Prince: Love Always Wins

Lesha

It wasn’t that I didn’t want to see Prince. I just didn’t know what to say to him. When I saw his car in Priest’s driveway I waited a few blocks down the street so that I didn’t have to run into him. I was fully aware that he was leaving soon and the invitation he extended. One thing I appreciated about Prince was he didn’t beg. He shot me a message earlier that Priest was giving everyone security as a part of some expansion he was doing with his company, and I was so afraid to ask questions, so I left him on read.

I waited until he pulled away and waited ten minutes just in case he doubled back before I turned into Satisa’s gated driveway. We were having a girl's night in. I had been catching up with my girl all day. The last thing we all wanted to do was go out. We were turning into the lunch time mimosa crew. The only problem was it wasn’t night, and my girl Satisa couldn’t indulge. As soon as she dropped that baby and Nesha was back in the same time zone we were going to have to start planning accordingly. For now, I missed my girls, so I was taking what I could get.

Once Prince was clear of the driveway once again I took my heeled feet up the cobblestone steps. One day I would have a home like this. I couldn’t explain how far derailed I was from my lifetime plan, but when I got back on track, look the fuck out. When things calmed down for me there may be some wonderful city abroad that had my name on it. I hadn’t quite figured out which one, but with all the traveling I was going to do, I’m sure it wouldn’t take long for me to find one that tickled my fancy.

I knocked on the heavy oak wood door of Satisa’s home.

“Hey girl. I was just getting ready to call you,” Satisa spoke damn near waddling. I know she was ready to drop that load. She was all belly. If I didn’t know any better, I would have thought there were twins in there, but it didn’t run in the family.

“We wasn’t about to call yo’ ass! You always trying to be a show stopper,” Nesha snapped with a smile and she came and hugged me as I walked in.

“Umm hmm. So I guess that means y’all don’t want what’s in my backseat.”

“You cooked?” Satisa’s eyes went wide.

“I did but I left it in the car. I didn’t want to bust my ass again.”

“Ooh, you remember her drunk ass? That heel got stuck in one of those cracks, and I thought we was gone have to take you to the hospital.” Nesha doubled over in laughter but I didn’t find it one bit funny.

“You know I always been clumsy. It’s crazy how you can put music on, and I can catch any rhythm but walking and talking, I damn near trip over my own feet.”

“I never noticed,” Satisa added. She tried to tuck it away but the humor still coated her face.

“Because you don’t pay too much attention. But! I know you can’t drink, and I’m sorry, but I damn sure need one or three!” I admitted.

“You ain’t never lied! I needed one of these days. I can’t believe I have to leave my girls,” Nesha pouted.

“It’s for a good cause,” I quickly added.

“Drink all y’all want. It’s a cabinet full in there. Let me go get the food,” Satisa said.

“Like hell you will. Priest would damn near kill our ass if he heard we had you carrying anything. Then up that uneven ass driveway too. No ma’am. I’ll get it.” Nesha waved her hand and walked out before Satisa could protest.

“Prince said he was going to lay concrete over that driveway since everybody talks shit about it.”

The mention of his name and a smile almost crossed my face. Almost.

“So what’s the tea? Who wants to start first?” Nesha said after bringing in the pot of gumbo and the cherry cheese poundcake I made specifically for Satisa. I thought it would’ve taken two trips, but Nesha completed the balancing act perfectly.

“I’ll go first! Ain’t shit going on but I’m pregnant. Oh well, I guess Chyna news, that’s something.”

“Please tell me she ain’t starting no bullshit,” I added quickly. Her sister was a damn piece of work.

“I mean, there isn’t much she can do from prison, but she has been trying to use other people to reach out to Benji. Had a little girl at the school deliver a message from her mom to tell Benji.”

“Get the fuck out of here. What she have the little girl say?” Nesha asked.

