Because I was a provider. Because it made me feel good to be able to do things for people I cared about. Because it turned me on to take care of what was mine. Because I knew what it was like to be at someone’s mercy and have them not show up for you. Because it made me sick to hear her begging that asshole to help her, knowing that I could.I said all that in my head, but I suppressed those thoughts for now.
“All night long, I was telling myself how I would do anything in my power to share my bed with you every night. Even when I woke up and found you gone, I had to talk myself out of finding you, taking you home, and making you pack your shit so you could come live with me like I said. I want to show you what it feels like when someone actually puts in the effort to show you your worth. When I care about someone, I don’t know how to half take care of them. I do everything all the way.”
“You don’t even know me, Nicholas.”
“I know that you put everything before yourself because you feel like that’s what it means to be a good daughter, friend, and mother. I know that you take pride in being independent and only ask for help if you feel like it’s your last option. I feel like you’ve been carrying way more than your share, and I’m here to lighten the load. I may not know you well, but I know you well enough to care about your well-being.”
The way her eyes glistened almost made me regret what I’d said, but I knew she needed to hear it. It hurt that she didn’t feel like she deserved the world, even if a man she kept referring to as a stranger was the one to give it to her.
“Jameela—”
She held her hand up to cut me off. “Nicholas, this is very thoughtful, but I can’t accept such an extravagant gift. I’ll never be able to repay you. Besides, I don’t want my daughter growing up thinking that a man with money is the solution to all of her problems.”
“Neither do I. I want both of our daughters to know that good people coming into your life is a blessing. I want them to understand that they deserve the best, and that’s all they should accept.”
“So, you want your daughter to be spoiled?”
I shrugged before confirming, “And my woman as well.”
“I don’t want my baby growing up to be spoiled and entitled, and I never want to feel that way.”
“Well don’t. Show me your appreciation, habibti. That’s how this works, baby.”
She rolled her eyes, but no matter how she tried, she couldn’t stop blushing.
“I don’t want them to be entitled. I want them to know what it looks like for someone to show up for them. I want to show them by showing up for you,” I explained.
“I don’t know.”
“Will it make you feel better if I just let you borrow the car until you figure something out?”
She shook her head and flashed her eyes at me. “This doesn’t mean anything, Nicholas. If at any time I feel like this is too much, I’m giving the car back.”
“Fine.”
About an hour later, the keys were in her hand.
7
Jameela
It had been a whole week since Nicholas had given me a car. After I finally accepted it, he went missing for a couple of days. Nicholas was charming and all that, but I wasn’t going for any and everything.
Although I had confirmed that he wasn’t a drug dealer and actually a legitimate business owner, that didn’t change the way I felt about accepting things from him. I refused to let a man think that he could buy me. With that being said, good dick and expensive gifts were a pretty good down payment.
I laughed to myself as I watched Bella play on her mat on the floor. My hand found the place on my hip where he’d held onto me when he came. I could still feel his hands on me. I could still smell his cologne. It was infuriating that no matter how hard I tried to fight against his pull, I was still drawn to Nicholas like a magnet. It had only been one freaking night, but I’d be damned if it didn’t feel like just the beginning.
I hated the sappy feeling of hope that slowly crept into my bones. I wanted this to be everything it felt like. I wanted it tobe real. Lord knows, I was overdue for something good. Just as much as I hoped for the best, I knew that whatever was growing between Nicholas and I could very well be something that would burn me alive.
Something about him made me wary. He seemed too good, too perfect, and too damn fine to be real. For that reason, I didn’t want to show my hand and reveal that I was a cop. What if he already knew? What if there was some underlying plot? I knew it was crazy to think like that, but I also knew that in my line of business it would be crazy not to.
My phone buzzed in my hand, jolting me from my daydream. It was a text from an unsaved number, but my heart told me who the sender was before I even opened it.
229-467-3999: My first thought this morning was your smile. The second was that ass. I hope you dreamed about me, my love, because I found it even harder to sleep without you.
Me: Well, aren’t we charming?
229-467-3999: Have lunch with me. There’s this brunch spot near you that I’ve been wanting to try.
