Murphy Ch. 05

"Moral reasons," Jae said once again brushing off a question about her past.

"Oh, that's such a cop out! What's the truth?"

"I-I can't. Nandy would kill me. It's not my secret to tell." Jae said softly.

"It was something Nandy did, was it?" Delvin said. He wanted desperately for her to trust him with any and all of her secrets.

"No, it wasn't her fault. None of it was her fault. Don't tell her I said that." Jae said looking at him wide eyed.

"No, I wouldn't do that." He said bringing her hand to his lips. "I just want you to trust me."

**

Murphy was whipped. What else could make him sit on the couch playing call of duty and pining for Ananda? He had already invited her to come over but she had work to do for Cole. It had been a couple days since the party and he was missing her. This was a different feeling for Murphy. Don't get him wrong he had felt this pining before but it was mostly for somewhere hot and wet to put his cock. With Nandy he missed her smile, her laugh, her caresses, and that face she makes when something he says goes over her head but she doesn't want to address it.

Just before he was about to call in takeout Raphaela text him. She invited him, and a few other friends, to a Cuban bar opening downtown. She'd said he'd know a few people. Murphy didn't see why he shouldn't go but somehow he felt a little weird about it. To go would feel like a betrayal to Nandy but staying on the couch waiting around for Nandy was pathetic.

Decision made, Murphy showered dressed and headed out to the bar. The bar wasn't packed like Murphy had expected, it was a grand opening after all. Raphaela lied, he didn't know anyone there and he didn't even spot Ella. He sat at the bar and nursed a beer for few minutes feeling stupid. All of a sudden, there was a rush of people and in the middle of the crowd he spotted Ella. She was striking, beautiful and literally brought the party with her to the bar. There was a part of her that reminded him of Nandy and it was enough for him to relax.

"You made it!" She said spotting him at the bar.

"I did, it's actually a really cool bar." He said.

"Yeah, the bar owner, Chris, this has been a big dream of his. Where's Nandy? "She asked.

"She's working." He said simply but the tightness in his eyes told Ella he didn't like that. Wow, this couldn't have been easier.

"Oh," She said feigning concern, "That sucks, Chris is a mutual friend. He's going to be sad that she couldn't show,"

"He won't be the only one," He muttered under his breath. It wasn't meant for her ears but when Ella heard it all she could think was 'hook, line, and sinker'.

******

Ruby heard the door open so she rushed from her vanity to the bed, positioning her naked body provocatively amongst the rose petals. She felt sexy and ready for what she'd planned that night. She'd worn her deep red lipstick and left her curly hair wild and free. She was sad to admit that they hadn't had sex in three months and drought was killing Ruby. Maybe it was killing Truman as well. It could be the reason he is so agitated and paranoid.

She took a deep breath as she heard him twist the knob to the door. He walked in and immediately pinned Ruby with a heated gaze. It made her proud that after so many years he still was aroused by her.

"I bet you had a long day at work," She began huskily, "Let me help you forget about it."

Truman was silent for a while looking her over, then as if the thought just occurred to him he blurted, "Where are my children!?"

"They're fine," She said to calm him. He must have just realized that the house was quieter than usual.

"Don't lie," He said venomously, "What did you do with them?"

"Nothing, Truman, they're sleeping." He was really trying to piss her off, wasn't he? Why else would he ruin this? "I took them to the park after school to tire them out. I wanted them to be fed and asleep when you got home. What do you think I did to them?"

Before she could finish her question he rushed out the door down the hall to the twins' room. Ruby grabbed her housecoat and followed. When she had it on and had reached their door she saw Tru caressing her daughter's sleeping face. She really was an angel and spitting image of her father. Ruby wanted to be mad but the sight melted her heart. She watched as he gently kissed their daughter and went over to their son to do the same.

"Feel better?" She asked softly when he closed the door behind him.

