Chapter 14
My date with Zanova was dope. I really enjoyed my time with her. After we left the paint-and-sip joint, we swung by her crib so she could pack an overnight bag. She’d agreed to stay the night with me, and I was happy when she didn’t fight me on it.
When the driver pulled up to my place, I noticed a black Honda Accord parked outside my gate. My stomach tightened. I knew exactly who it was, but the question was, how the hell did she know where I stayed?
As the driver pulled up, Paige stepped out of her car. She walked up to the truck and knocked on the window.
Zanova looked at me, eyes wide. “Who is that?”
I took a deep breath, trying to keep my tone casual, although I could feel my jaw tighten. “My ex-wife.”
“So… Your ex-wife just pops up on you from time to time?” Her eyes narrowed slightly.
“No,” I said, shaking my head. “She doesn’t. I don’t know how the hell she even knows where I live.”
Zanova’s hands fidgeted in her lap, and I could feel the tension radiating off her. “That’s weird. Something you need to tell me?” she said, glancing at Paige, who was now leaning casually against my truck like she owned the place.
“There’s nothing to tell. Stay in the car,” I told Zanova, my voice low and steady. “I’ll handle this. As a matter of fact…. Ayo, drive her to the house,” I told the driver, then looked at Zanova. “My code is 10642. Go inside and wait for me.” I kissed her and stepped out before she could object.
I waited until the truck pulled into the open gate before I approached Paige. “Yo’, how the fuck you know where I stay, Paige?”
“That doesn’t matter! Who is that bitch you got with you? Is that the cake bitch you all over social media with?”
“Look. I don’t owe you a motherfuckin’ thing. Get away from my crib before I shoot you for trespassing.”
I went to walk through my gate when Paige’s crazy ass pushed me and started hitting me in the back. “I love you, Samir! And you just go and throw us away over a fucking mistake!”
Out of reflex, I grabbed her by her neck and slammed her up against the gate.
I knew not to jerk too hard because the gates were solid, and I was trying my hardest not to kill this cheating hoe.
“Bitch! Don’t you ever put your fuckin’ hands on me!
Now, get away from my house before I kill your ass!
I ain’t gon’ say that shit again!” I barked, my nostrils flaring.
“Come on, Mir, baby—”
“Just go, Paige, before I forget I ever loved you.”
“I’m sorry, Samir. For real,” Paige said, her voice trembling a little. “You were the best thing I ever had, and I messed that up. I wish my baby was yours. If I could turn back time, I swear… I’d do everything differently.”
I let out a slow breath, jaw tight. “Yeah, me too. The only difference is… I would’ve never stepped to you in the first place.
” Her eyes widened a little, but I kept going.
“You almost broke me, Paige. But I learned something: some people come into your life to teach you, but not to stay. You were my lesson.”
She swallowed hard, her voice cracking when she asked, “You love her already?”
I looked her dead in the eyes. “That’s none of your business. Do both of us a favor, move on.”
She blinked fast, trying to hold back tears, but I was already walking off.
Whatever I felt for her once, it was gone.
I shook my head and walked through my gate, making sure it closed behind me.
I watched as Paige got inside her car, crying them fake-ass tears.
I waited until she pulled off before heading up to my house.
When I got inside, Zanova was in my living room, sitting on the couch. I couldn’t tell if she was mad or what.
“I’m sorry about that.” I sat next to her on the couch.
“Samir, I get you have a past, but I hope she won’t be a problem. Yes, I haven’t decided what we are doing, but if you are going to keep pursuing me… I’m not for drama. I just don’t want to be in the middle of something messy,” she said softly.
“You won’t be.”
She didn’t respond, but stood and grabbed her duffel bag off the floor, heading toward the door.
I quickly stood up to stop her. “Aye! Where are you going?”
“Home. I’m calling myself a Lyft. I need to think.”
I snatched her duffel bag out of her hand and pushed her against the door. Her breath hitched as she looked up at me, biting her lip.
Freak!
“Man, stop playing with me, Zanova. I told you, she ain’t gon’ be a problem. And I meant that shit. Now, we gon’ go up to my room, I’m gon’ eat your pussy and make you come in my mouth. Then, we gon’ watch one of those sappy-ass movies you like to watch while I rub on your booty. Aight?”
We had a stare-off, neither of us wanting to be the first to break it. And at the same time, we both busted out laughing.
