𝗞𝗗
Dreamville Track was the newest racing location for our private Friday Night Lights events. Usually, we use the roads of Frog Hollow, but it was becoming a pattern. Something I wasn't a fan of.
So, after some mild construction during the past few weeks — the official change was completed. It was better this way because now I could truly monetize off of the event. And it doesn't have to be as private.
Penelope stepped onto the track with me. Her eyes roaming the new space.
"So this is what you've been working on these last two weeks, huh?"
"A lil' bit." I replied, shrugging. Between the new drag strip plus the shop — I had my plate full. Kai had sent me ideas for the upcoming quarter dates, but nothing was final. Which meant we had meetings lined up for the next quarter plus second interviews for the shop's new talent.
Thankfully, this was out of the way now.
"You okay?" Came from Penny as she inched closer. Her tender touch drew me out of my thoughts.
She was beautiful right now. Dressed in a long sleeve Supreme shirt. It was stripped with teal and white paired with a pair of khaki cargo pants. Her tan platform All-Stars tied the fit together. Watching her move around the walk-in closet this morning, made me smile. It was second nature with her to hand-picked items.
Barbie.
Close enough, I pulled Penelope closer by her belt loops. Silently, asking for a kiss. One that she gave to me without any hesitation.
Was I okay? Yeah, but there was a nervous sentiment sprawling through me. Only yesterday I had an epiphany. An ultimatum for us. However, I had to play my cards right and the track seemed like the best way to do so. Recently, the custom design had been completed on the thirteen hundred feet strip and I wanted her to see it. Plus? It would give a purpose for my surprise.
I had even gone to the lengths of involving my momma.
"Should I take that as a yes?" She mumbled once I finally pulled away.
Penny rubbed over my clothed chest. While the teal of her shirt complimented her skin so well — I was dressed in my usual all-black. This time with a True Religion hoodie, my signature cargo pants, and a pair of 990 New Balance sneakers.
"Yeah," Smirking, I nodded to her. "You wanna go round the track with me?" I asked then and she quickly pulled away with a head shake.
"No."
"Why not? I'm leaving the Tahoe here for a while to take the BMW back to the penthouse. So, you gon' ride in it anyways."
Penelope seemed to consider the thought before looking down the dragstrip. A few emotions crossed her face, but ultimately she shrugged and instantly I felt relief.
One step closer.
"How fast are you gon' be driving, Ka'Dafii?"
"Damn, what happened to Zay?" I asked playfully, mimicking her tone when I said her real name. Penny tilted her head, giving me one of those looks. "Alright...ion know," Which was the truth because I didn't. Even if the smile on my face seemed to contradict my words. "The car can go from zero to sixty in less than four seconds, mama. But I ain't gon' do nun' crazy."
"This is why you should never meet a man while he's racing," Laughing at her words, I watched as Penelope gave in. "Okay...fine." And with that, she allowed me to place my hand on her lower back. Steering us in the direction of the car of choice.
Since purchasing both the BMW M4 Competition and the 1970 Plymouth Roadrunner, I had completed my inspections. From the motor, the front end, tires, exhaust, and more — everything was checked off.
Instead, this was leading up to the surprise. With the help of my mama and Kai, I had everything I need.
And as we stepped closer, I pulled the key fob from the front pocket of my black cargo pants. Feeling as Penelope melted into my touch once my hands drifted just a little bit lower.
The passenger door with my assistance. That's when I heard the sound of pleasure come from her. A gasp left her lips before Penny covered her mouth. Her eyes moved across the seat before turning to find mine.
"Ka'Dafii...thank...is this for me?" She blinked a few times before turning back to the interior of the car. Surprised by the motion. Unfamiliar with the actions — she was taken aback.
I nodded simply and not a second later she was throwing her arms around my neck. Her soft lips covered my face in kisses.
Placed in the passenger seat was a three feet plush teddy bear that was holding a bouquet of a hundred roses. The arrangement is made up of Bridal Akito, Red, and Pink Love roses. While those two items weren't the main attraction of the gifts.
A light pink envelope with a matching velvet jewelry box tucked underneath the bear.
The last-minute call to JJ's Flower Shop was all a part of divine timing, seriously. The only thing that took the longest was the favor from Mr. Malone at DaVinci Fine Jewelry. Years ago, he was the only jeweler in the city that made my pieces and gathered the best Rolex and Audemars Piguet watches for me. Now he had the honor of gathering me the 14K White Gold tennis necklace with a seven-carat weight.
