Six months ago, the thought of marrying Zambia would’ve had him ready to crash out. Now? It just felt inevitable. They weren’t in love. They probably never would be. And after everything that happened with Jackie, Cash had stopped fighting what was already written.
He’d fucked that up enough. The least he could do was play his position with the woman who was actually going to be his wife. Moving out to Media full-time had helped. The distance gave him space to stop performing for everybody else’s opinions and actually deal with his own shit. He wasn’t proud of how he’d handled things with Jackie. But he was trying to be a man about it now.
His eyes moved around the room. Montana was on his phone. Cal was arguing with one of the assistants about custom embroidery he didn’t need. Jalil was recording everything like this was content. Koi was in the corner talking business on the phone in what sounded like three different languages. And Newdy… Newdy was just sitting there quiet, watching everything like he always did. The same idiots he grew up with. The same ones he’d probably die beside. Cash was about to say something slick when the door opened. The energy in the room shifted before anybody even turned around. Najee stepped inside.
The room went quiet. Cash felt his jaw tighten on instinct. He hadn’t expected him. Not really. He had sent the groomsmen invite months ago, but Najee never responded. No text. No call. No RSVP. So seeing him walk through the door caught Cash off guard. Najee wasn’t dressed like he was trying to make a statement. Today he wore an all-black Alo sweatsuit, Grey Bottega Veneta Orbit sneakers, and his usual glasses. He was low-key. Like he was just running an errand and just ended up here.
The room stayed quiet for a second too long. Brother Abdul was the first to speak.
“Dr. Cousin,” he said, already reaching for his tape measure.
“Look at you looking like yo daddy.” Najee gave him a tired nod.
“Don’t start Abby.”
Cash and Najee just looked at each other.
The last time they had been this close, they were throwing hands at the winter gala. Cash could still remember the way Najee slipped those Range Rover keys into his hand and said, “she good now.” Cash didn’t even remember swinging on him. But he knew he did, which led to the fight of all fights. Six months later and here he was. Cash broke the silence first. “I ain’t think you would come.” Najee held his stare. “What I look like missing my brother’s wedding?” The words landed heavier than Cash expected. Najee glanced around at the rest of them, then looked back at Cash. His voice dropped.
“I came here to get fitted,” he said.
“But I also came because I need your help.”
Cash frowned slightly, but Najee didn’t blink.
“Marcus is back in the city.”
CHAPTER SIXTY- ONE
NAJEE
Six months later… three days before the fitting.
Najee killed the engine on Jackie’s Bronco and sat for a second. Today he brought her lunch from her favorite spot-on South Street.South Flavors. He’d grabbed her keys this morning on purpose. The plan had been simple—bring her lunch, let her eat, then find a quiet corner to take his time with her. But plans had a way of shifting around Jackie Brown. He stepped out and immediately spotted her on the wrap-around porch, back mostly exposed in that sundress, deep brown skin glowing under the afternoon light. She was going back and forth with one of the workers, hard hat perched over her high bun, gesturing with that focused energy she carried so well. A couple other guys stood nearby, listening. The second she noticed Najee walking up, relief washed over her face.
She excused herself from the conversation and met him halfway. Before she could say anything, his eyes traced the dress—how it clung to her body, the short hem, the way it left her back open.
He stepped in close, voice low enough that only she could hear. “I thought I asked you to change out of this dress this morning.” Jackie looked straight up at him, never breaking eye contact. “I know. I didn’t want to miss Solidcore with Syxe, so I rushed out. I thought I had another change of clothes packed,but I didn’t. It’s not that bad though… I wore bike shorts underneath.”
Najee held her gaze a moment longer, then gave a small nod. The bike shorts didn’t change much in his mind—the dress still hugged her too right, still moved too easy when she walked—but he let it slide for now. No need to push it with the crew around. She glanced toward the landscaping at the side of the property. “Najee… did you tell them to plant all these cherry blossom trees? In the original mock-up—” He cut her off gently. “I thought you told me cherry blossoms were your favorite.” It hit her then. He watched the realization settle across her face, the way her eyes softened, and her lips parted slightly. “Bae…” Najee didn’t confirm or deny it out loud. He just picked up one of the lunch bags and tilted his head toward the house. “Show me the study.” Inside, the great room was coming together under her direction, but he guided her straight down the hall to the study. The space already carried her touch, deep earthy tones, open and warm. Jackie stepped in, turning slowly.
“What do you think of the vibe so far? I wanted it masculine but not cold. The light from those windows is going to be perfect on the desk in the mornings.” She moved to the heavy oak desk, sorting through papers. “Did you see the color swatches I left here? I was thinking—”
“Babe, you promised me you would pick a color,” she said, the words dying on her tongue as she noticed the hard outline of his dick pressing against his slacks. Najee closed the door behind them with a quiet click. “Najee, we can’t,” she whispered, nerves edging her voice as she glanced toward the door “The crew’s right down the hall. They’ll hear us.” He stepped up behind her without a word, hands sliding slowly up her sides. One by one, he eased the thin straps of the sundress down her shoulders, letting her full breasts spill free. He cupped them gently from behind, thumbs brushing across her nipples as his mouth foundthe side of her neck, kissing a slow path along her skin. “I asked you twice to put something else on,” he murmured, voice low and even. “It’s 88 degrees today,” she whined, the sound breaking into a soft moan when he pinched and bit down lightly on her nipple.
“And we can’t—”
Her protest faded as he turned her slightly, so they faced the full-length mirror leaning against the far wall. Their reflection stared back at them—her bun slightly tousled, glasses still on, breasts heavy in his hands, his taller frame pressed behind her. He watched her reaction in the glass while one hand stayed on her chest and the other slid down, pushing the sundress up over her hips. He hooked his fingers into the bike shorts and panties, tugging them down just enough.
Then he dropped to his knees, spread her gently, and leaned in. His tongue dragged slow and deliberate through her pussy—long, thorough strokes that had her gripping the desk.She knew what she was doing wearing that dress. And she knew exactly how he’d react.That’s why her cries fell on deaf ears. Jackie had been testing him all week with these little ass dresses while he juggled clients, panels, his manuscript, and travel. She needed his attention. Now she had every bit of it.
He licked deeper, sucking softly on her clit while two fingers slid inside her, stroking with steady precision. Jackie’s thighs shook around his head. “Najee… please…” She begged, as he hummed against her until she came hard, biting down on her arm to muffle the cry. Najee kissed her inner thigh softly before rising behind her. He freed his dick and rubbed the head along her slick entrance. With one smooth push he sank deep inside her. Jackie whimpered, eyes locked on his in the mirror.
“This what you wanted, right?” he asked, voice low and teasing.
“No,” she whimpered, adjusting herself around him.
“Yeah, it fucking is.” He said, pulling her hair tighter.