WIDOWer

CHAPTER 1

It had been a long damp and rainy day. Six thirty sharp, ashy blue and gray clouds fill the evening sky as Bria shuts down her office and heads down to the parking garage, thrilled to be heading somewhere besides her quiet house. As she walks off of the elevator, she is greeted by Jennifer and Dillon, two of her coworkers.

“Hey Bria, a few of us are gonna stop by Frankie’s bar and grab a drink. You interested?” Dillon asks

Before she politely turns him down as she’d consistently done for over two years now, Bria glances at Jennifer, who is shrugging her shoulders. Then looking back at Dillon, she says

“I’m gonna pass, I have plans tonight. Maybe next time.”

Just as she puts her bag on the backseat, she closes the door and her phone rings. Once she glances at the ID, she gets in the car, then answers the call over Bluetooth.

“I’m in the car Mrs. Donaldson!” she states sarcastically

“Are you gonna make it to the shop before seven?” Susan asks

“I should be there in ten minutes. I just got in the car.”

“Is Jennifer still coming?” she asks

“I don’t know, her and Dillon tried to get me to go by Frankie’s for a drink.”

“Aww, Renee. Why, you won’t just go and have a drink with him.” Susan states

“One drink won’t kill you” she adds

“It might kill you though. If you bring it up again. I’m not getting involved with anyone I work with, end of story.” Bria replies

For a few moments Bria rides in silence, then Susan whispers

“This independent businesswoman by day and these fake, party girl weekends, are getting old. It’s not helping you move on; you know.”

“Girl’s night out used to mean nails, dinner, and wine then home before ten!”

After a moment Bria pulls into the parking lot and hangs up the phone, not responding to Susan’s comments.

Once a month Bria Renee, better known to family and closest friends as Renee, Susan, Jennifer, and a few other ladies get together and have a ladies’ night. Usually kicking off the evening with manicures, pedicures, and wine at one of Susan’s nail shops, then head out to one of their three favorite lounges.

It’s close to nine o’clock when Warren’s phone rings over his Bluetooth.

“Hello” he says answering the call

“Man, I been calling you all day!” Marcus states

“No, you haven’t, you called me once and text me once. What’s up Marcus?” he replies

“We’re heading to the lounge downtown. Are you coming?” he asks

“I’m driving back. I took Julie to her grandparents in Columbus for the weekend.”

“Oh, yeah. Then, I know you coming out” Marcus replies

“I’m still almost an hour out. I might swing by for a minute. Just text me the address” Warren lies, only a few minutes from his house, hanging up

Not even a minute later, Warren’s phone rings again.

“Yo, what’s up?” he answers

“Warren, you coming to the lounge?” Doug asks

“I just told Marcus to text me the address.”

“Yeah, he said that. But he said you sounded like you not coming”

Warren laughs, then shakes his head

“I’m coming, I’ll be there. I gotta run home and get dressed.”

“One hour man, if you not here, I’m calling you back”

“Yeah” he replies ending the call

Moments later, Warren pulls into his garage and sits in the car for a minute before getting out. Once he’s inside about to get in the shower, his phone rings again. Checking the ID, he sees that it’s his daughter Julie.

“Hey, Jewels” he says answering the phone

“Hey, Dad, I just wanted to call and say goodnight!”

“Goodnight, Princess. I love you!” he replies

“I love you too Daddy. Goodnight!” she states then hangs up

Out of the shower and dressed in twenty minutes, Warren reluctantly, pulls out of the driveway and heads to the lounge to meet the fellas.

Jennifer, Susan and Bria, all meet at Bria’s house to get dressed. Susan leaves her car at the shop and rides home with Bria. Back at her house, its jumpsuit night, so the ladies are each wearing different jumpsuits, matching their various personalities. Jennifer, in a black one shoulder plain sheer jumpsuit, elegant yet sexy. Susan, in a letter print white jumpsuit, artsy and chic. And Bria, in a long sleeve off white lace top jumpsuit, casual, chic, and sexy. After spending forever in the mirror, they all ride with Jennifer to the lounge.

It’s a little after ten when they arrive. The music is lively and there’s a line out the door, but thanks to friends in low places, the ladies head straight inside. Jennifer hangs back to flirt with the bouncer for a moment longer, while Bria and Susan grab their table in the corner. Before they’ve even sat down the server comes over to get their drink orders.

