WHAT'S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT WHEN CARMA'S INVOLVED?

TREINTA Y CINCO

Alixxander and I parted ways for good. It seemed whenever I let my guard down everything went awry. Expressing what I feel has been a flaw of mine for more than half my life. Normally, I internalize the issue before I’m ready or willing to share. ‘Handling’ the split put it mildly. Avoidance made it bearable.

Román practically demanded I work with everyone in the office to get justice for Maisie. Great way to start off my first day back. Kimmie happily collected a copy of the file. She rarely gets to mingle since the digital age took over. I had been immersed in something else and had no interest in leaving my desk. Maisie is important, but the medical examiner hadn’t sent over her report and a private investigation was underway to figure out how she got up there and where her missing items were. Shortly after, Alixxander stopped by with the bank statements I asked Kimmie for.

I had my reasons for trolling Alixxander’s bank statements. One of the reasons was nothing more than an abundance of caution. Also, I wanted to see how much Carma spent before and after he moved out of his house. Before I knew it, the day had gotten away from me, and it was heading into the late evening.

When I closed up shop, I was four months in on the first year of bank statements. I couldn’t believe how much he wasted. Pulling into the parking lot of my home, I saw a panicked Mr. Driver waiting in the lobby for me. Carma called him to request Alixxander’s presence at the hospital. It was time. He would not pass up the chance to be there for the birth. Why did it have to be at the same hospital where Arianna worked? I opted to get a new number after giving Alixxander back the phone. Other than clients and people I worked with, it remained peaceful. To give Mr. Driver peace of mind, I called Alixxander in front of him and he heard the entire conversation.

Alixxander raced into the parking lot like a bat out of hell. He asked if I knew anything more. I did not, and I did not care to know more. Another surprise, besides the birth of a child, awaited us. Evan, in the waiting room, pacing while biting his nails. A few choice words were said. Had I not stood between them, they would’ve duked it out right there. Maybe that’s what they needed to kiss and make up. The hospital was not the time, place, or setting for their feud. Believe me, I wanted to punch them in their fcking faces for several reasons. Carma asked for support. Whether I liked it or not, she deserved it. Alixxander’s eyes showed the conflict he felt. But he scurried away like a mouse gaining its freedom.

Plenty of work was tucked in my bag in case the birth wasn’t quick. Not only did Evan continue his pacing, he started twisting what looked to be a school ring on his right hand. If you asked me, those are the actions of an expectant father. The harlot must've told Evan that he was the father too. Unless their meal ticket was about to end because he knew Alixxander wasn’t the father. Keeping a close eye on him, I went to work scouring Alixxander's bank statements.

“How long have you known Alixx?” I was not in the mood to play twenty questions.

“Mr. Savage and I are colleagues. Why?” Evan wasn't the only one surprised by my callousness.

“Never saw you before. I'm curious, sue me.”

“That is the definition of a frivolous lawsuit. I'm sure you and Mr. Savage go way back. That doesn't concern me. I have a job to do. Making friends isn't in my job description.”

“Grumpy much?”

“Very.”

For seven hours, I sat in a chair with no food or water. I heard footsteps in my mind before hearing a pair of sneakers squeaking down the hall. I looked up as Alixxander turned the corner and made the announcement. “I have a daughter.” He already had one. The new one was still up for debate.

“Congrats, Mr. Savage. Will you be staying?” I began packing up.

“My wife needs her rest. It was a grueling labor.” I've never been called heartless, but I hated everyone in the room, and I wanted out asap.

Walking to my car, the feeling of being watched came over me. Nobody was around to elicit the reaction of fear. Walking alone didn’t normally bother me. I chalked it up to the darkness of the moonless night. It worked until I saw my car. Every window shattered. Even my mirrors, inside and out, were broken. Other cars close to mine were untouched.

“What the fck happened to your car?” Alixxander almost got socked.

“Don't you know anything can happen when you sneak up on someone?”

“I choose nothing for one hundred, Alex. Wait. He’s dead. What’s the new guy’s name?” At least one of us was happy.

“I’m too tired to think.”

“Where are you going?”

“Home.”

“You can’t walk alone. Let me at least drive you.”

Spoiler. He didn't take me home. He drove as I rested my weary head against the seat and stared out the window as the sun yawned and stretched before rising. I had no complaints. His silent companionship was better than being home alone, unable to sleep. The location where he chose to stop was unfamiliar territory to me. The view was breathtakingly stunning. Alixxander exited the car and opened my door. When I popped up, he planted his lips on mine. They were chapped from the blistery winter air. The onslaught was slow. We moaned in unison as the urge for more deepened. Previous tastings were nothing compared to Mother Nature’s wind whipping around us, forcing us to huddle closer for warmth. I imagined his emotions were on the fritz after the birth. Placing my hands on his chest, I meant to separate us. If pressure had been applied, maybe I would have been released.

