Page 18 of Intentional Foul (The Complexity of Love #2)

Chapter Eight

Pulling the Strings

Jhae

I ’m not sure if I ever met the real Malcolm.

I knew him to be more timid, quiet but sweet, but this version of him stood as the complete opposite.

Since the All-Star game, he’s been trying to assert dominance over me.

It’s as if he flipped a switch and he expected me to adapt to the change and blindly hop on board.

“This is our bedroom,” Malcolm said as I stood in the doorway.

His view of downtown L.A. rivaled mine. The floor-to-ceiling windows lent to the sophistication of his space.

I wandered a few additional steps to capture the full view and stood by the black suede couch.

The dark hardwood floors, black low-profile bed with the brown linens, and dark painted walls gave a modern touch.

It’s not my personal style. I prefer pink and shades of cream.

“Your room is beautiful, but I can’t stay here with you, Malcolm.”

He walked toward me, but I stepped backward with each step he took. I knew what he was going to do, and I knew I wouldn’t stop him. Realizing we were playing cat and mouse, he paused his steps.

“Jhae, come to me,” he requested.

My eyes traveled toward the door and then back to him. “I can beat you to the door, especially with those shoes,” he said.

I knew he was telling the truth, but I didn’t want to give him the satisfaction. Turning toward the door, I sprinted, only to find myself wrapped in his arms. He kissed my ear, and my body heated with lust and desire.

“Damn, you are sexy, running in heels. I believe you’re getting off on me chasing you,” he said.

Malcolm rotated me to face the bed. “This is our temporary marital bed. I kept your side of the closet empty. There is a vanity and shoe rack for those thousands of heels you can run in,” he said.

With my chest to his back, I rolled my eyes. As sweet as he was to me, I needed to find a way to get out of this marriage. If he was anybody else, things would be different, but the fact remained, Anissa was his mother.

“I’m not sleeping or doing anything else in our marital bed,” I said, but he laughed.

More kisses landed on my neck and ear. I leaned my head away, but it didn’t steer me from his lips. The wetness of his lips touching my skin flamed the fire I tried to mask.

“It’s still early. Would you prefer to go out and get Thai food?” he said.

I wiggled out of his weak hold of me and faced him. “You think you know me,” I said.

“I do know you,” he said.

I raised my hands again. “Malcolm...”

“You’re not getting a divorce or annulment out of me, but Thai food, I can order,” he interrupted.

I swallowed, the anger wanting to erupt within me. “Fine, I’m going to Anissa,” I said.

Side-stepping him, I attempted to leave, but he caught me by my waist.

“I’m okay with telling Mom about us. It may be better to rip the band aid off. This could help your transition to Mrs. Shaw-Jefferies move faster. Let’s call her,” he said.

The sound of the ringing phone snatched the air out of my lungs.

“Malcolm, when did you get back?” Anissa’s soft, caring tone voiced.

I fought to get out of his grip but made no headway. “Me, Jhae and Marquise came back together. Jhae had some issues in her condo. She is going to bunk with us for a few days.”

I punched his arm.

“Do not put her anywhere near Marquise. I still have nightmares of bunny ears,” she said.

“Malcolm,” I said between gritted teeth.

He ignored me as he continued to humble me by talking to Anissa. How was the sharpest woman I know not catching on his game. Either she had a blind spot for him, or he actually was this master manipulator. Hell, he fooled me.

“I’m giving her my bed,” he said, and my stomach dropped to my feet.

I waited for her to call him out on his bullshit, but Malcolm smiled in my direction.

“Malcolm, you are too sweet. Where is Jhae?” she asked.

“She is right here. In fact, we were having a discussion about how you’d react to us getting married,” I said.

“Mrs. Shaw-Jefferies, your appointment is here,” the receptionist said in the background. My heart pounded in my ears as I panicked from his statement. Malcolm was too bold for me to process. The only emotion I could lean on was anger. “I’m going to kill you,” I mouthed and smacked his arm again.

“Malcolm, you need to cut it out before Jhae takes you seriously. Stop teasing and make her comfortable,” Anissa said.

“Okay, we’re getting married this weekend,” he said.

My spirit left my body after the words left his lips. Anissa was going to put two and two together from his comment and my life was over.

“Malcolm, be serious. I have to go. Keep her away from Marquise. Tell Jhae to call about setting up our double date with Caleb,” she said.

“She’s not going. I love you, Mom,” he said and hung up.

