Prince: Love Always Wins

Lesha

I stretched my arms above my head, and as soon as they returned to a downward position, they braced my back. I had to get better shoes. It was a blur how fast the days were passing these last few weeks. It was yet another successful day of baking lovely treats. Cairo placed a specialized order for his sister’s birthday. I thought I could handle it and make the regular inventory that I’d sell to the guys at Prince’s job. With Prince’s employees tripling so did my batches. He was now in full swing of the hotel build. That, along with pushing out an extra five dozen cupcakes and five-tier cake, I was dead on my feet. I made it but barely, and I hated to admit it, but Prince was right. I may not have been there just yet but I was going to need to enlist an assistant soon.

At least I was home to do it all. With Prince working on the hotel it wasn’t like it had been at the site. I wasn't able to tag along. I would wake up and put the finishing touches on the desserts and he would take them in with him. All day, my phone would ring and vibrate from all the cash apps, Zelle, and Venmos I would receive from the crew paying for them. Prince was particular about not accepting cash. I wasn’t ready for how much I was missing him. I was happy he finally nailed down a new assistant, and he was right; I couldn’t expand the way I would like to if I had to handle his business, too. But, it was nothing like being able to walk a few steps and feel his soft lips touch mine or, even better, being bent over a desk and feeling him fuck me senseless.

“Dammit.” I squeezed my thighs together at the thought. He’d been dog tired, and it had been a few days since we indulged. He was behind on a deadline that was already near impossible. Well nothing was impossible for him. I checked the clock on the stove and it was a little after four. Only a few hours and I would see him. I needed to get off my feet but I wanted him to walk through this door and set up a sexy night in. His favorite food and me in some of the sexiest lingerie he could stand. I reached for my phone.

“Hey girl,” Satisa said brightly on the other end of the phone.

“What’s that service that will deliver lingerie that you use?”

“Ooh, you trying to get big nasty, huh? I’m about to text you.”

“I can hear you grinning through the damn phone,” I shot.

“I am but I need some excitement anyway. Priest just left out for a week and I’m miserable.”

“Why didn’t you go?”

“I wanted to but Benji has a conference he needs to go to. I wanted to be here and close. I know Priest’s mother was going to be here, but I didn’t want to be too far, plus I was sick as hell anyway. Even after dropping this baby, my stomach hasn’t been the same.”

“Damn I forgot to send your cheesecake.” I slapped my forehead. “Girl. I’m sorry I've been so busy, and my orders are picking up.”

“That’s why I didn’t bother you. I see how things are going. Your IG has been blowing up. I’m happy for you, baby.”

“Thanks, boo. I know what you mean though. I couldn’t imagine Prince being away from me that long.”

“For real. You know I’m always going any other time but things are picking up for Benji for basketball so I guess it’s one of those things I have to deal with. Benji has never had support like this and the last thing I want for him is to look out and not see at least one of us. Especially with PJ being born. I want him to know that he is still a priority.”

“That’s true. Y’all are doing a great job.”

“I appreciate it. You heard from Nesha?”

“Not as much as usual honestly. She calls or texts daily but I guess things are pretty serious with the new guy she met. Since that day she freaked me out she been with dude and from what she say, it’s going well.”

“That was a pretty big turnaround. Chaz chest hurting.”

“Good for his ass! So is Priest going to be traveling more like this for the next little bit?” I asked as I sat down in the chair on the kitchen island.

“Well, he is opening up a few more hubs. He says it will make it easier for him to free up more time and take a hands-off approach in the next year or so. I trust him but he can get so consumed with things when he has it in his mind.”

“Ooh, it must run in the family!”

“I’m sure it does. What happened?” She laughed.

“Prince has this new project and he is obsessing over every small detail. He was damn near getting ready to walk away from the project over the position of a balcony. He works all day and comes home and crashes.”

