Force of Love (3 page)

“He has Monnique now. And have you seen her? Believe me, he isn’t thinking about hanging out with me.”

She laughed. “You have a point.”

“And after Cortland saw you, he had the same thought.”

“Okay.”

“So, let’s get dressed.” I looked down at her, admiring the sight of her gorgeous curves. “Actually, I think you’re already dressed.”

She raised an eyebrow. “Ryan?”

“Just wear a jacket over that.”

She smiled. “You want to do something nasty in the bathroom?”

I nodded. “Something really nasty.”

“You’re never satisfied.”

“Have you seen how gorgeous you are?”

“You’re so sweet to me.”

“Because you deserve it. You’re everything to me, baby. I mean every word I say.”

“
You’re so amazing.”

I shook my head. “I’m just a tattoo artist. I’m nothing special. You on the hand—”

“You are the sweetest, most amazing man I’ve ever met and I’m so happy that you’re in my life. I don’t ever want to lose you because you’re the love of my life, Ryan. You are my whole world.”

My eyes softened as I looked at her. “I don’t think I deserve those compliments, but I’ll take them anyway.”

She smiled. “Good.”

I slowly pulled out of her, and she moaned at the loss of me.

“Believe me, I would stay in there all day if I could.”

“And I would let you.” She rose from the couch then walked down the hallway. I pulled on my clothes then sat on the couch, turning on the television.
My phone rang and I saw that it was Sean. I felt my heart accelerate. When I answered it, it was Scarlet. I sighed in relief.

Janice came back into the living room and smiled at me while she listened. Scarlet bitched about the beginning of her weekend and how she and Sean couldn’t have sex. It was a little too much information, but I ignored it. When she told me about
Penelope, I felt bad for her. I hated knowing she was upset. I tried to stay calm about the situation because I knew it kept her grounded. When we hung up, I sighed in relief. I was glad that she called me even though I acted like I didn’t care. I was ingrained with the natural tendency to look after her and it was a hard habit to break. I’ve been looking after her since we were little. I couldn’t stop it.

“I think it’s cute,” Janice said as she sat in my lap.

I looked at her. “How pathetic I am?”

“I don’t think it’s pathetic at all. It’s one of the things I love about you. You took care of Scarlet, no questions asked, when she came here. She abandoned you for a year but you are so selfless that you didn’t care. You’re such a sweet man.”

I shrugged. “She’s the only family I have left.”

“I don’t think that’s why, Ryan. You love her because she’s your sister.” She kissed me on the forehead. “And I’m so lucky to have you.”

I patted her thigh. “Thank you, baby.”

“Of course. I’m glad you fell for me.”

“How could I not?” I eyed her peacoat, knowing what was underneath. “You’re so damn fine that I couldn’t resist you.”

“I think there’s more to me than that.”

I nodded. “A lot more, actually.”

“I know. Why else would you have fallen in love with me?”

I was quiet for a moment. “I don’t know. I just did. I knew it when I saw you.”

“Even though I was
anorexic?” she asked incredulously.

I laughed. “Yeah, I still thought you were really sexy—and special. I’ve never been nervous around a girl like that before.”

“I would hope not,” she teased.

I blushed in embarrassment.

“I’m glad you aren’t anymore.”

I rubbed my nose against her
s. “Definitely not.”

There was a knock on the door and I groaned. “Fucking Cortland.”

“You love him,” she said with a smile.

“You make us sound gay.”

“Well you do love him.”

“No. He’s just my friend. Guys don’t love each other.”

“I love my girlfriends.”

I smiled. “I like what I’m hearing.”

She rolled her eyes. “You know what I mean.”

Cortland opened the door and walked inside with Monnique behind him. “Since you two were obviously not going to open the door and continue to talk like we can’t hear you
…” He closed the door behind him then wrapped his arm around Monnique.

I stood up. “I just had to prove to my girlfr
iend that I didn’t have the hots for you.”

Cortland raised an eyebrow. “You don’t?”

The girls laughed.

“Don’t make me
punch you,” I threatened.

Cortland laughed. “N
ot the face or the nuts. Those are Monnique’s favorite spots.”

“Well, she’
s going to miss them dearly.”

Monnique stood in front of Cortland and wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him gently
while protecting him. Cortland immediately forgot about me and Janice. We stared at them and waited for them to finish.

I looked at Janice. “You wanna have sex again?”

Cortland broke their kiss and hugged her to his chest. “Sorry.”

She smiled. “I just had to say goodbye.’

I sighed. “Okay. You’re safe—for now.”

“Thank you,” she said. She came over and hugged Janice tightly. “Nice jacket.”

Janice blushed. “Thanks.”

Monnique turned to me and hugged me. I really liked Monnique. She was very beautiful, one of the most beautiful wome
n I’ve ever seen. She had dark skin and a wide smile. Her curves were prominent but she was very petite. She could probably do modeling if she pursued it. Her dark features contrasted against Cortland’s, but they fit well together. Even though Monnique was beautiful, I thought Janice was gorgeous in comparison. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, I guess. I would have slept with Monnique if I met in her a bar, but I never would have fallen in love with her. Cortland was head over heels for this girl. I understood why.

“Let’s go,” Cortland said as he grabbed Monnique’s hand, pulling her to his side.

“Yeah, I’m starving.” I put my arm around Janice and followed them out of the building. When we reached the car, I opened the door and helped Janice get in the backseat next to Monnique. Cortland did the same thing with his lady. When we drove down the street, the girls started talking about this sale at some department store. I didn’t care for shopping unless it was for slutty lingerie, but I knew Janice had plenty of that—thanks to me. I never missed a Victoria’s Secret catalog.

