I like when you chose this date but Dr. Rosenburgh said this trip is all about you being the man and making decisions that suit you as well as myself and seeing as this is a vacation I'd think you'd want to have fun and the Harrison I know does not have fun in stuffy restaurants. In fact, the Harrison I know hates these types of places and would much rather be at a sportsbar or lounge. Am I right?" Harrison gave her a shy smile and nodded. "Yeah." "Exactly. So get the check so I can hang out with my Harrison without doing small talk and using proper etiquette." Harrison smiled a genuine smile and Kimani felt her heart flutter. Harrison signaled for the waiter and got the check and Kimani blew out a breath. "Maybe this night won't be a complete disaster after all." Kimani thought as Harrison paid. After the waiter brought Harrison's card back, he looked at Kimani expectantly. "Where to m'lady?" He said in a fake British accent as he stood. Kimani followed suit and took the hand Harrison offered. "Wherever you'd like kind sir." She replied with a giggle. "I think I have some place in mind." Harrison said with a big grin on his face. "Well, lead the way." After walking a few blocks Harrison spotted the place. "There." He said pointing to the all black glass paned building across the intersection. Kimani looked at him suspiciously. "That's the place?" "Yep." He said as they walked the crosswalk. "It doesn't look like much." Kimani commented as they approached the building. Harrison just shrugged. "Looks can be deceiving." He countered. They made it to the door and what could only be considered a life-sized G.I. Joe was guarding the entrance. Harrison felt like shrinking into a ball in his presence but he couldn't be weak with Kimani standing with him so he took a deep breath and spoke. "How much to get in?" "Free for the lady, $30 for you." The G.I. Joe boomed in a Michael Clarke Duncan matched voice. Harrison paid and the bouncer smiled a crooked smile. "Welcome to Isis." Harrison and Kimani entered the building and followed a dark corridor. "What is this place Harrison?" Kimani whispered. He could tell she was nervous by the way she was gripping his shirt and staying glued to his side. "Just a club, like Senses back home." "You sure? Because it's creepy dark in here and there's no music playing." Harrison stopped and looked at Kimani or what he could make out of her form in the darkness. "Do you trust me?" Kimani was silent for what seemed like an eternity to Harrison's internal clock before she finally answered, "Yes." "Then trust I wouldn't take you any place where you aren't safe. Okay?" "Okay." They continued to walk until they reached an elevator which they took to the next floor. The elevator opened to a ballroom filled with undulating shades of blue lights, the soft crooning of Maxwell, and a huge crowd of people swaying to the music. Harrison and Kimani exited the elevator but didn't move to any part of the room as they took in the sight of the people. Many were dancing to the soft music, others were drinking at the bar on a far wall, and some seemed to be in deep discussion at private tables but what caught Harrison's eye were the women in black leading couples away to a set of doors on the other side of the ballroom. It peaked his interest. What could be behind those double doors? What were they being led to? What were they being taken away for? "Harrison?" Harrison turned at the sound of Kimani's voice. "Kimani." "Can we dance?" "Of course." Harrison led Kimani through the crowd and onto the dance floor. The song had changed and Harrison held her tightly as Kem's lyrics washed over them. He sang along quietly as Kimani rested her head against his chest. "There's a light shining on you. And woman I'm trembling inside. Loved a woman that I barely knew. I must have been out of my mind. Oh, I I'll never hurt you again. Girl I, I know you deserve a better man. Hey I, I was a fool to ever let you down but I want you to stay." Kimani closed her eyes as she basked in Harrison's presence. She could hear the hurt in his words as he sung along with Kem but she didn't want to believe them. She didn't want to believe that he could hurt as much as she did. She didn't want to believe he was sorry or that he truly did love her. He held her tighter and continued to sing. "Woman I beg your forgiveness. And I can still see true love shine in your