Page 28 of Only if You Catch Me
It dawned on me that I was going to have to change my last name. Marriage was like trouble. Easy to get into and hard to get out of. Yeah, I seriously doubted I’d ever get married again. “Brooks.”
“Aight, Ms. Brooks what you got going on later?”
“Nothing. I’m headed home.”
“Bet. You down to grab a bite to eat with me around six?”
Was this casual dating? I was down for having fun, but me getting attached wasn’t an option. The thumping between my thighs made me aware that being in Kastian’s presence too often would end up being a problem. But for some reason, I couldn’t say no.
“Where do you have in mind?”
“You choose.”
“I’ll think about it and text you.”
“Can I come pick you up this time, or are you still scared?”
That got a chuckle out of me. “I’ll text you the address too.”
“Gotcha.”
After I ended the call, I blew out a shaky breath. “Have fun, Persia,” I mumbled to myself glancing over at the divorce papers on my seat. “Just have fun. Nothing too deep or serious.”
Every time I eased past Kastian his cologne engulfed me. He was holding the door of the restaurant open for me. The moment I entered the dimly lit space; he placed his hand on the small of my back and spoke to the hostess. I wasn’t even aware that I washolding my breath as he stood insanely close to me with his hand on me until I let the breath go.
We followed the hostess to a booth. I didn’t even look around the dimly lit space to see if I recognized any of the faces. I honestly didn’t care. If every time I stepped out with Kastian someone wanted to go tell David, that didn’t have anything to do with me. Once we were seated, I decided to mention the situation, however.
“Legally, I am still a married woman. You’re not hesitant to be seen out with me?”
Kastian’s brows hiked. “Hesitant? Nah because if I were, I wouldn’t ask you to go places with me. Whose opinion should I be worried about? And I know damn well I’m not supposed to be afraid of the fuck nigga you’re married to.”
With a smile I shook my head. “I certainly don’t think you’re afraid of him.”
“Are you hesitant to be out with me?”
“I’m just looking at it from all angles. I don’t really care about gossip or opinions myself. I just don’t like unnecessary drama.”
“I’m damn sure not worried about anybody bringing drama to me and if they bring it to you, I can handle that for you.” The hint of toxicity in his orbs turned me on and scared me at the same time.
David was a bitch for sure. But I didn’t want him dead or hurt. “That won’t be necessary,” I chuckled. It would be a lie if I said the protective nature that Kastian had didn’t turn me on in crazy ways.
No one ever disrespected me when I was out with David. I honestly didn’t think he’d ever let harm come to me. He wasn’t some coward that just let people walk all over him. But letting Kastian demand twelve hours with me and him being willing to oblige was some sucka shit if ever there was any. I’d never get over that or be willing to forget it. He wasn’t even going to clearthe debt. He was just going to add seven days to the deadline. If Kastian had agreed to take twelve hours with me over the money, I might have tried to understand David’s reasoning. Or maybe I wouldn’t have.
“None of your women would be upset by seeing you out?” I questioned.
“Women? I wouldn’t go that far but anyone that I deal with knows what it is. If she doesn’t, that’s on her. I’m not in the business of explaining myself to anyone. Never been in a relationship before. Remember?”
I shrugged. “There are a lot of people that don’t have titles but that doesn’t stop them from being territorial.”
“I’m good. That’s what it is.”
I gave a slight nod. The server came over and took our orders.
“How you feeling about the other night?” he asked as she walked off.
Heat radiated between my thighs as moments from the night in question flashed through my mind. “I’m not sure what you mean, but I feel fine about it. I don’t have any regrets.”
“Good.”
