Chapter One

OxyContin had finally run through his system enough to allow Kyree Dahli Singh to awake from his nap, but when he rolled over he still winced from the pain throbbing in his shoulder and left side of his neck. He adjusted the sling holding his arm in place and rubbed gently over the soft bandage covering the scabbing bullet wound, but neither did much to stop the pain. His eyes were still hazy, but he managed to see the road sign reading that he was just one mile away from his new home, and his new life, as his girlfriend Marla Marie Johnson zoomed pass it. Kyree slung his heavy eyes over and watched Marla drive as she focused on the road. He smiled at the side of her face, appreciating her beauty as the fading sun sent a ray of light across her nose. The beam caused her to squint, and Kyree even found the lines on her forehead pretty. Attractive women had always been an addiction of his. Most of the people that knew him best would even call it his one weakness, but he never saw it that way. He was also never as attracted to any woman the way he was to Marla. Physically, Marla exceeded all of Kyrees standards. She was tall, with a mocha-brown, flawless complexion, and her body was fit and trim, sticking out in only the most seductive places. His favorite thing about her appearance was her hair though. She wore it short and natural, never with a weave or some piece that he couldnt touch or pull on if he wanted to. In Kyrees life, there was always the fake hair that came with the pretty face, or the muffin-top belly that came with the big boobs and phat ass, but not with Marla. In his eyes, she was damn near perfect. Marlas physical allure separated her from the random girls Kyree was use to having in his bed, but it wasnt the angel face and goddess body that made him keep her around. His addiction to women included him sampling as many different types as humanly possible, and the women he was used to made that easy for him. They were all infatuated with his looks or his money or his status in their world, and theyd jump in his bed just to say they did. It was one

The

of the perks in his life, and he had no problem taking advantage of it. When he met Marla, he expected her to be another name and face that would fade from his memory too, but Marla had different plans. She wasnt after his money like other girls were. In fact, she insisted that their first few dates cost him nothing, like walks in the park or on the piers at Penns Landing. She actually paid for them to see Kevin Harts comedy show at the Liacouras Center before he ever spent a dime on her. Although impressed, Kyree was also hip to the games women played to prove they were different from others, so he didnt take Marlas show of independence too seriously at first. He didnt take her seriously when she told him that she wanted to get to know him before they had sex either. He heard that from every woman he encountered, but theyd all end up reneging and giving him what he wanted, when he wanted it. He loved that he could control a womans mind, and subsequently her body with ease. He enjoyed that part of the game even more than the sex. Marla was the first to stick to her word. They talked for months, went on dates, and learned a lot about each other before shed even seen the inside of his apartment. Kyree was surprised by Marlas mentality, but the surprise was a pleasant one. Hed never had to work so hard for a womans affection, and the chase became as arousing as the prize. He put the time in with Marla, kissing and sucking her juicy, full lips after each date, and fantasizing about the night when hed have her the way he wanted. What he didnt anticipate was that the more time hed spend with her the more impressed hed become. After a while, he started to notice things like she didnt have the sneaky, greedy look that he saw in most of the people he dealt with. Kyree prided himself on being able to read people, not just what they presented on the surface, but also what they hid beneath it. The more he hung out with Marla the more he liked what he saw beneath her surface. The mentalities of those other women became a turn off, where their greed, ease, and predictability used to help their favor with him. Those women were easy to control and manipulate, but Kyree found something much more intriguing, and much more valuable in Marla.

After they started dating, Kyree began ditching his stringless pieces of ass to spend his time with Marla doing nothing at all. And as their relationship grew, so did the change in Kyree. He couldnt quite pinpoint the reasons, but he could feel that something about him was different. He thought about Marla a lot, and he found himself calling her at times just to hear her voice. When he did, he couldnt stop himself from blushing at the soft, sweet sound of it. It wasnt easy for him to accept the feelings he was having. He never expected their relationship to last, but after three months they had sex for the first time, and they hadnt left each others side since. Kyree gave Marla the keys to his life and his heart, and he trusted her more than anyone else in the world. Marla rode over a small bump in the road, causing the luxury jeep to bounce, and triggering the pain in Kyrees shoulder. The pain subsequently triggered the memories of that day, and the sick feelings in the bottom of his stomach. He could still see the spark from the muzzle of the pistol when he thought about the attack. The image was still as clear as day. That night was the most horrifying time in his 26 years, but the scare had to do with a lot more than the attempt on his life. Kyree was never much of a fighter. His strength was in his intelligence and his ability to read and control people and situations. He controlled what people knew about him, what they said about him, even how close they could get to him, so when the masked gunmen stormed his front door, he knew that he had slipped bad for the first time. Worse than feeling like hed messed up though, were the feelings that only a few people in the world knew him well enough to put the robbers in position against him. That night left Kyree with a lot of questions and no answers. While he recovered from being shot, all of his friends and associates surrounded him, wishing him well and telling him how happy they were that he was still alive, but Kyree felt completely alone. A smart man should be able to spot the moves against him coming from a mile away. The words bounced around his head as he laid in the hospital. It was one of the lessons hed learned from his

uncle Vincent during their time in the streets together. Kyree looked up to his uncle, and he lived his life by the mans advice. Dont trust anyone in this business, because everyone in this business has the same mentality. Kyree had been able to apply that knowledge over the years, but his one slip-up had him questioning everything he thought he knew. He fell deeper into a depression as time went on, and he grew more paranoid of the people around him. He sent a team out to find the people that set him up, but the longer he waited the more paranoid he became about his crew, his enemies, and about his lifestyle in general. Kyree never questioned his lifestyle before then. He could never even imagine himself doing anything besides selling drugs and sleeping with a lot of women, but after what happened he knew hed have trouble going back to his old life. He started to distance himself from the people and places of that life. He had his uncle take full control of their business, and he started imagining a life outside of the streets. When Kyree was in the hospital, and his mind was full of confusion and distrust, Marlas were the only emotions he saw as genuine. She cried at his bedside for two straight weeks. She told him that she wasnt crying about what had happened to him, but because of what could happen to him. Marla came from the same environment Kyree did. Shed spent just as much time around the same types of people, and she knew just as much about the game. She knew what would result in Kyrees search for revenge. She begged him while she cried, pleaded with him to leave the life, and Kyree could see all the love she had for him in her eyes. He wasnt used to women making him feel that way. Aside from the fact that he loved her, he appreciated her for being there when he needed her the most. It made him love her even more, and it made him want to make her happy. Hed spent ten years in the game, and hed made more than enough money to retire on, but the truth is he loved his life before he was shot. He loved the power, and the attention. He couldnt imagine life without it. Thanks to Marla though he didnt have to, shed already began to

imagine a life for them outside the ghetto, and she came up with a plan to have them both leave their pasts for good. She had meetings scheduled with realtors to look at houses in the suburbs before Kyree was released from the hospital. She put his condo on the market, and sold his old cars and jewelry, and she used a friends business to make the money look legit. She took care of everything, and all Kyree had to do when he came home was sign the papers on the new house. He hadnt even seen the, five-bedroom house in Alpine New Jersey yet, but he figured if Marla was happy with it than he would be too. He was really happy with her in general, the way she had picked up the slack for him while he was down. He was in awe, watching her conduct business the same way he would. He realized how lucky he was to have her. He didnt have much of a relationship with his family since hed left his parents house in Lakeland New Jersey when he was sixteen. Both of his parents were renowned surgeons, and his older sisters had followed in their footsteps by enrolling into John Hopkins Medical School, but Kyree had spent summers in Philly with his uncle as a boy, and he was introduced to a completely alternative lifestyle and career path. He was a good kid, and he loved his parents, but he just didnt agree with the medical school future they had planned for him. Kyrees father Alim was an Indian immigrant that worked his way through medical school as a cab driver and pizza deliveryman before becoming a world-renowned cardiologist. His mother Sasha was from a housing project in South Philly called Tasker, and she escaped her own meek upbringing by keeping her nose in her books instead of the streets. She graduated from Hopkins with honors and became a neurologist, but her education was funded entirely by her older brother Vincent. For most of her childhood, Vincent sold Heroine throughout the city of Philadelphia, and he made millions of dollars. He was extremely proud of his baby sister, and he maintained that her education was his most important purchase. Sasha was just graduating when Vincent was sentenced to ten years in prison.