eyes. And may the lord be my witness. Honey, I'll love you for the rest of my life." Kimani opened her eyes as panic began to rise in her chest. She knew it was crazy but hearing Harrison sing those words scared her half to death and suddenly she felt like she couldn't breathe. Those words challenged her to choose. To love or leave him. He held her tighter and Kimani felt suffocated by his arms like they were the decision itself. She pushed away from him and was caught in his gaze. It was so damn sad. "Kimani, I l-" "I have to go to the bathroom. I'll meet you at the bar when I'm done." Kimani walked away from him and into the crowd before he could stop her. She squeezed herself through the people towards a set of double doors that she hoped would lead her to a bathroom so she could collect herself, but the crowd was like a sea and Kimani kept getting swept up in the waves. She was pushed and pulled like the tides further and further away from the doors and only stopped when she crashed right into solid rock. Not really solid rock but a body that felt like it. She looked up to apologize and almost swallowed her tongue at the sight of the man. He was gorgeous with his long black hair and strong jaw, olive skin and intense dark chocolate eyes. Eyes that were in that moment staring right through her. Kimani opened and closed her mouth a few times before finally forming a coherent statement. "Excuse me." She whispered before trying to push her way around him. The effort was useless though as it seemed he was a human wall blocking her way. Kimani looked at him impatiently and although his face remained straight she thought she saw a hint of amusement in his eye. "Can you move please?" She asked with a little more of her Memphis attitude. This time he cracked a smile and Kimani felt her heart trip. "May I have a dance?" He asked with a hint of an accent. Kimani nodded dumbly and let him lead her to a place in the crowd. Kimani thought she was going to die as the man held her. His embrace, unlike Harrison's, didn't feel like a vice but rather a blanket. His arms, wrapped around her body, were heating her up from the outside, in, and Kimani found herself wrapping her own arms around his neck to be closer. "Who are you?" She asked as her fingers played in his hair. "I'm whoever you need me to be." He answered in a deep voice dripping with sex. "Hmm, what if I just needed you to be my tonight?" She replied huskily. She knew she was flirting but this man was too fine to resist. Plus, how she figured it Harrison deserved a little payback for all the bullshit he put her through. "Maybe if he realizes that he's replaceable he'll be more responsible with where he decides to stick his dick." Kimani thought to herself. Her internal justification was cut short by the low rumble of a chuckle in her ear. "I'd gladly be your tonight, tomorrow, and forever if you needed it amoorty." "Would you now?" She asked playfully. "Just say the word." He whispered allowing his lips to brush her ear and his hand which had been resting on her lower back to trail and caress her ass. Kimani felt her breath hitch at the light touches as did he. The man pulled her closer and rocked against Kimani causing her to feel his obvious arousal. "Just say the word." He whispered again before swiping his tongue along the outer rim of her ear and sucking her earlobe into his mouth. Kimani let a soft moan escape. How did he know her spot? Kimani pushed out of his arms and knew she probably looked all types of dazed and confused which she was. He gazed at her with those dark eyes and she felt like he could see her every sin, including the ones that were running through her head at that moment. She had to get away. "I'm sorry. But I have a forever and I don't want to lose it over a tonight. So excuse me." She moved to pass him and this time he let her through. She walked away and didn't look back. But maybe if she had she would've seen that two pairs of eyes were watching her exit. ******************************** Nia eyed the clock and the scoreboard, and cursed. Memphis was down 45 to 46 with fifteen seconds on the clock before half-time and Nia was on the edge of her seat. The opposing team, OKC, were at the free throw line once again due to all their flopping and Nia found herself chanting like she was a cheerleader at University of Tennessee again. "M-I-Double S MISS IT!!!"" She