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C armen was actin’ like she ain’t know I’d risk it all for her as she moved around her condo tight-lipped, putting dishes and shit away like they just washed themselves.

That soft silk robe that hung off her body didn’t have no business looking that fuckin’ good, but she was doing it on purpose, and I knew she was because she had ample amount of time to get dressed and now, she was trying to play it cool while givin’ me a glance of what I’d be missing if another nigga had it.

I leaned against her granite countertop with my arms folded across my chest watching her like I had all the time in the world.

The scent of her condo smelled like eucalyptus, along with the warmth from the steam of her shower still lingering.

She made Alexa activate and then in the next few minutes she had her playlist going low in the background as Sade’s voice floated around softly through the open space making the moment feel too intimate for my liking.

She ain’t say a word. Just clinked a glass into the cabinet and walked past me with this scent of fresh shea butter and patience I didn’t have.

I followed her, slow, controlled. She was tryna act like the night before ain’t happen.

Like I ain’t throw her whole world off when I showed her what real obsession looked like.

Like I ain’t snatch that man out the picture and reminded her who the fuck I was.

So, this what we doin’? I thought to myself allowing her to play her lil’ game and let her float around her space in peace like she wasn’t in my thoughts last night.

.. like I ain’t almost kill a nigga hours before over her.

.. like she ain’t have my whole chest caved in without even trying.

Carmen knew for a fact this wasn’t me because I didn’t beg, I didn’t chase, and I damn sho’ didn’t wait around for answers, but yet, I was still here because truthfully, I did care.

I followed her again. This time, I ain’t just follow either.

I caught her by the wrist, turned her body into mine, and gently pressed her back up against the wall.

“You done actin’?” I asked in a serious tone with my face inches from hers.

She exhaled hard allowing her chest to heave just a little.

Her eyes soft, yet hard eyes met mine. She probably wanted to fire on my ass, but she held it in.

The perfect line of her jaws were tight, and she had her hand wrapped around the bottle of water like she damn near wanted to take her anger out on it.

I ignored that shit and leaned in. I brushed my lips gently over her ear taking in her scent, which made my dick jump.

“You wanna know what pisses me off the most?” I whispered. Carmen didn’t say shit; she stayed quiet with her full lips still tight. “That you still act like you don’t already got me.”

Finally... she exhaled. “You say that shit,” she said.

“But I don’t feel it. You still got ghosts, Dom…

. and you don’t let nobody close enough to feel what’s real.

So how can you even say some shit like that to me?

Yes, I’m tough because that’s how I survive this world.

Yes, I know how to take my feelings out of it.

Yes, I know you technically don’t owe me a damn thing.

You changed my life, and I’ll always appreciate that.

You don’t think I know you’re with other women?

I do! But I never imagined feeling the way I felt actually hearing it,” she spat.

I knew when to stand down and let her vent, so I didn’t say a word.

I stepped back just a little and let her breathe and let it out.

She’s the only fuckin’ female I’d ever do that shit for.

Had it been anyone else, they would’ve been talking to the door ‘cause I would’ve been out that muhfucka.

“I’m not stupid,” she continued. “I see how you protect me, and I see how you watch me but it’s like you’re still scared to give me the one thing I never had. ”

I cocked my head to the side and asked, “What’s that?”

She bit her bottom lip and spoke barely above a whisper. “Your heart Dom.”

My pulse picked up ‘cause this shit caught me off guard like it usually did when she brought it up.

I never dealt with no female as vocal as Carmen so no other woman ever said shit to me like that ‘cause they knew it would never happen but here Carmen was standing strong and vulnerable at the same time.

I stared at her with my own eyes locked in like I was peeping my own reflection.

“You got it,” I said. “Shit, you been had it. You just didn’t know how deep I buried it…

but it’s yours. You think I’m kidnapping you, saving you from wasting yo’ time with a pussy ass nigga if it wasn’t?

I hope any nigga that thinks they can have what’s mine is ready to die ‘bout that pussy, cause I know I am.”

Her eyes watered just a little, but she blinked the emotions away before it could drop.

That was Carmen though, even when she was pissed, she was poised and always knew how to pull herself together even when her insides were on fire.

She ain’t never folded before and she didn’t now.

She stepped into me and slid her arms around my waist before laying her head against my chest. Instead of thinking too much on it, I held her tight.

Like we was both trying to get in tune with each other.

We stood there for a minute, maybe even two just allowin’ our bodies to sync and our heartbeats to match.

For the first time I was realizing money and protection wasn’t enough ‘cause she would always want more. She was trying to stay loyal, but the void needed to be felt, and she wanted what every woman wanted… real love... the kind that I didn’t know if I could give.

I couldn’t say I was gon’ be perfect but I was willing to try to make her feel better if I could.

“I know we in the middle of all this,” I said.

“The beef, the plots, the pressure... but I’m gon’ make time for you… just us.”

Carmen looked up at me confused. Since we’d been knowing each other, we had never done shit together without business being involved. She ain’t reply so I continued explaining. “I’ma plan somethin’. Just one day away with no crew, no business, and no fuckin’ chaos. Just me and you.”

She didn’t say yes but she ain’t say no either, not that she would. I pulled my phone out and hit Tone’s line while Carmen walked over to the window adjusting her robe while staring out over the city like she was tryna figure out how she got so caught up.

“Yo,” Tone answered quick.

“You on Victoria watch,” I said. “Me and Carmen gotta disappear for a lil bit tomorrow. I don’t have many details, just be ready though, ain’t no threat.”

Tone knew better than to ask questions unless he had to. He knew if it was danger, we would’ve been said and not on this phone. “Say less. You want a team on rotation?”

“Yeah, a shadow only but I don’t want no interruptions.”

“Bet.” He replied, “She been quiet, by the way… but her ass be watchin’ everything.”

“She always is,” I mumbled. I ain’t hate Victoria, wasn’t no need to act like I did. I just didn’t want to be caught up with her ass or her to think for a split second I was about to be her savior. If she wanted somebody to blame, she should blame her bitch ass uncle.

I hung up and walked over to Carmen. I slid my arms around her from the back, and she leaned into me without resistance. That’s how I knew I was still good. My biggest fear was feeling like this shit was a real marriage, but shit was starting to get too complicated and hard to ignore.

“I mean what I said,” I told her, rubbing my lips across the nape of her neck. “You ain’t just my attorney. You my peace… and right now? That’s more valuable than any plug or power move in my eyes.”

She turned around slowly, looking up at me through those long lashes. “Then protect your peace, Dom.”

“I am,” I said before kissing her and not like last time.

I turned her around and gently gripped her neck with one hand before slipping my tongue in the warmth of her mouth allowing my tongue to explore her mouth and vice versa.

This one was real slow and once again, she ain’t fold, she matched my energy.

Carmen was lost in my touch when I slipped two fingers inside of her soaking pussy, I hooked the tip of my two fingers and gently worked her spot for a few seconds.

She allowed a moan to involuntarily escape her mouth before I pulled them out.

Looking dead in her eyes, I slipped my fingers into my mouth and licked her juices.

I would’ve loved to keep going, but I still had shit to do.

Carmen understood, I saw it in her eyes, and that’s why I fucked with her.

What was understood didn’t need to be explained right now.