5. Akari
February rolled in too damn fast for my liking, and Valentine's Day would be here too soon. I didn't have anyone special to give anything to but my mother and sister, the two women in my life whom I gave something to every Valentine's Day.
I knew of a person I could give something to.
We had been spending a lot of time together, and I wanted to continue doing so.
Although we were only spending time cleaning Avani's old house, I would take what I could get.
I wondered how she would feel if I told her I wanted to spend time with her outside of her old house.
Avani was a feisty little thing, too. She went word for word with me.
It turned me on, too. That was something I was trying to get hold of.
I couldn't be feeling desire for her the way that I was.
That was a dangerous territory. It was something about Avani that made me want to protect her.
It was the sadness I saw in her eyes. I felt like she needed me.
I wanted to be there to wash away the sadness I felt coming from her.
I ran a hand over my head and sighed deeply. "Man, fuck it." Something had to give.
I sat outside the house where I knew she was. She spent too much time there. She needed a break, and I would give it to her.
I exited the car and made my way to the house and up the porch. She was in the kitchen with a bag in her hand. As I stepped inside, she stood up straight.
"I wondered how long you were going to sit in that car, staring at the house.” I heard her voice before I saw her.
I laughed shortly and stepped forward. "Yeah, I was thinking of ways to drag you out of here. You're working too hard and need a break."
Avani disagreed with me by shaking her head repeatedly. "No, I don't. I'll take a break soon."
"Now," I demanded.
Her eyes widened before they narrowed into slits. "Who are you talking to like that?"
I pointed a finger at her. "You. You are working too hard. It's okay to take a break from cleaning up. The house will be here when you come back."
She glanced around the kitchen, nibbling on her top lip. "No, I have to finish it first."
I ambled toward her and jerked the bag out of her hand. "No, you don't. You will finish it, but not today. Give yourself a break. Let's go out and have some fun. That's what you need right now. Some fun in your life."
Avani pouted. "I don't want to have fun."
I snickered. "You'll enjoy it. It is something that's missing in your life."
She scowled. "Heyy! You don't know that."
I smiled. "You just told me. Come on and have some fun with me."
"Fine, since you won't leave me alone about it."
I wanted to sigh in relief, but I knew it was better that I didn't just yet. I had never met a stubborn person before — well, I have, but none like that. Avani took it to the next level.
"Do you still know how to skate?" I asked as I pulled into the skating rink's parking lot. Once I found a spot to park, I turned my car off.
It had been a while since I had gone skating, but I loved it, just as I knew Avani did growing up.
"Yes, I do. I usually try to come to the skating rink when I know kids won't be here."
I nodded, understanding where she was coming from. "Well, you are in luck. No kids are here today."
I stepped out of my car and went around to open the car door for her.
Avani stepped out and peered around, shivering a bit.
As much as I wanted to wrap my arms around her to give her some of my body heat, I didn't. That might be taking it too far.
We walked side by side to the entrance of the skating rink.
She tapped my arm, getting my attention. "Do you remember that time I pushed you down, causing you to hurt your knee?"
I glared at her as she laughed at me. "That's not funny. I could have seriously hurt myself."
"Yeah, right. You were big mad that day. I thought for sure you were going to come after me on your skates, but you just went home crying to your parents."
I grunted. "Whatever. And here I go thinking I was bullying you when you were bullying me back."
Avani threw her head back and laughed. I loved seeing the joy on her face. It made her face complexion glow. If only she knew how beautiful she was. I didn't want to tell her, fearing she might want to shut herself off to me, which was something I didn't want to happen.
When we stepped inside the skating rink, the music was loud as hell.
I couldn't help but bob my head. I paid for our tickets and for the skates.
I had to put my hands to my lips to make sure the little girl wouldn't scream out.
Sometimes, I tried to disguise myself, but today, I just wanted to be a regular person and show who I really was.
After I paid and we got our skates, Avani and I found a bench to sit on while putting them on.
There weren't many people here today, which was a good thing.
Maybe it was because it was a weekday. Whatever the case, it was fine by me.
It gave me a chance to breathe without everyone wanting an autograph.
Avani pushed herself up from the bench. "Try not to get your revenge on me for what happened twenty-something years ago."
"Yeah, I'll try not to," I stated with a hint of a smile.
