What He Needs

•4•

•Abel•
I drive Nava around the city first so I can have some alone time with her. Not many girls stand up to me the way she did this morning. She called me an insomniac because I asked if I could go to bed with her which made me wonder if she caught on to my double meaning and pretended not to, probably not.

At a stop light I watch her through my peripheral. She is staring at everything with such wonder it's cute. I didn't bother asking Lamar or Cal to tag along, I only told her I would so she wouldn't think I wanted her to myself today.

I see how hard she's trying to understand me and at the same time I can tell she doesn't want to. Her opinion of me might change if she got to know the real me.

Like when she tried to tell me how dangerous my life style is for my body. I've seen enough doctors to know how fucked up my body is and I don't care. We're all going to die some day, might as well have fun doing what I love before it happens.

The first place I take her is Staten Island Mall. I put my glasses and hood on to blend in with the crowd.

She's quiet as we walk among everyone, I'm guessing she's never been here before. I could be wrong.

Looking at my phone I see I have ten messages from Bella. She's in Paris right now. I said I'd join her for new years now I'm second guessing that decision.

Cash told me Nava thought she'd be going home when my tour is over and she's not. She asked for one week out of every month to go home, I don't even like that idea but it's what she wants. I don't want her to think I care too much. Or at all actually. The more detached I seem to her the easier she'll cave when I make my move on her.

I will admit I rushed it last night, I was high and drunk off my ass and having sex is what I crave once I reach that point. I left my own party early for Nava, which is my fault. I should have brought a girl home with me.

"You're awfully quiet. Am I bad company?" Nava gets my attention bumping her shoulder into mine.

"Nah, I'm enjoying myself. What about you?"

She smiles looking at all the stores, "I wish I could go shopping. When do we get paid?"

Now that's something we didn't talk about. I guess they'll get their first check next week, I have to set something up. "What do you want? I can get it for you"

She puts her hands up, "Oh no. No, Abel. You don't have to get me anything"

Putting my arm around her shoulder, I smile leading her into a store, "Non sense. I'm getting you something and you're going to like it"

"Control freak much" she laughs.

An hour later I've bought her three outfits from three different stores and shoes to go with them all.

Now taking a break in the food court, Nava has been avoiding eye contact since I bought her a few things out of Victoria Secret. I smile thinking back to her embarrassment when I took her in there.

"Um, why are we in here?" She asked looking around.

"I'm going to get you a couple sets" I explained looking at the lingerie I'd like to see her in. With her warm caramel skin she can wear just about any color I pick out.

"A couple sets? Abel, no. That's weird" she complained taking my hand. Her simple touch excited me so much I totally ignored her and started going through the racks while I held onto her hand.

"It's weird for a man to buy a woman lingerie?" I smiled, "I had no idea"

She sucked her teeth, "Stop it. You know that's not what I mean. It's weird that you're buying me lingerie"