Page 24 of Save Room for Us

“What if I don’t like those options?” I questioned, trying to ignore the stirring he’d caused between my legs. It’d been a long time since a man turned me on and an even longer time since I wanted to have sex.

Cedric had turned me completely off of relationships and anything that came with them, so the fact that Asif was awakening even a little bit of something inside of me said a lot.

“Then find you a nigga willing to go to war for you. But judging by ya track record, I doubt you can.”

“My ex was a psycho,” I admitted.

“Nah, he a coward. And I can tell you right now he not willing to do what I am for you.” His eye contact was so strong I had to glance away here and there. “He don’t even have theabilityto.”

“What are you willing to do for me?” I put it as a joke, but I truly wanted to know.

“Anything.” He lifted his brows briefly.

“Oh… I see,” was all I could say, messing with my food instead of eating it. I wanted to remain calm even though on the inside, I was shrieking and bewildered.

Though I found myself to be pretty, I didn’t know what this man wanted with me. I was a single mother, I’d shot my ex, I could possibly be going to prison, and I couldn’t get a job without his help. A man like Asif had a plethora of options, so the math wasn’t mathing.

“I’ll let you be though, love. I’ll make sure no more niggas come bothering you tonight, tomorrow, the rest of the fucking year.” He backed away. “If you in the mood to be bothered, though, just shoot me a look, aight?”

“Alright.” I did my best not to blush, but I didn’t think it worked.

FIRST DAY…

Pulling up to the warehouse, I was beyond skittish. I’d been feeling this way the whole morning, all during the ride to drop Sophie at her aunt’s daycare, and still right now. I came half anhour early so I could give myself time to calm down. I didn’t want to pull up and immediately be thrown into my duties.

I knew everything about nursing like the back of my hand, so it wasn’t the actual job. It was more so being around Asif and then having to care for these types of men who lived such a fast paced and rough lifestyle. I just hoped they had some sense and decorum, because these LA niggas were known to get active from being turned down or embarrassed.

The door to the warehouse opened, and I noticed Grady step outside. Upon seeing me, he cheesed widely and started toward my car. Not wanting to be rude since he’d been pretty nice, considering who he was, I climbed out of the car.

“Damn, you know you fine when you sexy in scrubs.” He smirked, eyes roaming all over my body.

He was quite a stocky guy, around Cedric’s size but slightly shorter. He reminded me of my ex, and that made me a little bit uncomfortable, but I tried not to show it. It wasn’t his fault that he was similar in looks and build as Cedric.

“Are you really flirting with a woman who is on trial for shooting her ex?” I half joked as we walked inside, heading to the hospital area of the warehouse.

After seeing so many comments about me online, stating how no man in his right mind would want me after what I’d done, it shocked me when niggas who knew what I did still tried their hand. With Asif, it was different, and I guessed that was because he’d explained his outlook on it, and he knew more about the situation than these other niggas.

“That nigga deserved it, from what I’m seeing.” Grady sucked his teeth as I locked my things up. “I wouldn’t treat you like that, baby. I would do you right.” He made his way closer to me, filling me with a little bit of fright just like Cedric did.

“I’m not really trying to date.” I quickly moved from being trapped between him and the locker, and he followed me into the hospital room.

“That’s because you?—”

“Fuck you doing in here?” Asif showed up in the doorway, frown so deep I didn’t think his face could ever return to normal.

He wore a wife beater, royal blue track pants, and sneakers. His dreads were loose, and damn was he sexy. On top of it all, his build and height were drool worthy, and I tried my best to focus.

“Oh nah, I was just looking out for her, keeping guard and shit because you know how them niggas in the back can get.” Grady laughed nervously, just like the man at the lounge.

I noticed everyone laughed nervously around Asif, and he didn’t even need to say much to get such a reaction.

He stood there, seemingly reading Grady for a beat, then said, “Let me worry about that.”

Then, with a simple head nod, he dismissed Grady, who took note, quickly jogging out of the room to which Asif shut the door. Locating me, his face switched from one of irritation to bliss as he smiled at me. It was eerie but at the same time flattering how quickly he could switch.

“Poor guy. He was just being nice,” I said, setting out the things I thought I would need for the day.

“He ain’t being nice, love. He trying to be ya man, and I’m not having the shit. Like I said, when you in the market for a new nigga, I want you having tunnel vision, with me at the end of that muthafucka. Plus, only bodyguard you need is me. You don’t know these other niggas I got working for me, so you need something, you come to me only.”

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