Page 6 of Krist and Moanie (D-Ville Projects #3)

Moanie

I was glaring down at the chart of a gunshot victim when I heard a whistle.

The case was baffling me because though it was through and through yet it touched so much on the way out.

If I wasn’t mistaken, I think he shot himself, but I wouldn’t utter that aloud as he would’ve been cuffed to his bed within seconds and I was no detective.

When I looked up, my work friend Laura was looking at me with an expression I read all too well.

She was about to get down on me because I not only missed our morning run in the hospital gym, but I’d also missed her call last night.

I woke up late for the run and during her call I had been with Krist.

“Don’t look at me like that, Mo. Where the hell have you been?”

I laughed, flipping the chart shut. “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”

She sucked her teeth. “Try me.”

I looked around before I leaned against the counter and spilled the details of my last three days to her. By the time I finished, she was grinning.

“So what I’m hearing is that you’re gonna fuck him tonight?”

“Nope. Didn’t you hear me say we were going to the studio?”

“Yeah, then after the studio where are you going?” She winked.

I couldn’t help but laugh at her. She was the only person who said what she was thinking at all times. She didn’t believe in not saying what came to mind.

“See, you’re laughing, but you know what’s up. You want that nigga to fold you like a pretzel and I want it for you. You deserve it, as I know you haven’t had any since Calvin.”

I nodded. Calvin was my ex, another doctor I’d dated during my first year of residency.

He and I were good until he took a job in Seattle and I refused to do any of that long distance stuff.

I swore it off without giving it a chance and I didn’t regret it.

Maybe my inability to trust him thousands of miles away stemmed from my own trust issues, but one would never know. I just wasn’t for that shit.

She and I talked for a few minutes longer, then things got kind of hectic.

Apparently there was a pileup on the highway and we were the closest trauma center.

The rest of my shift kind of flew by, and before I knew it, I was floating out of my twelve-hour shift straight into a requested ride.

When I got home, I immediately jumped into the shower to wash the day off and turned my coffee pot on to warm.

At some point I’d have to eat, but for now I was gonna push through with caffeine and stay away from alcohol, if there was any.

When I got out of the shower, my first move was to that cup of coffee. Then I found myself in my closet obsessing over what I was supposed to wear to the studio. Shit, I had never been to the studio, but I imagined I didn’t wear scrubs or a club fit. Fuck, what was I supposed to wear?

I obsessed long enough for him to send a message letting me know he was on his way and would be here within the hour…

Great. I settled on a street fit, since one, it was hot as hell, and two, I didn’t feel like doing too much.

I was in an oversized graphic tee with storm gray biker shorts and a pair of tube socks by the time I stopped overthinking.

I stepped into my shoe closet and grabbed my usual favorite, a pair of multi-gray New Balance.

I then stepped into the bathroom and started teasing my hair.

Ever since I cut it this time last year, I had been obsessed.

I loved it so much that I kept it trimmed to this length.

Who knew how much work it took to maintain long hair?

I damn sure didn’t know until my hair no longer went past my jawline and I didn’t have to do half the shit I did back then.

Now I was spoiled and absolutely refused to let it grow back.

I had just finished putting a half up ponytail into my hair when my phone started to ring. I squeezed the tip of my headphone to answer before putting gloss on my lips.

“I’m downstairs, Honey Bun.”

I smiled at the nickname I swore I hated. “Okay, here I come.”

“Bet.” He hung up and I went back to focusing on how I looked. I was for sure a tomboy, but at least I tried to incorporate some feminine moments.

Giving myself a onceover, I reached for my perfume. A couple sprays later I was cutting the lights out and moving to grab my crossbody. Once I had it and my phone off the charger, I stalked toward the door. As soon as I opened it, I was face to face with my mother.

“Well, where are you going?”

“To be grown, remember?” I winked then kissed her cheek and rushed down the hall to the elevator.

“You smell good, baby, and be safe being grown.”

“I will,” I called over my shoulder and hopped into the open elevator.

Less than three minutes later I was walking out of my building.

There in the middle of the busy street he was, body leaned against his truck like he hadn’t cut off a whole ass lane.

He looked so good I just knew he smelled good.

I couldn’t wait to smell him… shit I was obsessed.

