Chapter 18 WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?

Does it count if the guy you're gaming blows off the female he's screwing just for you?

I'm stumped for words

SEGUN

This isn't how I want her to see me...

No!

So I reverse my car because I'm already two streets away. As I turn it around, I change gears and drive at top speed like a mad person, right back to where it all started - the strip joint.

As I get close, I see the bouncers at the door so I begin figuring out a way to get in. But every scenario that plays out in my mind feels off, so I decide to wing it.

Immediately I put off the car engine, I jump out and begin jogging towards the entrance, but one of them preempts me, by walking up to me.

He places a hand on my chest and pushes me back before I'm even close to the door.

Damn!!!

I need to see Eve - I need to explain to her that I didn't do nothing with that chick. She also needs to tell me who the fuck that guy she was kissing, is.

So I begin shouting her name at the top of my voice and this attracts attention... major attention. People spill out from the club and a crowd begins to form as they bring out their phones to record me.

And I haven't even started my drama yet.

The bouncers begin dragging me away, but I keep resisting. This has to be the most stupid thing I'm ever going to do but I've got to stall for time until Eve comes out, so I punch the face of the bouncer holding my right arm and he doubles up in pain.

With my right arm free, I swing at his face and bury my knee in the groin of the other one holding my left arm. They free me as they nurse their wounds, doubling up in pain, so I use that opportunity to rush through the door. When I'm inside, I look around wildly for Eve. I spot Dipo and the rest of the clowns surrounding her and her toy boy.

Adrenaline fuels my veins as I walk up to her. Her toy boy stands aloof at a corner while she talks to him in low tones. He sees me first and straightens up - whispers something to her and I watch as her head whips around to look at me.

I feel like I've been sucker punched.

Her eyes shoot daggers at me and I almost falter in my steps, but I keep moving until I get close to her - close enough to hold her hand.

"Princess... please can we talk?"

She averts her face and replies me, her voice sounding muffled. "There's nothing to talk about so..."

"...go with him, hear what he has to say." Her toy boy cuts in.

Say what?

I look to the guy and nod a thank you and he smiles... the fucker actually smiles.

Nigger I'm about leaving with her, trust me ... you won't be smiling then.

Eve looks at him, anger evident in her stance. She turns back to me, huffs and begins walking off. I take that as my cue to follow her. Dipo, Femi and Fiku are quiet as they watch the scene playing out.

Ebere calls out to Eve but she ignores her and continues walking away.

As I walk off after Eve, I hear Chioma calling out to me, yet again so I tell Eve to hold on and walk back to her.

"Now listen to me." I get up and close to her face so she can hear me above the din of the music. "See that girl over there?" I point to Eve. "I feel something for her - I don't know what it is yet, but I'm gonna find out, so you just stay right here and look for someone else to manipulate, 'cause I'm done."

As I look up, I catch Dipo trying to stifle his laughter, but I don't wait around to find out what the big joke is about so I turn around to Eve, leaving Chioma's mouth hanging.

I see the bouncers rushing towards me and I lift up my hands in the air in a form of surrender then I grab Eve's hand as we make our way towards them. She squirms, trying to free her fingers from my clutch but I only tighten my grasp on them. Not letting go now.

When one of the bouncer gets close to me, I notice with a certain sick satisfaction the cut on his upper lip - it's bloody, thanks to my handwork. They must be real dummies for leaving their post at the door unattended while they stalk a lone man - me.

Luckily they don't make a move to stop me, they just watch as we walk past them.

Eve and I eventually make our way outside amidst the chaos and I lead her straight to my car where she stands, hands folded, tapping her foot impatiently and looking at everything but me. I expect her to get in because I'm driving the fuck away from here to my place.

I need some alone time with her. I need to talk to her, hold her - all night if she'll let me. I need to feel her - every inch of her.

I don't want her to disappear on me like last time.

Whatever this is... I don't know, but I sure as heck want to find out.

She sighs loudly and I know she wouldn't make this easy for me. I come down from the car and walk up to her. She stiffens as I touch her hand.

"I don't want to start a fight - not with you. All I want is to be with you, just you... please come with me."

She looks at me - actually looks at me and smiles.

I take that as a yes because she gets into the car without further cajoling and I drive to my place like a mad man in heat.

Yes you read that right - heat. If care is not taken, my jeans might get torn in my nether region.

Having Eve beside me is reviving me down there in ways that are scary - even to me.

What on earth is she doing to me? I'm not even able to string swear words together in my mind anymore - I'm that shook.

I can't promise to be on my best behaviour tonight - not with her.

When we get to my place, I switch off the engine of the car, not making any move to get out as I turn to her. Might as well have the talk here and now otherwise I won't be able to stop myself from touching her once we're behind closed doors - and that would definitely becloud our senses.

"Who was that man you were kissing?" I can feel the anger coursing through me once more.

She doesn't reply immediately, instead she smiles coyly and turns to face me in the seat. Each second she's silent leaves me agitated, making me feel an excruciating pain in my chest. I realise this pain I'm feeling is associated with her. She's the only one that makes me feel pleasure - pain.

Please don't say he's your boyfriend!

