Chapter 7
SEVEN
Large hands pulled me backward and into his pelvis. My pleasure was visible on his dick, making his strokes flawless and nearly effortless. My climax had slammed my body against the bed and I was still trying to recover as his neared.
He felt like a slice of heaven. If losing to Priest resulted in mind-boggling strokes and back to back orgasms, I’d meet him on the court every fucking day. He was addictive. I was dreading the day I had to end this thing we had begun two years ago.
“Wh— where you want it?”
His muscles tightened as he grew harder inside of me. I deepened my arch and assisted his elevation by pushing back into him, driving him mad.
“Fuck.”
I slid up and down his dick so effortlessly. I was soaking. He’d unstopped my well and allowed my juices to flow freely.
“Wher— shit. Where yo– you wan–”
“Right there.”
Admitting one of my deepest desires was difficult but necessary. I wanted him to fill me to capacity with his minions, though the consequences weren’t of interest.
“Rose–” he grunted.
“Right there,” I repeated, hoping he wouldn’t fight with himself or his logic.
All logic was out of the window. The emergency contraceptive tablets I’d emptied into the drawer right beneath the condoms should’ve made my intentions clear, but he’d ignored them just like he was attempting to ignore my request.
I rounded my ass in search of the hole that wasn’t occupied. Upon locating it, I submerged my index finger.
“Uhhhhhh.”
“You not playing fair, dear.”
“Right there,” I reminded him, massaging my asshole with my finger.
“Right whe– where?” he inquired, exposing his hand. He couldn’t resist. He wouldn’t deny me.
“Deep insiiiiiide—uh of me.”
“Deep inside of you?”
“Yeessssssss.”
His explosion was massive. As he released, he pounded me from behind. His strokes were perfectly paced and packed enough power to curl my spine and force both of my hands on the bed.
“Fuck!”
Whack!
He smacked my right cheek before falling onto the bed beside me. I clenched my pussy from the pain and joined him on the pillow right beside the one he was laying on. He stretched his long limbs and opened the second drawer of the nightstand.
He grabbed a bottle of water from the top after securing one of the packages inside. He fought with the wrapper for at least a minute before removing the cap from the water.
“Open up,” Priest instructed.
I obeyed his order, allowing him to place the pill in my mouth.
“Drink.”
The water made the pill go down my throat easily. Once it disappeared, so did the water. Priest pulled me closer and wrapped those long arms around me.
The same circles his son drew on my skin, he managed to complete one after the other. My skin was dewy from the second round of intoxication he was wholly responsible for. The air conditioner did little to cool me off. It was no match for the furnace between my legs or the man beside me.
“Speak, Rose. I can feel your thoughts. They’re heavy.”
“What happened to his mother?”
“She’s not dead if that’s why your heart is heavy.”
“Then, where is she?”
“Living her life. She’s not my concern and yours either. She signed over her rights. Princeton belongs to me and only me.”
“He’s a beautiful boy.”
“And, bright. His mind is a complex, very impressive place.”
“I can only imagine.”
“He is the mastermind behind the designs of several investments of mine.”
“A budding entrepreneur.”
“He is.”
“He’ll be fine, Priest. I know he will be.”
Somehow, I felt like he needed those words. Needed that assurance. I would give it to him every and any chance I was able.
“Me, too.”
Silence hovered over us as we stared into the blankness.
“Come back, Rose. In two days. Ten o’clock.”
We were back on track, back to the original time set for our meetings.
“I have so many thoughts about our time here.”
“If they’re not pleasant, you do not have my permission to express them. Only good things must come from your lips in reference to us, this suite, and the things we get into. That’s all I can stand, Rose.”
That’s all I had to give. It was my second visit since discovering our connection outside the suite. I’d made my bed and with him I’d lie in it every chance I got. Only happy thoughts surrounded me at the moment. Only good things.
“I feel so at peace here,” I sighed, “So quickly I forget everything happening outside of these walls.”
“That’s how you’re supposed to feel.”
“And, you?” I wondered aloud. “How do you feel?”
“Blessed, Rose. I feel blessed when I’m between these walls, between these sheets, between your ears, and between your legs.”
“It’s not only in the suite when you’re between my ears. I think of you often. All the time, in fact.”
“You’re not alone.”
I quieted, allowing my thoughts to consume me. Priest wasn’t having it. He wanted to extract them from my brain. It was against the rules for me to even have any of my own. But, he made that hard to manage.
“I’m listening,” he breathed, deepening our embrace by tightening his arms around me.
