Chapter Six - Back With the Crew.

Janelle

“Thank yourself for coming to the mat for this session of yoga, and open your eyes. Namaste.”

“Namaste,” I repeated, slowly opening my eyes. As soon as I was able to find my focus, I was shocked to realize that instead of looking out at my backyard, I was staring right into Luke’s face.

“Shit!” I jumped, immediately losing every bit of relaxation I’d just gained from my quick yoga session.

“What’s good, Nell? Not happy to see me?”

“I wasn’t expecting you to creep up here and stare at me while I was doing yoga,” I replied, rolling my eyes.

Even though I was doing my thing, throwing on the attitude Luke knew I was good for, I would be lying if I said I wasn’t the happiest woman alive now that my man was home. Now that my career was stable, and I’d reached my ultimate dream while Luke ran his many businesses, it was his time to nail down his dream of expanding Black Bag Mafia into the force he’d always imagined while I held things down at home. It meant that he traveled a lot, but even with him gone so often, I never had a lonely night. I enjoyed the time alone doing the things I loved. Plus, the sex was so much more passionate after he had been gone a few nights. But…we’ll get into that later.

Things were really going well for us. We finally found our rhythm. We knew how to live a life together and fulfill each other’s needs without forsaking our own. Neither one of us had thought we were marriage material, but we’d mastered the dance, and life was good.

Except right now, I thought, looking at Luke’s smug face.

Today had already been a stressful day as I planned for my retreat. I meditated and did yoga to calm myself down, but somehow, I still was on edge.

Standing up, I walked over to grab the remote to turn off the video I’d been following along with before turning back to Luke.

“Nobody ever told you it’s not nice to sneak up on people?” I asked, walking to our bathroom.

He was right behind me on my heels.

“Sneak? What the hell I’mma sneak for when I live here? I walked my ass right up in here like I owned the place and—”

“And decided to play Peeking Tom on me?” I smirked at him as I started the shower.

“Peeking Tom?” He frowned up his face.

“Hell, nah. The only one ‘round here peeking is Joshua’s ass. I was watching like a motherfucka. With both eyes wide.”

He demonstrated while lifting his brows up to his forehead.

“Joshua?” I asked, focusing on him.

“What do you mean?”

“What you think I mean, Nell? I caught his young ass watching you again while you did yoga in the li'l ass clothes you be wearing.”

“Oh my God!” I shrieked, placing my hand on my chest to greet at my invisible pearls.

“Are you kidding?” I asked before taking off towards the window to look outside.

“The hell you looking out there for, Nell?” Luke asked, dancing up behind me.

“He ain’t out there. He got his peep show while he was fake cutting the hedges.”

“Fake cutting?” I asked, squinting my eyes at Luke.

“What do you mean? He told me this entire story about his dream of lawn service and gardening...how it lit up his life and gave him purpose—”

“Sure as hell did,” Luke replied, laughing.

“And his purpose was staring at yo’ fat ass. Hell, I can’t blame him.”

And just that quickly, his eyes were back on me with that familiar mischievous sparkle I knew all too well. I sucked in a breath, stalling in place as I watched him look me up and down while licking his lips as if I was a whole damn meal. And, for me, that was an instant turn-on. It set off a flame of passion in the pit of my stomach and an entire waterfall inside my panties.

Slowly walking over to me, Luke stared me straight in the eyes. The intensity in his gaze made it clear that he was on a mission. Bending down, he cupped my ass and pulled me close while going in for a kiss.

“Mmm hmm,” I moaned as Luke sucked on my bottom lip.

He squeezed and kneaded my ass cheeks before gently biting down on my bottom lip. It was just the right amount of roughness to add to the passion. A sweet balance of two things I needed. It didn’t take long for Luke to help me out of my clothes, and in only a few motions, we were both naked. It never ceased to surprise me how quickly men were able to get out of their clothes once sex was on the table.

“Damn, you smell good as hell.” He inhaled a deep breath while nestling his nose into the crook of my neck. “What you got on? That shit turns me on.”

It was a good thing that he wasn’t expecting me to answer because the truth was, I wasn’t wearing a thing. I had just ended a workout, so wasn’t much left to smell other than musk. It was a whole different level of love to hear your husband say that he got turned on from the smell of your sweat.

