Page 33

This time, it was Aella who sputtered. “You—have you lost your⁠—”

“Move,” Cassius snarled at Harlan, cutting across her argument.

With an angry glance Aella’s way, Harlan stalked away, still adjusting his clothing in the process.

Anger flooded Aella as she stood to her feet. “What is wrong with you?”

Taking her chin between his thumb and forefinger, Cassius produced a heated glare that killed her argument. “You a’ight?”

“I’m fine. I didn’t need you to step in like a superhero. I had it covered.”

“Yeah, I can tell by the way he was feeling on you.”

She almost laughed. “His hand was on my knee. I’d hardly classify that as feeling me up. And I would have handled the situation had you not decided to butt in.”

“I wouldn’t have had to butt in if your security was doing their job.”

“He’s doing what I asked him to do. So again, you’re minding my business.”

“You are my business, Aella. And I don’t like when people touch what’s mine.”

The way his declaration had her panties flooded should have been a crime. The two stood locked in a trace of silence for what felt like forever until Aella snapped out of her daze, snatching her face from his grip.

“I’m not yours.”

“You are. You just need time to come to grips with it, love.”

Rolling her eyes, she turned away from him so he wouldn’t see her blush and folded her arms. “Whatever. What are you doing here? Other than stalking me.”

“You’re cute, but you ain’t that damn cute,” he chuckled. “I’m picking something up for my mom. You?”

“Feeding myself before I head back home.”

“Hmm, if I weren’t on a mission myself, I’d say you should chill and kick it with me.”

Aella fought the grin dying to creep onto her face. “A request I’d have to respectfully decline. I told you I have things to do today.”

“An excuse I feel you used to duck me, but it’s all good.”

Slowly craning her neck to face him, she asked, “Haven’t you been ducking me?”

Cassius’ chuckles evolved into full-blown laughter. “I guess, in a way, you can say that.”

“Huh,” Aella tapped her chin. “You’d think hearing the truth would make me feel better, but it doesn’t.”

“Don’t be offended, Elle. You aren’t the problem. I am.”

She looked him up and down as the to-go cashier called her name, holding up her order.

“Trust me, that was never in question. I never once thought I was the problem. I’ve always known it was you.”

Cassius brought a hand to his chest. “Damn. If I weren’t the man I was, your mouth would cut a nigga to shreds.”

“Good,” Aella tossed over her shoulder. “Something tells me that ego of yours could stand to be brought down a notch or two.”

Though part of her was still thoroughly annoyed by Cassius, she felt a slight satisfaction from his following her out of the restaurant.

“So what I’m hearing is, you like hurting my feelings,” he teased, matching her stride.