Page 16 of Juke (DeLuca Brothers #4)

Sophi

Things for me didn’t look or feel the same anymore.

I was feeling something completely new. The kind of change that I thought I would never get to experience again.

I no longer felt the need to check my surroundings every second, nor did I feel the need to feel trapped in my own home.

Juke made me feel safe. Not because he promised to—even though he did, but because he was the type of man who didn’t need to say it for you to believe it.

He just should up, and his presence spoke volumes that his words didn’t.

That alone made me happier than I’ve been in a long time.

I was still in my head when I felt him come up behind me, pressing into my small frame as his big hands slid around my waist. His lips brushed the side of my neck before he even said a word.

“Where you getting all fine to go?” His voice was low and rough, sending vibrations through my entire body.

I tilted my head back to give him better access before I responded. “Out with the girls. They claim I need to go shopping before your fight tomorrow.”

“Yeah, go do that. I want to be able to show off the baddest chick in the room,” he countered making me blush. His arms tightened around me just enough to make my breath hitch.

I turned in his hold placing my hands against his chest. “Don’t start. You know I gotta go.”

“Uh huh.” His eyes dropped to scan my body before he reached into his pocket and pulled out a folded stack of cash. “Here.”

“What’s this for?” I frowned.

“Fix ya face, shorty. It’s for you to get whatever you need to look good for the fight… and after.” He smirked.

I shook my head. “Rashad, I don’t need your money.”

“I didn’t ask if you needed it, L. I’m giving it to you because I want you to have it.”

I exhaled through a laugh, knowing there was no winning that fight. “You’re impossible.”

“I know. Now give me a kiss me before you go.”

I leaned up and kissed him, slow enough to make it count but not long enough for him to talk me into staying. He caught my bottom lip holding me against his brawny frame with a look that said he was tempted to change our plans for the day.

“You need me to drop you off?” he asked.

“No, the girls are picking me up. Your place is on the way to the mall, so it just works out.” I shrugged.

He narrowed his eyes like he was running through the list of reasons he still might insist. “You sure?”

“Positive,” I said with a smile. “I’ll text you when we’re done.”

He slid his hands down my sides before letting me go. “Aight. but tell them I said don’t keep you out all day.”

“I’ll let them know you said that.” I smirked.

“Mhm. You might wanna hurry up before I change my mind and keep you here.”

Before I could grab my shoes, my phone buzzed. Nic’s name lit up the screen.

“We’re downstairs,” she said as soon as I answered. “Tell Juke to back up off you and come on. We got shit to do.”

“I’ll be down in a second.” I tittered.

When I hung up and turned around, Rashad was still leaning against the dresser, watching me like a hawk. “I’ll walk you down.” He offered.

“I can make it to the car without an escort, Rashad.” I teased.

“Yeah, but you’re getting one, anyway.”

We took the elevator down, with me tucked into his side the entire time. When we made it outside, I spotted Nic’s SUV right at the curb with Mel in the passenger seat and Kasha in the back.

“Wassup, ladies,” Rashad greeted, before his eyes scanned the street like he always did.

“Hey, Juke,” Nic said with a grin. “We’re kidnapping her for the day.”

Mel smirked, her eyes flicking between us. “Don’t worry, we’ll have her back in one piece.”

He smirked, but then his attention shifted past them. Parked about two spots back was a black truck, engine running. “Ayr, that truck with y’all?” he asked.

Nic glanced over her shoulder and nodded. “Yeah. That’s our detail for the day. You know that husband of mine and his brothers don’t play that free balling shit, as he would say.”

Rashad gave a quick nod, like that answer satisfied him, and opened the back door for me. Before I could get in, he caught my chin in his hand and kissed me one more time like he didn’t care that we had an audience.

“Well, okay then.” Mel teased.

“Call me when y’all done,” he said against my mouth.

“I will.”

He stepped back, giving the girls a parting nod before I slid into the seat. The door shut, and as Nic pulled off, I glanced back to see him still standing there, watching until we turned the corner. I don’t know what this was we were doing, but I prayed it didn’t stop anytime soon.

***

The mall wasn’t as packed as I thought for a Friday. There were a few people, but it was still not enough to cause my anxiety to erupt.

“Okay,” Nic started as she adjusted her bag, “we’re finding you something that says… my nigga knocks niggas out for fun.” She smirked.

I frowned. “I’m not with Rashad.”

Three pairs of eyes cut to me at the same time.

“Tell that to the man who walked you down like you were royalty and kissed you in front of the whole damn parking lot.” Kasha smirked.

