2. Say Yes #3
I sounded desperate because I was desperate.
I’d been raised around a man who had been successful all my life.
I grew up surrounded by success. I went to school with students whose parents were successful.
I knew a paid man when I saw one. Even though he was dressed casually in flip flops and socks, you could strip him of his jewelry, and I would still be able to tell he's holding. There’s something about a rich man that sticks out like a sore thumb, even if he's trying to blend in.
Yak’s syrupy brown eyes with the golden sparkle had me completely entranced by his captivating presence.
I was so lost in my own feelings that I didn’t care if I looked like a fool in front of this handsome man, but desperation was the strongest feeling.
I could have gone to a pawn shop, but I had never been to one before and knew they would want to put me in a data system for the kind of diamond this ring contained.
I was fully prepared for this man to laugh in my face, tell me to get the fuck out of here, or ask me if the ring was even real.
But just as I had been able to tell that his claims were genuine and that he didn’t own anything nearly as expensive as the jewels on his neck and wrist—especially considering I had no access to anything outside my father’s house, where I couldn’t even set foot without being forced to marry—I knew he knew the ring was worth way more than ten thousand dollars.
With his eyes still on me as I struggled to breathe, he reached into the pocket of his shorts, pulled out a wad of money that was thicker and bluer than the one Dasani had given me, and then reached into the other pocket, producing the same.
Reaching in, he tugged at my hoodie and shoved the money inside, making it bulge because there wasn’t much space for that amount.
“You… you’re not going to ask me what I need the money for? Or why I’m selling the ring so low? Or… I don’t know, something?”
Yak licked his lips, making my eyes twitch and kitty thump.
“Nah. I told you not to tell me no. So, a nigga is fully prepared to do what I require. Fuck I look like denying you when ion want you denying me?”
Swallowing the thick wad of spit, my head began to spin at the fact that this was the second person of the day who had given me money without knowing the first thing about me. What the fuck was in this Jagoda Bay water? Dasani had mentioned that this is where she was from, too, I think.
My eyes shifted to the hair atop his head.
It had a few curly kinks and was faded on the sides.
He looked as if he had just come from the barber shop.
I normally didn’t like men without facial hair, but he didn’t need it.
Shit, he was fine, and he was willing to hand me money, which had my pussy even more moist than it had been when he first made his appearance.
“Take the ring.”
“Nah,” he licked his lips.
“You keep it. It looks good on you.”
I frowned, and his brow rose.
“It’s… not my taste. Plus… I dumped my boy–fiancé. I have no use for it.”
His expression was one of subtle pondering as he rubbed his hand down his face. Still, he hadn’t taken the ring, so I pushed it on the bar in front of him. I didn’t want it. If I were starting over, I would do so without bringing any of the past with me.
Now that I’d gotten more than I came with and at least had money to get away comfortably, even though I was sure it was more than ten thousand dollars judging by the weight, I pushed from the bar.
His hand went to my wrist, causing a static shock that he ignored.
“I need to go,” I replied breathlessly.
He licked his pillowy lips.
“Chill with a nigga a bit.”
“I… I still have pins in my hair,” I gave him the lamest excuse while at the same time rattling off my current insecurity.
“So, and I got on flip flops. You still the finest muthafucka in this bitch.”
I gnawed on my bottom lip, knowing I needed to leave but also enjoying the company and the feeling of protectiveness he provided.
“Since the nigga who put this ring on your finger failed to do so, let me get to know you. After that, I’ll let you run away, but I’ma be honest,” he leaned in chains, clamoring.
“I like to fucking chase, baby.”
With two different types of thudding coursing my body, I sat up.
Peeling my eyes open, I realized I was not only naked but also in bed.
The thoughts of the last few hours flooded back, causing me to jump out of bed as if I’d been in a pit of snakes.
My head throbbed more intensely with the sudden movement.
I could feel a gush coming from between my legs, and when I looked down and saw a slimy, milky substance making its way down my thigh, I gagged.
Reaching down, I scooped my clothes from the floor and pulled my legs into the leggings, not caring that my panties and bra weren’t nearby.
One of the knots of money had fallen from my hoodie and was on the floor near my shoes, so I grabbed it and stuffed it inside after pulling the hoodie over my head.
I’d let Yak convince me to stay at the bar, where I had one too many drinks.
He offered to get me a room, I said yes, and judging by the way my pussy was throbbing and the beautiful body occupying the left side of the bed, I knew we’d done the unthinkable.
I hadn’t remembered, but I could feel it in my thighs, my pussy, my stomach, and even my asshole.
Lord, please, I hope I hadn’t let him hit me in my booty!
I’d never done it in that hole, and the thought of it left me mortified.
Stuffing my feet into my shoes while watching Yak sleeping peacefully on his stomach, I was mentally scolding myself for lusting after his form.
I’d been right to assume that his white body was tattooed because, although he was wearing a pair of black Calvin Klein boxer briefs, the rest of his exposed skin was adorned with beautiful ink that told a story I was too hurried to fully interpret.
I felt ashamed, and it was not only the morning of my wedding but also while I was still in Jagoda Bay.
I had to get moving before I was forced into one of those dresses and pushed down the aisle.
The curtains in the room were partly open, letting a sliver of sunlight peek through.
A pink fob caught my eye, and without thinking, I grabbed it.
I wasn’t a thief, Lord knows I wasn’t, but I needed to put some distance between us fast. I didn’t have a phone and didn’t know who to call if I did.
I was too hungover to think clearly, and in that moment, his car seemed like the best option.
As if stealing the car wasn’t enough, I saw my engagement ring—one I’d sold to him for a crackhead’s price.
Without hesitation, I grabbed that too, since he didn’t seem to want it anyway.
Scurrying out of the room, I ran to the elevator, heart drumming in my ear. I hadn’t run this much since PE.
Rushing from the top floor of the elevator down to the lobby, I nearly passed out when I realized we were at the J.W.
Marriott. Running through the lobby because I didn’t know if Dasani’s people were still here looking for me or if they’d even come at all, I didn’t stop until I made it outside.
With the sun on my skin, head and pussy on fire, I ignored both and hit the key fob.
Right there in the valet was the reason I’d stopped at the bar to begin with—the turquoise Challenger with the vertical pink stripe.
It was illegally parked in the valet scene.
I hadn't had the key yet, and no one seemed to bother it since there wasn’t a tick or boot on it.
Hopping in the driver’s seat, the engine roared to life, and I wasted no time flooring it out of there.
I knew it was foolish to steal a car, but I’d dump it when I got far enough away.
I appreciated Yak and Dasani, and if she was truly trying to help, I prayed one day to pay her back as well as him.
But for now, the only person I was saying yes to was myself.