Page 42 of Real's Love

My eyes widened. I was surprised by his words... and at myself. I never considered these requests this quickly. I had a method. It was tried and true. But here I was...

"You want my time exclusively?"

I wanted to make sure I had this right. He frowned harder as he nodded sharply. I swallowed, made sure none of my mixed feelings were showing when I next spoke.

"That's possible. But you gotta know... there are rules..."

"I have no problem handling your expenses. I ain't ever been in an… arrangement, but I know how the shit goes," he cut me off.

I’d been honest with him about my last two “arrangements” and why I chose them over regular dating.

"There are other rules, Montréal," I insisted.

His eyes narrowed as he stared down at me.

"Tell me."

"Just five little things that'll keep this neat for both of us," I explained.

"Stop stalling, shorty!"

I kissed my teeth. "Fine. Number one, no dates. I don't want to be in the public eye. I'm not an attention seeker. Number two, no sleepovers. I don't need all the cuddling and it's not my business how you spend your nights away from me, as long as you protect yourself. Number three, our business is nobody's business. If we see each other, we don't know each other. Nothing you share with me will be shared with anyone. Number four, no strings. Either one of us can walk away at any time. And number five, no deep feelings. This isn't a typical relationship and I'm sure we're both happy with that."

His face remained blank as I gave him my list. He studied me for a long moment.

“The way you reciting that shit… you’ve really done this all cool and methodical before?”

There was something about the way he asked the question, some little sound to his voice. I couldn’t figure it out, so I just nodded. Brown eyes regarded me for another minute.

"Damn, Ev. I'on think I know another woman like you," he said finally.

"Of course you don't," I popped. "Do we have a deal or not?"

It wasn't until he had me face down on that damn throw pillow, arms locked behind me, pussy spread around him, that he answered.

“No strings, ever, right? Yeah, love," he uttered against my ear.

For the first time, those words gave me pause, didn’t feel right. But he kept talking.

"Yeah, love. We got a deal.”

(Thepresent)

I was slipping, bad. I had promised myself the only woman outside my worrisome ass family that I’d ever bring here was one I was committed to... whenever I decided to do that shit. But as Ev walked through in a pair of my socks, oohing and ahhing over things, it didn't feel as strange as it should have.

We'd given the groceries to Moira, the personal chef I had come in three or four times a month to supplement what I made for myself. She and I had this ongoing challenge where I bought whatever I wanted, no list or recipe from her, and she whipped up something bussin' from the ingredients I had chosen. I hoped Ev would like whatever she came up with as much as I always did.

"Real, this is a truly beautiful home," Ev complimented as I closed the door of the guest bedroom that I'd just shown her.

"Thanks. C’mon."

I held out my hand, and she only looked at me for a second before she took it. Wordlessly, I led her down the hallway and into the small elevator. The house was only two stories high, but my favorite part was the rooftop deck. Enclosed by hurricane-resistant glass, the deck had incredible views of the city, since the house was built in an exclusive, hilly area. Ev gasped as we stepped off the elevator. She didn't even wait for me as she walked up to the glass to peer out. I followed, stopping behind her. For a while, she didn't say anything, just took in the beauty of the city lights, her breathing rhythmic and soft. It made me wonder what was on her mind. Finally, she turned to face me, a small smile decorating her pretty face.

"It's perfect, Real," she whispered.

Leaning in, I nuzzled her ear before murmuring, "Like you."

Turning her head slightly, she shocked the hell out of me by cupping my face and pulling me down into a kiss. It was slow and sweet and had my dick like a steel rod by the time she lowered herself from her tiptoes. She buried her face against my chest, and I hugged her tight.

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