There is silence on the other end of the phone. Bruno is completely quiet. He ends the call and just sits on your couch staring at his iPhone for what feels like an eternity. He hits the home button and smiles at the selfie you and he took while playing around on the couch one night. The light on his phone goes dim and eventually, the picture fades to black. Dropping the phone on the floor, he places his thumb and index finger between his eyes as he leans his elbows on his knees. He can feel the moisture forming in the corners of his eyes.
You open your eyes and find Philip staring at you smiling. “Good morning beautiful”, he whispers kissing your forehead. You smile back and whisper, “Morning”. You feel like you have been to the mountain top and are now basking in the rewarding glow of the sun. Kissing you again, Philip asks, “You hungry?”. Before you can answer, your stomach growls. You both laugh. “Stay put, I’ll bring you breakfast in bed”, Phil promises scrambling out of bed. You grab his arm and shake your head. “Nah. Don’t go through the trouble. I have to get going Philip. I have a lot to get done before my long work week coming up”. Phil frowns as he plops onto the bed. “Nikki, you gotta eat something”, he pleads lovingly as he strokes your cheek. Blushing you look down and say, “I promise to eat when I get home. Ok?”. Philip smirks, “Fine”. You sit on the edge of the bed and kiss those deliciously soft lips. “Let me grab my things and I’ll be ready”, you state hopping up looking around for your clothes. Phil pouts, “No shower?”. You chuckle and reply, “Sorry, but I really need to get going”. What you are actually thinking is that Bruno may be wondering where you are. Putting on your clothes you wonder, ‘How the hell am I going to explain not coming home last night?’. You are hoping Bruno didn’t try to call you or show up at your place last night. “Philip, have you seen my phone?”. Phil goes over to the night stand and tosses it to you. Just as you feared, there are 3 missed calls, 2 voicemails and 4 text messages from Bruno. From the corner of your eye, you notice Phil watching you. You head downstairs to check your messages. As you walk down the steps you listen to Bruno’s first voicemail, “Nikki, bae…look, <heavy sigh> I know I get jealous sometimes. I’m sorry. If you say nothing was going on, I believe you. How about I grab a movie and we curl up in bed with some popcorn tonight? Love you. Call me back”. You cringe as a piece of your heart breaks. You delete it and listen to the second. Bruno’s tone is very different in this message, “Nikki…<he sniffs>…I just want you to know…I love you”. You feel like shit as you stare at your phone in your hand. Phil walks up behind you. Wrapping his arms around your waist, he kisses your neck and asks, “You ready?”.
Your mind is racing with possible explanations for your absence last night in case Bruno inquires. You decide on the most believable scenario. If he asks where you were last night, you’ll just hit him with this: ‘Rachel and I went out for some drinks. I ended up completely wasted so I crashed on her couch’. Believable right? You hope so. Phil notices your serious expression, “You ok?”. You are so lost in your thoughts, you don’t even hear him. “Nikki?”, he asks looking over at you concerned. “Huh?”, you reply. “You look pretty deep in thought. Are you ok?”. You are nervous as hell but you dare not tell him. “Yeah”, you force a chuckle. “I’m fine. Just thinking about everything I have to do today”. Phil pulls into your complex and you scan the parking lot for Bruno’s car. It’s not there. You exhale loudly. Phil laughs, “Bruno’s not here, huh?”. You elbow him in his side playfully. Turning to face him, you caress his face. “Thank you for last night Philip. It was wonderful”. Kissing you back softly Philip replies, “I didn’t want the night to end Baby Girl. The time we spent together was amazing”. You smile. Phil continues in that low, sexy tone that makes your love moist. “Making love to you again…whoa…it was as mind-blowing as I remember”. You blush as he pushes the hair behind your ears and kisses your forehead. Looking up into those beautiful browns you whisper, “I should go”. Kissing you he nods understandingly. You open the door and step out of the car. Before you can even close the car door, Philip hops out of the car and runs around to the passenger side. Grabbing you he holds your head in his hands and kisses you deeply (I mean knee weakening deep). “Call me, ok?”. You nod in dumbstruck agreement, eyes still closed. You are barely standing on your own as Phil gets back into his car and drives off. You lick your lips and taste Phil. Walking slowly toward your building all you can say is, “Damn”.
