Page 43 of Real's Love

"You tryna make me have dessert before dinner," I warned playfully.

"That's not allowed," she popped.

It sounded too much like one of her rules. I hated them damn things, which is why she ended up in one of the rooftop chairs, her dress pushed up, her panties removed, and a leg over each arm. I ate her like we didn't have dinner coming. Swear she wet up the whole bottom half of my face as she moaned and begged in that chair. We washed up quickly when Moira texted to let me know dinner was ready, then returned to the roof to eat.

I wasn't surprised Moira did her thing. She set out a vibrant green salad, succulent lobster tails, juicy ribeyes, a creamy spinach dish, and potatoes whipped so light, shit was like eating air. We sat on cushions at one of the low tables. A nigga's oral skills had Ev mellow and almost sleepy, so she didn't even bring up one of her rules when I pulled her to sit between my legs, facing me with her legs thrown over mine. She hesitated when I offered her a bite of steak from my fork but finally accepted it. I encouraged her to talk as I fed her. The little I knew about her mostly came from the background check. She didn't talk about herself, didn't have pictures displayed at her house or on the lock screen of her phone. Ev was unlike any woman I'd ever dealt with.

"This spinach is so good," she said after I gave her a bite. "She makes it like my sister."

"You have a sister?" I asked.

According to my guy, she was the only child of deceased parents. She recovered quickly, I had to give her credit. But I had felt her freeze for a second, and I made a note to check shit again.

"She's really my cousin, but we grew up like sisters," she explained, giving me a small smile.

"That's cool."

I was about to press her to say more when the elevator arrived. Moira had taken it down after bringing the food, so I assumed she was coming back with dessert. I was wrong. I grilled Ghazi as he stepped out. That nigga's mouth almost fell open when he saw Ev.

"The fuck you want?" I directed at his annoying ass.

"You take yo' phone off Do Not Disturb and you might find out. I see why, now, though," he said, a goofy ass grin spreading across his face.

Ev cleared her throat before grabbing a napkin and wiping her hands. She smiled at Ghazi and extended her hand.

"Real is being rude. I'm Ev?—”

"Nah, I know who you are, shorty. Evanie, the labor and delivery nurse who my brother introduced to the women in our family. You even prettier than Mona said," he complimented, taking her hand and holding it too long.

“Ghazi," I warned.

“That’s so sweet of you,” Ev said.

He smirked at me, getting a kick out of this shit. He finally let her hand go, giving me a speculative look. Then, he plopped his ass down on one of the small couches decorating the rooftop.

"Damn, bruh. You coulda told a nigga Moira was putting them pots to work tonight. Shit looks scrumptious. I'ma just go make a?—”

"You want me to throw yo' ass out?" I asked.

"Montréal!" she fussed, moving like she was about to stand.

“Nah, be still, love.”

I grabbed her hand to hold her where she was. No way in hell was my brother about to fuck up this vibe. It was crazy how I’d repeatedly had her legs open over the last year, but never her mind or heart. This was the closest I’d come, and Ghazi was about to get the fuck outta here.

“You got five seconds,” I gritted.

He threw up both hands.

“A’ight, nigga! I forgot one of my MacBooks over here. I let myself in because I didn’t know you were here. Moira mentioned you were on the roof. Didn’t know I couldn’t come speak to my big brother, damn!”

Ghazi tried to sound hurt, but the nigga was smiling too hard. I knew he was gon' talk shit at the next available opportunity. I wanted to cuss his ass out, but Ev shifted on the cushions, reminding me I had other stuff I'd much rather be doing.

"Go get the damn computer, Ghazi. I'ma get up with you soon," I told him.

He gave me a head nod before looking at Ev again.

"It was nice meeting you, Ms. Evanie."

---