“I’ll be right there.”
Irys said, “I love you,” but Quentin had already hung up.
The party was in full swing. Coworkers, friends and family from both sides were there to celebrate the engagement of Irys and Quentin. Irys’ younger brother had jumped at the chance to go and pick Ileana up from the airport while Irys attended to her other guests.
She slipped into the powder room to freshen up. Quentin came in right behind her before Irys had a chance to lock the door. “Enjoying the party?” she asked.
“Yes, I am, but I had to steal a moment alone with you. I’ll be glad when all this fanfare is over and done with. I just want to get down to the business of being married to you, Irys.”
She smiled at him with sincere love. He was deliciously good-looking with his bald head and neatly trimmed goatee. She asked him to wear his favorite Sean John suit; without a shirt. “I know, baby. I appreciate you going along with all the planning. You know, I just want the fairy-tale wedding.”
“And you deserve it,” Quentin said as he brushed a lock of dark brown hair from her forehead. She had large round eyes with long, luxurious lashes. He even thought the freckles on her face were precious. “You are one fine black woman. I’ll find a way to get you whatever you want.”
He pressed himself against her firm bottom and stroked her cleavage from behind.
“I’ll think we’ll be missed if we stay in here much longer, baby.”
“I don’t give a fuck.”
“Well, a fuck is what you want and you know I hate quickies. I promise it’ll be worth the wait.”
He reluctantly pulled himself away and followed Irys back out to the living room. A small crowd had gathered over by the bar. Irys’ brother was waving them over. “I guess Ileana is here, huh?” Irys asked rhetorically.
Irys grabbed Quentin’s hand and walked quickly over to the crowd. She then let his hand go so she could embrace her friend. “I’m so glad you made it here safely. It’s so good to see you. It’s been too long.”
Ileana hugged her back. “I know it has.”
Quentin stepped closer to get a look at the woman he’d heard so much about. Ileana was indeed stunning. The most beautiful woman he’d ever laid eyes on. He suddenly recalled thinking the same thing the first time he’d met her. Ileana was not a woman whose face you’d forget even if you didn’t remember her name. It had been a long time ago, but he’d been with Ileana.
Quentin waited for recognition to cross her face. “You must be the lucky man. Hello, I’m Ileana.” She extended her hand to him.
“I’ve heard so much about you, I’m glad you could make it to the party,” he said as he took her soft hand in his. Ileana’s touch brought back the memory of how her body felt with him buried deep inside. Quentin couldn’t believe she didn’t know who he was. Then he realized she would hardly admit it at his engagement party.
“Come, get something to eat,” Irys instructed her as she led her to the buffet table. Once they were out of earshot, she turned to Ileana. “So what do you think?”
“He is definitely one fine-ass man. I can’t believe you never sent me a picture or anything.”
“You know how scatterbrained I can get sometimes when I’m wrapped up in my love thang. I just hope you two don’t get along too well,” Irys said with a grin.
Ileana thought about just how well they had gotten along that one weekend years ago. She couldn’t believe this was the same man. Back then he called himself Jontarius. Was that a fake name or was Quentin? Either way, this meant trouble for the three of them.
Sitting beside Irys on the couch, Ileana caught Quentin staring at her several times. He was even more handsome than he had been when they met at an after party Sean Combs had thrown. It was a wild time that lasted for two days. Ileana hadn’t seen Jontarius/Quentin since then. His lovemaking was definitely memorable. He was the best she had. Ever. Ileana was not an easy woman to please in the bedroom. Most men tried too hard to impress her. Quentin was a natural. His strokes deep and hard. His tongue adventurous. His curiosity insatiable.
Irys’ brother turned down the lights and the deejay threw on a slow jam. Quentin led his fiancée to the center of the room. They held each other as they swayed to the music. Near the end of the song, Irys whispered into his ear. “Why don’t you ask Ileana to dance?”
Quentin couldn’t think of a good reason to say no. And honestly he didn’t want to. He walked over to her as she sat perched on the arm of the couch. “May I have the pleasure of this dance?”
