by B. Love
The contrast of the white against his brown skin had Diem biting down on her bottom lip as she walked over to him. He stood, giving her a better view of his tall, muscular build. Mouth partially open, Deacon tucked his bottom lip between his straight white teeth before biting down on it. He lowered his snapback over his eyes until she couldn’t see them anymore, then pulled it from his head altogether.
“What’s up?” was his low greeting as he pulled her into his chest.
“I hope I didn’t keep you waiting long.”
“You did, but you worth it.”
Diem smiled as he led her over to a nearby table instead of returning to the bar.
“What’s good with you, Diem?” he asked, sitting across from her in the booth, but that was too far away for Diem’s liking.
“Can you sit next to me? I want you close.”
“I did want to look across from you and see that pretty face, but I’m cool with being close to you too.”
Unable to keep it in, Diem blushed as he scooted closer to her. Crossing his arms on top of the table, Deacon leaned forward and looked at her as she rested her back against the booth. There was something about the way lust danced around in his eyes as he stared at her that made her pussy throb.
“Thank you for agreeing to come on such short notice. Today was a really rough day.”
Deacon motioned a waiter over as he asked, “What made it rough, if you don’t mind me asking?”
“I um…” She paused and gathered herself to avoid breaking down. In the streets, she was lethal. Never cracked. Was more masculine than some of the men on their team. But losing Trevor? That was a blow that could easily have her crying like a baby and folding like a snitch on death row. “We had my father’s memorial today. Well, he wasn’t my real father, but he was like my father. So it was tough as hell to do that.”
Deacon’s hand lowered to her lap and took a hold of hers. “I’m so sorry, Doll. My father was murdered when I was seventeen, so I know exactly what you’re going through.”
“That’s crazy; he used to call me Doll too.”
Deacon smiled as he sat back. “I’m not surprised. That’s what your pretty ass looks like.”
Was she blushing again?
Swallowing hard, Diem looked away as the waiter approached their table. Deacon told him to add whatever she wanted to drink to his tab at the bar. Diem requested a Hennessy and Coke before trying to get the attention off of her. She asked Diem to tell her about himself, hoping that would be enough to ease her mind.
He told her that he was twenty-eight, which made him two years younger than her. As a businessowner, he had a car lot, car wash, and car detail company. She gathered that Deacon was a typical mans man because he liked sports, cars, and other manly shit. He had a sister and older brother.
Deacon loved old school music, watching and attending sports events, and playing card games. His life pretty much consisted of traveling and doing whatever the fuck else he wanted to do. Because he had managers for his businesses, he only popped in a couple of times a month and let the money flow in. He expressed his desire for a partner to make memories and travel the world with, but because of how his last relationship ended he wasn’t in a rush to get serious with anyone.
“What happened?” Diem asked, dipping one of the tortilla chips into the salsa that he ordered after her drink was delivered. She wanted something light to put on her stomach while she drank, but as smooth as their evening was going, Diem didn’t mind going out for dinner as well.
“She cheated. Wasn’t really getting everything she claimed she wanted from me but didn’t want to leave me, so she got what I lacked from someone else.”
Her chewing temporarily stopped, but she picked it back up and swallowed before replying. “What did she want?”
Deacon shrugged as he picked his drink up and took a sip. “Time. I was just getting my detailing shop off the ground and my employees were new, so I was there more than usual. She just wanted more of me, I guess, and since she couldn’t get it, she tried to find an artificial replacement.”
“Did you love her?”
Even if Deacon didn’t want to answer, Diem knew the answer by the shift in his mood and the way he slightly moved away from her out of discomfort. Though interested, that would be the last question she asked no matter how he answered.
“Yea.”
She nodded and lifted her drink, almost choking on it when he asked, “You ever been in love?”
Diem shook her head and laughed as she set her drink down. “Nah. That hasn’t really been my priority. I’m working on dating and stuff now.”
“Why haven’t you been interested until now? Work? Hurt? Family shit?”
Her head tilted as she shrugged and scooted her glass back and forth. “A combination of those things. My father wasn’t too good to my mother, and for the longest time I felt like she was weak for putting up with his shit. So if love did that to you, I never wanted it. But I realize now that she never loved him, she was just comfortable and loyal. The man she truly loved was the one we said goodbye to today. Naturally seeing my mother hurt, hurt me. And no matter how hard I tried not to, I couldn’t help but take her heartbreak personally.”
“So…” Deacon took her hand back into his. “I gotta wait for you to heal from your daddy issues before I have a real chance?”
Not wanting the seriousness of his question to get to her, Diem smiled and tried to make her reply as light as she possibly could. “I thought you weren’t looking for anything serious?”
“I’m not, but if I find it, I ain’t running from it either.”
Their eyes remained locked for a while, and when Deacon picked up on the fact that she didn’t want to answer, he changed the subject by asking her to tell him about herself. While most people didn’t know her family just by her face or saying her first name, they almost always knew after she shared her last name. Deacon was no different. As soon as he figured out that she was a part of the black mafia in Memphis, he understood why she was having the troubles she was having as far as relationships were concerned.
