Page 16 of That Fire

“I don’t discriminate on whether a man is aggressive or not. You being Asad’s friend made it risky and somewhat forbidden,which was more of a turn on. Your age doesn’t bother me. However, I wouldn’t go much older than you.”

He chuckled. “I don’t typically go for women under thirty. I already knew you, and again, you’re so beautiful. It was hard to resist you, not that I was trying very hard. I’m sure you get that a lot, huh?”

“Not a lot, but I’ve heard that a time or two. You’re a good person, Brian. Why are you still single?”

He shifted slightly. “I had a girlfriend in my twenties. She seemed good for me until I found out she was fucking around on me. It kind of left a sour taste in my mouth. I wasn’t all that trusting anymore. Then I met a woman that probably would have been perfect for me, but I realized she had a kid with my cousin’s fiancé after we were introduced. That was too close for comfort. She’s a beautiful woman, but it was just too weird when we were all together . . . which was often.”

“That sucks.”

“Yeah. So, I’ve just been single, waiting for the right woman to come along. I want a family. It just seems that’s not in the cards for me right now.”

“I hate that, because any woman would be blessed to have you.”

He grabbed my hand and gave it a squeeze but didn’t let it go. I didn’t try to pull it away. He brought it to his lips and kissed it. “Thanks, Aaliyah.”

I nodded and smiled at him. Brian was sweet. While I didn’t feel a spark with him, he would be an amazing co-parent. I couldn’t be upset about this possibility. Who knew? Maybe something could eventually develop between us if I spent more time around him. Sex was really good. When I left him, I was completely satisfied.

We didn’t sleep together again, because we both agreed it shouldn’t have happened. Brian valued his friendship with Asadand hated that he played with fire that way. I didn’t care that he was Asad’s friend at the time. He was single, had a big dick, and knew how to fuck. That was all I cared about.

“So where are we going later?”

“It’s a nice lil Jamaican spot I saw on TikTok if you’re cool with that.”

“Oh, absolutely. I can taste the rice and peas as we speak.”

I rubbed circles on my stomach. The babies felt like they were doing gymnastics in there. When I flinched, he slowed down. “You okay?”

I glanced over at him to see the worried expression on his face. His eyes were wide, and his eyebrows were lifted and scrunched together.

“I’m okay. It felt like one of them kicked me in the spine. It feels like they’re in there fighting.”

“You need me to pull over for a minute?”

“No. I think I’m— Fuck!”

“I’m gonna pull over.”

Instead of pulling over, he exited the freeway and pulled into a store’s parking lot. He got out of the car and walked to my side and helped me out. When he stood behind me, he lifted my arms, and said, “Take deep breaths.”

He wrapped his arms around me and rubbed my belly, slightly lifting it. His thoughtfulness was touching, and I couldn’t help but voice that. “Thank you, Brian. This is helping so much.”

“Of course.”

He kissed the side of my head and that prompted me to stare up at him. His gaze landed on mine, and he lowered his head and kissed my lips. I closed my eyes and took more deep breaths as he said for me to do. I thought I was gonna go up in flames, though, when he kissed my neck.

When his lips touched my ear, I moaned.

“Do you need anything from the store while we’re here?”

“No. Thank you. We should get going so we won’t be late.”

“You’re right. Come on.”

He helped me back inside and closed the door, then I watched him walk around the car and get in the driver’s seat. Maybe this could work if he wanted to try. I knew he wouldn’t want to try unless the babies were his. Since I knew that was the only reason he would want to, maybe I was just better off single.

I hadn’t heard from Royal since the day I messaged him. That was three days ago. I reclined my seat a bit as Brian rested his hand on my thigh. Glancing at him, I could see him scanning my body. He wanted a taste. Depending on how I felt when we got back, he just may get what he was looking for.

Chapter 5