The Deed to a Gangsta’s Heart

Chapter 13

13

A rmor

“Wait.” I ran my fingers down the corners of my mouth as I chuckled. It wasn’t my intention to laugh, but the situation was comical.

What made it worse was the distressed look on Remedy’s face. We’d met with Chapel and Jeremy from Rose Valley Hills to discuss teaming up since we offered some of the same things.

We wanted to start real estate conferences to help other Black realtors gain the success we had. Real Estate was such a vast market and goldmine. It went beyond buying and selling, and if you could find your niche, you could make some damn good money. Remedy and I were already making seven figures, and if we expanded into other cities, we could make billions within the next decade.

I flagged the waitress down, grateful we’d done the meeting at a restaurant that had top shelf liquor. After I ordered us both a glass of cognac, I continued.

“You’re telling me you haven’t said a thing about what happened that night?”

When his nostrils flared as he frowned, I could no longer hold my laughter in. Remedy was probably the most outspoken person I knew. A lot of people didn’t just fear him physically; they also feared what came out of his mouth. When it came to his girl as he called her, he went from a Cane Corso to a Yorkie puppy. Shit, a Poodle. Yorkies could get active if you tried them.

“Fuck am I supposed to say, man? Aye, Cal, the night you got drunk you played with your pussy in my back seat, and I watched.”

“Yes!” I whispered loudly before laughing again. “That’s exactly what you’re supposed to say.”

He sucked his teeth and shook his head. “Nah, I can’t do that. I don’t want to make things weird.”

“Clearly they already are if you’ve been avoiding her and you haven’t told her why. You said she doesn’t remember what happened that night…”

“I don’t think she does. She hasn’t mentioned it either. It’s not that I want to talk about it. I just… want it to happen again. I still taste her. Hear her.” His head shook as if he was trying to get the sound of her out. “I feel like if I say something she’s going to be embarrassed and regret that night.”

“How will you know if you don’t talk to her about it? I know that’s your best friend and you know her, but this is new territory for you. She might be open to it. I would say at least test the waters. Talk to her straight up about sex and see how she responds.”

He tugged his ear and nodded his agreement. I was making light of his situation, but I had one of my own. At least he could talk to Callie. I had no idea how to get in touch with Luci. Well, she told me she worked in the marketing department at a shipping company. We only had one in Jasper Lane, so unless she worked from home, she had to work at Speedi Shipping. I felt like a stalker considering calling and seeing if she worked there.

I missed her. I missed her moans, her soft skin, the way she sucked me in. How she looked under me. I missed her beautiful eyes and her laugh. I miss her.

I’d had one night stands before and would be over the experience by now. Luci was different. She was harder to get out of my system.

I wanted to have her again… and again.

And again.

We kicked it for a little while longer before Remedy left. To free up the table, I moved to the bar. I wasn’t quite ready to return to the solitude of my home. When I felt a woman brush against my side, I didn’t bother to look at her. It wasn’t until I heard a gasp that I looked in that direction, and my eyes widened at the sight of Luci.

Before I could stop myself, I pulled her between my legs and kissed her. She moaned against my lips as she wrapped her arms around me.

“Did you miss me?” she asked with a smile as she wiped her lipstick off my lips.

“I did actually. I was a couple of days away from calling Speedi Shipping to find you.”

She laughed even though I was serious. “That won’t be necessary if you ask for my number this time.”

“Trust me, I wasn’t going to let you go until you gave it to me.” Her smile lingered as she remained silent, allowing me to add, “Who are you here with?”

“A few coworkers. Why? ”

“I want you.”

“I had plans actually,” she confessed. “A date.”

“Cancel it. Or do you need me to do it for you?”

Her eyes rolled playfully. “He’s expecting me to go out dancing with him, though he probably won’t want to if he’s seen me with you like this.”

“Oh, so it’s someone you work with?” Standing, I took her hand into mine. “Introduce me to your coworkers.”

“Armor, I—”

“What table?”

Between my tone and expression, she realized I was serious. Licking the corner of her mouth, Luci led me to the table where her coworkers were seated. Their conversations ceased when we made it to the table. Three women and two men stared at us. The women smiled while the men looked at me with confused expressions.

“Get your things,” I said to Luci, and she quickly did as I instructed.

“I’ll uh… see you guys tomorrow,” she said, pulling her bag onto her shoulder.

“Which one did you have plans with?” I asked, to which she pointed toward the man who looked me over with a frown. “I apologize for the inconvenience, but Luci won’t be able to join you tonight,” I told him. “Are you cool with that, or is it something we need to discuss outside?”

Clearing his throat, he straightened in his seat and shook his head. “You’re Armor Mitchell, right?” he confirmed. I nodded, and he shook his head again. “Nah, we’re good.”

Holding in my laugh, I turned and led Luci out of the restaurant. She stared at the side of my face until I finally looked at her. “Yes, sweetheart?”

“Who are you, and why did he fold like that?” Shrugging, I thought about if I wanted to share details about my past yet. When I did, it made women view me as a project or someone to fear. “Restaurants open because of you. Men cower in your presence. You’re not just a regular realtor. Who are you, Armor?”

“All you need to know is I’m a man that is both feared and respected. I’ll make sure you feel loved, safe, and catered to. All I ask is that you give me the grace to tell you about my past on my own. Don’t Google me.” I stopped and turned to the side to face her. “Does that make you want to go back inside?”

She thought about it for only a second before her head shook. “No. Let’s go.”