~13~

After I hung up with Lord, I tossed on sweats and a Mauve t-shirt I didn’t know I had, and made my way out to her. I felt dazed, tired, and couldn’t believe she was here. I was here with her. This felt like a dream after the nightmare. I had so many questions but didn’t want to scare her off.

As I got closer to the living room, I heard voices from the foyer. Then Wynter appeared, rocking an expression similar to mine. We had guests. The first thing I realized was how half-dressed she was in those short shorts and thin tee shirt with no bra. That couldn’t be appropriate for whoever was coming. 

But before I could share that, she began toward the center table on bare feet.

“Is this necess—” her words stopped when a young lady stepped off the elevator behind Van.

Van was here? I knew he got released yesterday, but he’d been the last person on my mind in the past twenty-four hours. And by the way his eyes swept the walls and floors, I could see this was his first time here. They hadn’t seen each other since he’d been home. The young girl behind him swept the room, too.

“Hey, baby girl.” He sported a frown as he went to hug Wynter. Van looked a lot different outside of a uniform and cuffs. “You good?”

He pulled back from her and grabbed her at the shoulders.

“Yes, I’m fine, Van. You shouldn’t believe everything you hear in the news,” Wynter’s tone was stern with a trace of amusement.

That’s when his eyes moved behind her to me. “She ain’t that type of girl. She ‘on’t be fuckin’ around.”

I twisted my neck, not knowing what to say. Neither did I feel his explanation was needed.

“Van!” Wynter shunned him again, half smiling and half annoyed, it looked. She padded toward me with her arms crossed over her chest now. It was weird. A seek shelter type of move. I didn’t expect it but was always down with having her near. “You didn’t have to drag her all the way out here for this.” She stopped in front of me.

Shielding me?

“Her?” Van’s forehead wrinkled. He turned behind him to the young lady, who appeared just as physically uncomfortable as Wynter was now acting. “Come say hi to your family,” he ordered the girl. “Wynter, introduce her to your man. C’mon now.” Van’s tone was authoritative, but cautious.

Beneath me, Wynter’s head cocked to the side. “Hey, Reign,” her tone was dry, but not angry. “You know Ragee. Right?” That wasn’t a question.

When I looked at the girl now, it was through new eyes. She was young. Pretty, but not like Wynter. And she was shy, her eyes bouncing between the wall and me as she fought not to smile.

Man…

Wynter was shielding me alright. She was marking her territory to someone who once betrayed her. But this little girl? What could she do for me? I tried to remember how old Wynter said she was. Maybe twenty. Twenty-one?

“Nice to meet you, Reign.” I nodded her way as my hands went to Wynter’s shoulders.

The girl seemed to peep my touch on her sister.

“My bad,” Van broke out and approached us with his palm out. “I ain’t even give you a respectful greeting in your own house, my man.”

Wynter slid to the side just slightly, giving us enough room for dap. Then she slid back into place in front of me.

“How’s the pregnancy coming along?” That question was dry, too.

Reign didn’t look pregnant. She looked like a baby herself.

“Good. I tried to call you last week to tell you my mom’s gonna be home by my due date.”

“Oh! That’s good,” Wynter chirped and that sounded more sincere and engaged than the other communications. “I’m happy for you. I know she’s excited to finally meet her grandbabies.”

Reign nodded and smiled. She was intimidated by Wynter. That was clear to me.

“Anyway,” Van peered over to me. “Y’all sure y’all good? Got people blowing up my phone with these rumors about my baby girl. You need me for something? That Teke kid look light weight.” Van was for real, for real serious. No smiling at all.

“Van, you know fighting ain’t your thing!” Wynter fussed with him. “Most of the stuff out there is fake anyway.”

“A’ight.” He nodded, rubbing his hands together. “Long as you good. I know I been away too long, but I’m back now.” His eyes landed on me.

I kept mine empty, not knowing how to take Van. I honestly didn’t know if he was a threat or an ally. Time would tell, though. I knew that.

“Oh! And thanks for taking care of that thing for me.” His eyes were on me again.