Alim and Sasha met in medical school and were married and having kids a short while after they finished. Kyree was nine when Vincent came home, and even against Alims protests, Sasha wasted no time in having the two men in her family get to know one another. Despite his reputation, Sasha still adored her big brother, and she still felt like she owed him for all of her success. Kyree took to Vincent instantly, and before they knew it, he was under his uncles guidance more than theirs. They wished they could take that decision back, but it was already too late. Kyree became obsessed with the life his uncle led. He left home at sixteen, taking only the money hed saved over his childhood, and he went into the Dope business full-time. With his intelligence, and his uncles muscle, he became the hottest thing on the Philly drug scene since cooked crack. He shot to the top of the food chain, drawing as much admiration as he did hate, and he managed to run his business without a hiccup for ten years, until the masked men barged into his house. Now, everything was different. Youre up just in time babe. Well be there in about five minutes. Marla said smiling. Seeing her smile was enough to make Kyree smile too. Hed never been so happy to make someone else happy, especially a woman. She was excited about their chance at a new life, and he was happy to give it to her. He reminded himself of that happiness whenever questions about his lifestyle change crept into his mind. Even though Marla was happy, and he knew theyd be a lot safer, Kyree still missed his fast life from time to time. Wheres my pills? he asked groggily, pointing his hazy eyes at his love. Damn, you just took one. You still in pain? What you think? I think you just tryna get high. Marla teased. The two lovebirds shared a laugh as Marla pulled into the gated community with large houses, large lawns, and two-car garages. The road turned into cobblestone and winded around the properties. The sun was just setting,

turning the sky royal blue, and Kyree stared out the window at the children being called in for dinner as they passed them. He had a flashback of his own childhood, and even though he was so far removed, the simple memory made him smile. Marla pulled up to the curb in front of a green house with large windows and a huge oak tree in the front yard. One of the garage doors was open and the moving men had stacked several boxes against the rear wall inside it. Kyree rubbed the thick mane he kept pulled into a ponytail, the most glaring sign of his mixed heritage, and gingerly slid from the car. He took a look at his new neighborhood. It was quiet and peaceful, the exact opposite of what hed become accustomed to over the past ten years. The new homeowners walked up the driveway and entered through the garage. The moving men were just finishing setting up their maple wood and crystal dining set, cleaning their mess and preparing to leave. Everything has been set up the way you requested mam. The man said through a thick Latino accent. He smiled and tried to focus on Marlas eyes instead of the parts of her body that protruded in her spandex outfit. Kyree lumbered in behind, making the man shift his focus from Marlas sex appeal to Kyrees injuries. He wondered what had caused them, but he made sure not to stare at them too long too. Marla dug into her pocketbook and took two hundred-dollar bills and handed them to the head mover. Thank you so much for all of your help. She said sweetly, increasing the mans fantasies of her. He took the money and rounded up his crew as Kyree slowly took a tour around the inside of the house. After he left the dining room, he entered the large den off to the right. The room was empty, with high ceilings and empty bookshelves. With one look inside Kyree silently designated it his personal space away from Marla when he needed it. He moved into the kitchen with Marla quietly following behind him. She watched him survey every inch of the room, while he watched his reflection in the stainless-steel fixtures. He walked around the island stove, dishwasher and sink in the middle of the room, and he popped open the hidden refrigerator and admired how

spacious it was too. He closed it and took another glance around. So do you like it? Marla asked anxiously. She knew how detailed Kyree was, and that he liked things to be exactly his way, so she hoped her selection would make him happy. Kyree looked at his girl, with her wide smile and beautiful eyes. She batted them in anticipation of his response, trying to use her girlish charms to persuade him. He always knew when she was trying it, just like he knew when she was trying to use her womanly charms to get her way. Knowing never stopped him from falling for her tricks though. He smiled at her. Do you like it? He asked. I do. She replied excitedly. Well then I love it. Kyree limped over to the entrance of the kitchen where Marla leaned against the arched walkway. He leaned in and gave her a kiss. Even kissing a woman on the lips had never been a practice of his until he met Marla. But her lips were as soft as pillows, and as sweet as fruit, and he loved tasting them. When he tasted her passion fruit lipgloss in the kitchen, his sweet, loving peck turned into him sucking her bottom lip into his mouth and tickling it with his tongue. That was one of his moves that Marla enjoyed the most. It always made her ready for sex. She moaned and Kyree slid closer, sliding his good arm around her waist and pulling her closer to him. Marla wrapped her arms around his neck and sucked his top lip the same way he did her bottom. When Kyree felt his dick rise, he slid his hand down and squeezed Marlas ass, pulling her even closer and pressing his wood against her leg. She smiled while Kyree still had her lip in his mouth. Now see, you better not start somethin you cant finish. She said against his face, making him smile and release her lip. Just cause Im high dont mean I cant do what I do. He shot back. The smell of her lip-gloss on his breath made

Marla kiss him again. She stuck her tongue in his mouth and made it dance, pulling back slowly and creating a loud smacking sound off his lips. So you ready to break in the new bedroom already? She teased. The sound of her sexy voice made Kyrees dick even harder. Naw, lets break in the kitchen first, and work our way up to the bedroom. He replied. He moved his hand and slid it inside the back of Marlas tights. He squeezed her ass again, separating the cheeks and sliding the tip of his middle finger inside her warm pussy. He tickled the opening until the moisture made noises loud enough for them to hear. They laughed at the sound, but Marlas laughter had to fight against the sounds of pleasure escaping her. The pleasure won out, and she let out a long moan before digging her nails into Kyrees bushy hair and kissing him again. Well I guess I better jump on the counter myself, since I know you cant put me up there. Marla teased. Oh you got jokes? Get ya ass up there and Ima make you pay for makin fun of me. Kyree shot back. By the look in his eyes, Marla knew Kyree would do just that. Their sex life was always hot and fun to her, but she knew that challenging him in any way would only make things better. She knew exactly how to get to him. Marla stood on her tippy-toes and Kyrees finger slid out of her. She strutted over to the island, and Kyree watched her, admiring the way her ass stuck out and her waist sunk in, and both swayed in perfect unison. Marla hopped up on the counter and pulled her tights down over her ass while Kyree undid his belt and walked over to her. She leaned back on her elbows, crossed her ankles and pointed her toes to the ceiling, exposing her wet slit through the tiny space shed pulled down her pants. Kyree also admired the shimmering hairs on it before standing on his tippy-toes and kissing the lips with his tip. Marla gasped and readied herself for the plunge, and then the doorbell rang.

