“No strings, ma,” he said, as he stared her in the eyes.

“No strings, Papi. Lo prometo,” she said, promising.

Ethic needed to fuck. He was a man who prided himself on discipline, but the burdens he had on him didn’t allow him to turn her down. He slid a finger down her slit and sucked in air, shocked at how ready she was. She was dripping; and although he was tempted, he wanted to make sure they understood one another. He brought his hand under her chin in a ‘U’, gripping her face with enough pressure to command her movements.

“Look at me,” he said. She lifted her eyes to meet his. “If you’re looking for love, I need to walk out right now. I don’t have a heart to give you. This is just sex.”

Dolce tried to kiss him and he pulled back. He didn’t kiss. Not her. Ethic had only put his lips on two women in his life. Not even Bella’s mom had felt his lips on her. Raven Atkins and Disaya Morgan were the ones he had tasted from head to toe. Dolce wouldn’t be the third. Kissing was intimate…personal. That wasn’t what this was about. He knew his stipulations were cold, but he was cold… he was frozen in a place where only hurt could exist. Hurt people, hurt people and he had warned Dolce of that. She was hardheaded. She wanted to accept what little he gave her... dick and fancy gifts with no emotions attached.