Chapter 12
TWELVE
Her walls were like silk wrapped tightly around my dick. It didn’t matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t get her voice out of my head. The sound of my name rolling off her tongue. The rolling of her hips. The snugness of her pussy. Their generosity. Their forgiveness. Their warmth.
Fuck.
My eyes closed, involuntarily. Visions of Range’s hands against the wall as she threw her shit back on me sent me into overdrive. My nut raced from my sack, threading through my shaft.
I stroked my dick, twisting each time I reached the tip. My toes popped as they curled underneath. I stacked my teeth, gritting while trying not to lose myself in the wilderness behind my lids.
Fuck, baby.
I’d empty my account for another round of Range. It wasn’t her pussy that had me contemplating the deep end. It was her. All of her. Mind. Body. Soul. She was flawless.
Urrrrgh.
Semen erupted from the head of my dick, raining down on my right hand. Still, I was dazed, unable to loosen my grip. Unable to erase her from my thoughts.
Against the pillow, I attempted to catch my breath.
Range had a way of rearranging everything inside of me, making it difficult to manage basic functions of the human anatomy.
My eyes reopened, giving me full control of my limbs again.
I freed my shaft and grabbed the damp towel from the edge of the bed.
My feet touched the floor, socks serving as a barrier between us. It had been three days since I’d laid eyes on Range. However, the effects of her lingered.
The smell of her hair…
The smell of her perfume…
The smell of her pussy…
I missed it. I missed it all. I missed her.
Side by side, we stood as the judge entered the courtroom. Once the court was adjourned, seats were taken. Not ours, but those around us.
“Have a seat,” Range whispered, leaning over so that only her and I could hear.
“I won’t be able to keep my eyes off you if I do. Standing is–”
“Josiah,” she pleaded, “A seat. Please.”
“Only because I hate to hear you beg,” I murmured, “With the except–”
Her cheeks flushed as she turned to me. The seriousness in her eyes and her stern posture were ravishing. I adjusted. My seat was taken without further resistance.
My eyes wandered to her backside. It’s where they remained as she stepped forward.
The prosecution team fumbled through pages until they reached the desired section of their file. With one sheet of paper in hand, the bald man stepped forward as well.
“Prosecution–” the judge called out.
“Your honor, the prosecution requests more time to sort through the findings in the case. We’re securing vital information that supports the charges for the defense. Information that will prove the intent and guilt behind the disappearance of Anth–”
“Your honor, the prosecution team has had months to sort through and acquire vital evidence to support the charges filed against my client, prominent figure and community leader, Dr. Josiah Blackwood. Every day he’s between those walls, his pharmaceutical practice, partners, projects, and license are at stake.
“We are not talking about the average Joe, here, your honor.
I am here to defend a man who is responsible for drugs that save lives.
Taking a life is not only out of character but completely contradicts everything Dr. Blackwood stands for.
There is no evidence. There are no witnesses.
There is no motive. Nobody. No proof a crime has been committed.
“Aside from my client being the last person to see the victim alive, there are no connections to this case.
The defense moves to propose the immediate release of Dr. Blackwood.
Not only is my client innocent of the murder, he has lives to save while consoling his sister and niece as their family continues the search for our victim.
“Mr. Blackwood is not a threat. Not to you, to me, or to society. To no one. He is an asset. A valuable one. One who heals, not harm. So, today, your honor, I’m asking that this baseless case is dismissed so that Dr. Blackwood can maintain his commitment to the medical profession he loves dearly and the family that needs him during this time. ”
“Due to the nature of this case, Attorney Childers, I will give the prosecution time to submit compelling evidence. I am setting a new hearing date. Attorney White, you have ninety days to convince me that this man should not go home to be with his family. I believe in your ability to provide.”
“Thank you, your honor.”
“Hmph,” my baby breathed out, returning by my side.
The defeat of Range’s face left me weary. Not for my freedom, but for her. I wanted to caress her. To hug her. To let her know that it would all work out. To assure her I was coming home to her. To bend her over the table in front of us and dig her out until she felt better.
I tapped the screen of the cell, contemplating my next move. I was suffering from her absence.
10:52p
It was late. As much as I hoped she was resting, I wondered if she was awake. Thinking of me. Touching herself. Studying my case. Or, relaxing in the oversized garden tub with the light dimmed and the candles surrounding her.
I wondered if she loved our new home. If she felt lonely there.
If decor and furniture shopping was keeping her mind occupied.
If the off set we experienced in court was still bothering her.
If her closet was coming along. If she needed anything.
If our bed was comfortable. If she wanted a pet to hold space for her until my release.
If she cried against our pillow. If she’d been second guessing us.
If she was overwhelmed. If she was okay.
Restraint felt impossible. I gnawed on my bottom lip.
Just to tell her goodnight. I reasoned. That’s all.
Before I could get a hold on myself, the phone was on my ear and the line was ringing. Half a second passed before the sweetest melody laced the other end, grounding me. Surrounding me. Liberating me.
“Hello?”
The grogginess had me fighting demons. I’d disturbed her. It was never my intention.
“I apologize,” I admitted, clearing my throat. “I didn’t mean to wake you. Goodnight, Range.”
