Chapter 12
I woke up with his name on my lips. Sweat beads down my neck, sticking to my silk pillowcase.
My thighs clench under the covers, soaking in the afterglow of dreams that have no business feeling so real.
Same dream, different night—me against a wall, Quintyn’s lips at my ear, whispering admiration for me, making my chest burn.
The way he slides inside of me in the dream—slow, deep, like he’s trying to tether our souls together.
I woke up gasping, my heart racing, and my nipples hard beneath my sleep dress.
I hate how much I want to feel Quintyn between my legs again.
Quintyn didn’t just touch and caress my body; he branded it.
I should be scared of Quintyn’s effect on me and my body.
Yet, I’m scared of me, terrified of how every time I think about the dominating way he growled, “Wet up your dick, Lay” while fucking me with deep strokes, I damn near came without touching myself.
I’m scared of how my body remembers him when I was never supposed to know him in this regard. Now, I’m avoiding Rome and Quintyn.
Knowing that Quintyn and I could have been caught in the act by Rome popping up at my house has pain in the back of my throat.
My stomach has been upset for days, preventing me from eating or drinking much of anything.
Avoiding Quintyn has been challenging because I’m pretty sure the ejaculation of his dick created a soul tie between us.
The thoughts of our relationship imploding had me unable to sleep last night, making me grateful for today being Sunday.
While I would ordinarily spend the day cleaning, binging my favorite shows, and lounging, I’m beating the pavement at Gripley Park, trying to shake my varying thoughts.
The music playing through my Bluetooth stops, alerting me of an incoming call. Unable to stop to check the caller ID, I tap my ear to answer the call.
“H-Hello?”
“Aye, I’m on my way, and you better not try to leave either.” When the music starts again, I roll my eyes at Rome’s demand.
Since I’m staying away from Quintyn, I made the mistake of turning on my location in one of my moments of weakness.
Rome’s forceful tone made me realize how stupid I was as I continued my jogging around the walking trail.
With no companion, I chose to run around the circle at the front of the park so I wouldn’t become a statistic.
The sounds of Joe serve as a backdrop for my thoughts, and I continue hitting the pavement with tunnel vision.
“Why the hell aren’t you watching your surroundings?” Rome asks loudly, causing me to jump from his unexpected presence beside me.
“Shit! Why didn’t you do something to announce your presence without giving me a heart attack?” Clutching my chest, I slow my pace while my chest rises and falls in response to being caught off guard.
“Man, I tried. Come holla at me though. I ain’t about to run around this damn circle trying to have a conversation with you.”
Sighing, I nod before following Rome toward the parking lot where his and my vehicle are. Silence stretches between us, making my skin feel itchy while I focus on not tripping over the cracks in the pavement along the way.
“Was it really necessary for you to pop up here?” I ask when we reach Rome’s car a few minutes later.
“It is when you don’t open your door, tell your staff to tell me you’re not at work when your location says otherwise, and when you don’t respond to my texts or calls.
What the fuck have I done to you, Sunshine?
” Rome’s face is a mask of aggression, and his eyes have fire in them, causing me to look away for a second before his heat-filled voice speaks again.
“Nah. Lift your head and tell me what’s up.
I’m not sure how we went from almost daily communication to silence.
You got me feeling some type of way, and I ain’t feeling this shit.
So . . . talk.” Crossing his arms over his broad shoulders, Rome stares daggers into me.
“I haven’t been intentionally?—”
“Stop bullshitting me, Fayth.” Rome’s tight eyes and the wrinkles stretching across his forehead have me shifting from side to side.
“I’m sorry. I just have a lot of stuff on my mind and I’ve been trying to sort it all out.”
“What kind of stuff has you ignoring me though? There ain’t nothing deep enough to have you avoiding me the way you have been.”
Tears well in my eyes because I don’t want to cause division between Rome and Quintyn as a result of what Quintyn and I are building.
“Come here, man. Your crybaby ass is always ready to cry.” Pulling me into his chest, Rome rubs his hands up and down my back. “You’re the reason I avoid Pisces women. Y’all are some emotional creatures.”
Laughter escapes my mouth before I lift my watery eyes to stare at Rome as a smirk forms, bringing a level of peace and comfort I need.
“Despite the dig, I love you, Rome.”
“I love you more, Sunshine. However, don’t make me hunt your ass down again. I ain’t with this ducking and dodging shit you’ve been doing.”
“Okay. I’ll work on it.”
“Hey, Lay. I’ve missed you,” Quintyn says.
“I’m sorry. It’s been a lot keeping us a secret from Rome. I let fear throw a roadblock but I miss you too.”
“I understand your hesitation and what this means for both of us but I’m all in. Don’t let your fears prevent you from being able to receive my love. Regardless of what happens, we’re locked in.”
A smile creeps onto my lips at the sincere tone in Quintyn’s voice that has my heart skipping a beat.
“I’m ready for our next date. Is there anything you want me to consider while planning it?”
“Nope. I’ll let you do whatever you want. Although, I’m not opposed to a homecooked meal by the best chef this side of Heaven.”
“Flattery will get your everywhere, Lay.”
“I guess you’re right. How have things been going?”
“Better now that we’re back on track. How are things at Pawsitive Miles? I hope you haven’t been staying longer than necessary.”
“No. I’ve been leaving at a decent time and things are well. Although, I had to put another elderly cat to sleep this week. Poor little guy lost his sight and hearing due to old age.”
“Oh. I bet your crybaby ass was crying harder than the owner too.”
Giggles escape my mouth at the truth in Quintyn’s words because I had done exactly what he said.
“You’re a hater.”
“Nah, I just know my woman.”
“You do but that’s beside the point.”
“On a serious note, I understand that our relationship isn’t typical due to Rome’s connection with both of us.
However, my feelings for you along with the love I can no longer ignore will never allow me to sacrifice our happiness for Rome’s objections.
This thing between us is unbreakable, and I’m not willing to give you up. ”