Rain “Rebel” Crawford
My situation with Crow was complicated. Neither one of us wanted to bring up him eating my pussy.
Every time we got close to talking about what had happened between us, our pride always found a way to cool everything back down before either of us admitted what was really going on.
Truth be told, I had a feeling Crow wanted to explore whatever this thing was between us just as much as I did.
Hell, I knew I wanted to. I had thought about him eating me more times than I cared to admit.
If we crossed that line again and things didn’t work out, I wouldn’t just lose a relationship.
I would lose Crow in my life for good. And that was a risk I wasn’t sure I was ready to take.
But when he asked me out on a date, I decided to say yes.
I was excited. Truthfully, I had a crush on him for a while, and part of me couldn’t believe this was actually happening between us.
While I was waiting for Crow, I figured I’d give Sarah one more call.
It went straight to voicemail again. My jaw tightened as I lowered the phone.
I had been calling her for over a week. I’d even gone by her office a few days ago, only for the receptionist to tell me Sarah wasn’t available.
That bullshit wasn’t sitting right with me.
I let out a slow breath and waited for the beep.
“Sarah, this is Rebel. I’ve been calling your ass for over a week, and now you’re dodging me.
I came by your office, and nobody can seem to tell me where the hell you are.
I don’t know what’s going on, but you better call me back...
today. If you don’t, I’m gonna start showing up everywhere until I find you.
And trust me... neither one of us wants it to come to that. ”
I ended the call and shoved my phone into my pocket. I hadn’t even made it to the door before my phone rang. It was Sarah.
I answered on the first ring. “Well, look who finally decided to call me back.”
“Hey, Rebel,” Sarah said casually. “Sorry I’ve been so hard to reach. Things have just been hectic.”
“Hectic?” I laughed. “I’ve been calling you for over a week.”
“I know. I saw your calls.”
“So, you saw my calls and decided to ignore every last one?”
“It wasn’t like that. I’ve been out of town handling a few things.”
“I even came by your office.”
“Yeah, I know. I wasn’t there.”
I stopped in my tracks. “Good. Then let’s meet tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow?” she asked with a light chuckle. “Rebel, I’m still out of town.”
“I don’t give a fuck if you’re in another country. Catch a flight.”
“I’ll be back in a few days. We can schedule something then.”
“No.” My voice hardened. “Tomorrow.”
“Rebel, there’s really no reason to rush. Your portfolio is doing great.”
“Then proving it shouldn’t be a problem.”
“It’s fine. I promise.”
“I didn’t ask for a promise. I asked for a meeting.”
She sighed. “I really can’t tomorrow.”
I smiled. “I suggest you make time.”
“I suggest you make time before your mama and daddy are standing over a closed casket wondering why they never got the chance to say goodbye.”
The line went dead silent.
I wasn’t finished. “And let me make something crystal clear. If one fucking dollar is missing from my portfolio, the least of your problems will be the police. They’ll be trying to identify whatever’s left of you,” I paused.
“Tomorrow. Face-to-face. Bring every statement, every document, every answer I’ve been asking for. ”
When I opened the door, Crow stood there with that crooked grin I loved so much. Instead of a bouquet of flowers, he held a brand-new pair of limited-edition black-and-gold Jordans in one hand and a motorcycle helmet in the other.
“Flowers die,” he said with a shrug. “I’d rather buy you some shit you’ll actually use.”
I looked down at the sneakers before glancing back up at him. A smile tugged at my lips despite my best efforts to fight it.
“You bought me Jordans?”
“Hell yeah. You ain’t one of them women that’s finna put flowers in a vase and stare at ‘em. I’d rather see you lacing these up while talking shit to me.”
I laughed, shaking my head.
“You really pay attention.”
Crow stepped closer, his eyes never leaving mine. “Always. Loving you ain’t about buying what every woman likes. It’s about knowing what makes you smile.”
After putting my things away, Crow took me to Cuban Whiskey, a lounge in uptown Magnolia Valley, so we could vibe out for the rest of our day.
The place was classy as hell, with dim lighting, smooth jazz floating through the air, and the rich scent of whiskey and cigars filling the room.
I never would’ve imagined myself sitting there with a cigar between my fingers, but somehow Crow made it feel natural.
The best part was curling up on his lap while we talked, laughed, sipped our whiskey, and watched the smoke drift toward the ceiling.
Every now and then, he’d wrap his arms a little tighter around my waist or brush his lips against my temple like he couldn’t help himself.
I honestly thought we’d keep things tame since it was one of our first real dates, but we didn’t hold back at all.
We flirted shamelessly, stole kisses whenever we felt like it, and enjoyed every second of being wrapped up in each other.
Crow took another slow pull from his cigar before leaning back in the chair with me still settled comfortably on his lap.
“Man...” he said, letting the smoke drift from his lips. “It feel good as hell just chillin’ with you.”
I smiled and rested my head against his shoulder. “Yeah?”
“Hell yeah. We done been through so much crazy shit together that I almost forgot what peace felt like.”
I chuckled. “So, I’m your peace now?”
He looked down at me with a grin.
“Nah.” He brushed a loose strand of hair behind my ear. “You my favorite person to catch peace with.”
My heart skipped a beat. “Damn... that was smooth.”