“Negro, is that supposed to be a threat?” she said, trying to hold her smile.
“Nah. But that’s all I had at the moment.” We continued to share a laugh.
“Okay. I’ll stay, but I meant what I said, Samir.”
“I hear you, baby.” I stole a kiss.
“No… I need you to feel me, Samir Carter.”
A slow smile crept up on my face. “Not my whole government.” I chuckled. “I feel you, love.”
“That’s better.” She snatched her duffel bag back and headed for the stairs. Shaking my head, I followed her upstairs like a lovesick puppy. After the Paige incident, she wasn’t trying to let me eat it, so I settled for rubbing on her booty until we fell asleep.
A Week Later
I pulled up to Zanova’s bakery, parking right out front.
A second later, my sister’s car pulled in behind me.
She hopped out, slamming the door with attitude already written all over her face.
She asked me to come with her to pick out my niece's cake.
Her fuck-ass baby daddy was supposed to bring her, but the nigga canceled at the last minute.
She was lucky that Zanova had an open slot to make the cake since she stayed booked.
I followed her inside, the bell over the door chiming, as that familiar sweet scent of frosting and pastries hit me in the face.
The place was busy, like it always was on a Thursday afternoon.
Customers were lined up, with a few of them sitting at the small tables, enjoying their treats.
I spotted Zanova behind the register, smiling too damn hard for some square-ass nigga posted up in front of her.
I don’t know what he was saying, but whatever it was had her cheesing like he was funny or some shit.
Now, me being who I am, my first instinct was to walk over there and crash the fuck out. But I caught myself. This is Zanova’s place of business, and I wanted to respect that. So I just stood back and watched to see what happened.
Just then, Zanova's eyes shifted to me. That smile seemed to get brighter for a split second before she turned back to square dude. When he leaned in and whispered something to her, I couldn’t take it anymore, and I walked around the counter.
Her eyes widened when I leaned down and brushed my lips against hers.
I turned to the dude with a smirk covering my face.
“Samir, what are you doing?” Zanova whispered, clearly embarrassed, though that little smile creeping at the corner of her mouth told a different story.
“I don’t know. You tell me?” I said, eyes shifting from the dude back to her.
“Okay, love,” the dude interrupted. “I need to get out of here. Thanks again. I’ll be seeing you soon.” The guy glanced between us, smirked like he’d just picked up on the vibe, then winked at me before grabbing his coffee and heading for the door.
As soon as it shut behind him, Zanova turned to me, arms folded. “You really just did that in front of my customers?”
I leaned against the counter, lips curving. “What? I was just saying hi.”
“No, you weren’t. You were trying to have a pissing contest with a customer.”
I waved her off. “No, I wasn’t. That nigga was smiling too hard in your face. I was just letting him know that he didn’t have a chance.” I shrugged my shoulders nonchalantly.
“Aww, bro! You were jealous…” Jamila said.
I shot Jamila a hard look, trying to keep my cool. “Man, ain’t nobody jealous.”
Zanova pulled to the side, wrapping her arms around my shoulders. “You’re a mess, Samir. But I gotta admit… It’s kinda sexy, watching you squirm.”
“Sexy, huh? Maybe I should’ve knocked the nigga out.”
She rolled her eyes, but her tone softened. “Samir, we were talking about his wedding… to his husband.”
Jamila began laughing like shit was funny.
“All right, Mir. We’re here to order Joya’s cake. Stop hogging her so we can get started. I don’t even see why you needed to come anyway. Dang!” Jamila huffed, rolling her eyes as she nudged me toward the door.
“Shut up, big head-ass girl.” I playfully mushed her.
Zanova laughed, the sound light and easy as she untied her apron. “You two are something else,” she said, shaking her head.
She led the way through the back, the smell of vanilla and sugar following us down the short hallway. Her office was small but cozy, notes and sketches pinned to a corkboard, and a few framed photos of her cakes on the walls.
Jamila plopped down in the chair across from the desk, already pulling out her phone to show pictures of the cake inspiration. “Okay, so I’m thinking something pink and gold. Maybe a little crown on top? You know, princess vibes.”
Zanova nodded, grabbing a notepad and pen. “Got it. How old is Joya turning again?”
“Three,” Jamila said proudly.
I watched Zanova as she jotted notes, her brows furrowed like they always did when she was focused.
She looked good in her element. Every now and then, she’d bite her lip, eyes narrowing as she concentrated on her drawing.