“Why wire me the money? I lost.”
“Because I want you to have it.”
“Aren’t you going to ask why I need it?”
“I’m no fool, Rose. You don’t need the money. You just don’t care to spend your own. You have it. We both know you do.”
“I do.”
“It doesn’t matter. Now you have more.”
“It’s for the launch of a book I’ve been working on,” I blurted, desperately wanting to fill him in on things happening in my world. “The marketing. The promotion. The first large print run. The small store I plan to open, filled to the brim with them. And, the horse trailer I plan to convert into a mobile bookstore for festivals and markets during the spring, summer, and fall. Once this all blows over, I’ll already have it all worked out and ready for business.”
“A book?”
“Not filled with words, but more like therapy bottled up in activities and affirmations and– it’s hard to explain. You’d have to see it to understand.”
“I’d love to see it. When can I?”
“When my final draft feels completed. I’m not there yet, but I’m almost there. I can see the finish line.”
“How long have you been working on it?”
“Two years.”
“The two years I waited?”
I paused, swallowing the lump in my throat. He wasn’t ready to let it go and neither was I. Those two years changed our trajectory and I didn’t think I’d ever recover from them. Without a doubt in my mind, things between us would’ve progressed rapidly and soon enough it wouldn’t be The Mansion I was headed to at ten some nights. It would be his home. Possibly our home by now. We’d never know because this was our reality and we couldn’t turn back the hands of time.
“I waited, too,” I confessed. “There wasn’t a day you didn’t cross my mind. I wondered if I’d ever see you again. If I’d ever run into you in the wild since I’d been promised to another man. If I’d recognize your voice or your walk or your stance. Anything.
“And, if I did, how I’d react. I didn’t know the first thing about you when I was put on that plane and shipped across the world for my protection. However, I told my sister about you– for six months straight until she claimed her ears were starting to bleed. It was around the time I’d run out of things to say because I thought surely you’d forgotten me by then.
“Surely you’d found someone else to pleasure you the way you needed. Surely you’d pushed me to the back of your brain.”
“You were wrong, Rose. I waited. In vain.”
“It wasn’t my fault, Priest.”
“I know. It was mine. And, I’ll never forgive myself for not searching for you. If I’d just tried, I would’ve found you in a flash. You were so close, yet so far away.”
“I was right there, all along.”
“All along.”
The blaring of my phone pulled me from my thoughts. Memories of my time with Priest were the most precious thing to me. Having them interrupted was frustrating, but the face on my screen made the interruption worthy of my praise.
Roulette and I had been playing phone tag for nearly two weeks. Our schedules simply weren’t aligned. Whenever we did speak, we weren’t the only ones on the line. What I wanted to talk to her about wasn’t for other ears to hear. It was only for ours.
“Hello,” I greeted her as soon as the line connected.
“Princess Rather,” she exclaimed, “How’s the castle?”
Her humor was infectious. “Roulette, please.”
“Talk about a fairytale. You’re living it.”
“I wish it were that simple,” I sighed, closing the book in front of me.
I was nose deep in the book full of therapeutic practices for pediatric patients with autism. The book was insightful. I’d began building the plan of action for Princeton’s therapy before I finished the first page. It was full of gems that had my gears turning and my hopes high.
Priest was ready to tear down the communication barriers between him and his son. I was desperate to help. Not only because I wanted them torn down, too, but because I was wholeheartedly invested in the progression of the small human I’d only met once and fallen for.
The incredible amount of time I had on my hands and the patience I was forced to practice until I was able to see clients again had a lot to do with how invested I was as well.
“When it comes to men, it’s hardly ever that simple. But, still, we move, love.”
“You move,” I chuckled, knowing how she truly got down.
“True. True. Now, what was it that you called me for that night? I called you when I woke up that morning but you didn’t answer.”
“I was kind of tied up.”
I buried my head in the pillow as thoughts of Priest returned.
“Oh, answer this FaceTime!”
I looked at the screen to find she was in fact calling me on FaceTime. Without hesitation, I slid the bar across the screen.
“Now, I’m listening.”
“When I needed you to help me make the executive decision, you needed sleep. The deed is done now. The mess has been made now. I’m in deep shit and I have no idea how I’m going to get myself out of it when the time comes.”
“You’re talking in circles, Rather. Tell me what’s going on.”
“PS102.”
“You went back?”
I nodded.
“To The Mansion.”
I nodded.
“And, he was there?”
I nodded.
“After two whole years? Goddamn, Rather. Your pussy got superpowers, too?”
