Page 62 of Sire
“When did he see you fuck?”
“Years ago, we’d go to clubs together. Recently? Only during initiations.”
I guess Nash refuses to be embarrassed, too. I plop on the other side of the sofa and put the popcorn bowl between us. “What kind of clubs?
He grabs a handful. “Kink clubs.”
I twist my lips, dying to ask, and he laughs, “No, I don’t have the same kink as Sire, not that I don’t love him and whatever he does. We’re very different and a lot alike. We’dgo to a club and find partners. I’d be with women; he’d be with women and men. We usually fucked side-by-side, but we never loved them.”
I curl my legs under me. “You’ve never been in love?”
“Oh, I’ve been in love for over ten years.”
“Wait. What?” I lean forward, excited for this story. “With who? Are you married? Do you have a queen?”
“No,” he shares. “I had a daughter when I was sixteen, and it took me a while to get my shit together and be a good dad. Now, it’s my priority, being a dad, and Alena’s a grown woman. She’s amazing …and …so is her beautiful best friend.”
My eyes widen, intrigued. “Alena’s best friend? You’re in love with your daughter’s best friend?”
“She’s almost thirty now and has no idea.”
“Does she have a name?”
“Vale Monroe.”
“So.” I stuff popcorn in my mouth. “What are you gonna do about it?”
He does it, too, talking with his mouth full. “Decide if I should reply to her text.”
Playfully, I nudge his leg. “Oh, so Valetextedyou?”
“Yeah, she needs help with some accounting where she works, andIneed help because I’m seriously considering doing it.”
“You’re an accountant andmafia?”
He laughs. “Yeah, and you know we don’t go around calling ourselves that.”
“Then why wouldn’t you help her?”
“The same reason why Sire treated you like kryptonite for the first two days you were here. Once we touch you, it’s over. We’re done and in love.”
My heart flips. “You think Sire’s in love with me?”
Nash turns my way, lowering his eyes. “Iknowhe’s fallingin love with you. I’ve known Sire since I was seventeen, and we met in juvie. He’s been my family ever since, and I’veneverseen him this way with anyone.”
I ask him something that’s been on my mind. “Do you think we’re going too fast?”
He raises an eyebrow. “Do you?”
I pause. “If I listen to some people? Yes, I guess. But if I listen to my heart? No. I have this instinct, like God is telling me that I belong with him.”
“Damn.” Nash shakes his head. “See? You’re perfect together.”
“But some people at his church are judging us because of our age difference.” I shrug. “Or maybe it’s because I’m brown. Or both.”
“Fuck them,” he scoffs. “They’d judge if Sire were with a White man. They’d judge if he were with a Black woman his age. Judgmental people want everyone to be miserable like them.”
“So, what’s keeping you from Vale?”
