Prologue #2
“Hell no! Listen… I’m at a bar not too far from you.
The one on Melrose. I was on a date, but this nigga lame as fuck.
I’m about to kick him to the curb. Get your ass up.
Dry them tears. Get dressed in something sexy and meet me here.
I’m not taking no for an answer. I’m sending you the address.
Get here, Nova. If not, I’m going to come and drag your ass out of that house.
” She didn’t give me a choice to protest before hanging up on me.
Tears welled up in my eyes, but I blinked them away.
I needed to be strong and to figure out what to do next.
I couldn't let this betrayal define me, but the path forward seemed so unclear.
I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself, knowing that this was just the beginning of a long journey.
But for tonight, I was going to drown myself in a few shots and forget about Jerome's cheating ass.
As much as I didn’t want to, I ended up at the bar. I knew if I didn’t, Nyala would surely make good on her threat.
“Nova, I am so sorry this happened to you. I swear, it’s on site when I see Jerome’s ass.”
We were sitting at the bar, and I was on my third or fourth shot of Don Julio. I couldn’t remember.
“Ny, the baby looked to be around three years old,” I said, my voice trembling with raw emotion. “This man has been cheating on me for God knows how long. I’m so hurt, friend. Why me? Wasn’t I good enough?”
I felt pain in my chest. I was unraveling right in front of my friend. I didn’t know how to fix it. How do you fix something that has been broken by the person you loved and trusted the most?
“You are good enough, Nova. The problem isn’t you, it’s Jerome’s loose dick ass. Don’t ever feel that way, boo.”
I sniffled as she wiped my face with the back of her hand.
“How could I have been so blind, Ny?” I whispered, staring down at my drink. “I gave him everything. I was there for him, every single damn time. And now this… this baby, this secret life he’s been living behind my back… I don’t know how to feel anymore. I don’t even know who I am in all of this.”
“Nova, you’re not the one who made this mess. You’re not the one who cheated. This isn’t your fault. You were doing everything right. It was him who fumbled you.”
“But I should’ve known, Ny. I should’ve kicked his ass to the curb the first time he stepped out on me. How could I be so stupid?” My voice broke on the last word.
“It’s not your fault. You love him. He’s your husband.
And that’s not something to apologize for.
Don’t let him make you feel like you’re less than because you aren’t.
This isn’t about you not being enough. It’s about him being too small to see the amazing woman standing in front of him.
You’ll get through this. It’s going to hurt, and it will take some time, but you are going to get through this. ”
“Fuck Jerome! I should find some dick and cheat too,” I said before chugging back another shot.
“Bitch, as much as I wish you would, you won’t. That’s the alcohol talking!” Nyala laughed at my outburst.
“I bet you I would. What do you want to bet?” My words came out as a slur. “If Jerome can do it, I can too,” I spoke with confidence.
“Nova, you are not the type to have a one-night stand. Let’s stop the bullshit. Let me go let my date know that he can leave. Then I’m going to release some of this alcohol. I’ll be back. Hold my seat.” She stood from the barstool and headed toward the back of the bar.
I sank into the barstool, the familiar warmth of the place doing little to ease the knot in my throat.
I took another shot, letting the burn of the tequila crawl down my throat.
My fourth one. Fifth maybe. I’ve lost count.
I slammed my glass down. It hits the bar top with a dud.
I don’t bother to look up as the bartender slides a fresh one my way.
I press the rim of the glass to my lips, about to take another drink, when I glance to my right, just enough to see a tall figure slide into the empty seat next to me. Nyala seat.
I don’t know why, but my heart skipped a beat.
And it’s not because this man has that “I own this room” swagger, but he’s the most gorgeous man I’ve ever seen in my life.
His chocolate skin glowed under the dim bar lights, a deep, rich brown that reminded me of the smoothest espresso, the kind you want to savor by sipping slowly and letting it linger on your taste buds.
His hair was cut low with waves, and his beard was sharp, as if someone had sculpted it just for him.
He had this buoyancy about him, the kind that doesn’t need to announce itself; it just is.
I can feel the weight of his presence even without him saying a word, and for a split second, I wondered if he knew what kind of effect he’s having on me.
It had to be the alcohol playing with my mind because this man had me intrigued.
I caught myself staring, and I quickly looked away, but there’s no escaping it. His scent hit me with warm notes of cedar and something richer—something spicy and comforting that makes my senses overload. I swear I can taste it in the air.