“No. No.”
There was movement. I imagined her sitting up in the bed that I’d spent six weeks locating. It was perfect. Even better in person than in the catalog.
“It’s fine. I’m awake now.”
I closed my eyes. She was my lullaby. A sigh pushed through my lips. My chest deflated.
I’m going to marry this woman. My mind was made up. My future was finalized.
“How are you settling in?”
“It’s an adjustment,” Range yawned. “I haven’t been here much. Tonight, though, I couldn’t rest until I was under these covers.”
Smiling, I rubbed a hand over my head. I felt like a kid with his biggest crush on the line.
“I’ve missed you, too, Sunshine.”
“Yeah?” She whispered.
“Yeah.”
“It’s been the longest few days of my life.”
“I know that wasn’t the best outcome, but it wasn’t the worst. Patience. That’s all we need. This’ll all be over soon.”
“Yeah. And, that’s what I keep telling myself. It would be different if this was any other case of mine. I find it hard to be at peace with this one.”
“Understandable. But, know that I’m coming home. Our home.”
I didn’t have to see her pretty face to know there was a smile on it.
Silence.
I lowered my head onto the pillow behind me.
“Say something,” she urged.
I could sit in silence for the rest of the night and be okay. Range couldn’t.
“How are you feeling?” I wondered aloud.
“Lonely,” she sighed. “Feels like I’m falling and falling and falling for a man whose future is on the line.
I keep asking myself if I’m being foolish or if I’m risking everything for the greatest reward of my life.
Logic doesn’t exist in this new realm. And, that terrifies me.
Feelings. They’re leading me. Keeping me.
Comforting me. To be quite honest, it feels good to toss all caution to the wind for once. Simultaneously, it feels reckless.”
Her words cut like knives, but I understood her. I didn’t have a response. I didn’t have words to pacify her. Our circumstances would make any sensible person question themselves.
“Say something.”
I inhaled, rubbing a hand across my head.
“Whether it’s today or two years from now, Sunshine, our story will begin.
I’m not a selfish enough man to ask you to wait until that day comes.
I know where my love will end and who will receive it.
All of it. No matter the calendar date. I’m patient.
If you need time, take it. But, regardless of when, I’m coming to get you. I always will.
“No matter how far away or how much time has passed. I’m okay knowing that’ll always be the verdict.
For me. No pressure, Range. Never any pressure.
Listen to your head, baby. Listen to your heart, baby.
And, do what’s best for them. I’ll adjust. It’s your world. I’ll remind you every chance I get.”
“Siah–”
“Yes, love?”
“My heart is right here. On this line. There’s nowhere I’d rather be. Nowhere else I want to be. I’m not having second thoughts. I’m not succumbing to my fears. I’m acknowledging them. Acknowledging everything. The good. The bad. The baffling. It’s just th–”
She paused and released a shaky breath.
“It’s just that, what, Sunshine? I’m listening.”
“Sometimes being my safe space looks like this. It sounds contradictory. It sounds confusing. It sounds irrational. Emotional. All the things. Sometimes nothing.”
A chuckle left her lips, easing the tension in my chest.
“If I didn’t want to be here, Josiah, I wouldn’t be. I leave. I leave people, situations, and things that no longer serve me. Attachment is not a weakness of mine. I just get in my head. You know. So let me. Because, underneath it all, there’s the undeniable desire to be in your arms.
“Not next year or the next year. Right now. And, that’s what’s fueling my madness.
Maybe your selflessness will rub off on me someday.
But, today, selfishly, I want you here with me.
Under the covers. In this lovely, very lonely home.
Three months feel like a lifetime. Ninety days feel like a century. ”
“Essentially, you’re ready to stress a nigga out for nothing?”
Sniggering, she exhaled. “I thought that was the point of having a man. To stress him out so that he stretches you out and reassures you that you’re okay.”
“When you put it that way, do what you need to do, my love. Your time is coming. Make sure you’re ready to be stretched across every inch of that lovely home.”
Silence.
“I miss you.”
Her admission was wavering.
“I miss you,” I replied.
Silence.
“You’re such a dream, Josiah.”
My cheeks swelled. So did my chest. Her words were going straight to my head. Both. inflating them.
“I keep pinching myself,” Range confessed.
“You’re not alone.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah. I keep wondering where the fuck you’ve been all this time. I keep wondering why we haven’t bumped into each other in passing or why we haven’t been introduced. Our circles meet at some point. Same spaces. Same strips. Same neighborhoods. Something.”
“Divine timing.”
I kissed the skin of my teeth.
“I’ll take it, but that doesn’t make it any easier to accept.”
“I would have loved to be saved from the frogs.”
Range was amusing.
“But, we’re here now. That has to count for something,” she added.
Silence.
It counted for a lot. For everything. The uncertainty of my future no longer plagued me. I knew where I was headed, and it was down the aisle if Range would have me as her husband. Somehow, I knew that wouldn’t be an issue.
“Goodnight, Range.”
Silence.
“Josiah.”
“Yes, love?”
“Think about me.”
“All the time.”
I ended the call, laying the phone on my chest. Right where the gaping hole was. Right where it hurt. Right where Range was.
All the time, baby.