13. Rakai
Rakai
S everal Weeks Later …
Finding out that Latia had the day off, I called off work for the first time since I’ve been working for the organization.
What’s crazy is that I have a ton of vacation and sick time but haven’t had a reason to use either.
Having the opportunity to spend the day with my lady warrants a fake illness.
I even slept at Latia’s place last night, and waking up with her in my arms as her bonnet shifted from her head was amazing.
I slept like a titty-fed newborn after six ounces of milk.
It was the best sleep I’ve ever had, which caused a craving for more nights like it in my future.
However, our future nights will be in my house, where we have room to grow.
I also understand why my grandparents left their house to me because having Latia in my life has me dreaming of babies and a miniature pincher running around the expansive house.
For years, my grandparents have only felt like a house since their passing, but dating Latia makes me anxious for the feeling of home.
“Are those bags too heavy? I don’t mind carrying some,” Latia questions, shifting my focus to the present.
With our future in mind, I convinced Latia to come to the mall with me so I could get a few things. I didn’t need anything but her perspective on ring options, and the best way to subtly get her opinion is while passing the various jewelry stores in this mall.
“No. I’m good. If these bags get to be too much, I’ll just make a trip to the car. You won’t be carrying anything but that weapon you call a purse.”
Latia giggles, causing warmth to dance across my chest like a ballerina, and a smile forms on my lips.
“It’s not a weap?—”
“That thing is heavy, and I swear you have a brick in it.”
“Well, you can never be too?—”
“Humph. Fancy seeing you strolling in here.” A voice I would love to forget cuts off Latia’s statement while halting our forward progress.
“Last I checked, I’m grown, and restrictions aren’t something?—”
“That’s cute, considering where you’ve been. Anyway, can we?—”
“Excuse me,” Latia snaps in an around-the-way tone that has my dick thickening because I didn’t know she had it in her.
“Oh, trust me. I understand the need for being territorial. I spent years sucking and fucking Rakai. My name is Ti?—”
Latia releases my hand before removing the space between her and Tiana, causing me to jump into action. Pulling Latia back, I stand between them because I refuse to allow Tiana to shift Latia’s crown.
“I’m sure telling the current woman in your ex’s life about what he did to you is cute, but sweetheart, all it shows is your desperation. I’m not gonna argue or fight with you because while you’re home alone rubbing your feet together, Rakai will be drinking my cum like water.”
Tiana’s mouth opens and closes like a fish.
Latia grabs my bicep and leads us around Tiana without another word. My dick is tapping against my underwear, begging me to let him give Latia a prize for shutting Tiana up.
“Are you ready for lunch? I’m starving.”
As we continue walking, a goofy grin slides into place at Latia’s calm voice, and my heart leaps in my chest. Upon seeing a jewelry store on the left, and with renewed dedication, I ask my own question.
“Let’s get you squared away. I saw an oval-shaped ring on your dresser. Is that your preference?”
Two Weeks Later…
“Hello.”
“Oh my God! You’ll never guess what just happened to me, Rakai.” The elation in Latia’s tone causes me to stop typing so I can give her my undivided attention.
“What happened, mama?”
“I got an offer for an anchor position in San Diego. The HR representative for the local station there reached out to me with an offer to double my salary, cover my relocation expenses, and assist me with finding a place to live. I can’t believe it.
I love being in the background here, but a chance at anchoring would shift my career. ”
My breaths slow, and my heartbeat becomes irregular as I process the news from Latia that could change not only her career but our future.
How the hell did I go from picking Latia’s brain subtly about ring designs to losing her in a matter of days?
Although interrupted briefly by Tiana, our mall adventure was a success because I have begun taking steps to ensure our future.
“Oh. That’s great. What did you tell them?” My voice is foreign to my ears as I attempt to force an excited tone I don’t feel. The thought of losing Latia has my stomach souring and my chest pinching.
“I haven’t yet. I was too stunned to give an answer.
I asked them to give me a week to decide, and I would get back to them with my answer.
I’m stoked, though this would be huge for me.
