Chapter 8
Fucking Jariyah wasn’t in the cards, especially when my plan was to break things off with her.
It’s crazy to think about since Jariyah isn’t my woman.
We’ve been on one date that can’t even be called that, since its purpose was to dissuade Jariyah’s interest. Jariyah isn’t the first woman to be on the back of my bike, so even that isn’t noteworthy.
But damn if her little ass didn’t mess me up the second her lips connected with mine.
What’s worse is how I feel now that I know what her inner walls feel like.
Damn, if I don’t want to follow Jariyah around with my dick out on the ready.
I went from being prepared to walk away to forcing Jariyah’s ass to be mine.
This shit is wild. For the first time in my life, a woman’s pussy got me in a chokehold.
“Hi.” A smirk forms when the sound of Jariyah’s voice penetrates my ear canal.
I look up from my phone, where I’ve been mindlessly scrolling through social media, and my smirk falls at the empty look in Jariyah’s eyes.
“Who did it?” My voice is a hard mask as Jariyah slides into the booth across from me.
It’s only been forty-eight hours since my dick slid into Jariyah, and I’m ready to defend her honor without knowing her rival.
Sizzling and Grubbing is our meeting spot because it’s the one place where Jariyah can sneak away without a problem.
Or so it seems, since this is where she asked to meet me this evening.
My frown surfaces when Jariyah sighs, and her blank eyes fill with unshed tears as my chest tightens.
The urge to beat somebody’s ass invades my mind as my blood runs hot.
“Talk to me,” I urge.
My teeth sink into my bottom lip, and my hand tightens on my phone when Jariyah’s eyes peer into me as she fidgets with her fingers.
“I need to be honest with you, and I’m hoping it won’t change how you see me.”
“If your ass let me fuck you raw only to tell me my dick is gonna fall off tomorrow, I’m about to kill you and throw you in my smoker.”
Jariyah’s mouth drops, and her eyes blink continuously as she stares at me wordlessly.
“Nah, don’t freeze up now. Are my customers about to have smoked Owens or not?”
“My admission has nothing to do with sex. You and your dick are fine, unless you have something to share with me.” Jariyah’s brows hike, and a low chuckle escapes my mouth at the thought of her trying to use reverse psychology on me.
“Trust me, you’re good. What’s up, though?”
“So, when I told you that I don’t live with my parents, I—”
“Man, I know you don’t still live with your people. How old are you? Grown ass little girl. This shit is wild. I know I ain’t fucking with a little girl. Damn, I’m slipping.”
Jariyah sits back, and her exotic ass eyes flash with fire that causes me to chuckle because the last thing I feel is intimidated by her expression.
“For your information, asshole, no, I don’t live with my parents.
But I do live in a high-rise apartment building where some of her spies live.
Fortunately, we’re all on different floors, though.
Now, are you ready for me to finish my reason for us meeting tonight?
Or do you want to continue insulting me?
” The harshness within her statement before her double questions has me extending my hand to give her clearance to continue.
“You got it. I’m listening. But you still haven’t told me how old you are.
Maybe I should have asked that question after you refused to let me walk away on that first date.
Are you legal, Ms. Owens? Your little ass got me feeling like I need to be hiding and shit.
I ain’t down for fucking minors and shit. ”
Jariyah is practically seething as her nostrils flare and her chest rises and falls heavily.
The freckles on her nose seem more defined, and her green eyes entice me without her even trying.
Maybe I shouldn’t taunt Jariyah when she looks like she wants to body my ass, but some shit needs to be laid out on the table.
I should have covered my basics from the jump, but there’s no time like the present.
“You are something else. Didn’t your mother ever teach you not to ask a woman her age?”
“Probably, but that shit went out the window with the Sunday school lessons I didn’t want to sit through.”
Jariyah’s eyes stretch, and her head hangs as she shakes it like I’m on her nerves or something.
“Why are you stalling, Jariyah? Tell a nigga something before I leave you sitting here. While a nigga looks GQ equivalent in any color, I’m not ready for pea green or orange yet. But I might be depending on what you say.”
“Okay, I’m twenty-nine, so you’re good. I’m ignoring the rest of the foolishness that fell from your lips.
But on a serious note, Mom knows I’ve been coming over this way because she had me followed.
When I got home after leaving your place, she forbade me from coming back to this side of town.
She’s even threatened to cut off my trust fund if I don’t follow her wishes. ”
“Wait, what? Your mom knows where the fuck I lay my head, Jariyah? This is why I didn’t want to fuck with your ass. I can’t have your mama blowing up my spot and shit.”
This news has my stomach dropping to my ass, given the implications for not only me but Baxtown Iron as well. An image of my brothers in handcuffs being led to police cars flashes in my mind, and my stomach sours.
