SOVEREIGN, PORTOFINO ITALY
Witnessing Serenity embody gentleness, tranquility, and ease forced my chest to swell unsanctioned. For the three days we’d spent in Portofino, she basked in every moment.
At a quarter to six, the sun rose, trickling a warm glow over the promenade. That light spilled into the bedroom and over both our limbs. Sepia-brown extremities. Chocolate delicateness. Deep honey. A thigh was draped over my nakedness, as were her bare chest and arms.
Delicate, the balance between masculine and feminine was. Her rhythm flowed easily in such a dance. As needed, she knew how to step into either side. She knew when to lead and be assertive, and she knew when to fall into grace, nurturing, gentleness, and creativity.
Her softness was only meant for those deserving. Her depth was only intended for the soul able to swim through her fire. Her access was limited to what brought her peace. To what surplused her joy. To what lulled her breaths.
Never had I met a man who didn’t recognize his forever when he stumbled upon it. It didn’t require months. It didn’t require years. It required attentiveness. It required awareness. It required intelligence and honesty about what one desired.
Mine .
No waffling. No wondering. No fear. It was settled. Her claim was made that first night in the club when I asked her where her man was. My claim was made that first evening she welcomed me inside the warmth of her temple. Selfish, I was. Unable to imagine anyone experiencing what I had after I had her. She’d nurtured me back to health. Now it was time I returned the favor.
Tension was hoarded in her body, and my sole ambition was for that shit to flee. For it to be so foreign, she refused to entertain it. For as long as I could keep her captive, away from work, away from stress, it would be my gift.
Peaceful mornings and leisurely nights comprised our time in Portofino. Quiet moments, like the present, carried me through my truths.
Skin, a rainbow of browns, intermingled between pale sheets. My golden caramel tone contrasted against deep cocoa ass cheeks, milk chocolate thighs, and honeyed titties with chocolate chip nipples. We made the perfect melanated sundae.
What would our kids look like?
Felonious thoughts of possibilities that didn’t exist crept their way into my dome. Thoughts I’d tucked away after the failure of my marriage. I was a man bare, in the comfort of home. Exposed. Freely, I let my thoughts roam. Home . She was home. My fingers grazed the length of her spine, basking in the present moment.
“ Hmm .”
She stirred. Grabbed my erection. Wiggled around. Slid it inside her heat.
“ Duke .”
“Good morning to you, too.”
“ Hmm .”
Her hips swayed. Sluggishly, she relaxed against me. Chest to chest, her head rested in the crook of my neck. With delicate kisses, I gave her tenderness. With every oscillation of her hips, my vigor coursed through her in exchange. A stimulant far better than coffee, my energy roused her awake.
Eyes closed, she rocked and moaned. “You feel so good .”
“You too, Bumble Bee. Shit . You too.”
I rolled her on her back. Dislodging, I dipped my head toward her sweetness. That pretty pussy was calling me to put it on my tongue. I inhaled her scent. Licked her glazed lips. Sucked her pearl. Unwavering and gentle, I got my morning fill of honey. Just before she reached her peak, I drove my dick back inside.
Proficient in swimming through her hive, I massaged the most sensitive parts of her walls. Serenity’s nails dug into my back. Her legs tightened around me. Her finale, intense, elongated, and full of plot twists, was my favorite show. Her walls tightened around my brick-ass dick, and she milked me of all I had to give. She’d sucked me dry.
The single tear rolling down her cheek left me slightly confused. Thumbing away the wetness, my face collapsed into a frown.
“What’s wrong?”
Left and right, her head rocked. She sniffed and sighed. “I don’t think I’ve ever felt anything so profound. You make my body do things outside of its control. I don’t even know where that came from.”
Slowly and sensually, I kissed her, hoping to convey that I felt the same. Something else was bothering her, however. The irksome energy was sensed like an internal alarm system.
“That’s not all. Tell me what else is wrong.”
Rolling onto my back, I sat up against a mountain of fluffy pillows. The need to understand her, to be aware of her every mood, and to remedy her every concern had become instinctual. I was falling. Hard and fast, she’d ensnared me in her fucking grasp.
