“Yeah, now we have to throw you a house warming. When do you plan to get furniture?” she asked enthusiastically. I wasn’t too fond of that idea. As far as I was concerned, there was no one to invite but her.
“I was hoping you could tell me when bonuses would be available. If mine is decent I can use that to help furnish this place.”
“Now, Rayna, you know you have money stored away.” Michelle teased.
“Actually my savings has grown slim. I had to put a down payment on this baby and I sent a chunk back East.” She knew I was referring to Akeem’s legal fees.
“Well, if my memory serves me correctly with increased profits within this quarter alone you should be expecting a nice piece of change,” she murmured while inspecting every door in the living area.
After taking a tour of the outside, I dropped Michelle off. Erin and I went back to my apartment and started packing. She wasn’t such a good helper. Little E fell asleep about an hour after her dinner. “It’s okay,” I whispered while I carried her to the bed and tucked her in. I went and put on an Isley Brothers’ CD and starting grooving to “For the Love of You”. After dancing by myself, I filled several boxes with things from my living room and dinette area. Next, I went into the kitchen and then the bathroom. Once that was done, so was I, I crashed on my couch.
Seconds later,I get a text from Azmir. “What are you up to?”
I realized I hadn’t spoken to him since our return almost a week ago.
“Just about to go tobed…” I texted back.
“Wish I was there.”
“I bet you do :-).” That was partly true, I’d willed Azmir to my bed since our trip to Mexico.
“Just checking in with you. Hope to see you soon.”
“Me too. Goodnight.” I ended the correspondence.
~~~~~~~~~~
Azmir
Damn, I realized I hadn’t seen Rayna since Mexico. Things had gotten so busy with work, I’d been traveling relentlessly leaving little room for a social life. Once I’d finally gotten a moment to breathe, I thought about her, reminisced over our time together in Mexico. I enjoyed her and couldn’t wait until I was able to get her alone again. I pulled out my watch and noticed it wasn’t too late in the hour on the Pacific Coast, so I texted her. I thought she’d be asleep but she responded. I didn’t know where things were going between us but was cool with it. I could wait it out; I wasn’t pressed. But every time I thought about what she felt like in my arms those nights in Mexico, it intensified my craving of her.
I was in my hotel room at the Adolphus in Dallas. I had been in town for a minority enterprise convention at the Dallas Convention Center. I didn’t want to go but I promised my boys, Mark and Eric, that we’d hang out together. I have to admit being in and out of workshops, including morning sessions, wasn’t my idea of hanging but Eric was the keynote speaker so we had to support him.
There was a knock at the door. It was Mark.
“Are you ready, man? What have you been doing in here, beating your meat?” Mark joked.
“Oh nah, I was waiting on you to come and do it for me. I know that’s your steez and all!” I jeered as I walked over to the dresser to grab my wallet and keys.
“What the hell are you smiling at? You gotta love jones or something, Jacobs?”
“You don’t know the half!” I murmured much to myself before turning to leave so that we could grab a bite.
Over dinner, after the usual laughter and piggish banter we normally do, things got really serious between us. I guess after five bottles of Krug anyone would get a little emotional. Eric informed us of his impending divorce from NaTasha. I was blown away to say the least. He said that things had changed in their three year marriage.
“Dawg, it’s everything…the sex, conversation, even the way she smells!” Eric cried.