“Calm down, Righteous. Mom didn’t mention you or anyone connected to you. I also doubt that she’s still having me followed. Her intel only told her that I was heading toward this side of town but refused to follow me into danger.” She giggles.
I grunt because nothing about the shit she’s saying is funny to me. For my club brothers and me, being tied to the mayor’s daughter could result in bullshit that none of us need.
“I don’t care about my trust fund or anything, which is what I told Mom. I told her to take it because I refuse to be her puppet. With you, I believe I can have something real and meaningful. It’s time for me to stand on my own two feet and exercise my complete independence.”
“So, you’re giving up your little trust fund for me? The hood nigga your politician mother wouldn’t accept? Hm. That shit is wild.”
“Money has never made the world go round. I won’t let Mom dictate what I do no matter the consequences. I’ve given her enough leeway in trying to set me up with various men. But the buck stops here. I choose you and everything that comes with you, if you’ll have me.”
A mischievous grin slides into place because Jariyah’s last statement sounds oddly like what someone proposing would say.
“Let me find out my dick got you rebelling and throwing away your little money.”
“You keep saying little, but trust me, you need to look up the average trust fund amount. To most, my actions in doing so would make me certifiably deserving of a different kind of check.”
“Say less. If you’re sure, then I guess it’s time you met my family.”
While I have been cautioned against being with Jariyah and she’s been advised against even driving on this side of town, it seems like both of us are rebels. Jariyah just threw down the gauntlet, so I’m about to pick that mothafucka up and run with it.
“I am. Tell me about your family,” Jariyah says before she chews on her bottom lip.
“You should be nervous. Those mothafuckas won’t show you any mercy or beat around the bush with you. You’re gonna have to have thick skin and the inability to cry when they put you under pressure.”
“Your parents sound worse than my mom.”
A thunderous chuckle falls from my mouth, and Jariyah’s brows pinch as her eyes question my humor.
“Oh, we ain’t there yet. There’s a party happening at Baxtown Iron for one of my brothers tonight. I’m taking you to meet that family.”
“Oh.” Jariyah’s eyes balloon with that single word, and all I can do is smirk.
“If you want to change your mind and run home to mommy, now is the time. But doing so also nails the coffin shut, and there won’t be any coming back for you. It means you forget about me, and I’ll go back to not knowing you exist.”
Jariyah frowns deeply, and something about the action tightens the fuck outta my chest. Sudden and intense pain radiates across the area where my bitch ass love muscle is, and before long, a frown forms for me too.
“After what we did the other night, am I really that forgettable?”
Hell no! Stop capping, nigga.
My conscience screams, and my frown deepens because where the fuck did those words come from?
“Am I?”
The counter question is the only thing I can ask due to the pain I feel and my conscience telling me to not throw in the towel.
“Are you really asking that after I told you I offered up my trust fund at the thought of walking away from you?”
Damn. Why are you making this shit difficult, Jariyah?
“Are you joining me for the party or not?”
I’m not about to continue this useless line of questions. Either Jariyah and I are going to move forward with whatever this is, or we’re not. I’m not open to pointlessly discussing shit that can go either way.
“Can I meet you there? I want to go home and change first.”
My nose twists and my face hardens as I stare at Jariyah. I’m not sure why she wants to change, because the blouse and dress slacks she's wearing are acceptable.
“Don’t look like that. This is work attire. I’ve been in it all day and want to be comfortable since I’m about to be on trial.”
But you already look beautiful.
My conscience echoes, and I agree, but I understand where she’s coming from, so I give in despite feeling like she doesn’t need to.
“Okay. I’ll text you the address. Just let me know when you’re on your way so I can be on the lookout for you.”
“Sounds like a plan. Any direction on what I should wear?”
“Nothing,” I say.
Hell, if I’m being honest, it’s the best outfit choice Jariyah could ever wear.
Big Homie didn’t skip a single detail with Jariyah’s body.
From her handful of breasts to the juicy river that flows between her slim thighs, Jariyah is a work of art.
To know that I’m the man she chose to create a new adventure with has me ready to drop down on my knees in reverence to the Most High.
“I have to put on clothes, Righteous.” Jariyah pouts.
“Fine. Don’t complicate this shit more than it needs to be. Wear whatever makes you comfortable. .”
“No worries. I got this, and you’ll leave with your dignity intact.”
The problem with that statement is that I know that Jariyah won’t be.
One experience with Baxtown Iron is either going to chew her up and spit her out or have her fall harder for me than she is now.
But this is a test to see how serious she is about going against the grain. Can Jariyah handle my world?
Will my brothers accept her? Only time will tell.
Tonight is going to show Jariyah whether she’s cut from the cloth that makes her believe she wants a man who lives a life that can often be dangerous and problematic, despite her mother’s wishes.
Ready or not, Jariyah’s moment of truth is on the line tonight.
Something deep inside of me prays that Jariyah has what it takes to be with a nigga like me.