Chapter 11 Solana
EARLIER THAT DAY…
Jessa and Aubree were helping me with the shop today since I had a date with Duke later. They’d been giving me shit ever since they found out I was going out with that man somewhere. I knew kissing him would open doors I wasn’t sure I was ready for, but damn if I didn’t want to try.
I didn’t know if it was the danger that lingered around him or the quiet strength he carried—something I didn’t realize I needed.
Or maybe it was the way I didn’t feel like Amore when I was with him.
I felt like Solana Wright. The girl who could bake her ass off.
The girl who could walk into a room and be seen—without saying a word.
I wanted to feel without stipulations. Without looking over my shoulder, wondering who was coming for me next because they wanted to own me. I deserved more than that, and Duke felt like more.
Anytime he came around, it felt like my mother was in the room with us. And when he left, the feeling of her left with him.
“Solana, you hear me?” Jessa asked.
I glanced up from the dough I was rolling out in front of me. I’d flattened it thinner than a damn pancake. I placed the roller on the side of it and looked toward the door to see Jessa with a knowing smile.
“The day is almost over hoe. You will be on the back of that man’s bike in no time and something else too if you keep up this hot girl behavior.”
I rolled my eyes and laughed.
Jessa always said everything that came to mind and I admired her for that. Even when I was in the spotlight, I stayed to myself as much as I could. Not to mention, I was a heavy people pleaser in that space, not wanting to upset anyone, even if the shit made me uncomfortable.
“Please, Jessa. I doubt that man is going to be on me like that. I had to kiss him, just for him to ask me on a date. I highly doubt he will be offering me a seat on anything else but the back of his bike.”
Aubree came in behind Jessa and went straight for the fresh cupcakes I’d placed on the countertop by the door.
“Honey, I haven’t lived here long, but I can tell you this.
You opened up pandora’s box. That man was moving at the pace you established, so now you let that man know he can do more.
So you can believe me when I say this. If you give him the vibe you want to take a ride on something else, you gone be on that rollercoaster all night. ” Aubree added with a giggle.
Jessa leaned into the doorway and slapped hands with her. They got on my nerves sometimes, but I wouldn’t trade the genuine friendship we had for anything. They felt more like sisters.
“I don’t even know what I’m supposed to wear. Duke didn’t give me anything other than to be ready by closing. At that, he told me like I didn’t have a choice on whether or not I wanted to go out with him.”
Jessa and Aubree burst into laughter, then left me in the kitchen like I wasn’t talking to them. I rolled my eyes and scrapped the dough I was working with to start fresh so I could finish my work day. I was supposed to bake what they needed, then I could go upstairs and get ready.
I had a few more cupcakes to frost, then I’d be in the clear. But I couldn’t help thinking maybe I was putting myself out there by going on this date. All it would take was going somewhere and someone recognizing me.
I paused and shook the thoughts from my mind. I wasn’t about to let my past ruin my night. It had already taken my twenties. It damn sure wasn’t getting a hold on my thirties.
AN HOUR LATER…
I’d finished my last set of treats, then let Jessa and Aubree know before taking the steps in the back up to my place above the bakery. I smiled walking inside. It always smelled so sweet in here because of the bakery below.
When I decorated this place, it was all about me and what I saw for myself. I wanted comfort and nothing more. I didn’t want those flashy designer things anymore. This place served as my haven in every sense of the word.
Now when I walked into my apartment, it wasn’t stale wallpaper, expensive paintings, and statues. Instead, I was greeted by a vase of fresh flowers from the local shop. I made it a habit to stop by every week for a new set, since I didn’t have a green thumb at all.
A pink throw blanket draped over my soft cream sofa, ready for me to burrow into it at the end of the night with a good book. It was home.
I didn’t even have a television. I’d been trapped inside that world for so long, it didn’t entertain me anymore. A record player sat in the corner of the room with a small stack of vinyl since I’d just started my collection. I was proud of it, even if I only had three.
I played Toni Braxton, my Babyface find, and The Preacher’s Wife soundtrack with Whitney Houston into the ground. I knew those records from front to back.
I had a cute two seater table by the small window next to my floral kitchen and white appliances. I remembered the days when the color of my appliances mattered more than anything.
