Prince: Love Always Wins

Prince

She did not like that shit at all. Le was showing red flags already, but as good as her ass was looking in that dress, those red flags were looking like six flags in my eyes. Her trust issues were peeking through heavily and I had to sit in the car for a beat to ask myself if I wanted an uphill climb of continuing to prove myself to a woman I hadn’t hurt. Then I looked at her. Yes, she was beautiful, but it was this pull I felt to her. Something beneath the surface was fighting for freedom that she just didn’t know how to get to. It was magnetic. Was I reaching? This was the same place I fell victim to that led me down the road where I lost myself. I just couldn’t help how much I was drawn to her.

“Let’s talk,” I said sensibly as I made my way to her. She flashed a fake smile across her face.

“Talk about what? You are a grown man. Anybody calling your phone is your business. I’ve had a great time so far. What’s next?” she spoke quickly.

“I don’t have anything to hide from you, Le. If you want to ask me a question that’s all you really have to do. We don’t have to overcomplicate it.” I stepped in front of her to cut her path. She was content with running a marathon, going nowhere fast. I took the perfect angle that made her back up against the car. I stepped in leaving little space between us. She pulled her soft, pink-painted lips into a tight line. The kiss I stole did nothing to take off the powder color. Her brown eyes moved away from me. When I placed my hand on her hip her soft eyes found mine again. Sensibility be damned, I wanted this woman. Red fucking flags and all.

“You are right. We don’t have to overcomplicate anything. What’s next.” She tried to slink away but I pulled her back. See that shit made me want to tame her ass. Tie her ass up until she begged to cum. Flashes of her legs locked around my shoulders while I was digging her out telling her to cut that fucking attitude crept into my mind. I lifted my eyes to the heavens trying to control the urge that suddenly took hold of me. She folded her arms across her chest. Then she burst out in a disgusted laugh when my phone rang again. Only one person called me like that. Instead of explaining it I answered and put it on the roof of my car on speaker.

“Remy, I am in the company of a beautiful woman. I thought you would’ve gotten the point after I didn’t answer the first two times.” I saw her face change for a moment but she placed the mug back soon after. I knew the conversation she was having in her head was on ten.

“You? Yeah right, stop the bullshit. I have news about business, so stop playing with your dick and listen,” Remy said and that pulled a laugh from Le so loud she snorted and covered her mouth.

“Who the hell is that?” Remy asked like I just didn’t tell him.

“The beautiful woman. Remy this is Le, Le this is my business partner Remy. One day, when you meet each other, you will understand why his mouth is the way it is. His old ass forgot to take his medicine.”

“Call me when you get done.”

“Tell me now. She is okay to hear this.”

“I just got a call. I have a few guys on the inside. They are saying it is down to us and the Gerber Company for the final candidates. All they are waiting on is the banking information. Remember what they are requesting for liquid…” Remy trailed off. Le’s gaze bore into the side of my face.

“I’ll handle it.”

“We are going to need a crew. We are going to need at least eight solid men and someone for the books. I know we can depend on Cairo. I don’t know about the rest.”

“I’ll take care of that, but let’s talk about it more in the morning,” I said confidently.

“I’ll let you go then, but , this is it. I can feel it! Sorry, young lady, for interrupting your date.”

“I got ya, Remy.” I ended the call.

“Wow, so this is what you do?”

“How you believe this nigga and not me? I offered you a whole job and you still didn’t believe me?”

“Unfortunately because men lie to get pussy,” she answered simply as we turned to the house.

“No, them niggas lie.” I opened the door.

“Wow. I think I like this entry more than the last one.”

“Yeah? I’ll be listing it as early as tomorrow.” I was hoping for a quick sale. Now that the new project was a go I had a lot of shit to pull together in a small amount of time. Gerber company be damned, this project was mine. Just like Remy said, I could feel it. I walked around the open space with my mind turning. This next step was crucial. I was ready to work my ass off for what I wanted.

“You hear me? What’s that sound?”

“That’s the helicopter. We are taking a ride.”

“A ride? I can’t leave the state, .” Her eyes widened.

