Body Language, page 7
He laughed, shaking his head. “See, that’s what I like. You talk that shit but keep blushing.”
“I don’t blush,” I shot back quick.
“Pretty,” he said. “You damn near pink right now.”
I smirked and leaned back in the seat. “I had you moaning through the phone last night. I’ll take that over a simple blush any day.”
He damn near choked on his own laugh. “Oh, so you just gone throw that back in my face?”
“You started it,” I said.
He shook his head, grinning hard. “That’s crazy. You really bragging about that?”
“Im not bragging. Just reminding you that if I can make you fold over the phone, imagine what I can do in person.”
His grip on the wheel tightened, and I caught it.
“Dangerous,” he muttered, almost to himself.
“Mmhm. And you like dangerous, remember?” I teased.
“You gone be the death of me.”
I smirked, turning my head toward the window like I didn’t feel my thighs pressing together. “Better pick out a nice casket then.”
We both burst out laughing and by the time the laughter stopped, the car slowed. We were pulling up to a big beautiful home.
We rolled up slow, and my eyes got wide. The driveway alone looked like it cost more than everything in my neighborhood put together.
I sat up straight. “I know you’re not taking me to your damn house.”
Kendrix burst out laughing. “Nah, Pretty. Not yet.”
“Not yet?!” I whipped my head at him. “Nigga, what you mean not yet? You got a five-year plan already?”
He smirked, easing the car to a stop. “Relax. This ain’t mine. It’s my parents’ house.”
I blinked at him. Then blinked again like he’d lost his damn mind. “So you mean to tell me… we went from brunch, to blunt, to ‘surprise, meet my mama’ in less than four hours?”
He grinned softer that time. “She’s the most important woman in my life. And I just want her to meet someone who I feel could be just as important. And yeah… I figured that out in less than four hours.”
The way my stomach flipped, I had to laugh just to keep from showing it. “Boy, that phone sex really got you whipped.”
He grinned, licking his lips. “You’re not completely wrong.”
“Mmhm,” I said, rolling my eyes. “Well, don’t think Ima play along. If she ask, I’m telling her I just met your ass yesterday and I don’t even know you.”
“Say what you want, Pretty.”
“Don’t test me,” I warned. “I’ll call you the wrong name on purpose in front of your mama.”
“You crazy as hell.”
I smirked, but deep down, my chest was tight. Talking to niggas is easy. Playing in their pockets is like second nature. But families and meeting mamas was territory I didn’t touch. Ever.
Maybe he caught the hesitation in my face, because he leaned over, voice low and certain. “Get your ass out the car, Pretty. Come on.”
I blinked and he smirked. “Don’t worry. I’ll make sure she likes you.”
“And if she doesn't?”
He grinned. “Then she’s wrong. But that has never happened before.”
I sucked my teeth and grabbed my bag, mumbling under my breath, “This nigga got me out here breaking all my damn rules.”
The second my shoes hit the marble, I realized I had underestimated the hell out of Kendrix Givelle. I knew he had money. You could see it in the way he dressed. But that house was next-level. It was obvious that he was born into money. The kind of money that didn’t ask for a receipt and sure as hell didn’t check the price tag.
The foyer alone looked like the kind of shit you only see in movies. Ceiling so high and paintings on the wall that probably cost more than my entire house. My mind wanted to slide my pussy across his face right after he slid his card through every register at Saks, Neiman’s, and Chanel for me.
“Damn,” I whispered under my breath.
He smirked, holding the door for me like he ain’t just walked me into the Black Excellence version of Hogwarts.
We made it to the kitchen, and I saw a lady sitting at the table, posture straight, eyes sharp but warm. Next to her, a girl that looked about fifteen, but sitting there with an attitude like the world owed her something.
I blinked, biting back a laugh. I didn’t even know her, but the way she was rolling her eyes at the woman made me wanna slap her ass on the spot. Reminded me of my brother when he thought he was too grown for his own good.