“You know he isn’t doing anything with anyone else,” she stated flatly, calling out the small voice in the back of my mind that I wasn’t trying to give in to. I told myself I trusted Prince, but after what I’d been through, I’d be lying if I said that wasn’t a thought I’d had.

“All this is different for me, sis’. I’m used to popping up on a nigga and fucking up the shit until I get answers, so I’m trying to be different. I don’t think anything like that, to be honest, but at the same time, I do miss him, and I was not ready for that to be such a strong emotion for me.”

“Aww, you love him!” Satisa squealed, and a second later, I heard her sniffing.

“Girl, wait! Put the tears up. I know you ain’t crying.”

“You don’t have to say it. I know exactly what you feeling. Just talk to him.”

“Mommy I’m hungry., I heard Jasmine’s little voice say.

“Aww my baby talking so good. I need to come see her. We gotta get our nails done.”

“I’m not worried about you or Jasmine.”

“Mmm hmm. I bet you saying that on your way to the kitchen.”

She busted out laughing, and that was the only confirmation I needed. If I knew nothing else, it was that my girl was going to take care of those kids.

“Go ‘head. I love you, boo.”

“I love you, too. Keep me posted,” she replied quickly before we ended the call.

I scrolled through the link that Satisa sent and placed an order for the sexiest lingerie on the site that could be delivered in an hour. That was just enough time to transform from my current state. Prince loved the natural look, but the flour that was in my hair and all over my face was a little too natural for me to feel my sexiest. I slipped off the stool, and my feet felt so tender against the ground. I stepped lightly, and pulled out a chicken breast from the fridge, seasoned it, and placed it into the oven. I would allow that to cook while I headed to relax my sore feet and muscles in the bathtub.

I placed a bath bomb in my water, and a pretty hue of pink filled the tub while the smell of roses and jasmine filled the air. I eased inside, and it was just what the doctor had ordered. After a good soak, I got dressed, cut up potatoes, partnered them with asparagus, and placed those in the oven after a good seasoning as well. After another thirty minutes, everything would be ready and hot when he cracked the door. I pinned my hair up and did a light beat. I slipped on the sexy lingerie that was left on my door and waited.

7:06

I watched as another thirty minutes passed on the clock. I felt the uneasiness start to dial up in my body. I reached for my phone and considered calling at least five times before I sat it down. At 7:42 was finally when my phone began to ring. It was Prince.

“Hello,” I tried to keep the attitude from creeping into my voice.

“Hey, beautiful. It’s going to be a little later than I thought.”

“Clearly,” I snapped, looking at the dinner I had prepared. I pinched the bridge of my nose entirely out of the mood now.

“I get that. I deserve that,” he spoke, irritating me even further because he didn’t argue, but that was Prince. He never argued with me. He just gave me space to feel.

“What happened?”

“A couple of the guys had an accident on one of the balconies. I had to stay and do some paperwork before going to the hospital and checking on them.”

“Hospital? What happened?” I sat up straight hearing that.

“They were fucking off, not being safe like they know to do, and sliced their hand open, trying to hold on, trying not to fall.”

“Wow. It must have been one of the new guys.”

“It was. Now we are down two men because I had to let the other one go.” I could hear the stress in his voice.

“Well, it’s late now. Are you on your way?”

“Can you come to me?” That meant no. I clutched the receiver. “Le Monroe, you hear me talking to you?” The octave his voice dropped to told me he was not trying to play fair. The last thing I wanted to do was be wrapped up in anything work related at this hour after my long day, but damn, did I miss him.

“Yes,” I almost purred.

“A car is already on its way to you. I want to show you what I have been working on.”

“Okay,” I replied simply.

“I miss you.”

“I hear you.”

“Well let me show you when you get here. We have plenty of rooms to choose from.” A quake passed through my body. He disconnected. I jumped up from the chair. I couldn’t wear this. The black, barely-there fabric that had only the most intimate parts covered was not how I was going to sit in the back of a car. I walked to my closet, and another idea hit me. I pulled down a sexy black dress and slipped it over the lingerie. Even though my feet were killing me, I slipped a pair of Doctor Scholls in my red bottom heels, and I was ready when the car pulled up to the front door.

