Taeja

23. Chapter 23

23

She rolled her eyes, looking away from him so she could hide her smile.

“Admit that it was funny,” Damon teased.

“Taking pictures while I was hanging upside down the tree was funny?”

“Yes,” Damon said, and Taeja glared. Damon’s smile widened, his eyes dilating as he stared at her.

“Was it funny like you staying in my backyard because you didn’t want my dad to sue you?”

His smile dropped. “Well—”

“Mi nuh waa hear it!”

“But it was your fault. You should’ve used the door.”

“True, but I wanted to see if I still had it.”

“Obviously not,” he said, and she gasped. “I’m joking.”

“You’re not. Because since the other day, you and Zain have been laughing at me nonstop. I can’t believe you showed him the pictures.”

“Where’s the fun in having two boyfriends if we can’t bully you?”

“Whatever. Mi nuh like yu.”

Damon grinned, his eyes raking over her. “Still nervous?”

“Kinda,” she admitted. “Kiss me so I can feel better.”

Damon’s eyes glistened as he leaned in to kiss her, so slowly and softly, Taeja moaned. Pulling away, he smirked when he saw her hooded eyes. “Better?”

“Yeah,” she breathed .

“Good. It looks like they’re ready for us.”

Taeja looked toward the helicopter. Two workers were approaching her and Damon.

“Hey!” greeted Nyla. “I hope you got over the nerves.”

Taeja chuckled. “Somewhat.”

“It’ll be fine!” Nyla yelled so Damon and Taeja could hear her over the helicopter’s loud throttling. “Standing beside me is Javoy.”

Javoy waved his hand. “Hello, everyone.”

“You never got to meet him earlier because he was in the office. Anyway, Austin, your pilot, has fifteen years of experience and so many hours of flight time, we’ll never get started on the tour if I say the number. Now, we have you booked for an hour-long tour starting at six thirty. This is my favorite time slot because you get to see the sunset, then the stars. It’s going to be so beautiful, you’ll be begging Austin to make the tour longer.”

Taeja smiled. “You’re helping me to feel less nervous.”

Nyla smiled. “I’m so happy to hear that! Now, Javoy will go over the safety precautions with you, then we’ll introduce you to Austin.”

“Okay,” Taeja replied, looking at Javoy as he started talking. She hooked on to every word he said, and Javoy teased her about it as he walked them to the helicopter.

“First-timer nerves are completely normal. You said you’ve been on a plane before?” Javoy asked, and Taeja nodded.

“Then imagine you’re on a plane,” Nyla said. “But the doors are open and the breeze is hitting you from every direction. It’ll be fun, I promise.”

“I’m trusting you, Nyla,” Taeja said as Damon helped her into the helicopter.

Nyla chuckled as she watched Damon and Taeja strap themselves into the seat. “The only person you should trust now is Austin. Safe flight, guys.”

After Austin introduced himself, the helicopter started its ascent.

“Sas Crise!” Taeja swore, grabbing Damon’s hand. “Doh let mi go.”

“You’re fine,” Damon said, stroking his thumb over her knuckles.

“Why is it shaking like this?”

“It’ll be a smooth ride once we’re in the air,” Austin yelled from the front .

Taeja didn’t believe him. Lowering her voice so Damon could hear despite all the surrounding noise, Taeja said, “If I die, I want my ashes sprinkled—”

“Let’s not talk about death,” Damon interrupted. “Relax, gorgeous. Just close your eyes, and I’ll tell you when you can open them.”

Taeja nodded, using her free hand to adjust the earmuffs over her ears while closing her eyes tightly. The wind whipped her from every direction. Her body felt somewhat weightless as the altitude raised until finally… stillness.

“You can open them now,” Damon said.

Looking through the door to her right side, Taeja’s mouth dropped. “ Wow .”

“Loving the view?” Austin asked.

“Yes!” Taeja squealed, her fear vanishing.

Austin chuckled. “Awesome. Relax and enjoy the ride.”

Taeja nodded, engrossed by the view below her. As the city dozed off, its breathtaking beauty became more apparent, setting the stage for the lively nightlife that was about to unfold. The trees appeared greener and more vibrant. The flickering lights seemed to extend infinitely, captivating Taeja’s attention with their ethereal glow. In this great big world, Taeja was so small.

