Circles the Trilogy (Secrets and Lies) Read online

  “Are you laughing at me? I can’t believe you think this is funny. We go to the gym all of the time. What the hell?!”

  Still laughing Neesa says, “No Sasha, I’m not laughing at you! You know how you sound when you try to cuss. It’s funny. Anyway… why would she suggest something like that? I mean what would give her the idea that you need a personal trainer?”

  “Ha! Suggest? You think she suggested it? Not at all! Oh my God, I can’t believe him. I know he did this! He knows I won’t say no to his mother.” I rise up off the couch and plow toward the kitchen. I grab a half-full bottle of champagne and poor some of it into a glass. Neesa follows closely behind watching me with wide eyes as she waits for me to elaborate on my statement. I tilt the bottle toward her to offer her some. She shakes her head. I down the first glass and pour another before I continue. “Remember I told you that Daryn and I sort of joke about my butt. I told you he says I have too much in my rear area for his tastes. Well that wasn’t a joke, at least not on his part. I know this was his idea. I know it! He really thinks my ass is too big.” I down another glass and pour another.

  By now, Neesa is doubled over laughing hysterically. “You have got to be joking, Sasha. No black man in his right mind would complain about something like a perfectly rounded ass. You have to be mistaken. Come on. You have the perfect hourglass figure and I wish I had your ass.”

  I shake my head, feeling a little dizzy from the champagne I’ve drunk so quickly. “Neesa, I’m telling you the truth. He told me himself. I thought he wasn’t serious about it, but now that I think back on the conversation… I’m sure he was serious.”

  “Okay so what if he did ask his mother to get you a personal trainer? What do you plan to do about it?” Neesa asks leaning her elbows on the counter.

  I quickly abandon my rant. Neesa is right. Though she didn’t say it, she knows I won’t say anything to Daryn. She knows I’ll go to the trainer and indulge the guy as he tries to shrink my ass to an ‘appropriate’ size.

  “Nothing, I guess. I’m just offended that he used his mother to do his dirty work.” I take another sip from my glass and look over to Neesa whose expression has turned sympathetic. She doesn’t really like Daryn and doesn’t agree with the reasons why I’ve agreed to marry him, but she is my closest friend. She may not agree, but she understands my reasoning and she understands me. She only wants me to be happy and as much as I tell her that one day Daryn will make me happy, she is skeptical. She is adamant that happiness should not have to develop over time. She is convinced that a couple needs to be happy prior to starting their life together.

  I’m happy, I really am. At least that’s what I keep telling myself. I just don’t think that my happiness has anything to do with Daryn Bryant’s involvement in my life.

  Neesa hugs me. “Let’s not worry about fiancées or mothers tonight. We’re going out. And I guarantee that your slim waist and big ass will be a welcome sight.” I look at her confused. She knows I don’t go out regularly. As a matter of fact, I don’t go out at all. I didn’t even go out in college. “I’m not taking no for an answer,” she says. “We’re celebrating my promotion. Your best friend has just been promoted to a permanent position in A & R at the label. Tonight we’ll be hanging out in the VIP room of The Club. I have to go listen to a couple acts and you need to go have some fun.”

  I don’t know if it is the three glasses of champagne or the frustrating day I’ve had, but I nod. I know Daryn will have a cow if he finds out that I’ve been out clubbing, but he’ll get over it. I need this. I’m always available to smile and nod at every stupid dinner party or work event of his, so why can’t I have a little fun of my own with my best friend. Pretty soon, I’ll be Mrs. Sasha Bryant and places like The Club will be absolutely forbidden. I may as well indulge while I can.

  “Okay. But I have nothing to wear to a club, let alone The Club. I may not go out, but I know that The Club is the hottest new club in Atlanta. I don’t think they’d appreciate me showing up in my wrap dress and cardigan or even one of my cutesy pencil skirts.” I laugh at myself. I’m only twenty-eight, with a great figure, but I don’t own one outfit for going out.

  “I’ll fix that. Come on, juicy booty,” Neesa says on a giggle. “We’re heading to Phipp’s Plaza. I’ll show you that great designers make more than just pants suits and wrap dresses.”

