Chapter 22

22

Ahmad

I looked at the time on the nightstand.

1:53 a.m.

Bunny and I had fallen asleep on the rug in front of the fireplace after our second round of make-up sex. Make-up sex. I'd never had no fucking make-up sex with any female. This newfound attachment I'd inherited for her and her daughter was crazy as hell to me, but I didn't protest it.

I couldn't describe the way she made me feel. It was a heap of emotions—anger, lust, strong like, and admiration were just a few of them. Possessive was leaning into those feelings as well, but I didn't want to be possessive over Bunny. She already had that fuck nigga take her out of her element, and that was something I didn't care to repeat.

She needed freedom, stability, comfort, and fidelity. I wouldn't be the nigga to clock her every move. I just wanted to know that she was safe at all times. I didn't want to forgive her ass because I didn't want to get my feelings hurt if she decided that leaving me was in her best interest.

I wouldn't stop her, but not having them here would have certainly put me back in my feelings. I had no clue if or when she would come back—I thought she would have stayed another day or two or decide to leave all together. I couldn't deny that seeing them pull up made me smile inside, especially my Rabbit.

Baby girl definitely left an impression on me. I actually enjoyed having conversations with her. Well, she did most of the talking while I listened, laughed, and replied. Bunny's ass thought she was slick coming to put that pussy on me to make me forgive her ass.

Just the feel of her body did shit to me that I never wanted to give up. She got to me. These confused ass feelings we both had for each other was nothing more than us fighting the attraction we had for one another. I knew it was because of how we met, but in all honesty, I was feeling her the moment her picture popped in my email. I was secretly hoping she would be ugly in person, but the photo didn't do her justice.

As she lay on my chest with light snores mixing with the thunder and rain outside, I heard the upstairs door open.

"Shit," I whispered, shaking her awake.

"Mommy?" Kari called out.

"Makari's awake."

She popped her head up, then scrambled to find her robe. I hurried and slipped on my shorts as she tied her robe.

"Yes, Kari?"

"Mommy, where are you? I'm scared!"

"I'm coming right now, baby." I stood and helped her up off the floor. She was about to walk away but turned and kissed me. "I'll see you in the morning?"

"Nah. Put her back to sleep and come to my room. I need to talk to you about something."

She nodded. "Okay."

She hurried off as I began to pick up around the living room. Grabbing the disinfectant wipes from the table, I wiped down the leather couch that we were fucking on thoroughly, then tossed the wipes away. I didn't know if Bunny was aware that I hadn't pulled out of the pussy our last couple of sessions. I prayed to God that she was on birth control because adding a baby to the equation right now wasn't the move.

However, I wouldn't be opposed to it. I just had to be more careful because I could already see her stubborn ass making up all the reasons why it wouldn't be a good idea. I didn't want to have to kill this girl for trying to kill my baby… So, nah, my reckless ass needed to pull the fuck out until I was confident enough that she wouldn't kill my seed.

After cleaning downstairs, I headed up and walked past the bedroom where they slept, hearing Bunny reading her a bedtime story to take her mind off the thunder and rain outside. I smiled, remembering to get her a night light later today.

Going inside my room, I stripped down and placed my shorts and briefs in the laundry basket, then went into my en suite bathroom to shower. Once that task was complete, I cleaned the tub, brushed my teeth, cleaned the sink, then went back into my bedroom. Pulling out a fresh pair of briefs, I skipped putting lotion on then laid down.

Then I thought about how I'd just broken my everyday shower routine. Never in the history of being on this earth had I ever skipped any steps. I had to chuckle because I didn't even think twice about it. Now I knew for sure Bunny's ass was knocking me off my square.

Since it was only going on eleven in California, I sent Ashton a quick text.

Me: You were right, ugly ass nigga.

Ash: ?? I told you. You're freaking Ahmad Pryor. She wouldn't be able to resist coming back to you. You may not notice this, but you did have a soft spot for those women you used to date. They see your potential, but you always run from what feels right.

Me: Did I ask you to be Dr. Phil? Bitch ass nigga.

Ash: No, but you sure are my patient. You like coming to me for advice. Admit it.

Me: Admit these nuts.

Me: Thanks for talking me down earlier, though. Love you. Goodnight.

Ash: You… you just said you loved me.??

Me: Fuck you.

Ash: I love you, too. I like her! She's changing you. I think she'll make a great sister-in-law.

I placed the phone down with a small smile on my face. What the fuck is wrong with me? I didn't smile, I rarely laughed, and this weird ass feeling was too much. I guess I was really a grinch and finally got the feeling back in my heart.

