Stoned

I felt it slam into me...felt myself come apart...shattering into tiny pieces as the orgasm claimed me. There were lights...colors...stars behind my closed lids. Every extremity was frozen, painfully frozen, as the waves rolled over me...through me...

She didn't stop...kept sucking...plummeting...abusing...overloading my senses...no...again...no...I couldn't...

I buried my face into a sofa cushion so my scream did not wake my daughter, the second orgasm annihilating me. And I was aware of her...Vince...moving up my body, her hands on me, holding me to her, her lips covering mine as I peaked...leveled out...basked in the feelings she'd created...and then as I started to come down.

Then she was gone...and I rolled into a ball, holding myself tightly as I...I just...I throbbed...everywhere...every part of my body...just one huge pulse of pleasure...

She was back moments later, and I felt her take my hand, lead me to the bed, lay me down on my stomach...I felt her caress my buttocks gently...then pull up my hips until I was on my knees...parting my thighs as the bed dipped...and then there was something hard and large, pressing into me from behind, parting sensitive folds, filling me slowly...completely...she waited, allowing my body to adjust...and then her hips began to move...slowing guiding into me...pulling out...sliding back in...she seized my hips, pulling me further up, and I felt her fingers on my nipples...tugging at them, torturing them...then she pulled me up until my back was flush against her front...she wrapped her arms around my waist, her breasts pressing erotically against my back, her tongue dancing along my neck, her mouth at my ear...

"You are so fucking beautiful," she whispered, the heat of her against my back...one of her hands seizing a nipple, toying with it, the other hand making its way to that bundle of nerves between my thighs...she continued to thrust into me...harder now...holding me close...forcing my body to ascend again... higher... higher...

This time it ignited from within...consuming me...until there was only white light...heat...sensations that were foreign to me...radiating throughout my entire body...engulfing me in a burning flame that...it...I...

She continued to slide in and out of me, her movements deeper, powerful...erratic...her hands on my hips digging in, bruising..."Fuck, I'm gonna come," she growled before she pulled me closer, her hips jerking, her entire body trembling as her orgasm tore through her. And we both rode the waves together...

And then I slept.

*

Vince watched over her as she slept, reaching out to gently touch her cheek, stroke her hair...God, this woman was getting to her. Even now, knowing she'd made her come three times, exhausting her...she still wanted her. She'd never felt this way about anyone before...ever. It was...a fucking cashier with a six-year-old kid? Who knew?

Finishing the drink she'd poured for herself, she set the glass down on the nightstand and leaned in, seeking those soft, full lips...

*

She took me on that ride again, a couple of hours later...

And then again, just as the sun was coming up...

When I heard a tap on the adjoining door a few hours later, my entire body was still vibrating deliciously. I sat up and called for my little girl to enter.

Vince was gone.

*

We didn't spend much time in Chicago that last day. Vince had charted a flight for us and I wanted to get home in time to get Keni settled and ready for school. So, we had a wonderful, huge breakfast (me, Keni, Anna and Johnny). Then I picked up a few souvenirs for my mother, sister and her kids, matching hoodies for Keni and Panda with the Chicago Bulls logo, an adorable snow globe of the skyline for Anna (I grabbed it when she wasn't looking) and a Chicago Blackhawks tee shirt for Johnny (he liked hockey).

We arrived at my apartment in Queens around 2pm. Johnny couldn't stay, but Anna hung out with us. We ordered Chinese food for dinner (I rarely splurged, but with Michael's checks arriving regularly, I indulged a little more often). After Keni went to bed, Anna had a drink with me.

"So...good time last night?" She asked.

I blushed, had she heard us? "Oh my God, did Keni—"

She laughed, "no, she sleeps like the dead. But I wasn't sleeping that hard."

"Jesus, I'm so s-sorry," I sputtered.

Anna laughed again, "Sweetie, I wasn't trying to embarrass you! I'm happy for you!"

I smiled...a slow, delighted smile.

"So, is she as good as they say?"

I giggled, "Anna, oh my God."

"Yea, I heard you saying that a lot."
I blushed again and hit her arm playfully.

"Don't! I'm already embarrassed!"

She smiled, "I'm happy for you Gia. You deserve it. Both of you."
I smiled, but she could tell it had lost some of its intensity.

"What? What's wrong?"

