Page 17 of A Trial of the Heart

Chapter

Seventeen

Shiloh:

“Girl, stop playing with that man and go sit with him. You’re the one that agreed to the date. Don’t be childish now.” LeeAnn raised her voice while we sat on FaceTime.

Thankfully, I had the volume turned down so no one could hear her.

I had been sitting incognito off to the side in the restaurant at the designated time.

I watched Rashad casually walk in, get the table, and go from excited to annoyed then worried before a look of defeat took completely over.

I had waited almost an hour. He wanted to play, so I played my own game of making him wait and seeing how long it would take before he gave up.

LeeAnn had encouraged me the entire time to stop playing the game, but as old as I was, I kind of enjoyed watching him.

I giggled. “I shouldn’t even be here.”

It seemed all fun, but the truth was had anybody saw us together, it would be extremely bad for me, detrimental to my job and whole career.

“Yeah? Well, you are, and you had that man drive damn near two hours from Williamsburg. I can guarantee my right pinky toe no one will see y’all together.”

This was a dangerous game I was playing, but I knew not taking Rashad up on his offer could potentially be worse for me. Not that I got the vibe from him, but he could mention the cruise and ruin everything.

“I will call you back when it’s over.”

“Tuh, I’m hoping… nah… praying that man has you bent over some balcony or bathroom sink by the end of the night, and you don’t even have the strength to call me back.”

“Oh, girl.” I rolled my eyes.

I had told LeeAnn everything I knew about Rashad, and she was still so focused on how he was before the case that she could care less what the man had done.

“I’m gone. I love you.”

“I love you more. Mwah.” The call disconnected.

Standing, I tucked my phone in my clutch bag, adjusted my dress, smoothed over my glossed lips, and fluffed out my curls in my sew in before heading Rashad’s way.

“You tired of waiting?” I asked softly once I reached him.

Rashad’s eyes raised slowly, seeming to start from my four-inch heels and up my bare, waxed legs, stopping at my hips, which caused him to lick his lips. He stopped at my breasts where he damn near drooled before his eyes met mine.

“Yeah, was just heading out.” He seemed disappointed.

I was grateful he said he was heading out. That meant I wouldn’t have to deal with what he wanted since I’d shown up like he requested, even if I wasn’t on time.

“Oh, well. That’s terrible.” I pretended to pout.

Rashad smirked. “You shoulda held off just a little bit longer.”

“Huh?”

“I was heading out, but you’re here now, so we might as well order.” He winked.

He’d beat me at my own game. I just knew since I was late, he’d say the night wouldn’t proceed. I was sure the anger was all over my face as I did a horrible job hiding my expressions.

“What’s wrong? Something on my face?” He stood wiping his hands over his face just before pulling my chair out. “Have a seat, beautiful. I’m starving. You had me waiting long enough.”

Rashad was taunting me. It was clear. As bad as I didn’t want to be, I was here. I had agreed on it, so it was best that I made it work in my favor.

“What you having? I been looking over this menu since I been here, so I know what I want. You want to start with something to drink? Lemon drop still your thing, right? That hasn’t changed in the last few weeks?”

Oh, yeah. He was definitely playing. It was now time for him to see that I could play too. I offered a sexy smile.

“Yeah lemon drop works, Rashad, or um… should I call you Kyan? It seems that’s what you’re going by nowadays.” My smile turned into a smirk.

Instead of responding right away, he raised his hand, getting the attention of the waitress. She rushed over quickly like she’d been waiting to be summoned.

“I see you decided to stay.” Her tone was sultry. She had a beautiful smile, and her eyes undressed Rashad. She was oblivious to me being there. It was either that, or she just didn’t care.

Rashad offered a friendly smile before his eyes shifted to me. He winked.

This motherfucker. Rashad knew what he was doing, and sadly, it wasn’t even much, yet he affected me with the minimum.

“My um… wife finally showed up from her late meeting, so I decided since we were already here, might as well have our date night as planned.” He had the nerve to utter with a smirk.

I almost objected to him calling me his wife, but the look on the waitress’ face halted my words. Petty wasn’t how I moved, but Rashad was fine, so mine or not, I selfishly didn’t want anyone else to have him.

“Oh, sorry.” Her face had drained of its color, and the smile quickly dropped. “What can I get you two?” She looked my way.

