Page 109 of Roulette: The Madam

“Where are we headed?”

“Wherever the fuck we’re headed.”

“Suits me,” I admitted, settling in the seat, preparing to close my eyes.

I’d been in meetings all morning trying to finalize the sale of the land I was interested in buildingPenthouseon. Straight from the meetings, I checked in at the club and then had an early dinner with Rome and Rather.

Rugger called and kept me on the phone an hour too long. I hadn’t rested my eyes since I’d opened them this morning.

Suddenly, I could relax. I was in good hands. Big hands. Murderous hands. Powerful hands. Talented hands.

“Did it make you feel better?” I asked as a yawn stretched my mouth.

“You make me feel better,” he huffed.

His grip on the steering wheel loosened. He was descending.

Good for you, Israel.

“The idea of you with another man fuels something deep within me that doesn’t let me keep calm. I can’t remember being this fucking agitated in all of my life. I don’t want to play games, Princess.”

He was frustrated with the feelings that were slowly developing for me. I shared his sentiments, but I wouldn’t let them determine my mood. Not tonight, anyway.

“I agree. But, I’ve been honest with you since the beginning, Israel. I cherish my freedom. There are a thousand women waiting for a man as complimentary as you. I’m a walking caution sign.

“I am a liberated woman. I am a free thinker. I am unorthodox. I don’t dream of the same things women of my age dream of. I don’t want the husband and state of the art kitchen.

“I want girls, working girls, direct access to men’s pockets, and an account so ridiculous that my nieces and nephews can take care of their entire lineage with my assets once I die. Not all men can handle that. Not all men can handle me.”

“I’m not all men. Don’t even compare me to them.”

“You were on a date, Israel.” I reminded him. “You are actively seeing women, yet you’re demanding you’re the only man I see? Hypocritical.”

“Not because I want to. It was an effort to suppress my thoughts and feelings as they pertain to you. Because, as you stated, you have been honest with me. Shit ain’t working. So, fuck honesty. Fuck them women. And fuck them niggas. Unless you want to cost families more pain than necessary, I suggest you not test me, Princess. I do not bluff.”

“Taming a feral kitten is much harder than adopting one who was born to be a domestic cat.”

The tarmac was now visible. With the schedule I’d been working with, I could use a break. Israel was out of the car and on my side before I had the chance to voice my concerns with the timeline of our travel. I had another meeting with the owners of the land in four days. I couldn’t miss it. Not even if I wanted to.

“Get out.”

“Aggressive, much?”

He slammed the door behind me and placed his palms on the car.

“Listen to me, Roulette.”

He was close enough to smell the peppermint that lingered on my breath.

“I don’t give a fuck how feral that kitty is. It’s the only one I’m interested in. Taming you isn’t my goal. It’s helping you realize I’m the nigga that knows exactly what you need, even though you don’t know what you need your damn self. I’m not trying to imprison you.

“I’m just trying to be the wind that helps your soar as high as you can fucking go, Princess. And, when you feel like you can’t go any higher, I want to be the gush of air that pushes you a bit further so you can see that not even the sky is the limit. This is,” he explained, tapping the side of my head.

He stepped back.

“I get it. A nigga just cracked your shit. Broke your heart. Betrayed you. Got you in a funk. Got you feeling like your back is against the world. Got you ready to do niggas dirty, making them pay for his mistakes. But, I can’t let you do that to me. I mean you well. And, I won’t rush you into anything, but I ain’t letting up.

“Have your way, Princess, but understand that I’m on your ass. Every move you make should uphold the standards I’ve set for you as mine. Because as much as you want to believe you’re not, we both know what’s up. You can’t run forever. I won’t let you. So, keep being liberated. Keep being a free thinker. Keep being unorthodox.

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