Chapter 8 Steam surrounded the bathroom like smoke as I stepped out, tucking the towel under my arms. My skin was still slick with water, glistening under the soft light. My curls were piled on top of my head under a bonnet. I padded barefoot across the hardwood floors of my apartment, humming under my breath as I moved. My favorite slow jams playlist played low on my Bluetooth speaker, just enough to set the mood for tonight. I had about an hour to get ready, and I wasn't about to rush from some man I hadn't met yet. Maybe this one wouldn't be a fucking flop like that last five. I was about ready to give up on these niggas and switch sides. The dating pool today was contaminated like a muthafucka and honestly, from what I've heard, the studs ain't even studding so either way, I was screwed. I couldn't get a decent man to save my life, and I couldn't understand why. I was a young successful baddie that had my own everything at 25 years old and in this day and time that was major. I feel like most these niggas want a woman that needed them, and I was far from that. BUZZ My phone lit up on the counter, another message from Ivy. I smiled without even looking. That girl stayed checking in, like she was the big sister or something, when in reality, I was the one that used to braid her hair and teach her how to flirt with waiters for free food and shit in college. We were roommates back then with me being the loudmouth that did the most and she was this shy, introvert and bookworm who used to hide her lil erotic books under her textbooks like I didn't know she was already reading some nasty shit. Now, she ran her little dream bookstore café with her vintage glasses and sweet smile, and I ran my own beauty bar uptown, specializing in facials, waxing and lashes. I was making good money and living life on my terms, and I loved that for me. I was twenty-seven, single and not the type to wait around for love. Not when I had goals to hit and orgasms to collect. Ivy's business was successful, despite what she'd gone through losing her parents, she still found a way to get up every day and move forward, keeping the promise she made to them. I just wished she would step out of her shell and try dating. No, a man isn't needed, but it's nice to vibe with someone on another level and of the opposite sex and I wanted that so bad for her. She was definitely hiding something these days, but whatever it was, I knew she'd come to me when she was ready. She always did. I was hoping-lowkey praying-that just maybe she was hiding some fine ass man that was turning her thick ass every which way but loose over there. Knowing Ivy, that was nowhere near true. ME: Girl stop worrying me. I'll text you after. Unless he's corny as fuck with bad breath. Then, I'll call with a mid-escape plan. I typed a quick reply, then tossed my phone on the bed. Tonight wasn't about finding love for me. It was about the vibes and letting my hair down, seeing if the universe wanted to throw a little spice my way, Lord knows I needed some. This honestly wasn't even supposed to be a date, but I let one of my top clients get in my head. Carmen, the real estate baddie that never missed a lash appointment, had mentioned her cousin that owned some big shot real estate company and that he was single and 'handsome.' I told her that wasn't exactly a glowing recommendation, but she pulled up his Instagram right there in the treatment chair and I had to admit, she wasn't lying. The nigga was fine as fuck. His name was Marcus, and baby, that man looked... grown, grown. His body was built to the Gods, he had a clean, crispy cut like he'd just stepped out of the Steve Harvey's barber chair and his face was smooth, with not a blemish in sight. His beard was perfectly lined up and I instantly had thoughts of rubbing my juices through it. She gave me his number and said, "Do with that what you will." So, here I was, doing exactly that. I turned toward the mirror and dropped the towel, catching my reflection in the soft gold glow of my vanity lights. My skin shimmered from the cocoa shea butter I applied daily, leaving me with a deep brown, smooth and flawless glow that always hit different under the light. My waist dipped right where it should, my hips were full, and my ass was sitting up high and proud like it paid rent. Even in my late twenties, my breast was still defying gravity with a perky, soft look and a natural bounce that men lost their minds over. I walked over to my dresser, pulling out the red mesh bralette and matching thong, and slipped them on slowly as I swayed my hips to Ecstasy by Ciara. The dress I picked for tonight was black velvet-clingy but not too classy, with thin straps and a low back that gave just enough to have him drooling. I slipped it on and paired it with my red, strappy high heels that made my legs look like a whole meal. I