Jaheim
“So how you been?” Carisse asks as we sit down in Swiss Chalet to eat.
“Good.” I’ve ordered hella food; chicken, ribs, fries, and even donuts because I'm suddenly starving. There ain't no denying how much better I feel since seeing Harmony. She’s flipped my world upside down again, but in a good way this time.
“It didn't sound like it. You were miserable most of the times I called you.”
That was then. “Work was stressing me out. I told you, there was shit I had to deal with.”
“Yeah…” She starts dishing out some food for herself, and I’m relieved her attention is elsewhere.
I eat a couple ribs while I think about what Harmony’s doing. I've been feeling her since she left me, like I've put a tracker on her or something. I swear it feels like she’s inside me. Shit is fucked up.
I think it’s got something to do with me almost changing when I kissed her.
Damn, that kiss. I wanted to have her right there in that hall. I was trying to hold back, but when she started touching me... I couldn't help that shit. Everything about her felt so much more intense than the last time I was with her. The way she smelled, the way she looked at me; like seeing me somehow saved her. Shit, I can't wait to get back to her.
“So what you gonna do about school?”
Carisse gives me a quick look. “Try transfer. I have exams on Monday, though, so I dunno how that's gonna work out. I don't want Davonyé getting away with this shit...”
“I'll deal with Von.”
I remember what Harmony said to her, about her cousin being a virgin before him, and the more I think about it, the more I think Davonyé feels about her like I feel about Harmony. Especially because their breakup was so sudden. But still, even if that is the case, I still want words with him.
“How, though? None of us are even in that shithole anymore.”
I narrow my eyes at her. “I have my ways.”
I know she wants to say something else, but she don't.
I pull out my cell to unblock Harmony. Then I text her.
Me: I can't stop thinking about you even more now.
She comes online and starts typing.
Princess: Thanks for unblocking me.
Shit… She’s still pissed. I shake my head. I never should have done that.
Me: Never again.
I don’t see her typing this time, so I send a message with a question.
Me: Why does it feel like I could find you, no matter where you are?
Princess: That’s because you marked me. You released bane when you kissed me and deepened our connection. No matter how far apart we are now, we'll still be able to find our way back to each other.
I blink at my cell; how the fuck have I never known that?
Me: Is it permanent?
I hope it is.
Princess: No. It can be removed with more bane.
Me: Got it.
Shit… I don’t want it to come off. I need to try not to do that shit again.
Me: I’m glad I did it.
Princess: Me, too. Where are you now?
Me: Halfway there. Just stopped to eat. I'm actually hungry off my own accord. Must be the Harmony effect.
Princess: Same. I've eaten the most today than I have in weeks.
I don’t doubt it. When I think about how she looks…
Me: Good. Eat more.
She types for a while this time.
Princess: Don't think because you're my mate you can tell me what to do.
Why the fuck does that make me smile so much? I’ve Googled mates before, but now I know I’m definitely a werewolf, my feelings for her make all kinds of sense.
Me: So is that what we are?
Princess: Yes.
She’s not the obedient type, that I know, and maybe I won’t be able to completely dominate her, but it’ll definitely be fun trying to tame her.
Me: Well, I'm sure I can persuade you to do as your told.
Princess: We'll see.
This woman always says the right shit. Getting to know her is gonna be fun.
Me: We will. Heading back to the car now. I'll let you know when I'm on my way.
Princess: Alright.
***
I arrange a private jet through Encore to take me back to Montréal once we’re back on the road. I use them a lot because I have property all over Canada, the United States, and the Bahamas that I visit. King Properties always has at least fifty high-end properties in its portfolio at any given time, and I have an office in Ontario that manages them.
When I was forced to give up football, I had no choice but to find something else to get into. I had capital from my trust fund and my parents’ life insurance, and property was a safe career path, so that’s how it began. I run most things from a distance; my assistants that manage the day to day and the face to face work, but occasionally they send me a property that I want a better look at, so I visit those potential purchases myself and that's when I travel.
But I also travel for Hush. Those events are held all over the world. At first, I was just a member, but by chance I met the owner, and a few years later she wanted to retire and offered me first refusal. I was deep in the Dom life then, not because I really wanted that life initially, but because it was a way for me to practice safe sex.
That’s why it didn’t bother me when Carisse said Harmony fucked around. When I first met her, I could tell she was clean, and when she refused to let me hit it without a rubber, I knew she was safe with it. Hell, I ain’t a hypocrite; I’ve been with hundreds of women over the years.
But the thought of her messing around while I was feeling so possessive over her had me fucked up. Now I know she ain’t, I feel hella relieved. I just have to be careful, cuz as much as I need to bury myself inside her properly, I need to be sure she can take it first.
Plus, I’m into some unmentionable shit, so I’m hoping she’s up for some different kinda shit when it comes to her pleasure.
***
Evette’s home and still in her nurse’s uniform when we get back to Ontario. She helps to bring Carisse’s bags in from the cars and then makes us all a coffee.
She hands me a mug. “Thank you so much, Jaheim. Work wouldn't let me take any more time off.”
I sit down at the table with my drink, feeling thankful I can drink this shit hot. “It’s cool.”
She hugs Carisse and they gush over one another, so I pull out my cell to message Harmony.
Me: Just dropping Carr. Should get back to Montréal around midnight.
She doesn’t come online this time, so I slip my cell back into my pocket.
“Are you staying for dinner?” Evette asks.
I finish the rest of my coffee. “No, I need to get going.”
“What about tomorrow?”
I get up to load my mug into the dishwasher. “I can't. I've missed work today so I need tomorrow to catch up.”
“Oh, well, that's a shame. Maybe one evening in the week? I'll make your favourite?”
I give her a quick kiss on the cheek. “I'll check my schedule and let you know when I have time.” I hug Carr and then make a quick escape.
I hear Carr telling lies to Evette about Harmony when I get into my car. I’ve caught her a few times over the years doing that shit, but this time it pisses me off because of who she’s talking about. Evette has ruined her, but that’s not my problem anymore, because Carisse is back home, so Evette can deal with her now.
Or not.
I make the thirty-minute drive to my place to pack. I haven’t thought about how long I’m gonna stay in Montréal for, but luckily, I can work from anywhere, and if I need more clothes, I’ll just buy them. I grab both my MacBooks and the three files off my desk I need to look through, then make my way back down to the car.
I drive to the airport lost to my thoughts. I dunno how this shit is gonna go; I need to find out what Harmony is so I know what I can and can’t do to her. Control is what I've lived by for the last eight years, but Princess disarms all my years of success with that. I’m praying she’s like me so I’ll finally have free reign, but if she’s not, I just hope the feelings I have to wanna protect her will save me.
And her.
Jesus, the things I wanna do to her, though…
Harmony finally replies as I board the plane.
Princess: Sorry, I was sleeping.
Me: Good. Now eat. I’m about to take-off.
Princess: I’m eating now. I’ll pick you up from the airport. What time are you landing?
Me: 12:20
Princess: Alright. I’ll be there. Safe flight, not that you need it.
That makes me smile. I’ve never joked about what I was before…
Me: It’s appreciated just the same. See you soon.
Princess: Can’t wait.
Me: Me either.
I'm gonna get answers. Answers I've been searching eight long years for.
I dunno if I'm more anxious or excited.