Chapter Two #2
Jamal slid his hand up my arm and under my chin, pressing gently until I looked up at him.
“Geo, you are not an embarrassment. Remember what I said about every job being important?” I nodded.
“I meant it. You’re needed at the office.
Plus, you’re good at it; you immediately made me feel welcome.
” He smirked and added, “Well, maybe not immediately.”
I snorted a laugh as my heart warmed at the way he cheered me up. “Thank you, Jamal.”
“Besides, I’m willing to bet you didn’t pass your college courses because your heart wasn’t in them.”
I nodded my agreement. “I’m just not a huge art fan; or really, a fan of most things they like.
Having enough money for security is nice, but I don’t need the best and newest version of everything.
I’d rather eat pizza and watch a movie than dine on caviar and go to the opera.
Instead of waking up to an expensive toy under the Christmas tree, I would have been happier with a hug. ”
I looked away again, realizing how pathetic and affection-starved I sounded.
Neither of those things was untrue though.
I hated that I didn’t have a good relationship with my parents.
Hell, I’d never had a great relationship with anyone.
I had a few boyfriends here and there, but those relationships always ended in one of two ways; either a man wanted me for the money he assumed I had, or they were irritated that I didn’t love money as much as they did.
Jamal made me look at him again. There was pain behind his eyes, and my heart squeezed, realizing that it was there for me. He had a wonderful experience with his own mother, and I was sure it broke his heart to hear that I didn’t.
“It’s okay,” I told him honestly. “I’m at peace too. It is what it is with them. But I also know that this is my life, and I’m in charge of making the best of it.”
His sad expression was replaced with a beautiful smile. “I love that attitude, and I hope I can help you make the best of it as well.”
“You already are.” I felt more of a connection with him in a short time than I had with anyone else…
maybe ever. We understood each other, and I enjoyed his company.
I wasn’t immune to blurting things out, as evidenced by our first meeting, and it held true when I added, “But more dates will definitely help too.”
A deep laugh rumbled in his chest, warming mine. “Good, because that was my plan,” he winked, and my heart raced. This was a date, it was a good one, and more were on the way. “Just one question, though; what should we do about work?”
“I was thinking that what they don’t know won’t hurt them,” I shrugged.
“And I like the way you think. And speaking of work, I enjoy my job because math and figures make sense to me. I’m a number nerd, so financial planning is right up my alley. You said art wasn’t your thing, but what is? If you could choose any job, what would it be? What would make you happy?”
I didn’t even have to think about it. “I’ve always wanted to do hair and nails.” I didn’t want him to think I was crazy, so I added, “I think I would be good at it; I do my own color.” I leaned in to whisper, “My hair isn’t this light naturally.”
Jamal gave another stomach-warming chuckle.
“Well then, you are very good at it, because I would never have known. It looks amazing, just like the rest of you.” I wasn’t typically a shy person, but I still felt my cheeks warm at the compliment.
“And I think cosmetology is art; your canvases are just human.”
“I agree, but my parents definitely don’t. They flipped their shit when I told them what I wanted to do with my life. They hated the thought of the family name being attached to something so…unprestigious.” At the last word, I rolled my eyes so hard I saw stars.
“You know, there are high-end hair and makeup artists who work with famous clients and make serious money.”
“That’s funny you said that, because I made the same point to them. I said there was an opportunity to always keep learning and improve on a skillset and be highly sought after. But they weren’t impressed. I think after my failed college attempt, they don’t expect much from me.”
“Well then, we’ll just have to prove them wrong,” Jamal replied with a wink. It meant a lot that he not only had faith in me, but included himself in my future plans, while suggesting his help and support.
“I really appreciate that. Thank you.”
“I mean it, and you’re very welcome. Now, besides doing an amazing job at coloring your hair, what else are you interested in?”
“Well, like I said, I love to cook. I got tired of eating frozen meals, and decided to learn. I started watching cooking shows on TV and trying my hand at preparing what they did. I had a lot of disasters in the beginning, but I finally got the hang of it.”
“It’s impressive that you taught yourself. What’s your favorite thing to cook?”
I searched my brain; I’d never really thought about it. “Any kind of comfort food; chicken, pasta, potatoes, things like that.”
“Can’t go wrong there. I love all of those.”
An exciting idea knitted together in my mind and it sprung from my lips, “For our next date, I’d love to come to your place and cook for you.”
His reply of, “I don’t think that’s the best idea,” was like a punch to the gut.