Floetry’s “Say Yes” began to play as Ileana took his hand. She wondered what he was going to say. “Are you treating my girl right?”
“I’ve never done anything to hurt her. I respect and care for her.”
“Good. You should have a happy life together then.” Ileana laid her head on his shoulder as they danced. Her bloodred tube dress clung to all the right curves.
“Where are you staying?” Quentin couldn’t help asking.
“My mother has a place near the Cloisters. She’s vacationing, so I’ll just crash there until I head back to Nevada.”
“Yeah, I’ve been there with Irys. Your mother’s nearly as beautiful as you are.”
“Thank you.” She could tell he was waiting for her to say something. She wouldn’t be the one to rock the boat. He subtly pulled her closer. Ileana could feel his reaction.
“I love this song.”
“Yes, I can see that,” she said, trying not to smile.
“Would you excuse me?”
“Certainly.” Quentin expertly dodged Irys as he made his way to the bathroom. Ileana was ready to be out of there.
A few hours later, Irys asked for everyone’s attention. “I just want to thank you all for coming and celebrating our upcoming marriage.”
“Yes, thank you. And please join me in a toast to my bride-to-be,” Quentin added.
All the guests raised their glasses. Ileana was glad the festivities had come to an end. Quentin wasn’t the only one to have a reaction to their dance. She’d felt herself get wet and her nipples harden as he rubbed himself against her. It had been a while since she’d had satisfying sex. It was going to be a long night.
Irys pulled Ileana to the side. “Did he flirt or say anything while you were dancing?”
Ileana sighed. Did she really think her fiancé was that classless? “No, amiga. He didn’t say anything inappropriate at all.”
“I know you think the whole thing is silly. Thanks for humoring me.” Irys hugged and kissed her. They circled the room with their arms linked as Ileana said her good nights. Irys’ brother walked them downstairs as they hailed a cab for Ileana.
“See you tomorrow?” Irys asked as she held the door open for her friend.
“Yes, I want to hit the stores. Nothing like shopping in Manhattan.”
“Get home safe. Call me in the morning.”
Ileana tossed and turned as she tried to get some sleep in her mother’s huge bed. The evening had gone nothing like she’d expected. She didn’t want to do her girl dirty, but she had to admit that part of her wished Quentin would show up on her doorstep. She craved a good man. Then she realized that if he did come to her that would not make him a good man at all.
Just as she was about to drift off to sleep the doorbell rang. Ileana forced her eyes open and saw that the digital clock read three-thirty. She groped around for her robe to cover her nakedness. When she got to the door, Ileana was surprised to see Irys through the peephole.
“Are you okay? What are you doing here in the middle of the night?”
“I have a mystery to solve.”
“Come on in. Talk at me;what’s up?”
“The funny thing about all of this is I didn’t have to develop a scheme to see how Quentin really felt. All it took was one look at you,” Irys said.
Ileana didn’t like the sound of what her friend was saying. “What does that mean?”
“Don’t worry; I don’t blame you
. You didn’t even let on to him that you knew him. I’m sure you remember, though. Quentin would be very hard to forget. For a lot of reasons.”
Ileana didn’t see the point of denying it. “When I met him a few years ago his name was different.”
“Yeah, Jontarius. That’s his first name, actually. He didn’t think corporate America would dig it so he goes by his middle name. He said that he couldn’t cheat himself or me by pretending that you didn’t have an effect. He swore you never came on to him or vice versa, but he felt so drawn to you he wondered how he could call himself in love with me.”
Ileana was shocked. “The wedding is off?”
“Looks like.”
“Irys, baby, I’m so sorry.” Ileana was a little concerned that her girl wasn’t showing much emotion about the situation. “Can I get you anything?”
Ileana moved toward the kitchen, but Irys blocked her path. Before she realized it, Irys had covered her mouth with her own. An awkward kiss that felt strange to Ileana’s lips.
“My so-called my man is leaving me because of you, my brother acts like an idiot over you and even my own father wanted to get with you. I just have to see for myself what is driving these men to distraction.” Irys inched closer.