I couldn’t figure out what “that thing” was.

“So, you two were in touch!” Wynter’s eyes swung up to me. “For how long?”

The loans…

“Long enough,” I answered, trying to keep that topic short. 

“But I’mma pay you back. I got my job back. Start tomorrow.”

“You did get your job back?” Wynter leaped from me and onto her uncle. “That’s what’s up! I’m so happy for you.”

“I told you I had this!” Van tried not to smile.

Reign’s eyes were on her sister and uncle as she smiled. There was something so sad about her. Or was that just my assumption because of her kids’ father?

Wynter backed away from Van, still cheery. “But I’mma have to handle the payback on that loan. I’m sure with your restitution fees and fines…childcare, rent, and all the other shit you got on your plate, you can’t cover that. I got it.”

If Wynter thought I’d accept a dime from her she was out of her mind. I wouldn’t even ask her uncle to pay me back. That payoff was laughable.

I squeezed the side of her waist and murmured, “I’m going to eat.” I was done with this conversation.

“Oh!” She turned her head up to look at me. “I hope it’s not cold now. But your plate is in the oven.”

I nodded. “It was good seeing y’all…officially.”

“Ah, man!” Van approached me again, holding his palm out. “Same here, bruh. You pulling up at the party this weekend, right?”

“Party?”

“Van’s having a welcome home party,” Wynter explained, clearly having an issue with the party’s theme.

“Yeah, man! It’s gone just be family and a few friends,” Van explained. “I hope you come through.”

“Now that I’ve been formally invited…” My eyes roved over to Wynter. “Maybe we’ll make something happen.”

“No doubt, man!” Van was gracious as he gave me another dap. “But I’mma get outta here. Just wanted to come through to check on her, man. I gotta meeting with a new lawyer for my court date.”

“You’re meeting with a lawyer on a Sunday?” Wynter asked.

“Yeah. The court date’s tomorrow.”

“For what?”

As I turned the corner for the kitchen, the last I heard of the conversation was Van’s answer, “Child support. They was summoning me while I was in the county.”

That was interesting. Van…Reign… The dynamic in their family was…weird. 

From the doorjamb of the kitchen his back was toward me. Shoulders globular, back stretched broadly with cuts. I’d forgotten how fuckable Ragee was. I guessed that was possible to do when we lived in different places. Last night was…intense. All of it: the wedding, reception, spectacle with Teke, finding out yet another secret of my husband’s past, and then forgiving him without pretense. I still didn’t understand it, but after having a crying spell with him last night, I believed the decision was right.

Just like now, Raj looked whole from this view: strong, virile, and confident as he ate his breakfast alone. But inside, he was troubled. Broken. And I wanted to help put him back together. I just hoped I had the wherewithal to do it.

I toed behind him and wrapped my arms around his brawny frame. At first I could feel him steel before he went lax in my fold. Then he hooked an arm around and hugged me in return.

“I guess I have to get used to being able to do this when I want. And you have to get used to my touch,” I whispered in his ear.

“I want to.” He cut into his plate. “This veggie omelet’s banging. Thanks.”

Gushing, I stood to clear the dishes I made before Van called, telling me he was downstairs. “Sorry about that unexpected visit. He asked where I was when he texted this morning. The next time I heard from him was when he was downstairs, needing clearance to come up. I didn’t even have time to tell you.”

“S’all good,” Raj replied before stuffing his face with the last of his food.

“I just don’t want you thinking I have people all up in your place. I don’t…” I paused to think. “Other than Ivie and Mya the day I arrived here. But you arranged that, I see.” I turned to look at him. “Why?”

He didn’t return my gaze when he drained the last of the juice in his cup. “Because you need your peoples. You been at this by yourself all this time. Gotta be crazy.”

“Thank you,” I offered, gathering his plate. “More juice?”

“Yes. Please…”

I stored his plate and fork in the dishwasher and headed toward the fridge.

“So what’s next?” he asked. I glanced up as I was grabbing the container. “With us. What’s next with us?”

