Chapter 17

Seventeen

Merc

"I'm ready for whatever,"Asylum said. "The way you've shown up for me with my asylums, you know you can get whatever out of me, brotha."

"Same," Bully said.

"Just let us know what you need us to do," Karrington added.

"Fa sho," Beethoven replied.

"That's love. I appreciate y'all, for real," I said. "I'ma get a draft together while I'm here and hit the ground running when I get back to Memphis. After I get everything finalized with my business coach, I'll let y'all know."

"Aye," Karrington called before I could end the call. "You still uh… use Luna Ray for your business coach?"

We all chuckled. The fact that Karrington called LuLu by her government name was proof that he liked her, but unfortunately, he didn't step up when he needed to, and she married and had a son with someone else. Since then, Karrington hadn't been in a serious relationship. I felt like it was because he was waiting for LuLu. I couldn't imagine how it felt trying to replace the best woman you'd ever had and watching her be with someone else.

"Yeah, I do. She hasn't been working a lot since she had her son, but she still has sessions with previous clients."

"Oh. Okay. Well… when you talk to her, tell her I hope she's well."

"This nigga," Toe grumbled.

"Don't start with that shit," Karrington said, and we all laughed.

"Mane, if you'on go get ya girl," Bully demanded.

"How, nigga?" Asylum asked. "She's married."

"So? That's just a piece of paper. Her Kare Bear has her heart."

"On that note, I'm out," Karrington said with a smile and shake of his head before disconnecting on his end.

"You was wrong for that," I told Bully through my laugh.

"It was the truth though," Toe agreed.

We talked a few minutes more before I thanked them again and ended the call.

I took a few moments to write some notes down before going to find my girl. She was in the guest room where all the games were, playing Mahjong. I told her to come find me when she was done so we could go out and play in the snow, and her entire face brightened like I knew it would. She was down to do it now, so I gave her some of my clothes to put on since she was ill prepared for such cold weather. My sweats and hoodie drowned her, but like always, she was cute.

"You need these," she said as I put my beanie over her head and slid my gloves onto her tiny hands.

"I'll be good. I just want to make sure you don't get sick."

I wasn't expecting it, but I gladly welcomed it when she gripped my chin and lowered me to her for a kiss. Wrapping my arms around her waist, I pulled her closer and slipped my tongue into her mouth. The sweet sighs she released were like music to my ears. This girl was making a lover out of me.

"What was that for so I can make sure I do it again?" I asked, making her laugh.

"For being kind and a gentleman." Neo gave me another kiss. "Caring and considerate." And another one. "For just being you." And another one.

"You gon' run away from me when this is over?"

Her head shook softly as her hands slid down my chest. "I don't intend to. But if I do… just pull me back."

That was cool with me, because I had no problem chasing her and earning her… making sure she knew she was safe with me in all ways, not just physically.

We made our way outside, and it felt good as hell to feel the sun on my face, even though it was so cold. Building snowmen turned into a snowball fight, which led to us falling over onto each other and not being in a rush to get up. When we finally did, we went back inside, and I got us a pot of coffee going.

Once we were warmed up, we spent a little time apart which had become our routine, and it was one I appreciated. When we did come back into each other's orb, it was to make chili on Facebook live. Innvy had tuned in, and she was with Bully, so we spent the bulk of the time talking to them. After we had dinner, the TV watched us as we talked about our flaws and fears.

"I wouldn't think a man like you had fears," she admitted, sipping her hot tea with a shot of whiskey.

"Fear is an emotion. We all have those."

"That's true." A beat of silence passed before she asked, "What do you need from your life partner?"

"The fact that you said life partner instead of girlfriend is the biggest thing. A true partner, which in itself is a list of things." She nodded her agreement. "Excitement, support, friendship, acceptance, appreciation, respect, trust, love."

Neo chuckled. "Why is love last?"

"That's what means the least to me," I admitted. "I know it's the opposite for you as a woman, but it means more to me that you respect and trust me than love me. I want to be loved, and I'll honor it, but without that other stuff, it means nothing."

"You're right about that. I was so focused on Steven's love that I didn't pay attention to the fact that so many other things were missing from our relationship and him as a man. He didn't respect me or the commitment we made. Being faithful wasn't his desire nor was it in his character. That's why there's no part of me that feels like there was anything I did wrong to warrant that. It hurts, I ain't gon' lie, but I know that was a reflection of him… not me."

"Hell yeah." I agreed. "When a man is truly locked in, a woman shouldn't even have the chance to get close enough to think she has an opening. It's disrespectful to even flirt, to me, while you're in a relationship. My woman gon' always feel secure with me, and I ain't lettin' a woman on the outside make my woman question her place in my life. That's why if you ever cheated on me, it better be with a nigga you don't value 'cause his fade gettin' slid back when I see 'im."

"Whoa, wait." Her hands lifted as she laughed like I was playing, but I was serious as a motherfucker. "That took a very violent and aggressive turn."

"I'm a violent and aggressive nigga."

Her constant giggle made me smile, no matter how much I needed her to understand I was serious. If she cheated on me, I'd handle her how I saw fit, but it was off with that nigga's head. I'd hold her accountable because she let a man have access to what should have been reserved for me and me alone, but no man would be able to walk this earth and be able to say he had what belonged to me.

"I'm not your woman, so I don't know why you made that personal and said if I cheat. I'm not a cheater, though, despite what our first kiss suggested."

"I know you're not. If it wasn't me, it wouldn't have happened. The fact that you went against your character to have me should prove to you even more what's up between us. And you are my woman."

"When did we establish this title?" she asked with a sexy, syrupy smile.

"Titles honor men, but they don't really matter to me because I don't need the validation. We locked in because you've honored and respected me without one. So you're mine."

Our eyes remained locked as she straddled me.

"Say it again," she demanded, sliding her hand into my sweats.

"You're mine."

"And you're mine?" Between her hand stroking my dick, her sexy voice, and hypnotic stare… all I could do was nod as I bit down on my lip. "Say it. Tell me you're mine."

"I'm yours, Neo."

With a moan, she placed my hands on her body, and that was all the invitation I needed to become one with her again. In the past, pussy was pussy. All it was to me, was a release. It didn't rule me like most men who lacked discipline and control. There were other pleasures that I valued more. But Neo's pussy? Neo's pussy held power.

As she slid down on my dick, I had to keep her from moving so I wouldn't cum immediately. It felt like I was back home after a long voyage, and I couldn't rush this release.

"I missed you," she muttered against my lips before kissing me.

"You never have to. This dick is yours too."

"Only mine?"

"Mhm." She had no fucking idea. I didn't want anyone before her, and there was no doubt in my mind that I'd want anyone after her. My dick wouldn't either.

"You promise?"

"I promise, baby. All of me is yours."

That seemed to satisfy her, because she wrapped her arms around me and began a slow and steady ride. Outside of reminding her to breathe, no words were spoken between us. We let our connection do the talking. Her pussy molded against my dick like it was made for me. Like she was made for me. And there was no doubt in my mind that our time together at this cabin was meant to solidify that.