"Who else imma give this to, mama?" I whispered, my hands traveling the frame of her body against mine. Penelope tightens her arms around my neck before I felt her lips back on my neck. Kissing and sucking, and I tried my hardest to suppress the deep groaning of pleasure. The butterfly kisses were making me weak in the knees...almost.
"You didn't have to do this...thank you so much, baby."
Shaking my head, I backed away before she could either finish her question or made me hard in the middle of this race track.
"I wanted to, mama. Here." Sidestepping, I picked up the flowers, hanging them over. Immediately Penny sniffed the collection. That smile brightened on her face. Next was the teddy, note, and jewelry box. That smile came with a very low 'no' as she stepped back an inch or so.
"Uh uh, Ka'Dafii. I can't accept that." Those words made me side-eye her.
"You don't even know what it is. Plus you ain't got no choice, baby,"
With the teddy bear on her hip, she held the long-stemmed roses by their ends while looking at the remaining items in my hand. "Which one do you want first?"
Penelope looked up at me. Holding my attention as her beauty drew me in deeper. And I knew then if I wasn't in love, it was pretty damn close. Nothing felt wrong right now. The only thing that felt incomplete was not doing this. To give up and let another man have this chance — I'll be a fool.
Time no longer matter, there was no stopwatch for us. Even in the end, we'll have to figure this out.
Shifting the flowers around, her perfectly manicured blue nails went to the small envelope. And within seconds she was holding the handwritten note. I had opted out of the genetically typed message. This felt more personal.
"Have dinner with me as my girlfriend," Penny read.
Okay? It wasn't a question, more like a demand. But, hey? She had the choice of turning me down.
Penelope smirked, slipping the card back inside. Then her hand was in my beard, tugging my face to hers. Her lips were on mine before she licked my bottom one. A soft moan came from both of us as my hands gripped her ass through the cargo bottoms. She silently requested to slip her tongue into the kiss and I gladly granted her access. Sucking on it the second she put it in my mouth.
"You're such a nasty gentleman. Of course. I could never say no to you, Zay."
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𝗣𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗵
Never have I ever, had anything like him. KD brought out emotions that were always there. But I ran from them at first. After nights in his bed, where he never pushed up on me. Never forced anything, but only held me. It was undeniable that I had the chance to love him. If I wanted to.
But I had plans. Dreams and aspirations and love didn't fit.
At all.
At first.
Now, I can't see myself ever making plans without loving him. He's a true gentleman and while I'm waiting for him to break character — he only seems to get better. Or improve. He's sweeter, kinder, more gentle, and patient.
So, tonight I told him to save his money for dinner. From the tennis necklace around my neck, he had spent enough. Clearly. The long-stemmed roses weren't cheap m and as we walked into my townhouse, I remembered the perfect vase in my dining room. Without a second thought, I replaced the white Pampas Grass flowers with the hundred rose bouquet. While my teddy occupied the bench in my closet.
Now, I was currently with Khadi and Jessy, the three of us walking through the Publix Supermarket at Atlantic Station. The objective was to gather the ingredients for a surf and turf dinner for two.
"We gon' need bout four pounds of shrimp and get five lobster tails, 'cause I want some leftovers." My eyes widened at the sounds of Khadi's words. She was speaking to both me and Jessy, but her attention was on the seafood bank of the grocery store.
"Yeah, 'cause I want mine grilled and fried, friend."
"Um...I'm sorry, but I wasn't cooking for y'all too. We actually going to his place for dinner." Their heads snapped in my direction before Jes pouted.
"What?!"
"You never cook for us anymore. Damn. Make me mad I even hooked you two hoes up," Unfortunately, I found her words hilarious. Covering my mouth to muffle the laughter, but there wasn't much use. "Trifling asses."
"Jess, I'm sorry. But I wanna spend time with him alone."
"Y'all always spending time alone." They said in unison and I quickly let the conversation go as we were faced with the department associate.
Quickly, I placed an order for four lobster tails and a pound of fresh shrimp. The rep looked over at my best friends, but being so wrapped up in their feelings — neither of them could come to terms with an answer. I'm sure they'll pick something up later.
It didn't take much longer after that for both of my orders to be weighed and packaged. Allowing us to make our way over to the produce. That's when Kay started with me again.
"I just think it's funny how," She began, making me laugh aloud once again. "Nah, I'm serious. I just think it's funny how you ditch ya' girls for some dick nowadays."
"Says who?! I know those words not coming from you, Miss. Thang." I was applauded by the accusation she was speaking on.
"Yeah, cause friend, you ditch us all the time for a piece of dick." Jessy seconded.
"Okay, that's different...you're the mother of the group. Food, housing, and bonding. We need you, Penelope."
