A DEAL FOR A LIFETIME

chapter 20

                       RICO

"Long time no see, son," he said, stepping into the sitting room. He was dressed in a perfectly tailored grey suit, his polished grey shoes gleaming, and his grey hair styled impeccably. I stared at my worst nightmare for a moment before forcing a fake smile.

"You've really grown. The last time I saw you, you were just 20 and not even allowed into a club yet," he said, chuckling. I walked over to him and hugged him. As he hugged me back, he whispered, "Can't wait to see your wife," before withdrawing from the hug.

I noticed Bethel walking downstairs, her phone in hand. When she saw me, she smiled, but her glance quickly shifted to my grandfather. She must have sensed who he was and smiled politely.

"Good morning, sir," she said, walking over to me and touching my back. Grandpa looked at her, his eyes roaming over her body, making me uncomfortable.

"So this is your wife," he said, smiling. "Nice catch." I put my arm around Bethel's waist, pulling her closer. She looked at me, confused. Couldn’t she see my grandfather was looking at her inappropriately?

Then my grandmother walked in, and I smiled, my savior.

"Oh my, Shawn!" she exclaimed, and I quickly hugged her.

"I missed you so much," she said, and I held her tighter. She was the best grandmother anyone could ever ask for. I often wondered why she hadn’t left my grandfather yet, given his behavior.

"I missed you too, Grandma," I said. She glanced at my grandfather, who was now busy looking at his phone.

"This is your wife, right?" she asked, staring at Bethel.

"Yes," I replied, and she walked over to Bethel, giving her a big hug. Bethel was surprised but hugged her back.

"Nice to finally meet you, Bethel," Grandma said, and Bethel smiled.

"Me too," Bethel replied. My grandfather had moved on to talking to Katherine and Lia, who both seemed annoyed. He must have called Katherine "Kate" again.

"I’ll go help your mother in the kitchen," Grandma said before leaving the living room. Bethel looked at me before heading upstairs. I followed her, finding her sitting on the bed, seemingly waiting for me.

"Why do you hate him so much? He seems nice," she said, and I frowned.

"You don't know him, Bethel," I said, sitting on the bed beside her.

"Then tell me," she said, moving closer to me. She was about to touch my arm.

"Don't," I said, stopping her.

"Why?" she asked, then touched my arm anyway. Without thinking, I attacked her lips with mine. She was stunned at first but then allowed my tongue to enter her mouth. She kissed me back, moaning softly.

"Rico," she moaned. Was I seriously kissing Bethel right now? What was wrong with me? I pulled back from the kiss, looking at her now swollen red lips that looked so tempting.

"Don't touch me, or I'll do worse, Bethel," I warned, but she was stubborn. She stood up, cupped my face with her hands, and kissed me. She had made the first move. I picked her up, her legs wrapping around my torso. Her back hit the wall, and she moaned aloud as my hand touched her butt, pressing it softly. The intensity of the moment was overwhelming, and I could feel the heat between us escalating rapidly.

                      BETHEL

"Rico," I moaned again, feeling his hardness grinding against me. I gasped at how hard he was, one of his hands pressing my breast. He carried me and placed me on the bed, pulling off my top until only my bra remained. He unhooked my bra and smirked at the sight of my breasts before taking one into his mouth. He bit my nipple, drawing a loud moan from me. His kisses moved to my earlobes and then my neck, leaving multiple hickeys. His mouth returned to my nipples as he quickly pulled off his shirt. I touched his chest and abs, marveling at their firmness. He smiled and continued kissing me. My hands roamed his back, and suddenly I froze, withdrawing from the kiss. Rico looked confused.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

"What's this?" I asked, touching his back.

"Not now, Bethel," he said, but I couldn't let it go. There was a large scar on his back, and he just expected me not to ask about it.

"Rico, why is there a scar on your back?" I asked. He looked annoyed.

"Bethel, stop it," he mumbled, standing up from my body. I got a better view of the long scar. He posted pictures of himself working out on social media, and there was never any sign of a scar. Why was I seeing it now? I quickly put on my shirt and walked to him.

"Tell me, Rico, what's wrong?" I asked.

"I don't want to fucking tell you, Bethel! Why do you keep pushing? Why are you pestering my life?" he exclaimed. I stood there, stunned, before walking into the bathroom. Was I really pestering his life? I looked at my reflection in the mirror. Why did I feel so strange whenever he touched me? I felt like I was in the right hands, like I was experiencing sparks, excitement, and being wanted. Did he feel that too, or was he just using me? I looked at my neck and saw the hickeys. "Fuck," I mumbled, washing my face with water. I was just a pest to him. I walked back into the room to see him lost in thought. Quietly, I took my bra from the bed and put it in the laundry.

"Bethel," Rico called. I looked at him.

"It all started six years ago..."

TBC