Chapter 14 #2
When Shane didn’t respond to my last statement, my thoughts went back to my mess of a life.
I was all over the place and couldn’t wait until I got back into a steady routine.
I was grateful things were falling into place, but the process wasn’t smooth.
Realizing Shane was unusually quiet, I looked at him as we rode the elevator to his floor.
His expression was cool and he didn’t look bothered.
“Is something wrong?” I questioned.
“Nah… why you ask that?”
“I’m so used to you talking to me when we’re together. You’re never this quiet.”
“Damn, you tryna say a nigga talk too damn much?” he asked jokingly.
“No. I love talking to you. It just seems like you’ve gotten quiet all of a sudden.”
“I’m good, baby. I know you’re tired, so I don’t wanna annoy you with too much small talk.”
Just as I went to respond, the doors of the elevator opened.
When we finally made it to his unit, I kicked my shoes off.
The relief I felt when my heels were no longer on was something only people who wore heels understood.
Anytime I came over to Shane’s place there was nothing out of place.
Looking at the throw blanket hanging off the couch and half-drank bottle of water on the table let me know he truly lived here.
“Go to my room,” he said before I could sit on the couch.
Not thinking anything of it, I went to his room and sat on the bed.
When I located the remote, I turned the TV on and flipped through the channels until I landed on a movie I’d seen a thousand times.
My body relaxed and my eyelids became heavy.
It wasn’t too late in the day to take a nap, but I was trying to stay awake for Shane.
The feeling of warm lips pecking my cheek pulled me outta my slight sleep.
“Sit up. Let me help you undress.”
My pussy throbbed at his statement and my thoughts drifted to him deep inside me.
To say he had grown man dick was an understatement.
Once I was fully undressed, Shane pulled me to the middle of the bed where I lay on my stomach.
I was bracing for impact as he lingered over my body.
Instead of feeling his dick entering my walls, I felt his large hands rubbing oil onto my back.
“I thought you—”
“I am…I promise you I’m gon’ fuck the shit out of you. You had a lot goin’ on today so I’m making sure you’re good. You can go back to sleep if you want to. We have a reservation for seven-thirty, so you got some time before you have to be ready,” he said as he massaged my back.
“Why didn’t you tell me? I don’t have anything to wear. Plus, we weren’t even talking. Why would you make reservations?”
“I have your clothes taken care of, love. I made the reservation because I knew you’d let the bullshit go. I was banking on it anyway. And don’t say we weren’t talking. You weren’t talking to me. I was always here.”
“I apologize for my reaction. I heard her name and that was it. I felt like I’d never be able to get away from her and lost it.”
“I accept your apology. I know why you did it. That’s why I didn’t entertain the shit.
I keep tellin’ you I’m not Spinna. That nigga is weak in the flesh and it won’t stop at Serenity.
Just wait until the next best thing comes into the industry.
I know she told you they bonded over music, but Spinna is only out for himself.
You’ll see when the next scandal comes to light. ”
“I don’t know about that. He seems to be genuinely into her. I saw the pictures before they were leaked. He looked happy.”
“Yeah, happy to attach himself to her. But anyway, fuck that nigga. Like I was telling you, we have a reservation at seven-thirty. I’ve done everything but taken you on an official first date. The fair doesn’t count since my mom was there.”
“Okay…where are we going?” I questioned as my lids started to feel heavy again.
“Don’t worry about all that. Just know I’m taking the lead for the night.”
I laughed. “You always have the lead.”
“Well, tonight is no different.”
Letting Shane win this one, I closed my eyes fully and allowed myself to drift.
When Shane woke me up with his tongue, he kept his word and fucked the shit out of me before we showered and dressed for our date.
I wasn’t sure how I expected him to dress me, but the brown, thigh length dress was beautiful.
It was an off the shoulder bodycon style and I loved the soft material.
My hair was pulled into a neat but messy bun and the clear high heels Shane bought for me were giving rich bitch energy.
I was feeling good and couldn’t stay out of the mirror.
I knew my man wouldn’t half step as he stood beside me in a black, button-down, short-sleeved shirt with matching slacks.
On his feet were a pair of black Louis Vuitton dress shoes and the cologne wore was a scent I’d never smelled.