Because I knew she was referring to the powers she claimed her pussy had all these years, I couldn’t contain myself. I laughed, nodding in response to her question.
“He kept my tab clean. For two years.”
“Shit. You have a beast between those thighs, babe. Congratulations,” she chanted.
When she realized I was no longer laughing, she paused.
“So, what’s with the sadness?”
“I’m getting married in two months, Roulette.”
“To a man that’s still getting his dick wet. If anyone is going to get played in the relationship, never let it be you, baby. Have I not taught you anything?”
She sipped from the cup that appeared from thin air.
“To his brother!”
She spat out the liquid she’d just poured into her mouth.
“T– to who? Wait. What? Back up. Hold up! Who’s brother?”
“His name is Priest. PS102, his name is Priest.”
“Priest, Priest?” She asked, knowing exactly who he was.
He was the man who’d made Chem’s escape possible. We’d never forget him. Though we’d assumed we had never crossed paths with him, we were aware of who he was and the role he’d played in our brother’s freedom.
“Priest, Priest.”
“Goddamn, this world is a small place.”
“It is.”
“But, still, the question remains. What’s with the sadness?”
“I’m fucking the man who’s brother I’m set to marry in two months.”
“And?”
“And?”
“It’s an arrangement, Rather. You’re acting like you were in love with the man prior and you’re breaking some code of conduct. You were sliding down Priest’s dick before you knew Kofi existed. The damage was already done. Finding out they were brothers wouldn’t undo what had already been done.”
“I know, bu–”
“But nothing. I’ve told you many times before, Rather. When a man shows you who he is, believe him. Kofi told you out of his own mouth. Right now, if he had the chance to stick his dick in one of your six sisters, he would and would continue until that ninety day mark. He’d have no issue kissing his bride with the secretion of ours smeared across his top lip.
“Some dogs you can’t tame, love, so don’t tire yourself out trying to or feeling guilty about joining them. It’s your best move. Trust me when I say he’d have Rhea bent over, ass up if she gave him the opportunity. Don’t spare him, Rather, or no man for the matter. Not one that doesn’t have your best interest at heart.”
Roulette was heartless. She believed that ninety percent of men on the earth’s core were meant to be played and playing them was her favorite game.
“When the hell did we start moving with uncertainty? That’s not a Childers trait. When we move, we move. The guilt or whatever the fuck you’re feeling right now is irrelevant. That man is likely climbing out of pussy right now. You better get it together. Chin up. Chest out, babe. You had the same ninety days he had. That’s what he failed to realize. I’m starting to believe you failed to realize it too.”
“I haven’t,” I assured her.
“Then make me a believer. Shit. Straighten up that pretty face.”
My lips curved into a smile.
“If you’re going to fuck that man’s brother, don’t feel bad about it, Rather. Seriously. I saw the look in your eyes each time you mentioned him. I saw the longing. The yearning. This was inevitable. It was going to happen whether you wanted it to or not. Whether it was his brother or not.”
She was right. Even if Kofi hadn’t burst my bubble at that coffee shop, before things between us got serious, I would’ve tried my damndest to get back to the suite. Back to Priest, at least once.
“I know.”
“Keep your head high and your standards higher, Rather. What’s done is done. At least you’re fucking with two men that will make sure you’re straight regardless, so you’re in a situation you can’t lose –that’s my type of party.”
“Yes, I know!” I nodded, because it was indeed her type of party.
“So, tell me about PS102.”
“He’s a dream, Roulette.”
I buried my head in the pillow, again. But, not for long. I needed to get everything off my chest and there was no one I wanted to talk to more about all the things I’d been thinking, feeling, and experiencing since I’d been back in the States.
“How’d you find out who he was?”
“I didn’t. He noticed me by my birthmark. He waited a full week, trying to convince himself it wasn’t me he’d been waiting for. Until one night when we were alone in the hallway, he called out to me.”
“Called out to you?”
“Yes. He called me Rose.”
“Shut up!”
“Roulette, I wanted to disappear. I wanted to melt. I wanted to drop to my knees and suck his dick right in that hallway. I wanted to teleport to the suite. Mentally, I did. His father came into the hallway and I couldn’t move. I didn’t move. Not until–”
“He gave you permission.”
“Yes! Not until he told me I could.”
“Oh, you’re down bad, Miss Girl.”
“I knoooooow! And, now, two months seems unfair. Where has a month gone already?”
“It hasn’t gone, completely .”
“Might as well. Only a few days away.”
