Page 17 of Cause When You Love Someone

“This place is beautiful!” Isabella swirled around in a circle after we stepped through a set of patio doors that led to a grand staircase.

Most times, the Sons of Eshu held special events at the local country club, but Blaze reserved an estate in Slyde City.

The location was forty minutes from Silk Hills and known for being a millionaire’s playground.

Many people liked to compare the area to Key West, but with all the black homeowners, I would say it was much more valuable.

In the center of the yard sat two long tables, each adorned with vases and chairs laced with pastel-colored flowers. To the far right, there was a dessert table, juice bar, and a bunch of oversized table games.

Clarke pointed out the setup on the opposite side of the kids’ fantasy land. “The juice bar is cute, but the tequila station looks better.”

“You’re going to love it. Blaze hired a bartender to teach mixology.”

“Is this their home?” she asked. “As beautiful as it is, I could never buy a house this big. The yard stretches back far enough to reach the next neighborhood. I would get lost on my own property.”

“Love, your condo has four bedrooms.”

“True.” Her voice dragged. “But lately, I’ve started to pay attention to what I need and not just what I want. I may not be there much longer.”

I wanted to ask her to elaborate, but I decided to save the conversation for another time.

With Clarke’s hand in mine and Izzy at my side, I escorted my ladies through the yard. We didn’t make it far before Durk and Clover cut off our stride.

“Check out the newlyweds!” Durk stretched his arms wide.

“Ha! The ugliest nigga in the group always has to be the funniest,” I countered as I embraced Clover, Durk’s better half.

When she stepped back, she glanced at Clarke. “Please ignore them. As much as they argue, you wouldn’t believe the trouble they get into together.”

The ladies exchanged a few more words before I jumped in to ask, “Where’s my baby?”

“Baby?” Clarke quizzed in a sharp voice.

“Yeah.” Clover grinned. “Durk is a grouch about these things, so we haven’t made it official, but Ishmael is our daughter’s godfather.”

Durk sucked his teeth. “And he’s a fucking deadbeat.”

“Why are you lying? I see Lucky often, and my girl gets a gift at least once a month.”

“I’m happy you brought that up.” Durk snarled. “Stop sending my baby those corny ass gifts. You send her another life-size plushie because of some dumb ass national holiday, and we gon’ have a problem.”

I lifted my shirt to display the gun in my waistband. “Good thing I keep a problem solver.”

A mischievous smirk put the diamonds in his mouth on display. “My nigga. I taught you well.”

I turned to speak to Clarke, but Isabella was already pulling her in the direction of Shiloh’s daughters. Hypnotized by how her ass jiggled in her sundress, I could only grin when she peered over her shoulder and blew me a kiss.

Since Clarke was occupied, I wandered into a large party tent posted in a corner of the yard. A cloud met me at the entrance, and a smile spread across my face at the sight of women I considered sisters.

“What the hell are y’all doing back here?”

“Getting blazed,” Blaze answered for the group. “You want to hit this?”

Essen pushed her hand away. “You know Ishmael only smokes every blue moon.”

Though she was right, I reached for the rolled tobacco leaf and brought it up to my lips.

From where I stood, I could see Clarke through the tent’s opening.

She looked at peace amongst the impressionable bunch.

Her smile seemed sincere, never wavering as she twisted one girl’s hair and another braided hers.

“Aww. Look at my brother,” Stevie cooed, interrupting my daydream. “You look like you’re ready to put a baby in her.”

“Not yet, but I do think she would be a good mother. She’s kind-hearted, ambitious?—”

Essen freed a low laugh. “And she can fight! If you hadn’t snatched her off that girl at the club, she would’ve stumped a hole in that ho. You know the internet is having a blast with the story.”

“She’s not lying.” Stony blew out a cloud of smoke. “Some of my old contacts posted about the reality star and her bodyguard . Honestly, the shit will pass. By next week, the streets will be talking about someone else.”

“I’m not worried about it. People may be used to being in her mix, but I don’t play that shit. Our situation isn’t a secret, but for now, we’re keeping things private.”

After the blunts burned to ashes, everyone gathered to eat. Clarke’s crew tried to sit beside her when they reached the table, but I parked myself in the spot before they could.

“Damn. You came with me and found new friends?”

“Wow. Are you jealous, Ishmael?”

I simpered when our eyes locked. “Would I be wrong if I said yes?”

“Yeah, but I would still want to make you feel better.”

When I sensed her fingers creep up my thigh, my teeth sank into my lower lip.

“Did I hurt your feelings, baby?” she asked in a whispery breath.

