“Give me just a sec’,” I said, then rushed into the back to find the box I had initially offered to Miss Lottie still on the counter.
I opened it and everything still looked fresh and good to go. So I closed the box and walked back out to the floor. I stepped around the counter to hand it to him. His fingers brushed against mine, causing me to pull back quickly, hoping he had a good handle on the box. His touch felt like a live wire. Had to be because of friction, I rationalized.
“It’s on me. I hope you like everything, neighbor.” I said with a smile, then clasped my hands behind my back.
Without a word, Duke reached into his pocket and pulled out a few hundreds, then placed it into the tip jar on the counter.
“That’s too much—” I started.
“Nah, never give anything away for free you worked yo’ ass off for. I’m sure I’m gonna love it. You have a good nigh and stay safe.”
He didn’t leave room for me to respond. He leaned down and pressed a kiss to my cheek. I stilled as his smooth, full lips brushed against my skin, lingering just long enough to make my breath hitch. My eyes closed, letting the way his nearness made my body feel take over.
When I opened them, his back was to me as he strolled toward the door. Then he glanced over his shoulder, a smirk tugging at his lips, before walking out—leaving my lust-filled ass standing there with nothing but thoughts of him handling my body the way it needed to be.
The wink he gave me let me know… this was only the beginning.
“I don’t have time for this,” I groaned aloud.
Then looked down at my pussy. “And you cut it out too. That man is not ours.”
At least, that was what I was trying to remind myself.
A WEEK LATER…
It had beena few days since I seen Solana in her shop dancing and carefree. Something about that only made me want her more. The Thorns and Chrome kept my busy out of my mind, but I made sure someone went into her shop to order a few things. Baby’s fingers were blessed. The box of sweets she had given me were good as hell and showed me why she went into it.
It made me want to know more about her. I wanted to hear her story, and that had never been a thing for me. After tonight’s meeting with the Thorn’s, she was going to be at the top of my list. I needed her to know I was interested, and I wanted more.
A knock at my office door pulled me out of my thoughts.
“Come in.” I called out.
Juelz poked his head in. “Aye, everybody made it here. So we can get started.”
I nodded, so he pulled back from the opening and took the steps back into the club. Today, was our monthly meet up with the Black Thorns. I liked to make sure I handled all club duties and make sure the shit we did for the community was in order. Our annual backpack giveaway was coming around quickly. The success we saw last year, on account of Jordan Smith alone, was one that helped us feed tons of families.
I tried to give him back some of his money, but he wasn’t having it. I made sure what we took went into the right hands. I locked my computer and stood, straightening my shirt before adjusting my diamond Cuban link chain. I grabbed my Thorns biker jacket and stepped out, locking my office behind me. I took the stairs two at a time, finding everyone in the main area laughing and talking—until I walked in.
The room became silent as I made my way towards my designated spot in front of them. I had a chair I pulled out whenever we conducted these kinds of meetings. Hierarchy was a thing when it came to shit around here. Before I took a seat, I glanced at everyone.
“Thorns out, Stand firm.” I announced as everyone fell in line.
I then took my seat and got straight to business.
“Aight, so The Thorn backpack giveaway in the Parks for the kids is coming up. This year, Vic, Koast, Freddy, Julez, Rafe, and Al?—”
“Nah, I have plans—” Rafe started, before I turned in his direction with a deadly glare, cutting his speech short.
This muthafucka’ gone continue to test his luck with me. Everything within me wanted to walk over and bust him upside his head with the butt of my gun. But, I was practicing restraint these days. Not everything needed to be solved with violence.These old heads used to get enough of that back in the day with the old leader.
“Did I ask if you had plans?”
Rafe glanced around the room and then back up at me.
“I just wanted to let you know before you locked me in. My wife and I are supposed to be doing something.”
I watched as he rubbed his hands together and looked everywhere but at me. I chuckled and nodded my head. Strike number two.
