“Stay the night with me, Stassi,” Day urged. “Whatever I did to rub you the wrong way, I apologize. A’ight?”
She nodded and stood, grabbing her robe. “Now, can we really enjoy this spa?”
Day smiled. “We can do whatever makes you stay.”
Stassi and Day showered then indulged in a couple’s massage, but instead of relaxing, they looked at one another the entire time, talking and laughing. Day insisted they experience every treatment on the menu and when they were done they wilted in the Jacuzzi because soaking turned to kissing and kissing turned to caressing, and caressing turned to fucking. By the time they made it back to the penthouse, she was spent.
“You want me to order some food or something?”
He turned when she didn’t answer. Her eyes had closed as soon as she had rested her head on the pillow.
Day hesitated. Stassi wasn’t supposed to spend the night. He didn’t know what he was thinking when he had asked her to stay. He definitely hadn’t been thinking when he had run up in her without a jacket. Every other girl he had this arrangement with had been driven home by his driver after their rendezvous. Yet, here Stassi was. He blew out a sigh, trying to rid himself of the overwhelming feeling that filled his chest when she occupied a room with him.Just leave her here and call her tomorrow. Staying the night is out of bounds.
He pulled the duvet over her body. He stood, staring down at her, a split second of regret almost convincing him to stay. He picked up his phone to call his driver, but when he noticed the deposit notification on his phone, he froze.
She sent the money back,he thought, shocked.
Day was perplexed. No one he had ever encountered had ever turned down that type of money. He had always been able to buy anything and anyone he wanted. Even before the fame. He had purchased souls for less with dope money. Stassi, however, seemed to carry a heavy burden behind accepting that money, and he knew she needed it. He had witnessed her need firsthand. It was noble of her. Stupid, but noble, and he wouldn’t have her wake up alone tomorrow feeling like she’d been fucked over.
Against his better judgment, he removed his shirt, kicked out of his jeans, and climbed into bed wearing Versace drawers. She didn’t stir, but he knew he wouldn’t get the same peace that night. Laying next to this beautiful woman, he felt like he was being held hostage despite making the decision himself. Stassi felt different, and he knew he would need to be careful not to lose the upper hand in this situation. Day had officially been disarmed, and he didn’t like it. He didn’t like it at all.
Chapter 13
Ma, you’re the goat! This is wayyy better than I thought it was going to be!” DJ’s approval of his banquet décor was worth all the trouble she had gone through to pull it off. The formal dinner was laced with experiences for the boys that would allow the parents to enjoy sophistication while the distractions of an indoor gaming truck, football arcade game simulator, and 360 photobooths occupied the kids. The two buffets were elaborately decorated. One side had game-day food. Hot dogs, burgers, nachos, pizza, popcorn, and loads of junk food on the treat table. The other side had a full gourmet meal with salmon, chicken marsala, steak bites, and tons of side dishes to accompany the main course. The servers were dressed in referee attire. It was planned to perfection, and she was happy that her son approved.
“You think your friends will like it?” She asked.
“Man, what?! They’re going to love this! Can I try the VR game?”
“Yeah, go ahead. Your teammates should be here any minute,” she replied.
DJ took off, passing Nyair along the way. “Sup, Coach! You want to check out this game with me?”
“In a minute. I got to thank your mama for all this.”
Her heart raced nervously as he approached. Gucci suit fitting to perfection.
“Can I have a second of your time?” He asked. “In private.”
“You may,” she answered, red-faced as she followed him into the empty ballroom that had been sectioned off from the main event.
“I just want to thank you for this,” he said.
“You’re welcome. The way DJ lit up made it all worth it, and my other event is covered. The commission is split, but it was worth it. We spent a couple of days together, and it was what I didn’t even know I needed.”
Nyair ran his thumb across the side of his face and bit into his bottom lip.
“I’m not great at the walking light thing,” he said. “So I’ma come right out and say it.”
Her stomach did that thing it did when he was around. It disappeared.
“I want to get to know you, Lo,” Nyair started. “Like, everything about you, and I know my position in the community makes that weird for you. Like you don’t know if you can be in public with the local pastor, don’t know if you can hold hands with a nigga, don’t know if you can get close, but my wants are my wants, Lo. I just want to put it out there. I’d love to take you out some time.”
She was speechless, not because she hadn’t expected it but because Nyair reminded her of her worth. Nyair made her feel like she still had it. Hell, like she had never lost it.
“You plan the date, and I’ll be there,” she replied.
“Yeah?” Nyair asked. She didn’t miss the wrinkles iron themselves out of his forehead.