pulled off my bonnet and fluffed out my curls, deciding to let them fall wild and free tonight. I threw on my gold hoops to complete my look, then swiped on some Fenty gloss and hit my neck and inner thighs with a few spritzes of YSL. Baby, I was ready for whatever the night had waiting on me. I checked the mirror one last time, then blew my fine ass a kiss. "Let's see what you working with tonight, Marcus." The young-looking valet boy tried hard as hell not to stare as I stepped out of my car, but I caught the way his eyes dropped, looking me over, then snapped back up, realizing that he'd been caught. After handing him my keys, I smirked and walked away, making sure to add a little switch to it since I knew I had an audience. Heads were turning left and right as I made my way to the entrance of Ember Lounge. Marcus had to have good taste and fat pockets because this lounge was top tier and expensive, might I add. Granted, I made good money with my business, but I would only come here on special occasions when I felt like it was ok to spend that kind of money, which wasn't often. Ember Lounge had this moody, grown and sexy vibe with low lighting, velvet booths, jazz laced under trap beats and bartenders who look like they should be modeling cologne ads. If Marcus didn't work out tonight, I would damn sure be taking one of them home. I walked in like I owned the place with my head held high, hips swaying, not because I was trying to impress anybody but because that's just how I walked when I knew I looked the fuck good. I scanned the room, eyes landing on the booth near the back. I could tell from the pictures I'd seen that it was him. I made my way towards the back, and he stood up to greet me. First green flag. Pictures did no justice for how fine this man was. He was tall, lean but not solid and he looked like he lifted weights for fun. His skin was this golden-brown texture and his beard nice and moisturized. He wore a slate-gray crewneck that stretched over his broad shoulders and when he shifted to look up, whew chile, his jawline could've been sculpted in stone. A thick AP watch hugged his wrist, one that I knew cost at least thirty thousand. "Hey, you must be Tori." "I better be. Otherwise, I'm about to sit down and flirt with somebody else's man." I said, flashing a smile as I slid into the booth across from him. "He laughed, low and sexy. "Nah, you're exactly who I was hoping for." "Good answer," I smirked. Lord, this man looked and smelled delicious. I knew I was gone need some liquor to take the edge off and warm up to him cause a bitch was nervous as hell for some reason. As if on queue, the waiter came by our table, and I didn't waste no time ordering. "Two shots of tequila, please. Then I'll look at the menu." Marcus raised an eyebrow. "You waste no time huh?" "I always get what I want, Marcus." "Noted," he said. Once the waitress returned with our drinks we toasted, clinking our glasses and then throwing the shots back. The warm tequila hit my chest and settled quick, loosening up my mood even more. "So," I said, "Carmen swore up and down you were 'chill' and low-key handsome.' That's definitely an understatement, I must say." He smirked. "I told her not to oversell it." "Mmm. That's cute, but I need to know are you allergic to compliments? Or do you just know you fine as hell?" He chuckled, eyes lingering on my mouth. "I don't have to know. You just told me, sweetheart." "See?" I leaned in, resting my elbow on the table. "You catch on fast. I like that." From then on, Marcus and I hit it off, talking about everything under the sun. Marcus was the CEO for Vantage Realty and Consulting, a company that sold high end properties and also helped investors flip properties amongst other things. He didn't just look the part; he was the part. I told him about the beauty bar that I owned, how I started with one room at the back of a salon and now have a full team and a successful business. He listened, asked questions and didn't interrupt or pretend to be impressed. It was just good ass vibes that I hadn't experience with a man in a while. The second round of drinks hit the table, and the buzz was starting to kick in. "So, Marcus," I said, tracing the rim of my glass, deciding to tease him a lil bit and see where his head was at. "What do you do for fun?" He shrugged. "I mostly hit the gym, and travel when I can. I'm a workaholic but I love my nights that consist of good music, good bourbon and good company." I smirked. "Mmm. Sounds like you just described me... minus the gym. I do like to work out, just not on machines." He stared at me for a second, then laughed. "You really don't hold back." "Why would I?" I shrugged. "I don't like wasting words... or time." "Noted again," he said, then threw another shot of tequila back. I leaned back, crossing one leg over the other slowly. "Tell me