Page 6

KASIM

K asim's gaze was trapped in hers, and he felt like he was drowning in the depths of her eyes.

She tried to look away, but she couldn't. They both watched each other with lust. No words were exchanged, but the sound of Arnold's food trays rambled in the air. Kasim ignored the man as he set the trays down in front of them. He continued to look into Dallas’s eyes and felt a sense of trepidation. She was beautiful.

It only enraged him more that he had to put her through something so terrifying.

She wasn't no Juanita, nor Elaina. She was far from the hood, in a place that wasn't for someone of her nature.

When she finally dropped her head, it fucked him up mentally.

Just as bad as she, Kasim wished the days would go by.

He wanted her free without so much as laying a hand on her.

When Dallas finally opened the tray, it made Kasim relax. He watched her as she began picking through the food. Kasim found even her chewing was appealing along with the way she brushed a simple strand of hair behind her ear.

Dallas began to fidget because she felt Kasim watching her. She tried hard to focus on her meal, but he wouldn't stop his staring.

"You know you're like a fucking weirdo. Can I eat in peace, please?"

"Watch that weirdo word before I show you a weirdo."

"It's too late for that. All you mothafuckas are weird. Candle light fucking dinner while I'm being held captive." Dallas sarcastically rolled her eyes.

Kasim didn't find her smart mouth cute. The shit sent him into a complete rage.

Without warning, Kasim flipped the table over onto its back.

The food went flying, candles began to burn the tablecloth, and the sound of Kasim's roar made Dallas jump in fear.

She ran off into the corner of the room, but because they weren't in Kasim's chambers, she had nowhere to run.

With her arms shielding her face, her knees touching her forehead, Dallas began raining tears. She was petrified. She wasn't sure if he'd kill her, so when she heard the door open, she finally looked up. Kasim had stormed out, and one of the guards had stepped into the room.

"Ma'am, let's go." The guard motioned for Dallas to follow.

Hesitantly, she stood to her feet but was too afraid to move.

Kasim stormed into his chambers and began pacing the floor.

He began chanting to himself because right now he saw red.

No one talked to him in such a disrespectful manner.

Even Kasim's father knew when to back down—along with his siblings.

Kasim was a force to be reckoned with. He feared words because disrespect left unrepairable scars.

He would kill a mothafucka with his bare hands but words cut deep.

When Dallas walked inside, Kasim tried hard to ignore her. He secretly watched her as she walked by, and instantly, he felt like shit. He hated hearing and seeing her cry, but she had to understand to watch her mouth.

What killed him most was her dainty nature; from the gullibility to her innocence, it attracted him to her.

He hadn't known shorty more than forty-eight hours and already had a soft spot for her.

He could tell she would be a handful, so as stated, he wished like hell time would hurry and fly.

If he could, he would release her himself, but then the hopes of wanting to be wanted triggered him.

"I'm sorry." Dallas stopped. She looked at him as he continued to ignore her.

When Kasim didn't reply, she walked off and went to the place that had become sacred to her. She was still adjusting, but because she knew she couldn't get away, she was adapting to living in a damn dungeon for seven days.

Kasim took a seat on his bed and began pondering.

He laid back on his feathered pillow and closed his eyes to give himself time to meditate.

He wanted so badly to put her in her place then apologize, but he didn't know how to approach the situation.

Kasim had never been in love, so he never had to take a girl's feelings into consideration.

He couldn't shake the thoughts of her pathetic eyes.

He didn't know the first thing about being sympathetic, therefore, apologizin g was a hard pill to swallow.

He stared up at the cracked ceiling, his mind consumed by Dallas in the next room.

Her name was whispered in his thoughts like a curse.

Forgiveness was a luxury he couldn't afford.

As he lay there, his chest felt heavy, like a weight was crushing him.

He didn't know how to let go of anger so easily and it was frustrating.

Trying hard to fall asleep, Kasim tossed and turned until he jumped to his feet.

He tensed up, his heart raced, he needed to get to her .

. . but what? He didn't have the words. He didn't have the heart. All he had was darkness, anger, and silence. He’s lived in darkness for years, but now she was here, disturbing his peace.

"Next time watch your mouth. No one talks to me in such a manner. I don't like the word bitch , and I hate the word weird . I'm not like everyone here. I live what you call weird because of my circumstances."

Dallas finally looked up apologetic.

"I didn't mean to offend you. Maybe I chose the wrong words, but I mean come on, my nigga, shit is very abnormal round these parts.

I'm supposed to be here to collect my money, but instead I get locked away for seven days with a complete stranger.

Everyone walks around like shit cool and it's not.

This is kidnapping, Kasim." She finally spoke his name, taking him by surprise.

"You're a prisoner of your own desires, Dallas." He matched her energy, and she was just as stunned.

"And what is that supposed to mean?"

"It means that if you let me fuck you, you get to go home." Kasim titled his head, and this was exactly what Dallas meant about abnormal.

Her face frowned. He was serious. It sounded harsh, but for the first time, Kasim wanted to get personal with someone. He never had any interest in the contestant winners, even the undeniably beautiful ones. There was just something about Dallas that drew him in.

"And if I don't, what will you do? Rape me?"

"The fuck you mean, rape you? One thing I don't gotta do is take no pussy. Especially from someone like you." Kasim turned on his heels and walked out of the room.

Once again, she offended him. Did he look like the type that had to take pussy? Did he give off “rapist?”

"What's that supposed to mean?" She ran behind him now offended.

"It means that you ain't even my caliber of bitch," he replied because he wanted to strike below the belt just as she had done.

"Don't call me that."

"I'm not calling you a bitch. I'm speaking on my caliber of bitches."

"Whatever." Dallas waved him off a bit jealous. "So is that lady one of your bitches?"

"Hell yeah. One of my regular bitches. You saw how she handled my dick?" Kasim didn't bother cracking a smile or smirk. He was serious.

"She wasn't all that. I've done more."

"Dallas, you can't even take no dick. I'll break yo’ frail ass into two pieces."

Dallas bit into her bottom lip. "I can take dick. Trust me."

Dallas tried to stand her ground, but Kasim saw right through the tough girl bullshit. Granted she was from the hood, but he was no fool. Dallas was a good girl fucking with the wrong nigga. She was forced to be in the hood, and if it was her choice, he'd bet his life she'd go far the fuck away.

"Goodnight, Dallas." Kasim walked over to his bed and began undressing.

Dallas watched him turned on but she wouldn't fold. Kasim knew she was secretly lusting over him because he saw the way her body trembled from just watching him fuck life into Juanita. He was no fool; she was captivated. A bit jealous but turned on by the desire of fucking the beast-like man.

Kasim was no stranger to sexually satisfying a woman's body.

He'd fuck them mentally and make them cumm just as he had done Dallas.

He knew if wanted to he could have made her join in on the festivities, but for the first time, he found a sense of respect for a woman.

He wasn't gonna dog her pussy out like he did the countless contestant winners.

In fact, he didn't wanna fuck her. If it was up to him, she'd go scott-free and back to her nigga. He liked a challenge, and Dallas was no competitor. She wouldn't stand a chance on a one on one with Kasim even if her life depended on it.