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She stepped closer to me, cutting Krista out. “I get it now.” She exhaled in frustration.
“Explain.”
“I get your…slight obsession with me all these years. The need to possess me. The urge to drown in me, to become one, and own me: mind, body, and soul.”
I cocked my head to the side and my forehead wrinkled. “Slight obsession?”
For a spell, Lennox smiled cheaply then mouthed, “Full obsession.”
“Well, that ain’t my business,” Krista made clear. “I was invited—all expenses paid for. The resort is nice, too.”
I asked Lennox, “What resort?”
“It’s about fifteen minutes from here. AHiltonproperty. The kids love the pools and beach.”
My face went tight. “Is that where y’all’re staying?” That didn’t feel right to me.
“That’s where JuJu and I are definitely staying. And if I know Elia, she’ll choose JuJu over Daddy here inKarsyn Coveany day. I don’t know about anyone else.”
Again, I glanced down at Lennox, who was now rubbing her lips together. Her little ass wasn’t staying at no fucking resort while on an island with me. She’d be right where she fucking belonged: my bed. Her silence and nervous energy told me she knew that. I wanted to taste her lips, throw all of my weight on her, but didn’t think she was with it because of Krista. I didn’t give a fuck, but decided on modesty.
After grazing her jawline with the tip of my nose, I, regretfully, let her stand straight, but didn’t let her go. My hand stayed in her hair, and Lennox’s arm roved up the back of my t-shirt. Her touch coated me like a pain-reliever.
“I’m going to apologize, again, to the both of you, at the same time. My behavior that morning in Englewood Cliffs was unacceptable. I explained to Krista how I haven’t worked through my issues stemming from nine years ago. Yes,” Lennox admitted. “Krista’s pregnancy hurt me. It was a big deal to me back then, but if you two have been able to work through it like mature adults, I’ll have to suck it up, and do the same.” Her other hand landed on my belly, sparking a nerve in my groin. “If I’m going to be a part of Tobias’ world—which I am and will—I’ll have to share it with Elia, and I don’t mind.”
Krista nodded her approval.
“And I know you were wrapping things up out here to leave in two days,” Lennox explained. “So, I thought a good way of making amends was to surprise you with your baby girl. I knew Elia would be atDisneyfor Christmas. They leave on Christmas Eve, not giving you much time with her after being out here working. I figured the more time, a merrier Tobias.”
That shit made me smile.
“Thank you,” was all I could return.
“Do you need to finish up in here?” Lennox asked.
I turned around to the sound board. “Nah. I was done a while ago. Was in here, kicking it with Raj on the phone.”
“Awwww! About what?” Lennox asked. “Something important, but nothing he needed toFaceTimefor.”
Lennox’s giggle made me laugh, too. These R&B niggas were territorial as hell. Raj wasn’t fooling nobody.
“Well, I’m going to get settled in while you spend time with Elia.”
“And where are you going?”
Lennox blinked hard, a show of sass. “Well, first, you’re going to show me to your room. Then you can go.”
That’s what I thought.
Krista held a tight smile, her brows shooting up in the air. I had a feeling she was picking up on Lennox’s territorial ways in front of her. It was all good. Krista and I didn’t get down like that. Hadn’t in years.
“We good?” That was a common question I asked Krista.
“As long as Elia’s good, I’m good. Elia said she forgives her and wants to get to know her since I told her I forgave Lennox. You know me: I’m looking forward, not backward. And I told Lennox, I’m not that insecure, mean, manipulative little girl I was when I got pregnant. Some people grow.” Her head tilted toward her shoulder. “I’m one of those few people.”
Lennox took a cleansing breath, apparently making a good attempt at biting her tongue.
The island was perfect, especially beautiful at night. Even tucked away on an off road in an eight-bedroom, private, beachfront home, the magic of the tropics still happened. I strolled into the house after seeing Elia and her crew to their taxi. They were off to their resort and would return in the morning for private beach fun. I told them they’d get to meet Dale, too. We’d just finished up dinner here at the house. The chef managed to whip up a satisfying meal of chicken fingers and onion rings for a pair of eight-year-old finicky eaters.
