That night, we made sweet, slow love until the sun came up, and after a few hours of sleep, we were at it again for severalhours. It was then that I realized it was impossible not to fall in love with Kenzo, because I was already in love.
It was crazy how quickly things could change in just two short weeks. I was pissed because I let my guard down too soon, which gave him the opportunity to weasel his way into my heart, only to break it.
I believed his words and actions, but if he could be with another woman and come home as if nothing happened, then lie to my face about his whereabouts, I’d clearly been played for a fool.
I’d been in bed for over an hour and wasn’t any closer to falling asleep than I had been when my head hit the pillow. The door to the bedroom opened, and I quickly closed my eyes. I could sense Kenzo nearing the bed and felt his eyes on me. I thought he would only stay for a few minutes, but it felt like hours had gone by with him staring.
Suddenly, the comforter was snatched away from my body. My eyes popped open as Kenzo scooped me into his arms, threw me over his shoulder, and headed for the door.
“What are you doing? Put me down?” I shouted as my fists hit his back.
He didn’t respond until we were in our bedroom, and he’d tossed me onto the bed. I sat up, moved to the edge of the bed, and stood chest to stomach with him.
“Why are you bothering me?” I shouted.
“Why were you in the guest room?”
“You owe me five hundred grand, and I want it in my account by noon tomorrow. I’ll be moving out as soon as I find a place.”
“Malyah, what the fuck are you talking about? You gotta give me something, baby, because I can’t read your mind.”
It was then that I saw the scratch on his neck, and if it were possible, steam would’ve come out of my ears. I’d never beenangrier or more hurt in my life. The way I felt when I caught Cole with Janie didn’t hold a candle to how I felt right now.
“Why don’t you go be with whoever scratched your neck and leave me the fuck alone?”
His hand went to his neck, and the look of surprise on his face was one of a man who’d been caught. I pushed him away and managed to move away from the bed, but he caught me with his free hand.
“Malyah, wait. I can explain.”
“Fuck you and your explanation, Kenzo.”
“Please, baby. It’s not what you think.”
“If it’s not what I think, you would’ve said something before now. I’m not stupid, Kenzo. You came home later than usual, smelling like another woman’s perfume, with lipstick on your collar and a scratch on your neck. You promised not to have me out here looking stupid, and that’s exactly what you did. You owe me money, and I want my shit tomorrow. Let me go!”
“I’m not letting you go until you hear me out.”
“I’ll scream.”
“These walls are soundproof. Nobody’s coming to save you.”
He still held my wrists and pulled me to the love seat on the other side of his room. I resisted, but he was too strong. When he damn near flung me on the couch, my ass had barely hit the cushion before I was on my feet and in his face.
“Watch how the fuck you handle me, nigga. I’m not?—”
He grabbed my neck, cutting off my words. Although he didn’t have a tight grip, he let me know he meant business.
“Malyah, I want you to sit down and listen to what the fuck I have to say. Don’t say another word until I give you permission. Do you understand?”
My ornery ass refused to respond, and he tightened his grip before leaning down to kiss me. He stuck his tongue in my mouth, and although my brain wanted to bite it, my bodywanted him to choke and kiss me harder. When he pulled away, I was out of breath.
“Do you understand me?”
I nodded.
“Use your words.”
“Yes.”
