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16

I nnvy

One Week Later

Bully and I spent a relaxing morning and afternoon fishing. We spent most of the time in solitude, but on the way to his parents’ house, we talked and in a way reconnected. It felt like déjà vu as we considered our future and what we wanted it to look like. Marriage. More babies. More real estate. By the time we made it to our destination, I felt the excitement I felt the first time he proposed. I knew forever was the goal when I decided to give him another chance, but as each day passed, it felt safer and safer to rest in that.

What was supposed to be a relaxing evening of us chilling with his parents while his mom fried the fish we caught turned into a little get together. He and Daddy Chris went to the meat market for more fish while me, Gabriella, and his mom Grace stayed back making sides. Only a few hours passed before more of his family and our friends came over and the music started playing while alcohol poured and games were played.

As I sipped a tequila sunrise with Neo and Dauterive, they gushed over how happy they were that Bully was back and things were better than ever between us.

“I just want to know when you’re putting back on your ring,” Neo said.

I looked down at my hand and released a sigh. My ring finger felt way too light without my engagement ring. I’d taken it off after he left and hadn’t bothered to put it back on.

“I don’t know. I mean I guess I can put it on now. I just… hated looking at it the second he walked out that door, you know?”

“I feel you,” Dauterive agreed. “That ring is literally a symbol of him leaving you. But it could also be a symbol of your love if you changed your perspective.”

“Chile, she don’t have to,” Neo said, gripping my thigh. “If she told Bully how she felt he’d buy her another one in a heartbeat.”

Even though we laughed, I knew that was true. He’d been doing so much for me lately I didn’t want to bring up something so trivial.

“I mean… it’s not really that deep. I’ll get a band at the wedding and I can just wear that.”

“No, ma’am,” Dauterive said, standing and heading for the door.

“Uh, what are you doing?” I asked as my heart raced. One thing about these two, they never let a need go unannounced or a problem unchecked. That was a great thing but also annoying as hell and why I limited talking to them while Bully was gone. I didn’t want them trying to fix how I felt, though I know it came from a good place.

When Dauterive came back, it was with a curious looking Bully.

“What I do now?” he asked, closing the door behind him.

Neo chuckled and shoved my shoulder as I groaned.

“Neo asked me when I was going to put my ring back on. I told her I wasn’t sure because it reminded me of that day and that I’ll be fine with the band when we get married.”

His head tilted and brows wrinkled. “I bought you a ring that day we went shopping. I just didn’t tell you because I wanted it to be a surprise.”

Now it was my turn to look confused. “Oh. Well there’s that.” I patted my legs with a smile.

“I was waiting for the right time to give it to you. You want it now?”

My head shook as I beamed. “No. I want to be surprised.”

Their laughing tickled me even though I was serious.

“Say less.” He leaned down and gave me a quick kiss before leaving us alone.

“See what happens when you speak up,” Neo teased, causing me to roll my eyes. But I couldn’t lie, I was grateful for her nosy ass.

We revolved in our own little world for a little while longer before returning to the others. By that time, Bully was feeling his liquor. He wasn’t quite tipsy yet, but he was happy and in a friendly mood.

“C’mere,” he demanded quietly, casually tugging me away from the crew and down the hall.

“Bully, what are you—oh no. We can’t!”

He waited until we were in the bathroom and he had the door locked to say, “We gon’ do whatever the fuck I say we gon’ do. Yo’ pussy is too.”

A low purr escaped me, but it turned into a gasp when he effortlessly lifted me and put me on the counter.

“In your parents’ house, bae?” I confirmed as a sneaky grin spread my lips.

“In my parents’ house,” he replied against my ear, putting my hand on top of his rock hard dick.

As I moaned, I busied myself with pulling him out of his boxers. Bully helped me shimmy out of my jeans and pushed my panties to the side. He held me close as he entered me, burying his face in my neck. His strokes taunted me… daring me not to enjoy them. Not to be vocal. Not with force, but with precision. I clung to him and dug my nails into his back. Bit his neck and licked his ear. Whispered my whimpers and praises.

When I couldn’t hold back anymore, I released a long series of short moans as I came.

“Yesss, that’s it,” he praised. “That’s it, baby. Cum for daddy.”

“Ooh, Bully. That feels so good, bae.”

“Mhm. Keep cumming for me.”

I had no choice but to comply when he wrapped his hand around my neck and pressed me into the mirror. He told me to hold my legs and I did. Between him choking me and circling my clit with his thumb I came again in no time. My legs trembled as they fell, but he kept them spread wide as he continued to stroke me into a third orgasm. That time, he came too.

