Page 45 of Intentional Foul
Jhae’s mouth opened but closed as she processed my statement.
“There are more artists in L.A. We can hire an engineer to help with the album. Moe agreed to fly back and forth as needed. I have a photo shoot for Noise Level Shoes tomorrow. We have to go home today.”
She shrugged her shoulders before asking, “and what does that have to do with me?”
I licked my lips, wishing I was tasting hers instead.
“Jhae, you have an hour to get packed before the car pulls up,” I said.
“And if. . .”
“And if you don’t. I will carry you over my shoulder, putting us on every entertainment blog across the country,” I said.
She balled her fist and screamed, “uggghhhhhh,” before stomping off to the bedroom. The sounds of clunking echoed in the living space. I sighed as I stood from the couch and found her tossing her things into her bag. Stepping into her path, I paused her angry packing session.
“Woman, you drive me crazy. I love your spoiled, bratty ass,” I said as I caressed her forearms. “This transition to my wife is going to be hard on us both. I recognize you’re upset, but don’t throw your things.”
I moved in to kiss her, but she pulled her face away. “Okay,” I said and stepped out of her path.
Jhae politely laid the next few items in the luggage as she glared at me. I chuckled at her attempt to mock me. Because she called herself being upset, it took her an additional twenty minutes before she was completely packed. By the time we made it to the jet, we were an hour late.
Jhae sat in the very last seat in the back of the jet with sunglasses. The guitar I bought her sat propped against the seat next to her. Marquise leaned over the seat next to him in tears as he laughed. He knew Jhae ignoring me and remaining silent triggered me. Somehow, I needed to get through to my wife. When we kissed, the wall tumbled down but outside of our lips touching, she rejected me.
Jhae tried to beat me to the elevator of our condo, but her short legs didn’t get her far. I made it to the golden panel doors right as they opened. Marquise and I stepped in behind her and blocked access to the floor numbers.
“Excuse me, I need to press floor three,” she requested.
I nodded to my brother from behind her and he pressed the number fifteen. The top floor belonged to us. We had a split-level penthouse condo.
“I want to go home,” Jhae said as she stood in front of me.
Even in five-inch heels, she was still short, but no one wore them the way she did. Jhae’s feminine energy attracted me themost. It’s the way she glided, her sultriness and glossy lips that drove me mad with lust.
“Wifey, I have a gift for you. I can’t bring it to you,” I said, and she rolled her eyes.
“I don’t want your gift,” she said.
Jhae tried to maneuver to the panel as if I wasn’t blocking her pathway.
“She really thinks she is six feet tall,” Marquise said.
Jhae kept her eyes on me but flipped my brother off with a backward middle finger.
“Damn, Sis-in-law, I thought we were better than that,” Marquise teased as he chuckled.
The doors opened, but Jhae didn’t move. Marquise stood in the doorway to prevent the doors from closing. I rubbed my hands up and down her forearms.
“I honestly have a gift for you. If I could, I would bring it to you,” I said.
When her tight shoulders slumped, I knew I had won her over.
“After the gift, I’m going home, Malcolm,” she said.
I gestured for her to leave the elevator with my hand. She sucked her teeth as she passed Marquise. He led the way, unlocking the front door.
“Anissa always had good taste,” Jhae said, throwing a dig at me.
“Ha! Jhae, you know, this is all Malcolm. Man, you are shady,” Marquise said as he turned in my direction.
