Let Me Keep You: An Older Man Younger Woman Romance (Let Me Love You Book 3)

by Mia Madison

  I can’t lie. I stroked myself to her this morning, busting a full nut at the idea of being inside her, making her moan in Spanish while I fucked her silly.

  It was a fun night… and then there was that crazy dude at her door. Worry flashed through me. “She’s okay though, right?”

  “Yes.” Raquel looked at me weirdly. “Why? Did something happen last night?”

  I hesitated to speak up, but then decided to just be honest. “I called her when she got home. Someone was banging on her door.” I squinted my eyes, silently suggesting it was the guy she told me about.

  Raquel’s brow furrowed, but she nodded in acknowledgement. Dilayla probably hadn’t told her. “Ah… well, she sounded perfectly fine this morning. I’m sure it was handled, but I’ll check up on her as soon as I get a moment.”

  I winked. “Thanks, sis.”

  Raquel headed to the back to get another pile of clothes. Kenny looked at me. “What’s up with you and Dilayla?”

  “Nothing, man. Just kicking it.”

  He looked at me with slight disbelief. “You don’t have to lie, dude.”

  “What?” My hands were tossed up in question. “We’re getting to know each other. Nothing more or less.”

  “Is that why you asked Raquel if she had a man? You never ask if these women have men.” He threw a balled-up dress at me. “Cut the shit.”

  I caught it perfectly and threw it back. “There’s nothing to cut. I just think shawty’s bad, and I’m trying to get to know her. I can’t get to know her if she’s spoken for, can I?”

  “That’s never stopped you before.”

  “What?” Raquel reappeared in the doorway.

  “He has a crush on Dilayla.” I watched the two lovebirds share a conspiratorial smile and rolled my eyes.

  “Ya’ll get on my nerves.”

  “Whatever, Nick,” Raquel said. “It’s okay. Dilayla’s beautiful, and you won’t be the first or last of her victims.”

  “Nick Diamond ain’t nobody’s victim.” I pounded my chest in defiance.

  Just at that moment, Dilayla sauntered in. “Hey, everyone.” She stopped and looked me up and down with a serene smile. “Hey, Nick!”

  “Hey, mama. What it do?” I reached out for a hug. She fell into my arms and I kissed her forehead.

  “Hmm,” Raquel said. She and Nick shared another conspiratorial smirk. I rolled my eyes and tossed them the finger.

  I felt a little bashful. The kiss and embrace were effortless and natural, as if we did this all the time. As if last night’s experience was something that happened all the time.

  I wondered if they knew what happened last night.

  “How’s everything?” Raquel said, hugging her best friend.

  “Girl, it’s good.” Dilayla sighed. “Brian’s drunk ass popped up at my house last night.”

  “What?!” Raquel’s eyes widened as if I hadn’t previously told her this information. Concern filled her eyes. “Are you okay? What happened?”

  “I helped Nick clean up after everyone left. You know I’m over Brian at this point. I’m just… done.”

  She looked sad for a moment, and I felt a small pang of jealousy. Fuck Brian. He left her wide open and I wanted her to myself. Only I had the right to make her sad—and the only time she’d be sad was when I wasn’t around her, making her smile.

  “Okay, so…?” Raquel egged her on, getting Dilayla to spill the beans.

  “I left him outside my door. If you don’t have time to give me what I need, I can’t allow myself to remain available to get hurt.” Dilayla looked at everyone, and her eyes settled on me. “I just need something solid and he’s inconsistent. If it’s been three or four days since I’ve spoken to you, and it’s clear that I’m not interested, get the hint.”

  “Why not just tell him?” Kenny asked.

  “Brian’s a jerk,” Raquel interrupted. Dilayla nodded in agreement as she said, “He honestly would only be egged on by the fact that she’s done with him. He thinks love is a game, and that it’s about persistence.”

  “Exactly,” Dilayla said. She looked at me again, her eyes silently reaching out to me as she explained, “I left him outside my door and went to sleep. I’m just… done. Ready to move on instead of holding on to him.”

  Raquel observed the eye contact between us. Her eyes glittered with optimism as she high-fived Dilayla, and said, “Yes, bitch. Drop the dead weight.”