“I don’t know. This is kind of weird. I got the email from L.I.T. Music. They’re offering me a publishing deal for writing. They sent it on Friday, but I guess I was so busy getting ready for the wedding and Van’s release, I missed the email.”

I filled his glass then set it on the table before planting myself against it, next to him.

“Congrats,” his voice was controlled. “Thought it was strange that you ain’t heard from them yet. You gonna sign?” He took a big gulp of his juice, the loutish way he did it had my thighs squeezing together.

“I don’t know. I desperately need the money and opportunity. After last night, it doesn’t feel as professional and shiny as it once did.” He nodded. “And I don’t want to put you in an unfavorable light. I don’t know what’s going to happen since the Teke thing.”

Raj faced ahead, wiping the corners of his stretched mouth with his thumb and index finger. “I feel you. Give it a few days and see how everything falls into place.”

Those words were laced with wisdom…and calm. “You seem so different.” I had to add. “Patient.”

His eyes came up to me. Then his hand brushed my right thigh, nearest to him.

“You know who’s not patient?”

“Who?” I wanted to shiver from his touch.

“Arnie.”

“Arnie?”

He nodded. “He’s been blowing my phone up. Even came up to the house a couple of days ago, asking about you.”

“What! Why didn’t you give him my number?” The thought of that man warmed me—in a different way than his little brother’s touch was right now.

“Because I didn’t know you wanted him to have it. Plus, I don’t think you want him blowing you up the way he does.”

“Does he want something in particular?”

Raj sat back in his chair and exhaled, gesturing he didn’t know. “He said something about a surprise for when you were done with work in Arizona.”

I wondered what could that be. “Hmmmmm…”

“Should I tell him you’re coming back to Sparta today?”

I shook my head, my heart racing at the prospect. I wasn’t ready to go back just yet. There was still a sting of betrayal when I thought of the estate.

“I have so much to do, especially with Van being home. This stupid party I have to do for him this weekend. And I want to look for a lawyer to help me consider the contract L.I.T. is offering.  I don’t want to be so far away just yet.” I also didn’t have it worked out in my mind what Raj and I would be.

He nodded, eyes straight ahead. There it was. That calm nature. I wasn’t fucking crazy when I sensed it. I felt it. He didn’t fight me on it. The heat from his body crept around my chilled frame. His scent was fresh and manly. And god, his beard was trimmed with precision, dark, and full. My nipples peaked and we weren’t even touching.

“I gotta ask you something,” he murmured, eyes ahead, out of the window.

“Mmhmmmm…” I encouraged him to go on as I pushed back on the table, lifting my butt onto it and scooting back.

Raj’s eyes trailed my legs as they parted and I shuffled until I was square in front of him. The look of manly anticipation made me want to giggle. It heated me in the center, too.

“I want you to go away with me.”

I batted my lashes, being silly, but Raj was all for it. “When? Where?”

“Sunday. And a few places. For a week.”

His warm hands grazed my ankles and swept up to my knees. My neck almost gave out as I rested back on my elbows.

“Sunday?” I whispered, eyes closing as his beard roved over the sensitive skin on the inside of my thigh.

“Yup. And you can’t say no because of the party or looking for a lawyer. The party will be done and you ain’t got no money for a good lawyer.” His curled lashes batted, softening his dig. “I’ll get one for you.”

When he bit into my flesh, my legs coiled and head rolled over the table.

“Wynnie…”

“Hmmm?”

“I wanna eat your pussy.”

“I know,” I damn near moaned.

“But if I do, and make you come with these shorts on, you gotta do something for me.”

Anything…

“What?”

“Invite me to your family’s party the day before I take you away.”

Damn it!

That was the last thing I wanted. Hell, I’d go anywhere with him. But subjecting him to my crazy ass family wasn’t what I had in mind to do like…ever! Shit.

“Okay…”

Raj rained soft, teasing kisses up my thighs, dizzying me. When his tongue snaked through the thin material of my shorts, my head was against the table and thighs spread wide.

Less than a minute.

