Page 23 of Intentional Foul (The Complexity of Love #2)

Chapter Ten

The Reckoning

Malcolm

Me

Ivey, any luck.

Ivey

No, she went dark.

Me

The Furniture?

Ivey

Sent it back to LA.

Me

Thank you. Shop on me.

It’s been a week, and I can’t find my Music Note.

She ghosted me and cleaned out her condo.

Ivey’s been tracking her credit cards and cell phone but got nothing.

Jhae may appear light and funny, but she is a survivor.

She tapped into those skills, and I fucking lost my Music Note after having her in my hands.

Jhae caught me in a moment of weakness and blindsided me.

Sitting on the side of my bed, rage fueled me because I couldn’t think my way out of this one.

She didn’t have any family, and I checked the familiar places, including Tyrus and Moe.

Both swore they didn’t know where she was, but I didn’t trust Moe’s big ass.

Ivey hacked his shit, but she didn’t see Jhae’s number.

“Bro, you got to leave this room. We gon’ find her. Jhae is going to slip up,” Marquise said, but I was distraught.

I couldn’t eat or sleep without knowing the location of my woman.

“Listen, I called Pops because you are tripping, Malcolm. You haven’t washed your ass in six days,” Marquise said as he stood in the doorway.

“Son!”

Pops’ voice echoed from downstairs, and I covered my head. If he didn’t know where the fuck my Music Note was, I didn’t want to hear no positive talk.

“Cover your nose, he’s in here,” Marquise said.

When my side of the bed dipped down, I knew Pops was resting at the end of it.

“Malcolm, she got you down bad. What’s going on?” he asked. “Open some curtains and what is that smell,” Pops said.

The light hit the comforter, but I kept my face shielded.

“That smell is your son’s nuts. He ain’t showered in six days,” Marquise said but I dismissed him.

“Shit, Son, is it Music Note? Did y’all break up or something,” he asked but I couldn’t answer.

“Y’all can keep this love shit. Look at him, weak and musty,” Marquise said, and Pops chuckled.

“Your turn is coming. I hope she walks your ass,” Pops said to Marquise before turning his attention to me.

“Malcolm, man, let’s start with a shower. I have some friends I could call for a favor to see if we can find Music Note. What is her real name?” he asked.

He shook my leg, but I didn’t move. While he was joking with Marquise, my heart was bleeding out and my abandonment issues were resurfacing.

I told Jhae I loved her, and she still ran from me.

Somewhere in this process, I miscalculated or underestimated the bond she shared with mom.

How could I trust her during the season if she ran at the first opportunity?

I might need to get her pregnant or get her an ankle monitor.

“Shit! It smells like old shoes in here,” Pops said.

Unlike my brother, when I’m depressed, I shut down.

My mind goes down a winding, empty, bottomless pit.

Until I find a solution to the problem, I can’t get myself out of quicksand.

I’ve replayed the day and didn’t pick up any signs.

Seeing Mom spooked her, but she returned to her normal self.

We snuggled the night before and kissed before I left for the team meeting.

I thought maybe she was coming around. I’ll cuff her ass to me next time to prevent this from happening again.

“Is she still afraid of your mother? Niecy’s bark is bigger than her bite. I’m not saying she won’t bite, but it’s mainly fluff,” Pops said.

Marquise snickered at Pops’ comment because a few other people would say otherwise. He hadn’t fully experienced her bite.

“We’re talking about my wife, my Niecy,” he said.

“Pops, she goes soft on you,” Marquise said.

“Your mother is harmless,” he countered.

“Why do you still live. . .”

“Alright, I see your point,” Pops interrupted.

Mom not moving into his house when it made better sense, based on location and space, remained our argument.

My phone vibrated but I couldn’t convince myself to look at the message.

I’d left Jhae text messages, voicemails, and emails, and they all went unanswered.

And if Ivey couldn’t find her, who could?

“Malcolm, it’s Music Note,” Pops voiced, and I reached my hand from under the blanket.

“Thank God, because I’m sick of this shit,” Marquise said.

My hand tapped my nightstand and pulled the phone underneath the blanket. Opening our thread, she dropped me her location along with her hotel room number. I tossed the blanket back and Pops jumped backward at my rough appearance. As I moved to leave the bed, he paused me.

“I don’t know what happened between you two, but y’all need to figure this out.

Son, you can’t go dark for a week,” Pops said and I shook my head.