He pulled his head up, bringing his face a breath from mine. The hunger in his eyes was so clear and evident.

“What do you want from me?” I asked him. I could feel the bulge of his dick pressing against me. There was a deep ache between my thighs in a place that only he could reach.

“I want everything you’re willing to give,” Luke spoke while staring me right in the eyes. “And then, I promise to give you all of me.”

His voice was so thick, his need so clear and evident.

Before I could do anything, he reached down and began rolling my nipple between his fingers. I moaned, and the light in his eyes clearly showed his enjoyment. For someone who was so selfish in his younger days, it came as a complete surprise to find out that when it came to making love, Luke was a giver.

Dropping down to his knees, he brought himself face-to-pussy.

“Can I taste you?” he asked. His brows were in a slight frown as he watched himself push one finger into me, stroking gently.

My jaw fell, allowing my lips to part. I instantly lost my voice, so the only thing I could do was nod my head.

Luke gripped my ass in his palms and then dove in. He dipped his head between my thighs and ran his tongue through my slit, giving me the most sensuous massage. I exploded with pleasure, pushing my hips forward to give him easier access. He sucked me hard, then gently, oscillating between the two extremes, pushing, and pulling me towards a climax. My legs began to quiver, and I allowed my head to fall back. It was like he controlled my entire body with the power of his tongue.

“I love this.”

Luke whispered his words in between licks and sucks, making my clit throb and pop. He was driving me fuckin’ insane.

“I can’t take it anymore.” I let out a breathy moan.

Pulling his head back, He stared up at me with a smug look on his face.

“I know what that means,” he said, rising to his feet. “You want this dick.”

He gripped his manhood, biting down on his bottom lip.

I smiled at his cockiness. Some things just never changed.

You’re absolutely right,” I told him before reaching down and grabbing his dick. “It’s mine, and I want it.”

* * *

The orange hues of dusk awakened me, and I frowned, still feeling a painful throbbing sensation between my thighs.

“Mmm,” I moaned as I rolled over in the bed, stretching out my toes.

Reaching out, I expected to feel Luke’s skin on my fingertips, but instead, my hand landed on the tousled sheets. Blinking my eyes open, it was at that moment when I realized he was gone. And that I was late.

“Shit!” I cursed, flinging the sheets from my legs.

I’d overslept. Honestly, I didn’t even realize I’d fallen asleep.

Jumping out of the bed, I snatched my phone up to check the time.

4:36.

“Oh my God!” I started moving faster.

The vendors for the dinner I was planning that evening should’ve already arrived.

“Oh my God, they are here!” l shrieked after looking down from the balcony connected to my bedroom.

The crew had arrived to set up the outside decorations I’d arranged for the dinner, and I was lying in the bed still instead of being outside to meet them.

Running outside, I took a light jog to the backyard through the garden to look for them. So far, it seemed that everything they’d done was beautiful. A large tent was set up in the middle, and the floral decorations were being brought in by the company’s staff. I saw workers for the food vendor bringing in covered trays, and the group in charge of the ambiance was bringing in tiki torches and other exotic lights to set the mood. Nothing was done just yet, and it was already beautiful.

I’m truly blessed, I couldn’t help but think as I looked at all of it.

Over the years, our lives have changed drastically, and I was more than happy about the trajectory of it all. Every dream that I had was coming true. When I woke up each day, I literally felt as if I was in heaven.

“Hey, Lucio!” I yelled out, waving at the owner of the decor company that I hired for all of my events.

Looking up, he smiled as soon as he saw me and jogged over to meet me halfway.

“I’m so sorry for being late. I was...busy with, uh...” I felt myself blushing, as I ought, about it.

“It’s okay, Mrs. Murray,” he said, laughing a little as if he understood everything I wasn’t saying. “I’ve set up many events for you here. I can handle it while you’re relaxing.”

“That’s right. Girl, you know we got you,” I heard another person behind me say. I turned around and found myself looking at the exact face I wanted to see.

“Tee!”

Running over, I gave her a big hug. “What are you doing here? I told you that you didn’t have to come early.”

She gave me a sideways look.

