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  He unclasped her bra and her breasts bounced free. He suckled and patted them, like a sculptor molding clay. Moniqa thought she’d go crazy. An ocean of hot liquid gushed between her thighs. Then Rodgers reached down and touched her center and the sensation was electric like he’d plucked a guitar string. She moaned and quivered with need. He gently pulled the red, damp thong down her legs. The temperature rose in the dimly lit room.

  Moniqa slid his pants, then box shorts over his hips. Rodgers had risen mightily to the occasion. She couldn’t stop looking at his beautifully sculpted body. She reached out a tentative finger and stroked his thigh. His skin felt like velvet. Rodgers laid her gently on her back, then slid into her body.

  Though she experienced a twinge of pain, her first time was everything she ever read or heard about. With her legs wrapped tightly about Rodger’s body, Moniqa clutched the sheets, moaning and shaking her head from side to side. Tears ran down her face when he hit the spot. The orgasm they shared left Moniqa shaken to the very core. She lay in Rodger’s arms, limp as a wet dishrag.

  He whispered in her ear. “Was that good for you, love?”

  Moniqa smiled and said hoarsely, “It was simply wonderful.” She felt a spasm of regret that she hadn’t waited for her wedding night.

  Rodgers pulled her into his arms, and turned her face to his. “We’ve been kicking it for a while. I know you wanted to keep our relationship on the down low so I went along with that for a while. We’re adults now. Class is over. I love you, Moniqa, and want to marry you. What do you say, Moniqa? I want you to become my wife.”

  “Shit, Rodgers, I knew you were going to mess things up,” Moniqa exclaimed, sitting up, averting her face away from him. “I’m not in love with you, you know that. My heart belongs to Jeremiah.”

  “And you know that Jeremiah’s heart belongs to Melissa.” Rodgers pleaded miserably. “He’s never given you the time of day. You know I’m the man for you. Why are you throwing away what we have?”

  “Melissa and Jeremiah aren’t married yet. What’s that expression? It ain’t over till the fat lady sings. And she hasn’t hit that last note yet,” Melissa said as she ran her fingers through her hair.

  Rodgers looked confused. “Then why are you here with me if you love Jeremiah so much?”

  “Let’s just say I have my reasons.” Moniqa said as she rose from the bed. She looked for her underwear and began putting it on.

  Rodgers became angry. They exchanged words as Moniqa dressed. There was nothing he could do to change her mind. She informed him that she was going back to Spelman and would take a taxi. He sat on the bed and watched her struggle to zip her dress. He picked up her purse and threw it at her then stalked to the door. Opening it, he said, “Get out of here.”

  She scurried out the door and he slammed it behind her. Moniqa walked down the hallway. There was a look of remorse on her face as she pushed the down button.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Meanwhile, Melissa was having the time of her life with Jeremiah in his room at the Regency Suites Hotel on Peachtree Street. Her fiancé arranged for a special celebration with the hotel staff. He’d requested a table for two and a dozen roses were arranged in a crystal vase in the middle of the table. Scented candles sat on the end tables, casting a golden glow on the room

  Jeremiah ordered surf and turf and they enjoyed the mouth-watering feast. Melissa dipped a piece of lobster in butter and raised her fork to Jeremiah’s mouth. His lips glistened. A tiny bit of butter dribbled down his chin. She leaned over and daintily lapped it like a kitten.

  “Don’t start nothing, woman. We’re not done here yet?” he teased her, wiping his mouth with his white linen napkin.

  “I though you knew, Jeremiah.” Melissa batted her eyes at him. “I love starting stuff, especially with you.” Her hair was coiled in an upswept hairdo. She wore a sexy black dress and high-heeled shoes. Pearl earrings were in her ears. She looked beautiful in the candlelight.

  “Not so fast. We have the rest of the night to get things started and finished,” he promised. “Would you like a glass of champagne?”

  “Jeremiah, you didn’t have to do all this,” Melissa scolded as her hand waved about the room. ”It’s too much. With school and all. Still I’m glad you did.” She leaned over and kissed him.

  He walked to the wet bar and popped the cork of a bottle of Cristal champagne and brought two crystal flutes to the table.