My driver greeted me and opened my door with a tip of his hat. The thirty-minute drive was filled with silence and longing. I was not used to these feelings, and I didn’t want them to overtake me. For the first time that I could remember, I cared about a relationship and where it went.

The hotel was still lit up when we pulled to the front of it, and the best part was that as soon as I pulled to the curb, Prince was there waiting for me. He had on a different set of clothes than the ones he left home with. I tried to quiet the alarms that were ringing in my head. This is a hotel he has full access to, and he has full access to anyone who is willing to share a bed with him.

“Damn, I’m underdressed. You must have known I was going to do something special for you.” A smile spread across his face. He wasted no time pulling me into a hug. He tilted my chin up to him and kissed me deeply right there on the sidewalk. He didn’t come up for air until he got enough. The kiss made me dizzy, and I remembered everything I wanted to do tonight. I was not going to let my crazy inner voice rob me of that.

“Come on. Let me show you what I been working on,” he spoke as we walked toward the hotel. He let me walk in front of him slightly and when I looked back his eyes were roaming my body hungrily. I blushed with excitement. A few seconds around him and my attitude was already melting away.

“Wow,” I said as we entered the foyer. In the center, the hotel’s design was etched into the floor. What was once a mundane brown color now lay pearly white tiles intricately woven together. My heels clicked against the floor, and the emptiness of the building made it echo louder than I was ready for.

“Wait, Prince, is anyone else here?”

“No, it's just my crew that is working on this. The grand opening is three weeks away, and to help us work better, they allowed us to stay here.”

“Makes sense.” I nodded. He looped his hand in mine when we landed in front of the elevator. Silently we rode up. So much was swirling through my head. All the things I needed to do to prepare for tomorrow being at the top. I don’t know what time Prince planned on getting home, but if he wanted me stretched out all around the rooms, I would be.

“How was your day? Cairo’s sister called him today while he worked. She said she loved everything.”

“Really? I’m so happy she did.”

“I knew she would.” He pushed the door open.

“Wow!” I wished I had a better word. “This is the presidential suite?” I asked, walking further inside. At least 3000 square feet surrounded me, including a living area with plush white carpet. The paintings on the walls meshed perfectly. It was a night and day difference. Royalty was the only thing that came to mind being in a place like this. He pulled me by the hand and led me to the balcony.

“Do you see why I fought for this? The smaller replica can’t even compare to the real thing can it?”

“Oh my God, this is beautiful. I’m proud of you, Prince.” He gave me his winning smile. It was a clear night, and the moon was full. It seemed so close I could touch it. The stars in the sky made it so the balcony didn’t even need lighting even though I clearly saw the lamp in the corner. This was breathtaking.

“I had envisioned you being bent over this balcony. That’s the only way I could finish when I was tired. Your beautiful brown skin deserves perfect light reflecting off it.” He slipped behind me and looped his hand around my waist. His hands only stayed there a second before they moved under my dress and cupped my ass. He noticed the lack of fabric right off and I noticed the shift in his pants.

“This for me, Le? Damn.” He pulled my dress up slightly.

“I, um, cooked dinner,” I stuttered, trying to stand up, feeling for the rail.

“I’m sorry, baby. I know I have been busy as hell, but it isn’t an hour, a minute, or a second I’m not thinking of you. It’s all going to make sense soon.” His thick finger traced my panty line as my juices soaked through. No other man had so much control over my body.

“It’s okay,” I moaned.

“Is that the truth?”

I clamped my lips before I could respond. I didn’t want to ruin the moment because I wanted him inside of me so bad I couldn’t think straight. He turned me into a damn fiend. I bucked my hips against him.

“I want you, baby. Please.”

His hands went to my throat, pulling my ear to his lips.

“I love you; you know that, Le?”

