Page 9 of Solomon’s Temple

I nodded. “But you knew that, though.” After I made sure Justice was secure, I extended my hand for her to get in beside him. She smiled and climbed on while I climbed in the cart behind them. I was too damn big for this ride, but there was no way I was letting Beauty out of my sight. I adjusted my legs and sat sideways so my knees could have space and I could see her fully. I watched as she gave Justice a tablet to keep him occupied, then pushed her long mane up into a bun.

“You live around here?” I asked to break the ice.

“Sterling Heights, but I work here in Southfield.”

“Nice.”

“What about you, since you in my business?” she sassed playfully.

I chuckled. “I live in the Brownsville penthouses downtown.”

“Hm. Fancy.”

“Hey, Sterling Heights ain’t the hood either.”

She laughed. “Touché. But I live in a townhouse, not a penthouse. You must have a great job to afford that place,” she assumed.

“I own my own security company. It pays the bills.” I shrugged.

“Somehow I think you’re just being modest.”

“Maybe a little. Are you single?”

She looked back at me with a slight smirk. “Maybe, maybe not.”

I nodded and licked my lips.

Damn, she’s beautiful.

“Well, if by chance you’re not, I would like to maybe take you to breakfast tomorrow if you’re free.”

She smirked. “You trying to get to know me?”

“Absolutely.” We held eye contact for almost ten seconds before she smiled and nodded.

“I wouldn’t mind that, but I usually sleep my mornings away on the weekends from my midnight job. Unfortunately, I picked up the weekend shift this week, so I won’t be available in the morning.”

“Then brunch or lunch? Whichever you’d prefer.”

“You look like you got a stable of h”—She filtered herself for baby boy—“women falling at your feet. How do I know you don’t have someone at home?”

My Beauty’s a cusser. We’re going to have to change that.

“I wouldn’t be pursuing you if I had a lady. I’m really trying to make you the First Lady. Also, looks are deceiving. When I saw how beautiful you were, I didn’t assume you had a stable of niggas falling at your feet, even though it’s very much so possible. I just thought you had one that gives you the world, and if he didn’t, I would make sure I handled that for him.”

“Oooo, so you’re Mister Steal Yo’ Girl, huh?” She laughed.

“I don’t steal, shorty. In my opinion, if a man isn’t valuing his woman or trying to give her the world, then she’s not his to take. I can guarantee if you’re not being loved right, you’ll seek it from somewhere else.” I leaned forward to get closer so she could hear me. “That somewhere else would be with me.”

Her perfectly arched eyebrow raised, and that beautiful smirk remained when she asked, “And you’re so sure about that?”

I gave a curt nod. “I’m confident. Just agree to have lunch with me to prove it.” My phone buzzed in my pocket. I pulled it out, seeing the emergency text in my team’s group chat.

Jonathan:

The Wrights are ready for us now, sir.

Damn.