I'd Rather Be Single Read online

  “I understand, maybe later,” he suggested, locking eyes with her.

  His lewd gaze made her feel naked. Using her arms to cover herself, Rita gave the guy a halfway smile. “Yeah maybe later.”

  “I'ma hold you to that too,” he said flashing his smile, then grabbed her hand and kissed it. “By the way, my name is, Ken Loc, sweetheart. What’s yours?” he asked.

  “Ken Loc?” She smirked with the flare of an eyebrow. She wasn't used to men giving her their nicknames, let alone a gang name.

  “My apologies, sweetheart, that’s my Crip name, my mother named me, Kenneth.” He extended his hand again.

  Rita shook his hand and took a deep breath. “My name’s Rita,” she said, then she began to walk away, waving at him.

  Kenneth waved back at her with his index finger, then licked his lips. He was definitely planning on getting to Ms. Rita.

  “Baby is fine!” Asia said to Rita, scoping Kenneth out as he walked away. Rita sucked her teeth.

  “Have him, because he's definitely not my type,” Rita announced while taking a seat in their secluded VIP area.

  “I'll keep that in mind,” Asia said guzzling down a glass of champagne. Then she went to get her party on.

  Everybody on the dance floor was having a good time. Rita sat watching, sipping a glass of champagne and snacking on the lay out of fresh strawberries and pineapples.

  “You look lonely, care for some company?” a well groomed thirtyish guy asked her. He was light complexioned, clean-cut and dressed conservatively in a black button up shirt and dress slacks.

  Cuteeee, Rita thought. “My name is Rita,” she said extending her hand.

  “My name's Philip,” he said pulling her up by the hand. “Let’s dance!” he yelled raising her hand in the air.

  “Let’s do it!” Rita shouted over the music. She was ready to dance and since he was more her speed she figured why not? Making their way to the dance floor they bumped into Ken Loc the Crip. Rita tried hard to avoid his gaze but he made sure she saw him.

  “I'm still waiting on that dance,” he whispered in her ear as she passed him by. Rita forced on a smile then nodded her head.

  The club was crowded and everybody was having a good time. Reaching the dance floor Rita and Philip began to dance to Rick Ross’s, “Boss.” Unbelievably, Philip danced like a white man trapped in a black man’s body. At first Rita thought he was kidding from the moves he was doing, but after another thirty seconds of watching him dance, it was very clear that he wasn't pretending at all. He was off beat, snapping his fingers and moving his head to two totally different beats. Embarrassed, Rita told him that she had to use the ladies room then briskly made her way off the dance floor before he could get another word in. Rita breathed a sigh of relief.

  Catching the whole scene, Kenneth made his way toward her. He thought, since she was on the dance floor that he was gonna get his dance with her.

  Fuck! Rita thought seeing Kenneth approaching. First Clown feet Philip and now, Stalker Crip Ken. She wasn't having a very good time so far and she certainly wasn't in the mood for him.

  Intercepting, Asia grabbed Kenneth's arm and asked him to dance. Kenneth forced a smile, but he wasn't interested in dancing with her. She was a die-hard beauty, however his interest was in Rita.

  Asia grabbed his hand and pulled him to the dance floor and grinded her ass all up on him, but his eyes never left Rita. Seeing that put a smile on Rita's face. She hadn't had anyone that persistent over her in a long time.

  “You having fun, Ti-Ti?” Chastity yelled to Rita once she made it back to the VIP area. She, herself, had been having a great time.

  “It's ok,” Rita sighed. “But what the hell, it's Jayla’s night so I'm gonna make the best of it,” Rita said then poured herself another glass of champagne. She figured after a few more drinks she'd be in complete party mode.

  Since Fifty was one of Rita's favorite rap stars, when his song, Fire came on, she started dancing and dropping it like it was hot.

  “Get it Ti-Ti, get it!” Chastity said rooting her on. “Let’s go get our dance on!” Chastity said grabbing Rita by the arm.

  Rita drank the last of her champagne then they made their way to the dance floor. Feeling her champagne, Rita was ready to have fun; she was even in the mood to dance with Kenneth the Crip. While dancing with Chastity a guy hopped in-between the two and started dancing with them. He was cute, but since he looked no older then twenty-two, Rita backed away and let them dance by themselves. Dancing by herself, Rita secretly searched the dance floor looking for Kenneth, but was unable to find him.

