Page 7 of Trial of Deceit (The Family’s Oath #1)

Chapter three

S tanding by the door, Ashari waved at the little boy, who waved back before walking away with his mom. Her smile faded as they disappeared around the corner. Turning to enter the daycare, Ashari froze.

Jediah was across the street, leaning against a car with his feet crossed by the ankles.

He had a cigar resting in the corner of his mouth, and a hand tucked into his pants’ pocket.

Jediah’s white dress shirt sleeves were rolled up to the elbows.

He removed the cigar from his mouth, blowing fumes away while easing off the car.

Jediah didn’t look up or down the road before he stepped forward, walking until he stopped before her. “No glasses today, my Ari?”

“Contacts,” she lied, her heart palpitating. “How’d you find me?” she added, pausing as Charlie rushed through the door.

“Sorry! He left his hand painting, and he really wanted to show it to his mom. I’ll be back to help you close up!” Charlie said, and Ashari nodded. Charlie gave Ashari a sweet smile before running down the street with her bow bouncing at the end of her braid.

Ashari expectantly looked back at Jediah. He wasn’t supposed to know that she worked here. Not yet. Sure, this was Howie’s daycare, but her studies showed that only Elias and Iyana came here.

“You left your phone at the hotel,” he explained.

“I didn’t.”

A small smirk came on his mouth. “Yu leff yu mark pon me.”

Ashari scoffed. “That’s cringe, but a bit bold. Aren’t you?”

“The only thing cringe is when you speak Patois,” Jediah countered. “And I don’t beat around the bush, Ari. I know what I want.”

“What do you want?”

“You,” he said, moving the cigar back to his mouth.

Ashari fanned away the fumes, thankful all the kids were gone and didn’t have to see this man, who was a bad influence. “You don’ know me.”

“I’m about to.” Jediah stepped to the side, nodding his head toward the car across the street. “Get in.”

Looking around the restaurant, Ashari was glad she’d worn a nice dress to work.

Jediah had asked her if she wanted to change before he brought her here, but she’d declined.

They’d been cozying up in the booth for a little over an hour, and he’d managed to dodge most of the questions she’d asked him.

His responses to the ones he’d answered were vague.

Jediah was only interested in getting to know her.

Her eyes passed over Dimitri, standing by a wall, and the other guards scattered around the entrances to the establishment, before they settled on Jediah. She took a small sip from her alcoholic drink before placing the glass on the table. “You involved in a somet’ing illegal?”

Jediah raised a brow. “Why’d you ask that?”

“No normal somebody don’ walk with a bagga man a tail them.”

“Let’s just say I’m very important.”

She smiled and leaned in. “How important?”

“Important enough for you to have never heard of me unless I wanted you to.”

“You come up with a better answer since last night,” Ashari teased. “It’s my first time hearing that one… So, do you want me to know about you?”

He waved his cigar around the restaurant. “I got you out to dinner, didn’t I?”

Ashari chuckled. “Okay, Just Jed. But, you still don’ answer me question.”

“I sell cars.”

“That don’ call for so much security.”

“Cars that are special, Ari,” he said.

“How?”

He grinned. “They’re custom-made for the highest bidder.”

“I see,” Ashari said, leaning back with a smile after realizing that was all he’d say. She reached for her bag she’d laid next to herself. “It’s getting late, and I had a long day, so…”

Jediah nodded, placing the cigar in the ashtray, then helping her to stand. They walked back to the car and Jediah opened the door for her. They made small talk until Cameron slowed before her apartment, making Jediah’s brow raise. “A could never here so yu live.”

“What’s wrong with it?” she asked defensively. Sure, the apartment needed a repaint and the shrubs could use a trim, but all the amenities were up to par.

“It’s a shit hole.”

She fought the urge to roll her eyes. “Yes, Just Jed. Not all of us have security and chauffeurs.”

“Wan’ lock yu down fi mek yu have it too, but yu don’ seem interested.”

“Show me that yu wan’ do more than tear off mi draws, and maybe I’ll let you spoil me,” she suggested, and he licked his bottom lip.

He was about to respond when the slam of a door captured his attention. He looked over Ashari’s shoulder, then narrowed his eyes. “Boyfriend?”

Ashari looked over her shoulder. Her eyes narrowed on Romar. Jediah wouldn’t be able to see his face clearly because he stood in the shadows, but Ashari knew that stance anywhere. Her eyes returned to normal as she looked at Jediah with her most believable smile. “No. Big brother.”

“Ah… ’Cause mi don’ join the sharing thing, My Ari.”

She leaned toward him, and he yanked the cigar from his mouth.

Jediah puckered his lips and leaned forward.

Ashari smirked as she locked her fingers beneath his chin, the hairs of his beard pricking her fingers as she turned his head to the side.

