Page 12 of Bricked Up

“Where was all this mad shit talking when you snuck ya scary ass up out my crib the last time I saw yo’ fine ass? You always did prefer to run. You know you wanna be my wife though, so quit all this childish ass behavior and let’s gon’ and make this love one for the history books.”

“Saadiq, please.” A smile spread across her lips. “We not about to play these games. Matter fact, if you’re not calling me to reconsider letting me expand my business into?—”

“I already broke that down for you, but if you let me come snatch you up and take you to the Drive-In, you can plead your case again. My mind is already made up, though, but I enjoy listening to the sound of your sexy ass voice so much that I’on even care about you repeating some shit I already gave you the answer to. ”

“You really are touched, aren’t you, Saadiq?” Zia cackled as she approached the restaurant. “Mentally, you’re just not home, huh?”

“Baby, I ain’t no more crazy than you or anybody else, I just choose not to hide my imperfections.”

“Saadiq,” Zia laughed even though she really didn’t want to entertain this man’s ignorant behavior. “Being a fucking psychotic lunatic is not an imperfection.”

“Well, that’s what I’ve always understood the definition of the word to be, and I’ve never had any trouble with being misunderstood whenever I say that shit to anybody else. So, can I come scoop you or nah?”

Whew, Jesus! Of all the men in the world, how in the hell did I fall in love with such a mentally unstable madman?!

“No, you can’t. I got a date tonight and I plan to enjoy every minute of it.”

“So what?” Saadiq mugged her as if she could see how annoyed he was through the phone. “Cancel that muthafucka. That nigga ain’t more important than me and what the fuck we got going on? Besides, that’s the least you can do for avoiding me the last few weeks wit’ yo scary ass.”

“That doesn’t matter,” Giggling, she shifted her gear into park. “You can’t just come into my life and demand my time, especially when I already have plans. And ain’t nobody been avoiding you nigga. I’ve just been…busy. Now I gotta go. You’re gonna make me late for my date.”

“A’ight, you right. Enjoy ya night and be safe, baby.”

Frowning, Zia stared at the phone after Saadiq ended the call and wondered what the nigga was up to.

There was something about how easily he gave in that just set her on high alert.

Saadiq didn’t give up on shit he wanted, especially where Zia was concerned.

She immediately sensed the ancestors warning her that the nigga was up to some fuck shit.

And since Saadiq was a lot better than she was at petty wars, she was already thinking of a way to intercept whatever the fuck he was trying to cook up.

After deciding to cut the date short halfway through the evening, she set an alarm to ensure her plan didn’t slip her mind. Zia freshened her lipstick and headed inside. She spotted Raymond in a booth to the left the minute she entered the lobby.

Waving, Zia bypassed the hostess stand and made her way through the restaurant and over to their table.

He stood as she approached and greeted her with a seductive smile.

Everything on Raymond, from his average height to his reddish brown skin, his Java-hued orbs, and slim, built physique, was seductive.

His curly mane that swept his shoulders was the icing on the cake for her.

After making a late evening cookie delivery to his barbershop one night, he asked her out on the spot, and the rest is history.

A year later and Zia thought he was even sexier than the day they met.

While he was no doubt a catch, Zia just wasn’t interested in anything other than his dick and the occasional date or outing here and there.

“Wassup ma, gotdamn you looking good as fuck as always,” Raymond’s smile spread as he pulled her into his embrace and kissed her gently on the cheek. “You gon’ make me kidnap you one of these days and hold ya ass hostage as my love slave.”

“Don’t threaten me with a good time, handsome,” She giggled as he released her as she slid into her seat. “How’ve you been?”

“Can’t really complain. Life’s been good to me,” He met her gaze. “I’m just missing my leading lady. As soon as you stop using me for my body, we can get this show on the road. I’m trying to make this shit official between us.”

Smiling, Zia exhaled deeply and began to speak, but they were interrupted by their waiter.

Whew, saved by the bell. Well, at least temporarily anyway.

After placing their drink and appetizer orders, Zia was about to take the lead in the conversation to control and hopefully skate around the issue at least until after she’d gotten some food in her belly, but before she could say anything, they were once again interrupted by her phone.

The second Zia spotted Saadiq’s name on the screen, she almost broke her damn nail sending his ass to voicemail and switching her phone to vibrate. But when her phone started vibrating back-to-back, she finally decided to answer.

