know how sheâs going to respond.â
âJay, you know better than anybody that Nokea is the most kindhearted, understanding, and forgiving person that we know. She ainât going to trip as much as you think she is. If anything, she gonâ trip because you havenât called her. I suggest that you call her, soon.â
âI will,â Jaylin said, reaching for the glass. âFirst, I need a nap. Then Iâll call to see if sheâll come to St. Louis until I get this shit resolved.â
I agreed that she should be here, and allowing him to get some rest, I went back to my room to change. Keeping it simple, I kept on my faded jeans and put on an iceblue-button down shirt that clung to my muscles. I thinly trimmed my beard and gave my twists a shine. When Scorpio came out of the bathroom, she approved my look.
âDonât you look handsome. Iâm not in the mood to be fighting any women off of you tonight.â
âAnd if you plan on wearing this tiny skirt,â I said, holding her silk peach skirt in my hand, âand this shirt to go with it, we both gonâ be in jail tonight.â
She snatched her outfit from my hand. âWe got boundaries, baby. You got my back, and I got yours.â
Scorpio dropped the towel from around her and rubbed herself with some glittery lotion. Afterward, she slid into her skirt. It hung low on her hips, showing off her curves and sexy-ass midriff. When she put on the fitted silk shirt, it barely made it over her breasts and showed the thickness of her nipples.
âWhat do you think?â she said, turning around so I could get a good look at her.
Before giving my approval, I studied her entire body. âAnd here I thought Beyoncé had it going on. All I can say is donât bend over too far. You might cause me to slip something into you.â
While I sat on the edge of the bed, Scorpio placed her arms on my shoulders. âBeyoncé? You know Iâm jealous that you think sheâs got it going on, especially when you have all this to look forward to.â
âTrust me, Iâm grateful for what I have,â I confessed while rubbing my hands up and down her smooth legs. I reached up her skirt, and she moved back. âWhy donât you have on any panties? Girl, that coochie gone get cold.â
âWho needs panties when I got a strong and warm set of hands like yours to keep me warm? The Jazz Corner is always dark, and after a few drinks, who knows what will happen?â
Since Scorpio and I seemed to be on the same page, she swooped her hair in a ponytail and we headed for the door. By the time we made it to the living room, Jaylin was knocked out. I could hear him snoring, but I surely didnât bother to wake him.
The Jazz Corner was packed. Scorpio and I stood for a while, and when we saw a couple leaving, we held our drinks and made our way to a tiny two-seat table that sat in the far corner of the room. The table was covered with a red velvet tablecloth and had a lit round scented candle in the middle. And even though the place was smoky, it remained one of our favorite places to chill. The soothing jazz music was spectacular, and Freddy and his band certainly knew how to set the mood.
From across the table, I looked at Scorpio, and she seemed to be engrossed in the sounds of Wallace Roney. She closed her eyes, and when she opened them, she noticed my stares.
âWhy do I always catch you looking at me like that?â
âBecause youâre looking into the eyes of a man who loves you very much.â
âIâm blessed. But, I hope that my man knows how much heâs loved, too.â
I placed my index finger on the side of my face, as if I were in deep thought. âSometimes. I often wonder if this relationship between us seems a bit rushed.â
âAre you doubting my love for you? Is that what youâre saying?â
âNo. I just feel as if, at times, youâre not