hollered at the top of her lungs but the magic wasn't with her and OKC's player made both shots. "Damn." She slouched in her seat. But before she could get too down in the dumps the Grizzlies made a play that ended the half with the commentator yelling, "It's Zeebo with a three!" and Nia screaming in celebration. Jase clapped and cheered alongside her. "I see you're having fun." He commented. "Fuck yeah." She answered and Jase laughed. "Your welcome." "I didn't thank you." Nia pointed out before taking a sip of her soda. Jase watched her full lips wrap around the bottle top and he groaned inside. "Did everything she did have to be sexual?" Jase wondered. "You will thank me though. By the way, you really shouldn't drink caffeinated beverages while pregnant." "Shut up and let me have my bad habit tonight." Jase shrugged. "Just trying to help." "Thank you b-" "Ha!" Nia looked at him in confusion. "Ha what?" "I told you you'd tell me thank you." He said with a smirk. Nia rolled her eyes. "Dumbass, I was saying, 'Thank you but no thanks.'" "Oh." Jase nodded in understanding. An awkward silence ensued and Nia felt the need to fill it. "So, how'd you get courtside seats?" "I know a guy." He said with a wink and as if on cue the guy called his name. "Jason Broderick Hanson the Third is that you?" Jase groaned at the voice that was fast approaching. "Who is that?" Nia asked pointing at the large white man heading their way. Jase rubbed his face and sighed. "My father." The man was on them now and he had a huge smile on his face. "Well, well it is my only son. Come and give your old man a hug." Jase stood and gave his father a quick embrace before stepping away from his reach. "What are you doing here?" Jase asked shortly. "The question is what are you doing here? Hannah doesn't like basketball." Jase tried to block his father's view of Nia but good ol' dad had keen eyes for the opposite sex. "Oh, who is this?" He asked as he made his way around Jase and to a seat beside Nia. "This is my friend, Nia." Jase answered as he took his seat again. "Ah, Nia. Such a beautiful name for a beautiful woman." Jase's father complimented as he kissed her hand. "I'm Bruce by the way." He said with a warm smile. "Nice to meet you Bruce." Nia said shaking his hand. Bruce released her hand and looked at Jase. "Does Hannah know you have friends that look like this?" Nia gave Jase a questioning look and Jase felt sick. "Who's Hannah?" Nia asked politely. Bruce laughed a hearty laugh and shook his finger at Jase. "You sly devil." Bruce looked back at Nia and answered nonchalantly. "Just Jase's girlfriend." "Girlfriend huh?" Nia said in a voice so sweet that Jase knew it meant bad things for him. She looked at her phone and sighed. "Oh, look at the time I wouldn't want to get you home to your girlfriend so late. I think we should go." "Nia," "Now." She snapped. She stood and bid Bruce goodbye. "It was really nice meeting you. C'mon Jase." Nia left the two and Bruce laughed. "I see you're finally dabbling in my world and she, she's a good start." Jase watched Bruce's eyes wander to Nia's departing ass and he felt the need to hurt the man. "What do you mean, 'dabbling in your world'? Nia is just a friend." "Right, like all the 'friends' I introduced you to." "No." "Well if she's not one of those friends, why didn't she know about Hannah? It ain't right to lie to her." Jase felt like punching his hypocritical ass father dead in the face. "First of all, Hannah and I broke up. Secondly, don't preach to me about lying when you lied to my mom the entire time you two were together." Bruce rubbed his chin and nodded in agreement. "You're right I lied to your mom but I didn't lie to the mistresses. They all knew I was married." Jase looked at his father in disbelief. "You know you're a piece of shit right." Bruce just shrugged. "Yeah, I know. Your mother told me before she died." He sat back in his seat in resignation. "Goodbye Bruce." Jase shook his head as he walked away from his father. How could his father even think he'd be like him? He wasn't a liar or a cheat. His father's voice rang in his ear. "Yes, you are. You're just like me. Think about it." And Jase did think about it and to his horror he realized the apple hadn't fallen far from the tree. He'd never been faithful in any relationship and he had lied on multiple occasions and if he was being totally honest he was really