“Can we get four sex on the beaches and the menu please” Susan says

“Well, thank you” Bria states as Jennifer and their friend Lauren join them

“Little Miss eager ordered round one for everyone” Bria states

“Cool, what’s up Susan? I can’t believe, Jay let you out the house tonight?” Lauren teases

With a strange look on her face, Susan says

“Well, he’s actually working late. He’s gonna pick me up on his way home.”

“So, how…” Susan attempts to continue

“No, ma’am. You were supposed to be staying with me tonight!” Bria states glaring at her

“That’s why you’ve been rushing all night, since I got off.” she adds shaking her head

“That’s alright Bria, I’ll be here with you, until somebody takes me home!” Jennifer laughs grabbing a drink as soon as the server puts them down

“You are gonna get enough of going home with everybody” Lauren laughs

Jennifer laughs and says

“Just the ones that seen deserving of my time at the moment!”

“You can’t get mad at me. I told you this party girl act was getting old. I can’t keep up with y’all. I’d just rather be at home in my bed.” Susan states

“Well, hell. We trying to go to bed too, just not to sleep!” Lauren giggles

“What party girl act? Bria ain’t never took none of the guys she spends all night flirting with home.” Jennifer replies

Bria downs the last of her sex on the beach and orders a Mai tai and cheese sticks when their server comes back over to the table. As they sit, watching the dance floor, Lauren and Susan get up and head to the restroom before they all head to the dance floor.

Moments later Warren, Marcus and Doug walk in with a few other guys. Jennifer quickly recognizes Doug and gets his attention. While they talk, his friends linger waiting for him, when they do, Bria and Warren lock eyes for a split second.

Then discreetly, she lets her eyes wonder down, taking in every inch of his black muscle fit polo shirt and pausing for just a nanosecond to admire his belt. As she continues down the length of his pants, she’s surprised when she hears Jennifer say her name

“Doug, this is my co-worker and friend Bria”

Bria, quickly reaches out and shakes his hand and he introduces the fellas

“This is Marcus, Warren and Lamont”

“You ladies are more than welcome to join us if you like, we have a table up in VIP.” he adds

“Maybe later, we’re here with a few other ladies. But I’ll definitely catch up with you later” she responds burning with enthusiasm

“Alright, it was good seeing you Jen, make sure you save me a dance” he whispers giving her a kiss on the cheek

“Nice meeting you Bria” he adds before following the other guys upstairs

Bria and Jennifer, both sit watching as the sexy, succulent party of men walk upstairs and gather around a table that looks right down over them. As they sit down, Warren catches Bria eyeing him again uncharacteristically. Then, Susan and Lauren return, bringing her attention back to their table and Susan says

“I’m so sorry, Jay just pulled up.”

“Aww, come on. We’ve only been here like five minutes.” Bria responds

“I’m sorry, I’ll make it up to you. Promise!” she states finishing her drink

“Have fun, you won’t even miss me. Find a nice guy and let him help you with them webs” she laughs

Lauren and Jennifer both say

“Bye Susan!”

Bria just rolls her eyes then glances back up at the VIP table

“One down, two to go!” Lauren states

Laughing, Bria asks

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Eventually, I’m ditching y’all! For…” she begins

But is interrupted by a tall brown skin muscular guy who’s walked up to their table, then he leans down to whisper in her ear

“Him perhaps!” she says winking then standing up to dance

It’s almost half passed eleven, Lauren is sitting talking with Mr. tall brown skin. Bria looks down at her phone checking the time, then glancing up, she sees Doug and Warren have walked downstairs and is headed in their direction.

“Bria, you mind if I steal Jen for a quick dance?” Doug asks

“Not at all, please take her” she replies

When Jennifer gets up, Warren says

“Hey. It’s Bria, right? I’m Warren”

“I remember” Bria replies sweetly

“Would you like to dance?” he asks

Bria glances at the dance floor then says

“Sure!”

Having been waiting for him to come ask her to dance, Bria was hesitantly enthusiastic. As, they walk onto the dance floor, the lights dim even lower, making the dance floor more intimate, then ‘no guidance’ starts playing. They dance for a minute or two, getting a feel for each other’s moves, smiling, and having fun. Warren smirks when they lock eyes again, singing along with the music, he mouths ‘you got it girl’.

