Chapter 14
S tanding in the mirror, I erased invisible wrinkles from my outfit for the evening. I was wearing a cropped white top with dangling rhinestones and fitted, ripped blue jeans with red heels. My hair was curled to perfection thanks to my trip to the salon and flowed down my back, but I wore a red New York Yankees baseball cap with roses on it. I added a black, cropped leather jacket for drama, and the look was eating.
Getting ready had to be one of my favorite things about being a girl. My makeup was tea as I applied a layer of gloss over my lip combo of the night. Going to the top of my dresser, I fished through my perfume collection for the perfect layering combo. I wanted to smell like the most vanilla cookie my man ever came across. Once I was satisfied with what I put together, there was nothing left to do but wait for the man of my dreams to arrive.
On cue, I heard the chime of the doorbell. Grabbing my phone from off the bed, I stuffed it in my purse then walked to the front of the house. I was a mixture of nerves and excitement the closer I got to the door. I couldn’t believe it was going to be our first official date, even though it felt as if we’d skipped some steps.
I was practically living at his house, or they were over at mine. My spare room had quickly become a space for Shyla to escape into. I loved helping her decorate it and buy new things to personalize the space. She’d come in and easily filled a hole in my heart. I always wanted to be a mother. I may not have birthed Shyla from my womb, but I loved her all the same. If I never got pregnant with my own child, she would be enough for me.
I pulled the door open and gasped in surprise. Shyheim stood there looking like the perfect storm. His presence threatened to swallow me whole, and I couldn’t fight it. His curly hair was freshly tapered to perfection. He wore a black and red button-up Dior shirt with light-washed jeans and Alexander McQueen sneakers with the red bottom. His jewelry was minimal, but the gold against his brown skin warmed my core all the same. When he smiled, exposing a mouth full of golds, I saw no flaws, and my heartbeat jumped into my throat.
“Keep looking at me like that, and tonight might be the night,” he warned in a low tone.
“The night that what?”
He stepped closer and placed a finger under my chin to tilt my head back.
“We make our baby.”
My eyes drifted to his lips as I imagined them dragging across my skin. When he looked and smelled this good, he could do anything to me. I sighed in appreciation of the man in front of me as the compliments began to flow out of him like a well that never dried.
“You are so beautiful, Island. Damn, I’m blessed.”
He swooped in quickly, wrapping his arms around my waist. I was lifted in the air then swirled in a circle. My laugh chimed outside of me as I allowed his joy to wash over every inch of my skin. As he placed me on my feet he began singing,
“And if they sold your picture in the mall, I’d buy ’em all. Put ’em on my wall.”
He cupped my chin then pulled me toward him like my lips belonged to him. In many ways, they did because I loved that comforting and sedating home I’d found there. After the burst of love that oozed through me when we connected, I knew it was the truth. I’d spend every moment savoring his soft, plush lips if I could. I literally never got enough of his tender kisses.
“Are you ready for our date, Izzy?”
I nodded, unable to use my words. He tended to make me forget how to speak when he was around and showering me with his affection. He took my hand then led me out the door. Taking my keys from me, he locked the door then walked me straight to his passenger-side door.
When he opened the door, three bouquets of roses waited for me. I fanned my eyes, trying to keep my tears from falling.
“You are too sweet.”
He wrapped his arms around me from behind.
“I’m your biggest fan.” He continued to sing that Rod Wave song “IRan.”
I lifted the flowers, and he held my hand to assist me in getting inside. Once I was secure, he closed me in then jogged around to the other side. I smiled when he eased in beside me.
“Here’s to the first of many date nights with you.”
* * *
A little over an hour later, we arrived in Charleston. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but Heim seemed confident. I trusted him wholeheartedly, so I patiently waited to see what he had up his sleeves. Like the gentleman he was, he turned the truck off then came to open my door for me.
I carried one of my bouquets in my arm and held his hand with the other. He guided me down to the beach. At the top of the sand, he took my heels off for me and carried them in his free hand. He even rolled up the bottom of my jeans so they wouldn’t get wet. I smiled when I saw the romantic candlelight dinner that was waiting for us.
I was proud of myself for being strong and pushing my fears to the side in pursuit of something better than endless heartache and pain. If I hadn’t, I would’ve never gotten this first-time experience with a man who made my heart flutter.
Heim held my seat out for me then joined me on the other side of the table. A server came down shortly after with our appetizers. Heim scooted his chair around the table so that we were side by side. With his arm around the back of my seat, he fed me the crab cakes we’d been served like I wasn’t a grown woman capable of feeding myself. I allowed him because, in truth, I loved being babied. In everything he did, Heim let it be known he deeply cared for me.
