Prince: Love Always Wins

Prince

“Fuck!!” I erupted at the same time as her. Her body dropped onto mine.

“Dammit baby, I was trying to stop you,” I spoke aloud like she could hear what I was saying. I quickly unbound her feet and lifted her. I watched her breath rise and fall. Even though she was out of it, she was coming back. I had just as much control as she did because, damn, did it feel amazing. She drained me twice and my energy was starting to beep just like hers. I wouldn’t lie down until I got her together properly though.

When I laid her on the bed I heard her mumble a few things and her eyes open and close a few times. I couldn’t even be on some cocky shit because I had to make sure she was okay. She needed to stay hydrated. The way shit had been going the last few days I was draining all of her. I couldn’t get enough.

Once I eyed her on the bed long enough to ensure her breathing was okay I ran a bath. She didn’t have to know, but her body needed it, or she would wake up sore as hell. She was the first person that walked this lifestyle fully with me. I appreciated every bit of openness she displayed. It empowered me and made us closer. I swore I wasn’t going to do a damn thing to cross her or make her heart hurt.

Once the bath was ready I took her inside and cleaned her body. She gave me faint smiles once she realized what was happening but by the time I was done cleaning her up she was snoring lightly. I carried her to the bed and pulled her close while we both drifted off. Just like the last time when I opened my eyes, she was out of bed. I threw the covers back and my nose carried me to her.

“We gotta stop waking up like this, beautiful.” I came into the kitchen to find Le with pans everywhere.

“I’m sorry. I’ll get everything clean before we are ready to head out.”

I walked in front of her to make her stop moving. “You cook when you are stressed.”

“I’m not stressed.” She walked a few paces.

“Then what are you?”

“I’m fine.” She snapped. I let her simmer for a moment as she moved around the kitchen.

“Have you seen someone about that?” She snapped her head my way, taking it just like I thought she would.

“What you mean seeing someone? There is nothing wrong with me!”

“You’re right. Nothing is wrong with you. What I am suggesting is that you are having a human experience. A lot of people deal with anxiety, baby. There are tools to help with this. It’s a difference between working hard and obsessing.” I looked around at all the pots and pans scattered everywhere.

“I said I’m fine. , please don’t. I get it. You want me in the bed every morning.” I saw her float around and start to place dishes in the sink with a force uncalled for. I stayed silent and leaned back against the counter until she looked at me again.

“I don’t just want you in bed with me, Le. I want you at peace. What? Did we go to bed at midnight? It’s just now past six, and you've already cooked three batches? You must have gotten two hours of sleep.”

“I wanted to get up and make sure you had enough for the crew today.” She lied.

“You cooked enough yesterday, remember? You are up because you can’t turn your mind off.”

“I don’t need a damn shrink, . Last time I checked, your degree was in contracting, not psychology.”

Fuck that little attitude. She was going through it in her own mind, and it was clear to see. I approached her. “Was last night too much for you?” I fully expected her to walk away, but instead, she stopped. Bingo! I continued while I had her attention.

“99 percent of problems can be solved by just talking. That’s what we need to do. The second time in that room, and the second time, you haven’t got a good night’s sleep. Is it too much, Le?” She wouldn’t give me her eyes as I spoke. I placed one hand behind her neck and craned it up to me. Her soft eyes dampened. Her mean ass was such a softy, and I loved it. “Don’t lie to me, Le Monroe.”

“Uh.” She stopped and wet her soft lips. “It’s not too much.” She turned her head away, and I turned it back gently.

“Then what is it?” I asked,

“I’ve never done anything like that with anyone, and I’m, um.” She trailed off.

“Scared?” I offered. She nodded and I let her slip from my grasp. “What makes you scared about it?”

“The sex was amazing. I enjoyed it maybe too much. I don’t know if that’s possible, but it was more. The words you were saying. That’s the part that made it so overwhelming. It was like I was drowning under your words. I feel like you were trying to manipulate me.” She turned, facing the opposite direction as she spoke. It was helping, so I didn’t move closer.

