Page 13 of When Darkness Comes Knocking
I pulled in front of Perrae’s house and parked. Although I finished my mint a few minutes ago, I blew my breath in my hand. It was minty fresh. I was good to go.
I grabbed Perrae’s bouquet of roses, climbed out of my truck, and closed the door. I glanced over at Perrae’s neighbor’s house. It was nightfall, yet every light in his house was out. That was odd.
Maybe he was out. It was Friday night after all. He still rubbed me the wrong way, but days had passed, and she hadn’t mentioned any other occurrences. He probably got the picture.
I walked up the few steps to her door and rang the bell. Seconds passed before the door opened. JJ stood on the other side with his gaming headset on.
He stepped to the side, and I walked in. “What’s up, JJ?”
“I’m coolin’. What’s up with you?” he quizzed.
“I can’t complain at all.” The twins sat on one couch with their tablets while the TV displayed the game JJ played. I took the seat across from them.
“Hey, girls. How’s your evening going? Y’all still enjoying y’all summer vacation?” I probed.
JJ plopped down in the recliner next to them. He didn’t start his game back up. JJ looked from them to me.
“Hey, Fortune. I’m good,” Tahari replied first.
“Me too. I’m beating Tahari in this game,” Tahiri answered.
“Oh, okay. That’s what’s up.” I looked back up, and JJ still had his eyes on me. There was something on his mind. I decided to help him get whatever he needed to say off his chest.
“JJ, is everything okay? Is there something on your mind or heart you wanna ask me?”
He nodded. “Yeah, there is. Take care of my mama.
“She too nice of a person for another man to come into her life and mess over on her. If you really wanna be with her, then give her the real and treat her nicely. If all you trying to do is hit, then you can leave right now.
“Mama been through a lot. I’ve witnessed a lot. If this is a game for you, then play it somewhere else,” he expressed earnestly.
I sat with my elbows resting on my knees and hands clasped. JJ spoke nothing but the truth. He had every right to want to protect his mom. I believed fully that the firstborns grew up with their parents instead of being raised by them.
“First, thank you for your honesty. It takes a real man to speak up for what he believes in. I can sit here and tell you with my words that I’m a different man than the man your mom dealt with previously.
“I prefer to show you all with my actions that I’m not that man and that I’m playing for keeps when it comes to your mom. JJ, I have a lot of respect for you. You may be young, but you stand firmly in your manhood.
“That’s an admirable trait to possess already. But I’m a man of my word. My plan is to make your mom happy, as best as I can every day. If I fail to do so, then don’t hesitate to call me out on my bull crap. Deal?”
He smirked. “I appreciate that, Fortune. I’ma hold you to your word too. It’s a deal.”
I smiled at him. “My man. I wouldn’t expect anything less.”
The sound of high heels making that distinct tapping against wood, made all of us look up. I abruptly stood from my seat at the sight of Perrae. Oh, my goodness.
I swallowed hard. The sensation from my Adam’s apple bobbing up and down was the only confirmation that the sight of her wasn’t a dream but very much my reality.
My eyes wandered over Perrae. I couldn’t help the mental checklist that appeared in my head. Pixie cut, tattoos, and long acrylic nails on display revealed she was my type even more. Cuban link around her neck and wrist showcased she was expensive and had great taste.
Her curled lashes and full pouty lips painted red was for sure a check. When my eyes drifted down to the silky, red minidress that revealed her thick thighs yet hid some of her curves, my dick woke up. I cursed myself.
I needed to look somewhere else. Anywhere else would relax me. My eyes landed on her white toes in the strappy heels she wore. I groaned internally. I couldn’t catch a damn break.
It was unnatural how beautiful Perrae was. Her shoulders were back and head was held high. There was a sexy smirk on her face.
Perrae was absolutely stunning. She didn’t need me to tell her that she was surely that girl, because it was obvious she knew that already. I planned to tell her anyways because I needed her to know I thought the same thing.
What surprised me about her entire look was her jewelry. I didn’t expect her to match my fly. I, too, broke out my small Cuban link chain and pinky ring to match. On my wrist sat a very expensive watch from my collection.
