Chapter 19
“What else do you need from the store, Mama? I’m just leaving work, but I only want to make one trip to Kroger. If you forget anything, you’ll have to go back and get it because Genesis and I have plans,” I said to my mother as I walked to my car.
“You gon’ do what I tell you to do!” she said loudly then laughed. “That’s everything, baby. Where are y’all going?”
“I’m just taking her out for a night on the town. She’s been so patient with my journey to healing. I want to show her how much I appreciate her.”
“Umm, she wasn’t the only one that had to deal with your attitude. Where is my gratitude?”
“Mama, I felt like you gave me as much hell as I gave you, so we’re even.”
She laughed, and I did too. It had been six weeks since Genesis pulled me out of that burning car. I’d been back at work for the past two weeks. People seemed shocked to see me back so soon, but I felt like I was about to go crazy. I needed to get back to normal. Plus, Johnson had told me that arrests were going to be made soon. I had to be back at work so I could secretly hear the gossip. I was the king of eavesdropping. Nothing got by me.
My colleagues were grateful for my early return, simply because it would lighten the load. They had been swamped. Cases were so backed up they couldn’t see the light of day. I was glad to be back as well. Law—exacting justice—that was my happy place. However, I found myself being a little more lenient. I wanted to believe Genesis had a lot to do with that. That woman had me soft as cotton candy. Whenever she licked me, I practically disintegrated. She held that much power over my heart.
Her love that she’d spilled into me was overflowing in my life and touching lives that I touched. She’d been staying at my house more often than not, and I had gotten used to being in her space. That was the only downside to coming back to work. Although she was working, her free time was devoted to me. Her mama wasn’t feeling that at all. She complained that I’d stolen her baby girl from her. I could only laugh in response, especially when she said for us to give her a grandbaby to occupy Genesis’s spot.
“Kyrie, the doorbell is ringing. If I think of anything else I need, I’ll text you.”
“Mm hmm. Don’t have me in the store all day, woman.”
She chuckled. “Bye, fool!”
I ended the call and slowly shook my head. My mama was a mess, but I wouldn’t change that for the world. Before I could turn into the parking lot at Kroger, she was calling back, as I knew she would.
“What’s up, Ma?”
“Kyrie! These flowers are beautiful! And food from my favorite place? Thank you, baby!”
“You’re very welcome, Mama. I love you, and I appreciate everything you do for me. I know you love roses and Olive Garden, so I figured that would be a good way to show you how much you mean to me.”
“I love you too, son. This was really nice. See you when you get here.”
“Okay.”
I ended the call and made my way inside the store. As I shopped, I got an uneasy feeling in my gut. I turned and surveyed my surroundings, trying to make sure I wasn’t being followed. I didn’t notice anything suspicious, but my guard was still in place. Besides work, I hadn’t been going many places. I started at the gym last week, just doing light cardio, and I went to church with Genesis and my mama. Those were the only places I had been besides the grocery store. This was the first time I’d gotten this feeling though.
My gut was telling me that they were after me again, but I realized it could also just be paranoia. Despite Johnson’s advice, I couldn’t just sit idle. I’d been looking at every document Darlene had signed. So far, I’d pointed out four different types of signatures for her. One was identified as Samuel Farris’s handwriting, one was Darelene’s, and I’d narrowed one down to either city council member, Jackson Doyle or Dana Houston, Judge Cameron’s stenographer. I was leaning more to Jackson though. I hadn’t even come close to figuring out the last one.
Another reason I wanted to take Genesis out was because her brother would be among those getting arrested. I just wanted her to have a relaxing weekend before chaos ensued. She deserved that and so much more. There was proof that he’d received money from the mayor along with the checks and documents he forged and made to look like the lieutenant’s handwriting. They were going to come down on him hard to get him to talk and reveal other parties involved.
From what Johnson said she could deduce from her own reasoning, Samuel was bribing the main parties. They were basically paying him to keep his mouth shut. He got cut into the deal that way and was way too intuitive for them to try anything. He would know who was after him… unlike me. I didn’t feel like he had a thing to do with the vendetta they had out for me, but he definitely knew who was involved.
