Chapter 15
M onths Later…
Checking the crook of her arm, I made sure to rub her custom body butter into every inch of her skin. I paid close attention to her problem areas, knowing we’d gotten her skin to a good place. The last thing I wanted was for her to go backward.
After reading her a bedtime story, I tucked Shyla into bed then tiptoed out of her room as quietly as I could. I fed her dinner, put her in the bathtub, and got her ready for bed. A glass of wine was much needed while I waited for her father to get home for the day.
Things were going so well that nothing about this felt awkward. I enjoyed spending time with Shyla and doing things for her after I picked her up from daycare in the evenings. There were some difficult moments because she could be very playful when she was in that mood, but it was nothing that made me want to walk away though.
Going into the kitchen, I began cleaning the dishes from the dinner I’d cooked. I ended up cooking marry me chicken with mashed potatoes and broccoli. I only fixed a plate for Shyla so I could have dinner with her daddy once he made it home. That was how we spent quality time together on the days Heim worked. I understood he was exhausted after work most nights. So, I was okay with getting in where I fit in because I knew without a doubt that man was making time for me in his schedule. Even if he had to move things around, take an extra thirty minutes on his lunch, or cash in some PTO hours… he was coming.
Once I finished cleaning, I poured myself a glass of Sade Rose to wind down with. I walked into the living room and stopped when I saw a black puppy standing there wagging his tail. I smiled while inching closer to him. Bending down, I rubbed the top of his head.
“Now, who are you?” I whispered then picked him up.
I followed the sound of snoring to find Shyheim passed out on the couch in his uniform. For a moment, I stood there admiring my working man. His days could be long, but he showed up every day, giving it all he had. I was learning to replace my worry with prayer whenever he was on the clock, and it was helping to ease the stress. I felt more confident when he walked out the door or got a call in the middle of the night now.
Placing the puppy back on the floor, I went into the kitchen to warm up our food. After a long day, he deserved a meal cooked with love. I washed my hands and got busy. When everything was ready, I poured him a glass of Black Sade and grabbed a bottle of water.
Going to the living room, I set up the eating trays. I nudged him awake with the plate of delicious smelling food. He stirred without hesitation. I smiled as he came to and grabbed the plate from me.
“On me, I was just dreaming about some food, and you wake me up like this. You are perfect, woman.”
I chuckled. “Well, it’s a good thing dreams do come true.”
Heim motioned for me to come closer. When I did, he placed a kiss on my lips.
“Thank you, baby.”
“It’s my pleasure.”
Sitting down beside him, I tucked my legs underneath me. He took my hands in his and led us through a quick prayer. After we began to dig in, I couldn’t help but tease him.
“You got up in here and abandoned your little friend.”
He chuckled. “Damn right, I did. My body shut down.” He took a sip of his liquor then sat the glass down. “How do you feel about it? We could use a guard dog. Shyla’s been begging for one, and I thought he might help with your attachment issues.”
I glared at him then smacked him on the shoulder. He chortled without flinching from my assault.
“Whatever… I’m going to let that little jab go because I think he’s cute.”
I wouldn’t admit it, but Heim was on to something. My attachment issues were so bad I never got a pet, even though I really wanted one. All my dreams were coming true one by one. My heart was literally full.
“What’s his name?”
Heim shrugged as he dug back into his food. After he gulped it all down, he said, “I don’t know. You tell me.”
I eyed the little monster that was already making himself comfortable by wrestling with one of my slippers. Tapping my chin, I pondered until a suggestion came to mind.
“What about Flare?”
Shyheim smiled with cheeks full of food. “I love it. It’s whatever you want it to be, though.”
I chuckled with a shake of my head.
“Okay, that’s his name.” Noticing how quickly he was scarfing the meal down, I let him know, “There’s enough for seconds babe.”
“Good. This shit bussin’, and I’m rushing because I’m trying to bust in you.”
The look in his eyes sent a rush of fire through my body. Shyheim knew exactly what to do with my body. He could bust in me any time he desired. I’d never run from his stroke… It was the best part of my days.