Page 14 of Terrez and Shalene (D-Ville Projects #4)

Forty-five minutes later I was showered and in a new outfit.

The vibe at the steakhouse was casual, which was exactly what I was going for.

I knew Shalene wanted to let her hair down, so I chose a place that didn’t require either of us to do too much.

A few drinks, good food, and smooth conversation was all I was looking for.

To my surprise, Shalene’s fine ass was stepping out of her apartment at the same time as me.

“You look good, sweetheart.”

I couldn’t help but admire the way she was looking.

The high-rise blue jeans were hugging her every curve and the white button down tied at the bottom flowed effortlessly.

A pair of clear heels showcased her pink toes while a brown purse hung from her arm.

A sleek ponytail framed her face just right while the diamond studs in her ears made her appear brighter.

Honestly, I didn’t see how this woman had any ounce of low self-esteem when she looked so damn good.

“Thank you. You not so bad yourself.” She smiled.

Grabbing her hand, I kissed the back of it before leading her to the elevator and out of the building.

“Can I play some music?” she asked when we were settled into my truck.

“Yes, ma’am.”

I tapped the screen of my radio and followed the prompts to connect her Bluetooth.

I listened to my fair share of music, most of it being rap, but the shit Shalene was playing wasn’t bad at all.

The name of the artist was one I’d never heard of before, but she could really sing.

I had nothing against R&B, but I couldn’t see myself sitting around listening to it all day.

Resting my hand on Shalene’s thigh while I drove through the city had me feeling complete.

I couldn’t remember the last time I felt good on the inside.

When I pulled into the parking lot of the steakhouse, I pulled to the front and patiently waited for the valet attendant.

After helping Shalene out of the truck, we headed inside. The host led us right to our booth located in the middle of the restaurant.

“Your server will be with you all shortly,” she said before walking back up front.

“I wanted to take you somewhere more upscale for our first date, but I want you to relax tonight.”

“This is perfect, Terrez. I’ve never spent much time on this side of town, so it’s nice to experience things that are close to home,” she expressed.

“How are you adjusting to the move? How does it feel being in a new space?”

“I love it. It’s crazy because I thought moving from my home with Brevin would destroy me, but it’s not bad. I love coming home from work knowing he’s not there to disrespect me or ruin my day. It’s peaceful. Hell, I wish I would’ve moved out sooner.”

“I feel that. I’m glad you’re finding peace. There’s no way you can be a good mother if you’re not okay mentally.”

“Absolutely. Growing up, my mom was always present. She was patient and explained things to me. That’s the type of mother I pray I am to Amayah. I never want my daughter or any of my children to feel like they have to heal from me when they grow up.”

“That shit is all too common these days. I know a lot of people that had to heal from their parents when they grew up. It’s a heavy spirit that lingers over the Black community.

All that shit stems from systemic racism.

It may not seem like it correlates, but mental health and poverty go hand in hand,” I replied.

“I can see that. That’s why I thank God for the life he gave me. I’m able to raise my daughter in communities that have opportunity. I don’t take it for granted.”

The waiter approached the table with two glasses of ice water and a small basket of fresh bread.

As she set everything on the table, she informed us of her name and asked if we’d eaten here before.

I’d come here countless times, so I knew what I wanted to order.

After writing down our drink and appetizer orders, she assured us everything would be out shortly.

“What do you like to do for fun? You haven’t told me any hobbies you have,” Shalene said as she took a sip of water.

“Shit, I haven’t had a hobby in a minute.

I can’t tell you the last time I did some shit for fun.

When I was a teenager, one of my homeboy’s moms used to take us to theme parks.

Being on rollercoasters was somethin’ I fucked with heavy.

I even liked to play them rigged ass games they have.

I plan on traveling when I get all my business handled.

I’ve been to a few of the neighboring states and Miami and Chicago a few times, but never out of the country. ”

“I’ve been out of the country a few times, but there’s still a lot of places I’d like to see.”

As the conversation flowed, our drinks came out and we ordered dinner.

Several topics came and went as we enjoyed our meal.

Every time I talked to Shalene, she pulled me into a space I felt comfortable in.

In the world we lived in, there weren’t many Shalenes walking around.

I wouldn’t lie and say I’d be okay with being her friend if our relationship didn’t go anywhere, but I’d always look out for her.

She was genuinely a good person. A little over an hour had gone by when we were done eating and all I could think about was laying my ass in the bed.

The drive back home was more entertaining than the way here.

We talked about what we knew about Diamond Falls.

It always amazed me how people could grow up in the same city and have completely different experiences.

As if my time with Shalene was too good to be true, Amber’s name popped up on the radio with an incoming call.

The laughter Shalene was once letting out ceased when she looked at the screen.

Hitting the red icon to ignore the call, I looked over at Shalene who I figured would have an attitude.

“Don’t overthink that,” I stated as I stopped at a red light.

“There’s nothing for me to overthink. You’re not my man so I can’t be mad.”

“Shalene, don’t do that, baby. I already told you what it was with Amber. I ain’t talked to that woman since the night I was with her at the grocery store. This is the first time she’s reached out and I damn sure ain’t hit her up.”

“So why is she calling you now and why is she able to get to you?”

“You’re right. I’ll block her number as soon as I park.”

“You don’t have to do all that. If you wanted to block her, you would’ve already done it.”

Truthfully, I did plan to block Amber’s number, but she was so irrelevant that I hadn’t remembered to do it.

Amber would never get to see this dick again, especially after she disrespected Shalene.

There was no need for me to tell Shalene all of that, but I wanted her to trust what I was saying.

