Chapter 7 #2
“My, it must be my lucky ass day. First you come over and use me for my body, which I normally wouldn’t mind, but then you dip out before God could call the sun.
Now, that hurt my feelings. I even had breakfast plans for us.
I think you gotta make that up to me too, Lourdè.
” I smiled hard as hell while I put my hand up, blocking the bright ass sun, getting a glimpse of his pearly whites threatening to further blind me.
I heard his words and yet mine didn’t come out when I opened my mouth.
He smirked.
“And now you ain’t got shit to say to me which is wild when we both know you’re not the quiet type,” he joked and that was all it took.
“I got words. Like why do you insist on calling me Lourdè when you know my name is Johnni?” I asked a dumb question, knowing I had grown to love the way this man said my middle name. It was like he put power behind it which was hard to explain.
“I gotta stand out to help you remember I ain’t like the usual.” I blushed again because he damn sure wasn’t like my husband.
After a brief pause, he spoke again.
“So back to you making shit right with me again, let me properly handle aftercare and take you to breakfast.” He held out his hand and I took it as a dare to match his energy.
Creeping over to his house for a fuck session was one thing, allowing another man to take me out was another.
Yet, without any hesitation, my hand moved to fit into his.
The electric current that stayed flowing down my spine whenever he touched me sparked and this time I knew he felt it too.
“Leave your car, you riding with me, love,” he said, leading me to the passenger side of his truck, opening the door to lift me in.
We made it to Morningside in a booth sitting across from each other.
“So, I guess it’s time to actually have a conversation, huh?” I said as Courtland went for his cran-apple juice.
“Yeah. There’s a lot I don’t know about you, and if we gon’ be sneaking around, a heads up on your situation would be nice. I mean, for real, I don’t care, especially after I met your husband. But at least let me know what I’m signing on for dealing with you.”
I nodded while my hands smoothed my hair, accepting his reasoning for wanting a deeper dive into my life. It made sense and was only fair to Courtland with all things considered.
“Well, for starters, I meant what I said about my marriage not being a factor when it comes to us. Quincey and I are open. We have rules, of course, but he’s not something to worry about, especially if we stick to Seventh Heaven and only on weekends.”
He snickered. “Wait, stick to Seventh Heaven…like only seeing each other there?”
I licked my lips while I swallowed the lump in my throat.
Yeah, last night I’d stepped outside and said fuck the rules, but I still wanted to move with caution, especially until Nas could find something to set me free.
I knew that contract was full of rules and regulations that if I was caught cheating would be deadly for not just me but Courtland too.
And even if I didn’t know him beyond the dick he delivered, I would never put his life at risk for it.
He laughed again.
“So I guess last night was a special pass then, huh? Because you for damn sure didn’t say shit about making our way down to the club.”
I shook my head just as the server placed our food on the table, waiting for her to leave so I could continue.
“No. But—"
“Look, if you tell me it’s open, then it’s open.
I don’t give a fuck about no rules outside of that.
Will I flaunt you around like you’re mine in front of him?
No, but I ain’t trying to hide you for real or let you try to hide me.
Hell no. I told you last night shit was gon’ change and your words were that you were ready.
Then be ready. We can move with discretion off the island too, Lou.
” He grabbed my hand, kissing the back, causing me to lose any sanity I had left on the topic from the combination of a new nickname and his lips on me.
It was a deadly combination that shouldn’t have been allowed.
“I know a woman like you comes with heavy ass fucking consequences and I’m prepared to handle them as they come.
Until then, let’s get to know each other better.
I know the time we’ve shared is limited to me being inside of you, but I enjoy your presence when you’re around me and I’m not ready to have that be only on weekends or some shit.
” I fought my smile as I listened to him basically tell me he liked me, and like a girl with a crush, my cheeks were red again.
“So, you like me?” I asked in a teasing manner, going for the fork to take a bite of my eggs.
He smirked before his teeth were showing.
“I’ma do you one better so ain’t no confusion on where I stand.” He reached into his suit jacket, pulling out a pen then going for a napkin, writing on it before sliding it over to me along with the pen.
I busted into a fit of giggles at the words.
I like you. Do you like me, yes or no?
With boxes underneath waiting for me to select my choice.
I tucked my bottom lip while I picked up the pen with one hand and used my other to cover the napkin so he couldn’t see. I glanced up a few times while I pretended to still be contemplating my answer.
Growing impatient, Courtland moved my hand out of the way.
“Girl, you stalling the inevitable. You like me too and want to explore the possibilities of us. Don’t worry, I won’t tell your husband.” I gasped as he took in a spoonful of his cheese grits.