“I wasn’t trying to manipulate you. I am trying to learn you. Learn what makes you tick and make our sexual time together more satisfying for both of us. I won’t say I’m not trying to get inside your mind because I am. For me, sex is much more than just physical.” She turned to me, and naturally, I migrated to her, careful not to make her feel boxed in. “I think we unlocked a praise kink, Le.”

“Wow.” She said like a lightbulb went off in her head. “Then I fucking passed out. Embarrassing.” She placed her hands on her face, and I pulled them away.

“Embarrassing for who? I was trying to stop before you did, but you pulled me to you. When I saw your eyes flutter, I knew it was a done deal. I took care of you, though. You will get used to it, and we can move slower.”

“I don’t want to. I just have to find a way to deal with the emotion of it all. I feel like I’m obsessing.” She spoke quietly, and that pulled a smile from me. She was in my arms again.

“Believe me when I say I get it. You stir up big emotions inside of me, too. I meant everything I said. I appreciate it, and I am incredibly happy to have earned the vulnerability that you displayed to me last night. I don’t take that or you for granted. For that reason, I’ll cut down anything or anyone that stops us from progressing. I’m not willing to fall out of this position with you because of something trivial. Even if it is your own intrusive thoughts. Your trust means the world to me and I am going to continue to earn that every day. There was a reason I wanted to wait before we got here. I know what all of this can bring.”

She pulled away again. Her hand rested on the kitchen island with her back turned. I studied her understanding her rhythm of processing. She knew exactly what she wanted to say, and she was working herself up to say it. Shit, I couldn’t blame her. My words flooded my system as well. She elicited something that hadn’t been uncaged in so long.

“Why is trust so important to you?”

“Because I gave so many a reason not to. The shit I took my family through, they have plenty of reason to second guess me. They and everything I go through professionally will be the same. You’ve seen that firsthand. I can’t have that with the person I will share my future with. I was serious about doing the work on myself. Becoming worthy to carry the responsibility of a family was my number one priority. So, looking at my woman and knowing that she has absolute confidence in me is a necessity for me. Not one that I demand but one that I will prove to be worthy of.” I turned her back to me. “Any more questions?”

“No, not right now.”

“I’m proud of you for expressing yourself to me. That takes a lot of courage.”

She nodded and smiled. We separated, and my stomach grumbled. I reached for a piece of the pound cake, and my hand was slapped.

“, that is not breakfast. Aren’t you finishing the roof work today? You cannot go out in the hot sun with cake on your stomach. You need a real breakfast.”

“I’m starting to think yo pretty ass just like hitting me.”

“You need some protein on your stomach, Mr. I don’t eat while I’m working.”

“You funny. I don’t eat while I’m working. I eat a piece of this before I start when I get there. All this you make for everybody else, and I’m on restriction.”

She shook her head. “You are so spoiled. Like you don’t have everything you want to eat here. Eat it then. Still I will make you bacon and eggs while you get ready.”

“Damn, I love it when you listen.”

“Mmm hmm.” She sassed.

I walked out of the room and showered with a little extra pep. When I got dressed and returned to the kitchen, it was completely transformed. I still couldn’t understand how she could do something like that so fast.

“You want me to load that stuff into my car? Is this all of it?” I asked, pointing to the end of the table where her treats were bundled. It looked to be much less than usual.

“Yeah, you can put that into your car. I already put the light stuff in mine. I wanted to get out, so I will come by for a while. Plus, I missed Remy and haven’t cursed Cairo out in a while.”

“Yeah, you guaranteed to kill two birds with one stone if you come by.” I laughed and picked up the basket of treats.

“Eat.” She shoved a bacon, egg, and cheese bagel in my direction. I happily accepted. There wasn’t anything complicated about the way Le and I moved together. Once I was done packing up, she was in her new whip. That big-ass yellow Jeep made me smile. It was what she wanted, and I was proud to have had a hand in it. We coasted through the highway. Even the traffic wasn’t bad.

