Chapter 13
“Oh, Miles is here, sista. I have to go,” I informed Tampa on the other end of the phone.
She chuckled. “I still can’t believe that man hired a driver ’cause y’all asses can’t drive,” she teased.
I shook my head, then took a seat at the end of the bed to slip on my Chanel sandals. “Sis, I still can’t believe any of it. Why, as soon as I’m ready to focus on myself, I find the perfect man?” I chuckled with a mixture of disbelief and awe.
“Because you stopped chasing and started attracting. You didn’t find him. He found you. What does your heart and gut say?” she questioned me.
My heart began to race because I already knew the answer, but it was scary to admit. After a beat of silence, I whispered, “That he’s my husband.”
I could hear the smile in her voice when she replied. “Trust that feeling, Sis. Shoot me a text when you land and get settled. I love you, and in case you needed to be reminded, you deserve this good love. Don’t get scared and sabotage your gift.”
I hugged my phone to my chest and nodded as if she could see me. I swiped away the lone tear that slid down my cheek. “I won’t, Tamp. I love you more. I’ll let you know when we make it.”
We ended the call, and I stood, ready to head out.
As promised, Ketai was taking me on his business trip.
So, what was supposed to be him touring a potential Airbnb property in Cabo was also going to be our first baecation.
The last three months with Tai were bliss, so I was looking forward to spending some time with my man, lying out on the beach.
As soon as I placed my hand on the door to open it, my doorbell ricocheted off the walls.
A smile graced my lips as I snatched it open to find my man standing there, looking debonair.
He knew he was something fine. I was literally obsessed with his entire facial structure.
Today he was dressed casually in jeans, a graphic t-shirt, and white block walkers.
Ketai never wore a lot of jewelry, but he didn’t need to.
The face card was valid. Then he had the nerve to have a fresh line-up and fade . . .
“There goes my baby,” he started to sing lowly in his raspy voice.
I rushed into his arms and melted from the strength of his hug. “I missed you,” I admitted.
He was smiling when I released him. “I know. I missed your pretty ass too. You ready to go to Cabo?”
I nodded. “Yes, I can’t wait. I love Cabo.”
He shook his head while reaching for my luggage by the door. “I hate that you’ve been everywhere. I got to figure out where I can take you that’ll be a new experience for the both of us.”
I shrugged. “I haven’t been everywhere, so there’s still some good places for you to choose from.”
He smacked me on the ass and nodded. “Don’t worry. I’ma get on that, but for now, let’s head out.”
Ketai took my keys to lock up the house. I made my way to the open door. “Hi, Miles. You coming too?”
He nodded. “Yes, ma’am. Our vehicle for your stay will be waiting for us once we land.”
I smiled and climbed inside because Ketai really was having his way.
Taking our driver on vacation with us? This man was just so different in the way he prioritized my comfort.
Since the day I’d hit that Terrier, I had Miles taking me any and everywhere.
I actually could live my entire life without ever having to drive a car again.
I was too spoiled by the convenience of a driver now to go back to life without one.
Ketai passed my luggage off to Miles before climbing in beside me. Like clockwork, I cuddled next to him, intertwining our fingers together. He lifted our joined hands to his lips and placed the sweetest kiss on the back of my hand. I melted into the seat, knowing this would be a trip to remember.
Ketai stood with his arms crossed over his chest and a frown that wouldn’t budge. “Come on, Stanley. Please! You said we could do whatever I wanted.”
“I should’ve been clearer. We can do whatever, as long as it’s not that.”
I twiddled my thumbs. “Well, I kinda already booked it, and it’s nonrefundable.”
He shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly. “It’s cool. If they need the money that bad, they can keep it.”
I burst out laughing because this man really wasn’t budging. I waltzed over to where he was sitting on the edge of the bed. I straddled his lap and palmed his face. Staring deeply into his eyes, I begged without shame. “Baby, please? I really want to do this with you. It would make me very happy.”
I saw his resolve weaken the longer we stared at each other. Finally, he sighed and tossed his head back. “Fine, Shirley. Whatever.”