  Kenny’s eyes locked with mine. We engaged in a silent conversation, one where he acknowledged Dilayla’s bold indications of singleness. He nodded as if he approved and reached forward, grabbing his wife, who still wore that obnoxious but beautiful ring he’d just purchased. They shared a kiss, and I busted their moment by asking, “Aye, when are you going to get her a ring she can wear every day?”

  “What do you mean?” Kenny asked. He grabbed his wife’s small hand and kissed it. “She can wear this every day.”

  “Baby, you know this ring is beautiful, but it would help to have something a little more conservative. And we need to get this insured.” She looked a little anxious. “Even Kim Kardashian got robbed for her ring and it was almost this big.”

  “You’re right,” Kenny murmured. “Just wear it for today. We’ll get you another one tomorrow. Okay?”

  “Mmm, okay.” She kissed him with a big smile on her face.

  “All this love shit is making me hungry,” Dilayla said. “I need food.” She turned to leave, giving me a full view of her behind. She wore joggers, but they weren’t baggy enough to keep that beautiful ass from being proudly on display. Coupled with her black and gold tank top and casual slides, she looked every bit casual glam.

  “Where are you going when you just got here?” Raquel protested. “How are you hungry when you haven’t even lifted a box?”

  “Because I am…” Dilayla whined. “How about you all keep packing, and I’ll go get pizza? Okay? Okay!” She nodded in affirmative and slid on her heels before anyone could continue.

  Raquel’s jaw dropped but she rolled her eyes and laughed. “She’s so damn lazy!”

  “I heard that!” Dilayla sang, tossing up a finger.

  “Let me go with you. I’m hungry too.”

  Raquel scoffed and Kenny snickered. “It’s all good, babe. I got a project for us in the back while they’re gone.”

  He tossed me a knowing smirk and pulled her towards the bedroom, giving me a cue to run after Dilayla.

  “Aye, babe.” I grabbed her arm before she could make it over to Raquel’s white and pink Mercedes. “Let’s take my car.”

  “How are you?”

  “I’m good, babe,” Dilayla responded, cavalier. “How are you?”

  “I slept like a king, thanks to your sexy ass.”

  “Mmm, I know you did,” she said. Her eyes traveled over my shorts and wifebeater. “I slept pretty nicely myself.”

  “What? Even with your stalker sitting outside your door?”

  “Uh, yeah.” She rolled her eyes. “He had his chance.”

  “Really?”

  She nodded, but I pressed her, “What happened?”

  “You really want to talk about this?” She waved out the window. “It’s a beautiful Saturday in Miami, we’re about to get pizza, and our best friends are fucking each other’s brains out. Why would you want to know about me and Brian?”

  “Because I want to know more about you,” I emphasized the last letter, making it clear I was into her. “I want to know how anyone is crazy enough to let you get away.”

  “Well, it’s pretty simple,” she said. “He didn’t want a commitment. I wanted one. He plays for the Dolphins. He doesn’t leave the bench, but he’s cute and from around here, so that makes him a catch for most women.”

  “Hmph,” I grunted. “Where did you fit in?”

  “We dated on and off since high school, and I just kept holding out this hope that if he would stop fucking around, he would realize I was the one he didn’t need to let go of. But
last week, I saw him and another one of his hoes popped up. It was enough for me to let his ass go. I met you later that night, and I mean… I ain’t talked to him since.”

  Her admission made my heart smile. She hadn’t talked to him since because I left a good impression. “Are you talking to anyone else?”

  “I mean…” she sighed. “I might answer a few DMs here and there on Instagram, but I’m not really interested in anyone.”

  “What about me?” I took it direct.

  “What about you?” she challenged.

  “I’m saying, are you interested in me?”

  “Do you want me to be interested in you?” Her eyebrow cocked and she tickled my arm with her fingers, infusing the air with her soft scent.

  “Baby, I’m definitely intrigued, I told you that.” I grabbed that hand and kissed it. “You’ve definitely got something to you that makes me want to get all into you, and I’m not talking just that pussy.”

