Page 80 of Own It

We guffawed in unison, and I loved the way his eyes mushroomed at me in astonishment.

“Don’t do that. I don’t even think she can fight, baby.” He was still chuckling, shaking his head at me.

“Then she better stay on the safe side of life.” I watched him, smirking. “What’s so funny?”

“You look sweet and nice as hell, but I can tell you meant that shit you just said. Yo’ pretty ass been knocking bitches out?”

“A few.” I showed off my muscles, and he simpered.

He was so handsome.

“Aight, well I don’t think you gotta worry about LaMia’s ass, Laila Ali. But even so, I won’t let that shit happen. It ain’t all on her. If I don’t allow the shit, it won’t happen.”

I nodded.

“Why won’t you let it happen? Is it because you found someone else?” I batted my eyelashes, and he brushed the pad of his finger along my nose before kissing me.

“That’s not why. Regardless, I would never fuck with LaMia again, but I do have my eyes on someone and something I wanna be sure I protect and cherish.” Pushing my hair behind my shoulder, he added, “I wanna be sure she mine before I scream it from the rooftops though.”

“I am. I promise.” I assured him, hoping he knew I meant I would be speaking to Shaun immediately.

Sighing, he said, “Talid’s scan came back clear⁠—”

“Oh my gosh! That’s great!”

“It is.” He bobbed his head to cosign. “That also means I have to make good on what I told yo’ pops and let you go.”

“Oh.” I glanced down momentarily. “But you know those scans can sometimes be wrong. Things can grow back. I’ve heard so many stories from my dad about shit growing back in days and⁠—”

When he started laughing before pecking me a few times, I paused.

“You wanna stay with me.”

“I do.” I nodded, feigning a smirk.

“I want that, too, baby, but I want you to do it out of your own free will.” He took my hand and kissed the back of it longingly. The move sent chills down my spine. “Therefore, I gotta let you go as promised, but I want you to take some time to let your mind clear up.”

“It is clear, Rah.”

He nodded like he was agreeing, but I could tell by his face that he didn’t.

“Still. Give it a few days, and then if you still feeling like you want this, then come back to me. I ain’t going nowhere, and I won’t be doing shit with nobody, no matter how fucking long you take. Aight?”

“Alright.” I lay on his chest, not liking this. I would give it a couple days only because he wanted that, but then I would be back with my man. “I don’t know if I can be without that for so long.” I patted his dick, and he chuckled, chest quaking against my ears.

“Keep it up and you gon’ come back to Pops pregnant.”

“Is that what you do to keep the ladies?” I peered up at him, making him peck me.

“Nah, that’s not my style. Plus, I stay on the safe side of the road.” He peeped our surroundings as his homie drove, bobbing his head to the music he had playing.

“Then what happened the night your brother passed?” I hiked a brow, calling his bluff.

“First time for everything, baby.”

“I was the first woman you haven’t used a condom with? I must be special,” I jested.

“You are. You already knew that shit though. How many times you don’ heard you was beautiful or special?”