We were dressed perfectly for the restaurant. Famous Cuts steakhouse was a three-star Michelin restaurant. Shane had to know someone on the inside because reservations for this place were almost impossible to get. We were seated only moments after Shane told the hostess his name.
“How did you get reservations? Jade and I have been trying to get in here for what feels like a lifetime. Every time we try to reserve a table, the website says the calendar isn’t open yet.”
“My dad is cool with the owners. When I told him I was taking you out, he called in a favor.”
“Are you serious or you’re being funny?”
“I’m serious, baby.” He chuckled. “Giovanni and Dario Otello are the owners. They’re twins with a thick ass Italian accent.
They cook good as hell. They’ve catered a few events my uncle’s thrown over the years.
The only reason I brought you here is because I knew you’d like the experience,” Shane stated as he lifted his glass of water.
Now that we were seated, I was able to take in the beauty of the restaurant.
The lights were dim and there were paintings hanging that looked to be straight from the artists’ studio.
The tables were draped in cream cloths while a lantern with a candle inside served as the centerpiece.
The waitresses and waiters were all dressed in long-sleeved, cream button downs with black slacks and black shoes.
The place was simply elegant and I couldn’t wait to try the food.
When I felt a presence approach us, I assumed it was our waiter and lifted my head in their direction.
Confusion took over when my eyes locked with a man who looked to be in his late fifties.
Since I knew fashion, I could tell the three-piece suit he wore was tailored just for his lean body.
If I had to guess, I’d say that suit cost anywhere from three to five thousand, easy.
Although the man was older, I could tell he took his fitness seriously from his build.
He had a head full of black hair, slightly longer at the top.
“How are you, Shane?” the man said as he extended his hand.
“Giovanni, how you been, man?” Shane said as he stood from his seat and shook hands with the man.
The name let me know this was one of the twins who owned the restaurant. It only made sense that he’d speak since he knew Shane would be in the building.
“Giovanni, this is my lady, Celeste. Celeste, baby, this is Giovanni,” Shane introduced.
I politely shook his hand and smiled. Truly, I wanted to thank him for getting us into his elite establishment. I decided to let Shane take the lead so I wouldn’t come off as doing too much. Although my intentions were pure, I never wanted Shane to feel disrespected.
“Nice you meet you, beautiful,” Giovanni said before throwing me a wink then refocusing on Shane. “Look at you, man. You look like a carbon copy of your father. The older you get, the more I see him in you.”
“Yeah, man. That man is who I am through and through,” Shane responded.
“Speaking of Robert, did he tell you I gave him names for new lawyers? He’s been denying our help for years, but when he called about you coming to the restaurant, we spoke about a few other things.
I’m sure I’ll be seeing you soon. I don’t wanna discuss it tonight.
Enjoy your dinner and show your beautiful lady a good time.
Dario told me to say hello on his behalf.
He’s in Italy right now with his wife. I told him he picked the wrong time to go since there seemed to be a family reunion tonight. ”
“A family reunion?” Shane questioned.
“Yes… your cousin Deontay asked for reservations this evening as well. He’s seated outside with a lovely lady as well. But I won’t keep you long. Enjoy your night and thank you for your business,” Giovanni said before walking off.
Once he was back in his seat, we browsed the menu.
It took me a few minutes to pick out a drink and appetizer.
After telling Shane what I wanted, I stood and walked across the restaurant to the ladies room.
I handled my business and washed my hands before digging through my purse for my perfume.
I sprayed my hot spots and prepared to leave when I heard footsteps coming toward me.
It was another woman coming up to wash her hands.
I was trying not to stare, so I didn’t get a good look at her until she complimented my dress.
I got back to the table just in time to place my drink and appetizer order.
While we waited, Shane and I spoke about him meeting my mother and his upcoming visit to see his father.
I could tell the thought of seeing his dad after so much time made him nervous.
I offered to come with him, but he informed me that he needed to go alone.
I completely understood and we made plans for me to go another time.
I was in the middle of snapping pictures of the two of us when our appetizers came.
“Make sure you send me all of those.”
“For what? You only post music on your social media pages,” I countered before taking a sip of red wine.
