Chapter 15
Kove
Thirty minutes into this shit and I was already over it. The people were cool, but I felt like I was on display. I felt eyes on me, people checking me out like they were trying to decide what part of my body they could make money with. I wasn’t feeling any of this shit.
“It’s beautiful in here and they spent a lot of money making sure the atmosphere matches the commas in these people’s pockets.”
I nodded but didn’t say anything which had Xiah looking up at me.
“What’s wrong?” She stepped closer and slipped her hand into mine. Something so simple made my mood shift. The muscles in my shoulders relaxed, and when my eyes lowered to hers, I smirked.
“Nothing, I’m good.”
“You’re not.” Her brows inched in more while she studied my face.
“I’m cool, just not feeling any of this.”
“What do you mean?”
She had been by my side during the first two introductions Sovoya made.
One for a men’s skincare line that catered to athletes.
We were constantly wiping our faces with our hands and forearms to remove sweat, which meant breakouts.
I fucked with the idea of having something to remedy that but the way ol’ girl doing the pitch was grinning all in my face and touching my chest and arms had been annoying as hell.
I ended up stepping back so she didn’t have access but her thirsty ass didn’t catch the hint.
The other one was for athletic wear launching a new line of dri-fit and compression gear for athletes to wear in training and under their uniforms. Same shit, different faces.
The way these men and women eye fucked me was disrespectful as hell.
I got that they wanted to ensure I was a good representation for their brand but openly staring at my dick or asking to feel my muscles wasn’t the way to convince me to accept the offers, no matter how much money was connected.
“I feel like I’m on display. All these people in here want something from me and most of that is centered on my face or body.
It just doesn’t sit right with me. I’m cool representing brands but I’d rather have Sovoya pitch that shit and bring me the offer.
This feels like I’m the prize at a silent auction.
Like these people are trying to decide if I’m worth the amount of money they’re willing to offer. ”
“I won’t disagree. This very much feels like you’re the prize but I’m biased because I personally know you’re prize worthy.”
I dropped a hand to her hip, bringing her body flush with mine, not giving a damn that I was in a room full of people critiquing my every move. “You gonna let me be your prize later?”
The smile Xiah delivered was my answer, a firm hell yes, but before she could verbalize that response, Sovoya was tugging at her arm, not so discreetly moving Xiah out of my personal space.
“Girl, I’ve been meaning to tell you all night how cute this dress is. And you’re wearing it too.”
I cut my eyes at Sovoya who narrowed hers at me, daring me to say something about her putting space between me and Xiah.
“Thank you. It’s one of my favorites.”
“Mine too,” I added, pulling her into my side.
“Kove, I have two more people I want you to meet then you’re free to leave. I agreed to make this as painless as possible, so I’m keeping my promise. Xiah, can you give us a minute?”
“Nah, she’s good.”
“It’s fine, go. I’m going to check out the balcony. I want to take pictures by the flower arrangements and ice sculptures out there. They’re beautiful.”
“Xiah, I’m cool with you coming with me. I didn’t bring you here to fend for yourself.”
I meant what I said. She was with me to make this shit feel less intrusive and I wasn’t trying to leave her out here feeling put off in a room full of people she didn’t know.
The other side to that was Xiah in that dress was an entire fucking problem.
I had seen multiple men staring a little too long and that shit annoyed me.
“This is work for you. Please don’t worry about me. I have a photoshoot planned to keep me occupied.” She flashed a smile my way and returned one to Sovoya.
“You sure?”
“Yes, she’s sure. You can’t compete with perfect lighting and backgrounds. Let the woman do her thing. Come on, this will be quick.”
“Make sure your phone is not on silent so I can find you when I’m done.”
She nodded, then turned and walked away at the same time Sovoya looped her arm through mine and moved me to the other side of the massive room.
“I like her.”
“I don’t give a damn.”
She smiled arrogantly and nodded. “I know but I’m still telling you anyway. That dress is everything and she’s playing her part. I thought you said you weren’t dating anyone.”
“I’m not.”
“Well you better clear that up with her because she’s definitely dating you.”
“What do you mean?”
She stopped walking and stepped in front of me. “Oh fuck, am I really going to have to have this talk with you?”
“On gang. You need to say some shit that makes sense because right now you’re talking crazy.”