“Show her you’re capable of leading a relationship, you can protect and provide for her.

Buying gifts is not the same, Son. Your mother doesn’t need me, but she wants me.

She also trusts me to make decisions for us as a family.

If you are confident in your decisions, she will be too. And do not bully her.”

“Pops!” Marquise said and I found him leaning on the doorframe.

“Your mother and I are different,” he said.

Pops was on Mom’s ass. I saw the video replay of him knocking on Maalik’s window.

I caught on to the eye contact in our first meeting together.

He was the only man to make The Shark nervous.

I heard their little hook up in his home office.

They thought they were slick in mom’s bedroom.

Mom converted back into a sneaky teenager right before my eyes.

“Marquise, pack a bag,” I said and exited the room.

I hopped in the shower and reclaimed my clean-cut appearance before I entered the living room.

“This is my son. Clean and confident,” he said, and I hugged him.

“Go get your woman. Remember, the actions of a man will always speak louder than his words. You are a good man. Continue to show up, take your time, listen to her fears, and be persistent. It wouldn’t hurt to put your foot down a little,” he said.

Pops stood and hugged Marquise next. “I love you, Son, but slow down on the women. Your momma is worried about you getting a ladies’ man reputation,” he said, and my twin shook his head in false agreement.

Marquise and I exited the revolving door into the hotel lobby.

The gold finishes and detailed marble brown floors were right up Jhae’s alley.

She enjoyed nice things—hanging out with Anissa Shaw-Jefferies will do that to you.

We moved toward the half-moon shaped desk and two women in fitted gold jackets.

“Welcome to Exclusive, a Harrison Development Inc. property. Do you have a reservation?” she asked Marquise.

“No,” he said, as they eye fucked each other.

“Go handle your business. I’ll text you the room number and get your bags,” he said, and we slapped hands.

Standing in front of the elevator, I pressed the number five.

The doors opened, and I climbed on with my stomach in knots.

Not seeing my fine ass wife in days had my nerves on edge.

Something about her had changed from her ghosting me to her dropping me her exact location.

Reaching the fifth floor, I found her room and knocked.

Jhae opened the door, stepping back for me to enter.

She turned to walk away, but I snagged her hand, stopping her forward motion.

I tugged it to bring her back to me. After shutting the door, I kissed her hard. Our tongues found their home inside each other’s mouths. My dick hardened at the touch of her skin. I craved this woman’s taste for days.

Gripping her neck, I broke our kiss, and she gave me forgiving eyes.

I placed my forehead down on hers and her eyes found mine.

“These last few days have been fucking torture. It broke me to come home and you were not where I left you. Seeing your condo cleaned out triggered my abandonment issues. Don’t do it again.

I’m going to love you harder. What do I have to do to show you I’m serious about this marriage? ” he asked.

“Nothing. I’m ready to be your wife. I picked you,” she whispered.

I covered her mouth with mine. Jhae removed her robe, allowing it to hit the floor. Breaking our kiss, I stepped back and admired the view. She locked hands with me and I followed her to the bed.

The sight of her ass bouncing hardened my dick even more and escalated my racing heart. My fantasies of having sex with my dream girl were coming true. Jhae sat me on the bed and straddled me.

Our tongues found each other’s again as I ran my hands up and down her body. I found her bra and unsnapped it, and she handled the rest by tossing it to the floor.

“Tell me how to please you,” I whispered.

“I want you to trust yourself. Kiss me all over my body, caress me with your hands, and taste anything you want,” she said.

I covered her nipples and sucked them inside my mouth, rounding it with my tongue.

“Yess...go a little slower,” she whispered, moaning as I slowed but continued.

Jhae guided my head to her other breast, and I sucked it inside my mouth. My dick nudged at the warmth that rested on top of me. I released her nipple and kissed my way up to her neck. Pushing her panties to the side I found her clit and caressed it.

“Fuck,” she said as we kissed.

Lifting her, I placed her on her back and discarded my shirt.

“Damn, you are a sexy man,” she said, and I smirked as I pulled her panties over her feet.

The sight of her naked body and that belly ring was better than my dreams. For years, I had stroked myself to the idea of us reaching this moment. Dropping to my knees, Jhae’s eyes followed as I pulled her to the edge of the bed.

“Oh, you want to... Okay,” she said.

“I’m nervous, but teach me, Jhae,” I said.

I knew the clit held the most nerves and would give her the most pleasure. Licking around it ensued moans from her mouth.