#i aint gettin no sleep cause of yall yall not gon get no sleep cause of meeee

[thatssonanii]

Just the Two of Us (16)

HAHN AU

Charles had given Lainey and her brothers a short tour of the governor's mansion before they settled in the living room. The conversation seemed to be going well which Lainey was glad for.

"Aye, don't you need to call your friends." Zion suggested nudging his sister's leg.

Lainey looked at him then her other brothers who were watching her. Grabbing her phone, she got up and kissed Charles cheek before leaving the room. She went upstairs to the room she'd picked and called Melissa.

"I'm so damn mad at you," Melissa said as soon as she answered.

"I aint did shit to you, girl." Lainey laughed.

Melissa mimicked her laugh. "You on speaker, Marcie's right here and yes you did. While you gettin some, me and Marcie gon be at this boring ass dinner party."

"I'm not getting anything, I'm just spending time with Charles."

Marcie sucked her teeth, "Girl, please. As soon as your brothers leave its gonna be showtime. Get some for the two of us too."

Lainey laid back on the bed laughing loudly. "Marcie, you got turbo and Mel, you got the bitch. Yall will live."

Marcie laughed and whispered into the phone, "Mel doesn't want the bitch, she wants your brother. Bad."

"Too damn bad," Lainey responded playfully. "My brothers have morals. They're not side pieces."

"Did you hear that, Marcie? Brothers ... plural ... Cam included."

"Yall better stop looking at my brothers," she laughed, "Anyway, so he gave me my own room down the hall from him. Do yall think he did that cause my brothers here or he really wants me to sleep in a different room?"

"I think that he's being a gentleman. He's letting you know that if you're not comfortable sleeping in the bed with him, you can have your own space." Marcie explained.

"Uhuh and he's also leaving the door open for you. If you wanna go crawl into his bed then you can," Melissa added, "So you do just that. Crawl into that bed and onto him."

While they laughed and joke around on the phone, the men were having a serious conversation about Lainey.

"We not tryna be in yall business or nothing, we just care about our sister's well being and her safety," Cam explained calmly. "She's our biggest concern."

Charles nodded, he genuinely cared about their feelings. "And that's understandable. I assure you that your sister is safe with me. Whenever she's here, she may not like it but you're all welcome to come too."

Benny's mind went to the questions his sister asked him and he frowned. "I think you a good dude and all that but don't take advantage of my sister. Aight? Don't break her heart."

"Look, I have a little sister so I get it, I understand. I haven't and won't make your sister do anything she doesn't want to do. At this point in life, I'm not looking for short term, I'm looking at this relationship to be long term. Alaina is," Charles paused to smiled. He wiped his hand over his face trying to wash the blush away. "She special."

Zion, who had been sitting quietly with a slight mug in his face, cracked a smile. He was more about vibes, energy and listening rather than talking. He was not a man of many words.

"Grown ass man like you and she make ya ass blush like that? I trust you man. But don't fuck this up," Zion said quietly leaving the threat hanging in the air.

Charles nodded, "I got it. So ... we all good here?"

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Lainey and Charles walked her brothers to the door together. Benny pulled her to the side to talk to her.

"Aye, you got what I gave you?" He said in a low tone.

"Ummm," she paused trying to think, "Oh the condoms? Yeah, they're in my bag."

Benny nodded letting their brothers know he was coming. "Aight. They're only for just in case, you don't gotta use em."

Lainey nodded and hugged her brother one more time. Once they were gone, Charles led her back to the living room and pulled her onto the sofa with him. He brought her hand to his lips.

"Happy you came?"

"Very. Thank you for putting up with my brothers, I know they're a lot and they're not the nicest."

Charles laughed, "We actually had a nice conversation. They were just worried about you and I cant say that I blame them."

Lainey eyed him carefully. "They threatened you, didn't they?"

"No, silly. The four of us have an understanding. I don't hurt you and they let you be. Hungry?"

"I ... how did you do that?"

Charles kissed her hand again still laughing. "I didn't do anything but talk to them. Now yes or no? Are you hungry?"

"Yeah. Want me to cook? I don't mind." She said about to get up.

