Part 6 (1/2)

Baseem emerged from the bathroom drying his hands and smiling at the condition he had just put her in. ”You good?” he asked, s.n.a.t.c.hing her panties from the desk and sticking them in his back pocket.

”I can't believe you did that,” She looked at him shaking her head.

”That was your fault. Don't talk s.h.i.+t and I won't have to test that s.h.i.+t,” he leaned in and kissed her cheek.

”They are waiting for you, Miss. Bivings,” Megan's voice boomed.

”They waiting on you,” Baseem teased.

Simone grabbed her files a she tried to gather her thoughts. When she opened the door, there stood her boss and several clients with black suits and very serious faces.

”Are you ready, Miss. Bivings? We're waiting for you,” Mr. Connors asked.

”Yes, sorry for the delay,” she answered, feeling frazzled as she tugged at her skirt.

Baseem walked out of her office and looked each man over. Stevens' eyes almost busted out of his head when he saw him emerge from behind her.

”Mr. Baseem,” Mr. Connors stuttered a little shocked at his presence.

”Good afternoon. I hope you are taking good care of my money.”

”Yes, sir...we are on top of it all.”

”Good. Have my accounts transferred to Miss. Bivings. I feel safer with her handling me,” he looked over at Simone's blus.h.i.+ng face.

”Right away, Mr. Baseem. Steven, have all the accounts transferred to Miss. Bivings and give her a full report after our meeting,” he looked at Steven with a stern eye.

”Thank you, Miss. Bivings. I'll call you later for an update,” Baseem said as he began to move pa.s.s the men. ”Y'all enjoy the rest of the day,” he looked in Steven's face and smiled at his surprise.

”You do the same, sir,” Mr. Connors replied and all the men turned to watch Baseem walk away.

Steven's eyes lowered into a small slit as he looked down at the red lace panties tucked partially in Baseem's back pocket. Simone caught what everyone else was looking at, and her pretty brown face turned beet read.

”Are we ready, gentleman?” she tried to compose herself, and then walked off toward the conference room.

”I guess you better, 'step your game up' as they say on the streets,” Mr. Connors joked.

Steven could feel his blood boil as the money he was making off of his golden goose slipped through his hands and fell in between Simone's legs.

Chapter 10.

Thank you so much...

”I am so happy you're here,” Goldie said as she closed the door behind Baseem.

”I had to come, you sound like you were about to jump from the ledge,” he said moving smooth down the hallway.

”This d.a.m.n Ikea furniture is for the birds. I done read the instructions forward and backwards.”

”I got you ma,” Baseem said, placing his tools on the floor and pulling his s.h.i.+rt off. Then he removed his watch and pinky ring. He stood in his t-s.h.i.+rt, staring at Goldie and waiting for her to lead the way.

Goldie's eyes moved all over the muscles in his chest and arms. She shook her head then turned toward the bedroom.

Baseem grabbed his black tool bag and followed her down the hall. He came up behind her and eyed the dimples in her lower back that peeked out slightly from the top of her stretch pants. Goldie stood looking at all the different pieces that needed to be a.s.sembled and just slowly shook her head.

”Where you put the instructions?”

”They are over there on the window seal,” Goldie pointed to the big bay window to the left.

Baseem moved past Goldie, grabbed the instructions then went to work.

”Let me get the baby bathed and settled and I will come back and help you,” she said as she exited the room.

”Nah, I'm good. You can hook a brother up with something to eat though,” he rubbed his stomach and smiled.

”Oh, I got your back. You just saved my life,” Goldie walked off to get the baby straight and then hit the kitchen.

Baseem listened to Pandora on his phone and bopped his head as he put each piece together perfectly. His stomach began to growl as his nostrils were filled with the aroma of steak, onions and biscuits. He could barely concentrate; he stacked each piece and when the last one was in place, he stood back and filled his chest with pride.

Goldie walked in the room all cheese with her hands folded on her chest.

”I told you I had yo back; you owe me one,” he looked up and smiled.

”Wow. This is so nice. Thank you, Bas,” Goldie spoke in a high-pitched tone and threw her arms around his neck.

Baseem caressed her back, inhaling her fragrance.

Goldie closed her eyes and enjoyed the touch of a man. Momentarily, she felt a surge of guilt and pulled back; fidgeting with the sides of her s.h.i.+rt. ”You ready to eat?” she asked, looking around the room at the way the dark blue and red bunk bed set with the slide was positioned in the room.

”Let me wash my hands. I'll meet you in the dining room,” he slid past her, heading to the bathroom.

”Okay,” Goldie walked swooped up the trash then headed to the kitchen to prepare their plates. She placed the juicy meat over the white rice with gravy and put the cauliflower and cheese on the side. Last to hit the plate was b.u.t.tery corn on the cob with Obay seasoning. She topped it off with homemade mash potatoes with ranch dressing and mushroom and onion gravy.

Baseem walked over to the table and his mouth watered as each scent eased into his nostrils. Taking a seat, he rubbed his hands together with antic.i.p.ation.

Goldie put his food on the plate and sat it down in front of him.

Baseem filled his lungs with hot-flavored steam. ”d.a.m.n, ma...you ain't playin'. These homemade biscuits? Let me find out,” he picked up his folk and dug in.

”Uh, yes. I'm a real woman. I'm not your Kentucky Fried Chicken eating b.i.t.c.hes you mess with from the club,” Goldie shook her head as she poured them a gla.s.s of wine and took a seat.

”I hear you, ma,” he chuckled then continued to fill his mouth with the tender meat and potatoes and gravy.

Goldie and Baseem sat and talked awhile about some of the events they had gone through in the past year. Some were joyful and some were painful; but they both had to be thankful for making it through.