“Yes, I’m fine… I just wasn’t expecting you to move that fast. I thought you said you were going to contact the court next week.”
“Once I remembered my guy was working there, I figured no point in waiting. Is there a problem?”
“Well, I was just planning to call and catch you Monday morning before you submitted anything.”
“And why is that, might I ask?”
I paused, running a hand through my damp hair.
“I won’t be needing the court date after all. I’ve had a change of heart about the divorce. Thank you for your time, though. You’ve been great.”
There was a pause on his end this time.
“Oh… wow. Okay. Can I ask what changed? Did something happen? Are you feeling pressured or unsafe in any way? I noticed during mediation your husband seemed a bit—.”
“No. Absolutely not.” I cut him off before he could run with that narrative. “I’m good. Me and my husband are good. We made a mutual decision to work things out. That’s all.”
He went quiet again, then repeated back with a slight shift in tone.
“Work things out, huh.”
“Yes…”
He cleared his throat, and I could feel the shift. “I must apologize in advance for what I’m about to say, but I’m not one to hold back. Even if that means crossing boundaries to pursue what I desire, then so be it.”
“I’m listening.”
“I was actually looking forward to you finalizing that divorce, so I could ask to take you out. And I mean…I thought maybe you caught on. After that talk we had in my office—”
“Mr. Woods,” I cut in gently but firmly. “I appreciate everything you have done. I truly do. But like I said, I’m working on things with my husband. So… there’s that. I’ll take care of the final bill.”
“Understood. I’ll go ahead and close the case out. But… if you ever change your mind, you know my number and where to find my office, Marilyn.”
I didn’t respond, just hung up, took care of the payment in his company’s app, and finished getting dressed. I was still thrown off by that bold-ass conversation when I opened thedoor, ready to head downstairs. But to my surprise, Moses was standing right there. Butt ass naked. Eyes locked on me.
My heart skipped a beat.
I’m guessing he was coming to join me in the shower but decided to pause and listen instead. And by the look on his face, he’d heard every damn word. Still, he didn’t say a thing about it. Just offered me a smirk, deadly as ever, and said,
“Come get back in the shower with me before the food comes up. Dinner in bed tonight, baby.”
My breath caught in my throat as I scanned his body, nervous and flustered. But I didn’t say anything. I just nodded, letting him guide me backward, his hand resting softly at my throat.
After undressing me, Moses turned on the water and guided me beneath the warm stream. My body grew soaked all over again as he took his time lathering soap over my skin. Slow, patient strokes that made me feel so good.
When he finished, I returned the favor. I reached for the shampoo and stood on the tips of my toes, gently working it through his hair. My fingers moved in slow circles across his scalp, massaging it as he closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them to meet mine.
I watched him watch me as he began to massage my belly. Steam curled around us, thick and warm. I rinsed his hair and then trailed kisses down his forehead, his cheeks, then lower. I pressed my lips to his chest, letting them linger over the steady beat of his heart. My hands moved down to knead his shoulders, his back, his sides. Every touch was intentional.
Every touch said,I’m sorry for neglecting you. I see you. I need you. I love you. I ain’t going nowhere. You the only man for me. You the only man I need.
∞∞∞
“What conversation did you and that nigga have in his office?” Moses finally asked, eyes fixed on the view from the balcony. He looked like he was going through it.
A slow-burning blunt sat between his fingers, smoke curling around his head. He stood out there shirtless, making sure the breeze caught the smoke since I was pregnant.
Meanwhile, I lay stretched across the bed, quietly watching him. It took everything in me not to laugh. He had been trying to play it cool all night, acting unbothered, like my time in the shower had settled him. Like he could handle what he had overheard.
