Page 59 of The Perfect Verse
The next morning, she woke up in bed alone. She quickly reached for her gun and realized she wasn’t at home. Shegroaned, completely out of her comfort zone. To make matters worse, her wheelchair was in his family room.
“Looking for this?” He was at the door, her wheelchair in front of him.
“That’ll help.”
“I got you. I also ran you some bath water.”
“Scooter, I’m not fucking you. I have to get the boys, and don’t you have to leave?”
“One,” he spoke, leaving her wheelchair at the door. “We don’t fuck. I make love to your ass, and two, I brought you here. You think I’d come this way to see you and not try to see them too?”
He stood before her, looking sexy in his casual attire, wearing a plain white T-shirt, a dark-blue-washed pair of jeans, along with blue and white Retros. He dragged his hand down his tapered waves as he licked his lips, that lopsided grin making her wish she could take back her words. It didn’t help that he smelled so good, a woody patchouli scent.
“I should pull this dick out and put it in your mouth.” He lowered himself and pecked her lips. “But I really do have to go, so let’s go, and stop all that damn pouting. I was on go, and now when I agree with you, you are about to cry.”
He caught when her shoulders slumped, causing him to laugh.
“One week,” he spoke. “I need to see you at least once a week. Told Naz I’ll pay for that shit until you’re ready to come out to me. The boys can, if you feel it’s appropriate, ‘cause like you said, y’all a packaged deal.”
“So you have this all figured out, huh?”
“That became my job when I chose to pursue you.” He kissed her. “Fuck you.” He kissed her again. “Make you mine.” Her body fell slack when he slid his hand around her neck. She couldlie there all day, but that was her pussy talking. She gulped as he studied her eyes.
“I wanna be with you, Kaleela Bradshaw. I want to protect you, learn new shit with you, kill niggas with you if I have to, carry whatever shit that’s yours until you don’t need me to carry it anymore. That means going to those family meetings they have for people in recovery.” Her brows lifted. “Al-Anon?”
She nodded, her eyes growing misty.
“Oh, and tell that nigga Shawn I’d never do anything to put you at risk. I had Shona tell that nigga to turn around. He don’t need to protect you from me. I’ll fuck my own self up first.” He stood and winked an eye, her jaw dropping “I have eyes in these streets too,” he informed her. “Now, let’s get you cleaned up. The sooner we leave, the sooner I can make my way back to you.”
It was at that moment that she wondered whether what she felt fluttering in her stomach, as her heart raced, was love. She’d never ask him if it was. It was too soon, and she still had so much to learn about herself.
“Get out your head, Kee. That shit ain’t safe sometimes, unless you let me in all the way.”
“I’ll try.”
“Naw, don’t try. I’m worth the risk. The same way you took it with those boys, take it with me.”
“And Donovan?” she asked.
He smirked because, in his eyes, his cousin was the least of his worries.
“Not your nigga, and not your concern. Remember, if it ain’t about us, that shit don’t matter. I’d never allow any harm to come your way. That’s on June,” he emphasized, referring to his mother. “And you know how much I love June’s ass.”
She grinned because he did. He loved all the women in his life. He not only said it, but he also showed it. She just hoped she could trust her and her heart in his hands.
Chapter 26
Verse Twenty-Six
“Thank you for coming with me.” Kaleela’s hands were clammy as if she were about to turn herself into prison. She could blame it on her absence or possibly who she chose to bring along with her.
“Honestly, I’m honored.”
A broad smile stretched across Chico’s face. After Chello, he was the one she sought out for guidance, felt protected, and ran to when she felt trapped more times than even her sister knew she had.
“Wanna know something? I swing by from time to time. Sit right over there.” Kaleela’s head swung in his direction in disbelief as he pointed to a nearby park. “Shit keeps me grounded, and keeping it real, it makes me feel closer to y’all.”
“Why you never told us?”