She expressed to him how hard it was to submit and show her emotions like the typical woman, but Deacon made it clear to her that all she needed was the right man leading her for her to submit.
“It won’t be easy dating me,” she warned, to which he gave her a crooked smile.
“I don’t like easy. It ain’t worth it if you don’t work for it.”
If Diem wasn’t careful, she would slip up and allow Deacon into places that no other man had access to – like her heart.
They had a couple more drinks before deciding to grab dinner. Deacon suggested a restaurant that was about two blocks away. He offered to drive and just bring her back to her car, but she declined, even after he stressed that parking was always packed.
When they pulled up to the restaurant, Deacon found a parking space with ease because he parked in the managers parking space. Getting out of his car, he leaned against it with his arms crossed and a smug look on his face. It was a hell of a lot harder for Diem to find a parking space. In fact, she had to circle the block for a good seven minutes before someone left and she hurriedly took it.
Had it been any other instance, her impatience would have caused her to drive off, but she was determined to prove a point to Deacon. When she walked over to him, she rolled her eyes, and that made his smile turn into a laugh.
“You couldn’t be a gentleman and give me that parking space since you clearly know the manager?”
“If I did that you wouldn’t have learned your lesson. Listen to me when I tell you shit. I ain’t gon’ ever steer you wrong.” With a roll of her eyes, Diem tried to walk away, but Deacon grabbed her arm and pulled her into his embrace. “Lose the attitude before you ruin our night.” It wasn’t his command that softened her but the kiss to her forehead that followed. Taking her hand into his, Deacon led her into the restaurant.
He spoke to a few people on the way and introduc
ed them to Diem, letting her know that this was one of his closest friend’s restaurant as they were led to a back table. Even though the place was packed, that table was empty. When she asked him about it, Deacon told her that he called his friend to reserve it when she went to the bathroom.
“So you just knew I was going to want to spend some more time with you huh?” she teased, looking over the menu.
“Why wouldn’t you? I’m probably the only man you’ve given half a chance that could actually tame your ass.”
With a loud scoff, Diem slammed the menu back down on the table and lowered herself in her seat. “I’m Diem Salzano. Ain’t no taming me.”
Deacon sighed as he grinned. “Yea. Aight.”
Diem was starting to reconsider her decision. They agreed on getting a room for the night after their conversation over dinner took an odd turn. The subject of their last sexual encounter came up, and Diem confessed that she was thinking about having a one-night stand with him. She shared that she changed her mind because the idea of letting a total and complete stranger inside of her without knowing his true character didn’t really sit well with her.
So Deacon put her mind at ease by telling her all of what he considered to be his flaws, toxic traits, and weaknesses… and she did the same. It was probably the most open, honest, and vulnerable conversation she’d ever had with a human being, and though she hated to admit it, that conversation made her feel closer to him than she’d felt to any man.
But that conversation wasn’t the reason she was changing her mind. The way Deacon was handling her was. As soon as they entered the hotel room, he pressed her body into the wall and began to tug her panties down her hips. The more time she spent with him, the more difficult she perceived cutting him off would be.
“So since you claim this is just a fuck and it ain’t gon’ mean shit, we don’t have to kiss and be intimate right?” There was no smile on his face, but there was certainly one in his glowing eyes.
“Right,” was what her mouth said, but her heart definitely wanted otherwise.
Not even bothering to remove her dress or hells, Deacon pulled his hardened dick out of his jeans. The sight of it was enough to cause her pussy to flow more than it already was. She watched as he sheathed himself with the condom, then he lifted her into the air and spread her legs as he told her, “Bring me home.”
“You keep saying shit like that and you will turn this into something we don’t want it to be.”
Her hand wrapped around his dick, and Deacon waited until he was nestled inside of her snugly to say, “Something you don’t want it to be. I’m open for whatever.”
Diem was prepared to say some slick shit, but the moment Deacon began to fill her with long, hard strokes… talking became the last thing on her mind as she held onto him. Biting down on his neck, she kept her legs stretched wide as she took everything he gave. Though she wanted to yell, moan, and cry out his name… the most she gave him was heavy breathing.
No man had ever broken her and gotten the satisfaction of knowing he’d pleasured her sexually beyond the wetness of her walls – and Deacon wouldn’t be the first. But… with every stroke… it was getting harder and harder for her to maintain control.
“How this dick feel?” Deacon asked, pressing his body fully into hers and slowing his fast pace down. “Is it good?”
Brushing his pelvis against her clit with each stroke, Deacon drew out a whimper that she quickly silenced by biting down on her lip. “It feels so good, Deacon.”
The moan he released into her ear as her walls began to tighten around him caused Diem to shift against him and try to put some space between them as her back arched. “Then why your ass ain’t saying shit, Doll? Hmm? I know you ‘bout to cum ‘cause you drenching my dick.”
“If you can feel it… why do I have to say it?”
Deacon laughed before speeding his strokes back up. “I can see now I’ma have to break you.”