  “You're back?” the guy named Philip asked Rita getting his white boy on. FUCK KENNETH WHERE ARE YOU? Rita thought scanning the floor for him...she desperately needed to be saved.

  Philip smiled. “Just in time, I love this song.”

  Deciding to make the best of the night, Rita laughed and danced along with him. She had to admit that watching him was very entertaining.

  Cutting in, Kenneth grabbed Rita's hand and took his dance. Rita smiled. She'd never thought she'd be so happy to see him.

  “I see I had to take my dance if I wanted to dance with you tonight, huh?” he whispered in her ear as he pulled her closer to him.

  Happy that he didn't have funky breath, Rita gave him a big smile then flirted with him. “Is that what you call yourself doing...taking it from me?”

  Kenneth caressed her shoulders and replied. “That's exactly what I did, I had to gangsta that shit,” he told her looking deep into her eyes again.

  Looking back into his eyes, Rita felt as if she had known him for a lifetime and immediately let her guard down and let the moment be theirs. After buying them a bottle of champagne, the two danced and enjoyed each other all night. They were having such a good time together that they decided to go out for an early breakfast at Roscoe's after the club.

  By twelve, they all prepared to leave the club and meet in the parking lot, but Rita told her sister that she was gonna leave with Kenneth for breakfast at Roscoe's.

  “Wait, what, who is this guy?” Jayla asked. It didn't sit well with her that her sister was leaving with some guy that she met in the club. Unlike Rita, Jayla had partied most of her night in the VIP section of the club with her fiancé and had not met the guy that Rita had been chilling with for the remainder of the night.

  “I'm good Jayla, he's a nice guy. And let’s just say I can use the company of a man right now,” she said with an arch of her eyebrow.

  “Well who is he? I need to get his license plate number, phone number and social security number before I threaten his ass,” Jayla said seriously. She knew her sister hadn't had any dick in over a year, and that she was probably interested in having a one night stand.

  Leaning on the Hummer with her lips twisted up, Asia thought, what does Rita have that I don't? Shit, I know I'm much better looking than she is. Asia had practically thrown the pussy at Kenneth all night and he wasn't buying it. Something’s not right here, Asia thought as she watched the sisters walk off.

  “Where you goin, Ti-Ti?” Chastity asked following Rita and Jayla.

  “Yo, Auntie’s hot ass is running off to so-called dinner with some nigga that we don't even know, so come with me,” Jayla said grabbing Chastity by the arm. “We need to threaten his ass!” she said laughing.

  “Calm down, Pookie, I'll introduce you guys, but let me explain,” she said trying to get them to listen. “He's not my everyday day...well hardly my type at all. But it's just dinner that's all,” Rita explained.

  Shocked, Jayla snapped, “Not your type, so why are you leaving with him?”

  Seeing and hearing the ladies’ conversation, Kenneth stopped them before passing him. “Looking for me, Sweetheart?” he asked grabbing Rita by the waist as she and the two ladies passed him.

  Grabbing all three of their attention, Rita immediately regretted her words and wished she could take them back...she was sure he heard her. Stuttering, Rita began to introduce everybody. “Jayla and Chastity this is Kenneth, Kenneth this is my sister, Jayla and my niece, Chaste.”

  “Nice to meet you,” Kenneth said shaking both of their hands.

  Looking him over, Jayla said, “Nice to meet you also,” then she placed her hand on her hip and began to drill him. “So where you taking my big sister? And where's your car so I can get your license plate numbers? Also a phone number and if possible a social security number,” she said in one breath.

  Rita’s mouth flew wide open. Jayla had always been blunt and straight forward, but never anything like this. Rita was extremely embarrassed.

  Chastity laughed. “I see Ti-Ti got a sweet tooth for some of that, thug passion tonight, huh?”

  Kenneth threw his hands up and laughed. “Damn y'all two worst then the damn LAPD.”

  “Enough you two,” Rita said taking control of the situation. “You've met him, I'll be safe with him...now good bye,” she said shaking her head with a smirk on her face.