* * *

The Next Night

By the grace of God, our parents were feeling good enough yesterday to agree to watch our babies, so the entire crew had a free night tonight. We all took full advantage and enjoyed ourselves at Karrington’s house. I loved games and gambling, so I’d spent a lot of the night alternating between poker and blackjack. Unlike when we were with the elders, weed was in rotation tonight, and that meant long, slow, nasty sex when me and Bully got home.

For now, I was truly enjoying spending time with our people. I hadn’t spent a lot of time with Eyela because she was so shy but she’d been coming around more and was actually really cool. Malaysia and Enjell were here with their men and Malaysia’s wild ass reminded me of my cousins on my daddy’s side. Neo, Dauterive, and Whiskee were in the corner cackling, and Dauterive’s sister Dallas was in the cut balancing her time between the single men in the room.

The sound of Bully’s laughter pulled me out of my people watching. I would know his voice, his laugh, even if there were a million men in the room. As if he felt eyes on him, Bully’s eyes scanned the room until they landed on me. He licked his lips and shot me a wink that made my pussy wet as I squeezed my thighs together.

“It’s on you, sis,” Beethoven said, returning my attention to our poker game.

“I’m all in,” I said, pushing the rest of my chips into the center of the table.

“I’m out,” Asylum said with a shake of his head.

“What about you, Merc?” I asked with a grin.

“I’m in,” he said, shoving the rest of his chips in.

“This too,” Bully said, handing him a ring. I wouldn’t attempt to guess how many carats it was, but it was three times as big as my first ring.

“Bae…” I whispered, speechless. My eyes watered. Every man at the table wore smiles and looks of pride as they set their cards on the table—face down.

“Looks like you won,” Bully said, pushing the pot, and the ring, toward me. “Though, having you and Princess makes me the real winner. I love you, Innvy. Thank you for giving us a second chance.”

My eyes blurred from my tears as I picked up the ring. Bully made his way around the table, kneeled, and slipped it onto my left ring finger. As our friends cheered us on and clapped, I lowered myself and embraced my man.

“Was this a surprise?” he asked in my ear with a smile. “Special enough?”

“It’s absolutely perfect.”

* * *

Early May

About a month passed since Bully graced me with my new ring. I didn’t want to jinx it and say things were perfect between us, but they were. Innah and I had settled into Bully’s home and made it our own—and for me, it was better being back with my baby. We were a real family now, and I couldn’t ask for more. She was crawling and saying more words. My work schedule was lighter but my profit was higher because I rented out the three spare rooms to other estheticians who paid rent.

Bully was working with the schools just until the end of the month, then he’d be free for the summer. He was supposed to start in August but couldn’t stay away for that long. I couldn’t wait to see how we’d spoil Innah and show her more of the world. I knew she was far too young to remember anything we did during her first summer on this Earth, but we’d have tons of pictures to show her.

It was such a beautiful day that I decided to pick Innah up myself after work and take her to the park. Bully didn’t give me that much of a hard time about it since it allowed him to go to happy hour with his brothers. As the sun started to set, I decided it was time for us to head home.

While I walked to the car, I felt like someone was watching me. I looked around, eyes landing on an older gentleman who was on the phone. When I looked at him, he immediately looked away. It wouldn’t have been the first time a man eyed me, so I didn’t think twice about it. Once I got Innah settled in her seat, I made my way to mine. We didn’t even get a full five minutes into the drive and she had already fallen asleep.

My laughter turned into panic when my Wagon jutted to a stop as smoke filled it. Seeing as I hadn’t had it for more than two months, I had no idea what could have been going wrong. I pulled over to the side of the road and groaned before quickly hopping out to grab my baby. Before I could dial Bully’s number, a black town car pulled over behind me. Since I didn’t know what was wrong, I wasn’t sure if they’d be able to help. I wouldn’t mind allowing them to try if they were about to offer.

The back passenger door opened and a tall older man stepped out. I was pretty sure I’d never met him before but there was something about him that was familiar. He buttoned his suit jacket as he took long, confident strides in my direction.

“Need some help?” he asked with a wide smile.

“Yes, I believe so,” I replied, looking down at a still sleeping Innvy. “I don’t know what happened. It just started smoking and stopped.”

“I can take a look under your hood if you’d like.”

“Uh, sure. Thanks.”

“Do you want to sit in the car while I do?” he asked, opening the door to pop the hood.

“Oh no, we’re okay. Thanks.”

His head bobbed once as he eyed me from head to toe, then proceeded to round the Wagon. I stepped off to the side to avoid traffic and hoped it was something he’d be able to fix quickly. If not, I’d have to call for a tow truck and hope Bully wasn’t too far away to come and pick us up.