“I didn’t hear you say Gospel,” King said. Sloan rolled her eyes. “What? Hey, I’m a southern boy, and just because I don’t go like I should, I was raised in the church. Most artists say they learn how to sing by singing in Church.”
“Not everybody believes in God, you know.” Sloan said looking out at the water.
King was silent, until he saw Sloan’s shoulders shaking from laughter. “I’m joking. You should see your face. You better believe and lean on him daily if you want to have any type of life here on earth, boy! My grandfather was a minister, and my grandmother actually sang back up for a lot of Motown artists. So music is in me. What about you? What made you get into music?”
“Well it damn sure wasn’t the ability to sing. My voice has been known to make dogs howl. My father, he loved music, and it seemed like no matter what was going on, we would jump in his car, turn on the radio, and just cruise, listening to all types of songs.”
King looked into Sloan’s eyes. He thought back to his father putting him in the back seat of his red Cadillac, kissing his Mama on the cheek, and telling her that it was man time. They would listen to Keith Sweat, Gerald Levert, Sade, and some hip hop. Once he was old enough to ride in the front seat, his father broke out the classics. With the older music, every song told a story, and Reggie would sometimes use the song lyrics to teach him life lessons. King missed him, especially on Sundays, which was their time.
Sloan touched King’s hand. “Hey, you okay?”
“Yeah, yeah, I’m good. Just thinking about my Pops is all. He died when I was a teenager.”
“Oh, I’m sorry, King.”
“Yeah, well you know things happen, right? My mom and I were lucky that Carlton was there to step in, but even with him there, I still missed my father. But anyway, he loved music, and always talked about opening a club and bringing his favorite artist to Charlotte, and that is why I got into promotions and started my company. I may not be able to perform it, but I know what I like when I hear it. You blew me away when I heard that instrument of yours.” King said and caressed Sloan’s palm.
They were quiet for a moment, as Phillip appeared with their salads and bread.
“Thank you, Phillip,” Sloan said. “This looks so good.” Sloan bowed her head to say grace. “How old is your daughter?”
“She is five, going on twenty five,” King said smiling. “She has invited me to her dance class later this evening for daughter daddy day.”
“Ahh are you going to wear a tutu? That is going to be adorable. What color are you going to wear?” King shook his head.
“I will not have on a tutu, but if she asks me to wear one, I guess I will. I find it hard to say no to her. She is the one constant joy in my life, and the best thing I ever created.” King said smiling.
Sloan felt warm as she watched his eyes twinkle at the mention of his daughter. She could see the love he had for her, and the pride he took in being a parent, which for someone his age was rare. Sloan personally wasn’t close to thinking about having children, but she did appreciate his love for his daughter.
As the boat sailed around the lake, the two of them talked about their childhood, school, and favorite music artist. When the boat docked, King felt a rumble in his stomach at the thought of having to say good bye to Sloan.
He took her hand as they walked down the dock. King wondered if maybe this was the feeling his father told him he would one day feel for a woman, when he asked him what had made him marry his mother. Reggie had initially thought the question was odd, until King followed it up by explaining that none of his other friends’ mother and father were still together.
Chapter 9
Red held the smoke in his lungs and slowly puffed out perfect circles. Music was playing, but he wasn’t paying attention to the words of the song. King had hit him hard. He had expected him to come back at him, but he had underestimated the nigga. He had taken out some of his top soldiers, and not only had he taken back his product, but had lifted all the product that he had in the stash house. His ego was telling him to strike back at the nigga, but his brain told him to lick his wounds and recover first. He could not be sure if King would strike again, so he had moved his shit around to different locations.
It had been a week since the funerals, and things were slowly returning to normal. Peaches had come to Mooses’s funeral, but she still refused to speak to him. It didn’t help that Cara was there by his side. He had truly begun to cherish her. She was proving herself to be a real ride or die. They spent time together every day, and he had even started to expose her to his business.
Red now realized that he had made an amateur mistake in not going after King or Carlton. He should have cut off the head, so that the body would die. Instead of weakening their empire, he had only pissed them off and hurt his own business in the process. Red was by no means finished. He was just going to bide his time and build his arsenal, so the next time he struck, there would be no one left standing to strike back.
“Baby, baby are you hungry?” Cara waved her hands in his face.
“Nah, I’m cool, baby.”
“Where were you just now?
“What chu mean?” Red asked.
“I have been calling your name for the last five minutes. You were a million miles away.”
“My bad, boo. This shit still has me fucked up in the head. Every time I think about my fam being carried out of that house, it pisses me off all over again. I should’ve clapped at that nigga when I saw him at the mall.”
“Well, no baby. That wouldn’t have been a smart move. The mall was too crowded, and you were with me. I can’t be involved in no shoot out before I even start college.” Cara said.
“That chick you went and spoke to while we were shopping, how do you know her? I saw her get in the car with that nigga.”
“Oh, she is just someone I know from school.” Cara quickly answered. “Well, baby, since you are not hungry, I am going to go and finish my paper, ok?”
“Cool.” Red responded and put out his blunt.
