Chapter 15 Caziya
Zakai:
Just a quick good morning text to remind you of how amazing you are. Looking forward to this evening.
The text from Zakai has been like a whisper in my mind all day, and I have been in a euphoric bubble as a result.
Zakai isn’t the only one in love’s chokehold, because so am I.
The difference is that I’m already in love without an ounce of remaining feelings to cross through.
But I’m scared to express my love for him because of the timing and my past trauma.
It seems like when I love someone, something comes along to make me regret it.
Then I start to question if I’m doing too much.
Am I even worthy of love? I mean, if Rosetta didn’t think I was worth it, how can anyone else?
Now come on, Caziya. You’ve been doing good. Don’t let your mother’s hang-ups keep you from knowing that you deserve love in its purest form.
The chastisement rings in my mind, and I quickly wipe the lone tear sliding down my cheek.
Today isn’t the day for self-loathing as I shake my hands and body loose of the counterproductive thoughts.
When I have effectively gotten myself together, a thought occurs, and I pick up my phone to send a text.
Me:
I just realized that you didn’t give me any details on tonight’s date. The only thing I need to know is how I should dress. I don’t want to come to my door in a ball gown if you plan to take me bowling.
Zakai:
For tonight, please dress casually and comfortably. Tennis shoes, not heels, as we’ll be doing some walking.
My brows wrinkle, and my mouth twists as I attempt to analyze what we’re doing and where we’re going for tonight’s date night.
My stomach grumbles which reminds me that I need to put something in it soon.
I head to my walk-in closet and shift the hangers to find something cute and in line with Zakai’s dress code details.
I look down at the clear bins where my shoes are before letting go of the hangers to select those first. I have just as many tennis shoes as I do heels, so my possibilities are endless.
“I know Zakai said to wear tennis shoes, but I really want to wear these.” I pull out the navy suede-like, thigh-high boots that catch my eye while perusing my selections.
I have a matching color top that rests slightly off the shoulder, which I can pair with a pair of classic jeans to complete the look. I’ll just have to pray that Zakai and I aren’t walking for long periods of time, because being cute and comfortable is the approach I’m taking tonight.
“Oh, wait. Maybe not,” I say when my eyes lock on the navy high-top Converse just after I grab the top and jeans. “Humph, maybe I can change this look entirely.” I put the top back when my mind lands on a navy vest.
A smile forms as I grab a white turtleneck to complement the vest, the look taking shape in my mind.
Then I move to swap the jeans for a slightly darker denim pair that will also showcase my lower half more.
Once I have my attire situated, I take everything and lay it out on my bed before I head to the bathroom to shower.
Merriment fills me as I turn on the water and enter the tub as my mind returns to thoughts of my evening with my man.
“Ooh, I should mold my curls and put on my navy beanie,” I say as the water cascades down my thick frame.
It takes me no time to shower, brush my teeth for a second time today, and apply a light coating of lipstick, foundation, and eyeliner.
I style my hair effortlessly before rushing to put on my clothes and shoes.
Time must have gotten away from me because Zakai rings my doorbell only fifteen minutes after I’m done.
With every step I take to my front door, exhilaration fills my body, and jitters fill me with anticipation knowing I’m seconds from laying eyes on Zakai.
When I reach the door, I exhale before I unlock and pull it open, and an easy yet automatic smile slides into place when my eyes connect with Zakai.
“Damn. Who knew your pretty ass could make a simple outfit look so good. Nice kicks,” Zakai says before he pulls me into his frame.
“Thanks. I’m glad you approve. I was seconds away from wearing thigh-high boots before making a last-minute decision to put these shoes on. Is the beanie too much? You said comfortable.”
Zakai releases me, and heat fills my body when his eyes darken after giving me a once-over. A smirk upturns his suckable lips seconds before he speaks.
“Trust me, complaining is the last thing I want to do. You look fucking good, Ziya. Your thick ass thighs are gonna have my dick whimpering by the end of the night.”
A giggle escapes my mouth as I shake my head and take Zakai in for the first time since opening the door.
Like me, Zakai is wearing jeans, but instead of navy blue, his shirt and tennis shoes are green.
The diamond earrings in both ears glisten along with his thick and pristinely cut beard.
Zakai’s smooth and deep hazelnut skin has me wondering what his skin routine is.
His fade appears to have been recently cut, as the waves in his head have me temporarily distracted.
“I see I’m not the only one liking what they see, huh.” The question is rhetorical as our eyes connect, and warmth spreads across my chest.
“You are a sexy mothafucka, Zakai.” My words are breathy even to my ears as my pussy thumps and juices the longer I stare at this man.
“Come on before your tempting ass has me forgoing our plans.” Zakai’s tone is playful as he grabs my hand and places a kiss on it, and a shiver slides down my back.
“I-I-n-need-my purse.” I stutter as my mind spins, and I struggle to keep it together and not give in to my body’s plea to ask for a sexual detour.
I pull away from Zakai while I can and quickly walk to my bedroom, where I left my purse.
Thankfully, I had already made the switch from the black purse I frequent to the navy one that matches my attire for the night.
