Page 31 of A Kingpin’s Weakness

Seth

One thing I noticed about Stormi’s crazy ass, she loved a damn piggyback ride.

It didn’t matter if we were leaving a five-star restaurant or walking through cobblestone streets in the middle of Athens, she’d look at me with those big brown eyes and hit me with that “Bae, my feet hurt…” and before I knew it, her ass was on my back like a damn backpack.

Tonight was no different. After a full day of touring Greece, hitting local shops, eating everything in sight, and laughing like we ain't got real life waiting back home her arms were wrapped around my neck and her head rested on my shoulder while I carried her through the resort, back to our suite.

And I didn’t mind it one bit. She was light as hell, and her laugh was even lighter floating behind me every time I joked or shifted my arms to adjust her legs. We both needed this trip. But me, I needed it in a different way. Today was my father’s birthday.

And usually on this day, I’d drown in a bottle. Post up with Rich, ride through the city playing his favorite old-school shit. Maybe stay at the crib with moms and sit in silence with her over dinner that didn’t get touched.

But not this time. This time, I was here halfway across the world, carrying a woman who somehow, in just a few weeks, became my peace. And she didn’t even know what she was doing for me.

She had let her guard down on this trip. Told me things I knew didn’t come easy for her. About her mom. Her childhood. Her fears. Shit she never told a soul, probably. And I ain’t push I just listened. She needed that. And the truth was, so did I.

“Bae, you tired of carrying me?” she mumbled against my shoulder, her voice soft and sleepy.

“Nah,” I said, smirking. “I carry you any day. You light as hell anyway.”

“Lies,” she giggled, pressing a kiss to the back of my neck. “I’ve been eating like crazy.”

I shrugged. “You eat good, you look good. It’s giving grown woman.”

She laughed again, and that sound man . That laugh had healing in it. Shit hit my chest like a prayer.

We reached the suite, and I gently let her down, keeping one arm around her waist so she didn’t wobble. Her bare feet hit the marble floor, and she leaned into me, eyes already sleepy.

"Do I get a bath ran tonight too?" She asked me with that playful smirk, right as I laid her soft ass down on the bed. Her eyes were low, but full of that kind of trust I’d kill to keep. A trust I didn’t take lightly.

“I got you,” I said, leaning down to kiss her lips slow and deep, like I was pouring everything into that moment. Then I headed into the bathroom to run the water, letting the oversized tub fill while the soft glow of the resort lights bounced off the marble.

This tub was big as hell. Big enough for both of us. But I wasn’t gonna force that. I was on her timing. Always.

I adjusted the water to the perfect temp, threw in some of the fancy shit she liked lavender oil, rose petals, a little sea salt. I didn’t know much about bath rituals, but I paid attention when it came to Stormi. She didn’t have to ask for this kind of treatment. I wanted to give it to her.

“I swear you’re the best,” she said behind me, her voice floating into the room like a breeze.

I turned to see her standing in the doorway wearing just the resort robe. Skin glowing. Legs bare. That look in her eye like she still didn’t fully believe I was real. And I didn’t know what I’d done to deserve her.

“I’m gonna order food,” I said, leaning against the doorframe. “You want anything?”

“Just a fruit bowl... and wine.”

That made me chuckle a little inside. Of course she wanted fruit and wine.

That’s why that pussy stay tasting like paradise.

I didn’t say it out loud, but the thought lingered as I stepped out the bathroom and grabbed my swim trunks.

I headed to the second bathroom to shower real quick, letting the hot water roll over me, trying to wash away the heaviness of the day my pops’ birthday, the memories, the weight of everything I never got to say to him.

Stormi had no idea how much peace she brought just by existing near me. By the time I was dry and dressed, I made the call for room service fruit bowl, wine, and a few extras I thought she’d like. I kept it light. She liked to snack, not feast.

I walked back into the room, and like clockwork, she was still soaking. Eyes closed, head leaned back, her curls pinned up with a clip. Legs stretched, one resting over the tub edge like she lived in luxury her whole life. Skin glistening, water hugging every inch of her.

I left the room and walked outside to the pool area to get some fresh air.

Ring! Ring!

“Hey, Ma,” I said, leaning back on the lounge chair outside by the pool, the sky starting to shift to that deep blue of evening.

“Hey, son. I was trying to reach you earlier.”

“We did a tour of the city today. Service was trash in those back alleys.”

“You and Stormi really enjoying yourselves, huh?”

I looked through the glass door at the bathroom where she was still soaking, probably half asleep. “Yeah, it’s a vacation we both needed.”

“I hope you not playing with that girl.”

“Ma,” I said, a little smile curling at the corner of my mouth. Here she go.

“I’m serious, Seth. That girl got a softness to her. She’s been through things. I can see it.”

“I know, Ma. I’m not playing.”

“You better not be. She the first woman I seen bring calm to you.”

Beep! Beep!

Another call came through. It was Rich.

“Mom, I’ma hit you back. It’s Rich calling.”

“Alright. Don’t forget to call me back, though.”

“I won’t,” I said, switching lines.

“My second godson been conceived yet?” Rich’s voice hit my ear, full of that usual sarcasm.

“Nigga,” I said, half-laughing, shaking my head. “You ignorant.”

“I’m playin’, I’m playin’. How’s vacation?”

“It’s straight. Greece is beautiful. Stormi’s loving it.” I leaned back and let out a slow breath. “You good?”

“No,” Rich admitted. “But I will be.”

There was a pause. I could hear the truth behind his words, the kind that didn’t need explanation. “What you need?” I asked, keeping my voice low, like the weight he was carrying might break if I was too loud with it.