“Just that she loves him, and when she gets out, she is going to make everything make sense. It was super vague, and quite honestly, who knows if the little girl lost something in translation. It’s just irritating because she is trying to play the damn victim. I don’t want Benji’s head messed up. Luckily he is strong.”

“That’s because he has good parents. You and Priest are doing a wonderful job with him. Don’t worry about it,” I spoke.

“Thanks, girl. She even had someone reply to one of my comments on IG.”

“Not this bitch in prison checking IG comments. She worried about the wrong sentence,” I shot back.

“Right, and just because she is in prison doesn’t mean she can’t be touched. I know a few bitches that need a few dollas on they books and will beat her ass for a honey bun. She betta gone,” Nesha added with a mug and we all burst out laughing.

We sat out the food. Nesha and I poured a drink.

“I’ll go,” Nesha said from the stool on the kitchen island where we all settled. I swished the red liquid around my glass thinking I needed something a little stronger.

“We listening.”

“So I’m calculating California. It’s nothing like I imagined it would be. I 'm broke as hell, and as much as I want to say that this opportunity was one I wanted for the longest time, I think I’m ready to walk away before it starts. It’s not a paying gig, and it will only pay off if I’m chosen. There is no guarantee, so I spend almost three months out there, and if it doesn’t work, I am back to square one and out of tons of money.”

“But since we were born, you have loved fashion. Maybe this isn’t the perfect opportunity, but the next one will be. How much do you think you will need?” I asked.

“It’s the place I picked out. The cheapest place in LA is triple what it is here. It’s not in the safest neighborhood, so Chaz wasn’t feeling it, so we are arguing about it now. I understand it’s a grind and get it out of the mud, but damn, if it wasn’t for Chaz, honestly, I wouldn’t be making it. And you know I hate that.”

“And we both told you we would help. You know we got you,” Satisa added.

“But that’s the thing: I don’t want to need help. I’m going to be working, and I should at least be able to maintain my own bills.”

“Sis’, you are so determined, and you always have been, but sometimes we all need help. No matter how hard we work.” I placed my hand on her shoulder.

“Y’all always helped me. Whether it was sticking up for me or kicking crazy chicks out of the shop, so you know I got you for whatever. Why don’t we cover your rent for the tour? It’s not a problem, Nesha.”

Nesha rose from the chair and swiped her hands from side to side. “No! I won’t accept it. Satisa, you have your own family, and I already feel like I am abandoning you, . Chaz is actually moving there with me for the next few months.”

“So there is the real reason,” Satisa jabbed. I stayed silent. Nesha snapped her eyes to me when I didn’t respond picking up on me being slightly out of character. I would have given her plenty of shit about that decision normally, but this time, I couldn’t. I was happy she agreed to it because until I figured this situation out with Hamp being around, the safest place was for her to be away from here. I also needed to make sure someone was there to watch her back.

“Y’all know me, bahbee. I hate to depend on anyone, let alone a man, but once and for all, I need to see if Chaz and I can really go anywhere. He offered his support, and I will take him up on his offer. We will see what happens. If he slips up this time, I’m done. Seriously,” Nesha said.

“I hear you but just give it a chance.” I downed the wine right after my statement. I couldn’t even fully place it down before I saw them both giving me a side eye through the clear glass.

“What?”

“When the hell did you become fucking Mother Theresa? Give it a chance ?” Nesha threw her hands on her hips.

“I mean yeah, what’s going on with you?” Satisa set her eyes on me as well.

“Nothing. I mean nothing out of the usual.” I locked eyes with Nesha and a knowing took ahold of her being immediately.

“What does that mean?” Satisa asked.

“I just don’t know what to do next. I mean I’m not jealous. I’m happy for you both. Nesha, you are finding your dream. I mean it’s not perfect but you are going for it. Satisa, you have a beautiful family and a business. I feel like sometimes things have just passed me by.” I allowed a little truth to slip

“Things will come together for you, . You can’t compare your life to anyone else’s even if we are together all the time. I thought so much shit was going to never happen for me. Sometimes you think things are falling apart but that’s how all of this shit comes together,” Nesha said and I reached behind the island and gripped the wine bottle. I demonstratively brought it to my face to get a better look at it.