"I'm sorry about that." He said before kissing her. His kiss was deep and passionate and thrummed through her whole body.

"It's-"She couldn't finish her sentence, he had claimed her mouth with his own as he gripped at her possessively. Ruby shivered from his touch. He quickly pulled her house coat down her shoulders and caressed every inch of her body from her small pert breast and tiny waist to her wide hips and thick thighs.

"I can't wait to see how good you are at holding your screams." He growled into her ear. Her skin lit on fire as she felt the wetness growing between her thighs. He quickly picked her up by the waist and her limbs instinctively went around him. Once they'd reach the bed. He laid her down and spread her legs. Ruby didn't have time to react before his mouth was on her sex. She gasped as his tongue sent rivulets of pleasure over her body. He licked and sucked until her legs were quivering.

"Damn, I haven't had pussy for dinner in a long time." He said giving her a smirk.

She giggled, "I'll keep that in mind," Ruby began undoing his tie and unbuttoning his shirt as Tru fumbled with his zipper. He finally freed his cock and pressed to her clit. Ruby sighed at his titillation. He continued to rub her clit until they both were heaving and grinding against each other. Truman placed his cock at her entrance.

"Wait, wait! I had a massage planned, handcuffs and everything." She whispered.

"Oh honey," He said kissing her appreciatively, "You can do whatever you want to me tonight but right now I need you."

There was sincerity in his voice, Ruby nodded before kissing him. In a swift move he plunged into her and relished the sound of her gasp. He started slow, making love to his wife and whispering sweet nothings in her ear. His speed picked up as he clutched her passionately. He stroked into her until she was trembling in her arms. It took everything she had not to cry out from the bliss and she was soon coming with a stifled whimper. Truman didn't stop, he stroked until he was coming inside her.

"I love you," He whispered over and over.

Even in this perfect moment Truman had a fear he couldn't shake. It was ever present and ever growing and he just didn't want to see it to fruition.

*****

Murphy was actually enjoying himself. Raphaela was right he knew quite a few people, a couple guys from the station and even a few of his own cousins. No body called her Ella, it was always Raphy, and she was a part of the guys. She administered shots and seemed to know all the songs that would liven the party. Murphy felt like a VIP around her. She ventured off and yet was always near him.

"You're having fun," She said taking a seat next to him at the bar. "But not nearly as drunk as you should be."

"Why do I need to be drunk? Seems like everyone is drunk enough for me," He said

"Because it's a celebration!" She said loudly and everyone hooted. Murphy laughed.

"Do you recall last week when J Frenzy was caught kissing his publicist at the Vesuvius launch party he threw," Murphy heard from the TV just above the bar. One host was speaking to the other. They were showing a still from a video where Cole had his hands all over Nandy and she, stiff and shocked. When he saw the picture he was immediately angry with Cole and, yes, a small part of him was angry with Nandy.

"He has since denied any rumor of the two dating and called his actions a drunken mishap. Our sources have caught them out a few times together looking a little too chummy with a publicist he supposedly isn't dating. These pictures..."

The host went on and on but what worked Murphy into a seething anger were the pictures they showed. One of Nandy and Cole at some Brickell Ave Bistro. Admittedly it could have been a business meeting but the gaze she gave him broke his heart. It was how she looked at him when she thought he wasn't looking. There were a few other pictures that looked fairly innocent but the image of her looking at Cole was burned into his memory.

"Oh Goodness, Does Nandy know about this?" Ella said softly. She really did feel a little sympathy for Nandy. She was after all her friend but this played perfectly into her plan to have Murphy for her own.

"Probably, probably not, it doesn't matter." He said dismissing it before ordering a strong drink. He didn't want to be mad, he didn't want to think about it or deal with it. It did confirm one thing. She wasn't quite in love with him as he was with her. It hurt a little but at least he was able to admit that he loved her and also that he had no obligation to her.

