19. Real
( The present )
I was slipping, bad. I had promised myself the only woman outside my worrisome ass family that I’d ever bring here was one I was committed to... whenever I decided to do that shit. But as Ev walked through in a pair of my socks, oohing and ahhing over things, it didn't feel as strange as it should have.
We'd given the groceries to Moira, the personal chef I had come in three or four times a month to supplement what I made for myself. She and I had this ongoing challenge where I bought whatever I wanted, no list or recipe from her, and she whipped up something bussin' from the ingredients I had chosen. I hoped Ev would like whatever she came up with as much as I always did.
"Real, this is a truly beautiful home," Ev complimented as I closed the door of the guest bedroom that I'd just shown her.
"Thanks. C’mon."
I held out my hand, and she only looked at me for a second before she took it. Wordlessly, I led her down the hallway and into the small elevator. The house was only two stories high, but my favorite part was the rooftop deck. Enclosed by hurricane-resistant glass, the deck had incredible views of the city, since the house was built in an exclusive, hilly area. Ev gasped as we stepped off the elevator. She didn't even wait for me as she walked up to the glass to peer out. I followed, stopping behind her. For a while, she didn't say anything, just took in the beauty of the city lights, her breathing rhythmic and soft. It made me wonder what was on her mind. Finally, she turned to face me, a small smile decorating her pretty face.
"It's perfect, Real," she whispered.
Leaning in, I nuzzled her ear before murmuring, "Like you."
Turning her head slightly, she shocked the hell out of me by cupping my face and pulling me down into a kiss. It was slow and sweet and had my dick like a steel rod by the time she lowered herself from her tiptoes. She buried her face against my chest, and I hugged her tight.
"You tryna make me have dessert before dinner," I warned playfully.
"That's not allowed," she popped.
It sounded too much like one of her rules. I hated them damn things, which is why she ended up in one of the rooftop chairs, her dress pushed up, her panties removed, and a leg over each arm. I ate her like we didn't have dinner coming. Swear she wet up the whole bottom half of my face as she moaned and begged in that chair. We washed up quickly when Moira texted to let me know dinner was ready, then returned to the roof to eat.
I wasn't surprised Moira did her thing. She set out a vibrant green salad, succulent lobster tails, juicy ribeyes, a creamy spinach dish, and potatoes whipped so light, shit was like eating air. We sat on cushions at one of the low tables. A nigga's oral skills had Ev mellow and almost sleepy, so she didn't even bring up one of her rules when I pulled her to sit between my legs, facing me with her legs thrown over mine. She hesitated when I offered her a bite of steak from my fork but finally accepted it. I encouraged her to talk as I fed her. The little I knew about her mostly came from the background check. She didn't talk about herself, didn't have pictures displayed at her house or on the lock screen of her phone. Ev was unlike any woman I'd ever dealt with.
"This spinach is so good," she said after I gave her a bite. "She makes it like my sister."
"You have a sister?" I asked.
According to my guy, she was the only child of deceased parents. She recovered quickly, I had to give her credit. But I had felt her freeze for a second, and I made a note to check shit again.
"She's really my cousin, but we grew up like sisters," she explained, giving me a small smile.
"That's cool."
I was about to press her to say more when the elevator arrived. Moira had taken it down after bringing the food, so I assumed she was coming back with dessert. I was wrong. I grilled Ghazi as he stepped out. That nigga's mouth almost fell open when he saw Ev.
"The fuck you want?" I directed at his annoying ass.
"You take yo' phone off Do Not Disturb and you might find out. I see why, now, though," he said, a goofy ass grin spreading across his face.
Ev cleared her throat before grabbing a napkin and wiping her hands. She smiled at Ghazi and extended her hand.
"Real is being rude. I'm Ev?—”
"Nah, I know who you are, shorty. Evanie, the labor and delivery nurse who my brother introduced to the women in our family. You even prettier than Mona said," he complimented, taking her hand and holding it too long.
“Ghazi," I warned.
“That’s so sweet of you,” Ev said.
He smirked at me, getting a kick out of this shit. He finally let her hand go, giving me a speculative look. Then, he plopped his ass down on one of the small couches decorating the rooftop.
"Damn, bruh. You coulda told a nigga Moira was putting them pots to work tonight. Shit looks scrumptious. I'ma just go make a?—”
"You want me to throw yo' ass out?" I asked.