Rolling my eyes, I grabbed a few of the produce bags so I could check off my list of necessities. "Both of you have keys to my house, so for the nights I'm staying over at his place...y'all have somewhere to go and relax."
"Yeah...but it's not the same without you." Jessy confessed.
And randomly. Without warning, while I was picking up my fresh garlic and rosemary, Khadi said the unthinkable.
"You'll make a good mom." Both Jessy and I turned our heads in her direction. My eyes blinked slowly once I registered what she said.
It didn't make it any better that I had recently scheduled an appointment with my OBGYN regarding a contraceptive. Dr. Tracy Turner had given me a few options. Including the birth control patch, pill options including Levonorgestrel, the Depo shot, and even an IUD. Nothing was finalized as of now and I was currently passing by on a wing and a prayer. Since my test had come back negative so far.
However, the issue was timing. So for her to say those words, scared me briefly, but I quickly regained my composure. Tying a knot in the bag as they both awaited a response from me.
"So will you. All of us are equipped to be amazing mothers."
"But we're talking about you right now," Kay said and that's when Jessy seemed to switch sides of me. Nodding her head with a proud smile. "I can't wait to see you with kids. For real."
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𝗞𝗗
How this conversation began was a blur. Between the weed smoke and the drinks in front of us, it was no surprise that we drifted from one topic to another. It was easy and that's what makes me the most comfortable with Penelope.
"Having CDLs at only 19 seems so wild to me. So, now you're just...retired? Gosh. That makes me feel like I'm not doing enough with my 23 years versus yours." I could hear the joke in Penelope's words, but the last thing I needed was for her to feel the need to compare our lifestyles.
I was my own man at only twenty-three years old and had to figure out life. My mother wasn't the clutch that many mothers could be for their children. And Sebastian wasn't trying to interfere if I wasn't going by his rule book.
"Don't compare me and you, mama," Penny shrugged, taking a sip of the homemade house margarita she whipped up for us. They were the best of the best and that was a lot coming from me. Margaritas weren't even my thing, but here I was.
"At 23, the shit you've accomplished — I would've never thought I could do. So, don't stress shit. You really killing it out here, mama."
"Imma give you some coochie later on, baby. You ain't gotta butter me up." Licking my bottom lip, I tried my hardest to suppress the laugh at her words. But there was no use. That was definitely the Patròn talking.
I don't know why, but I had this urge to share valuable information. Allow her into my world for a second as I watched for her reaction.
"Driving trucks was my coverup for about four or five years. Then I felt like I had to back away from what I was really doing to make money and that's how the shop became a main priority and driving trucks was a like small hustle for moving shit back and forth."
"A coverup...for what? I mean, what were you doing?"
"Counterfeit currency."
"You know how to make fake money?!" The whispered, hissed question made me laugh again. We were alone at my penthouse, sitting hip to hip at the counter. There was no need for her to whisper.
"No."
"Are you lying to me, Ka'Dafii?" Fuck.
"Okay...yeah, but I made an oath to myself that I was out. I barely made it out free and after a few years of cleaning up, I feel like I got the target off my back." I told her truthfully.
Penny took another sip before tapping her nails against the glass. That bottom lip went between her teeth and I shifted in my seat. I don't know why, but that look on her face had me wanting to cut the conversation short.
"I wasn't expecting that...ion know what I was expecting. I should've figured something of the sort with the materialistic things you owe."
"Okay, I was trying not to be nosy...but now I gotta ask. The McLaren, the old school, the drug dealer Tahoe, and now I'm standing inside a downtown penthouse at NinetyNine...what you do for a living outside of that tattoo shop?"
I remember the first moment we shared here. Her question is legit for a woman that was being invited into a stranger's home. But now? It was about more than just a nightcap.
"I wasn't a fan of the attention it came with. For a long time, it wasn't so positive. Especially with Sebastian's family. That's why I give you credit for the positive press. But as for the extra shit that came with it? Hell yeah. The cars, the house. Hell, even the shop was paid for off them years of hustling."
"Do you like the attention you've gotten with the article?"
Um...
"It's cool," I told her. Penelope rolled her eyes before tilting her head. The signature expression made me chuckle. "It's not too much. I can handle it. Long as you're happy, I'll be straight."
"You need to be happy too, KD."
"I am, mama. The happiest I've been in my life, I promise you."
She pushed herself away from her own seat then. The short nightie stopped at the top of her thighs. Naturally, I moved to give her access. Allowing her to take her newest seat on my lap as her arms went around my neck. The lace gown slid up her hips more, giving free access while she made herself comfortable.
"Me too."
Then she kissed me.