You are fully prepared to find Bruno either sitting in front of your door or waiting inside your condo. You are surprised to find neither. You sit on your couch and take a deep breath. Before long, your stomach growls again reminding you that you promised Phil you’d eat. You fix a quick breakfast. While eating, you make your ‘To Do’ list for the day. You can barely focus, your mind wanders to Philip and the perfect night you spent together. You smile to yourself as you re-live EVERY SINGLE THRUST. You LOVE being in his arms. You start to feel moisture pool in your panties. “Ok, ok Nicole”, you say aloud. “Get your shit together. You have a lot to get done”. You reluctantly get up and start to clean in the kitchen. Turning on your BeatsPill and your iPod, you hit shuffle and get started on that ‘To Do’ list. You are singing and dancing in your bedroom as you fold and put your clothes away. “Karma, karma, karma, karma, karma chameleon…”, you sing folding one of Bruno’s t-shirts. Suddenly, it hits you like a smack in the face. “Bruno!”, you whisper loudly. ‘Shit! I guess I should call him’, you think to yourself. You grab your phone and start to dial. Bruno answers immediately, “Hey. I’m at your door”. “Oh…ok”, you stutter as you hear him open the front door. You end the call and head out to greet him. You put a smile on your face and wrap your arms around him. He holds you tight. Really tight, like he doesn’t want to let you go. You kiss his cheek and stroke the back of his head as you look into his eyes and ask, “You ok?”. His eyes are red and puffy, almost as if he’d been crying. He gives you a half smile, “Yeah, I’m ok. Tired. I…uh…didn’t sleep well”. His voice trails off as he let’s you go and walks into the living room. Looking back he asks, “How’d you sleep?”. You freeze. Icy daggers crawl down your spine. You can’t even catch your breath you’re so scared right now. “Uh…ummm…o…k…I guess”, you stumble. He just smiles. Bruno sits on the couch and looks around, “Oh…damn, you look busy”. Popping back up he starts back toward the door, “I can come back later”. You shake your head and push him back onto the couch. “Stop it! You know you are ALWAYS welcome here. Mí casa es la casa de mí papí”, you say giving him your best Latina accent as you straddle him. Looking into your eyes, he licks his lips and grabs your hips, “Oh really?!”. “Sí papí”, you whisper seductively as you lick his lips lightly. Bruno gives you a look you’ve never seen before. It’s very quick so you’re not even sure it was intentional. Smirking he asks, “Did you get any of my messages last night?”. ‘Oh shit!’. Your body freezes as those daggers return. You swallow hard and wrap your legs around him. A look of doubt dances across his face. It’s quickly replaced with a half smile. “Do we really have to talk about this B?”, you whisper rubbing the back of his head and neck. “I missed you and I don’t wanna fight”. He laughs loudly startling you. “I’m just playing. I know you were mad. Probably out drinking - right?”. Without looking at him, you manage a ½ smile. Staring you down, he licks his lips as he pulls you close. “Come here”, he commands in a low sensual tone. That was TOO easy. Something is wrong. You can feel it. Bruno is acting strange and to be honest, he’s scaring you just a little bit but you submit to his request. He leans in and kisses your bottom lip. He sucks it gently and your love jumps. His forehead is against yours as you both stare into each others eyes. You swear you see a glint of pain behind those beautiful browns. He whispers quietly, “I’m sorry I didn’t trust you”. You wince but hope he doesn’t notice. Removing your shirt, he whispers, “Let me make it up to you”. You feel lower than dirt and it’s murdering your libido. He kisses your chest as his hands move your hips back and forth on his hardness. You know exactly what he wants. You just aren’t in the mood to give it to him. You smile and kiss his lips, “B, I’ve been cleaning all morning. Let me hop in the shower ok?”. He sighs and drops his hands from your hips. “Ok”, he smiles. You stand and stretch, “I’ll be back in a bit ok?”. He smiles, “Sure. I’ll just watch some TV. It’s cool”. He reaches for the remote. You smile and slowly walk to your room. You pause before going into your room and just watch Bruno. You can’t put your finger on it but you know something is different. His expressions, his sarcasm. Maybe it’s just you projecting your guilty feelings on an innocent, forgiving man. Perhaps…
You step of of the shower and throw on a chemise. Heading out to the living room, you expect to find Bruno lounging on the couch watching TV. When he’s not, you begin to look around. You spot him out of the corner of your eye, on the balcony smoking a cigarette. Bruno knows how you feel about him smoking - especially in your home. You walk out to the balcony and just watch him from behind as he puffs contently on that cancer stick. He feels your presence and addresses you immediately. “I know your rule about smoking. I’m sorry”, he says plainly although he continues to puff. You don’t say anything. I mean, if he’s smoking in your home, something must REALLY be worrying him. You stand close to him (down wind) leaning on his arm. Looking up at him, you try to read his thoughts. Bruno looks down at you and kisses the top of your head. Staring out into the distance he states, “Nikki, you know I love you right?”. You nod and respond, “Yes. And I love you too”. There is an awkward silence. You feel uneasy. Something’s wrong, you just know it. You can hear it in his voice. Taking a long drag on his cigarette he stares back out into the distance and says, “No matter what happens Nikki, just remember that I love you and I just want you to be happy”. Your heart begins to race. ‘What the fuck?’. You stand up and face him, “Bruno?…You’re scaring me. What’s wrong?”. Bruno finally turns and looks into your eyes. Kissing you on your lips he smiles, “Nothing. Nothing’s wrong Baby”. You don’t believe him. He turns back around and stares off into the distance. You stare at him in silence trying to read his thoughts. After about 10 minutes of silence you realize he’s not gonna talk. You try to brighten the somber mood. “You up for pizza and a movie B?”. He flicks his cigarette over the balcony and turns to face you. Smiling he replies, “Of course”.
