7. Khaleya
I really can’t stand how attracted I am to this man. Even when he is sitting across from me, being an arrogant asshole. I was sitting over here trying to find any reason for this to partially be my fault.
I could admit that I could have just gone to dinner with him. Or let him know I had a sponsored video to do for this taco place. But it all felt too invasive to me. I wasn’t used to telling anyone about my business. Which was one reason I enjoyed just dating.
“Before I tell you what I need you to do, I have to ask. Have you seen any of my content? You never answered Marcus when he asked you.”
He chuckled and nodded. “Man, stop saying that man’s name. According to you, you just met him. And I’ve seen your videos. I just thought you were a woman who liked to date different dudes and eat.”
I giggled. I never expected this man to be this damn jealous.
“Marcus, oh Marcus darling,” I taunted, like Eartha Kitt in Boomerang.
“Could you just get it a little bit darker?” he posed back.
My brows lifted as my eyes widened. Then we burst into laughter.
“You didn’t expect me to know that, huh?”
I picked up my water to take a sip as I shook my head.
“I didn’t. It’s good to know the Blackwell household had access to classic Black films. But now I have to randomly test you.”
Myheir laughed and rubbed his hands together like Birdman, showing off his diamond pinky ring.
“Do what you gotta do. Now tell me this, how did you get into doing content?” he asked.
I pulled my tripod from my purse and placed it on the table.
“Well, when I first got the job to be a flight attendant, I would be in these different states trying all kinds of food, besides me working on Stamped. So I figured, what would be the best way to get my business in front of people than social media? I’m feeding the craving to eat good, date good, and smell good. Who doesn’t want that?”
He nodded and gave me a tight-lipped smile.
“How did the dates get involved?” he asked.
Before I could respond, the server walked over, and her eyes landed on Myheir but never left. I cleared my throat to get her attention. Her cheeks reddened when she looked back over at me.
“Ma’am, this is my table. He is practically a homeless man, taking advantage of my celebrity. Now, can I get an order of three street tacos with steak? Oh, and the chicken quesadilla,” I told her.
Then I looked across the table at Myheir, who was smiling.
“Oh, are you getting anything?” I asked him.
“I’ll get the same thing she is getting, and can I get a glass of water?” he asked.
Home girl looked as if she’d just had an orgasm from him speaking. I couldn’t knock her, though. He had the voice that would have that effect on you. I cupped my hand over my mouth to stop myself from giggling aloud. I didn’t want to embarrass her more than she was doing herself.
“Yes, sir,” she replied and quickly walked away from the table.
“Why you tell that girl I was homeless?” he asked, in between laughing.
I shrugged. “Do you think she believed me? You’re sitting across from me in a designer suit draped in diamonds. For goodness’ sake, you have a damn diamond ring on your pinky finger.”
“Would you like me to take it off? I’m used to wearing it, so I don’t think twice about it.”
I shook my head.
“Not this time, but the next time we go out to do regular people’s stuff, I need you to look like one of the folks. You know what? Let’s hurry up and do this video before you cause us to get some unwanted attention.”
He waved me off. “I’m not worried about it, Doll. Anybody want a problem, I got that for them. Now tell me what you need me to do.”
I looked around the shop, then back at him. He was waiting on me intently.
“Okay, well, I need you to pull your seat closer to mine. I’ve already done my intro, but now I have to reintroduce my date since you ran that man off.”
“Man, go head.”
I giggled and leaned forward.
“Hey, y’all, it’s time for us to get our next stamp. We’re getting our next stamp at Taco Shack in the Vista. Oh, and allow me to introduce you to my future man—well, maybe. He’s going to convince me and you he is boyfriend material.”
I flipped the camera to face Myheir, and he smirked. His brow was lifted briefly, I’m sure, from my last statement. He waved me off and smiled.
“What do you need to know, Doll?” he asked.
Anytime this man called me Doll, it caused my body to heat up. I returned the camera to face me, and I smiled at the camera with a wink.
“The people want to know what kind of boyfriend can you be?” I asked.
Before he could respond, the server was walking over with our order. She had someone else with her to help place everything on the table. The moment she set my plate in front of me, I did a little dance in my seat, unable to contain my excitement.
“If you must know, I’m patient. I don’t need to be told anything more than twice. Not to mention, I’m not right for everybody, but I’m damn sure right for you.”
