Page 10 of Love Me Now: Baltimore & Madelyn

“Ooh, Mamanothing!” I whispered back.

She giggled and pointedly looked at me. “Hm. My mama is fine, so I can’t even blame him.”

I smacked my teeth and turned red as hell. “Will you hush?”

Heir wiggled her eyebrows but dropped it.Thankfully. Cooley was staring so hardeveryonenoticed it. Honestly, I was flattered by his open praise. He licked his lips, which didn’t make it any better. This man knew how to convey a message without a single word being uttered from his lips.

Everything about Cooley was dangerous. Right down to the way he looked at me.

CHAPTER 4

MADDIE

Afterleavingthesalon,Cooley steered the sedan to the store. By the time we got there, Jahdi and Stacy were waiting for us. Jahdi was a newer face and worked the night shift. So far, I liked him. They each brought their own truck as if I was about to purchase the entire store.

Heir and I walked the aisles, picking up everything we needed for the baby. Cooley even added stuff to the cart. When we got to the cribs, he chose it along with a rocking chair, dresser, and changing station. He also picked up a baby monitor set, humidifier, stroller, and car seat.

Finally, I had to ask, “Do you have children?” Heir and I both looked at him curiously.

He grinned. “I can’t shop for my lil’ baby client?”

His question effectively shut up me and Heir. We didn’t make a peep or question him again. Neither did we bat an eye when he swiped his card to purchase all the shit we bought. Three stores later, I was sure we’d put a dent in Cooley’s wallet.

Both trucks were loaded down with furniture, diapers, clothes, paint, toys, and too many miscellaneous items to name as we headed back to Bell Estates. Shopping for Genesis carried us well into the afternoon. Genesis had everything from a crib to pacifiers.

Back home, Cooley, Jahdi, and Stacy unloaded the trucks and carried everything inside to Genesis’s room. At first, I considered giving Genesis DJ’s old room. Instead, I opted to give him one of the guest rooms. I would make it personal, just for him.

I entered the room and inhaled a deep breath. Cooley appeared at the door, stopping my heart in my chest. He’d been patient and considerate today.

“What do you think you’re about to do?” he asked.

“Paint,” I replied, looking at the clean but dowdy light gray walls.

“No, you’re not. We’ll handle the room. You go rest or something.”

“But—”

“Maddie,” he interrupted with a half-smile. “I’ve got this, aight. Go kick ya feet up.”

Not even upset, I pranced toward the door. Cooley stuck his arm out, blocking my exit and bringing our bodies together. My body up against his caused an earthquake inside of me.

“You’re used to me working for you, so I understand ya hesitation to followingmyorders,” he said. “However, as you get to know me, you’ll see how easy it is to let me lead you. Aight?”

I couldn’t speak, so I nodded. His arm swept seductively across my body as he freed me. I offered a wobbly smile to Jahdi and Stacy as they climbed the stairs, carrying more stuff. Doing as Cooley said, I went downstairs to do something productive. I told myself that it was time to renovate the house, and I meant that. For the next hour, I walked through my house noting everything I wanted to upgrade or change.

With it just being me and Heir in the house, having the men upstairs hard at work getting Genesis’s room ready, I laughed at Toast having a tantrum every time the noise got too loud. I for one welcomed the noise.

By nightfall, Heir and I sat at the table to enjoy takeout. This was another thing Cooley paid for. Absently, I wondered if he was the one who paid for my hair appointment. I chuckled, already knowing the answer.

“We’re bringing a baby home soon,” Heir said. “Are you ready?”

Smiling, I replied, “I am.”

She returned my smile. “Me too.”

Her eyes shifted a little, prompting me to ask, “You okay?”

She nodded. “I just… I want to talk to you about something.”