Chapter 11
Solo was a good man. He was attentive to my needs, he listened when I spoke, he showed interest in the things I enjoyed, his sense of humor had me in stitches, and when we had sex, .
. . he knew when to be gentle and when to be rough.
Being with him felt surreal, at times, and he made me realize how much my last relationship lacked.
Each day with Solo was like a dream. He made even the simple things we did feel exciting. We could be just relaxing by the pool, being complete tourists, or watching television. No matter what we did, it felt perfect, and every time I thought about going home, my mood shifted a little.
After spending a full day on the yacht he rented, we were exhausted, so we chilled at the house the following day.
Solo booked two masseuses who came to the house and gave us ninety-minute massages.
He also found a nail tech to give me a manicure and pedicure.
It was amazing. Later that day, we hung out by the pool playing board games before ending the night with dinner made by the chef and a movie.
The day after that, we did some sightseeing on electric bikes and a walking food tour. The food I ate was better than anything I’d ever eaten, and every calorie was worth it. I’d never enjoyed a man’s company as much as I enjoyed being with Solo.
Today, we were headed to Broad Street and Pelican Craft Centre to do some shopping. We sat in the back seat, holding hands, while island music filled the car. As always, I admired the view as we were chauffeured to our destination.
“You’re quiet,” Solo said.
I turned to look at him, and his eyes were closed as he rested his head on the back of the seat.
“So are you.”
He lifted his head and looked at me with a smile.
“I’m just resting my eyes and enjoying the ride. Tell me what’s on your mind.”
“Nothing bad.”
“Nothing bad is good. Lemme hear it.”
“I’m just reflecting on our time here. I planned this trip expecting to spend two weeks all by my lonesome. You were an unexpected surprise that turned out to be everything I didn’t know I needed.”
I leaned toward him and kissed his lips.
“I can’t lie and say I expected to be alone this whole time because I definitely planned to find something warm and wet to slide into.”
I playfully punched him on his shoulder, but I wasn’t shocked by his confession. Men would be men.
“I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. Not many single men can visit a beautiful island and be surrounded by gorgeous women without shooting their shot. As fine as you are, I’m sure you would’ve gotten lucky.”
“Possibly, but I hit the gold mine, bumping into your naked ass. I’m not a fan of blind dates and matchmaking, but this was the hookup of a lifetime.”
His eyes communicated so much more than his mouth and told me he was smitten with me.
That realization made me feel warm and fuzzy inside, because I was smitten with him too.
The grin he wore as he talked about how we connected spoke volumes, and it was comforting to know he didn’t regret what had transpired between us.
“I guess we’ll have to treat our matchmakers to a nice dinner to thank them for going over our heads,” I suggested.
“We ain’t treating them to shit until they confess. Until we find out something different, us being here at the same time was a coincidence.”
“You know what? You’re right. I’m not even gon’ press Lainey about it again, and you don’t mention it to Semaj either. If they want fate to get all the credit, so be it.”
We arrived at our first stop, Broad Street, and Solo told Emmanuel when to return to pick us up.
Hand in hand, we walked in and out of stores, and if I showed the slightest bit of interest in something, Solo bought it.
I’d never been spoiled in this way by any man, not even my daddy, and I loved it, but I didn’t want Solo to overdo it.
“Baby, please stop buying everything I touch. I’m just looking,” I told him.
“When you look for too long, I know you want it.”
“That might be true, but I have my own money.”
“Don’t disrespect me like that, E. Your money is no good when I’m around, and I’ll be around as long as you let me. Chill out and let me spoil you.”
“If you keep it up, I’m gonna need some more luggage to get this stuff home.”
“There’s a luggage store across the street. Let’s check out a few more stores and stop there before Emmanuel comes to pick us up.”
“Oh my God. You’re too much.”
“Nah, baby. I’m just enough for the right woman.”
He kissed my forehead before we entered a jewelry store.
“What are we doing in here?” I asked.
“Look around, see if there’s something you like.”
I began shaking my head before he finished his sentence.
“Nah, I’m not really into expensive jewelry. I’m good.”
I tried to pull him toward the door, but he didn’t budge. He tightened his grip on my hand and pulled me back to his side before releasing my hand and putting his arm around my shoulders.
“Let’s look at the rings,” he said, then kissed the top of my head.
Rings? Chill, Eva. It ain’t what you think.
He guided me to the ring section, and one of the employees met us there.
“Hello! Are you two lovebirds looking for anything special?”