“Enough about me, tell me more about you,” I said, taking the topic off me for once so I could sit back and enjoy my breakfast and company.
“Where to start. I’m an older brother to one younger brother who is married with kids and I do mean kids.” He stressed the kids part, which had me shaking my head while I chuckled.
“Aw, don’t say it like that, I’m sure they’re not that bad.”
“They aren’t actually. It’s just a lot of them running around. His wife Liv is currently pregnant again. This will be baby number five.”
My eyes stretched wide.
“Oh yeah, that’s a lot. Do you want kids?” I asked, touching a sore spot for me.
“One day. I know I’m older, but I like to think I still have time left. Even if it’s through adoption they are still very much on the board. What about you?”
I shook my head. “I didn’t…I do. It’s complicated.
Simple answer. I would love to have my own, but it might not be possible.
” I hated how the mood instantly changed once I answered his question.
I didn’t mean to sound so gloomy. But outside of everything, Mickey having Minnie really lit something inside of me that had never been there before.
I did want kids. Shit, I wanted the whole damn package—the perfect husband, marriage, and kids.
The longer I stayed married to Quincey, I knew it would never happen.
That’s because it’s time to go!
“Ay, with the right person, any and everything is possible.” I offered a weak smile which Courtland immediately saw through.
“Oh naw, we don’t move like that. Each time I’m the reason for your smiles, they gon’ be real and full of life.
So, let’s try this again. If you want kids, Lou, then I’ma give them to you, just tell me if you thinking a pirate crew like my brother or a small team like two or three.
” I knew it was way too early to be on this topic but this time when I smiled it was wide with amusement.
“Um… don’t you think that promise is too soon to be on the table? I literally just checked the yes box to liking you. Those are committed people’s promises.”
“Hell naw, well maybe, but not if I plan on giving you the world and everything in it one day.”
Yup committed people’s promises and yet, the intense pull from his deep browns had me believing it to be true.
“Back to you and this fuck ass nigga you gave my title. I still can’t believe my future was too impatient to wait for me and got married before I had the pleasure to steal your heart and give you my last name.” I laughed deep as I tossed my head back.
“I guess you decided our lane was the fast track, huh?” Courtland shrugged.
“Based on my feelings and my dreams, that pretty much aligns with my plans.”
“Well, let me catch up before you seal your fate to a married woman.”
“Don’t say that shit as if you want to be there still.” I blinked hard a few times while I watched his cool demeanor as he took another bite of his food.
I wasn’t sure if I was easy to read but I stared at Courtland, this time his eyes on mine, holding his stance with confidence.
I pulled in a low breath, doing my best to hold my composure but I felt something in my chest. It was like a hole or maybe a whole damn window had opened to my soul, showing him everything I had deep inside me.
My fears, desires, hopes and true dreams.
Oh shit, he sees you Johnni.
Was I that easy to see? I didn’t think so, yet a man who I’d known for mere weeks now was able to know something I had buried deep, as if it was only for him to find.
Of course I had to challenge his claim. That was what a good married woman would do.
Heffa, a good married woman wouldn’t be on a date with the man she’d spent last night with.
“How do you figure that I don’t?”
Courtland chuckled and grabbed a napkin, wiping his mouth before answering.
“Another key factor about me is I’m a retired Navy SEAL, reading body language and people is a strong skill set of mine.
One shift in a mood or one lie, I can pick up on it.
Your eyes get this somber gaze when you say you’re married or talk about your husband.
I’m sure most people don’t notice since it’s probably been your expression for a long time now. ”
I laughed nervously. “Wait? I look at everyone the same and there is no somber expression in my eyes when I mention my marriage.” I scoffed, half ass offended by the way he was able to pick up on things I thought I hid from the world.
“Lourdè, we’ve known each other for what, two weeks now, and the fire that burns in your gorgeous brown eyes has only lit up in my presence and that I can say that with full confidence and evidence.
Even when you were pissed the other day, once you noticed me, the spark had your eyes wide with a strong ass flame going. ”
I sat there thinking back to the strip club day and he was right. Courtland was a beautiful surprise to that disaster of a day.
“Look, like you said, you need time to catch up, and I’ma give you all that.
Again, another fast lane for me, but when you know you know, and I know what I want.
When you’re ready for me to come in and save you, just say the word, Lou.
” Courtland grabbed my hand, placing a soft kiss on the back, causing me to blush.
“Again with these committed people’s promises.”
“Promises I intend to keep, Lou. Now let’s get back to the basic things, favorite food or restaurant.” I grinned while I shot out my answer with him doing the same until it felt as if I knew the man sitting across from me.