Page 32 of Sire: On Your Knees

We moaned at the same time. He looked down at me with a genuine expression of pleasure and adoration. It brought tears to my eyes once again. I never thought a man could look at me that way, let alone this one. While I thoroughly enjoyed being with him in this way, I was not fully convinced I could trust him. What would happen the next time he became afraid of what he felt for me?

"What are you thinking?" Sire asked, reading my expression.

I palmed his face. "Is this real?"

He leaned down and pecked my lips. "It's as real as it gets for me. I've never felt the things I feel for you before."

I sniffled. "I know. Me too."

"Don't worry, baby. It's going to be okay. I promise." He kissed my cheeks repeatedly and confessed, "It fucks me up every time I see you cry. How can I make it better?"

I didn't even have to think about my answer. "Make love to me."

He grinned cheerily. "I can do that."

Sire's promise was enough to bring me back to the present instead of getting lost in my concern for the future. Whatever lay ahead of us was already there. The best thing I could do was focus on now and how the man who had my heart was feeding me every inch of him skillfully.

Igently caressed Noonie's cheek, admiring how beautiful she was. Sleeping quietly on my chest, I could feel her every inhale and exhale, putting my mind at ease. Leaning down, I placed a kiss on her forehead, knowing I was too far gone to turn back now.

She shifted only a little to snuggle closer to me. I was so at peace watching her sleep. I loved how soft her skin was. Resting my cheek on the top of her head, I debated what to do next.

My feelings for her were obvious, and there was no denying where I stood, meaning it was time for her time in captivity to come to an end. I already had the plan in mind. Now, I just needed to follow through. There was no discussion of what came next.Would she stay? Would she go? If she loved me, she would stay, right?

I wondered if there could ever be a true future for us knowing the things I'd done. Knovah came into my life like a whirlwind, uprooting everything I'd planted to keep myself safe. I never thought a woman could love me so wholeheartedly, but the way she fought for me showed that I was worthy of it even when I wasn't my best self.

I had to do what was best for Noonie. She'd gotten to know me and even love me because I trapped her here. Would herfeelings remain the same when she had her freedom? I knew I couldn't put it off anymore. She deserved to walk away if that's what she chose. I prayed she didn't because she gave my life meaning again.

Easing from underneath her, I snatched my phone from the dresser and retreated to the terrace. It was late afternoon, so my father was probably available. I took a deep breath, then unlocked my phone to go to his contact. I tried to control my breathing as I waited for him to answer.

"JaSire... you have news for me?" He answered without greeting me or anything.

I shook my head, knowing it was foolish to expect anything less than his condescending and detached nature. Leaning across the railing, I decided to get this over with. "Yes. I have a proposition for you."

"I'm listening." I knew he would be. He only spoke business unless it involved my mother. She was the only one to shift his focus to something more passionate and real.

"I have Knovah, but she doesn't know where her friends are. I want to release her so she can get back to living her life. If you leave her alone, I will become CCB chairman," I proposed.

I was basically trading Noonie's freedom for my own. She was worth it, though. I would be okay with taking on my new position in the organization, knowing exactly what and who I'd be coming home to. I was lowkey excited just thinking about it, and nothing was concrete yet.

My father kept quiet. Before he asked the million-dollar question, I knew it was coming. "Why do you want to let her go?"

"Because I love her." It was my first time admitting it aloud, and it settled something in my spirit. It was the truth. There was no point in pretending it wasn't.

"Ha, my son has the ability to love. Who knew?" I tried not to let him bother me because before she came into my life, I'd been convinced I didn't. "I need to meet this girl after all."

"No," I responded quickly. Selfishly, I wanted to keep her to myself and far away from my family. "Do we have a deal or not?"

Again, he kept me waiting when we both knew it was too good a proposition to give up. Noonie wasn't really the one he wanted, anyway. She was not the mastermind behind the robbery and didn't deserve any fate that suggested otherwise. He was finally going to get what he wanted. There was no way he was turning that down.

"Okay, we have a deal. However, at some point, we will have to meet the girl you love."

I ran a hand down my face, feeling relieved. Ignoring what he'd said, I told him, "I'll be by to discuss the next steps."

Without waiting another second, I ended the call. I was relieved to know Knovah would be safe from any retaliation. Now, I had to share the news with her. Even though it terrified me to give her a choice, I knew it was the only way to know if this was real.

Returning inside, I went straight to my office. There was a safe inside the closet. Going inside, I punched in my code. The lock disengaged, and when I snatched it open, it was filled to the brim with one-hundred-dollar bills. Grabbing a duffel bag from off the floor, I began to stuff everything I had inside the duffel.

Once it cleared out, I closed it back and shouldered the bag. It was a little heavy, but it was nothing I couldn't handle. Noonie was still passed out, sleeping on my bed. While I wanted to allow her to sleep, there was a part of me that was ready to get this over with so I would know what came next.

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