Less than a minute!

That’s how long it took for me to implode and come in my shorts.

“Holy shiiiiit,” I breathed, eyes blindly rolling around the bar.

“Yup,” Jemah sipped from her third mint julep cocktail and nodded her head.

“So what about Jon…Irv?”

“I don’t know yet. I haven’t heard from Irv, but Jon said he was gonna request a meeting with Dave and Jax this week when I spoke to him a few days ago. He’s really fucked up over this.”

“I would be, too!” I needed clarity. “So, they didn’t pass the boot camp process, which means they won’t be offered publishing deals through the label.”

“Yup.”

“But they’re still signed to L.I.T. Music with a recording deal?”

She went for another sip. “Uh-huhn.”

“But they won’t be going out on that tour this summer?”

“I don’t think so.”

“Neither will they be on the schedule to finish recording their album?”

“Correct.” She sat back, nodding.

My eyes roved the small cocktail table between us. “So, what does this mean for them?”

“They’ve been shelved, honey.”

“What?”

“It’s what labels do when they don’t wanna fuck with the act no more, or when they wanna fuck with the act, and not let them make music—”

“…and therefore money,” I concluded the revelation.

“You got it. Here…” She pushed my martini glass closer to me. “Drink up. It’s still a celebration here, bitches!”

Though it was dry, I tried to laugh. Jemah flew in from Chicago last night to sign her contract with L.I.T. Music. She was chosen, too. Unlike me, she signed right away.

It had been four days since Jackson Hunter’s wedding and the time had been crazy. Not only had I been back and forth to Garfield, cleaning MaMa’s house and buying shit for the party, but I’d also been running errands for Van while he was at work. Paperwork had to be signed and delivered…just a whole bunch of crazy shit I dutifully took care of for him. I shopped for the getaway Raj had planned, even though I still had no details for it other than to dress warm.

This morning, I met with an attorney Raj arranged for. He was sent the contract on Monday and was ready to explain the details of it when I arrived. According to him, it was pretty straightforward and standard for this type of venture. He laid out its features in laymen’s terms as I took notes on an app on my phone. What I froze at was the exclusivity clause. The term was three years that I couldn’t write, produce, or consult on any music outside of L.I.T. Music. Before I began camp, that was fine and made perfect sense.

Since starting a new venture—that was still nameless—with Raj, the prospect seemed stifling. If I was being honest, it was because I had a problem with not being able to work with Raj. Laughable, but true. He may not have had a stupid desire in his body to work on music with a novice like me. Yet here I was, not wanting to close the door on that option. Raj was good at what he did, a musician through and through. It seemed unwise to not drink from the endless fountain in your yard just to go blocks and blocks away to drink from a company, that could discard you the way I’d just learned they’d done B City.

I sipped my drink and placed it back on the table, needing more answers.

“You think all of this was because of Raj and me?”

Swallowing, Jemah shook her head. “From what Jon said Teke was doing shady shit like this with other label heads and writing for them.” She leaned in although I was sure no one in this half-filled bar on a Wednesday evening could hear our conversation. “Jon said the execs at L.I.T. don’t even know this yet, but Teke recorded a track with a new Atlantic artist. And they ain’t gonna sit on the track. They’re trying to go full throttle on her marketing.” She sat up. “But I do—we all think them being shelved had to do with you and Raj, though. Everybody know L.I.T. Music’s been wanting to sign Raj for over a year now. They been kissing his ass!”

I swallowed hard then went for my drink to distract me. I did know that. Raj has been stalling his “no” for some time.

“And we all knew Young Lord fucks with Raj. We kept telling Teke to chill back in boot camp, but his arrogance, man…” She shook her head and whistled. “I’m surprised you ain’t know.”

“I didn’t. This is all news to me. I haven’t spoken to anyone since that crazy episode back in L.A.”

I was still embarrassed by that.

“I’m from Chi-town, Southside. I see far worse. I guess it caught me off guard to see it go down that morning. But Teke had to wear that one, though. Everybody was telling him to go easy behind your back. You threw us off by not acting like you was married, though.”

