Chapter 14 #2
“But we’re about to bring your birthday in with style and fun. Are you ready to turn thirty-three with your young ass?”
Irish playfully rolled her eyes. “You swear you got a lot of years over me.”
“I’m still older,” Cali teased.
Irish stared at her for a moment. “You think you're slick trying to distract me with all these lavish activities.”
“Huh?”
“Huh?” she mocked her. “What happened with you and Rio? I know you said y’all talked but I need details.”
Cali sighed while approaching a stoplight. “We talked about everything. He apologized to me for not being a good husband and admitted that he fucked Rozalin to get back at me.”
“I mean we knew that already, though.”
“Right,” she agreed. “But it was a productive talk. No one got mad or called each other out of their name. It was the first civil conversation we’d had since our divorce.”
“So all is forgiven?”
Cali flashed a knowing look before driving off. “I wouldn’t go that far. I mean, Rio did get into an accident because Braye’s bitch-ass cut his brake line. I think there’s a part of him that will always hate me for that. I get it…” She shrugged.
“Speaking of that lunatic, what happened to him?”
“I don't know. Last I checked, he was on the run.”
“I hope the police catch his pathetic ass.”
“No.” Cali shook her head. “I hope he dies. I know that’s mean to say but he tried to ruin me so fuck him.”
“Yeah, I feel you.” Irish smirked. “So after the talk, what happened with you and Rio?”
Cali glanced at her and started laughing.
“What’s so damn funny?”
“Okay, so he walked me back to the house and I bid him a goodnight. Before he left, he asked to use the bathroom.”
“Oh, my God.” Irish laughed. “Did you really fall for that?”
“I knew it was bullshit but I didn’t argue. He came in and I told him to let himself out. Then, I went upstairs to change… Minutes pass by and he’s in my room.”
“And in that coochie,” Irish finished for her.
Cali broke out into a fit of laughter. “I tried to fight him off but he kissed the back of my neck and he knows I’m weak when that happens.”
“I can’t believe y’all fucked after hating each other.”
“I don't hate Rio.” Her voice softened. “I still love him but I know we would never get back together.”
“It’s possible, though, Cali. If he traveled all the way here for your birthday, that should say something.”
She shook her head. “I think moving on is best for us. Rio will never forgive me for what I did and I’m okay with that. I once wanted us to get back together but I’m good now. I've made peace with our ending.”
“Yeah, I know you did once you got that farewell dick.”
Cali chortled. “Girl and it was so damn good. When I tell you that man put me to sleep… I didn’t even see him out. I woke up naked the next morning with music still playing.”
“Damn.” Irish hugged herself. “I miss those nights when Noble would put me to sleep. Ugh, I miss him so much. I’ve been dying inside without him.”
“Girl, call him.”
“No, I just wanna enjoy my birthday without dealing with the drama in my life. I’ll figure out what to do once I get back to Florida.”
“What if that’s not an option? What if you're forced to deal with your relationship?”
Irish shook her head. “Nope, I’m good.”
“Whatever.”
The two continued to talk until they arrived back at Cali’s place.
Irish went into the bedroom and stripped out of her clothes.
She sat her phone on the vanity and played Ari Lennox’s Pretzel.
While humming to the music, she showered and thought of Noble.
Every crevice of her body missed him. She wished she’d bottled him up before leaving St. Parklynn.
That way she could have sipped on him whenever she was in need.
Her hands roamed down her small bump and landed on her clit. Closing her eyes, she rubbed it as thoughts of Noble kissing on her neck emerged inside her mind. It took no time for Irish’s orgasm to arrive. This was pathetic but she needed a release and only images of her man could get her off.
“Oooh,” she whispered, pressing her hand against the wall to keep herself from falling.
Panting, she released a sigh. After washing up, Irish got out the shower and washed her face.
She then wrapped a towel around her body and entered the room.
Checking her phone, she wished she saw a notification from Noble.
Her birthday was tomorrow and the only present she wished to have was him.
Let it go for the night…
Taking the towel off, she moisturized her body then wrapped it in a silk robe. Grabbing her makeup bag, she heard a knock at the door.
“Come in.”
Knock, knock
“Come in, girl.” She chuckled.
Knock, knock
“Oh, my goodness,” she groaned, shuffling toward the door. “Girl, you're doing the—” Irish’s words came to a sudden halt when she realized who was on the other side of the door.