  She blushed and remained silent, but it was okay. I was ready for her and anything she put up. I knew she would be guarded because of that asshole before me, but I wasn’t coming to lose. Nick Diamond came to play. I wouldn’t give up until I got what I wanted, and right now, I wanted Dilayla’s heart.

  We pulled up to the pizza place and ordered. After paying for the pies, we walked down the block to the supermarket. A few people stopped to ask for selfies, which I graciously accepted. At least one woman attempted to pass me her number, and I looked at her in disgust.

  “Don’t you see this woman standing next to me?” I said. “Have some damn respect.”

  I was so angry I stopped taking requests and returned to grabbing drinks with Dilayla. I growled in response. I was usually a player, but I just didn’t like how bold women were these days. Trust me, if I wanted a woman, she’d know. Boldness wasn’t required on her part.

  As we stood in line, I checked my phone. I still had messages from Trinity, but I ignored them. I opened Instagram, watching the tags of several fans in their recent uploads.

  “You didn’t have to do that,” Dilayla said. “But thank you.”

  I said nothing, just opened my text messages and sent her a kiss emoji. Her phone went off and she dug into her purse.

  “Oh, my God. You’re so silly. What’s that for?”

  “I’m sending you a kiss. Put it where you want it, baby.” I smirked, handing the teenage cashier a hundred-dollar bill. “Keep the change, bro.”

  I twisted the cap off Dilayla’s soda. She gave me the most adorable smile as she accepted the bottle. “Thank you, sweetheart.”

  “No problem, sweetheart.” I winked. “What do you have planned for the rest of the evening?”

  “Packing,” she grumbled. Her eyes rolled, letting me know she had no intention of being in good spirits. “Raquel has so much stuff, it’s insane. I’m sure she can’t take it all to Kenny’s, but I know she’ll try.”

  I chuckled at her frustration. “She’ll be the one helping you when it’s your turn. She made a strange face at that comment, and I gave her a questioning grunt. “What’s the face for?”

  “I don’t think that will be happening,” she said morosely. “I like my freedom.”

  She spoke bold words, but I could see right through her. That was that tough cookie talk, and it was all thanks to her recent breakup with that Brian dude.

  “Question.”

  “Yeah?”

  “You don’t see yourself settling down with anyone?”

  “Love is for suckers.” She stuck her tongue out and released a mischievous laugh, but I could see right through her. She was fighting off serious conversation about love and relationships. It only made me want to probe her even more.

  “Sweetheart, I get it. You’ve been taken advantage of by a man who played your heart better than he played football. But he wasn’t ready for something real.”

  This girl shrugged and said nothing, but I wouldn’t give up. I stopped dead in my tracks, and grabbed her pretty brown hand. “Look me in the eyes. You wouldn’t give in to the opportunity if you found the right one?”

  Goosebumps spread over her arm, and her pupils eclipsed her brown eyes as she opened up to what I was saying. For a moment—a split second—I could see my words getting through to that soft, sweet spot in her soul. Her breath hitched, and she paused.

  “What are you asking me?” Her tone was suspicious.

  “I’m asking you to tell me the truth, baby. Your best friend met the love of her life and they married one week later. You don’t think there’s men out here who are ready for love and willing to sweep you off your feet, should you cross their path?” She tried to pull her hand away, but I held on. “Come on, answer me.”

  “I don’t think I’m even capable of thinking about love at this point,” she said honestly. “I’ve lost so much time behind my ex, and we just split a few days ago. Can I have fun? Flirt? Enjoy a little playtime with someone down to keep it simple and passionate?” She tilted her head in contemplation and nodded. “Yeah, totally. But I don’t know if I’m even meant to have… what Raquel has. We’ve always been different.”

  “That’s bullshit,” I cut in. “Beneath that tough playgirl exterior, there’s a bruised, battered yet beautiful heart waiting to be healed and brought back to life. You just need the right man to run up on you.”

  The tiniest amount of fear flashed through her eyes as I called her on her shit. I didn’t wait for her to argue with me. My heart raced at the breathless look on her face, but it only motivated me as I leaned in and pushed my lips against her. I was urgent to feel her love, to make her let go of this cool and nonchalant facade she held.