“Tell me more. Tell me about the last month.”
“Nine days of it were spent away from him. It was a very hard, very grueling nine days. Seven of which I was bleeding. The other two consisted of recovery.”
“Ugh, God handed women His ass to kiss. Menstrual. Babies. Boobs. Asses. Pussies. Ovaries. Like, what the fuck was happening? Why’d we need all of that?”
“Please let me know when you find out.”
“Back to PS102,” she urged.
“He wired thirty thousand dollars to my account.”
“That’s it?” Her shriek was incredibly humorous. “That’s allowance, Rather. Chemistry sends that to our accounts monthly for simply existing. Are you losing your mind?”
“I only asked for twenty-two.”
“My God, you’re losing it. Truly,” she chuckled.
“Well, I didn’t really ask. I played him in tennis.”
“And won.”
“Actually, I lost, but he still put the money in my account.”
“So, free money? I can’t be mad at that. But, fifty or better, baby. Don’t let him play in your face, again.”
Sniggering, I responded, “Noted.”
Roulette waited for more details and I had plenty to give.
“He has a son. His name is Princeton and he’s the most handsome boy I know. I’ve taken him on as a client.”
“You’re not into pediatrics, babe.”
“I know, but I’m making an exception. I miss my office. My clients. My life, Roulette. Pediatrics will have to work for now. I just want an ounce of normalcy. Since everything happened, nothing has felt ordinary to me. Not even now that I’m back in the States. I feel like things are ever changing and I’m just trying to find grounding. That’s where I will find it. I truly believe that.”
“I understand. I promise. We’re all forever adjusting. But, honestly, our comfort needed a disturbance. We were so accustomed to thriving in our element. This is just another lesson for us all. Another chance to strengthen our core, tighten our bond, and learn to survive.”
“You’re right. As much as I wanted to hate Egypt at a point in my life, I love her for what she’s done for us all. What she’s given Teddy, I can never begin to repay her.”
“She wouldn’t accept it if you tried. Despite her obligation, she’s shown us time and time again she’s for us. Was always for us, even when she was supposed to be against us. I love my girl. And she doesn’t mind letting that chopper siiiiiiinnnnng . I couldn’t ask for a better sister-in-love.”
Egypt was a beast in the field. She and Rugger were the most competitive during our exercises. They were both skilled and both able to handle a firearm better than us all. Everyone except Chemistry.
“How is Jru?”
“Spoiled and too smart for her own good.”
“Of course. When I saw Princeton, she was the first person I thought of. I miss my baby.”
“Why does he need therapy?”
“He doesn’t. He’s autistic and the family wants to see if therapy will support the progression they’re in pursuit of. For now, he doesn’t speak. We’re looking to turn that around soon.”
“We’re– look at you, already speaking for the family. I don’t know if I’m jealous or happy for you, sis. Let’s not mention the good dick you’re getting. Meanwhile, I’m playing with my pussy every night.”
“Roulette, please!”
“It’s true. I know my clit is tired of me. Hate to see my fingers coming. Like, pick somebody else, tonight!”
Laughter was good for the heart and whenever Roulette was involved, there would be plenty.
“Chem is working to get us cleared and back together again. It won’t be long, babe. Just takes time.”
“Yeah. I know. I’m not complaining. I like it over here. It’s euphoric. It’s a slice of paradise. Everything feels so much better from this side of the world. No worries.”
“No worries,” I agreed. “That type of peace is priceless.”
“I need to get my other line, Rather. Call me. I have to go.”
“Okay. I’ll talk to you lat–”
The line went dead. With her advice on heavy rotation, I rested my head against the pillow as thoughts of Priest joined the line up. In under two hours, I’d be seeing his son. Right now, I wanted nothing more than to see him.
Kofi .
His handsome face fought for relevancy. I wondered where he was, what he was doing, and if a call would steer my thoughts in a different direction. I decided to test the theory immediately instead of waiting.
His number was one of few in my contacts. I tapped his name and placed the call on speakerphone. My heart raced at the sound of the first ring. Then, there was a second. By the third, I grew worried. It wasn’t until the fifth ring that I decided to end the call, knowing he wouldn’t pick up.
Maybe he’ll call back .
Sighing, I opened the photo gallery of the fairly new device. I’d only had it for a month and the pictures were few. Jru made up most of them. Images the family had collectively sent filled the gallery. Then, there was a thread of new, hidden photos that required my FaceID for visibility.
