AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Immediately, his eyes darkened, arms dropped. “You know I don’t like being called that shit,” he said in a low growl.
“Andyouknow the accepted short version of my name is Nala, yet you insist on being different,” I countered.
“You ain’t mind that shit when I was tossing you around.”
Heat rushed to my face, but I kept my expression neutral. “Yeah, but times change.”
“We could always circle back,” he suggested with a smirk, stepping in to crowd my space. “You know you always have an open position with me, right?”
“I think I’ll pass on the slot in your harem.”
“Theheadslot,” he argued, and against my better judgement, I laughed; a reaction he used as a reason to move even closer to me. “I see that smile, girl. You know how I used to have you twisted up. These little corny corporate boys ain’t doing it for you, and youknowit.”
“You don’t know my business, EJ.”
“You don’t knowwhatI know, baby girl,” he said. “Tell me, what other nigga has what I have, to do you like I did?”
“This one.”
Holy shit.
My heart leaped into my throat at the sound of Orion’s voice, way too close tonothave heard the conversation. Before I could get my body to respond to anything my brain was signaling, Orion had a hand on EJ’s chest, pushing him back.
“I need some space between you and my lady,” Orion said. Pleasant enough wording, but there was an edge to his tone I’d personally never heard.
EJ looked at him, then at Orion’s hand that was still touching him, keeping him back. Then he looked at me, eyes wide, incredulous. “Who the fuck you think you talking to?”
“Whatever the fuck your name is,” Orion immediately countered, with the most disrespectful shrug I’d ever seen.
I… didn’t even know a shrug couldbedisrespectful.
But that one?
Was.
EJ took a step back, chuckling, but… fully unamused.
Shit.
Shit.
Shit.
“Please tell me you’re a comedian or something? The entertainment for the kids? Wait. What do you call it when the actors get a little too invested in the role?” EJ directed that question at me and all I could in my frozen state was blink once, twice, and then give an answer.
“Um… a method actor?” I stammered, not knowing what else to do.
“A method actor,” EJ parroted, with a nod. “That’s gotta be it. You picked the wrong the motherfucker for your little improv, funny man.”
Orion smiled. “The only thing amusing here is that you’re still in my face, spouting out bullshit—for what, I don’t know. Maybe you’re angry, embarrassed, whatever, I truly don’t give a fuck,” he said. “But I would suggest you move on, you and your friends go play with your guns, anything other than speaking crudely to my lady.”
“So… youdoknow who I am?” EJ asked, doing the exact opposite of Orion’s encouragement to back off.
“I’m vaguely aware.”
“So you’ve got a death wish then?”
“I’m quite certain you’re speaking for yourself, my man.” Orion looked him right in the eyes. “We can see who gets touched first. I’m very confident. How confident are you?”