“Do you want to put your feet out?” Damon asked.

“We can do that?” Taeja asked, smiling as they passed over the semi-circle-shaped hotel. Construction started before her summer break, and it was almost finished already. She couldn’t wait to visit.

“Yes,” Damon said. “Do you want to?”

Taeja looked at him. “I will if you sit with me.”

Damon smirked. “Is my fearless Taeja scared?”

She laughed and swatted at him. “Gweh nuh.”

He grinned. “I’ll sit with you.” He helped her off the seat and onto the floor.

She sat on the padded cushion and slowly stretched her feet out. Damon sat beside her. Taeja inched closer and held his hand.

“Don’t start kicking and screaming like the other day and accidentally push me out,” Damon joked.

Taeja snickered. “It’d be free skydiving lessons. You should be grateful.”

“We should do that another time. ”

“Yu crazy?” Taeja asked. “I’m not that much of a thrill seeker yet.”

“Me either,” Damon confessed. “But I’ll do anything for you.”

Taeja looked at him with a bright smile. He smiled back at her, his handsome face radiating happiness. She felt so full of content from looking at him. Damn, this man and the things he made her feel.

“I’d do anything for you, too. I love you.”

Damon’s eyes widened, his lips parting slightly. Taeja’s heart paced faster, scared yet anticipating what he’d say.

“Damn,” was the first thing. Then, “I wanted to tell you first.”

Taeja smiled cheekily. “I heard you the first time you told me.”

His eyes widened some more, then he looked away. Was he… shy? “You weren’t sleeping?”

“I was,” Taeja admitted. “But I felt when you came in the bed and hugged me.”

Damon looked at her. She smiled as her heart beat wildly. She always felt like this around him, but it was more intense after finally getting those words out.

“I wanted to tell you at dinner,” Damon said, then he smiled. “I love you too, Taeja. Stop frowning, you’re so spoilt. I love you, baby .”

A smile broke out on her face. So wide and bright she might have been radiating glee for the entire world. The urge to hug him took control of her, and she wrapped her arms around him tightly.

Damon chuckled as he returned the hug. He kissed atop her head. They hugged for the longest while until they pulled away to a more comfortable position.

Her head was on his shoulder now, and his arm was around her waist. Watching the beautiful red and orange hues paint the sky, Taeja sighed. “Thanks, Damon.”

“No thanks needed. I’m happy you’re enjoying the ride—”

“No. Not for that. For loving me.”

“Huh?”

She chuckled at his confusion. “Thanks for loving me back,” she repeated. “I’ve loved people before. But not the type of love I have for you.”

“I’d hope not,” he laughed.

“Cho.” Taeja grinned. “I just mean that it’s nice that the first real relationship is with someone patient and gentle with me. This is all I’ve ever wanted. Everything feels right… with you.”

Damon held her tighter, releasing a long sigh. “It feels the same with you. You’re teaching me how to love again.”

“You’ve been in love before?”

“Once,” came his delayed answer.

Taeja didn’t answer. A question was at the tip of her tongue, but now wasn’t the time or the place.

It was bliss here in the sky with the man she loved.

Nothing else existed. Just him and her.

She wouldn’t have it any other way.

They stayed an extra hour in the helicopter before they traveled to a fancy restaurant.

“Did you enjoy yourself?” Damon asked, moving the glass of red to his lips.

Taeja energetically bobbed her head. “We should do it again!”

“Say the word whenever you’re ready.”

She grinned. “Thanks again.” She looked around the grand, candle-lit restaurant, savoring the soft melody of the piano playing through the speakers. “How did you pull this off?”

“Reserve the entire restaurant?” he asked, and she nodded. “My dad’s good friends with the owner.”

“Ah, I see…” Trailing off, she glanced at her phone that was on the table.

“That’s bad table manners, you know?”

She looked at him. “I know. Teddy forced me to take etiquette classes.”

“Then?”

“I’m waiting for a text.”

“From?”

Taeja could practically feel his jealousy mixed with curiosity. “Not a man, relax. It’s a text from Liyah. Her boyfriend is proposing to her today!”

A smile crawled on his face. “You sound excited for her. ”

“I am! They would’ve been married already, but Liyah has a strict ten-year plan.”