About thirty minutes later, Bunny inched her way inside the room. The thunder and lightning had ceased, and the rain had let up some. She climbed under the cover smelling like a fresh newborn baby as she kissed me soft and sensually. I had to pull back because I was going to fuck her again if she kept kissing me like that, but I really did need to talk to her.

"You gotta chill, baby. I need to talk to you about something."

"Okayyyy. Fine. What is it?"

I sighed as she snuggled up close to me and I wrapped my arm around her.

"I can't let him stay alive any longer. Tomorrow, we're going to take Rabbit to your people and go see about that nigga. But I do want to ask you something."

"What's that?"

"Are you sure you want to see that bum?"

"I have to. He stole a big chunk of my life. Although I can only blame myself for staying when I saw the first signs of him being controlling, I still feel as if he manipulated me. I owe his ass a fade or I won't rest easy without him hearing what I have to say."

I nodded. "A'ight. Then tomorrow it's on."

"Can I watch?"

"Watch what?"

"You know what. Watch you kill him."

I thought about it for a minute then shook my head.

"Nah. I don't think that would be a good idea. I know you probably hate that nigga, and you may even want to do harm to him, but at the end of the day, I don't want that shit on your conscience. You had a child by the man, so watching him go won't sit well with you.

"Makari may not ask now, but in the future, she'll want to know where her father is. Then you'll start seeing images of you watching him die and feel guilty. So no, you can say your piece, but then you gotta bounce. It's already bad enough that you know I'm sending him to the pits of hell. What I have planned for him, you don't need to witness."

She was quiet for a moment then she sighed and nodded.

"I guess you're right." She looked up at me and smiled. "You know, the only reason I'm in here with you is because I like the nice you. You have a comforting spirit that you try to hide from the world. I know in due time, you're going to drop the armor and allow yourself to be free to love out loud and don't be ashamed by it."

"You think so, huh?"

"I know so because I'm going to help you get there. I don't know if I'm making the right decision by submitting to my feelings for you, but one thing I can say is that you are a man of your word, and you do care a lot about me and Kari. I hate that you won my baby over." She laughed. "But she's definitely smitten by you."

"Rabbit's my homegirl. We got our own little thing going on."

"I see. Can I tell you a secret?"

"Yeah."

"I saw her little journal you bought her, and she drew pictures of you, her, and I. We were all holding hands, but you and I were looking at each other with hearts in our eyes… She captioned it ‘Our family'. I don't want her to get so attached because what if we don't work out?"

"Why are you thinking the worst? We just agreed that we want each other, and in case you don't know, let me remind you that once I lock in on something, it's nothing but pressure after that. That's her fairy tale, her dream. I'm only here to fulfill whatever wish you both ask for."

"I'm sorry, I just—"

"Need to mind your business and stop snooping in my best friend's diary. Even if we don't work out, Makari will always have a friend in me."

"What about me?"

"The ball will always be in your court, Bunny. You always have the choice whether you want to leave or stay, but I won't even give you a reason to want to leave. So you're good unless you don't want to be good." Silence settled between us for a minute before she spoke.

"So your love language is acts of service and gifts. Got it."

I chuckled. "Where that shit come from?"

"Nowhere, I just see what you do and how you are. I would love if it were quality time, but I'm sure I'll help you be in tune with it soon."

"You forgot physical touch." She sat up slightly and stared at me. "Yeah. I know all about that shit."

She laughed. "I love that you do. And yes, physical touch is definitely one of your languages as well as mine."

"So now we're finding out what we have in common."

"We certainly are. But enlighten me on something."

"What's that?"

"You don't like your food to tou—"

"Don't even go there, baby. Leave that shit alone."

She laughed again, and I swear each time she did it, my stomach felt queasy. The shield I had to protect myself was becoming too heavy to carry when around her. She was making me feel things I hadn't felt since leaving home at eighteen. Once I left my parents' home, I shielded myself from ever feeling anything because I knew the streets had a way of claiming you.

Be it by way of drugs, killing, or submitting to a woman who could have become my downfall. Now that I wasn't physically in the streets anymore, I was open to trying something new. Something different. I didn't mind exploring those things with Bunny. She was soft, attentive, explorative, independent, headstrong, and brave. It took bravery to take a half million dollars from a known, dangerous kingpin and flee without caring about the consequences. All those qualities I admired about her and would do my best to try to keep it around.

"Goodnight, bun. We have a busy day ahead of us."

"Goodnight, Mr. Knight."

I frowned. "Mr. Knight?"

"Yeah… My knight in shining armor." I smiled and kissed her forehead.

From a villain to a hero. I can fuck with that.