“I post my woman when I have one. Not every day, but enough to show people I’m not single. You’re not a secret. If anything, I’m the one who’s a secret.”
“You’re not a secret, Shane.”
“I know, baby. I’m just fuckin’ with you. Let me taste one of those shrimp.”
I didn’t know what the hell they had in this wine, but the more I drank, the more relaxed I felt.
Shane had become someone I truly cared about.
If we were to call it quits right now, I’d be fucked up.
He saw me for me and it made me feel valued.
Everything this man did had intention and that was something I appreciated.
I was letting my guard down and didn’t know if that would work in my favor when all was said and done.
Yet again, I was putting my trust into a man but this time I had faith that the outcome would be worth it.
“What’s good, cuz? Giovanni told me you were here, but I thought he had you mixed up with someone else.”
The sound of Deontay’s voice caused me to cringe.
I didn’t understand why he insisted on playing with Shane.
For me, it wasn’t the rivalry that made me not care for him.
It was the disrespect he displayed when I was around.
Deontay always found a way to bring Allen up and it pissed me off.
The man didn’t know me but was comfortable playing in my face.
“Get the fuck outta my face. I won’t beat your ass in here out of respect for Giovanni and Dario, but I promise we can step outside and I’ll give you the ass whooping you’ve been begging for,” Shane said as he kept his eyes on his plate.
“Any time I say something to you, you always come back with a threat. You sound like a parent trying to scare his child. I’m starting to think it’s just talk. If you wanted to beat my ass so bad, you would’ve already done it.”
Abruptly, Shane stood, causing me to do the same.
A few people looked in our direction and that was the last thing we needed.
Deontay liked to get under Shane’s skin when he knew Shane couldn’t do much.
Aside from that, the respect Shane had for his uncle was the main thing standing in the way of Deontay not having a well whooped ass.
“Shane, not here. Don’t burn your bridges with the twins or your dad’s reputation over this nonsense. Let’s finish enjoying our meal,” I suggested as I grabbed his hand.
“It’s you again, Celeste? It’s crazy that every time I see my cousin, I see you. You’re never glued to your man’s hip,” Deontay said as he waved an arm between me and Shane.
“Allen is Serenity’s man. I’m sure you know that since you know so much. Please leave so we can finish our dinner. She seems to be waiting on you, anyway,” I said as I tilted my head in the direction of the girl.
She was the same woman I’d seen in the bathroom earlier. She was a little ways from us, but the worry in her eyes let me know she indeed was the woman with Deontay. When Shane looked in her direction, he did a double take before refocusing on his cousin.
“What the fuck you doin’ with Mia?”
“Wouldn’t you like to know,” Deontay replied with a smirk.
Thankfully, he walked off and headed toward the exit with ol’ girl on his heels. I kept my eyes on them before turning my attention to Shane.
“You know her?”
“That’s my ex.”
“Ex-girlfriend?” I quizzed for clarification.
“Yeah.”
“That’s crazy. I saw her earlier when I was leaving the bathroom and she spoke to me.”
“I’m sure she didn’t know you were with me. Had she known, I’m sure y’all would’ve been in there like Queen Latifah and that white girl in Bringing Down The House,” he joked.
“Oh, that’s how she’s coming behind you?”
“She shouldn’t be, but I wouldn’t put it past her. She got back in town not long ago and I’ve had to repeat myself every time I’ve seen her.”
Shane told me the backstory of him and Mia. I knew she’d done the unforgivable in his eyes. I wouldn’t lie and say I didn’t see what he saw in her. Mia was beautiful and had the perfect build for a model.
“You sure you don’t wanna revisit that chapter?” I asked, only halfway joking.
“Hell no. I didn’t want her back before today. Seeing her with my cousin only makes her that much more of an opp. How the hell are you forcing your way into my mother’s house but running around with my cousin? That shit doesn’t even seem right.”
Through the rest of our dinner, Shane tried to act like he was good, but I could tell he was bothered.
I knew him well enough to know he wouldn’t lie to me about another woman, but his interest was piqued simply because she had been here with his cousin that he didn’t fuck with and hadn’t fucked with in years.