Page 30 of More to Love

I watched Ri watch Akeera with the biggest smile on her face. When Princess ran out the kitchen, her smile slowly fell. She was solely here for my daughter, and you could tell. She waltzed by me not saying a word about what happened at the table before she moved outside.

There was so much I wanted to explain and let her in on, but I knew that wasn’t the right thing to do. Discussing my issues with Aviana to the next woman was a move that fuck niggas did. I wasn’t a perfect person and hadn’t swept around my own porch before trying to gain access to hers.

“The meal was delicious Sorimah,” I complimented.

“Thank you. Am I required to cook every day?” she questioned as she loaded the dishwasher.

“You’re not required to do a thing in here. I’ve stated this too many times before that you’re not even supposed to be here.”

“Hendrix just answer the question. I’m not up for your word play right now. It’s clear that whatever beef y’all got going on is surrounding the things we did that night. You think I didn’t catch on to her hinting at you cheating. The only thing you’ve said that holds truth to it is me being here.”

Approaching her, I was tempted to wrap her in my arms and feed her with my truth on how I felt about her. Instead, I helped her with putting things away. I wanted her to know that she was the woman that had my attention since I’d met her. Even tonight, I couldn’t keep my eyes off her. Her light shined brighter than Aviana’s and that was something no one could take from her.

“Sorimah, I ha⁠—”

“Spare me. As a woman that knows her worth, I won’t allow you to string me along. Fix whatever it is with Aviana and stay in your lane.”

“That’s going to be hard to do when I have to spend all day with you tomorrow.”

She stopped moving and took a deep breath. I was making things harder for her by being in her space, that I understood because she was doing the same for me. However, I wasn’t going to let up. She was in my home catering to my daughter. I was going to get as much of her as I could.

“Do you even understand how difficult it was for me to try and forget you after that night? The thought of having just a little bit more of you has been on a constant loop and the way you touched me tends to wash over me when I least expect it. I haven’t got you out my system Hendrix and I hate that you have that effect on me because it was never supposed to be like this. One night turned into a tortured memory. Whatever you did to me hasn’t been shakable.”

When she spoke, it was in a hushed tone, but her message came across so loud. Every word was hitting me like a ton of bricks. I felt her every emotion. Where I thought she didn’t think twice about me, she indeed was going through the same situation I was. I felt worse for causing her pain than cheating on Aviana.

I reached out wanting to bring her into me for comfort, but she moved out of reach. She was adamant about keeping distance between us.

“Don’t touch me Hendrix. Your woman is upstairs doing God knows what. Go handle your business. I’ll be out your hair just as soon as I give Akeera a bath.”

“We can’t coexist like this Sorimah. We’re going to have to talk this out eventually.”

“I spoke my peace and won’t bring this up again after today. Tomorrow hasn’t come yet so there’s no telling if I’ll even show my face here or not.”

“You have no choice. You done told my daughter you’re taking her somewhere so that’s going to be fulfilled whether you like it or not.”

“Are you threatening me?”

“A hundred percent. Breaking her heart brings out a different type of nigga. I can promise you that.”

“Wow. I guess I have no choice then. I’ll be here boss.”

She closed the dishwasher and walked out leaving me alone. It seemed that I was making it hard for everyone, but I truly didn’t care. I was spoiled as well as selfish and wanted everything my way, which meant having Ri in my space.

Chapter Eight

SORIMAH

Hendrix was truly playing with fire. It was one thing to cheat but to have that same woman in your house and not feel any remorse was insane. I was walking on eggshells the entire time, but he maneuvered through the house like nothing was out of place. I didn’t understand how men operated on such accord.

Knowing that I was already invested, I couldn’t walk away. Akeera was such an angelic soul that I was overlooking every con to this situation just to put a smile on her face. She needed that extra love and attention from a female figure because her mother wasn’t going to give it to her in no shape or form.

“Thank you for continuously showing up the way you do. I didn’t think you would after the talk we had and then you going days without acknowledging me.”

“That beautiful girl is the reason I show up. You on the other hand are unavoidable, so from this day forward, there are boundaries. Do not touch me, get too close to me or even speak to me in a manner that makes me feel like there is more. I want to work and that’s all.”

“I got it Ri.”

“Address me as Sorimah. We’re not friends. She has school does she not?”