Chapter 17
Deshona
AWeek Later . . .
Me: He took me off the market.
Korrena: Wait, what? What the hell is going on in Kaigood?
Me: Alijah and I are in a relationship. It happened last week.
My phone rings a second after I send the message, and I hit the button to ignore the call and send it to voicemail. But I don’t have much time because I’m sure Alijah will be back any minute.
Korrena: Sending me to voicemail after dropping that kind of bomb is absolutely diabolical. You better tell me something or I’m hopping on the freeway.
Me: You better sit your pregnant ass down. Everything is fine. I can’t talk right now. But as soon as I get from under this man, you’ll be my first call. Give me until tomorrow.
Korrena: What was the purpose of the text if you weren’t in a position to tell everything?
Me: Girl, I just had to say it out loud. I’m waiting on my man to bring me breakfast so time isn’t on my side right now.
Korrena: Whatever. Don’t leave me hanging.
Me: I won’t. Promise.
As I lie in Alijah’s bed, naked as the day I was born, my feet rubbing together, I’m in awe of my new relationship status.
I didn’t know that the day I poured out my feelings with Korrena would be the day that Alijah decided to shift the trajectory of our relationship.
From roommates to fuck buddies, to a couple trying to figure out how to exist in that lane, blows my mind and secretly excites me.
Every night since we decided to explore being together, I have woken up with Alijah.
It’s new, but it’s amazing how comfortable I have become in a short time.
“You better be thinking about me,” Alijah says with a smirk as he walks through the door carrying a plate and a glass of apple juice.
Alijah is shirtless, and his hair swings slightly with his movements, and my eyes take him in from head to toe.
My gaze lingers on his lower half as his boxers sit low, which allows me to see the preview of the hair on his pelvis that leads to my new best friend.
I should have led my conversation with Korrena with the statement of her being replaced by dick.
Damn, this man is fine.
“You horny ass hasn’t once acknowledged this food. Look up, mama.” The humor in Alijah’s voice causes me to smile and disconnect my gaze from his dormant dick.
“Sorry. Thank you.” Alijah hands me the glass of juice and then places the plate in my lap as my smile widens when I see the contents: scrambled eggs with cheese, bacon, potatoes with peppers and onions, and toast with two mini cups of what appears to be grape and strawberry jam.
Forget food being the way to a man’s heart.
A man who can cook is a flex that many don’t get to experience.
If I ever get the chance to meet Alijah’s mom, I’m going to kiss her for her foresight to teach this man how to throw down in the kitchen.
“I’m gonna grab my plate and orange juice. I’ll be right back. My dick has been distracting you, but we still need to establish those conditions from last week.”
A sheepish grin forms as I take a bite out of a piece of bacon, because I have been playing spin the coochie on the dick since I agreed to be Alijah’s woman. Less than five minutes later, Alijah is back, and only the sounds of forks can be heard for countless seconds.
“So, tell me, what all comes with being Alijah’s woman?” I take a bite of my toast as my eyes connect with his humorous ones.
“Saturday mornings like this, which is my appreciation for your agreement to be mine. But before we get distracted again, put those cards down.”
I take a minute or so to clear my mouth and consider what I want to say because this is the first time I’ve had a conversation with a man I’m dating. After years of repeating Mom’s patterns, I probably should have done it with every man I’ve been with.
“My past dictates—”
“Not to cut you off, but remember, your past doesn’t dictate our future. What do you need from me, mama?”
A lazy smile creeps on my lips from the endearment Alijah has used for the second time.
“I need you to be someone who gives me peace, security, and comfort. Be someone who counters my mother’s negative views of men.
Be the man who allows me to be seen when I feel like shrinking.
Be consistent, even when I wear your nerves thin.
I need you to reassure me with your actions that it’s safe to let go. ”
Alijah stops eating, puts his fork on the plate, and gently takes mine from me before he moves to get out of bed.
My forehead wrinkles as I watch him move to place both plates on the nightstand and then walk over to me.
My breath hitches when he lowers to his knees with his heavy and assessing gaze on me.
My heart rate increases as I wait to see what he’s about to say.
“Before I say anything, I want you to know that I see you, Deshona.”
Oh God!
My lip trembles and my hands shake as my eyes instantly fill with water from the soft delivery that matches the sincerity within Alijah’s eyes. I don’t have a chance to respond, because Alijah continues.
