Page 17

“Fine.” I twisted my lips like I was more annoyed than I actually was and walked over to him, ignoring the pleased look on his face from getting his way. Butterflies danced in my belly as his low eyes slowly rolled up my body, landing on my eyes.

The way he motioned for me to come closer had my knees weak, and thankfully, I only had to take two steps to be standing between his open legs.

He wrapped a strong hand around my thigh, pulling me forward even more so I could straddle his lap, and I almost let out an appreciative moan at the feel of him on my center.

Sexily, he bit his lip as he looked up at me mischievously. “Boy?—”

“Nah, chill.” He stopped me when I tried to get up.

Once I was settled back in his lap, he started running his hand up my thigh soothingly, and I can’t lie, it felt so damn good.

“I ain’t on no funny shit, I just like the way you feel.

” His voice was low and husky as he continued to rub on me, even adding a little squeeze that had my clit thumping.

He handed the blunt off to me for no other reason than to free his other hand, and like a goofy, I accepted it, taking a deep pull to stifle the moan threatening to erupt.

His touch, coupled with the weed, was enough to send me into orbit.

“So them other niggas the reason you told me no?” His silky voice broke the silence that had settled over us, once again catching me off guard. He never stopped strumming my body as he looked up at me, waiting for an answer.

Sighing, I took another pull before shrugging. “That’s part of it.”

His forehead creased, and he sat up, adjusting me on his lap as he accepted the blunt from me. “What’s the other part?”

I stared down into his handsome face and tried to sort my thoughts. I could hardly focus with him looking at me like he could eat me up and his dick pressing into me. His free hand now rested on my lower back, stroking leisurely, but it somehow felt even more intimate than him rubbing my thighs.

“Have you ever fucked with a woman with kids, and I don’t mean just fucked them, like have you dated one?

” I pinned him with a serious expression, searching his face for the truth even though I was sure I already knew it.

His eyebrows pinched, probably confused about me taking a page from his book with the random questions, but he recovered quickly, hitting his blunt again before answering.

“Naw, you would’ve been my first,” he finally said, and I nodded because I already figured that.

“Exactly. That’s the other part. It’s a lot that comes with me, especially with a baby daddy like Javon.

” I rolled my eyes. “I can’t just come and go as I please, I can’t just make decisions without keeping the twins in mind first. You’re probably used to women being at your beck and call, but I’d never be able to be that type of woman.

” Cruz went to speak, but I quickly cut him off.

“It’s not just me either. I know you’ve made your own little bond with the kids, and I love that for y’all, but it’s more to being in their lives than just riding jet skis and looking for seashells.

I— we need to be able to depend on you. Plus, I don’t do that player shit, and you definitely don’t give one-woman man vibes.

I’d hate to have to fuck you up for fucking me over and breaking my kids’ hearts. ”

My face was tight just thinking about him being another man who played with my heart.

I liked Cruz, a lot more than I wanted to, but I also knew the type of man he was.

He might’ve thought he could handle everything that came with me, but as soon as something new caught his eye, he’d be switching up.

I didn’t want to put myself through that, and I damn sure didn’t want to get the twins’ hopes up only for another nigga to let them down.

Normally, I wouldn’t have even introduced any man to my kids before I knew their intentions, but things were different with Cruz.

Because he was Maasai’s friend, they’d already been around him, so now they were involved.

It was a lot to consider and too much that could go wrong, and if things did go wrong, shit would be even more uncomfortable when we inevitably had to be around each other because of our friends.

Cruz chortled, releasing a thick cloud of smoke. “That’s it?”

“That’s it?” I repeated, confused. That was honestly the last reaction I was expecting after explaining my feelings to him.

It was basically an open invitation for him to run for the hills, but he was trying to make my concerns sound minuscule.

That just let me know even more that he wasn’t taking shit I’d said seriously.

“See, this what I’m talkin’ ’bout.” I sucked my teeth and tried to get off him, but his grip around my waist tightened.

“See what? All I did was ask if your ass was finished, and you’re already tryna find a reason to be pissed off.

