Page 89 of A King’s Obsession

We’d talk about it when she got up. I pulled on my shorts and stood.

“Where you going?” Jru's sleepy voice stopped me before I made it to the door. She barely opened her eyes, lifting her head just enough to find me standing beside the bed.

“Downstairs. Got calls to make.” I glanced back at her, taking in the way she was already trying to fall asleep again. “Go back to sleep. I’ll wake you before we meet the contractor.”

She nodded and pulled the sheet higher. I left before I found a reason to get back in bed.

By the time I got downstairs, I had coffee in my hand and Malachi on the phone. Yara had sent over the contractor’s estimate and the documents we needed to sign. I opened them on my laptop at the kitchen island.

“Crew still starting Monday at the new club?” I asked, scrolling through the paperwork while I waited for his answer.

“Yeah. I’m meeting the foreman this afternoon.” Malachi sounded like he was moving around, probably handling his own morning business.

“Good. Me and Jru meeting the restaurant contractor this morning.” I opened another document, checking the numbers Yara had sent over.

Before he answered, the chef came over to ask about breakfast. I told him French toast, eggs, turkey bacon and fruit for Jru, then asked if the flowers had arrived.

Malachi heard every fucking word.

“Flowers?” The way he said that one word told me his nosy ass was already smiling.

“Don’t start.” I took another sip of coffee, knowing damn well he wasn't about to leave it alone.

His laugh came through the phone. “You got her a car yesterday. Now you ordering breakfast and flowers? What happened last night?”

I took a drink of coffee, letting his nosy ass talk while the chef went back to work.

“All I know is she better not start that guest-room shit again.” I leaned back against the island, thinking about how comfortable she'd looked sleeping in my bed.

“Oh, so that’s what happened.” He laughed harder, and I could practically picture the stupid-ass grin on his face. “Got your ass downstairs making arrangements.”

“Ain’t you married? Go arrange some shit for your own woman.” I shook my head, already tired of hearing his mouth.

Another call came through before he could answer. I looked at the number, frowned and told him to hold on.

“Who this?” I answered, not recognizing the number.

“It’s Simone.” Her voice came through like I was supposed to be happy to hear it.

I let out a groan. Fuck. Let a bitch suck my dick one time, and now she calling my personal phone.

“How the fuck you get my number?” I asked, staring at the screen like that shit might explain why she thought calling me was a good idea.

“Somebody gave it to me. I’ve been trying to reach you.” She sounded entirely too comfortable for somebody who had no business calling me.

“Then lose it. You got no business calling my personal phone.” I pushed away from the counter, already irritated.

She laughed like I was playing. “Why you acting like that? We had a good time.”

“We had one afternoon. Whatever you thought that was, it’s done. Don’t call my motherfucking—”

Somebody cleared their throat behind me.

I turned around and forgot what the fuck I was saying.

Jru stood barefoot in my kitchen wearing one of my T-shirts. Her hair was all over her head, her glasses were crooked, and she had a crease on her cheek from my pillow.

Damn.