I didn’t bother knocking. I walked in, my eyes immediately landing on my wife. She sat at her desk, engrossed in examining reports on her desktop as Riley lounged opposite her, leisurely swinging one leg over the chair's side.
“What’s up, Naeem?” Riley said, glancing in my direction.
I tossed her a chin nod. “Hey, Riley. Everything good?”
“Couldn’t be better,” she said with a grin, eyes dropping back to her phone.
“I’m happy to hear that. You mind giving me a moment to speak with my wife?” I asked, though I really wanted to tell her to get the fuck out.
Riley and I were cool, but she knew I wasn’t there for her, and she should’ve taken the hint without me having to say a word. Still, I kept it polite because I didn’t feel like hearing Tatum’s mouth later. She didn’t tolerate rudeness or disrespect of any kind, especially when it came to her best friend.
Riley raised both brows, but didn’t argue. Instead, she stood and stretched before asking Tatum, “You good?”
Tatum nodded without looking up. “Yeah. Go on.”
As soon as Riley left and the door shut behind her, I walked around the desk and reached for Tatum’s hand. She let me pull her to her feet without protest. I wrapped my arms around her waist and held her there, breathing her in. It had been too long since I’d touched her without something between us. Even though we shared a bed every night, it seemed like I hardly saw her these days.
“You smell good. Wearing a new fragrance?” I asked, placing soft kisses all over her face.
“Yes, Riley gave me this to congratulate me for meeting my monthly goals,” she said. “She said it smelled like something boss bitches wear, so I gave it a try.” Tatum giggled, shaking her head at the things her crazy friend says.
I chuckled and kissed the tip of her nose. “Well, she wasn’t wrong.”
“I know. That’s why I’m wearing it. This fragrance makes me feel sexy and empowered.” Her arms wrapped around my waist, fingers bunching the fabric of my shirt as I pecked her lips.
“I want you to take the rest of the day off,” I said, my voice low.
She leaned back slightly to look up at me, suspicion already forming in her eyes. “Why?”
“You’ve been pushing nonstop,” I said against her skin.
“It comes with the job,” she whispered, her voice lacking its usual edge.
She was tired, and I felt it in her body, though she didn’t want to admit it to herself.
“I know, but even you need to reset sometimes.”
“Naeem… what are you up to?”
“Nothing. I just want to take you somewhere.”
Tatum scoffed, her eyes narrowing with skepticism. “You didn’t just up and decide this on a whim, so what’s really going on. Is there something happening that I need to be worried about?”
“No.” I chuckled. “I’m serious. I just want to take you somewhere, so the two of us can have some alone time.”
She hesitated to answer, eyes scanning mine like she was trying to gauge if I meant it.
“I’m not asking you to stop being the Don,” I added. “I’m just asking for a few hours with my wife.”
She sighed, and I could tell by the heaviness that it came from the pit of her stomach. “I don’t want to fall behind.”
“You won’t,” I said. “One day won’t crumble your operation.”
She softened a little, but didn’t smile yet.
“Do you really want me to take a break,” she asked, “or did you plan this because you miss me?”
“Both,” I said without hesitation. “But mostly because I miss you.”