“No, we’re just looking,” I answered immediately, and at the same time, Solo said, “Engagement rings.”
The saleswoman’s eyes bounced back and forth between us. I was just as confused as she was, so I turned to Solo to get some clarification.
“Solo, we—”
“We’re just looking, E. Calm down.”
I looked at him a little longer before turning and smiling at the saleswoman.
“The man said engagement rings,” I said with a shrug.
Her eyes lit up with excitement as she led us to that section. The rings were absolutely beautiful, and Solo talked me into trying on several, but I wouldn’t allow myself to get attached to any of them.
“Show me your top three,” Solo said.
“Solo—”
“Your top three, baby.”
I pointed out the three rings I liked most, and he nodded.
“Thank you for your help, ma’am. We still have a few more days on the island. Maybe we’ll be back for one of them,” he said before we left the store.
“Why did you lie to that lady?” I said once we were outside.
“Who says I’m lying? When you find a good woman, you can’t waste time locking her down.”
“While I wholeheartedly agree with you, nine days is a little fast, wouldn’t you say?”
“For some. Emmanuel will be here in fifteen minutes. Let’s go grab that luggage.”
Ten minutes later, I had a new three-piece luggage set.
As we headed to where we told Emmanuel to meet us, I offered to pull the luggage because Solo’s arms were full.
He was more than a gentleman and refused my help.
While I walked next to him with my hands empty, he looked as if he’d bought something from every store. Thankfully, we didn’t have far to go.
“You hungry?” he asked once he slid into the back seat next to me after putting our bags in the trunk.
“I could eat.”
“There are restaurants where we’re going. We can eat before we shop.”
“We can eat and then window shop. I think we’ve done enough damage for the day.”
“Are you trying to tell me what to do with my money?”
“Of course not, but—”
“I already told you to chill and let me spoil you. Let’s not have this conversation again . . . not today or ever.”
A rich man, who was a gentleman, who had a big dick and knew what to do with it, who ate pussy like he invented it, who wanted marriage and family, who didn’t mind dropping a bag on a woman, and who knew how to put his foot down in such a way that made my pussy pulse . . . Solo was definitely that nigga.
For the rest of our outing, I didn’t comment about how much money he spent.
After lunch, we visited the stores at Pelican Craft Centre, and I fell in love.
The arts, crafts, handmade goods, and specialty items were to die for.
Just like before, Solo bought everything I oohed and aahed over, and some of the items were so big, he had to have them shipped to Chicago.
I was a bit overwhelmed by Solo’s insistence on spoiling me, but I let him do his thing. He looked so happy every time he bought something for me, and who was I to deny his happiness? I was no gold digger, and I’d never be with a man for his money alone, but I could get used to this kind of living.
“Are you finally ready to call it a day?” I asked as we left another store where he’d dropped a bag.
“If you’re ready, I’m ready.”
“Yeah. Let’s go. I’m ready to relax and honestly eat again. I’m glad the chef is coming tonight.”
“Emmanuel will be here in about thirty minutes. You want me to call him or wait?”
“Let’s wait on those benches over there and people watch.”
We headed across the street to the benches. After making ourselves as comfortable as we could on wooden benches, I pulled out my phone to text my sister, only to see I’d missed a text from her.
Lainey:
I’m glad you took my advice.
Me:
What are you talking about?
Lainey:
The advice I gave you about sitting on Solo’s face.
I laughed out loud, gaining Solo’s attention.
“What’s funny?” he asked.
“Lainey’s crazy ass.”
Me:
Who says I sat on his face?
Lainey:
Ma said you two were glowing and grinning. That sounds like a woman who has the best seat in the house, and a man whose face is said seat.
Me:
I can’t stand you. I’m not telling you shit until you confess to being behind this whole thing.
Lainey:
Oop! I hear the girls calling me. Gotta go. Love you!
Me:
I can’t stand you, but I love you too.
I giggled as I returned my phone to my bag, only a little surprised that my sister hadn’t confessed to playing matchmaker yet.
“Apparently, my mother told Lainey about our call the other day,” I shared.
“What’d she say?”
“That we were glowing and grinning.”
“If your mother said it, it must be true.”
“Lainey thinks we’re grinning and glowing because I sat on your face.”
He laughed out loud, letting his head fall back briefly before responding.
“I think Elaine is on to something, but we need a few more test runs before I can fully agree with her.”
“Oh really?”
“Most definitely, and we’ll start as soon as we get to the house and the door closes behind us.”
I felt myself blush as my lips curled into a smile. “I’m looking forward to it.”