Page 5 of Defending the Post (The Complexity of Love #3)

Chapter Four

Breaking the Rules

Erin

“ R ules? Girl, I did not say any of those things,” Jhae said, and my chest relaxed. “I told him to apologize and occasionally check in on you. You’re twenty-six years old. Why would you need rules?” she asked.

Last night, I knew he made that shit up, but I wanted to double check with Jhae. I texted her this morning, and she invited me up to their penthouse condo. When I hesitated, she told me Marquise wasn’t home. The twins were both at the training facility getting treatment.

“Keep him away from me,” I said, as I opened my tablet, ready to work.

She placed her hand over my tablet and smiled.

“Marquise is harmless. He barks more than he bites, don’t back down from him. Snap on him every time like you did in the elevator. When he gets rowdy, challenge him. I’ve seen you in action. I know you can do it,” she said, and I agreed with a head nod.

“I don’t want to put my job in jeopardy or rub Malcolm the wrong way,” I said.

Jhae scrunched her face as her head jerked backward. “I’ve seen your professionalism, but you have my full permission to put Marquise in his place. Disregard his rules, but it’s not a bad idea to check in with someone. L.A. can be dangerous, but it doesn’t have to be Marquise,” she said.

“And the overnight guests?” I questioned.

Jhae lifted from the table and migrated to the kitchen. She opened the fridge and removed a bottle of water offering me one, but I declined.

“You are grown. I don’t care who you have in your bed,” she said. “However, Marquise does. I advise you to learn his basketball schedule,” she said.

I rolled my eyes with confidence. The next time Marquise comes in my direction, I’ll be ready to chop his ass down.

“I’m ready. Where should we begin?” I asked with my pen in hand.

Jhae grinned, and I knew something was coming.

“Malcolm is off work. I’m going to spend the day with him. How about we get together next week? Oh, and do you want to go to the game on Saturday?” she questioned.

Jhae took a seat at the large six-seater table and crossed her short but toned legs.

“Sure, but I can still work while you’re enjoying time with your husband,” I said.

“No, go and enjoy L.A. Catch Need a Ride and check out the coast. You should go to the pier,” she said.

I searched the pier and decided it was a good way to spend my day.

“Alright, I will see you in two days unless you come see me,” I said.

Jhae’s shoulders bounced as she cackled. “Today is Thursday, don’t let Marquise run you off. The best way to get on his nerves is to be nice to him. It will send him running,” she said.

The door to the condo opened to Malcolm and Marquise joking about something.

“Good morning, Malcolm,” I greeted, as I packed up my tablet.

“You don’t see me standing here,” Marquise announced, but I hugged Jhae instead.

“Erin, you are welcome to the penthouse any time. We try to have family dinners when we have home games. Tonight, our chef is preparing a few Italian dishes. I would love to include you,” Malcolm said.

“Weirdo... hello, I’m standing here,” Marquise said after his brother.

I continued to focus on Malcolm, ignoring Marquise’s demand for my attention.

“Thank you for the offer, but I’ll be at the pier,” I said.

“With who?” Marquise interjected again.

I rounded Malcolm with Marquise on my heels. We touched the door at the same time. When I tried to snatch my hand back, he wouldn’t allow it and tightened his grip.

“How are you getting to the pier? Do you know what sex trafficking is? You’re putting yourself in danger,” he said.

Laughter belted from behind, but I refused to change my viewpoint.

“Bro, take her if you are so worried about it,” Malcolm suggested.

I yanked my hand free, twisting my body around to face Malcolm. He shrugged with his innocent brown eyes while Jhae mouthed “be nice.” Marquise was a bully and maybe being nice will make him itch. Surely, he would say no and I could leave without any other arguments.

Not believing I was getting ready to do this, I swallowed my pride before mumbling, “Marquise, would you consider escorting me to the Santa Monica Pier?”

“I’m up here, Weirdo. When you ask someone something, you give them eye contact,” he said, and I licked my teeth as I glared upward. “I guess I could do you this favor. You’ll get out there and get lost or kidnapped,” he said.

Shit, I thought he was going to say no. Now I was stuck with a little anger issue for the rest of the evening.

“I have an appointment in ten minutes. In an hour, I’ll knock on your door for you. Be ready and change out those tight ass jeans before you get a yeast infection,” he said.

