Page 25 of A Hood Wife And A Rich Goon

“I’m coming, baby. Say goodbye to your daddy.” With an eyeroll, she gave one last yank, and he finally let go of her, so his daughter wouldn’t pick up on it.

“Bye, Daddy!” Emrys went to hug her father as Lotus gathered her purse and cell phone at the counter.

She and Emrys were almost through the doorway when Evren’s strong voice called out to her.

“Oh… by the way, there is an event tonight. A new artist that I have invested in is debuting their portfolio at the Howard Hellum Art Gallery. The kids will be attending, so you will need to accompany me and Michelle for a couple of hours. Find something formal to wear and make sure you’re presentable.” He reached for the glass of orange juice his daughter didn’t finish and swallowed the rest without looking at Lotus.

In his eyes, the conversation was done. What else was she going to do? He made it a point to have her background investigated, and he knew she didn’t have shit without this job. Her parents were barely making it, and Lotus lived in a one-bedroom apartment by herself while driving a two-door Honda Civic. She should be grateful that he even found her fuckable.

Without another word, she grabbed Emrys’s hand and led her down the hallway into the front entrance so they could leave.

Michelle insisted that they drive the spare car, which just so happened to be a fucking Mercedes wagon, and Lotus never had any issues with that. She got Emrys settled in her seat and slammed the door shut before trotting to the driver’s door to get inside. When she looked up, she found Evren at the window, staring out at her over a fresh mug of coffee.

Once she was inside the car, she started it and didn’t bother looking back at him as she peeled away from their home, anxious to put some distance between them.

CHAPTER 6

FEEL THE FIRE

“Oh, you are definitely a fresh face.” Alyssa Green slid up beside Eazy while he observed an abstract painting in front of him.

The black Ralph Lauren suit accented his ripped shoulders and back. All two hundred pounds were spread into a large, muscular stature that left her eyes roaming him hungrily. Tilting his head, he squinted at the picture before giving her his attention. Skimming her with scrutiny, his tongue swiped his lips sexily, and a smirk hit one corner of her mouth. He looked even better face to face. Eyeing her in the sleek, black beaded dress flowing past her knees to her calves and clinging to everything else, he could appreciate her beauty. The thin material of the dress told on her when her nipples pebbled beneath it.

“You must be Ezekiel.” She extended her hand in greeting. “My name is Alyssa Green.”

“Oh yeah? So, you are the woman who runs things around here.” He was glad to be able to put a face to a name.

In all the info he’d gathered on the gallery, a photo of her was the only thing missing. Even her social media was just a bunch of impersonal posts and quotes, or her logo.

“And do.” She flashed a jaunty smile and batted her fake lashes. “Welcome to the team.”

Eazy took her hand, shaking it briefly, but when he pulled back, she was resistant in releasing him. Never once did she take her eyes off him.

“Your profile says you studied art in Spain.”

“Among other places.” Eazy nodded.

“Well, what do you think about the Garino Collection?” she asked, emphasizing the many pieces on display through the space.

The party was in full swing. Champagne flowed as their guests smiled and mingled. In the corner near the entrance sat a small orchestra, all African American men and women from the local college, dressed to the nines and playing softly. A small group gathered to listen to them play.

“It’s pretentious. Overrated, but I think it was a smart move putting this together. Given his place in the game, the timing is perfect and will bring the right attention not only to this gallery but to the artist. If he sells out, he’ll put his work on display in the future as well. He could even have an annual residency,” Eazy surmised.

Impressed, but masking it with annoyance, Alyssa only added that to the list of things she already found intriguing about him. The tattoos on his hands also left her with more inquiries. Ezekiel’s presence dominated the room. She was ready to submit and pop out as many babies as he wanted off her initial interaction. He had that bust it open aura, and she was ready to shut this entire event down to be alone with him. Meanwhile, she reserved herself. Ezekiel didn’t need anybody telling him who he was. On top of that, his charismatic, yet blunt nature left him irresistible to most women with a pulse.

“I like the way you think. Every artist deserves their opportunity for exposure. Art is to be interpreted. Everyone won’t always see the same thing. This was smart for the gallery as well. It brings a different crowd and raises awareness that new artists are welcome here. I never would have guessed by looking at you—” she cut her eyes over him once again, “that you were as refined as you are.”

“Refined?” Eazy questioned. “You mean a real nigga with tattoos? A little rugged around the edges but cleans up real nice and knows how to rub elbows with the elite?” He mocked her with a cocky smirk toying with his lips.

“I just meant…”

“I know what you meant.” He nodded then shook his head, assessing her slowly. “Just like you sized me up, I did the same to you. This gallery is your life. Literally. Pussy locked so tight you ready to bust it open for any man who looks at you for five seconds too long. Instead of being sexually free, you chose celibacy, but that rose is reaching the end of life, and that pussy wants something warm and real to stretch it open.”

His words swiped her mind of the smart shit she wanted to say next, and her mouth slipped open, but nothing came out. Oddly, his smugness both agitated and aroused her.

“You realize that could be taken as a form of sexual harassment? I am your boss. You work for me and this gallery. I didn’t have to hire you. I saw that you were born and raised here, and your credentials and references were up to par. Don’t make me regret giving you a chance. Trust there were other candidates who fit the profile, and I would be more than willing to call one of them up⁠—”

Eazy stepped closer, watching her breathing hitch when his cologne practically submerged her. Grabbing her shoulders, he spun her toward the crowd, and goosebumps rippled her skin. Eazy brought his lips closer to her ear.