Twenty-Five
TWENTY-FIVE
SOLEIL
I watch the clock as it strikes four-fifteen, wondering what time Malik will be here. I also check my phone, hoping to see a response from King, but the only message is one he sent me last night.
Staring at my laptop screen, I let my thoughts wander. The way Malik acted yesterday caught me off-guard and has me contemplating whether or not a relationship with a jealous man is something I could handle. I guess it beats a relationship with a man who cheats on me. But is one really better than the other?
I throw back the last dredges of my soda when my doorbell rings. Stopping at the mirror hanging in the hallway, I take a deep breath before pulling open my door.
Malik stands there wearing similar clothing from yesterday, a smile and large gift bag.
“Hi beautiful,” he says and my body melts.
What was I supposed to be mad at him about, again?
“Hi.” I think I smile, but I can’t say for certain as I feel numb from my hair to my toes.
Some new sensation always seems to wash over me when I see him. Belly flutters, heart racing, floating, falling, and now numb. It’s like my brain is trying to throw hints my way that this guy isn’t someone to pass time with.
“Come in,” I tell him. “Sorry.”
He takes two steps into the foyer and leans down, placing a soft kiss on my cheek that has them burning hot and red.
“Mind if I take off my riding boots? They’re clunky and I’d hate to mess up your floors.” He’s so tall and handsome and staring up into his gray eyes I get completely lost. “Soleil?”
“Huh?”
“My boots?” He looks down at his feet and I follow the same path.
“Oh. Yeah. Right. Of course.” I point to the living room where he can sit and pull off those shoes that look like fancy ski boots or something.
“This is for you.” He holds out the bag and I grab it, looking curiously into it. “It’s an early birthday present. A little dove bird told me.” He winks having picked up on my nickname for Dahlia, and I blush.
“Thank you. This is completely unnecessary.”
He slowly sits down on my blue couch and he looks like he belongs there, with me tucked into his side.
“Oh but it is. Not only do I want to spoil you in every way you’ll let me, but I owe you an apology for acting like a major ass yesterday.” I shrug with a smile, making him laugh. “Open it.”
He proceeds to unbuckle and unclip and I set the bag down on the ottoman and begin pulling out the gobs of tissue paper.
The first thing I see is a package of marshmallows and chocolate bars. When I look at him with an obvious question in my eyes he says, “Just keep going.”
Underneath the marshmallows sits the softest blanket I’ve ever laid my hands on. Next are two hoodies with a logo that says Dare Inc. The large one is black with purple letters and the smaller one is light pink with bright pink letters.
“One is for you and the other is Dahlia’s. You two can decide who gets which.” A small shake of my head and I continue pulling out items.
A large bag of gummy bears makes my eyes grow wide and he adds, “Kyle may have told me you have a hankering for them.” Following that is a video game that has me thoroughly confused.
“Practice. For next time.”
“Ah. The race track. You think you can beat me?” I ask.
“Hopefully. That’s what the game is for. I plan to get so good that you’ll be left in my smoke and rubber.”
“We’ll see.”
The last item that sits at the bottom of the bag is a blue envelope. Carefully, like it’s a ticking time bomb, I pull it out and slide my finger under the flap to open it. A beautiful card with birds and flowers embossed in gold greets me. Inside it reads:
Soleil~
I may or may not have been a little bit of a jealous caveman, but I promise that’s not who I am…all the time. I apologize for how I responded, but you have captivated me and I can’t help but want to keep you as my own.
I think about you constantly. Your face invades my dreams. Your voice calls to me, and your smile –the way it shines– melts me. I don’t know if you feel even an inkling of this for me, but if you do, please give me another chance to make it right.
The items in this bag may not make much sense but look inside the envelope one more time and maybe it will become clearer.
On begging knees and pleading hands,
Malik
I gulp down a whole swirl of emotions and set the card down on top of the items that sit on my ottoman, then reach back inside the envelope. What I retrieve is a gold foil ticket that looks like the ones Willy Wonka passed out for his factory. I get all giddy inside when I read it.
Tears pool in my eyes with each word I read. He could’ve come over and given me a simple sorry and I most likely would have forgiven him on the spot. But I should’ve known that a man like Malik Dare wouldn’t do something so basic as a basic apology. And to add Dahlia in all of this makes it more swoon-worthy.
“You could’ve just said sorry. That would’ve been sufficient.” I take a step closer to him as he stands to his full height.
“That’s for men with no creativity. This is how a Dare brother apologizes. Completely over the top.” He has a crooked grin on his handsome face and it makes me want to kiss every inch of his body. “This is really wonderful of you. Thank you, and apology accepted.” I rise to my toes, bracing my hands on his shoulders, and move in for a chaste kiss on his lips.
The sparks come to life when our lips touch, and the gentle kiss that I thought I’d give him turns deep and hungry.
His hand comes to rest behind my head while his other arm bands around my waist, tugging me close and surprising me when I feel what sits between us. My eyes jolt wide, but he continues to kiss me with a smile pressing against me.
Our tongues meet and our twin moans set off a series of rapid fire events.