"He's just a friend." And I know the topic has been dismissed when she instantly turns her face away from me.

Time to change tactics.

"Princess I called you ... severally, but you didn't pick. You didn't want to talk to me?"

She turns to me again, a frown on her face. "What is this we're doing? I don't even understand why you have to act all possessive like we're something to each other when clearly, we're not."

She shakes her head and looks at me, like she's waiting for me to proffer an answer.

And then it dawns on me - she's waiting for me to ascertain what exactly it is we are to each other.

Unfortunately... I don't do labels, so the boyfriend and girlfriend thing isn't gonna cut it.

"I like you." I reply simply, shrugging my shoulders.

"Okayyy..." She inclines her head, waiting for me to continue.

Great! Can we just be fuck mates already 'cause this talk is tiring me out.

She lifts her hands in the air, suddenly exasperated. "That's what I thought... silence. I'm tired of this shit, I'm not going to continue with this back and forth we're doing."

I'm getting angry now myself and when that happens, I begin to spout things that I always regret saying later. "Hey hold on a bit - you were the one that came to me saying you wanted to have sex with me."

"Great, so we had sex and that should suffice. What more do you want from me? Why act jealous to the extent of punching a guy in the face?"

Because I want you all to myself obviously and because I'm a selfish asshole that just can't see any man's hands on you except mine.

But I say nothing, I stay quiet because it's the best thing for the both of us.

She turns fully to me now, clearly agitated. I know she's about kicking up a shit storm of words when I stop her with my next statement.

"I want you - all of you... I'm sorry but once wasn't enough for me."

She looks at me like I just grew a second head and shakes her head disbelievingly. "So in other words, you want a fuck buddy?"

And I still managed to fuck it up without even saying those exact words... just great!

I rub my face with my two hands and as I make to put them down on my laps, I catch sight of my right knuckles. I raise it up to look at it better by the light of the moon - it is scraped and torn and the flesh is hanging loose in some parts, exposing skin.

I turn to her and notice she's still looking at me, an angry set to her jaw.

Oh Eve, why can't you understand how much I want you? Why do women have to be so damn complicated? What's so wrong in being fuck buddies anyway?

I realise my silence is damning and she's been waiting for a reply that we both know she's not going to get. The ball is absolutely in her court - she can decide to kick it or leave it standing idly on the side lines.

She scoffs and shakes her head, busying herself by opening her purse and bringing out her phone. I watch as she dials a number, putting it on speaker. A guy picks up on the second ring. By the tone of his voice, he sounds worried.

I'm guessing it's her toy boy.

"Are you alright?"

Asshole! She's with me. Hell yeah she's alright!

"Hey... can you come pick me?"

She looks at me squarely then and for the second time in one night, I feel like I've been sucker - punched.

Before he can get a reply in, I pluck her phone from her hand and press the button to end the call.

"Listen! It's late and you're under my care now. Please just spend the night here, even if you don't want me to touch you, I won't - even though I know it will give me one hell of some blue balls, but I'll definitely live."

She sighs and collects her phone from me. "Lead the way."

EVE

Damn him!

I'm upset with him but my treacherous body is quaking inside for him.

This was the wrong move - agreeing to stay over at his place for the night. How am I going to sleep on his bed and not beg him to touch me?

My nerves are in a quandary as we walk into his sitting room.

I was too hyped up when I first came here to give it anything but a cursory glance, but right now, I look around like I'm seeing it for the first time.

There's an impersonal feel to it - it doesn't look lived in....

... unless you count the blue leather chairs, glass side tables and big wall screen television, there's really nothing else. No pictures, no keepsakes - nothing. It's just... bare.

A plain bachelor's sitting room. Or he hasn't found a need to fill it up yet.

He tosses his car keys on the dining table and disappears into his room while I sit down awkwardly on one of the chairs. My mind is spinning and I'm still wondering what the heck I'm doing here - in the same place I ran away from two weeks ago, especially now that I don't even know where I stand with him.

So much for Ebere's commandments. At least my one got his attention.

How long I sit down for I don't know, but Batman's voice cuts me out of my reverie.

"Princess?"

I start, looking up at him as he stands with a worried expression on his face. I hadn't noticed when he'd gotten close.

Wow!

My eyes widen as I take in his appearance.

He has got to be the most sinful sight I've ever seen in my entire existence.

First off, he's shirtless - his broad shoulders glisten with water fresh from his shower and his chest - lord oh lord come to my aid. It's broad and well defined, showing beautiful pectorals that you only get to see on male models. The hair on his chest is just the right amount - not overtly much, but not sparse either.

Silky hair tendrils trail across and run down in a long line into the v of his abdomen where they disappear into his sweat pants. My hands itch to run my fingers across it - to test it's texture and feel it's silkiness.

My eyes continue their onslaught of his body down to his almost - non existent belly button. Mine looks like a mini - pig's snout.. uh!

I do a double take with my eyes as they slide up a notch and then down again, taking in his tight, barely - there stomach.

He's rocking an almost - eight pack and I'm mesmerized by it.

Not fair at all. Why do some guys look perfect without even having to try?

