Page 38 of Ride

Me: He is not my baby daddy.

Winter: Might as well be since Virgil left the position open.

He can fill your tank, and I don’t mean on a car.

Me: Shut up girl.

Winter: You are running hot. He can cool you down.

Me: Why are you like this? He and I are friends.

Winter: Lay the pipe!

Me: I am not dealing with you since you left me.

Winter: Sorry bestie, you needed a family day.

Me: We are friends.

I was so distracted by replying to Winter that I bumped into Laikin and almost fell when the elevator got full. Before I could tumble, he wrapped a hand around my waist and pulled me into him.

“Uh… my bad.” I tried to ignore his hard body and sexy scent.

“Relax,” Laikin whispered in my ear and the feel of his big hand squeezing my thigh sent a vibration to my pussy and I hoped no one could smell my arousal.

Kayne was completely in heaven after we stepped from the crowds and made it onto the main floor. I tucked my phone away, finally releasing my breath when Laikin loosened his grip. Not letting Kayne run off, I held on tight to his hand and let Laikin take the lead.

Chapter Nine

Laikin

That call from my mother wasn’t only about Amena and Kayne coming to the house; I also had to hear about Callie still going online and lying about how I broke off an engagement to fall into a trap with Amena and becoming a stepfather to a bastard baby. When I first saw the post, I wanted to wring her neck, but Sarai demanded I leave it alone and let her handle Callie. One thing Callie loved was her career as a model, and Sarai had connections that went around the world. To hear that my mom got a call from Callie, yelling about how I ruined her career, and she should be ashamed about the son she raised, was the last straw. Sarai will only have so much power to hold me back from having a few cousins kick her ass.

Amena’s small curves fit in my hands like a glove. When I had to keep her from falling down, I had a familiar feeling that I foolishly tried to forget. Subconsciously, I kept thinking about stroking her thigh like I used to.

The rambunctiousness of Kayne, who was excited to be here, reminded me of my first time working on a car with my dad, learning the ins and outs. Our squad strolling over to Malik’s office interrupted my moment of relaxation. Some people might be shocked to know I hadn’t gone out to seek women while on the trip because my mind was in a state of denial that I wasn’t truly over Amena.

“We won’t be long.” I pointed for my security to give me a few minutes and knocked on Malik’s office.

“Yeah, it’s open,” Malik’s boisterous voice belted through the walls. I let Kayne go forward next to his mom and saw the smirk on Malik’s face and I knew he’d clown me about it later. He stood from his desk, came around to kisse Amena on the cheek, and high-five Kayne, then extended a hand to shake.

“What’s up? Are you ready for today?” Malik stood with his hands folded. Kayne tried to climb in his chair, but Amena nudged him back.

“Man, you already know I am ready.”

“Glad to hear. The Roxbury couple is here and ready for you in the conference room and I got the photographers waiting at the garage.” Malik picked up two VIP badges off the desk.

“Soon as I get them taken care of, I can focus.”

“Cool, they paid a lot of money, so make it eventful.” Malik slapped me on the shoulder and Kayne stood off to the side, staring at the racing track model on the top of Malik’s table in the corner.

“Amena, you still hanging with this maniac?” Malik teased.

She held a hand to her mouth to keep from laughing.

I flipped him off.

Amena and Malik cackled as we stepped out of the office. Kayne ran to keep up. All of us made it to the conference room and I waved as I entered, coming in to greet the couple with a handshake.