“Not you too, Faheem! I have my reasons. But for now, let’s revel in the moment. I’m giving you the keys to the city, Faheem, my city.”

“We don’t have the keys yet. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.”

“Okay. Okay. I hear you. Anyways, I wanted to say that you’re pretty good with children.”

“I love kids,” Faheem said simply.

I had heard good things about him from Kevin, who practically worshipped him. Faheem had left the game to raise his only daughter. He’d recently lost his only son, so I’m sure Carlito made him think of his deceased child. Hell, he could help raise Carlito if he wanted to.

After Faheem left, I spent the night masturbating while fantasizing about us getting together. I loved his swag, and I imagined him taking control of me when we made love. However, he didn’t seem moved at all by my perfume, my sexy dress, or my flirting. I couldn’t get a read on him.

JAZ

I was so horny; I couldn’t keep still. I needed my man. A sex toy would not suffice. I called Faheem and it went straight to his voicemail. Where the hell was he?

I felt sorry for Angel and Tasha, who didn’t have their man at home. Kyra had Rick until recently, when he had to leave—probably for his other baby mama. But Faheem was right there in the next city, and I hadn’t seen him in eleven days, but who’s counting? I was going crazy!

He called, but he hadn’t come by the house. I sent him a text:

I need to see you ASAP. Don’t call because I won’t answer. I need to see you.

Two nights later, I was getting madder and madder. The kids were down for the night and I had just indulged myself with a bubble bath and I deep conditioned my hair. The house was quiet since it was almost one in the morning. I was lying across the pull-out sofa channel surfing. My phone beeped with a text.

I’m at the front door.

Yes! My threat worked. I jumped out of bed, fixed my hair, applied some lip gloss, sprayed the first perfume I saw and grabbed my robe. Quietly and quickly, I made my way to the front door and snatched it open.

“Baby!” I shrieked. “I miss—”

He covered my mouth with his mouth. “Shh,” he said. “You have a houseful of people and I can’t stay.”

That made each touch even more tantalizing. We shared one of the sweetest kisses we’d had in a long time.

“You smell good enough to eat. Your skin, it’s so soft and smooth.” Faheem started circling my nipple with his index finger. “I miss you.”

“Not more than I miss you.”

“You think so?”

“I know so.”