Chapter 15
“The fuck you smiling about?” Maceo asked, looking over my shoulder.
I shoved him away and slipped my phone in my pocket.
“Nigga, you nosy as fuck.”
He’d been back from his extended honeymoon for three days now, and this was the first time we linked up. Tonight, we were out having drinks at a new club. Usually, if we went out, it was at one of Deuce’s spots, but I had business here tonight.
“Nah, I’ve never seen you smile like that. Matter of fact, the last time I saw you smile like that was at my wedding?—”
“Which wedding? Y’all had like three.”
He punched me in the arm. “Fuck you. And we had two and a half.”
“That ain’t no better!” We shared a laugh. “Did y’all enjoy the honeymoon?”
“Yeah, man. My wife had the time of her life. If she wasn’t already pregnant, she would be pregnant. Hell, if she could get pregnant while being pregnant, she’d be double pregnant.”
I shook my head. “You so fucking ignorant.”
“What’s up with you, for real though? You looking all happy and shit.”
I thought I’d been keeping shit under wraps, but I guess not. All week long, I’d been hanging with Romi. I’d picked her up for lunch or took food to her. I waited for her to get off to make sure that nigga wasn’t anywhere around. When she left from spending time with her baby, I met her at home to check the house. Every night this week, one of my trusted street niggas was sitting on her house, ready to fire off if he showed up.
After Jaeda was able to pull the camera footage and I saw him grab her the way he did, I wanted his head. It wasn’t even the fact that I was feeling her. She was a woman, carrying his child, and he was too fucking comfortable putting his hands on her. That shit would never sit right with me. She fucked up by telling me she didn’t care if he disappeared. That was all I needed to hear. To keep him from getting suspicious, I told her to act normal, and if the police came snooping to call me, and I would take care of it.
“I’m cooling, man.”
“Mama told me you’re feeling a pregnant woman.”
“What the fuck!”
He laughed. “Shorty from the reception? She was bad, I’ll give her that. But you and a pregnant chick? That’s throwing me for a loop.”
“Yo’ mama is gonna get enough of telling you my business. Damn. I bet she already told Mama Steph and Mama T.”
“So she ain’t exaggerating?”
I sighed. “Nah. I’m feeling her. She… she’s soft, Maceo. You know I’m used to aggressive ass women. Romi ain’t like that. She’s all soft and gentle and shit. She’s a good girl.”
“Them good girls will make your ass fall in love. Look at your brother. He got ahold of Salima, now he’s a fucking simp.”
“I know you ain’t talking about nobody being a simp,” Deuce said, walking into the section with Steel behind him.
We stood and dapped him before reclaiming our seats.
“Smoke, why the fuck you got us in this ghetto ass place?” Deuce asked, looking around.
I chuckled. “So anything that’s not yours is ghetto?”
“Hell yeah. Security tried to stop us at the door, and I almost had to put a bullet in his ass.” He frowned as he poured himself a glass of liquor from one of the bottles we’d already ordered. “What do you have going on?”
“Listen to this shit—” Maceo started, but I cut him off.
“I’m looking for a nigga for my client,” I answered.
“What does that have to do with you?”
“I made it my business,” I said, lighting my blunt.
“He must be fucking,” Steel said, slapping Deuce’s arm.
“I’m not.”
The two of them looked at me in disbelief. It was no secret among us that I had a little habit of playing where I worked from time to time. There wasn’t any drama behind it because the women understood what it was.
Deuce took a sip of his drink. “So you made it your business to look into a nigga for a client you ain’t fucking?”
“Sounds about right.”
“What are you getting out of it? You don’t do shit for the free.”
“Satisfaction. I’ll explain it all in a minute. We’re waiting on one more person.”
As though I spoke her up, Roux came strutting into view. When my brothers saw her, they all groaned. Roux gave my brothers hell when we were a thing. She was the only girl they would square up with to practice our hand-to-hand combat, and she would always kick ass because she didn’t fight fair.
“Not you,” Deuce said, downing his drink.
Roux smirked. “Hello, Stanley. Maceo. Kerrion.” She strolled over and made herself comfortable on my lap. Hey, handsome.”
I shook my head as I slid her onto the couch. “Hey, Roux.”
“The fuck is this menace doing here?” Maceo asked.
“Be careful,” she warned, pointing at him. “I haven’t cut me a nigga in a minute. I would hate to have to send you home bloody to your wife. Speaking of which, why didn’t you invite me to the wedding?”
“’Cause you don’t know how to act.”
“Oh, and you do? I heard about the first wedding and all the shit you had going on. A damn shame.”
Maceo kissed his teeth as he moved further away from her.
