Page 41 of Intentional Foul
I wanted to lie, but I knew my eyes would betray me as he applied tender pressure.
“Jhae, answer my question. Tell me you want me to keep kissing you?” he asked.
“Kiss me,” I slowly moaned.
Malcolm pulled me in for yet another kiss. He intensified the connection as our tongues fought for space inside eachother’s mouths. The freeing of his hands from around my neck beckoned me to sigh. We separated, leaving only the heat and arousal between us.
“We’re going to lie in bed, watch TV while you eat, and I’m going to hold you tonight,” he said.
I wanted to protest, but the finality in his eyes told me otherwise. He gestured for me to move into the bedroom and I cleared my throat. Stepping into the bedroom, I bypassed the bed and b-lined it to the bathroom. I slammed the door behind me and paced the floor to cool my body. If I hadn’t changed into my lounge clothes, I would’ve taken a shower. Admitting I wanted his lips on me had already backfired.
“Jhae, get yourself under control. Get your masters back and get the divorce,” I whispered to myself.
I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror, and my eyes betrayed me before I finished the sentence. Gripping the edge of the marble vanity, I leaned forward, dropping my head between my arms.
“Jhae, you got this. Jhae, you got this,” I repeated.
Pushing off the vanity, I stood straight up and blew hard into the air. I gripped the door handle and walked back into the bedroom to find Malcolm relaxed in bed. He placed my food on the nightstand, adding a drink. I circled the bed, avoiding his hanging feet. With the blanket already pulled back, I climbed into bed, positioning myself close to the edge. I secured my plate to find my sandwich already split in half.
“Baby, you should eat,” he said.
The fact he had cut my sandwich forced me to push back my tears. No one I ever dated paid this much attention to me. I bit into the chicken salad sandwich, and my feet danced to the taste. It took me five to ten minutes to finish half the sandwich and a handful of chips. Malcolm remained quiet, scrolling on his phone. He chuckled a few times, but for the most part he sat still.
My phone pranced from the vibration. I patted next to me, careful not to touch Malcolm. He slipped his hand underneath the bedding, handing me my phone. The screen said Anissa, and the food I’d savored wanted to retract.
“Answer it,” he said, but I silenced it instead as guilt consumed me.
“Hey, Mom,” Malcolm voiced, and my limbs stiffened. “I’m in Kansas City with Jhae. She was eating and couldn’t answer the phone when you called.”
I couldn’t face him after listening to him give out his location.
“Jhae, I’ve been texting you. I need the info on KC,” Anissa said through the speaker.
Malcolm tapped my arm, pushing his phone in my direction.
“Hey friend. It’s nothing to tell, really,” I said as he held the phone in the air.
Anger replaced guilt as I gritted my teeth in his direction, and he smirked.
“Crush my little joy. Here I am ready to hear about my friend finding someone. You need to go on a date, but why are Malcolm and Marquise in Kansas City?” she asked.
I opened my mouth to lie, but Malcolm interrupted. “We came out to help Jhae. I’m trying to convince her to let me invest in the album. You know, diversify my portfolio,” he said.
If I were strong enough, I would’ve tossed his ass out the window right on the sidewalk.
“Jhae, I think you should take him up on his idea. You wanted to be free from the label anyway. I’m willing to negotiate for a percentage,” Anissa said.
I balled my free hand at Malcolm, and he grinned.
“I’ve seen you negotiate and no. I won’t own anything when you’re done,” I said, and she giggled.
“I’ll cut you a deal, but let me go. I know it’s late there. Malcolm, tell Marquise to call me and reach out to your aunt,” she said.
“Will do. Love you,” he said, and Malcolm hung up.
I bit hard into my lip and lifted my small fist, mimicking someone ready to throw a punch.
“If you don’t want her to know we’re married, I’d advise you to behave as normal. When you change, she sniffs. Stop avoiding my mother,” he said.
