Page 29 of Taming a Menace

“I didn’t say you did. I just said let me handle him. I don’t need you trying to handle a grown ass man in any capacity. It doesn’t matter how much of a bitch he is.”

“OK. Wyatt is harmless though.”

“He broke your heart and made you cry. He doesn’t sound all that harmless to me.”

“He’s a doctor over the clinic where I used to work. He’s not trying to ruin his career by harassing me,” she said.

“I’ll make sure of that.”

“Keywan.”

“Yeah, baby?”

“Let it go. He’s not worth risking your freedom for.”

“But you are. I’ll keep my hands dirty, so you never have to worry about getting messy. You hear me?”

“Noted.”

“Come on, Moon. Let’s go. I’m going to follow you home after you get your car just to make sure you get there safe.”

“You really don’t have to do that, Key.”

“Yes I do. For my own sanity, I need to make sure you get home safe.”

“Why me, Keywan?”

“What do you mean?”

“Why me? Why have you taken such an interest in me?”

“Why not you, Moonie? You’re beautiful. You’re smart.

You’re funny as hell, and you got some business about yourself.

Just thinking of the night we met got me through so many nights, I lost count.

I just kept praying that I got the chance to see you again and make you mine.

I have every reason in the world to want you.

I’m the one that needs to prove myself to you. ”

“I hear you.”

“Hear me and feel me.”

“I do.”

Satisfied with her response, I took her hand and led the way outside. As much as I hated to see her go, I knew I had to let her get home. Pulling her hand to my mouth, I pressed my lips to the back of it as we headed to the passenger side of my truck.

“I’m proud of myself,” I told her, opening the door for her to get in.

“For opening up?” she asked.

“Naw, I’m trying not to think about that right now. I’m thinking about how bad I wanted to eat that pussy off the bone. I didn’t even try.”

She busted out laughing, causing me to smile. “See I can’t with you.” She shook her head.

“I’m serious, mama. I know this is stressful and new to you so I’m following your lead. It’s your world.”

“Well I appreciate that.”

“Anything for you, remember that,” I said before closing the door.

Once I was back in the truck, I continued our conversation.

“Come away with me for the weekend. I’m catering a bridal shower in Myrtle Beach.

I want to take you somewhere where I don’t have to worry about having to hide you. I want to show you off.”

“I can’t believe I’m about to ask you this, but when is it?” she asked.

Her consideration was enough to put a big smile on my face. Even if she said hell no, I knew that I was making progress. I could work with that.

“I’m leaving next Friday and coming back Sunday evening.”

“I’m sorry. I have plans Friday.”

“Plans with your girls?” I asked, glancing over to watch her body language as she answered.

“No, my sister’s husband is trying to hook me up with one of his friends. I’m going out for drinks with him just to be nice.”

I scoffed. “Oh, well you can cancel that. We’re not about to do that.”

“Do what?”

“Entertain niggas just to be nice. The next thing you know, you will be giving him some pussy just to be nice. I’m not killing a nigga just because you’re nice. You can be nice to me for a change if you want to be nice to somebody.”

“When have I not been nice to you?”

“All the time, Moon. You’ve been making me run behind you with my tongue hanging out like a dog since the night we met. You’re making me work like hell to get close to you while some other dude is getting to you just because you want to be nice?”

“Is that how you see it?” she asked.

“Hell yeah. Make that nigga chase and beg for that pussy just like I have to. Trust me, I love to beg. That shit turns me on. I feel like I’m earning my shit.

I love doing things for my lady just to put a smile on her face.

Every day since we’ve met, I’ve been trying to figure out ways to keep that smile on your face.

It’s an addiction. I just want to be in your life, baby. Give me that.”

She sighed. “It’s not that simple, Keywan. You know that.”

“I know that you’re making it hard as hell. You got me begging like James Brown. Please, baby. Please.”

“Let me . . . Let me sleep on it, OK? I know you have good intentions. I want to give you a chance. It’s just that I’m risking so much. You understand that, right?”

“I think you’re the one, Iyla. I think you’re the rest of me.

I think you’re the sealant for all these cracks in my heart and in my soul.

I think it’s no coincidence that we’ve been put into each other’s paths multiple times.

I’m your man, baby. I would do anything to make you happy. Just let me show you.”

“We’ll talk, OK? Let me just take a couple of days to absorb everything and figure out what I need to do.”

“I’ll take that,” I said as we pulled up next to her car.

“Good night, Key.”

“I’m following you home, Iyla,” I reminded her.

“You really don’t have to do that. I’m wide awake now. I don’t want you to have to drive all the way to my house then back home.”

“Well let me spend the night with you.” I suggested, knowing that she wouldn’t go for it.

“That’s out of the question.” She shook her head.

“Then don’t worry about how tired I might be. Let’s go, mama. You’re holding me up from getting my beauty sleep.”

“You’re ridiculous,” she said, rolling her eyes and slamming the door.

I let the window down so she could hear me before calling her name.

“Iyla, don’t slam my door like that, lady.”

“Whatever. Aren’t you in a hurry to get back to bed?” She sassed.

“Keep rolling your eyes and they’re going to get stuck like that.”

She raised her hand and gave me the middle finger as she sank down into her car.

“In time, baby. I’ll be doing that in due time,” I muttered to myself.

I watched her pull out of her parking spot and shoot across the deserted parking lot before pulling out behind her. I didn’t have to follow her all that closely since I knew where she lived. I expected her to try to lose me. With how fast she was driving, I’m sure she was trying.

Laughing under my breath, I turned the radio up as I continued to tail Iyla’s little feisty ass until we made it to her neighborhood.

She broke her speed down after sailing across a speed bump like a mad woman and almost knocking loose everything under her car.

I couldn’t stop laughing as she turned down her block.

Less than a minute later, she pulled into her driveway. I didn’t bother pulling up into the yard. Instead, I stopped in front of her mailbox and waited for her to get out of the car. She didn’t look my way as she rushed over to her front door and unlocked it.

Once she opened the door, I blew the horn before pulling off. Now to try to make myself fall back asleep without the warmth of her body to soothe me.