Smirking he said, “Not at all.”
“Oh okay. Catalina, is it? You’re excused,” I said tilting my head to the side. She looked over to Bentley for help and I had to get her back over to big mama. “He had an opportunity to choose between you or me. Don’t beg baby, it’ll give desperate. Just switch your thick ass right on up out of here. Thangyaa!”
She was a beautiful woman, but the man she was after had his eyes set on me. I wasn’t giving him up. He was attentive, certain, and sincere in everything he did for me. I watched and allowed him to handle the situation. He behaved in true Atkins form. His claim over me was loud and proud.
“Bentley, are you serious right now? We’ve done business for years, and now I’m cut because of her. Are you really going to let her stop your money like that?” she questioned damn near yelling in my nigga face.
“I got money that fall off trees Cat. You know a nigga been straight since birth. Get the fuck out my establishment and lose my number. My wife don’t approve of you, and I ain’t ‘bout to make her.” He pulled out his cell and shot a quick text. Before I knew it, Maxx was scooping Catalina up and getting her the hell up out of here. “Really Bentley? This what we on? So, I ain’t shit now?”
“You told me Mr. Man was a good one. Seems to me like his hoes coming out the wood works,” Ni commented.
“They do seem to be causing friction that I don’t need, huh?”
Bentley was on his feet and pulling me toward him. Once I was in his embrace, he took a seat with me on his lap. His arm snaked around my waist tightly not giving me room to move. He wasn’t about to let me leave him now or in the future.
“Sit yo’ ass the fuck down, drink until you content, and enjoy yo’ night. The problem is eliminated, and it won’t occur again. Outside of Catalina, I wasn’t really indulging in pussy. I had too much shit going on to do so. She was convenient, that’s all. I’m satisfied just by yo’ presence baby. What the hell makes you think that bitch can do shit for me? This ain’t no debate. It’ll always be you over them. Shit, if we being real, it’s been you since day one. Don’t ever think I’m one of them niggas swayed by pussy.”
“Mr. Atkins,” I said trying to break free.
“I said enjoy yo’ night Mrs. Atkins. Don’t make me say it again.”
Final score, three points.
As a woman who didn’t trust men easily, I believed every word that man spat. He kept it real with me and that was all I asked from anybody. He didn’t coddle me or sugarcoat what our reality was. Instead, he gave me reassurance and a sense of security. I knew he was all about me, and he never let me think anything different. To be honest, my pussy was purring so loud, I was shocked he didn’t hear her.
Leaning forward, I poured me up a shot and threw it back. Having a good time with my man and my girl was all I was focused on. He put a hoe in her place behind me. What the hell could I be mad at? She didn’t understand why he was so gone behind me, but I did. I was that rare fuckin’ gem and it wasn’t abitch alive that could hold a candle next to me. This was chess, not checkers. Checkmate bitches.
22
BENTLEY
Iknow I said enjoy yo’ night but I ain’t expect baby to get tore down. She drank like a fish tonight, but somewhere along the line, she was still able to stand. Ushering her upstairs, she clung to me like a magnet. Her lil’ tiny ass had the nerve to say I was a lightweight mid turn up. I ain’t have no choice but to slow up. She was enjoying the fact that her best friend was becoming a wife.
“Baby, you want to shower or take a hot bath?” I asked walking her slowly to the bedroom.
“Whatever you want to do love,” she said beginning to strip.
“Stop Ma. We ain’t even in the room yet. Don’t disrespect yourself like that.” I pulled her shirt back over her head.
“I’m with my nigga. How am I disrespecting myself?” she slurred.
So, it took you putting liquor in yo’ body for you claim a nigga, huh?
Accepting a nigga. I knew it would come sooner than later. Giving her a choice to do anything other than love me was comical. All she needed was me to handle whatever came her way. Letting Cat go was solely for her. If she would’ve hintedat the slightest fact that she was unhappy, I probably would’ve killed Cat. It was that simple for me.
Heidi was the only woman that had the privilege to run my life. I had so much money attached to my name, retiring early wasn’t a problem. There were plenty of muthafuckas that could fill my orders. However, my focus was on my woman, our son, and whatever else I throw up in her.
Entering our bedroom, I let her go and she was back to removing her clothes. I walked pass her and started the tub. She was way too wasted to stand. I could wash her easily if she was in a still setting. As the tub filled, she wrapped her arms around my waist.
“I’m thirsty love.”
“You want some water? I got a mini fridge in the room. I can grab you one.” Her head was against my back, so I felt when she nodded. Shaking my head, I reached around and pulled her forward. Baby was butterball naked. Sitting her down on the side of the tub, I said, “Sit tight for me Mama. I’ll be right back, aight?”
She nodded once more, and I was out the door. The fridge was packed with waters, Powerade, and juices. I grabbed her up a Powerade. She needed them electrolytes. By the time I made it back into the bathroom, she’d submerged her body in the buble bath. I released a deep breath and popped the top on the drink. Bending down, I extended the drink in her direction.
“I’m not done enjoying my night love.”
“Yes, you are baby. Drink this.”
