Page 60 of Brown Sugar
“That’s easy to say… until you listen to these voice messages from Tommy.”
“Say the word and I’ll break his jaw. No more voice messages… or talking at all.”
Tyson’s kidding.
But also, he’s not.
I aim a small smile up at him from over my shoulder, appreciating the dark humor at a time like this. I’ve long stopped thinking of Tommy and the label as supportive entities in my corner. That couldn’t be further from the truth.
They’re out to destroy me as a human being. They won’t be happy ’til I’m completely under their control. Some robot with no agency.
“Take my mind off it,” I whisper, closing my eyes. “Please… just… let’s talk about anything other than that.”
“Easy, princess. You owe me a movie marathon. My picks this time.”
I laugh at that suggestion alone. “You haven’t forgotten, have you?”
“How could I? You made me sit throughHow to Put a Guy to Sleep in 10 Minutes. Except I had to stay awake.”
“That’s not the name of the movie and you know it! And you enjoyed it more than you’re letting on!”
He scoffs, folding thick arms across his chest in denial.
“You did! You think I didn’t notice your attention glued to the screen? Or how about when we watchedThink Like A Man? Face it, Goliath, youlovechick flicks!”
I’m ripped off my feet as he scoops me up like I weigh nothing. To a man as large and burly as Tyson, I basically do. Nicknamed Bison for a reason, he demonstrates his strength as he lifts me up in his arms, and I scream in laughter.
The way he carries me across the ground floor of his home and then flings me to the sofa is an immediate turn on. I land on the cushions with barely enough time to take a breath before he’s climbing over me and pressing his lips to mine.
His kiss is warm and eager, making my insides flutter in the most pleasant way.
I rake fingers across his coarse beard and let our kisses speak for us.
It’s how we express ourselves, confirming the bond we’ve found in each other.
Tyson’s hands explore, sliding under the hem of the t-shirt I’m wearing and skimming my bare skin. I shudder into him as we switch up the angle of our kiss and make a game of our tongues teasing each other.
His breathing becomes a ragged sound that makes my pussy wet. It’s the sound of a man as large and muscular as he is gradually losing control.
All from my kisses. From the feel of my bare skin.
…untilhe accidentally grips the bruise I have on my left knee and I wince at the aching pain.
He pulls away at once, his gaze falling to the injury area. His jaw pulls tight, as if it’s a challenge holding in the sudden spike of anger.
“It’s alright,” I murmur, reaching for him again. “I forgot I’m a little banged up from the crash. Kiss me.”
“Princess, it’s not alright. Nothing about the situation is alright,” he says tensely. “First chance I get, I’m going to make heads roll. But I said I’d take your mind off what’s going on, and I’m going to do that.”
He makes good on my request for a kiss and leans forward to press his lips to my brow.
“Movie time.”
I’m left on the sofa as Tyson gets us situated—he dims the lights, commands his smart blinds to close, and turns on the TV to bring up a streaming app. Just when I think he’s about to park beside me on the sofa, he disappears from the room. He returns clutching items that feel like the best kind of gift after the past few days I’ve had.
I smile as he lays the cozy throw blanket over my lap and then sets down an armful of snacks he’s gathered from the pantry.
“Wow, I can’t remember the last time I had potato chips.”