The beat slows down, drawing them closer together, then the song changes and ‘love in this club remix’ plays. When Bria finally turns her back to Warren, Jennifer and Doug catch a glimpse of them getting closer. Bria’s moves are simple and classy, yet sexy enough to have Warren captivated. Without realizing it they’d each set a blaze to the others desire that had been suppressed for far too long

Usher’s song breaks and the DJ plays a clip of ‘kisses down low’. Realizing the energy between the two of them had become dangerously intoxicating, Bria slows down and reluctantly pulls away.

The DJ seems to be reading Bria’s body language. When she slows down and starts to pull away the song changes again and ‘body party’ plays.

Warren gently takes her hand and pulls her back to him. When she puts her arms around his neck, he whispers

“Where you going?”

Bria just smiles, once again drawn in by his spellbinding cologne they begin to slowly dance. Warren’s hands smoothly connect with her hips, and he follows her lead as she sways to the music. After some time, they stand staring into each other’s eyes and as the song changes, they stand both drawn in by the heat of the other. ‘Drunk in love’ begins playing causing Bria to laugh, just as Warren whispers

“Let me buy you a drink”

When they walk back over to their table, Lauren and her guy are standing up. Once he walks away, she glances in his direction then says

“Bria, I’m gonna take off.” with a sneaky smirk

“Alright, don’t hurt him” Bria states

On cue, the server comes to take their order

“I’ll take a rum and coke and…” he gestures to Bria for her order

“I’ll have a Mai tai, please”

“And thank you!” she adds when the server leaves

“My pleasure. And thank you for the dance. That definitely made my night” he replies

“I liked dancing with you!” Bria smiles then shakes her head

“Looks like all your friends are calling it a night.”

“Yeah, pretty much. I’m sure I’ve lost Jen too” Bria states glancing at Jennifer and Doug still all over each other on the dance floor

“I’m enjoying your company. Don’t tell me I’m about to lose you too” Warren states as the server returns with their drinks

“You’ve got a few minutes to convince me to stay, since you did buy me a drink” Bria smiles playing with her cherry, then slowly wrapping her lips around it, watching Warren as she does.

“Well, I don’t mind you leaving as long as we can do this again sometime!”

“We’ll see” Bria whispers as Jennifer and Doug walk up to the table, causing them to finally break eye contact

Jennifer slides in next to Bria, making her slide around the table closer to Warren

“You two seem to be hitting it off!” Jen states

“Not as well as you two!” Bria replies with a smile

“Well…” Jennifer begins

“Don’t even say it!” Bria states cutting her off

Jennifer stops then laughs

“I’m so tired, I gotta go before…”

“It’s ok. Go ahead. I’m gonna head out in a few.” Bria states

“You sure?” she asks

“Yeah, I’ll catch a car or something.” Bria adds

“Or something!” Jennifer states glancing at Warren with a raised eyebrow

While the guys talk in hushed voices Jennifer reaches into her purse and slides Bria a condom. When she looks down and sees it, she says

“Get out of here! I’ll text you when I get home” then pulls her hand away

“Ok!” Jennifer replies sliding it back into her purse, then tapping Doug on the shoulder

“Alright Warren, make sure my girl makes it home safely!” Jen says when they stand up to leave

With a flirtatious smirk Warren looks back at Bria then says

“And then there was one!”

“And then there was us!” Bria replies with a smile then after taking a sip of her drink she asks

“Are you having a good time tonight?”

“Best time I’ve had in a long time” Warren replies

They sit gazing into each other’s eyes, both transfixed by the other until Warren asks

“You wanna get outta here?”

“I haven’t ordered my car yet”

“I’m happy to drive you” he responds

“But then you’d know where I live” Bria states sliding just slightly closer to him laying her hand on the seat between them

“Jennifer did tell me to make sure you get home safe” he says when their eyes meet

After a moment, her gaze drops down to his lips drawing him in with her eyes. Warren gently inches his hand next to hers, so close, she can feel the pull, his body has for hers and just as he leans in to close the gap between them, Marcus walks up to their table

“Damn Bro, I thought you left.” he states

Warren, inwardly aggravated by his presence, turns to him, and says

“No, we were just about to though.”

