Chapter 7
I bobbed my head to the music while trailing Shy Shy. We were in Downtown Rosewind for the Spring Fling carnival, and my baby was a ball of excitement. Her attention span had her running from one attraction to the next without pause. I was ready for my mama to show up so I could get her back for the time she left with me her hyper granddaughter.
“Daddy, look. It’s Ms. Island.”
Shy Shy pointed directly ahead of us, and sure enough, it was Ms. Island with her sexy ass. She and Jayce were walking off a ride, laughing without a care in the world. I paused in place admiring how bubbly she looked. She was typically so guarded that it warmed me to see what she looked like in a moment of unguarded joy.
I was distracted by how radiant Island looked when the sun shined on her cinnamon complexion. Her hair was down in pretty curls, and her long, olive-colored dress clung to every inch of her frame despite the jean jacket she wore over it. I wasn’t able to stop Shy Shy before she went racing over. I maneuvered through the crowd, making it over as she approached the siblings. Island opened her arms for a hug, and Shyla walked straight into them.
Her eyes searched for me. She smiled and waved when she saw me close the distance between us.
“Oh, so you only have hugs for my baby?” I teased her.
She playfully rolled her eyes, but she did open her arms for me too. I loved getting my way with her. I took a deep whiff of her sugar cookie scent. She smelled just like one of the dessert carts surrounding us. I licked my lips, releasing her and stepping back. Turning to Jayce, I dapped him up.
“What’s up, Heim,” he greeted me.
I shook my head. “Nothing much. Enjoying my day off, getting some quality time in with my little one.”
On cue, she started begging for something.
“Daddy, can you win me one of those stuffed animals?”
I glanced in the direction she was pointing to see a stand for pitching. I rubbed my hands together.
“Oh, yeah.”
Jayce’s hating ass decided to join in. “Man, your daddy don’t know nothing about baseball. You need your Uncle Jay to secure the win.”
I waved him off. “There’s no way you’re better than me.”
“I got a hunnid on it.”
I shrugged. “Shit, I got two.”
Island chuckled from between us. “Y’all are so competitive, but count me in because I have a pretty good arm too.”
She caught us both off guard, but the glimmer in her eyes said she was for real. I think we all fussed the entire walk over to the stand. The attendant wasn’t prepared for our very unfriendly competition. There was a lot of shit-talking and missed throws. Poor Shy Shy didn’t walk away with a damn thing because we were all terrible.
“Daddy is better at basketball,” I said, trying to mask the embarrassment.
“Daddy is delusional,” Island whispered.
I flipped her off, making her giggle.
“As fuck,” Jayce chimed in.
“We’ll see about that.”
When we made it to the stand, I paid for a game then took my stance. I bounced the ball twice, blew out a breath, and took my shot. The basketball soared through the air and landed straight in the goal.
“What’s that y’all were saying?” I smirked then sent two more easily inside the goal.
Island’s silly tail came in front of me holding up her arms like she was on defense. Jayce stood off to the side with Shyla watching us. I thought the gesture was too cute and was a fan of her playful nature. I took a step forward then fake pumped to the right but went left instead. I chuckled as I sent the ball flying.
Island watched it go in the goal, turning her plump backside to me. I smacked her on the ass and bent down to whisper in her ear.
“I accept apologies in the form of kisses.”
She dropped her chin to her chest as she blushed.
“Which one do you want, Shy Shy?” She raced over excitedly to pick out a prize she didn’t have to do anything for. Island stood beside her as they looked over the options.
Jayce walked up beside me and spoke in a low voice. “I can’t help but notice how friendly you are with my little sister. What’s up with that?”
I ran a hand down my face unsure of how this conversation was about to go. “We have gotten close since I started going by her shop for Shyla’s eczema.”
He rubbed his jawline with a straight face.
“Is it serious? My sister has been through a lot and can’t afford any more hurt.”
I turned to him so he could look me straight in the eyes. “On me, it’s not like that. I would never hurt her. She told me a little about what she’s been through. I only want to make her smile and help her heal.”
Jayce’s posture remained stiff for a minute longer. Eventually, he sighed.
