Chapter 4
my not-so-imaginary friend
Present Day
Rodney
monday
Finally, my mystery woman has a name. Emerald, a gem that represents divine beauty, and it couldn’t be more fitting. She’s not at all how I expected her to be, at least not when she’s comfortable. I can’t wait to tell Desmond that my imaginary friend isn’t so imaginary anymore.
I cannot fuck this up. I may not get a chance to speak to her again.
“That you have. I’ll tell you what,” I say, retrieving a business card from my wallet. “Whenever that bracelet matches your eyes, holla at me,” I say, holding it out to her.
“Is that right?” she asks, retrieving it, chewing on her bottom lip as she looks it over.
Anxiousness rises in my gut, fearing I’ve misread her, and came on too strong.
“So you are a lawyer. A business card? You’re real grown, huh?” she teases with a smirk.
Brat.
“Damn right. There's no QR code on it either, youngin’,” I add, reaching to open the cooler door and grab a sweet tea.
“School me then, OG,” she taunts, keeping her voice low, but her eyes say it all.
This woman ain’t that damn shy.
“Careful, now,” I warn, whipping my head around. “You’ve seen me teach.”
“Esmeralda,” Armando calls out, holding up her order.
“Be right there,” she calls out, turning back to me. “I’ll see you, Mister…”
I stare expectantly, eager for her to finish that sentence.
Say it. Say my name.
“Rodney,” she adds with a warm smile.
She is so fucking beautiful.
“Good girl. Remember what I said, Emmy,” I say, relishing her name on my tongue. “You know where to find me. I’d gladly take you on as a student.”
“Hmm. I’ll think about it.” She chuckles, turning to grab an apple juice from the cooler before walking off.
I admire her full curves as she struts to the checkout, staying behind to give her space. The shyness returns as she avoids eye contact, giving Ethel a wave goodbye as she rests atop the ice cream freezer. The overhead bell rings as she exits, leaving without another glance.
She’s got me right where she wants me and absolutely knows it. When she implied she was curious, that prompted me to act fast, maybe too fast, but only time will tell.
As a Dom, I prefer for my partners and subs to feel empowered in their decisions regarding the dynamics of our relationship. While I am being trusted to lead, I cannot do so without a clear understanding of their wants and needs.
Dominance isn’t about stroking my ego, it’s all about my partners feeling safe and confident. I work with them based on their comfort level and respect their boundaries.
Giving her my business card was impulsive, but she showed genuine interest and I know she is shy. I would’ve regretted not putting myself out there otherwise.
This way Emerald can initiate conversation and there’s no pressure.
She can throw that damn piece of paper away if she wants, but at least I’ll know if she doesn’t use it, she isn’t interested and to leave that woman the hell alone.
But the look in her eyes and the way she responded to my praise says otherwise.
I’ll see her soon. I’m sure of it.
When I get settled in the car, I tap the touchscreen and call Desmond back on the Bluetooth as I start my commute to the law firm.
“Hold please,” he says in a hushed tone, excusing himself before I hear the door shut behind him.
“I gotta get away from Lila. I’m almost to my office.
” He greets passersby and makes quick at shutting the door to his office.
“Okay. Why’d you rush me off the phone like that?
Like I don’t mean anything to you? Where were you?
I needed you,” he says, voice heavy with fake tears.
He’s so dramatic.
“You’re gonna think I’m lying when I tell you, but I put this on everything. There was a spill at the bodega and a woman slipped and I caught her fall. I rushed off the phone for a very good reason.”
“Oh shit. She’s okay?” he asks in his normal tone of voice.
“Yeah, she’s fine. More than fine, actually.”
“New York City is big, but I think you need to chill on the superhero shit. You are outnumbered, my guy. And what you mean ‘more than fine?’”
“You are a fucking fool, man.” I pause, laughing to myself. “It was her, Lady Green Eyes, without that goddamn bracelet,” I admit. “Got any rules on that? We were not on the property.”
“Hmm. There aren’t any rules against that.
I cannot control anything you do outside of my place of business.
You are unfortunately right.” He sighs, pausing to take a sip.
“I’m just now having my coffee. You and Lila have me stressed.
I better not get any complaints about you, man. What did you even say to her?”
“It was chill, but she isn’t as shy as she portrays herself to be. I gave her my business card and she was talking shit about me being mad grown. Called me OG.” I scoff, shaking my head.
He’s going to have a time with this.
He chuckles. “Ohh. She’s gonna humble your old ass. I like her already. Did you get a name for your imaginary friend?”
“I am two years older than you. Her name is Emerald.”
He doesn’t respond, humming to himself while the sounds of his keyboard clacking fill the silence.
“You’re looking her up, aren’t you?”
“Yup,” he says in a cool tone, popping the P. “Oh wow. She is very pretty and not imaginary. Has been a member for the past three years. She is young enough to hurt your feelings, but grown enough that I’ll allow it.”
“Really, now? How young are we talking?”
“Uh-unh. I can’t tell you that. Ask yourself, now that you got her number. Oh, you don’t and gotta wait for her to hit you up. Damn. You are an OG.” He cackles.
“Anyways, Lila and Ryan. You didn’t confront him, did you?” I ask, changing the subject.
He sighs. “No. I don’t like this, but you know I am about her. I just don’t want her getting hurt. I’ll leave it alone…for now. But I still need to complain.”
“I hear you, man. You don’t know that she is going to get hurt and she’s a smart girl. You should trust her more. He seems like a nice guy and has worked here for years. It’s not like he’s some stranger.”
“Might as well be. He sure keeps his distance from me.” He huffs.
“Can you blame him? You’re always fucking mean mugging. Even when you’re being a nerd. You’re his boss and he likes your sister.”
“She’s also his boss and that ain’t stopping him from talking to her,” he quips.
“Well, at least he respects authority,” I joke, unable to hold in my laughter.
“Fuck you, Rodney,” he says, but there’s no bite to it.
“Love you too man.”
“Love you, bro. Let me know if you hear from the youngin’. I’m invested now.”
Of course he is.
“Bet,” I say, disconnecting the call.