Page 47 of Another Constant

“The fuck wouldn’t I?” He screwed his face up, about to say something smart.True Kinga fashion.

“How did you know?”

“When we dropped Aja’s earrings off. You spent the entire time over there in that section. I pay yo’ fine ass a lot of attention.”

“You do, bu?—”

“But nothing. Before you get to telling me that you can’t accept it, just know I’on do grand gestures or any of that cony shit those folks do on those movies you watch. I just know I like you and you damn sure like me, so?—”

“You’re asking me to be your girlfriend?”

“Yo, that’s corny as fuck, because why the fuck I’m asking a question I already know the answer to?”

“Oh, so you already know the answer?” I asked, my eyes relishing in the amusement in his features.

He smirked. “I don’t?”

I sent a grin in his direction, matching his. “Kinga.”

He started the car, then I felt his eyes just before that deep, commanding, earth-hydrating voice filled the car. “You gonna be my girlfriend, Harlem?”

“Yes.”

“Good. Now we got that out the way, the next time somebody asks if you got a man, tell his ass yeah and give him my name.”

“And what does saying your name mean?”

“I’m known, ma. Too fucking known and by you belonging to me you known too.” That big ass grin filled his expression. “You’ll see if you have to.”

I nodded, trying my hardest to keep the smile on my face at bay. I couldn’t help it, not only had the man bought me things he noticed I liked weeks ago, but he’d asked me to be his after telling me he wasn’t romantic.Somebody sounded romantic to me.

* * *

“You asked me to be your girlfriend, then brought me to the strip club. Are you trying to tell me something with all this ass walking around here?” I asked, reading the message from Caya. She was letting me know she was on her way up the stairs.

“Nah. It’s my boy’s grand opening. Only ass I’m interested in is yours, Harlem.” He kissed the side of my face, eyes scanning the room. I didn’t understand why I was here, he could have come here without me. Fluorescent lighting filled the space while every six feet was a stripper pole. When he said we were going to a place called Donutz, I really thought he was taking me to a donut shop, but boy was I wrong. This was a strip club that not only sold donuts but was donut-themed. The stage below each pole was shaped and painted like different donut flavors. Then the menu had donuts to order there too. Had this not been a strip club, filled with naked bitches, I probably would have ordered a donut.

“Good save. When we leave here I really do want to go to a donut shop.”

He laughed. “Try one of the ones in here.” His eyes had yet to land on me because his head seemed to be on a swivel. Even though we were in what was considered a VIP section, there was a lot of movement. After all, it was a grand opening.

I was about to respond, but a heavy voice filled the space. “You came. What’s up, my boy?”

My eyes followed the sound of the voice over the loudness and they landed on a handsome man walking toward a now standing Kinga. They embraced, all smiles, and talked for a minute before Kinga reached for my hand for me to stand.

“Rennix, this is my lady, Harlem. Baby, this is my boy Rennix and he invited us here.” I shook his friend’s hand and congratulated him just as Caya entered the section. She immediately came over to me.

Kinga introduced her to Rennix before they left to get drinks, leaving her and me in the section. I saw the spark between her and Rennix from the moment they shook hands and he asked what she was drinking.

“Girl you strong, ’cause ain’t no way I’d have my man or whatever you call him in here around all this ass.” She looked around, getting comfortable next to me.

I shrugged. “One, I didn’t even know we were coming here and two…shit ain’t no two. He’s supporting his boy.” I shrugged again because she was indeed right. No, I wasn’t insecure, but in a room full of displayed ass and breasts, I couldn’t help but look his way every so often. The girls in here were stacked and definitely looking for somebody with nice pockets to dance for. Laid back or not, Kinga had better not be stupid enough to accept any type of dance. A bitch better not grind in his direction or anything.

She nodded. “Again, bitch you strong. His boy is fine though. Strong jawline and chocolate just like I like them. Too bad he owns a strip club,” she sort of pouted, confusing me.

“What’s the problem with strip club owners?”

“Too much easy access and purchasable pussy. I’on got time to be snatching hoes off poles. You laid back, but baby I’ma crash… straight the fuck out and ask for the details later.”

---