just a piece of shit like his dad. But as he walked up to his car and saw Nia standing there, looking how he was feeling, he promised himself that he was going to change. Seeing her hurt was something that clawed at his heart and being Bruce had a 'hurt you guarantee' so it was time. No longer would he be like dear ol' dad. He was going to be Jase the Good Guy even if it killed him. "I'm sorry, I-" "Stop." Nia had heard so many apologies that the word sorry didn't even spark her forgiveness trigger. Jase stopped and Nia looked at him. She knew he could see that she'd been crying and she wanted him to see that pain, to understand. "Jase, I specifically asked you if you're married and you said," "No, because I'm not married." "No, you have a girlfriend. Who's really beautiful by the way." She watched his face contort in confusion. "What do you mean?" Nia smiled a sad smile and held up her phone to Jase. "I Googled your name and pictures of you and her were displayed like that." Nia snapped for emphasis. "Nia, I can explain." "It's fine. No explanation needed. You know what, actually I'm sorry, I'm sorry I didn't learn from my mistakes." Nia let the tears fall but before she knew it Jase was right there wiping them away. "Nia, please don't cry. You have no reason to apologize. You haven't done anything wrong." "Yes I have." Nia sniffled. "What'd you do so wrong?" Jase asked as he held her. Nia took a deep breath and released the guilt she'd been fighting since the day she discovered Harrison was married. "I slept with a married man." She whispered. She felt Jase's chest rumble with laughter and felt her heart drop. "It's not funny." Nia said as she pushed out of his arms. "It is because #1 I'm not married and #2 we haven't slept together yet." Nia looked at Jase incredulously. "For you to be a doctor you sure are dumb." "Huh?" Nia groaned. "I wasn't talking about you I was talking about my baby's father. He's," "Married." Jase finished. "Yeah." Nia couldn't look at him. She didn't want to see that smile twist into disgust. "Nia, look at me." He whispered. Nia shook her head and stared through tear blurred vision at the ground. Jase closed the gap between them again and wrapped her in his arms. Mistakes Ch. 03 "Nia, mistakes are meant to be made. That's the only way to learn." "But you see I didn't learn because the first guy I choose to date after him has a girlfriend. I'm a homewrecker again." Nia cried. Jase rubbed her back as he spoke. "You're not a homewrecker because Hannah broke up with me and left me for a woman named Suzanne." Nia looked up at Jase mouth agape. "Yeah, a hippie candlemaking chick named Suzanne." Nia bit her lip to stop from laughing but the giggles spilled forth. Ringing out and echoing in the parking garage and God knew it sounded like heaven to Jase. When she got done laughing she looked up to find Jase smiling down at her and that stupid smile made her feel like the world wasn't so bad after all. "Jase." She said his name barely above a whisper but the sound was supersonic to his heart nonetheless. He held her face in his hand as his lips came down to meet hers. Their lips brushed tentatively at first, each one not wanting to push too hard too fast, but when Nia's lips parted Jase felt compelled to explore. His tongue delved into the sweetness of her mouth and tangled with her tongue as her fingers tangled in his hair. Jase pressed Nia's body against the car as he kissed her senseless. She mewled into his mouth and Jase felt undone. The simple sound made him feel primal and a sense of possession filled him. He trailed his lips from her luscious mouth and down her neck. He licked her flesh before sucking her skin and making Nia squeak in pleasure. He continued to suck her neck as his fingers played with her taut nipples through the scrap of fabric she'd called a shirt. He rolled his thumb over the peak before pulling it gently. "Mmm Jase...Oh my...fuck!" Nia winced when Jase twisted the bud sharply. Jase left her neck then, and sucked the tip of her tank covered tit into his mouth. Jase felt Nia's nails dig into his shoulders and it only spurred him on. Jase parted her legs with his knee and rubbed his thigh against her mound. Nia arched in his arms and Jase smiled. He held her waist and nudged his thigh against her pussy again and she rocked on it, riding it slowly. Jase stopped his nipple worship to worship