Years soon passed after my last encounter with James. I was now 23 years old. But I never forgot. Eventually the emotional withdrawal went away, but the memories were still haunting. I never truly moved on. My heart had been turned into a block of ice, and no matter how many men tried to win my affection, I repaid them with deception and heartbreak. I was hell bent on destroying every man unlucky enough to cross my path.
By then, I had changed my name. No longer was I sweet little Xiara Bellafeast, but I was now legally and locally known as Shayla Turpin. I changed my name to forget my past. I changed my name to forget him. I changed my name to mark a new era in my life. The era in which no man could have my heart. I was a man-eater.
I stayed in that same little apartment where all my memories lay. I don't know why, but I couldn't bring myself to leave. I suppose part of me wanted to remember, so that my reasons for tearing apart my men would be justified. Whatever reason it was, I used that apartment and my bed to exact my revenge against all males dumb enough to be drawn in and stay.
"Shayla," said a whisper in my ear, "what are you thinking about?" I snapped to attention. Looking up, I stared into the face of the man whose arms were currently encircling me, Jake. I crossed my arms and turned away coldly.
"If I wanted you to know what I was thinking about, Jake, I would've told you myself." He looked down. This wasn't the first time I had snubbed him.
"I'm sorry, Shayla...I just wanted to communicate. You know, break the silence?" He gave me a nervous chuckle as I rolled my eyes and stood up, walking away.
"Silence is golden. Now shut the fuck up."
Even with my coldness, the fool came back for more. He came to my bed every single night for more, despite my cruel teasing and sheer coldness. I loved this power. I marveled at it. As he walked into the room that night wearing nothing but his boxer shorts, I sat quietly on the bed in my see-through lace lingerie, unimpressed.
"Back for more, I see?" I asked with spite. Jake blushed red.
"I just enjoy making love to my girlfriend. Is that so wrong?"
I scoffed loudly. "You wouldn't know 'love-making' if it bit you in the balls."
He looked down, thoroughly embarrassed.
"Shayla..."
I grumbled loudly, sitting up as if I was ready to simply get it over with. "Just get your ass over here."
Jake wasted little time climbing into bed with me, pressing his lips hard against mine. I leaned a little into the kiss, not really pushing any passion into it. He placed his hands on my breasts, squeezing through the black lace as he lowered me onto the bed. We broke away. I stared up at him hard.
"Do me like you mean it, Jake. Are you a man?"
He smiled at me a little. "More man than you take me for."
Without any hesitation, he spread my legs apart, pulling my lace panties down and off. I was still far from being aroused. Seeming not to notice, Jake moaned at the sight of my cleanly shaven pussy.