I cheered on his lap, then rained kisses all over his face. “Thank you, baby. Come on because our reservation is in an hour.”
Even though he was against it, he still changed from the linen suit he wore to handle business into a pair of swimming trunks and a t-shirt.
After making sure we both had sunscreen on, I forced him to snap some pictures in the mirror.
His swimming trunks matched my bikini set, and we looked so cute.
I loved a big-hat moment and never missed an opportunity to wear one on vacation.
We headed down from our suite to the front, where Miles was waiting for us. I kept talking about random things to keep Tai engaged and his mind off our destination. He could change his mind at any moment.
I sighed in relief when we finally made it down to the beach. I was nearly dragging him behind me to meet the instructor who would be giving us the tour.
“Hi, I’m Free, and this is my boyfriend, Ketai,” I introduced us to him since Tai was standing there as if he was seconds away from bolting back up the beach.
“Hola, yo como Juan.” The guy shook my hand then extended his to Tai, but my man just stared at the water in the distance, completely ignoring him, with his rude ass.
“Sorry. He’s a little nervous,” I joked.
Tai walked closer to lean down and whisper in my ear. “This nigga don’t even speak English? I don’t trust this shit, Shirley.”
I giggled at the nickname he was calling me more often now. Considering I called him Stanley all the time, I guess it was only fair. “I speak fluent Spanish, baby. We’re good. I promise.” I shooed him away and turned back to Juan. “We’re ready when you are.”
I could see Tai shaking his head out of the corner of my eye. “Ask him how many niggas die doing this shit a year?”
My head fell back as I looked at the sky. I glanced at him and frowned. “Really?”
He nodded adamantly. “Yes, ask him. I need to know the risks first.”
I palmed my face but asked Juan what Tai wanted to know. He replied in his native language. Turning to Tai, I said, “He said there’s a low death rate. It’s around 1 per 90,000 rides between 1982 and now.”
Tai pulled at his beard. “Ask him how many rides he’s given this year.”
I rolled my eyes and planted my hand on my hip. “Babe, really?”
He nodded. “Hell yeah. I need to make sure our ride isn’t going to be his 90,000th one.”
I shook my head. “You really get on my nerves.” I huffed but turned to Juan to ask the question. He laughed before he replied. “He said don’t worry, big guy. He’s nowhere close to that many rides. Now, can we do this, please?”
Tai paused. “He called me big guy? Oh, hell nah. He saying I’m too fat for this shit.”
I burst out laughing. “Boy, if you don’t come on, I’ma knock you out, on Paulette.”
He shoulder bumped me. “Don’t be putting shit on my mama right now. I’m already pulling on her for protection ’cause this some white people shit, and we all know they be doing shit they don’t have to do, putting their lives at risk for nothing. This feels like that.”
I couldn’t stop laughing, but he did finally agree to get started.
Juan gave all the instructions and all that good stuff before he put the harnesses on us, then we got on his boat to head out.
Tai was a nervous wreck the entire time.
He held on to the straps for dear life when it was time for us to go up in the air.
I screamed in excitement while my man was screaming in pure terror. “Oh, hell nah! We going too high, dawg! I knew I shouldn’t have let you talk me into this shit!”
“Baby, calm down. You’re safe. Look at me.” He had his eyes closed shut so tightly that he was missing the entire experience. “Open your eyes and look at me,” I said again when he didn’t move a muscle.
After a minute, he slowly popped open his eyes and turned to look at me. “It’s only us up here,” I said with a smile. “Only us,” I repeated for emphasis. He nodded, understanding what I meant. “Look at this beautiful view.”
He found the courage to glance out at the ocean. I was sure he was still terrified, but I could tell he did start to appreciate the beauty. “This is beautiful. I can’t lie,” he mumbled. “It really be looking like the ocean can go on forever and ever.”
I nodded in agreement. “Yes, it is. Thank you for coming with me.”
He slowly turned to look at me. “If you haven’t noticed by now, I will do anything for you.”