  I swear, I didn’t know what it was about her, but I wanted her. All of her. And I wasn’t against being aggressive in making her realize how badly I wanted to feel her, mind, body, and soul.

  She moaned. Her body softened as I sucked the orange soda off her tongue and groaned back. Fuck! Just kissing this girl made my dick hard.

  I couldn’t wait to taste the rest of her. I needed to savor and feel my way inside of her.

  “Papi…”

  Her smooth, soft, fragranced hand pushed its way up my neck, her perfume hugging my nostrils. They trailed up to my ears before her nails pushed into my scalp, desperately grasping and massaging my curls.

  Having her so close felt heavenly. The toughest shells always had the sweetest juice. I wanted to savor every drop.

  “I think the pizza’s ready, papi.” She wiped her lip with red cheeks as she pulled away. I could see why she was embarrassed; we had quite an audience taking pictures of us as we kissed.

  “Sorry, love.”

  “Not a problem, babe.”

  We made it back to the pizza shop just in time to pick up the pies. I passed her the bag of drinks so I could get the pizza. We were sharing small talk about how good the food smelled when I saw a very familiar face.

  Trinity.

  Fuck.

  Dilayla

  Stress filled my head as I recognized the woman dressed in the yellow sundress with matching thong sandals. She stood by the passenger side of Nick’s car, arms crossed, with a scowl over her face.

  “Well, well, well…” She sneered. “If it isn’t Little Miss Thot Pocket from King of Diamonds.”

  The up and down evil eye she gave me would have made me shrink, if it weren’t for the fact that, one, I didn’t get intimidated by other women, and two, Nick was clearly riding me for attention.

  “Tuh.” I looked at Nick and stepped to the side. I was bumming it in a tank and some joggers, so a fight wouldn’t have been a problem, but I had class. I refused to lose my cool over a chick who had no respect for the fact that she wasn’t wanted.

  “Hey, Trinity. What’s up?” Nick walked around the back of his car. He was nonchalant as he opened the back door. “Here, babe.” He reached out to me, signaling me to meet him with the bag of drinks.

  I cautiously stepped around Trinity, aiming not to give her any airt
ime as I handed him the bags.

  “What do you mean, ‘What’s up?’” she said. “You know damn well what my problem is. I haven’t heard from you in days. I’m thinking something’s wrong with you, but you’ve clearly been laid up with this one.”

  I suppressed my snicker. I knew mamacita had to feel some kind of way that me and him were nearly hand in hand. She probably saw us kissing down the street moments before. I knew Nick’s side of the story, but I also knew men lied on everything. Depending on the relationship they shared, if he was with her more recently than he admitted, seeing him with me could’ve been major disrespect.

  “Here, mama.” Nick opened the driver’s side door and handed me the keys. I looked at him weirdly. What the fudge? I didn’t know how to drive this expensive sports car he had.

  He looked at me tenderly, and gave me another kiss on the cheek as he assisted me into the car. “Try to slide into the passenger’s seat. If you can’t, that’s cool. Give me a minute to talk to her.”

  “Cool.” I resisted the urge to turn on the car. It was hot but I was nosy. I wanted to hear as much of this exchange possible.

  “Are you for real right now?” Trinity said. Her body shook with anger. “I can’t reach you, but you’re out with the next bitch like I’m nothing!”

  “Trin, chill out.” There was a lethal chill to Nick’s words. “I’m a single man. I have the right to be out with any woman I want to be out with. You need to accept that.”

  “But what’s wrong with me?” Trin’s voice cracked with hurt. “Why can’t we just get right so you can be with me?”

  “You can’t be serious right now.” I couldn’t see his expression but I could imagine how vexed he looked. “I already told you when we stopped messing around six months ago, that I can’t do the baby-mama drama you come with. You have three kids and their fathers are fucking crazy.” Nick went into detail, just for the record. “Your tires were slashed. Your windows were smashed in. I started receiving crazy calls from that dude. He tried to go on social media and act like I broke ya’ll up—and then he had the nerve to try to kick in the door when I came over.”