Chapter 11
Eleven
Cali entered the establishment and was escorted to the highest floor. She smiled when she noticed Rule sitting in a circular booth with his inky arms stretched across the top. When his gaze landed on Cali, her body shuddered. His mocha eyes sparkled as she approached the table.
“Damn, girl.” He stood, towering over her five-foot-six frame. “You look sexy.”
Cali simpered, appreciating his compliment. Her outfit was a one piece that hugged every nook and cranny of her body. She felt her body jiggle with every step she took. It was daring and by the look in Rule’s eye, she knew he loved it.
“Thank you.”
He engulfed her with a hug, smearing the scent of his Tom Ford cologne on her. He pulled back, displaying lust in his orbs.
“Beautiful ass,” he teased. “Have a seat.”
Cali slid into the booth and Rule did the same. A waitress came to the table with appetizers and drinks. She was impressed that Rule had remembered what kind of drink she liked.
“Look at you, taking notes.” She winked.
“I got a good memory, especially when it involves a beauty like you.”
Cali loved the way his maroon cardigan hugged his body. The color paired well with his cedar skin.
“I ain't gon’ lie, I thought you was going to play me.”
She took a sip of her drink then asked, “Why is that?”
“Because you didn’t give me no pushback. You agreed too easily so I felt you were on bullshit. I’m glad to see that I was wrong.” He grinned at her.
“I’m learning to keep my word, Rule.”
His thick brows rose. “So, you haven’t always been a stand-up girl?”
Shaking her head, Cali confessed, “No, I used to tell people what they wanted to hear. Now, I don't do that. I choose to be honest.”
Rule leaned forward, arms folded on top of the table. “What you looking for, Cali?”
She licked her glossy lips, mulling over his question.
At this present time, she wanted to get back to the essence of who she was.
She wanted her happiness again and she didn’t want it tied to a man.
Those were her inner thoughts and she’d quickly decided not to share them with Rule.
He hadn’t earned the right to know her private reflections.
“I want to have fun.”
“Fun?” He simpered, staring at her lips. “What kind of fun?”
“Grown people fun. I don't want no strings attached either.” She made it clear. “Just good ol’ wholesome fun. No questions asked. You know what I mean?”
“Yeah, I can dig that.” He reclined, taking her in with his mocha eyes. “You sexy as hell, Cali. I smell trouble on yo’ lil’ ass.”
She tittered while reaching for an oyster. “I’m not trouble at all and if I happen to be… I’m good trouble.” She slurped the oyster in her mouth while looking at him.
Trance activated…
Cali was amused. Men were so easy to pull under a spell.
“Man,” he drawled, making her snicker. “You ‘bout to have a nigga out here bad, Cali. Stop doing that shit.”
“What shit?” she feigned innocence.
“That enticing shit. You think I don't see it?”
“I have no idea what you're talking about, Rule. I’m just being me.”
“Yeah, a’ight. Can I have you for more than just dinner?”
She angled her head, liking the possibility of spending more time with him.
“Maybe, let’s play it by ear.”
His head tipped back as he laughed. “Maybe? Listen, baby, don't nobody tell me maybe. It’s yes only.”
“Yeah, well you ain't never met a woman like me. This thing of ours don't happen until I give permission. Now, let’s toast to clean slates.”
“Clean slates, huh?”
At least for me it’s a clean slate.
“Yes.”
“A’ight.” He grabbed his drink and held it up.
“Oh, wait, I want to get a boomerang real quick.” She grabbed her phone.
Playfully, he kissed his teeth. “Here you go with that social media shit.”
She tittered, clinking her glass with his while snapping a photo. After toasting, the two continued to converse about life and their aspirations. Rule was a business owner who owned multiple businesses in Diamond Falls, including two lounges. He didn’t have any children and came from a big family.
Rule ordered so much food that Cali could barely finish her meal. There were steaks, shrimp cocktails, scallops, salmon, and caviar. On top of the big meal, he ordered an array of desserts.
“I don't know how you expected us to eat all of this.” Cali wiped her mouth with a napkin.
“I didn’t expect us to eat all this shit. I just wanted you to have a variety, baby.”
“I appreciate that.” She sucked her teeth. “What’s next?”
Rule leaned forward only a couple inches away from her face. “I want you to come with me.”
Feeling a tingle in between her legs, she replied, “Okay.”
Rule grabbed her hand and helped her out of the booth. The two boarded the elevator and rode down to the parking structure.
“I want you to ride with me. I’ll bring you back to your whip.”
