Page 38 of Out of Bounds (Atlanta Demon Series #4)
“Is this a ‘my dick is bigger than yours’ contest. ’Cause if it is, I’m enjoying the hell out of it!” Deuce joked.
“Not at all, bih. All I’m doing is tryna see what that man’s intentions are when it comes to my family.”
“Your kids, you mean…” I mused.
“I said what I meant, and I meant what I said. My family,” Kreed reiterated.
“Masai and I are still getting to know one another. If things progress to the point where the kids will be around me permanently, I will treat them as my own. For right now, my intentions are simple. Continue getting to know Masai, and hopefully, this will develop into something long-lasting.”
“That’s nice. Real cute. But Lamar…” Kreed leaned up from his slouched position. “Man to man, I’mma give you a lil’ bit of advice.”
“What would that be?”
“Don’t fall for my bitch while we on the outs. ’Cause when the smoke clears, I’m coming for mine.”
The way Kreed said it was as if he wholeheartedly believed that was a possibility. “Unfuckingbelievable!” I bleated. “Did you just?—”
“Considering the fact that your divorce has been finalized, if I’m falling for anyone, it’s my woman.”
“You heard what I said, nigga.”
“I heard you. Doesn’t mean I have to listen.
Whatever Masai and I have going on is between us.
Had you valued the gem you had, a divorce wouldn’t have taken place.
I get it, though. I’m the first man she’s entertained since y’all split.
I’ve been in that position before, so I can for sure understand how it may feel.
She’s in good hands with me, though, my guy.
I promise, I won’t fuck her over like you did.
” Lamar grabbed my hand. “Come walk me out.” He stood from the chair and shook hands with Deuce and Jrue while Kreed sat there fuming.
After telling the ladies goodnight, the two of us walked to the front door.
When we were a safe distance away, I melted into his embrace. “I’m sorry.”
“That’s a grown-ass man.” He chuckled. “You don’t have to apologize for his actions. He’s in his feelings, and that’s normal. Just know… this is just the beginning.”
“I shouldn’t have invited you over. I knew he wasn’t ready to accept that I’m moving on.”
“He doesn’t have to accept it.” Lamar pecked my cheek. “You don’t need validation from him.”
“I know.”
“Then stop stressing. I’m a man, baby. Your ex cannot run me off,” he avowed and rubbed his hands up and down my back lovingly.
“You better not let him.”
“I’m not.” Leaning back, he stared down at me. “I’ll let you get back to your friends. Call me when you leave so I can make sure you get home safely.”
“I will.” I sighed. “I think I’m done drinking for the night. Anything more will have me in jail for domestic violence.”
Lamar chuckled. “Take it easy on him. It’s hard watching the woman you love move on. Eventually, he will get over it.”
I doubt that.
“Okay. Be safe getting home.”
“Always, baby.” One last peck to the lips, and Lamar was leaving out of the front door. Thank God things didn’t go any further between the two of them. After shutting and locking the door, I walked back into the room with everyone.
“Yo’ nigga gone?”
Without registering what I was doing, I hauled off and slapped the shit out of Kreed. “If you ever in your life call me another bitch, I will kill you! Don’t ever play with me like that!”
Kreed rubbed his jaw in the spot where my hand landed and nodded his head. “We good, Masai?” he said in a questioning tone.
“Call me another bitch, and we will be anything but good!” I swore and tossed my body down beside him. “God, you need to grow up.”
He shrugged and tossed back his beer. “I ain’t the only one that needs to do some shit.”
I don’t know what the hell he was trying to insinuate, but I did know that it would be a long time before I put the two of them in the same room again.
Kreed had proven that he was not ready to accept that I was moving on.
Damned what we’d said in the hotel room that night.
I liked Lamar, and I wanted to continue doing what I was doing.
Kreed was going to have to get on board before things became less than amicable between us.
Grabbing my hand, Lamar kissed my fingers one by one. “How did Charleigh Anne’s science project turn out?”
“Wonderful!” I gushed. “She got an A. Thank you, by the way.”
“You’re welcome.” He chuckled.
Resting my chin in the center of his bare chest, I smiled up at him. “She wanted me to invite you out for ice cream. That’s her way of thanking you for suggesting that she make a volcano.”
“Tell her I am honored and will be delighted to have ice cream with her.”
Tracing circles around his chest with my finger, I flirted. “What kind of prize do I get?”
“I thought your happy ending was your prize. If I didn’t do a good job, let me know. I think I got a few more strokes for you.” He teased and bit down on his bottom lip.
I smirked. “Oh. That was the prize, huh?”
The kids were out with their father for the night, and since I was at home, bored out of my mind, Lamar invited me over. When I arrived, he had dinner plated and there were roses waiting for me. We ate outside on his terrace, and once our stomachs were full, we had our dessert in bed.
Sex with Lamar was fulfilling. It wasn’t that soul-stirring, insatiable, voracious type of sex that I had with Kreed, but it kept me afloat. We were still getting to know each other, so I wasn’t the least bit worried. I was satisfied with what he delivered, and that’s all that mattered.
Glancing over at the clock on his nightstand, I huffed. “I need to shower so I can go to bed. I feel like I’ve been up all day.”
“Or…” He shifted in bed until he was hovering over me. “I can give you that prize now.”
“Lam…” I moaned as he eased his hand between my thighs.
“What?” He feigned clueless. “You said you wanted a prize.
“I did, huh?”
“Let me give it to you.” He kissed me, slowly and sensually, before twirling his tongue around mine. My hands gripped his biceps as I leaned further into him.
“Shit,” he groaned out when a phone started vibrating.
“Ignore it…” I moaned breathlessly.
Lamar sat up. “I think that’s you.”
“Nooo…” I whined.
Swiping the phone off the nightstand, he held it up, displaying Kreed’s name. “Yep, that’s you.”
Taking the phone out of his hand, I sighed dejectedly before answering, “Hey. What’s up?”
“Sai, where you at?”
“Out.” Sitting up in bed, I held the sheet to my chest. “Is everything okay?”
“Fuck, no. Man…” he groaned. “It’s cool. I’ll figure it out.”
“What is it?”
“Something done tore Kree’s stomach up, and I’on have shit to give him. Can’t leave and go to the store ’cause I can’t leave them here alone.”
Dropping my head, I sighed. “Give me a minute, and I’ll run by the store.”
“Nawl. It’s cool. I’mma DoorDash some shit from Walgreens. I ain’t tryna interrupt your night.”
“I’m on the way, Kreed.”
“Bet.”
Hanging up the phone, I tossed it to the side and threw a fit. “What’s wrong, baby? You need to go?”
“Yeah. Duty calls. My baby is sick.”
“Life of a parent.”
“Right.” Leaning over, I pecked his lips. “I’m gonna shower so I can get ready to leave. I’m sorry.”
“You’re a mom, Masai. It’s normal.”
“Thank you for being understanding.” I slid out of bed and grabbed my overnight bag from the floor.
I hated to cut my time with Lamar short.
I was really enjoying it and him, but like he said, the life of a parent required you to be available twenty-four seven.
When duty called, I had no choice but to report.