My mouth went dry. He looked so damn intoxicating, I almost forgot to breathe.
“Sorry to bother you, gorgeous. But I couldn’t help but notice you from across the room. If a man has you crying that much, he ain’t even worth it, beloved.”
His voice was deep, smooth, and alluring. He ran his tongue across his bottom lip, and I swear, I wanted to lick it too.
“Are you some kind of creep? Why are you watching me? And who says it’s a man?” I rolled my eyes, picking up the napkin to wipe my face.
I was a bit embarrassed, sitting here like a sad puppy, crying. At a crowded bar, no less. I must have looked like a fool.
“My fault, love. I just assumed. If so, you are way too sexy to be shedding tears over a man who didn’t value you.” He shrugged his broad shoulders.
I watched as he flicked his wrist, waving over the bartender.
As he ordered his drink, my eyes traveled from the tips of his perfectly tailored suit, all the way up to his dark eyes that seemed to pierce straight through me as if he could read my thoughts in a glance.
His gaze was intense, magnetic, and damn if it didn’t make me feel like the only woman in the room.
“Who said it was him who hurt me? It could be the other way around.”
“Nah… That’s not it. I can tell a good woman when I see one.” He licked both lips this time before staring down at my hand, where my ring once was. I tossed it across my room before leaving my house. But the mark it left behind wasn’t hard to miss. “I’m guessing that nigga fucked up.”
“That’s none of your business. The sign on the door says, ‘Drink in peace.’ Can I do that?” I rolled my eyes again, annoyed, but not from his words. It was the strong attraction that I felt to this handsome stranger.
“You can… I just saw a beautiful woman who looked like she could use a friend, is all. You know what they say…”
“And what’s that?” I looked over at him with raised brows. At least I think I raised my eyebrows. The alcohol had started to take effect, and my words were slurred as my face no longer had feeling.
“Strangers make better listeners.” He smiled, and those dark eyes looked mysterious, almost scary even.
I scuffed and clicked my teeth. “You think because you're fine, I’m going to just pour my heart out to you? I think not.”
“Well, we already established that you think a nigga fine. I’m just trying to lend a listening ear.” He smirked, and my pussy thumped when I noticed he had dimples.
“Cocky is your best trope, I see.”
“Boys are cocky, love. I’m a real man. Can we start over? I'm Sire. And you are?” Mr. Sexy held his hand out to me, and I noticed the beautiful artwork covering his hand and up his wrist.
“Kim.” I lied with the quickness, but I didn’t shake his hand. I was afraid he might feel how nervous I was.
I called the bartender over and ordered another shot. I knew I was over my limit, but so what! I just want to drown my sorrows and forget about today.
“Mm… Sire and Kim. Got a nice ring to it. I know that’s not your name, though, but it’s cool, shorty.” He chuckled.
“Look. What do you want? Some ass? If so, we can help each other out being that I want some dick. Even exchange.” I was blunt. “Can you help me with that? If not, move around.” I waved him off, dropping my eyes to my empty shot glass.
I was serious as hell. I wanted something to help take this pain I was feeling away.
Nyala and everyone else thought I was this good girl.
That’s probably why my husband cheated on me multiple times.
Maybe I wasn’t freaky enough in the bedroom, or maybe I just didn’t satisfy him anymore.
Whatever it was, it was obvious that I wasn’t enough.
“Damn! It’s like that, ma? Shit, if so, I’m ready and willing to help you with that. But are you sure that’s not the alcohol talking? You don’t seem like the type to—”
“I said it, didn’t I?” I slid off the barstool.
His body shifted, and suddenly I was standing between his legs. My pulse jumped. I couldn’t believe I was doing this. The boldness not only scared me, but it thrilled me too.
Damn, he smells good, all spice and danger.
“So, all I want to hear out of your mouth next is, ‘Your place or a hotel?’ However, it doesn’t matter. All I want is a release.” My hand trailed down his chest as I met his eyes. The heat there was unmistakable, but so was the hesitation. He wanted me badly, but he was fighting it.
That kind of turned me on. It let me know that he was at least a gentleman, and I hoped not a killer.
“It’s like that? You sure you want to climb this tree, love? Not every woman makes it to the top.” He was licking his lips again, but this time slowly as his eyes dragged over my body.
“Oh, I can make it to the top.” I was smirking, flirting. “Or are you scared?”