“So you don’t have shit to say now?” Roux taunted. “That’s what I like. A man that knows when to shut the fuck up.”
“Come on, now, Roux,” I begged. “Chill out.”
“I’m chill. Besides, you know I love fucking with your brothers. They never got over those ass whuppings I used to give out, so of course they would be salty. Anyway…” She fingered my chin. “Ya boy should be here. One of my lieutenants is gonna run point for us tonight. He’s right over there.”
She pointed across the way to a group of men. One of them threw us a head nod.
“Smoke, I know you better tell us what we’re doing here,” Steel said.
I sighed and pulled the blunt from my pocket. Lighting it, I took a long pull before finally running the whole story down to the group. Maceo took the opportunity to key my brothers in on my attraction to Romi with his gossiping ass. That forced me to tell them about her because they couldn’t see me being serious about a woman.
“Not you ready to play pappy,” Deuce said, slapping my shoulder. “And twice at that.”
“Nobody said anything about playing daddy,” I reminded them.
Roux snorted. “I mean, one baby daddy is dead, and you wanna get rid of the other and leave her a single mother so… you must wanna step up. I can see your big ass carrying that tiny little baby around.”
“The poor kid will be trying to suckle from his titty,” Steel said, laughing as he pinched my nipple.
I slapped his hand away. “Fuck you. Y’all are reading too much into this shit. Yeah, I like her, okay? This shit is new to me. Just let me have it.”
Maceo slapped my shoulder. “It’s all good. As a married man, I get it. Sometimes you meet somebody that changes your perspective on shit. I mean, look at me and Deuce.”
“Don’t bring me into shit,” Deuce said, snatching the blunt from me. “I had to fight every day for my love.”
Roux rolled her eyes. “Please shut up. Look, Smoke. If you’re feeling this woman, that’s perfectly okay. Who’s gon’ check you about it? Not a damn soul. Just don’t be out here playing with a bitch’s heart. If you can’t handle the kids, don’t go sticking your dick in their mama.”
Who would have thought I’d see the day Roux Nelson offered me dating advice? I heard what they were saying. Romi and I had great chemistry. I wasn’t too bothered by the fact that she had a kid and was pregnant anymore. I just didn’t want her getting the backlash.
“Table this conversation,” Roux said, giving a head nod. “There he is.”
I looked across the crowded section at the man known as Patrick LaStrange. He was about my height but in a lower weight class. He didn’t look like the typical dope boy around here. His pants fit. He was clean shaven and put together.
Roux spoke up. “So according to my sources, Patrick is running drugs out of here and a few other clubs. He’s been skimping on paying what he owes for setting up shop, so one by one, they’ve been cutting ties with him. That’s why he’s trying to run down on your girl. He doesn’t just want to stash his shit. He wants to set up shop. My guess is, he’s gonna run that girl right up outta there and use her place as a cover.”
My blood began to boil as I watched him talking to one of Roux’s boys. If there was one thing I couldn’t stand, it was a muthafucka who couldn’t come up on their own. Sure, I worked for my father, but that wasn’t my only source of income. I had legit shit. Stocks. Bonds. Investments. Real fucking money that I earned on my own. I never had to take shit from another person to elevate myself.
Patrick LaStrange had just made an enemy, and he didn’t even know it.
We ended up watching that fuck nigga for a little while longer before leaving the club. Romi was heavy on my mind, so I decided to swing through her neighborhood to make sure she was good. It wasn’t my plan to go inside, just a little ride through. As I pulled up to the curb, my guy popped his head out the window. Once he saw it was me, he gave me a head nod and returned to his patrol.
The light in Romi’s bedroom was dimly lit, and I wondered if she was up. It was about eleven, and being that she was pregnant, she could very well be asleep. Pulling out my phone, I shot her a text.
Me: You up?
Ro Baby: Not you texting me at booty call hours with that line.
I chuckled. This woman was funny.
Me: It’s only booty call hours if you’re trying to give me some ass.
Ro Baby: That’s a negative, ghost rider. Yes, I’m up. Me and Juri wanted an ice cream sundae so I’m making us a snack.
Me: Don’t put your big back behavior on that baby.
Ro Baby: This baby is the reason my back is getting bigger. I was slim before I got pregnant again. I’m scared I won’t bounce back like I did with Korri.
Me: So what if you don’t? If I popped two kids outta my coochie, I wouldn’t look the same either. Full transparency, most men like women with meat on their bones. Them stretch marks will still get you ate the fuck up, baby. Fuck around and become a Twinkie or some shit.
Ro Baby: Lol. Why are you like this?
Me: I told you all I know how to be is me.