  ***

  Hours after our little shopping excursion I’m standing in front of the full-length mirror inside my closet. I still can’t believe the way I look. I’m wearing the sexiest and shortest dress I’ve ever worn and it feels great. The form-fitting Hervé Léger red dress has banded details that enhance my curvy bottom and narrow waist. My back and arms are completely exposed. And the dress stops just above my mid-thigh area, making my legs look long and lean. “Hmph! I got your personal trainer, Daryn!” I say to my reflection.

  I exit my room with my shoes and clutch in hand. Neesa is already waiting in a shimmery gold number that emphasizes her size zero petite body and golden skin. She is drop dead gorgeous and ready to be the center of attention in a pair of six-inch red heels and long flowing beachy waves that reach to the crack of her butt. “You ready?” she asks, though after seeing her, I don’t know if I’m ready. Standing next to her, I probably look like a librarian though my attire is just as sexy as hers is. I guess it’s the way she carries herself. She is every bit the confident sex kitten. No wonder she snagged that A & R position after only two years of being the Head of A & R’s assistant – she is so sure of herself.

  “Um, I’m not so sure. Do you think I should’ve put my hair up?” I ask as I pull at the hem of my dress. Neesa slaps my hand away.

  “This is not some stuffy society event, Sasha. Men like long hair and they like seeing it down. They like the idea that maybe you’ll let them run their fingers through it and let them pull on it during some mind-blowing sex,” she says with a giggle.

  I know my face has turned the same color of red as my dress after her comment. Neesa is never afraid to voice her opinions on sex. I on the other hand, have been told that your exploits in the bedroom are private and not to be discussed at all. Not even with your partner. Daryn and I are not strangers to the bedroom, but we conduct out sex lives much like our regular lives. It’s pretty calm, conservative, and without much spontaneity. There are no crazy positions or sweaty bodies. Really, it’s just me making sure that Daryn gets off and if I do before he does then that’s great. If I don’t, then better luck next time. There are no multiple orgasms or warm embraces afterwards. Though the one exception is that he wants oral sex on a regular basis. He doesn’t give it, he only receives it. It’s a weird sort of thing.

  Another weird sort of thing is that Daryn doesn’t like the smell of sex all over him when he sleeps so he insists that we take a shower and change the sheets after. I hear Neesa talking about her exploits and I think that she must be exaggerating so I mostly ignore her. No one has sex like the kind she describes. No one. There is no way that my sex life is that much different from anyone else’s, though I guess it would be hard for me to know, since Daryn was my first and only.

  I slip on my shoes and fluff out my curls that look like I’ve just stepped off a Victoria’s Secret ad and we head out the door. I’m not sure what to expect, but I’m sure that Neesa will make sure I have a good time.

  ***

  I see that The Club has a line wrapped around the building as we approach the entrance. Skipping the line, we walk straight up to a large bouncer at the front door and we pass through unhindered. Neesa seems to know where she is going as she winds her way through the wall-to-wall bodies and leads us across the dance floor to where there is another large member of security dressed in black. He greets her by name and after she whispers something to him, he chuckles, looks at me, and then says something back to Neesa. They both laugh and he allows us to pass.

  “What did you say to him?”

  “I told him that to treat you right since you’re a clu
b virgin,” she says as she shakes her hips up the steps to the VIP lounge.

  “Oh. So why did he look at me like that?”

  “He said that the club wasn’t the only thing that seemed virginal about you.”

  “WHAT!? How can anyone say that with me in this dress?” I wave my hand across my body as if that should say it all, but Neesa shakes her head.

  “Sasha, you have to loosen up a little. Right now, you look hot, but that dress is wearing you. You have to wear that dress or you’ll start to look like a little girl trying to play dress up. Come on. Let’s get a few drinks in you and follow my lead.”

  Knowing Neesa was right about her assessment, I decide to take my friend’s advice. I need to loosen up and enjoy myself. I need to convey how the dress makes me feel. The dress makes me feel sexy and confident so I need to act that way. Not that I am trying to catch a man, but it would be nice to know that I can. I close my eyes and draw in a deep breath. When I reopen them, I straighten my back follow Neesa across the room, swaying my hips in a way that I know will draw attention. I am not about to embarrass my friend or myself by looking like some scared schoolgirl.

