"DeMarcus is here." Serena announced, interrupting Aleena's mind from repeating 'wax on, wax off' on a loop as she cleaned the wall of mirrors in the studio. "He's parking."

"Okay." Aleena stopped wiping the mirror, releasing an audible sigh that couldn't be heard from the neo-soul streaming through the Pilates studio. It was a business she and Serena started seven years ago and it was still going strong with booked classes from word of mouth. Their social media page was a bonus that created a waiting list. And her parents said her kinesiology degree would be useless.

Aleena tugged at her shorts, the spandex had rolled up over her thighs appearing more like panties. She called it 'thick thigh problems'. "Just send him back."

"Cool." Serena said then added. "Remember you have a class in twelve minutes."

"Noted." Aleena affirmed and Serena was gone as quickly as she appeared.

Aleena wasn't surprised he was there. She broke one of their rules. Well, not technically. But when you don't come home after a night of being out your spouse isn't concerned with ambiguity. She heard Serena greet him and turned back to the mirror resuming her task. She didn't want him to know she was aware of his presence nor did she want him to think she was waiting on him.

She wiped the mirror that was already streak and smudge-free once more, feeling his scunnered energy consuming the atmosphere around her.

"So, you are alive." He seethed.

"Baby!" Aleena jumped with mock surprise. "What are you doing here? You look nice."

"What am I doing? Be serious, Leena." He said ignoring the compliment stalking towards her with hard, furious brown eyes narrowed on her, "I'm not answering that shit. I called you an infinite number of times. You didn't answer nor did you come home. I almost filled a missing person's report with Ty. Where the hell were you? Who the hell were you with?"

"Serena." She gestured towards the frosted glass door. "And I didn't get any of those calls because what happened was...

"What happened was," He cut her off. "Yeah, tell me what happened. What captivated you so much that you forgot to let your husband know you were alive?"

"Baby..." She cooed, reaching for his tie.

He swiftly moved her hand away before she could grasp the striped yellow tie that paired well with his navy suit. "Answer me."

She smirked.

"You find something funny?"

"You're cute when you're jealous." Her hand went back for his tie and this time he let her appendage make contact.

"I'm not jealous." His gaze bore down on her like he was a wolf with his sight locked on a fox. "I was worried. There are a lot of crazy people in the world."

She toyed with his tie. "Well, rest your nerves. I'm alive. And I didn't get any of your calls because I lost my phone. I probably left it at that club."

"What club?"

She tsked giving him a knowing look. "Rule 5. Remember."

"I'm not asking to know what you were doing, I just want to help you locate your phone." His hands went to her waist. With his palms against her flesh she saw the flame of fury in his eyes dampen. Touch was his love language. "I'm not the one being a rebel."

She shook her head, "I sent a message from Serena's phone."

"Didn't see it."

"Hmm," Her brows knitted. "Maybe I got the number wrong. She didn't have your number saved in her contacts."

"Why would she?" He pulled her against his body. "We ain't cool like that."

"But she's my best friend.

"And."

"I have Tyrese in mind." She told. "It's good for just in case moments like this so no missing person's reports aren't wrongly filled."

"You just don't keep track of your phone." He said, sliding his hands down to her ass. "I'll buy you another one after work."

"No need. I'll just retrace my steps. We only went to one place." She tried moving his hands off her posterior. "And no ass grabbing at work."

"I can grab this ass anytime I want." He stroked her supple ass and asked her. "Did you fuck anyone last night?"

"Mr. Morrison..." She sang, caressing his beard-covered jaw. "Go back to work and I'll see you at home."

He cradled her face, peering into her eyes as if he was trying to read her soul, kissed her forehead, then stepped back. "I'll see you later."

She watched him stride out. She didn't have to be a mind reader to know what he thought. She knew and she liked it.