“I know you’re upset;you have a right to be. You must be…”
“No, Ileana. I know exactly what I’m saying. I’m not even that upset about Quentin. Sure I wanted more than anything to be married to him, but something about it just didn’t feel right even before tonight. I didn’t really want to admit it to myself, but I don’t believe he was ever in love.”
Ileana felt uncomfortable as her friend stroked her face. She gently grabbed her hand. “How about I fix us a drink? Then again maybe alcohol is the last thing you need.”
“I’m serious. I want to see what the mystique is.”
“There is no mystique, stop playing. You can sleep in the spare room or we can sit up all night talking, but this other thing is not happening, okay?”
Ileana didn’t want to completely spurn her friend, but she knew Irys’ behavior stemmed from hurt and anger. It was not possible that she truly wanted to get it on with her. People often raved about her looks, but she always felt Irys was the beautiful one. Even still, she couldn’t make love to her. Could she?
Irys could see wonder creep across Ileana’s face. “You’re considering it, aren’t you?”
“Of course not. We wouldn’t be able to look each other in the eye afterward. Have you ever been with a woman?”
Irys thought about if for a moment. “I did kiss this girl once in college, but it was a dare. This would be different. This would be testing the legend.”
“You’re getting sillier by the moment,” Ileana said, then kissed her teeth.
“Are you afraid I’ll get hooked, too?”
“What would doing it prove?”
“I’m not out to prove anything. I love you for who you are inside, but obviously there’s more to the package. Listen, I know it’s unorthodox, but right now I could care less. I just want to lie with someone I know loves me.”
As hard as Ileana stared, she could see only certainty looking back at her. Irys was for real. Ileana did feel a little responsible for her predicament. She hadn’t propositioned Quentin, but she had lusted after him. She wasn’t sure what to make of his admission to Irys. If Ileana could ease her friend’s pain…
She hesitantly sat down on the couch. Her robe came open, exposing one delicious breast. Irys knelt down at the couch. She traced Ileana’s nipple with her forefinger. She was delighted that it hardened at her touch. Ileana parted her robe so that Irys could play with its twin. She pinched and tugged; gently enough so as not to cause pain, yet forcefully enough to cause pleasure. Irys boldly placed Ileana’s left nipple between her teeth. Ileana threw her head back against the couch as Irys greedily took turns sucking and kissing each breast. Ileana was not surprised to feel the moisture between her legs. She wondered if Irys was getting wet as well.
She slid her hand beneath Irys’ dress. Her girl was drenched. Irys moaned as Ileana moved the crotch of her silky panties to the side. She tickled and stroked her slick lips. Irys felt as if her clitoris was electrically charged. She scooted back, causing Ileana’s hand to fall away.
“I can come and come again, but I don’t want the first climax to happen this quickly.”
Ileana nodded. She let Irys make the next move. She came closer and gave Ileana the softest, deepest kiss she ever experienced. She could vaguely taste strawberries and champagne on Irys’ breath. Ileana seductively sucked on her friend’s tongue. Her finger crept back between Irys’ legs. She teased her opening with a finger, careful not to scratch her with a crimson nail. Ileana could hardly believe what they were doing; or how easy it was. Perhaps she was as starved for love as Irys.
Ileana felt a sudden curiosity to see Irys in all her glory. Ileana pulled the tie that held Irys’ dress up at the back of her neck. The front fell forward revealing a silky strapless bra. Irys’ chest was splattered with freckles and her breasts swelled attractively from her bra. Ileana planted tiny kisses on each mound. She moved downward and used her tongue to tickle Irys’ navel. Irys squirmed as Ileana held tightly on to her hips. After what seemed like a thousand kisses, Ileana slid down the black Donna Karan until it was a heap on the floor. She had Irys lie on her stomach across the plush rug. Ileana nibbled at the back of her neck. She massaged her new lover’s shoulders until Irys sighed with pleasure.
“I suppose it’s not too late to stop,” Ileana said in a questioning tone.
“Do you really want to stop, amiga?” Irys turned over to face Ileana.