Who the fuck is that? Kyree blasted. We dont even know nobody out this bitch yet. Marla laughed and inched her hips off the edge of the counter, trying to slide the wood in herself. She rocked back and forth on the head, and that slight penetration was enough to make her forget all about the front door. Kyree hadnt completely gotten over his paranoia yet though. Theyll go away baby. You damn right theyll go away. Theyll really go away if I send a bullet through the front door. His paranoia had to fight through the soft, hot, wetness wrapped around his dick, but it somehow managed to win out. He backed up, sliding out of Marla and officially ending their romp. She rolled her eyes and blew her breath out in a sigh. Them pills really got you trippin babe. She said as she hopped down and pulled her tights back over her ass. Just go get rid of them muafuckas and bring ya ass back in here. Kyree said as he tried to maintain his hardon. As he watched Marlas ass shake away from him, he knew he didnt have to though. Shed have no problem getting him back up if he went down. Marla hurried towards the front of the house eager to return, and she crept back into the kitchen a moment later. Baby, I think its our new neighbors. She whispered as if they could hear her. Well, did you get rid of them? Kyree asked stroking his meat. No I didnt get rid of them. We cant be mean to people our first night here. Now put that thing away and come be nice. Marla said before heading to the door again. She took one more glance at her mans dick, but she continued from the kitchen before she could second-guess her own advice. Kyree slowly pulled up his pants, fastened them, and followed behind his girl. Marla stopped at the front door to check herself in the mirrors in the foyer,

and then she turned back to make sure Kyree didnt look like they were just about to have sex too. Baby, take off your sling. She whispered before opening the door. It was a good idea to keep his injury from the people in their new life, and even better to keep the cause of it from them. Kyree smiled as he achingly slid the strap over his head and tossed the sling into the closet. His girl was always thinking, and quick thinking like that made him proud of himself for making her his girl. She cracked the door open and smiled at the faces smiling back at her. Hello. Were your neighbors from across the road. I hope we didnt catch you all at a bad time. The woman at the door said. She had blonde hair and a bright face. No, not at all. Marla replied as she pushed the door open. Im Noel and this is my husband Dan. We just wanted to welcome you all to the neighborhood and let you know that if you needed anything please feel free to ask. Noel smiled brightly, and Dan managed a manlier version of the same smile. Thats sweet, and we really appreciate it. Marla replied. Would you like to come in? She stepped aside, allowing their new neighbors to enter. Kyree wasnt too happy about the spur-of-the-moment meet and greet, and Dans involvement seemed to be about as forced as Kyrees, but both men gritted their teeth and conceded to their womans needs to be neighborly. Dan. Kyree. The two men shook hands before they all entered the living room full of boxes. Sorry we dont have anywhere for you to sit. Marla said. All of our furniture hasnt arrived yet. While Kyree thought it best to be the types of neighbors that stayed to themselves, he did want to know as much about his new neighbors as he could. He and Marla

werent the typical types of residents, and he knew his new neighbors would try to find out all they could about them. He knew that the Dan and Noel welcoming committee was just a ploy to get a close up look at the young, dark-skinned residents, and he smirked at the idea of what their first impressions were. Its no problem. Noel replied. We were just stopping by to see how you were liking the neighborhood. We love it. Marla answered quickly. In those short first few minutes Kyree had already completed his first impressions of them. Noel was in control in their relationship. Shed dragged her man over to meet them, and Kyree felt a sense of power in her presence. He was always attracted to strong women, but he couldnt understand how some men let them run shit. Dan allowed his wife to lead the conversations, and he only spoke when she asked him to. Kyree smirked to himself, and he knew men like Dan really well. Hed usually meet them after they tracked him down for sleeping with their wives. He never felt bad for them though. He figured they should know better than to deal with women they couldnt handle. Kyree once prided himself on being able to handle those types of women, and that nostalgia was perhaps his first attraction to Noel. He smirked again when the two of them shook hands and locked eyes. Yeah, is everybody around here so nice? Kyree asked sarcastically. I think youll find that everybody looks out for one another around here. Noel answered sincerely. Cool. Kyree shot back. Despite the age difference, Kyree could already see Marla and Noel hanging out together easily, and he was happy that someone would occupy some of her time in the new neighborhood, but he also knew that shed try to get him to do the same with Dan, and he couldnt say that would be as easy. He couldnt imagine them having one thing in common. The two couples stood silent for a moment, taking in each others appearance. Dan eyed Marla from head to toe,

and he smiled to erase the lustful look in his eyes. Kyree gave Noel a good look too. She was short and petite, but seductively curvy. Kyree liked his women with a little bit more meat on them, but he couldnt deny Noels sex appeal. Hed given up on sampling different women since being with Marla, but that didnt stop him from appreciating the beauty hed left behind. So, any kids, or is it just the two of you? Dan blurted to break the silence. No, no kids yet. Marla said with a hinting smile. Kyree just grinned back at her. Of course they dont have any kids. Noel added. They both still look like kids themselves. If you dont mind me asking, I mean you two must be barely in your twenties. Marla smiled as if she was flattered, but Kyree gritted his teeth. He hated to be questioned, and he hated for people to know his business, especially strangers. Well, Im twenty-four, and my fianc here is twentysix. Marla replied. Wow, you guys are pretty young. Dan said, eyeing the both of them once more. Another silence fell over the room, but Kyree assumed for different reasons this time. He was sure that Dan had already made assumptions on how the young, black boy afforded the house in his neighborhood. So what about you guys? Kyree asked, masking his irritation, and his friendly new neighbors chuckled. Trust me my friend, the last thing you want to ask this woman about is her age. Dan joked, causing Noel to slap him playfully on the arm. No, I meant do you have any kids? Kyree corrected. Well I have a daughter, Julie, who Im sure youll meet soon enough. Noel answered. But we have yet to make one of our own. Noel lovingly looked up at her man and smiled. The topic was one theyd discussed at length as of late. She

knew how much her husband wanted a family of his own, and he felt lucky that she wanted to give it to him. He looked down at her with the same loving look in his eyes, and she leaned against his body from beneath his arm. But we plan on changing that really soon. Dan added, expressing his love with a kiss. Thats great. Marla gushed. Dan came back from his moment of bliss, turning back to Kyree and Marla with a big smile. So, just twenty-six, huh? Its usually old fogies and retirees moving in around here. If you dont mind me asking, what do you do for a living Kyree? Again silence took over the room, and Kyree bit down so hard that his teeth ached. He had anticipated someone asking him that question at some point, but he wasnt prepared to answer it so soon in his arrival. He gave a cold stare to Marla for allowing the sudden meeting to take place, and she stared back at him in silence, knowing exactly what the look meant. I own a few small businesses in the city, and my parents left me a trust fund when they passed away. Kyree answered through gritted teeth. Im sorry to hear about your parents. Dan replied quickly. It was a long time ago. Kyree replied just as quickly, making sure that another sad, awkward silence didnt take place and prolong the meeting. So what about you? What do you do? Marla asked for the same reasons. Well, I was a day trader on Wall Street for about fifteen years, and then I lucked up and got into some Internet start-ups on the ground floor, and they took off for me. Now Im mostly the guy that sits around the house trying to figure out a new hobby to involve myself with. Dan said. Everyone laughed, but the hairs on the back of Kyrees neck stood up. The only thing that peaked his interest more than women was money.

That sounds like the life to me. He said in a little friendlier tone. Wow, it looks like we have two American, male, capitalist on our hands. Noel quipped sarcastically. What are the odds? Very funny. Dan replied. By the way Marla, you dont complain about Kyrees drive for success until he buys you something new and shiny do you? Dan quipped sarcastically. Wow, what are the odds? Oh really? Noel laughed. I see were going to have to finish this conversation at home. Lets go. Great. Dan replied. Well, it was nice to meet you all, and well be seeing you around. Nice meeting you too, and thanks for everything. Marla said as she walked her new neighbors to the door. What a couple of weirdoes. Kyree said as he watched Marla lock the door behind them. Stop. She replied with a laugh. When she turned and viewed her man from head to toe, she instantly remembered the tingles he was setting off in her in the kitchen. The thoughts made her ready for action again, and she sucked in her bottom lip as she strutted towards him. Kyree waited patiently. He knew the look in her eyes, and he knew what she wanted. The sex they had was wild, freaky, and passionate, and he could always tell how much so by looking in her eyes. In that moment he remembered the eyes that hed just met. They were deep and dark-green, and he imagined how theyd look under the influence of his dick. Marla walked up to Kyrees face, replacing her eyes for the ones in his imagination. They were dark and sensual. They curved up at the corners, making her look exotic and mysterious. Marlas eyes were one of Kyrees favorite features about her, but they had become predictable to him. She wrapped her arms around his neck and sucked his bottom lip into her mouth. When she pulled away, she made the loud smacking sound.

