And even then, he didn't stop. He brought his mouth to my ear and slowly stroked me through the orgasm, telling me, “You’re so beautiful. I can’t get enough of you.”
Hours later, we were wrapped around each other in his bed. The room was quiet except for the low volume of the television. I lay against his chest with my cheek pressed to his skin. His arm was heavy and warm around my shoulders. His fingers moved slowly through my hair, smoothing over my scalp in a way that made my body melt all over again. My bun had been knocked loose while he hit it from the back.
I was grateful my kids were spending the night with my mother. I didn’t have to watch the clock. I could just be here. I couldn’t even remember the last time I’d felt the excitement of dating someone new. I’d been with Kodi since before KJ was born. Dating someone new felt foreign and thrilling at the same time.
Sincere kissed my forehead like he’d been listening to my thoughts. “I know this sound cliché, but I really can’t believe you don’t have a whole lineup of niggas.”
I bit my lip nervously. Because he had been so honest with me earlier, he deserved for me to do the same. “Me and my baby’s father have been broken up for a year. But we were still sleeping together until recently.”
I felt his body tense beneath me as if that made him alert.
I pushed myself up, bracing my hands on his chest so he could see my face. “I was done with him before I slept with you. I was honestly just using him for convenience, but I knew that had to stop when he couldn’t support what’s happening with Voss. It just proved what I already knew. He’s immature and simple-minded.”
Sincere just watched me for a beat, then nodded slowly.
“I didn’t trust that he wasn’t sleeping with other women. So, when we did have sex, I made him wear condoms. I have no problem showing you my MyChart.”
That finally made him relax. A small smile tugged at his mouth. “I appreciate that. I can do the same.”
I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding and settled back against him. “I’m done with Kodi. That’s why I didn’t feel the need to bring him up. He’s not an issue. He won’t ever be one.”
Sincere pulled me closer, and his chin rested at the top of my head. And for the first time in a long time, I felt calm because I fully trusted who I was laying with to truly take care of me.
10
SINCERE BELLAMY
Unfortunately, after the holiday weekend was over, I had to crawl out of Rhythm’s ass and get back to business. I’d requested a meeting with Langford to ensure that we still had his support and influence after that shit show at the town hall meeting. He hadn’t had an opening in his schedule until after the holiday.
Langford’s office sat so high that the city looked small through the window behind him. We were in one of those downtown buildings full of quiet money, like law firms and accounting offices.
I’d come with Big A, Reek, and Saint. They sat in a line against the wall, letting me work. Streets were their arena. This was mine. But they had come along to learn more of the process.
Langford sat behind his desk, with his sleeves rolled up, tie loosened, and our packet open in front of him, which was full of pictures of what the building would look like, how many apartments it would have, and the money breakdown, all the ways I had turned an empty lot into a story he could sell.
“A project this big doesn’t move without my committee,” he said, tapping the paper. “You know that. I’ve already pushedyour hearing up and had some encouraging conversations with a couple colleagues. But that was before ‘Cartel condos’ became a hashtag.”
I nodded. “I appreciate that. We wouldn’t be this far without you. I also know that hearing is not guaranteed if half the ward is in your inbox, calling us gangsters in suits.”
He gave me a small, dry smile. “You understand my position, then. I’m not backing away from this. I still see the jobs, the extra tax money it would bring into the city, and the potential headlines about redevelopment instead of another shooting. I want to save this city with you, not from you.” He leaned back. “But I need something legitimate to say when people ask why I’m still on your side.”
“Community center, affordable units baked into the plan, commercial space for neighborhood businesses,” I suggested.
“That’s the substance. And it matters. I’ve read every page. The money is clean. The partners are legitimate. But right now, the public is not arguing about substance. They’re arguing about your story. ‘Blood money.’ ‘Bodies behind the money.’ That kind of language sticks.” He folded his hands. “You have a narrative problem. We have to fix that if you want me to keep standing next to this and not quietly push it aside to protect my own career.”
I couldn’t even be mad at that. He was telling the truth. “One of the Cartiers’ wives is a social media marketing consultant. Livia does brand strategy and digital campaigns. She’s good at telling stories people understand.”
“I don’t doubt her skills. But she is also married to Icon. To the public, that looks like Cartiers’ building the project, Cartiers’ selling the project, and Cartiers’ defending the project. That tight circle is exactly what your critics already fear.” He glanced toward the door. “If you want me to keep spending political capital, I want an independent firm in the mix. Someone I trust.Someone my colleagues know. Someone voters recognize as having their own name on the line.” He picked up his desk phone and hit a button. “Sienna? Come down to my office.”
In our previous meetings, he’d told me about his daughter, Sienna, who had her own marketing firm. “With respect, your daughter’s involvement makes you look more connected, not less. People will say we bought you through her.”
“Or, they’ll say I have skin in the game. If Sienna’s face is attached, everyone knows I’m watching you. My colleagues like knowing I have a personal reason not to let something blow up. Voters too. It makes them more comfortable with me staying on your side.”
A knock at the door cut off my next thought. Langford told them to come in.
Sienna walked in like the doorway was the end of her runway. Her short platinum-blonde curls were in a pixie cut. Her warm brown skin glowed. Gold hoops caught the light. A nude, ribbed crop top hugged her curves with a matching band around her neck, and her makeup was soft and perfect.
“Daddy.” She greeted him as she walked toward his desk. Then her eyes moved to us. “Gentlemen.”