“I love those,” Damon said. “Do you have one?”

Her shoulders slumped. “I… No,” she whispered. “You ever been so focused on one thing, it feels like the world’s passing you by?”

“When I’m at work.”

Taeja shook her head. “When you’re at work, you know you’ll stop, eventually. With me, it’s— I mean, it used to be my family. I feel like I don’t have real interests because everything I know how to do is because Teddy or Jerry made me do it.” She sighed. “I’m sorry. I talk about them too much. I don’t want to ruin our date by bringing them up—”

“It’s fine,” Damon said. “I like it when you talk to me. You rarely do.”

Her brows furrowed. “I talk to you.”

“True, but not about them. You’d go to Zain about that.”

“It’s not because I don’t trust you. It’s different with him,” she said, then groaned. “I’m awful at this.”

“What?”

“Being with two men. I have different relationships with you guys and it shouldn’t be like that—”

Damon reached over and laid his hand on hers. “Baby, relax. My brother and I are different people. You’re going to have different relationships with us.”

Taeja sighed. “But that night we talked, you told me you guys broke up with a lot of girlfriends because they preferred one of you over the next.”

Damon chuckled and moved his hand. “That’s what’s bothering you?”

“Yes. I don’t want to ruin this.”

“You won’t,” Damon assured. “You misunderstood what I said, but I don’t want to talk about our exes tonight. Go back to your interests.”

“I love tech, as you know, but I’m no longer sure about my future. I used to want to be a computer programmer, but lately, I’ve been leaning toward web design. There are so many options to choose from these days. It’s confusing.”

“That’s understandable, but you’ll figure it out. You have your entire life ahead of you. ”

Taeja nodded. “You said you love ten-year plans. Did you or do you have one?”

“Both.”

“Both?”

Damon nodded. “I had one, but life happened, so some parts didn’t work out. My new one has some old goals I still want to accomplish.”

“Care to share?”

“Remember the video game I told you about?” he asked, and she nodded. “I want to launch several games, but it’s a handful right now because of my position at work. I never knew I’d make it this far, so I can’t complain.”

“Damon, I’ve seen your tech room and how much respect you get at work. What do you mean you didn’t think you’d make it this far? Yu born fi this.”

He smirked. “I know. I was trying to be modest.”

She laughed and playfully pushed his shoulder. As their laughter died down, Taeja said, “Tell me the new one.”

His mouth opened, then he glanced at her phone. “Your phone’s vibrating.”

“Look at Mr. That’s bad table manners ,” Taeja joked, and he scoffed. Laughing, she grabbed her phone, squealing at the several texts and attachments from Aaliyah. “Oh, my God! Look at her ring!” Taeja shoved her phone into Damon’s face. “It’s so pretty!”

“It is.” Damon grabbed the bottle they were sharing, emptying it into his wineglass before swallowing a large chug.

“Aww!” she swooned while looking at the pictures and videos. “Mason proposed to her at the restaurant at Liyah’s favorite cartoon-themed amusement park. It might seem cheesy, but no one loves cartoons like her.”

“That’s sweet.”

Excited beyond words, Taeja nodded. Deciding to look at every detail in the photos later, she flipped her phone back onto its screen. “Sorry about that.”

“It’s fine.”

Taeja pulled her brows together as she looked at him. “Are you okay?”

“I am.”

“Mi nuh believe that.” She narrowed her eyes on him, and he gave her his best smile. It didn’t sway her. “I’m sorry if it’s the phone. I know it’s bad manners—”

“It’s not the phone, Taeja.”

“Then what did I do? You’re calling me Taeja, and your mood changed.”

He leaned over to kiss her temple. “It’s nothing, I promise. Are you finished with dessert?”

Taeja looked at the half-eaten lava cake on the plate she’d pushed away. She’d been caught up in conversation after they ordered dessert that she forgot it was here. “Yeah. I’m stuffed.”

“Are you sure?” Damon asked, eyeing the cake. “I can get a to-go box for you.”

“I’m sure. If mi follow miself, mago eat it first thing tomorrow, and that’d give Zain a stroke.”

