Thin Ice 5 - Checkmate (20 page)

*****

Nikki was enjoying her evening and the company. Cameron had flown into town today, calling her right after the long day at court, asking her to dinner. Cameron Kennedy was an old friend from college that Nikki still kept in touch with. They were actually far from just friends, maintaining a no strings attached sexual affiliation over the years. Whenever Cameron came to town, or Nikki went to DC, they got together and had sex. She didn’t expect tonight to be any different. Her mind tried to caution her and remember Ryan’s admonishment. Nikki scoffed, telling her mind to shut up. She was a grown woman and she and Ryan were nothing more than she and Cameron. If she wanted to have sex with someone else, she would.

“
What are you working on these days,” Cameron asked.

Nikki sighed slightly telling him the bare essentials about the custody case they were in the midst of right now.

“
Sounds exciting,” he replied genuinely interested. “How long you think it will drag on,” he asked, cutting and enjoying another bite of his T-bone.

Nikki told him she didn’t think it would be a long case.

“
It’s pretty cut and dry actually,” she told him, having her second glass of wine.

They enjoyed their meal and conversation, ordering dessert and talking more.

“
So, your place or mine,” Cameron asked candidly as they paid the check and rose to leave.

Nikki paused momentarily, thinking that they should go to Cameron’s hotel in the off chance Ryan stopped by her place.

“
Yours,” she replied amiably.

Cameron smiled and took her hand, walking out of the restaurant, standing at the curb waiting for the valet to bring his Porsche around. Nikki loved the little red car. She chuckled when the Prince song came to mind. Even though it was the wrong kind of car, it was still red, she thought and giggled slightly. Cameron held her hand, talking dirty to her the entire ride. Nikki was definitely ready for him to put some of his words into action when they arrived at the Marriott Towers and went inside. Cameron’s room was actually a one bedroom suite, with a beautiful view of downtown. He walked up behind her, putting her arms around her waist and kissing her neck softly.

“
It’s been way too damned long,” he murmured, palming her breasts now.

Nikki was just as hot as he, turning to face him as they kissed passionately and undressed each other. She took in the still sexy body, loving every caramel coated inch of him. Cameron’s lips found her nipple, tongue encompassing it, sucking gently.

“
Mmm,” Nikki murmured, becoming more aroused.

His hands easily canvassed the tapered waist, coming to rest on the firm full butt she possessed as he pulled her closer, grinding slowly.

“
You are so fucking fine,” Cameron murmured, his erection pressing against her stomach.

The door to the suite opened startling them both as they turned around, eyes like deer in headlights. Nikki’s heart dropped as she looked into Ryan’s face, the fury obvious.

“
Wassup,” he asked simply, eyes never leaving her own.

“
Man, who are you, what the hell,” Cameron asked all at once.

Ryan smiled slightly before walking closer to the couple.

Cameron was still wondering how the man got into the suite when the punch came from nowhere and connected with his jaw. Instinct kicked in and he swung, trying to fight back. Ryan hit him hard to the midsection dropping him to his knees, his eyes still on Nikki as she stood naked and petrified.

“
Leave it where it is,” Ryan hissed angrily, finally regarding Cameron. “Right now you just earned a couple punches, keep fuckin’ around you’ll earn a bullet,” he told him matter-of-fact.

Cameron was still trying to catch his breath, deciding to play it by ear and see what the man’s game was.

“
Put your damned clothes on,” he barked, regarding Nikki again.

The venom in his voice made her jump as she complied hurriedly with his command. After she dressed, Ryan regarded Cameron again.

“
I don’t wanna know what the two of you had, because the shit is irrelevant,” he began again. “Nikki is off limits, permanently,” Ryan told him. “Any part of that you don’t understand,” he asked, kicking Cameron in the face, drawing blood.

Retreating and holding his hands in front of him in surrender, Cameron hurriedly nodded yes.

Returning his attention to Nikki again, Ryan spoke. “Get your purse, let’s go,” he said simply as she again complied without rebuttal.

He remained silent the entire ride down in the elevator, standing across from her watching her without blinking. Nikki’s nerves were beginning to get the better of her as they made it to the car and began the drive to her place.
Told you not to go with him,
her mind sold her out. Nikki swallowed hard, stealing a glance at Ryan to find his face expressionless. She had no clue what was going to happen when they got to her house. She wouldn’t have to wait long to find out. They pulled up less than five minutes later as he got out and came around to her side, opening the door and allowing her to get out. He followed her into the condo, closing and locking the door behind them.

“
Go shower,” he said simply, grabbing the bottle of Cognac he’d left and pouring himself a drink.

*****

Mook was getting his mind together to make the trip to get Tae. He texted Tariq immediately letting him know she made contact and was safe. Tariq quickly texted him back telling him to take Ramell or Jacoury with him when he went. Mook called Ramell, the two being a bit closer than he and Jacoury, and the man immediately agreed to go with him. Sighing deeply he thought of Kim and the mess their relationship was right now. This was the first time in all the years they’d been together he woke up in a hotel room because of anger.
Call her,
his mind told him as his pride asked why should he? Kim acted like she didn’t understand his anger or the questions he had when it came to her and Tariq. She acted like she didn’t understand how very much he loved her, how much he needed her, and how shattered his world would be if she left him. Sighing deeply he pushed the thoughts aside for a moment and showered; deciding he would stop by Tariq’s and pick up weapons rather than go home. He couldn’t deal with Kim and the drama right now.