Not even bothering to reply, her hand went to the back of his neck as he bit down on her neck. Deacon waited until she was on the verge of climaxing to reposition her in his arms. Her legs went from being spread wide to bent at the knees. He began to bounce her up and down his shaft instead of grinding up and into her. The added friction made Diem hold him tighter around his neck as she squeezed her eyes shut.
Diem’s heavy breathing turned into whimpers, but that still wasn’t good enough for Deacon. Once again, he waited until she was about to climax to switch things up. This time, he lifted her off the wall and carried her to the bed.
“Stop cutting off my nut,” she almost begged, trying to sound as stern as she possibly could.
“Nah. You ain’t cumming until you learn to submit. If not to me, to this.”
“Deacon…”
His slow, deep stroke silenced her. Diem gasped through trembling lips as her entire body rocked. Staring into her eyes, Deacon delivered one methodical stroke after another. When she lifted her hips and tried to match his strokes, he held her down on the bed and told her, “Lay still and take this dick.”
That demand was enough to have her eyes rolling into the back of her head as she moaned and wrapped her legs around him tightly. Pleased with the sounds both her pussy and mouth made, Deacon continued to stroke her until she came, kissing along her neck and cheek in the process. When her moans stopped, he covered her lips with his and kissed her.
Kissed her like he missed her.
As if they were lovers in another time and space… familiar with each other in every fucking way possible.
Cupping his cheeks, Diem held him in place, not wanting to even breathe unless it was to inhale his exhales. But he pulled away anyway, lips still lingering on hers just to say, “I thought you said no kissing and intimacy?”
With a smile, Diem ran her hand down his chest and cupped his balls, massaging them in a way that pulled a grunt from within his throat.
“You haven’t given me my way all night – please don’t start now.”
Chapter 12
For the most part, Remington had stayed out of Chief’s way after the funeral. It was harder on him than he thought it would be. And James’ random visit hours later only made it worst. Chief returned to his home immediately after the funeral, and he didn’t go to the impromptu meeting James had with Cassius and Kameron.
James decided to stop by and fill Chief in on what happened, making it clear to him that he wanted Chief to try and take Cassius’ spot in the family business. He stressed how Chief was more like him than Cassius was, and if he wanted to take things to the next level, he would have to get Cassius out of the way.
And while Chief partially agreed and believed that to be true, there was no part of him that wanted to go against his own blood brother. Why… that was an even clearer indication that shit was about to start going left for the family now that Trevor was gone. Hell, he hadn’t even been turned into ashes yet fully and James was already trying to start a war – between his boys nonetheless. Maybe back in the day when Chief was really on his bullshit, he would have considered doing whatever it took to get that number one spot… but now… he was too old for that shit.
Besides, Remington had him considering a different part of life. One that he really hadn’t considered until losing Trevor. Truthfully, Trevor’s death was showing a lot of them what it meant to live. For years, their lives had been consumed by the business, and though the money was good… they really didn’t have anything else to show for it. What… enemies trembling when they entered the room… some at the mention of their names.
What did that really provide for their lives?
Nah.
Chief wanted something with substance.
Something he could look back on and smile about.
All that other shit was for the birds.
But… even though Chief definitely wanted to try something new with Remington, there was still that part of him that was afraid of the unknown. He’d never been in a serious, committed relationshi
p and he didn’t want to fail at one now. Most often women only wanted the status that came with being with him, so they didn’t care whether he was faithful or not… but he knew with Remington he would have to be a better version of himself, and she wholeheartedly deserved the best version of him.
Before he could lessen his anger, Chief snatched the plate that held his untouched dinner on it and tossed it against the wall before growling and punching his palm. He didn’t realize just how much peace Trevor provided until that peace was gone. Slowly, Remington made her way into the living room. Not wanting her to see him like this, Chief told her to leave, but that didn’t stop her from going into the kitchen and returning with the broom and dustpan.
He watched as she cleaned up his mess, wondering what he’d done to deserve her care. When she was done, Remington went into the kitchen and came back with another plate of food. Chief told her to leave again, even though God knew he really didn’t want her to. And Remington did too. She told him to shut up softly while using her head to signal for him to sit on the couch.
Chief did, and she sat as close to him as she possibly could.
“I haven’t seen you eat in three days,” Remington noticed, sliding a forkful of lasagna in his direction. Even though she’d specifically asked him what he would actually eat for dinner so she could cook it, he still hadn’t bothered to consume anything she’d made. “You need to eat, Chief.”
Chief’s head shook as he gently pushed the fork away. “I don’t have an appetite, Remi.”
“So? You still need to eat to maintain your strength. A lot of people need you. I need you. How are you going to be here for us if you die because you’ve starved yourself? You’ve always been my strength, but you have to have strength for yourself before you can be that for anyone else.” Remington put the fork back to his mouth. “Eat.”
Chief gritted his teeth as his eyes watered. Time and time again he’d see Estella tell Trevor that. It was never a conversation he heard, because it would be whispered whenever they were handling business. But Chief was an expert at reading lips like Ai was an expert at reading people and the room. And every time Trevor was feeling upset about something that James had said or done… Estella would tell him that he couldn’t be strong for others if he wasn’t strong within himself.
