Page 18 of Pulse of True Soulmates

“How are you more nervous than me. I’m the one fucking your daddy’s daughter,” Deck joked from the driver’s seat. We were on our way to my father’s house for dinner.

I smacked him on the arm. “Deck, that is not funny. You don’t know my father. He can be intense. I mean, him and Troy never got along.”

His laughter stopped abruptly. When we came to a stoplight, he glared at me with not so friendly eyes. “I know you’re not comparing me to your bitch ass ex? I’m sure your father nevergot along with Troy’s fuck ass. Troy was a bitch, I’m not. Do you see the difference?”

“I’m sorry. I wasn’t trying to compare or offend you. I’m just nervous.” I lowered my head and fidgeted with my fingers.

Deck’s hand cupped my chin to lift my face. He turned my face to his, then kissed my lips. “You have no need to be nervous. Trust me, I got this.”

All I could do was trust that he did have it. When we got to my father’s house, you could smell the food in the air as soon as we got out of the car. One thing that Vernon Blackwell could do was grill his ass off. He grilled during any season. “Daddy!” I called out when we walked into the house.

“I’m in the kitchen, baby girl,” he responded. His smile was bright when I walked into the kitchen with Deck on my heels. “You look beautiful today.” He pulled me into his arms for a tight hug and kiss on my temple.

When we pulled away, I cleared my throat. “Daddy, this is my boyfriend, Declan Phillips Jr. Declan, this is my father, Vernon Blackwell.” My eyes ping ponged between my father and my man.

Declan’s hand extended. “It’s nice to finally meet you, Mr. Blackwell. Thank you for inviting me to dinner.”

My father looked down at his hand for a beat before he took it into his and shook it. “It’s nice to finally meet you too, Declan.” After their hands disconnected, he said, “At least you have a firm handshake unlike that fuck boy Troy.”

My eyes bulged.Why would he say that?Deck’s boisterous laughter made my eyes expand even more.

“Mr. Blackwell, bitch boys can’t have firm handshakes, sir. I’m a grown ass man,” Deck said cooly. He chuckled a little more.

My father didn’t initially laugh, but when he did, I let out the breath that I didn’t know I was holding. Dinner was ready,so we sat down to eat. There was casualget-to-know-youconversation during dinner. After dinner, I was told to sit in the den with Midnite while the men had a talk.I wanna know what they’re talking about.By the end of the night, my father and man seemed like damn best friends.What kind of conversation was that?

When we got to Deck’s house, we had a short sex session in the shower, then showered before we got in bed. The second time that I came to Deck’s house, he had installed a showerhead that regulated the water temperature like the one that I had at my house. It took me a while to get the shower right after my diagnosis. I was one of the rare women who didn’t like their water lake of hell hot.

“Baby,” I softly spoke. My head was on Deck’s chest as we lay in bed. “What did you and my dad talk about? Y’all seemed like best buds by the end of the night.”

He tittered. “Why are you so nosy? All you need to know is that me and your father have an understanding. I love you, and he loves you. Cool?”

“Really, baby? That’s the understanding that had you two buddy, buddy?” I turned on my award-winning pout. From his stoic expression, my pout fell flat tonight. “Whatever.”

He smacked my ass. “Right. Go to sleep, nosy ass girl. You know all that you need to know.”

I couldn’t stand him or my father at this point. I may have wanted to wait for my father to meet Deck at his party, but tonight proved to be a better plan.I guess I owe Fatima a thank you.

IT’S A BIRTHDAY PARTY . . .

I looked gorgeous, and my man was fine! The gown that I wore fit me like a glove. Today was a busy day, but to see the final results felt great. The venue was perfectly decorated.

Arms wrapped around me from behind before lips kissed my neck. “I’m going to fuck you in the bathroom tonight. No ‘let me show respect’; I’ll just eat that good pussy,” Deck whispered in my ear.

“Why are you so mannish?” I turned in his arms, then kissed his lips. “We have to be on our best behavior while we’re here. When we get home, you can have me however you want me.”

He smacked me on my ass, then squeezed it. He was so mannish, but I loved it. Declan was so different from what I was used to.

Photographers littered the event to take pictures. Many had been taken of my father, me, Declan, our friends, as well as the other dignitaries in the building. I didn’t reach out to them, but somehow, the media got wind of the party. They were outside covering it.

Fatima came over with two champagne flutes in her hand. “Alright, this is the only glass of alcohol that you can have tonight. Midnite, make sure you keep an eye on her.”

Midnite was very handsome in his doggie tuxedo. I reached for the flute excitedly because I hadn’t had an alcoholic drink in months. Before I could put it to my lips, Deck’s hand went around my wrist. “The only one, Aeon?”

“Ok, Deck. I mean, I think three should be the limit, but we can talk about that in a bit.” I took a sip from the flute. In a low voice, I said, “I get fancy on the dick when I’m a lil tipsy.”

He snickered at my words, then responded. “I guess I won’t know what it feels like for you to get fancy on my dick.”

Fatima burst into laughter because, of course, her nosy ass was listening to our conversation. She was gorgeous tonight. When we all got here, she met Georgie. They’d been talking for most of the night. “He told your unfancy ass.”

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