Page 64 of What I Needed

“We have great sexual chemistry, but that doesn’t mean you’re ready to change your womanizing ways.”

“Today, my mother told me I was downplaying my feelings for you, and she’s right. I don’t catch feelings, but I’ve been feeling you since the first time I heard your voice, and this shit is weird. The last time I had similar feelings, she played the fuck outta me.”

“I’m not her.”

“I know that.”

“I’m not forcing you to do anything you’re not ready for, nor will I try to convince you to be with me and only me. I know the kind of lifestyle you live, and if you’re not willing to give up your groupies, I’ll continue to work for you because of my love for Rivvy, and we can even fuck from time to time, as long as you know that you may not be the only person I’m fucking. There will be no hard feelings on my end, but the last time you experienced this pussy without a rubber will be the last time. If you don’t want to wrap up, you’d better cherish the memories.”

“Damn. It’s like that?” he questioned with raised brows, obviously surprised by my response.

I’d never in my life had multiple sex partners at once. There were several months, sometimes even years, between partners, but River didn’t know that.

“Exactly like that. I like you, but I’ve done too much work on myself to let you fuck up my progress.”

“I respect that. Baby, I don’t want to hurt you, especially because I’ve been falling for you since the day we met,” he confessed.

“Really?”

“I wouldn’t lie to you. My mother also told me not to talk myself out of a good woman, and she’s never steered me wrong.”

“I respect Mama J, but if what she said is the only reason⁠—”

“It’s not the only reason, but it’s the reason I stopped downplaying my feelings. Erissa, I don’t know how to do relationships, but if you’ll give me a chance, I want to try.”

“Are you sure?”

“I’m positive. Honestly, I’ll do anything to keep hitting that good-ass pussy with no barriers between us, and that includes getting rid of the groupies. You give me something they never could, and I don’t want to lose it.”

“What’s that?” I questioned, intrigued.

“Peace.”

I couldn’t stop myself from blushing, and I looked away from him as I smiled. He reached across the table, grabbing my chin and forcing me to look at him.

“I know you probably have a million questions running through your mind, but baby, we wouldn’t be having this conversation if this wasn’t something I thought I could do.”

“I believe you.”

“Does that mean you’ll officially be my woman?”

“I have the stuffed flounder with wild rice and steamed broccoli,” the server announced before I could respond.

“Right here.”

She placed our plates in front of us, asked if we needed anything else, and disappeared as quickly as she arrived.

“What were you about to say before you were interrupted?” he asked.

“River, I’d love to be⁠—”

“Erissa?” A vaguely familiar male’s voice interrupted me.

I looked up and was shocked to see Donovan. I smiled uncomfortably, but he didn’t return my smile. In fact, he frowned.

“Donovan . . . Hey.”

“Did you cancel our date to go out with—River Westmore? Oh, shit! Wassup, man? I’m looking forward to seeing how far you can take the team this year.”