“Can you drop me off at home? I need to grab my mom’s car.”

My mouth fell open. “You don’t have your own car?” I asked.

“Not anymore. Things got tight for my family a couple of years back, so I gave my mother my car. Most of the time, I walk and take the subway. In a few days, I’ll buy a nice little used Prius.”

I didn’t miss the chirpiness in her statement. She was excited about owning a used electric car.

Before I left Chicago, I’d set my woman up nicely. I vacated the bathroom, pondering on her words. Sometimes I lost touch with reality because wealth surrounded me. The times Icollected money in my Jersey territories for the bosses, I noticed the poverty. I often gave to those in the neighborhood. Honestly, I hadn’t stared poverty in the face since I left Syria. It was present at every turn. Not that I didn’t notice it in America, it was just different. My woman and her family didn’t have much. But just looking at Bianca, you wouldn’t know she was less fortunate.

She was a happy city girl. I’d have to tweak a few things in Bianca and her family’s lives. Didn’t want her father to think I was trying to buy their family. He’d see I was in it for the long hall. I’d have to get them in order financially before I moved Bianca to Jersey City.

I’d love to wake up next to her every day. Sliding my tongue along her gingerbread complected skin would make all the bullshit worth it I had to go through to get home to her.

A craving was born the day I stared into her eyes for the first time. Bianca thought I was full of shit because of how strong my feelings came across. The goal this week was to show Bianca as much of my real self as I could. She’d do the same. We didn’t need to sugar coat shit. If she enjoyed sitting around in a headscarf (as Lexis called it), t-shirt, and booty shorts, that was fine with me. And if she hung out with her friends a lot, I wanted to know.

***P***

At ten in the morning, I rolled to a stop in her driveway. She reached for the door handle.

“Not so fast. If I didn’t know any better, I’d think you didn’t want to be seen with me.”

She flashed a fake smile. Her eyes roamed the neighborhood before meeting my gaze.

Because of the tinted windows, no one could see her inside the truck.

I grabbed her chin with my thumb and forefinger, locking our eyes again. “Fuck anyone out there who might have something to say about our relationship.”

She frowned. “You said I could dis you in public.”

My brows lowered. “I did, huh?”

“Yes, Catch.”

A smile curled my lips as I picked up her arm with my free hand and brought it to my nose. “Good, you smell like me.”

“Making me wash my arms with your body wash wasn’t necessary,” Bianca scowled.

“It was. When people talk to you, they’ll think it’s cute you’re wearing your man’s body wash.”

My smile withered.

“Men need to know you’re mine,” I growled.

“Catch, I won’t argue.”

I arched a brow. “Why?”

“Because I don’t have time to argue with you. We’ll talk tomorrow.”

A chuckle rumbled in my chest. “That’s cute. No, you’ll sleep in my bed tonight like you’ll do every fucking night I’m in town.”

“Catch, I’m not staying with you.”

“We’re a couple. You will.”

“Ok.” Bianca puckered her lips, and I released her.

She was fucking up to something. I didn’t like it one bit, but I’d let her hang herself.