Page 10 of Caught Stealing Your Heart
“Mamie, if you could see this house. It’s breathtaking.”
“I’m not worried about the house, Leilani. I’m worried about whose house it is.” Mamie video called me. “Go ring the doorbell or whatever you need to do so I can make sure you’re safe. I have 911 typed out just in case.”
“You’re so dramatic, but I love it.”
I turned my car off and got out, making sure my Coach crossbody was open for easy access to my gun. I didn’t even make it to the porch before the door opened, and Banks revealed himself. With my phone up, I turned my camera around so that Mamie could see him.
Of course, she burst into a fit of giggles. “Damn, sis. You called it. I guess I can let you go now. Call me when you leave. I love you.”
“I love you too.”
We hung up. I shoved my phone into my purse and crossed my arms. Banks pushed himself off the doorframe and trekked over to me.
Why was this man so divine?
On his lengthy legs were royal blue sweatpants with the Cougars logo on the upper thigh. The only thing covering his torso was a red wifebeater that displayed his toned, tattooed arms and neck. For him to be a baseball player, he was built like he played football. His chest was extremely defined along with the bricks layering his stomach. I almost salivated, but I kept my composure.
“Really, Banks? Or is this a Boss move?” I asked, peering up at him as he stood in front of me with his hands in his pockets.
His hooded, earthy brown eyes swept over me. “This was cocky, so it was Boss. It seems he’s the only side of me that can lure you in.”
“Lure me in? Oh, please. The only thing that lured me here was you being sneaky and the fact you paid another pretty penny for my art. Why?”
“Why what?”
I brushed my locs off my shoulder and expelled a sigh, trying to find the right words. “I’ve asked too many questions with no answer. I need Banks to be real with me.”
“Grab the drawing and come inside. You still gotta help me decide where to put the other one as well.”
With that, Banks walked back inside, leaving me there dumbfounded. A part of me wanted to set it on his porch and leave, but I was far too curious about him to do so. Carefully, I grabbed the drawing from my back seat, locked my car, and headed inside his home where I was greeted with the inviting aroma of vanilla and shea butter.
I thought the outside of his home was stunning, but the inside won me over.
I found Banks in his living room, staring at the wall with one arm crossed while his other elbow rested on it as he massaged his beard. The sound of SiR’s voice lowly filled the air, serenading my ears. Once I was beside Banks, I took in the wall before us. At first, I thought he was only buying my art to get my attention, which was probably true, but his wall was majestic.
Each piece was unique. I made my way over to it, stopping in front of the most recent fine line sketch by one of my favorite artists, Blaque. It was encased in a gold frame, matching the rest of the décor in the space. The twists and turns of the fine lines made a sorrowful face filled with an intense number of emotions.
“I can only imagine how he felt when he made this,” I spoke, trailing my finger along the frame. “I’m feeling he was in a headspace similar to the one I was in when I madeUncertainty.I wanted this piece for myself, but the price didn’t match my bank account at the time.”
“You can have it if you’d like. I can replace it with yours.”
My head whipped around, locs slapping me in the cheeks. “Are you serious?”
“As ever. I can see how much it’s speaking to you, so it’s all yours. Now, where are we going to put that one?” Banks quizzed, pointing to the one in my hand.
I stepped back and observed the wall. He was almost running out of room, but I found the perfect spot for it. I held it up and suggested, “Right here.”
“Nice. Set it down and come with me so we can talk.”
Banks led me over to the white sectional where he had wine and snacks on the coffee table. I sat next to him, ignoring the swarm of butterflies in the pit of my stomach. Being so close to him once again made me nervous. He offered me some red wine, which I happily accepted.
With the edge of the glass to my lips, I asked, “How did you know red was my favorite?”
“I’m very observant. It’s what you were drinking on your last two lives, so I figured it would be the best to go with.”
“Touché.”
“I have a proposition for you, beautiful.”