I fleetingly wonder if they were surgically enhanced, until my eyes fall on the dumb bell in one of his hands.

Show off! I scoff internally.

"Aren't you going to come inside?" He jerks his head in the direction of his bedroom, snapping me out of my appraisal of his body.

Good thing I'm not white skinned, 'cause I'd have blushed beetroot red - all the way to my panties.

"I... " My mouth is suddenly dry as I stare at his face. He's so close to me now and his eyes have begun to get that same intensity in them as he looks at me. I'm not about to start anything just yet, so I break the staring contest and jerk to my feet.

He leads the way, all the while pumping his muscles with the dumb bell. He wants more definition in his arms?

Seriously?

It looks like he's telepathic because as soon as we're in his room, he drops it in a corner and walks to his wardrobe, rifling through his clothes.

The air conditioner is on full blast and I'm suddenly shivering so I wrap my hands around my body and turn round to look at the room.

It looks more lived - in and his bed ... his bed is quite wide and ...

... vivid images suddenly filter into my mind - of me, of him, of his hands and whole body working their magic on me, and I bite my lip as heat infuses my entire being, and desire courses through me.

Something warm covers my shoulders from behind and I turn round, coming face to face with him. He's standing so close, a guarded look on his face and I mouth a thank you to him for the blanket when his eyes latch onto my lips.

This time there's no stopping my wayward body as it tilts towards him. He wastes no time either as he slides his hands into my hair, drawing me close to him and claiming my lips in a feverish kiss. The blanket around my shoulders slip down to the floor where it stays unheeded by the both of us.

His hands are rough this time, brooking no argument as he slides his tongue into my mouth. Over and over again we kiss, not once coming up for air. His hands begin to stray all over my body, leaving tingling feelings everywhere they touch.

His touch is becoming more insistent and I know if I don't stop him, he'll end up making love to me again - this time, not so gently and I wouldn't be an idle bystander either.

As if reading my mind, he stops and stares at me, breathing heavily, his eye lids heavy with unbridled passion.

He pushes me roughly onto the bed and I crawl backwards watching as he joins me on it.

"I'm not going to be gentle this time princess, so if you don't want me to continue, speak up now or forever hold your peace."

I stare at him, trying to understand the double entendre in his words until I notice the corners of his lips twitch and he breaks into a smile. I in turn try to hold in my laughter, as my hand flies to my mouth, but it slips out and we both burst into fits of giggles.

We are both giggling uncontrollably now, almost rolling off the bed, but it soon sputters off as we slowly come down from our laugh - induced high as we lay side by side on our backs, spent.

He turns to me then, supporting his head with his right hand as he leans towards me. "What are you doing to me?"

He's so silent, I almost don't hear him. I know he doesn't expect a reply - he's probably just soliloquizing. I breathe noisily and turn to face him, copying his pose.

We stare at each other and I watch as his hand lifts in the air and hovers over my face. It lands softly on my cheeks and begins to trace my features - my eyes and nose. I close my eyes as they dart lightly across my lips.

He sighs audibly and I feel the absence of his fingers as they leave my face. My eyes flutter open.

He's lying on his back once more, one hand thrown behind his head, cushioning it, the other across his stomach.

I do the same thing too as we both stare at the ceiling, lost in our separate thoughts.

"Do you want to take a shower?" The question comes abruptly out of nowhere and I welcome it.

"Yes please, I would like that very much."

He gets up and gives me a fresh towel from his wardrobe, smiling as he hands it to me. I take it from him but he holds my hand just as I'm about to take it from him and drags me to him.

I look up enquiringly at him, one eye brow raised in question but he just shakes his head and hands the towel to me and I smile as I take it, for real this time. I'm still smiling as I step into the bathroom.

Minutes later I'm reveling in his musky bath wash, letting the warm water wash away all the kinks in my joints. Once I'm done and feeling fresh, I'm in even more of a quandary because I don't know if I should wear the same clothes I removed or just lie down wrapped up in his bed sheets.

Should I ask him for something to wear?

As I step out, I see him sitting on the bed holding out some clothing to me and I collect them from him with a smile.

When I open them out, they're his boxer shorts and a big tee shirt. I unknowingly lift them up to my nose, expecting his smell to fill my nostrils as I sniff, but I'm sorely dissapointed when all I can smell is some flowery soap - he probably just had them laundered.

I feel a pang of disappointment at this revelation.

"Don't worry, they're clean." I didn't realise he had been watching my antics. He misconstrued my actions and that makes me feel sad, but it can't be helped.

Once again I say thank you and he leaves the room.

I know he's giving me time to change, even though he's already seen me nude.

You've got a heart, Batman... a good one.

As I wear his freshly clean clothes, I feel the corners of my lips lift in a smile, and I fold the one's I was wearing initially and put them at the foot of the bed and slip under the sheets.

I hear him coming into the room and walk into the bathroom. Sometime later, he comes out.

I feel the bed dip as he gets in. He sighs and scoots close to me after a few minutes.

"Princess?"

I refrain from replying because sleep is claiming me real fast so I don't bother answering, but then warm hands wrap themselves around me and I smile just before drifting off.