I swear it took everything in me not to kick my sister out and bend Zanova over her desk.
Jamila kept talking about colors and themes, showing pictures on her phone, but I barely heard a word. My focus stayed locked on Zanova. The way she smiled when she noticed me watching her, an idea clicked.
She looked up, catching me in the act again. “You okay over there?”
I cleared my throat, playing it cool. “Yeah, I’m straight. Just making sure you’re paying attention to my niece’s cake and not getting distracted.”
She laughed softly. “Trust me, I can multitask.”
The way she said it had me grinning. “Yeah, I bet you can.”
“Lord, y’all acting like horny teenagers,” Jamila said, standing up. “Let me get out of here before I become a witness to something I don’t need to see. Thanks, Zanova, for squeezing me in on such short notice. I know my baby is going to love her cake!”
“No problem. I’m happy to do it. And thanks for choosing Zanova’s Tasty Treats!” Zanova said, her smile warm but a little tight.
“It’s my pleasure,” Jamila said, heading toward the door.
Then she paused, spinning back toward us.
“Oh, and since I got both of you here, every launch from Fuego Azul, we do a promotional photo shoot. I was thinking that since this one’s a collaboration with you, maybe we could do a shoot with both of you. ”
Zanova hesitated, glancing at me before shifting her eyes back to Jamila. “Uh, let me think about that one.”
“No pressure. The shoot is in two weeks.”
“Okay. I’ll let you know before then.”
“Great!”
I walked Jamila out to her car before heading back inside.
I got to Zanova’s office, and she was standing in front of her desk, placing the covers back on samples of frosting she’d set out for my niece's cake.
I closed and locked the door, stepping behind her.
I slid my hands around her waist and scooped her up in one smooth motion, setting her gently on top of her desk. She spread her legs to accommodate me.
“Samir!” she gasped, half laughing, half pretending to be mad. Her hands went to my chest, but she didn’t push me away. Instead, she giggled. “What are you doing?”
“You already know what I’m doing. I miss my girl.”
“No, Samir. Not here.” Her mouth was saying one thing, but the scent of her arousal was telling me another.
“Just let me taste it, baby.”
My hands made their way up her thighs. They were so smooth like butter.
She held onto my shoulders and lifted so I could raise her skirt over her ass, as I kissed her hungrily.
Pulling her panties down her legs, I tossed them over my head.
I laid her flat on her desk, causing papers to fall onto the floor, but neither of us cared.
“Lay back and spread your legs.”
She did as I requested, giving me a perfect view of her pretty, wet pussy. Her cream had already formed at her hole. I reached for the butter cream next to her. Her eyes watched me as I opened the top, dipped my middle finger into it, and pulled some back out.
“I want to see if you are as sweet as this butter cream.”
“You are so nasty, Samir.” She looked up at me, her eyes filled with lust. “But I love it.”
“I know you do. Now spread that pussy, baby. I don’t want nothing in my way while I’m eating my lunch.” She did as she was told, as I nodded, seeing her clit come into view. “Yeah… Just like that.”
After smearing the butter cream on her lower lips, I ran my tongue along her slit, tasting both her and the sweet cream. I circled my tongue around her clit before taking it into my mouth. I looked up and continued slurping on her middle as our eyes locked. Hers were low, damn near closed.
“Nah, keep those eyes open, Nova baby. Watch me eat this pussy.”
I slipped a finger inside of her and began fucking her with it. She was so wet that her juices were running down my hand.
“Mmm! That feels so good, Samir.” Moaning, she gripped my wrist, driving my finger deeper inside her as she rotated her hips. “Shit! I’m about to come!”
Her yelling out her release had me dropping my sweats. I pulled my dick out and pushed inside, hard and deep. I began pounding her shit out the frame, knocking the remaining papers off her desk.
“Fuck me harder, baby!”
I placed her legs over my shoulders, spreading her ass cheeks, and pounded her pussy. I grunted, feeling how sloppy her pussy was. Zanova had that Super Soaker. No matter how many times I hit, her shit got wetter every time.
“This gon’ be a quick one, baby. I can’t hold this shit! Ahhhh!” I roared as I came so hard that my head felt light, and a nigga saw fucking stars.
I let my head fall onto her chest as I tried to catch my breath with my dick twitching inside of her. “This pussy is going to put me in an early grave.”
“At least you’ll die a happy man,” she said, and that made me laugh.