Page 47 of His to Have
Not wanting to concentrate too much on that, I glanced at my phone, realizing I needed to pick up the pace. It was already after 8 p.m. and I was barely dressed. Making quick work, I pulled on my shorts and slipped into the crisscross blouse that showed a tiny peek at my midsection. Then, I applied a touch of makeup, before combing out my freshly flat-ironed bob.
After a final glance in the mirror, I sauntered out of my bedroom and into the main living area. I was surprised to find both Sophia and Tasha already waiting.
“Oh, hey. Did Teo let you in?” I asked, and Tasha looked up from her cell where she was aimlessly scrolling.
“Well, damn. Look at you.” Tasha’s eyes swept over my outfit with appreciation. “And yes, your man sent a car to the hotel to pick me up. The maid let me in.”
“Rosa,” I corrected gently.
The word "maid" didn't sit right with me. Rosa wasn't just the staff. Ilearnedthat quickly. She was much more to thisfamilyand deserved not to bediminishedtothe help.
“Oh shit, my bad. Yes, Rosa. She’s real sweet. Even offered me a glass of wine while I waited.”
Sophia finally chimed in from behind her compact. “Yeah, that Rosa is a sweetie. She is like family.” She finished applying her lipstick before snapping it shut and looking my way, taking in my all-white ensemble — sexy mid-thigh shorts, stylish halter top that covered just enough of my chest, and a series of gold accessories that effectively tied the look together.
“Man,” Sophia sucked her teeth at the same time, her lips curling into a smirk. “My brother ain’t gonna let you out of his sight lookin’ like this. You trying to have that nigga on a warpath. You do realize that he don’t play ‘bout you. Right?”
I grinned, waving her off. She was joking, but serious at the same time. Teo was always protective, but in a way that always felt brotherly. This time I understood there would be nothing sibling-like about his protectiveness.
“Girl, please, Teo will be just fine. It’s not like he hasn’t seen me like this before.” I thought about all the times he’d seen me go out with Tasha, or my cousins back home in Georgia.
Tasha snickered, leaning forward, acting like I’d just told a joke. “You can think that if you want. That man has always been bout you. Ain’t never played bout you, and that shit won’t start today. Especially since he has you all to himself now.”
Sophia nodded in agreement, closing her compact shut. “Exactly.”
Placing the small mirror back into her clutch she changed the subject. “He’s hanging out with Bash and Keem tonight, right? I don’t wanna end up in the same place. They will for sure kill our vibe.” Her eyes playfully rolled.
“Oh, umm. Yeah. I think he said they were going to some place named Lush… or Lust. It was something like that.” My face wrinkled as I tried to recall the name of the club Teo said he would be at.
“You mean LUXE? Keem’s new spot downtown?”
“Yeah, that’s the one.” I nodded, suddenly recalling the name.
“Say less. We’ll steer clear of that place tonight.” Sophia giggled, satisfied she figured out exactly where her brother and his friends would be. We both knew it didn’t matter though, because between the security traveling with us, and having to go to a spot protected by the Donatelli’s we’d have eyes on us regardless of where we ended up.
My gaze swept over both of them fully taking in their attire for the evening. Normally I wasn’t one to harp on aesthetics or concern myself with fashion. But Tasha and Sophia had outdone themselves, looking like they had just stepped out of aphotoshoot. Each of them had their own unique style, but yet we all complimented each other. Sophia rocked a sleek leather mini-dress paired with knee-high boots, and a bold green lip that added a pop of color to her fit. Tasha, on the other hand, opted for a more laid-back but equally sexy look. Her oversized lime-green button-up shirt, fastened only at the top, allowed anyone with eyes to take in her curvy body. She paired it with distressed denim shorts and sky-high green stilettos that showed off her long legs.
“You both look the fuck good.” I said adding an extra T sound effect at the end of the word good to drive home how fine they looked.
With a smile, they both said in unison, “Thank you.”
Just as we prepared to leave, Teo’s voice abruptly carried through the room as he made strides through the adjacent hallway. His smooth tenor drew our attention before we even saw him. “Get your daughter under control before she forces my hand,” he said as he entered the room mid-conversation. There was an undeniable authority in his tone, and despite the weight of his words, his expression remained remarkably composed. His eyes held steady, and though I knew he was likely annoyed, the caller on the other end of his phone would never know. “She is going to be the reason—” his voice trailed off when his eyes landed on me. Something shifted in his eyes and the conversation he was having seemed to be of no importance any longer. Quickly he told the caller, “I’ll see you after the wedding. Not a minute sooner.” He ended the call without a second thought. Teo’s gaze lingered on me, a mix of admiration and possessiveness.
“Amore,” he greeted, his voice growing lower as he approached.
Drinking me in with his gaze, his eyes swept over my bare legs, then my exposed midriff and finally at my face. Each look was long and heavy, with enough heat to make me blush.
He licked his lips, wetting them just enough to make me forget how to breathe. “You look good enough to eat.” The whisper that almost sounded like a growl was meant only for my ears.
The look in his eyes was unmistakable. This was hunger. And I wasn’t talking about yearning for sustenance. This was full-blown desire and dare I say a promise of more to come? When his tongue swiped across his lower lip again, instinctively I crossed one leg over the other trying to maintain some kind of decorum. This level of arousal was a little overwhelming, but I welcomed it anyway. Moisture pooled in my underwear and my skin tingled from his intense scrutiny.
“Teo.” His name fell from my lips softly. It was way too breathless and way too needy, even to my own ears. I wanted to shy away from his gaze, but like the imposing man that he was, he wouldn’t allow it.
The way he looked over me, committing every inch of my body to memory had me feeling like I was going to melt right into the damn hardwood floor. The sensual way his eyes devoured me was... intoxicating. I was one thousand percent sure, that if he could spread me open like a buffet, before we left this home... he’d feast and leave not a single fucking crumb. The silence between us was almost tangible.
Shit... why am I so hot?
My fingers rested on the fabric of my top where I struggled to discreetly fan myself. He was doing it to me... again. Making me feel things I shouldn’t feel, in places I had no business feeling.