The moment I’m out of his presence, I'm able to get myself together so we can continue with the plans he has for the evening.
“Alright, you ready?” Zakai asks when I return to the living room where he’s waiting in the same spot I left him.
“Yes.” My stomach growls, and my eyes stretch in horror as Zakai chuckles.
“I guess it’s a good thing that food is the first thing on our agenda, huh?”
A flush creeps across my cheeks that prevents me from replying as Zakai opens the door before taking my keys to lock it as he leads me down the steps toward his vehicle.
I stand back when Zakai hits the button to unlock the doors and pulls open the passenger one while he waits for me to get in.
My heartbeat increases as he leans in and secures my seat belt before he closes the door and walks to his side.
Damn. Zakai is setting a standard for care I haven’t experienced before since I started dating in my teens.
His simple actions fill me with pure, unadulterated joy because they make me smile uncontrollably. I try to contain my glee when Zakai gets in and pulls out of the spot, but it’s damn near impossible.
“So, how’s your day been, Ziya?”
Other than the mental struggle and level of self-loathing, I reckon it’s been okay.
My thoughts speak before I can, and I shrug before I choose to say something that won’t bring Zakai pause.
“It’s going okay. How’s my little buddy? Who’s she with this evening?”
The change in subject is necessary so I can focus on the date and not my earlier thoughts. A chuckle from Zakai has me shifting in the seat, so I’m able to look at him as my body tingles.
Mm. Fine ass.
“I should have known we wouldn’t get through the night without you bringing up Kiki’s little ass. But she’s good and hanging with her grandparents for the evening.”
I smirk, unable to deny or refute his statement because I’m just as smitten with his daughter as I am with him. I make no apologies for it either.
“I can’t help that her aura has me unable to forget her. But don’t worry, her daddy has me unable to go too long without thinking about him either.”
“Good, because the feeling is mutual.”
Comfortable silence enters the interior as the music provides background filler as Zakai drives us to our destination. When we pull into a parking spot in one of the downtown lots fifteen minutes later, my brows hike slightly.
“Where are we going?”
“Hold tight,” Zakai tells me before exiting the vehicle and moves to my side to assist me out with ease. “To answer your question, there’s a food truck festival happening down here that I figured we could patronize.”
“Ooh, so we’re gonna do a food truck hop. I like it. I’ve wanted to explore this festival and haven’t gotten a chance to do so.” I nod in appreciation as Zakai interlocks our hands before we head in the direction of our destination.
In no time, Zakai and I enter the area, where an abundance of trucks come into view, with people milling about. An array of scents fills my nostrils as my stomach growls again.
“Which truck do you want to hit up first, Ziya?”
My eyes bounce around the area as I take in the options available to me. My stomach churns out several things, and I nod without uttering a word. I try to settle on something I can sink my teeth into first.
“Um. I’m torn, but how about that one?” I point to the truck that offers loaded baked potatoes.
Zakai nods wordlessly before we head to Stuffin’ Spuds, and I take a minute to peruse the menu for the ways I can get my potato.
“Good evening. What can I get for you two?” a woman with blonde hair with red highlights asks when we stop in front of the truck.
Zakai’s dark eyes shift to me, and I fight the tingle in my core at the soft expression he gives me when he nods for me to take the lead in ordering.
“I’ll take one of your BSpudN, please.” The baked potato with brisket piques my interest as my mouth waters.
“Do you want anything else?” Zakai asks.
I shake my head because I don’t want to get full before I have a chance to partake in several of the truck options available.
“This is a marathon, and I’m gonna need room for more,” I say.
“Damn straight because there’s a Caribbean truck across the way that has oxtails that folks on social media have been raving about.”
My nose wrinkles, and a frown forms before I reply. “I’m not sure if I’m a fan of oxtails. They don’t have enough meat on them for me. They also give me neck bones vibes. I need more substance than either of them provides.”
Zakai chuckles and orders his potato choice as the patiently waiting worker jots down his request on the notepad in front of her.
“How about I let you sample my portion, and then you decide how worth it they are?” Zakai says that after he pays for our potatoes and moves us to the side. Another couple approaches the truck.
“Fine, but if I don’t like them, you’ll have to eat something of my choosing.”
Zakai’s eyes flash with lust, and his mouth quirks into a panty-melting smirk before he speaks. “I’m willing to eat whatever you offer, Ziya.”
My pussy purrs, and an unpreventable low moan escapes my mouth as I fight not to alert the nearby couple to my reaction to Zakai’s words.
An image of Zakai’s dick pushing in and out of my warm center has me momentarily unable to process voices or sounds around me.
Dick withdrawals have me forgetting the public atmosphere I’m in.
“Save those sounds for later. I promise we’re on the same page,” Zakai tells me before he walks into my space and places a light kiss on my lips.
Thank God for small favors and a man who’s able to read the room without me uttering a word.
The rest of the date passes without incident as Zakai and I walk from truck to truck, either sampling or indulging in the various food choices.
This is the first time I have been on this type of date, but I’m not unhappy about it.
In fact, it’s a welcome change from doing a single restaurant with specific menu items. Zakai has taught me to appreciate his ability to think outside the box while keeping things simple tonight.