“We won’t. I booked a ninety-minute trip. It would just circle around and show us the stars.” Realizing she overreacted, she turned her back to me, and I stepped in front of her. “Are you okay?” Her beautiful lips parted and closed just as quickly. She thought for a moment.

“I’d rather not talk about it right now.”

“I can respect that. Well, we have a few minutes. Follow me up here.” We ascended the steps and I took her to the balcony on the side of the master suite. When the double vanity doors opened up to a perfect view of the stars I had to admit I did this shit. It never got old. “What are you willing to tell me about yourself?” I asked.

She cocked her head and looked at me. “Why do you ask questions the way you do, ? It’s like you are trying to say all the right things.”

“The worst thing that a person can do is lie to me. I try not to put them in situations that breed that.”

“I don’t know then. What do you want to know?”

“What did you want to do with your life? I mean that dream you had when you were a little girl before real life started hitting.”

“Real life starting hitting hard, too,” she admitted. “I never really was the type to have the perfect job picked out. My mother taught me to be pretty and that would get me through whatever. I found out she was wrong about that quickly so it turned into a get it however you can type of deal. All I can remember is those days when I was cooking with my mother those were some of the happiest.”

“You can take all my money with the way you cook. You should lean into that.”

“I’m pretty sure I can do some other things, too.” She flirted and rubbed her ass against me while she tried to wiggle past me. I pulled her back into my chest and her breath hitched.

“I bet you can. Ain’t it beautiful out here? You like this patio?”

“I…I do.” She hummed as we swayed back and forth. She smelled so fucking good. I sidestepped her and leaned against the balcony. She shot daggers at me. “You want to play, and I can, too.” She rolled her eyes. “Your turn. What do you want to know about me?”

“What took you so long?” Her eyes plummeted to her shoes. I rubbed my hands together and ran them over my head.

“I been hurt. Pretty fucking bad. I know a lot of niggas won’t say that. You were the first woman who has made me feel something in years. I was walking around in a fog, and that night I saw your feisty ass. It was like it sliced through all that.”

“Is that why you were flirting with my sister before you saw me?” She folded her arms to show her discomfort rising.

“I did that to fuck with Chaz. He’s like a little brother to me. We’ve always fucked around that way since we were kids. I would never step on him like that. I’m not attracted to Nesha. I knew I wanted you.”

“So what? Now, all of a sudden, I’m worth it?”

“You always were. I was the one that had to go away and be worthy of something so beautiful.”

“And you think you can have something beautiful with me?”

“You don’t think so?”

“Don’t answer a question with a question, .”

“Yes. I believe that. I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t.”

“You keep saying that it can be simple but it seems like you want anything but that.”

“It is simple. If you trust me.”

“See there goes that word.” She turned and looked out at the night sky. I slipped behind her. My hands migrated to her waist and she didn’t resist. She leaned into me.

“See this? This feels nice,” she said.

“Nah, you trying to play. But I’m not looking for temporary shelter. I’m looking for a place to call home. So when I’m in that pussy touching your lungs, I need to know that your heart is calling my name. I need my woman to trust me. To see me. I’ve been through a lot of shit but my woman has to know exactly who I am and all the ways I will come through for her. I’ve tried other ways before. This time I’m intentional.”

“Other ways. Like you’ve tried the casual thing with other women.”

“I guess I just love when my woman has the power to drive me crazy. I don’t need or want someone I can get up from and not know I would kill anything moving who tries to get close. I love what’s mine alone.”

She created some space and she turned to face me as my arms rested on the balcony outside of her body, boxing her in. If she only knew how much I wanted her.

“Sounds possessive. So you that type?”

“The type that wouldn’t let my woman’s fine ass walk around me in some short shit like this without her riding my face in every room in this house? Or the type that will have you so fucking turned on that you would be begging me to cum on this dick? I won’t make apologies about who I am. I get crazy about who I care about but I am also respectful and protective. Call it what you want.”

Her chocolate skin flushed, and I saved her the need to respond when I saw the helicopter move from the rooftop to slightly over the open space in the backyard. We walked downstairs hand in hand until we made it outside. The wind from the chopper threw her hair around every which way, and her hands flew to the top of her head in a flimsy attempt to tame it. When we got to the door, she hesitated.