Red stared into space as he thought about all that had been taken from him. King, Carlton, and all of their crew were as good as dead. He would just have to be patient and lay low for a while, to let them get comfortable. Eventually, they will slip, and he will be right there to ensure that they stayed down.
__________
Sloan smiled as King opened the door to the club for her. She took his hand as he led her inside.
“So, are you going to tell me who I am opening for next week?” Sloan asked.
The last two weeks had been like a dream come true for Sloan. King had provided a place for her to practice, a live band, and unlimited access to his studio. She had been working on new material non-stop since meeting him. He had been all business, and shared with her his extensive knowledge of the music industry. She had been in the studio and working so much, that she barely had time to sleep or eat. True to his word, King had booked her to open for a major artist that he was bringing into town. She had been rehearsing like mad, but he had refused to tell her who the mystery artist was.
“This is who you are opening for,” King said, pointing to the large poster with a picture of Jill Scott. Sloan’s head shot was also on the poster with the words, and introducing, new R&B sensation, Sloan Deveaux.
“What? Oh my God, you are kidding me? Are you serious?” Sloan squealed. “Jill Scott! She is beyond amazing!”
Sloan jumped up and down, and then hugged King. Amazingly, this was the first time that they had actually touched each other in an intimate fashion.
King had played himself well with her, holding back and restraining himself. He felt her soft breasts against his chest, and her lips were only a few centimeters away from his. His lips ached to taste hers.
“Thank you, King, I—” before she could finish speaking, King covered her soft lips with his, exploring her mouth with his tongue, and lifting her off the floor by her hips.
Sloan wrapped her legs aro
und his waist, and he could feel the heat coming from her center as her cavern pressed against his stomach. She moaned as he cupped her ass tighter and kissed her neck.
“Damn…” King said as he looked into Sloan’s eyes. “Whoo, boy! Umph.” King loosened his grip on Sloan’s ass, but she tightened her legs around his waist, causing his member to touch his navel. “Shit!” King said as he carried her back out the door to his SUV.
She laughed as he practically threw her inside and ran to the driver’s side. “What are you doing?” Sloan asked.
“I am canceling rehearsal, that’s what I am doing, babe.” King said as he drove out of the parking lot.
It seemed to only take seconds to get to King’s building. He pulled into the garage and jumped out the car, not even waiting for the parking attendant. He jogged around to Sloan’s side and opened her door. The flash of thigh that he saw as she stepped out, had his dick hard as steel.
They were quiet as the elevator ascended to the fifteenth floor. The temperature inside the small space seemed to be on low hell, and the elevator was going slower than usual. When they finally arrived, King grabbed Sloan’s hand and practically dragged her down the hall. He opened the door and pulled her inside.
She laughed at him and pushed him away. “Umm, is this your place?” Sloan asked.
“Yeah, why would you ask that?”
“Because the alarm is going off. I think you better stop it.”
“Ah shit.” King said as he ran to the keypad to punch in his code. Although he didn’t have anything in his place, he didn’t need the police up in his spot. “Good call. Well come on in and have a seat.”
Sloan looked around at the African art on the walls and on the shelves in the living room. It smelled of citrus and mint.
“Would you like something to drink?” King asked as he grabbed the remote from the coffee table and pointed it towards the window.
The blinds rose into the ceiling, and the Charlotte skyline appeared.
“Whoa, what a view. It’s beautiful,” Sloan said as she opened the doors to the patio. “You can see the entire city from here. How can you even stand to leave this? I would be out here all day and night writing music.”
King encircled her waist with his arms and pulled her close to him. He kissed the back of her neck and caressed her stomach. She relaxed her head on his shoulder, and pressed her soft hips against his crotch. He tasted the soft spot behind her left ear and gently caressed her right breast.
“Ummmmmm… King,” Sloan moaned as he slid his hand under her shirt.
She began to grind against him. King matched her movements; his dick threatened to burst through his zipper. King slid her panties down. Sloan kicked off her shoes, and kicked her panties on one of the patio chairs. He placed both of her hands on the rail, bent her over, and pulled her dress up to her waist. Licking his lips, he knelt down behind her; her ass was right in his face. It was smooth and soft as he kissed each of her cheeks, inhaling the scent of the cucumber lotion she used. With both of her mounds gripped firmly in his large hands, he slid his tongue over her anus.
Sloan gasped as his tongue explored her. She had never had anyone put their tongue inside her there, and the sensation was almost too much. King continued sliding his tongue in and out of her tight ass as he opened her hot wet pussy with two fingers and massaged her walls.
Sloan moaned loudly and gripped the railing. “Ooh, that feels so good baby, ohh King.”
King buried his face between her soft cheeks and sucked her ass. As he licked, he opened her lips wider and massaged her clit with his middle finger. Her legs shook and her body began to jerk as she yelled from the top of her lungs. Her whole body trembled as her fluids hit the concrete.
“Fuck! Fuck!” Sloan breathlessly said as she collapsed against the railing.
King stepped back and looked at her from behind; the dress pulled up to her waist, her toned brown thighs, round ass, and her thick pussy lips. “Don’t move, stay like that.” King said as he sat down in the chair.