She rolled her eyes skyward. "That happened years ago. Sure, you are over it by now?"
I grinned. "You were the one who brought it back up. I had forgotten all about it."
Avani's entire face shimmered with delight.
I enjoyed seeing the smile on her face. It felt like, although while growing up, I was the bully, it turned out she was bullying me, too.
Her little ass was going to get thrown one of these days.
I loved her slick mouth, though. It turned me on.
It had been a while since I had this much fun with a woman before, without thinking about sex.
But damn, she had an appeal about her that had me wanting just to kiss her.
Avani bumped me with her hips, almost making me lose my balance. She was already starting something. I looked over at her, causing her to hold a hand to her mouth.
"My bad. I was trying to get your attention."
"Yeah, um-hm."
She giggled.
A man on the microphone grabbed our attention. "Excuse me, everybody. I just want you all to remember what this day is about. It's couples' night on the rink. Grab your partner and skate around to dance to ‘Lovers and Friends.’"
Avani and I exchanged looks.
"This doesn't apply to us," she protested.
I grabbed her and held on to her waist. "Nah, it doesn't, but we are going to dance together. We know our status." My body was burning, holding her close to me, no matter the look she had on her face.
Avani glared at me. It had me wanting to bend down to kiss her lips. If only she knew her glare didn't scare me. I was surprised when she wrapped her arms around my neck, holding me tightly.
"I'm enjoying your company," I blurted, unable to hold it in any longer.
It was true, though. Who would have thought we'd be here right now?
I never thought I'd lay eyes on Avani again, but here we were, dancing together on skates.
A smile tugged at my lips, and I thought about the last few days I had spent with her since she'd reentered my life.
It seemed surreal, but I could admit that I was happy we were back in each other's lives.
She blushed, nibbling on her bottom lip. "I am enjoying your company, too. To know that we were enemies once upon a time."
I chuckled. "Frenemies. We used to play good, too."
Avani shook her head. "After you and your siblings talked down on me, along with everyone else."
"We were kids not having anything better to do with our time. You used to talk shit to us back. You and Aisha used to fight all the time."
She laughed. "Yeah, all the time. How's she?"
"She's good. An accountant. My accountant."
She nodded. "I'm glad she's doing good for herself. What about Antonio?"
I grunted. "On my nerves real bad."
She laughed. "I can believe it. I read that he's your manager."
I nodded. "He is. A pain in my ass."
"Always had been."
We shared a laugh. Damn, talking to Avani on a daily basis seemed to be the best thing to me. She was opening up to me as I was to her. It was just what I needed. I was sure she needed it, too.
Later that night, I took her back to her car after we ate hot dogs and shared a Sprite. That was something she didn't want to do, saying she didn't know where my mouth was. I had to let her know I didn't know where hers was either.
"Thank you for today. I enjoyed myself," she affirmed, looking over at me.
I smiled. "I enjoyed myself, too. It's a pleasure going down memory lane with you. We were some badass kids."
We laughed.
"We were, but I need to get home. I have work tomorrow."
I nodded. "How about coming to my game tomorrow night? I'll make sure you have tickets."
Her eyes widened. "Are you sure?"
"Hell yeah."
"Okay, I'll be there."
I got out of the car and went around to open the door for her. Once Avani was out, she turned to look up at me. With my six-foot-five height, it was tough for both of us. I stepped closer to her and cupped her face in my hand.
"I want to kiss you."
Her eyes held uncertainty. I wouldn't kiss her unless she wanted me to.
"You can."
That was all I needed to know before I pulled her up in my arms and slanted my lips on hers.
Avani moaned in my mouth and wrapped her legs around my waist as best she could.
Her ass was short as hell. I had a feeling I would be picking her up a lot.
I'd be damned if I got a crook in my neck trying to kiss her.
She was too damn short. We kissed slowly, our lips caressing one another's.
The way our lips were moving against one another, with her body pressed against mine, was turning me on.
"How short are you?" I whispered against her lips when I ended the kiss.
She giggled. "I'm five-foot-two."
I shook my head. "Yeah, prepare for me to pick your ass up to kiss you."
She snorted. "What makes you think you'll be getting another kiss?"
"This between us says so. I'm going to let you go." I put her feet back on the ground. "Text me when you get home."
"I will."
I waited until she got in her car and drove away before I got in mine and did the same.