I leaned closer to Kendrix and whispered, “You better tell me she’s not one of yours, because if she roll her eyes at me like that, we gone have our first family feud.”
He chuckled under his breath, shaking his head. “Chill, Pretty. That’s my niece.”
“Mhm.” I narrowed my eyes, crossing my arms. “Better tell lil’ mama I fight kids too.”
That earned me the deepest laugh out of him, one hand coming up to rub his beard as he tried to hide his grin.
“You wild,” he said.
“Wild enough to keep her in check,” I shot back, giving the girl one of them auntie stares that said don’t play with me today.
The girl blinked, sat up a little straighter, and turned her eyes back to the table.
Yeah. That’s what I thought.
The woman at the table hadn’t even turned around when we walked in. She was too busy fussing at the girl like she’d said the same thing three times already.
Kendrix leaned down, grinning, and kissed the girl on the cheek. “What you in here getting in trouble about now?”
She rolled her eyes so hard I thought they might get stuck. “You know Mama is extra.”
I almost laughed right there. Same tone Hux hit me with every damn time I told him about some dumbass shit he thought made sense.
The woman huffed, still not turning toward us. “She acts just like your brother. You can’t tell her nothing. I swear, I’m sick of it.”
Kendrix rubbed his niece’s shoulder. “Well… I want y’all to meet someone.”
That made the woman finally glance over her shoulder. “Who you got up in here, Kendrix?”
He started, “This is my niece and my sister-in-law—”
“Khloe,” I blurted out before he could even finish.
The woman’s eyes went wide.
I grinned, stepping forward. “I know not!”
Khloe’s chair flew back, and before I knew it we were wrapped up in each other’s arms.
“Girl!” she squealed, squeezing me tight. “I thought I’d never see your crazy ass again!”
Kendrix just stood there, brows raised, looking between us like he’d walked in on a plot twist he didn’t see coming.
“You two… know each other?” he asked.
Me and Khloe pulled back, grinning like fools.
“Know each other?” Khloe said, laughing. “Boy, please. We been knew each other. Crown and Covered, remember that, girl?”
I laughed. “Girl, yes! Senae used to hook us up every time.”
Khloe threw her head back. “Man, I need to take that drive again. No one has touched my hair like her since. I miss those Saturdays. Just sitting in there with the girls, sipping drinks and talking shit.”
I smirked. “Well, you know she remodeled the shop, right?”
Khloe’s eyes lit up. “For real?!”
“Yeah. They say it’s top tier. I heard you damn near gotta book a month out just to get a spot.”
Khloe fanned herself dramatically. “Oh, we gotta make a trip then.”
Kendrix stood there watching us like we were speaking a whole different language. His mouth curved into the faintest smile, like he was both amused and curious as hell.
I smirked, brushing my hair out my face. “Told you, I don’t need no introductions.”
Kendrix blinked, then looked at me, then back at Khloe, then back at me again.
“Oh… this just got interesting,” he said under his breath.
10
Kendrix
Man… I ain’t gon’ lie. I was shocked as hell watching them two damn near knock the kitchen table over hugging like long-lost sisters. Her knowing Khloe was a good thing. Real good. Khloe was solid. Always been a good girl, straight shooter, and could see right through people’s bullshit like she had X-ray vision. If she fucked with you, you was good people. If she didn’t… well, lets just say you didn’t last long.
The fact she lit up had me feeling like maybe I wasn’t crazy for thinking what I was thinking about that woman.
I leaned against the counter, watching them go on about some salon called Crown and Covered like they was back in high school. I ain’t even realize I was smiling till Khloe looked over at me and smirked like she knew something.
“Alright,” my niece piped up, grabbing her phone off the table. “Ima let the old folks do their thing. I’m going to the pool.”
I blinked, straightening up. “Old folks?”
She shrugged, unfazed, already halfway down the hall. “If you over twenty-five, you old. Sorry, Uncle Ken. Rules are rules.”
