Page 11 of More to Love

“Shut the hell up girl and come on.” I grabbed her by the wrist and pulled her onto her feet.

EJ followed suit without me having to fuss at her. She would more than likely take her Uber and head straight home. She went from being the fun and live sister to the quiet and reserved sister after a few drinks. Daria was the one I was going to have to fight with.

Stepping outside, the spring breeze hit us hard. I was sobering up little by little because of having to take care of them. They waited patiently in the car as each one of their rides pulled up within a ten-minute span. Once they were situated, I pulled out in the direction of my condominium.

My mind was racing on where to meet with him but the only comfortable and discreet place I could think of was mine. It was in a building where the staff didn’t bother you and the guest minded their business. He would be good there.

I grabbed the card and assessed it as I cruised. Hendrix may have “respected” his woman but there was no way that man was meeting me anywhere just to have a general conversation. That could’ve been held in Vixen. He wanted more from me and everything in me wanted to oblige and offer everything I had.

“He has a woman Ri, let him be,” I said aloud trying to convince myself that it wasn’t worth the mess. I dropped the card back in the cupholder.

I had a business that I didn’t want to get any backlash if my private doings got out. We both knew better but that magnetic pull wasn’t allowing me to create distance again now that I breathed the same air as him.

“Fuck! Why did he have to be so charismatic and uniquely fine? And fuck you Daria because I didn’t need to know that.”

I was voicing my frustrations aloud as if that would change the situation I found myself in. I could easily go home and disregard everything that happened tonight, but I was craving the time that was arranged. Now that I’d heard his voice, I wanted more of it. His cologne, I wanted to intake more of it. He requested the time, but I must’ve been in denial of not wanting it all along.

I grabbed the card once more and sent a text to the number that was on it without hesitation. If tonight led to something more than a continued get to know you, then it was what it was. At the end of the day, me and Hendrix would never be because we didn’t run in the same circle, we would never have any further dealings.

His reply was a simple, I’m close. Give me twenty.

A deep breath was exhaled as I pulled into the parking garage. I was nervous and anxious all in one. It took me three minutes to get from the ground floor to mine. There really wasn’t any time to spare because twenty minutes was more like five once you got lost in trying to achieve whatever was on your plate.

A shower was administered before my flesh could grasp the marble tile underneath my feet properly. I was pressed for time and from the looks of him, I believed he was a punctual man.

By the time I made it out with a towel wrapped around my body, I had four minutes left on the clock. I shook my head and slowed down my pace. It would take him another five to park and make it up to my floor leaving me shy of ten.

Lotion and perfume were applied as my nerves jumped around like an energizer bunny. Hendrix gave off the vibe that he would treat you like he was yours and he would do any and everything to reassure you. I didn’t know what would come from this interaction, but I was afraid that I would crave more of him like a drug and that was something that couldn’t happen.

My attention was quickly gathered by my ringing phone. I rushed to it thinking it would be Hendrix but instead it was my older sister Kara. We didn’t really have beef, but I distanced myself away from her and Justice because we didn’t have a bond. However, I answered from curiosity.

“Hello.”

“Hi Ri. I saw Daria’s snap and saw that you opened another location. I’m proud of you and EJ. I just wanted to call and say that.”

I was a little confused by her words because Kara wasn’t that person. She never gave anyone a compliment or praise if it didn’t involve her. I wasn’t sure what to think.

“Th-thank you, Kara. I appreciate it, I guess. I’ll be sure to let EJ know what you said as well.”

“Your parents have been trying to reach out to you. Do you have them blocked or something?”

And there was her real reason for calling. I scoffed and shook my head. It never failed for them to want something.

“I don’t⁠—”

Ding, dong!

“I have to go Kara. Thank you again.” I hung up quickly pushing her and the conversation we had to the side. I had a more pressing matter to deal with.

I had yet to cover myself with any kind of material, so I snatched my silk robe from the door and did a quick count to ten to calm myself a bit. This was an unexpected turn that just so happened to end up with a man that more than likely knew exactly what he wanted in life.

As I tied the string, I glanced through the peephole to make sure it was him and then landed on my feet once more doing a quick pace while tugging at my fingers. I could’ve ignored so much shit tonight but instead I gave into temptation with ease.

A round of knocks sounded off as well as an alert on my phone. He was getting impatient. I quickly opened the door with him giving me a onceover and pulling his bottom lip in penetrating it with his teeth. His eyes stayed on my body and although my confidence was through the roof, he was making me feel self-conscious.

“I just hopped out the shower. I’m sorry for answering the door like this.”

His eyes met mine and they were low and hazy. A total 180 from earlier. He was under the influence and what I didn’t want to do was take advantage of him in this vulnerable state.