Damon chuckled, alleviating some of her worry. “Let’s get you home.” He stood and helped her to her feet, placing his jacket over her shoulders. He held her hand, and they walked out of the restaurant.

They entered the chauffeur. Taeja laid her head on his shoulder while he placed a hand on her thigh.

Taeja smiled as she laid her hand atop his. “I love you, Damon.”

He chuckled, not as cheery as it usually was. “You’ve told me that ten times in the past hour.”

“Yafi go get tired of me cause I like saying it.”

Grazing her thigh with his thumb, Damon said, “You love saying it. And I love you too, gorgeous.”

Taeja rubbed her eye while yawning. “Good morning, Zain,” she said while sitting at the island.

“Morning,” Zain answered. He was at the stove making pancakes.

“Where’s Damon?”

“He wasn’t in the bed when you woke up?”

Taeja shook her head, despite him not being able to see her. “No. Today’s his day off, right?”

“Yeah…” Zain mumbled as he prepared a plate of food. He walked toward her. “Let’ s try this again.”

Pancakes were stacked atop each other. The slices of strawberry poking out their sides made her mouth water.

“You’re not going to give up until I start eating in the morning?” Taeja asked as he placed the plate before her.

“No,” Zain said. “Eat.”

“Mi cya eat dry pancake.”

Zain glared. “ Dry ?”

Remembering Damon’s words, she added quickly, “It looks good, but I want syrup if I’m going to try eating this.”

Nodding, Zain walked toward the pantry. He returned with syrup and whipped cream, dousing the pancakes with both. “Eat.”

Taeja looked at the pancakes, blinked twice, then met Zain’s eyes. “You’re a pervert, you know that?”

Zain smirked as he walked away to return the items. “I’m not.”

“You used the whipped cream to draw a dick on my pancake.”

“It has to be bigger for you to eat it?”

She rolled her eyes and grabbed the fork. She used it to smear the whipped cream over the pancakes. “I’m only eating because Damon isn’t here to eat it for me.”

Zain scoffed. “Sure,” he said. “Oh. Almost forgot—” He grabbed a mug, then approached the stove. His back was turned, so Taeja couldn’t see what he was doing, but she smelled it.

“Is that fever grass?”

“Yeah,” he said, placing the cup before her.

She smiled as the steam rose from the cup. Her eyes shone as she looked at him. “Thanks, Zain.”

He nodded. “Eat.”

“Okay, but nuh feel like this a happen again.”

Zain scoffed, then started making another batch of pancakes.

Taeja glanced at the clock. “You’re not working today?”

“I am,” Zain replied. “These are for Damon. ”

“Are you sure he’s here?”

“He never skips breakfast. Unlike you.”

Taeja paused moving a forkful to her mouth. “Mi hear dat!”

“I wanted you to hear it.” Zain looked over his shoulder at her. “And make sure you eat everything.”

“Yes, Dad .”

“Daddy.”

She froze, her clit throbbing as dirty thoughts filled her mind. “I thought you didn’t like nicknames?”

“I’ll make an exception this time.”

She rolled her eyes and continued eating. “Whatever, Zain. Hurry up and leave so yu can stop pest mi.”

Zain snickered, quickly finishing the pancakes. He plated them, put some whipped cream on top, then stuck the plate in the microwave. He grabbed his key while telling her bye, then walked toward the door.

Taeja cleared her throat. “AHEM!”

Zain paused, looking over his shoulder. “Are my dry pancakes choking you?”

She laughed. “No. Come here.” She tapped her forehead. “You’re forgetting something.”

Zain walked over, and she leaned her forehead forward in eager anticipation. Much to her surprise, Zain lifted her chin and kissed her lips. He pulled away and licked his lips. “Damn, I can cook.”

Taeja rolled her eyes. “Bye, Zain. Drive safe.”

He nodded, then left.

Now bored out of her mind, Taeja quickly finished eating. She washed the plates, then took Damon’s food out of the microwave. Seeing what Zain wrote on it, Taeja burst out laughing. “Tha man deh torment ino,” she laughed while making a cup of coffee, then headed to Damon’s tech room. Balancing the tray in one hand, she used the other to knock on the door.

There was no answer.

She knocked again. “Damon?”

Again, there was no answer .