Ella could see it was affecting him, but she needed to drive the point home, "I'm sorry, Murphy, I should've warned you that Nandy was like this. She's fickle and-"

"Let's not talk about it," Murphy said cutting her off. He downed the glass of rum and coke. "Wanna dance?" He asked

"Okay," Ella said smiling inwardly. He'd be hers by the end of the night.

******

The night had a rough start but it was everything that Ruby could imagine and Truman willing did everything on Ruby's list. They hadn't had a marathon session like that since they'd skip class in college to smoke weed in his dorm and fuck all day. It was so nice to have her Truman back. Ruby and Truman sat in there deep claw foot tub. It was literally the selling point on their condo but they never used it.

That night they did, Truman held onto her caressing her skin in the warm soapy water.

"...but I think she's in love." Ruby was saying.

"Jae? In love? Who is he?" He asked incredulous.

"That's the thing we don't know. I don't know why she needs to keep it a secret. Nandy, though, she is definitely in love. Normally if Nandy gets in a sticky situation she just drops a guy but this time she actually was about to call in a few favors."

"Nandy's too smart for sticky situation. The girl always knows what she's doing." He said.

"I guess love made her sloppy because she went to a party with Murphy and somehow her client got the impression that she was interested in him. He kissed her and it ended up in the tabloids."

"She kissed him, while she was on a date with someone else?" He asked not liking Nandy's choices. He knew also that Ruby was so influenced by Nandy. What if she convinced Ruby that that behavior is okay?

"It's not like that," Ruby said not registering his change in mood.

"I don't think you should hang out with her anymore." Truman said with an edge of seriousness to him.

Ruby regretted even saying anything, "Tru don't be like that."

"I'm dead serious, Rubes, what kind of person is that to hang around or to have our children around?"

"She's their aunt! She's my only family! You can't be serious!" Ruby said.

"Ruby, do not go around that woman." He said his grip on his wife tightening.

"That woman? Truman, don't act like you don't know her as well as you know me. Nandy is kind, loving, and fierce but compassionate." She said, "I don't want to fight. Please let's not fight!"

Truman sighed, he wouldn't fight but he wouldn't change his mind on this. Even as he thought about it a heavy fear fell over him.

****

Murphy was enjoying himself. Maybe it was the liquor in his system or his company, whichever it was he couldn't stop smiling. He and Raphaela danced all night, took more shots, danced, and drank some more. Murphy was admittedly drunk. Yet he was coherent enough to still notice how much Ella reminded him of Nandy. She smiled mischievously and even "accidentally" brushed her ass against his crotch. He always expected for her to look at him the way Nandy did but it never came. When it didn't come he had another drink.

"Come on, give me your keys, I'll take you home," Raphy called out as Murphy stumbled on the way to his car.

"Nah, I'm fine," He slurred, "You drank too...a lot."

Ella finally caught up to him, for a drunken man he was fast.

"Then I'll call a cab, we'll share." She said standing closer than normal. Maybe it just seemed that way. Murphy noticed how her dark brown hair had fell out of its bun and tendrils of it cascaded down her shoulder. He raked his hands through it.

It definitely wasn't like Nandy's. Her eyes weren't like Nandy's he thought as he stared at the hazel orbs. He trailed his fingers down the skin of her shoulders; her complexion was nothing like Nandy's. So why did he want to kiss her like Nandy. Why did he want her to press against him and whisper dirty wonderful things in his ear like Nandy.

"What are you thinking?" Ella asked. Murphy noticed how her lips weren't as full as Nandy and he hated himself because he was thinking of Nandy. Was she even thinking of him or was she right now getting plowed by Cole in some condo off of south beach. It hurt to think about. Murphy couldn't even answer Ella's question.

Suddenly, soft lips were on his kissing, him slowly. Hands that weren't Nandy's pulled him in closer. It felt so good to be kissed so tenderly and yet so wrong that he couldn't think of anyone other than Nandy.

What was wrong with him?