Page 85 of Own It

“I don’t need to stay here.” I pouted once I was to my feet and up against him.

Pecking me, he said, “You do as part of the deal. Ya pops gotta know I came through on my end by releasing you.” He looked off. “Plus, he don’t know about this yet.”

“True. I need to think on how I will tell him.” I glanced off briefly.

I wanted him to meet Rakim first because I felt like if my dad knew who Rakim was, there would be no hope. Sure, he would be pissed finding out after, but he’d remember how much he liked him and would possibly be more open to forgiveness.

“You do.” Rakim moved my hair back to admire my face in that way he always did. “I want you to clear ya head for these next few days or weeks or however long you need, baby. When or if you come back to me, I need it to be because you sat with this and knew hands down this is what you wanted.” He kissed me, holding his lips to mine for a long period. “I won’t make it if you decide two weeks into fucking with me that you ain’t in it like that.”

“I won’t.” I all but whined, making him give a closed-mouth snicker. “But I understand.”

We kissed once more before he walked me to my door, carrying all the shit I’d obtained while with him.

“I’m gon’ miss yo’ inquisitive ass,” he let me know as I stood in my doorway.

“You better behave. I have your number which means we are still gonna be talking.” I heightened my brow, making him smile.

“Yes, ma’am.” He stopped me, forcing me to look up into his eyes, before saying, “You it for me. I’m not looking for or open to shit else. Don’t worry about me behaving.”

I nodded.

We pecked repeatedly and about fifty damn times before he turned to walk away. I stood there in the same place for what seemed like forever until he pulled off.

Feeling somber, I went to clean my tub and then ran a bubble bath, because I was sore from the pounding Rakim put on me in bed last night and needed a good, hot soak.

I thought about him so much during my bath that Shaun hadn’t crossed my mind until I was laying down for a nap.

Shit. I forgot about his ass.

* * *

EIGHT A.M. THE NEXT MORNING . . .

Someone assaulting my doorbell jolted me from my sleep, making me remember that I was now back home. I sat up, dizzy and tired, trying to pull my thoughts together so that I could walk to my door and curse whomever it was out.

Woodenly, I tossed my legs off the side of my extra comfortable bed, instantly thinking about how it wasn’t nearly as comfortable as the bed Rakim had. Also, sleeping in his strong arms, his scent lulling me into a slumber was something I was already craving for. As much as I wished to be set free while with him initially, I was now wishing I could go back.

I missed getting butterflies at the sound of his footsteps nearing the door, quizzing him about his life, hearing his laugh, kissing his lips, tossing my leg across him in bed, and, of course, the sex that left my body ridden with passion marks whether he was fucking me or making love to me.

Rakim had a very big dick, but between the way he touched me and talked me through it, I would be wetter than water and up for the pounding. Nothing worse than a man with a big dick who couldn’t work it.

Every day, I understood LaMia less. Rakim was a man you held down even if he had phone book years, let alone a measly three and some change. And the nigga she betrayed my baby for? I’d get into a relationship with Morgin, despite being straight as a pin needle, before I even let Ayan smell my pussy.

“Alright!” I shouted, rising to my feet and almost stumbling out of my bedroom and down the stairs.

I never used the rail when coming down, but this morning, I needed to. I stayed up for hours last night yearning for Rakim, and then he dialed me because he was on the same wave, so we talked on the phone for three more hours.

Ugh. I needed him.

Looking out my peephole, I spotted both of my parents, plus my brother, Cairo, and sister, Serene.

“Sweetie!” My mother beamed at the sight of me, tackling me into a hug.

“Hi, Mommy.” I hugged her back once I caught my balance.

Everyone else followed suit, my dad being last, and when he pulled back from the embrace, he inspected me as if he would find a single scratch.

“You look exhausted. My poor baby girl.” He hugged me again, squeezing the life out of me.