I shook my head, smirking. “Keep talking slick. Imma show you old when you need a new phone and your parents say no.”
“Whatever!” she yelled back.
I turned back to Khloe. “Where is mama at?”
She pointed down the hallway. “In the sunroom with her tea and her plants. You already know.”
I rubbed my hands together.
“Aight,” I said, clearing my throat. “Hate to break this up, but I wanna take her to go meet Ma. I’ll bring her back.”
“Go ahead. I got a call with a client anyway.” She turned to her. “And don’t play, girl. You got my new number now. Make sure you use it. You’re family now.”
Pretty snorted.. “Girl, please. I don’t even know this man.”
Khloe pointed a finger at her, grinning. “Mhm. That’s what you say.”
I shook my head, laughing, then reached out and took her hand. “C’mon, Pretty.”
We stepped into the sunroom, and my mama was sitting in her favorite chair, sun spilling through the glass walls like God ordered the lighting just for her. Pearls on her neck, hair wrapped, flawless. She had a book in one hand, a teacup in the other, and an expression that said I already know half the shit you gon’ say before you say it.
Her eyes cut to me first, then slid straight to Pretty. It was slow but calculated. Smile on her face, scalpel in her tone.
“Well, Kendrix,” she said, setting her cup down. “You finally decided to bring someone worth introducing. Didn’t think this day would come before I expired.”
Pretty blinked, then smirked, head tilted just enough. “Well damn. You sure know how to make a girl feel welcome.”
Ma’s lips twitched like she was trying not to laugh. “I’m just honest, sweetheart. Honesty keeps the world from wasting time.”
“Oh, don’t worry,” she said, easing into the chair across from her. “I don’t let anyone waste my time. And if they try, I charge them for it.”
Ma raised one perfect brow, clearly impressed but refusing to say it out loud.
“Well, at least you know your value,” she replied. “That’s… refreshing.”
They sat there looking at each other, energy bouncing like a tennis match I wasn’t about to referee. I leaned on the doorframe, watching, biting back a smile.
Finally, Ma folded her hands. “So. What’s your name, dear?”
Pretty glanced at me, her eyes aggravated when she caught my grin. I knew what I was doing. I didn’t even try to hide it. Hell, this was my slick way of getting what I wanted. She wasn’t about to play games with Ma.
She leaned back, smirk tugging at her lips, and said it. “Niveah. But everyone calls me Niv.”
My mama repeated it slowly, like she was tasting the sound. “Niveah. Beautiful name.”
I just smiled, sitting back like I’d won. Gotcha, Pretty Niv.
11
Niveah
Kendrix’s phone buzzed. He glanced down, sighed, and said, “Excuse me for a minute. Gotta take this call.” He kissed his mama on the cheek, then looked at me with that little grin like, You’ll be fine.
She set her tea down, folded her hands, and looked at me dead-on. “So. Niveah.” She said my name like she was testing it. “Tell me what you do.”
I leaned back, crossing my legs slow. “I communicate.”
Her brow arched. “Communicate?”
“Yes, ma’am,” I said, meeting her stare head-on. “Some people use their bodies. Some use their money. I use my mouth and my mind. Done right, it’ll get you everything you want… and then some.”
Her lips curved. Not quite a smile, but more like amusement. “You sound like trouble.”
“Only to people who try to waste my time.”
That made her laugh, a quick sharp one. “Good answer.” She leaned in slightly. “You’re a pretty girl. But pretty don’t last long if it’s all you bringing. So I’ll ask plain: what’s your endgame?”
I didn’t blink. “My family. My little brother. My baby sister. They’ve been my world since the day my mama stopped showing up for hers. I don’t need a man to save me. I save myself and them. But I’m not dumb enough to think I can’t build more if I got the right person by my side.”
For a second, she just looked at me. And in that pause, I swear I saw a sign of respect.