Once I was done with my mother’s grocery list, along with the couple of things she added while I was shopping, I went to her house and dropped everything off, promising to spend a little time with her, Sunday. Sundays were my days to wind down and get ready for the work week. I noticed Genesis had adopted that practice as well since her schedule had been set to weekdays.
When I got home, I went to take a shower, but before I got in, I sent Genesis a message, letting her know I would be at her house to pick her up in an hour. We hadn’t had sex yet, but tonight would be the night that I felt her walls wrap around me again. I’d been making sure she was pleased, whether that was orally or with my fingers. Whenever she tried to return the favor, I would stop her. I had to breathe too deeply and didn’t want to put myself through that pain.
I didn’t care if she had to do all the work tonight. I had to feel her. It felt like I was about to lose my mind not being able to indulge in her waters. Seeing her sexy ass daily and watching her sex faces when she orgasmed was torture. While I was happy to oblige her needs, it was hard as hell to restrain my own desires, although I knew that physically, I couldn’t handle it. After emerging from the shower and drying off, I checked my phone to see if she’d responded.
Okay, baby. I’ll be ready. Love you.
I smiled. Her words of love made me feel good inside. It was what my mama spoke of that would have my soul light and make me slow down some. Work came second now. It was hard to even believe that transition had occurred. Genesis Farris was my number one priority, and it happened naturally. I wanted her to be number one without even thinking about it or rationalizing it. Everything she’d shown me had told me that she deserved that spot, even when I was pushing against it.
Once I moisturized and put on my black slacks and black shirt, I checked my reflection. The waves in my hair seemed to be more defined, and my dark skin looked flawless. It was like loving her had affected everything about me. She made me different… better. I was a fool to think that I could go on without her after encountering just how amazing she was. The bug had bit me, and thankfully, I learned to accept it while Genesis was still receptive.
I pulled into her driveway, ready to actually enjoy a night out on the town. It would only be our third date due to the circumstances. Taking a deep breath, I put the car in park and grabbed the pink lilies from the passenger seat. When I got to her door, before I could ring the doorbell, she opened it, wearing a black formfitting dress that dipped low in the front and left her shoulders exposed.
She smiled brightly as I salivated over her figure that was on full display. “Hey, baby. Come on in.”
“Damn, you look gorgeous. These are for you,” I said as I extended the lilies to her.
“Thank you. You look amazing yourself. These are beautiful. Thank you.”
She took them from me and went to the kitchen. When she turned her back, I got the perfect view of her curves, especially the one on her back that I wanted to squeeze. God, she was so perfect. Her hair had grown out a little and had more waves in it. It framed her gorgeous face perfectly as well. God definitely took his time when He sculpted her. From the top of her head to the soles of her feet… it all had been touched by God.
Once she came back to me, she smiled. “I’m ready.”
I smiled back and followed her to the door. I could imagine now that I would be walking behind her every chance I got. My pants were getting uncomfortably tight, though, so I had better calm down before I got past the point of no return.
After she locked the door, I grabbed her hand and led her to the car. For some reason, I felt nervous, like I was trying to make a good first impression. She already knew me, so I didn’t know why I was tripping. I opened her door and rested my hand at the small of her back. Before getting inside, she leaned to me and kissed my lips.
I smiled when she pulled away. “I didn’t want to mess up your makeup.”
She gave me a one-cheeked smile. “Well, I brought the lipstick in my clutch.”
She patted it as I bit my bottom lip then pulled her back to me. My lips hungrily devoured hers in the most pleasing way, causing her to release a moan of passion into my mouth. Her hand traveled to the back of my head, holding me in place. My tongue explored her mouth like it was a whole new world. I wanted my encounters with her to feel brand new every time. Pulling her hips to mine, I allowed my hand to travel to her ass and grip it.
“Mmm… Kyrie. We better stop before we don’t leave,” she said after pulling away.
“You’re right. I just can’t help myself.”
She bit her bottom lip. “It’s hard restraining myself as well. Where are we going?”
“Get in, and I’ll clue you in.”
