Addicted 2 Moni

The Taste of Jealousy

Moni POV

How could I be so stupid?

I mumble to myself as I step out of the shower, steam clinging to my skin like regret. I wrap my robe around my body, tugging it tight, and slide into my slippers.

🚪🚪🤛🏽🤛🏽
A knock taps at the door just as I make it to my room. I pause mid-step, pivot on my heel, and tiptoe to the peephole. I peek.

Terrance.

And Lord... he looks good.

"Stay away from him."

Dewayne's warning rings in my ears, but this time? Naw. Not this time.

"Hey," I smile, cracking the door open like I ain't two seconds from trouble.

"Hey. Hope I didn't catch you at a bad time. Just noticed I ain't seen you in a while," Terrance says, flashing a grin. "Yo nigga not here, is he?"

"Nope. Just got out the shower," I say, eyeing his white graphic tee, black jeans, and those fresh all-black Retro 13s. Mm. "And far as I know, I'm single."

His smile widens. "Well... can I come in?"

Baby, you sure can. I step aside, letting him walk past me, inhaling the trail of his cologne like it's scented sin.

"I like your setup, girl," he says, glancing around the living room.

"Thank you," I reply, closing the door behind him. I head into the kitchen while he makes himself comfortable on the couch.

"You want anything?" I call out.

"Nah, I'm good."

I grab a glass of wine anyway, because if there's ever been a day to indulge... it's today. I curl up next to him on the couch, TV remote in hand, drink in the other. My new 50-inch plasma flickers to life.

"It's a little early to be drinking, don't you think?" Terrance teases, eyes dancing.

"Nope," I say, crossing my legs and taking a long sip.

I need this. I need out of my damn feelings.

"So where your man at?" he asks after a moment of quiet.

"I don't have one," I say, not missing a beat.

"Then who's that dude you be with? The one who told me to stay away from you," he asks, leaning back with that unreadable expression.

My brows lift. He did what now?

"He said that?" I ask, caught off guard.

"Yeah. Pretty much threatened me to stay away from you. I ain't scared of him though. You say you single, I believe it," he says, licking his lips and staring at mine like he owns 'em. "If he's bothering you... let me know."

I look at his lips again, then take another sip. This wine ain't strong enough.

An hour later, my glass is empty and my patience for pretense even thinner. I stand up.

"Where you going?" Terrance calls out.

"To lotion up and put clothes on," I shoot him a look over my shoulder.

"Shhid, can I help?" he laughs.

Joking... but he ain't lying either.

"Yeah, come on then."

I toss the lotion onto the bed and throw my hair into a messy bun. Terrance follows, sitting down, eyes low and locked on me.

I turn away and let my robe slide down to my hips, laying stomach-first across the bed with my arms folded under my chin. I hear the lotion pump and then feel his hands—warm, steady—start at my shoulders. The rosemary butter scent rises with the slow, circular movements of his palms.