Forget about them baby; lets pick up where we left off.

TWO YEARS EARLIER:

raindrops pounding the pavement on 13th and Walnut street looked like they were the size of golf balls, and Natalie Porter watched them fall from beneath the bus stop booth on the corner. A middle-aged man in a tan overcoat and thin-framed glasses rushed beneath the shield just as a cab rolled by and splashed a huge puddle up to his knees. Son of a bitch! The man screamed before he noticed Natalie tucked in the corner of the booth. His eyes worked over her body slowly, and he was stunned into silence. He tossed the soaked newspaper hed been holding over his head on the bench, and he kept his eyes glued on her. First he stared at her long, flowing black hair. Hed never known a black woman to have such fine hair, but the honeybrown woman in front of him was so pretty that he thought the hair could actually be real. Then he moved his eyes down her long, smooth legs. Even in the pouring rain, her legs were exposed as far up as the eye could see, with only a black, thigh-length rain jacket covering them. She could see how much the man admired her in the overcoat, and she grinned at the thought of him having a heart attack if he knew what she wore beneath it. The man finally reached her feet, and the black pumps made her legs look extra long, and extra sexy. The man ran his tongue around his lips as his eyes made their way back up Natalies body. When he reached her face, he realized shed been watching him the whole time. He quickly turned back to the pouring rain. He removed his glasses to wipe away the water in them, and he took a clear-eyed view of the beauty standing with him. You know what time the next one come? He asked in an attempt to appear a little less creepy.

The

Chapter Two

Im not sure. Natalie spoke in her natural voice, but to him, every word from her lips sounded extraordinarily seductive. He turned his face back to the rain, unsure of what to say next. He normally wasnt so hapless around women, but something about that one made him nervous. Natalie was used to having that effect on men though. In fact, the mans nervous staring amused her more than it creeped her out. She smirked at his fidgeting. Not only was Natalie aware of how her looks affected men, but she also knew how to use that influence to get what she wanted from them. She could spot a sucker, and she could tell how much effort shed have to put in to get what she wanted with one glance. One look at the nerdy man at the bus stop and she knew that she could have his paychecks with little more than a kiss on his cheek. Her radar didnt blip for 9 to 5 salaries though. Natalie sought a particular type of man, for a particular type of reason. Shed dealt with a lot of men in her twenty-two years, and shed found a few traits common in them all. She knew them so well she felt like she could predict most mens actions before they even did them. She survived in the streets of Philly with those skills, preying on the gangsters and drug dealers around the city. Natalie took what she did very seriously. She was a pro at it. She had to be, it was her sole source of livelihood. She peeked from beneath the booth and stared up at the skyscraper across the street. The rain still poured, and Natalie turned up the collar on her jacket before stepping back into the corner. Contrary to what the old man assumed, that wasnt Natalies real hair. It was a weave shed just paid 800 dollars to have sewn in, and even though she knew the encounter awaiting her in the building would be hotter if she showed up soaking wet, she wasnt quite ready to ruin the doo. Maybe Ill let him wet my hair on the beach in Jamaica. She thought to herself. The idea made her grin, and her wicked smile made the old man blush.

Natalies reputation for being a ruthlessly ambitious and selfish lover was well known in her normal circle of drug dealers in Philly, making it harder for her to catch new fish as she liked to call them. Fortunately, shed recently taken a leap up from the limitations of a criminals money to the limitlessness of a CEOs bankroll. And ever since she had her big fish, she hadnt needed a new fish anyway. She met David Horsham in a bar in Old City a few months before their rainy rendezvous. A friend had told Natalie that a lot of the guys that worked in Center City went there after work. It wasnt what she was used to, but they were all the same to her really, easy money. David was out with colleagues, celebrating a deal that would net them all another seven-figure check for their piggy banks. Their firm dealt commercial real estate and land developments, and theyd just closed a 4,000-acre plot to be turned into town homes, condos, and a shopping plaza. The mens celebration was rowdy, and Natalie could hear the money in their conversation. And she noticed that all the praise was being given to David. Powerful men turned Natalie on, and David was the most powerful among the powerful. She knew with one glance that he was worth her time, and that she would have him. Shed never even been with a white man before, but she knew that most of them secretly lusted for black women, and even if this one didnt, she was no ordinary black woman, so shed still have little trouble seducing him. Once she had a new fish on her line, there wasnt much anyone or anything could do to stop her. Natalie left the bar and headed to the bathroom, and on the way she gave David a seductive glance, and a sexy smile. A mere moment, but she was sure that it was enough to get his attention. She knew he was a confident man, and that men like him liked being in control, so she was going to let him do just that. When she returned she and David made eye contact, long and deep, causing David to lose his cool and all of his friends to grow envious of him. She could hear their excited whispers about her, and she knew that it was only a

matter of time. David sent her a glass of champagne, with a note that read: Only the top of the line for such a classy woman. She sent David a sex on the beach and a note of her own. Call me when youre free. 215-271-5597 They hooked up the next day, and theyd been fucking whenever and wherever they could ever since. Natalie was right; David did have an appetite for black women. He lusted for their mysterious nature and exotic features, and she fed that lust easily. Most girls that played men for a living only provided their fish what they wanted. What made Natalie special was that she gave David what he needed instead. David was married, with a teen-aged daughter, and Natalie could only imagine what that meant for his sex life. She knew that David would be in need of something exotic and exciting, so thats what she provided. When they snuck away to the Lowes Hotel on Broad Street, shed go down on him in the elevator until the doors would pop open. One night they met up on the subway and fucked at the end of the train. David came real fast, and he blamed it on the unbelievable feelings she brought out of him. He couldnt believe it, but it was all a part of Natalies plan. Before he knew it, David was taking more risks, and providing Natalie with more things just to be with her. He went on a business trip to Maui, and instead of taking his wife and kid with him, he took Natalie. He didnt care about his business partners finding out about his affair, or about them teasing him for being pussywhipped, all he cared about was seeing Natalie in a bikini, and how freaky shed get in such beautiful and extravagant surroundings. Natalie had him in the palm of her hand. Of all the spots theyd had sex though, their favorite was inside of his office on the 35th floor. David loved to stare out at the city while he pounded Natalie from the back, and Natalie loved to stare at the picture of Davids family on his desk while he ate her pussy. The rain continued to fall, and the light-gray sky turned dark-blue. The number 13 bus pulled up to the curb, and the man stepped aside to allow Natalie first entrance.

Im not getting on sweetie. She said looking in the mans eyes. She could almost see his knees trembling. You sure? You gone catch a death of cold dressed like that in this rain. Natalie smiled, curving her lips in a way that made the mans old dick grow hard. Ill be fine. The man took one more head to toe look at her and hopped on the bus. The bus driver pulled away and Natalie peeked up at the building again. The raindrops were bigger, and it wasnt about to let up. Her hair would have to get wet, but she grinned at the thought of making David pay ten times what it was worth anyway. She stepped out from the booth and started across the street. The huge raindrops soaked her instantly, but she strutted right through them as if they werent there. Her hair fell on her shoulders and she shook it off as she pulled the heavy, glass door to her big fishs building. She walked up to the front desk and watched the chubby, dark-skinned guards jaw drop. Sure is a mess out there. He blurted as she stopped in front of him. Natalies wetness stunned the man as much as it turned him on, and she smiled at the look on his face. She signed the check-in log with a fake name, fake appointment, and fake floor that she was visiting, before looking up at him again. Nothin wrong with gettin a lil wet. She teased, winking and licking her lips too. By the time shed hopped on the elevator that poor guard nearly came in his pants. Natalie checked herself in the reflection of the elevator doors on the ride to the 35th floor. The eyeliner she wore had gotten darker in the rain, and the circles around her eyes made her look sexier and more mysterious. The doors opened and the entire office was empty. Natalie walked to the end of the hall and straight through the doors to the Horsham Developers Group. She made her way to Davids office, and she prepared herself for another hot session with her big fish.