You are curled up next to Bruno on the couch watching his favorite movie. Bruno is laughing, singing and quoting lines from the movie. “Night’s like this I wish that rain drops would faaaaaallllllllllll”, he sings in his best Eddie King, Jr. voice. He seems to be enjoying himself but you still feel that something is wrong. You can’t put your finger on it but something between you is definitely different. Your mind begins to wander, ‘Does he know about last night? No way! How could he?’. You sit up and kiss his left cheek. He smiles revealing those sexy dimples and squeezes you tighter. You whisper in is left ear, “I love you Bruno”. He seems caught of guard. Turning to face you, he pulls you on to his lap. Running his hands through your hair, he kisses you softly. Almost like the first time. Peering into your eyes he speaks quietly, “Baby, you will never know just how much I love you”. He kisses you again, deeper and this time your love melts as you feel his carrot grow. Pulling you onto his manhood he stares into your eyes and whispers, “Can I stay with you tonight?”. You smile and shed your chemise in response. Smiling he kisses you as he lays you back onto the couch. The volume on the TV quickly rises sky high and you both fumble to get the remote from behind you. Bruno is successful and turns the TV off as you both laugh hysterically. Hovering above you momentarily, he pauses and looks at you as if it was the first time he was really seeing you. Leaning above you but never shifting his gaze, he whispers, “My God, you’re beautiful”. His declaration is so honest and pure your eyes mist. You blush in response as you pull his body onto yours. His hands slide up your thighs and begin to remove your panties. His hands softly caress every inch of your body as he kisses you. You help him remove his clothes. Caressing his head you look into his eyes. You see a flitter of pain behind those beautiful pools before he looks away. Bruno enters you as you grab his curls and moan. He holds you close, so close you can actually feel his heart beating. His tempo slowly matches your beat as you both compose a beautiful love song with your bodies. His thrusts are slow but intentional almost like it was the first time. You push your love onto his manhood as his right arm drops to caress your waist. “Ahh”, you whisper. Your body is tingling from the sexual intensity. His manhood is stroking your orgasm like a chord on a piano. Your body hums with each stroke. Bruno murmurs inaudibly in your left ear as he holds you even tighter. “Yes”, you whisper in exasperating euphoria as you feel your body release an earth shattering orgasm. Bruno continues to circle in your love as your walls are in FULL spasm. He begins to thrust forcefully but tenderly as he holds you tighter and caresses your face. You smile and stroke the back of his head. Bruno thrusts deep and you feel yourself falling off the couch. You desperately try to grab hold of the cushions. Bruno just holds you closer and smiles, “I got you Baby. I’ll never let anything hurt you”. You are so struck by that last sentence, you just stare at him. Pulling you close to his chest, he whispers, “Come here Baby”. Holding you close in his arms he carries you into your bedroom and lays you carefully onto your bed. You lay on your back staring up at him as your body still tingles. Bruno is standing right next to you. You begin to notice everything about him. You can’t believe you’ve never noticed just how sexy Bruno is. His sweat is causing his hair to curl even tighter around his temples. His biceps aren’t ripped but they are nicely defined. The sweat dripping from his neck is running down the center of his chest which a perfect shade of butter pecan and you just wanna lick it. As you are watching him, he is watching you. His stare is intense but loving. His fingers proceed to touch every inch of your skin his eyes observe. Your body is a conflagration of pleasure by the time his fingers reach your thighs. You are begging him to step inside your love, “Baby, please. I want you inside me”. You have NEVER wanted anything more. Bruno smiles, leans down and kisses you softly. “Not yet”, he whispers dropping to his knees. He parts your legs and begins to lightly suck your clit. You grab the sheets and melt into the mattress. “FUCK”, is all you can scream as his tongue slides between the petals of your flower. You