“Afraid of heights?” I yelled so she could hear me.

“No,” she answered quickly, and her answer changed under my gaze. “I mean, maybe a little.”

“Don’t worry I got you.”

I helped her inside. Once she was strapped in I saw the nerves radiating off her body.

“Hold my hand. We are about to go up,” I said into the microphone set I was wearing so she could hear me. As soon as we started to ascend her hand flew out and braced mine. Her eyes closed and I could just imagine her mean ass praying. I couldn’t help but tease her.

“All that mouth and ya ass afraid of heights.” I chuckled.

“Not too much, !” she snapped.

“Look at me and say that.”

She flipped me off while her eyes remained closed.

“Did you see that? Since you want somebody to look so bad.”

“We even now. Open up, Pretty.”

A blush crossed her cheeks as her lips spread into a smile. I made a note of the pet name she responded to the most.

“Wow. It’s such a clear night.”

I pulled her as close as our restraints would allow. She leaned her head against me. Much to my surprise all the conversation ceased. We rode around sightseeing in comfortable silence. Her scent filled my nostrils and I knew it wouldn’t leave me. Halfway through the ride, she dozed off. I didn’t bother her. If sleep hid from her anything like mine did it would be a shame to wake her.

“Take us back.”

The pilot threw me a nod as we circled back around. We landed back at the house.

“Give me an hour and I’ll be back,” I said to the pilot.

“Hey, Pretty. We're back.” I nudged her, and her body’s only response was to snuggle into my body. Not wanting to wake her, I scooped her into my arms and carried her to my car. I appreciated the glances I could steal of her sleeping peacefully. I would want nothing more than to spend all night getting to know the most intimate parts of her. I had business tonight, and I did it intentionally. I could tell our sexual compatibility would be off the charts, and she didn’t even know half of the depths I wanted to swim in with her. I was anxious about it, but there was so much more I needed to uncover. I wanted to be her choice. I wanted her emotional walls more than I wanted the ones that I knew would grip my dick.

When I pulled into her driveway I took one last glance at her. I looked at her all night but not like this. She was completely at peace. Her black cocktail dress had a plunging neckline and her perky breasts were on full display. She was dipped in milk chocolate, and the few kisses I stole were nothing compared to how I wanted to taste her milk chocolate skin. The seatbelt crossed her body and led me down to her perfectly flared hips. She couldn’t even hide that ass from the front. Then those thighs made me make a correction. I wanted her emotional walls, but those physical ones were not as far down the totem pole as I thought; in fact, they were neck to fucking neck. It wasn’t shit on her body that wasn’t going to be touched by my tongue.

“Hey, you home,” I nudged her, and she popped her head up, taking a minute to gather her surroundings.

I got out and opened her door.

“I can’t believe I fell asleep like that.” Her face flushed with slight embarrassment as I helped her to her feet.

“It’s fine. It was meant to relax you,” I called from behind as she walked. When we made it to her porch she rested her hand on the knob and sighed softly.

“I had fun tonight, . But the night doesn’t have to end. Would you like to come inside for a drink? I mean not a drink… that was so stupid. I’m sorry but—"

“I would love to come in. I will, just not tonight.” Before she could overthink it, I pulled her body flush against mine. Our lips connected naturally as she fumbled behind her with the door. She was so fucking ready and I knew it wasn’t too much longer I could put off my desire. Her presence was addicting, and that pussy had to have the power to make me go crazy. I needed my sanity. Especially when I knew she wasn’t ready. Shit, maybe I wasn’t either, but I was much closer than she was.

“Have a good night, Le Monroe. Lock up.” She nodded her head and slipped inside.

I walked back to my car and drove back to the helicopter, her taste lingering on my lips. I wanted to stay in our moment, but time didn’t permit it. With how Remy was speaking, I wouldn’t be able to wait on the house sales. I needed money now, and I knew exactly how to get it. It was time to answer the call.

As soon as I put on the headphones and sat down, my pilot asked over the speaker, “Now to work, right?”

“Yeah,” I said dryly. I closed my eyes and allowed my head to rest as I mentally prepared myself. Prepared myself to hear that name and not think about the moment it all went wrong. This time I wouldn’t be caught in the same position. In and out, I chanted. The chopper took the thirty-minute ride to Chicago, and we landed on top of the Swissotel.

