6. Rakai
Rakai
M e: Good morning. I hope you were able to get sufficient rest last night. I enjoyed our abbreviated time together. Have a great day, mama.
Latia: Good morning, Rakai. Thanks, I definitely rested well. Me too. By the way, thanks again for paying for lunch. I truly appreciate you. I hope you’re off to a great day.
It took me several days to get up enough courage to use Latia’s number because I didn’t want to appear thirsty or desperate.
My pulse races, and my chest and body warms rapidly while debating whether to throw out the question swarming in my mind.
Blowing the air from my lungs, I decided to just go for it.
The worst she can say is no. Although my desire to see her again has me internally praying that she accepts.
Me: It’s even better now. However, I have a proposition for you.
My eyes are stuck on the screen as my breath slows to a crawl, waiting for Latia’s response.
Latia: *laughing emoji*
Me: What’s so funny?
Not capable of going back and forth texting, I hit the phone icon because this conversation would be better over the phone.
“Hello.”
“Let’s do this like adults who know how to communicate. Now, can you answer my question?”
“I’m laughing because of the wild visual of what you could possibly be propositioning me with.”
Latia’s giggles pierce the line, causing my dick to twitch from the heavenly sound. Closing my eyes, I try to think about something other than sliding in and out of her slim-thick thighs.
“Are you there?”
“Yeah. I can’t even imagine, but anyway. I would like you to be my plus one at a charity gala.”
“Who is the company hosting the gala?”
“ Bending Minds, Reshaping Hearts. ”
My lungs expand to their fullest through deep, satisfied breaths after reciting the name of my organization.
“What if I told you I’m already gonna be in attendance?”
“Then my proposition is null and void because you just confirmed that you’re gonna be my date for the night.”
“How about this... Once I’m done gathering the information for my article, I’ll be yours for the rest of the night?”
My heart rate elevates, my mouth waters, and a vision of me in a tux standing at an altar with a pastor to my left flashes in my mind.
“Be careful, mama. Those words could have you preparing for a lifetime commitment.”
Latia laughs heartily as if I’ve told her the best joke she’s ever heard, causing my heart to skip beats, my stomach to flutter, and a wide smile to form.
“You’ll see. In the meantime, can I take you to dinner?”
“Sure.”
Latia’s steady and quick response has me smiling like a goofy while pumping my fist.
“Bet. I’m heading into a meeting, but I’ll touch base afterward with the details.”
“No problem. Enjoy the rest of your workday, Rakai.”
Yep, I’m gonna marry this woman because ain’t no way in hell God dropped this gem in my lap for me to ignore it.
“Who knew after a long day at the office, your beauty wouldn’t lose its power?”
A burst of laughter escapes Latia’s mouth at hearing the corny statement coming from me, causing me to shake my head.
Smirking, I try to regain my temporary lapse in clear thinking and logical statements.
“See? You got me out here saying dumb shit like this is my first rodeo.”
“Oh no. Don’t blame me for the weak line. You’re sitting here looking like a wet dream but talking like a cast member on Revenge of the Nerds . You’re way too sexy to go out bad like this,” Latia teases with stars shining in her eyes.
“You think I’m sexy, mama?” My humor vanishes when Latia squirms in her seat from the intense expression in my eyes.
“Maybe.”
“Do you want to know what I think about you?” Leaning forward, I gaze intently into her eyes, removing any possibility of her misconstruing my words.
“Y-yes.” Her response is breathy, which causes the temperature in the room to heat exponentially.
“I think tonight is the beginning of our forever. I think you’re the woman who’s going to fill a void in my life I didn’t know was there.
I think you have the power to build me up after life tried to break me.
I think saving you was only so you could save me.
Despite our short connection, I’m already falling in love with you. That’s what I think about you, mama.”
When my back hits the back of my seat, Latia’s breath hitches, causing my heart to gallop like I’m running a hundred-meter dash.
My temple vein is beating wildly like it’s seconds from popping out of my head.
Swallowing the moisture gathering in my mouth, silence stretches between us as the other patrons serve as background noise around us.
“I uh?—”
“What’s understood doesn’t have to be explained. Have you decided on what you’re gonna eat?”
Sharing my thoughts about Latia with her wasn’t my plan, but she has me out of sorts with my nose wide open.
The last time a woman had me talking like a simp and moving without hesitation was in high school.
My heart is in shambles from the sound of Latia’s giggles or laughter to the smooth yet blemish-free peanut butter skin she’s been blessed with.
I didn’t tell Latia that I feel like I’ve been blessed with the rarest gem in the world with every moment in her presence.
While I haven’t uncovered everything there is to know about Latia, I’m locked in like a bullet in a gun chamber.
“Well, look what the wind blew in. Hello, baby,” my ma gushes when I enter the living room of my childhood home.
“Hello, beautiful.”
Walking toward the couch, I kiss Ma’s cheek when I reach her.
“What brings you by? Not that you need permission or advance notice.”
I’m falling in love, and it’s happening faster than lightning strikes twice, which scares me because I barely know this woman.
I’m locked in, but I need reassurance from Ma that I’m not out of my damn mind.
Usually, I despise women who come on too strong, yet here I am, trying to convince Latia that I deserve a place in her life.
I haven’t even asked her to be mine, yet I’ve capitalized on what could have been a tragedy in her life.
I also selfishly asked her to dinner without considering what else she might have had on her agenda after an early workday.
The biggest problem is that I don’t have a single regret, nor would I do anything different if given the opportunity.
I want Latia Revish in the worst way and for more than just to soak my dick with her juices, even though the constant images of Latia writhing in my bed have been on a continuous loop since our first meeting.
“Earth to Rakai.” Ma’s humor-filled tone cuts off my wayward thoughts.
“I’m in love, Ma. I have never fallen for a woman before knowing her or her name. Yet, it happened, and I can’t even explain it.”
My heart races, and jitters fill my body as I stare unblinking at the wall while waiting for Ma’s response.
“Like father, like son.” Ma’s words have my gaze shifting to her, and the sight of her nodding has my mouth opening and closing with my words jumbling in my mind.
“What?”
“Your father and I might have been high school sweethearts, but that’s only because he approached me, talking about how my beauty spoke to his soul.
At first, I thought he needed medical attention, but his persistence wore me down.
Before I knew it, I fell in love with him too. So again, like father, like son.”
Damn, I didn’t see that coming, but I’ll happily embrace it.