AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“And? I ain’t here for you anyway. I’m here for my pretty lil baby. Where she at?”
As I headed down the hall from the bathroom, I pulled in what I needed to be a calming breath.
“Hi.”
Aspen and Dejvi turned toward me. He smiled and eyed my frame… like always. Licking his lips, Aspen rubbed his palms together as I walked over to them.
“Mm,” he moaned, placing his hand on my waist. “You smell so fucking good.” The feel of his nose brushing against my neck as he inhaled had my lips parting as my body reacted to him. “Mm… just like strawberries.”
“Don’t be fuckin’ in my house,” Dejvi said with a teasing smile before going into his bedroom.
Aspen sucked his teeth as he released me. “You look beautiful. Don’t let me find out this for me.”
I wanted to tell him it was. Instead, I asked, “What did you want to see me for? Is everything okay?”
His head bobbed toward the direction of the living room. I followed him inside. When we sat down on the black sectional, Aspen handed me the duffel bag that was on his shoulder.
“What’s this?”
“Open it and see.”
When I opened the bag, my breath hitched. It was filled with stacks of cash. My head shook in disbelief. I had no earthly idea what the money was for and what he expected me to do with it, but I couldn’t form the words to ask.
“Aspen, I…” My mouth snapped shut as I looked from the money to him.
“I thought about what you said a lot. I think you have a talent for helping people with their businesses and would be a great investor. It takes a special eye to know what’s worth investing in and what isn’t, and it could serve you well to further develop that. This should be enough for your four years of school, but if it isn’t, just let me know.”
I wouldn’t have been able to stop the tears even if I tried. Wiping them away only made them fall quicker. My legs shook as I fought to compose myself. Sniffling, I rocked and tried to process everything I was feeling. It wasn’t the money that had me so overwhelmed; it was his investment and belief in me. I’d been such a free-spirited wanderer when it came down to my life and choices that I’d never experienced it before. My family loved me, but they didn’t trust me to be tied down to any one thing. This was foreign to me, and I honestly didn’t know how to handle it. It felt good, and it felt right, but it was still slightly overwhelming.
I took his hand into mine and kissed his palm and wrist. Really, I wanted to kiss his lips. After releasing a shaky breath, I wiped my face and spoke.
“Thank you, Aspen. No one’s ever invested in me before. Believed in me before. A simple thank you doesn’t feel good enough. How can I thank you for this?”
“The words are enough. If you want to thank me with your actions, take this free time that you have to invest in yourself the way you invest in others.”
I sniffled and wiped the tears that were continuing to fall.
“I can do that,” I said just above a whisper.
“Yeah?” His hand cupped my cheek. His thumb caught its own tear.
“Yeah.”
He smiled with the left side of his mouth. “Good.”
“I still want to do something or give you something in return.”
Aspen chuckled as he released me. “I really didn’t do this for anything in return, bae.”
“Girl, if you don’t be in your feminine energy and let that man spoil you!” Enjell yelled from the bedroom, causing us to laugh. “Receive freely! I know you ain’t used to that kind of treatment from Peyton’s ass, but it’s what you deserve!”
“Ugh, all right!” I yelled through my laughter. “Jesus.” After releasing a huff, I told Aspen, “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” He stood. “I gotta get to the shop, though. I’ll see you later.”
I didn’t want him to leave, but I knew I had no right to want him to stay. I gave him a brief hug and fought the urge to kiss him as he walked away. Before leaving, I asked Dejvi what was something I could do to make Aspen’s life better. I appreciated what he did for me and wanted to return the gesture. I wanted to make him as happy as he’d made me.
He told me Aspen had enough money to buy himself whatever he wanted and that he appreciated quality time and service. He also shared with me that he’d been in need of an operations manager for his businesses. Someone to be his point of contact for the freelancers that worked at his suites. I didn’t mind doing that at all, especially if it would help lighten his load. After getting a little more information, I took my leave, happier than I’d been in a while to know what it finally felt like to have a man show up for me.