I dig my fingers into his thick hair, tugging at the strands.
He squeezes me tighter, lifting me off my feet.
My legs circle around his waist and my ankles lock behind him, clinging to him like he’s my anchor.
His hand lands on my ass and he palms it, squeezing and massaging.
“Does this mean you’ll be my girlfriend, Soleil Brooks?” His words tickle my lips and send fireworks exploding in my belly.
“Mr. Dare, I've wanted to be yours ever since I saw your sad face when I beat you at pool.”
He spins me around, pinning me to the closest wall and grinding his erection between my legs. My eyes roll so far back I can see them looking back at me in the mirror.
“That night I thought I was going to lose my mind. Every time you bent over that table.” He flicks my top lip with his tongue. “I wanted to lean over you and show you what you were doing to me.” His teeth sink into earlobe. “My body was on fire for you. But even more, my soul was longing to know yours.”
Holy hell, that’s hot. This man has all the right words and all the right moves. I couldn’t say no to him if someone gave me a million bucks. I wouldn’t want to.
Our faces are nose to nose and our eyes can see nothing but each other. “Go for a ride with me.”
“A ride? In your truck? Are you going to take me to lookout point? We’re adults. We don’t have to sneak off to make out.”
With a smile and shake of his head he explains, “No, doll face. Not in my truck. On my bike. I want to show you something.”
I choke, spatting in his face. “Your bike? Oh no no no. Absolutely not. Those are death traps and there is no way you’ll get me on one.”
“They’re not death traps. I’ll be very careful and I’ll have you back before Dahlia gets home. Just a short drive.” I narrow my eyes at him, weary of trusting him. “Please? A slow and short ride.”
He bats his dark, thick lashes –which is totally unfair, by the way– and sticks out his bottom lip in the perfect pout.
I can’t believe I’m going to do this. It’s insane. It’s dangerous. It’s not anything Sunny would ever do, and goes against everything I’ve told Dahlia.
The thoughts roll through my head. All of the reasons I shouldn’t do it. But the why’s become why not’s and before I can argue myself out of it, I say, “Fine. But please be safe. Dahlia needs at least one parent.”
“With you, I’ll always be safe.”
“Soleil, I really love your arms wrapped around me, but do you think you could loosen your hold just a bit? You’re crushing my ribs.” Malik’s voice filters through my helmet and I realize just how strong my hold is on him.
“Sorry,” I yell back, and ease up on the strength of my hold.
I know he’s not driving all that fast but the fact that nothing surrounds us, no protection from other vehicles, shakes me to my core. My eyes were closed for the first part of the drive because I was so terrified. It took a few blocks before Malik convinced me to open up and enjoy the world around us.
And yes, it is pretty amazing. That doesn’t make it any less scary. Even with the helmet and jacket he brought for me. He came prepared in the hopes I would agree, and I am so appreciative for that.
“It’s okay, beautiful. I like you holding on tight to me. I just also like to breathe.” He laughs and the muffled sound strikes a chord with me.
I shake it off and tell him, “I like holding on to you, too, as much as I like you breathing.”
My body moves with his as the road veers to the left as does he. Malik gave me all of the rules before even putting on a helmet, and I’ve done my best to remember and abide by each one. What kind of a mom would I be if it was rules for thee and not for me?
“Think you can handle me opening it up on the freeway?” My jaw clenches, already anticipating the velocity.
“I think so. Just…you’re going to have to deal with my nails digging into you.”
“Oh baby. I can’t wait to have your nails indented all over my skin. Dig all you want.” I shiver with arousal at the thought just as he hits the throttle.
My body is drawn back by the force, and I squeeze him even harder. The wind, the motor, my screams…it all combines for a frightening sound track.
I hear Malik laugh through the speaker and it makes me want to really like to punch him right now. I rest my head on his back, closing my eyes as I face the side, and he tenses. It only takes a moment for him to relax. I feel his hand rub my thigh and it instantly calms me, putting my fears and worries at ease. They aren’t just fears about being on a fast bike. It’s everything.
My fear of never being enough for Dahlia. The worry that I’ll fail at giving her all that she needs. The gripping fear that I’ll be alone forever. Dahlia will grow up and have a family of her own one day, and I’ll be left to spend my days in solitude. But somehow, all of the chaos that lives inside of me just fades away, and warmth and comfort surround me with just a simple touch.
The world around us feels like it moves in slow motion when Malik squeezes my thigh then runs his hand down as far as he can reach, then back up again. I feel the tingle of arousal from my core to my nipples. My fingers splay over his chest and the thump thump of his heart beats straight through his jacket.
“Soleil,” he yells. “Keep doing that and the promise I made to myself to behave will go out the fucking window.”
I don’t want him to behave. I want him to touch me like I’ve dreamt. The way I touch myself when I think of him, be it when I’m alone or talking with King.
King!
I have to end things with him. It’s not a relationship, but it certainly isn’t innocent. That’s not the kind of relationship that will satisfy me. Seeing but never truly being able to touch. Nothing can compare to the real thing.
And I have an intense feeling that nothing, or no one, will ever compare to Malik.