Page 58 of Taming a Menace

“Open the door, Moon. I don’t think you’re good. I need to see your face, mama.”

I don’t know why I did it, but I unlocked the door and swung it open. The tears wouldn’t stop coming as Key swept me up and carried me bridal style into the living room. I was still cradled in his arms crying into his shirt like a baby when he sat down on the couch.

“It’s OK to fall apart sometimes, beautiful,” he told me.

“I-I can’t,” I wept.

“Yes you can, baby. Give it to me.”

“Give you what, Keywan?” I asked.

My voice was muffled because my face was buried in his chest. My fingers clung to his shirt for dear life as I tried desperately to pull myself together.

“Whatever is hurting you. Whatever is making you do this. Give it to me, Iyla. You don’t have to have your shit together all the time. You don’t have to be strong all the time. Let me do that for you.”

“I-I can’t do that.” I sniffled.

He grabbed my shoulders and gently pushed me back to try to look at me. I dropped my eyes to my lap, but he held my chin and tilted my head back up.

“You don’t have to be the therapist all the time, Iyla. You deserve to have someone to listen to you when you need it. Unburden yourself on me,” he said before draping his arms around my body and pulling me close again.

I felt so bad hearing his stomach growl as I cried my eyes out. Key didn’t say anything. Silently, he rubbed my back and allowed me to cry until I was able to dry my tears.

“I’m starving,” I muttered against his chest before bursting out laughing.

“Starvation is not funny, Moon.”

“I know. I feel so bad that I’m sitting here crying like an infant while your food is getting cold.”

“I ain’t thought about eating with this soft ass and warm pussy in my lap. This shit driving me crazy.”

“See, and there I was thinking you were actually trying to console me,” I said, pulling myself out of his lap into the spot next to him.

“Naw, don’t do that. You know that was my number one reason for holding you. The built-in heater was a bonus.”

“Shut up.” I laughed.

“I’m serious. I kinda like waiting and trying to help you let your guard down while I earn my way back into that pussy. Anticipation is the best form of foreplay.”

“What makes you think I’m going to let my guard down one day?”

“That’s the beauty of the chase I guess. I do think I deserve a chance though.”

“How about this, if you do the work and actually get done with your mandated hours, I will consider giving you a chance.”

“And in the meantime?”

“I have to keep it professional.”

“Naw, I don’t like that. You plan to fuck with other niggas and go on dates and shit until then?”

“I mean as a single woman I’m free to.” I shrugged.

“You’re also free to get a nigga fucked up. Let me know how you wanna play it, ’cause I ain’t above beating niggas up about my lady.”

“You can’t be for real.” I shook my head.

“Please don’t make me prove it.”