Charles pulled her closer to him, nuzzling her neck before kissing her there. "No, I didn't ask you here to do that. This weekend is about us spending time together and me spoiling you. I'm taking you out."

"Out? Like out, out?"

"Yeah, beautiful. We're gonna go out to dinner and see where that takes us. Sound good?" He asked kissing her again.

"Uuumm...uhuh. Yeah it does," Lainey said slowly.

Charles nodded letting her go. "Alright ima give you some time to get ready. I'll be in my office when you're done, beautiful."

In Maxine, Melissa was standing off in the corner of the Montgomery living room sipping her drink and watching the people around her. Prior to this, her and Lainey had already had a conversation about Marcie's neighbors and they didn't like nor trust them. They felt that way about Randall as well.

"You came with Marcie, didn't you?"

Melissa stared at the two women that approached her. "Yup, I did."

"You live around here or you work with her?"

Melissa had to fight the frown that wanted to show. "Who are you two?"

"I'm Esperanza and this is Natalie. What's your name?"

After being around the Herrington family, Melissa figured out real quick how to read people. And in the little interaction, she didn't like what she got from Esperanza and Natalie.

"Its Melissa. I don't live around here and I don't work with Marcie. She's my friend."

Natalie looked her up and down, "So where you from?"

Melissa didn't fight the frown this time. When she got ready to tell them, she saw Marcie rushing out the door. She gave them a less than pleasant smile and followed her friend. Following Marcie across the lawn and into the house, Melissa grabbed her friend's wrist as soon as they were in the house.

"Girl, you almost made me fall. Where's the fire?"

"I just had to get out of there before I slapped Randall's ass." She complained kicking off her heels. "I swear he almost makes the prison time worth it."

Melissa sat her glass down and approached her friend. "Hey, what's wrong? Seriously. You're never this angry, you're usually happy."

"We're in the kitchen talking about some damn trip Brad and Alex went on with Brad and he takes out his phone so I peek over and he's texting that bitch he's been cheating with. In front of my damn face!"

"Wait .. he what? He's been cheating? And you're still here?"

Marcie nodded pushing her hair behind her ears. "Yeah because we talked about it and he agreed that it was done."

Constant binging started to irritate Marcie, she grabbed Melissa's hand and pulled her along to the office space she shared with her husband and sat at the computer. Melissa leaned onto the desk watching her.

"What're you doing?"

"His messages. He has them hooked up to his computer still." Marcie pulled them up so they could read them. "Wait ... wait .... that bitch is at the party?"

Melissa scoffed, "Thats why his ass was so eager to go. Who is it? See if she sent him any pictures."

Marcie scrolled through the text thread but didn't see any pictures.

"What kind of name is 'Pepa' anyway? Sounds stupid."

"That's what he calls her," Marcie explained rolling her eyes. "You know what? Come on. We're going back."

"Yes! Let's go beat her ass!"

Marcie laughed getting up out of the chair. "No, girl. We're going back to see if we can figure it out who the bitch is."

"And then beat her ass?" Melissa asked following her out of the office.

Marcie slipped into a pair of flats shaking her head at her friend. "You have been around Lainey's little feisty ass too long. We are not beating anybody's ass."

Melissa rolled her eyes but agreed.

While the women looked around the dinner party, Lainey was laughing at the story Charles was telling her. He took her to a nice restaurant and made sure they were seated away from others but she was still able to see the restaurant.

"I swear thats how it happened. I got the scar on my back to prove it." Charles laughed picking up his glass to take a sip.

"A scar," she repeated trying to contain her laughter, "I bet you never jumped another fence."

Charles shrugged playfully sitting his glass back down. "I could say that but it would be a lie. I was rough as hell when I was younger, my mama got tired of having to patch me up."

"I bet she was. I wouldve been too, hell."

Charles licked his lips watching her. He couldn't deny the attraction he felt for her and how happy he was that she didn't turn him down. When she spoke to him, he could tell that she felt free and comfortable like she didnt have to hide and he could appreciate that.

"Are you listening to me?" She asked laughing.

"Honestly? No, I was just staring at you. I'm just happy you're here."

"I told you I was gonna come and I meant it. I wouldn't leave you hanging."