My cheeks warmed. I shouldn’t be allowing his words to do a damn thing, especially since I know it’s not real. He was playing to the camera, and that’s it.
I nodded. “Okay, Mr. Blackwell. You have a way with words.”
He took a bite of his taco, chewed, and then swallowed. Then he responded.
“That’s what they say.”
He almost had a guarded look when he said that, which let me know there was more to that. So I didn’t push this topic further. I put the camera back onto the stand, then stopped recording.
“I stopped the camera, but if I say anything that makes you uncomfortable, just shake your head. I still want you to have a good time with this. You give me private vibes.”
He picked up a napkin and wiped his mouth of the oil from the tacos.
“Yeah, being an only child, I feel like that was easy. I didn’t have anyone to share my secrets and shit with until I got older.”
I smiled.
“Lucky you. These folks I call siblings are nosey as hell. But I wouldn’t trade them for nothing, and I always had someone I could speak to.”
“I can tell. You have a very vibrant personality. Are you the most outgoing at home?” he asked.
I craned my head to the side to think about it.
“I can be. I’m the one who is going to take the most risks.”
“I like that.”
I couldn’t help that my heart did a little flutter. His praises made me feel like I was on top of the world, which was new to me. Myheir had a way about him I couldn’t explain.
We continued to talk, and I realized I had never turned the camera back on. We’d almost finished our food. So I kept it short. I planned to finish the video in my room.
I turned my camera back on briefly to show our plates, and then to ask him one final question.
“Now that I have refined your palate, can you promise to give me said vibes if I allow you to be my man?” I asked.
Myheir smirked and moved his chair closer to mine.
“Doll, I am the vibe. I got you.”
I leaned forward, getting into his space. “Arrogant, aren’t we?”
His eyes stayed locked onto mine, then he reached out and ran his finger down my jaw to my chin. My eyes fluttered closed briefly.
“Nah, confident and certain. I got you, and I mean that.”
I couldn’t help but smile. I turned to face the camera, showing all thirty-two.
“He’s good, ain’t he? I need y’all to comment on the poll whether I should give this man a chance. I just want to hear what y’all think,” I said, speaking to the camera.
I paused the video and turned to see Myheir still staring at me.
“What? Do I have something on me?”
“Nah, you don’t. I enjoy seeing your passion behind this.”
I couldn’t help it but smile. It seemed like that was becoming a thing. I turned back toward the camera to break it down. We needed to head out, and soon.
“Well, thank you very much, sir. Now, let’s head out.”
Myheir lifted a brow, then looked back toward the register.
“We haven’t paid yet.”
I smirked and wiggled my brows. I was now standing and looking down at him.
“Oh, I forgot you’ve been rich all your life. You’ve never done a little dine and dash before?”
“Hell nah, for what? I can afford a few fucking tacos, Doll.”
I cracked up as he reached into his wallet to grab a few bills. My hand shot out to stop him.
“It’s already handled, scary. This was a sponsored thing. That’s why I came here. Now come on.”
Myheir still placed those few bills on the table, unable to take my word for it. If he was going to be my fake boyfriend, he was going to need to loosen up. I shook my head and walked over to the register to thank the manager now standing at the counter.
“Thank you so much for allowing me to film here and to talk about your establishment. The food was amazing, and I’ll provide your business details in the video.”
The old man nodded. “Thank you so much.”
I pointed my thumb in Myheir’s direction as I continued to talk.
“Oh, and this one couldn’t help but leave something on the table.”
“Oh, sir, that wasn’t necessary. But we thank you anyway,” the manager responded.
I turned to look up at Myheir, and he was smiling down at me. I reached out and took his hand into mine, then made my way toward the exit. Once we got outside, Dom was already standing outside of the truck with the back door open.
We both slid into the backseat.
“So, was it better than that fancy restaurant you wanted to go to?” I asked.
Myheir chuckled and glanced out of the window before looking back at me.
“The food was good, but I’m going to bring you to that nice restaurant at some point. They know a thing or two about service and quality that just can’t be matched.”
“Mhm, we will see.”
For the rest of the ride, we rode in silence, until we made it back to the hotel. I expected to be the only one getting out of the car. But I should have known better. He’d gotten to that damn taco shop too fast for him not to be watching my movements.
