Slick by Brenda Hampton Read Free Book Online Page A

it’s with you.”
    â€œMaybe, or maybe not. But I try very hard to keep my sex life spiced up with Jonathan. He’s magnificent in bed, but we’re always on his time. Sometimes, I can’t wait for him to come home and make love to me. When he does, he’s either too tired from working, or he goes right into his office and works there for the night. I get tired of putting myself out there for him. Just last week, I lit some candles in the bedroom, put on some soft music, stripped naked, and waited for him to come home. When he did, he turned on the lights, looked at me like I was out of my mind, and said his famous words: ‘not tonight.’”
    â€œHe’s acting that way, Dana, because he ain’t no fool. Deep down he knows you’ve been seeing someone else. You’re lucky he’s still having sex with you at all. Besides, Jonathan doesn’t seem like the type of man to go behind another man.”
    â€œI wish you would stop being on the outside looking in, because that’s all you’re doing. Nobody understands what I’m going through but me. I love Jonathan, but I’m not giving up on my relationship with Lewis until some things change.”
    â€œWell, you need to get Lewis to change. Since the last time I talked to you, he’s added two new women to his collection and the strawberry gel might be running a little low.”
    Dana looked surprised that I knew about the strawberry gel. Also, she could tell I wasn’t lying because I had a feeling as if she’d been there and done that with Lewis before. After my breaking news, there were no more comments about Lewis from her. But I found myself rushing through lunch so I could get back to the office and see if Jonathan would mention anything about Dana. I quickly downed my dessert, told Dana I would call her later, and jetted.
    Surprisingly, when I got back to the office, Lewis was in Jonathan’s office talking to him. I poked my head in to let Jonathan know I was back.
    â€œCome on in, Sylvia,” Jonathan said. “And close the door behind you.”
    I closed the door and stood behind the chair that Lewis sat in. First, Jonathan looked at Lewis, and then he addressed me. “Sylvia, my man here was just telling me about you not making an appointment for him yesterday. Now, you clearly heard me tell him to make an appointment so why would you not do it?”
    â€œBecause Lewis has an attitude problem, and I don’t appreciate the way he talks to me, that’s why.”
    â€œSo, I guess Crissy has an attitude problem as well?”
    â€œYes, she does.”
    â€œJust because you seem to think certain people around here have attitudes, that doesn’t mean you interfere with them seeing me. Last night, I made an important appointment with Crissy, and I’m trying to help this brotha move up the corporate ladder. So, the next time I get a complaint about your attitude, it’s going to cost you.”
    I couldn’t believe how Jonathan had put me on blast, and I hated to go there with him like this. “Fine, Jonathan, and help whoever you want to help, that’s your business. But Crissy, Lewis, or any other fool up in here will not come to my desk and disrespect me. You don’t pay me enough to put up with bullshit and I’m not going to do it.” I swung around and stormed toward the door, opening it.
    â€œSylvia,” Jonathan shouted. “Close the door. I’m not finished talking to you yet.”
    â€œYes, you are,” I said and then walked out.
    Feeling as if I was ready to kill somebody, I quickly gathered a few things at my desk and left. There I was trying to protect Jonathan and he had the nerve to diss me in front of that stupid fool Lewis. And the “that’s what you get, bitch” look Lewis gave me as Jonathan talked was enough to send me over the edge. It took everything I had not to blurt out him fucking around