Cali simpered. “Cool.”
Rio bobbed his head to the music while surveying his surroundings.
The girl in front of him shook her ass while showing everything she had to offer.
Being that it was Cee’s birthday, they were at the strip club enjoying bottles while strippers entertained them with their assets.
Rio enjoyed himself but he was ready to go.
There was only so much fun he could have at the strip club before it got boring.
“Aye, I’m ‘bout to take her ass to the private room,” Slime slurred, pointing at a dark-skinned beauty with long extensions.
Rio smirked. “Don't scare her off, weird-ass nigga.”
“Man, I got this,” he quipped, grabbing her by the waist and walking toward the hall.
Rio lifted the bottle in his hand and gulped it down. He then looked at his phone and noticed a text.
Rozalin: Things got weird the other night. I think we should talk when we’re not so emotional. Let’s meet up this week.
The last thing Rio wanted to do was engage in another argument with Rozalin but he agreed with an OK.
“Hey, handsome. Why you over here by yourself?”
Rio glanced up, noticing the short stripper with the double D breasts and small waist.
“You trying to keep me company?”
“I would love to.”
Rio tipped his head and took a seat on the couch.
The dancer began swaying her body to the rhythm of the music.
Rio threw some ones at her then looked at his phone.
These days, Instagram had become his most-used app.
Keeping up with Cali and her new endeavors was his favorite hobby.
Noticing she posted a new story, he clicked on it.
“What the fuck?” he griped.
The picture of her toasting with a man provoked his jaw to clench.
He didn’t see who it was but the Cartier watch on his wrist showcased that this wasn’t a regular man.
This was a guy with some money. Rio had been quiet in his watching of Cali.
Whenever he had the urge to reach out or even like a picture, he logged out.
This time, he couldn’t just let it go. He had to alert her that he was on to her bullshit. Rio tapped on the message box.
That lil’ pussy stay hot for a nigga, don't it?
Rio couldn’t identify the source for his rage.
He didn’t understand why seeing Cali in the company of another man triggered his temper.
She wasn’t his anymore but she would always belong to him.
Yes, he hated her for cheating but he loved her because she was the only woman to capture his heart.
Cali had him so locked in that she was the only one with the key to his vault.
Seeing a notification, he tapped on it and saw she had responded.
Don't forget wet. It stays wet, BITCH!
His blood boiled as he abruptly stood, pushing the stripper out of his path.
“Damn, what’s wrong?” she fussed.
Rio didn’t bother giving her an explanation for his suddenly rude manners. Traveling outside, he walked to his Genesis coupe and got inside.
Don't make me fly there and slap the fuck outta you. Who you calling a bitch?
Rio waited impatiently for a response. He gazed out the window while mentally trying to calm himself down. Peering at the phone, he saw Cali had responded.
You're a bitch. Only bitches go out their way to hurt someone.
Rio snorted, finding her audacity to be disgusting.
No, the only bitch is you. You got some fucking nerve when you the one who can’t keep your legs closed. Friendly pussy ass!
Rio was so angry that he had to retype his response three times because it was riddled with errors. He hadn’t been this upset in a while. Not even his argument with Rozalin had brought him to peaks like this.
Yep, my pussy is so friendly that I’m about to give it away now. Toodles, Rio. Oh, and you're definitely blocked now.
When Rio went to respond, he couldn’t because Cali had indeed blocked him.
“Fuck,” he mumbled, hating how he wasn’t able to get the last word.
Cali’s words haunted him, making Rio feel queasy.
He thought about her fucking the man in the photo, giving him her pussy on a platter.
It angered him the more he thought of it.
What left him enraged was that he couldn’t contact her.
He hadn’t had her phone number since he put that bounty on her head.
The only access he had to Cali was her Instagram.
Now that he was blocked, Rio didn’t know how he would keep up with her.
He thought for a moment until he scrolled through his contacts.
Dialing the number, he prayed this would be his gateway to get to Cali.
“Damn, I ain't seen this number on my phone in a minute. What the fuck do I owe the pleasure?”
Rio chuckled at Kip. “You jumped ship, remember? Niggas swear they ain't TLM no more.”
Kip had been a lieutenant in The Legacy Mafia until Tuck went to jail. He then joined The Noir Mob and had been down with them ever since.
“You know it ain't like that. Shit, we still family. Well, I guess not since you divorced Cali.”
“Say, bruh, I’m glad you brought her up ‘cause I need her number.”
“Word?” Kip drawled. “You trying to get that ol’ thing back?”