Page 42 of Ride

“Leaving.”

I was beyond frustrated with her anger, like I had done something to her when she was the one to leave me—on top of marrying Virgil. Yet, she was acting like I should just get over everything in one day. We’d established boundaries, better communication on how we got here, and now she wanted to throw a tantrum like she’s sixteen again. “Amena, sit down.”

Amena looked at my parents, placed Kayne on his feet, tossing her napkin on the table. “Mr. and Mrs. Trenton, thank you for dinner, but Kayne needs to get home and get ready for bed.”

I stood to take them home.

Shaking her head left to right, she said, “I can find a ride home, Laikin.”

Air stalled in my lungs. She was running again.

“Amena, I know you’re upset, but let him take you home. I would feel better with it being so dark out,” Mom said, giving her a soft smile of comfort after giving out the details of my house.

Amena nodded, then turned to stroll out of the room, telling my parents goodnight. I composed my temper and marched out, holding my cell. I let them walk in front of me, praying that we wouldn’t have a blow-out in front of her son. Our driver jumped out of the front seat to open the door for Kayne, and I held the other door for Amena. She rolled her eyes.

We arrived at our condos a few minutes later, and I let my driver go for the rest of the night. I picked up a sleeping Kayne and held him in my arms.

Amena cupped Kayne’s foot. I grabbed her left hand with him on my right side, not letting her tantrum run on any longer, and strolled into the building. “I can take him.”

We made it inside. The ding from the elevator doors opening helped alleviate the tension. A dressed-up couple came out.

As soon as we made it onto our floor, she rushed to get her keys out and get inside, with half her body blocking me from following her in. I accepted the glaring anger that poured from her eyes.

Amena stretched her hands forward to take Kayne. “Thanks for dinner and for letting Kayne see the race,” she mumbled and then shifted her weight.

“You might as well take that chip off your shoulder and let me inside.”

“Laikin, it’s late, and Kayne has daycare tomorrow.” The fear in her voice stretched.

“Amena.”

She looked me in the eye, moving to the side with the door wide open. I stalked down the hall to his bedroom, placed him in bed, and removed his shoes. I tucked him under the covers. Hearing running water, I came into the kitchen and saw that she had a tea kettle on the stove.

I leaned against the counter next to the island. “Say what you have to say and we’re leaving it in the past.” Overreacting to something dealing with me was her motto. I had to handle her with kid gloves at times.

Her shoulders hunched with a long sigh. “I…I can't believe you stuck to our dream.” Amena glanced over her shoulder.

“I did.”

“Why don’t you hate me? I hate myself,” she said on a sob.

I pulled her into my arms, brushing a hand down her back, and swallowed the sudden lump in my throat. “Hate would be admitting that it was over.”

Slowly, her head lifted up and she stared at me. “What are you saying?”

“We are the only ones who can write our story, Pepper. My love for you never stopped, even with you marrying someone else. That was a journey you needed, but your home is here.” Taking her hand, I placed it on my chest.

“I never stopped loving you either, Laikin.”

“Come here.”

Our mouths touched instantly, getting familiar with each other again, before her arms went around my neck, pressing her body into mine.

“Mmmm…”

I bent at the knees and raised her up, her legs wrapped around my waist. I walked us back toward her bedroom. I kicked the door shut, put her on the bed, ripped off her top, and kicked off my shoes. She unbuckled my belt. I pushed her flat on her back, crawled on the bed kissing up her thigh, stomach, and squeezing each breast. Amena shoved her hand into my boxers, removing my dick through the slit.

“Laikin… please fuck me.” Amena moaned, arching off the bed.

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