The Deed to a Gangsta’s Heart

Chapter 21

21

L uci

When we woke up and Armor told me what he had planned for our first date, I almost cried. I told him I liked shopping, traveling, dancing, and new experiences. We were going to drive to Rose Valley Hills in his sexy, black 1971 Chevy Chevelle SS. We would spend the day there on the beach. Tomorrow, we were going to New York to catch a Broadway show, and our weekend would end in the Hamptons so I could shop.

He was almost too good to be true, and I was waiting for something to go wrong. Until it did, I was going to enjoy every good moment we had. As we cruised down the interstate, we got to know each other a little more. We talked about our love languages and what we wanted, needed, and had to offer.

“Have you been in love before?” I asked him as his hand gripped my thigh.

“Yeah. You?”

“Yeah. It wasn’t as great as I thought it would be.”

Armor looked over at me and chuckled. “It wasn’t? Are you sure it was love?”

“Yes, I’m sure. I say that because… love didn’t stop him from cheating. It didn’t make us last forever. It didn’t make the risk of hurt worth it.”

“I feel you. Love and friendship are foundations but certainly not all you need for a healthy relationship.”

“Exactly.”

“Let me ask you this…” Armor licked his lips and eyed my frame before returning his attention to the road. “I know it’s not preferred these days to tell someone what you want or what you’re looking for because you don’t want them to offer an artificial copy just to manipulate you. But if you trust me, tell me what you value more than love. I want to ensure you receive it all.”

I thought about what he asked carefully before replying. “I want someone who wants me more than he needs me. I want to be wanted, valued, prioritized. I want him to be willing to put forth effort and communicate. With those things, we’ll be inseparable and unstoppable.”

Armor lifted my hand to his lips for a kiss. “All those things are yours.”

“And what about you?”

“Respect, loyalty, acceptance, support.”

“I can give that.”

“Then we’ll be good.”

Later that Night

When we first arrived, we checked into a suite at The Rose Valley Hotel . After that, we did some sightseeing since this was my first time coming. We swam a few laps in the pool at the hotel because I refused to swim in the ocean. I wasn’t that brave yet. Then, we rested for a while before coming to Puff , a cigar lounge.

The vibe and ambiance gave luxury and opulence with its black and gold décor. You had to have a membership to enter, and Armor did. He also had a VIP room that was pretty cool. The windows were tinted, so no one could see what we were doing, but we could see the entire lounge. There was a black leather sectional and two recliners with gold chandeliers and accents.

As we smoked our cigars and drank our cognac, I felt like I was on a cloud. I’d never felt such an authentic connection with a man, especially this soon. He placed kisses along my neck and chest as I sat in his lap. This place was such a vibe I wished Callie was here. They had some super cute shops I wanted us to go to together. I sent her a FaceTime request to see what she and Remedy were up to. When she accepted and saw both of us, she gasped and squealed with her dramatic ass, and I ended up matching her energy.

Armor chuckled as he gripped my hip.

“Awww aren’t y’all cute! We can finally double date, Lu!”

“I know, right? I can’t believe I ended up with him and he’s cool with Rem’s mean ass. Isn’t that crazy?”

“Yeah, now you won’t be hating on me and my girl,” Remedy said in the background.

I rolled my eyes as I laughed. “Boy, shut up. I’m not even talking to you right now. But I do want y’all to come here with us next time. It’s so fun here.”

“Ooh I’m down. Just let us know when you want to plan the trip.”

“Okay, I will. I’ll talk to you when we get back home.”

“Okay, babe. Have fun, and take care of my girl, Armor.”

“Always,” he replied before I ended the call.

As I cuddled against him, his fingers slid up and down my ring finger. I didn’t want to think too much into it. Maybe it was an odd quirk I’d just noticed about him. I brushed my nose against his cheek before kissing it.

“This is the perfect first date. Thank you, Armor.”

“You’re welcome.” His mouth closed, opened, then closed again.

“What’s on your mind?”

“I wanna marry you.” I leaned forward. “Not right now. I know we still have a lot to learn about each other. I just… wanted you to know. I’m not dating you just for sex and fun. I want to marry you, sweetheart.”

Clenching my jaw, I blinked back my tears. Straddling his lap, I stared into his eyes.

“You know you don’t have to spit game to me. I already gave you the pussy.”

Armor laughed as he cupped my cheeks. After kissing me, he lowered his hands down my waist and gripped my ass.

“I’m serious, Luci. I’ll show you, but I really just wanted you to know my intentions.”

I rested my forehead against his. “It’s crazy because my relationship ended right before I came back home. I felt so discouraged because he gave me no reason or warning. Then came you. I know we haven’t known each other for a long time but… I’m falling in love with you.”

When he sucked my bottom lip into his mouth, I moaned. I wrapped my arms around him as he deepened the kiss.

“I’m falling in love with you too.”

Our lips reconnected, and it wasn’t long before our clothes were being discarded. I was so glad the windows were tinted.

That Sunday Night

“Are your parents home?” Armor asked as he pulled into the driveway.

“Nah. On Sundays after church, they go to the casino and spend the night. I won’t see them until after I get off work tomorrow.”

“Too bad. I wanted to meet them.”

“You’ve already made a great first impression with the champagne. Ma is smitten with you already.”

Armor smiled as he unlocked the doors. “Good.”

“Maybe we could…” I paused, thinking about the fact that Adam never wanted me to meet his family. I wasn’t sure if it was because he knew we had no future or if he was hiding me for some reason. Maybe it wasn’t either. Maybe he just didn’t value the relationship enough to introduce me to his family. Either way, I was nervous to suggest we do something with our families even with Armor wanting to meet my parents.

“Could what, sweetheart?”

“Nothing,” I grumbled, unbuckling my seat belt .

“Nah, that’s what we not gon’ do. Speak up.”

With a huff, I looked out of the window. “I was gonna say maybe we could have a barbecue or something to meet each other’s families but that’s okay.”

“Why?”

“I don’t want to rush the process.”

“It wouldn’t be rushing since I literally just said I wanted to meet your parents.”

“It’s not you meeting them that I’m worried about. That’s always the easy part.”

“And what’s the hard part?”

I looked over at him. “I’m having an overthinking spell. My ex didn’t want me to meet his family for whatever reason. I didn’t have proof he was cheating but I feel like that’s why. I just didn’t want to ask about meeting your people and you say no and I start thinking about that.”

“You’re mine, and I’m yours. There is no one else. As far as meeting my family is concerned, I’d love for you to meet them. Just give me a little time to smooth over this rough patch we’re in, and I’ll make it happen.”

“Okay.” I agreed quietly.

“I value fidelity, Luci. I promise I will never cheat on you. And I will always communicate. On the off chance things didn’t work out between us, I wouldn’t randomly end things with you out of the blue. But I meant what I said at the lounge. I plan on this lasting forever.”

I didn’t realize I needed that validation until he gave it. Leaning against the center console, I connected my lips with his.

I was truly crazy about this man.