"Montréal!" she fussed, moving like she was about to stand.
“Nah, be still, love.”
I grabbed her hand to hold her where she was. No way in hell was my brother about to fuck up this vibe. It was crazy how I’d repeatedly had her legs open over the last year, but never her mind or heart. This was the closest I’d come, and Ghazi was about to get the fuck outta here.
“You got five seconds,” I gritted.
He threw up both hands.
“A’ight, nigga! I forgot one of my MacBooks over here. I let myself in because I didn’t know you were here. Moira mentioned you were on the roof. Didn’t know I couldn’t come speak to my big brother, damn!”
Ghazi tried to sound hurt, but the nigga was smiling too hard. I knew he was gon' talk shit at the next available opportunity. I wanted to cuss his ass out, but Ev shifted on the cushions, reminding me I had other stuff I'd much rather be doing.
"Go get the damn computer, Ghazi. I'ma get up with you soon," I told him.
He gave me a head nod before looking at Ev again.
"It was nice meeting you, Ms. Evanie."
He dropped his voice, then licked his lips. She shook her head, smiling.
"Ay, keep fucking with me, nigga," I threatened.
He flipped me off before making his exit. My attention turned again to the beauty resting in front of me. I touched her hair playfully.
“You good on dinner?” I asked.
Glancing up at me, she nodded. She surprised me by moving and straddling my lap. Her arms went around my neck, and she rested her head against me.
“Dinner was amazing. I hope you pay her well,” she murmured.
“Shiii. You gon’ run Moira her money or else. She a whole hitta out here,”
Ev laughed softly before leaning back, hands on my thighs, doing some kind of sensual little swirl with her hips. My hands went to her waist as she rocked back and forth.
"You know," she said, "you had dessert, but I didn't."
I let my grip slide down to her thighs. Grasping them gently, I enjoyed her body’s motions.
"You want that?" I asked.
She repositioned herself, arms back around my neck, face against my shoulder.
"I'd like that a lot."
I tapped her leg and gestured for her to stand. Ev lifted herself gracefully from my lap and waited for me. I led her to the elevator, ready to get her in the shower and watch her climb on top of me under the skylight above my bed. I wanted to see her, sweat slick, breasts bouncing, hips undulating, in the glow of the moon. She settled into a corner of the elevator, and I followed her, ready to be inside her space, ready to be inside her . Her hands rested on my chest, and she smiled up at me coyly.
"After this dessert, you should really re-consider taking me home," she coaxed.
Her words had me letting the elevator take us all the way to the bottom floor, my plans temporarily pushed to the side as I worked to hold on to my sudden anger. When the elevator opened and we stepped out, I led her the short distance to the kitchen. As she looked around, I opened the refrigerator, looking for whatever dessert Moira would have left. She looked surprised when I set the caramel cheesecake on the counter.
“While this looks delicious, you know it ain’t what I meant. You're brilliant, Real. I know you knew exactly what I was saying," she snapped, her pretty face tight with irritation.
I didn't say anything as I pulled out a knife, forks, and a couple of dessert plates. That annoyed her, and she had the nerve to walk up on me. I couldn't help the chuckle that escaped me as I set everything on the counter. Shorty was right up on my back, like I was supposed to be scared. I turned on her, smiling at her screwed-up visage.
"It's not funny, Montréal!"
I crossed my arms over my chest, maintaining my silence. Only when she huffed out a breath and started to turn did I grab her arm and speak.
"I'm supposed to understand that you meant what you said, but you ain't gotta give me the same consideration? I meant what I said, too, love."
I pulled gently, and she reluctantly moved toward me.
"Real," she sighed. "Why?"
I twirled a lock of her hair as I searched for an answer.
"Because I want you here all night," I finally said.
Apparently, that worked, because she relaxed into me. Smirking, she murmured the word, "Freak."
I kept my smile even as something twisted inside me. Of course, she thought I meant sex. It was all she was comfortable with. Hell, it was all I was comfortable with... usually. I pushed away my confused thoughts as her hands slid down to the front of my pants.
"Now, about that dessert..."
I reached around to smack her ass.
"Up those stairs, love."
She led the way but had only taken three steps before looking over her shoulder at me seductively.
"You know what? Bring the cheesecake," she said, laughing as she exited the kitchen.