Page 58 of Heart of a Savage
“That’s some sick shit.” I shook my head. “I guess, Jalea. Since I know you won’t be here long, you can stay.”
“Thank you! Thank you!” She wrapped her arms around me and hugged me tightly. I vaguely pushed her back. “Sorry.”
“You’re doing too much. I’ll be back in a little while.”
“Okay,” she responded, beaming at me.
I shook my head and headed out of the kitchen to take a shower and get dressed.
Now I had to deal with this mean-ass girl because I was for sure going to be late—on purpose, that is.
“You’re late,” was the first thing she said when she opened the door.
She was standing in a black silk robe and high heels. Her hair was pulled up in a big bun, and her caramel skin was blemish-free. Arie was a beautiful woman with an ugly attitude, but I was determined to change that about her.
I stepped closer to her, and she pushed me back.
“Chill, mama. I had to shower, get dressed, and make sure my son was secured.”
“Ain’t your baby mama there? Couldn’t she see your son off to bed?”
A light smile graced my lips. “She is, but he prefers to kick it with me before he goes down.”
Arie stared at me, and I could see the anger in her eyes.
She’s jealous.
She rolled her eyes and stepped aside, allowing me to enter. Her home was beautiful and big enough for two families of about six people. The layout was the classic white and gold decor with splashes of lavender. I was shocked to see such soft colors from a hard woman because she certainly gave meScarfacevibes.
“Remove your shoes and follow me,” she commanded, turning and grabbing a bottle of champagne from the liquor shelf.
I removed my shoes and trailed her down a hall to an open den. On the floor in the center of the room was a picnic set up.
“Aww, honey bun, you did all this for me?” I joked.
“You make me do a lot of shit that I don’t want to do.”
“Oh yeah? And what exactly are those things?”
“Inviting you in my personal space is one. I never invite anyone to my home.”
“Why?”
“Because I don’t trust people.”
“Why?”
She sighed and blinked her lashes at me. “This what we doing? Playing twenty-one questions?”
“I’d love to know more about you, Arieana. It won’t hurt to share your feelings with someone other than family. I’m trying to be your safe space.” I pulled her to me, wrapping my arms around her slim waist and kissing her neck. She stood stiffly with her arms at her sides. “Hug your man back, baby. Come on… You can do it,” I encouraged her in a teasing tone.
Slowly, her arms came up as she wrapped them around my neck.
My hands found her ass as I squeezed them both and jiggled them. “I know you needed this hug.”
She pulled away from me. “You swear you know what I need.”
“I do. You need me.”