  “Yeah she's safe with me, ladies. I'm harmless and since I'm not her type anyways, it'll just be dinner...I promise,” Kenneth said, then grabbed Rita by the hand and winked at her. He didn't want her to think that he was offended by her comment.

  “It's not even like that.” Rita smiled looking back at him. “It's just-”.

  Jayla cut her off. “She's just not used to bad boys with tattoos and cornrows, that’s all,” she said lightening up on him. “Now you two get up outta here and have fun,” Jayla said then grabbed Chastity’s hand to leave.

  Kenneth guided Rita by the small of her back toward his motorcycle and began to indulge in small talk.

  “Hey wait up!” Jayla said quickly heading back into Rita and Kenneth's direction. Grabbing their attention, Jayla pulled out
her iPhone then snapped a quick picture of Kenneth. “Since I couldn't get any of your other information, a flick will do,” she said then caught back up to Chastity.

  Kenneth and Rita both burst into laughter, nothing like that had ever happened to him before. “I feel like I've just been booked out this bitch,” he said recovering from laugher.

  “I'm sorry, Kenneth, we're sisters and we’re very protective of each other like that,” she said honestly.

  “It's cool, he said, seriously. “I'm not offended at all, you ladies have to look out for each other out here; shit, for all you know I could be the big bad Crip after you,” he teased.

  Rita laughed. “The big, bad Crip, huh? You are really something else, Kenneth and I'm really starting to like you a lot,” she said, smiling.

  “Good. Then maybe I'm your type after all,” he said stopping in front of a black and white Harley Davidson motorcycle. Kenneth grabbed his helmet and placed it on his head.

  “Wait, this is nice, but please tell me we're not riding on this?” Rita asked nervously.

  “Yeah, it'll be fun and guess what?” he asked grabbing an additional helmet. “I have another helmet just for you,” he said, smiling.

  “Oh no,” Rita said, backing away. “I'm not riding on that thing, that’s dangerous.” You couldn't even get Rita on a roller coaster let alone ride on a motorcycle. She just wasn't that spontaneous.

  “You have no reason to be worried, you have a comfortable plush seat to ride on, and a strong ass ganagsta to hold on to when you feel afraid,” he told her passing her a helmet.

  Rita shook her head no, she wasn't buying it.

  “You have nothing to worry about, I've been riding since I was seventeen, I'll take care of you...I promise,” he said, softly pinching her cheek.

  It's nothing personal,” Rita told him turning to see if the Hummer was still in the parking lot. Motorcycles scared her to death.

  “They've already left,” Kenneth said as Rita searched the parking lot.

  “Oh no,” Rita said, pouting, then faced him.

  “You only live once, sweetheart,” he said then climbed on his motorcycle. “Don't allow fear to control your life...you'll fuck around and miss out on a lot of great shit out here.” He started his Harley Davidson then looked back at her. “Put the helmet on, baby, hop on...I got you.”

  Fuck it, he's right, you only live once, she thought as she climbed on the bike behind him. After securing her helmet, she said a quick prayer then prepared to hold on tight.

  Realizing that Rita had on a little dress, Kenneth took off his button-up shirt, then passed it to her...he didn't want her to be too cold during the ride. Rita melted in her seat at the sight of Kenneth's rock hard body, her pussy throbbed and she could have sworn that she had climaxed on herself. He had smooth chocolate skin, cut up arms and a defined muscular chest that any woman would love to lay her head on. Snapping out of her daze, Rita thanked him, then put his shirt on.

  Kenneth smiled to himself as he backed up and proceeded to head out of the parking lot. “You’re welcome, sweetheart.”

  “I'm trusting you right now and that's not something that I do on the regular, so you better take care of me,” she said feeling anxiety take over her body.

  “I pinky promise you,” he said, laughing then took off down Sunset Boulevard.

  To Rita's surprise, she was enjoying the ride and had experienced an adrenaline rush like never before. Holding on tight to Kenneth, with her head resting on his back, Rita found herself grinding her hot vagina on his backside.

  At Roscoe's she found that Kenneth was a pretty hot topic; everybody knew him and the girls kept calling his name. One girl stopped in front of their table and blurted, “You brought your mother out tonight?”