  “What you’re doing is so romantic,” Melissa gushed as Jeremiah handed her a flute. She brought it to her lips then noticed something sparkling at the bottom of the glass. She set the glass down and looked in wonder at the ring sitting on the bottom. Her hands flew up. “Is this what I think it is?”

  “I just got the ring back from the jeweler.” He took it out the glass and slid it onto Melissa’s finger. “Now it’s official.”

  “J, no one has ever done anything as nice for me except my Daddy and Nana.” Her eyes brimmed with tears. “Nothing and nobody can keep us apart.” They hugged.

  Jeremiah turned on the radio and their song Always and Forever by Heatwave was playing. They danced sensually to the music. He held Melissa tightly in his arms, like he never wanted to let her go. He nuzzled her neck as she flung her head back.

  “What you need to do is hurry and set a date,” he complained. “Especially since you decided no sex until our wedding night. It’s one thing if I’d hadn’t ever sampled the goods but I have and I’m on fire.” He pressed her hand to his groin.

  “I think Mr. Willie needs some loving.” She cooed in his ear and then stuck her tongue inside it.

  “You know me, I have a backup plan.” Jeremiah smiled down at her. “This is our engagement night and what I want is take you to that bed and do naughty things to your body.” He fell to his knees and stroked her breasts

  “Umm…” Melissa moaned as she ran her fingers through his hair. “What did you say?”

  “I’m going to give you a sample of how your husband-to-be promises to pamper you on a monthly basis. I’m going to wash your hair then give you a manicure and pedicure. I’m going to show you how we Jeffries’ men take care of our women.”

  “Here? Right now?” Melissa squealed. Her eyes sparkled gaily.

  “Yes here,” Jeremiah declared. He walked to the closet, pulled out a shirt and tossed it to Melissa. “Put this on.”

  Melissa stripped down to her underwear, removed her bra but left on her thong. Jeremiah kneeling at the tub adjusting the water, he was dressed in only leopard skin briefs. His eyes lingered over her lithe body as she joined him. Melissa removed the shirt and bent forward on her knees in the tub with her head down. Water from the shower cascaded over her hair.

  Jeremiah uncapped a bottle of shampoo and massaged it gently into her scalp. His firm touch felt sensuous. When he’d finished washing her curls, Jeremiah towel-dried her hair. It sprung up wildly over her head. He kissed her head and called her his wild woman. He dried her body, put the skirt on and slid the thong over her legs. “We don’t want any temptations during our period of celibacy. Now do we?” He kissed the tip of her nose.

  Jeremiah led her to the bedroom where five bottles of different colors of fingernail polish lay on the dresser. He stuck cotton balls between her toes after putting sweet-smelling lotion on her feet.

  “And how would you know to do these things, Jeremiah? You wouldn’t happen to have a little swish in you?” She made her wrist go limp.

  “Please,” he sputtered. “All those sisters. I’ve never told anyone this. Sometimes I styled their hair and did nails. That skill came in handy for you. My dad still washes my mom’s hair.”

  Jeremiah polished her toenails first then her fingernails. While her nails dried, Melissa sat between his legs as he tenderly brushed her tangled locks.

  After he’d pronounced her irresistible, Jeremiah went to the living room and returned with fresh mouthwatering strawberries. Melissa poured the remainder of the champagne into their glasses. She la
y on the bed with Jeremiah on the bed then dipped the tiny fruit into the glass and stuffed them into Jeremiah’s mouth. They kissed and licked each other’s red-stained lips. A minute later, Melissa straddled his body and declared, “Doing it once before the wedding won’t hurt anything.”

  Later, they lay in bed cuddled together, totally satiated, and set September 3rd as their wedding date. Melissa planned to stay in Chicago until July then join Jeremiah at Meharry University.

  Chapter Fourteen

  The night before Melissa returned home, she and Connie sat in the living room talking. Connie planned to stay in the apartment until the lease expired. Melissa asked her friend to be maid of honor. Connie lifted an eyebrow skeptically. “Won’t Miss Thang be upset?”

  “She’ll get over it,” Melissa said firmly. “That’s one thing I can cross off my list. I’d like you to come to Chicago over the summer to get fitted for your dress. Otherwise, send me your sizes. And I’ll send you pictures of dresses and cloth samples?”