“This is so beautiful,” I said, commenting on the picturesque scene of the sun setting.
“Not nearly as beautiful as you.” He complimented me while dragging a finger down the side of my face.
I never got tired of his compliments. He could shower me with his every breath for all I cared. He stopped feeding me to pour us some champagne. We tipped our glasses together for a quick toast before indulging.
“I feel like a Disney princess right now…” Turning to him, I asked a random question. “If you could be any Disney channel character, who would it be?”
Shyheim chuckled and shrugged. “I don’t know. I have to think about it. Why? You know who you would be?”
I nodded. “Absolutely. I’d be Raven Baxter, and not even because she had psychic powers. Her outfits were always tea. Sometimes when I get ready, I try to channel my inner Raven Baxter.”
Shyheim cracked up beside me. I nudged him gently with a smile of my own.
“Whatever. Who would you be?”
His arms slipped around my waist. “Well, that’s easy. I’d be Devon so I could keep loving you.”
He kissed my cheeks being cheesier than I thought I could handle. Staring into his eyes, I knew it’d never be enough. I wanted him to be obsessed with me.
We continued to enjoy each other’s company as the server came to bring our meals. I was excited to dig into my lobster, steak, and shrimp because everything smelled amazing. There was no one else I’d rather be with than Shyheim. He made giving love a third chance so worth it. After dinner, he took my hand then led me along the beach.
“Baby…”
I gave him my attention.
“It’s something that’s been on my mind, and I wanted to see how you felt about it.”
We stopped walking as he took my hands in his.
“I want you to officially move in with me and Shy Shy,” he confessed.
I was so shocked my mouth fell open. I think he took it the wrong way because he started trying to backtrack, but a finger to his lips silenced him.
“I would love to move in.”
His eyes ballooned. “Really?”
I nodded. “If we’re being honest, I already live there.” Stepping closer, I placed a hand on his cheek. “And I love what we’re building together. I want to see what happens next.”
“We already have love, so that would be marriage then a baby in a baby carriage.”
He could be so silly, but I loved when he talked about our future like that. It confirmed what I felt—he couldn’t see a future without me in it.
I was in the air again being twirled before I could blink. Heim’s excitement was always hard to miss, and I loved how he felt safe enough to express himself with me.
“Come on. Let’s have dessert before our next stop.”
“There’s more?” I asked while trailing him back to our table set up.
He winked. “Most definitely.”
* * *
After feeding each other chocolate-covered strawberries, we were back on the move. We headed to a venue I wasn’t familiar with. I could admit the dinner would’ve been enough for me, but I was excited about whatever else he’d planned. Heim didn’t cut corners, so it was sure to make me smile.
There was a small line out front, but we bypassed it without pause. I saw the venue was a quaint little bar. Along the back wall was a stage where a band was setting up. I eyed Shyheim suspiciously, but he gave nothing away. Heading to the bar, he ordered us some drinks then took my hand to guide me to a seat near the front of the stage.
We were on our third round of drinks when the host came on the stage.
“Welcome to Bella’s Corner. Tonight, you’re in for a treat as we celebrate our owner’s birthday with a performance by her niece, Gravity.”
The band began playing one of Gravity’s hit record “Spaces,” and I freaked out.
Turning to Shyheim I squealed. “Are you freaking kidding me?”
He shook his head. He knew how much I adored Gravity. I listened to her on repeat endlessly, and now, I was going to see her perform. Sure enough, my girl floated on the stage looking as ethereal as ever. This was the most perfect way to end the night.
The world stood still as my man came to hug me from behind while my favorite artist performed only a few feet away from me. We swayed together to the music; I was downloading every detail of this night. Gravity’s voice was like an angel. Heim’s breath tickled my neck before he kissed my skin gently. He just didn’t know it, but I was going to suck the soul out of his dick when we got back into his truck.
Spinning in his arms, I tossed my arms around his neck. “How did you pull this off?”
His eyes were glazed over from the alcohol we were consuming.
“Her manager is from Rosewind. I saved her from a fire in the beginning of my career, and she told me she owed me a favor. I finally cashed it in.”
I sobbed, dropping my head onto his chest.
“You’re perfect,” I confessed once I got myself together.
He shook his head. “Nah, but I’m perfect for you, though.”
Palming his face, I said, “Thank you for not giving up on me.”
“Giving up on you was never an option in the first place, but you’re welcome. You’re worth whatever fight comes my way. I’m laying out any and everybody ’bout you.”
“So, you’d run into a burning building for me?”
He paused and stared lovingly in my eyes.
“Without a second thought.”