Page 57 of Juke
Kasha grinned, sipping her wine. “And you said it back, right?”
I nodded, feeling my cheeks warm.
“That’s it, then,” Nic said. “You really ain’t got shit to worry about. Juke will definitely handle his ass before he even thinks about getting close to you.” Mel and Kasha agreed.
We talked for a few more minutes before I told them I’d call tomorrow. Ending the call, I padded out to the kitchen where Rashad was leaning against the counter with a plate in hand, watching me with that steady, unreadable stare.
“You look lighter,” he said finally, pushing the plate toward me. “What they say?”
I slid onto one of the stools and pulled the plate closer. “Just girl talk.” I shrugged. “I told them we made things official.”
“Good.” He sat across from me, eating slow. “I meant that shit, Sophi, and I’on care who knows it.”
The way he said it… so calm, like it was the most solid fact in the world—made my chest tighten. I set my fork down for a second. “I just… I wasn’t expecting it tonight. Everything that happened…”
“Everything that happened made it clearer,” he interrupted. His eyes locked with mine. “I need you to feel safe in that, even when shit looks crazy.”
“I do. I just… I get scared sometimes.” I swallowed.
“That’s normal,” he said. “But that nigga ain’t gone get the chance to touch you again. That’s my promise to you, Lovie.”
We sat there, just staring at each other. Then he reached over, slid my plate closer to him, and forked a piece of food up to my lips.
“Eat,” he demanded. “Can’t have you falling out on me.” He smirked.
I laughed softly but opened my mouth, letting him feed me. “You’re bossy, you know that?”
“Nah,” he countered, smirking. “I just know what’s best for you.”
The way he looked at me when he said it left no room for doubt… about Rio… about us… about anything.
Halfway through, he set his fork down and leaned back in his chair, eyes still on me. “You good?”
“Better than I was earlier,” I admitted.
“Good.” His tone dropped lower. “’Cause I’on like seeing you like that. All shook up and shit. You’re too strong for that.”
“Sometimes it feels like I’m not.”
Rashad stood and pulled me onto his lap without asking. His arms locked around me, his chin rested on my shoulder. “That’s where I come in. When you feel like you ain’t strong enough, I’ll carry that shit for you. Aight?”
“Okay,” I simpered.
“Good.” He kissed the side of my neck, his lips soft but lingering. “So never question if you’re safe with me. Never question what I feel for you. I said I love you, and I’on say shit I’on mean.”
My chest rose with a shaky breath. I turned in his lap until I was facing him, pressing my forehead to his. “I love you, too.”
He closed his eyes at that, exhaling like he’d been holding it in all night. Then he pulled me closer, one hand sliding up my back, the other gripping my thigh like he needed me as much as I needed him.
We sat like that, wrapped up in each other. The house was quiet except for the sound of our breathing syncing together. For the first time all night, I felt still… I felt safe.
I pulled back just enough to smile at him. “Congratulations, by the way. I didn’t even get to say it earlier, but… you killed it tonight.”
That grin I loved so much stretched across his face. “’Preciate that, baby.” He brushed a hand along my cheek, thumb catching the corner of my lip. “Shit’s crazy. I’ain even grabbed my payout from Buck yet, all that other shit had me heated. I’ll handle it tomorrow.” His eyes darkened, a mix of hunger and certainty in them. “But tonight… we forget all that. We celebrate. You and me.”
Before I could answer, his mouth was on mine again. The kiss was deeper this time, rougher, his hands sliding under my shirt like he couldn’t get enough. My breath hitched, my body melting into his touch, into the promise of him.
He stood, lifting me like I weighed nothing, his lips never leaving mine. All I could think was, no matter what tomorrow brought it… it didn’t matter. The only thing that mattered in this moment was the two of us, and for the first time in a long time, that was enough.
