Chapter 5
Travel
My stomach was in knots. Perspiration shadowed my top lip like red lipstick on teeth. Even with my mini desk fan going, my body exhibited the many ways my nerves got to me.
Tonight was my first date with Trek. My best friend and I were going on a date. I still couldn't wrap my mind around it.
As hard as it was to process, that didn't stop me from lightly beating my face and dressing autumn chic.
I had no idea where he'd take me, but I was dressed comfortably.
My eyes perused my light cream, slightly cropped cable-knit sweater, chocolate-brown suede skirt, and sheer brown tights with lace embroidery.
My dark brown, thigh-high boots brought my entire outfit together.
Dressed like this, I was prepared for any and everything Trek had planned.
I added the finishing touches to my makeup and admired the light beat, my hair styled in a half-up pony with the other half down. Just the thought of the look on his face when he saw me made me giddy on the inside. I was all done, so here went nothing.
Deshoni was with my parents this weekend, so I had a little free time to myself. With two quick dips, my purse and jacket were in my hand, and I hit the light to my room. Nervously, I descended his stairs and stepped into the living room.
My presence alerted Trek, and he turned to face me.
His phone was to his ear as he handled what appeared to be an important call.
He looked damn good in his dark denim jacket, jeans to match, and wheat-colored Timbs, tying his whole fit together.
The white shirt under his jacket brought out his dark hazelnut complexion like a highlighted quote in the Bible.
His fade was lined, and his mustache and goatee were moisturized like his beautiful skin.
My bestie put that shit on tonight. I wondered if it was for me?
I smiled to myself and went to slip on my jacket when he raised his hand for me to stop. My movements halted at his command. Casually, he strolled over to me and stopped right in front of me.
The muscles in his jaw flexed as he chewed his gum. I swallowed hard when he leaned in and inhaled my fragrance. My body went still as chill bumps rose the tiny hairs on my arms. Trek smelled like mint, fresh fabric sheets, and a mix of spicy and sweet fragrances.
How the hell could one man have that much control over my body's reactions? My body lightly shivered when he stepped back in place with a sexy ass grin on his face. Life did not play fair when it came to Trek Mounts.
"Garrett, an angel just stepped in my path. Just send over the next assignment." Trek ended his call and stared at me.
"You look stunning, Travel. Is this getup all for me?" he queried in his deep tone.
"All for you," I replied without hesitation. I gave myself a mental pat for that quick and honest reply.
Trek released a deep breath before he pulled me into a tight embrace. "Don't tempt a desperate man like me, Travel. With me, you might just find forever. Let's roll."
My heart raced at the sound of his voice and the way he'd revealed how life would be with him. Forever with my best friend didn't seem bad at all.
<<<
"Yes!" I squealed loudly. I'd thrown my last beanbag and knocked down the empty glass bottle. I won myself a big stuffed animal. Trek had won me three already.
I did my little dance, and he laughed at me.
The game handler handed me my stuffed animal, and I happily accepted it.
The grin on my face made my cheeks hurt, but I couldn't help it.
I'd been smiling since Trek drove out to the suburb and brought me to this autumn festival. It was the most perfect date so far.
"What do you want to do next? Are you hungry yet?"
"Um, I can eat, but let's paint little pumpkins first, then food," I suggested.
"Sounds good to me." Trek grabbed my hand and guided me over to the pumpkin painting station. They handed us aprons and a small pumpkin before we found our seats.
Once covered, we got right to it. I had my mind set on painting the prettiest pink pumpkin tonight, but I also planned to pick Trek's brain. I needed to know if we were really doing this or what?
"Trek, are you having fun?"
There was a look of pure focus on his face while he painted his pumpkin black. "You know this isn't typically my choice of fun, but I am happy to share this moment with you." He glanced at me briefly and winked.
I couldn't hide my blush if I wanted to. That was all I seemed to do in his presence.
"Are you having fun?" he quizzed in return.
"I'm having the best time ever. This is the best date I've ever been on."
He stopped painting. "Travel, things will be different for you from here on out. You hear me?" His pretty autumn eyes bore into mine.
"I believe you."
Trek nodded. "I hope you do." He went back to painting.
"Why now, though?" I probed, painting my pumpkin a glittery pink color. I didn't have the courage to look into his eyes again. I feared much more would happen tonight, other than painting.
Trek didn't stop painting, but he answered. I was so glad he didn't look at me. My stomach was in knots already.
"As a boy, I was scared to tell you how I felt.
When we became adults, both of us were distracted by June and Mook.
She and I are no longer together, and it's the same for you and Mook.
I refused to miss my chance with you again.
I'm scared that if things go left, then it could ruin our friendship.
However, I know who I am and what I want.
You're who I want, Travel. You've always been the only woman I wanted. "
I slowly dragged my eyes from my pumpkin to Trek. Just as I thought, he peered right at me. "Why me?" I asked in a shaky voice.
"Why not you? The day you walked into my class with your pretty dark skin, long ponytails, and floral dress, I had never seen anything so pretty.
I couldn't figure out why my heart raced or why I couldn't look anywhere else but at you.
Now, as a mature man, I realize it was love at first sight.
You've had me hooked like a fish since that day.
You're so embedded in my life that I wouldn't know how to survive without you.
My home, my mind, my body, my phone — you control everything.
You have no idea of the power you hold over me, Travel.
I don't expect you to have the same love or affection for me that I have for you, but I hope I've shown you over the years that you can trust me and that you'll always be safe with me.
