Chapter 3
J rue
“Choc.”
“What are you doing here?” I rolled my eyes but couldn’t help but smile.
If there was ever someone I never expected to see again, it was him.
I never even went back to his number in my call log.
As far as I was concerned, our meeting was a one and done.
He was cute and charming and all that good stuff, but what else could he do for me right now but add to my ever-growing headache?
My brother Jrake had only been home for a week, and he was already on my last nerve. Thankfully, he was staying with one of his jump-offs, because I didn’t want him around Jeremiah with his street shit.
Jrake didn’t even come to visit us before he stopped by some of his old connections and got plugged in.
He had the nerve to think that he was going to be in my house bagging up his drugs, but I quickly shut that down.
I guess he thought I was playing when I told him I wasn’t letting him drag Jeremiah down the same roads that corrupted him.
Just because he got on my damn nerves didn’t mean that I didn’t love my brother, though. I was grateful that he was home now. Hopefully he would wake up and realize that he was headed back down the same path that took him off the streets in the first place.
In the meantime, I pulled together some of my best connections and combined them with his and threw him a welcome home party at his favorite club. After an hour in the building, I was ready to get the hell out of there.
I kissed and hugged my brother, letting him know that I wouldn’t be there long before going upstairs to the bar.
I wished that Lottie had come with me because I needed a few strong drinks to close out the night.
Just when I decided to bite the bullet and have a couple of drinks, I ran smack dab into Ian.
“I was about to ask you the same thing.”
“I was just leaving actually,” I said, deciding to spare him the details.
“Me too. You’re right on time.”
“For?”
Before he could answer, shouting and glass shattering broke the bubble that I found myself in whenever he was around.
I didn’t have time to try to figure out what was going on before Ian grabbed my arm.
A huge guy and two others flanked us until we were exiting a side door and going down a stairwell.
“Hold the fuck up. Where are you taking me?” I asked them.
“Where’s your car, Choc?” Ian quizzed.
“In the back of the building. Why?”
“Perfect. E, follow us. I’m riding with her.”
“You sure?” the big one asked.
“I got it. Let’s go, Jrue.”
“Let’s go where?”
“Didn’t you say you were going home? I’m going with you.”
“Excuse me?” I stopped in my tracks, but Ian’s friends didn’t bother waiting. He grabbed my bicep and continued to pull me out to the parking lot.
“Stop wasting time and come on. I’m not leaving you without making sure you get home safe.”
“I’m safe!”
“I’ll make sure of that.”
“I could be a serial killer. You don’t know anything about me.”
“I’m a big boy. I’m ready for whatever.”
“Please don’t make me shoot you in the dick for not knowing how to act.”
“Why are you so feisty, Choc? I’m just trying to get us away from a crime scene.”
“And get in my panties. Don’t forget that part.”
“I mean, I won’t be mad if it happens. I’m not trying to deprive you of anything you want. I’m down for whatever.”
“I’m sure,” I said, leading the way until we made it to my car. “Here we are.”
“Aww hell, I should have known your rowdy ass drove an Altima . I knew I should’ve brought my switchblade with me. I don’t want no shit, Miss Jrue with a J.”
“Get in the car and stop trying to be funny,” I said, unlocking the doors and getting in.
He didn’t waste any time jumping in the passenger seat. I shook my head at my own shenanigans as I crunk up the car and tore out of the back exit of the parking lot. Traffic was starting to build up, but we caught the front end of it. I was on the road in no time.
“Where to?” I asked him.
“Your place. Ain’t that where you going?”
“My place? Where are your friends? Won’t they be worried about you?”
“They know how to find me. I’m in good hands. What about your people? You got a man at your house?”
I burst out laughing. “Isn’t that something you should have asked before you hopped in my car?”
He shrugged his shoulders casually. “I’m adventurous.”
“Well, I guess that’s a good thing. You better be glad I’m not using my better judgment tonight.”
“Lady, drive this lil muthafucka and stop talking shit to your new bestie.”
“How in the world did you become my new bestie?”
“Because I just saved you from a club brawl, and now I’m making sure you get home safe.”
“I told you I didn’t need you to do that.”
“What are friends for, Jrue?”
“You got me there.”
When he leaned forward and turned my radio up, I shot him a look. The boyish grin that lifted the corner of his mouth made my stomach flutter. Ian was trouble.
