Chapter 17 #4
“Shit!” I yelled, almost burning my hand at the thought of loving Treason.
In here burning yourself for a man? Catch me up. Seems like I missed a lot.
I rolled my eyes, turning back to the tub. “Mind your business. Besides, you were all team let’s have some fun while we’re here. Now I’m having fun.”
Ignoring a very sarcastic, I am your business , I lined the bathroom with candles, but I was stubborn even toward my own damn self, so I persisted. “ Plus, I’m allowed to change my mind, and so are you. So, are we in love or not?
I pause mid–rose petal sprinkle, catching my reflection in the mirror. “You know so much, you tell me.”
Why else would I be doing all this extra shit? You’re whipped and maybe a little delusional, but it’s cute.
I looked down, lips twitching. “…Damn. I might be in trouble.”
Oh, we’re definitely in trouble. That man knows his way around an orgasm, unlike the last loser you stuck us with. The one that used your pussy like a turntable.
I grabbed the Brandy, sipping to avoid this conversation any further. If nothing else, I needed to work on not being so goddamn stubborn. I was a handful, but thankfully, Treason had big hands.
Candles lined the rim of the tub, casting that honey-gold glow over everything, when the deep, familiar weight of his steps neared. Treason appeared, leaning on the frame, his mouth curved slowly, watching me relax in his bathtub.
“Well, damn,” Treason drawled, eyes raking over me. “You inviting me in?”
“Maybe,” I teased, sinking lower into the water. “But there’s a toll.”
His brow rose. “A toll?”
“Mm-hmm.” I swirled my fingers in the water. “Before you can get in, you have to dance for me.”
He laughed, low and disbelieving. “Charging me a toll for my own shit is crazy work.”
“Can’t just climb in like some bath pirate. You gotta’ earn this spot.” I tilted my head toward the space between my legs, the one I’d deliberately left open for him. “Sing or dance, but you gotta show me something.”
Half humming ridiculous R&B note, Treason two-stepped in his briefs, butchering LTD’s “Love Ballad” to promise love and devotion. He used the notes to share that I was the only one who mattered while his hips rolled in a way that made me laugh and bite my lip at the same time.
“Okay, okay, you pass,” I said, waving him in.
He stepped out of the rest of his clothes and started to slide behind me, until I palmed his bare chest. “Uh-uh. Not tonight.”
His brows drew in, but I tugged him forward, opening my legs. “I’m the pillow tonight.”
When he settled, the water shifted, and I rested my cheek against his head. My hands roamed slowly, fingertips tracing the planes of muscle, the steady beat of his heart under my touch. I wanted him warm, soft, and completely at ease before I shattered the calm.
He exhaled deeply, his body relaxing under my palms. Usually, he was my anchor, but tonight, I wanted him to lean on me.
“Happy now?” he grumbled with a smile.
“Ecstatic,” I murmured. “How was your day?”
“Long… but these,” he murmured, grabbing my breast, the warmth of my skin gently covering his ears, “drown out all the bullshit. Fuck the day.”
I laughed softly, brushing my fingers through his hair. “Glad I can help.”
He let out a low, amused hum, tilting his head slightly, as if surrendering to the absurdity and comfort of it.
“How was your day? You’re being nice as hell tonight.”
“Wow, so I’m not nice to you?”
“Not this fuckin’ nice. You like hiding this side from a nigga like I don’t know it’s here. Don’t be weird Tre! That was work! ” he mocked.
“See, and I was about to compliment you. You just ruined it.”
He nuzzled a closer, letting the playful intimacy settle into something tender.
“Aight, I’m ready for my compliment now.”
“You know you do that for me too,” I admitted, “Drown out the bullshit.”
“Navie ‘men ain’t shit’ Dixon complimenting me?”
“Oh my God! There you go, being weird!”
“I’ll be the weirdest nigga you know after that compliment. They’re hard to come by from you.”
“Am I really that bad?”
Guilt crept into my gut. Treason was so open in how he felt. He didn’t question or second-guess his thoughts.
“Some days, but I knew it was something deeper. It had to be, then you told me about Candy Man , and I get it.”
Treason heard my thoughts dwelling on the conversation, so he changed the subject. He always seemed to know what I needed, even in silence.
“Wassup with you and this weird word. What does that even mean?”
“All those degrees on the wall and you don’t know what weird means?” I challenged.
“The definition doesn’t fit the context your smart ass likes to use it in.”
“Sweet potato pie or peach cobbler?”
I frowned, “Cobbler is gross. Sweet potato pie.”
“Don’t let Evie hear you say that. She’ll take that as a personal challenge,” he warned.
“The idea of warm fruit makes me wanna vomit.”
“Mary J. Blige heartbreak song or celebration anthem?”
“Heartbreak, Mary. I’ll even take in love Mary, but she can keep those celebration anthems.”
