“Tuh. What lies have he told now?” she asked throwing the hand towel on the counter.
“Did you know why my daddy even approached my mama?” She shook her head, and I continued with, “Apparently, he was using my mama as bait to make Uncle Royce jump. He did outsell Senior but that was because he came with a different strand. My mama knew he was the opps and still fucked with Pops. I think she was pregnant by the time she realized what his agenda was. Them hormones different so she ain’t listen. One thing I can say is that love wasn’t one sided. I think he fell for her too. I ain’t tripping or mad at the fact that it was some back door shit going on. They loved me enough to be together.”
Daisy walked over to me and looked me in the eyes. She ain’t never called me a liar or known for me to lie. Whatever happened, I believed happened. However, I also believed my parents went against the grain together and built a life that fit them. Like I said, I wasn’t tripping.
“Rhema turned first?” she asked.
“Yup, Pops just followed suit. She fell; he fell harder. Go make up with yo’ family Ma. We been isolated for thirtysomething odd years. Them yo’ nephews up there,” I encouraged her. I’d gotten on cool terms with Royce, Genesis, and even Mercedees, so she could do the same. She was up in age, so she needed more than just me.
“It’s been too long. I’ve hated my nephew for what he did to Rhema for too long. Plus, Rose is still gone. There’s nothing in Sage Springs for me. Go make sure Heidi’s alright,” she said walking out the kitchen.
Thirty years of regret must’ve hit her at once. I saw the tears weld up in her eyes as she spoke. She was also stubborn as fuck, so she wasn’t gon’ travel to make shit right between them. I wasn’t gon’ push her to either. She was a grown ass woman.
I finished eating my slice of cake and headed to my office. I had some paperwork to catch up on. Fixing problems outside of my own wasn’t my forte.
21
HEIDI
Isat at the vanity he had installed for me doing my routine glitter sprinkle. I never left the house without a little shimmer. As I looked over my makeup, I couldn’t help but blush. Thoughts of all the things Bentley had done for me so far was on a loop. He was such a good man with no shame. He expressed his want for me openly. I couldn’t have asked for a more confident guy.
There was no denying how easy life was with Bentley. Royce helped tremendously but it hit different coming from a man that wanted me as his partner. They had the same character except Bentley made me his top priority like Royce did Klarity. It felt good, it really did.
When I looked at him, I saw adoration in his eyes. He talked a good game saying all the things that he thought I wanted to hear or how he felt. Either way, it caused a shy girl to flutter. There were things that were new to me, but he made it easy to accept. I liked how gentle and patient he was with me as well. Very fuckin’ delusional, but what did I expect. He had Atkins blood flowing through him.
“Feel good, look great,” I said aloud quoting Summer Walker.
Those tatted muscular arms boxed me in as he bent down to whisper in my ear. Bentley was single handedly transitioningme from a woman who didn’t dare talk to or touch a man to a woman that craved him. It was crazy how every time we were in the same proximity my body behaved like I was hot in the ass. Straight hot and bothered.
“You damned sure do. I’m happy to have you on my arm tonight Mrs. Atkins,” he complimented. That feeling that came after every word he spoke to me was back.
“That’s not going to stop, is it?” I questioned really not wanting him to stop at all. I enjoyed it actually.
“I know good and doggone well you know it’s power in the tongue. I’m gon’ keep claiming you as my wife until it happens.”
A tingling sensation started between my thighs before coursing through the rest of my canvas. I was starting to think he knew exactly the effect he had on me. The attraction had always been there. I’d be lying if I said it hadn’t.
“You’re optimistic I see.”
“I’m a manifestor. If I don’t speak it, I won’t receive it. You ready to go?” he asked staring me down through the mirror. He had the look of a man that wanted to devour his woman whole.
God if this man is for me, say something. There’s only so many walls a girl can hide behind.
Nodding, I reached up and ran my fingers through his beard. “I’m ready love,” I answered with a smile.
“For a touch-me-not, you sure love touching me.”
Yanking my hand back, I sat up and found everything to look at except him. “I’m sorry,” I apologized.
It came so naturally, I didn’t even realize I’d let myself get so comfortable with him. A low chuckle rumbled in his chest causing my body to overheat. The smallest details were ones that heightened my attraction to him. A black man seeking black love from a black woman…
That’s awhole lot of brown chil’ren on yo’ Forbes list. Niyani called it.
“For what? Showing affection to yo’ man?” He reached down and grabbed that same hand and put it back where it belonged… on him. “I done told you one time already, you can do whatever you want. Ain’t nobody else getting this but you.”
Thank you. The reassurance is always needed.
“We’ll never make it if we keep this up Mr. Atkins,” I said eager to hear the reciprocation with Mrs. Atkins.