Had I misread his intentions? Just minutes ago, Jamal seemed pretty clear about wanting to be together.
He quieted my anxieties by placing his hand on mine and rubbing my skin with his thumb.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it like that. Remember what I said about my neighborhood not being the nicest place? It’s not exactly the type of…”
“I don’t care about any of that,” I interrupted, relieved by the misunderstanding.
It didn’t matter to me where he lived, and I’d never hold any preconceived notions.
Though it was a very different situation, people had made assumptions about me based off my upbringing as well; namely that I would be some kind of stuck-up rich bastard. “I just want to be with you.”
“You’re very sweet. But I still worry about your safety.”
“Well then, how about you come to my place?” Lord knew I would have the house to myself, and there was plenty of room for us.
“Now that sounds like a perfect idea.”
“Great.” Realizing I only half answered his earlier question, I added, “Other than cooking, I also love watching movies; all genres, but I am a sucker for a good sappy romance. How about you?”
“I’m more of an action fan myself, but I could be persuaded to watch a romance.” He winked, and I melted in my spot. The things I liked were important to him, and he wanted to experience them with me. “And I also love basketball.”
“Watching or playing?”
“I like shooting around, but mostly I follow college ball. My team is the University of Connecticut; the Huskies.”
“Is that where you went to college?”
Jamal shook his head. “No, I took online courses. My love for the Huskies started when I was a kid. Honestly, their mascot was my favorite, and I stuck with them. Luckily, they’ve proven to be a great team.”
I chuckled at the way he chose his favorite team, but thought his loyalty was sweet.
“I can’t blame you, though; huskies are adorable.
I love all animals. I’ve not watched much basketball, but I could be persuaded to do so.
” Just like he’d done, I winked at Jamal, making him laugh at his repeated words.
We chatted nonstop as we finished our meals. There was no awkward silence between us; only laughter and thoughtful conversation. We had a lot in common, and any interests we didn’t share, we were each willing to try.
“I suppose we should be getting back to the office,” Jamal sighed as he looked at his watch. I nodded my agreement; I didn’t want him to get into trouble, especially on his first day on the job.
My emotions were split as we walked back towards the office; part of me was giddy about how well our date went, and about the promise of more to come, but the other part of me was bummed out about going back to work.
I knew once we were in the office, Jamal and I wouldn’t be able to flirt or speak freely. Our blooming relationship would have to be kept under wraps. I would need to be careful about blurting things out.
When we were only about a block from the office, I yelped in surprise when Jamal grabbed my hand and pulled me into an alleyway. He led me further between the two buildings until we couldn’t be seen from the sidewalk.
Jamal pressed my back against the brick wall and placed one of his hands on either side of my head, lowering his face until his eyes were level with mine.
He didn’t budge his gaze as he told me, “I know things will be different when we are at work, but I don’t want you to doubt my intentions with you or my feelings for you.
If you ever find yourself questioning, you just have to remember one thing. ”
I was desperate to ask, but I couldn’t form the words. My senses were overwhelmed with his crisp, masculine scent in the air, and the electricity sparking between us.
But he still answered my unspoken question by closing the gap between us and pressing his lips to mine. My eyes unfocused and slid closed as I gave myself over to the feeling of pure bliss.
Jamal’s kiss was soft, but commanding. He thoroughly pecked and nibbled my lips before opening them with his own. His tongue slid against mine, painting my taste buds with the flavor of soda and sex appeal.
Once the initial shock wore off, I kissed him back, snaking my arms around his hips and twisting my tongue with his. His hands rested on my cheeks and his heart thumped rapidly against my chest.
I slid my hands onto the swell of his ass and felt his lips pull into a smile, but only for a second before he kissed me deeper.
His hips pressed into mine, and I gasped at the long, hard presence between us.
I was in the same state; my pulse raced, sending all of my blood rushing south so quickly, my mind spun.
Jamal’s quiet moan said that he not only felt it, but approved.
Just as I was about to lose every last inhibition and strip bare-ass naked in the alley, Jamal pulled his lips from mine. It took several moments for my eyes to open and refocus, finding him staring back at me with lust-blown pupils.
“Don’t forget that,” he whispered.
I answered without a doubt, “I’ll never forget it.” It was easily the best kiss of my life, and I would hold it in my heart forever.
He smiled and let out a long breath. “I think I need to walk around the block one more time before going into the office.”
“Same here.”
We headed back towards the sidewalk together, sharing laughter and a very sexy secret.