When he freed me, he rested his forehead against mine. “First and foremost, I’m sorry. If I knew you were upset over Maisie’s death, I would have been more understanding. Not that I shouldn’t have been to begin with.”

“Thank you for that. The view is beautiful. Why are we here?”

“Harmoney.” Guiding my hand to his heart, he kissed my forehead. “No one on this planet makes my heart race like you.” Holy heck.

“Alixxander, rekindling our taboo romance is not a good idea.”

How many times have I uttered similar phrases, words, or sentences? I was an eager beaver for his touch. If he knew how much I thought of him, we’d end up in bed until the next crisis split us apart. Our lips rekindled their passionate dance as the sun rose, bathing us in its warm rays. It was the peak of romance for me. Resistance was futile. There’s nothing wrong with kissing if that’s all, right? Boundaries were set. They needed to remain intact this time around.

“Giving up is never an option in my family. I will keep trying until you say yes. Say yes.”

The good Lord knew how much I wanted to say yes. To avoid being put on the spot, I told him I’d think about it. Since the start, we have found it difficult to keep our hands to ourselves. Could we do it to save our lives? It’s a good thing we didn’t have to find out the hard way. Alixxander held on tight as we watched the remainder of the sun rise. During the ride home, he held my hand tighter, only releasing it to shift and before arriving home.

At my door, he asked, “What's your answer?”

“What do you want from me, Alixxander?”

“I want you. There's nothing I expect from you other than your love. If you are able and willing to give it.”

I changed into my birthday suit right in the hallway and asked Alixxander to take me on a fantastic ride. His smooth, deep tone became assertive and dominant. His first command was to unlock my door and go to my room. Being a bad girl got me punished. Whatever I did, if the punishment fit, I would do it again. Next came a demand to lie on my back with my legs spread. I giddily obeyed. Playing Alixxander says excited me to my core.

“When you eat a taco, do you tilt your head left or right?” What the fck kind of question? Who asks about food during a time like that?

“Does it matter? Which do you do?”

“Neither, because the thighs usually keep my head straight.” His hungry eyes never left mine until my display case opened and was ready for him to steal my goods. A mischievous half smile took over his face as he gazed into my tunnel of love, up my body, and back down while licking and biting his bottom lip.

“Is the big bad Alixxander going to eat me now?” Dirty talk was never my strong suit. Vulgar thoughts are different from outright provoking.

“Is that what you want me to do?”

“I would love for our lips to embrace.” He remained fully clothed and climbed over me. Our lips brushed over and over. Too bad they weren’t the pair I wanted him to kiss. Barely touching, he flipped a switch. My body greedily wanted him.

Nibbling an ear, tracing my curves, landing on the nub between my legs. All of it causing goose flesh to pop up. His name came out a jumbled mess the more he frolicked with my body. On my neck, under my left ear, he started to suck. Laser focused on the feeling left me wide open for the unexpected intrusion of his fingers into the wetness. At first the gasp startled me. But it only added to the stirring of fervor in my loins, ending in an orgasmic convulsion. How could my body reject him before?

Delight overflowed as we swapped spit in a devouring French kiss. His manipulation of my insides sent me over the edge and into a continuous whorl of ecstasy. One hand was wrapped in his luscious mane, and the other used his shoulder and arm as a scratching post. I never wanted the level of delectation to end. My tremors abruptly came to an end and his fingers disappeared.

“Thank you.” Who thanks their lover for a job they are overqualified to perform? This girl, that’s who.

“Anytime I can calm your hedonism.” I slapped his well-toned bicep and laughed. “I hate to serve gratification and leave. But......”

“What about your own gratification? This won't leave you with blue balls?”

Looking behind him at the door, he weighed his options. To help his decision along, my hand crawled down my torso to start some self-lovin'. My other lifted a tata to suck on my erect n*pple. My eyes closed, and my body arched because of how sensitive I still was. The unmistakable sound of a zipper cut through my silent rapture. Fingers replaced mine when my release began. Before it finished, his magic stick penetrated me, doing the Devil's dance with my kitty cat. My bed rocked as we tore it up. There was some ghetto love goin' on.

“I love you.” He loved me so much, by the end of our multiple romp sessions, a pharmacy run became necessary.