Chapter 16

The day had arrived. The grand opening was going to happen at night with lots of fun music and food. That morning, I went to see Nana at the hospital. She was lying in bed watching her shows. She would have good days. And this was one of them. She laughed as she pointed at the screen, “This is our favorite part, Suga.”

I loved when she called me “Suga.” It was sweet. After I sat with her for a while, I got up to leave. The door opened and in walked Raymond with his brother. It was the first time I had seen him since I wasn’t allowed at the house.

I gave a head nod and left the room without speaking to either. As I headed to the elevator, Raymond caught up to me, “Are you upset with me?” he asked as if he was clueless as to why I was mad.

“I’m completely pleased with you,” I hissed.

“Ashanti, I don’t understand.”

I glared at him through the slits of my eyes, “I haven’t heard from you since you kicked me out of your house—”

“I didn’t kick you out.”

“You haven’t been to see me. You haven’t called—”

He pulled me in and kissed my mouth. The elevator door opened and he walked me inside. He stood in front of me kissing my mouth, “You know that I love you.”

I refused to answer. His hand slipped under my dress and he felt my gem. Only a thin piece of cloth separated his flesh from mine. He rubbed until my panties became wet. The door opened. He quickly moved his hand and stood next to me.

The older woman smiled obliviously at what we had been doing. The elevator car arrived at her desired floor, “Y’all have a good one,” she said cheerfully before leaving the elevator.

He pushed his finger into my center before the door closed and went rapidly until I was sloppy wet and I cried. He apologized for being distant. I understood the situation. I apologized for being impatient, “I just miss you, baby.”

“I know.”

He walked me to my car. He sat in the passenger seat and I mounted him. A smile emerged on my face. His hand gripped a section of my soft curls, “Yes, yes, babe, yes,” he said to me as I rode him.

“Go slow?”

He nodded.

Up and down, I went slowly until he felt me pulsate and quiver. The seat went back a little further. He gripped my nice ass and plowed my pussy until he unloaded, “You’re mine, Ashanti,” he stated firmly.

I smiled, “Yes, baby, I’m yours.”

“That was just an appetizer. Tonight, after the grand opening, we’ll have more fun.”

I smiled, “I can’t wait.”

Feeling refreshed after clearing things up with Ray, I went to the apartment and took a nap, then woke up to prepare for the opening. I wanted to break a few necks. I donned a red fitted dress with a plunging neckline that showed off my fit abs.

When I arrived on location fashionably late, eyes were pasted on me when I walked through the door. I saw Jess with Donovan. I walked over and spoke.

Jess smiled, “Wow, babe, that’s some dress,” she commented.

“Yes. You look lovely,” added Donovan.

Damian walked over with his long-time partner Gracie. Her skin was the color of obsidian and she had these beautiful dark brown eyes that shined. I hugged her, “Glad to finally meet you,” I said to her smiling.

She was living in Nassau and decided to move to the states to be with Damian as he started his new business venture. They also introduced us to their daughter, Leah. She had cocoa brown skin, long wavy hair, and these eyes that looked so familiar. It was in her gaze.

She had a nice island accent even though she had been in the states with one of Damian’s sisters attending school in Orlando for a couple of years. I gathered she was around twenty years old.”

Raymond walked over and his eyes danced across my skin. He kissed my cheek and then he kissed the other ladies pausing as he looked over Leah, “My how you’ve grown.”

She smiled, “I’ll be a junior in college next year.”

“Nice. If there’s anything you need, make sure you let uncle Ray know.”

“You’ve already done so much.”

“That’s what uncles are for, right?”

She smiled and flashed her pretty teeth.

The night progressed nicely. The restaurant was packed with people. The music was nice which made people get up and dance. As I was headed to the restroom, I was stopped by Ray’s brother, “We haven’t had a chance to formally meet,” he commented with his outstretched hand.

I shook it, “Jeremy.” “Ashanti. I can see why my brother is infatuated with you.”

“I think your brother is more than just infatuated.”

He smiled, “I like a woman with confidence.”

“You should.”

“And my nephew?”

“What about him?”

“I took the liberty of following him one night. I was just curious as to where he’d be going at midnight. I saw that he was headed to the apartment and the only person that I knew was there, was Raymond’s little fuck toy.”

“Excuse me?”

“Oh, don’t act all offended. I know your type. I know your game.”

I gulped. There wasn’t a game. I was just a woman who loved two men. “There’s no game.”

“How do you think my brother will feel when he finds out you’re fucking his son?”

“I don’t know. Why don’t you go ask him,” I challenged him.

His eyes widened, “Bold little bitch, aren’t you?”

My hand came across his face. He held his cheek, “You hit me.” He was shocked as was I. I hurried away from him and went to the restroom. I almost broke down. Was it over for me? As bold as I was in challenging Jeremy, I didn’t want him to say anything to Ray.

My affair with Derrick would be over in a month or two. I just needed time. My heart belonged to Ray. I gathered myself and headed to my office. I sobbed profusely. Every time I thought about it, I cried harder.

“Ashanti,” I heard my name. I looked and saw Donovan approaching me with a handkerchief, “What’s wrong?” he asked with concern

“It’s nothing.”

“It can’t be nothing if you’re crying.”