Wow, I—hold on a second,” Latia tells me before her background becomes muffled, like she’s holding the phone against her chest.
Heaviness surges through my limbs, and my breathing becomes slower as I wait for Latia to return to the line. My lips are pursed slightly, and my eyebrows close together as thoughts of Latia leaving me and moving out of town dampen my mood.
“I’m sorry. I have to run,” Latia says, returning to the call.
“Alright. Let’s discuss it further over dinner tonight.”
“Okay. Text me the details, please.”
With that, Latia disconnects the call, and air leaves my mouth as pain radiates across my chest. Hanging my head, I close my eyes, fighting the urge to pound my fists against the desk or throw something against the wall.
The option for Latia to get a job offer and leave me didn’t penetrate my mind while planning to lock her down despite her career.
“What’s got you sulking, man?” Grant’s voice forces me to lift my head to see him leaning against the doorjamb of my office.
My eyes start burning as I mentally threaten my tear ducts about releasing the water gathering in front of my friend and boss.
“Aye. You got a minute? I need to get some shit off my chest.”
Nodding, Grant fully enters the office, closes the door, walks to the empty chair in front of my desk, and takes a seat.
“Is everything alright? You look like the weight of the world is on your shoulders. Which one of these people is stressing you out?” Grant’s serious expression causes a low sigh to escape my mouth.
“How much time do you think I’ll get if I kidnap my woman and keep her hostage until the San Diego news station scouting her loses interest?”
“Somewhere between being ensnared by your lady’s pearl and now, you forgot that Pops threatened to put you down like a rabid dog if he sees you on his side of the metal bars,” Grant tells me with a deadpan expression.
“Damn. Help me come up with a few ideas then. I can’t lose her, man.”
“Next time, lead with that.”
The idea of facing Mr. Bryan because love sent me back to lockup has me reconsidering allowing myself to fall over the ledge.
“I’ve been a journalist for years and love what I do, but becoming an anchor would be amazing. I have no idea how I even got on their radar. Man, this is wild but so dang on exhilarating.” The wide grin and twinkling glee in Latia’s eyes makes it challenging for me not to join in her excitement.
The problem is my heart is crying, and my chest is pinching the longer I stare at Latia as the urge to cry wallops me. Latia has been rambling for the last ten minutes, and with each word, the chambers of my heart fracture a bit more.
“Don’t sit here pretending like you’re not that woman. That station would be better with you than without you. Of course, they want you on their team. You deserve this.”
Against my bleeding heart, I pump Latia’s head, although doing so deflates my appetite.
“Aww. Thank you, Rakai. I appreciate that.” Latia wipes the corners of her mouth with the napkin from her lap before continuing to eat.
The sirloin steak on my plate could easily be roadkill because my stomach twists with the bite I put in my mouth. Despite the special garlic butter dollop on top of the beef intended to enhance the flavor, I chewed the meat without appreciating its effect.
“No thanks needed. How’s your pasta?” Picking up my glass of water, I coat my dry mouth while attempting to change the subject.
My racing heartbeat and tightness in my chest make the shift necessary, so I can try to regroup and collect my bearings.
“It’s terrific, but what do you think I should do about the offer? My move would affect both of us.”
How do I tell her that the very thought of her moving has pressure building in my chest from forgetting to breathe?
Or how the pain in my heart makes me feel like some of my arteries are clogged?
I don’t want to be the reason she turns down a great offer because holding her back will never be my agenda.
Yet, I want to stomp like an irate child and tell her to stay with me.
“I think you should do whatever you think is best for you. No matter what you decide, I’m going to support you. You deserve whatever comes to you.”
Even if it’s at the expense of my happiness.
“Okay. I’m going to give it some thought and then go from there. How was your day, though?”
A crap shoot because I couldn’t get over your news to get my head into anything I had to do.
“Oh, it was straight and unproblematic. Do you mind if I end my night with you cuddling against me?”
“Of course, not. When we leave here, I’ll go home to pack a bag and come to your house. Your bed is bigger and more comfortable than mine, so I love sleeping in it.”
“I haven’t noticed because you’re all the comfort I need to sleep well.”