Crow laughed. “Don’t get used to it. I got one or two romantic lines in me. After that, I’m back to talkin’ shit.”
I laughed so hard I nearly dropped my cigar before snuggling deeper into his chest.
“Good,” I teased. “I like you better that way.”
“I like you too. You and those Timberlands,’ he joked.
A smile crept across my face as I leaned in and pressed my lips against Crow’s. The kiss was slow, unhurried, and somehow managed to make everything around us disappear. When I finally pulled back, I rested my forehead against his and smiled.
“Damn,” I whispered with a laugh. “Every time I kiss you, it get harder and harder to stop.”
By the time we made it back to my place, Crow and I were all over each other.
The front door had barely clicked shut before his lips found mine again.
Every kiss was hungrier than the last, years of stolen glances, unspoken feelings, and “what ifs” pouring into a single moment.
I cupped his face while he rested his forehead against mine, both of us breathing hard.
“You know this changes everything, right?” I whispered.
Crow gave a small smile and brushed his thumb across my cheek.
“I know.”
“We can’t go back to being just friends after this.”
“I don’t want to,” he admitted. “Truth is... I ain’t wanted to for a while now. I was just too scared to risk losing you.”
I searched his eyes, looking for even the slightest hint of doubt.
“So... what are we doing?”
He took both of my hands in his.
“We stop pretending we don’t feel this.” He smiled. “I don’t want another best friend, Rebel. I want you.”
A smile spread across my face before I wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed him again.
“Then no more running,” I whispered against his lips.
“No more running,” Crow agreed. “From this moment on, I’m done fighting what we’ve been becoming.”
With that, he pulled me into another slow kiss, and for the first time, it didn’t feel like two best friends crossing a line. It felt like two people finally finding their way home.
Without taking his eyes off mine, Crow gently slipped me out of my clothes. There wasn’t any rush in his movements, only patience and care. He reached for my hand, his fingers intertwining with mine as he led me toward the bedroom. He stopped beside the bed and searched my face one last time.
“You still sure?” he asked softly.
I smiled and nodded.
“I’ve never been more sure.”
A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth before he leaned down and kissed me, slowly, tenderly, like he wanted me to remember this moment forever.
We eased onto the bed together, neither of us saying another word.
We didn’t need to. Years of friendship had brought us here, and every unspoken feeling we’d buried finally had room to breathe.
Slowly, he climbed on top of my naked body and kissed me with so much passion.
He slowly stroked and explored me so beautifully.
My pussy became wet as my walls gripped him for dear life.
As we made love for the first time, it felt like home.
We chose each other. The rest of the world faded away as we held one another, letting love speak where words no longer could.
After we finally crossed the line, I was nervous. But once we were done, Crow pulled me into his arms and held me close. Neither of us spoke for a while. We just lay there, listening to each other’s heartbeat as everything that had just happened settled in.
“So...” I said with a nervous laugh.
“So,” Crow echoed, smiling.
“I guess we’re really doing this.”
He nodded. “I’ve wanted this for a long time, Rain. I was just scared I’d lose my best friend.”
I looked over at him. “I felt the same way. I kept trying to convince myself these feelings would go away, but they never did.”
Crow reached over and intertwined his fingers with mine. “Then let’s stop fighting it.”
“You sure?”
“I’ve never been more sure.”
I smiled and squeezed his hand.
“Okay,” I whispered. “Let’s give us a real chance.”
He leaned over and kissed my forehead.
“I promise I’m gonna love you the right way.”
I rested my head on his chest, feeling lighter than I had in a long time.
After a while, we climbed out of bed, threw on some clothes, and headed into the living room.
Crow grabbed the remote and turned on the television while I wandered into the kitchen to fix us something to eat.
For the first time in a long time, life didn’t feel so heavy.
It finally felt like I had someone to carry it with.
When I came back into the living room carrying two plates of food, Crow had already stretched out on the couch with the television on.
I handed him his plate before curling up beside him.
“What we watching?” I asked.
“I don’t know,” he replied with a shrug. “News was already on.”
I took a bite of my food just as the anchor’s voice suddenly grew more serious.
“We’re following breaking news tonight. Federal agents have raided Monarch Wealth Management after investigators uncovered what officials are calling a multi-million-dollar Ponzi scheme.
The company is accused of defrauding hundreds of investors, and authorities believe millions of dollars have disappeared. ”
My fork slipped from my hand and clattered onto the plate.
“No...” I whispered.
Crow looked over at me.
“Rain?”
My eyes stayed glued to the television.
On the screen, I recognized the building immediately. Monarch Wealth Management.
Sarah’s company.
“Officials say several employees are being questioned while investigators work to determine the full extent of the fraud. Investors are urged to contact the FBI if they believe they may have been affected.”
The room started spinning.
“No... no... no...”
Crow muted the television.
“What’s wrong?”
I looked at him with tears already filling my eyes.
“That’s Sarah’s company.”
His expression immediately changed. “The financial advisor?”
I nodded. “All my money was with them.”
The color drained from Crow’s face. “Rain...”
“My money is gone.” My voice cracked. “Everything I worked for... everything I risked... it’s gone.”
Before I knew it, I was crying all over again as Crow pulled me into his arms.