Chapter 6
Greer pushed Amaya’s stroller into the restaurant.
As soon as she was born, she left the hospital with them.
Greer loved her daughter with everything in her as if she had pushed her out herself.
It was the two of them most times. Amari was always gone but she understood in his line of work, he would be.
He’d made sure she had a best friend to keep her company.
She never even really put much thought into motherhood but Amaya Grace Dlamini had become her world and so was her father.
Her little family meant everything to her.
She approached Ace, Baby Ace, Promise, Pryce, and Carter who were all seated around a round table with strollers everywhere.
“Is this our life now?” Greer jokingly asked as she sat down, parking Amaya’s stroller beside her. Promise picked Amaya up.
“Hell yeah and to think I’m about to add another stroller to the mix in a couple weeks.” Carter sighed.
“I ain’t gon’ hold you, labor is a bitch but it’s worth it. I’m glad my brother woke up in time to see his daughter come into the world.”
“Yeah, me too! I’m scared but I’m ready to put her out.”
“Have y’all picked a name for her yet?” Ace asked as she held Baby Ace.
“I like Navy Nalani and Nautica loves Niamh. I don’t know, it’s hard as hell deciding on a baby name. I’ma just let him name his child. What’s up with you and Shadow, P?
“I love all of those. We good, I was worried at first, but he seems like he’s genuinely over her.
He thought she was dead. I don’t know, though.
I love Shadow and I even trust him but a nigga gon’ be a nigga.
I’m hoping for the best but I’m kind of waiting for the other shoe to drop.
If something happens or he decides that’s where he wants to be, I’ma gracefully walk away. ”
“I don’t think it’s even like that, your husband is crazy about you. If he hasn’t gave you a reason, don’t doubt him.” Ace was team Promise and Shadow.
“Right, that man lives for you. Why you even talking like that?” Greer frowned.
“Because that’s his first love. He wanted to marry her out of love not obligation.
I don’t know how this going to play out but I’ll be okay.
I have my son, my brothers, my parents, and y’all.
Ace, you really ready to walk down the aisle?
” Promise asked, wanting to change the subject.
She knew what she meant to Shadow and so did he; if he messed their union up that was on him.
She was young, rich, and beautiful. She may never find another love like his but she could be alone.
“I am. Nyke thinks I’m going to change my mind or something.” She rolled her eyes while they laughed.
“I’on blame him.” Carter turned her head to avoid Ace.
“Right,” Greer added.
“Was I really that bad to him?”
“Yes! You treated my brother real bad. He was wrong as hell but he eventually got it right.”
“Promise, I think everyone forgot that he trapped me. Literally! It’s cool now though, ‘cause I want to be kept.” Ace was ready to settle down with the love of her life.
Greer’s phone went off with a text from Amari asking what they were doing.
Greer held up her phone and snapped a picture of everyone. She sent it to Amari.
Amari: When y’all coming back? I’m at the house. I want to see my babies.
“What got you cheesing extra hard?” Ace asked Greer.
“My man home. Where the waitress at?”
Promise spotted their waitress. She politely waved her over so they could order their food. Greer stayed for an hour before they left.
Greer glanced in the backseat at Amaya who was staring at her.
“Hey, Momma stinky!” Greer cooed while Amaya went crazy kicking her legs.
Greer laughed as she focused on the road. Ten minutes later, she was driving up the driveway until she was parked in front of the door. Amari walked outside. He took Amaya out of her seat, kissing all over her face.
“Wassup, Daddy babyy!” He walked around to Greer’s side, opening her door for her. He held Amaya in one arm while helping Greer out. He greeted her with a kiss to the lips.
“Heyy, Daddy, we missed you… didn’t we, pretty girl?” Greer stroked Amaya’s cheek, who was smiling at her. They walked inside. Greer found Marta cooking in the kitchen.
“I didn’t think y’all would be back so soon. How was lunch?” Marta asked while Greer washed her hands. She grabbed two wine glasses. Then she opened a bottle of wine, pouring her and Marta a glass.
“I ain’t fooling with you tonight, Greer,” Marta warned, causing her to laugh.
“You say that now.” Greer walked out of the kitchen. She went to find Amaya and Amari who were in his man cave. Amaya was attempting to crawl on his lap.