Ro Baby: Where are you, Mr. Dillinger?
Me: Sitting outside your house, Ms. Mitchell.
Three little dots appeared then disappeared. I looked toward the house to see Romi peeking out the window. The next thing I knew, she opened the door and waved for me to come in. Shutting off the car, I climbed out and headed up the driveway. The door opened wider, and there stood Romi, wearing a crop top, pajama shorts, and fuzzy socks.
Her locs were pulled into a messy bun, showing off her fresh face, and her belly was round and on display. She looked so fucking beautiful.
“What are you doing here?” she asked as I stepped inside.
“I just wanted to make sure you were straight.”
“Well, I’m good. I’m sure the itis will kick in after this sundae, and we will be ready to lay it down.”
“I’m not gonna hold you, then.”
“Wait… do you wanna stay until I’m finished eating? I mean, you came all this way. I can at least keep you company for a little bit. I’ll even share my sundae with you.”
“I’m not big on sweets, love.”
“You haven’t had my sweets.”
She walked away, and I was glad because she didn’t need to see me adjusting my dick at the sound of her saying that. Of course, she was talking about the ice cream sundae. She probably didn’t even realize the sexual undertone of what she just said. She for damn sure had no idea the way I would devour that pussy if she gave me the okay.
I followed her into the kitchen where I found her perched on the countertop with the bowl sitting on her stomach. If that wasn’t the most pregnant shit I’d ever seen. She waved a spoon in my direction and beckoned me over. I chuckled to myself as I made my way to her and stood between her legs.
“You’ve gotta try a little bit of everything,” she said, gathering the sundae on the spoon.
The concoction didn’t look the least bit appetizing to me, but for her, I would try it.
“Open up,” she said, holding the spoon to my lips.
I’d never done no cutesy shit like have a woman feed me if it wasn’t her feeding me some pussy. Yet, here I was, opening my damn mouth for this ice cream. The shit was sweet as hell, and she had way too many toppings for my liking.
“What do you think?” she asked.
“That’s diabetes in a bowl. I’ma let you and Juri have that.”
She rolled her eyes. “More for us, right, Juri?” She rubbed her stomach, then jerked immediately after. “Oh!”
“You okay?”
“Yeah. She’s just a little active.”
She grabbed my hand and placed it on her stomach. Sure enough, I could feel the baby moving around.
“She’s getting to it in there,” I said. “That ice cream must be good to you, lil mama.”
She started moving like crazy beneath my hand.
“I think she likes you,” Romi said, peering up at me.
“I mean, I’m a likeable nigga.”
She giggled. “You are.”
“You like me, Ms. Romi?” I asked, pulling the bowl from her hands and placing it on the counter.
“I… um…” she stammered.
I planted myself between her legs and rested my hands on either side of her. Leaning in, I placed soft kisses to her neck and along her collarbone.
“Answer me, baby,” I commanded between kisses.
She whimpered. “Yes… but?—”
“But what?”
“I’m pregnant, Devin.”
I pulled back and looked at her. “I’m aware. You think I don’t feel this belly against me?”
“Devin, I’m serious.” She looked at me with hesitancy in her eyes. “I have baggage. This shit with Patrick… my kids.”
“Patrick will be handled, and I don’t wanna hear shit about him being a factor again,” I said, cupping her chin. “As far as your children… I fuck with you, Romi. And if I fuck with you, I gotta fuck with your kids too. I understand I’m getting a three-for-one combo.”
She playfully slapped my chest. “We are not a meal deal, sir.”
“Maybe not, but you heard what the fuck I said. I want to know you, Romi.”
I kissed her forehead.
“All of you.”
I kissed her nose.
“And all that comes with you.”
I captured her lips, and she didn’t hesitate to return the kiss. Her lips parted, and her tongue slipped into my mouth. She reached up and wrapped her arms around my neck as we kissed deeply. My hands sought the curves of her body, exploring every space I could reach. They traveled up her back and around to her firm, full breasts.
Her moans grew loader. “Devin…” she whispered as my thumb grazed her nipple.
It was rock hard and deserved some special attention. Lifting her crop top, I exposed the sensitive bundle of nerves. It was such a pretty chocolate brown, a contrast from her complexion. Leaning in, I licked the nipple, causing her to squirm. When I sucked it between my lips, she gasped.
“Oh, God!” came out in a breathy whisper as she tossed her head back.
“How long has it been, baby?” I asked, between sucks.
“Too-too long. Oooh!”
My hands caressed those thick thighs of hers. I could almost imagine them wrapped around my face.
“You haven’t touched yourself?”
Again, she whimpered. “No.”
I chuckled. “I know what you need. Can I give it to you, mamas?”
