Chapter Ten
Abel
Iknew, from the moment I set eyes on this beautiful creature, that she was a force to be reckoned with. Watching her out on the dance floor with those assholes made my blood boil. I wanted to cut their hands off for touching what was going to be mine.
Even now as I’ve gotten a peek into all that is her, I want, no, need to know more. I’m not sure who could have caused this beautiful creature the pain clearly etched on her face. Even though her smile doesn’t reach to the sky, she still looks fucking gorgeous. Makes me wonder if it was an old boyfriend.
I’ll fucking kill him.
The way she guards herself speaks volumes. I know in my heart, she’s determined tonight is the only night we’ll be spending together. Not if I have a say-so in it, and I have every right to say I want more.
Tonight will be the first of many.
She’s different from other women. There’s an underlying layer of confidence there. With just the right touch or even look at her, and she’s letting it show.
I love that she has a spicy mouth with fiery comebacks. That’s a concoction that had me swelling with pride when she defended herself against those assholes.
She’s timid yet courageous at the same time. It’s not that she’s a nerd, but I can tell she’s a stickler for the books, and I think it’s fucking sexy as hell.
Her radiant dark chocolate skin has me by the fucking balls. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I love a woman of color.
Her smile.
It lights up the room whenever she blesses you with it. Bright white like the angelic lights that shine down from Heaven itself. Cobalt-blue eyes that tug at my heartstrings, telling me it’s okay to let go. They don’t hold many secrets, maybe just the one that I need to unlock the most.
Those eyes of hers are some of the most striking ones I’ve ever seen on a black woman before.
Another favorite quality she has is her hair. I’m a sucker for running my hands through long strands, but I love when my woman has hair that I can hold on to.
Not only do I want to fuck her body, but her mind, too.
I want to take her places that she won’t be afraid to go with me by her side.
She’ll never have to fear that I won’t let her have her own mind and be able to speak freely. That’s what happens when you’re in a relationship with someone… You’re both in it to make the other one better, not to bring each other down.
She has every single quality I’m looking for in a woman, but I’m not looking for anything serious. At least I don’t think I’m looking for anything serious, but when it comes to her… I can see a future.
Now hold on just a damn minute, Abel. You said the same thing about Courtney and look how that went.
Yeah, but something feels different with Ivy.
Ivy.
She’s got a beautiful name.
One that rolls so easily off my tongue that I could get used to saying it, besides Marrone Dolce.
“Marrone Dolce.” I repeat, smiling to myself. I’m glad she doesn’t know how to speak Italian.
This goofy looking smile won’t stay off my face everytime I find myself stealing a glance at her.
Her admission is another reason I smile.
“No, Marrone Dolce, it’s not because of me. Your beauty deserves to be recognized every single fucking day. Don’t you dare settle for less.” Pulling out of her. Doing a shit job at trying to fix her skirt, because I tore the undergarments to shreds. Her eyes find mine and I can’t stop myself from spinning her around and smashing our lips together, loving the little sigh she graces my ears with.
“I hope you don’t think any less of me because of what just happened?” She whispers to which I frown.
“Why would you say that?”
“Because, most guys would think a woman is easy because of what we just did. I don’t even know you, yet I let you raw dog me in the bathroom of a club.” She looks at me with those innocent, big blue eyes, and I get a little upset because of how little she thinks of herself.
Stepping back, giving her my undivided attention and my honest answer. “Marrone Dolce.” I begin, grabbing her hands, “Any man who calls you out of your name is no man at all. If he needs to stoop so low as to degrade you for something you were both willing to do, he is not a man. If he were to walk out of here with you traveling behind him, feeling like his dirty, little secret, he is not a man. Any man that would make his woman look and feel like shit in the eyes of another man is a grade-A bitch in my book.” Reaching out, my other hand gently strokes her face before continuing. “You don’t have to know somebody for ages just to like them. The attraction and connection is instant if it’s something that’s meant to be. Love is life, and one of the biggest things we get to accomplish in that life. It’s up to us to find our person to spend an eternity with and not waste it on a man whose intentions weren’t true from the very beginning.”
I watch as a single tear slides down her cheek. She quickly swipes it away before it has time to fall. When she tilts her head to look at me, I can see her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “Marrone Dolce, I’d do anything to never see you cry again.”
She stands on her tippy toes and wraps her arms around me. “Thank you.” She whispers, laying her head on my chest, listening to my heartbeat. “You’re going to make some woman happy, Abel.” Some woman?