I shrugged, "she disappeared before I woke up."
Anna blew off my concern, "she was there to meet with her uncle. Johnny says she's always busy when she's in Chicago. I was surprised she invited you."

I nodded, "actually, I was too."

"Don't overthink this Gia. Is she perfect? No. No one is. Will there be bumps and bruises along the way? Probably. But she seems to be into you. Like I told you before, this woman has never committed to being with anyone. Ever."

I looked into Anna's warm, blue eyes, "she hasn't committed to me either. Not yet. She wanted to do me. She did. I guess I'm curious to find out what happens next."

Anna shook her head, "she's different with you Gia. You have to believe that. Just...hold on. When it gets weird, or scary, or you're not sure, just...hold on."

I nodded, turning back to the program we were watching on television. I wanted to believe her, I hoped she was right...but I was anxious. I hadn't heard from Vince all day. Maybe she'd accomplished what she'd set out to? She'd wanted to know about our chemistry...now she knew. Maybe she was done. Not that I hadn't enjoyed the ride...it would just be...disappointing if that were true.

Anna stayed for another hour before hugging me tightly, pulling on her coat, and opening the front door. I walked her down to the elevator, keeping her company until it arrived. When it did...we saw Johnny first. He was standing in front, closest to the door, just in case he needed to shield Vince. She was leaning against the back wall. When she saw me, her eyes warmed and those wonderful lips spread into a slow, lazy smile.

My heart jumped erratically before resuming a steady, albeit slightly faster, beat.

"Ladies," Johnny smiled as they stepped from the elevator. Johnny held the elevator door open.

"You want me to stay?" He asked Vince.

She shook her head, "give me a couple of hours."

He nodded and joined Anna in the elevator, the door closing as Anna grinned foolishly at me. I smiled a little, taking a deep breath before turning and making my way back to my apartment. Before I reached it, Vince grabbed my hand and spun me around. She pressed me against the wall, her lips covering mine in a warm, delicious, hungry kiss that left me a little dizzy.

"Hey," she whispered when she broke the kiss.

I smiled hesitantly, enjoying the feel of her against me, her hands at my waist.

"Hi."

She tilted her head to the side, "you okay?"

I nodded enthusiastically, kept nodding...then shook my head. She raised a brow.

"What's wrong?"

"You left this morning...I didn't hear from you all day..." I said softly, meeting those intense blue eyes that were suddenly...smiling at me?
"Thought I hit it and quit it?" She asked.

I lowered my eyes, not sure I found her question amusing. She brought a finger up to my chin, lifting it until our eyes met.

"Sorry. That will never happen again. I overslept. I didn't want to wake you. Next time, I'll wake you. Okay?"

"Next time?" I whispered.

She smiled, "no?"

"Yes," I quickly corrected.

She chuckled, "Keni asleep?" She changed the subject.

I nodded, "she had a great time, Vince. Thanks. We bought a hoodie for Panda."

I was rambling, but Vince was hardly paying attention. Her finger had moved from my chin to my lips, caressing them.

"I really enjoyed myself last night Georgia...and this morning," she offered in that heavy, husky voice of hers. It sent shivers down my spine.

"Me too," I whispered.

She smiled again, then took my hand and led me into the apartment. We watched a little television, had a couple of shots of vodka...and then we made out. And she kissed me so thoroughly, so wonderfully, I almost had an orgasm just from those lusciously full lips. Around 11pm, she stood and held my hand as I followed her to the front door. At the door, she pulled me to her, her arms around my waist.

"I own a few buildings in the neighborhood. There's a two-bedroom opening up. You would still be able to walk to work and it's only a short bus ride to Keni's school."

I looked up at her, my eyes wide with surprise...but my cheeks reddening with embarrassment.

"Uh, I can't afford a two-bedroom," I informed her quietly.

She smirked, "same rent."

I shook my head almost immediately, "no, you're not doing special favors for me. That's not why I'm dating you."

"I know, Georgia. I would tell you there's no rent on the apartment, but I knew you would never agree to that. So, same rent. Just go take a look and see if you like it."

I was still hesitant...it didn't feel right.

"And if we break up? What happens with the rent then?" I asked.

"You sign a two-year lease or a five-year lease and lock in the rent. I don't give a fuck. Ok?"

She had an answer for everything...I sighed.

"I don't know, Vince."

