Page 22

“I don’t know how I feel, Mi.” He exhaled again as he tucked me under his arm. I gazed up at him as he stared out into the ocean. “What am I going to do if I have a child in this world? She said she’s five. What if the kid thinks less of me because I haven’t been around?”

I gasped as I sat up a little. “I can’t believe this… you’re scared.”

“Noemi, I’m not?—”

“You are.” I stopped him and laid my head on his chest. His fingers immediately found my scalp and began to massage.

“You’re used to control, and this situation is one you didn’t see coming.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned about you…

I’ve learned you tackle every issue you encounter head-on.

This situation is one you weren’t expecting, but I know you’re going to do the right thing, especially if this child is yours.

It has nothing to do with the mother…” I placed my hand on his chest and felt his steady heartbeat.

“But with you. If this kid is yours, you’re going to be a great father.

You’ve had the perfect example, and I don’t expect anything less.

It’s not in you to fail. Don’t get too much caught up on the time lost. If there’s, in fact, a child, focus on where you go from here.

Go see Gia, Jordan. Have a conversation. Don’t wait too long.”

Although he didn’t respond immediately, he didn’t have to.

Jordan was a man of action. The moment he finds out the kid is his, he’s going to spring into action and do the right thing.

I made a mental note to look into his so-called ex.

I’ll be damned if I sit around and let her cause chaos in his life.

“You know… I might keep you around a little longer.” His chest rumbled as he chuckled lowly.

“You’ve been cooped up in here for two days.

Come on… let me take you out.” Pulling me up from our seats, he eyeballed my attire.

The darkening in his irises caused my heart to flutter and me to blush.

His eyes finally found mine again, and he winked.

“Go change your clothes and leave your wallet here. I feel like tricking on my best friend.”

“You got me fucked up if you think you’re about to drag me from store to store like I’m some simp-ass nigga.” I giggled as I listened to Jordan complain about shopping. “You could have asked my mama to come with you, and I’m sure she would have been more than happy.”

“You don’t like spending time with me, friend?

” I looped my arm in his as we walked through The Galleria.

Mills Manor not only had beautiful homes but also one of the most luxurious malls I’ve ever stepped foot in.

“It’s not like I know anyone else out here since Dre and Denim aren’t in town yet.

Plus, I want to go in here.” I stopped and nodded toward the boutique.

“Since you’re a man, I figured you knew what men like. I was hoping you’d help me.”

Nibbling my bottom lip, I peered up at him with the biggest puppy dog eyes I could muster.

Truth was, my confidence had taken a hit, and I was subconsciously too stubborn to admit it.

Chandler disrespecting me was one thing, but his failure to even attempt to be faithful to me had me wondering what was wrong with me.

It was even more irritating that I was supposed to be on vacation but could not keep my thoughts off of the dick head who didn’t even deserve me.

So why does it matter that he won’t do right by you and try to have a traditional marriage?

Shaking me from my internal dialogue, Jordan asked, “You want me to call Jerome and tell him to pull up?”

He mugged me as I ignored him and pulled him inside the lingerie store. Seeing the mannequins dressed in skimpy attire was enough to make me blush instantly.

“I’m a man that likes ass and titties, Mi. This ain’t some shit I need to be doing with you.”

“Please, Jordan!” I pleaded, feeling pitiful.

“You think I want to have you do this with me?” I gestured around the store and felt so out of place.

“I would much rather experience this with a man who wanted me—someone who finds me attractive. I’m set to be married to a man who would rather cheat on me at every turn before he considers finding me sexy enough to be faithful to. I just thought?—”

Dropping my head, I tried my best to stop the tears from falling.

I knew I was a beautiful woman, but since being with Chandler, I’ve second-guessed everything about myself.

From my locs to the way I dress, I felt like I wasn’t good enough or maybe not his type.

Seeing the kind of women he cheats on me with makes me feel really self-conscious about myself.

“Aye…” He lifted my chin and brought my eyes to his. “If you want me to sit here and watch you model these scraps, I don’t mind. Just don’t say shit when my dick gets hard.”

“Oh my gosh!” I groaned as I looked around. Women were gawking at him, and I could feel my face grow hot. “Jordan, why would you say that?”

“Shit, it’s the truth.” Grabbing my hand, he led me over to the bra and panty area. “Now, if you want my help, let’s start here.” Picking up a red, laced thong, I groaned at the sight. “Let me see what you’re working with.”

Rolling my eyes, I snatched the pieces from him and went in search of a dressing room.

The place had a sensual ambiance to it, and suddenly, I was nervous.

This was not my first time in a lingerie store, but having Jordan with me made me feel things I shouldn’t be feeling for a friend.

I was uneasy, but I also felt a hint of something that I couldn’t put my finger on.

Locating an empty dressing room, I glanced over my shoulder and found him texting on his phone before we entered the waiting area.

The worry lines on his face were so cute, but I knew he was stressed since his ex-girlfriend had popped back up in town.

That was another reason for getting him out of the house and forcing him to shop with me. I wanted to take his mind off things.

“I need to get my ass in the gym.” I groaned as I shimmied my denim shorts down my thighs. I’ve always had wide hips, and that could be another thing that turns Chandler off since it’s been a string of sticks being his whores. “I can’t do shit with this ass.”