I fought to get out of his arms and swung my fist at his chest. “This isn’t funny, Malcolm. We are getting a...”

Malcolm’s mouth was on mine. I parted my lips and allowed him inside.

As we exchanged saliva, our mouths heated.

My nipples hardened as he pulled me into his chest. Malcolm’s hands roamed to my ass.

I jumped when he squeezed it. We were deep into a full-blown tongue tussle before my phone vibrated, shaking my back pocket.

It took everything in me to introduce air between us.

With my hands planted on his chest, I stilled to retrieve my phone.

Bestie

I don’t think Malcolm was joking about you guys getting married.

Bestie

Let me know if he gets weird. Better yet, shut him down softly.

I covered my mouth with one hand and walked to the couch. With my hands hanging between my knees, I found his eyes.

“We cannot do this, Malcolm. We’re going to hurt her,” I said, near pleading.

“There will be a rough patch during the transition phase. I’m not giving up on us before we start. If it comes down to it, I will pick you over my family, Jhae, I love you.”

The warmth in his eyes and seriousness of his face confirmed he believed every word.

“What you are not understanding is that she will forgive you because you are her son. She will throw me away. I have no family. Anissa is the closest thing to a sister I have. And you think she is going to look past it,” I said as I crossed my legs.

I placed my elbow on the edge of the couch with my head in my palm. Malcolm sat next to me, reaching for my hand. I moved it out of his grasp, but he captured it and placed it up to his lips.

“Is she going to be mad? Yes, but she isn’t going to throw you away. Jhae, I’m asking you to have some faith in the process,” he said.

I snickered in disbelief. “I’m pursuing the divorce,” I said as I turned to him.

He held a long pause.

“I understand, but know I will contest it,” he said, sitting back. “For now, I’m going to get some Thai. Let’s eat and then we can relax for the rest of today. You could record some music.”

Malcolm attempted to kiss me, but I jolted my head away from his full, soft lips.

I sat as he left, and I scanned the room as what ifs plagued my thoughts.

I dropped my hands between my legs as tears formed.

Why did the man with a heart as pure as gold have to be my best friend’s son?

I silently wailed into my hands for several minutes before I forced myself up.

Sniffling, I moved toward the front of the condo to see my luggage by the door.

Marquise sat on the couch watching sports news. I remained quiet as I reached for the door handle.

“Jhae, he gon’ come for you,” he warned, and I dismissed him then pulled on the handle to exit.

I walked into my condo and kicked off my shoes by the door.

Relief fell over me as I scratched my head with my nails.

Although hungry, I bypassed the kitchen, dropped off my luggage and headed into the bathroom.

I needed the hot water from my shower to hug me.

My preference would be for Malcolm to hold me, but it’s never going to happen.

I hit my towel warmer, tossing my towel and robe inside. Flipping on the shower, I tossed my travel clothes and allowed the water to soothe me. I moaned as the water touched my forehead and ran down my body. The thought of Thai food sounded good as I decided on my delivery for the night.

For twenty minutes, hot water coated my body. The warm towel and moisturizer relaxed me enough to calm my racing thoughts. I exited the bathroom with my robe open, putting my red lace bra and panties on display.

“Damn, my wife is beautiful,” Malcolm said.

Malcolm

Seeing my wife nearly naked for the first time, lust gripped my heart.

She was the brush used to paint perfection.

Red always paired the best against her brown chestnut skin.

As our eyes met, I lifted the spare key she gave me, and her shoulders relaxed.

From her expression, she recalled the many times she locked herself out.

The day she placed her house key with the basketball key chain in my hand, I couldn’t sleep.

She trusted me with her security and gave me access.

I knew Jhae was going to pull this going home stunt. After Mom’s text, I figured she needed a few minutes to herself. Therefore, I sat downstairs in the condo waiting area for the food I ordered. Jhae closed her robe, one piece at a time.

“Your food is upstairs,” I said.

“I’m not going upstairs. I’m sleeping in my own bed.”

I licked my lips as I replayed the previous image of her brown skin and curves. My dick hardened at the thought of us making love.

“Your bed is upstairs, Jhae.”

She tilted her head up to the ceiling before finding my eyes again.

“Malcolm, we had this discussion already. I want my key back,” she said, extending her hand.

In a gentle manner, I pushed it away and smiled. “Jhae, your food is getting cold. Let’s go,” I said, but she challenged me.

Moving from the bed, I kneeled and tossed her petite ass over my shoulder.