When he heard her breathing return to normal, he stood and took off his pants, and then sat down again in the large blue chair. “Walk back to me slowly.”
Sloan looked back at him.
“No, turn around. Just walk backwards. Take off that dress.” Sloan began to unzip the dress. “Do it slow, babe.”
Sloan obeyed him and eased the zipper of her dress down. She held the dress to her body with her hand, and the purple cotton material slowly moved down her body.
King stroked his member as he watched her run her hands over her smooth skin. “Walk to me, but don’t turn around. Walk straight back. Take your time, and sing something to me.”
Sloan took a deep breath, and the words that came from her were shocking.
I am ready for love,
Why are you hiding from me?
I’d quickly give my freedom,
To be held in your captivity
With each line, she took a step. King’s dick throbbed as she sang to him. The girl’s voice was angelic and hypnotizing.
Sloan closed her eyes as she sang the words to the song. She had no idea why it popped into her head. The last couple of weeks had been the best weeks for her, professionally and personally. King made feelings inside her bubble to the surface, and it terrified her. She had only known him a short time, but he had managed to crack the darkness that she had surrounded her heart with for safety.
As she approached the chair, King closed his eyes as she sang the last verse.
Tell me what is enough… to prove, I am ready for love….
King caressed the outline of her body; he traced her spine while he kissed her back and pulled her to him.
“Damn baby, you taste so good. Open your legs and sit on my lap.” Sloan paused. King laughed. “Look,” King said. Sloan turned around to see the condom on his beautiful ten inches. “I wouldn’t do you like that, babe.”
Sloan shook her head and mounted him. She slid down on his thick pole with ease, her pussy sucked him inside of her like a starving woman reacting to her first taste of food in days. She glided her pussy up and down on him. King gripped the arms of the chair as he felt her pussy tighten around his dick. She stopped, turned to him and smiled.
King looked at her questioningly. She wrapped her feet around the calves of his legs, leaned forward and placed her hands on the ground. King looked down at her ass, and without saying anything, Sloan began pounding her pussy on his dick.
“Ahh baby! Yeah!” King said as her beautiful pussy loved his dick, making it harder with each bounce of her soft ass.
King had been with many women, some were champions in the bed, but it was rare to find one who really knew how to ride a dick. Especially one who seemed like she was making love to his dick, not just sexing it. Everything about this woman was intriguing to him.
__________
Deshawn sat in the parking garage across from the Condo building downtown. He felt his head begin to spin as he watched Sloan fucking that King nigga. Never in a million years, did he imagine another man would be inside her like that. He gripped his gun, wishing he had a scope and an automatic rifle to take the nigga out, and make his brains explode all over Sloan. The worst part was the bitch looked like she was enjoying fucking him! Through the binoculars, he could tell she was fucking the shit out the nigga. He put the binoculars down and punched the dash of his car, nearly cracking the plastic.
“No, no, no!” Deshawn yelled as he continued punching the steering wheel.
He had been watching King over the past two weeks. He knew that he had a drug business, but the last two weeks he had been at the studio and his club on the east side. It didn’t matter, he knew that it would only be a matter of time before King made a move that Deshawn could use to his benefit. He would get his woman back, and make some cash in the process. He fought the urge to continue watching them through the binoculars, and started the car. Still cursing under his breath, he pulled out of the parking garage.
He needed to head to the other side of town. His wife had made plans for him with her parents and siblings. As he pulled out of the garage onto the street, he turned on his radio. He hoped the noise would help him block seeing Sloan fucking another dude from his mind.
His phone rang. He hit the phone button on his steering wheel. “I am on my way, babe. Got held up with something.” Deshawn said, turning onto 277.
“Ok honey, hurry up. Love you.” Janet said.
“Yeah, I’m on my way.” Deshawn said, accelerating.
The line was silent for a moment.
“Is everything ok?” Janet asked.
“Yes, damn I said I was on my way.”
Deshawn hit end, and dialed another number.
“Yo,” the voice answered on the other end.
“I need to holla at you. Meet me at the spot tomorrow at noon. The streets are talking, and I hear we got a common problem. Maybe we can help each other.”
“The streets are talking? What chu—”
“Tomorrow at noon.” Deshawn interrupted. “Don’t make me come get you.”
He disconnected the call and turned the radio up, hoping the music would erase the last thirty minutes from his mind’s eye.
Chapter 10
Sloan straightened her dress as King opened the door. She walked inside, and the aroma of food engulfed her. King held her hand and led her to the kitchen where Yogi was stirring a pitcher of tea.
“Hey baby!” Yogi said, kissing King on the cheek. “Hand me that lemon over there, please.” King handed his mother the lemon quarters and took a piece of cheese from the tray on the counter.
“Ma, this is Sloan. Sloan, this is my mother.” King said, smiling.
“Nice to meet you, Mrs. King.” Sloan said.
“That’s not my last name anymore, how about you just call me Yogi.” Yogi said, forcing a smile. “King, your daddy is downstairs in his usual place, why don’t you go see if he wants anything.”
The King Of The South Page 8