I stopped walking, then turned around abruptly to face him, causing Myheir to almost run straight into me. I gripped my hips and tilted my head to the side. His smirk let me know my answer before I could ask it.
“What are you doing? Technically, we weren’t on a date because you crashed my date. So I don’t need you pretending to be a gentleman by walking me inside.”
I knew he had to have a room here, but I needed him to tell me himself without me calling him out.
He gripped his chest dramatically, causing me to roll my eyes.
“Damn, I thought I’d been on my best behavior the entire time. Let me find out you like a nigga to be a little rough with you,” he said, then reached out and fisted my shirt in his hand, pulling me flush against him.
My breath seemed to get trapped, and my pussy became instantly soaked. Myheir leaned down close to my ear so no one else could hear.
“Yeah, you like that shit. But that’s not the kind of time we on. Right, Doll?”
I couldn’t decipher a single word or snap back. So I shook my head no, causing him to release his hold on me. He straightened out the wrinkle he’d placed in my shirt, then placed his hands against my hips and abruptly turned me in the opposite direction.
“Now lead the way toward the front desk. I upgraded your room, so I’m sure the key you have now will not work.”
I opened my mouth, then closed it. I was exhausted by arguing with this man when he was going to do what he wanted anyway. I silently walked over to the desk, and they offered me a new room number with the key.
The front desk let me know they’d moved my things into the new room already, which was on a higher floor in a suite. If he wanted to spend his money, I wasn’t going to say anything. I might as well take full advantage of all my benefits until they ran out.
We finally made it to the elevator, and there were quite a few people waiting to get on, too. I still hadn’t said a word, and it was killing me not to say thank you. But I wanted to hold back my voice from him. He wanted to do whatever he wanted, then he didn’t need me responding about it.
Soon the elevator doors rang, and everyone rushed on, leaving just one spot in the front. I quickly slipped on, knowing he couldn’t fit.
I turned to face him with a smile and a wave. Myheir was so damn unbothered. He stood with his hands tucked in his pockets with a smirk, then he winked as the doors closed.
It was tight as hell in this damn elevator, and I think someone had forgotten the point of wearing deodorant with fucking aluminum. The elevator was glass all around, so you could see the ones next to you. It just so happened that I’d gotten into an elevator that needed to stop at every damn floor.
At one stop, I looked over to my right to see Myheir in the elevator by himself, posing like he was in a fucking GQspread. He smirked in my direction and tipped his head to me, while his elevator kept going until it reached the top floor.
“Fuck,” I whispered beneath my breath, then groaned.
Five minutes later, the elevator was on the top floor. Myheir was leaning against the wall, looking more tired than I’d remembered moments earlier.
The moment I stepped out, he straightened up and silently walked beside me. I expected him to call me out on my antics, but he didn’t say a thing, just followed me to my room.
I placed my card against the sensor and opened the door. I held the door open for a moment before I turned around to face him.
“Okay, um, thank you for the upgrade. If you’re still interested, get the contract over to me so I can sign it. We have a lot of work to do and a few appearances to make.”
His hands were still in his pockets.
“Doll, you gone have to do a lot more than hop on a packed damn elevator to turn me off you. I couldn’t have picked a better person to be my fake girlfriend.”
My cheeks were hot as hell, and I couldn’t help but smile. He took his hands from his pockets, then leaned in and kissed my cheek.
“Enjoy the room, and I’ll make sure you get to where you need to. I’ll be working out here for the next few days. I know you’re heading back home tomorrow. Dom is bringing you to the strip tomorrow morning.”
“Thank you.”
It was all I could say as he took a few steps back so I could close the door. The moment the door closed entirely, I walked further into the room, trying to hold in my oohs and ahhs.
A wet bar was in the room, with a nice-ass living room.
If this was how the sitting area looked, I knew the bedroom and bathroom were to die for.
I placed my tripod and purse onto the couch, then walked into the bedroom in the back.
A large king bed was in the center of the room, with a large TV and cabinets that were open with my bags inside.
I walked over and began checking to make sure everything I had in the other room was inside the bag.
Once I was satisfied, I went into the bathroom.
It was huge in there, with a nice waterfall shower, but it also had a handheld feature.
I planned to use that, because I had no plans to ruin my curls.
I needed these curls to last a few more days.
“I could get used to this,” I said aloud to myself.