Sorimah
Chapter Eight
Hendrix was truly playing with fire. It was one thing to cheat but to have that same woman in your house and not feel any remorse was insane.
I was walking on eggshells the entire time, but he maneuvered through the house like nothing was out of place.
I didn’t understand how men operated on such accord.
Knowing that I was already invested, I couldn’t walk away.
Akeera was such an angelic soul that I was overlooking every con to this situation just to put a smile on her face.
She needed that extra love and attention from a female figure because her mother wasn’t going to give it to her in no shape or form.
“Thank you for continuously showing up the way you do. I didn’t think you would after the talk we had and then you going days without acknowledging me.”
“That beautiful girl is the reason I show up. You on the other hand are unavoidable, so from this day forward, there are boundaries. Do not touch me, get too close to me or even speak to me in a manner that makes me feel like there is more. I want to work and that’s all.”
“I got it Ri.”
“Address me as Sorimah. We’re not friends. She has school does she not?”
This morning I had a new attitude. I wanted a man that was already spoken for and that was the blatant truth. Where I wanted to give him my ass to kiss, I couldn’t because then my emotions would show. He didn’t have that privilege to get anything else raw from me.
“She does. I’ll be in the car.”
He walked out and I headed upstairs to gather Akeera. She was sitting on the bed not wanting to move. She was halfway dressed not wanting to finish herself. We’d been going through this for a while now and I didn’t mind.
“Beautiful one we have to finish. We can’t skip school today.”
“I don’t feel good. I’m tired Ri.”
“I know you are, but if you can help me then I promise I’ll have a treat for you after school.”
Usually when I mentioned treats, she would jump at it, but she didn’t this morning which caused concern. I got a better look at her face and her high yellow skin blush red. Something was wrong. I placed the back of my hand to her forehead and felt that she was burning up.
I gently laid her down and ran to get the thermometer out of the bathroom to take her temp. She was quickly scanned, and her temperature was 102.4 degrees. I immediately changed her back to a set of pajamas and tucked her back in bed.
“So, you have a fever and have to take some medicine. Are you okay with that?”
She gave a slight nod, and I went to retrieve it from the medicine cabinet in the bathroom. I poured up her directed dosage and administered it. She gave me no fuss about taking it.
“Are you hungry or anything?” She shook her head from side to side like I knew she would. “What about something to drink? I believe I bought some Pedialyte the other day.”
“Yes. Ri, can you stay with me in my room? I don’t want you to go.”
This precious girl won my heart over without applying any pressure. She could ask me to do whatever, and I would jump at it. There was an instant love developed for her. She was too sweet and adorable not to give her that kind of affection.
“Sure, sweet pea. Let me go tell your father that school is a no go today and grab your juice. I’ll be right back.”
I gave her a soft kiss on her cheek and headed downstairs to take care of what I just briefed her on. Hendrix was still waiting in the car for us to join him. I knocked on the window and waited for him to roll it down.
“Where my baby at?”
“She’s back in bed. Can you call the school and let them know she has a fever?”
“Yeah. I’ll do that now. What does she need?”
“Is this her first time being sick?”
“The last time she got sick was years ago. If I’m not mistaken, it was about three years ago. She catches slight colds, but they’re usually gone within a day or two. Is she alright?”
By this time, he was stepping out of the car and we were continuing the discussion as we reentered the house. He followed me to the kitchen and stood by as I fixed a small cup of Pedialyte for Akeera. I hated that she wasn’t her bubbly self. I always looked forward to her smiles.
“The only thing she requested was me not to leave her bedroom, so I’m bound to her four walls for the day. Is that alright with you?” I questioned.
“Whatever she wants, she gets. What can I get you so that you’re comfortable?”
His hand casually held on to mine as we stood there talking everything over. I wanted to remove myself from his grip, but I was also enjoying the fact that he touched me without a second thought. However, boundaries were set, and I wanted him to understand he didn’t have me like that anymore.
“I’ve asked you to stop touching me. Why can’t you respect that?” I tried not to show attitude, but I was trying to make a point.
