Page 57 of Solomon’s Temple

“There’s only been twenty-five women in there.”

I set her on her feet while we fixed ourselves.

“I’m not being number twenty-six. It’s already bad enough I have to walk around the city on your arm, side-eyeing every chick that looks our way.”

“Those women were not from here. Only the twenty-five that I mentioned.”

“So you were just fucking hoes from different area codes,” she stated rather than asked.

“You promised me, Temp.”

“How do you expect me to feel, babe? This is all new to me. I don’t want to be jealous, but I am.”

I palmed her face and looked into her eyes. “You don’t have to be, my love. I would never embarrass you or allow anyone else to do so.” A slight smirk lifted on my face. “Your past is a bit jaded too. I have to walk around the city knowing niggas have seen you half-naked. The only difference is I’m not dwelling on it. I know what you used to do, and that doesn’t make me not want you because of it.”

“I’m not saying I don’t want you. We’re locked in now. So locked in, I want those broads' addresses so me and my sisters can run down on them bit—hoodrats.”

I smiled and licked my lips. “You’re so damn sexy, mamas.”

“You know what that word does to me,” she said, grabbing my manhood and sucking my bottom lip. We engaged in a heated kiss before I had her grabbing her ankles in the hall, giving her back shots. We eventually made it to the shower and went to take a much-needed nap before going to see my parents.

I just hoped things went well, or Urina and Dorian Matthews wouldn’t be happy about my decision when I cut them out of my life.

Butterflies swarmed in my belly as I stepped out of Solomon’s Ford truck. This would be the first time in my life that a man brought me home to meet his family. Being with Solomon, I found myself doing a lot of things I would never do.

With him, I didn’t mind. This man could get anything he wanted out of me because of how he made me feel.

Alive.

Desired.

Loved.

“I’m nervous.”

“Don’t be. If you start to feel uncomfortable, let me know, and we’ll be out of here before you can blink.” I released the air in my lungs and nodded. “Come on. I got you. Always.”

Those six words gave me the confidence I needed to hold my head up high. I knew some church folks could be very judgmental, and since Solomon said it but didn’t say it in so many words, I was already prepared for them to judge me.

We walked up to the nice, modest home, and Solomon rang the doorbell. A few moments later, Mrs. Matthews opened the door with a soft smile on her face.

“Son.” She greeted him and wrapped her arms around him. If they didn’t share the same thick eyebrows and chin, I would have thought she were someone else, given her fair skin and light brown eyes.

“Hey, Ma.”

“Come on in.” She waved us inside as I held on to Solomon’s arm tightly.

She closed the door, and Solomon took his arm from my grasp and locked it around my waist.

Her eyes scanned me from head to toe. I chose to wear a green, sleeveless turtleneck Zac Posen bodycon dress with gold heels and gold accessories. It took me six outfit changes since I was so nervous, and I decided this one was meet-the-parents worthy.

Nonetheless, mama sized me up as if I had on a G-string and no bra.

Or maybe it was all in my head.

“I’m sorry, sweetie. I know we talked over the phone, but your name is escaping me right now.”

“It’s Temple. Temple Newman.”