the sight of her. Her head was thrown back, her eyes were closed, her lips parted and her back arched. "Goddamn." Jase groaned as she rode his leg hard. Her fingers were clawing into his shoulders and her body folded as she got closer to ecstasy. Jase pinched her nipple and bit her neck sending Nia into oblivion. She cried out and went limp against his chest. After a minute Nia looked up at Jase and smiled lazily. "Hey." "Hey." "That was good. I've never came on a leg before." Jase laughed. "And I've, never had a woman come on my leg before." Nia wrapped her arms around Jase's neck happily. "So I was your first huh?" She asked playfully. Jase kissed her lightly and nodded. "Yep, the one and only." Nia kissed him back quickly. "And it better stay that way too." She warned. "Yes ma'am." "Now, let's get some food because we're," Nia looked down at her stomach then back up to Jase's face, "starving." "Alright." Jase let her go and opened her door. He closed it and almost skipped to his side of the car. He got inside the car and looked at Nia. She was so damn beautiful. "What?" She asked with an eyebrow raised. "Nothing, it's nothing." "Uh huh." She nodded suspiciously. Jase blushed and started the car. "Ever been to Kooky Canooks?" "Nope." "Well, its your lucky night." "I'm getting lucky tonight, am I?" "You might." Jase gave Nia a wink and she hit him playfully. "Nobody's getting lucky if I don't eat." Jase laughed. "Well, let's get some food then." ********************************* Kimani passed through the set of double doors and entered a dark hallway which was just like the one she and Harrison had entered. And like before she followed the corridor to an elevator this one taking her to the second floor. The elevator opened and instead of seeing a ballroom or a bathroom like she'd hoped she saw another hallway this one hued in sensual red lights instead of being dark. Also, this hallway had rooms yet the rooms didn't have doors. And there were sounds coming from the rooms. The moans of women and groans of men filled the hallway. Kimani felt her skin tingle. She knew those sighs and screams. She knew those cries of pleasure and passion. Kimani walked to a door and her knowledge was confirmed as she watched a ménage à trois happen right before her eyes. It was one woman and two men. The woman was on hands and knees sucking off one and getting thoroughly fucked by the other and oddly Kimani wanted to know how that fullness felt. She knew the thought was wrong but how the woman was shuddering from pleasure she knew that it must have felt hell of right. Kimani watched and listened to the scene intently and became aroused by it. "Yeah, suck my dick just like that bitch. Get it nice and wet so I can glide right into that sweet ass baby. Ah, fuck yeah." The man who'd been fucking her from behind stopped suddenly and dropped to his knees planting his face in her ass and pussy. The woman stopped sucking the other man and moaned aloud. "Oh, God! Please I need you both inside me now!" She panted. "Alright, love." The man who'd been eating her answered. Kimani watched the man lay on his back before instructing the woman to sit on his dick. The woman straddled him and took him deep in her pussy with a groan. "Now lay against my chest love so John can see that pretty little asshole." The woman did as the man said and John proceeded to do much more than see the woman's asshole. Kimani held her breath as John thrust slowly into the woman's ass. All three bodies were still as they took in the sensations of each other and then they were moving, grinding pushing together to create a rhythm all their or maybe not all their own since Kimani was now rubbing herself to the cadence of the three. She sighed as she watched the woman being stretched by the two men, who by now were fucking her with abandon. Kimani moved away from the door and took a breath against the wall. She could see herself in the woman's place. Harrison beneath her and Mr. Tonight taking her from behind. The vision was enough to make her touch herself. Kimani closed her eyes as she let her hands drift under her skirt and onto her pussy. Her panties were damp with her wetness and Kimani smiled to think of what Mr. Tonight would do to get them soaked. She rubbed her clit and let out a low moan as the sensation registered. She let her fingers slide in and out of her pussy as the thought of Mr. Tonight