I laughed quietly to myself. We hadn't been around each other in a while, but I wasn't that far gone. I didn't want to have to beat her ass for looking at my man the wrong way. Desirae could be a good time, but she had a well-known habit of being drawn to men who didn't belong to her. My man wouldn't go for any of that, I knew that much. But we weren't going to play those kinds of games regardless.
I tilted my head back to look up at Duke. He was taking a sip of his cognac with his eyes still fixed on that screen. I knew part of the reason he kept watching it was because he missed home. He didn't have to say it out loud for me to know he was ready to get back. But he was patient and never pushed me.
"Baby, one of my old friends wants to get dinner tonight. I don't have to go if you'd rather I didn't. She invited you too, but I'm going to pass on that part. She has a thing for other women's men and I don't want to put either of us in that situation."
Duke chuckled and placed his hand beneath my chin, tipping my head back to kiss my forehead.
"You don't need me to tell you that you can go, Sweets. Do you want to go?" he asked.
That right there was exactly why I didn't mind following this man. He wasn't leading for control. He was leading for my desires and my safety. As long as something was what I wanted and I was safe, he was behind it completely. Not to mention, I had given this man the ride of his life earlier and he was still in a generous mood.
"I know, but I do like hearing your take on things. I'm curious enough to go. I haven't spoken to her since I left and honestly, I want to be nosy."
Duke shook his head with a smile.
"Well, let her know you'll be there. But you pick the time and the place. I'll make sure you have security with you while you're out. You're still very much a public figure out here, love. Even after telling those people you were walking away."
I nodded and hopped up from the couch to rush to the bedroom. I needed to find something I wouldn't mind being photographed in.
I had hung everything up when we first got settled since we planned to stay for a few days. My fingers slowed on the hangers when I saw it. A crisp white blouse, soft but structured, the neckline slipping just off the shoulders in a way that felt effortless without trying too hard. The kind of piece I used to reach for without a second thought, before everything changed. I pulled it free and let the fabric fall between my fingers, like it still belonged to a version of me I was just now starting to recognize again.
The jeans came next. Light-washed, fitted in all the right places with just enough distressing at the knees to keep it from feeling too polished. They hugged my hips in a way that felt familiar and easy. Paired with my pointed black heels, sharp, studded, and completely unapologetic, the whole look came together in a way that felt intentional. Simple. Clean. A little bit Hollywood with a piece of the woman I had found in Rose Haven woven right through it.
I stood there a moment longer than necessary, just looking at the woman in the reflection.
I laid the pieces across the bed, texted Desirae the restaurant name and a time, then stepped into the shower.
Forty-five minutes later, I was ready. Perfume oil on my neck, my wrists, and my ankles. I had every intention of having those ankles on that man's shoulders when I got back tonight, and I smiled at the thought as I posed in the mirror.
Duke was still in the living area of the bungalow. The click of my heels against the wood floors made my heart pick up the closer I got. I don't know why I was so nervous for him to see me.
The moment I came into view, his eyes were already on me. Duke bit his lower lip and that slow smirk came across his face. He set his laptop on the cushion beside him, stood, and strolled over. I held my hands up in front of me, purse and all.
"I have to go. Don't start anything, sir."
Duke reached out and gripped my hips, then ran his hands back to squeeze my ass while leaning down to inhale my perfume. He placed a kiss against my neck and I had to fight the urge to cross my legs right there.
"I haven't started anything yet, Sweets. You look damn good," he said against my skin.
"You always say that. Do you really mean it?" I asked, feeling a flicker of self-consciousness sneak in.
He pulled back and took my hand in his with a raised brow.
"Like it? Sweets, I love it. You could be wearing a paper bag and nobody could touch you."
I smiled and looked away for just a second. He was so silly.
"Thank you, baby."
"Don't thank me. You're doing that. Now, your car is outside. I also arranged a detail and security for tonight. Don't give them a hard time. It's just for tonight. I don't know who you're going with and your announcement today wasn't going to sit well with everybody. Text me when you get there and when you're leaving," he instructed.
I batted my eyelashes. "I hear you, big daddy."
Duke swatted my ass, then slipped his tongue into my mouth and kissed me like he was trying to make me reconsider leaving.
"Keep it up and you're going to be right here with me, watching Chrome on the laptop while I handle something else entirely."
I cracked up, because something was genuinely wrong with this man.
