Page 19 of Nobody But You

“Brice told you that shit.”

“Yeah, we don’t keep secrets from each other; we’re all we got,” I solemnly said.

“I know it doesn’t mean much right now, but you have me,” he said, bringing the back of my hand to his lips to place a gentle kiss.

“I’m surprised that you aren’t currently kicking our asses about how crazy the shit sounds,” he followed.

“Why? You think marrying me is crazy?” I asked in all seriousness.

“What? No... I mean, I didn’t mean it like that. I’d love for,” He stuttered out.

“Stephon, I’m joking,” I laughed at his distress. He looked over at me and smiled.

Oh my,damn. Jourdan! Get it together!

“I would marry you if that’s explicitly what you wanted. I would never force anything on you, ever. With whatever you decide, I want to get to know you, all of you, Beautiful,” he said as he tipped my head back, swiping his thumb down my chin as he looked into my eyes. I hadn’t even realized that we’d stop walking or that we were standing beside my car, which I’d parked across the street. He’d watched me the entire time. It was surprising. Then again, this was Rock’s thing. It was something else that he was showing me that he could do. It was trust. After briefly getting lost in each other, he held his hand out to me.

“Keys,” he demanded. I sighed and placed them in his hand. He unlocked the door, got inside, inspected the rear seats, and started my car.

“You know I could have done that myself, right?” I said, smiling.

“I know,” he said, putting me in the driver’s seat and buckling me in. After he was satisfied with my safety, he closed the door. I rolled down my window to get his attention.

“Don’t you at least want my number so I can text you to tell you I'm home safe?” he leaned through the window, pushed my ballcap back, and gently kissed my lips.

“I don’t need your number because I know you’ll get home safe, Baby. Besides, I know where to find you anytime I want. Now go ahead and go,” he said, kissing me again. I nodded, rolled my window back up, checked traffic, and then pulled onto the road. I glanced into my rearview to see if he was still standing there, but he wasn’t. He’d slipped back into the shadows.

This man made me feel like I needed to sit my ass down somewhere. My defiance: I’m the best at what I do, and no man alive can sit me overruled.

Yeah, because you just drove away.Your ass was a lawn chair a minute ago. Folded like a damn dollar bill.Jourdan, you are in danger, girl!

It was as if he were my kryptonite, and the further I drove away, the more resolved I became. My mind told me it was a weakness, but my heart and body felt strengthened by him. He was quickly breaking down my walls.

Yep, Danger!

CHAPTER 10

Stephon

It was the night of the Mayor’s Ball, and I had picked my mother up hours earlier to attend. She was beautiful walking around in her black Balmain gown with a halter neck adorned with crystals. At least that’s what she’d told me because I didn’t know a damn thing about women’s fashion. Although the room was decorated in dim lighting, I had no problems spotting her in the room. She was currently bouncing from group to group with her little crew, Denise Haven and Savannah Cain. The party was in full swing, with more guests filing into the open ballroom. I decided it was time to start my walk around.

I pushed through the crowd of about one hundred guests, excusing myself to get through. There were also tables covered in black cloths and white floral arrangements that I had to maneuver through. By the night’s end, there would be three hundred and fifty, pending everyone showed up. This event was a big deal for my team, and I wanted everything to go as planned. Once I was happywith the security inside, I stepped outside to check in with them and ensure the perimeter was still secure. Before I stepped outside, I caught one more glance at my mother. She looked cozy and familiar as hell in the arms of Marshall Declan, Devin’s father-in-law and recent divorcee. Then he leaned in and kissed her lips. She was just with her friends. When in the fuck did he show up?

“His ass is knocking my mother down!” I exclaimed out loud to myself.

What the hell!

I swiped my hand down my face and returned to my task. I didn’t have time to interpret what I’d just seen, but I would ask my mother about it later.

“Yo B, is everything still good inside?” I spoke into the walkie

“B. As in me? Brody?”

“Don’t start with that shit, man,” I said back into the walkie-talkie as I heard him laughing on the other end with a few of my other employees.

“Yeah, man, we’re good. Stop micromanaging. Your ass literally just stepped outside two seconds ago.” While Brody was going on about my management style, a Cadillac Escalade pulled up to the curb. It was one of mine. I knew my cars and who should be driving them. It was Mike’s SUV. Some of the guests used our secure driving services tonight. The driver parked, exited, and rounded the vehicle's rear.

What in the entire fuck?

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