“Is everything okay, Zia?” Raymond asked as irritation settled on her face. “Is there anything I can do?”

“No. Thank you, though. It’s a family thing I need to take care of right quick. I’m sorry, I gotta take this. I’m gonna step outside.”

“No, you can chill here. I’m going to go hit the head.” Raymond said as he stood, kissed her on the cheek, and headed toward the restrooms.

“Saddiq, are you insane? What the fuck do you want?” she asked just above a whisper the minute Raymond disappeared from view. “Why the hell do you keep calling me back to back like you’ve lost your damn mind?”

“Had yo’ ass answered the first time you saw me calling, we wouldn’t be here, now would we?”

Rolling her eyes, she huffed out an irritated sigh, then asked through gritted teeth. “What the fuck do you want, Saadiq?”

“It’s time for you to pay up for fucking up my ride. So bring ya ass to?—”

“What the fuck, Saadiq? Nigga are you high?” she asked, while trying not to scream her frustration. “I am on a fucking date. I don’t give two fucks about your truck right now. I will call you when my date is over, and we can discuss the bullshit then. Don’t call me no fucking?—”

“Look to your left.”

Zia froze and growled out a deep, shaky breath before she did as she was told. Turning her head, she spotted Saadiq sitting in a booth near the rear windows. He winked at her just as a grin tugged at the corners of his lips.

“Now that I have your attention,” He paused long enough to sip whatever clear liquid was in his glass and to piss Zia off.

“I’ll repeat myself just one more time. It's time to pay up for the damage you caused to my truck. Right the fuck now. At this very moment. So, unless you want me to join you and your black Ken doll for dinner in this nice ass restaurant, I strongly urge you to bring your ass to me immediately.” Without another word, he ended the call.

Sighing, she brushed her hair out of her face just as Raymond and their waiter returned to the table.

“Zia, you good, baby? Do you need to leave?” Raymond inquired with disappointment and understanding in his eyes as he silently prayed that that wasn’t the case.

“Uh, I don't think so, but I actually need to go find that out right now. I’ll be right back. I’m going to go run to the ladies’ room.”

“Okay, please let me know if there’s anything I can do. If you do need to leave, I understand,” Raymond smiled as she nodded and scurried away.

Sliding back into his seat, Raymond pulled his phone out of his pocket to keep himself busy until Zia returned.

“What the fuck kinda fuck shit are you on, Saadiq?” She mugged him as she slid into the chair across from him.

Zia didn’t want to admit it, but the nigga smelled so good, she was ready to ride his face like a fucking cowgirl.

Between the woodsy scent he was wearing and the red and black fit he had on, looking sexy as fuck, Zia didn’t know if she wanted to kick him in his damn throat or ride his dick until she couldn’t cum anymore.

She had to shake that shit off, though, because his ass needed to be put in check.

He had a lot of nerve popping up on her, fucking up her night when she was trying to move the fuck on with her life without his ass.

“Because you got me fucked all the way up if you really think?—”

“I ain’t never been on no fuck shit, especially when it comes to you, and that’ll never change. I just want you.” The stare that followed his confession was so intense she swore that Saadiq could feel and see every beat of her heart.

“Why are you doing this shit right now? Why the fuck are you blocking, nigga?”

“‘Cuz I can,” A smirk lifted one corner of his lips. “And you know why. I’ll stop all this shit right now if you take me back. I’ll take you home and eat ya pussy ‘til you cum all over my face, repeatedly. You look fucking gorgeous as usual, by the way.” He licked his lips then said, “You know I love your walk, and watching you walk to me got my dick bricked up so hard it fucking hurts. You wanna slide a little closer to me and rub a nut up outta me right quick?”

“Saadiq,” Zia cocked her head to the side and eyed him in disbelief and frustration. “I am on a fucking date. A fucking date, gotdamn it.” She slapped a hand against the table as she stood. “Soooo, you can kiss my?—”

“Hand me your panties,” Saadiq demanded as his beautiful eyes danced up and down her curves as he took another sip of his drink.

“Excuse me,” Zia mugged Saadiq hard as fuck. “Fuck no, I ain’t giving you my?—”

His eyes darkened with mischief and amusement. “Give. Me. Your. Panties. Zia. Or so help me, I’ll?—”

“Fineeeeee! You ignorant ass psychopath. I’ll be right back.” Sucking her teeth, she started to walk off when Saadiq caught her by her wrist.