Noble peered at her, wearing a smirk that sent chills up her spine. He smelled divine, dressed down in a Moncler jogging suit. His haircut was fresh with a sharp lining. His facial hair was lined flawlessly as a simple diamond necklace danced around his neck.
Irish inhaled, feeling faint just from his presence alone. Weeks of not being with him had taken a toll on Irish. Now as he stood in front of her, gazing down with those deep pools of chocolate, she didn’t know how to convey how much she’d missed him.
“What are you doing here?” she uttered.
“I’ll tell you if you let me in.”
Stepping to the side, she allowed him access inside the room. Irish closed the door and turned to him.
“I missed you,” he confessed.
“You dumped me, remember?”
Noble simpered, putting his head down before lifting it up.
“I did but I didn’t mean it. I’m sorry for everything.
I should've never went to Danira’s house that night.
We developed a friendship years after our relationship ended, so it wasn’t out of the norm to go to her crib.
” He stepped into Irish’s personal space.
“I never cheated on you. I actually don't desire no other female ‘cause you the only woman I want, Pumpkin.”
Her eyes closed at the nickname he’d given her. She’d missed hearing it so much.
“I was wrong but I just wanted to help you out. I hate seeing you down and I foolishly thought I could make you feel better.”
Her brows lowered. “Why did you say foolishly?”
“Because grief last for a long ass time. I guess because I was able to push my pops’ death out of my mind that I assumed everyone grieves like me. I understand you need time to accept Jovanis’ death. I’m not rushing you. I just wanna help you get through it.”
Irish nodded, tucking her lips between her teeth. It felt good to hear that from Noble. He’d been her rock and the thought of him not being in her life caused her chest to ache.
“…I’m sorry, too.” She looked him in the eyes. “I shouldn’t have told you what Jovanis said to me. I used it as a weapon because you hurt me. When he said it to me, I was offended and denied it right away. I don't know why I threw it back in your face.” She shook her head.
Noble softly grabbed her chin. “Do you believe what he told you?”
“No, I don't.”
“Then that’s all that matters.” He kissed her lips, causing a subtle moan to resound from her throat.
“You should know me better than anybody and shouldn’t nobody be able to tell you shit about me.
I know nobody can say nothing about you, baby.
Can you promise not to let nobody else’s words come between us? ”
Irish bobbed her head, feeling as if she was caught up in a trance.
Noble’s presence was so inebriating. How could one man have such a mesmeric effect on her like this?
Noble had come like a tropical storm, wrecking everything in his path and capturing her heart.
Irish felt weak for him and while it terrified her, she knew she was in the safest arms in the world.
He palmed her bump. “You been taking your vitamins?”
Jokingly, she rolled her eyes. “Of course. I don't know why you think I haven’t.”
“I gotta make sure my baby don't come out with three toes.”
She snickered, slapping his arm. “Don't speak that. We’re going to have a healthy baby.”
“I know.” He kissed her again. “Come out here real quick.”
With her hand inside his, Noble led them out the bedroom. When they rounded the corner, Irish’s mouth gaped.
“Oh, my! Kenji and Amare!” she gushed.
The two boys ran over and hugged her legs.
“Irish, we came to get you for your birthday,” Kenji announced.
“Yeah, Uncle Noble said we had to get on a plane to get you,” Amare informed her.
She laughed at how animated they were. “Is that right? So you're going to spend some time with me for my birthday?”
“Yep.” Kenji bobbed his head.
Cali came down the stairs holding a suitcase. “After all this time of knowing Noble, I have never seen his son. I can’t get over how much he looks like you.”
“I know right,” Irish agreed. “His genetics strong as hell.”
Noble chuckled, taking a seat on the couch. “Go pack up, Pumpkin. We got somewhere to be.”
She peered at him skeptically. “Where we going?”
“Don't worry about it. Just get your things together.”
Irish turned to Cali. “You knew about this?”
“Of course. Who do you think he got my address from?”
She returned her gaze on Noble, who was fake boxing with the boys. “Honey, where we going?” she asked again.
He stopped and stared at her. “What I just say? Go pack.”
“I know that’s right,” Cali instigated. “You heard what that man said.”
Irish chuckled, cutting her eyes at Cali. “Wait, I just noticed, you brought your suitcase down. Are you going, too?”
“Uh, yeah, I’m not missing your birthday. I’m just gonna leave early so I can get back to work.”
Excitement flashed through Irish’s body. She had been satisfied with the birthday plans that Cali had gathered. Knowing her man had come to pick her up to fly her somewhere unknown left her in great anticipation.
“Okay, let me get dressed.”