I smiled at the thought as I passed the kitchen to walk into my bedroom with a single queen sized bed, with a chair in the corner for me to read late at night if I wanted to. I walked over to my closet, then pulled down a few different outfits I had inside.
I pulled down a dress with flowers all over it and shook my head. It seemed too late to be wearing this. I think it was too springy, especially if we were going to be riding his bike.
“Stop overthinking this. Jeans and a cute top will do.” I told myself aloud.
I walked back over to my closet and grabbed my black jeans with rips in them. Then walked over to my dresser to grab a cute emerald green top that would show off the tops of my breast. I had a pair of black bootie heels, so I pulled those out as well.
Once everything was laid out, I turned to head to my adjoining bathroom to get ready for tonight. Forty-five minutes later, I was showered, I’d done my facial routine, and brushed, then flossed my teeth. I decided to go with a natural makeup look, not wanting to appear like I was trying too hard.
I needed more time, but I knew it would only cause me to overthink my outfit and the night.
So I lotioned up with my EOS lotion and marshmallow toast Body Glaze.
Then put on my outfit for the night. As I was walking towards the mirror, a light knock against my doorframe caused me to look over my shoulder in Jessa and Aubree’s direction.
They were smiling big. I turned around to fully face them and they nodded in approval.
“Yes, ma’am!” Jessa exclaimed with a few snaps.
Aubree stepped fully into the room and wrapped her arms around me in a tight hug, then pulled back to stare at me.
“Don’t overthink tonight. Just have fun with that fine ass man! I want all the juicy details tomorrow.” She told me.
I nodded, unable to find my words to say a thing in return. Jessa and Aubree turned to leave the room as I went in search of my small wallet that could fit into my back pocket. I looked over myself once more in the long length mirror.
I looked damn good. I turned and left the room before I could convince myself I needed to change. I locked up my place, then headed downstairs into the bakery, making sure everything was secured before going out front. Jessa and Aubree pointed toward the door.
The sun had gone down, and Duke was leaning against his Chrome motorcycle.
The moment he saw me, he pushed off and made his way to the bakery door, pulling it open.
His cologne wrapped around me as soon as he stepped inside—warm, rich, and tempting enough to make me forget where I was.
I wanted to close my eyes and groan, but I couldn’t. Not with the audience we had.
“Make sure you get my friend back here safely, Duke,” Aubree said, catching me off guard.
I lifted a brow her way as I stepped from behind the counter to meet him. His hands were already out, waiting, and I slipped mine into his. Duke looked over at Aubree and smiled.
“I got you,” he reassured her.
Jessa smiled and waved like she was seeing her child off on their first date. I rolled my eyes, but I couldn’t keep my smile from my face as I followed close behind him. We stopped at the door.
“If you need anything or you’re confused about how to shut this place down. Please call.” I reiterated.
Jessa craned her head to the side with a roll of her eyes.
“Ma’am, please go have a good time. You know what, don’t come back unless you’ve been thoroughly fucked either. We got it.”
My jaw dropped, and my cheeks reddened. Duke tightened his hand around mine with a chuckle. With my free head I flicked Jessa off, causing her to laugh louder. We were now outside and the cool night air reminded me I needed to slip on my black jacket I’d brought along.
“Please ignore Jessa’s crazy self. She says whatever pops into her mind at the moment.”
Duke brought my hand to his lips and kissed the top with a smirk.
“I’m not offended. It’s your world, baby. I plan to give you a night you won’t forget, even if you wanted to.”
He released the hold on my hand to grab a helmet from beneath his back seat. Then turned it to face me. It was pink with the name Sweets delicately placed on the back. I raised a brow in his direction.
“When did you have enough time to do this? You know you didn’t have to do this, right?” I questioned.
I slipped my arms into my jacket sleeves, then looked back up into his intent eyes.
“Come here.”
Just two words, and they sent a shiver down my spine, settling low between my thighs. I ran my tongue over my lip nervously, then walked toward him.
Duke leaned in, claiming my lips in a slow, deep kiss that left me dazed from his touch alone. The faint taste of mint lingered as his tongue slid against mine, pulling me further under his spell. I didn’t fight it—I needed everything that was him in this moment. This man was pure intoxication.
He pulled back just enough to place the helmet on my head, adjusting the strap beneath my chin with careful hands.
“I got you.”