Page 67 of The Ninth

He threw his head back and laughed, “Thank you, my Devyn. Tell me about your friend you made. I’m glad you’re getting out more, baby girl.”

I blushed, scratching his back slowly. “Um, I just started hanging around her. My other friend that I’m currently with told me not to hang around her. That she be caught up into some things. I wanted to be the judge of it. She’s cool so far. I feel like if I just keep her at arm’s length, we’d have a great relationship.”

He tilted his head to the side, finishing chewing before speaking, “You’re a sweet girl, Devyn. I love that you’re giving shorty a chance. Your friend could definitely just be a hater. But I don’t know. Do you trust her judgement? Because if so, she may be privy to some shit you not, folks.”

“I do but...I think the circumstances are different. That’s all.”

“Always call me if shit is looking shaky. You understand?” The sudden seriousness in his voice caused my hand to pause. “Devyn?”

“I understand.”

“Which tattoo are you excited to do today?”

I kept scratching his back as I went on and on about the script tattoo he had set for me. In the back of my mind, I was thinking of Pink and Cassie. Pink isn’t interested in putting me in a threesome with her and her man. She would’ve been asked. She’s flirty just like all the other girls in the club are. They have to be. Well, besides Cassie. She was just friendly, never flirty. Plus, I don’t look like Cassandra. Pink has a type, and I’m not it.

My long and drawn out excited yap finished as soon as Duke threw his fork down. I cackled at there not even being a crumb of food or drop of drink left.

He chuckled as he pushed me back against the arm of couch, laying in between my legs with his back on my chest. I was just in a spandex romper with a sweater over top. My pussy was all on this man’s back!

“I’m taking you liked the food?”

“That shit bussin, on granny!”

“Don’t get the itis now! You only have so long before our next appointment.”

“He’s a good repeat customer of mine. I’ma ask if you can fly solo and then walk some of this food off! I could fall asleep right here between your legs. Heaven.”

My thighs clenched around him. He laughed and laid his head back on me.

“Everything else going okay? You got groceries, bills paid, doing things without me?”

“Why are you so sweet, Duke?” I looked down at his face as his eyes were closed. He didn’t make any expression when he spoke,

“Devyn, that’s regular shit. I’m sweet for making sure you’re alive and well?”

“Yeah, Duke. It’s not your responsibility. And you...you haven’t asked of nothing from me.”

“I’ve asked for, and have been awarded, a lot of your time. That’s enough. And I will not be asking for more anytime soon. I actually wanted to take you to dinner tonight. I’m not a big fan of staying in a gray area. Not at this age. We’ll discuss it over food.”

“Oh, I have to go home and change and—”

“I had Beatrice get clothes for you. You’ll get ready at home.”

“At your place?”

“That’s what I said.”

I laughed softly. He finally opened his eyes, leaning up and kissing my cheek. It took Big Papa five minutes to get his ass off that damn couch. I cracked up laughing the entire time.

“Duke?”

“Yeah?”

“Do I need to get a Burberry button down?” I asked, rubbing his stomach. He leaned against the wall, cracking up laughing.

Once he caught his breath, we made our way up to the front. We were both joking and pinching each other. When the customer stood, I almost shitted myself. It was the customer that called me a transplant my first night at The Ninth. He looked at me and then looked at me again. A smile instantly came onto his face. Oh no.

I gripped onto Duke’s forearm. He looked down at me, concerned. Panic filled my chest as I opened my mouth to speak. To confess.