“Maybe he’s somewhere else.” She frowned, turning to walk away when the door opened. Her brows flew to her hairline and her mouth dropped. “What happened to you?”

“Nothing,” Damon said, looking toward the food. “Is that for me?”

Taeja nodded, a weight resting on her shoulders as she looked at him. Damon looked like he woke up on the wrong side of the bed — from his waves not being as smooth as they usually were, to the five o’clock shadow making him look older, and the bags underneath his eyes.

Damon reached for the tray, and Taeja carefully placed it in his hand. He looked at the words, shook his head, then walked back into the room. He didn’t close the door, so Taeja figured he wanted her to follow him.

She entered and gently closed the door behind herself. She followed him to the desk in the corner of the room — far away from his expensive equipment. Watching him eat, Taeja played with her fingers. “Damon.”

“After I’m done eating.”

“Okay…” She sighed and went to sit at a computer desk. Nothing was amiss, and the monitors were off. It made it hard for her to decipher what he was doing here this early in the morning.

Taeja was uneasy being in this tense, uncomfortable silence with Damon. She glanced at him every so often, but he didn’t look at her. Not even once.

Sighing, she pulled her phone out. She texted Liyah and Mason, congratulating them on their engagement. Liyah replied, recanting all the events of the monumental night. As happy as she was for her friend, Taeja wasn’t as happy as she should be. Not when her boyfriend was across the room in a sour mood. She hated this hopelessness, but there was nothing she could do but wait like he asked.

When he finally spoke, his words weren’t what she expected to hear: “I don’t want to talk about it.”

“I didn’t ask what it was,” Taeja said.

“But you want to.”

“Can you blame me? You’re shutting me out. This isn’t like you.”

Damon sighed and stood, grabbing the tray.

Taeja jumped to her feet and took long strides to keep up with him as they exited the room. “Did I do something?”

“No.”

“What’s bothering you?”

“I don’t want to talk about it right now, Taeja.”

His cold tone planted a lump in her throat. Chills ran through her body as tears neared.

“Okay,” she mumbled, standing aside while watching him wash his plates. “Do you want space?”

“I don’t know.”

“You sound unsure, so I’m not leaving you. Do you want to do something to get your mind off it?”

“I don’t know.”

Taeja sighed, looking away from him before looking back with a hopeful smile. “I’m great with my hands. I can give you a massage. Maybe it’ll help?”

Damon fixated on something outside the windows above the sink, and Taeja held her breath. Finally, he nodded and looked at her. “Sure.”

“Okay. Do you have somewhere we can do it?”

“The dining hall.”

Her brows crinkled. “What?”

“No one ever eats there.” Damon dried his hands with a paper towel, threw it away, then started walking away.

“I’ll grab the stuff,” Taeja yelled, but he didn’t reply. She sighed and ran upstairs. She rummaged through the different oils Damon bought her, smiling at the bottle of vanilla as memories hit her. Pushing them away, she finished getting what she needed, then returned downstairs. Damon sat on a chair, staring out of space.

She cleared her throat. “I brought a sheet to throw over the table. I hope it isn’t your favorite—”

“It isn’t.”

“Okay,” she said, then laid all the items on the chair beside him. She gently laid her hand on his shoulder as if he was Zain. “Stand.”

Damon complied, and she helped him out of his clothes. She blushed as the piercing gleamed at her. Knowing it wasn’t the time to think like this, she wrapped a towel around his waist, then patted the table. Damon climbed onto it. He lay on his stomach.

“Do you have candles?” she asked, and he shook his head. She grabbed her phone and found a playlist of calming classical music. The gentle melody played softly in the background. Taeja doused her hands in oil while admiring the contours of Damon’s body.

Working on his calves, she was in awe of how strong they were. She trailed her hands along his legs, realizing that Damon looked taller lying down. She ran her hands up the muscles on his back, working at the knots in his tense shoulders until they loosened. Taeja smiled, wanting to ask if he was enjoying it. She chose to stay quiet and let her hands do the talking… All over his tense body until he was putty melting between her talented fingers.

“Turn over,” Taeja whispered, her voice low and soothing.

Damon turned over, and Taeja took one of his hands in hers. She placed a kiss on each knuckle, watching his body relax further. She repeated the same action to his next hand, then moved to his abdomen.

