Cassydie shrugged. “Was bored, and Cell mentioned that you were meeting with Ro today. Thought I would pop in.”
Cashmere had a feeling that wasn’t the full story. She was willing to bet that Cassydie came because she wanted to be nosy. Cashmere glanced back at Savio before she looked at Cassydie. “Right.”
“Be careful, girl. That man looks like he don’t play. Trust me, I got one that’s a bit touched in the head. He’s the best thing that happened to me, but you better make sure you’re ready for that before you hop on that dick,” Cassydie warned casually.
Cashmere’s eyes bulged, and she glanced at King Ro, mortified.
“Cassy,” Cashmere hissed.
Cassydie shrugged. “What? I’m just sayin’.”
“I’m not hoppin’ on nobody’s dick. Now that you got that out of your system, you can go,” Cashmere whispered in a harsh tone.
Cassydie giggled, completely unbothered, as she rose from the table. “I’ve been kicked out of nicer places.” Cassydie leaned down to kiss Cashmere on the cheek, who swatted her away in irritation. She couldn’t believe Cassydie had said that and in front of King Ro, no less. “Bye, Ro.”
“Bye, Aries,” he said, shortening the nickname the streets called her by—Aries Heiress.
Cassydie walked out of the warehouse with a wave toward Savio as Cashmere sank lower into her seat.
“You good?” King Ro asked.
“Soon as I choke my best friend out for the audacity of her words, I think I’ll be aight.”
King Ro chuckled softly before he leaned forward with his elbows pressed into the table. “You feelin’ that nigga?”
Cashmere’s eyes bucked. “What? No! I just met him last night. I barely even like him.”
King Ro raised his hands in mock surrender. “Aight, playa, but Aries was right. Think before you get into anything with anyone. You on a new level now, and you gotta act accordingly.”
Cashmere was so over all the unsolicited dating advice. She glanced back at Savio and admired him for a split second beforeshe focused back on King Ro. “Don’t worry about all that. Let’s get this inventory done. I’m tired as hell and want my bed.”
She appreciated that King Ro didn’t press the issue, but it didn’t matter. As they worked, her mind . . . and eyes kept wandering right on over to Savio.
Today was supposedto be Savio’s day off, but he didn’t take it. For what? He didn’t have shit else to do but work, and honestly, being around Cashmere the last few days had given him a new purpose. Every day, he became more and more curious about the woman. It was clear to Savio that Cashmere was a boss—a big boss. It made him wonder how deep in the streets she really was and how she got to be in this position. The other day, she alluded to being a survivor, so he doubted this empire she had was something she grew up with.
After showering and dressing in some black slacks and a black T-shirt, his self-designated uniform, Savio took a moment to look around his bedroom. It had been a long time since he lived in such luxury. Ivoree wasn’t lying that first night they met when she said Cashmere made sure the head of security’s wing was laid out. He had everything he needed and some shit he didn’t. His closet, for example, was so big, it made the small amount of clothes he had look absolutely miniscule.
He glanced at the king-sized bed in the middle of the room, up against the wall. It was unmade, which bothered him. He knew there were maids who came through and cleaned every room in the mansion on a daily basis, like a damn hotel, but leaving his bed unmade made him uncomfortable. It was a habit he picked up in prison, and he didn’t see the need to get out of the routine.
When he finished, and the gold and black bed setting looked pristine, he officially felt ready to start his day. It was barely seven in the morning, but Savio had already been up for two hours. Another habit that was formed in prison. He couldn’t sleep past five in the morning, even if he wanted to.
Savio navigated through his wing of the house before coming out to the main part of the home. His wing was on the first floor, which he preferred. His nose led him toward the kitchen, and his eyes widened when he saw Cashmere at the stove. She sang off tune to the music playing through a hidden speaker. Shorty really seemed to be in her element. In the few days he had been around Cashmere, he had yet to see her cook. She ate out a lot or had her kitchen staff cook. Savio assumed she didn’t know how, but judging by the smells wafting through the space, she might prove him wrong.
“Kitchen staff off today? Gotta fend for yourself?” Savio asked as he leaned his back against the counter and crossed his arms over his broad chest.
Cashmere jumped. “Shit! You scared me. You don’t announce yourself when you enter a damn room?”
“Not my style.” Savio grinned at her.
He loved seeing her squirm. He loved getting under that pretty caramel-colored skin too. Cashmere got irritated easily, and Savio loved finding new buttons to push to get her there. It was comical to him because he could tell she needed to release some stress in the worst ways. He observed how hard sheworked every day. Baby girl barely sat down and made time for herself outside of getting her nails and shit done. If she wasn’t at a warehouse accepting new shipments or counting inventory, she was scouting online for new licks to hit or hosting meetings. If she wasn’t working, then she was taking care of Ivoree and making sure she was good.
Cashmere rolled her eyes and turned her attention back to the stove, which gave Savio time to appreciate her in all her morning glory. She wore a small ass silk robe that barely covered her ass cheeks. The magenta fabric fell over one of her shoulders, and he caught a peek of a black lacy bra. Cashmere had to know how sexy she was. The thing was, he could tell she didn’t really care about that shit. Take now, for example. He got the sense that she didn’t wear this little ass robe and lingerie because she hoped he would see her in it. She was genuinely comfortable and in her own home. Nothing more. This was one of the reasons Cashmere intrigued him so much. Most women vied for his attention, but she didn’t seem to care for him in the least. At least, she put on that front. Savio knew differently. He could tell Cashmere was just as curious about him as he was her.
“Isn’t it your day off?” she finally asked as she put some sausages on a plate.
“I don’t take days off. Since when do you cook?”
She cut her eyes at him. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