Even in the past, Amber only called when she wanted something, and it was reciprocated from my end.

“Thank you for dinner. I really appreciate it. You have a blessed night,” she said as she pulled the lever to get out of the truck.

I was barely parked when she hopped out and all I could do was laugh.

Not so much at being mad, but because she thought getting rid of me would be that easy.

I thought she would’ve caught on to the type of man I was, but I guess it hadn’t clicked yet.

After swiftly blocking Amber’s number, I got out of the truck and walked inside the building.

Since Shalene wasn’t at the elevators, I knew she had more than likely just gotten on.

That was cool though. I’d already told myself if she didn’t let me in her place willingly, I’d make a call to get the master key and I didn’t give a fuck how mad she was about it.

One thing I knew was that we’d be ending our night in the same bed.

By the time I made it to her apartment, I could hear her on the other side walking around.

“Do you need something?” she asked as she pulled the door open. I was sure she got notified I was here since I hadn’t had a chance to ring the bell or knock yet.

“Let me talk to you.”

“No. Every time we hang out, I’m always mad in the end. Everything is perfect and you do something that pisses me off.”

“You’re pissed at me because I didn’t spend the night, Shalene? I’d be irritated with your ass too, but I wouldn’t hold it against you. What are you really mad about?” I quizzed.

I halfway knew the answer, but wanted to make sure I wasn’t missing anything.

Shalene’s insecurities made a cameo every now and then.

I didn’t bring it up because I knew it was a touchy subject.

I thought so highly of Shalene, but had to remember she was in the middle of a self-healing journey.

On top of seeing her ex-husband with another woman, she wasn’t comfortable in her own body.

“Nothing. Just go be with ol’ girl,” she said as she attempted to close the door.

Lightly pushing it back, I made my way inside and locked it behind me.

“Terrez—”

Her words were cut short when I went in for a kiss.

With both hands gripping her face, I familiarized myself with her lips.

I’d been wanting to do this shit since the first night I laid eyes on her.

When she pressed her body against mine, I lost all control and reached for her waistline.

My lips were still on hers when I started to tug her jeans down.

Once they hit the floor, I slid my hands into her panties and grabbed a handful of her ass.

Shalene’s skin was so damn soft and smelled like a mixture of cocoa butter and cotton candy.

I trailed kisses down her neck and chest as I unbuttoned her shirt then undid her bra.

When her titties were freed, I wasted no time licking and sucking each of them.

I was so into pleasing Shalene that I didn’t feel her unfastening my pants until her warm hand squeezed my dick.

“Shit,” I let out unwillingly.

Shalene took my hand in hers and led me to her bedroom, where I stripped out of everything.

“Come to the edge of the bed and get on all fours. I need to see that arch, baby,” I said as I slapped one of her ass cheeks.

Looking over at me with a smirk, she did as I asked and my dick got even harder.

From how perfect her posture was, I knew Shalene would give me a run for my money.

She may have her insecurities, but those wouldn’t exist in the bedroom.

Baby was transitioning into her alter ego and I was all for that shit.

I dropped to my knees, couldn’t help but start shit off by kissing her ass.

Her body was shaking and her breathing got heavy when my tongue slid from her ass to the top of her pussy.

I pressed firmly against her clit and used my lips to suck it light enough to fuck with her.

“Terrez, please.”

“Please what? Talk all that shit you be talkin’ any other time,” I said as I dove back in.

Moans mixed with inaudible words came from Shalene’s throat as I finally decided to bring her to bliss.

I knew she was about to explode when she started to rock back and forth.

With one last firm suck of her clit, her body shook and the familiar feeling of pulsing started.

She was dripping wet when I pulled back.

Her pussy was so fucking wet that wearing a condom was no longer a priority.

Leaning over her, my dick damn near burst when it encountered her juices.

“Baby…can I please feel you? Skin to skin.”

When she looked at me with a worried expression, I kissed her to reassure her that everything was okay. I needed her to know I was nothing like that bitch ass nigga Brevin. I was the man she thought I was and that shit would never change.

“You trust me?”

Slowly, she nodded before mumbling the word, “Yes.”

With one last kiss, I sat up and lined myself with her opening.

Just like I knew, her walls welcomed me in with little pushback.

She was so snug that I had to pause a few times to keep myself from being a minute man.

Once all of me was inside, I gripped Shalene’s hips and created a rhythm that allowed me to appreciate and enjoy the pussy.

That was the case until she started to fuck me back.

She met my strokes with the right amount of force and tightened her muscles when the tip was the only part inside.

“Baby, you keep squeezing my dick like that, it’s gon’ make me bust,” I admitted with my head thrown back.

Instead of taking heed to what I said, Shalene deepened her arch and increased her pace.

Saying fuck it, I gripped her hips tighter and stroked her with everything in me.

This type of sex was different. Any time I was in some pussy, it always felt good, but the shit hit different when you cared for the person you were engaging with.

Shalene was mine and I knew I didn’t have to worry about any other niggas in my shit.

She wasn’t even that type of woman. Still stroking, I leaned over and reached for her bouncing titties.

I caressed them as she turned her head to the side and kissed me.

When she started sucking my tongue, I lost the war and came.

Thankfully, Shalene was right behind me.

Her walls pulsing around my dick damn near sent me into delusion.

That was the first of many rounds Shalene and I had for the night.

For hours, we got to know each other’s bodies in the best way.

Once the sex came to end, a bath together and a late-night snack shared between us kept the intimacy going.

I was falling really hard for this woman and fast. I knew she felt the same way.

I needed her to know if she fell just as hard, I’d be right there to catch her.