“Sade’s No Ordinary Love or Maxwell’s Ascension ?” Treason wagered, causing my lips to wing down.
“I’m never picking Sade. Maxwell, of course.”
“What did Sade do to you?”
I shrugged, knowing he couldn’t see it but felt it, “She’s not my cup of tea.”
“Youngins don’t appreciate good music.”
“ Youngin ? Please, Tre.” Despite being two years my senior, his soul was much older. “Okay, I got one. One artist for the rest of your life- Stevie Wonder or Marvin Gaye?”
“Gotta go Stevie Wonder,” I thought Marvin’s romantic edge would’ve catapulted him over Stevie, but there was still a lot to learn about Treason Westbrook.
“He’s got range. He can give you something to dance to, something to pray to, and something that’ll have you staring out the window thinking about every decision you ever made. ”
“90s R&B or early 2000s hip hop?”
“Neither. ‘70s soul.”
“Okay, old man , would you rather have unlimited money or unlimited time?” I asked, shifting the focus.
“Time.”
“I’m shocked. I thought you’d choose money.”
“Damn, I know your answer.”
“That’s right. People love to act like money doesn’t matter, but it does. Give me some money and I’ll show you how happy I can get.”
He let out a small laugh. “Money comes back. Opportunities, too. But time? Once it’s gone, that’s it.” He tipped his head back against my shoulder, his jaw brushing my cheek. “So I’d rather spend it where it matters most.”
“And where’s that?”
His deep husky voice felt like a hand between my legs. “Can’t tell you. That would be weird .”
“Would it be weird if,” I bit my lip to keep my composure, “I want you to make love to me tonight, or at least pretend.”
“Weird as fuck, but I’m into weird.”
We reached the bed, and he pinned me beneath him, teasing kisses from my shoulder to my jaw. I inhaled sharply, my heart racing, as he travelled south. I asked, and Treason delivered. Sheets tangled around our legs while he stroked me so deep I swore I saw God.
“My Blue,” those two words made my legs shake while he praised me, “is growing up.”
He withdrew, leaving just the tip inside, and paused, “Every time I think I’ve seen all your strength, you do some shit that floors me. Why do you keep making me proud of you, huh?” Then he plunged inside again. And again, enjoying the moans and whimpers that wouldn’t even let me ask a question.
“H-how?” That was all I could muster.
“You put that fear aside and asked for what you wanted, what you needed. That’s a big step for my baby. You think I’m not gonna’ reward that?”
Tonight’s reward took on a new definition, but I enjoyed it all the same.
In my heart, I knew Treason wasn’t anything like Lorenzo—possessive, manipulative, broken men who confused control with love.
I was well-versed and knew exactly how to navigate those choppy waters.
But the calm of an understanding, observant man who was attentive and patient, even when I didn’t always deserve it, was a difficult challenge.
Tre was a protector, and there was no doubt he’d wage war on Lorenzo.
Staring at the ceiling, Treason’s arm draped over me, his face buried into my side, warm and steady, my thoughts spinning fast. I should’ve been asleep, but my brain replayed how proud Tre was when I was keeping a secret from him.
I tried, but the weight of everything pressing down on me made my chest tight.
Then, Treason shifted quickly, startling me.
“Jesus!” I whispered, caught off guard. “You scared me.”
“I thought you were tougher than that.”
“Go back to sleep,” demanded
“Can’t. Your brain is too loud. Wassup, Blue?” his groggy voice asked.
“Promise me you won’t get weird?”
“I’m trying remember, so I can’t promise you that, but I’ll try.”
“I ran into Lorenzo today,” I spat in a rushed tone.
Treason shot up on his feet, wearing that dark edge when I left him in an alley with Ward and June. Usually, it was tucked behind his charm and patience. Tonight, it was front and center, raw and unfiltered.
“The fuck you mean you ran into him?”
I flinched. “I—It’s nothing, Tre. I just…” My voice trailed off because I could see the storm building in his eyes. “It’s not a big deal.”
“Why are you just now telling me this shit?”
“I don’t know,” I replied, flustered, “You promised not to get weird.”
“Fuck that! What do you mean you ran into this nigga!” My eyes skirted, avoidant. I’d barely gotten it out, and he was already livid. “Navie!”
“Leaving the women’s league meeting. He came out of nowhere saying-.”
“Saying what!?” he interrupted because I wasn’t getting to the point quickly enough while his eyes raked over me for damage.
“Making me feel crazy like I made up the abuse. He’s got business deals on the horizon and doesn’t need me ruining it, so keep his name out of my mouth.”
“Did he touch you?”
I nodded slowly, “I—I didn’t want to make a thing out of it,” I tried, my hands reaching for his, hoping to ground him without overstepping. “It’s fine, really. I’m fine.”