Page 139 of The Promise

“Bullshit,” he quipped.

I didn’t argue because he was right. I was still obsessed with Tynisha’s fashion, her lifestyle...her toxic marriage.

My body tensed all over, hand clamping the stem of the wine glass. “About the no more sex...” I scraped my bottom lip against my teeth anxiously. “Who does that apply to?”

Jas adjusted himself, his legs astride mine, his dick hard against my back, then his face burrowed into the back of my neck. “I ain’t that type of guy, Ashira.”

The muscles in my face contorted with semi-relief. “I know.”

“I got my needs. Trust me, I do, but I ain’t a sloppy nigga, man,” his delivery throaty, desperate. Sincere.

Softly, I nodded. “I know.” I felt the tears threatening. “And you don’t trust me to keep your list,” I whispered. It was why Jas wasn’t prepared to let Josie go. He didn’t trust me to be his happily ever after.

His big hands pushed beneath my arms, cupping my breasts. My eyes closed at the electricity in his touch, the pinch and rolling of my nipples.

His agile, hot tongue swiped the back of my neck, and I shivered. “You can’t fuck another man, Ashira. I can’t have that,” his words soft, raspy.

That threat helped. We were back to me only being allowed to share my body with him. I’d take that demand any day.

I leaned into his heat, my back against his hard, hairy chest. I was all soft breaths and wanting when I slurred, “And neither can I.” I reached back to grab the back of Jas’ head as his arm snaked between my open thighs.

I moaned as he circled my clit with one hand and strummed my nipple with the other. Wanting to melt into this space with him, I tossed back the rest of the wine and secured the glass onto the lip of the tub. It was just in time because Jas’ tongue caressed my neck in a nasty, slow swipe. The muscles of my abdomen strained from the stunning pleasure. My head rolled farther into his shoulder, giving him more access for his mouth and tongue to perform.

“Ashira…”

“Hmmm…” My hips lifted, rocking into his magical fingers.

“Lex is Harlem.”

Huhn?

My jaw tremored. “Whatever that means.”

“It means she a day one, and technically, so is her husband. Dude was the first person I can recall speaking life to me,” his admonishing words were firm but fell with gentleness. Jas pushed two fingers inside of me in a smooth, swift breach. He circled them deliciously, massaging my swollen walls. Then I felt his mouth beneath my ear. “You can’t hold her to that.”

I licked my lips, eyes squeezing close. “She told you.”

“She hit me up last night. She’s fucked up about it.”

“Good.” I moaned at the spark of pleasure lightning my core. “My family needs…to be…” My palm gripped his hairy thigh as I rode his hand. “…given grace…patience to gain…our feet.” I grabbed his bristly jaw, pushing my tongue into his mouth. Jas kissed me back, the thick shaft of his cock impatiently sandwiched between us.

“Apologize,” he whispered about Lex.

“I’ll think about it.”

Between his talented mouth and rhythmic hands, pleasure began to mount in my groin. He was here, unexpected and in the shadows of the night, with me. How did we get here? I explained to the therapist I’d seen since returning fromDellahow this turn in Jas and my relationship felt different. This emotional space was new because my heart had been working to rid itself of the resentment and anger I’d felt for him for years. I was thrilled for Chi-Chi having parents who could find a middle ground, but deathly afraid for my heart because I’d fallen in love with Jas all over again.

“I missed you,” he whispered into my neck, then swiped it with his firm tongue again. “I missed you so fuckin’ bad. I hated you leaving me inDella.”

I nodded, eyes closed, mouth wide open. “I’m here. I promised you.”

Within seconds, I was hit with a powerful surge of soul-shifting sensations. My orgasm rolled through my body viciously, jerking my shoulders, numbing the insecurity of Jas having yet to make clear he would no longer be sleeping with Josie. There was heating from the pads of my feet. I cried silent yelps for mercy into the air as he harnessed me to his chest in my throes of passion. It was the perfect storm, our erotica.

When I was done and could move coherently, I leaned over to release the stop of the tub. As the water drained, I positioned myself in reverse cowgirl-style over Jas and instructed him to lift and meet me above the waterline. Then I plunged down on him with gusto. For minutes long, I watched him enjoy the show of my bouncing cheeks dancing over him. The fleeing water caused our hot bodies to swerve in the tub until it was just our flesh smacking wildly, creating an amatory echo. I worked him until his head tossed back, cords in his neck bulged, and Jas released whatever energy pinned up inside he brought here to work out.

The following weeks ahead charted the same pattern of ambiguity. Jas fell into work hard. He’d missed weeks of it due to vacationing and caring for Juggy. He continued to date Josie, then popped up at my apartment in full need of me. He took me out as well, sharing meals, boat rides on hisCantius Cruisers, and we even attended the new season release party for “Taking Tips from Tynisha” in the City. I had a ball mingling with the cast and crew, whereas Jas played it cool, remaining in the cut the way he did at his former club.

I, myself, had to dive into work, too. I met with the creative music director for the Pixie tour. My team and I went to work on choreography and auditions right away. I mostly used the same troupe but always left open a few slots for new talent. I danced a few nights atKucheza, which helped with the chemistry of the new troupe and got me back into “tour” shape.

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