“, what are you doing?” Satisa asked cautiously.

“I’m trying to figure out what the hell is in this damn wine that has her talking like a ghetto Maya Angelou.”

“Bitch!” Nesha squealed, and that brought on another corporate laugh.

“See y’all got me about to pee on my damn self. Hold on!” Satisa choked and got up to run to the bathroom. Once we calmed Nesha turned to me.

“You sure you okay?”

“I’m fine, sis’. Don’t worry about me.”

She cocked her eyebrow.

“Don’t look like that.”

“Umm hmm. We gone talk about that,” she whispered before Satisa joined us again.

“No, what you really need to do is open up a damn restaurant! This pound cake so damn good!” Satisa shouted digging her fork into it.

“Girl, why the hell is you screaming?” I laughed.

“I had to make sure you heard me. I’m gone be big as a damn house eating this but I plan to enjoy every bite.”

“Save me some.” Nesha got up to approach the box that held the cake. Satisa snatched it and gave her a death stare.

“Back away, sis’. Don’t come between a pregnant woman and her favorite dessert.” I damn near fell out.

“Yo’ ass mean when you pregnant.” Nesha sucked her teeth.

“Prince wants me to go with him to Savannah for the next six weeks,” I blurted out and they both looked at me.

“Well?” Satisa added when I said nothing more.

“Right. How the hell you gone say that and nothing else,” Nesha added.

“I just don’t know. I’m attracted to him. I really am but he is so driven on a relationship and I’m not ready for that.”

“Why not?” Satisa asked.

“I don’t know. Y’all saw what happened with Devin. My trust is completely broken. I wish the man would fuck me and just let me go about my merry way.”

“Ha! Hoe!” Nesha laughed.

“Hush, Nesha. I don’t think Devin was a real thing. I know it was years but when you can count on two hands how many times you saw someone in a year I don’t think it counts. What is the worst that can happen?”

Both of their eyes swept over me, and again, I was silent because I knew exactly what I was running from. I was most concerned about the feelings that Prince was churning.

“Now you playing statue. When is he leaving?” Nesha asked.

“A couple days supposedly.”

“Well you better make a decision quick,” Satisa said.

“Watch her ass be calling us from the airport.” Nesha laughed.

“I’m not going. I made up my mind.” I tried to make it come out confidently.

“Put something on it!” Nesha stood to her feet with a grin. When I didn’t reply they both fell into a fit of giggles.

“Aaaahhhhhhh,” Nesha pointed obnoxiously.

“I should have never brought it up.” I shook my head and waved my hands.

“Anyway! I didn’t want to go to the club but I do want to shake my ass! Put the music on!” I lifted my voice. I was ready to get in my zone, hang with my girls and put all the stress away at least for the next hour or so. When I got back in my car I could calculate and think about everything else.

As soon as the music hit my body started moving to the beat. It was second nature for me to dance. The taking off my clothes part was the thing that took me a while to get used to. I started out as an incredibly shy girl but when I leaned into the music I stopped looking at the faces. My first few times on the stage I would throw up as soon as I got off. We were broke and on our own. We needed the money so we didn’t have a choice. We were running and at the clubs, it was no need for taxes and paperwork. Not at the hood ones anyway. There were some of the girls that wanted to be placed on a payroll, but when you told the owner you wanted to be off the books, all they did was take a slightly bigger cut. That was no problem for us because we were making it hand over fist.

“Get it y’all!” Satisa urged us both as she sat on the stool still eating.

Nesha wiggled my way and we turned the middle of our girls' living room into our own dance party. No need to look over our shoulders and watch the other hating bitches that had ill intentions. Knowing there were no barriers I let it overtake me. I downed the last contents of the drink in my hand, placed it on the table and started dropping it low, giving some of my best moves.