I wanted to remind her of all the screaming she did out there but knew Jemah had a few in her and was likely embellishing. I settled on something else.

“And how does a married woman act?”

“I ‘on’t know.” She shrugged with her neck. “In love. Name dropping. Always on the phone. Posting about missing him and shit.”

“We were in a bad place, but very much married,” I tried to deliver without my defensiveness being so obvious.

“A few of us figured that much that last work night when you flipped after hearing his track.” My phone vibrated and lit on my lap. It was Raj. Again. “I get relationships,” she offered before downing the last of her drink.

Raj: You still in the city?

Me: Yeah. I’ll hit you when I get home.

Damn…

As weird as that sounded, it was my reality. I hadn’t seen Raj since he left the apartment in Jersey City last Sunday after my legs stopped shivering over the kitchen table. He had rehearsals to begin for his tour that would start in mid-May, which was relatively soon. How this man thought he could sneak in a “getaway” was beyond me.

And shit, did I miss him. We talked morning, noon, and night since Sunday. He’d been staying in Sparta, needing to produce and lay vocals for the upcoming concert. He had a whole team up there and was working on new material. He’d asked me to come up several times, resulting in a bet because I was busy here, out east.    

Raj: You been there drinking all this time and think you gonna drive home?

Me: Jersey City’s just a stone’s throw. Besides I took an Uber over, knowing I’d be drinking.

And while I accounted for that aspect of drinking, what I didn’t consider was how fucking horny I’d be at just the thought of him. Each time Jemah mentioned his name, my breasts would tingle and nipples sting. It was maddening. But it was also unusual. Raj and I found ourselves in uncharted territory with our relationship. He claimed to be in love with me, and I still struggled with being legally married. I may have been able to convince people like Jemah that Raj and I were just in a bad place a few weeks ago, but I hadn’t been able to fool myself into understanding just where we were.

But I wanted him. Damn, I wanted him. As I sat across from Jemah, pretending to be interested in people watching as she typed into her phone, I craved him. I had a whole lover but hadn’t seen him in days. And he was in love with me. Laughable.

“What’s so funny?”

“Huhn?” I glanced over to Jemah.

“I asked what was so funny.”

My eyes flew wide. “Was I laughing?”

“Yeah!” She giggled, eyes shrunken in inebriation. “You were totally laughing over there, and by the looks of it, it was something juicy—” Her expression went ghosted, peering up at something behind me. “Ohhhhh!”

“Shit!” I screamed at her. “What?”

Her eyes didn’t move from over me. That’s when I yanked my head to look behind me.

Raj was standing near the bar, sporting a gray sweat suit with the hood pulled partially over his head. Behind him, Lil Bruh faced the other way while scratching his head under a Connecticut Kings fitted cap. And Danny G was more alert—always more alert with Raj—as his eyes scanned Raj’s parameters, ready to intercept an overzealous fan. I guessed he had to be in a bar.

What in the hell?

I turned back to Jemah, who was now smiling dreamily. “Damn, he’s hot.”

“You’re drunk,” I reminded her, sitting up to collect my things. “I’m glad your hotel is down the block. Let me get you there.”

Jemah waved a dismissive hand. “Girl, I ain’t even going back to my room. My cousin lives here…a NYU student. That was her I was texting. I’m going to a party, so I can wake up in somebody’s bed in the morning…preferably a hot, single man with a big ass dick. Go!” She waved again. “Be with your super dope husband.”

I didn’t know how I felt about leaving her here, so I hesitated.

“Oh, here she is!” Jemah waved someone to her.

Oh…

I stood and welcomed Jemah into a hug and promised to hit her up when I had my decision about L.I.T. Music. After waving hello to her cousin on my way out of our booth, I made my way over to Raj on unsteady feet.

“You’re so fucking busted!” I accused, falling into his arms.

“Slow down, shawtie!” He chuckled. “I’m glad I did come through.”

