Chapter 12

During the middle of October things for Onyx had been pretty quiet. It was like that at times. It would be silent for a couple of months, then suddenly, it was a scramble to fit everyone in.

At any rate, I got to enjoy being me, Elise. I was on the river, doing my run when I spotted a familiar face. He was with the same girl that he curved me for the previous month.

I jogged passed them with a complimentary head nod. Inside, I was a tad bit annoyed, because he acted as if he wanted me. Yet, the first opportunity he had to run, he did.

I jogged until I was winded, then I started my cooldown walk. I needed a minute to clear my head. I got a notification on Onyx’s line, a message from Mark. I shook my head. I thought he had let the idea pass and was over it. Three question marks.

I responded, “What?”

“Did you forget? I’m available tonight.”

“Okay. Send details.”

Later that night, we ended up meeting at the same hotel, but in a different room. He sat between my legs as I massaged his scalp and listened attentively as he spoke about things.

“It’s crazy because she’s a good mom, you know, but I just feel like the chemistry is gone.”

“Did it ever exist?” I asked.

He sat up and looked at me, “What do you mean? We used to have plenty of sex.”

I laughed, “Having sex and having sexual chemistry are two different things. Like there are men that I meet and immediately I can tell if our sexual energies match.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. So it’s not just about laying with someone, it’s like a vibe a rhythm an ebb, and a flow. It’s about being connected.”

“Do you feel that with me?”

I smiled, “I do.”

He grinned, “I knew it. You like being with me.”

I shook my head and chuckled, “Relax.”

He crawled on top of me until I laid back, “Why?”

“Because it’s dangerous. You have to think about this as just sex. You have a family and I’m good with my life the way it is.”

“I don’t believe you; you want more. You have to.”

I chuckled, “It doesn’t matter. You have to follow the rules or I leave.”

“Okay fine. I want you so badly right now.”

“Then what are you waiting for?”

About two weeks later, I had a date with my cousin Iyanna. We were at this Album release party. We were all dressed up and looking fabulous.

We sat at our table when suddenly, we were requested in the VIP. I pulled Iyanna’s arm, “We can’t go up there.”

“The hell, girl you better come on.” She snatched me up and we headed upstairs to one of the VIP stations.

Two men, one I recognized, but I had to play cool. The eyes, teal, those pretty pink lips, his strong jawline, and the beard. Did he know who I was? Was it a trick? But how?

He spoke, “Hello ladies, I’m Alessandro and this is my friend Francisco. And your names?”

“I’m Iyanna and this is my cousin Elise.”

“Glad you ladies decided to join us. We have drinks.” He motioned his hand and the server brought over champagne. And we drank.

In my head, I wondered, if he knew who I was. Iyanna was next to his friend. He smiled at me, “I don’t bite unless you want me to.” He joked. I chuckled and sat next to him.

“Do you know the artist?” I asked.

He sipped his drink, “I get invited to a lot of these things. My family does business with many of the clubs and restaurants on the east coast.”

“What does your family do?”

“We’re in the wine business.” The way he looked at me made my heart flutter. He asked, “Do you like wine?”

“I do.”

“Do you have a boyfriend?”

“I don’t.”

He smiled, “I like you.” He said staring at me as if I was the most beautiful person he had ever seen.

“You’ve only just met me.”

“This is true, but ... I have a feeling that we can be good together.”

“Really,” I said. It was much of the same with most men that acted as if they wanted to date me, but in the end, it all turned out the same. “Look, you see me, most men say that my condition doesn’t bother them, but things never seem to work out.”

“Can I show you something?” he asked.

My left eyebrow rose, “Like what?”

He laughed, “Not that, not yet anyway.” He unbuttoned his shirt and showed me his skin. He had vitiligo on his chest. I understood. He smiled, “It doesn’t bother me. Can I take you out tomorrow? Dinner?”

“Yes,” I said without thinking. How was I supposed to do this? He was Gianni’s cousin. But Gianni had Onyx. His eyes drew me in as we sat and talked the rest of the night.

Before we left, he kissed the top of my hand, “I’ll see you tomorrow, bella.”

Saturday, I awakened with a smile on my face. I just felt happy. My phone sounded. It was Alessandro, “Hello bella, can I spend the day with you?”

“I suppose we can arrange that,” I replied sweetly.

“Should I pick you up?”

“I can meet you.” I didn’t give anyone my address. I had to be sure guys weren’t crazy or just pop up unannounced.

“Okay. I’ll text you the address.” The call ended and moments later, I got the text. It was time to get ready. I smiled.