My lips parted, but no sound escaped as Rashad spoke first.

“She’ll have a lemon drop, and I’ll just get another of this.” He pointed to his empty glass with barely any ice in it.

“Of course. I’ll be right back.” The waitress hurried off, almost running into one of her coworkers. I got the embarrassment and maybe even disappointment, but I couldn’t lie and say she was doing too much.

“Your wife? Really?” I questioned with a playful attitude while crossing my legs. I watched him closely as he seemed unbothered.

“It’s Kyan.”

“Huh?” Confusion took over.

“My name… It’s Kyan, but to everyone, I’ve always gone by my middle name. Don’t think I played you. I introduced myself in the manner I have with everyone I know and meet.” He went back to our original conversation without addressing who I was to him.

“Hmm.” He seemed truthful. Before my next question could roll off my tongue, the waitress returned. “I like Kyan better,” I added softly.

He chuckled, shrugging “Then call me Kyan.” He was too damn carefree.

Crossing my legs, I glared at him. He had swooned me on the cruise, but now that I knew he was a criminal, I knew it all was a lie, and since he wanted this dinner, it was time I poked the bear.

“Rashad, you care to tell me why we sitting on opposite sides of the law? I mean, you seemed like a straightforward good guy when we first met. Care to tell me how you pulled the wool over my eyes and how many other women you’ve swindled the same way?

Were you hoping to get some money out of me too?

Is that why you tried to pursue things further when I insisted we didn’t?

Is that why you’re here now? Hoping to get me out of my panties and fuck with my job so the case can be thrown out?

Tell me… because it’s clear you’re a fraud.

So, what the hell is it?” I was being petty by calling him Rashad after he had just granted me permission to call him Kyan.

It was like once I started talking, I couldn’t stop.

Even the questions I asked shocked me. Yeah, I’d thought of them, but I never imagined asking them.

Surely, not all at once. I’d rambled so much I missed our drinks being dropped to the table.

Rashad had even relaxed back in his seat and stared at me.

Feeling embarrassed, I lifted my drink to my lips, taking a larger sip than I intended.

“Say something.”

“Are you done? I mean, ‘cause you got a lot to say, so I just want to make sure you got it all.”

I never made a fool out of myself, or at least, I tried my best not to.

I was one of the most understanding and accepting people, yet I wasn’t displaying any of that with Rashad.

He was a black man I’d met on my own, and I had already crucified him and said he was guilty simply because the white man had said so.

I wasn’t any better than the people I worked with, even if he was guilty.

“I’m done.” I took another sip of my drink. This time, I sipped it like the lady I was.

Rashad sucked his teeth as he sat up in his seat. Both hands gripped the sides of the table, and fire danced in his eyes. I was scared but tried my best not to show it.

“I’on need shit from you or anybody else in these streets, and I damn sure don’t got to steal a thing to have it.

My parents paved the way for me to have a good education, allowing me to graduate with a master’s in business.

I graduated top of my class with a 4.1 grade point average.

I landed a job solely based off my skills at one of the top companies in the area.

I worked there until I branched off and opened my own businesses with my own money.

So, despite those raggedy ass charges you and y’all pill-popping boys got against me, I am an innocent man. ”

“Wow...” I found myself mumbling.

“I asked your pretty ass out because, contrary to what you won’t admit, you and I hit it off very well… so much so I was balls deep every chance I could get.”

I gasped.

“You being with the district attorney’s office, I knew once the case got rolling, whatever we could have been wouldn’t happen, so I just wanted one night.

I ain’t no thug, and I damn sure ain’t no scammer.

I hate to see you lose, beautiful, but I can’t wait for the day you do.

” He stood and damn near knocked the chair over.

“Don’t worry…” He dug in his pocket. “I’ll pay for the drinks, and I’m tossing in an extra hundred for the pussy.

” Rashad tossed the money on the table and walked away effortlessly.

My mouth fell open. I was stunned. I didn’t know whether to be mad, angry, hurt, or hell, even turned on.

Being honest, my emotions were all wrapped in one.

Feeling the tears slip, I knew the hurt from his words were what hit me the most. He’d counteracted my disrespect, and in the moment, I felt the need to defend it.

It was so weird. One thing was for sure, and two things for certain, I knew the effect Rashad had on me.

I wasn’t going to be the prosecutor on the case now.

Arthur would have to get William to do it.