Chapter 8
I thought a run would help erase the look on Knovah's face when she came all over my tongue, but it didn't. My accelerated heart rate only intensified everything I was feeling. By the time I walked off the elevator, my dick rested against my leg hard as a rock. My feet carried me straight to my guest bedroom.
I opened the door as quietly as possible. Knovah had the shades open so the rays of the rising sun cast a golden glow over her face. I'd never seen a person look more peaceful when they were sleeping. Considering the circumstances, I was shocked that she wasn't experiencing nightmares. There was this innocence to Knovah's pretty ass that fascinated me. I might've chipped away a tiny shard of it when I made her ride my face, but the rest of it was still there.
Stepping back, I closed her door as quietly as I could. I went to take a quick shower to wash the sweat from my ten-mile run around the city. I dressed in a simple pair of sweatpants once my hygiene was handled and slid my feet into a pair of slippers.
Going into the kitchen, I pulled out eggs, turkey bacon, and ingredients for French toast. A smooth jazz playlist flowed from the speakers while I cooked up a hearty meal. I was almost finished when Noonie came stumbling from the back of the penthouse. Her short hair was all over her head like an American porcupine, and there was a white crust trail from drool on the corner of her mouth. Yet when she yawned and stretched her arms over her head, I couldn't help but admire how naturally pretty she was.
"Morning. I thought I smelled bacon." She inched closer to where I was scrambling eggs. "I thought I was supposed to cook the meals."
I wasn't sure what I would say if I responded, so I kept quiet. Knovah's presence was overwhelming today. It didn't take rocket science to know that it had to do with tasting her. She left a stain on me no matter how many times I washed my face or brushed my teeth. Her scent was just there... lingering, reminding me of how much I enjoyed making her tremble and pant.
"Okay, well, I'm going to freshen up. I'll be back." Again, I kept silent, but my eyes trailed behind her until she was out of view. Her ass jiggled in the silk pajama shorts I'd placed in her closet. It was a good choice because her ass looked perfect swallowing the soft fabric.
I began making plates, thinking about what Knovah had revealed to me last night. I don't know how I went from being pissed off that she'd tried to escape me to devouring her. It was like I lost all control once I got a whiff of her scent. I only set out to understand what Radio meant when he said she was a terrible dancer. That part was true. Baby girl had no rhythm, but she had something even better. Something that intrigued me and increased her value... her virginity.
I set the plates on the bar then went to pull apple and orange juice from the refrigerator. I slammed the door, becoming infuriated by the thought of another nigga popping Knovah's cherry. I couldn't shake these haunting thoughts that said if any nigga was to smear her purity with their seed, it would be me. At the same time, I knew I shouldn't give two fucks about her sex life. I kept her to sell her body as payment for what was lost to me. Now, I was starting to consider keeping her for myself as my own personal sex toy to fondle and devour whenever I wanted to.
I hadn't forgotten how she ended up my prisoner in the first place or the hand she played in my brother's robbery. Tahmir was still recovering from her friend shooting him, and that couldn't be forgotten or forgiven. Yet when I heard her feet shuffling down the hall, I quickly took a seat to eat my food.
Knovah sat beside me, looking refreshed, but her hair was still wild. I could smell the mint wafting from her freshly brushed teeth. She eyed the food before glancing up at me.
"Thank you. This looks delicious." Her voice was as sweet as honey. "You like jazz music? Who would've guessed?" she noted, speaking on my playlist that still played in the background of my racing thoughts.
I kept silent. There was a war happening inside of me that I didn't understand. I watched Knovah like a hawk when she sighed heavily and dropped her shoulders, indicating she was bothered by my silence. She lifted her fork all dainty-like and began to eat her food. If it weren't for the music, the only sounds in the room would be our breathing, forks scraping the plates, and our racing hearts because I was certain I could hear hers too.
