Page 14 of Defending the Post (The Complexity of Love #3)

Chapter Eight

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Erin

I modeled my outfit to Jhae for a second opinion. She was fashion forward and would be honest with me.

“Alright, Erin, it fits your overall style.”

I snapped my fingers to Icey’s “Chillout” record playing in the background. Everything from the ripped jeans, top, and oversized blazer coupled with my freshly lined hair gave me an edgier look. The deep red lipstick matched my brown skin to perfection.

“Date?” she questioned with narrowed eyes.

Sometimes I wondered whose side Jhae was on. I knew she was team Malcolm but she may also be team Marquise.

“Industry party. See, this is work. I’m going to put the word out about the album and the tour. Can I play ‘Golden Heart?’ at the party,” I questioned.

Jhae pursed her lips together but eventually approved my request with a head nod.

“Thank you,” I sang before I tucked my phone and my ID in my pocket.

“You’re going out, and you know Marquise is coming home in two hours?” she questioned.

I slanted my head to the side before I answered. “Yes, I’m going. I will see Marquise in the morning when he cools down. He will soon understand I did everything for the health of our friendship.”

Jhae leaned back on the couch, cradling her stomach as she laughed. At one point she wiped the corner of her eye to stop a tear. Marquise and I had been beefing hard. He was resisting the reshaping process. Last night after the game, things escalated into a screaming match.

“Malcolm and Marquise are identical in looks only. Malcolm is quiet and calculating with his temper, but Marquise will show his ass in public,” she warned.

I rolled my eyes as I retrieved my vibrating phone from my pocket.

Tracy

Downstairs, the man will not let me up.

Me

Headed down.

“And the reason you’re telling me this?” I questioned.

My brows hiked temporarily as I encouraged her to answer.

“You’ll find out,” she said.

I waved Jhae off and headed toward the front door.

The streets of L.A. called my name and tonight I was answering.

Last night when Marquise expressed how he wanted to see me, it set off caution lights.

I’ll admit he was easier to control over the phone while he was on the road.

When he gets out of line, I end the call.

We needed to curve this expectation that I would be in his bed waiting for his arrival. I’m not his girlfriend.

Tracy and I held hands as we entered Drummer’s album release party.

The venue size allowed for a large crowd but still left room for people to network.

Artwork of hip-hop artists hung on one side of the wall with exposed brick on the other.

The floor plans were open with a bar in the middle serving guests on both sides.

Drummer’s latest song echoed out the speakers and I swayed to the beat. Tracy gripped my hand, and I followed her across the room to the bar. She ordered something, but I rejected the offer when she pointed to her drink. It’s too dangerous for a woman to drink at these events.

“Check out this new Icey,” the DJ said.

As soon as the hard beat dropped, I raised one hand in the air and extended my tongue.

It’s ice everywhere...aye...aye...., I sang to the top of my lungs, blending in with the crowd. The energy from the atmosphere and music fueled me, confirming I made the right decision coming out tonight.

Two hours passed, and the party hadn’t reached its peak, but I’d made great connections and retrieved some phone numbers. A few artists wanted to work with Jhae on some remixes and features. They were too happy to pass their information after Midwest Records ghosted their request.

“What you doing in L.A.?” a masculine voice whispered in my ear.

I shifted my body, finding the source. Noah stood before me, tall and fine as hell. We had a brief fling before he moved to New York last summer. Although he cut his locs, his boy next door charm remained the same. I motioned for him to lean down with my finger.

“I’m working for Jhae now,” I said into his ear.

He stepped back with a teasing smirk. Noah was exactly what I needed to get my mind off Marquise. He could scratch this sexual itch I had. One quick roll in the sheets and things would be great, at least for me. My phone vibrated in my hand, and I struggled to divert my eyes from him.

Marquise

I’m here and you’re not. How the fuck do that make sense?

“Aww shit, your man caught up with you,” Noah whispered in my ear and I rolled my eyes before leaning into him.

“I’m single,” I said with hidden uncertainty as I bit down on my bottom lip.

Marquise

I guess you think I’m playing.

“Since you got your phone out. Plug in my number,” Noah said.

Once his breath laced the skin beside my ear, I giggled. Thoughts of how he licked my pussy until I could no longer breathe replayed. I hurried to store his number, hoping to spin the block again. Noah walked away, and I fanned myself before I reconnected with Tracy.