“Come through?” I combed my fingers through his beard as my head dipped back to peer into his face. Was I tipsy? Suddenly I felt it. And now under his auburns and against his heated frame, I felt gooey down low. “Why are you even here?”

“The last two times you asked me that, you slapped fire out of me. You sure you wanna do that in public?” His smirk swelled my sex. I could feel it.

“You totally lost the bet.” I tossed my head further back and cackled.

“Nah. I just pulled up to make sure you was good.”

“Raj,” I cocked my head to the side. “You pulled up to Manhattan from your Dad’s gym in New Brunswick? You think I was born yesterday?”

His cheeks lifted. “No need for you to take an Uber if I’m here.”

He maneuvered me under his arm, his hand stretched out over my ass as we walked out of the bar.

“And what’re you gonna do? Walk me to my door like a gentleman when we get to the apartment?” I gasped. “I wonder what you’re gonna do when you leave for your tour?” My brows arched with sarcasm.

The truck was illegally parked in the front, and Raj helped me in. When he entered himself, he slid my limp frame into him. Before I could crack a corny joke, his big palm was at my chin, pulling me into his mouth for a kiss. It was one I gladly and eagerly welcomed. My jaw went lax and eyes rolled to the back of my head the moment his lithe tongue swept the roof of my mouth. His breathing was crude, fanning my face, melting my core. He smelled of Rage for Men, his cologne.

My hands were greedy, wanted to be all over him. Wanted to pull at the barbell of his Apa piercing to tease him like I knew he’d enjoy. But I refrained. We’d wagered a bet to wait for sex until his getaway. It was stupid and not my idea, but I was always up for a good bet. Plus, I thought it’d be painless, considering the loads of shit I had to do this week. Until this… Until Raj showed unexpectedly while I was under the influence and after not seeing him for days. Whomever broke the agreement would lose. We were only in his truck. He hadn’t lost yet. But as a moan escaped my jumpy belly and my palms misted from the fluidness of his tongue, I now wondered who was closer to the finish line of the bet. My clit throbbed, and blood rushed in my head so fiercely my ears rang.

He withdrew. Shit. Slowly, I forced my eyes open, thrilled to see his were just as low as mine.

Raj smiled sweetly, likely knowing of my near undoing. “How was your day?”

My brows narrowed. “Since I spoke to you earlier?” He nodded in earnest. I took a deep breath thrown by the innocuous question. “Uh…” My mind rewound to the events of my day. “It was busy…good.”

“Yeah?” he uttered softly, sincerely wanting more. “How’d it go with the lawyer?”

Oh…

“Good. I think. He said the contract was pretty standard…specific.”

“Fair?”

I shrugged with my head. “He thinks so.” DeLuca was a tenured entertainment attorney.

“Okay. Are you comfortable enough to make the decision?”

My eyes fell and I shook my head, sadness engulfing me out of nowhere. I rolled my eyes out the window and saw we were threading through traffic.

I turned back to him. “How was your day? You had lunch with Ezra,” I recalled. “How did it go?”

“Meh.” He shrugged. “We kicked it a bit.”

That threw me off. “Okay…”

I didn’t want to pressure him to share a conversation between him and someone he had an intimate relationship with, such as Ezra.

“He said a symptom of childhood abuse is attachment,” he muttered under the music being played.

“What?” my tone was respectfully low.

“I’m not saying it right; he used another term. But when I told him about my obsession with you—”

“Obsession?” I yelped that.

Raj snorted. His amusement underscored his unapologetic state.

I angled my head, deathly serious. “Is that what you think? After four days, you’re obsessed?” I was concerned.

“My feelings didn’t start after the wedding. I’ve been feeling like this since January. I told you, I’m in love—”

My face swung away from him. “Yeah. That part.” I didn’t want to go there. “Did Ezra tell you that liking someone isn’t being obsessed with them?” I turned back to him. “Just because you like a girl doesn’t mean you’re obsessed.”

“But I think about you all the time—even when you’re mad at me.” He scoffed. “Even when I’m mad at you.”

“Thinking about the person you like a lot when they’re not around isn’t obsession.”