and Harrison fucking her together danced behind her eyes. She could see them plunging, thrust for thrust, beating her pussy and ass until she was pleading for more. "Oh, God." She moaned aloud as she fingerfucked herself deeply to the erotic images. She could envision Mr. Tonight eating her pussy while Harrison fucked her face. She could hear him slurping up her juices as she swallowed Harrison's and it was so vivid, so clear. Like she was right there, one woman, two men, in complete ecstasy. And then she heard the woman scream with pleasure and Kimani shook with her own orgasm. She could feel it moving from her pussy and out through her entire body and she shuddered as the pleasure rolled over her like thunder. Kimani blew out a breath as she came down. She opened her eyes slowly and gasped when Mr. Tonight came into focus. He was standing directly in front of her on the opposite wall and was staring at her with the darkest eyes she'd ever seen. He moved to her slowly maybe as a way to give her an opportunity to walk away but Kimani was captured by him and knew she wasn't going anywhere. He was upon her then, pinning his hard body against her soft one, kissing her with so much passion it resonated in her bones. He pushed down the straps of her dress and marveled at her chest. "Jameel." He whispered before allowing a hand to cover Kimani's breasts. Kimani couldn't breathe as she watched him through heavy-lidden eyes. He was so sensual and commanding. His mouth connected with hers again and Kimani allowed her eyes to close completely as her fantasy became reality. With her eyes closed it was as if he was all over her. His mouth had moved onto her neck and his hand was on her breasts but yet and still his fingers were on her pussy making her pant for more. She heard a rip and knew he'd torn her panties and the action made her go up in blazes. "Please, please." She begged as his lips drifted from her neck to her breasts. His tongue, circled and sucked her nipples, nibbling and teasing until Kimani was lacing her fingers in his hair to pull him closer. His mouth left her breasts and Kimani whimpered in protest. She'd been so crazed by what his mouth had been doing to her breasts, that she hadn't even noticed he'd undone his pants. He lifted her leg and moved it onto his shoulder as he pressed against her, until his dick was aligned with her pussy. She could feel his hot member against her hot core and all she wanted was for him to fill her, to take care of her throbbing needs. "Open your eyes amoorty." She opened her eyes and was met with his kohl gaze. "I want you to see me filling you, stretching you amoorty." "What does it mean, amoorty?" Kimani asked dazedly. The man smiled. "My passion." And with that he drove home, thrusting deep into her pussy, causing her eyes to close and her back to arch into him. He pulled back and thrust again and Kimani cried out at the intrusion. He stopped apparently realizing she needed time to adjust to his size and Kimani was grateful. Although Harrison was large, he wasn't this man. This man was gifted. She'd never felt so full in her life. His girth stretched her to the point of pain and the feeling was amazing. She moved her hips up to encourage him to move and he happily obliged, pulling almost all the way out before slamming into her pussy again. This time she cried out in pleasure as his dick grazed her g-spot from within. He withdrew and plunged again, over and over until Kimani was writhing in his arms. "Say my name. Say Caliph." He growled. "Caliph, Caliph." Kimani chanted his name as he fucked her harder. "Fuck me Caliph, yes, please." Caliph thrust into Kimani in a frenzied state, beating her pussy with abandon until she screamed his name and flew apart in his arms. Her body shook and went stiff before she collapsed onto his shoulder. He withdrew completely and moved her leg from his shoulder, holding her up as she steadied herself. "Caliph," she whispered as he held her in his arms. "Kimani?" Kimani looked up in horror at the sound of her name. She knew that voice. She withdrew her eyes from Caliph's face and looked toward the voice, looked toward Harrison. She felt her heart break at the sight of him because damn it he looked so defeated. "Harrison, I-" "Why?" Harrison asked quietly. "Who is that?" Caliph asked calmly. Kimani looked back at Caliph tearfully as she answered. "My forever."