“She’s growing so fast.” Greer somberly pouted.
“We can always have another one.”
“I know.”
“You haven’t had your period in two months,” Amari pointed out.
Greer thought about it. He was right; her Aunt Flo had been MIA for a while. Amari grabbed her glass of wine, taking it to the head.
“Damn, why you didn’t say nothing?!” She snapped on him. He shrugged.
“Amari Dlamini!”
“Greer Dlamini.” He held Amaya’s back as she tried to climb up his chest.
“Baby, we’re going to have kids a year apart. You be gone as it is.”
“I be gone but I’m here just as much, Greer, so chill with that. We’ll be okay. My nigga Stox’s wife, Beautiful, has her own nanny agency. We can hire their best nanny if you want. I’ll do whatever to make this transition smooth for you.”
“So an abortion ain’t a option?”
“I mean, I don’t want you to have one but I understand if that’s what you want to do.”
“Thank you, baby. If I am, I’ll keep it.”
“Go see,” he demanded, prompting her to smack her lips. Amari had openly embraced fatherhood.
Greer walked off, headed to their bedroom. She walked in the bathroom, grabbing a test out of the closet. She was in autopilot as she took it. She set a timer on her phone after washing her hands. Amari appeared in the doorway.
“Where the baby?”
“She’s sleeping. What’s up?” He stepped inside, grabbing the test.
“It’s not time yet.”
“I can see a faint pink line already though.” The excitement in his voice made Greer happy. The alarm blared, and she leaned in to see what the verdict was. Two lines stared back at them.
“Well, I guess no more wine sipping for you. Thank you, baby.” Amari wrapped his arms around her, kissing her forehead.
“That’s irking! I ain’t tripping, though. You’re welcome, stink.”
Ace was in her warehouse going over inventory for her upcoming release. Her purse business was thriving. She couldn’t have been happier or prouder of herself. Her new purses were centered around the jungle. She was eager for her customers to see how hard she had been working.
Knock, knock
Ace frowned as she wondered who was at the door.
She looked up from her desk. Her office was in the back corner of the building.
The glass walls gave her a perfect view of her storefront.
Her eyes lit up at the sight of Franklin.
She got up, checking her appearance in the floor-length mirror.
Thanks to Baby Ace, her body was better than before.
She had hips now with a slight pudge in her stomach.
She was ten pounds away from her pre-baby weight.
She was okay with keeping it, plus her man loved every inch of her.
She pulled the pink tank dress down before walking out of her office.
Ace’s smile stretched as she reached the door.
Franklin was all smiles as well. Ace buzzed the door and it opened.
Frank walked in and she greeted him at the door.
“Hey, stranger! How are you?”
“Hey, Frank! It’s so good to see you. How are you?”
Frank wrapped her in an embrace, squeezing her tightly. She stepped back and he openly checked her out.
“I’m good. I was in town and my momma told me you had your own store so I thought I’d stop by to see what a old friend was up to.”
“I’m here working. I was actually closed today. I just got here so that’s perfect timing.”
“That’s good baby girl. I ain’t gon’ lie, Ace. I miss you,” he admitted.
She looked at the ring on her finger. She instantly thought about her husband-to-be. “I have a family, Frank. I’m getting married soon,” she revealed. She didn’t miss the disappointment on his face but it was her truth.
“Damn, that hurt. Well, can we catch up before I leave? Can I take you out for lunch?” He picked up her hand, kissing the back of it. If she hadn’t of been starting a future with Nyke, she would have took him up on his offer.
She stared at him, preparing to let him down because she knew Nyke wouldn’t approve.
The door opened. Nyke, along with Baby Ace, walked in. She quickly pulled her hand back but it was too late, Nyke had already saw them. He held a bag of food in hand.
“I can’t do that. Thanks for stopping by to visit. It was good seeing you.” Ace felt sweat on her forehead.
“Alright, well you take care of yourself.” Frank stared at her.
Nyke walked up, standing beside her. Baby Ace reached his arms out for her. Ace took him and he kissed her lips. Frank left while Nyke watched. Ace locked the door.
“Who was that?” Nyke asked while she avoided his gaze.
“That was my ex-boyfriend. He just stopped by ‘cause he was in town.” She looked up, locking eyes with him. He stared at her for the longest time making her uncomfortable. He took the baby from her.