“I know what you said, but I also know how that brother-in-law of mine is when it comes to you. There was no way he was going to come into town after being gone for three days and not ‘properly’ be welcomed back home.”

She wiggled her brows suggestively as she spoke, shamelessly referencing her sexual innuendo.

I blushed at her words. It was no secret that Luke and I had a healthy sex life. As much of a prude as I was, he was the exact opposite and didn’t mind letting the world know that he was crazy about me. In fact, he ended so many interviews with ‘Can we wrap this up? I’m trying to get home to my wife’, that it was basically his catchphrase.

“But even if that wasn’t the case, you know I can’t plan a dinner for you and not be here to make sure things are done right. Especially not this one. I know how important it is for you.”

I nodded my head as I smiled. “I really appreciate that. This is a huge thing. Everything we’ve all been working for… it’s all coming together. Not just for me and Luke, but for all of us.”

Teema sucked in a breath and smiled again. She was keeping it cool, but I could see the emotions in her eyes.

“It’s amazing to see. I’m just happy to say that I’m a witness to it all. I feel truly blessed to be part of this family.”

For over three years, Luke and his brothers were working on a deal that would lead to a very powerful family deciding to join forces with the BBM. It was a partnership worth billions. Of all the deals they’d made in his life, this was the one that they could retire from. Even if we didn’t work another day, our great-great-grandchildren would all be set for life. I’m talking major legacy wealth.

Over the weekend, Luke was trying to seal the deal, and it finally went through. He’d finally done it, and I wanted to celebrate him. So, while he thought that I was just throwing a small family dinner for the two of us to welcome January home for a short break from college, I was throwing a huge celebratory dinner to include all of his brothers and their significant others. It had been a while since he saw them all together, so it was a huge surprise.

“He hasn’t been out here asking questions about all this?” I asked, referring to the guys walking around the property arranging flowers and decor.

She shook her head. “Nope! Because I’ve already handled it. Kane is on it. Luke won’t set foot back here until it’s time for dinner.”

I squealed happily and hugged Teema so tightly that she probably couldn’t breathe.

“That’s why you’re the best.”

* * *

A few hours later, our family started to arrive. January, as expected, was the first, and as also expected, Cree and Carmella were late.

“You already know the reason we’re the last ones here,” Cree said, pointing his thumb behind his back. Waltzing in behind him, Carmella strode in wearing an evening gown and heels, looking like the belle of the ball. The problem was, we weren’t at a ball. We were having dinner in my backyard, and the dress code was casual. Even Cree was wearing a T-shirt and jeans.

“Did you not get my note about the dress code for this evening?” Teema asked, giving Carmella a deadpan stare. “How the hell did you come in with that dress on while we’re all dressed for a trip to the grocery store?”

Crossing her arms in front of her chest, Sidney cut her eyes at Teema and then sucked her teeth. “Tee, you already know this hoe don’t care ‘bout no dress code. She’s always known to wear whatever the hell she wants to wear.” She cut her eyes at Carmella. “And of course, she would walk in here with that white as gown like she’s Jesus or some shit.”

With a smirk on her lips, Sidney stood and walked over to Carmella, giving her a big hug.

“I love you, though, sis,” she said to her. “With your fancy ass.”

“I can’t be any other way.” Carmella shrugged. “I know Janelle said no phones at dinner, but I had to take a few pics and videos before we got here.” She winked before her lips curled into a mischievous smile. “Nothing better to give my followers than a little bit of lifestyle FOMO. Everybody probably wishes they were here.”

I quickly ran over to Carmella and kissed her on the cheek. “Well, I’m just glad you are here. I haven’t seen you in forever. It’s good to have you back home.”

Scoffing, she rolled her eyes. “Home is L.A., where the sun always shines, but if it makes you happy, you know I don’t mind visiting you every now and then, here in the slums.”

I blinked at her like she’d lost her mind. Only Carmella would refer to a multi-million dollar estate as the slums.

“I’ll let Kane know it’s safe to bring Outlaw back,” Teema said once everyone was seated. “I know he’s gotta be having the hardest time keeping him busy for the last couple of hours.”

My eyes widened. “He’s been trying to keep him busy for couple of hours?” I choked out a laugh. “Yeah, you might want to relieve your husband. I’m sure mine is driving him crazy.”