Page 31 of The Deed to a Gangsta's Heart

“You’re welcome. When you get done, just put the plateon the nightstand. I know you’re tired and want to get back to sleep.”

“Where you going?” he asked as I turned to leave.

“To my room.”

“Nah. You sleep in here now.”

I laughed and nodded. I was glad he said that because I wanted to sleep in his arms anyway.

“Yes, sir. Can I go get my phone?”

“Yes, and hurry back.”

He shot me a wink that made my pussy leak before he cut into his steak. After I grabbed my phone, I climbed into bed with him and got comfortable.

“On the subject of dinner, guess who had dinner this evening?” he asked.

“Who?”

“Luci and Armor.”

“What! He’s the guy she had the two night stand with?”

His head flung back, and he covered his mouth as he laughed. “That’s what she’s calling it?”

I nodded. “Yep. So it’s Armor?”

“It is.”

“Does he really like her, or is he just after the sex?”

“I think he really likes her. Armor’s kind of like me. He doesn’t hang with a lot of people, so if he’s spending time with her outside of sex, even if it’s just for dinner, it counts for something.”

“Good. She deserves a good man and something stable. Hopefully he can provide that.”

“If he wants to, he will. He’s a good man. I wouldn’t have gone into business with him otherwise. You know I don’t play about who I have in my circle. Lu will be good with him.”

I needed that assurance. While he ate, I scrolled onsocial media. When he was done, he brushed his teeth and returned to bed. As he wrapped his arms around me from the side, I couldn’t stop smiling. I meant it when I told him I’d been stuffing my feelings for him down over the years.

The possibility of something romantic brewing between us was something I wouldn’t allow myself to consider because I didn’t want to ruin our friendship. I knew things weren’t official and that we had a lot we needed to talk about, but I was confident we’d transition into this new stage with ease. And as I heard the sound of his snores as his body relaxed against me, my heart felt like it swelled in size.

19

Luci

Work ran late,so I agreed to meet Armor for dinner instead of letting him pick me up for dinner. We decided on the restaurant at The Lane Hotel. I can’t speak for him, but a part of me wanted to have dinner there with hopes the evening would end in a room. My overnight bag was already packed and in my trunk just to be safe since the last time I saw him we ended up spending the night together.

As I strutted into the hotel, I couldn’t stop myself from being filled with excitement. I didn’t know all the facts about Armor but what I knew so far, I liked. Even though we’d just met, I felt comfortable with him. He was the first man outside of the guy I gave my virginity to that I let inside of me without a condom. There was something special about him, about our connection, and I was curious to see how things would bloom.

After what happened with Adam, I didn’t care about moving too fast. I felt like I’d done everything right with Adam—letting him meet my parents, withholding sex, having the serious talks by our third date—and he still left me abruptly. I didn’t get the vibe he was cheating but I guess it didn’t matter at this point. He wanted things to be over, so they were over. I hadn’t heard from him since we broke up. I wouldn’t act like I didn’t miss him, but I was happy with the peace I had since moving to Jasper Lane because I wasn’t worried about what was going on with him.

Armor was different. He was mature, eloquent and gracious, yet rough and slightly controlling. He was a weird mix of things that didn’t seem like they went together but actually worked.

The hostess greeted me, and before I could tell her who I was meeting, a waitress came up and told me my party was already here and waiting. I followed her to the back of the restaurant where Armor was seated. He stood at the sight of me, and my mouth watered as I took him in.

Dressed impeccably in a dark tan suit, his white button down shirt had the first few buttons open. The no tie look gave a relaxed vibe to his attire that I loved. I bit my bottom lip as I blushed when he extended his arms for an embrace. Gladly, I hugged him and relaxed against his wide, hard frame. Armor had the kind of body that could make any woman feel safe.

“Thank you for joining me,” he said, pulling my chair back.

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