7. Makari #3
He kept his tone low but firm. I also didn’t miss the irritation which in turn pissed me off because what the fuck. I glanced at Avi’s PortaPlay then crossed the room, heading to the front door and yanking it open.
“Talk.”
“Can I come in?”
“No, talk. You had an entire week to see Avi so I know that’s not why you’re here.
I don’t see any more random ass service people out there so I’m guessing you’re not here to disrupt things with any more of your demands about what our lives need to look like.
So whatever you need to say, you can tell me from here.
God, I’m so fucking pissed that I let you make me believe you really wanted to be a part of Avi’s life.
You’re doing exactly what I expected you… ”
Mid-sentence Omiri stepped forward and kissed me. His large hands framed my face and his mouth met mine, cutting off the rest of what I was about to say, and honestly I didn’t even remember because shit…
His tongue went to work, caressing my mouth and his soft lips covered mine for an added bonus. The taste of mint moved from his tongue to mine, rendering my mind temporarily nonfunctional while I leaned into the kiss. But then I found some sense, my brain caught up, and I pulled away.
I was breathless and disoriented but I pushed that away and my hand landed hard on his cheek when I slapped him.
He grinned, rubbing the spot, shook his head and pushed past me, walking into my house like I hadn’t just assaulted the man.
“You didn’t have to put your hands on me, Kari, but I’ll let you get that.”
“Keep your mouth off me and I won’t have to.”
“I kissed you to shut your ass up so I could explain why I haven’t been here.”
I slammed the door but didn’t turn to face him right away because my face was still burning from the embarrassment of leaning into that kiss like it was my lifeline.
When I finally pulled myself together and turned to face him, Omiri was already settled on the sofa with his long legs stretched out, set wide, and his eyes on me.
“And you didn’t think to just interrupt with a simple, let me explain, like a normal person?”
“Your ass wouldn’t have listened.”
“You don’t know that and that’s not the point.”
“The point was getting your attention which clearly I did. You good?” He smiled cockily and I rolled my eyes.
“I’m fine.”
He nodded before dropping his eyes to his phone and tapping the screen like he was sending a text.
After he was done, I had his attention again.
“I’ve been in LA dealing with some legal stuff.
A woman who has been harassing the hell out of me decided that since I wouldn’t let her sit on my dick that a lawsuit would get me to change my mind. ”
I stared at him for a minute, half expecting him to laugh because this had to be a joke, but when he didn’t, I frowned. “You’re serious?”
“Very. She’s been stalking me, showing up at every game. Every time I make an appearance, she’s there. Hell, she has DMed me pictures of every inch of her body, multiple times, but I’m not interested.”
“Why not? Seems like your type.”
“And what is my type?” His voice was laced with amusement.
“Easy.”
“You calling yourself easy?”
“Absolutely not.”
“We had sex and procreated which means you’re my type.”
I rolled my eyes again. “No, that just means we both drank too much that night.”
“I wasn’t that damn drunk and neither were you.” A sexy grin settled on his face.
We weren’t…
I remembered almost every single second of that night, and based on the way he was looking at me he did too, so I changed the subject.
“You could have called or texted.”
“I had a lot going on with the case, then a branding shoot, it got kinda hectic.”
“It takes two seconds to send a text.”
“Damn, you missed me that much?”
I glared at him and he smiled sexily. “Chill, I’m just fucking with you. You’re right, I could have called or at least sent a text to let you know what was going on.”
“Yes, you should have. This was your idea. We were fine…”
“My bad, you’re right, I fucked that up.”
His eyes moved to Avi in her PortaPlay and I noticed his expression change. A frown shifted onto his face like it always did when he looked at her and that annoyed me.
“Will you stop doing that?”
“What?”
“Frowning at her like she’s annoying you or something.”
“That isn’t it.”
“Then what is it? Every time you look at Avi you seem irritated, like she’s an inconvenience or a problem.”
I walked over and lifted Avi into my arms before I sat next to him on the sofa. My baby blinked at her father but her little brow furrowed like she was concentrating and trying to identify him. After a minute she launched herself at him with her arms wide and her fist making grabbing motions.