“Boss man!” I laughed hearing Cairo’s voice. He didn’t know Le was two steps from off his ass.

“So that’s the only one you see?” She snapped with a smile.

“Damn. I didn’t know the first lady was here. has been hiding yo ass like drug money. As long as you keep cooking for us like that, I don’t care.”

“Anyway, you been doing well for yourself. You checked out school yet?”

“Not you too. Y’all like having two parents here. I can tell y’all gone work out.” Cairo said, walking away. She smiled. On the surface, most men would be jealous, but I knew there was nothing sexual about the encounter. Not only did I trust her, but I saw the things she craved. The family environment that she wished she had growing up. Cairo was easy to fit into the little brother category because his stubborn ass was so likable.

“Ooh, wee, you brought the dessert with you, " Remy said as he came down the driveway. I had only been there two seconds, and Le was already the center of attention. Remy gripped her hand and brought it to his mouth for a kiss, and she blushed.

“Ease up old man. You ain’t too old to get knocked out.”

“If I had been 30 years younger, you would have had a fight on your hands. Are you keeping us company today?” he asked her.

“Just a few hours. I've been cooking, but I'm looking for some feedback. I'm thinking of expanding.”

“Don’t think! Do it. You got something here.” Remy pointed to the basket right before he lifted the cover and snagged a piece of cake.

“Y’all kill me. I have breakfast sandwiches in this one. Y’all go straight for the cake. Don’t make me call Mrs. Juanita.”

“And she knows how to play dirty, too?” Remy whistled. “Watch this one, ,” Remy said as he walked away.

“You see, his ass ain’t put that cake down, though,” I said, and Le laughed that loud ass laugh next to me.

“I’m glad you came. I enjoy being able to look up and see you. Meet me in my office before you go.”

“Nope! You will not take my legs from me. I still need to go home and cook for tomorrow.” She pranced away.

“Wow. Look at how much you guys have done!”

She marveled as she stepped inside. I heard a few whistles from the crew when they saw her. “Aye niggas, don’t get y’all shit knocked off.” I was cool with Remy and Cairo because I knew their intentions, but some of these other niggas just came on. Playing or not, they weren’t going to do that. They disbursed quickly.

“How’s the crew?” She asked.

“Hit or miss. I have a few I’ll consider keeping on for future projects. It’s just hard to get people to take shit seriously. This was only step one. What I’ll be doing at the hotel is the real work. We gotta be on point for that.”

“I see the vision.” She smiled.

The door opened when I was about to migrate to her, and I pulled back. She was going to be a beautiful distraction. I had much work to do today, and I would damn near have to sit on my hands not to touch her. But it hit me that I had to be an example. Though I was the boss, I wouldn’t allow any of my employees to kiss the way I planned to kiss her. That alone helped me pause.

“Yo boss man! It’s a nigga out here looking for you. It look like some smoke.” Cairo busted back in the door. Le’s eyes told me how panicked she became.

“How could he find me? I promise I haven’t told him anything.” She ignored Cairo and asked me.

“I don’t hide from nobody. I’m easily accessible, and I like it that way. If it is him, like I said, my turn.” I slipped away from her and walked out the front door. I knew the day would come sooner or later.

“What’s going on, P? You don’t ever have no shit, so I know this nigga lame as hell. I got you.” Cairo said, falling in step with me.

“You know how you can get me. Send the crew to the next house.”

“What? Hell nah, if this nigga trying something I’m with you.” Cairo said on my heels as I stepped outside.

“Go back inside, Cairo.”

I stopped and looked at him to drive my point home just as I saw the big ass car pull alongside the grass. Cairo finally listened and walked away.

“Aye, man, fuck what you talking about. Where Lesha?” His words carried as he walked up the driveway. Devin looked and dressed like a bitch. I didn’t know how old he was. Much too old to have his pants sagging and a big ass fake chain on that was for sure.

