Impersonating Sam

Joseph’s two bedroom house reeked of cigars, and smoke filled the living area. Destiny Child’s anthem Survivor was blaring through the house and red balloons danced on the ceiling.

Sunni laughed when she saw Joseph dancing in his black satin pajama pants and a party hat that resembled Ben’s.

“What are you guys doing?”

“Waiting for you.” Joseph swayed to the beat. “Did we mention it’s a pajama party? And where’s your pillow?”

“I didn’t bring my pajamas or my pillow.” She slid closer to Joseph and rocked her hips to the beat. “And you started without me.”

“You were late.” He poked her nose. “Here, want a cigar?”

She shook her head. “You don’t smoke. What are you doing with cigars?”

“It’s a celebration,” Ben answered as he danced his way through the living area to the kitchen with a cigar in his hand. “You want vodka?” he yelled from the kitchen.

“My favorite,” she yelled back as she continued to dance under the soft light that shone from the chandelier.

Joseph took a puff of the cigar and blew the smoke in her face. She coughed but managed to laugh as the smoke filled her lungs. “How do you feel?” he asked.

“I feel good.” She smiled.

“That’s the point.” He smiled too and softly kissed the corner of her mouth.

She instantly blushed. Tingles shot through her body so rapidly it almost knocked her off her feet. A red balloon drifted over their light source causing the room to take on a romantic hue. For a second, that’s all it took for the soft heat of his kiss to linger on the corner of her mouth. Then, the balloon was gone.

“Here you are.” Ben handed her a shot glass filled to the rim with liquid fire.

She drank it in one swallow and gave the empty glass back to Ben. Immediately her eyes locked on Joseph’s captivating blue eyes. “You are the best, do you know that?”

“I try.” He grabbed her hips in his hands and pulled her snug against him.

A heat wave fluttered through her body and a warm tingle tickled the inside of her belly like a million tiny butterflies. He held her tighter and moved his body against hers.

The music blared on as her heart beat faster. Warmth quickly gathered between her legs. The butterflies in her stomach were the only thing that kept her from pulling him in for a kiss. Her eyes moved from his eyes and down his naked torso to his sculpted abs.

She fanned her face with her hand, quickly dousing the immense heat of attraction. “I need a drink of water.”

Joseph separated their hips. “What’s wrong?”

“My stomach hurts.” She held her stomach and squirmed her way out of his arms to sit on the sofa.

“Did you eat anything?” Ben asked. He looked genuinely concerned.
She had forgot that he was still in the room. “Coffee,” she answered.

“Honey, that’s not good.” Joseph went to the stereo to kill the music. “You should’ve mentioned you hadn’t eaten anything.”

“I haven’t really been hungry.” She stared at the beige carpet.

“I’ll make you a sandwich.” Ben nodded. “That should make you feel better.” He walked away and disappeared into the kitchen, his party hat still atop his head.

After a brief moment of silence, she shook the thought of Chris’s comforting embrace from her mind. She looked to Joseph. “I really can’t believe Chris did this to me.”

“I know you cried for him,” Joseph said as he sat down next to her on the sofa and looked into her eyes. “But you shouldn’t. He isn’t right for you.”

“I know. He’s gay.” She shook her head. “It’s impossible to find true love when—”

“Come on now, Sunni,” Joseph interrupted. “Now why do you do that? You know it hurts me when you say those things.”

Sunni stared at the carpet and lowered her voice as she confessed, “I always thought I should have been with you.” She wished God would take pity on her and force Joseph to fall in love with her right there at that very moment.

“You had Chris and I had Ben,” he said. “We both were happy and in love.”

Sunni looked up into his eyes. “What if I didn’t have Chris back then?”

“You do know that I’m gay, right?”

“You’ve dated girls, too.” She glared. “Two girls before you met Ben.”

“You remember I told you that?” Joseph smiled amusingly.

She dropped her head and stared at her pedicured toes. “And neither girl was me.”

“I see.” Joseph rubbed her shoulder. “You don’t have to worry about that anymore.”

She shrugged his caress away. “Every guy I love is gay. It doesn’t make any sense.”

Joseph stared at her. “Hmm.” He narrowed his eyes and smirked.
“What?” She looked back, confused at his gesture.

“Sound like you said the L word.” Joseph grinned teasingly. “Do you love me?”

“I’m not in the mood for this.” She stood up. “I’m going home.”

“Okay, wait. Let’s make a deal.” Joseph stood too. “If you stay here tonight, I promise I will make it up to you.”

“Make what up to me?”

“You not being one of those two girls.” Joseph tilted his head to the side and lifted an eyebrow.

“Exactly how are you gonna make it up to me?” Sunni asked and cocked an eyebrow too.

“What would make you feel better?” He waited.

She thought about it. The feel of his lips against hers would make her feel great, but she dare not say it. “I don’t know.”

“Anything.” He licked his lips slowly.

There went the heat, swirling between her legs, threatening to cause her to spasm in orgasm right there in the living room. Why did he have to be so damn alluring?

Sunni shook her head and sat back down. “Joe, you’re drunk.” She crossed her legs.

“Actually, I only had one shot and you know that doesn’t do it for me.” He smiled and sat down beside her.

“You are such a flirt, Joe!”

“I do my best.” He placed his hand on her knee and leered at her.

“Are you serious? You want to make it up to me?” She locked eyes with him, hoping he would say the word she was longing for . . . a big, fat yes.

He scanned the room with his eyes as if he had to think about it. “Yes.”

Her heart did a happy dance but she hid her giddiness. “Why do you think you have to make it up to me and why now?”

“To answer your first question, I think Chris should’ve treated you better.” Joseph slid snug beside her. “You’re a good girl. You should get the things you deserve to have.”

“And my second question? Why now?” Sunni asked.

“Because it’s long overdue.” He smiled.