His phone vibrated. It was Kaitlyn thanking him for going to get Tae and asking him to have her call them the moment he got there. Texting her back Mook assured her he would.
I sure as hell hope how they work things out,
he thought sincerely. Mook thought Kaitlyn was a great balance for Tariq and he already knew the man loved her without question.
So what’s up with this new chick he’s banging then,
the thought badgered. Tariq confided the sexual affiliation with Carlita, swearing to Mook it was nothing more than release for him. “He better hope she knows that shit,” he mumbled aloud of the woman. Mook knew situations like that had a way of turning bad, quickly. Deciding to test the waters, Mook sent Kim a text. To his surprise the response was almost instantaneous. He smiled reading it, thankful she’d answered at all.

The instrument rang and Kim’s name appeared. Taking a deep breath Mook answered.

“
Hey,” he greeted her carefully.

“
Did you really cheat on me Mook,” Kim asked, pain in her voice.

“
No,” Mook replied immediately. “I was mad Kim, pissed off,” he told her as she remained quiet. “I would never do that to you,” he assured her once again.

“
OK,” Kim replied. “When are you coming home,” she asked, hoping he said now.

“
Tomorrow,” Mook told her, quickly explaining the why before her mind took flight.

“
Are you going alone,” she asked of his picking up Tae.

Mook wasn’t angry. He understood, hell he was in her place more often than not, feeling insecure about a perceived attraction.

“
Ramell is going with me,” he told her as Kim said okay that was good. “I’m about to head out, but I’ll be there tomorrow once I get back and drop everyone off,” Mook told her.

“
OK,” Kim replied once more.

“
Miss Kim, I love you,” Mook spoke. “I didn’t mean to hurt you last night, but damn, you gotta try and understand how I feel sometime,” he threw out.

Kim sighed lightly and then answered him. “I love you too Mook, and I do understand, when you get home we’re going to really talk and settle some things once and for all, okay,” she asked.

Mook smiled slightly telling her okay. Kim admonished him to be careful before finally telling him goodbye and disconnecting.

*****

Nikki returned to the bedroom dressed in the lacy black nightie she’d picked up a few days ago. Ray had been kind enough to inform her of the reasoning behind Ryan’s absence last week. She felt badly for him and knew he was hurting, but tonight they had to come to an understanding. The stunt he pulled with Cameron could never happen again.
I should just stop seeing him,
her mind told her. Nikki wasn’t going to let any man tame her and that was just that.
But you care about him, admit it, stubborn heffa,
her heart was screaming. Nikki sucked her teeth lightly and rolled her eyes, turning to find Ryan watching her, still sipping the liquor in his cup.

“
So what was that bullshit you pulled tonight,” he asked, sitting the glass on her dresser, leaning against it.

“
I was enjoying my evening,” Nikki replied smartly.

Ryan smiled slightly, picking up the glass and draining it. “We talked about that, didn’t we,” he asked calmly, walking up to her.

“
You talked,” Nikki told him, still not grasping the dangerous waters she was treading.

“
Hmph,” Ryan said simply. “You were gonna fuck him huh,” he asked, in her face.

Wisely she said nothing this time.

“
So you think I’m joking, that I’m one of those weak fools you’re used to huh,” Ryan continued, growing angrier.

“
Ryan, you said we were friends, friends with benefits,” Nikki reminded him.

“
I also said you had limits, didn’t I,” he yelled making her jump.

The vein on the side of his jaw was throbbing as he continued to study her and breathe hard.

“
I ain’t nobody’s punk Nikki,” Ryan told her, stepping even closer to her, his chest heaving against her breasts.

“
I never said that,” she tried, taking a step back.

Ryan stepped to her again and she repeated the gesture. Moments later she was out of floor space to step and her back was literally against the wall.

“
What’s it gonna be Nikki,” Ryan asked, eyes boring into hers.

“
What are you asking me,” she threw back trying to buy time.

Her mind was whirling. Nikki wanted him, she wanted what he was offering, but she was terrified.
What happened to all that I want a strong man shit you were spouting,
her heart chimed in once more as her mind told it to shut up.

“
I’m asking you if you’re ready to stop selling wolf tickets and be real,” Ryan told her point blank. “Ready to have a real man in your life and be in a real damned relationship,” he asked as she continued to breathe unsteadily.

Nikki was a tough sell, a real hard ass when she wanted to be, yet here she was feeling helpless and vulnerable with this man standing in her face offering her what she swore she wanted in her life.

“
I should whip your ass about old boy touching you,” Ryan began again, eyes blazing.

Nikki definitely hoped he didn’t follow through on that threat.

“
Tell you what,” he finally spoke, seeing that she wasn’t going too.

“
I’ma make it easy for you,” Ryan told her. “You and me, together, that’s that,” he communicated. “You don’t date nobody else, kiss nobody else, let nobody else touch you and you sure as hell don’t fuck nobody else,” he hammered. “Any objection,” he asked, leaving the ball in her court.

Nikki was speechless and saturated. She couldn’t believe how turned on she was by his forcefulness. Ryan was definitely a master of his game.

“
No,” she finally managed to get out as he growled slightly, leaning in and kissing her deeply.

She heard the material tearing under his touch, moaning slightly as it turned her on more. Ryan picked her up taking her to the bed and dropping her on it. He ripped the thong from her, wrapping her legs around his neck as he tasted her and Nikki cried out her pleasure. Stopping long enough to undress himself, they picked up where they left off as sixty-nine once again became their favorite position. Tasting and teasing each other almost to orgasm, Ryan pulled Nikki onto his lap, ready to enter her.

“
Ryan, wait, we need the --,” she got out before he grabbed her hips and pulled her down onto his erection.

Nikki caught her breath loving the feel of him as Ryan went to work, thrusting low and deep. She came hard moments later screaming his name as she continued to ride him vigorously. Nikki felt his hands on her breasts, squeezing as she moaned softly, loving the way he touched her. Ryan deftly rolled her over, putting her legs behind her head; he had his way with her as she helplessly allowed it.