“Don’t look at me like that, Choc. I know better than to touch a woman’s radio. I just like this song.”
“Yeah right. What in the world do you know about this?” I asked, referring to one of my favorite old-school songs.
“People always talking ’bout reputation. I don’t care what the others say, just be good to me.” He sang along with the chorus, making me smile.
“OK, I’ll give you a pass.”
“You must think I’m a little boy, Jrue.”
“No, I’m well aware that you’re a fully grown man.”
He smirked at my response. “Is that right?”
Too aware, actually. The scent of his oaky cologne seemed like it was suffocating the good sense out of me.
I was still foggy on how we ended up here in the first place, but now we were minutes away from my house.
It was a good thing that Jeremiah was spending the night with one of his friends, because I didn’t even feel like trying to explain why I was bringing home a man I’d just met.
“Well, mostly.”
“Nah, don’t try to take it back now.”
Instead of trying to argue my case, I turned onto my street and made the short trip to my place.
Once I pulled in the alley next to the house, we got out of the car in silence and headed to the door.
I tried not to let my nerves get the best of me as I pushed the door open and walked inside.
I flipped the light switch as I passed it.
Ian was right on my heels as I walked deeper into the living room.
“You got kids, Choc?” he asked, breaking the silence.
“I don’t have kids, but I’ve got responsibilities.”
“I’m just asking because I see the basketball and game system over there. I don’t mind kids. I like kids.”
“Good to know.”
I led the way to my bedroom, turning to face Ian once I made it to the bed. I laughed when I saw him pulling his shirt over his head. He wasn’t wasting any time getting to the point.
“Oh, I thought you just wanted to make sure that I got home safe. What are you doing?”
“I’m hot. Come here, Choc. Let me ask you something,” he said, using one of his hands to brush his locs back as he approached me.
I pressed my lips together to hide the smile forcing its way through. Why did I like him?
“What is it?” I rolled my eyes as his arms wrapped around my waist. I was going to sue the company that made his cologne.
“Did it sound like a suggestion when I told you to call me?” he asked, turning me to face him.
“Obviously, I took it as one.”
“And why is that, Choc?”
“Because I don’t just let some guy I just met dictate what I do. Last time I checked, it was my phone. I’m the one who pays the bill.”
“I’m not some guy you just met. I’m your future boyfriend, and for the record, I’ll pay all these fucking bills.”
I burst out laughing. His boyish grin made a silly smile linger on my face. “I can’t even remember my last boyfriend.”
“You can forget every nigga you ever met for all I care. Fuck your last man. I’m going to be your last man.”
“All that sounds good.”
“I don’t care how it sounds, Choc. Right now, I’m just concentrating on making you feel good. Take this off,” he instructed, reaching around me and unzipping my jumpsuit.
“You—”
His lips crashed into mine, cutting my response off where it started. My spine turned into jelly as I surrendered to the comfort of his hands splaying across my back. My body relaxed as I melted into him, turning into putty right in his hands. I fell forward when he pulled out of our kiss.
“I’m tired of talking, Choc,” he rasped.
I kept my eyes on his face as he kneeled in front of me, pushing my clothes down until they pooled at my feet. One by one, I stepped out of my heels, placing my hands on his shoulders to balance myself. As he stood, my body was hoisted into the air.
I wrapped my legs around him as my hands cupped his face.
His lips found mine again as my back landed on the bed.
One of his hands cupped my center before two fingers easily curled into my slippery insides.
Ian quickly removed his hand and stuffed his fingers into my mouth as he positioned himself between my thighs.
I sucked my essence from his fingers, loving the taste that coated my tongue.
I needed more. My hands shot down as I reached between us, shoving the waistband of his pants over his ass.
He caught one of my wrists in his hand but didn’t hesitate to finish pushing his pants down with the other hand.
Long, thick, and veiny, his dick popped out of its hiding place, making me inhale sharply.
Pleased with what I saw, I inhaled and smiled as I took him in both hands and guided him to my center. His eyes roved over my face.
“Use your words, baby. Tell me what you want.”
“You know what I want.”
“Tell me you want this dick,” he ordered.
I did him one better. “I want you to fuck me, Ian.”
The words were still on the tip of my tongue when he speared into my wetness, nearly pulling a scream from me. It was a snug fit, but gradually, he breached my walls.
“Fuck!” he groaned as he dropped his face into my neck.