Raj belted out a hearty laugh, his deep vocals rolling over and over. It was as though he was the subject of his amusement. “I think about your pussy all day.”

“And you don’t think I recount the grooves in your Apa?”

“I hope it’s not just the Apa that’s got memorable grooves.” The smirk on his face spoke to his sense of humor, but the sparkle in his eyes told me this man had strong feelings for me.

Obsession? No. But something I could feel? Yes.

“Raj…”

“Why’re you hesitating with the L.I.T. deal?”

That thought roiled in my belly. I took a deep breath and sat back further in the seat.

“It’s a three year deal. Exclusive.” Only my eyes roved over to him.

“And?”

“And three years is a huge commitment to just one entity. I don’t think I want that restriction and for so long.”

“What’s wrong with that?”

I peered out the window, noting we were back in Jersey. “The last exclusive contract I signed for three years was to you.”

“Okay…”

And that’s when it all hit me. I turned to him, took in a fortifying breath. “You haven’t signed with them. Why should I?”

His only reaction was a nod of understanding as his regard went elsewhere, considering that.

“I’ve been in the industry for a minute.”

“I know.”

“And I don’t make most of my bread from what my label gives. I didn’t do a 360 deal, which gives the label—”

“A chunk of everything you own. I just left boot camp, I know.”

“Your deal would be different. You’re not a recording artist. You’re a composer.”

A composer married to the most gifted voice I’d ever known. Raj was foolishly humble about the amount of talent he possessed. He was more concerned with musicianship than his unmatched vocals. There was only one other modern day male artist with his registry and tone—and that dude wasn’t even making music. He damn sure wasn’t even half as fine as Ragee.

Now I felt silly for overthinking this. It was difficult to articulate my feelings and I already had to deal with what Raj and I were at this point. Going the past few days without seeing him didn’t better clarify the terms of our relationship.

I was thankful when we pulled into the garage of the apartment building. Lil Bruh used a card to gain entry. As Raj got out, I opened my own door, remembering the moment my feet hit the ground how much I’d had to drink. Raj communicated something to his security then rounded the truck to walk me into the back entrance where we were met by a nod from one guard then let onto the elevator by another.

Raj pulled out his pinging phone, switched the ringer off then began typing into it. I admired his countenance, easily making out his resting dick print through his sweats the way he leaned against the wall. At one point, feeling heat on my face, I glanced up and saw his eyes. He’d caught me ogling him. Sheepishly, my eyes fell, and I switched stances, feeling embarrassed. The door opened to the dim foyer. Feeling silly, I turned around to tell him goodbye, not quite decided on how, but wearing a goofy grin already.

Before I could get a word out, he rushed me. Knocked his big body against mine, took me by the ass with his hands and lifted me from my feet. One of my heels flew off in the ruckus and my head swung back, affected by his impossibly delicious scent. His lips were on me, tongue in my mouth, and I cupped the back of his head to keep up. He pulled down my arms then yanked my blazer from around my shoulders. I helped him by shimmying out of it.

Next were my jeans. His hands were impatiently at my waist, roughly undoing them. With his tongue roving down the front of my neck and my chest, he tugged them around my hips as I backed up to the large table in the center of the entryway of the apartment. I was out of breath, salivating. A few more rough hauls and my jeans were off.

“Raj…” I swallowed hard, eyes half-mast, voice deeper than usual. “What’re you doing?”

He lifted me onto the table by my bare thighs. Then my panties were torn from my hips.

Raj placed his palm flat on my chest, applying gentle pressure to communicate his wishes. I lay back on the table, my thighs spread farther apart. In two quick maneuvers, his hoodie was on the floor, muscles flexing in a black tank t-shirt.

He squatted, squaring with the apex of the V between my inner thighs. I could hardly see his eyes when he husked, “‘Bout to show ya pussy what I’ve been thinking about today.”

In seconds, his warm mouth was on me. The slither of his tongue had my back arching over the wooden table.

Maybe a little obsession isn’t bad after all…