“You want the truth?”
“Nothing but the truth,” she retorted.
“I want to do some nasty shit to you, that’s what.”
I took off my hoodie as I started moving closer to her. A smile slowly appeared on her face. I could sense her nervousness seeping out. I wanted to eat her ass up, but considering how I felt about her, I didn’t want to scare her away. So, I chose a different approach. I reached out my hand to her, and she accepted it. I then led her to my room and took off my clothes until I was only in my boxers.
‘Take all that off. You can leave on your panties and bra,” I told her.
She slowly peeled her clothes off as her eyes remained fixated on mine. When she was done, we both climbed into the bed. I hadn’t done shit like this, so I was going with what I felt. My hand began to scratch up her leg because the beast in me wanted to do what he did best. She stopped me mid-scratch. “No, just hold me,” she whispered.
I did just that, and before I knew it, she had dozed off. I stared at her pretty sleeping face, and right then, I knew I hadfallen in love with a girl I yearned to kiss. “I love you, Paige,” I mumbled barely above a whisper.
I didn’t know what our future looked like, but what I did know was that Paige Harmon would have to play to win for me to say those words again. It was time for Pyran to capture the beast.
Dio talked the entire way to the hospital, and it all sounded like a blur. Kareem and I had just made it official, and the game had already started with a trial. I was so angry I wished the bullet had gone through Papi instead of him. When we pulled up in front of the hospital, Dio turned to look at me. “You good, Shorty?” he asked.
I wiped my tears and slowly nodded. Seeing Kareem come out of the hospital with a bloody shirt and face, it was clear he was no good. My heart ached for him because he already felt alone, and now it seemed everything he said was true. When he got in, he didn’t look at me. Instead, he stared straight ahead. I reached out to hold his hand, but he didn’t respond. “Baby, talk to me,” I whispered.
I noticed Samara glancing at me from the corner of her eye. I understood they didn’t want me to say anything, but how could I lie to a man I was falling for about his brother? Guilt gnawed at me throughout the ride. When we arrived at my house, Kareemstepped out, and I did the same. Dio rolled down the window and said, “I’m here if you need me, my nigga. I’m just a call away, twin,” before rolling up the window and driving off into the slushy snow.
When Kareem and I got inside my place, I turned to him, “Do you want to talk about it?”
Still, he said nothing. He stared at me as I stared at him. That’s when he held his hand up. When I glanced at my necklace dangling in his hand, I had no words. I didn’t even realize I lost it. “I-I—”
He closed his eyes as tears rolled down his cheeks. “Morgan, I’m asking one time and one time only. I swear I’m not those other niggas. My brother is fucking dead!” he barked, making me jump. “Did you shoot my fucking brother?” he asked.
I stood there because, although I didn’t shoot him, I felt as if I did. Kareem was hurting so bad, and I knew it didn’t matter what I said; he wouldn’t believe me. I knew if I was honest about Samara shooting him, he and Dio would be at war again because I’m sure Dio was going to protect Samara at all costs. She was the princess with protection; I was merely a princess lost.
I closed my eyes, wishing it was all a fucking dream. I wanted to be free from Stone Castle and out in Loch Ness, so this was the price I had to pay. I sucked in a deep breath as my watery eyes opened to him. “Yes,” I said.
I was taking this L because it was me who needed to keep my chin up. I was not only protecting Samara, but a newly found relationship that Kareem had built. I knew he would need people who cared about him because after this, he was done with me. “He was about to shoot Paige, baby, I was protecting us. I didn’t know it was your brother. I’m sorry,” I cried.
I moved closer to him, and he moved backward. Kareem’s eyes were empty. They didn’t have a bit of emotion in them. He dropped my necklace on the floor and walked right out the door, saying not a single word to me. I wanted to run behind him and try to explain again and again until he understood, but there was no use because his heart was broken. Now, so was mine. I clenched my stomach and cried because I had saved the lone wolf but was now left alone.
PAIGE
PRESS PLAY
I hadn’t shared much since leaving Chevy, as words would only make things worse. Ultimately, it was Braylen’s birthday, and I was determined not to ruin it. When he asked about his car, I lied, saying I had been in an accident, and it was totaled. I expected him to get angry, but he didn’t. Now, I was standing naked in front of his bed, with the moonlight filtering through the skylight above the loft.
My head slowly rose to see his beast-like silhouette come behind me on the wall. He kissed the nape of my neck before he brought his lips to my ear. “Tonight will be the only time I’m this soft. I want to make love, not fuck. This isn’t the answer to my problems or yours, but tonight I need to feel loved,” his deep, sultry voice explained.
My breathing became labored as his hands caressed the side of my body. He wrapped one hand around my stomach and turned me toward him. My hot breath bounced off his chest back into my face. He lifted my chin to look up at him, and when I did,his eyes softened. Braylen leaned down and kissed me. However, this wasn’t like any other kiss; this was different. This kiss made my stomach flutter, it made me melt, and it made the love I had set aside rise. I embraced it with everything I had. My arms wrapped around his neck as we tongue-kissed like it was the very first time. My hands slowly slid down his back when I began to feel scars all over his back. I pulled my lips away. “Turn around,” I whispered.
He didn’t object as he slowly turned. Braylen had scar after scar on his back. My fingers touch each one, and the more I travel down his back, the sadder I become. “I told you she abused me,” he said.
I began to plant kisses on his scars, and kisses turned into my tongue, caring for each one. The sound of him hissing let me know he was enjoying it. “Lie down,” I told him.
Just as I asked, he did. I slowly climbed onto the bed on top of him. “Let me take control this time. Do you understand?”
His tongue ran across his lips as he nodded. Braylen was allowing himself to be vulnerable, and that said a lot. I leaned forward and ran my tongue across his neck, giving his Adam’s apple extra attention. I kissed his chest as I lifted my hips and slowly eased down on him. “Mmm,” he moaned.
I sat up straight as I began to slowly rock back and forth, then rolled my hips. He reached out, palming my breasts before rolling my nipples like quarters. “Oooo, baby, you feel so good,” I moaned.
Back, forth, and roll.
His hands slid down the sides of my body before his thumb landed on clit. My head fell back as a whine rolled off my tongue.