She leaned down, moved into me...covered my lips with hers. Moments later, I wasn't thinking about apartments or even being able to form sentences...I was only thinking about this woman, the feel of her, the taste of her...everything about her...everything she'd done to my body last night. She broke the kiss, her eyes, a darker blue now, bore into mine.

"You won't let me fuck you on that sofa over there," she whispered in her deep voice, her eyes holding mine captive. "And I know you won't let me fuck you in that bed that you share with your cute kid. So...you need a bigger place. Let me do this."

She ended on a soft, husky plea...and it dawned on me I would probably do anything this woman asked if she'd just finished kissing me. A dangerous thought.

"I'll go see it," I promised softly.

She smiled, leaned in to kiss me quickly again, and then the door closed behind her.

*

A part of me wanted to choke Vince when I went with Anna to see the apartment. I knew there was going to be a problem when we stopped in front of the building and noticed the doorman. A doorman? I couldn't afford a place with a doorman! He held the door open for us, greeted me by name, and then handed me a key. The apartment was on the fifth floor...and...I...I couldn't begin to understand. It was probably three times the size of my apartment! Gorgeous hardwood floors, a huge eat-in kitchen (all new appliances), a massive living room, two huge bedrooms a nice distance from each other for privacy, a separate dining room, two and a half baths, a balcony...it was insane! The living room was also furnished with brand new, plush, chocolate brown leather sofas and chairs, a gorgeous wood and glass coffee table, a matching wall-unit which housed an enormous flat screen television. And the smaller bedroom had a brand new canopy, full-sized bed and white dresser set.

There was no way this apartment's rent was anywhere near my rent. I didn't even know there were apartments like this in my neighborhood!

Anna ooohed and aaahhed over everything, but she could sense my annoyance. She kept patting my arm, but it didn't calm me. No. There was no way I could take this apartment. The rent was probably ten times what I could afford! I kept shaking my head as I stood in one of the walk-in closets...absurd!

As soon as we left, the doorman waving a farewell to us, I called Vince.

"Talk."

"Are you nuts?" I bit out. "I'm not taking that apartment."

There was a long pause as I waited for her to respond.

"Where are you?" She demanded impatiently.

"In front of the building."

"Wait there."

And the line disconnected. I stared at my phone for a minute before shoving it in my back pocket.

"What'd she say?" Anna asked. I couldn't help but notice the hint of amusement in her eyes.

"To wait here."

Anna nodded, "well, I'm gonna take off. I would take the apartment, it's gorgeous and a lot safer considering who you're dating. But that's just me. See you tomorrow?"

I nodded, gave her a hug, and watched her walk away. There was a part of my brain, the part that was not panicking, that realized she might be right. Given the scare we had a few weeks ago, when Johnny showed up to whisk us away late at night, having a doorman who had to buzz up visitors would be a lot safer. But still...I never imagined myself living in such a place. Why? I couldn't possibly afford it. And the new appliances? The new furniture? Was that something every tenant received? I doubted it.

I wasn't dating Vince for her money. For the 'things' she could provide. I didn't care about that. I had been doing okay on my own. Not great, but okay. I didn't need her to take care of me...of us. And I didn't want to be a kept woman. I didn't want to become dependent on her. What if we didn't work out? What if I decided she was too much of a risk? What if I started dating other people? Then what would happen? How would I explain to my little girl that we had to move back to a tiny one-bedroom apartment? That the luxuries Vince had provided were no longer ours to enjoy? How could I face that type of disappointment from Keni?

These thoughts were plaguing me when Johnny's huge black SUV pulled up to the curb. He stepped from the vehicle, walked around to the passenger's side, and opened the back door. I glanced in and Vince was sitting in the back on the phone. I slid in beside her, watching as Johnny reclaimed the driver's seat...and wondering if this was Vince's car, not Johnny's. She ended her call a few minutes later, then pressed a button that raised a clear partition.

"What's wrong with it?" She asked.

"Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Except I wasn't expecting a luxury apartment, Vince. One that I would never be able to afford." I said, my irritation obvious.

"I told you, same rent."

"Bullshit. No way is that apartment even close to my rent. And..." I was so annoyed, so flustered, I wasn't able to find the words, so I turned to look out of the window.

"And what?" She pushed.

I shook my head, refusing to say anymore.

"And what Georgia?" She demanded, irritation now clearly evident in her voice.

I shook my head again, she just didn't understand...