“Come over here and dance, Shy,” Nesha called Satisa and that was the last thing I heard before I got lost. I was feeling the drinks and feeling myself. As much as I tried to push him away Prince wouldn’t leave my mind. I imagined his strong hands gripping my waist from behind as I threw my body against his. I could just bet any money that he could dance. More than just keep up. That little prequel at the wedding reception was nothing compared to what he could really do. He had that flair for always wanting to win at anything he did. I could see it in his eyes and that’s what made him so attractive.

His strong chest against my back would drive me wild moving to a rhythmic beat. His hands would roam all over me until he eventually took me home and gave me all the things I swore to him that I didn’t want. But I wanted him more than words could say. My body quaked when he was close. The way he carried himself. So damn assertive and sure. He wasn’t afraid of me and he didn’t back down.

The things we could do together. The things we could do to each other. The liquor had brought down my defenses and had me willing to try my hand at him again. He was leaving soon and that would deflect the consequences. At least for a little while. Why couldn’t I have it? He was attracted to me, too. I could fulfill my fantasy and leave it alone. There would be no trip for me. Did I really expect to be around this man for months and not indulge at least a few times? Plenty if it was as good as I thought it would be. I couldn’t go. I would ride his dick until the sun came up and slip out of his house before he knew anything of it.

What the hell was in that bottle because it had me on go. It had felt like an eternity since my body had been taken care of like it should. The way Devin was in and out of the picture plus I couldn’t even count the last few lackluster showings. If I wanted to I was going to. I was done denying it and I was sure that Prince wouldn’t take that much convincing.

“Get it, sis’! Kill it!”

“Aye! Go !”

Hearing my girls gas me up just made me go harder. This was my safe place around nothing but love.

Having fun we lost track of time. I didn’t know what time it was when Prince walked in the door with his brother. I just know I didn’t stop dancing. I imagined I was back on stage, the center of attention and he was the only one I danced for. I learned that trick after months of anxiety. Focus on one. Not only did it make the tips better but it made the other men want to give up more money just to have that type of attention from you. It made me feel powerful. In this case, it wasn’t hard to spotlight Prince. I couldn’t imagine how much I missed him just from not being around him for a few days.

He came to me standing in the center of the living room. His cologne assaulted my senses and spoke directly to my feminine parts. He reached for me and instead of taking his hand, I stepped in front of him doing a spin. I put my ass against him trying to gauge what his reaction would be. Instinctively his hands went to my hips to steady me. I bent at my waist and quickly flipped back up allowing all twenty-six inches of my sew-in to move gracefully due to my girl's magic hands. It landed across his chest mostly, not so much on his face due to his height.

“You’re drunk,” he whispered into my ear. He spoke it as more of a fact than a question.

“Not as much as you think I am.”

“Let’s go.”

“I thought you would never ask,” I purred sweetly.

I was making things too complicated when it came to Prince. He was a man. I could leave all the damn feelings and just get on a level that every man and woman could speak to each other. He could say what he wanted but his dick starting to harden against my back was all the motivation I needed to know how simple it could be for us. We could have tonight, and once he left without me, we could let go of any fantasy we had about this being something long-term. He was focusing on building his business. In three months’ time, I would be back to my plan of figuring my shit out and seeing the world as a single independent woman.

“Okay y’all, I will see y’all later.”

I went to Satisa who Priest had propped up on the counter looking like they were about to start some shit up themselves.

“Call me when you land.” She winked at me trying to be funny. I told them both I wasn’t going. I turned to find my sister engrossed in her phone leaning against the kitchen island.

“Sis’.”

“You not driving.” That was Prince from over my shoulder speaking in Nesha’s direction. She quickly drew her eyebrows in a straight line. I prayed for the best because my sister could be just as reckless or more. Then suddenly she relaxed slightly and I blew out a breath of relief. I needed to stay focused on the plan tonight.