“I haven’t been on my birth control since we’ve been here, and I don’t think they sell Plan Bs here like in America.”
“Don’t worry about that.”
With an arm sliding behind my head, I pulled her body close with my free hand.
“The way you’ve been coating my walls, I’m bound to get pregnant unless my period beats you to the punch. Why shouldn’t I?”
The announcement of her pending cycle explained her sensitivity.
“Because you won’t get pregnant. Stop worrying your pretty head, Bee.”
Long and hard, her eyes dug craters into my dome. She didn’t press it into an issue. I didn’t subscribe either. We had better shit to do. Sliding from the bed, generous hips on a petite frame and copious ass swayed to the restroom. Serenity was so damn skilled between her legs that I’d refused to pull out. Doing so was an impossible fucking task. She didn’t need to worry her pretty head. My soldiers housed no seeds.
Cornetto and cappuccino filled our bellies that morning. Breakfast was topped off with a walk up the hilly region of Portofino to kill the excess calories. When in Rome, do as the Romans . We were transforming into Italians before our own eyes.
Some shopping on the promenade completed our morning, transforming well into afternoon. Though initially hesitant, Serenity relaxed in my generosity, picking items from the Louis Vuitton store to suit her heart’s contentment. We breezed through Dolce & Gabbana, buying a few bags. She was unimpressed by the selection, so Dior was next.
She was a fan of the Dior Airmaster sneakers. Despite her protests, I encouraged the sales associate to ship one in every color available to her house. The way she bit her bottom lip and fought against a smile left me with a desire to make our shopping trips more frequent. A few dresses and five figures less later, we stalked out of the store and into Ferragamo, my weakness .
Despite the exhaustion of an entire morning shopping in Portofino and Santa Margherita, Serenity talked me into joining her in yoga. A nigga was really making a genuine attempt at it too. We spent the afternoon in bizarre, nonsexual poses. Downward dog. Reverse warrior. Ragdoll. A nigga was truly gone to have even agreed to it. Despite the peculiarity of it all, it left me feeling lighter.
Far too stimulated by the activities day, we opted for a quiet evening. A chef catered our last meal at the house on the balcony overlooking Portofino. Below us, tourists loaded the promenade at every available dining establishment. Boats filled the harbor with fishermen turning in for the day. Colorful buildings pierced a swell of blue and green landscape. Portofino was a fucking beauty, just like the woman seated across from me.
“You have a birthday coming up,” I stated, peeling my eyes from the scenery and sipping the Lambrusco provided for us. It paired well with the lasagna made from fresh noodles and fresh robust tomato sauce.
“I do in a few months. Dirty thirty ,” she beamed.
“What’s the plan?”
“I don’t know,” she blushed. Such a sighting had become more frequent in our time together, further heightening my satisfaction. “Maybe a private party at Sin . Something grown and sexy.”
“What else do you want?”
Palms up, she shook her pretty ass head. “Don’t even think about it, Duke. You’ve done enough.”
“Don’t tell me what to do with my paper, woman. My money’s longer than this dick you like to slide up and down on. I’ll do as much as I see fit.”
“I do like sliding and gliding on him.”
“Don’t tempt me.”
“My period just started.”
“That shit don’t stop nothing but a sentence.”
“You nasty.”
“I know,” I returned with a smirk and a wink.
“So… The big three, oh. What’s your aspiration for life? What is it that you want? That woman’s clock hasn’t got your pretty feet jogging toward some greater goal?”
Yeah, we’d decided on exclusivity, but beyond expanding her business, she hadn’t shared with me her ultimate dreams. I was curious.
“ Greater goal ? Is my spa expansion not enough?” She tsked. “Are you referring to the biological clock?”
I nodded.
“I don’t think I ever obtained one of those.”
“What does that mean?”
“I just don’t see the rush or allure of marriage.”
Forking my lasagna, I schooled some into my mouth. News to my ears, I welcomed the novel information about my lover. I had no desire to rush back into a fucking marriage and was slightly relieved we were on the same page. At the very least, Serenity wouldn’t be pressuring me towards it.