With slits for eyes, I searched the table to see if anyone was watching us, and of course, someone was. Durk grimaced and shook his head as he mouthed the words, y’all are nasty .

Like Clarke hadn’t started the explicit exchange, the siren attached to my hip buried her face into my shoulder.

“Don’t act shy now. You started the freaky shit.”

“I didn’t,” she crooned. “I just like touching you.”

“Touching me or my dick?”

“All of you. If I could touch your heart without making a scene, I would rip your clothes off.”

I placed a kiss on the tip of her nose and swallowed the premature promises sprouting on my tongue.

“Hey, man!” Durk yelled. “Knock that shit off. My wife don’t want to see that.”

Clover playfully slapped his shoulder. “I think they’re cute! Carry on!”

Despite Durk’s pestering, brunch was blessed with laughs and the exchange of stories I had heard before.

Every time one of my brothers mentioned an instance when I had to remind someone I wasn’t to be tested, Clarke stared at me in amusement.

Shame wasn’t the word I would use to describe how I felt about my past. Still, being in the limelight wasn’t my sweet spot.

By the time we finished eating and creating our own drinks, the sun sat on the horizon. Blaze sent the kids to the theatre room, and everyone else settled in different areas of the yard, relaxing with their mates or taking a minute for themselves.

I shut my eyes for a second, enjoying the warmth of the sun on my skin. The mixture of tequila and weed had me relaxed, and the aroma of Clarke’s cucumber scent triggered my goofy expression.

“Are you drunk, Superman?”

“Something close.”

“Here. Drink some of this.” Clarke carried the bottle up to my lips, then guided water down my throat. “I’m stunned you drank as much as you did. I’m not complaining, though. I like you loose and easy.”

We laughed at her choice of words.

“If I’m being real, I always limit myself because I come from a family full of addicts. I can’t fuck around and lose my grip with reality.”

“As grounded as you are, you should have more faith in yourself.”

Though my tongue burned with the urge to defend myself, I nodded and looped my arm around her waist.

“You want to cuddle, but I want to dance.”

“Right now?”

“Right now,” she replied, standing to her feet.

Clarke slid out of my hands and switched her hips over to an area deemed the dance floor.

Her hands moved from her thighs up to her mid-section when the beat of the smooth R&B switched tempos.

I paid attention to the way she pointed her toes, then carried her body around in a circle.

Light on her bare feet, Clarke’s movements ranged from something I saw in The Nutcracker and something out of a hip-hop music video.

Even with her thigh peeking out of the slit in her dress, I wouldn’t say Clarke’s performance was provocative.

No matter what she did, I would have been mesmerized.

Unable to stay away, I slowly bobbed my head and abandoned my seat when D’Angelo’s “Untitled (How Does it Feel)” coasted through the air.

I heard my club brothers hoot and holler when I got close to the dancing queen, but I ignored them.

The only person I had energy for was the woman who gave me a reason to get out of my seat.

“I knew you wouldn’t leave me out here by myself for too long.” Clarke snorted through her laughter when I reeled her into my arms and pulled her back into my chest.

“For a second, I started not to interrupt. You looked like you were in your element.”

“Yeah. Some things come naturally. Can’t let them go.”

“Then you need to tap in. There’s no reason you shouldn’t be working in the field you love when it’s clear you can’t let it go. I remember a pretty lady told me that.”

A rosy color swooshed up her cheeks. “Hm. Sounds like she has a good head on her shoulders.”

“Yeah. Her head game is crazy!” I joked as I spun her around to face me.

Girl, it's only you.

Have it your way.

And if you want, you can decide.

Every lyric I sang appeared to crack any doubt that may have plagued Clarke’s mind. Her breathing reduced to a snail’s pace, and she relaxed so much I thought I would have to hold her up soon.

“Everyone is watching us,” she sang.

“Of course, they are. Have you looked in the mirror lately?”

“Actually, I haven’t. I don’t feel the need to. You make sure I know I’m the prettiest girl in the world.”

My lips found their way to her earlobe. “Don’t try to gas me up.”

“Try?” She smirked. “It’s too late for that, my love.”

“I’m walking in the warehouse. Let me call you back.”

Clarke’s twisted lips emerged on my screen when she threw her body back on the hotel bed. Though she left my home a week ago, the hot commodity kept a low profile. Every day, I tried to convince her to go home, and her response was always the same. She wasn’t ready .

“I guess I have to let you go.” The brat huffed. “Are we still meeting for dinner at your place tonight?”

“I’ll never tell you a lie.”