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She smiled at him, cocking her head. “If I leave my situation, then I’m supposed to do what? Go to your awaiting arms?”

“Shit, you could,” he stated so casually.

Bria snorted then gazed at the ocean. Dough made it seem all so simple. As if he was awaiting her and would treat her with the highest regard. Teetering between Dough and Lo was a gamble. Despite him showing up for her, he wasn’t ready to commit.

“We’ve had this conversation before. You like to run the streets with different women. That’s cool but I could never invest my all into you because I know I wouldn’t get a full return.”

“You ain't even getting a full return now.”

Bria seesawed her head. “I mean, he did marry me. Gave me his last name. That’s worth a lot to men.”

“Wrong,” he countered. “That investment don't mean anything if he’s not loving on you like you deserve.”

Bria was stunned to silence. She didn’t have a comeback. Dough was right. Lo didn’t fill her with what she needed, therefore, him extending his last name to her meant nothing.

“Look, you know I fuck with you, Bria. You my girl. Always have been. And you're right, I have a hard time committing to you, which is why I ain't get in my feelings about you getting married. But I'm here and yo’ man not.”

Her phone buzzed in her lap. When she saw a text from Lo, her body stiffened.

Lo: U coming home tonight?

Bria ignored the message and gave Dough her undivided attention.

“I appreciate you for coming. You always show up for me,” she said more to herself.

There was a part of Bria that wished she and Dough would’ve married. There would’ve been more chemistry, and her needs would have been fulfilled. He knew her and what she liked. She had a good idea of his character and figured they would’ve been a perfect match.

“So, what you doing after this?” He licked his lips, inciting her body to shudder.

“Probably going back to my hotel so I can rest up for this three-hour drive in the morning.”

Bria’s phone rang and when she looked at the screen, she noticed Lo calling.

His rules played in her mind like a movie.

He wanted a response within five minutes and for her to answer his calls.

That was cool back then, but Bria refused to comply.

He would have to sit on the sidelines until she felt like speaking to him.

“Am I invited back to your room?”

Bria wanted to scream yes. She yearned to yell his name while he massaged her sensitive parts.

Her longing for male affection had graduated to heights that made her an addict for it.

Dough could get her to the destination she desperately wanted to travel to.

He was so good with pleasing her. He needed no direction.

He was the conductor of her body and feeling him pleasure her would be a treat.

However, Bria was married and despite the temptation, she wasn’t a cheater. Was she playing with fire? Absolutely, but she wouldn’t dare touch the flames. Not now at least.

“As tempting as that is, I’m going to be a good girl and say no.” She winced as she said it, making Dough chuckle.

“I respect that, ma. I’ll play nice tonight, but I can’t promise you that I’ll have any more restraint next time.”

Bria blushed and tipped her glass to her lips.

She was grateful she had brought her toy with her because she would certainly need it after this dinner.

The two continued eating dinner until Dough took her back to her hotel.

After walking to her room, Bria turned to him when they approached the door.

“Thank you again for coming to see me.”

He towered over her, peering at her with lenses that dripped with lust.

“I’ll always make time for you, Bria. Give me a kiss.”

Willfully, she obliged and pressed her chest against his.

Their lips met, igniting a fire deep in her core.

Arousal dwelled in her sex, making her rethink her stance to be faithful.

She just needed one release. A sexual escape that she could mull over until she needed a fix again.

Her thoughts leaned toward the unthinkable until Dough broke the kiss.

She felt like she had been doused in cold water.

Like her dream had suddenly been cut short.

“I’ll see you later, baby.”

Dough pecked her lips again before he boarded the elevator. Sadly, she turned around, stuck her keycard into the door, and returned to her misery.

The next day…

Lo descended the stairs and entered the kitchen.

Throwing the cup in the sink, he was annoyed but trying his best to keep it at a minimum.

Hearing the garage door open, Lo counted to ten, hoping he wouldn’t spaz on Bria the minute she walked through the door.

Grabbing the orange juice from the fridge, he guzzled some until the door opened.

Bria walked inside, looking down at her phone with her duffle bag hanging over her shoulder.

“So, I guess rules don't apply to you, huh?”

Startled by the sound of his voice, she looked at him with parted lips.

“Huh?”