  “Aneesa…my girl! It’s about time you showed up,” a deep raspy voice says from across the room. I can’t tell which of the guys the sound comes from, since there are several, but I can feel myself getting nervous. The sexy voice is deep and intimidating. And familiar. So familiar.

  Neesa must sense my nervousness because she grabs my hand and pulls me along with her. She stops in front of the group who are standing by the lounge’s private bar and doles out hugs to all of them. She steps back and sticks a fist on one hip. “You know I’m never on time. Plus, I needed to show my girl how to make an entrance.” She laughs a little and looks at me. She gives me a wink, making me smile. That is probably exactly the reaction she was going for to wipe the dear-in-headlights look off my face.

  “Dang, Neesa. I didn’t know you roll like that,” Raspy Voice says looking from Neesa to me. I don’t get what he is trying to say, but obviously Neesa does. She rolls her eyes at the man and then gives him an annoyed look.

  “Don’t you start that shit with me tonight, Quinton Ramsey. I am strictly dickly. Remember that!” All the men standing there laugh. The group appears to be very close and Neesa seems comfortable with them, almost like they are her big brothers. They don’t look at her like a piece of meat. Their look is more that of respect for a fellow business associate or like she is their little sister.

  “Right, right. So if this ain’t you, then who do we have here?”

  “Quinton Ramsey, this is my best friend Sasha Ellis. Sasha, this is Quinton, better known as Ramsey to the music world. He owns Watch Records and he thinks he’s my boss.” Neesa laughs and I laugh along with her. She’s never really mentioned who her boss is; she only calls him her boss so I am surprised when she introduces him as Ramsey, the producer, label owner, and occasional rapper. I may not have recognized his face, but I know the name. Who wouldn’t? The man is a household name in the music business. Even being the conservative person that I am, I know that name.

  I reach out my hand to shake his. He takes my hand, brings it to his lips, and places a lingering kiss there that makes my whole body heat up and my legs go weak. I don’t understand the effect he has on me so I chalk it up to meeting someone famous. My body must be responding and my mind hasn’t caught up yet.

  “Sasha,” Ramsey says as if he needs to try out my name on his lips. He still has hold of my hand and is using his thumb to gently caress me there. “It’s a pleasure to meet you Sasha Ellis.”

  “Boy, stop,” Neesa says taking my hand out of his. My hand feels abandoned. It feels as if she’s snatched it from a place where it is meant to be. I shake my head to get rid of the thought. I don’t know what is wrong with me. An engaged woman should not be feeling like this. And to reiterate my feelings, Neesa says, “Slow your roll, Ram. My girl here is engaged. Don’t you be trying to get her in trouble.”

  Ramsey holds his hands up in a defensive gesture. “Hey, she’s a grown woman. And a fine one at that. But I’ll take your advice under consideration,” Ramsey says removing his dark sunglasses and giving me a wink. A shiver passes through me.

  Ramsey doesn’t look like I thought he’d look. His voice is deep and raspy, yet extremely sexy. His light beard emphasizes the ruggedly handsome features of his face. It looks as if maybe he hasn’t shaved for a few days, making him ultra appealing. I don’t know what I’d been expecting, but his attire surprises me. He is wearing a gray, summer Italian-cut blazer made of a very nice lightweight material, a nicely fitted white t-shirt, a pair of jeans, and a pair of white tennis shoes. His jewelry is modest for a man is his business with a large watch that is probably platinum and platinum bracelet on his other arm.

  I can’t help but stare at how his t-shirt skims his torso, revealing a set of perfect abs and what has to be a narrow waist. He appears to be strong and fit but not bulky in any way. His skin is few shades darker than my own, reminding me of black coffee. He is in a word… Sexy! And that smug, arrogant smile… Lord, Jesus… it makes my knees weak. I never thought I was the type who likes the arrogant, dominant type, but this encounter is proving me wrong. I think if he told me to leave with him right now, I might just do it. Oh. My. God. What is wrong with me?