Dark skin, thick arms, and tattooed skin appeared on the screen. Warmth caressed my body. Fine hairs stood on my arms, back, neck, and fingers. A tingling sensation shot up my spine.
Priest .
I needed something to remember him by. Still images as he rested peacefully beside me were keepsakes that not even he knew about. My growing obsession for his presence painted a picture of misery that helped me see well into my future.
Kofi would be alright in the end, but he’d never be Priest. And, for the life of me, I couldn’t shake my thoughts of that piece of knowledge.
Priest was a man. A caretaker. A provider. A lover. He appreciated my presence. It wasn’t a burden to him. I wasn’t a burden for him. My job wasn’t to create something of him that he’d been unsuccessful at creating himself. It was simply to exist. That made all the difference. That made all the commotion in my head and at my center.
Though personal satisfaction wasn’t necessary anymore, the throbbing between my legs was intensifying by the second and I needed relief. I pushed my panties down until I was able to slip my leg through one side. Spread wide, I parted my lower lips.
“Sssss.”
The tips of my fingers were cold to the touch, sending a chill through me. I pressed four fingers against my clit, desperate to warm them. My sensitivity made the task more difficult than it should’ve been. But once the fire pit had grilled my skin long enough, I removed two fingers and began rounding my clit with the other two.
Priest’s image was enough influence to send me spiraling, but I’d try my hardest to maintain my composure. My sanity depended on it. Because, whether he knew it or not, he was driving me wild.
I strutted toward the front door dressed in a gown that swayed effortlessly. The Hermès sandals allowed it to sweep across the thoroughly clean surface beneath me, making each movement theatrical. Poised and pretty were only a few words to describe how the L’AGENCE Bias piece made me feel.
My vibrating phone piqued my curiosity. A smile drew the corners of my mouth upward at the sight of Kofi’s name across my screen. It had been nearly two hours since I’d made a call to him. He was finally calling me back.
“Hello,” I answered, stopping to take his call.
“What’s up, baby? I was tied up, handling business.”
I leaned against the wall next to the staircase and folded my arms underneath my breast.
“Nothing. I was calling because I had nothing else to do and was wondering what you were up to.”
“Handling business. Nothing much. You ate? My stomach touching my back.”
“I haven’t.”
“Where you at? I can swing through and pick you u–”
“I have therapy with Princeton in a few minutes. I think your father just pulled up.”
“Shit, it is Tuesday.”
“Yes. It is.”
“How long will therapy last?”
“No longer than an hour, but if he’s comfortable then it could last longer.”
“Hit me up when it’s over. If I haven’t eaten, we can go grab something.”
“Well–” I hesitated. “I kind of promised Kleigh I would let her take me to the dress shop to try on a few dresses we chose online.”
“Busy day, huh?”
“Sort of. When I called, I had two hours to spare.”
“It’s all good. I’ll catch you another day this week.”
“Okay.”
“Alright.”
Neither of us ended the call. Instead, we waited on the line for the other to disconnect it. After a few seconds, laughter from both of our ends ensued.
“You–” I pushed.
“No, you!” Kofi chuckled.
His laugh was heart-stopping. With a shake of the head, I combed my hand down my face.
“Hang up.”
“Nah, you hang up,” he toyed.
“Ugh. Fine.”
It was me who finally ended the call. Just as I made it to the door, a text stopped me in my tracks, again. It was from Kofi.
I like you .
His words brought a smile to my face. I could feel my cheeks flush another shade of brown.
Good, because I don’t think you have much of a choice .
I opened the front door to find Princeton and Kalvin headed up the walkway. Tiny arms wrapped around my legs the second they crossed the threshold. Taken aback by his display of affection, I lowered until we were eye level.
“Hello, Princeton,” I greeted him with words while using ASL simultaneously.
Though he didn’t respond, the smile he gave me sufficed.
“Well, that’s new,” Kalvin claimed, “Should I stay?”
“If you think it will make him more comfortable. The plan for today is simple.”
“Yeah? What’s that?”
“Start Toy Story.”
Princeton’s eyes brightened at the sound of his favorite movie. That was the reaction I was anticipating. Building trust was the most crucial portion of foundation when it came to pediatric therapy. A child needed to understand and be fully aware of their ability and privilege to trust you before you could move forward.
So, we were going to begin building our foundation with a movie he was familiar with. Together, on the same sofa, we’d have ourselves a blast watching Woody and friends come to life.
“Then, I’ll leave you two. Kleigh will be here in about an hour, she says. I’ll be sure to grab him before she comes or else he won’t go with me.”
