“The heater’s been acting up again, but upstairs still got some heat—”
“Is Max here?” Najee cut through her rambling, calm but direct. Jackie’s head snapped toward him, lips forming that familiar little pout. “You think I’d open my door this late if my baby was here?” she shot back, attitude laced through every word. Najee kept working on the buttons, unfazed. “First of all, he ain’t a baby. He a young man,” he said evenly. “Second, I’m just making sure.” By the time his shirt hung open, revealing the white tank underneath, Jackie was doing everything she could not to stare. She reached for his jacket instead. “I can throw that in the dryer for you,” she offered quickly.
Najee shook his head. “This Tom Ford. It don’t go in the dryer. My love” He folded the jacket with care, then did the same with the oxford shirt, precise and unhurried, before handing them both to her.Jackie stared at him for a second, then rolled her eyes. “You too bougie.” Najee almost laughed, but he held it. He watched as she carried the pieces over to the closet. She didn’t rush or toss them aside. She took her time, grabbing hangers, smoothing the jacket out carefully, then doing the same with the shirt, adjusting both until they hung just right. Najee’s gaze stayed on her the whole time taking her in fully. Her short nightgown rode up when she reached for the hangers, but that wasn’t the only thing he admired. It was how wasdoingthe task. There was something thoughtful in her movements that didn’t match the nervous energy she was putting off. Najee took in the space while she finished in the closet.
Jackie’s place felt the same as he remembered, cozy, lived-in, and eclectic in a way that didn’t try too hard. Not much had changed. A couple empty wine coolers sat on the side table. There were a few throw pillows were scattered across the floor like she’d had company earlier. His eyes moved slowly over everything, but the place itself wasn’t what held his attention. It washer.The way she moved around the living room now—straightening pillows that didn’t need straightening, picking things up and putting them back down. Like staying busy would keep some distance between them. Najee could feel the energy coming off her, anxious, tight and restless. She was nervous in a way she wasn’t about to admit out loud. “Sit down,” she said finally, motioning toward the couch like she was trying to put some space between them. Najee didn’t let her get far. His hand came out, wrapping gently but firmly around her arm, stopping her mid-step. “You sit down too,” he said low, voice calm but leaving no room for argument. She tried to play it off at first, a small shift like she could keep moving.
“I’m good, I was just—” This time he looked at her and whatever resistance she had left stilled. The room went quiet except for the rain tapping against the windows and low thunder rolling outside. Jackie swallowed. “I thought you wasn’t coming,” she said, softer now. “I was just about to go to bed.”
Najee’s mouth twitched. “So you ain’t wear them socks for me?” She held his gaze for a second, then looked away. “No. I wore them for me.” she said unconvincingly. Najee leaned back just enough to take her in again, slower this time. His eyes traced the white thigh-high socks stretched over her thick thighs, the short babydoll dress barely covering the yellow lace underneath. “Jackie…” he said, quieter now. The way he said her name made her look back at him. “Anything I say I’m gonna do…” He let the pause sit for a moment. “I do.” She didn’t respond right away. She just looked at him, like she was deciding how much shewas really ready to give. Then she spoke. “I know I told you on text already… I’m sorry,” she said, quieter now. “But I wanted to explain what I’m actually sorry for.”
Her eyes met his.
“I’m not sorry I accepted the ride from Cash or that I spent the night at his house.”
“At the time, I thought—”
“Jackie.” He cut her off, calm and even. His hand came up to the side of her neck, resting there gently but firmly enough to keep her attention on him. His delivery wasn’t harsh or impatient, just certain enough for her to understand. “You don’t gotta explain why you did it,” he said, voice low.
“I can figure that part out. You were in a tough spot, and he was there.” He paused for a second. “I believe you when you say nothing happened.” He felt the small shift in her body, the way some of the tension eased. “My issue was the lying,” he continued, his thumb brushing lightly along her neck. “Even if it was just by omission. That’s what got me.” Her gaze dropped. “But I get that too,” he added.
“I understand why you did it.” Najee let that sit for a moment before he kept going.
“I could’ve handled it better on my end as well ,” he admitted. “I was in my feelings. I ain’t like hearing you spent the night with another man or seeing you drive his whip.” He met her eyes again. “But that’s on me.” He paused, then spoke again. “I didn’t make myself clear from the jump.”