“I’m not talking crazy. Your man brain isn’t processing girl logic. That woman has been grinning all dreamy at you all night with that look that says ‘I’m fucking him, keep your distance or you’ll get these hands’.”
I laughed hard as hell. Mostly because I could literally hear Xiah saying some shit like that but also because how the hell had Sovoya determined all that just from watching me kick it with Xiah tonight.
“Nah, that’s not the type of thing we’re on.”
“Oh it is and one of two things needs to happen. You will clear up what’s between the two of you so she’s not misreading this or I will get with Van to prepare for the fall out when she blasts your ass all over social media for playing in her face.
Because this is deeper than just sex for her.
If it’s not for you, then tell her. You’re two seconds into the contract.
The front office is watching you closely for a lot of reasons.
You don’t need to be stuck in the middle of a woman scorned blow up. Fix it or I will.”
I glanced across the room and noticed Xiah walking onto the open balcony before I dropped my eyes to Sovoya. “You don’t need to fix shit. I’m cool with a lot of stuff you do but minding my personal business isn’t gonna fly.”
“Your personal business affects how you make money, so sorry, I’m very much going to be all up and through it.”
“Yaakov Vaughn,” a deep voice called my name, sending my attention to the man approaching me, Jase McCormick.
I had never seen him in person. He and Shaq could damn sure be body doubles.
He extended a hand and we shook. “I know I’ve already officially welcomed you to CSA but this time I’m doing so in person. We’re glad to have you as a client.”
“’Preciate that.”
“How are things? Sovoya taking care of you?”
“Yeah, she’s doing her thing. I might need you to talk to her about staying the hell out of my personal shit though.”
He smiled arrogantly. “Good luck with that. When she takes on a client, she takes on everything about them. It’s how she makes your money.”
“I told him that.” She shrugged, smiling smugly at the win.
“I won’t hold you up. I wanted to come show my face, let you know I’m here if you need anything…” he paused and flashed a smile, “Other than keeping her out of your personal shit.”
I yanked at my beard. “I’m straight. Like I said, she’s doing her thing.”
“I know, you’re in good hands. Sound Beats, Quest, and InStream are a good look.”
“InStream?”
They were one of the biggest streaming networks out there. I had no clue what the hell they wanted me for but I knew they had deep pockets so the deal would damn sure be nice.
“Yes, that was the last conversation I needed you to have tonight before you leave. Charles Gordon with InStream. I spoke with him about a brand deal for you.”
Jase glanced at me. “You bailing already?”
I nodded. “Yeah, this isn’t really my vibe. It’s cool though.”
He chuckled. “It’s a battle of the pockets and egos. I get it. I appreciate you trusting the process. Charles told me they want him. Whatever pitch you made sold their team and got the job done. If Kove wants to head out, introductions can be made another time.”
“’Preciate that.”
“Fine, you get a pass.” Sovoya glared at Jase. “I’ll go let Charles know to send over the contract for review.”
Jase chuckled and brushed a hand over his head. “You can head out. I’m probably not far behind you.”
“How are you dipping on your own shit?”
“Because I own it and I can.” He smiled arrogantly and walked away.
My eyes moved to Xiah and something about the expression on her face had me tight.
She looked angry and panicked, so I turned my head to figure out who she was looking at, because if anyone in here got out of line with her, they were gonna have to see me.
The nigga she had eyes on had his back to her but clearly something had gone down.
By the time I reached Xiah, her eyes got big as hell when they landed on me, but she kept talking to whoever was on her line.
I was ten seconds from snatching the damn phone from her hands because she turned her back.
“How fast can you get here? No, we’ve been here less than an hour and this is my first time seeing him. I don’t know, yes, God, Koa, please hurry up and get here before he leaves. We might not get this chance again. Okay, okay, I am. He’s right here, hurry.”
After she ended the call, she turned to me with her eyes darting up to mine then past me. When her eyes went wide again before they came back to me, I frowned, feeling annoyed as hell.
“Who the fuck is that, Xiah? And why he got you all panicked?” I threw my arm to the side, pointing to the nigga she kept checking for. “He do something to you?”
“Can we go out there for a minute?” Her eyes darted past me again and I turned my head just in time to see him frown and tilt his head to the side before he smiled smugly and moved our way.