something good, Marcus. Something that's gonna' make me wanna' leave this lounge and follow you back to your place." He paused, eyes trailing down my neck to the dip of my dress, then back up. "I make some good ass late night breakfast. Bacon, eggs and grits. Real bacon too, not that turkey shit." I tilted my head, pretending to think it over. "That's cute, but breakfast don't make my panties drop." His smirk turned cocky. "I got something else that will." I stood slowly, letting him get a full look at these thighs. "I'm dying to see what that could be." I grabbed my clutch and sauntered toward the door. When I heard his footsteps behind me, I knew I had him. Just as valet pulled my car up, he stepped beside me. I glanced over my shoulder, lips curling. "Lead the way, baby." I slid into the driver's seat without waiting for his response. I slowly walked through the door of his condo, partly to take it in, but mostly to let him watch me walk. He had a luxurious condo, with tall windows, elegant black and white pieces of art on the walls and leather furniture that I'm sure cost more than my first car. My heels clicked across the floor as I pulled off my coat, tossing it on the back of a nearby chair without asking. Marcus followed behind me, tossed the keys in a tray and shrugged out of his coat. "Want another drink?" I turned, cocking my head. "One more won't hurt." He walked past me to the bar and grabbed a bottle of tequila that looked way too expensive for my taste, but what the hell, I was vibing with a rich nigga, so I was on whatever he wanted to be on. I watched the muscles in his back flex under that sweater he was wearing and let my eyes roam. He handed me the glass, and I took a sip, then set the glass down and licked the tequila from my bottom lip, letting the warm liquor spread through my chest. "So, about that thing you had for me." I teased, stepping closer to him. So close that I could smell the expensive cologne he was wearing and the tequila on his breath. Both smells were sending satellite signals to my pussy. "That's what you came here to find out right?" he asked. I slid one hand up his chest, feeling his rock-hard muscles. "I came to find out if you could make me forget every nigga before you and hate the ones after you." He exhaled once, and before I could say another word, his hand was on my waist, guiding me back into the wall. His mouth hovered inches from mine as the heat rolled off him. "Last chance to back out, Tori," he murmured, voice low and raspy. I hooked a finger in the collar of his sweater and pulled him down the rest of the way. "Baby, I wore no panties for a reason. I'm tryna' see sum'." His mouth crashed into mine, kissing me deeply, our tongues colliding. His hands were going from my hips to my ass, then he slid one under my dress, rubbing against my bare pussy. I moaned into his mouth as he lifted me like I weighed nothing, walking me backward toward the couch without breaking the kiss. When he sat, I straddled him, grinding down onto his thick length, pressed against his jeans. "You mouthy as fuck." He growled against my neck, sucking hard enough to leave a mark. "Only when the dick's worth it," I breathed, tugging at his belt. "Show me if you qualify." I gripped his jaw as I kissed him again, wet and sloppy, sucking his bottom lip just to hear that little sound he made in his throat. His hands stayed on my thighs as I grinded in his lap. "You hard for me, Marcus?" I asked, grinding slowly-just to hear him curse under his breath. "Fucking right I am, Ma." "You been hard since I walked in the lounge," I said leaning forward to kiss the side of his neck. "I felt it when we hugged." He nodded, tightening his jaw. "I wanna' ride you while I talk my shit. Can I do that for you baby?" I asked against his lips while dragging his sweater up over his head. Damn his body was a work of art. Tattoos ran across his cut chest and down to his abs. I kissed a trail along his collar bone, biting down just enough to make him groan. I slid off his lap and stood in front of him, pulling my dress over my head slow and let it pool at my feet. I stood in nothing but my heels and that red mesh bralette that barely held my titties in place. I knew I was about to get some dick, so I disposed of my panties on the ride here. I walked over to my clutch and pulled out a gold condom wrapper. I dropped to my knees and spread his legs wide, unzipping his jeans and pushing them down just enough along with his boxers. That man had the most beautiful dick that was long, curved just right with veins like art, and soft brown skin matching the rest of him. "Fuck," I muttered, wrapping my hand around it. "You was hidin' all this?" He opened his mouth to say something smart but I shut him up when I wrapped my mouth around the tip of his dick. He cursed instantly as one hand went to the back of