My eyes went down to my ripped jeans. They were meant to fit, and I wasn’t changing.

“You know what? I changed my mind. Goodbye,” I said, but he continued to block my exit.

“I said I would take you,” he said as we squared off.

“Fine,” I said with narrow eyes.

“This is the craziest shit I’ve ever seen,” Malcolm said.

All eyes moved in his direction as we waited for clarification, but it never came. Marquise opened the door, waving me out to walk in front of him.

“You need to change those jeans,” he said.

I rounded the door with no intention of changing shit.

We stood in front of the elevator and waited for the door to open.

The reflection from the door panels suggested we were something more by our posture.

Marquise hovered over me as he played with his phone.

The door opened, and he followed me into the elevator.

His hand grazed over the smooth button and the number three lit.

As the elevator descended, he crowded my space on purpose.

“Be ready in an hour,” he said before I stepped off the elevator. I flipped him off as the doors closed.

Being nosey, I waited to see which floor was his destination, but he disguised it, pressing five floors between mine and the penthouse. A ping of jealousy pinched at me.

Erin, you need to get ahold of yourself, I thought as I turned the key.

The last thing I needed was to get involved in another situation with a bad boy.

For some reason, I attracted them to me.

I opened the door and sat my tablet on the ottoman.

My father nearly killed the last guy, Casey, over a misunderstanding.

Walking into my apartment to my father holding a gun to his head haunted me.

Casey was reading the Bible and trembling.

I had to explain he wasn’t my boyfriend, nor did he hit me.

One thing was for sure, I needed to stay away from Marquise.

The last person he wanted to meet was the Pastor.

Marquise

I pressed every floor between the penthouse and Erin’s new condo.

She probably stood outside the elevator watching the number to figure out my whereabouts.

It took every ounce of composure to keep my dick from poking.

Erin’s ass ate those dark denim jeans and those breasts in that white tank begged me to touch them.

I knew last night I needed to fuck someone, or I’m done for.

Bro

Stop being mean to your woman. I helped you out.

Me

I’m single. You and Jhae owe me a thank you for entertaining her for today.

Malcolm for sure helped me by suggesting I take Erin to the pier, but I will never admit it to him.

Bro

Damn, take your L so Ivey can pay me.

Bro

Your mouth is watering to spend time with her. What time did you make it home this morning?

Although he helped me, he also put me in the hot seat.

I already had an appointment planned. I’ve never desired to be in a woman’s company longer than hi and bye.

Erin, I could argue with for days without getting tired.

Last night, I heard her telling her best friend about how she hated me.

The shit made me smile, knowing it didn’t take much to extract emotions from her.

Those breasts bouncing in her read me nightshirt raised my body temperature.

I had to focus on the game to keep my dick from poking through my sweats.

It wasn’t necessary for me to go downstairs, but I couldn’t help myself.

I wanted to see her pretty thick ass. This morning, I didn’t want to leave the building.

When I admitted to myself, I wanted to cuddle with her, it shook my core, so I called one of my heavy hitters this morning to get my mind right.

If Sharra can’t get my mind off Erin, I’m a lost cause because her head game stood unmatched.

I kept a condo on a lower level for my revolving guests.

No woman’s head had ever graced my personal pillow or my bed.

We fucked and moved on. I exited the elevator to find a set of long caramel legs in a pair of red heels, black trench coat, and shoulder length wavy hair waiting for me.

I kissed her cheek after I opened the door, and she followed me inside.

Sharra clenched my hand and pulled me toward the couch.

She pushed me down and untied her coat, exposing her black bra and panty set.

I twirled my finger for her to turn, giving me a full view of her body.

She leaned over and I smacked her ass and bit down on my bottom lip. Sharra found my eyes and kneeled.

“This must be something serious. You called me mid-week,” she said, as she unzipped my jeans.

I rested my head back against the couch as she pulled out my semi-hard dick.

“Marquise, you must not be happy to see me, or your mind is on someone else,” Sharra said.

I jolted my head forward to find her eyes on me. She extended her tongue toward the tip of my dick, and it still wasn’t fully committed. Sharra paused as she glared at me.

“I can’t fucking believe it. You want someone else but using me to satisfy your urge,” she said, and I shrugged.

“Close your eyes and when you open them again, imagine I’m her. I won’t be offended,” she said.

I captured her chin and caressed her cheek with my thumb.