His smell.

His stance.

His confidence

His face…oh shit, his face. I had to snap out of it, but I couldn’t. Especially not while I was looking at him. Krist had a naturally settled mug that was so fucking sexy I couldn’t help but smile.

When he saw me, a smile graced his handsome face briefly before he moved to open the passenger door.

As I approached I felt his eyes as they nearly cross examined my entire body. The butterflies were definitely flying within. I was in his arms before I could reach the car.

“You look good than a motherfucker.” His hands rested on my backside as he gazed down at me, those serious eyes holding me hostage.

“Thank you.”

“You welcome, baby.” His lips grazed my forehead as he now decided to let me get into the truck. When I was in, he closed the door and rounded the front. He pulled off less than a second later, turning his music down, glancing over at me every so often.

“You ate?”

I shook my head. “Had a cup of coffee when I got off, but that’s about it.”

He shook his head. “Aight. I’on know how you drink that shit, but I’ll get you something when we get near the studio.”

I shook my head again. “I don’t have to ea?—”

“Yeah you do, but it’s cool. I got you.” Like pure sex and belonging, his hand found my bare thigh after that statement.

I liked the idea of him having me, shit a little too much for my liking. Krist’s entire presence consumed me and I hadn’t even let him between my legs. This was dangerous… the obsession I threatened to have for him, just from the little moments like this.

I was going with the flow, staring out of the window when we pulled into a small parking lot.

“You eat seafood?”

“Yeah.”

“Aight.” He parked and got out. Then before I knew it, he was on my side.

He had my door open, waiting for me to get out. “Nah, I should leave your ass in the car. Out here with these little ass shorts on.” He grilled me.

I laughed. “They’re not little. They don’t show anything.”

“They show enough.” His hand on my side led me into the restaurant.

I couldn’t hide my smile. That slight possessiveness he showed had my heart ready to leap out of my chest. As we walked into the restaurant, a few people greeted him and he offered nods.

He didn’t think so, but he was hood rich, the type who had people knowing his name and speaking to him like they knew him.

A few chicks had even tried it, but he also offered them nods while his hand remained on my side.

We ordered takeout, him ordering for me because I didn’t know what I wanted.

“You’re kind of famous.” I stood in front of him while he faced the door and everything I couldn’t see.

“Nah. I’m regular.”

“You’re not, bu—” I started but somebody cleared their throat. By the tone of the voice after, I knew it was a woman.

“Hello to you too, Krist,” she said, tone nasty and eyes nastier. She was pissed and glaring at me like I was messing with her man. Shit, was I messing with her man?

“Sup, Saz? You good?” he asked coolly, throwing his arm over my shoulder and pulling me near.

Her eyes never left me. She was seething and she had two girls behind her. “Yeah, I’m good. I didn’t realize you had a girl.”

He chuckled. “I didn’t realize my business was something you felt entitled to asking about.” His tone was cold.

She shook her head, trying to shake the anger away. It was like she was talking herself down from the inside. “Uh no, I was just coming over to say what’s up.”

“You spoke.”

As if the battery she had in her back when she first walked over here had depleted, she turned on her feet and strutted off. “I guess I’ll see you around,” she tossed over her shoulder.

He didn’t respond but I could tell he felt my confusion. The woman called his name a few seconds later for our order. Krist grabbed the food with one hand, then mine with the other and we walked out of the restaurant while ol’ girl and her crew grilled us from the corner.

I didn’t know if I should ask him about her or mind my business, because to be honest, we were just hanging out and getting to know one another. I didn’t want to read too much into this, but then again, my mama didn’t raise no bitch.

“One of your girls?” I asked when he had my door open after setting our food on the back seat.

He grinned. “Nah, nobody important.”

“You sure? ’Cause you felt important enough for her to approach you like she was.”

He stepped between my legs before I could turn, but I didn’t mind. I craved his closeness. “I’m sure you saw that exchange like I did, Honey Bun. If you didn’t, I’d be inclined to get your eyes and ears checked. What’s important has my undivided attention and what’s not does not have it.”

I had no response and he knew I didn’t. The way he cupped my chin and brought it down near his face was forceful but his petal soft lips mashed into mine a second later softened the connection.