I nodded my head.

“You want this dick; you better use your fuckin words.” He gave me a punishing slap on the ass with the other hand, and I mewled.

“Yessss.” See, this was the type of time I was trying to be on. He pushed me forward with the sweet amount of force I loved, and my hands braced the railing in front of me. I heard him fumble around with his belt for two seconds before he entered me in one push.

“Oh God,” my voice carried through the night sky, and it only enhanced my feelings.

“Damn, that pussy miss me, huh? That shit is spittin’ up on my dick, baby. Look at you.” He fisted my hair with his left hand and eased in and out. He gave me all ten inches while he made sure my back was arched perfectly in with the help of his right hand. Nothing easy about the way he was fucking me, and I didn’t need it to be. I threw my ass back on him, trying to keep pace with him. I wanted my man to fuck me senseless. I clinched my walls like he loved.

“I feel your hardheaded ass gripping. Are you trying to make me tap, or are you trying to get fucked good?” His laugh ascended around us. He ripped my hands from the balcony.

“Together,” he grunted.

“Shit!” I happily did what he asked as he quickly tied my hands with the belt. He braced his hands where my hands met, and his other hand lifted my leg and placed it on the balcony. Nervously, I complied.

“I got you.” He whispered huskily as he entered me. My fear of falling to impending doom floated away like the clouds in the sky when I felt him again. My cum was coating his dick by the third stroke. He was in my walls so deep, and I missed him so much. He was bouncing me so hard my breasts spilled out the top of my dress and hardened when the night breeze caressed them. They hung over the railing completely free from restraint and judgment, giving me ample opportunity to look at the way he had accomplished his plan. The angles of the other three presidential suite balconies would have a front-row seat to our show. The thought of onlookers enjoying us enjoying each other made more liquid spill from my core.

“Yeah, you wanted to get fucked. You drenching me baby. We in that room when we get home. You like it when I hurt that pretty pussy?” He slapped my ass. The first one was good but this second one would be even better. That was how it was with Prince. Orgasms were a prequel to bigger and better ones until he would finally zap every ounce I had in my body. I needed that tonight. Too much was going on, and I needed him to help me feel grounded.

“What the hell? Why did you stop?” I felt him pull out of me, and I could kill his ass with how close I was to releasing all my frustration on his dick a second time.

“Your sister. Her ringtone. I ignored it the first time but she called back twice. It may be important,” he said. It took me a moment to register what he was saying because I was so focused on what my body needed. It wasn’t until the phone stopped that it finally registered. “Didn’t you say you hadn’t talked to her in a few days?” I looked at his dick and the phone. She was calling. That meant she was okay, right? I was only overreacting because it had been a few days. She could take care of herself. She promised me that. The phone began to ring again.

“Answer it, baby. We have all night.” He pulled my dress down.

My shoulders slumped a bit, but I knew he was right. I didn’t know when I was going to get a chance to talk to her again, given how caught up she had been with this new guy. I would kick myself if I missed her call and something was really wrong. I made my way to my phone, which was in my purse, thrown on the bed. I fished it out before it stopped this time.

“Sis’,” I breathed out.

“Why the hell do you sound so tired? Damn, did I interrupt something?”

“No, no, I’m good,” I said, walking back out to the balcony. I may have been on the phone, but I still wanted to be around my man. As soon as I walked back, his phone rang, and he walked back inside. I looked over my shoulder until he disappeared inside the room.

“You hear me? I’m sorry I didn’t call yesterday. Everything was a damn blur.”

“How are things been going?”

“Good. I won’t lie I kinda like this nigga.”

“I mean you better. You just up and left and haven’t looked back. If I didn’t understand myself I would have questioned it more. I know how easy it is to get caught up in someone you feeling.” My eyes floated in the room trying to get a look at Prince.

“Right, but things got crazy yesterday.”

“What you mean? What happened?”

