Page 66 of Dope Boys: Most Wanted
“First things first, I got you hooked. I just got to tag you, bag you. Second, us not working simply isn’t an option for me.” Markus gave in to his urge, placing a loaded kiss on her lips. “Or for you. I’ve never been a man who took no easily.”
Her lips quirked, expecting more, but Markus took himself out of her space. However, the kiss was a promise that next time he was wrapped around her, he wasn’t letting go so quickly. She chose to combat the seriousness with a quip.
“Yeah, I figured you were a toddler from the first time I met you. Big ass with a baby ass attitude. It’s on brand.”
“On brand? You talkin’ shit this high up in the air?” Markus asked with a half smirk.
“I mean, you did say if we fall, we’d fall together. Which means I can talk shit in the afterlife,” she buzzed, taking a seat and beaming up at him. “And if that’s the case, I’m talking some good shit.”
“You better cut it out,” Markus grumbled, nipping the corner of his lip.
“I’m not doing nothing,” Reign innocently spoke.
Markus chuckled and took a seat of his own. “You know what you doin’, Speechless. Keep it up.”
“Is that a threat?”
“I’d never threaten you. I’ll make you a promise, though. You ain’t ready for that though.”
Reign felt the flood of heat again and huffed. “Don’t tell me what I’m ready for, Money.”
He groaned and palmed his chin. “Reign…”
She flashed her eyes at him and let a smile take over her face. “There’s cameras, you crash out, I’ll have evidence. Paint.”
“Let me find out you the feds.”
“Ain’t a fed bone in my body, Money.”
“Mm. You know my name. But you playin’.”
From the museum to City Noodle for an early dinner. They roamed in and out of shops, and Reign noticed that everywhere they went, he had someone in the sea of people. Someone was watching his back. When he held her earlier, she felt the gun on his waist, always strapped and always vigilant, but completely focused on her. She loved it, and she hated to admit how much the protection alone was balm to her tattered spirit.
With coffee and pastries for the morning in hand, Reign tiptoed into the house. Markus followed behind with bags of things she’d touched and refused to buy because Reign expressed she was just window shopping and taking in the sights. For him, she deserved everything she wanted.
“My feeetttt,” she whined. “Why’d you let me wear these shoes?”
Markus laughed behind her, closing the door. “I asked you when you got in the car if those high ass heels weren’t going to kill you.”
“I’m sorry, I must’ve missed that fake concern because you were staring at me walk all day,” Reign shot back gingerly, tiptoeing into the kitchen to place the box of beignets, croissants, and biscuits on the counter. Before she could bend over to unzip the boots, she was hoisted into the air and placed on the counter. With minimal gasp, she watched as Markus unzipped each boot and dropped them to the floor.
Weakly, she buzzed, “Thanks.”
“The view was beautiful, I couldn’t help myself,” he said, hands planted on the cool countertop, calming the heat. He groaned, pressed his forehead against hers, his phone buzzing in his pocket, reminding him he still had businesses to run.
“You should handle that,” Reign softly spoke, placing her hands underneath her thighs. “It’s been buzzing all day. Handle your business.”
“You are my business,” he grumbled, kissing her face. “What you doin’ to me, Reign?”
“I don’t know,” she admitted. “What are you doing to me?”
“Marking you,” he admitted and drew in a sharp breath, feeling her tense. He withdrew, but not without kissing the tip of her nose. “Go get comfortable. I had you out all day.”
Reign’s brows met again. “You leaving?”
“Not if I don’t need to. I’m going to handle these calls,” Markus shared, stepping to the side. “But I mean if you want me to go-”
“No,” she blurted before catching herself, but his expression granted her permission to continue without judgment. “I’ve gotten used to you staying.”
