Page 43 of Solomon’s Temple

“It’s three thirty-three p.m. here. We’re six hours ahead of you guys.”

“You know I don’t get up this early, but you’re across the world, so I had my phone near my pillow,” Toni said with a laugh. “Glad you landed safely though, Sis. Did y’all fly commercial?”

I shook my head and smiled. “A G5.”

“Biiitch! He got a brother? Cousin? Best friend? Hell, I’ll take a daddy or uncle!” Phire exclaimed.

“I couldn’t even tell you, babe. I haven’t even met his parents yet. I think they were at the fundraiser, but I don’t know what they look like.”

“I’m sure you’ll meet them soon if he’s talking marriage. Gotta know what you’re signing up for,” Toni said.

“Right. How do you feel about this, though? Do you see yourself settling down with him? He seems like a cool dude, and y’all do make the cutest couple,” Sapphire added.

“They do. I can tell he’s really into you, too.”

I sipped my champagne before I spoke. “I like him. A lot. He’s different from these other niggas that I’d encountered throughout my life, so that gives him a leg up, but I know how I am. I don’t want to taint him with my bad behavior.

“Like, I want to fuck him for even bringing me here to blow a bag on me. And not just because of that. He just makes me feel shit I never felt before. It’s crazy, and I can’t explain it.” I shrugged. “I don’t mind seeing where this goes, though.”

“Okuurrt! Throw that wham all in his face!” Sapphire exclaimed, bouncing her round ass in the camera.

“Whim Whamiee! Ayyee!” Toni hyped. I laughed and shook my head at them. I looked behind me to make sure he wasn’t near.

“Y’all are crazy. I’ll have to tell y’all why we’re even here in the first place another time. I’m about to go get him off this phone. He’s been taking calls since we got off the jet. I need some attention now.”

“Wait! Y’all about to elope?” Sapphire asked, face filled with shock.

“No, girl!” I laughed. “Not that I know of, but if he wants to marry me so we can do the nasty, then I’m here for it, because he is blessed and hiiighly favooored!” I sang.

Another round of laughs filled the receiver.

Toni queried in a hushed tone, “You saw it?”

“Not physically. But I can’t help but see that snake slithering down his leg.” I placed my hand on my chest and closed my eyes, imagining that thing filling me up.

“Mm, mm. I ain’t want to say nothing, but I saw that bulge in his slacks at the dinner,” Phire said, cheesing into the camera.

“Don’t be looking at my future baby daddy-husband’s dick, ho,” I scolded playfully.

“It was only a glance. Chill. He shouldn’t wear clothes he knows make it noticeable.”

“Mm-hmm, don’t make me jump on you.”

We laughed.

“I hope that man knows what he’s getting into with you. Your spoiled ass is about to drive that man crazy,” Toni noted.

I shrugged. “I’m sure he knows. I have to go though. I love y’all so much.”

“We love you too, babe. Take lots of vids and pics,” Sapphire said.

“Will do.” I blew them a kiss, ended the call, then stood and went in search of Solomon.

The two-story Venetian villa sat on a hill with beautiful green pastures and the ocean as its backdrop. The open concept of the villa gave a homely feel with red oakwood floors throughout.

I walked out of the bedroom I’d chosen and down the stairs where I’d last seen him in the great room. I peeped inside and saw him sitting in the plush, high-back chair in front of the open patio doors. The smell of salt water flowed through the air in the slight breeze that filtered through the room.

He was hunched over, looking down at what appeared to be a logbook while writing something down, the phone pressed to his ear.