Page 9 of Ride

I drummed my fingers on top of his desk. “For whom?”

“Essence, Sarai’s friend.”

I flung my hand out. “Sarai is going to start her shit.”

“Sarai can speak for herself, and yes, we have shit to discuss, Laikin.” Sarai slammed the door behind us.

The slap to the back of my head was our normal routine when I pissed her off with my personal dealings that get me noticed by the media. “Hi, Sarai.”

Malik stood and reached for her hand to sit in his lap. “Babe, you're pregnant, no stress.” For a married couple, they were more like best friends and he never let Sarai felt like she was alone in raising their child, while they both had high profile careers. Her brown skin glowed under his admiration.

Sarai leaned her back against Malik. “Laikin, why do you make my work harder? We discussed you being more discreet.”

“Sis, I promise to behave.”

“Stop lying,” Sarai snickered and Malik raked his hand over her pregnant belly.

“How far along are you?”

“Six months. Oh, that reminds me. The invite is coming in the mail.”

The moment Malik snatched up Sarai, she made a big improvement in his life. Her cousin tried to scam Malik by making false harassment accusations. Sarai worked as his Publicist and got him the best team to find out the truth, which was all about jealousy of Sarai and Malik’s relationship. Once they became a solid team Sarai began fixing up not only his life, but his office, making it more layered, with a husky oak table, a carpet to match the drapes, and showcased art pieces on the walls. “Since when do men hang out at showers?”

“Since now! It’s a co-ed shower to find out what we’re having,” Sarai informed, standing up and walking around the desk in front of me.

A lopsided grin turned into a full-blown victory smile. “Can’t I just get you a present and call it a day?”

“Nope.” Sarai slipped her phone out of her skirt pocket, typing away.

I rose from the chair and slapped hands with Malik, holding onto the contract with my other hand, and faced them both.

“Sarai, what do you think about the jewelry company, Maze, asking me to do a commercial?” I bent down to pick up my gym bag.

“I told Malik to get the offer, something simple to make you look softer to the public.”

Malik held the door open for her to leave. She gently patted me on the arm, and Malik chuckled like a child who was watching his friend get in trouble.

“Women love me no matter what, not my fault.”

I walked alongside Sarai, stopped in front of the elevator, and pressed the button, waiting for the doors to open.

Sarai moved with grace and confidence. “Love and sex are two different things, sir.” Sarai ignored me, going to her office.

“Sex is all I need!” I shouted and a few gasps spread throughout the floor, making all the women stare at me.

A beautiful woman hiked up her skirt, put her hands on her hips, and offered, “I can help you with that.”

I leaned against the wall, twirled my finger around for her turn in front of me. “I bet you can.”

“Laikin!” Sarai screamed my name, making me jump as the elevator dinged. I climbed inside, stretched my hand up pretending it was a phone and mouthed call me.

* * *

Hearing the roar of the cars lined up against the side ready to take off, I checked my gloves and helmet, and walked up to my favorite girl I like to call Princess.

“Talbot, Princess ready?” Stepping into the sun filled afternoon to do a few laps always gave me a peace of mind.

Giving him a fist bump, he stood back, and I climbed into the car, checking all my equipment.

---