Chapter 7
The Following Saturday . . .
The energy surging through my body has me grateful to see Grandma’s name flashing on my dashboard.
Inviting Mica and Kaeden to the bookfair was easy until now.
My stomach has been in knots all morning, and my hands have been shaking.
Spending one-on-one time with Kaeden and his daughter makes me anxious because Kaeden isn’t a regular guy.
I’m unsure if I’m more nervous about Kaeden’s celebrity status or the time we will have together alone.
“Hey, sweet face. Are you in the car right now?”
“Yes, ma’am. I’m meeting one of my customers and her father at the book fair Ribax Preparatory Academy is hosting.”
“Oh, really. Do tell me more? I’m intrigued.”
Rolling my eyes, I tighten my grip on the steering wheel while trying to figure out how to tell Grandma about Kaeden. Based on her words not long ago, I’m unsure how this will play out.
“Don’t get quiet now. Out with it, Missy. What makes this young man worthy enough to get such an invitation from you?”
Biting the inside of my cheek, I ponder Grandma’s last question because I’m not sure what made me ask Kaeden.
Sure, I’m attracted to him and enjoyed our conversation after his practice, but neither warranted the invitation.
Of course, my biggest challenge is how much physical response I had to his jealous and territorial nature when our conversation was interrupted by Heath.
The level of wetness I had to ignore in my panties after that exchange would have been embarrassing if anyone other than me was aware of it.
“The guy plays football for the Columbus Bobcats, and I—uh, I don’t know why I asked him. I’m still trying to figure out why he’s interested in me.”
“Go on and admit that you find him attractive. There’s nothing wrong with liking a man, Kyelle.”
“I know, but he’s in the public spotlight. How could it w—”
“The problem with you young folks is that you spend too much time analyzing things that need no thought or question. If that man wants you, he will figure out a way to make something work for the two of you. His being a celebrity isn’t the roadblock you’re attempting to make it out to be.”
“I think his status will throw its own set of curve balls that will become problematic.”
“Instead of finding issues, why don’t you just take time to enjoy the moments without pressure. Can you do that for me?”
“I will. Scout’s honor.” A smile forms when a snort sounds through the line from Grandma because I already know this conversation is about to shift.
“You talking about scout’s honor after only pledging to a lifetime supply of lip balm is crazy.”
“Lip gloss and amazing credit,” I say, grinning.
“Mhm. Just tell me you’re not speeding while your mind is preoccupied with unnecessary thoughts.”
“Nope. I’m driving slower than Morgan Freeman while he played chauffeur. I love my life and money too much to get in an accident or get a speeding ticket.”
“Well, don’t go too slow, or you’ll give those overzealous officers a reason to pull you over.”
Seeing the school sign coming into view, I bite my bottom lip until a metallic-like flavor enters my mouth, forcing me to release it.
“I’m about to pull in at the school, so I have to go, Grandma.”
“Alright. Stop by on your way home so you can tell me how it went and get one of my soul-settling hugs. You might need it to calm your spirit.”
“Now, that, I’ll definitely agree with. See you soon.”
On suddenly wobbly legs, I walk toward a smiling Kaeden and Mica, whose hazel eyes sparkle and dance with merriment upon seeing me.
Kaeden is wearing a tan ball cap that hides the presence of his eyes beneath the brim, making me want to knock it off so I can see them fully.
The short-sleeve brown and tan polo-style striped shirt and tan shorts, combined with a pair of tan loafers, make me again appreciate the beauty of God’s creation.
The bulge in his arms showcasing the vast range of tattoos littering his arms has me wondering where the ink starts and stops on his well-defined muscular body.
My eyes momentarily linger on Kaeden’s thigh area in search of his dormant member.
“Hi, Ms. Kyelle.” Mica shrieks, breaking me out of my lingering gaze and forcing me to focus on the mini replica of Kaeden.
Mica is wearing a tan dress with matching color sandals with her little toes painted light purple, which makes me smile.
Like the first time I saw her, Mica’s hair is neatly done in braids with beads dancing on the ends.
Warmth fills my stomach at the knowledge of Kaeden doing a great job of caring for Mica.
“Hello, Ms. Mica. How are you doing today?”
Kaeden’s delicious-smelling cologne announces his presence as I do my best to keep my sights on Mica.
“Good. I can’t wait. I can’t wait to see what books they have here. Do you have the tickets, Ms. Kyelle? I got up early because my tummy was jumping like a frog, and I didn’t want to miss today.” Mica’s face is bright, her eyes are glowing, and her voice elevates as she shifts from side to side.
A warm smile upturns my lips at seeing how much Mica is ready for today, because I knew she would like this event.
Meeting Mica the first time allowed me to see how her eyes brighten and twinkle at the thought of books.
A child with that type of love for reading would always benefit from attending today’s book fair.
A foreign feeling spreads throughout my extremities when my eyes momentarily disconnect from Mica to a smiling Kaeden.
“What’s good, Ms. Ky? You’ve been the cause of nonstop chatter and rushing all morning. You owe me.” The final three words of Kaeden’s statement sound like a veiled threat where the last thing I’ll do is regret the aftermath.