She burst through Davids door and caught him laughing on the phone. She stood at the door as it closed behind her, and Davids lustful eyes took her all the way in. She could hear the man on the other end of the phone talking, but Davids mouth, and his eyes werent moving. Im gonna have to call you back. He said before hanging up without a response. Baby, you look so damn good right now. He stood up behind his desk and panted like a dog, and Natalie just smirked and untied the strap on her jacket. She opened it, revealing nothing but her black bra, her black panties, and her shimmering wet, cocoa skin. Good enough to eat? She teased. David didnt waste another second with words. He jumped around his desk and walked up to Natalie, grabbing her shoulders and pushing her jacket to the floor before scooping her up and wrapping her legs around his waist. He kissed and sucked on her lips as he carried her to his desk. He sat her down on top of it and sucked her lip again. He savored the taste of it. He reached down and grabbed the sides of her thongs with both hands. The heat building in him wouldnt allow him to take them off gently. He pulled them, and the threads tore before he tossed them to the floor. Natalie laid back on the desk, and it was so big that her head didnt hang off of it. She looked over to the left and smirked at the happy faces in the photo just as David was sucking her clit up between his tongue and upper lip. He licked up and down her walls and then he drilled his tongue in as deep as he could, rubbing his nose back and forth across her clit. He pushed her legs open wider and he tilted his head to get his tongue in deeper. Natalies juices poured all over his face and she grabbed the back of his head to push his face in even farther. Her body began trembling, and Davids tongue kept drilling. Now he worked it around every surface inside her, up and down, left to right, and she pushed his face in so deep that he had to hold his breath. And his tongue moved

so fast Natalie nearly lost hers. She started rocking her hips up and down, rubbing her pussy up and down his face and spreading her juices all over it. She could hear him gasping for air but his tongue felt too good for her to stop moving. And even though he couldnt breathe Natalie tasted too sweet for David to stop eating. He just flicked his tongue, and moved his face around faster than she could move her hips. When Natalie could feel herself about to cum in his mouth, she grabbed his hair with both hands and tried to pull his tongue out of her. But David wouldnt let her. He grabbed her thighs and held her in position, propping her legs up on his shoulders and pushing her back down on the desk. He plunged his tongue in again, and the sensation became too much for her to bear. The flood began to rage, and Natalies body shook out of control. Her back shot up from the desk, and she tried to get away from Davids motorized mouthpiece again. But he still wasnt letting her go anywhere. Every time she pulled away he pulled her back, and every time she came back his tongue slid inside her. She wrapped her legs around Davids neck and knocked her pumps to the floor. Shed cum so hard, and all she could do now was shake with the tingles still firing off in her body. David finally came up for air, and he pushed her legs open again. His face was glazed, and the sight of him that way turned Natalie on all over again. She grabbed his tie and pulled him down for a hot, sticky kiss. As they kissed, David slid his hard dick into Natalies throbbing walls, and the gasp she let out broke their locked lips. David dived inside her, pushing until he found her bottom, and making Natalie spring up again and claw at his back. She wrapped her arms and legs around him and squeezed as his pumping got quicker and harder. David wanted to pace himself. He always intended on playing inside Natalie for as long as he could, but once he felt her warm, wet soft spot he just couldnt control himself. He pumped faster and faster, until he could feel the tingle of climax running through his body and rushing to the tip of his dick. Natalie could feel it coming too. She could feel it in his movements and see it in his eyes. She pushed him back and hopped off the desk, and she was on her knees with his dick in her hand before he knew what was

happening. She curved her juicy, sexy lips around the tip and tugged once, and his body shook like an earthquake hit it. His legs went limp and he could barely stand. He stumbled and tried to get away from the unbearable pleasure Natalie was sending through him, but she wasnt letting him go anywhere. She kept her mouth on his tip, sucking it like a straw and pulling it towards her. Once she had every drop, she made a loud smacking sound off the head and stood up. David fell back into the cushy guest chair in front of his desk, and Natalie smiled at him with a completely clean and cum-free mouth. Youre so fucking amazing baby. David said still trying to catch up to his breath. So are you. Natalie took the even softer seat behind Davids desk and propped her feet up on it. You know I ruined my hair comin to see you, right? Dont worry about that baby, Ill take care of it. Youre so sweet. She teased. Finally with enough strength back in his legs, David stood up and fixed his clothes. Natalie glanced at the photo on his desk again. Despite the fact that he cheated on her every chance he got, she still saw Davids wife as a lucky woman. She had a man to provide her every wish, and where Natalie was from men like that had a pass to have women on the side. It didnt look like the woman in the photo would agree though.

Natalie used to imagine what itd be like to have a man like that in her life, not having to scheme, scam and sleep with a bunch of guys, and to truly be in love with just one. She never allowed herself to fantasize too long though. It wasnt in her nature to think outside of her reality, and the reality was that no matter how well she fucked David, shed never be his wife. She knew her part in the game too well to fool herself into thinking that, but she still had to stop herself from fantasizing from time to time.

Sowhen will I get to see you again? She asked sweetly, rushing the blood back to Davids lower half. As soon as humanly possibly baby. He replied. But I have to take my wife away for the weekend first.

Chapter Three
Horsham stood in the window in her den and watched the rain beat down on the seal. She found herself at that window on most nights awaiting her husbands arrival home. Even though she felt silly standing there as if her presence would make him appear, she couldnt help but wait on him. David was her life, and he had been ever since they met. She could remember the first time she laid eyes on him like it was yesterday. They were students at Rutgers University, her for Psychology and David was in business. She saw him around campus, and he was always the center of attention of everyone around him. When David spoke, everyone listened, and Lidia began to admire him even before she became physically attracted to him. The physical attraction didnt take long though. David also played for the rugby team, and his short, muscular frame had a good number of the women on campus throwing themselves at him. Lidia wasnt nearly as open with her infatuation as some women were. She could only imagine the two of them dating, and she did a lot of that. Then one day they crossed paths literally by accident. They were both attending a free concert on campus and throughout the huge mass of people; Lidia found David and his friends. His friend Lenny had been drinking a little too much, and he

Lidia

danced right into Lidia, knocking her to the ground. David rushed over to help her up and apologize for his friends stupidity, and when the two of them locked eyes Lidia fell in love with him right there. She had made a list of psychological traits her ideal mate would have, and David possessed every one of them. He was smart and driven, determined to be successful, but he was also kind, caring, and he loved family. As time passed, David proved more and more to be the man of Lidias dreams. Before they graduated, hed closed a deal on a vacant lot that would be developed into a mini-mall. He even donated a portion of his commission to the homeless in the city. Lidia was head over heels in love, so when she got pregnant at the start of her senior year, she had no reservations about leaving school to become a devoted wife and mother. She gave birth to their daughter Morgan, and she put all her energy into taking care of her family, and supporting David. Shed do anything he needed her to. Shed considered going back and getting her degree, but Davids career, and their life together, took off so fast that it eventually didnt seem necessary. They were always busy celebrating one of his deals, or jetting off to someplace for vacation. Lidia didnt mind giving up her dreams for her family though. She was happy and she loved her life. She used to know that David was happy, and that he loved the life theyd created together too, but things had been feeling different lately. David began to work late most nights, and when he was home he didnt pay Lidia a bit of attention. He didnt even bother to involve himself with Morgan any more. He was just so distant. And his spur of the moment trips started being taken without them. Lidia may have been blinded by her love for David, but she was no fool. She could see the signs clearly, but she couldnt allow herself to believe them. She knew all of the statistics on men that cheat, from who they were, to what they did, to the excuses they used to cover their tracks. She even heard the whispers and got unsolicited advice from her close friends on how to handle Davids rumored infidelity, but she still didnt listen. David was a happily married man, and she was a happily married woman, and only hardcore proof to the contrary would change that fact. The headlights spinning into the driveway came across the window and lit up Lidias face.

