Once church ends, I head to the back so I can lay eyes on Jariyah. Despite the storm that brews within me, the urge to see my woman increases my steps. Maybe I should have given myself time to come down from what just happened. But my ability to think rationally or process any further comes second to the knowledge of Jariyah’s presence in my room.
“Are we going to talk, or are you going to continue acting like I’m not here?” Jariyah asks.
While church is over and I have my brothers' allegiance, I can’t help but stew over everything that has taken place tonight.Jariyah and I have been in my designated room at the clubhouse for the last thirty minutes, and I have yet to speak about anything.
“Righteous!” My eyes zero in on Jariyah to see the fire in her stare.
Storm clouds collide with the frustration she pins me with the longer our eyes remain at war. The last thing I want is for Jariyah to be put in harm’s way. But I did just that when I let Knight and everyone in the room know my weakness for her. I should have joined my brothers instead of going to the bar which brought unnecessary attention to Jariyah’s presence.
“After tonight, your ass should be running back to the country club, galas, and whatever other high society shit you’re used to.”
“I should, but if I do that, then you won’t be there,” Jariyah tells me, her hands on her waist, which makes me lick my lips as my eyes rake up and down her body.
“I’m not good for you, Navae. That nigga is gonna try to come for you. Don’t you get that? I unconsciously put you in danger tonight,” I say, calling her by her preferred middle name for the first time.
“I’m not running from you, so stop trying to push me away. Besides, it seems that if danger is coming, you’re the best person to keep me safe. No matter how many times you try to dissuade me from being with you, I’m choosing you, and I’m choosing to be here.”
“Then you’re choosing the right place for you because you’re mine,” I say as my eyes communicate an emotion I’m unable to express yet.
“I’m glad you’ve finally caught up because you were mine from the beginning.”
Blood rushes to my dick, and it hardens to painful levels as it pushes against my zipper. I pull Jariyah to me and put my headon her stomach as her arms cover as much of me as she can from this position. My heart gallops in my chest as the vein in my neck thumps wildly. I feel like I’ve won the lottery. No woman before Jariyah has staked a claim to me in ways that don’t involve my dick, and despite my rebuttal, I know I’m not going to let her go. Come hell or high water, I’m going to do my best to keep my woman safe. Knight and his minions will be the only ones with regret for fucking with what belongs to me.
Several Weeks Later . . .
After a taste of freedom and excitement with Righteous and Baxtown Iron, it feels excruciating to have to attend another mundane political fundraiser. The only downside was Righteous’s attempt to shut down what we have going on. I’m not worried about who that guy was or whatever he said about me, so Righteous shouldn’t either. I’m pretty sure that guy knows like everyone else who my mother is, so the last thing I need to worry about is baseless threats. I’m the daughter of Mayor Markia Owens, so I’m untouchable.
What’s more important is my required attendance at an event that will bore me to pieces. Despite this being my norm for as long as Mom has been in office, I’m sick of suffering throughthese events. It’s crazy that I’m in a full-blown relationship, and I can’t shout it from the rooftops. Being with Righteous has been like that first breath after diving into a pool. It makes my forced attendance feel like I’ve had a root canal during my monthly cycle. My phone rings, and I roll my eyes when Mom’s face flashes on the screen.
“Good evening, Madam Mayor,” I taunt.
“I expect you to be on time tonight, Jariyah. It looks horrible for my daughter to waltz into the room after the start time. So please pretend like I raised you to be punctual. I don’t need the bad press,” Mom says.
I roll my eyes hard because Mom’s directive aggravates me to no end. The gala was the only event I didn’t arrive at on time. Now here she is on my line with pointless pleas for me to represent her satisfactorily.
“I hear you. Is there anything else you need, or was that all?”
“Don’t get cute with me, missy. I’m not one of your little friends.”
Don’t I know it.
“Understood. If that’s all, I need to run. I have several appointments to make before I can meet your standard of beauty.”
“Fine. I’ll see you later.” The beeps in my ear let me know that Mom is no longer on the line, and I sigh from the encounter.
Before I can put my phone down, it rings, and I’m seconds from ignoring the caller until I see Righteous’s name. A giddy feeling surges through my body, and a wide grin forms.
“Hello, handsome,” I purr.
“I just wanted to touch base with you. What’s good, Navae?”
There is something magical about hearing my man call me the name no one uses, and I can’t help but feel cherished.
“I’m about to get ready to leave home. I have a hair, nail, and wax appointment before I attend tonight’s boring fundraiser. I would much rather spend the evening with you.”
“What the fuck do you need a wax for?”
The growl in his question causes my pearl to smile and get excited.