  “Amiga, I am so happy for you and Jeremiah. You two belong together?”

  “I know another couple who belonged together too. But you passed on Bobo’s proposal. You don’t know how upset he is,” Melissa said matter-of-factly. “I think he was looking for us to do a double-wedding or something.”

  “I think that honor belongs to twins, not best friend,” Connie said guiltily. “I love Bobo, but I’m just not ready to settle down yet. I tried to explain that to him. I know he’s the man for me. But I want to accomplish some things on my own without help from a man. For once, I want to be in charge of my life. Then I’ll think about settling down. I want to continue our relationship but it doesn’t look like that’s going to happen.”

  “Give him time to sulk. He’ll see things your way and be back,” Melissa declared optimistically.

  * * *

  A week later Melissa was back in Chicago, and it was as if the past four years hadn’t ever occurred. Her old insecurities loomed after living with Vanessa and Melissa. She thought about staying with Nancy until the wedding but Vanessa, for some perverse reason, wanted her home.

  Connie was correct. Moniqa made noises about not being Melissa’s maid of honor, but she seemed to overcome her disappointment quickly. She hadn’t looked for a job, instead opting to do charity work. Some weekends she left Friday morning, and didn’t return until Monday morning.

  Melissa felt slighted. Vanessa seemed to have little interest in planning her wedding so Nancy stepped up to the plate and joined her. Melissa flew to Tennessee several times to visit Jeremiah. He would have liked to have come to Chicago but felt Moniqa’s presence was intolerable.

  Melissa planned a trip to Tennessee the upcoming weekend to put her stamp of approval on a house Jeremiah planned to rent. With her overnight bag in hand, she walked down the hallway to Vanessa’s bedroom to inform her that she was leaving.

  She knocked on the door and Vanessa told her to come in, her voice sounded weak. “I know you planned to look at the house this weekend, but do mind staying home? I don’t feel well. Moniqa has already left for the weekend.” Vanessa’s face looked flushed as she sweated profusely.

  Melissa dropped the bag. “Sure. Can I get you something? Let me call Jeremiah and tell him that I changed my plans.”

  Vanessa replied gratefully. “I appreciate you staying with me. I’d like a cup of Earl Grey tea.”

  Melissa picked up her bag and returned it to her room. She went downstairs to the kitchen put a pot of hot water on a burner and turned the stove on. She grabbed the telephone and dialed Jeremiah’s number. He wasn’t available. She didn’t leave a message and decided to call him later.

  Melissa poured the steaming, hot tea into a cup and took it upstairs to Vanessa who was in the bathroom leaning over the toilet heaving. Melissa set the cup on the nightstand and rushed into the bathroom to assist Vanessa.

  “You probably have a stomach virus or something,” Melissa commented as she helped her mother back into bed.

  “I guess so…” Vanessa moaned, rubbing her eyes. “I feel terrible.” She clutched at her midsection. ”Would you mind sleeping in my room tonight?”

  “Sure, Mommy. No problem. Just let me get my things and I’ll be back in a minute.”

  Melissa walked into the hallway and thought about calling Jeremiah again. The idea disappeared from her mind, when she heard Vanessa groaning. She returned to Vanessa’s room a few minutes later with her sleeping bag and a couple of magazines.

  * * *

  Moniqa, scheming with a sense of guile only she and Vanessa possessed, checked into the Holiday Inn. She planned to pay Mr. Jeremiah Jeffries a call soon. She sat on the bed and pulled the key to Jeremiah’s apartment out of her burgundy purse. She’d found it among her sister’s possessions, when she rummaged through Melissa’s drawers. Moniqa took it to the locksmith to have a copy made. After she finished napping, she headed downstairs to find a taxi.

  The yellow cab pulled in front of Jeremiah’s apartment around 11:00 pm. Moniqa’s stomach felt knotted during the taxi ride. She asked the driver to put on the interior light and quickly styled her hair like Melissa’s. Moniqa wore one of Melissa’s outfits she’d sneaked out of her sister’s closet. She practiced changing her expression to Melissa’s “puppy dog look” as she called it. Moniqa was psyched and knew she was capable of pulling off the performance of her life.

