Page 91 of Sticky Fingers

Chapter Thirty-One

Malcolm

Fuck Picasso.

We’re so close to leaving all this bullshit behind, and I’ll be damned if I’ll let a fucking painting ruin it.

“Don’t mind him,” I tell Sonia as I drape one arm over her shoulders, pulling her close. “He always had a hard time letting go of things.”

I pause for a minute before saying, “But he will.”

“Malcolm…” she whispers, turning around and placing both her hands on my chest, stopping me in place.

She looks up at me, and I immediately notice the anxiety dancing in her eyes.

“What’s wrong?” I whisper back at her, smiling as I cup her face with one hand. “I’m clear now…we both are.”

She bites her bottom lip, looks down at her feet, and sighs heavily. “It’s not that simple, Malcom. It’sneverthat simple. I’ve heard Strong, and he won’t give up until he—”

“Listen,” I start, squeezing both her hands in mine, “we’re moving on. And there’s no one—nothing—that can stop us now. I promise you that.”

“But you need to know,” she says, her voice trembling as she looks back into my eyes. “You need to know the truth. I’m—”

Moving fast, I place one finger over her lips.

“You’re my woman, Sonia. That’s all I need to know. As for the rest…I don’t want to hear about it. Whatever happens, I’ll always be by your side, and I’ll always protect you.” Smiling, I lean in and brush my lips against hers. “C’mon, let’s go upstairs.”

She follows me in silence, the sound of the crowd in the Art Gallery vanishing the moment we step inside the elevators. Let Detective Strong and the crowd in there wrap their head around the speech I just made.

I played my part. Now all I want to do is be with Sonia.

“You need to know,” she insists, her voice barely a whisper.

This time, I silence her with a kiss, crushing my lips against hers.

“I know everything I need to know.”

With that, she finally melts into my arms, eagerly pressing her body against mine. I barely register the elevator doors as they open. By the time I come to my senses, we’re already stumbling inside my apartment, my hands all over Sonia’s petite body.

“Malcolm,” she says, giggling and squirming as I toss her on the bed and pull my shirt over my head.

Landing on her back, she drops back, spread-eagled, until my shirt is off.

“Get with the program, baby. Get those fucking clothes off now.”

She starts pulling her pants down her legs instantly, taking her panties with them and giving me a show.

“Good girl.”

Wiggling my eyebrows, I finish undressing quickly and then stand on the side of the bed with my hands on my hips.

Watching her undress will never get old.

The last thing she takes off is her bra, which she casually throws over the side of the bed, looking at me with a taunting glint in her eye.

“Very nice, babe.”

She spreads her legs, knees bent and arches her back on the bed, exposing her glistening pussy and full breasts for me to check out.