“I trust you. I can admit she looks happy around you.” He eyed the girls where they were talking. “And she’s taken a liking to your baby girl. I’m sure that’s a rare sighting for them both.”
He called out to his sister to get her attention. She took Shy Shy’s hand as she walked closer.
“I need to go get ready for work. You ready to go?”
She shook her head and pouted. I was quick to offer a solution that lightened her mood.
“I can take you home if you want to hang out with us a little longer.”
She smiled brightly. “Thank you.”
“You sure?” Jayce asked going into protector mode like any big brother would. She nodded.
“Alright. Let me know when you make it home.” He turned to me and said, “Take care of my baby.”
“That’s all I’m trying to do.”
After giving out hugs, he left me alone with my girls. I tossed an arm over Island’s shoulders.
“What shall we do next ladies?”
* * *
“If you eat anything else, you’re going to burst,” I teased Island as she bit into an elephant ear. I’d watched the girl scarf down fries, a turkey leg, donut burger, chicken on a stick, and elote.
She shrugged without concern. “If I burst, just put me back together so I can eat some more.”
I laughed. “Okay, big back.”
After another two hours of exploring the carnival, Shyla was finally winding down. She’d gone from walking to resting in my arms, fighting to keep her eyes open. My mama flaked, so I held Island’s hand with my free hand as we walked to my truck.
I unlocked the doors then secured a sleeping Shyla in her car seat. After closing her inside, I turned to Island. I pushed her against the side, gripping her waist tightly.
“I’ve been waiting all night to do this.”
I didn’t give her a chance to respond before I attacked her lips. She melted against me, balled my shirt up, and tried to pull me even closer.
Her mouth tasted like the many foods she’d eaten, but I didn’t mind. I happily accepted her tongue when she slipped it inside my mouth. My fingers massaged her scalp as I fought my animalistic instincts from taking over.
“Your brother asked about us,” I confessed in a heap. Both of our chests heaved up and down.
“What’d you tell him?”
“That his sister is the prettiest girl in the world, and he doesn’t have to worry about her when she’s with me.”
Her bottom lip poked out as she turned into mush. She pulled at my shirt then buried her face in my chest. I kissed the top of her head.
“You make it so hard to resist you…”
“So, stop doing that shit then.”
“But what if—”
I cut her off by placing a finger on her lips.
“You fall in love, we get married, I put a baby in you, and we live happily ever after.”
She squealed and tossed her head back. I kissed away the tears that fell on her cheeks.
“I’m not saying we have to get married tomorrow, but at the very least, stop fighting what feels right because this does feel right… right?”
She nodded, tucking her bottom lip. “So right.”
She rested her chin on my chest and glanced up at me. Turmoil twisted in her orbs, but I also saw something else, something I found myself feeling a lot when we were together—Hope.
I reached for the door handle to let her inside the truck. Once she was seated inside, I said, “I got you, Izzy.”
Reaching for the seatbelt, I strapped her in then kissed her forehead one more time. I couldn’t have asked for a better ending to the night. Nothing was official yet, but I had faith that if we had more days like this, then we’d get there one day.
Island
Humming softly to the voices of Groove Theory I danced around my kitchen. I’d just placed my s’mores dip in the oven and was looking forward to the moment I could dig into it. An incense burned, tainting the air with a sweet scent before being whisked away on the wind of my open window.
My attention went to my ringing phone. I genuinely smiled when I saw the name on the screen.
“Hello?” I attempted to sound nonchalant. I was not too sure it worked out.
I could practically hear Heim’s smile through his tone.
“What’s up, Izzy?”
Walking to the living room, I took a seat on the couch and tucked my legs underneath me.
“Nothing much. Making some s’mores dip. What’s up with you?” My toes wiggled as my obsession with his voice was fulfilled for the day.
He sighed. “Just getting off work. I’m in your neighborhood and would like to see you.”
One thing about Shyheim is he got straight to the point and didn’t pretend. With him, I was never confused or left wondering. He let me know his intentions without hesitation.
I nibbled on my bottom lip, debating if that was a good idea. I decided to throw caution to the wind as I subconsciously listened to the song in the background.
“You can come by. I would like to see you too.”
“Be there shortly.”