“Crazy. We were at another one of his events, and some chick wanted to start shit. So you know me, I closed her damn mouth. That led to Apollo getting into it with her guy, and the police were called, but somehow, even though they started everything, Apollo was the only one who got arrested.”

“Huh? That doesn’t make sense at all.”

“I know. I was down at the station trying to straighten it out all night.”

I paused.

“Why are you so quiet? Did you hear me?”

“I didn’t say nothing. I just find it funny,” I said with no smile in sight. I looked over my shoulder again trying to trace Prince again. His call had ended, and he was sitting on the bed. Now that I knew my sister was okay it was time to wrap things up with her.

“I just feel like all these niggas are the same. I’m enjoying my time with Apollo for what it’s worth. I do like him, but at the end of it all, what does it mean if it ends up being the same as it always is? I mean, Apollo looks good as hell, but I’m tired of always having to check females behind a nigga. You know I don’t play about my respect no matter the reason but going through the same shit gets tiring. After this is all said and done, I think I will be like you, travel the world, and see what it has to offer. We have been running so long, and we haven’t been living. I just need Apollo to live up to his end of the bargain and I’m out of here.”

“Bargain? What bargain?” That was the first time I heard her mention that.

“Oh, nothing girl. I’m just trippin.”

“I’m pretty sure you know what you are saying. What’s going on?” I braced myself. I was so ready to hear about more bullshit because there always was. It wasn’t lost on me that Hamp was still out there and even Maceo. I tried to push that from my mind because Prince told me he was going to handle it. It scared me that there was only one way to actually handle that. But what the hell was this bargain Nesha was talking about?

“Stop thinking a mile a minute. I know you, sis’. It’s a sexual bargain. I’ll tell you more about it soon.” She was lying but I couldn’t do anything about it. For now, she was good, so before she blew my mood completely, I was getting off the phone with her.

“I hear you, sis’. I’m glad everything is okay but let me call you back.”

“Ooh, so I did interrupt something. Get it, girl. Use these niggas for what they are good for.”

“Love you, sis’,” I disconnected. I was so sure I was going to go inside and dive on Prince and finish what we started, but instead, I took a moment and focused on the stars. I leaned forward against the beautiful balcony. For the first time, I felt like my sister and I were on two different paths. I don’t know why I held back my happiness and shared how the relationship between Prince and I had blossomed. It was like it had always been her and I against the world for as long as I could remember. I was with someone who wanted to take on the world for me. A man who was stirring so many growing feelings inside of me that made my trepidation ramp up to heights unknown.

I pushed myself upright. My mind didn’t want to calm down, but at least I could get what my body needed. I took a step into the room and stopped. Prince was sprawled across the bed knocked out cold. He didn’t snore, but today, I could hear it faintly. That man exhausted his body, and no one could tell him to stop. I bent down and loosened the strings on his shoes to take them off his feet. He was so tired he didn’t wake. There was nothing left to do but slip into bed next to him. I wanted to pretend it was just about sex. That lie couldn’t fly once I laid my head on his chest, and his heartbeat calmed all the anxieties I had swirling through my head. I loved what he did to my body. I even loved the things he did for me. None of that mattered because what I truly loved was Prince and who he was to me: his calming presence and his stubborn nature. I craved him physically and mentally. I felt tears fall from my eyes, and I swiped them away before they hit his chest. I missed him, and he was right next to me, and I couldn’t fathom that.

I missed our intimacy, and I prayed that this project didn’t last too much longer because I wanted things to go back to how they were. Knowing Prince it would just be the next thing. He was so determined. I didn’t want to be a brat and make it all about me, but they didn’t tell you about this part. How loving a hardworking man meant there would be times when the thing you desperately wanted wasn’t available to you. He would be doing more, and with this expansion, I wondered about the time. I quickly got used to our everyday routine, and the last week was harder than I would have imagined. I needed to rest. My body was tired, and even though my mind was working overdrive, I closed my eyes, thankful for getting the time I did today.