Charisma
NATE WON ANOTHER buckle.
Was I surprised? No. This man didn’t half step when it came to anything in his life and with the way I’d seen him train and prepare for his events, I was probably more confident in him than he was.
But seeing him achieve his goals was something amazing to see.
Billy had made me aware that the rumor mill was working overtime to figure out who I was and when I’d come on the scene.
She told me I even had a page on some pro-athlete side chick website dedicated to women wanting to copy my style hoping to turn Nate’s head.
That shit was weird as hell to me but she told me not to stress it.
She also mentioned something about learning to shoot, which Doc was still pestering me about.
Nate and I had been in a bubble out at BCL and now we were in the real world about to face issues I hadn’t put much thought into.
But I didn’t let it bother me for now because we were both on a natural high after his team won again.
We’d gone back to the room to change, since we weren’t leaving for a few days, after he’d gotten Pistol settled.
I’d joined him in the shower and washed him from head to toe before he returned the favor.
He’d looked like a god with his hair hanging damn near to his waist waving up as the water saturated it and cascaded down the muscles that formed peaks and valleys all over his body.
Nate called me a fairy but he was something otherworldly himself.
That led to me wanting to taste him in the shower and watching him fall apart and his eyes roll to the back of his head while his dick hit the back of my throat had to be my new favorite thing.
This man went head to head with bulls on a consistent basis and yet he let me have complete power over him.
Now we were walking around downtown Houston looking for somewhere to eat before his meeting in the morning.
It was ironic that we were here since Houston was a city I’d thought to settle in before heading further north.
I decided it was too close to home just like Atlanta and it was my future guiding me to my destiny.
We’d walked a few blocks before he stopped in front of a building and I stopped him before he could open the door. I could see the confusion in his features as he stepped out of the way for someone else to go in.
“Are you kidding me?”
“What’s wrong?” He had a hand protectively at my waist as his eyes moved around to judge where the threat was coming from in the crowd.
“You want to go in here?”
He looked behind him then back at me still confused. He’d braided his hair after we got out of the shower and I had no choice but to let my hair air dry since I’d gotten drenched congratulating him. His hat brim sat low on his head and his grill gleamed in the neon lights of the storefronts.
“Yeah, what’s the issue?”
I looked back up at the signage and heard the noise spilling out from inside. “It’s a bar, Bucky.”
“You drink.” The statement was loaded with concern that he’d missed something and confusion because he didn’t miss anything when it came to me.
“Yeah, but you seem to forget that me and bars haven’t really done well together.”
He had the nerve to laugh at me like he hadn’t found me in that place getting propositioned. I wasn’t worried about it here and especially not with him next to me but it still felt like tempting fate.
Nate pulled me to him and put his hat on my head with a grin. “Well, just like then, I got your back. Besides, I can’t be too mad at bars since they’re the reason I met you.” He plopped a kiss on the side of my face that had me smiling again, despite me not wanting to run up in this place.
“You always know what to say to get your way?”
“You’re not the only person in this relationship that’s charming, lil lady. Come on. I want you to dance with me again.”
I didn’t want to ruin his celebration so I allowed myself to be led inside.
We walked into the bar hand in hand and I was thankful there were only a few people who were aware of who Nate was.
He stopped to speak to a few of the fans who congratulated him on his win before he led me over to a table that wasn’t piled high with the belongings of the people on the dance floor.
There were other competitors I recognized from being at the rodeo today but they all seemed to be on the same type of time as Nate.
“What is it that you want?” He grabbed the menu that was on the table and started to eye what was available.
“Whiskey.”
“Is that code for something?” He blinked then it dawned on him what I was referencing. Licking his lips made his grill flash even in the dim light and I was ready to get back to celebrating in the room.
Fuck this food and this dancing.
I ran my hand up his thigh and he watched its ascent raptly. “I shouldn’t have to use a code for what belongs to me.”
He winked then let the fangs of his grill show as he bit his lip. “Talk that shit then, Charmy. You gettin’ mighty secure in whatever this is.”
“I’m not fighting it anymore.”
“And why is that?”
“Because my heart all but stops when you get up on that bull. Before it wasn’t as severe but I was tense as hell this time. I guess because of the reputation it has. I felt like if something happened to you that wasn’t good my heart would break.”
His big hands almost palmed the entirety of my hips as he squeezed them. “Can’t think like that when I’m riding, baby. Good vibes only.”
“I know. I only imagined you lasting the ride and getting off without issue but I felt like I was holding my breath the whole time.”
His arms wrapped around me and pulled me closer to him. He was sitting on the barstool so I walked in between his legs. I knew he was doing it so that he had a view of who was coming in and out of the bar.
“I like your hair like this.” I could see him looking at the intricate braiding pattern I’d put on the front third of my hair with new interest.
“The fro? It’s always out like this.”
“The braids too. Shit looks so damn good on you, baby.” He kissed me again like he couldn’t give a damn who was watching. Which had me grinning again.
“Had to make sure I could wear my hat.”
“I see you repping the club the whole way. I like it.”