“No, I don’t. But…”
“You’re talking too much. There are better uses for those lips.”
Irys grabbed Ileana by her dark luxurious hair and brought her face down to hers. She kissed her with greater intensity than before. Ileana had to admit she enjoyed the roughness of their mouths meeting; the depth of Irys’ tongue in her mouth. They groped and kissed every spot of each other’s bodies. They paused when Ileana’s mouth brushed against the wetness between Irys’ thighs. She had never tasted another woman’s essence. The scent was different from her own, naturally, but intoxicating. She brazenly traced Irys’ outer lips with her tongue. Irys nearly cried out, but managed to control herself. She was totally enjoying the wicked feeling of their union.
Ileana swung her leg around and was careful not to bring all her weight down on Irys’ stomach. Before she lost her nerve, she buried her face between her friend’s legs. Sixty-nine was an old favorite and she hoped that Irys was also up to the challenge. Ileana need not have worried. Irys skillfully parted the way to Ileana’s inner lips. In the dim light, she could see how swollen Ileana was with excitement. Irys wanted to be patient and take her time, but she began to suck on Ileana’s button intensely. Ileana did not have the control not to cry out and did so very loudly. Irys was pleased with her girl’s reaction. Then Ileana covered her entire sex with her mouth. Irys nearly bit Ileana but restrained herself before she could do any harm. Irys was completely smooth down below, but Ileana’s silky hairs delightfully tickled her.
Ileana began to tease Irys again; darting her finger in and out. Irys gasped as the sensation of Ileana’s finger and mouth working simultaneously nearly brought her over the edge. She decided to return the favor; however, Irys chose Ileana’s other opening to torture. She wet her index finger before attempting to delve between the cheeks of Ileana’s gorgeous ass. She tensed up at first, but Irys never stopped sucking her and Ileana felt like a ball of excited confusion.
Irys arched her back. She couldn’t take it any longer. She was so grateful Ileana knew not to speed up, but to continue the slow motion that was bringing her to ecstasy in the first place.
Ileana was like a waterfall. She rode the wave of Irys’ climax. As she delighted in her accomplishment, Ileana was not prepared for Irys’ thumb as it entered. Her walls began to vibrate and she k
new her release was near as well. She caught Irys’ rhythm and moved her hips along with it. Moments later, she snatched Irys’ dress to stifle her screams.
As they both came down from their high, Ileana hoped the moment wouldn’t be spoiled by regret. She slowly lifted herself off Irys. She turned around so she could face her. Ileana was relieved that her partner in crime was grinning from ear to ear.
“You are indeed magnificent,” Irys said. She sat up and kissed Ileana. The taste of their juices came together in sticky sweetness.
“Thank you for sharing yourself with me. It was like nothing I’ve ever experienced before. You completely turned me out, chiquita!”
“I aim to please.” Irys paused. “Are you okay?”
Ileana thought about it for a moment. “Yes, better than okay. This may be a once-in-a-lifetime deal, but I’m glad it was you. You know I love you, girl.”
“I love you, too. But as much as I enjoyed this, I still think dick can’t be beat.”
They laughed hysterically before collapsing back to the floor. Ileana reached up and pulled down the sheet her mother left behind on the couch. She covered them both as they stretched and yawned. They knew they probably would never share their bodies that way again. But as they spooned, each was content that they got what they needed and their love did not suffer for it.
Drawing Reality
Dibujar la realidad
Jocelyn Bringas
From afar I stared at her. Beautiful, I thought as I drew the flow of her dark black hair cascading down her back. Hair that I desperately wished I could run my fingers through just once. Hair that I dreamed of every night to feel. After a little more shading, my drawing of her was complete. I smiled at the drawing that was smiling back at me. It was a smile I wished was reality and not just some drawing.
I had to shut my sketchbook and attempt to focus on Professor Larson’s lecture on Picasso but I just wasn’t interested in learning about him. I was more interested in the beautiful woman seated six rows and two seats over from my desk. Jacelia Fernandez was her name. She was a beautiful twenty-