"I don't want this between us," I said softly. "I don't want that kind of relationship with you. I'm not...looking for someone to pay my bills."

I was staring out of the window still, but I heard her sigh.

"Georgia."

Her voice was gentle, the frustration gone. I didn't turn to look at her, realizing with dismay tears had filled my eyes. Wondering if that was how she saw me...someone just trying to get something from her.

"Baby," she called to me in that sweet, husky voice.

The term of endearment swept through me and suddenly the tears were coursing down my cheeks. She reached over, her hand tenderly grasping the back of my neck, turning me to her.

"I don't think of you like that."

I couldn't meet her eyes, so I looked down at her jean clad thighs instead.

"Baby, look at me," she demanded softly.

I took a deep breath, feeling stupid, but forced myself to look at her for a moment. She wiped the tears from my cheeks.

"You're not like that. Do you know how I know?" She asked gently.

I shrugged.

"Because I've been in your life for months now, and you know what you've asked me for? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. You know I have money, you know I drive a fucking ridiculously expensive car, but did you ask me to take over your cell phone bill? Did you ask for help with your rent? No, baby. You never even ask me to stop and pick up milk," she teased.

I shrugged again, returning my gaze to her thighs. She finished wiping away my tears and used a finger to lift my chin until I met those amazing blue eyes. She was watching me carefully.

"Let me do this for you," she said softly.

God, this woman asking me to do anything for her was a lost cause...I didn't really have it in me to say no. But this...this was too much.

"I'd feel dependent on you. Overly grateful...like I owed you something," I whispered softly.

She nodded, "I hear that. And I'm asking you to let me do this for you anyway. And we'll work through all that other shit. Okay?"

I sighed, "I can't, Vince."

She also sighed, her thumb caressing my cheek.

"So independent," she murmured.

But suddenly those eyes were serious, "Johnny told you about the Jamaicans and what could've happened, right? What if I need this? To know the two of you are safe?"

Straightforward...kind...generous...and she was worried about us. I mean...how could I say no? And I think she knew that.

"Vince," I whispered, one last desperate attempt to refuse.

"Please."

And that pretty much did it. I sighed, bit my lower lip, wondered if I was making a huge mistake...and nodded in agreement.

She just smiled.

***

Not one to disrupt my baby girl's routine, I waited until her Spring break, which was in early May, before we moved. Vince and I had been out on quite a few more dates, which were really nice. We'd made out, hot and heavy, but hadn't had sex again. I believe it was frustrating for us both...especially for me.

Vince also took me to her place finally, which was about 20 minutes by car from the new apartment. She lived a pretty simple life in a plainly decorated, oversized one-bedroom. Everything was obviously top quality, the furniture, the appliances, the 60-inch curved television, and she did have a gorgeous, black claw-foot tub that I fell in love with, but the apartment was much more basic than I expected.

And even when we were at her place, Vince didn't let our 'fooling around' get out of hand. She reminded me that I hadn't liked it when she had to leave first thing in the morning...and she guaranteed that she would be even more pissed if I had to leave her bed at the crack of dawn to get home before Keni woke.

But most importantly, Vince had been making more of an effort to spend time with us. She made it to dinner at least once a week. And she picked up Keni up from school periodically. And when she picked her up, the three of them (Vince, Keni and Panda) would sometimes get food and do something fun before she brought the girls home. She was definitely making an effort to bond with my baby girl.

Michael was sending checks regularly every two weeks...but he'd made no mention of meeting his daughter.

*

Three weeks after we settled into the apartment the school-wide spelling bee was scheduled to take place. Anna and Johnny planned to attend...in fact, Anna and Johnny had started spending quite a bit of time with us...and with each other. But I didn't intend to say anything about that until Anna said something first.

Vince wasn't sure she could make it, which was disappointing.

Meanwhile, Keni was in heaven decorating her new room. I thought she might have some problems adjusting to sleeping alone, but not my baby girl. I think I had more problems adjusting than she did. And every weekend, either me or Anna would take her shopping to pick out something for her room. Paint samples to mark up her walls before we chose a color (she wanted lilac, but there seemed to be 200 shades of 'light purple'), a new comforter set, an area rug, posters, knickknacks...I knew I was spoiling my baby, but it felt nice to do it even if I planned to put an end to it soon. Besides, technically her father was spoiling her since I was using his money.