He dropped his eyes and scowled again but reached for Avi and took her from me, standing her on his legs, while his massive hands cuffed her sides and back. Avi smiled big and leaned in, reaching for his beard, babbling her determination to get her little fingers on it.
I was tense and fighting the urge to grab my baby and bring her back to me. After a few minutes of trying, she fisted his beard and bounced in place, trying to tug him to her so she could bring her fist to her mouth.
“Damn, her grip is tight as fuck.” He grinned but let Avi have free reign. She continued tugging at his beard excitedly and babbling away like she was having a full blown conversation with him.
“You can’t eat my beard, shorty.”
“Everything goes straight to her mouth.”
“We’re gonna have to set some boundaries with this, pretty girl.” He gently wrapped his hand around hers and worked it free but she dove toward him and her mouth crashed against his cheek. I grinned when he laughed and pulled her back.
“Yo, your little ass is savage. Your mother not feeding you, shorty?”
“She eats, that’s just how she learns things and shows affection.”
“That’s what’s up. You fuck with your old man even though your mother doesn’t.” I narrowed my eyes and he kept his on Avi but sensed my reaction because he smirked. “Say I’m lying.”
“You’re not.”
He chuckled and pulled her back, watching as Avi locked her knees and reached for his beard again. “Y’all good though?”
“We’re fine.”
He turned his head to me and looked me over. I arched my brow which made him smile again, and my God, this man was so damn handsome. “What?”
“I can’t look at you?”
“You don’t need to look at me, focus on Avi.” I lifted from the sofa and crossed the room to begin lifting the bags from earlier but I felt him watching me.
“And I see your hard headed ass don’t have no issue swiping cards.”
“It’s for Avi. You said?—”
“I’m not concerned with what you bought, that’s what the money is for. Spend it how you want, Makari.”
“I just didn’t want you thinking I was wasting it on me.”
He looked me up and down then moved his tongue over his bottom lip. “My money damn sure won’t be wasted on you.”
“Well it’s not anything you’ll have to worry about.”
“Can I see what you got her?”
I paused with several bags clasped in my hands and swung my eyes to him. He was holding Avi for the first time, seemed natural doing it, and was now asking to see the clothes I purchased for her. This was what I wanted, but shit, it felt very cozy .
“You want to see her things?”
“Yeah man, is that a problem?”
“No, I just didn’t think you would care.”
“Why? Because I didn’t shut you down when you was out there swiping that damn card like your life depended on it.”
I grinned and rolled my eyes. “No, because men don’t care about stuff like that.”
“What man are you using as a reference, Kari? And before you answer that shit, be mindful that whoever the fuck it is better not be a reference for caring about anything considering my daughter.”
I walked over to the sofa and dumped the bags, heading back to grab the rest before I settled next to them. “I told you I’m not dating anyone, and even when I am, they won’t be around Avi until we’re serious.”
He snorted and brought Avi in close to his face and kissed her cheeks. “Tell your mommy to stop talking crazy and show me what she bought you today.”
“How am I talking crazy?”
He deadpanned me and frowned hard as hell. “The only thing you’re going to be serious about is her.”
I dug through the first bag and removed several folded stacks of onesies and two-piece pajama sets. Most of them were cream, with various images like flowers, hearts, and butterflies. I also picked a few yellows, teals, and greens.
“You do realize at some point I will be dating, maybe sooner rather than later if you act like a father and stop disappearing on us.”
“Bruh, this was my first week. Can you let that ride?”
“No, do better.” I smiled and he grunted.
“Those are cute but where is her pink shit at?”
“I’m not a pink person.”
“But how you know she’s not? Maybe she likes pink. Don’t be selfish.”
“She likes what I buy.”
“Bruh, you’re flawed for that.” He grinned at Avi. “Don’t worry, shorty, I’m going to get you right with the pink. Your mom is a hater.”
“Pink is cliché,” I defended.
“Show me the rest.”
It took me literally an hour to show him everything I purchased because he kept stopping me to ask questions and give his opinion on the things I got.
He also included Avi, asking her whether she liked certain things to which she smiled, babbled, and grabbed at them when he turned her to look at them.
All of this felt so normal and normal shouldn’t have been anywhere near my feelings when it came to this man, yet, here we were…