She took the handkerchief from the desk next to her and dabbed the wetness in her eyes. Mom. Morgans soft voice called at her back from the doorway. Lidia took a moment before turning, but it didnt help. Are you alright? Lidia forced a smile onto her face and shook her head, but her eyes welled up again. Although she tried, she didnt have to hide her pain from her daughter, and she didnt have to wonder if she knew the source of it. Morgan was already 16-years-old, and on top of being a bright girl in the information age, she heard the same rumors about her father that her mother did. The rumors left Morgan torn. She still loved her father, but she hated him for the pain he put her mother through. She wished that her mother had the power to leave him, but she knew that she didnt. Lidia stared at Morgans young face, praying that shed never have to feel the same pain. Morgan was the most beautiful person, inside and out, in the world to Lidia. She was tall and thin, with a pretty face and an already seductive body, and she knew that boys would be knocking down her door soon. She wanted to teach her the true ways of men, behind the masks they wore in public, and the lies they told. These lessons had come at a steep price for Lidia, and she didnt want Morgan to have to pay them too. She wanted to instill in her that she should never live for man at the cost of living for herself. She wanted to tell her to enjoy her life before it was too late. She wanted to tell her all these things and more, but the two women just sat in the house alone, as they did every night, pretending that everything was okay instead. The front door opened and the sound of wet shoes squeaked on the hardwood in the foyer. Dads home. Her mother didnt answer, so Morgan left the den before her depression rubbed off on her. She was halfway up the stairs when her father reached them. Hey honey. Hey. Morgan said blankly. Lidia came to the front of the house just as she was slamming her bedroom door

upstairs. David started up the stairs, barely stopping to glance at his wife. Hello dear. Hey. He said, continuing up without another word. Lidia had hoped that everything would go back to the way they were, that Davids cold disposition towards her would change, but the truth is it was only getting worse, and an empty feeling filled her gut when she thought about the reasons. She followed David into their bedroom and watched him pull the wet clothes from his body. He still had the same ripped muscles that he had in college, and even after all the years, she was still turned on just by looking at him. Were all packed for the trip. She said excitedly. She was never really fond of Davids business trips, but she understood the need for appearances with investors, plus she thought the time away would be good for them. Thats great, thanks a lot. David said flatly. It should be fun, we havent been away in so long. Lidia moved from the doorway and sat on the edge of their bed. David sighed, though he tried not to expose his impatience. He didnt want to sit through one of his wifes fits of yapping. Theyd become increasingly frequent as of late, and the more he heard them the more annoyed he became. David wouldve just as well not talked to Lidia at all. In his mind hed given her the best years of his life, and provided everything she could ever want and need. She had no right to complain, and every word out her mouth felt whiney to him. He was convinced that her constant nagging was one of the biggest reasons for his cheating. Just as that belief crossed his mind, he remembered the steamy session with his mistress. He dropped his underwear to the floor and wrapped himself in a towel, and he ran his tongue around his lips and remembered the taste of his chocolate goddess. With the thoughts in his head, his dick started to grow and poke through the towel.

Lidia watched him closely. She was feeling the tingles of arousal too. The sight of Davids wet muscles made her heart race. She stood up from the bed and walked over to him. When he tried to pass her, she stepped in front of him. He stopped and stared in her eyes, and the look in his turned from lustful to annoyed. Do you mind if I use the shower? Lidia pressed her body against his and wrapped her arms around his neck. No, not at all. But first you have to pay the toll. She smiled at the man that she fell in love with, and still loved the same. I have to pay? You dont think I pay for enough around here? David quipped snidely. Lidia could sense the annoyance in his voice. She knew that David hadnt been feeling very affectionate lately, but she could still remember the days when he couldnt keep his hands off of her. She didnt want to upset him. She just wanted those old feelings back. But most of all, she wanted to feel her husbands hands, and his dick, connected to her body. She couldnt remember the last time shed felt them, and she wasnt going to let him ruin the mood this time. All you have to do is kiss your wife, whom you love and adore. She teased. David looked into his wifes loving eyes and blew his breath out in a huff. He wasnt in the mood to play games with her, and after the draining he took earlier, he certainly wasnt in the mood to have sex, but if all she wanted was a kiss to let him go about his business, he figured he might as well get it over with. David leaned down and pecked Lidia on the mouth, and as soon as she felt his lips she sucked them into her mouth. She gently let them slide out before sucking them in again. David didnt kiss back, but he didnt stop her either. It wasnt that he didnt want to kiss her back; he was just stunned by her passion. He couldnt remember the last time shed turned him on like that. Lidia finally stopped sucking Davids lips and she opened her eyes. She could see that he wanted her bad. He

pressed his straight dick against her leg, and he looked at her in a way that shed been praying for, but she backed out of his way. David was just as stunned by her sudden change as he was by her passion, but he didnt question it too long. He stepped pass Lidia and headed to the bathroom. He stopped in the doorway and took another look at her, thinking to himself: Whatever your problem is, it just blew your chance. He smirked as he left the room, and Lidia stood alone with a hollow feeling inside her. Shed hoped the kiss would be the spark to set off a wild and steamy sex session with her husband, but all it did was make her feel empty instead. The rumors about her husband swirled in her head. She denied them all, but she couldnt deny the taste of his lips when she kissed them.

Chapter Four
a few weeks Kyree and Marla had settled into their new life smoothly. Marla had been hanging out with Noel, and after every visit shed come home with new gossip about the neighbors. Kyree was happy for her, but his adjustment wasnt coming so easily. He still thought about the night he almost died. The questions surrounding that night were still unanswered, and Kyree was still determined to find them. Hed promised Marla that he had let it go, but truthfully he still wanted revenge on the people who set him up. As his days became filled with idle time, Kyree also found himself thinking about the days when random women threw themselves at his feet. The sex he had with Marla was more than enough while he healed up, but after regaining the motion in his shoulder, Kyree was feeling the urge to get back to doing some of his favorite things.

After

One of his hobbies was restoring old muscle cars. Even though he had the money, he didnt send the car to a shop, he actually did all the work himself. His uncle Vincent had just delivered his latest project the night before. He was the only person from his past that knew where Kyree lived, and the only person he trusted with that information. Kyree had already hooked-up the huge speakers in the trunk of the 64 Chevy Impala, so the music blasted as he tuned up the wires and plugs beneath the hood. The sounds of Rick Ross screaming about bitches and hoes, selling drugs and busting guns echoed in the quiet neighborhood, and Kyree could imagine his neighbors faces. He knew what Marla would say if she pulled up too, but he didnt care about that either. It was his house to do what he wanted, and he worked better when bopping to the music. Kyree bopped so hard, with his head so far under the hood, that he didnt notice the group of girls standing in his driveway watching him work. When the music stopped and he moved to change the playlist on his iPod, he saw them outside his garage, staring at him and whispering. He walked out into the glaring sun, wiping black grease on his pants as he moved. The girls just watched him, and blushed more as he got closer. Can I help you ladies with something? Kyree asked staring all three girls in the eyes, one by one. No, youve helped enough already. The tall redhead in the center shot back. Her comment made her friends giggle girlishly, but her aggressiveness made Kyree smile devilishly. The slim, blonde-haired girl on the left composed herself enough to talk next. Im sorry, you have to forgive my friend. Hi, Im Julie. I live across the street. The young girl smiled as she stepped towards Kyree with her hand extended, and she moved her eyes up and down his body. Oh okay. Dan and Noels kid Noels. Julie replied sharply. Well Im Kyree. So yall just been out here watchin me the whole time? He asked, glancing over Julies