“Alright, I’ll catch up with you” Marcus states heading to the dance floor

Turning his attention back to Bria then standing, Warren reaches out his hand. Taking his hand, she stands and leads the way toward the exit, allowing him every opportunity to ogle her backside. How her long, dark, curly hair falls just midway down her back, over her white lace top, just before the lace meets the solid white material, that he could practically see straight through. As they’re waiting for Warren’s car, Bria says

“I hope this isn’t too much of an inconvenience for you”

“Not at all” he replies turning to her, looking into her eyes he whispers

“You look incredible tonight!”

“Thank you!” she breathes

Glancing over her shoulder Warren sees his car pulling up

Once they’re in the car, Warren pulls up the map and says

“You can put your address in or just tell me how to get to your place”

Reaching over, Bria pulls up her address then presses start. Once Warren pulls out, they ride in silence for a moment then attempting to extinguish the fire in the air, Warren asks

“So, you and Jennifer work together. Where’s that?”

“Scope Marketing and Consulting” she replies softly glancing at first his hand then following his arm up to his lips

“Marketing” he mutters to himself

Warren pulls up to her security gate before she even notices. When he turns and looks at her, she says

“It’s 0690”

Warren smiles to himself then keys in the code. When the gates open, he turns into Bria’s driveway.

Bria glances at the clock as Warren puts the car in park. When she grabs the door handle and pauses, Warren turns off the ignition and gets out. Bria sits watching as he comes around to open her door.

The two of them approach her front door and Bria pulls out her key then stops, turns, and says

“Thank you so much for everything. I really appreciate you driving me home.”

When she looks up at him, Warren smiles then says

“It was my pleasure!”

Slowly leaning in, he kisses her cheek and whispers

“Good night, Bria!”

Bria studies his lips as he pulls away and drawn in like magnets, she kisses him again. This time slow and wanting, after craving the touch of his lips on hers since their dance, they stand gazing into each other’s eyes.

Bria finally looks away and puts her key in the door. When she opens the door, Warren says

“I better get going.”

“You can let Jennifer know, you made it home safely” he adds stepping back

“Good night and thanks again!” Bria states

When he turns and walks away, she finally closes the door.

Practically ablaze, Bria takes a bottle of wine out of the fridge, kicks off her shoes and turns on some music. Just as she’s about to light a candle and settle in for yet another lonesome night, the doorbell rings. Glancing out of the peep hole, she sees its Warren. When she opens the door, he smiles then says

“I believe this belongs to you!”

Gently touching his hand as she takes her phone, she smiles then says

“Thank you!”

Warren laughs when he hears ‘when we’ playing in the background. Shaking his head, he whispers

“You are dangerous!”

Bria laughs then taking his hand she pulls him inside and closes the door. After putting her phone on the counter, she turns to Warren and kisses him. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she pulls him in deepening their kiss and they become all hands and tongues. The music changes and as ‘nice and slow’ plays softly in the background, Warren unzips her jumpsuit and when she stands back allowing it to slowly slide down to the floor, he stands watching as she does. Stepping out of her jumpsuit, she takes his hand then leads him over to the couch, sitting there, he watches as she straddles him in just her ivory satin lace bra and panties.

Warren is kissing Bria’s neck, then as he reaches for her bra, she begins to unbuckle his belt. Suddenly, she stops, and Warren sits back, gazing into each other’s eyes for a moment, Bria lays her head on his shoulder and mumbles

“I can’t”

When she sits up, she shakes her head, kisses him once more then slides onto the sofa

“I’m sorry” she murmurs

“Hey” Warren whispers taking her hand

“Don’t be. It’s ok, really”

They sit in silence for a while as the music continues to play in the background

“I’m gonna go” he states standing up

When he fixes his belt, he leans over and gives Bria a quick kiss on the cheek then whispers

“Night Bria”

When Warren leaves, Bria gets up and after locking the door, she takes her bottle of wine and runs herself a hot bath. As she lays in the tub, thoughts of everything that didn’t happen constantly invade her thoughts. Her emotions torn between frustration and regret. Frustrated with how much she yearned to be taken and regretting her inability to indulge in casual consensual sex, with an incredibly sexy man.

Following a silent twenty-minute drive home, Warren pulls into his garage and sits in the car for a while before going in the house. Glancing at the passenger seat, he thinks back, picturing Mia, his late wife. Remembering her laugh and the way she used to smile when Julie would fall asleep between the two of them and how they’d have to sneak to another room for some quality adult time together. Still conflicted with thoughts of living life without her. Even after almost four years, he’d never encountered anyone as electrifying as Bria.