She’s been testing me. She looks up at me, and I see it shift in her eyes. The attitude softens, replaced with something still and alert. Maybe fear. Maybe desire. Maybe both. I push her back against the mattress, my hand still resting at her neck, holding her there. Not hurting her. Just letting her know who she’s talking to.
She doesn’t say another word. Just stares. Mouth slightly open. Breathing different now.
“Zara…” I say her name like a warning. “If you want this to work, you’re going to have to follow my lead. I don’t move with people who don’t listen.”
She stares at me, testing me it seems.
“My aunt’s gonna be your personal doctor, zeen. She gave me strict instructions, being active is one of them. So when I tell you come, it’s not a debate.”
My hand tightens at her throat, not hurting, just heavy enough for her to feel I’m done playing. “Mi love yuh, and that alone dangerous. That’s why I’m trying to handle you soft, but don’t ever think mi won’t check yuh if you start move wild.”
She swallows. “I-I understand,” she says.
I release her slowly. Watch the way her breath stutters out, like my hand is still there. Exactly how I want her. I watch her carefully as she rises, slow and quiet. She tries to pass me, but I step into her path and block her. Grab her chin, lift it, make her eyes meet mine. I kiss her. Deep. Slow. Full of control. I suck her bottom lip like I’m tasting something that belongs to me, ‘cause it does. When I pull back, her eyes are all over the place, like she can’t focus.
“Mi doh like rough yuh up,” I murmur, voice dragging low against her lips.
“But you’re mine. And when I speak, I expect you to hear me the first time. I just want obedience. You get that, mami?”
She bites her lip, blushing hard, eyes slipping away like she can’t handle the way I’m looking at her.
“Look at me,” I order. She does. And mi swear… she a the prettiest girl inna the world.
Her eyes glint and I feel that pull, she don’t even realize the kind of power she hold. “You can give me attitude. I like it. It cute when yuh vex,” I say, hand sliding behind her to grab her ass tight. “But don’t move like yuh tryna disrespect me. Don’t gwan like yah try diss me or likkle bwoy dung my thing.”
I lean in, breath hot against her ear. “Yer that?”
She nearly melts. Face red, eyes flickering. She turns quick. “I’ll go take out the sheets,” she mutters, trying to walk off.
I catch her wrist without a word. She turns back slow, confusion written all over her face. “Forget bout that,” I say, pulling her back into my space, close, like I own her. I do. I lace our fingers and lead her out the room.
Halfway down the stairs, she glances at me, voice softer now. “What are we gonna do?”
“We’re going to play a game,” I tell her, and she laughs like I just said something crazy.
“What game?” Zara asks, raising an eyebrow.
“Need for Speedon the PS5, Mami,” I say, already moving to set it up. She sinks onto the sofa, waiting for me to finish. When I’m done, I grab the controllers and hand her one.
“Thanks,” she says, taking it as I sit beside her. I fire upNeed for Speed, and she lets out a long sigh, eyes fixed on the screen.
“I’m going to lose this,” she admits, half resigned. I shake my head, taking a sip from my water bottle. Can’t find anyone morecynical. The thought makes me chuckle quietly. My eyes find hers just as she speaks again.
“You wicked, enuh. Why you want us to play if you know I’m going to lose?” she asks, shooting me a playful glare. I laugh.
Mek she win the first round, man.
“I’m starting now… wah you say?” I ask, watching her sit up, suddenly focused. I chuckle again as she glances at me.
“Nickoi… come explain the buttons to me, please,” she says.
I take the controller, breaking down each button like a pro.
“Alright, a beat me a guh beat yuh now,” she says excitedly, getting ready. I settle in, waiting patiently for the race to begin.
As soon as we’re off, I’m leading with her right behind me. Her complaints beside me are priceless, she hates losing, and it’s hilarious. I slow down just enough, letting her slip past. When she realizes she’s in front, she starts hyping herself up loud. I press my hand to my lips, fighting to keep a straight face. She’s funny.
“A me do that!” she shouts, eyes locked on the screen. When we cross the finish line, Zara scoots over and sticks her tongue out at me.