shoulder at her two friends once more. He could see the lust in their eyes, and the flattery made the days of his past flash in his head again. Can you blame us if we were? Julie shot back playfully. Kyree stared at her, and he could see the lust in her eyes too. He looked at her slowly from head to toe. Aside from looking too young for him, Julie had everything Kyree found attractive in white women. Her face was gorgeous, and she looked innocent and untouched, but her body was grownup, and she had no problem showing it off. She wore tiny, white shorts and a tube top, and even in the baking heat, her nipples poked through the shirt. Her titties looked like they could pop out at any moment, and Kyree couldnt help but stare at them. When he looked in Julies eyes again, he realized that she could see the lust in his too. Why would yall wanna watch me? He asked, smiling as if he already knew the answer. Do you know of something better to look at around here? Julie wasnt the least bit intimidated by Kyree, and that surprised him as much as it turned him on. He had to laugh at the thought that the young girls flattery was actually getting to him though. Julies friends moved closer to join the conversation, and Kyree eyed them all one by one again. You know Julie, if I didnt know better, Id think you were comin onto me. Kyree teased, and the girls giggled together again. Now Julie, you wouldnt be coming on to this fine, dark man would you? The redhead teased as she worked her eyes over Kyrees body. Of course not Samantha. Unless of course he planned on cumming on me too. Julie replied to her friend, but she stared into Kyrees eyes. The girls bust out laughing at the dirty joke, but Kyree and Julie locked eyes in a moment of seriousness. He took in her devilish grin, and the sex in her eyes. They were deep and green, and staring at them made his dick grow stiff.

You know what, you girls look a little too young to be out here talkin like this. How old are yall anyway? I can be as old as you want me to be baby. Samantha blurted first. Were actually all eighteen. Julie confirmed. So that means were all legal. Oh, is that what it means? Kyree blushed. Julie didnt respond, but the grin on her face said all Kyree needed to hear. I have a question for you now. Julie said. Whats that? What happened to your arm? Kyree looked at the small scar on his shoulder and a flash of that night went off in his head again. Just a little accident. He replied smoothly. Well your accident didnt effect any other body parts did it? Samantha flirted, licking her lips and making Kyrees dick even harder. Not at all. He said confidently. He was beginning to worry about his hard-on poking through his pants, and again he had to laugh at how such young girls had seduced him so easily. He could only blame it on his lack of practice. He didnt want them to know how much theyd turned him on, but the more he fantasized about them the more he could feel it moving. When it did, he saw all their eyes move towards it at the same time. Well well just have to see about that. Julie said, running her tongue around her lips. Agreed. Samantha confirmed. Kyree laughed and tried not to blush the girls come-ons, but his mind was running wild with visions of fucking both of them. What are you girls doing over there? Dans voice called out from across the street, and it completely changed the tone of the conversation. Julie turned over her

shoulder to see her stepdad walking towards them, and she quickly wiped the Lolita from her facial expression. I hope you all arent bothering this young man. Isnt there something more constructive you could be doing? He said as he reached the driveway. We were just saying hello Dan. Julie sighed. Well youve said it, now get going. The girls looked a little embarrassed after acting so grown-up and then being treated like little girls, but that didnt stop Julie from flashing Kyree a seductive smile once more. It was nice to meet you Kyree. Nice to meet you too Julie. Kyree replied, hoping that Dan wouldnt notice the boner his stepdaughter just gave him. I hope they werent too much of a bother. You know how young girls are when a new, young man moves into the neighborhood. Kyree smirked. He knew exactly how girls acted, and Julie and her crew were far from the normal. Naw, they were no trouble at all. Good. Hey listen, Noel and I are having a small gettogether at our place tomorrow night, and wed love it if you and Marla would come by. Itll give you guys a chance to meet the rest of the gang around here. Kyree smirked again when he imagined what it would mean to invite Dan over to meet his gang. Then he remembered that Dans gang invested in stocks and made millions of dollars as often as most people wiped their ass. His interest was peaked. Sure, that sounds cool. He made sure not to sound too eager, but secretly he couldnt wait to powwow with big moneymakers. Alright great, Ill see you around eight then. Dan said with a wide smile. Before he turned to leave, he caught a glimpse of the scar on Kyrees shoulder, and the wide smile vanished. He didnt ask about it though, and that led Kyree to assume that Dan already had ideas about

whatd happened. And that only made him more suspicious about Dans invitation.

Chapter Five
woke up to strange noises in her bedroom, and once she realized that she wasnt dreaming, she rolled over and cracked one eyelid to see what was making the sounds. She noticed a blurred version of her roommate Tara standing by her dresser and fiddling through her drawers. Can I help you with something? She sat up against the wall by her bed and tried to remove some of the sleep from her eyes. I was just tryna borrow your curling iron real quick. Tara replied. Well if youd ask me first, maybe you wouldnt have to make so much damn noise lookin for shit. Theyre over there. Natalie said before slouching back down in the bed and burying her face in the pillow.

Natalie

Thanks. Tara took the curlers and moved towards the door. She stopped in the entranceway. Do you have any plans for the night? Natalie rolled over as if answering the first question had exhausted her, and she viewed her always chipper friend through sleep deprived and annoyed eyes. Not really, why? Its karaoke night at the bar. You should come by, itll be fun. Tara was always trying to get Natalie to do what she called normal things. It seemed to her that all Natalie wanted to do was meet guys, and plot ways to take them for what they had. Even though she had to admit that Natalie was an expert at it, she couldnt figure out why she would sell herself so short in love and life. Oh wait, I am supposed to have a date tonight. Natalie remembered. OK, now is that with the rich, white guy or the new guy? Tara quipped sarcastically. She walked back into the room and sat on the edge of Natalies bed. The new guy. Natalie replied, twisting her face up at Taras sarcasm. Okay, this is like yall 5th date right? He must be special right? Natalie sat up again and huffed. She knew that shed stumbled into a conversation that she didnt want to have with Tara. She knew itd be more like a lecture, so she figured she might as well get comfortable. Since theyd met two years ago, Tara was always questioning Natalie about her way of life, and her way of thinking. To Natalie, Tara was a nave little girl who was just experiencing the world for the first time. It wasnt her fault that she was raised to believe in fairytales like love and marriage, good men and committed relationships. She grew up in a home where her father took care of her mother and raised his children.

Girl please, aint nothin special bout that nigga. He just like the rest of them. Natalie insisted, turning Taras childish smile upside down. Let you tell it and nobody would be special. She replied, feeling a little annoyance of her own. Thats because none of them are special Tara. The sooner you realize that the easier your life will be. Natalie swung her legs out of the bed and sat on the edge. So you mean that you actually gone play dudes, take their money and all that stuff for the rest of your life? Tara asked, drawing another huff from Natalies impatience. Why wouldnt I? What if one day you meet a guy that you really wanna be with? All youre gonna know how to do is play him. Well Ill worry about that when I meet that guy. Tara didnt think shed ever be able to change Natalies mentality towards men, but she hoped that their talks would at least affect it in some way. Natalie was a good person; she just had terrible habits, and an insatiable appetite to fulfill them. She wasnt about to take advice from Tara anyway. The young girl hadnt been through half the things that Natalie had, especially when it came to dealing with men. The only advice Natalie needed was how to step her game up, and she couldnt get that from Tara. Im just saying. It really seems like you like this guy, and it would be a shame if you threw away a good man by focusing on the wrong things. Tara stood up and moved to the door again. I do like him Tara, I just like his money a whole lot more. Tara frowned and left, and Natalie laid back in her bed. She stared up at the ceiling and tried to get Taras words out of her head. When she thought about the date shed have later, special was the last word that came to her mind. Natalies mentality towards men didnt just pop up over night. It was born from a necessity of survival.