“Because the f—”
“Alright y’all. I’m heading out.” His words were cut short when Aviana jogged down the stairs, making us aware of her presence. He stepped back, creating the distance I’d requested earlier. “Why aren’t y’all gone yet? What’s the hold up?”
“Akeera has a fever. I’m heading up to tend to her now. Enjoy your day Aviana. It’s a pretty one. Excuse me.”
I stepped around her and continued upstairs.
Hendrix didn’t understand the effect he had on me.
If that man would’ve said fuck his woman and for me to bend over right then and there, I probably would’ve done it.
That was how hot and bothered he made me feel.
Those boundaries were more for me than they were him.
As a woman that was big on acting like a lady, I was willing to throw my morals away once more to get another round with him. My body hadn’t recovered from the rendezvous we indulged in the first time.
I applied a light knock-on Akeera’s door before I entered. In tow, I had her cup of juice and my laptop. While she slept, I planned on catching up on emails and taking conference calls. She would be in a medicated sleep for at least two hours before I would have to break and get her some soup.
“Hey beautiful one. I got the juice like I said. Your dad is downstairs in the kitchen and your mom is getting ready to leave. Do you want me to get them for you?” She shook her head no and I didn’t push. “I’m going to be over here in the rocking chair. Get some sleep.”
“Can you get in the bed? I like when you scratch my hair.”
“Sure, sweet pea.”
Thankfully, her bed was a king size bed and she had more than enough room for me to join her. I sat on top of her cover due to me not feeling comfortable invading her personal space so much. She repositioned herself to where her head was in my lap after I got situated. She was such a genuine child.
I took her twist down so that she could sleep without irritation.
I began to glide my fingers through her hair, and she drifted off to sleep within minutes.
I disliked it when children got sick. They didn’t really know why their bodies were changing, they just knew they couldn’t run around and play the same way they’d done the day before.
Hendrix stepped inside and I noticed he wore a concerned look on his face. He had nothing to worry about. I was going to make sure she returned to her normal self that counted on the dates with her father.
“How is she?” he inquired, taking subtle steps in our direction and didn’t stop moving until he was squatting beside me on the side of the bed.
“She needs a mother’s touch. Hendrix what is the issue with Aviana not wanting to be there for her?”
Our voices weren’t above a whisper due to her being directly under me. I questioned him about Aviana because he was the only one that seemed worried about a child they shared together. It wasn’t right and each day I witnessed the neglect, I grew a dislike for her.
He dropped his head, and I could tell it was a touchy subject for him. “I’m not sure. I do my part and make sure she knows I love her.”
“She needs love from her mother as well. She clung to me looking for that. When I said I’m here for Akeera, I meant that. I know how it feels to not be seen by your parent.”
Standing, he gently grabbed my hand and said, “Come talk to me for a minute.”
Without hesitation, I adjusted Akeera then allowed him to lead. It didn’t register that I followed behind him without questioning until we were already halfway down the hall.
“What is it Hendrix? Now isn’t the time for this,” I voiced removing my hand from his.
He ignored me and pulled me into the nearest guest bedroom shutting the door right after. I could tell something was on his mind, but I didn’t know what. I also didn’t expect his next move. The boldness of him was so damn attractive.
His mouth covered mine for the second time since our drunken night and I had to admit that it felt good. That one night never stopped playing in my head making my body crave his touch more and more. Hendrix was the man I wanted, and I believed he knew that.
Even though our tongues danced so beautifully, I couldn’t allow myself to get lost in him again. Stopping the kiss abruptly, I created distance between us by stepping into the room further.
“I’ve asked you several times to stop touching me. I won’t ask again.”
“So now I don’t have the right to touch you?
You think you’re the only one that can’t shake that night?
I’ve been in hell since because I wasn’t able to see you, smell you, or even feel you.
Do I look like the kind of man that finds out information regarding a woman that isn’t mine?
I can’t let the idea of having you go Ri. ”
“You need to think about your family and leave me alone. A spoken for man shouldn’t have the nerve to say a thing to anyone else. Now move.”
That caused him to rush and kiss me again.
The more he defied me the more I was drawn to him.
All I wanted was for him to cater to my body the way he once did before.
Not one crack or crevice was forgotten about while I had his attention, so that put me in a position where I was questioning what to do next.