The line went dead, but the nerves in my body came alive. Because I lived alone, my home wasn’t messy, so I rushed to my bedroom to make sure I looked presentable. I was wearing a brown, two-piece shorts set and house slippers. I tossed on some dainty gold jewelry and spritzed myself with perfume. I was just in time because the doorbell chimed once I was finished. I guess he wasn’t lying when he said he was in my neighborhood.
I waltzed to the door and snatched it open. My breath hitched when I saw the hazel-eyed man standing there. It was something about his uniform that always saturated my insides with a yearning as thick as honey.
“Hi,” I spoke breathlessly.
“What’s up?” His half smile caused one of his dimples to appear.
He bent down to place a kiss on my cheek that sedated me. Taking a step back, I allowed him access inside my home. His eyes bounced from surface to surface taking it all in.
“This fits you perfectly. It’s cozy in here like a spa.”
“I think so too.”
I waited for him to remove his shoes by the door then I took his jacket and hung it up for him. Taking his hand, I led him into the living room where we sat on my sofa. Heim lifted my feet and placed them in his lap.
“How was your day?”
His head went to the back of the sofa. “Exhausting. I’m just thankful Shy is gone with my mama for the weekend because I need a little break.”
I nodded. “You have to prioritize making time for yourself.”
He lifted his head to look at me. “Well, it’s a good thing I have the expert of relaxation at the tip of my fingers.”
I giggled, but my breath came out in spurts when his hand went to my thigh. He absentmindedly began to massage my leg. His calloused hands from years of fighting fires lit a trail along my skin in every place he touched. His touch was gentle and deliberate as if he were savoring the moment.
“I am not an expert,” I whispered above the drumming of my heart.
His eyes landed on my lips then slowly lifted back to my eyes. I squirmed a little in my seat because Shyheim was too damn handsome for his own good.
“You could’ve fooled me. I think you could teach me a thing or two.”
I smirked. “Oh yeah? Like what?”
The tension between us thickened as the weight of what could be snuffed out all the air in the room. The longer he looked at me, the deeper I was sucked into his vortex. His fingers traced lightly along my thigh.
“Like how you get your skin so fucking soft.”
I smiled. “Well, that’s easy. It’s obviously because of my products.”
“You got anything to help a stiff neck?”
I shook my head. “No, but I think I could help with that.”
I motioned for him to turn his back to me. I placed my hands on his neck and began to massage gently.
He released a moan of satisfaction. “See? I knew you had some hidden talents.”
I laughed but chose not to respond. Instead, I focused on helping alleviate the tension from his muscles. Once I was finished with his neck, I migrated down to his shoulders.
“I love the way I feel when I’m around you. There’s no chaos, only peace. I’ve never really had that before. I’m used to bitches cursing me out and trying to put their hands on me.”
“Oh, wow. I would never. I’m sorry you’ve had to deal with that.”
“It’s not your fault I’ve been attached to bottom feeders. It’s all I was exposed to until you came along.”
I blinked in shock at his confession. His vulnerability ripped me apart. I opened my mouth to reply, but all I could hear was my thumping heart.
“I know you’ve been through a lot, and the last thing I want to do is pressure you into anything, but please know when it comes to you, I want more.” He turned, taking my hands in his. “I can’t even have a good day unless I check on you and make sure you’re good. That’s a big deal for me. You don’t have to respond right now. I just wanted you to know where I stand.”
My mouth suddenly became dry because the look in his eyes said he was sincere.
“I’m scared,” I admitted softly.
He nodded. “I know. I am too, though. I’ve been hurt. I have insecurities and doubts, but the thought of having you at my side makes it all disappear ’cause what’s better than you, Izzy?”
I smiled sadly and dropped my head. “Why do you always know what to say?”
“I don’t. I just follow my heart, and it keeps leading me back to you.”
I placed a hand on his cheek. I became lost in his eyes and the strength it took for him to be vulnerable with me about his feelings.
“You are like sunshine,” I confessed, playing with his soft curly hair. “I’ve tried to resist letting you in because I thought I was protecting myself, but it’s only made me feel more isolated and alone. I don’t want to lose you, though.”