What I want to know is if you feel the tiniest bit for me that I feel for you? "
Just like that, the waterworks had surfaced. I set down my paintbrush and wiped my eyes. It wasn't just like or lust. I'd just learned that my best friend was in love with me. He had been for years.
Trek had sat back and patiently waited until he was able to gain the woman he was in love with. What he didn't know was that his best friend loved him back just as much, if not more. He handed me a napkin, and I dabbed at my eyes. No man had ever spoken so lovingly about me before.
I gave him my full attention.
"You're the only man to speak about me in such a lovely and attentive way.
From the first day I met you, you have dominated my head and heart.
Your eyes were the first feature that caught my attention.
In Haiti, I'd never seen anyone with eyes like yours.
I figured at my young age that you had to be a special person with eyes like that.
Next, you were the biggest eight-year-old I'd ever seen, but you were the sweetest. We ate lunch together and played at recess every day.
The only reason I pursued Mook was because I thought you didn't feel the same way about me.
Once June had your attention, I just had a feeling that we'd never be together.
I knew I couldn't live a life without you, so I willingly walked into the friend zone.
As much as I hated how much time we missed out on, I believe this opportunity was meant to happen. "
"Now I'm in full agreement with that, but before I get beside myself, I want to make sure I just didn't imagine this whole conversation. You really feeling me?"
"I really am. I'm nervous and excited, but I'm anticipating this new journey just like I did Deshoni's birth."
"That's music to my ears."
Trek and I grinned and laughed the remainder of our night. He was a breath of fresh air.
<<<
After we'd stuffed our faces with the many delicious savory and sweet options they offered, we finally made it home. He stopped outside my bedroom door. It felt as if this was our first date, and I appreciated it so much. It didn't feel like best friends testing the waters.
My heart raced. Trek stood right in front of me. With my back pressed against my bedroom door, I had nowhere to go but to the floor. He reached out, and his large hand cupped my cheek. His thumb gently stroked my cheek. The moment had finally come.
"Travel, I wanna kiss you. I've been dying to feel your lips for years. I know it's everything I've dreamed of and more, but I want to feel the real thing. Do I have your permission to kiss you?"
I nodded my head. It was the only action I could perform. Trek had me speechless.
"Don't nod, baby. I need to hear you say it," he commanded.
"Ki-kiss me, Trek. I want you too," I confessed in a shaky tone. I really did want him to. I was just nervous.
A smirk lifted the corners of Trek's mouth as his arm wrapped tightly around my waist, pulling me firmly to his chest. I prayed he didn't want to hold my hands because they were sweaty as hell.
I watched as he leaned in until his mouth met mine, and my eyes instinctively shut.
The magnetism that flowed through our first kiss made me want to show off my kissing skills.
Trek needed to know that I wanted to kiss him just as badly as he wanted to kiss me.
To hell with my sweaty ass hands. I needed to feel his toned, rich-brown skin.
Our bodies were free of jackets, so my hands caressed up-and-down his muscular back. From the feel of the hard ripples in his back through the shirt, it was evident that Trek didn't miss a day inside his at-home gym, which was surely a perk for me.
The heat from his big body warmed me. I relaxed under his touch and basked in the fluid motion of our tongues moving as one. My god, he could kiss.
Trek's hand trailed across my chest and gripped my neck.
My body was on fire. He was for sure a passionate lover.
Rolling mills filled my head. How could a kiss ignite me like a furnace yet calm like a gentle breeze?
I could kiss him for hours. Our tongues coiled together, hands groped the warmest parts of our bodies, signaling that this passion was long, long overdue.
Trek's hardness bumped against my thigh, and my eyes popped open.
What the hell? That man packed more artillery than the US military. At my stillness, a devilish smirk made his cheeks rise. He knew exactly what was going on.
Trek released me and took a couple of steps. My eyes went right to the bulge in his pants, and I could not believe my eyes.
"Yeah, Travel, it's like that, but only for you. Thank you for a beautiful first date. Have a good night."
He walked away. Damn, I couldn't wait to fit in the space between his bowlegs. When his big body was about to pass the room next to his, I called out to him.
"Trek?"
"Yeah, beautiful?" he turned and faced me.
"When are you going to show me what's inside that room?"
He smirked and twisted the knob. Trek looked back at me and ushered for me to see for myself. I swallowed and took slow steps toward him. When I made it, he made room for me to step inside.
It was pitch black inside until I stepped in. Like clockwork, all the lights turned on automatically. I inhaled a deep breath of air. I was not prepared. It was as if someone had thrust me into a Fifty Shades of Grey novel.
My eyes scanned the dark burgundy room in awe and interest. Sex toys of all kinds lined the shelves on the walls. There was a huge bed that sat on a circular disc in the middle of the room. A few feet away was a sex swing that could seat me perfectly. What the hell? How did I get involved in this?
The room was lined with wall-to-wall black carpet. There was a music system set up and rows and rows of more sex toys and lubrication. I had words. Loads of words were stuck in my head and lodged in my throat. How? When? Why?
Why didn't he tell me that sex play was an interest of his? I've read books on BDSM, but I never thought about exploring. Mook wasn't into kinky sex. Only the basics were good for him. Things were surely different with Trek.
I exited the room and stepped in front of him.
I went to speak, but he stopped me. "We'll talk about it later.
Let this room marinate in your head overnight.
I'll see you in the morning." He kissed my forehead, closed the door, and then entered his room, leaving me in the hallway by myself. What a fuckin' night!