“Chaz is on the way and for the record I would drive if I wanted to.” She rolled her eyes and Prince chuckled. His only other response was a gentle push in the back toward the door. I moved my feet. We walked past my car and I didn’t put up any resistance. I wasn’t too far gone but I lost track of how many drinks I had. All I knew was I was dancing and refilling but I wasn’t too wobbly on my feet. Prince’s firm hand guided me to the car and opened the passenger door for me to get in. I watched him closely as he walked around.

As we pulled away I rolled the window down so that the night sky could tamper me down just a little bit. I wanted this but I didn’t want to come off thirsty. I needed to be completely in control of myself. But nothing to take back. I was doing this. He was looking so damn sexy as he gripped the wheel with one hand. His busted-down diamond watch shone against the moonlight. He had on a simple sweater and a pair of jeans. Prince could dress. I could tell by the small accents about him he was meticulous about his appearance. When I first saw him to the way he carried himself now was night and day. I mean Prince couldn’t look bad but now he was so polished but yet simplistic. Like he didn’t try too hard and he still had that masculine thug undertone that I was a downright sucker for.

Tired of being caught in my thoughts I decided to make a slight move. I reached my hand over to him and brushed it against his thigh to see if I could get a reaction. When he didn’t budge I rested my hand there.

“So how was it with Priest tonight? What did y’all do?”

“Oh so you not fighting me tonight? What you drink so I can make sure we get that again.” He smirked.

“Whatever. I just thought it was time to stop fighting what’s inevitable.” I was hoping that sounded as cool as I imagined.

“What’s inevitable, Le?”

“You know what I’m saying, Prince. Or maybe I can spell it out for you once we get to your place. That’s where we going?”

He reached up to his beard to stroke it but didn’t respond. Instead, he turned up the radio in the once silent car. He didn’t move my hand, but I was feeling a bit out of sorts. He still wasn’t quite reacting in a way I deemed normal when it came to my experience. Unfortunately and fortunately I have been around all types. Ones with money, some with none, good boys, bad boys you name it. Prince just wasn’t one that fit securely in any category. It enticed me in ways I wasn't ready for. He was attracted to me. That was clear but the amount of self-control he possessed was instilling confidence in his decision-making. It showed me more about his character, and I was scared to know him and scared of what that meant when my feelings weren’t reciprocated. Halfway through the ride, my hand retreated but I still wouldn’t be deterred.

When we got back to his place I was ready to strike again. As soon as he closed the door I went for it. He made sure it was secured. As soon as he stepped two feet inside I pulled him by the hand to the couch and he offered minimal resistance. When he sat down I straddled him and kissed his lips. First, there wasn’t the fire that I quickly became accustomed to. It took him a moment but what I knew in the back of my mind rang true. Prince was a man and they were all primal at their base. The energy in the kiss changed when his hand found my hair and fisted it. The small nips he took at my lips made me whimper. The more we indulged the wetter I became and I ground my pussy into him. As soon as a moan escaped my lips he pulled me back roughly. The shit was so sexy I felt a tingle pass through my whole body.

With a fistful of hair, he said, “See you trying to play, Le.”

“I’m not,” I damn near whined. I was ready. What the hell was he talking about?

“You are. You are trying to remove everything that makes us beautiful, and as much as I want you, I can’t do that.”

I rolled my eyes but I didn’t move off his lap.

“I don’t blame you for being scared or having your guard up because that is what you are supposed to do. But you are right it’s time for us to stop denying what’s between us. If we are going to do that, we need to do it fully. I want all of you, Le. Not just this. You are coming with me tomorrow. Yo’ hardheaded ass don’t even need to pack nothing. I will take care of everything when we land.”