“You said that you wouldn’t get me pregnant this morning. What does that mean?”
“I wasn’t speaking in code.”
“I know , but explain and stop being cagey. Are you… sterile ?”
Raising the glass of Lambrusco to my lips, I savored the taste before speaking.
“I’m not sterile. I had a vasectomy once I realized I didn’t want to procreate with my wife. Ex-wife ,” I corrected.
“What made you come to that conclusion?”
“Before I caught her cheating, she’d shown me signs of shit I didn’t connect with being motherly. I stopped liking her as a person.”
A weight lifted, freeing me from the heaviness that was the guilt of a secret I’d been keeping. Far from my intention, the conversation just never surfaced before tonight. Beginning a new relationship with lies was far from my desires. I was glad to have that shit out and in the open between us.
Still unsettled, I feared how she might accept my truth. Serenity was young, ambitious, successful, and beautiful. It wasn’t off-kilter for her to want the fairytale of a husband and kids. She said she didn’t want marriage, but she was still young. Her heart might change, while mine could very well remain the same. She deserved to have the option available to her. In another life, I’d met her before Mya. In another life, we had a marriage and a baby carriage.
“ Oh .”
The simple response to my vasectomy held a myriad of undertones. Paired with the scrutiny of her body language, it said more than words ever could. She shifted. Pulled a chunk of hair behind her ear. The fidgety tell was always her signal of discomfort.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
It felt like a bomb of disappointment had been dropped on Portofino, unsettling the tranquil evening. Serenity cleared her throat. Sipped her water. Gave me a polite smile.
“Nothing. I appreciate the honesty. I just didn’t know .”
“Do you want children?”
Air fled her chest, causing her breasts to rise and fall. She looked good in the fitted Dolce & Gabbana tulle dress with corset details. Damn good . But her heart was heavy.
“I didn’t. Ahem. No.”
“You said you didn’t . What changed?” I probed.
“Nothing” fell from her lips, but a lie hid behind a wounded smile.
“As our relationship continues to develop and anything changes, will you tell me?” I wanted to know. Needed to know. Something about being unable to give her what she craved caused unrest in my fucking chest.
“Where is all of this coming from?” She deflected, making my chest constrict.
Her phone buzzed, lit up, and buzzed again in the darkened room inside the house. Seated nearby on the balcony, I heard the thump as it fell to the floor. Both our heads turned to the source of the disruption.
“Answer me,” quietly, she demanded, returning the focus to our conversation.
“Bee, did we not establish a thing between us before you walked your ass on that plane?”
“Are you asking me—”
“—Where do I stand in your world? Yes .” I sat up straighter, waiting for her response.
“Why?”
“Answer the motherfucking question. Stop deflecting.”
Again, the crescendo of her chest made its appearance as she prepared to respond. “You’re my duke. The sovereign of the drum thrumming in my chest. My man.”
“As your man, is it not my responsibility to know your heart’s desires and try to fulfill each and every one?”
“I— okay . You win.”
My brows shifted and dipped. “ Win what ? I wasn’t aware we were in a contest.”
“I don’t want to get married or have children!” Flustered, she rose. Her chair scraped against the concrete in tandem. Nostrils flared, breath heaving, petite hands flat against the table, she steamed a stream of air. With her napkin tossed on the table, she was prepared to storm off.
“Hey!” Swiftly, I, too, stood, grabbing her wrist. “We’re not about to do that. You don’t get to walk away without us having a proper discussion.”
Though bass coated my words, I was begging. Pleading for her to just talk to me. Ai out whatever she was holding inside. With her head dipped toward the floor, she avoided my eyes. There was so much anger dancing in her bones, though I couldn’t locate the cause. I wanted to say PMS, but this was more than that.
“Bee…”
“My phone is ringing.” She tried to pull away.
“Serenity, look at me.”
“Let me get to my phone. It might be an emergency.”
