Chapter 14
Kydrick realized he hated being late. Prison had made him a very punctual person and also a man of habit. He thrived on routine and being mindful of time. The issue with that was the predictability of the free world didn’t always promise that he could stick to his timely habits.
“Come on, Pooh! We have to be there in five minutes,” he shouted from the bottom of her stairs.
Over the past couple of days, they had taken turns at each other’s houses, which got old to him really quick. He glanced down at Biscuit and could tell he was sick of it too. Puppies thrived off routine, and Biscuit was forgetting some of his training because of the unpredictable schedule.
That was okay, though, because he planned to talk to Paisley that day about buying a home together. He wanted their relationship to feel more permanent. It was past time for that, and Paisley deserved that comfort. Hell, he deserved that comfort.
While he waited for her, he put Biscuit in the crate he bought for her house and gave him a treat. By the time he finished, Paisley had walked down the stairs looking beautiful in a yellow sundress. Kydrick bit down on his bottom lip as he watched her walk around, looking for her shoes and keys.
“Sorry, baby. I’m ready,” she called out, oblivious to the fact that he watched her as she put her sandals on.
Slowly, he walked up to her and grabbed her ass. All was definitely forgiven. She looked good and the way she smelled was well worth them being late.
“Let me get some,” he muttered into her ear as she straightened up from putting on her shoes.
She swatted him away. “Cut it out, Kyd. We’ll miss the whole thing if I give you some right now. Besides, I’m sore.”
“Come on, baby,” he pleaded as he nibbled on her ear while he pulled her closer so her ass rested on his thighs. He didn’t care that he sounded thirsty. He didn’t care that it sounded like he was begging for the pussy. For Paisley, he would get down on his knees and cry and plead for the gold between her legs.
It took some effort, but Paisley managed to turn in his arms and look up at him.
“We have to go see the family. When we get home I’ll give you some head if you’re good.”
His brows rose damn near to his hairline as his eyes brightened. “Swear?”
She giggled. “Swear.”
Paisley’s head had curled his toes on a few occasions now, and he definitely needed that when they got home, so he cleared his throat and took a step away, holding his arm out to her.
“Such a gentleman.”
“For you? Always.”
Together, they walked out of her house and locked up before getting into his car. Paisley connected her phone to the car so she could play music, and the first song that came on was “I Found My Everything” by Mary J. Blige.
“I love this song!” Paisley exclaimed as she turned up the volume while Kydrick groaned.
“Aw shit. This song used to stay on repeat.”
“Come on,” Paisley urged as she held an invisible microphone out to him. “You know you love this song.”
A smile tugged at his lips, and it wasn’t long before he sang along with her. They turned the twenty minute car ride into an impromptu karaoke session.
By the time they pulled up to her parents’ house, they were both out of breath and laughing. They were so in their own world that they didn’t notice everyone watching them get out of the car from the porch, being nosy.
Cheers erupted as soon as Kydrick and Paisley walked up to the house. Startled, Paisley jumped. Kydrick laughed as he kissed her cheek.
“Why is everyone clapping?” Paisley asked, whispering to Kydrick.
He shrugged. “I don’t know, but you should have just seen your face.”
Paisley kissed her teeth. “Whatever. You’re supposed to protect me. What happened to that? Why am I getting startled while in your presence?”
He laughed harder. “I’m supposed to protect you from people clapping and cheering?”
She cut her eyes at him before waving at the group of people in front of the house sitting around.
“What’s going on?” she asked, still confused.
Tiana waved everyone off and stepped forward, chewing on a piece of grilled chicken.
“They’re just happy y’all two finally stopped pretending like you weren’t in love.”
Paisley’s eyes ballooned while her sister hugged her. “What?”
“You heard her,” Alyssa called out. “It’s about damn time.”
“Mama!” Paisley exclaimed in amusement.
“She ain’t say nothing wrong,” Leon, her father, said from his spot at the grill.
Paisley looked up at Kydrick nervously before glancing at Linda and Charles, who sat next to her mother. Sensing her hesitation, Kydrick leaned down and kissed her temple.
“You good?”
Paisley’s eyes traveled over to Jaden and Janelle who sat at a picnic table, watching their children play with a ball while pretending not to notice them. She shrugged before nodding.
“Yeah. It’ll just take some getting used to.”
They walked over to Linda and Charles.
“Happy birthday, ol’ lady,” Kydrick said, giving Linda a hug.
“Boy, I’ll show you old.” Linda hugged him back before pinching him on the arm. For her sake, he feigned pain, causing her to giggle.
Paisley took that time to hug Charles, who whispered, “Y’all look good together, Paisley P. Don’t worry about Nelle. She’s happy for you two.”
He was always so insightful. Paisley would always love Janelle’s parents as if they were a second set of her own. She nodded and smiled at him while he patted her cheek before she gave Linda some love.
“Kydrick, let me introduce you to my son-in-law and my grandbabies,” Linda said, hopping up from her seat and grabbing him by the arm.
Paisley tensed as she trailed behind them. She stood back while Linda engaged in conversation with Kydrick and Jaden and then Nasir, who joined them.
Janelle sat just in front of her at the table, and she turned to look up at Paisley with a small smile.
“Love looks good on you, Paisley P.”
It felt like a full circle moment. A year ago, if Janelle had said some shit like that to her, she probably would have knocked all this shit over. Now, though, she felt warmth spread through her as she stared at her old friend. Janelle looked back at Jaden, and her smile widened.
“It looks good on you, too, Janey J.”
When Janelle looked back at her, there were tears in her eyes. Paisley offered her a sad smile before squeezing Janelle’s shoulder and walking toward her man.
“Hey, Jaden.” She greeted Janelle’s husband before looking up at Kydrick, who put his arm around her waist. “You okay, baby?”
He looked down at her with love dancing in his eyes before he looked up at the sky. A breeze picked up, sending chills over Paisley. When he looked back down at her, he had a look of deep satisfaction on his face.
“I’m absolutely perfect.”
And that was all she had ever wanted for him. Kydrick deserved nothing less than perfection, and she would gladly spend the rest of her life chasing that for the both of them. They had come such a long way, but somehow, that very moment felt like only the beginning.