Her fingertips caressed muscles hard as steel. Taeja licked her lips, unable to stop the horny thoughts from infiltrating her mind. What could she say? Her man was beyond fine. From his flawless body and raw, masculine strength.

It didn’t even help that she could see the rising tent covered by the towel.

“Do you want a happy ending?” Taeja asked softly.

“Yes,” Damon breathed. “Go slow.”

“I will,” she promised. “I want you to enjoy it.”

Her fingers brushed past his happy trail and disappeared beneath the towel. She ran her fingers along his hardening length slowly, leaving it wet with oil. Then, she moved the towel completely. His semi-hard dick saluted her, and she licked her lips while admiring it.

Circumcised, not too veiny, just the right size, and pierced.

If there were such a thing as a perfect, pretty dick — it’d be Damon’s.

Taeja poured more oil into her hand, then took his dick between her fingers. She rubbed along his length with both hands. She did it tenderly, lovingly. The low moans passing his lips had her feeling like she was the one getting played with.

Using one hand to stroke him, she fondled his balls with the next. Rubbing and squeezing them, doing all the things she knew he liked. Damon’s dick throbbed the harder it got. She loved how his veins pressed against her palm.

Remembering that he got pleasure from the apadravya, she applied pressure to it whenever her fingers climbed to his tip. Damon released a long breath, and she looked at his face. His facial muscles were more relaxed now. His chest was rising and falling at a quickened pace.

“Is it good?” Taeja asked.

“You’re great.”

Taeja hummed. She rubbed her thumb over the head, wiping away the drop of pre-cum and using it as extra lube. If she didn’t hate the taste of this brand’s oil with a strong passion, nothing would’ve stopped her from taking his dick in her mouth and sucking all the stress out of him.

But she couldn’t, so she continued what she was doing.

Stroking his hard length slowly…

Playing with his balls…

Teasing his piercing and making him moan.

She loved this side of Damon.

Usually, he’d be the one making her behave this way. It was great being able to do the same for him, especially when he wasn’t at his best.

“That feels so good, baby,” Damon moaned. “Go faster. I’m close.”

Taeja tightened her grip and stroked Damon faster, harder, until he exploded in her hand. Lines of warm cum shot out of his tip and dripped down her fingers. Taeja didn’t stop stroking until Damon was spent.

She released his dick and grabbed a towel to clean him off. She watched his expressions while doing it. “Do you feel better?”

“A little,” Damon confessed. “Thanks. You do have magic fingers.”

She smiled — both happy from the compliment and that he didn’t have that coldness in his tone anymore. “I’ve been told.”

He chuckled as he sat up, watching her wipe her hands on another towel. “I’m going to shower. ”

“Can I do it?” she asked.

“You’re going to make me hard again.”

Taeja rolled her eyes. “I’m sure you can’t go again that soon.”

Damon’s brow raised. “Is that a challenge?”

“Mi naa fawt pon yu, Damon.” She laughed as he hopped off the table and wrapped the towel around his waist. She twirled the other towel into a tight knot, then slapped his butt.

Damon yelped, grabbing his butt while his body jerked. “What the f—”

She giggled. “Why’re you cursing?”

He glared. “Why’re you assaulting me?”

“I don’t sound like that!” she laughed. “And me nuh assault yu. I’m trying to make you feel better.”

He sighed. “I know. I appreciate it.”

“Of course.” She smiled. “Can I bathe you instead? You always take care of me, and I want to do it today.”

He looked down at her, staring long and hard. Behind the light that was returning to his eyes, Taeja saw some indifference. They were fighting for dominance, and she hated this turmoil he was in.

“Sure,” Damon finally said, and her smile widened.

“Go ahead. I’ll be up in a bit. Let me clean up here first.”

Damon nodded and left the room.

Once he was out of earshot, Taeja sighed. “Wish mi know wa do him, but I’ll respect his choice.”

She placed all the dirty towels atop the soiled sheet, then rolled it into a big ball. She held it to her chest while grabbing her phone and the oil bottle with her other hand. Making her way upstairs, she skimmed through all the notifications that came in while she was tending to her man.

The notification that came in ten minutes ago made her freeze mid-step.

Baby girl, Mommy missed you so much.