“Who you tryna convince? Yourself? Because we know better, boo.” Mel laughed.

I shook my head, but my mouth betrayed me with a smile. “He’s just―”

“―Your man,” Nic cut in. “And you’re just his girl. So let’s dress the part. Besides, didn’t I hear him call you Lovie or something like that?”

I simpered because he started calling me Lovie or L when we had sex. I thought nothing of it, but now that Nic mentioned it, I couldn’t help but wonder.

“So, how are things between you and him for real?” Mel asked as she browsed the racks.

“They’re… good,” I admitted, feeling the heat creep into my face. “Better than I expected.”

“Better how?” Nic instigated. Buck was definitely rubbing off on her.

“Yeah,” Kasha added, leaning closer. “Don’t be holding out on us. We don’t do that.”

“Oh, my God.” My face flushed.

Mel’s eyes widened, then she squealed. “You had sex with him, didn’t you?”

“Bitch, spill it,” Nic demanded. “Don’t leave nothing out either.”

I laughed, covering my face with my hand. “I’m not giving y’all details.”

“That good, huh?” Mel’s dramatic ass said. “I can only imagine because we see the way that man looks at you. He looks like he can talk you through it without even touching you.”

“The look on her face is telling it all.” Kasha pointed out. “It’s okay. We all know that feeling. You must’ve forgotten that I married a man younger than me, so I know exactly what you’re going through, sis.” She smirked.

“We all do,” Nic added.

We were still laughing and walking through the mall when my phone buzzed. Juke’s name lit up the screen.

“Speak of the devil,” Mel teased.

I rolled my eyes but answered. “Hey.”

“Wassup, Lovie? You good,” his deep voice flowed through the phone as he peered at me through the screen. He was shirtless and sweaty, like he’d just gotten finished working out. “You done letting them drag you all over yet?”

The girls snickered in the background.

“Not yet.” I smiled. “We’ve still got a few more stores to check out.”

“Uh huh,” he countered. “You gone model that shit for me later?”

“You’re ridiculous,” I told him as I cut my eyes at the girls, who were all smiles as well.

“Nah, I’m serious. I wanna see all of it…especially the shit you got for after I win,” he stated cockily.

The girls lost it, laughing loud enough for him to hear.

“Damn, y’all nosy.” He laughed.

“And is,” Nic responded.

“Aight, I’ll let you get back to it. Call me when you’re done.”

“Okay.” When I hung up, everyone’s eyes were on me.

“That man’s obsessed,” Mel said. “And you love it.”

I shook my head, trying to hide my smile. “Anyway…” I diverted the conversation away from them ganging up on me. “My parents are coming in today.”

“Oh, yeah?” Kasha asked.

“Yeah, they’ll be over at Aunt Shaunie and Uncle Grant’s house later,” I said.

“That’s right. Lincoln mentioned it to me.”

Kasha nodded. “Jackson was talking about it this morning, too.”

“You’re ready for Juke to meet his in-laws?” Mel asked.

“They’re not his in-laws.”

“Keep telling yourself that,” Nic teased as she pulled me toward the next store. All I could do was shake my head because these three just knew they had it all figured out and I had the slightest clue.

***

I had just stepped out of the shower when I heard the door unlock.

If this was a few months ago, I would’ve had a full-blown panic attack by now at the sound.

Now, that sound gave me a sense of peace and reassurance.

Moments later, Rashad came into his room like he’d been waiting to see me all day.

He didn’t waste any time pulling me in, kissing me like he hadn’t seen me earlier.

“I missed you,” he murmured against my lips.

That made me pause and think about what the girls were saying earlier. All the signs were there, but nothing was ever verbalized.

“Can I ask you something?” I asked.

“You can ask me anything you want, mama.”

“Are we together?” I held my breath waiting for him to respond. His face had an unexplainable expression on it that made me regret asking the question.

He pulled back just enough to look at me, with his brow raised. “Why you asking me that?”

“Just wondering.” I shrugged.

“Nah,” he said, shaking his head slightly. “Don’t do that. You ain’t just wondering. Tell me what’s on your mind.”

I hesitated before saying, “I just… wasn’t sure. You never said anything about it, and I didn’t want to look more into it than it was.”

“I didn’t think I needed to say it. I thought my actions were enough to show you that shit.” He tugged me closer, one arm sliding around my waist. “But since you need to hear it—yeah, Lovie. We’re together, and I dare a muthafucka to go against that shit.”

“Okay,” I simpered.

“Okay?” he repeated, smirking. “That’s all you got for me?”

I leaned up, giving him a soft kiss. “Okay, Rashad.”