Stepping into his kitchen was like walking into a magazine. Everything sparkled and looked as if it were brand new and had never been used. A ping of jealousy hit me when I thought that some other woman had been here servicing him before my arrival. Shaking the thoughts from my mind, I grabbed a banana and a bottle of water before taking a seat to think of my next move.
“You look refreshed.” I jumped at the sound of his voice as he came up from behind and wrapped his arms around me. “You smell like pineapples.”
“JJ, we need to talk.” I wiggled out of his arms before turning to face him. He smelled and looked so good, even though simply dressed in black from head to toe and smelled of body wash. “How long do you plan on keeping me a prisoner here?” I sassed, throwing my banana peel into the trash. My legs still felt like jelly from the way he placed them over his shoulder and pounded into me just a few hours ago.
Clearing my throat, I looked JJ into his eyes. “I have to return to work, as well as call my best friend and my parents. You think I can just disappear without a word, and things will just blow over with them?”
Downing a bottle of water, he eyed me like a hawk as I side-stepped him and made my way into his living room. Getting comfortable on the couch, I grabbed the remote and turned the television on. What I saw made my stomach turn.
“This is why I don’t want you going back home right now.” He swagged into the room with his hands in his sweats. “That niggahas lost his fuckin’ mind, Bloss Baby, and whether you want to hear it or not, I’m killing him.”
With tears in my eyes, I watched as a belligerent TJ talked to himself as he walked through my home. I watched him walk from room to room, destroying my things as he called me every name but a child of God.
“I can never go back there and live comfortably,” I whispered to myself as I wiped away my tears. “Damien. TJ. You…” I dragged my eyes over to him and watched his jaw tick. “You’ve all violated my home, my safe space. How can I ever be safe there again?”
Grabbing the remote from me, he said nothing as he placed it on the table before pulling me into his arms. My body stiffened as I looked at the now black screen.
“I was fucked up for that, and I apologize.” He lifted my chin, bringing my eyes back to his. “One thing I know for sure is that you never have to worry about anything like that—” He nodded toward the television like that. “Causing you to lose sleep. I will never let anyone or anything happen to you. I’ve got niggas looking for TJ, and I promise you that he will not be a factor in your life ever again.”
“I don’t want any of you.” The words tasted like acid as I spewed them from my mouth. I could tell it affected him too. “I’m tired of the men in my life thinking I’m a pawn in whatever game they’re playing.” I pulled from him to walk away, but his machete stopped me in my tracks as it sat on the table as if it was resting. “Are you going to kill me, Jaseon?”
“At one point I was…” His eyes flashed to the knife before they were back on me. “But I’m not.”
“Why?” I asked meekly, scared to hear his answer. “What changed your mind?”
“I like you.” He shrugged, stepping past me before grabbing his keys from the end table, as well as a pullover from hiscoatrack. “To answer your question, you’re not a prisoner here.” I beamed as he went into his pocket and retrieved my phone before handing it over. “You just can’t leave.” My smile fell in an instant. “Come take a ride with me real quick.”
Rolling my eyes, I snatched the hoodie and my cell phone before I stomped my mad ass out the door. As soon as I stepped out, I wanted nothing more than to run my ass back inside. The sweatshirt and leggings I wore didn’t stand a chance against the fall winds in Milly Grove. Peering around his yard, I thought about making a run for it, but the way his gate and fences were set up, I wouldn’t make it far.
“Where are you taking me?” I finally asked after he made sure I was seated comfortably in his Suburban. Turning my phone on, I wanted to turn it right back off as the notifications and emails dinged with no end in sight. “I’m not in the mood to gallivant around town like some happy couple.”
“We’re a couple, baby?” He smirked as he glanced over at me. I wanted to hit him over the head; he was so damn fine. “I’ve never had a girlfriend before.”
“You’re rude as hell, and an asshole, so you never having a girlfriend is not shocking.” I sank back into my seat as I peered out the window. We were nearing Mills Manor, and the landscaping around us was beautiful. “If I ever met your mother, I’d ask her how she raised such anangel.”
When he turned up the music in response to my statement, I shrugged as I continued to take in the views. Mills Manor was hands down the most beautiful part of the city. From the immaculate homes to the beautiful landscaping to the infrastructure design, I could only wish to live here one day. I made excellent money having my own real estate company, but unlike most brokers, I paid my staff and agents well. I took a base salary from my company that afforded me a luxurious life,but to live in Mills Manor, I needed to unlock a new level of making money.
“You know, when I first moved to the city, I wanted to move in this neighborhood, but I never found the right home.” I turned to face him as he turned Jodeci down. “Highland Meadows seemed like the perfect place at the time, but now, I want more.” He side-eyed me as he pulled up to a beautiful bronze gate. “Before you cut me off completely, I’d love for you to help me find my forever home. You’re the best in the city, and I know if anybody can do that shit, it’s you.”
“Sure.” I nodded as I nibbled my bottom lip, already thinking of the possibilities. “Just let me know what you’re looking for.”
“I trust your judgment.” He tapped my chin as we rode down what seemed to be an endless dirt road. “It’s whatever you pick out for me, mama.”
Blushing under his stare, I returned my gaze to the road before my mouth dropped at the house that came into view. The Victorian-style mansion was massive, and I knew it cleared ten million dollars easily.
“Who lives here?” I asked immediately as he helped me out of the truck. “It has to be someone important. Is this Jax’s home?” I peered up at him as he intertwined our fingers and gripped my hand for dear life as we ascended the stairs to the front door. “I told Jax I’m going to beat his ass?—”
“I owe that nigga an ass-whooping my damn self. We can tag team both of their asses if you want to.” A very handsome man opened the heavy front door, mugging us both. “Now, JJ, you didn’t tell me you were bringing this pretty little thing over today.” His eyes softened before a grin spread across his face. “If you ever get tired of this pickle head-ass boy?—”
“Ma! Your husband is out here spittin’ game to random women again!”
“You dirty muthafucka!” the man hollered and then hissed before trying to slam the door in our faces. “Baby, you know these kids don’t do shit but lie.”
My eyes grew wide as saucers as he ran back into the house, and a gorgeous woman appeared, running after him. JJ and I stood on the porch as we watched the two play cat and mouse through the open door, yet I wasn’t sure if they were playing. As much as it looked and sounded as if they were flirting, she really was throwing different objects at him.
“You better not grab that goddamn bat again! My knee is still swollen from last week,” the man called out as the woman appeared again with a wooden bat.
With tears streaming down my face, I wheezed, trying to keep my laughter in as JJ led me into the beautiful home, the scene not affecting him whatsoever. When JJ revealed the man and woman were his parents, I stopped laughing. There’s no way someone so young could be his father, even though he looked exactly like him.