my head. I sucked him deep, wet and sloppy, letting my lips glide all the way down his shaft and back up with just enough suction to make him twitch. I flattened my tongue and licked the underside, moaning just to tease him, then swirled around the head real slow. "Fuck, you playin' dirty, ma," he muttered, lifting his hips off the couch. I came up with a little smirk. "You gon' see how dirty I get, baby." I tore the condom wrapper open with my teeth, then slid it on his lengthy meat with one slow stroke, smoothing it over him to make sure it was secure. I climbed back into his lap, straddling him with one knee on each side. The heat of my pussy was right against the slick, rubber covered tip of his dick. I slid down inch by inch, holding his shoulders and rolling my hips once I was full to the brim. His dick was deep inside me, pulsating against my walls. His hands gripped my ass and his head dropped back, but I grabbed his face, forcing him to look at me. "Nah, baby," I said, starting to ride him. "Open your eyes and watch me ride you to ecstasy." I went crazy, riding him harder as my hips snapped and my titties bounced in his face. I was riding his dick so good, I started seeing stars. He growled something under his breath, grabbed my ass and thrusted up hard enough to knock the lining out my pussy. "Oh, now you wanna' fight back?" I taunted, picking up the pace. My thighs burned, but I didn't let up. I rode that man's dick like I had something to prove, because I did. I wanted him ruined for other women. I wanted him thinking about this moment every time he tried to touch another bitch. The sound of our bodies smacking echoed through the room. I grinned down at him, watching his restraint unravel piece by piece. His eyes fluttered, his abs clenched, and I could feel him teetering right on the edge. "Don't you cum until I say so." I warned, grinding deeper, slower. Just as the words left my mouth, that tingling started curling from my toes up into the pit of my stomach. "F-fuck-baby, cum with me. Now." I kept bouncing as the orgasm hit me like a wave, shaking through every inch of my body. And I felt him right there with me-his dick pulsing deep, his hands gripping tight, both of us lost in it. After a few seconds, I climbed off him, slowly, letting his limp dick slip out of me while biting down the little moan that was trying to escape. Fuck, I wanted more but I had to play it cool. My thighs were trembling, and my head was all over the place, but I kept my face cool and unbothered as fuck like I did this shit every day. His was breathing heavy, slouched into the couch with the condom still in place, glistening from my juices. That beautiful dick of his had me in a damn chokehold already. It was thick, smooth and curved just right. The way he let me dominate him while still keeping his boss energy was some shit I wasn't used to but I really fucked with it. I pulled the condom off, tied it like a grocery bag and tossed it into the trash on the way to snatching my dress up off the floor. Stepping into it, I pull the silky fabric up over my slick, sweaty body, and adjusted the straps in place. "You good?" I asked casually, fluffing my girls in the mirror above the bar. He sat silently watching me, his eyes full of heat and disbelief. I smirked at his reflection. "Don't look so shocked. I told you at the restaurant what type of time I was on. I wanted that dick and I got it. All is fair right?" He chuckled low, dragging a hand over his jaw. "Shit, I wasn't expecting for you to put that pussy on me like that, ma." I winked. "Most don't." I walked over and scooped my clutch off the counter, slipping my phone inside. Internally, I was spiraling on how good that dick just hit. My pussy was still throbbing, and I was mentally planning a fake ass excuse to see him again. "Damn, you leaving already?" he asked, still sitting on the couch, shirtless. "I need a few more rounds of that shit. Pussy lethal than a muthafucka." I leaned down, kissed his cheek, then whispered against his ear. "Sorry babes, I can't give you too much too soon. Gotta leave you hungry for it." The truth was, I was the one hungry. Starving actually. I wanted so badly to strip back down, let him bend me over that couch and take me to pound town all fucking night but I was trying to keep it playa. I couldn't fall victim to good, pretty dick without knowing more about the man it was attached too. Plus, I had a reputation to maintain. "At least text me," he said. I gave him a slow once over and shrugged. "We'll see." Then I turned and strutted out like he hadn't just rearranged my insides. I was sure to be limping by morning. I stepped into the elevator and leaned against the wall, closed my eyes and let out a deep breath. "Damn," I whispered to myself. This nigga had me dick-matized and I didn't even know what his favorite color yet.