Page 9 of Big Bad Wolf: B.B.W

Our first date was the best date that I’d ever been on.

I got to meet his father and other family members.

We went to Rio Beach, which was gorgeous.

He scheduled for me to have a photoshoot in that flowy dress that the women on social media always posted.

I had the time of my life during the photoshoot, and it turned up a little when he joined the shoot.

We vibed so well that the photographer asked if we were married.

That weekend was the official beginning of me and Orion’s romantic, exclusive relationship.

On the last night that we were there, he put it all on the table.

He let me know that he wanted to be in an official relationship with me.

I suggested that we get to know each other better.

He clarified that we could get to know each other within the confines of our relationship.

It’s backward to be so willing to give me your pussy but not your time to be mine.

Welp, that was that, and now, I was in a relationship.

My promotion to branch manager had already been announced, and everyone was excited.

I chose to promote from within when it came to the marketing manager.

Our digital manager was promoted to marketing manager, and she would backfill her position.

After the position was backfilled, with Orion’s approval, I had a weekend manager’s retreat in Charlotte so that we could level set and strategize to bring the branch to new heights.

Yes, I was fucking the boss, but I was also a boss.

“Baby, where are we going?” I asked from the passenger seat of Orion’s luxury SUV.

One thing that I learned while being in a relationship with him was that he loved surprising me. I never knew I liked surprises until this relationship.

He was not my first relationship. I couldn’t say that I was heartbroken from a previous relationship either.

There was never a time where I fully invested myself into a man like I was with Orion.

Since I was a teenager, I knew that I wanted to spend my twenties having fun and focusing on my career.

I’d use my thirties for love and children.

He lifted my hand that was clasped in his on top of the armrest and kissed the back of it.

“Baby, I’m going to tell you because I don’t want you to panic. When we got into this relationship, I told you that we would get to know each other within the relationship. Well, when we’re in Raleigh, we spend time at your townhouse or my condo. Well, that is not my permanent home.”

I leaned away from him and pulled my hand back. “Nigga, if you tell me that your ass is married or some shit, it’s about to be a blood bath in this bitch. You talking about that isn’t your permanent home. So you’ve been taking me to your ho pad?”

He side eyed me before he erupted into laughter. “What, Ellie? No. That’s not it at all. My house is in Lumberton. I live on the Lumbee Indian Reservation.”

Now it was my turn to side eye him.

“Wait. I’m lost. You’re Greek, Black, and Indian?”

He shook his head. “Nah, my Aunt Alexi married a member of the Lumbee tribe. She and her family moved to Washington State decades ago, but her family still owned their homes on the reservation. The tribe’s chief gave me permission to move on the reservation.”

I heard what he said, but confusion still filled me. “Why would he do that? Most reservations are not that friendly to outsiders. I mean, I get that your aunt has a connection, but that’s not you. For the chief to give you permission is surprising.”

“What do you know about what a chief would do?” he asked with a titter. “I get what you’re saying though. I don’t know. I guess I’m a loveable guy.”

I giggled at his arrogance. “Yeah, okay. Is that where we’re going now?”

“Yes. The tribe has a monthly campfire gathering where we fellowship, eat, and listen to stories from the elders.” He peeked at me. “You’ll finally meet my homeboy Sebastian. His wife and her best friend are excited to meet you.” He chuckled, then said, “I told them that you needed some homegirls.”

My mouth dropped open. “Orion! I have friends.”

It got quiet for several minutes before we both chortled. He knew like I knew that I was lying my ass off. The only friend I had was my damn coloring books, glitter pens, coloring pencils, paint, and crayons.

When we pulled onto the reservation, I got uneasy with the amount of people that were around.

I wasn’t sure what I thought it would be, but this was a lot more.

There were bonfires going. I could smell the food even though the windows of the SUV were rolled up.

Orion’s lips on my neck jolted me out of my daze.

“Baby, are you alright?” he questioned. Worry lined his face, so I assured him that I was fine. “Okay, well, I hope you’re hungry. These folks will feed you to death.”

We both chuckled. I watched him walk around to open my door. When I was out and the door was closed, he pulled me into him. His soft lips kissed my neck behind my ear.

“Calm down. I can feel your body shaking. I know you’re not nervous.” He pulled back to stare into my eyes. “Not my Elodie being nervous.”

“I’m not nervous. Lead the way, sir.” I gave him my award-winning smile.

I wouldn’t say that I was nervous, but I was uneasy. All eyes were on me, and I didn’t like that. The only time I liked that was when I was in a client meeting. With my hand in his, Orion walked us over to a smaller bonfire that had what looked like three couples sitting around it.

“What’s up, y’all?” He pulled me in front of him, then wrapped his arms around me from behind. “Baby, this is Thaddeus, the tribe chief, and his wife Elsbeth, Farad and his wife Jorie, and Sebastian and his wife Makayla. Y’all, this is my baby, Elodie,” Orion introduced.

Elsbeth and Makayla were the first to get up to greet me. The others looked at me like I was out of place.

“Elodie, it’s so nice to finally meet you.”

“It’s nice to meet you ladies as well.”

I returned their genuine smile with one of my own.

Jorie finally came over to greet me, followed by the men.

“Have you eaten, Elodie? Ladies, why don’t y’all take her to get a plate so the men can chop it up for a moment,” Thaddeus instructed.

“Orion, do you want anything?” I asked him.

After he told me to get him a little of everything, I kissed his lips. I followed the women who seemed jovial. Well, not Jorie, but yeah.

“Elodie, where are you from?” Jorie asked. We were all fixing plates for ourselves and our men. They were piling the food up on their plates. Maybe I should too.

“Oh, I’m from Sedona, Arizona,” I replied. “I haven’t been back home though since college really. My parents are still there.”

The girls nodded. Jorie smiled, then said, “Oh, Sedona is nice. I’ve been out there a few times. I have a cousin that is connected to a tribe out there. There are amazing woodlands out there.”

I stared at her for a beat blankly. “Oh, okay. Yeah, there are a few tribes out there. I’m always amazed to see the diversity in the Native American tribes. Nowadays, you can’t just look at a person and tell that they have any Native American blood.”

Makayla laughed. “Girl, when we first met Thaddeus and Sebastian, I thought they were just super fine ass niggas. Now, look at us, married with children and living on a reservation.”

We all laughed. We talked as we fixed the plates then headed back to the men with plates in our hands. When we got back to the bonfire, the vibe was a little off. Orion seemed upset about something.

“Here, baby.” I handed him the plate that was his.

“Thank you, baby.”

When I handed him his plate, he used his free hand to cup my chin and pull my lips to his. The kiss was short but intense. When he pulled away from the kiss, his gaze at me was unreadable.

It wasn’t until I sat next to him that I noticed that the rest of the men were gazing at me too. What the hell is wrong with these folks? Yeah, I’m ready to leave now.