“Nigga where she want to be. Fuck from around here. That’s the last time I’m gone tell you.” I felt a familiar calm spread through me. I felt dangerous and as much as I wanted to say I hated it, I didn’t. I loved acting in my aggression when the time called for it. That was just as much a side of me as everything else.

“Nigga what? You think you got a little money because you got this little government handout? I can make all this shit go away. Did you tell them you were a fucking drug addict that just checked the fuck out of rehab? Y’all parading like y’all the perfect couple. Posting pictures and shit? Do they know she is a stripper? Match made in heaven. A fucking addict and a fucking hoe.” The only reason that nigga didn’t have a period on his sentence yet was because I heard footsteps, and I could tell by how light they were that it was Le’s. Her feelings were done for him romantically, but it was good for her to hear how he really felt. How he always looked at her. “Yeah, she may be a hoe, but she's mine. My bottom bitch, and I’m coming to claim her. Nigga we can do this shit however you want. Is that used pussy worth your life?” Devin kept talking his shit.

“Devin, you muthafucka.” I heard her scream, and I knew she was charging. I got there easily, and my fist connected to his teeth. I felt them loosen as he went to the ground.

“!” Le screamed frantically, but I already saw that nigga reaching for his waistband. He wasn’t a man. He wasn’t gone put them up with me. I stepped on his wrist and hit him a few more times, careful not to knock him out because he needed to see this. I pulled the gun from his now flimsy grip and shoved it in his mouth.

“, no. Oh my God!” I felt her tugging at my shoulder, but I didn’t budge.

“Nigga you crazy? Where that mouth at now?” I laughed. I pulled back the hammer, and his eyes widened. It wasn’t until that familiar hand rested on my shoulder and I heard that voice that I stopped.

“Son,” Remy said. My body recoiled, and he pulled the gun from my hands. Devin flew back on his ass down the driveway. Remy walked up to him, holding the gun down at his side.

“I guess you better get out of here son. I suppose we won’t be seeing you again.”

The nigga waited until he got good and by his car with the door open before he called back. “Fuck you, Lesha, this shit ain’t worth it, and you ain’t either bitch!” He jumped inside and floored it.

“Y’all okay?” Remy asked, and my eyes settled on Le. She was spooked, not saying a word, with her hand balled into a fist in front of her mouth.

“Give us a minute, Rem.”

“I’ll take care of this,” Remy said, nodding and taking the gun into the house.

“Are you okay?” I asked, but she didn’t say a word. Her eyes were spacey, like she went into another place. When I touched her, she jumped, and so did my chest.

“You afraid of me?”

“No. He was going to kill you.” She said softly.

“No, he was trying to scare me, and I don’t play shit like that. The last thing I want you to be is afraid of me.”

She rushed me with a hug. I rubbed my hand down her back. “I was so scared for you. I didn’t know what to do. Then I thought you would, , you can’t do that.”

“Relax, it’s over.”

“How did he find out about your business? I posted our picture on IG, but nothing about you or your business.”

“I’m intentionally public, and I don’t hide from anyone. Anybody want some shit I ain’t ducking. I will do whatever to protect myself and the people I love.”

“It got scary so fast.” She admitted.

“I wish I could tell you that I am not what you just saw, but I am. If someone comes, I will let it be known exactly who I am.”

“I get that. I do, but shit.” She whispered. I gave her a moment to digest. “Please, can we just go home? I know you have a lot of work, but can you make it up tomorrow? I’ll help. I want to be out of here, but I want you close to me.” She said softly.

“Girl, what you gone lift? Talking about helping.” I smiled.

“Don’t tease me.” She pouted slightly. I could feel her heart rate start to calm.

“We can do whatever you need,” I told her, then kissed her forehead. I knew I was going to pay for the day off. The last week, I’d been a little behind schedule, so for the next two, I was going to have to kill myself to make it up. For her, I’d do it gladly.