I want to ask, what makes her think she isn’t that woman?
But I don’t. I simply smile.
“Come on, let’s get you out of here. This was only a taste of what the night holds.” I smirk, grabbing her hand, and guiding her to the bathroom door. Swinging it open, we’re met with a small line of people. “Take a long, good look, because this is what happiness looks like.” I smirk, looking over at my Marrone Dolce who’s sporting the deepest shade of red on dark skin. Others might not see it but I do. “Remember what I said about the man letting the lady walk out first?” I ask, stepping aside when she only nods. “Good, now walk in front of me with your head held high.” I order, smacking her ass when she brushes past me.
“Why are they looking at me like they know what just happened in there?” She asks, smiling nervously at the crowd of people.
“Marrone Dolce, the whole club knows what we were doing in there.” There’s nowhere for her to run and hide, so she just keeps on walking, head high, feeling good.
The thing about the club is, we’re all family here. So there’s absolutely no judgment. Plus, I’m not the only one who’s fucked someone in the bathroom I’m sure.
“Oh, okay. It’s no biggie then?”
“There’s nothing to be ashamed of. Be proud of what we just did. You’re a beautiful, black woman who just got royally fucked, let them see it.” Placing my hands on her hips, I guide her to the spot where the guys will be. “Come on, I want you to meet my crew before we get out of here.”
“Okay.” She says, sounding like she’s on autopilot.
No, we’re not doing that at all. I stop walking, causing her to jerk back. Spinning her around to face me, I say, “We don’t have to meet them if you don’t want to.”
She rewards me with a perfect smile, one that reeks confidence. “I’m more than okay. If you want me to meet your people, lead the way.”
“That’s my good little Marrone Dolce.” Kissing her forehead, we start walking again. This is not something I normally do, introducing a woman to the guys. I’m not sure where this is headed, but I’m not ready to let her go just yet.
“Abel, what’s up?” Capone walks up, greeting me just as my phone rings.
Looking down at the screen, I see Em’s name flash there. “Son of a bitch, Em, I’m so sorry. Where are you?”
“Hey, Abel, it’s totally okay. I got lost, but I’m pulling in now. Do I just park anywhere?” She asks, squealing with excitement.
“Once you get to the club, you’ll see bikes out front. Follow them around the building and park back there. I’ll meet you at the front entrance.”
“Okay. I’ll be there in a jiffy.” She says, before hanging up.
Leaning over, I shout to Ivy, “I’m sorry, I forgot I invited one of my friends from work and she just made it.”
“Oh, I see.” She says, dropping my hand, ready to bolt. “Thanks for a wonderful time.” She says.
Snatching her hand back the fuck up, I ask, “Where do you think you’re going?”
“Well, I just assumed-”
“One thing about me, don’t assume nothin’ because it’s never what it seems. Come on.”
She gives me a beautiful smile before saying, “Okay.”
Moments later, Em walks through the door in a cute outfit that Capone is gonna go nuts over. “Abel!” She calls out, smiling when she sees me.
“Em, you made it.”
“Yeah, I’m really bad at directions. Even though I plugged it into my GPS, I still got lost.” She says, bringing her hand to her mouth where she starts nibbling on her nails.
“If it’s any consolation, I’m the same way.” My Marrone Dolce chimes in.
“Really? Now, I don’t feel so bad.” Em chuckles, sticking her hand out. “I’m Emily by the way.”
My Marrone Dolce wastes no time placing hers inside. “I’m Ivy. It’s so nice to meet you.”
“You, too. I love your hair… Wicked.” Em gushes. “So, I don’t mean to be blunt here or anything, but I didn’t come here to hang out with you, Abel, but… Is Capone here?” She asks, looking around for him.
“Yeah, he’s in our usual spot back there. I was just about to take Marrone Dolce back to meet the guys.” I look in between my two girls before asking, “Do you want to tag along, Em?”
She squeals again, doing a little happy dance this time. “Yes, that would be awesome. Calm down, Em. I can’t go in there acting like a high school girl, I’m nearly twenty-three.” She laughs. “What I meant to say is, sure, that’d be cool if I could go with you.”
Ivy and I both burst out laughing. “Come on, this way.” I say, grabbing Ivy’s hand, extending my arm out to Em. She wraps her tiny, little hand around it, and we head back to meet the fellas, for real this time.