Cortland looked at me. “Have you talked to Scarlet?”

I nodded. “She’s not having a good time with Sean’s parents but she’ll get over it.”

“She can’t catch a break, can she?”

I laughed. “No, I guess not. But she loves Sean enough to put up with it.”

“They’ll come around.”

“I’m sure they will.” I liked having Cortland to take care of Scarlet in addition to myself and Sean. Three was always better than two. I never understood how they became so close after they slept together. I would assume that the opposite would happen—they would be lesser friends. I wanted to ask him about it but I wasn’t sure if Monnique knew about the incident. I suspected that she didn’t. Their affair was a big secret in our family.

“Wanna play ball tomorrow morning?” Cortland asked.

“We’ll see. How early?”

“In the morning.”

“I’ll let you know.”

Cortland pulled over to the curb and we climbed out of the car. I immediately grabbed Janice’s hand before we crossed the busy street. I knew I was overprotective of her like I was with Scarlet, but I couldn’t help it. When I saw Cortland hook his arm around Monnique’s waist, I knew he felt the same.

When we came inside the restaurant, we took our seat at the table. I sat beside Janice and faced Cortland. I glanced down to Janice’s thigh and thought about what was underneath the coat. I wanted to see her again. She looked so fine it was ridiculous.

Cortland placed his arm around Monnique and she smiled at him. “Maybe Sean’s parents know about the hotdog incident. Perhap
s that’s why they don’t like Scarlet.”

I laughed. “No, I don’t think that’s it. I think it’s because she isn’t Penelope.”

Cortland was quiet for a moment. “Nah. I think it’s because she eats shit off the ground. They are too classy for that.”

“Then Sean is in for a lifetime of embarrassment,” I said.

Cortland nodded tp Monnique. “I’m glad I don’t have to worry about that. She eats her food off of a plate like a normal person.”

Janice laughed. “You can’t bash Scarlet when she isn’t here. That isn’t fair.”

Cortland laughed. “I’ll say the same thing to her face.”

I looked at Janice. “You don’t eat anything off the ground—do you?”

She smiled at me. “And what if I do?”

“Uh,
please tell me you’re joking,” I said.

She shrugged. “Maybe.”

I stared her down.

Monnique looked at me. “How’s the shop?”

“It’s doing okay. It gets a little hectic now that business has picked up again.”

“Maybe you should hire help,
” Cortland said.

“Are you looking for a job?” I asked with smile.

Cortland shivered. “I couldn’t imagine what it would be like to work for you—disturbing.”

Janice squeezed my thigh. “Can I help?”

“No,” I said quickly.

“Why?” she asked. “I can just do the books for you a few days a week.”

I didn’t want Janice around that environment. I’ve been held at gun point, my store had been broken into twice, and shady people came in sometimes. I only let Scarlet help me because I was desperate and I kept her in the back, unseen. “No.”

She raised an eyebrow. “What if I did the books from home? I could
do it on my computer.”

I smiled. I’m glad she figured it out without me having to tell her. “We’ll look into it.”

“Good. I would like to contribute in some way.”

Monnique looked at her. “Don’t you work with Scarlet?”

She rolled her eyes. “Yes.”

Cortland laughed. “Scarlet must be an annoying boss.”

“No, not that,” Janice said quickly. “Ryan won’t let me pay for anything.”

Monnique rolled her eyes. “I know how that is.”

Janice looked at her. “It just makes no sense. I make just as much money as he does but he won’t let me pay for anything—not even groceries.”

“You are preaching to the choir,” Monnique said. “After I moved in with Cortland, I literally just put my check in the bank. It’s really annoying.”

I looked at Janice. “Let me explain this to you since you clearly don’t understand it.” I looked at Monnique. “You too. You are the women and we are the men. We provide for you, take care of you, and protect you. It’s really not that difficult to understand.”

Janice glared at me. “You sound
like a caveman.”

“I’ll show you what it
’s look to be with a caveman,” I threatened.

Cortland looked
at Monnique. “I asked you to move in with me because I want to love you and support you. I don’t mean to be offensive. It’s just how I am.”

“Then why can’t I pay for groceries or dinner?” she asked incredulously.

“I don’t want you to,” he answered. “I’m your man. I take care of you.”

Janice rolled her eyes. “This isn’t the fifties.” She looked at me. “Or the age of the dinosaurs.”

I looked at her. “I was paying the rent and the groceries anyway. Why should we start splitting that now? Just save your money.”

“For what, exactly?” she asked.

I shrugged. “You could always buy more lingerie.”

Janice rolled her eyes. “Men.”

“And you pay me in other ways.”

She looked at me. “And how’
s that?”

“You satisfy me,” I said with a smile.

“Well, that only takes up an hour of my day,” she said.

“Baby, just drop it. I’m not going to change my mind. You may as well get over it.”

Cortland looked at Monnique. “The same goes for you.”

“Fine,” Monnique said. “But I’m not buying any lingerie.”

“That’s fine,” Cortland said. “You look gorgeous in a garbage bag. You don’t need it.”

Her eyes softened when she looked at him.

I looked at everyone. “Good. I’m glad we got this settled.” I grabbed Janice’s face and kissed her. “I love you, baby.”

She was quiet for a moment. “I love you too.”

“That’s my girl.”

She smiled at me.

I looked at Monnique. “So, what’s Cortland’s nickname for you? He won’t tell me.”