Page 53 of Father of the Bride

“Now you know I don’t give nary a fuck about your ex-husband. I’d go tell his ass what’s up right now if you let me.”

“Stop.” She brushed a thumb across his lower lip. “Whatisup, though?” she asked eagerly, making him laugh.

“Yeah, you tell me. I heard you got a date coming to the wedding tomorrow.”

Sunny groaned dramatically, turning onto her back, throwing an arm over her eyes. “I forgot about that.”

“How you forget to tell me you got another nigga coming to my home?” he teased.

“It’s not like that,” she explained, peeking at him from under he arm. “He’s just a guy I know from work. Strictly platonic.”

Mark grinned. “I’m just messing with you, Cici.”

She swatted his chest. “You’re so annoying. And the only reason I asked him was because I didn’t wanna look lonely and pathetic while Orion paraded his fiancée around.”

Mark’s mouth twitched, fighting a smile. Same old Cici. “So you needed a human shield for the fuckery.”

“Basically,” she said, finally moving her arm. “His name is Luke, and there will be no hand-holding or kissing or romantic walks on the beach.”

Mark’s hand wandered absently along her waist, his fingertips brushing urgently against her skin as if to make sure she wasn’t getting too far away from him.

“Good,” he said, his voice going darker. “I already know I’ma be jealous seeing you with him.”

Her heart kicked up as she reached out to smooth a hand over his jaw. “You have nothing to worry about.”

“And yet I’m still gonna worry.” He caught her hand, turning his head to kiss her palm. “It’s what I do.”

“You pretending to be my date would have been way more satisfying than me dragging Luke into this.”

Mark huffed out a laugh. “Would’ve never worked.”

“Why not?”

“Because, my beauty. You can’t pretend with me.”

She smiled shyly. “Kez.”

“Everybody would have seen me kissing all on you, touching you, throwing you over my shoulder like a caveman.”

Her body warmed beneath the sheet as she remembered the caveman way he’d made love to her tonight.

“Alright,” she said. “I need to go.”

She sat up, only making it halfway to a standing position before Mark reached out and grabbed her hand.

“Stay with me,” he said. “Just a little while longer.”

She glanced at the clock on the side table. 1:48 a.m.

“Prayer breakfast in the morning, remember?”

“Of course I remember,” he said. “I’m paying for that shit.”

Sunny burst out laughing, returning to her spot. Just for a little while longer.

His fingers tangled loosely in her hair before finding her scalp. Soft caresses brought out moans that sounded like music to him.

“Remember when we used to grease each others’ scalps?” she purred.

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