When her head went back, I attacked her neck. I didn’t consider who would question the marks or what she would say. I needed to taste her in every way possible.
“Baby,” she cooed. “Let me suck it out of you. We don’t have protection.”
I cupped her ass. “You are my protection, and I’m yours. You hear me? You ever let someonethinkotherwise—shit—I’m going to make you watch me kill him.”
“Aww, yes! Right there.”
“Right there, mama?”
“Please,” she uttered. “Please don’t stop!”
Chapter 7
Essen
My car karaoke was interrupted by a call from Loso’s mom. We spoke more than a few times over the last week, and I had started looking forward to her calls.
“Hello, beautiful. Everything okay?”
“More than okay,” she replied in a hyper tone. “I found the rest of the pictures I want to add to the video montage.”
I smirked. “Sounds good. I just dropped some boxes off at the venue. Do you want to meet or . . .”
“You can meet me at my house. Some of our guests just flew into town. I don’t know if anyone is coming by, but I want to be here just in case.”
“I understand. Send me your address, and I’ll be there.”
A swift wave of nerves swept up my spine when we hung up. As I stared into space, I realized I may have talked my way into meeting more of Loso’s family. Lately, it felt likewehad just met. Since he met me in Slyde City a month ago, Loso proved you shouldn’t judge a gangsta by his tattoos. We had spent the night together once, but Loso wouldn’t make it a habit since Shiloh had access to my place. We were already playing it close by staying together until the early hours of the morning watchingSnoopy’s Christmasand munching on junk popcorn.
Caleb was still calling and sending hints about our turn around trip. No matter how much I played dumb, I wasn’t a fool. The second Caleb threw my family in my face, we were done. I hated for someone to get upset because I expected them to do what they said. I didn’t ask him to take me to the snow; he offered.
The Bricks’ neighborhood wasn’t as over-the-top with decorations as Shiloh’s, but holiday pieces were placed on every light post on the street. Loso’s father was in the yard when I pulled my Audi up to the curb. I offered a warm smile when we made eye contact, yet he gave me a blank stare then went back to his task.
“Okay,” I muttered as my brows jumped up my forehead. “I see where Loso gets his jolly attitude.”
Out of habit, I checked my appearance in the rearview mirror then got out the car. For a second time, I waved at the man of the house, but he ignored me. I shook off the rejection when I reached the porch. Heavy winds caressed my belly, making me tug at my cropped sweater.
“Stop pulling at your clothes, girl,” Mrs. Terri said as she pulled the screen door open. “With a body like that, you should never be ashamed.”
“I’m not ashamed. I just want to be respectful.”
“Oh, baby, your clothes are only a small portion of that.” She pulled me in for a long embrace. “How are you doing? I hope I didn’t interrupt your day by asking you to stop by.”
“It was no problem. I was going to surprise a friend with an early dinner date.”
“Dinner date?” She grinned. “Well, let me show you what I have, so you can be on your way.”
I trailed the beauty into the house then went to sit on the living room couch as she instructed. From my seat, I admired the stockings hanging from the fireplace mantel. I assumed thefourth was in honor of Loso’s big brother. Bunches of yarn and needles rested on the couch beside me, and there were pictures spread out on the living room table.
“I see you’re a jack-of-all-trades.” I lifted the yarn.
“I can do a little something. I’ve been making blankets for my future grandbabies for the last few years. I figured if I’m not on Earth when Loso finally gives me grandbabies, they can still have something from their granny.”
“I love that. I love how big you are on family.”
“Girl, I’m worse around the holidays. This time of the year is about fellowship and giving. You should come to church with me and Lawrence. You would love it.” She pried open one of the many photo albums in her grasp. Every picture she held was attached to a story Mrs. Terri shared, and I intently listened to every one of them.
“Oh my goodness. Loso was a little butterball. He was the cutest.”