A shiver slides down my back as my pearl thumps and juices like Kaeden’s words are a gentle caress across my lower lips.
“Can we go in now? I’m ready,” Mica says, instantly shifting the sexually charged air around us, unbeknownst to her.
“We can. Anything in particular you’re looking for?” I ask as the three of us begin our journey toward the front of the school.
Kaeden is on Mica’s left, and I’m on her right, effectively providing a barrier between us that I need, to keep my wits and focus on Mica.
“Not really. I just want some books, and as long as they look good, then Daddy will buy them for me.” Mica giggles, causing me to join in because I have no doubt that her statement is true.
“Is that right? Do you have a limit for how many books he’ll buy you?”
“Nope, and Daddy loves reading bedtime stories, so he’ll buy me however many I want.”
My eyes shift to Kaeden, whose gaze is already on me as a panty-melting smirk upturns his lips as he shrugs without responding verbally.
“You and I have a lot in common then, Mica. My daddy is the same way with me, and I love it,” I add after breaking eye contact with Kaeden.
“Mhm. Uncle J says I’m a daddy’s girl and have him wrapped around my finger. I don’t know about that though. Daddy whups me sometimes, and I don’t think that makes me a daddy’s girl,” Mica says, and a loud boisterous laugh comes from Kaeden just as we reach the front entrance.
There’s something electrifying and indulgent in the way Kaeden laughs slow, unrestrained, and irresistibly deep that feels intimate without physical touch.
It’s not just the sound; it’s the warmth that curls around me, effortlessly pulling me in and making me wonder how to record it for the times when the sky is gray. My God.
“Are you trying to avoid me, Ms. Ky?” Kaeden’s body presses against my back, and his minty breath invades my ears, and an involuntary shiver slightly shifts my body.
The truth is that I have been trying to stay out of Kaeden’s direct path while going through various aisles within the book fair.
Between the tender way Kaeden interacts and handles Mica to his intense yet constant effort to keep me in his sights, I have been brimming with intense sexual energy.
While most women love a man who caters to them, seeing a man love his child is absolutely breathtaking.
It’s been in the way Kaeden smiles at Mica’s excitement and melts at her plea for another book for him to purchase.
“There’s something about avoidance you should know about me, my baby.” Kaeden wraps his arms around my body, cocooning me against him in a way that causes my eyes to drift shut.
“Mm,” I moan lowly, unable to conjure up any other response due to the tapping in my core and the magnetic comfort surrounding me while in Kaeden’s hold.
“I can eat avoidance for breakfast, lunch, and dinner if I have to. I’m feeling your beautiful ass, and you need to settle your mind to what’s already written to happen between us.
Like a dog with a bone, I’m not coming off your ass.
” Kaeden’s words are low, husky, and hit me like a dagger in my chest, and my pearl responds by juicing like a peach.
“Ms. Kyelle! Ms. Kyelle!” A piercing, feminine voice rings out in a high-pitched tone I’m unable to ignore, forcing me to open my eyes.
A wide smile upturns my lips as I see one of my customers approaching me with her parents in tow. Kaeden doesn’t shift his position but does release me from his hold as the child enters my space.
“I told Mommy I saw you,” the girl gushes.
“Yep. It’s me. I hope you’re enjoying yourself and finding lots of good books.” I say, trying to come down off the high that Kaeden’s body is causing.
“Yes, ma’am. We’re leaving now, but I wanted to say hi,” the girl says.
“I’m glad you did. Have a good rest of your day.” Waving, I sigh when Kaeden’s arms return to my waist as he speaks lowly in my ear.
“You feel too good in my arms to give you the space you might desire.”
“Are-aren’t you worried about people seeing us like this?”
“I’m only worried about your resistance to this moment. Otherwise, I’m good. What about you . . .? You good, Ms. Ky?”
Heat fills my body like I’m standing in front of a broiler, which causes intense thumping in my chest as my eyes roam the vicinity.
No one is paying attention to what we’re doing, and my eyes lock in on Mica.
One of the kindergarten teachers has formed a reading circle, and Mica wanted to join the group of kids.
Kaeden, like he did when Mica wanted to buy books, easily permitted her to join.
Now I’m wondering if this moment is his reason for doing so.
A gentle yet light kiss on my ear snaps me out of my concentration on Mica, returning me to Kaeden’s question.
“I just wanted to remind you of my presence since I’m still waiting for your answer.”
Jesus! This man is about to send me swinging or whatever that R&B group sings.
“N-n—yes, I’m good.” It takes me a minute to recall the question causing me to immediately change my response.
Another light kiss lands on my ear as Kaeden tightens his arms around my waist, and I melt against his chest. There’s something magical about being in this position with Kaeden that erases the slight worry of our public observance from my mind.
“Mhm. I knew you were feeling the kid as much as I’m feeling you. You should have told me that all I had to do was hold you like this to get you to cooperate.”
No, you should have told me that in your arms I would feel the same safety I experience in my father’s arms.