She could remember how it felt to be alone in the streets after she ran away from home, and how every man she met would only help her if shed sleep with them. She remembered how those men treated her, how they used her up and threw her away when they were done. She was never going to feel that way again. So even if the man was cute, and had money, and was great in bed, she still wouldnt see anything special about him. Especially when it came to drug dealers. They were all the same, and they all treated women the same too. She was seeing more than one of them at the moment, and they all acted the same, thought the same, and seemed destined for the same fate. There was the Spanish Dope dealer with five kids by four women, who had intentions on making Natalie number five. There was the Jamaican weed king in South Philly that just wanted to own Natalie like a trophy. And there was the white boy that sold ecstasy and other pills from New Jersey. All he wanted was sex. Hed never been with anyone like Natalie, so after she put it on him, he gave her whatever she wanted. Three different races, three different backgrounds, but all the same to Natalie, good for nothing more than rent and utilities, and the occasional local mall shopping spree. David was the only one that could really afford the things she saw on celebrities in magazines. But to her, his mentality was no different from theirs. He was a user just the same. To Natalie, there was no such thing as a special man; only men she could get to treat her special. She could imagine the number of girls that had fallen for the lies of men calling them special, only to find another woman on the side. She thought about how special Davids wife must find him, and she smirked. Then she thought about Tara again. Natalie didnt feel bad for them though, women like them were just sad to her. By putting all of their love and trust into a man, they were only setting themselves up for failure. The worst part of it all was that they didnt even know it. Natalie had paid a steep price for the lessons in her life, and a chill went up her spine when she thought of some of the things itd cost her.

Her cell phone vibrated on the dresser, and she reburied the memories of her past and moved from the bed to check it. She typed in the unlock code and read the text message: Good mornin sexy, cant wait to see you later. Hope you have a good day. It was from her newest fish, and Natalie smirked at the seemingly sweet gesture. She imagined how many girls in his phone got the same text that morning. It was about to be their fifth date, and the !new fish had been on his best behavior. Natalie knew all about his game though. He probably thought shed be as easy as the girls he was used to, but Natalie was working a game of her own. And it was just about time to take it to the next level. She dropped her phone back onto the dresser and smiled devilishly into the mirror before speaking out loud. Cant wait to see you either playa.

Chapter Six
smile was as bright as the colors on the sundress she wore as she chatted with friends and associates she hadnt seen in years. The plantation-sized yard was filled with the upper echelon of society, men and women with advanced privileges, happy lives and families, and the people that served them. Lidia did an excellent job appearing to be one of those women, but beneath the surface she was suffering under the weight of her own imagination. The women in her circle smiled just as brightly as she did, and she wondered how many of them were suffering too. Shed passed the point of speculating, now she was convinced that her husband was seeing other women. She no longer wanted to make herself blind to the evidence, and now she wanted to know the whole truth. The not knowing was hurting her the most now. She didnt know what woman her husband was seeing or how many, what they did or where they did it. She didnt even know if the woman was at that party, laughing, smiling, and mocking her to her face. Lidia maintained the faade, but inside she was going crazy. David talked and laughed with his colleagues, and they all checked out the young waitresses and whispered, and the thoughts in her head swirled. Maybe his mistress is one of them. There was no way for her to be sure. David barely paid her any attention on the plane from Philly to Massachusetts, or on the ferry to the island in

Lidias

Marthas Vineyard. When they settled into their villa, he rolled over and went to sleep before Lidia touched the bed. Shed planned an intimate evening for their first night, with roses, candles, and lingerie from the Le Pearle boutique. But David never looked at her, let alone touched her. She even asked him to join her for breakfast the next morning, but he declined, choosing to check the messages on his blackberry instead. In fact his cell phone had gotten a lot more attention than Lidia did, and the swirling in her head continued. As the thought crossed her mind, she watched David check his phone again. Maybe thats his mistress sending him love notes right under my nose. The constant ideas made her want to pull her hair out. Excuse me. She stepped by the women in her gabfest and headed for the large house. She needed to remove herself from public view before her faade came crashing down. She rushed into the bathroom and sat on the edge of the old fashioned tub, just as the heaves began in her chest. She breathed heavily and caught the tears streaming from her eyes with a napkin before they could destroy her make-up. A million thoughts ran through her head at once, but the questions they all created were the same. She wanted answers. It didnt even matter so much that he was cheating anymore; all she wanted was the truth. She just wanted to know what she did wrong so that she could fix it and get her family back. She knew she could make it right again, but she needed the truth from David. What if he doesnt want to fix it? The tears and heaves came harder and faster. Infidelity was one thing, but losing her husband, her daughters father, and the only man shed ever loved to another woman altogether never once crossed her mind. When it did, Lidia quickly determined the notion to be out of the question. She would rather he die before she let David hurt her and Morgan like that. Lidia stood up and walked to the mirror over the sink. She dabbed her eyes, cleared the smeared makeup, and put

her happily married mask back on. She took a deep breath and reassured herself that everything would be fine, and she rested that assurance in her newfound determination to get to the bottom of the problems in her marriage. She made up her mind to enjoy the rest of the weekend, whether David made that easy or not, and then shed find all of the answers she wanted when they got home. Lidia straightened herself up and moved towards the door. Just as she placed her hand on the knob, a voice outside it froze her in her tracks. The voice was only a whisper, and could barely be heard over the crowd in the yard and the servers moving throughout the house, but when Lidia heard it she recognized it easily. She cracked the door, just wide enough to hear better, and she saw David pacing back and forth and talking into his phone. Oh nothing much, just listening to these old farts talk about how much money they have and thinking about you. I cannot wait to get back and get another taste of my chocolate bar. Lidias heart rate accelerated. She began to feel sick, and David just smiled and rubbed the wood growing in his pants. I hope youll be ready, because Ill be in need of some excitement after this snooze fest. Lidia was shocked and sickened, and all of her concerns were true. She had her hardcore proof. But that David would have the audacity to cater to another woman while he was with her made Lidia feel worse than sick. Slowly, the pain and hurt in her chest began to give way to anger and the feeling of disrespect. She had given herself to David completely. Shed been a good and loyal wife, and she wouldve been willing to give him whatever he wanted, all hed have to do was ask. She didnt know what David wanted anymore, but she knew she didnt deserve that type of treatment from him. She realized then that they werent her problems to fix. Everything inside her wanted to snatch the door open, knock the phone from his hand and confront him right then and there, but she didnt. She knew her husband well, and there would only be more lies and denials. If she truly wanted vindication for all of the years David had taken, shed have to beat him at his own game.

As soon as we get back Ill give you a call to meet me at our normal spot. Lidia cracked the door some more so that she could see the man she loved, and she could see the lust all over his face. Alright, I cant wait. He hung up the phone, and Lidia snatched the door open and exited the bathroom in the same moment. Lidia! David exclaimed with a look of horror on his face. He squeezed his cell phone as if he wished itd disappear in his hand, and Lidia dug her eyes into his soul as she approached him. When they got face to face she smiled and gave him a sweet, soft peck on the lips. Hello dear. How are you enjoying the party so far? David took a moment to let his heart rate slow down before answering. For all of his carelessness, the last thing he wanted was for his wife to find out about his affairs. The embarrassment hed face was enough to make him sick alone, but what he stood to lose was enough to kill him. Losing his family was not an option, and David would kill before hed let that happen. He smirked at the idea, and at the fact that his wife was still clueless even after being so close to catching him. He snatched a glass of champagne from the tray of a waiter on his way out the door and took a sip as he put his arm around Lidia. You know how these things are. Necessary for business David took another sip as Lidia looked up at him. She watched him closely, fighting the urges in her mind and the sickness in her stomach. His face cracked with a wide, wicked grin. But to tell you the truth, Id much rather be back home.!