“You know,” she said softly, “most girls sit in that chair and tell me what they think I want to hear. You said what I needed to hear.”
I smirked. “I don’t lie. I may not tell the whole truth, but I never lie.”
That earned me a full smile. “Mhm. Sharp.”
I leaned in a little, matching her tone. “Sharp enough that your son better be ready.”
She laughed, shaking her head. “I like that.” She picked her cup back up and sipped. “Don’t break his heart, and don’t let him break yours.”
I smiled slow. “Don’t worry.”
“So you dance?” she asked.
I didn’t blink. “I do. Ballet was first. Pole came later. People assume that makes me less, but it’s the opposite. It made me more.”
“That’s bold.”
I tilted my head. “Only looks bold when you watching from the sidelines. When you living it, it’s survival.”
Her brows rose slightly. “Mhm. You talk like you know exactly who you are.”
“Because I do,” I shot back. “And I don’t need anyone’s permission to be her.”
“Careful, baby. Men like my son love a woman who knows herself. But they’ll test if you can keep knowing yourself once they’re in the picture.”
I smirked. “Then it’s his test to fail, not mine.”
She studied me for a long second, like she was peeling my skin back just to see what I was made of.
“You remind me of myself when I was your age. Full of fire. And let me tell you something, the moment I stopped pouring all of me into everyone else and started pouring into myself first?” She tapped the rim of her teacup for emphasis. “That’s when my marriage turned. That’s when my husband stopped running my world and started eating out of my hand.”
I raised a brow. “Sounds like power to me.”
“Damn right it is,” she said smoothly. “And don’t let anybody tell you different. But—” Her eyes sharpened like a knife. “I love my son. He’s a good man with a good heart. If you ever break that heart intentionally, I will come for you myself. And I don’t fight fair.”
Instead of flinching, I leaned forward, a slow grin pulling at my lips. “Good. Because I don’t fight fair, either. So I guess we’ll never have to find out what that means.”
She stared. Then… she laughed.
“Just promise me something, baby girl.”
I nodded once. “What’s that?”
“Don’t lose yourself. My son is strong and steady, yes. But men like him can be consuming. You forget to feed yourself, you’ll starve while feeding him. And then you’ll resent him for a hunger you created yourself.”
That one cut deeper than I wanted to admit. I swallowed, kept my eyes on hers, and said, “Don’t worry. I never forget to eat.”
“Good answer.”
The door clicked open behind me. Just as Kendrix stepped back into the sunroom, his mama leaned forward one last time.
“I like you. Not because you’re pretty. That’s stupid. I like you because you didn’t fold.”
She sipped her tea once again. “Now keep it that way. Because the minute you start shrinking to make a man comfortable, you’ll lose the very thing that made him want you.”
Then, with a sweet little smile for Kendrix as he sat back down, she added, “You picked a beautiful handful, son.”
I smirked, crossing my legs slowly. “Ain’t that the truth.”
We stepped out of the sunroom, and before I knew it, Kendrix had my hand in his, leading me down a stone path through the estate like we were in some damn movie. The grounds stretched forever.
“You really grew up like this?” I asked, giving him a side-eye. “This ain’t no regular house.”
He smirked, watching me more than the scenery. “Are you impressed?”
I shrugged, pretending not to be. “It’s cute.”
“Cute, huh?”
“Mhm.” I smirked. “But don’t think money makes you special. A lotta of niggas rich, but still lame though.”
He stopped, turned to face me, that grin dangerous as hell. “Good thing I’m not one of those niggas.”
I bit my lip, heat sliding up my neck, even though I tried to keep my face straight. The scent of chlorine hit me instantly. His niece was in the pool, floating around on a unicorn floatie, phone in one hand like she wasn’t worried about electrocution.
She spotted us and grinned. “Don’t let him bore you!”
I laughed, waving back. “Girl, he’s trying!”
Kendrix shot her a look. “Keep playing. You gone want something.”