“Patch!” I heard that booming voice over the propellers. I fucking hated that. It was such an insult to what I really did. I was a craftsman. My hands could make things most people could only dream of. How it first started out for me was patching homes for high-dollar clients. The clients being high ranking drug kingpins. Once they realized I could do buildouts and give them trap rooms and ways to hide their shit, especially from the police, my name made waves. Everyone knew when they heard that name precisely what I could bring. The type of anonymity that came with my services made the price tag high. Also, I provided a seamless way to cover expenses. Just like the money was fast ending up at the wrong place at the wrong time derailed my life as quickly as the money came.

As the helicopter moved away I could hear the party that was happening in the penthouse. This wasn’t my first time landing on this building. Hamp always had shit going on.

“Are you ready to work? I was up your way a few times this week. I’m interested in a few houses there. You know somebody,” Hamp jabbed. He was trying to feel me out. I stared him in the face, our heights mirrored. I never trusted anyone in this line of work. The only tie was a mutually beneficial arrangement. It had been a year since I laid eyes on him and he hadn’t aged a day. Even in his mid-fifties he was the picture of health. He walked around in his everyday life draped in Cuban Links and furs. He was a slave to his prime years. In the nineties I’m sure you couldn’t tell him shit so that was the timeframe his apparel always mirrored.

“I wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t.”

“Ha! So much like your father. Muthafuckas been running crazy, Patch! Your effect has been missed, just like all the fucking payments these niggas are running away with. Follow me.”

I walked behind him down the steps of the opened door. With each step I took, the music got louder. As soon as we opened the door to the penthouse, the music blared in my ears so much that I had to take a step back.

“It’s been a while. You answering my call got me in a celebratory mood! To know I will finally repurpose my stash houses and recoup what I have been losing for these last few years. Muthafuckas have really been losing respect, . I need a place where my money will be safe so I can build again.” I traced the desperation in his voice. He was a man losing grip. In and out. “Play if you want. You can have anything you like in here.” He spread his arms wide as we wove through.

As far as I could see, there were half-naked women of every flavor. BBL city. All the women were in their zones sipping drinks, and I didn’t miss the white powdery substance on every table. My nose burned with remembrance. Looking at all the glazed eyes knowing that there was nothing behind them. That’s how it made you. Numb. A shell so you could feel nothing, allowing you to run from your problems while your misjudgments compiled them. They didn’t realize that when you wake up from that comatose state they would be more fucked up than before they entered it.

“You with me, Patch? Let’s meet in the office. Once we are done, stay as long as you like.” Hamp grinned.

When we weaved through the crowd, he opened his door, and two women were inside his office. He gave them a head nod, and they scurried away, quickly closing the door behind them.

“How’s your brother? He just got married, right?”

“Hamp what the fuck you on? You called me here for a job or to gossip, nigga?”

“I just thought you may have known someone I did. A mutual acquaintance, but I am sure I’m mistaken.” The shit was starting to feel off to me already.

“Are you sure you only want this short stint? I have a lot of partners who would love your services. You can be a very rich man, Patch.”

“What’s first on your list?” I ignored his request. I intentionally didn’t tell people how I moved. Men like Hamp wanted to only connect with people to enhance their position. The fact that he brought it up again meant there was a lot more in that for him than it was for me. I was no one’s errand boy. I was freelance for a reason and I liked it that way. If money was all I was after I could’ve done that as soon as I got clean.

“You have never been one for words, right? There are twelve houses, and I’ll want buildouts in all of them. I have a special request for my personal home, but we can do that separately.” He presented me with a paper with addresses. “I think that should get us square. If it’s more, you let me know.” He produced a duffel bag, and I took it.

“See you in a few days.” I rose from the chair. That was all I needed to know and I needed to get my ass out of here and back to the woman on my mind. Between the work I was currently doing and this, my time would be extremely limited. All of my extra time was going to belong to her. Shit, I had half a mind to call, wake her up and slide under her. Into her.

“Patch!” Hamp called over my back as I walked to the door. I faced him.

“Glad you back.”

I nodded and walked out of the door.