She rested her hand on my cheek for a moment, then slid inside to the plush leather seat. I closed her door then adjusted my erection as I made my way to the driver’s side. This woman was going to be the death of me. I loved and craved her so much I could barely think about anything else. During cases, I would find my mind drifting to her. That was the reason I’d become a little more lenient. I was zoning out and probably not hearing all the facts. Suddenly, that wasn’t as important as her.
When I got inside, I said, “First we’re going to dinner at Riverside Grille. I’ve never been there, but I’ve heard good things about it. Then after that, we’ll be going to Jefferson Theater to see a play.”
Her eyes brightened. “A stage play?”
“Yes, ma’am. Is that cool?”
“Absolutely,” she said as she slid her hand to mine. “This is so nice, Kyrie. Thank you.”
I lifted our hands and kissed hers. “You deserve this and so much more. Thank you for taking care of me at my weakest. You not only took care of me physically but mentally and emotionally. Your love has gotten me through these tough times, and I can’t express just how much I appreciate you for that.”
She gave me a soft smile then stared forward. I could tell something was on her mind, because her facial expressions turned somewhat serious. Her smile was gone and replaced with a face of stone. Her hand was still in mine, our fingers intertwined. “Hey. You okay?”
She gave me a tight smile when she glanced at me. “Yeah. I’m good.”
“Baby…”
She turned to me as I repeatedly glanced at her. When I got to the traffic light, I brought my hand to her face. “Just like I learned to confide in you, I need you to do the same. Life has a way of sneaking up on you and presenting problems that you aren’t able to fix or control. However, we can control our reactions to what it brings our way. I’m here to listen.”
I lifted her hand and kissed it. “I’m just worried about Samuel. I haven’t heard from him in a while, and that’s not like him. We usually talk three to four times a week, maybe only skipping a day in between. I’ve called and texted him but haven’t gotten a response.”
I gently caressed the top of her hand with my thumb, feeling her pain through her words. “Has your mom talked to him? What about Grandma Jean?”
“My mama hasn’t heard from him either, but Grandma Jean said he’s fine. He can’t be fine if he won’t talk to Mama and me. We’ve never been judgmental of anything he has going on or is doing. We will , however, express our disdain or disappointment in his actions. We don’t mean it harshly. We just want what’s best for him and want him to want what’s best for him too. He hasn’t mentioned anything about the issues I’ve been privy to, but I can’t help but wonder if the reason he isn’t speaking to us has to do with that.”
“All you can do at this point is pray about it, baby. If we haven’t gotten anything else out of the sermons we’ve been hearing, it’s to give it to God.”
She stared at me as I drove through the intersection and said, “You’re right, baby. Whatever happens is because He allowed it. I have to learn to be okay with whatever happens.”
“I understand your concern, but you can’t let it affect you to the point where you can’t function. I’m not saying that it shouldn’t stun you or that it shouldn’t hurt. I love your heart. It’s what makes you who you are.”
She nodded, and a small smile made its way to her lips as we turned into the parking lot of Riverside Grille. When I parked, I got out of the car to help her out. However, I saw a car parked afar that looked suspicious. No one was parked that far back, and I could clearly see someone in the driver’s seat watching me watch them.
I wanted to get back in the car, but instead, I pulled out my phone and called Stephanie. She answered on the first ring. “Hello?”
“Someone is tailing me. I’m at Riverside Grille with Genesis, and he’s at the back of the parking lot watching me.”
“I’m on my way. There are some new developments I need to tell you about as well.”
“Okay.”
I ended the call and helped Genesis from the car as I watched them drive away.
“Is everything okay?” she asked, turning to look in the same direction as me.
Staring back into her eyes, I wanted to say yes, but I also wanted to keep it real with her. “We were being followed. I called Johnson, and she’s on her way.”
The worry lines appeared on her forehead, so I continued. “We won’t let that ruin our night, baby. Tonight is about you and how perfect you are for me.”
She brought her hands to my face and pulled me to her. Her lips graced mine with their presence, and she gave me a preview of the passion that was looming over us like a rain cloud. I couldn’t wait to get back home and allow it to rain on us without an ounce of resistance.