Page 71 of Solomon’s Temple

“Okay, love. Be safe.” He kissed me again, then left. I stood, watching him leave before Ma Lula clapped her hands to get my attention.

Sapphire laughed aloud. “You are in the sunken place. What that man do to you across them seven seas?”

“Nothing.” I blushed. I couldn’t tell them how he had been putting me through the floor, wall, countertop, and mattress since we first had sex.

I’d only had six sex partners in my life. My husband was lucky number seven and the one to lock me down before I could even remember to blink.

“Uh-huh. Although I think you all are moving a little fast, I can understand why. One word of advice though. Don’t just marry him for what he can do for you. Be it financial, sexual, or just to say you’re married. Marry him because of how you feel.

“If you wake up beside him every day and he makes you want to see a smile on his face, then I say go for it. Marriage isn’t a game, Beanie. Be sure this is what you want, not what you feel you need.”

“I love him, Ma Lula. We went to see Pastor Daniels this morning for counseling, and it really opened my eyes to a lot of things. I’m not choosing to marry him because he has money. I’m choosing him because he came into my life and made me see that I am capable of real love from someone who isn’t family.”

“Then you have my blessing.”

“And it doesn’t hurt that he has a little coin either. My man is rich, rich.” I laughed and high-fived Phire and Toni. “But his parents are . . . ugh. It’s really his mama⁠—”

“What she say to you?” Ma Lula asked, cutting me off.

“We’re going to need some snacks and drinks for this. We also need to get started with looking for my dress.”

“I’m on it!” Phire exclaimed, leaving the room for the snacks and drinks.

I probably shouldn’t have said anything to Ma Lula about this. One thing I knew was that she never played about us.

Mrs. Urine was about to get all the smoke from Ma Lula.

And she’d deserve every bit of it.

One Week Later

Since Temple’s discovery of how many women I’d bedded in my home, she refused to go inside my secret room and even had me replace my mattress, which I’d never lay a woman onto. I thought she was a little dramatic, but I didn’t mind. Anything for her to feel comfortable, I’d do.

I was currently in my office looking over contracts when my cell rang with a FaceTime from Temple. I swiped to answer and damn near choked on my saliva at what I saw.

“Fuuuck!” I groaned, then dropped my head, realizing she’d just made me curse. “Temp, . . . baby.” I was at a loss for words seeing her in what looked like dominatrix attire that left nothing to the imagination. The leather material wrapped around her body, leaving her beautiful breasts, round behind, and pretty pu—sacred place exposed. The words Got D-word was scribbled right above my pretty little friend.

“We miss you,” she said in a sultry tone that had my mans harder than he should have been.

“I miss y’all too. Why you doing this to me while I’m at work, baby?” I licked my lips and smiled. She leaned back against the pillows, opened her legs, and exposed her center that glistened with her sweet nectar.

“You’ve been working all week. Take a break and come take care of us.” She slipped her fingers between her folds and rubbed her clit.

“Say less. Don’t move. I want you just like that when I get there.”

“Hurry, big papa.”

I hurriedly ended the call, grabbed my belongings, and locked up my office. Most of my staff were out, and the others were here securing the other offices on each floor.

The doors to the elevator slid open, and it was clear the enemy wanted to throw a roadblock in my way when I saw Brooke inside.

“Mr. Matthews. I see someone is happy to see me,” she smiled, looking down at the bulge in my slacks.

“Trust me, it’s not you he’s excited to see.” I stepped back to allow the doors to close. “I’ll get the next one.”

She put her hand on the door to prevent it from closing.

“I won’t bite, Solomon. Not unless you want me to.” She bit her lip.