Page 138 of Roulette: The Madam

I restedmy body on the hood of the car with the engine still running. It had been four days too many since I’d laid eyes on Princess. Watching as she walked out of her front door, dressed in a red silk dress with pumps to match, became the highlight of my evening.

She was sophisticated beyond words. And, it wasn’t a choice of hers. It came as natural as breathing. I hadn’t witnessed her inanything other than heels but once. Even around the house, sheclickedandclackedin mile-high stilettos.

I extended my right arm as she approached. When she was only inches away I wrapped my hand around her neck, pulling her into my chest and up to my lips. She closed her eyes, savoring the moment. I was savoring her.

Her taste.

Her scent.

Her hair.

Her nails.

Her brains.

Her beauty.

Her makeup.

Her subtle curves.

Her sophistication.

Her everything.

“Seriously?” Malaya’s voice was startling.

I was so caught up in the moment. Caught up in Roulette. I hadn’t noticed she’d exited the house shortly after. I wiped the sticky lipstick from my mouth and stood up straight.

“My bad, baby girl.” I laughed, realizing she’d never experienced me with a woman.

I kept my relations as far away from Malaya as I possibly could. But, Princess was different. She’d be around.

I wrapped my daughter in my arms, covering her body almost completely. It was so good seeing her. Business trips left me with so many unresolved concerns. There was always a chance that the plans I’d made for Malaya didn’t fall through. This time, they didn’t. But, Roulette’s presence allowed me to breathe. She had everything under control.

“Are those eyelashes on your eyes?” I queried, cupping her chin and lifted her face up to make sure I wasn’t seeing shit.

“Roulette helped me put them on. They’re still holding up. I’m only missing two. I’m going to replace them before I go to school in the morning.”

“Speaking of school, how has it been?”

“Better since Roulette slapped Haleigh’s mom. Every time I walk down the hallways now, I hearBow Down bit– Well, you know the song.”

Nervously, she chuckled, realizing she was close to using profanity. I’d never heard anything as foul come from her mouth. I was left with uprooted eyebrows and an ear angled toward her.

Something was different about my daughter and it wasn’t her choice of words. I was certain they crossed her mind when she was alone or with friends although she’d never expressed them.

There was something else. An unfamiliar sparkle. An unfamiliar confidence. An unfamiliar smile. An unfamiliar aura. She was being influenced. And, the influence was brightening the dimness of her light. My heart smiled. So did my face.

“No, I don’t know the song. Please enlighten me.”

“It’s a Beyonc– Nevermind. I’m going inside. Have fun you two and be back at a decent hour. I’ll be waiting.”

“Will you now, because you’re sleep by eight every night,” Roulette challenged.

Learning Malaya as swiftly as she had was reassuring. From their chemistry, one would assume they’d been around each other all their lives. Roulette had grown up around so many women that she’d adjusted to Malaya’s presence effortlessly.

“Shhhh. I don’t want the neighbors hearing you and trying to kidnap me after eight.”

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