“Go wash your hands,” he demanded.
“What? Why?” She looked at him like he was crazy.
Then, she thought back to Frank kissing her hand.
She walked into the bathroom, to wash her hands.
She came out and picked Baby Ace up, who was walking around.
He was ten almost eleven months and was already walking.
It blew Ace’s mind how advanced he was. She carried him to her office.
She sat down with him in her lap. She opened the food container to see what they had brought her to eat.
“Thanks, baby. I was hungry.”
“Why was that nigga here?” Nyke asked, sitting across from her.
“I just told you. I don’t know why he decided to stop by other than what he told me. I haven’t seen or talked to him in so long.” She scooped up a spoonful of rice and fed Baby Ace.
“What’s so long?” He mocked, causing her to laugh. Baby Ace laughed as well. She kissed his cheek.
“What’s wrong with your daddy, son? It’s been over five years. I’m about to be all yours, you ain’t got nothing to worry about.”
“I ain’t worried at all.” He smirked.
She smacked her lips. She fed her and Baby Ace while Nyke watched the fifty-inch that hung from the ceiling in the corner of the room.
She put him down and cleaned up their mess.
He walked towards his toy corner. Ace washed her hands then she sat behind her computer to finish working.
Two hours later Nyke was sleep on the couch in her office.
Baby Ace was sleep on his mini couch. She pulled out her phone, snapping pictures of them.
She was so mad at Nyke in the beginning but now, she needed them both.
She worked for another hour. She shut her computer off.
She grabbed a diaper and wipes. After changing Baby Ace, she picked him up.
“Baby, get up.” Ace held Baby Ace’s back as she bent over, kissing Nyke’s lips. He sat up, taking his son from her.
“Damn, what time is it? You ready?” He looked out her office to see if was dark out.
“Yes, come on. Charlotte texted me and said she cooked.”
Ace grabbed her purse. She walked around, turning everything off.
They met her in the front of the store under the chandelier.
Nyke walked out first, holding the door for her.
He waited while she locked the doors. He opened the passenger door.
Ace climbed inside while he buckled Baby Ace in his car seat.
Nyke got behind the wheel. He pulled off, grabbing Ace’s hand.
She intertwined their fingers. He kissed the back of her hand, repeatedly.
“Don’t let another nigga put they lips on you again. I didn’t like that shit.”
“I didn’t know he was about to do that.”
“I ain’t tripping.”
“Says the muthafucka that keeps bringing it up. Shut up already, you know I don’t want nobody but you.”
“Finally,” he mumbled.
She attempted to pull away from him but his grip tightened. They arrived at home in no time. Nyke got out and opened Ace’s door. He grabbed Baby Ace along with his bag. Charlotte was at the door waiting on them, making them laugh.
“Char, y’all got my baby so spoiled,” Ace fussed.
Charlotte took the baby. She walked off while Ace shook her head. Nyke walked up behind her, gripping the bottom of her dress. He lifted it around her waist, exposing her white thong. He smacked her ass cheeks.
“Stop before Charlotte catches us.” Ace moaned. She pulled her dress down. Nyke picked her up, putting her over his shoulder. He smacked her ass while he carried her upstairs to their bedroom. He locked the door behind them. He placed Ace on her feet. She kicked her shoes off.
Ace removed her dress. He pushed her on the bed.
She spread her legs in the air while he undressed.
The thin fabric covered her pussy. His dick stood at attention as he watched her.
He reached under her with both hands, forcefully pulling her to the edge of the bed where he stood.
He smacked her pussy and she bit down on her bottom lip.
He licked his fingers before smacking her wet pussy again.
“Mmmm.” She arched her back off the bed.
“You like that shit. Let another nigga touch you again.” He hit her lips harder.
His tongue swiped his bottom lip at the sight of her wet lips glistening through the white fabric.
He pulled her panties over, exposing her slick center.
He struck her lips repeatedly while she breathed hard.
It stung but in a painfully enjoyable way.
He spread her lips, licking up and down her center.
He latched onto her clit, prompting her body to glitch.
She trembled as a orgasm shook her core.
Nyke smiled wickedly as he stuck his dick deep inside of her, causing them to moan in unison.
They were past the one-night stand they had.
They were lovers that couldn’t get enough of each other.