Chapter 2
CHAPTER TWO
Blak sat on the edge of his bed smoking a blunt while watching Averi get dressed.
Her shapely hips gave her hell, as she pulled on the white and brown mini skirt while he puffed on the weed filled cigar.
Taking his time, he took her in the same way he was slowly ingesting the weed.
The thickness of her tall frame. Her perky C cup breasts that sat up without a bra.
The exotic hue of her rich, brown skin with red undertones.
Feeling his eyes on her, Averi looked over her shoulder and tossed a smile his way as she put the fitted, matching button up on.
Blak liked what he saw, but that wasn’t the reason he couldn’t take his eyes off Averi. Expelling smoke, he continued to study her. “I’m about to go get my marriage license.”
The seriousness of his tone made Averi aware that he wasn’t joking. Turning around with hiked brows, she wanted him to elaborate. Clouds of smoke hung suspended in the air as his eyes narrowed after he took another toke of the marijuana.
“Care to explain how you’re going to get a marriage license when I’ve been under the impression for the past ten months that you were single?”
Averi liked Blak because he was honest. Even if what he had to say might hurt your feelings, he didn’t hold back for anybody.
She never had to worry about him lying or running game.
His bluntness and honesty made it so he was deemed an asshole by most, but one thing she hated was a liar.
No matter how gritty or ugly it was, Averi could appreciate the truth.
If she found out he’d been lying, she was going to look at him differently for sure.
“It’s like some arranged marriage type shit.
Long story, but my uncle was that nigga before he was sentenced to fifteen years in the feds.
He only has to serve twelve years, and he’ll be home next year.
One of his old associates came up with a way to keep my folks connected and allow him to enjoy the perks of the life without having to come home and get his hands dirty.
That’s by me marrying his daughter. I’ve legit only met shorty like three times. ”
Averi swallowed down a lump. The way Blak spent money like it grew on trees and his flashy lifestyle told it all.
Of course, she knew he made money the illegal way, but she never asked details because that was his business.
She also didn’t know that arranged marriages among black people existed for real.
At least not in the states. It gave her a slight sense of relief that he was only going to be married on paper, but Averi was compelled to ask questions.
“So, this is only for business purposes? You’re going to live separate and what?”
“Nah. She’s moving into my crib. We know the shit is arranged, but no one else is supposed to know it. It would kind of kill the motivation for some people to extended certain courtesies to my uncle if they knew the marriage was fake. We have to keep up appearances.”
Averi leaned against the dresser in the room.
They weren’t a couple. In fact, Averi was almost certain that he slept with other people, but she never questioned him.
They had fun together. The sex was amazing, and he was generous as hell.
Each time she felt herself about to catch feelings for him, she pulled back a bit until it was safe.
They hadn’t promised loyalty to one another, and they were both single, but for some odd reason, the news made her feel a way.
“Are you going to be sleeping in the same bed?”
Blak’s brows hiked as though it was his first time considering the question.
“Shiiiiit,” he drawled. “I really don’t even know.
I mean, I guess. This shit is new to me.
We have to be seen out in public, live together, and she has a big ass rock on her finger.
Those are the only details that I know of at the moment.
That and we have to have a wedding that her father is paying for.
But I mean, we’re going to be in the same house.
I won’t lie and say if she wants to give me some, I won’t give her what she wants. ”
Averi responded with a curt nod. There it was again that gut wrenching honesty.
She could deal with him having sex with women that she didn’t see or know about.
But knowing that he was going to be sharing a home with a woman had her in her feelings just a bit.
Knowing if she didn’t want the feelings to grow, she had to do something about it. It was now or never.
“So, I guess this is our last time together, huh?” she asked with a small smile, and his head popped up.
“What?” he licked his lips before ogling her.
“Whether you’re married only on paper or not, marriage is a big step. You have to play the part, and I’m sure that doesn’t involve sneaking around with me. If this is where we end, then I had fun while it lasted.”