“Seems to me that nigga can’t either.” I squealed when Jordan quietly entered the dressing room. “I knew you was dragging a wagon, but damn, girl.”

“Uh, sir… you can’t be in there.” I heard an associate speak on the other side of the curtain. “I’m going to need you to step out, please.”

“Come get me out of this muthafucka,” he responded, never taking his eyes from my body. Stepping closer, he placed his hand on my hip, giving it a rough squeeze. “I don’t know, friend. You sure your nigga ain’t gay.”

“W-What do you mean?” I panted as I watched him through the mirror. While his left hand was planted on my waist, his right was tracing my body. I followed as he dragged his finger across my collarbone to the middle of my chest, all the way to my navel. “I don’t understand.”

“You are hands down the finest woman I’ve ever seen.

” He finally brought his eyes to meet mine in the mirror, and I stopped breathing.

“If you were mine, there wouldn’t be a day that goes by that I didn’t tell you how fuckin’ fine you are.

These…” He pinched my nipples, and I felt the liquid gush from my pussy.

“Would never leave my mouth. This ass…” Smack “My Lawd, this ass. I’d mount you and bounce on this soft muthafucka like a trampoline. ”

The more he talked to me, the more turned-on I became. Jordan and I have never crossed a line with each other, but at this moment, I would be down to do whatever he wanted to do. As he ran his finger below my navel, I couldn’t help but moan and shudder.

“Jordan,” I panted as he continued to trail south. “Please…”

“Then there’s this…” He trailed the outside of my panties, shaking his head in disbelief, “I know once a man dives in between those thighs, he would kill any man that ever looked at you. One taste of you, Noemi, would drive the most sane man crazy.” Pulling my panties to the side, he rubbed my clit before pushing his middle finger into me.

I threw my head back and grunted at the intrusion.

The feel of someone else’s digits would never compare to your own.

Pumping in and out of me a few times, I could have cried once he stopped his assault.

“Open up for me, Noemi.” I reached behind me to spread my cheeks. His dick was so hard that I just knew he was going to break me in half. Chuckling, he licked his lips before tapping my mouth. “Your upper lips, baby. Open.”

Ashamed of my whorish ways, I parted my lips, and my eyes widened when he eased his fingers inside, allowing me to taste myself. Sucking his fingers gently, his glare keenly on me as I licked them clean. His breath hitched before he opened his mouth to speak.

“You see how easily you responded to me?”

I panted as I nodded. “Yes.” We were still eyeing each other in the mirror. “That was?—”

“How your man is supposed to make you respond, and if he ain’t like this…

” He wound his hips into my ass, and his dick was hard as steel.

“You don’t need him. There isn’t a damn thing wrong with you, and I better not ever hear you say nothing even close to implying that it is.

Your nigga is a bitch for making you feel otherwise, and if I didn’t care about you, I’d fuck you in this dressing room and not give a damn about who was out there listening .

” Turning me to face him, he gripped my chin and planted a kiss on my lips.

It was soft yet assertive. If it wasn’t for him holding me, I would have fallen to my knees.

“I want you?—”

“Get dressed, baby.” He eyed me once more before stepping back. “We’ve got some more tricking to do.”

Winking, he left the dressing room, leaving me wet and confused.

Hearing him ask the associate what the fuck was she looking at, I snapped from my thoughts and back to reality.

I have never in my life wanted someone as much as I wanted Jordan at this moment, and I didn’t know what to do about it.

I didn’t want to ruin this friendship because of a weak moment.

The more I thought about it, the more embarrassed I became.

Lost in my thoughts, I went through the motions of getting dressed.

“We can go now,” I stated quietly as I exited the room with the garments still in hand. I couldn’t look at him, so I made a beeline to the cash register. He said nothing as he took the lingerie from me and placed it on the counter. “What are you doing?”

“You thought I was going to let you spend your money while you’re in my city?

” He frowned at me. I couldn’t help but giggle.

This man seemed to walk around with a permanent mug on his grill.

“I hope you’re about done because I want to go to Wild’s shoe store and get a bite to eat. Plus, you owe me a movie.”

I stood to the side of him as I watched him move around as if he hadn’t just rocked my world. Maybe it was for the best that I left well enough alone. Jordan was already detached, and I don’t think I could handle rejection or the way he would be once we’ve succumbed to pleasure. I couldn’t bear it.

“You ready?” he asked with the bags in his hands. He looked so handsome as he waited for me to answer. I mentally told my pussy that this was our friend and nothing more. “What’s wrong?”

Looking into his eyes, I wanted so badly to speak my mind, but I wouldn’t. Not only did I value him as a friend, but I was engaged to someone else. Even if I wanted him just once, I knew he wouldn’t be cool with that. He spoke so ill of his ex, and I never wanted him to think that way of me.

“Nothing.” I gave him a soft smile and looped my arm back in his as we left the store. “Just thinking about how I’m about to drain your pockets dry.”

He stared at me for a moment, just taking me in.

I knew he didn’t believe me, but instead, he said nothing.

Blowing a sigh of relief, I tried to push what had transpired to the back of my mind so we could enjoy our day.

My time in the Grove was supposed to be spent with me clearing my mind, not getting my back broken.

What happened back there couldn’t happen again—no matter how badly I wanted it to.