“Sounds good to me.”
“See you in a minute, son. Rather is going to take good care of you, alright?”
Princeton hid his face in my dress instead of responding. Kalvin gave him a good pat on the head before heading back to the vehicle his driver was standing beside.
“Okay, buddy. It’s just you and me. Let’s get settled in.”
We walked in the theater room where I watched Princeton’s eyes sparkle with joy. Where he stood, near the door, he bounced up and down with excitement. I’d managed to transform my theater room into a Toy Story monument in an hour’s time.
The large order I’d placed Sunday night had a fairly swift delivery. Everything I needed was waiting in the mailroom by Monday. Just before showering and getting dressed, I opened them one by one and made the best of the contents in the package.
That simple, it reminded me of the man my heart had begun yearning for day in and day out. Princeton was a carbon copy of his father. Though children weren’t in my near future, I couldn’t help but wonder if my child would resemble their father.
“Popcorn?”
Princeton responded with a nod of the head.
I took him by the hand, leading him to the extra comfortable sofa in the theater room. I removed his shoes and let him climb up. I tucked him in the Woody blanket and sat his Woody toy right beside him. I grabbed the freshly popped corn and the tray full of healthy snacks that fit right over his legs. I made myself comfortable beside him, underneath the Jessie blanket with my snacks and popcorn.
“Ready?”
Excitedly, Princeton nodded. I pressed play on the remote and began the film. The glistening of his eyes and the captivation of his attention let me know we were off to a great start. I didn’t think we’d get through the entire film in the first session, but we’d push for the full hour. It was just enough without overstimulating him.
By the four minute mark, Princeton had inched closer to me. He tapped the tray, requesting its removal. I sat it on the floor next to the couch for easy access if he needed it.
He snuggled up next to me and began rocking his body back and forth. He was content. Though it might’ve seemed otherwise, he was comfortable. He felt safe.
Good. Very Good .
We were headed in the right direction.
With Princeton’s feet pressed against my leg, I angled my body so I could get a better picture than the first three I’d taken. He was so precious and hadn’t lasted forty-five minutes before he was out cold. Just like his father, he slept with one hand behind his head.
There .
The perfect image filled my screen from one edge to the other. The sound of my doorbell alerted me of Kalvin’s presence. In exactly one hour, he’d pulled into the driveway. For the last few minutes, he stood outside on a call that seemed important from my camera’s view.
Instead of waking Princeton, I headed for the door to let Kalvin in. The coolness of the silk fabric felt good against my skin.
“Don’t tell me you don’t ever, ever– ever ever think about me,” I sang Teyana Taylor’s song lowly.
The lyrics were a bit more relatable, now. They were a bit more real. And, just like her, I knew all good things must come to an end.
“Mr. Valentine.”
When I opened the door, I wasn’t surprised to find Kleigh standing beside her father.
“Kleigh.”
“You ready, babe?”
“I am. But, I have a sleeping Woody in my theater room. I have to send him off before I can join you.”
“I’ll be in the car waiting. If he sees me, it won’t be easy for either of us to get away.”
“So your father has told me.”
“Where is he?” Kalvin asked, turning in every direction in search of a sign of Princeton.
“Right this way–”
I led him down the hallway and into the theater room.
“How did he do?”
He scooped Princeton up and took his shoes from my hand.
“Wonderful. He’s a sleepyhead, so we’ll have to finish it next week.”
“Did he say anything? Did he talk at all?”
“He didn’t. But, he will. This session was more about gaining his trust. We’ll work on the more complicated stuff when we nail this.”
“Right. Right. I had my accountant wire a nice amount to your account. That should cover him for at least a full year.”
With a smile and a tilted head, I asked, “How much did you wire, Mr. Valentine?”
“Six figures.”
With a nod, I waved my hand toward the door. “Right this way.”
“Hopefully that’s enough.”
“It’ll work.”
Six figures was enough to cover fifty-two sessions. In fact, it was more than enough. However, I wouldn’t open my mouth to tell him that. I opted for staying quiet and walking him out of the door. I rushed back inside to grab my belongings and met Kleigh at her car where she’d been waiting.
“Are you excited? Wedding dresses. My God, I’ve dreamt of my wedding preparations for years. I can’t wait until my time comes.”
“Whoever he is will be a lucky man.”
Kleigh reminded me so much of Range. Wholesome. Bubbly, depending on her surroundings. Sociable. Kind-hearted. Optimistic.
“You think so?” She pursed her lips as she sped off.
“Wholeheartedly.”