The hat that I’d snuck and had Doc help me get had the company logo on the front and then the club’s logo on back. It was to ensure that I could be a walking advertisement at the rodeo no matter what angle people saw me from. And I had to rep my man by putting his name on a shirt.
“I don’t mind representing my man and his business. Getting your truck wrapped was smart. Makes it a business write off now.”
“You over here thinking about business and stuff when my thoughts are somewhere else completely.”
“What will your mama and daddy think of you sneaking me back into your room?” The family had all stayed at the same hotel and I’d only reserved a room for one night. Nate’s biggest events were already done and I knew he wouldn’t let me out of his sight.
“They’ll be going in the family vault for a diamond because they love you. My mama keeps telling me not to mess up and I swear she ‘bout to work my nerves.”
“Because she wants us together?” It was crazy to think they had a damn family vault of valuables but then again, they’d been rich since reconstruction. If they didn’t have shit to show for it I’d think they didn’t rich right.
“Because she should know I’m not the type to mess up my future. You’re it for me, Charmy.” His eyes did that thing where I felt like I could see my future in them. Turned earnest, emotional, almost pleading for me to hear and see his emotions and know they were all for me.
“You’re it for me too, Nathaniel.”
He threw his head back and laughed at my saying his name the way Doc always did. “That’s real cute. I know buddy was bothering you before—”
“You know I shut that down a few weeks ago. The biggest move was letting my parents know that break between the two of us was permanent. I wasn’t about to have them come out here and think there was still hope for Trent.
” Their trip, which Nate had so graciously paid for despite me having money, was coming up soon.
I was thankful that it was during a week that he didn’t have to compete so they could truly spend time with him and the rest of the family.
I knew they’d see how wonderful everyone was and how happy I was here and be more open to Nate and me.
“You did?” I nodded and his eyes narrowed like something was wrong. “Why?”
I wrapped my arms around his neck to pull him closer to me.
I wanted him to look me in my eyes and hear clearly what I had to say.
“Because you are the type of man who deserves to be shouted out about from the rooftops. Telling them we were broken up will lessen the shock if any photos of us together get out.”
“You’re serious.” I don’t know why he was so shocked. My hesitation was never about us but ensuring I had the mental capacity to handle whatever the fallout from Trent’s tantrum would be.
“Dead ass.”
He picked me up and spun me around so fast that I had to hold on to my hat before it flew off my head. I was laughing but I needed him to stop before I got dizzy.
“Nate!”
He stopped spinning and put me on my feet.
The world spun even faster as he placed a kiss on me that had me remembering why this risk was worth it.
This man wasn’t shy about affection and the knee weakening way his tongue delved into my mouth was bold and loud.
Never tried to be slick or give a second thought to telling me how he felt about me or hesitate to provide me with safety and love.
He made me feel every ounce of that devotion in the way he kept my soul protected and my body on fire.
I might have wanted to be a good friend to Trent, but that would only build resentment with the man I actually wanted.
I couldn’t risk my future trying to keep the past happy.
Especially when it wasn’t someone or something that had the best intentions for me.
When he pulled away he held his hands on both sides of my head looking into my eyes. I was unsure if he was searching for something or making sure I was okay.
“And how do you feel about everything? With your parents?” He was happy but still checking in with me to make sure I was okay emotionally. The risk was there and it was loud and eminent. I wouldn’t front like I wasn’t scared but I wasn’t scared enough to not live out loud.
“I don’t care. If that changes how they feel about me that’s something I‘ll have to work through when the time comes. I know they’ll be disappointed but there’s nothing I can do about that. If one decision makes them rethink how they love me then I have much bigger problems than I thought.”
“I love you, Charisma.”
“Nate.” It wasn’t the first time he’d said it but it was filled with even more finality, hope and passion that his words took my breath away.
“Say it back, nie, before I get self-conscious.” His tone was soft but demanding and his hands palmed my ass to rush my compliance.
“I love you too.”
“Damn right you do. Damn, I don’t even care about food or this rodeo shit anymore.
I just want to be around you and up under you and in you.
” He ground his hips to the beat that he could apparently catch despite our conversation.
I’d forgotten all about people being around us or the fact that we were in public.
“Oh, hell no we can’t have that. I’m not sitting here risking everything for a loser. You better win all this shit, Nathaniel Chisholm-Love.”
He laughed as he continued to move us around to the beat of the music. “Is that how you motivate me?”
“Is it working?” I didn’t really need to ask because I could feel his dick getting harder against my stomach.
“Surprisingly, yes. I ain’t about to be out here looking bad in front of you. I told you that. I want my pretty lady to always be impressed and proud when she hears people say my name.”
“I feel that way without you ever having to step on a bull, Bucky. But damn, I’m something real special. Good for your heart and your career. I’m a damn miracle worker.” I popped my collar before tipping my hat to him.
“You’re just a miracle and I appreciate you walking into my life. C’mon. Since you’ve got me all soft and shit. Let me find you something to eat before I need to get back in it.”
“Told you we didn’t have to leave to get food.”
He glanced up from the menu with an incredulous look on his face. “Oh, we about to get this shit to go. We got dick and dancing in the room. Let’s figure out what we’re about to eat because we got another thirteen hours until my meeting and I plan to take full advantage of each one.”