  Moniqa walked quickly to apartment number #301, put the key into the lock, and turned it. She walked in and swore softly as she bumped into an end table. Jeremiah exited his bedroom in pajama bottoms. His face brightened when he saw Moniqa. “I wasn’t sure you were going to make it. I expected you hours ago. How’s my baby?”

  Tears flowed from Moniqa’s eyes as she threw herself into his arms. “Oh God, I’m pregnant J.” She tightened her grip around his neck. “We have to get married as soon as possible.”

  He hugged her tenderly. “That’s great. I know it’s a little ahead of schedule. But we can deal with it. When do you want to get married?” They walked into the living room. She sat on the couch and he bent down before her.

  “Tomorrow, tonight,” she muttered as tears ran down her face. Jeremiah used the pad of his thumb to wipe them away. “I’ll never live this down,” she moaned. “I’ll never hear the end of this from Mommy and Moniqa.”

  “I’ll make some calls.” He returned to his bedroom. Moniqa peeped at him with a satisfied look on her face. I should have been an actress.

  A few minutes later Jeremiah returned to the living room. Moniqa looked at him expectantly. I’ve got to sample to goods just in case something goes wrong. “J, can we get married in the morning? City Hall is fine with me. I just want to lie in your arms tonight and hear you say everything is going to be all right.”

  “Sure we can do that. How are you feeling? Have you seen a doctor yet?” He looked at the wooden clock on the wall. “It’s already morning. Luckily we’ve already applied for a marriage license so I don’t anticipate any problems. I know you must be tired.”

  “I feel okay. Just a little nauseous sometimes. The doctor thinks I’m about four weeks pregnant. I want to lie down.” She followed Jeremiah into the bedroom and stretched out on the bed. “Do you have any crackers? I don’t feel well.”

  Jeremiah went into the kitchen and Moniqa quickly unplugged the telephone cord. Then went into the bathroom, bent over the toilet bowl, stuck her finger down her throat, and heaved.

  Jeremiah hearing the retching sounds rushed into the bathroom and dampened a towel. He turned her face up and dabbed her forehead as Moniqa sat on the toilet seat. He asked anxiously, “All better?” She nodded her head.

  He picked her up easily and carried her to the bed. Moniqa laid her head on his chest, relieved her plan was working as designed. So far, so good. Jeremiah hadn’t been able to detect she wasn’t Melissa.

  Moniqa removed her clothing and slipped under the covers. Jeremiah reached over, turned off the table lamp and snuggled close to
her. He kissed her passionately. “I know we’re a little off track with the baby and all but I love you and all things happen for a good reason. I’m so proud you’re going to have my baby.” He gently stroked her tummy.

  Lying on their sides spoon-style, Moniqa scooted closer to Jeremiah. She shifted her butt to his groin area. His body responded immediately. “I know we’re still doing the celibacy thing. Don’t mind me. I can wait until tomorrow.”

  Moniqa whispered softly, “It’s already tomorrow. Jeremiah I want you…”

  He couldn’t bear to refuse any request Melissa made of him, Jeremiah obliged the woman he perceived to be his love.

  Moniqa smiled contently as she fell asleep in the crook of his arm.

  * * *

  Meanwhile, in Chicago, Melissa sneaked out of Vanessa’s room and tried calling Jeremiah again. She’d made futile attempts earlier with the same results. She frowned as the telephone rang and rang. I hope he’s not hurt or anything, maybe an emergency came up. I’ll try again in the morning.

  * * *

  The following morning, Jeremiah and Moniqa dressed and traveled to a small berg of Tennessee. One of Jeremiah’s Morehouse classmate’s, Milton, was employed as a clerk for a local judge. Milton explained Jeremiah’s predicament to his boss. He agreed to marry the couple in his chambers as soon as they arrived.

  * * *

  Melissa felt like she was going crazy. Her day seemed out of synch. Nothing was where it was supposed to be, starting with her engagement ring. She’d removed it from her finger during the week to clean it, and it wasn’t in her jewelry box where she thought she left it. She frantically emptied several dresser drawers. Later she dumped the contents of her purse, they lay haphazardly in the middle of her bed. Darn it. I can’t get a hold of Jeremiah. What a day this is turning out to be.