Her heart slammed hard against her chest as she leaned forward.

Jediah’s cologne was more alluring from that proximity as her lips faintly traced his cheek, trailing upward until she was at the shell of his ear, making him shiver.

“Not your Ari yet,” she whispered, then pulled away with a smirk. She winked at his shocked expression before exiting the car and sashaying toward the apartment. Her eyes narrowed on Romar as she approached him, but he didn’t notice because he was too busy glaring at the car.

When she was close enough, he uncrossed his arms and held the door open for her. “Well?”

She smirked as she stepped into the apartment, spotting Lyssa sitting on the edge of the sofa. “I’ve got him.”

“Yes!” Lyssa cheered, jumping up and down as Romar closed the door.

Romar tugged Ashari into a hug, and she smiled as she wrapped her arms around him. “Good job.”

She pulled away to look at him. “No thanks to you. Why were you outside?”

Lyssa chuckled. “He was worried ’cause Sanjae and Jaia lost you.”

Ashari shrugged as she sat on the sofa. Lyssa sat beside her while Romar remained by the door. “I told Senior that security won’t be very effective. Cameron is a great driver. He knows how to dodge tails without realizing it. Besides, I wasn’t expecting Jed to show up there.”

“We know. You didn’t have your tracker on?”

Ashari shook her head. “I messed up, but it won’t happen again.”

Romar pursed his lips. Watching Ashari gulp hard, his eyes softened at her. “I’m glad you’re okay. I’m gonna leave now… Lyssa, come.”

Lyssa shook her head. “I’m not ready yet.”

Romar stared at Lyssa for a second before he nodded toward Ashari and left.

“I’m gonna shower, then we can watch a movie or something,” Ashari said and stood.

She went to her bedroom, stripped from her clothing while entering the ensuite bathroom, then hopped in the shower.

As the hot water trailed down her dark skin, her mind flashed to Jediah and how she needed to use her body to win this case.

She thought of his rough hands trailing across her skin.

How good his fingers felt inside her pussy while he kissed along her neck.

The aching throb between her thighs as his condom sheathed erection pressed against her opening.

“What are you thinking about?” came a voice, and Ashari snapped out of it.

She turned her head to the side and watched as Lyssa slid the shower door open by a fraction. “Nothing,” Ashari answered, stretching her hand toward Lyssa. “Come here.”

A huge grin rushed to Lyssa’s face. She almost tripped over her feet in her rush to get her clothes off and enter the shower. Ashari pulled her close by the waist before pressing her mouth against hers.

Ashari’s hands trailed Lyssa’s soft ass before settling on the small of her back. The tips of Lyssa’s braids brushed Ashari’s fingers, and Ashari gripped a fistful. She yanked Lyssa’s head backward while breaking the kiss, craning Lyssa’s neck for easier access to her soft, sweet-smelling skin.

Lyssa writhed as Ashari kissed and nipped at her skin. “Ash…”

Ashari trailed her free hand down Lyssa’s abdomen while freeing her mouth from Lyssa’s neck.

She moved both her hands to Lyssa’s side, her palms gliding along the curves of Lyssa’s waist as she lowered herself to her knees.

Eye-level with Lyssa’s pussy, Ashari looked up at Lyssa with a smirk.

“I never have to touch you too much to make you wet.”

Lyssa laughed and helped Ashari to her feet. “I can’t stand you!”

Ashari grinned. “You love me.”

“I do,” Lyssa said, smiling as she stared into Ashari’s eyes.

“What?” Ashari asked, chuckling as she noticed Lyssa’s smile falter.

The smile returned to Lyssa’s face before she beckoned to switch positions. She brought her face closer to Ashari’s pussy, and Ashari threw a leg over Lyssa’s shoulder. “Nothing. Let me show you how good you make me feel.”

Ashari bit into her lower lip as Lyssa kissed her inner thighs, parted her pussy with two fingers, then explored her slit with her tongue.

She used a hand to comb through Lyssa’s hair while the other fondled her own breast, toying with her hardened brown nipples. “Faster…” she moaned in a breathy plea.

Lyssa complied. She licked, slurped, and sucked on Ashari’s throbbing clit. Doing all the things time taught her about how to make Ashari come the hardest.

“Oh!” Ashari screamed louder, her core tightening as Lyssa’s pace increased.

Lyssa’s tongue jutted in and out of Ashari’s pussy before it got replaced with two fingers.

Ashari looked down at Lyssa, momentarily blinded by ecstasy, yet she still saw Lyssa looking at her with the most mesmerizing eyes.

Lyssa’s gaze softened as Ashari’s orgasm neared, causing Ashari to turn her head toward the ceiling.