That did make me move. I slipped off him and sat on the side. I don’t know if it was the liquor or what but I didn’t feel like arguing. “What you are asking for I don’t have to give. Not just because it’s you. I don’t have that to give to anybody. I understand what you are saying and I don’t want to make you uncomfortable. I will sleep in the guest room for the night. I’m not going on the trip, Prince. You think I am someone I’m not.”

“Then tell me who you are.”

My words failed me.

“What I tell you? All you had to do was decide but now the decision is mine. Our flight leaves in seven hours and you will be next to me.”

He spoke with so much finality that it was pointless to reply. Feeling the familiar embarrassment, I stood up and so did he. When I walked I was pulled back so quickly it made my head spin. Another set of tingles riddled my body. I loved that rough shit and the way he was speaking to me without trying. It was going to be hard for me to make it through a night without my pussy throbbing with angst. There wasn’t a shower cold enough to cure this.

“What I tell you about reaching for me?” I heard him but as I slammed into his chest I was so caught up in him I couldn’t respond. I was tossed down on the couch and a second later he was on top of me. His knee went between my legs to push them apart. My panties were ripped from me and my pelvis bucked toward the ceiling with need. He contradicted what he just said, but I didn’t care. I wanted him so damn bad. Both my wrists were gathered into his left hand and pushed above my head.

“Fuck,” I hissed. More of that.

“Keep those fucking hands right there. They would look so damn pretty in something I made. Damn, I like that,” he whispered in my ear huskily.

“Huh?”

“I can’t wait to put every fucking afterthought you have about this to bed.” He kissed my response away. His tongue swiped inside of my mouth exploring and dominating in his usual way. A way that I wished I could be kissed every second of every day. His hands found my leaking center and when he pushed one thick finger inside I gasped.

“I know that you need something and I can’t allow you to go to bed hungry, but you have to decide, Le. The way I want this pussy any time and under any circumstances. It’s going to take time for that type of trust. I want to know who you are. I want you to know you are always safe with me.”

“Fuck! Please.” All embarrassment was stripped away. I never thought I would be the type to beg for dick, but I was eating out the palm of his hand. I just wanted him to stop talking and make me cum.

“See you ain’t in no position to make any decisions right now. The only thing I need you to do is wet my fucking hand. How many times you need to cum baby? Let me satisfy my pussy.” Once again my response was kissed away. He simultaneously gripped my hip with his free hand and slammed it down toward his hand. He was enjoying teasing me because he knew I wanted more. He pulled his hand back and tapped my pussy a few times just to let me hear how much my wetness echoed throughout the room. The torturous assault of his fingers was a terribly slow climb and I wanted to ride so much faster. Then he introduced another finger inside my pussy and another finger pressed against my ass and that changed the game completely.

“Wait, what you doing?” I whimpered. The humor coated his face as he sped up. I didn’t know what the hell was happening but the way he was hooking his fingers he was finding every crevice that caused a stir. It was like by the time I realized I was on my way to my orgasm it was already happening.

“Oh my God, Prince!” I bucked down hard and the pain of him breaking the plain on the uncharted territory on the backside and the way his fingers sank completely in my pussy made liquid sputter out of me.

“Give me that shit, Le. That’s it, baby.”

My chest heaved up and down rapidly as my legs spread apart further. I gave his hand all the juices he could handle. I felt him all over my body and I couldn’t even imagine what having him inside of me would do. Drive me fucking crazy. Maybe he was right because I never had cum like that from just foreplay before.

Once my breathing calmed he pulled his fingers out of me. He brought his two coated fingers to my mouth and I licked them clean without any urging from him.

“You see how good you taste? You think I’m about to hide that I’m fucking with you or reduce what we can have to something less than what I desire you are wrong about that. I have an addictive personality and I can only choose things that choose me. What’s your choice, Le?”

He laid a kiss on my forehead and left me on the couch with a mess between my legs. All I could do was lay there and think about how I was about to call my sister and best friend from the airport in a few hours.