“I don’t think I’ll ever know,” he answered. “Talked to Imani earlier. I’m picking up S3 from school tomorrow. He’ll stay with me till y’all get back.”

I nodded slowly. “Good looks.”

Knock! Knock!

“Hold up. Room service,” I said. I opened the door, let the guy roll the cart in, dropped him a tip, grabbed my burger and fries, and stepped out onto the patio. I sat down by the edge of the pool, my feet dipping into the warm water.

“So where’s Ms. Green?” Rich asked, tone light again.

“Soaking in the tub. We been moving all day.”

“How you feel about today?” His voice dropped again real, careful.

I let the silence settle between us for a second, my eyes on the ripples in the pool water. “I thought about it a few times,” I admitted. “But I been trying to keep my mind occupied. Stormi been helping. She don’t even know she’s doing it.”

“She probably do,” Rich said. “Women like her always know.”

“You and Ma call each other before blowing me up?”

“Nah,” he said. “We just checking in on you separate. Figured today might hit hard.”

“I’m good,” I said.

“You’ll tell me if you’re not?” he asked.

“Nigga, you’ll tell me if you’re not?” I shot back.

He laughed, but it was quiet. “Say less.”

We let the moment pass before I changed the subject. I needed to.

“How’s business?”

Rich didn’t miss a beat. “Business is always good.”

Stormi stepped out onto the patio with that white two-piece hugging every damn curve like it was stitched directly onto her skin.

Her curls were clipped up on top of her head, loose strands falling around her face like she stepped straight out of my fantasies.

She held a wine bottle in one hand, two glasses in the other, and a bowl of fruit tucked in the crook of her arm like a goddess that knew she had me wrapped.

“Wine?” She asked, raising the glasses with that sly little smile she threw when she knew she looked good.

I couldn’t speak right away… my eyes were too busy traveling the length of her legs as she made her way into the pool and slid down beside me like she belonged there. And shit, she did. She poured the wine like we’d done this a hundred times before and handed me a glass.

“To an amazing day,” she commented, clinking her glass against mine.

I tapped hers with mine and took a sip before ending my call with Rich.

“Who were you talking to?” she inquired, her voice soft like she didn’t want to interrupt the moment.

“Rich.”

“How’s he holding up?”

“He’s getting through it,” I said. My voice dropped a little. I didn’t want to stay on that subject long.

“And you?” She floated closer, settling herself in front of me. Her arms found their way around my neck, and I instantly felt her warmth. She didn’t just touch my body, she touched everything under my skin.

“I’m good,” I said, brushing my lips against hers.

“You sure?” she asked, eyes studying my face like she could see all the things I wasn’t saying.

“Yeah why?”

“I talked to your mom while I was in the tub.” She paused. “She told me today’s your dad’s birthday.”

I nodded. “Yeah.”

“You want to talk about it?”

“No.” I kissed her again, quick this time, before turning to grab my burger. It was easier to chew food than to chew through grief.

“Tell me about him,” she said.

“Who?”

“Your dad. After Sweetie died, I started journaling, writing down memories I had of her. It helped. I think talking might help you.”

“Sweetie?” I asked, looking over at her.

“My grandmother. Jo’s mama.”

“Tell me about her,” I said between bites.

“This isn’t about me.”

“It can be.”

She smiled, that real smile, the one that starts in her chest and works its way to her cheeks.

“Okay,” she said. “I’ll go first, then you.”

I nodded, letting her in.

“My favorite memory with Sweetie was when she took me to get my hair washed and blown out for my twelfth birthday. It was a whole girls’ day… nails, shopping, lunch. I felt like a damn princess. I was obsessed with how long my hair looked blown out.”

“I’ve only seen it curly,” I said, reaching to tug at a soft curl that had fallen free.

“I like it curly now too,” she said, laughing. “I finally learned how to take care of it since I can afford the right products.”

“I like it curly too,” I said, smiling. “It suits you.”

She leaned her head to the side. “Okay, now you. Favorite memory.”

I swallowed, setting my drink down. I didn’t need time to think I just needed to decide if I was willing to feel it.

“My pops used to pick me up from school every day. No matter what he had going on, he made sure he was there. We’d hit a movie, get ice cream, the park, whatever.

Some days we didn’t even talk much, just rode around the city with the windows down and the music loud.

That’s why I do it with S3. Trying to keep the little things alive. ”

She reached up and brushed her fingers across my jawline, slow and soft.

“Yeah, he missed you while you were gone.”

“Did you?”

“I did,” she whispered, her lips brushing against mine. “Even after you made me mace you.”

“That’s how you show love?” I smirked.

“You know that was an accident.”

“Sure,” I teased. “Did you miss me enough to admit it?”

“I did,” she said, that vulnerability slipping into her voice.

I let my hands rest on her hips under the water. “I missed you too. I kept your juices on my face so I could smell you every day.”

“Seth!” she gasped, slapping my arm.

“What? I’m just being honest.”

She rolled her eyes, wrapping her legs around my waist, hands resting on the back of my neck.

“What if I want you to do more than taste me?” she asked, staring into my eyes like she was giving me permission to cross the line we’d been dancing.

I didn’t flinch. “Then tell me what you want, Stormi.” My voice dropped to that place between hunger and reverence.

“Tell me,” I said again, holding her just tight enough to let her know I wasn’t going anywhere, but soft enough to let her choose.

And I meant it. Whatever happened next, it would be on her time, her terms. But the way she was looking at me, I already knew the answer.