Page 16 of Ony If It’s You

Sitting back in his seat, he tossed an arm around the back of my chair and gave me a look before answering. “I don’t know, it just felt right. I’ve never really felt the way that I do when I’m around your granddaughter. She’s different from any other woman I’ve met. It just felt right.”

I was stuck in a trance as he spoke and I held on to every single word that he spoke. The sincerity in his words was not missed. He was telling the fucking truth! What the hell?

“I don’t know what it is about you, Kehlani, but what I do know is I wouldn’t be doing this shit with anyone else but you.

I been going back and forth with myself since I left my image consultant’s office about the shit that she told me.

I was doubting all of the shit, questioning whether or not I could do this shit, be with one woman even if it’s to save my career, but the moment I laid my eyes on you all of that went out the window.

Assurance filled my entire being the moment I locked eyes with you tonight. ”

“Lani!” My grandmother calling my name jarred me from my thoughts. Blinking rapidly, I looked between all of them as I tried to gather myself. “Are you okay?”

“Y-yeah, sorry. Are you guys ready for dessert?”

“Yes!” the twins yelled in unison.

I locked eyes briefly with Javyous as I stood to clear the table. He was eyeing me with a look that I couldn’t quite read, so I looked away quickly.

“I’ll help,” he offered.

“I got it.”

“I’ll help,” he repeated, but this time with finality.

The two of us got all of the plates off of the tables and took them into the kitchen. Setting them beside the sink, I turned the water on so that I could rinse them off before loading the dishwasher. Granny hated to use her dishwasher, but I worked smart, not hard.

My breath caught in my throat when I felt Javyous walk up behind me, placing one hand on the counter and using the other to sweep my hair over my shoulder before planting a soft kiss on the nape of my neck.

“Everything okay?”

“Y-yes.” I simpered. It was hard to talk or focus with him this close to me.

What was he doing to me?

“You sure?”

“I am.” Nudging him off, I slipped from under his body over to the stove to get the pie and handed it to him. “Can you take this to them? And the ice cream is in the freezer.” I pointed.

I just needed him to be out of the same space as me. Javyous was… something. He was bad for me, I knew that. He didn’t have the best record and I was pretty sure that he messed with enough women to fill a few shelters, yet he was irresistible and I found myself craving him.

I knew that I couldn’t completely avoid him while he was here and I knew my grandmother would come searching for me soon, so I finished rinsing the dishes and loading the dishwasher before rejoining them in the dining room.

The rest of the afternoon was spent with us watching movies, JV and Si playing the game, JV having a tea party with Jocey, and ended with us all playing uno. I couldn’t lie, Javyous had shown me a completely different side of what the media had painted him out to be.

After Jasmine had shown me all of that shit online, I went home and did my own investigation.

I was completely discouraged when I had.

They made it seem like he was a monster with a shitload of anger issues.

The clips from his last fight hadn’t helped.

I just knew that I didn’t want him around my granny let alone my kids, but I was glad Granny had been adamant.

“Aight, I need to slide, I haven’t packed anything yet.”

“Why?” I frowned.

The two of us were the only ones left at the table, so we started to get everything picked up and put up.

“I always wait ’til the last minute, I don’t know.” He shrugged.

“Are you nervous?”

“No. I’m better than everyone that will be there.”

“I know, but you know, it’s your first time being back in the ring since…”

“Yeah, I know.” He sighed. “But I’ve already prayed and given the whole situation to God. There is nothing else for me to worry about in regard to that.”

“Okay.” I nodded and closed the cabinet where the twins kept all of their toys and games. “I’m sorry I won’t make any of the fights, I’ll be there for the photo ops and interviews though.”

He frowned. “Why won’t you make the fights?”

“I texted you yesterday and told you that I didn’t find a qualified sitter, Javyous.”

“Shit, I was in the gym all day yesterday.” He ran a hand down his face. “I got it though.”

“You got it?” I repeated. “What does that mean?”

“That I’ll have somebody to watch the kids for us.”

“No,” I declined. “I don’t let just anyone keep them.”

“It’s not just anyone. It’s Ms. Phyllis, my pops’ ol’ lady.”

He was showing me a picture of an older lady, but I was still skeptical, I didn’t know her ass.

“Look, when we get on the jet tomorrow, I’ll let you interview her and shit tomorrow if that will make you feel better. Either way, I need you to be there.”

We held one another’s stare before I finally sighed and nodded. It wasn’t like he was giving me much of a choice.

“Fine.”

He grinned and grabbed my hand pulling me toward the door. Once he had it opened, he turned to me and pulled me into his embrace.

“Thank you for today. A nigga ain’t chilled and ate good like that in a minute. Make sure you tell Granny that it’s her fault if I’m slow tomorrow.”

His smile was so flawless and sexy. The perfect set of gleaming white teeth.

How was I going to make it a week with him?

“Goodnight, JV.” I had to get away and quickly before I jumped on him.

“Goodnight, beautiful,” he replied before kissing my forehead and jogging down the steps to his car. He delivered one last look with that panty dropping smile before getting into his car and pulling off.

I’m in fucking trouble.