Page 23 of Nothing Without You

I elbowed him. “You know that man’s name is Damien.”

“I don’t know shit.”

I laughed. “Whatever. So, we really, really go together now, huh? I got a whole man?” I asked as I smiled up at him. Truthfully, the moment his lips met mine, I considered him my man. Our chemistry had always been strong, but the connection between us strengthened the moment we let go of the friendly act and gave into that physical lust. I couldn’t get enough of his ass, and I knew he couldn’t get enough of me. There was no better title than boyfriend and girlfriend for us at the moment.

“You got a whole ass man, and I got a whole lot of woman,” he said as he palmed one of my ass cheeks.

“I can’t believe I’m dating my boss.”

“I can’t believe we ain’t make this happen sooner.”

“I can’t believe I’m dating my boss,” I repeated, the weight of the statement finally settling on me. I had never been the kind of woman to fuck for the things I wanted or to advance in life, and I still wasn’t. That wasn’t what this was between me and Keegan, but I knew others might suspect that was the case, and that bothered me.

Shattering my thoughts, Keegan used his finger to lift my chin.

“I can’t believe I’m finally dating the woman of my dreams.”

I beamed at him. Somehow, he always knew the exact right things to say to snap me back into reality. It was one of the many qualities I cherished about him.

Looping my arm through his, I said, “Come on. Let’s set up for this party now that the rug rats are gone.”

“Terrorists, you mean,” he corrected.

I giggled. “Not too much on my babies.”

“Shit, that wasn’t nearly enough. They’re a damn handful.”

“They are,” I agreed. “But so are you, and you don’t see me complaining.”

“Fair point.” He kissed my temple.

We entered the kitchen where all the decorations and food sat on the center island.

“Time for me to put you to work, daddy,” I teased.

His eyes traveled the length of my body. “You know I have no problem being put to work, Doll.”

I knew it would be a task all on its own to keep Keegan focused on the party and not on making love, but I wouldn’t complain. I couldn’t say I prayed for times like this, because a relationship was never really on my radar after Damien, but God seemed to know what I needed anyway, and for that, I was so thankful.

CHAPTER 8

KEEGAN

“Come on! Take a shot,” Icelynn insisted.

I side-eyed her from my spot on the couch before my eyes traveled around the room at all the pink and purple decorations in disgust. Only love would have me agreeing to these girly ass decorations in my home. “I don’t drink.”

I’d told her ass that seven times now, but she didn’t want to take no for an answer. That was too bad for her because I wasn’t about to put a drop of liquor in my system. When I was young, I used to party hard and run the streets, but the moment I met Jerome, I cut all that shit out and never looked back.

“Ice, leave my man alone,” Chyna said. She sat next to me with a drink in her hand and her head on my shoulder. My arm was around her, and my hand couldn’t help but massage her hip.

I couldn’t believe that in under a week, I had a woman, and not just any woman, but someone I wanted to make my wife expeditiously.

Icelynn’s eyes narrowed on Chyna. “I still can’t believe you calling this nigga your man. I just saw you a few days ago, and let you tell it, y’all was just friends.”

“Things happen.” Chyna shrugged her shoulders.

“Yeah, he put some dick up in your life.”