He shook his head. “You won’t. I’ll be here unless you don’t want me to be.”
He leaned until his lips were on mine. I deflated, becoming a victim of his affection. I knew right then I couldn’t fight it anymore. I kicked my leg over his hips then straddled his lap.
Heat bubbled through my center when he gripped my waist. His hands traveled to my ass cheeks that he began to massage. I moaned when his lips landed on my neck. He kissed up the curve so softly I almost thought I was imagining it. I wasn’t though because every time he kissed me, I felt him grow a little firmer beneath me. My heart raced with good anxiety.
“Are you sure about this, Izzy? Because I’m about to fuck your head up in a minute.”
I palmed his face and nodded with a smile.
“I’ve never been surer in my life. Do what you want with me, baby. I’m yours.”
My confession unleashed something primal within him. I saw it in his eyes before he stood up with me in his arms like I weighed nothing. He maneuvered to my bedroom with ease all the while his lips sucked on the fatty part of my breasts that bounced in his face. I was already leaking from the thought of being intimate with him. I was going to drown him when the time came.
Heim laid me on my bed never allowing his lips to leave my skin. I was sure to have at least one hickey from his sucking.
“I need to see all of you.”
“Alexa, turn on the lights,” I requested breathlessly.
I found a beautiful smile on his face when the lights came on.
“Perfect.”
I didn’t have to do a thing. All he wanted me to do was lie there while he catered to my body. He began by taking my clothes off until I was completely bare in front of him. He licked his lips, sending chills down my spine as his eyes debated on where he would begin.
“Damn…” I whispered when his shirt came off and was flung to the side. I always knew Shyheim’s body was perfect underneath his uniform, but seeing it was even better. I sat up without warning and ran a hand down his hairy chest leading to the patch of hair stretching above his waistline. That V cut was something serious too.
He pushed me back by my shoulder. I fell back on the bed in a heap. I watched closely as he dropped to his knees in front of me. My legs were pushed back until my pussy was right in front of his face. I gasped as he licked my slick flesh for the first time. He moaned then began to slowly French kiss my clit. My back arched off the bed as pleasure raced through my veins, looking for an escape route.
I gripped his curly hair, struggling to keep still. The only movement Shyheim allowed was grinding my pussy in his face. The sound of him slurping up my insides nearly sent me over the edge.
“Let go, baby.”
His deep voice on my clit sent vibrations through my entire soul. As if his voice commanded me, I slowly started to unravel in a beautiful way.
I pushed his head in deeper, which he seemed to love because his munching turned into devouring me.
“I’m cumming, baby,” I confessed.
“I know, and you look so fucking pretty doing it.”
I didn’t even realize my eyes were closed, and the stars I saw were behind my eyes. I officially came undone when I opened my eyes to find his hazel ones watching me attentively. He eased his tongue in and out of me, as he held me, not letting me run from the wave of ecstasy washing over me.
My legs continued to quake as he released me. Through hooded eyes, I watched him stand to his feet. His pants came down along with his boxers. My head lifted to take a look at what he was working with. He slapped his thick head on my clit, making me jerk. As he began stroking his dick, I realized it was long and girthy. Licking my lips, I couldn’t turn off the churning and yearning I felt.
“You want this dick, Island?” His voice was rougher than usual, creating a tingle of pleasure through me.
“Yes,” I replied with ease. What woman in her right mind didn’t want it?
As he continued to talk, he rubbed his hot tip along my folds weakening me.
“How do you want it? Hard?”
He slapped it down again but harder this time. I yelped from the sensation of glee he created in me.
“Or slow?” He began creating a creamy trail with my juices again.
“You want me to make love to you or fuck the shit out of you?”
He jabbed my clit with his tip in quick thrusts.
I was a sniveling mess. “I’m about to cum, baby.”
“I know.”
An evil smile was on his face. He slid into me just as my body began to convulse. The feeling had me grabbing my sheets and twisting them in my hands. Slowly, he began to stroke in and out of me. I felt his breath on my neck as he bent over me.
“You didn’t answer my question, baby.”
“Fuck me!” I screamed through the cloud of ecstasy. “Fuck me until I can’t take anymore.”