The smile on Charles' face grew as he leaned over to pull her chair next to his. She laughed and leaned against him. When Lainey went to say something, Charles cut her off with a kiss. The thought now long gone, Lainey kissed him back allowing him to push his tongue into her mouth. He put his hand on her thigh, squeezing it.

"Governor, I wasn't aware you were here with company. I guess I should've asked."

Pulling away with a groan, Charles turned his attention to his associate that stood at his table. His smile had turned into glare.

"What can I do for you, Jim?" He asked completely unenthused.

Jim gave a tight smile then looked at Lainey. "Well, well, you are that pretty little hair stylist. Lainey, right?"

Charles held his hand up when he heard Lainey start to say something not taking his eyes off Jim.

"This is Lainey, yes. And she's here with me. What can I do for you? I'm in the middle of dinner right now."

"Me and my ... companion were heading to our table and I just wanted to come and speak. Are uh you two a thing," Jim asked with a sly smile.

Charles chuckled to himself and stood, "Jim, we're cordial and associates through David. What I do in my personal life is none of your concern or business. Go on and have your dinner."

Charles held his hand out for Lainey and helped her out of her chair. He guided her in front of him and brushed past Jim.

"Keep that mansion warm for me, will ya?" Jim threw over his shoulder.

Charles didn't respond just continued to follow Lainey through the restaurant and Jim went to the table he planned on sharing with Candace. Charles helped her into the back of the black SUV before getting in beside her. He was only ever around Jim because of David, other than that he couldn't stand him. Lainey moved closer to him putting her legs in his lap.

"You okay? I thought yall were friends?"

"Him and I are not friends and never have been. He and I are associates through David."

"Oooh. Yeah David seems nice. Jim and the president were every bit as sleazy as I heard they are. They make me uncomfortable."

Charles looked over at her and kissed her.

"That's noted. Jim is a piece of entitled shit." Charles explained. "He can't even respect his wife enough to try to hide the shit he does. And thinks just because his wife comes from old money that he's gonna be elected governor."

"Kayheryn seems nice. Is she as bad as him?"

Charles shook his head rubbing his hand up and down her leg. "No, she's pretty much the sweetest woman you'll meet in her status. Now Veronica, she's worse than him but I'm sure you knew that already."

Lainey nodded, "Yeah, she was nice to me but listening to the way she talked that day I did their hair was a no and how she treats my Melissa. I dont like it."

"That's another thing. She knows her son is gay but is blackmailing Melissa into being with him. David tried to help her, hell I had tried to but Veronica is convincing as hell."

Lainey frowned reaching to turn on the courtesy light so she could see his face. "Blackmail? Melissa did not tell me that."

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Marcie and Melissa were unsuccessful in finding the other woman at the party. Kelly ended up inviting the two of them over to her house as well as Natalie and Esperanza, once the party started to die down.

"Yall seem to know a lot about what goes on," Melissa said after listening to the women talk.

Esperanza nodded, "I mean pretty much. Nothing gets past us."

Melissa glanced at Marcie to see if she wanted her to stop. When Marcie nodded she took the green light.

"I heard a few people saying the name Pepa at the party but I don't know if I saw her. She sounds cool. Who is that?"

Natalie and Esperanza shrugged clearly clueless.

"How did you even find out about Pepa?"

Melissa smiled at Kelly, "I just told you I heard people saying the name. You must know who it is. So who is it? I wanna meet her."

Natalie looked between them confused. "Who the hell is Pepa?"

"Yeah," Marcie nodded, "Who is that? I've never met her."

"Pepa is one of our neighbors, Marcie. I dont know how you don't know."

Marcie laughed trying to maintain her cover. She hadn't felt close enough to her neighborhood friends to share the cheating thing with them. And this moment made her proud of that decision.

Kelly sighed, "She's a neighbor. You can't miss her."

Melissa hummed.

"Marce, it's getting late. I need to get home. You ready?"

Marcie almost corrected her to remind her that she was spending the night but she caught herself. Saying goodnight to her friends, Melissa started their walk back down to Marcie's house until something caught Marcie's eye.

"Oh hell no," she growled under her breath.