I debated on just sending Knovah to the ho house with Lexus so I could be rid of her and these thoughts, which had turned my mind into a crowded playground. Still, she was so interesting. I watched as she fiddled with the purple string bracelet around her wrist, and I wondered what the story was behind it.
Even from where I sat, I could tell it was weathered from being worn so much. I bet she never took it off... Why? I balled my fist up, hating the way my curiosity was spinning out of control.
When she licked her lips to capture a drop of syrup that'd spilled over, it made me think about the way she tasted. Sweet... just like maple. Her body called to me, practically begging for me to explore it, and I didn't know how to feel about that.
Unable to take any more of my mental chatter, I stood to my feet. "Take your clothes off," I demanded in a low voice.
Knovah froze midair as she lifted her fork to her mouth. "Huh?" I watched the curiosity spin in her eyes. When did the fear become something else?
"Take off your clothes," I repeated.
"What? Why?"
"Breakfast time is over. You have work to do."
She flopped backward in her seat and dropped her silverware onto the plate. "And you want me to do it naked?" I nodded. "Why?"
"You need to be comfortable with your body in order to work at the club."
Knovah's mouth opened and closed like a fish without water. I could tell the very moment she was going to defy me. Her features hardened. She folded her arms over her chest and frowned.
"No."
Rushing around to her, I yanked her up by the front of her shirt. "That is not how this works, Novi. You do what I say when I say do it, or are you ready to die? You think this shit is a game, don't you? I still owe you for trying to escape last night."
"Well, what did you expect? You're holding me against my will."
I grunted. "It didn't seem like it was against your will when you were moaning while I ate your pussy." Her bottom lip trembled, and tears welled in her eyes. "You're doing too much talking and not enough cleaning or stripping."
She surprised me when she snatched away from me. She picked up her plate, then marched over to pick up mine. I watched her go to the sink and throw them inside. It sounded like one of them broke from how hard she tossed it inside.
I licked my teeth before adjusting my posture and closing the distance between us. It was time to show little Ms. Knovah who was really in control. I pushed the front of her body over the counter so she was in the sink.
"What are you doing?" she asked, becoming panicked.
Without warning, I smacked her across the ass cheek. She hissed from the force I exerted. I kept going, not paying any of the curses spilling from her mouth any mind. She tried to get away, but I used my body weight to hold her in place. I balled her little hair with one hand and yanked her head back. "My patience is running thin with you, and I'm tired of being nice. This is my last time warning you to do what I say, or that's your life. Do you understand?"
When Knovah glanced at me, big, fat tears were on her cheeks. She flinched when I lifted my hand. I was only going to spank her again, but fear washed over her face as if she thought I was about to hit her in the face. I took a step back, allowing her the space to move. I was a lot of things, but a woman beater never made the list.
"Now, strip and get to fucking cleaning. By the time I come back, this place better be spotless and smell fresher than a peppermint."
Inching closer to her, I forced her to have to look up at me. Her face was flushed, and the fear had returned to her eyes, bringing me satisfaction. She nodded once.
"Use your words."
She gulped loudly, likely swallowing all her fucking pride. "I understand, Sire."
"Good. Strip." She tensed only for a moment before coming out of her pajamas.
It took everything in me to turn and finally put much-needed distance between us. Knovah was driving me fucking crazy. She was nothing like the women I was used to. She was soft and fragile, but I couldn't lie like there wasn't fire in her, too. I was willing to let it burn me if it meant I could get a taste of that sweet pussy again.
Leaving her in the kitchen, I headed to my bedroom to dress for the day. I had some business to handle at the club from that sprinkler stunt she pulled. I would then meet with Loyal and Kalias to follow up on some leads on her friends.
Again, I thought of putting myself out of my misery by getting rid of her, but I pushed it down. For now, Knovah was mine, and I wanted to keep it that way. I couldn't verbalize my interest in her, but I knew it was there, irritating me every second of the day. That was a dangerous place to be for a man with no love in his heart to give.