“ Huh? ” he mocked her, drawing near to where she stood. “The rules don't apply to you?”

“What rules?”

“My rules. Bria don't play with me.” He pointed at her. “I texted you last night and even called and you ain't respond.”

She released a deep sigh and licked her lips. “Lo, I had a performance and got busy.”

“I don't really care to hear your excuses. I told you I want a response right away. Why you think I’m playing with you?”

“And why do you think my world is supposed to revolve around you?” she fired back as the vein in her forehead protruded. “I got a life, and I can’t always be at your beck and call.”

Lo flicked his hand dismissively. “All that sounds good, but you know you could’ve hit me back. Anything could’ve happened to you.”

Snorting, she snapped, “Like you care!”

Bria attempted to walk past him, but Lo grabbed her arm and pinned her against the wall.

“Don’t act a fool ‘cause I’ll turn into your costar real quick.”

She grilled him while huffing and puffing. He studied her, trying to gauge how he would handle her attitude. Bria proved to have more sass than he liked. He didn’t like his women mouthy and always giving him a hard time. Lo would surely make an example out of her.

“You been with another nigga?”

Bria’s eyes widened so much that she gawked at him.

They shifted a bit to the left, making Lo angle his head.

When it came to people, he could read them like an encyclopedia.

Her throat muscles flexed as she tucked her lips between her teeth.

Bria’s body language revealed deception, and Lo took note of it.

“Why would you ask me that?”

Red flag number two waved in front of Lo’s face. Why didn’t she answer the question? Why answer his question with another question? Bria was guilty but Lo wouldn’t call her out on it. He didn’t have the proof.

“Why you ain't say no? Why you sitting here buying time to think of a lie? Most of all, why the fuck you playing with me like I won’t crash out?”

Bria swallowed hard again, tucking her hair behind her ears.

“No, I haven’t been with anyone else. You know what I've been doing? Working, Lo. Trying to maintain the bit of sanity I have left and take my mind off you. I won’t apologize for not rushing to the phone because you want to be in control all the time. ”

“Let’s be clear,” he stated in an even tone.

“Niggas stay coming for me, which means that they will come for you. You think I make requests just to be an asshole? No, I’m trying to make sure a nigga ain't snatched your ass up to get back at me.

Do what I said, Bria. This don't need to be this hard between us. You really testing my patience right now.”

“And what do you think you're doing to me?”

Lo’s vision centered on her pouty lips that were perfectly aligned.

Despite him holding back, he was intensely attracted to Bria.

Everything about her drove him to peaks that he wanted to explore but he was under attack at the moment.

Explaining it would require him to travel down the road that led to dread.

Lo didn’t have the emotional capacity to open up to her.

So, the door to his heart was closed until further notice.

“Tell me what I’m doing to you.”

A frustrated breath expelled from her mouth. “You just… I’m so tired like… you know what? Never mind.”

Bria was so aggravated that she could barely get a full sentence out. Lo wasn’t so self-absorbed that he didn’t see her need for him. He, unfortunately, had to deal with his issues first. Self-absorbed? No. Selfish? Absolutely.

“I’ll be back later.”

Without looking at him, Bria walked away and ascended the steps.

He watched her until she disappeared then left the house.

The drive to Aunt Maddy’s was filled with silence and his thoughts.

Whenever he was in distress, he craved the maternal comfort of his aunt.

He didn’t open up to her very often but in her presence was where he somewhat felt safe.

He usually went to see her twice a week to make sure she was okay, but this visit was to ensure that he was okay.

When he arrived, he saw Durand seated at the table eating a plate.

“What’s up, Lo?” he greeted, mouth filled with food.

“Hey, baby,” Maddy said, pulling him in for a hug. “You hungry?”

Lo shook his head and slapped hands with Durand before taking a seat. He pulled out his phone and saw a message from Bria.

Wife: I’m about to get in the shower. Then after that, I’ll probably take a nap. When I wake up, I’m going to review my performance then go get my hair done. These are my whereabouts for the day. I hope this helps.

Her petty ass…

Lo didn’t bother responding to her. She was in her mood and so was he. Ignoring him the night before was a great offense, and he didn’t feel bad for checking her about it.

“Aye, I’m glad you stopped by. I’ve been meaning to hit your line.”