"What? What's wrong?" Melissa asked grabbing her friend's hand so she wouldn't take off as she did earlier.

Marcie pointed to the sticker on the back of the SUV.

"Its Alex. Thats why his ass is always so fucking happy to go over there. Cause he's fucking her!"

"Hey ... Hey ... calm down. We're not gonna make a scene out here, we're not gonna go after her yet." Melissa reasoned sofly. "We're gonna wait for him to bring his ass home and take care of him first and then we'll handle her. Yes?"

Marcie nodded waiting for Melissa to let her go. She thought about it for a second trying to make her choice. "Let's go back in there. I wanna see what they're doing."

Even though she knew she shouldn't, Melissa agreed and went back into the house with her. Brad was talking to a few people in the living room while Randall and Alex stood in the kitchen talking to a different group of people. Marcie's blood boiled seeing Randall try to slyly put his hand on the other woman's ass.

Walking at a normal pace as not to alarm her friend, Marcie approached Brad and dug a folded stack of papers from her purse. She handed it to him and told him to have fun then walked over to the door a bright smile on her face. Melissa was cursing Lainey out in her head for not being there. When they got into the house, they went up to the guest bedroom.

"What did you just do, Marcie?"

"I told you that we weren't going to beat her ass but I didn't say that I wouldn't ruin her marriage like she ruined mine. I gave Brad copies of the messages."

Melissa laughed scratching her head, "See, I shouldve stayed my ass home. So what now? Cause they're gonna come over here."

"Well," Marcie shrugged sitting on the bed, "We wait for shit to hit the fan."

As they waited, Lainey laid in the bedroom Charles set up for her. Her and Charles had gotten ice cream before coming back to his place and going their separate ways. Charles let her know that he would leave his door unlocked if she wanted to come in and he was down the hall to yell if she needed him. It was weird for her being away from home and her brothers especially Benny. Figuring hearing his voice would make her feel better and maybe even sleepy, she called her big brother. He answered on the third ring.

"Miss me already, big head?" He laughed into the phone.

Lainey laughed softly, "A little bit. Feels weird not being home."

"Nothing wrong with that. I'm glad you called me but you know it's okay to tell him that you need to be comforted. Right?"

"Is it? Should I tell him that?"

"Yeah, you gotta be honest and open in relationships," Benny explained, "If you don't communicate the relationship won't go anywhere and he sees a future with you."

"You lie."

Benny laughed, "I'm not, I wouldn't lie about that. He told us himself. So go on and talk to him."

"He's probably sleep."

"And he won't mind if you wake him up but I honestly doubt he's sleepin. Get up and get in there, my future wife callin me."

Lainey sucked her teeth, "Your what? Who is that?"

"Melissa, duh. I love you, be safe and good night."

Lainey said it back and hung up. She waited a few minutes before getting out of her bed. She fixed her fitted cami dress as she walked down the hallway to his room. Easing the door open and closing it behind herself, Lainey tipped over to his bed and put her phone on the nightstand before touching his arm.

"Charles."

Opening his eyes, he stretched for a moment and smiled at her. "Yes ma'am?"

"I didn't mean to wake you," she said quietly, "I can't sleep, it's been a long time since I've been away from my family."

Scooting over, Charles lifted his covers slightly for her to climb in. When she did, he put the covers down and got comfortable on the other side of the bed.

"Why you over there?" She asked staring at him under the moonlight coming from his windows.

Charles smiled sleepily. "If you want me to come closer I will."

"Come closer."

Moving to the middle of the bed, Charles pulled her into him, her back to his chest. He wrapped his arms around her kissing her shoulder.

"Comfortable?" He asked in her ear.

Lainey nodded slowly. "Is that your dick?"

Charles chuckled in her ear, "Did you think I was playing when I told you I sleep naked?"

"I ... yes. I feel overdressed," she joked.

Charles kissed her neck and rubbed the inside of her thigh. "If it makes you uncomfortable I'll put shorts on."

Turning in his arms, Lainey moved to kiss him hard. Charles moved his hands up her dress, deepening the kiss. Her phone lighting up on the dresser was being ignored by the both of them as they focused on each other.