He kissed my cheek softly. “Your wish is my command.”
Lifting slightly, he began pumping out of me with renewed energy. I tightened around his shaft loving the feel of him. He felt like he belonged inside of me. I knew his dick was created for me when he easily found my spot.
“You’re so fucking pretty when you’re cummin’ on my dick.” He moaned while wrapping his hand around my neck.
I could only move my lips to scream in satisfaction. His strokes were so powerful and calculated it felt like he was stretching every inch of me. I could feel him everywhere, and it still wasn’t enough.
My hands were placed beside my head as he slowed his pace and held my hands. He kissed away the tear that slipped from my eye. I was moaning so much I was sure to be hoarse tomorrow. I hadn’t been touched by a man in so long, I forgot how amazing it could be. Waiting to experience this again with a man who adored me was worth the wait. He wasn’t lying when he said he was going to fuck my head up. Thinking clearly would be impossible after dick this immaculate.
His lips dropped to my ear. He kissed and sucked my flesh. “I want you to cum on my dick, baby. You look so perfect I gotta see it one more time before you get on your knees and suck all this cream off me.”
A shiver ran through me.
“You going to cum again for me, baby?”
On cue, my walls constricted around him, and I started to stutter through my orgasm.
“Mmm. That’s exactly what I wanted to see. Good girl.” He kissed my lips twice then slid out of me.
Unafraid of my freaky side, I rolled on my knees despite the lingering tremors. He stood there like a tower of strength looking down at me. I got on my knees then looked up at him.
“Say ahh.”
I opened my mouth widely in preparation for him. He stuffed every open space I had in there damn near suffocating me, but I was determined to have his toes throwing up gang signs. I slowly began to suck, allowing my throat a chance to get accustomed to his size.
“Damn, baby. You suck dick so well.”
A slow smile built on his face when he caught me watching him. Seeing those deep dimples ruined me.
“You like seeing what you do to me?”
I nodded as best I could.
“Good, ’cause I want to nut all over your pretty lips. Can you help me do that, baby?”
Lifting my hands to his base, I began to twist and suck like my life depended on it. Heim inhaled sharply from the pleasure. My mouth was creating so much saliva all you could hear was my spit as I gobbled him like a fucking turkey the night before Thanksgiving.
“Damn, you’re too good at that baby. I’m about to give you what you want.”
His words only encouraged me. I began massaging his balls with one of my hands before I decided to suck on them gently. That really got the muscles in his legs jumping.
“Oh fuck, baby. Fuckkkkkk.”
I went back to spitting on his dick, and he gathered my hair to control my movements. I allowed him to, even though his thrusts brought tears to my eyes. It was worth every painful second when he slipped out of me and came all over my lips. I looked him directly in his eyes when I licked it off.
“You freaky as hell,” he teased.
I pushed him on the bed ready for more.
“You love it,” I whispered then straddled him.
In a quick motion, I slid on his dick. I knew it was my new obsession. From this angle, we were able to stare directly in each other’s eyes as I lifted on my feet and began bouncing on his lap.
Staring into his eyes really heightened my senses and made every color of the rainbow explode before my eyes. Heim gripped my hair and wrapped it around his hand. He began to thrust up into me forcefully.
“This is my pussy, Island. No other nigga better not ever get a whiff of this good shit. You hear me?”
“Y-yee-yeee-yeeeeesssssssss!” I screamed.
“Fuck! Now, I’m mad.”
I looked at him quickly. “What? Why?”
“’Cause now my head is fucked up too.”
A lazy smile appeared on his face as our orgasms took over our jerking bodies.
“Forgive me for saying this, but if them other niggas weren’t already gone, I’d kill ’em right now for ever having access to you. You are mine, Island.”
His confession sent another tremor through my body. I couldn’t even be emotional because Heim had fucked all the feeling out of me.
“I know,” I confessed.
“What? No fight?”
I shook my head. “After the way you just fucked me, I never even want to look at another man.”
“Type shit,” he mumbled with a chuckle before we fell backward on the bed in a heap.
His fingers began to trace shapes across my skin, and there was nothing left to say. If nothing else, my body belonged to him, and after the way he rocked my world, I didn’t want it any other way.