She nodded.
“Lay back for me.”
“Right here?”
“The best meals are eaten in the kitchen. Lay. Back.”
She slowly reclined until her back was against the counter. Gripping the band of her pajama shorts, I eased them down over her hips and took them off to find she wasn’t wearing any panties. Her sweet scent filled my nostrils, making me close my eyes to savor it.
“Your pussy is so pretty, Ms. Mitchell,” I said, taking a seat in front of her. “So wet for me already. Look at you.”
I ran my finger between her lower lips, and she shuddered.
“Devin… please.”
“You don’t have to beg me, baby. I’ma give it to you. Just let me admire this pretty muthafucka for a second.”
I sucked her essence from my finger, and it was at that moment I knew what they said about pregnant pussy was true. Draping her legs over my shoulder, I pulled her to the edge of the counter. Lowering my head, I placed feathery kisses to the insides of her thighs. The closer I got to her treasure, the more she squirmed and gasped.
The first swipe of my tongue through her slick folds produced a whimper. I smiled. Yeah, she was mine now. I dove face first between her legs, latching onto her clit. Slowly, I licked and sucked the muthafucka until it doubled in size.
“Oh my God,” Romi declared. “Oh my…. oh my God!”
She began rotating her hips against my mouth. I sucked her swollen clit between my lips and released it with an audible plop.
“You taste so fucking good, Ms. Romi,” I said, strumming her clit with my thumb. “Tell me you deserve this nut, baby.”
“I… I… shit!”
I eased two fingers into her wetness. “Say it.”
“Oooh! I deserve… this nut.”
She gasped as I eased my fingers in and out of her.
“You want me to make you cum, don’t you?”
“Yes!”
I latched back onto her clit, sucking and stroking with a methodical rhythm. She rode my fingers and mouth like she was chasing the nut I’d promised her. Her bated breaths turned into a mixture of her panting, gasping, and muttering curses.
“Oooo shit! Oooo fuck! Devin, please…. oh God, Devin, please!”
“Give it to me, baby. I feel you right there. Let me have it.”
“I’m gonna cum… shit! I’m gonna cum!”
Her body convulsed with pleasure as she came, squirting a fucking waterfall. Baby could drown me, and I would die a happy man. She was certainly gonna have to sanitize this counter, though.
I stood to my full height, pussy juice dripping from my beard and lips. Pulling her upright, I crashed those same lips into hers, allowing her to savor the essence of her on my tongue. My dick was straining against my pants, but I couldn’t give her that shit yet. Not tonight.
She’d gotten what she needed and deserved, so that was good enough for me.
“You good?” I asked when our lips parted.
She gave a lazy nod. “Yes.”
“You tired?”
She giggled. “Yes. That took a lot out of me.”
“I know. It’s all over me. You need help cleaning yourself up?”
“I got it.”
I helped her down from the countertop. “Go ahead. I’ll clean this up.”
She nodded as she grabbed her shorts and started to walk away. I rounded the counter to the sink where I found cleaning supplies.
“Devin?”
“What’s up?”
“Can… can you stay? I mean if you don’t have anywhere to be.”
“I can do that. Just let me clean this up, then I’ll lock the house down and meet you in the bedroom.”
“Okay.”
She hurried from the kitchen as I got to work cleaning and sanitizing the counter surface. I placed her sundae in the freezer because I was sure her cravings would hit again. When I was done, I headed outside to grab the duffel bag I kept in the car with extra clothes and toiletries and my gun.
Tapping on my boy’s window, I waited for him to roll it down.
“’Sup, boss?”
“You can head out. I got it tonight.”
He grinned at me. “Don’t make that lady go into labor early.”
“Bye, man.”
I tapped the hood and went back into the house. After locking up, I headed to Romi’s room. She was already in bed, snoring softly. I chuckled as I put my things down. Opening my bag, I grabbed my bodywash, toothbrush, and toothpaste before heading into the en suite bathroom to wash my face and brush my teeth.
When I was done, I went back into the bedroom and stripped down to my boxers. Grabbing my pistol, I walked over to the bedroom and placed it on the dresser. Tossing back the covers, I slid into bed behind Romi. For a moment, I lay there, staring at the back of her head as she slept. There was too much space between us.
That was a crazy ass thought to me. I didn’t cuddle. I didn’t show affection after fucking, and I damn sure didn’t spend the night. But her? I didn’t mind being close to her. I needed her closer.
I slid one arm beneath her and the other between her legs and pulled her into me. She fit perfectly, her back nestled into my front. With my arm draped around her, I gently caressed her belly and closed my eyes.
“Good night, Devin.”
“Good night, love.”