Page 9 of Lennox Lane

Still, her fingers gripped her glass tighter as she continued to keep the truth beneath her venom hidden. She didn’t want him to drown; she wanted him to swim back to her and keep the promises he’d made. When Lennox finally dragged his eyes away, laughing too late at whatever Basic Barbie had said, Lane decided to grab another lemonade and some food. As she filled her plate with the fanciest baby shower meatballs she ever had, Lennox was making his way to her.

“Lane,” he said, voice low and lazy.

“You forget something? Or just lost your prop?”She asked with an arched brow.

Lennox grinned, slow and wolfish. “You’re glowing; let me find out the gender reveal got you sentimental.”

Lane stepped closer, lowering her voice to a purr. “I’m glowing because I’m rich, well-rested, and flexible. But listen, I’m not in the business of making small talk with men who made a million empty promises with my pussy in their mouth.”

“If you miss Daddy, just say that,” He laughed, letting his hand slip into his pocket like he didn’t know whether to kiss her or cuss her ass out.

“Hard to miss a man who thinks I’m a vacation-fuck statistic,” she replied, “But you know what they say… data always gets backed up.”

He stepped in, and she didn’t move as the heat between them cracked like static.

“What do you mean? You went MIA on me,” Lennox bullshitted, knowing he was the reason it had been a one-vacation stand. “I had my tongue buried in your pussy and asshole. I couldn’t even get you to dial my number days after, so I figured you got the orgasm you needed and you were good.”

Lane’s mouth curved into a devilish smile. “Nigga lie again!” she laughed.

“I’m dead ass,” Lennox said. “I didn't even get a chance to feel you wrapped around this dick post-vacation. Next thing I know you got me blocked on the socials like you in your Cadence era,” he said, causing them both to laugh.

“Whatever, Lennox. I’ll admit you one good talkin’, game spittin’ ass nigga, but let’s be real here, if you really enjoyed me on your face and in your face, you would've let me know when it wasn’t two in the morning. Then, you show up with a Great Value place filler,” pulling her phone out, “But I’ll humor you, you’re unblocked,” she said, showing him.

“One of your lil bullshit boyfriends must know I ate that pussy through the mattress and made you block my number and socials, huh?” he assessed.

She tried to hide her amusement because it was true, she had multiple men vying for her attention and making promises they could keep. Still, Lennox knew nobody could make her do a damn thing. She simply blocked his ass for playing in her face, nothing more or less. Plus, she shared a friend circle with Lennox, so if he wanted to reach her, he could have.

The DJ cut the music as KC and Cadence took center stage. Everyone waited excitedly to see what gender Baby Reed was. Lane rolled her eyes as Lennox stepped beside her, just close enough to brush her arm.

“You gon apologize?” he whispered.

“For what?” she whispered back. “While I’m sure this pussy would drive any man crazy, nobody made me block you but you. If anything, you need to come correct because I don’t need a fuck buddy, Lennox. I deserve a man that wants every part of me in and out of the bedroom. If that’s not you, get the hell out the way so the right man has space to move in.”

She was sure he was letting the heft of her words sink in as they continued to stare at each other. He couldn’t deny there was truth in her statement. Lane knew he wanted her to himself, but it wouldn’t be on his bullshit terms.

POP.

Blue smoke filled the air as everyone jumped for joy after learning a petite prince was on the way, but seconds later pink smoke made an appearance, leaving everyone confused. Screams, cheers, and laughter permeated the air when Cadence and KC announced they were having twins.

Lane froze for a beat, then grinned. “Twins?”

The people who loved KC and Cadence the most celebrated the news, but as the shock of the announcement wore off and the gender-neutral balloon arch collapsed under the weight of excitement, Lane realized Lennox was still watching her instead of the seat filler he had brought with him.

Her.

“Watch yourself, Jackson,” she warned before turning to walk away, letting her wide hips sway to their own beat.

He smirked.

“Oh, I am.”

She continued walking inside to head to the bathroom, making sure to switch her hips a bit more because she knew he was watching with laser focus.

CHAPTER TWO

OLD HEAT, NEW RULES

The second Lennox stepped into KC and Cadence’s backyard, he knew he’d fucked up. Not because he was late as hell or because he was responsible for the design of the ridiculous vinyl-shaped cake perched like a centerpiece on a wedding table. Not even Nova and Cadence glaring at him on her behalf affected him. He knew he was going to come face to face with Lane Sanders, and he knew from KC by way of pillow talking with his wife that she wasn’t fucking with him.