reach for his manhood to return the pleasure. He continues to lick as you lightly suck that carrot. You feel him hum on your love and know he’s enjoying your lips on his desire. You are trying to distract yourself from the spark you feel emerging in your love. So, you close your eyes and soak his desire as you damn near swallow it. Bruno sits up and moans, “Jesus…”. You smile as you taste a little juice escape from that carrot. Bruno begins to tense up so you release his desire and lightly suck on his sack. “Ohhhhhh shiiiiiiiiiitttttttt”, he moans, legs shaking. He stands. Smiling he pulls you to your feet as well. Stroking your head he presses his forehead against yours and whispers, “Why are we so damn good together in bed?”. You chuckle because you’ve asked yourself the same question for over a year. Laying you back onto your bed, he enters your love once again. He slowly moves in and out of your love as he caresses your head and stares directly into your eyes. You can feel the love between the two of you in that very moment. This moment has erased ANY doubt in your mind…you love him. You caress his head and grind onto his hardness until you feel him tremble. Bruno closes his eyes as he tenses up. You feel him jerk inside you. Kissing you softly, he releases EVERY ounce of his love inside of you. Smiling, Bruno kisses your forehead, nose and lips. He rolls over and wraps both of his arms around you, tight. Neither of you can speak. There really are no words to be spoken after what you both just experienced. You and Bruno have had sex a hundred times but this…this was different. This was an unspoken expression of pure love between two people. This was something you’ve never experienced with ANYONE. This was…perfect. You feel safe in his arms. So safe, you begin to feel sleepy. He kisses the top of your head just as you drift off to sleep. Bruno watches you as you sleep nearly all night. He refuses to close his eyes for fear of forgetting what you look like in his arms. He stokes your hair and arms occasionally so that he remembers what you feel like in his arms. He doesn't let you go all night. It’s almost as if he’s trying to hold on to you forever.
Your smile extends from ear to ear before you even open your eyes. Last night was HEAVEN. You reach out for B but find an empty space. You open your eyes and sit up slowly. Your eyes adjust to the sunlight as you listen for movement in the bathroom. Silence. “Baby”, you call assuming he’s in the living room or kitchen. Silence. You search for his beater to throw on but realize his clothes are gone. You grab your robe quickly and hurry into the living area. “Bruno?”, you say loudly. Silence persists as you look around and realize he’s not here. Your heart races. It’s not like him to just leave and not tell you or even say goodbye. You knew something was wrong last night. You notice your phone on the coffee table and walk over to call him. As you sit on the couch, you notice something next to your phone. Bruno’s key to your place is laying next to a note that reads, “I will always love you Nikki”. You pick up the note and re-read it over and over at least 10 times trying to decipher meaning. You can feel hot tears stinging your eyes. “Wha…what?”. You can’t even formulate logical sentences to express the confused sadness you are currently experiencing. You just don’t understand. You sniff, wipe your tears with your hand and begin dialing Bruno. The phone rings…and rings…and rings. His voicemail picks up. You sniff, “B it’s Nikki. I…uh…found your key and the…note”. Tears re-emerge and run down your cheeks. “I don’t understand. Bruno…”. You can’t control your sobs. “Bruno…I love you. Please don’t do this. I…”, the voicemail cuts you off. You end the call, drop your phone and just cry.
Bruno is sitting in his car in front of the gym staring at his phone. He saw your call come through and looked away. Hearing his voicemail alert, he unlocks his phone. Choking back tears he deletes your voicemail with out even listening. He opens his texts and sends a message to Phil. ‘Meet me at the gym. We need to talk’.
Phil is in the mist of texting you when he gets the text from Bruno. He leans back on his couch. He’s unsure how to take the message. The urgency was clear but the intent…not so much. ‘Ok’, Phil texts back. He jumps up, grabs his keys and heads out the door. “Aight, let’s get this over with…”