Reluctantly, my grip loosened, freeing her wrist. I watched her hurry inside and attempt to answer the call of whoever had been blowing her shit up. The lowering of her voice indicated she was speaking to someone of the opposite sex. Ignoring the green-eyed monster attempting to rear its head with that knowledge, I resumed my seat. Alone, with what remained of the Lambrusco, I sipped and wondered how the hell our dinner had exploded so unreasonably.
A few moments later, my phone rang.
“Yeah?”
“Aye, my sister went missing.” Supreme voiced his concerns.
“She’s in Italy,” I revealed.
“With you?”
“Nigga, who else ?”
“Aight, big dog,” Supreme chuckled. “I’m just checking. She didn’t say much when I called.”
“Do you want to speak with her?” Annoyance colored my tone. This nigga’s timing couldn’t have been worse. I didn’t feel like chatting. My head was miles away, trying to figure out what the fuck was happening between me and his sister.
The line went silent.
“Pre?”
“Nah. Let her keep thinking she’s a step ahead. I’m curious to see how she plays this out.”
Hanging up the line, I felt more confused than ever.
Serenity was unhooking her dress and peeling herself out of it when I reentered the house half an hour later. The subtle change in her energy made our lover moon uncomfortable. Whatever the cause wasn’t welcomed. From behind, I approached, draping my arms around her and resting my head in the crook of her neck.
“What happened out there, Bee?”
The smell of peaches danced on the tip of my nose and invited me in.
Laying a kiss to the side of her neck and nipping the shell of her ear, I probed for an answer. Allowing the sun to set with anger in her heart, with misunderstanding residing between us, was unbecoming.
“I don’t know. I’m a bit moody. I’m sorry. You brought my period down this morning. I’m gonna shower and go to bed.”
“You need some chocolate?”
Turning to face me, she laughed.
“Let me know,” I smiled. “I can have one of those niggas outside grab something before the stores shut down for the night.”
“I could use some chocolate and maybe a strawberry gelato.”
“Done and done. Tomorrow, we’re leaving,” I revealed. “So pack as much as you can tonight.”
Serenity slept the entire five-hour flight. Cuddled beside her, I tried to follow suit. The previous night was still weighing on me, making sleep an impossible fucking task. She brushed it off as if it were nothing but her period. I wasn’t buying it.
The thump of the landing gear woke her from her sleep. Shifting around the bed, she peered at me under sleepy lids.
“We’re not home?” She probed as we reached our destination.
“Naw, not yet.”
“I wish you would have let me prepare for an extended vacation. I wasn’t expecting any of this.”
“You don’t like that I’ve kidnapped you?”
“I love that you’ve kidnapped me. I hate that my hair isn’t braided. I’m tired of dealing with it while we’re vacaying.”
“Good thing we’re here, then.”
“Where are we now?”
“Ghana. There’s plenty of hair braiders around this motherfucker.”
“Duke Stepford!”
“The third, Bee. Don’t forget the three,” I tittered, dodging a pillow she threw in my direction.
“You brought me to Ghana? I’ve never been to any African country.”
“I did,” I chuckled before turning serious. “I have a business meeting tomorrow, but afterward, I’m all yours. Go get your hair braided while I work.”
“Ulterior motives, I see.”
“I promise you, it wasn’t. I had to work in Dubai, too. I was prepared to play for days on end after handling business, but someone stood me up.”
“Let’s not dwell on the past,” she teased.
Shuffling around the cabin bedroom, she grabbed a purse and slid into sandals after dressing.
“Come ‘ere.” Seated on the edge of the bed, I called her close. Standing between my legs, she grafted a kiss on my lips.
“Hmm?”
My hands wrapped around the back of her thighs, pulling her closer. Personal space was an impossible ask. The need to feel her, to have her close, was pervasive as fuck.
“Are we okay?” I needed to know. That shit last night was strange as hell.
Her eyes connected with mine. “We’re great, Duke. You’re amazing. And me … I’m just on my period. Don’t let my moodiness worry you.”
“Do you need anything, Bee? Are you good with being here?”
Her comfort ranked supreme. At a moment’s notice, we’d be en route to Paramour should she feel troubled. She only needed to utter the words. But then she bit into her bottom lip and did that semi smile shit.
“ Everything I need is right in front of me.”