There were no tears and no theatrics. Blak was pleased. Shorty really was one of a kind. He knew that the day he met her in a coffee shop. “So, you’re worried about me being faithful to my wife?”
“Not worried just cautious. I’m not big on dealing with married men period. I wish you the best though.” Averi gave another small smile, and he watched her as he tried to decipher if she was really handling things so well or if it was all an act.
“That’s what’s up,” he replied slowly. “Had I known this would be the last time getting that pussy, I would have showed out a little more.”
Averi’s laugh was hearty. “I’m sure you would have.”
Blak stood up, and the bulge in his jeans was very noticeable.
“You really about to walk out that door and never fuck with me again?” his raspy tone made her chest swell.
The way he peered into her eyes made Averi’s heart race.
The heat wafting off his body did nothing to stop her nipples from hardening.
His chocolate skin was so beautiful, she wanted to lick him from head to toe.
His jawline was strong. Muscles huge. Blak was so damn fine it was sickening.
Averi attempted to speak with confidence, but her first word came out shaky, and she knew she lost the battle.
“I have to go, and you have to go.”
“I’m not getting married due to being in love. We don’t have to stop anything, but if that’s how you feel, I can’t change your mind. The wedding isn’t for another four weeks though. Let me get my last time in proper like.”
The lust in his gaze made Averi’s knees buckle.
She was actually quite proud of the fact that she’d been dealing with him for as long as she had been and hadn’t turned dick dumb.
Even with frizzy cornrows the man was too fine.
Averi loved a man with a beard, but Blak’s mostly bare face minus a small amount of chin hair ruined her panties just the same.
His offer was tempting. Real tempting but in her heart, she knew she couldn’t take it there.
One thing she refused to do was lust after another woman’s husband.
One too many times, she’d seen people with ulterior motives start out dealing with a person for all the wrong reasons and before you knew it, those same people had fallen in love for real.
Averi was smart enough to know that she wasn’t going to take part in breaking her own heart.
“I’ll think about it.” The lie came with a smile as she eased by him.
After putting her shoes on, Averi grabbed her key fob and showed herself to the door.
Blak’s home was gorgeous. It had three levels, floor to ceiling windows in the living room, and a kitchen large enough to comfortably fit fifty or so people.
She’d only been there twice. It took Blak eight months of knowing her to feel comfortable letting her know where he lived.
Blak was observant, and he could tell that Averi’s character was on point.
Plus, she made damn good money creating video games, so she didn’t have to go to crazy lengths to set him up and have him robbed. Unless, she was just a greedy bitch.
“Wait up fast ass,” Blak called out as she reached the door.
Averi pivoted and watched him descend the stairs. Blak’s chest was bare and the ridiculously thick necklace that hung around his neck rested on his dark skin. “Running to the door and shit gon’ have you missing yo’ blessings.” Blak licked his lips and passed her a wad of folded bills.
“Thank you.” Averi paused. Blak had never been much of a kisser.
He’d maybe pecked her lips a few times during sex, but their exchanges were merely about pleasure.
No intimacy involved. However, as close as he was to her and as intoxicating as he smelled, Averi wanted nothing more than to devour his tongue.
“No problem,” he rasped. “Be easy.”
No kiss. Her heart sank a tad bit, but she knew Blak.
She wasn’t even sure why she desired it.
Married. The word echoed in her head as she walked to her Kia.
Inside the car, Averi counted the money, and her cheeks lifted into a grin when she was done.
Blak had given her $3,200. It wasn’t his first time giving her money, but it was the first time he’d given so much.
Despite his flashy ways and the things he possessed, she’d never entertained Blak because of his money or status.
Three months in, he paid her car note and six months in, he paid for her portion of a girls’ trip to Bali.
Last month, he’d asked her what she was doing while she was grocery shopping and when she told him, he sent her $1,000 for food.