The room felt quieter now. Heavier, but not tense. “Let me fix that right now,” he said. Her breath caught slightly. “I want you, Jackie. All of you. And everything that comes with you, the good, the bad, all that.” His hand stayed at her waist, steady. “But it only works if you let me in. You don’t get to decide what I can and can’t handle. You gotta talk to me.” Jackie stayed quiet for a long moment. Then her shoulders dropped just a little.That small surrender told him everything. He patted his thigh lightly. “Come here.” This time she didn’t hesitate. She straddled him slow, settling into his lap with a warmth that made his jaw tighten. Najee exhaled through his nose, trying to keep his control.
“Fuck…” he muttered under his breath. His hand slid back to her neck as he rested his forehead against hers. “Talk to me,” he said, voice low. “Tell me what you thinking.” She hesitated, then started.
“Najee… I come with a lot. And—” He cut her off mid-sentence, locking eyes with her. His grip on her neck stayed gentle but steady as he leaned in and kissed her, slow and deep, right between her words. She softened instantly, a small whimper slipping out before she could catch it.
“I know,” he murmured against her lips, kissing her again. “And I want it.” Another kiss, slower this time, pulling a deeper sound from her throat. “The good.” Kiss. “The bad.” Kiss. “The ugly.”
He pulled back just enough to look at her, eyes heavy.
“I’m equipped for all that, Jackie. I meant what I said. “I want everything you come with.”
She didn’t say another word. She leaned in to kiss him before adjusting herself on his lap.
Najee felt himself hardening beneath her, his dick pressing up against the heat between her legs. He could see her erect nipples pushing against the thin fabric of the nightgown. She was turned on. Really turned on. And she knew exactly what she was doing to him. Jackie started subtly grinding against him, slow, sensual rolls of her hips that had his jaw tightening as he fought to stay in control.
“Jackie…” he breathed, voice rough. His hands gripped her waist. “Can I have you?” he asked, voice low and strained, almostpleading. “All of you? “She looked down at him, eyes heavy, lips parted.
She nodded.
“Yes.”
CHAPTER FIFTY- ONE
JACKIE
The last thing Jackie remembered saying was yes.
Everything after that became a haze of heat and sensation. Now she was on her back, on the couch, legs spread wide, white thigh-high socks still clinging to her skin. Najee’s face was buried between her thighs like he had all the time in the world. He ate her slow and deliberate, like he was studying her body, learning exactly what made her tremble. His two thick fingers stroked deep inside her, curling just right. Every moan she let out seemed to make him more focused. “This pussy so pretty,” he muttered against her, voice low and rough. Jackie’s back arched hard, her fingers gripping his hair as her hips rolled against his face. “Damn, you so fucking wet,” he said sucking her clit. Jackie was loud, messy and in total ecstasy. Years of being celibate had left her starving, and Najee was feeding her like he knew it.
When the orgasm hit her, it crashed so hard—her thighs shook around his head. A broken cry tore from her throat as she came on his tongue and fingers. Najee didn’t stop, he took her through there, licking and stroking until the waves finally eased. She was still panting, body trembling, when he finally pulled back. He kissed the inside of her thigh, then moved higher, pressing soft, deliberate kisses along her stretch marks. It was like he was worshiping every part of her body she usually tried tohide. Jackie’s chest tightened. No one had ever done that before, and she didn’t know how to feel.
Najee was taking his time, savoring every inch of her. He climbed up her body, before pulling her into his lap, so she was straddling him. Jackie felt like putty in his arms. Her body was warm and completely melted against his chest like she was boneless. Meanwhile, his dick was rock hard beneath her, thick and pressing insistently against her soaked pussy through his pants. Her body reacted instantly. She started grinding on him, slow and needy, chasing that fullness she hadn’t felt since the last time they were this close. Najee groaned, his hands gripping her ass, but he stopped her movement, holding her hips still. “Jackie,” he said, voice low and controlled, forehead resting against hers. “Look at me.” She did, eyes heavy. “I want you,” he told her. “But not on your couch. I want you in your bed, where I can take my time with you.” He kissed her deeply, then stood up with her in his arms like she weighed nothing. Jackie wrapped her legs around his waist, still wearing nothing but the thigh-high socks.