Page 65 of When I Thug You Like That

That I’m here now did something to me that I was sure it wasn’t supposed to do. John’s eyes bounced between us, his facial expression saying everything, but he wisely chose to mind his business. I wasn’t surprised that Jay would make something as simple as me paying for a pizza pie a battle of who would pick up the check. He seemed like the type, moving with a confidence that didn’t allow room for you to say no. I liked it. That wasn’t going to stop me from paying though.

“Thank you, but I’m paying for my own food, Jay.”

“Rock, paper, scissors.”

I blinked. “What?”

He held his fist out between us. “Rock, paper, scissors. I win, I pay. You win, I pay.”

“I like how you tried to trick me,” I said, laughing. “What’s the total, John?”

“$18.70.”

“Okay. I’m gonna pay with a card.”

I held my phone up to do tap to pay, but before I could press it against the machine, Jay slid a $50 bill over the counter.

“Keep the change. And we’re dining in. You can bring the water and ginger ale to the table. Come on, woman.”

He politely took my hand in his and guided me over to an empty table near the window. I said nothing when he pulled out my chair and waited for me to sit down. Everything in me wanted to be defiant and just stand there, but I was so turned on. And not turned on in a way where I wanted to fuck him. Well, scratch that. I did wanna fuck him, but his dominance didn’t just make my pussy wet. It sent a little tingle down my spine.

“Hol’ on, I forgot to order something. You eat garlic knots?”

“No.”

He cracked a smile. “You lying?”

I grinned. “Yes.”

He busted out laughing. “Why you lie?”

I crossed my hands tightly across my chest and rolled my eyes. “’Cause I don’t want you paying for anything else for me.”

He leaned over with his hands flat on the table to hold himself up. “These ain’t for you though. I’m ordering them for me, and I’ma share.”

“I only want one.”

“Girl, ya greedy ass just ordered a whole pie. I doubt if one garlic knot is enough. But I got you. You can be greedy on my dime. I ain’t trippin’. But do me a favor?”

“What?” I asked, teetering between being upset because he called me greedy and liking the last part of his statement.

“Switch seats. I wanna be able to see your face from the register.”

I shot him a confused look. “You wanna watch me?”

“It’s a safety thing, Ma. I gotta watch you.”

Again, I found myself staring at him. Like I was trying to figure out who the fuck sent this man my way? Jay had been flirting with me every chance he got, and I’d quickly learned to let half of what he said roll off my back. But his request didn’t sound like a game. After staring for a few seconds, I spoke.

“We’re in a pizza shop, Jay.”

“I’m aware.”

“So, what or who exactly are you protecting me from? John or the guys in the back making the dough?”

He glanced over his shoulder toward the counter. “Them niggas and whoever else come up in here. Go on ‘head and switch seats for me, Ma.”

My lips parted, and I pretended like I was going to say something else but got up and switched seats instead. He nodded, and a slow satisfied grin spread across his face, then he walked off to the register. I couldn’t help but laugh. Taina’s ass was gonna have a field day with this.