  Kenneth snapped, “Naw this is my wife, and we're eating.” He gave her a displeasing look and then dismissed her.

  Rita began to feel self-conscious, she knew she was older then Kenneth, but she didn't know his age.

  “How old are you, Kenneth?” Rita asked him.

  “Twenty-six.”

  “Twenty-six?” she repeated almost choking on her orange juice. “You’re just a baby and I ought to be ashamed of myself.” Rita wiped her mouth with a napkin then tossed it on her plate. He was way too young for her and she was ready to go.

  “Damn, you said that as if it was a bad thing,” Kenneth said.

  Rita swung her head around and then looked at him. “I'm ten years older than you, Kenneth, and I feel like a damn fool...now can you please take me home please?”

  “Damn, like that? You just gone bail-out on a nigga like that? I thought we were having a good time getting to know each other?”

  “We were until I found out how much older I am than you,” she admitted.

  “Well, damn, my muthfucking bad for not seeing anything wrong with it. I'm a grown ass man and the last time I checked, I took care of my damn self,” he said in a stern but aggravated tone. He didn't appreciate the way she had flipped the script on him.

  “Well look, you don't have to get all nasty about it,” Rita said grabbing her phone to call a cab. “I was having a good, well I am,” she said in a confused state. “It's just that I don't think it's appropriate for a woman my age to be out with a guy as young as you.”

  “Yeah, and?” Kenneth asked looking at her like she was crazy. “We are both two consenting adults. Look, matter of fact, I'm above all that,” he said as he wiped his mouth with the napkin and stood up. “You did say that you were ready to ride up out of here right?” he asked putting his hand out toward the door.

  Rita nodded her head yes then stood up and headed to the exit. Maybe I am overreacting, Rita thought as they made their way to the parking lot.

  Outside Kenneth asked, “Did you want to call a cab or have somebody come pick you up? Or do you want me to take you home?”

  Rita looked at him and gave him an apologetic smile. “I'm sorry for being such a difficult bitch” she said.

  “You can say that again,” Kenneth quickly agreed. “So what you gone do?” he asked her.

  Rita laughed; she was known for being a headache and a half. “How about we hang out a little while longer?” she asked as she smiled, then playfully poked him in the chest. “Because to be honest I haven't had this much fun in a very long time, and you’re right, I shouldn't let our age difference ruin that,” she said smiling.

  Kenneth lifted Rita's chin, then gently pecked her lips and climbed on his Harley.

  “It's late, I should take you home...hop on,” he told her.

  “Ok,” Rita agreed then climbed on and gave him her address. Once she was positioned in her seat she reached up and kissed him on his neck.

  Kenneth nodded his head as he thought this lady is a trip, then he dashed out of the parking lot to take Rita to her Baldwin Hills home.

  When Kenneth pulled up to Rita’s Townhouse she climbed off of the motorcycle and told him how much fun she had, then she kissed his lips and pushed her tongue inside of his mouth. Kenneth pulled her closer to him then passionately kissed her back.

  Rita moaned, “Come inside. I wanna fuck you.” She never invited a strange man into her home before, but she had also never dealt with a man like Kenneth before either.

  Kenneth kissed her for a few more seconds then came up for air and said, “I done grew up from my fucking days, and graduated to love making, sweetheart. And to be honest with you, I don't think you’re ready for that.” Then he wiped the smeared lipstick from the corner of her lips and told her to go inside.

  Mouth hanging wide open, Kenneth had messed her up with that one. “Let me go inside before I end up raping yo ass,” she said, smiling seductively.

  Kenneth nodded his head laughing, then he started his Harley back up. “Take yo horny ass in the house while you out here try'na rape little boys and shit...you should be ashamed of yourself,” he teased.

  Rita ran to her door, laughing. “I'ma get you, Ken Loc...you been a real naughty little boy,” she said, smiling then went inside.

  Lady, you just don't know how naughty I really am, he smiled to himself as he took off down her street.

  **********

  At church the next day Rita was so distracted with thoughts of Kenneth on her mind that she was unable to focus and receive the Word. She found herself texting and flirting with her words with him in church.