At least let me say my peace before you get all in your feelings,” he scowled, and I realized I probably jumped the gun with my attitude, but it was a natural reaction to me feeling like a nigga was playing in my face.

I folded my arms defensively but didn’t try to get up again.

“I ain’t gone lie, you right about some of the shit you said.

I’m definitely used to bitches—I mean women,” he corrected when my eyes narrowed on him.

“Being thirsty enough to do whatever, but that’s why I fuck with you.

You’re different. I like that you don’t be out here on the same bullshit as everybody else.

You don’t just see a fine ass nigga with money and try to fall in line.

You put your kids first, and any real nigga should respect that, and I do.

Shit, that’s one of the main things that makes you so attractive to me.

” I rolled my eyes, but inside my heart was picking up speed at his compliments.

“You probably be pumping every woman’s head up like this.”

“Keyani, you really think I gotta do all that just to get some pussy? I’m telling you this because it’s true.

Anybody else don’t get asked on dates or get explanations out of me, and that shit is good enough for them.

I know you deserve better, which is why I’m tryna put effort into it…

into you, but you gotta give me a chance.

” He caressed my face, drawing my eyes back to his.

“Give me a chance, Key.” His voice dropped to almost a whisper as he covered my lips with his.

I was already melting from his words, but his kiss had me on fire.

I let out a whimper, wrapping my arms around his neck as he deepened the light pecks and sucked my lip into his mouth.

Desire exploded inside me, and I could already feel the dampness between my legs.

Cruz squeezed my ass, causing my hips to thrust forward, and that little bit of friction damn near had me coming.

He skillfully worked his tongue against mine, dick hardening beneath me.

His ass knew exactly what he was doing. He’d disarmed me with his speech, and now he was hypnotizing me with his extremities.

This was exactly what I was afraid of, just a little kiss had me ready to bust it open on a balcony for his ass!

There was no telling how loony he’d have me once I actually got the dick.

I was so far gone I didn’t even object when he reached for the waistband of my shorts, but just when his long fingers slipped between my folds, Avery’s ringtone pierced the night air and scared the shit out of me.

Instinctively, I pulled away to silence the ringer so it wouldn’t wake the kids, even though they weren’t close enough to hear.

“Don’t answer that,” Cruz mumbled against my neck, trying to get the moment back, but I was already checked out. My phone ringing when it did had to be a sign, and I was grateful for that shit because five more minutes and I would’ve been face down, ass up right there on the balcony.

“It’s Avery, she might need me,” I told him, accepting the call before he could object.

“Hey boo. Everything okay?” My voice came out a little harsher than intended as I glared at Cruz, who was mugging me right back.

It was obvious he wasn’t happy that I hadn’t listened to him, but I was more worried about him alerting her of his presence.

Scoffing, he shook his head and moved to stand up, taking me right along with him when I didn’t move fast enough.

Before I knew it, he was setting me down on my feet and fixing his clothes, even though it did nothing to hide his erection.

Damn! Avery was still yapping in my ear, but I couldn’t focus on shit she was saying as I watched him prepare to leave.

“Bitch, did you hear me!”

Avery shouted, breaking me out of my conflicted thoughts.

Cruz was already making his way through the sliding doors without so much as a goodbye.

I wanted to curse him out for playing with me like some random, but I didn’t want Avery to know he was there or wake up my kids.

So, I just stood there with a wet pussy, feeling pissed off and slightly hurt.

“Sorry, I was trying to make sure the kids were still asleep,” I lied. “What’d you say?”

She let out a dramatic sigh, and I could hear Maasai talking to her lowly. “I said , I’m at your door, girl. A few of us are going to another island, and I wanted to know if you needed anything before we left.”

The way I sprinted through my bedroom to stop Cruz would’ve given Sha’Carri Richardson a run for her money.

I caught him just as he reached the door and grabbed the back of his shirt before he could open it.

All I could do was shake my head no when his irritated eyes landed on me.

“You said you’re outside?” I tried to give him a hint, unable to keep my tone level.