“Houstonnnnn, Let’s Go,” I quoted as Icey’s EP played in the background.

For thirty minutes, the DJ played back-to-back hits, leaving me no other choice but to dance. Lights flashed by the door, drawing my attention, but I couldn’t see who entered. Tracy and I had migrated to the back of the venue to catch our breath. This party was a complete vibe.

A finger tapped my shoulder. I turned to find Alex smiling at me. I quickly extended my arms, pulling her into a hug, squeezing her tight. She left at the end of my second year at Midwest Records.

“Hey, sandwich girl,” I whispered in her ear, and we burst into laughter.

“Shout out to Marquise. Bring that chip back to L.A.,” the DJ announced as he lowered the music, and my body stiffened.

Alex’s eyes narrowed as she read the panicked expression on my face. I opened our thread and texted.

Me

You cannot be serious right now.

When he didn’t answer, I scanned the bar and front door.

“I’m big serious. Let’s go,” Marquise whispered into my ear from behind.

Peeking over my shoulder, I found his anger-filled eyes.

I faced him, scanning his attire. He dressed the part with a gold grill and rope chain to match.

Something about the bold but flashy parts of him sent my heartbeat into overdrive.

He nodded his head toward the door, but I remained frozen in place.

“You can walk out the door or I’ll carry you. As always, the choice is yours,” he said with his hands on my waist.

My mouth parted, but no words exited until Marquise kneeled, and I blurted, “okay!”

He tangled our hands, moved us through the crowd, and out the front door.

Sitting on the passenger side of his hellcat, I seethed with anger.

He drove in silence as he shifted gears back to the condo.

At the speed he drove, we made it back to the parking garage in a matter of minutes.

He parked, but he wouldn’t unlock the doors.

Marquise slid his hand under my thigh and pulled me to him, leaving no space between us.

The assertiveness sent a tingling sensation to the wrong part of my body, my pussy.

The heat from his mouth landed on my ear as I stared in the opposite direction.

“I’m over here, Erin.”

I shifted my gaze to him, finding his intense brown eyes and full lips.

“Bestie, let’s not have this conversation again,” he warned.

I tried moving away, but he stopped my motion, placing his arm around my midsection.

“Erin.”

Marquise placed the tip of his nose behind my ear. He stroked the side of my waist with his thumb, sparking a fire between us. The more I inhaled his bold but spicy cologne, my heart thumped against my chest. Shifting my gaze, I focused on the remaining cars in the empty parking places.

“Erin, I want your attention.”

His words brushed the side of my face. I squirmed away after avoiding his lips grazing my skin. Marquise’s hand traveled up my body, cupping my chin, reverting my attention back to him. Our eyes locked in on each other, leaving me no escape.

“I was at work connecting with people.”

“You got time for everyone else, but not for me? Erin, I know what happens at those parties. Did you drink anything?” he asked.

“I know better than to drink. This is not my first time at an industry party,” I defended.

Working around music producers and artists, I learned how to take care of myself. I’d witnessed people lace drinks and there were times I’d saved young women from predators. Midwest threatened to let me go but I didn’t care. Someone needed to look out for those women.

“Don’t go to another one unless I’m with you,” he said.

To stop myself from surrendering to him, I closed my eyes. They snapped open after his lips grazed my neck.

“I’m trying to protect you, Weirdo. Promise me,” he whispered into my ear.

My heart rhythm ramped up as the wetness from his lips lingered on my skin.

“Erin.”

“I promise,” I falsely agreed.

Marquise released me until he opened my car door. He tangled our hands again after he helped me out the passenger seat. This is not what friends do, played in my head as he led us to the elevator. I pressed my floor.

“We’re only stopping by your spot to get you some items and that’s all,” he said.

I turned my body in protest, snatching my hand away.

“If you can put your lipstick on for them, you can stay the week with me,” he said.

Marquise followed me out of the elevator. He shadowed my movements from the moment we entered the condo and while I packed. I loaded enough clothes for one night.

“You’re short a few outfits,” he said, as he stood beside the bed.

I took inventory of his mood and decided it wasn’t worth the argument. I moved back to my drawers, selecting additional apparel.

“This doesn’t have to be hard,” he said as I bumped into him.

I zipped the bag, and he grabbed it and my hand, moving us towards the door.