Chapter Sixteen
Shortly after we finished fucking, Caesar was back to pick us up. He was engrossed in a conversation on his cell phone during the ride, paying us no attention.
“When can I see you again? I have tickets to the Tigers game tomorrow, and I would love to take you,” Cash said as we sat in back of the Range Rover, holding hands.
My stomach did backflips as I pondered how to tell this man my situation. At first, I’d planned to play it cool. I could lie and tell him my job kept me on the road traveling, but that was too messy. It would be hard to keep that up after a while, so I decided to tell the truth. Not only did I have a man at home, but my home was in another state. I hoped he would understand, because I didn’t want to lose him.
“Cash, I have something to tell you,” I whispered.
“What’s the matter?”
“Well . . .” I stalled. “I haven’t been completely honest.” He looked at me intently, and I looked away like the scared coward I was. “As much as I like you and would love to continue seeing you, I can’t.” I frowned like a sad puppy dog.
“Why not?”
“I don’t live here in Michigan. I live in Ohio.” I saw no need to be more specific and name the city I lived in, so I kept on talking. “And I’m in a little situation right now.”
“By situation you mean in a relationship?” His eyebrow raised.
“Yes. I’m so sorry I didn’t tell you sooner, but I didn’t know how. I saw you last night and thought God had answered my prayers. You are everything I’ve always wanted, but I understand if you want to pull off and never call me again.” I held my breath.
“Baby girl, I’m glad you decided to be honest, and I respect you for it. I already knew both things about you. I just wanted to see how long it would take you to tell me.” He laughed.
“How did you know?” I was confused.
“For starters, last night you had an engagement ring on that’s nowhere to be seen today.” He pointed to my left hand. I looked down at the tan line on my finger and smirked because he was right. I’d taken the ring off before I came downstairs for our date.
“I also knew you were from Ohio because of the plates on your car.”
“Damn, you’re observant!” I sat back in the seat and stared at him. “So you knew those things and you still wanted to kick it with me?”
“See, I’m a nigga who goes after what he wants. It doesn’t matter to me if you have someone at home, because obviously he ain’t important. I mean, if he were, you wouldn’t be here with me.”
His comment was bold and made me feel bad. It also made me question my love and loyalty to Dominic. My man was important to me, but until he got back on his feet, I had to do me. I couldn’t go from spending sprees to balling on a budget. I just wasn’t cut that way, and it didn’t work for me.
Since Cash obviously was okay with my situation, I would continue to use him to my advantage. I could stay and play the good wife to Dominic in Ohio and occasionally come back to Detroit from time to time. I’d be able to satisfy the need between Cash’s legs and my pockets at the same time. I never shitted where I slept, so what Dom didn’t know wouldn’t hurt him. He’d only been to Detroit once, so the chance of him knowing Cash was slim to none.
“Like I said earlier, when will I see you again?” Cash chimed in.
“I go home in the morning, and I have a hectic work schedule for the next few weeks.” I sighed. “I can come back here next month for a long weekend.”
“Girl, I’m not trying to wait thirty days to see you again,” he said. “I was thinking more like sometime this week.”
“I live four hours away. I can’t come back this week.” I shook my head.
“If you were observant like I am, you would’ve noticed my license plate is from Ohio too,” he said, and I almost pissed on myself.
“What?” I became nauseated.
“Yeah, I live in Cincinnati.” He smiled deviously. I felt weak. “We can see each other a whole lot now. I can teach your man how to treat and keep a lady.”
He winked and my panties moistened. There was something about the way he threw caution to the wind that intrigued me. For years I’d been caught up in the corporate world. Maybe it was time I tried a thug.
“I’ll see your fine ass next week.” He pulled me in for a kiss and rubbed my ass like he couldn’t get enough. Luckily, we’d pulled up to the hotel before things could escalate.
“I guess it’s a date then.” I tossed the words over my shoulder and headed into the hotel.
Unbeknownst to me at the time, Noel was out on the balcony, watching the whole exchange.