  “You are too much, Ram. Anyway, Sasha. This right here is Loop,” Neesa says nodding to another man standing with Ramsey. He lifts his beer bottle in greeting. Next she points to a mixed race man standing next to Loop and says, “This is Zack.” He raises his chin and follows with a “What’s up.” Then she nods at a bigger man, who is obviously a bodyguard. The man is dressed in all black, wearing sunglasses, and he has to be seven feet tall. He also appears to be of another nationality that I can’t place. He could pass for the brother of the ex-wrestler turned actor, The Rock. “And this big man here is Roc. He’s Ramsey’s bodyguard and my future husband.” I giggle under my breath. Oh, how fitting – Roc, I think when she says his name. “He just doesn’t know it yet,” she adds referring to remark about him being her future husband. The corners of the big man’s mouth tilt upwards taking away from his menacing presence. His smile shows that Nessa’s words have affected him and I have a feeling that he probably has a crush on Neesa as well.

  I throw up my hand in a small wave. As I bring my hand down to settle it back next to my body, I jump at Ramsey’s comment of, “Oh, shit. Look at that rock.” He grabs the hand I’d used to wave and brings it up to his face. “You must be puttin’ that shit on some dude, right! That rock is nice,” Quinton says referring to my engagement ring.

  “For your information, Ramsey,” Sasha chastises grabbing my hand away once again, “some women have men that love them regardless of the way they ‘put that shit on them’,” Neesa says throwing quotations in the air as she repeats his words. I am completely surprised that Neesa comes to Daryn’s defense, but I know it is just that Neesa hates when people insinuate that women have to be on their backs to get things from men. She’s dealt with that on many occasions, which is why it is her pet peeve. “Come on. Let’s get you a drink. I think we’ve interrupted their trolling long enough.”

  Neesa and I order from the bar. We both order a glass of champagne and Neesa orders us some shots. I object to this, but she ignores me saying this will loosen me up so we can dance before she has to work. We drink a little and laugh a little. I start to loosen up after having my second shot. Well loose is probably a bit of an understatement. Being that I don’t drink often, I am very tipsy.

  We make our way to the dance floor and lucky enough for me, I am able to follow along with Neesa’a moves. Thank you ballet class. It has to be the alcohol though, since I dance like a white girl with a small amount of rhythm on my best days.

  After a few high tempo songs, the music slows down. Two men immediately approach Neesa and me and ask for a dance. I almost say no, but Neesa pinches me in my side to encourage me, so I dance. The guys ha
nds are a little busy for my taste, so halfway through the song I whisper to Neesa that I am going back to the VIP lounge. She nods and continues her slow grind on some dude who is actually pretty good-looking.

  I am a little wobbly from the drinks, but I make it back to the lounge in one piece and take a seat in the corner of one of the plush black couches against the wall. A server comes by asking me if I need anything and I ask for water. The liquor must’ve really had an effect on me because I hadn’t noticed Ramsey sitting further along the couch. His entourage has apparently scattered to do their own thing and the only person with him is Roc. I look over in his direction and his gaze locks with mine. He smiles that arrogant smile because he knows he’s caught me staring. He then gestures to Roc, says something to the man, and then Roc starts walking in my direction.

  I tense all over not knowing what to expect. “Ram has requested your company,” Roc says to me in his deep, threatening voice. The statement is not a question; it comes out as more of a demand.

  “I’m fine here, thanks.” I shake my head saying no along with my words.

  Proving my earlier thought he replies, “It wasn’t a question. I’m not to return without you.”

  “Oh for heaven’s sake. What kind of arrogant, egotistical ass is he?” I mutter under my breath, though I’m sure Roc has heard me because he chuckles but still stands there waiting for me to get up from where I am sitting. “Okay, okay. I’m coming.”

  Three – New Experiences

  I rise from my seat and follow Roc the short distance along the wall to Quinton or Ramsey or whatever the hell his name is. I thought he’d been sitting at the end of the couch, but once I get there, I see that he is sitting in his own little area that is separate from the rest of the couches. He looks at me and then glances at the area next to him. The gesture is his command to tell me to sit. I do with a huff, crossing my legs to get comfortable. “Do women always do what you want when you ask?” I say defiantly as I settle in the seat next to Ramsey. I don’t want him to know that I actually wanted to come over and sit with him.