“The day after our circumstances placed us in this situation, I saw the woman seeking to be loved beyond her mother’s brokenness.
The truth is what I went through didn’t harden my heart to try again.
The failing of my previous relationship will never dictate my ability to be the man you need.
You can trust me not to hurt or repeat the patterns you’ve grown accustomed to.
With me, you can release the pain within your heart. ”
The muscle Alijah’s words speak to leaps and stretches, as my chest cavity expands and warmth flows through my body.
“Don’t be a fool, Deshona. Men sell wolf tickets all the time.”
“Mm.” I moan when Alijah leans in and kisses me.
At first, it’s a gentle caress of my lips, but within a minute, Alijah increases the passion, and it’s just what I need to slam the door on the negative words from one of Mom’s advice sessions on men’s actions. The kiss ends way too soon for my liking as my lazy eyes stare at Alijah.
“No sex. That’s not all we’re about. Let’s finish breakfast and then get out of the apartment. We need some air to cool off.”
The smirk he wears makes me giggle and nod in agreement. Some air will definitely do us some good. Not to mention, it will help me embrace us publicly. Boy is Korrena gonna enjoy this story time.
“Do you need me to carry you?”
I feel like I’m about to pass out from lack of oxygen as heat and moisture mix like they have plans to steal my breath.
When Alijah mentioned us getting outside, I should have asked more questions instead of going with the flow.
Now I’m about to lose a lung because I was so caught up in the butterflies he had me feeling that I didn't get more information.
Shoot, I had time to pry when Alijah asked me to put on leggings, a T-shirt, and some running shoes.
But no, I was too busy salivating over his bare body and the hammer between his legs.
“I . . . can-can-can’t breathe.” My words come out choppy from the effort it takes to release them as my heart races.
Being foolish and in a strong like with this man had me agreeing to a jog at this park near our apartment. I want to kick my own ass for being stupid. I’m out of shape and not a fan of any strenuous exercise that doesn’t involve me receiving pleasure. Good God.
“Aw, poor baby. If you can ride my dick during repeat sessions without blinking, then that little jog should have been a breeze.”
A round of coughs prevents me from doing anything but flicking him off, as my chest burns. I bend over to catch my breath as Alijah rubs my back soothingly.
“Slow breaths, mama. In and out. Take your time.”
I do as instructed, and it takes me less than a minute to feel lighter as my breathing returns to normal. When I lift up, Alijah pulls me into his arms, and, without regard for the moisture on his shirt, I exhale like Whitney Houston did in that movie.
See, that’s how you fell for the okey doke in the first place. You’re a goner, girl.
Lord, when did my conscience sound like Whoopi in Ghost?
Alijah rubs my back, and all feels right in my world with every pass he makes.
I want to slow my emotions, but the reality is I can’t.
I’m falling for this man. Sadly, this is faster than I ever have.
Alijah kisses the top of my head, and I sink deeper into his chest.
My God, help me! I may not recover if Alijah isn’t being genuine with me.
Stop being dramatic. Even if this isn’t real, you’re strong enough to dust yourself off again.
My conscience is real bipolar today with these various statements in my mind. But the truth is, I’m here and won’t let doubt make me change my mind about this man.
“I need a shower and a nap. Damn, I’m tired.”
“Mhm. But tell the truth—it felt good to get some air.” Alijah laughs, and I want to punch him as I pull away and see the mischievous grin.
“You’re so wrong. The next time you suggest some air, I’m ignoring you.”
Alijah’s laughter increases as he leads us back to the parking lot where his vehicle is parked. I have to fight the giddy feeling that surges through me when Alijah interlocks our hands for the return walk.
“What do you want to do the rest of the evening?”
“Watch a movie and color,” I say.
“Man, I ain’t colored in years, but I got you. Just don’t tell anybody. I can’t lose my G card over that girly shit.”
This isn’t my first relationship, but it definitely feels different than the others.
Sex with Alijah is different, and time with Alijah feels new.
All of it makes me want more moments with him.
Despite the rigorous jog, it wasn’t too bad because I did it with Alijah by my side.
Alijah jogged at my pace when it got to be too much, and I’m grateful that he considered me, even with that small gesture.
“Alright, before we get in, we need to stretch so you don’t get stiff. It should help with any soreness,” Alijah says when we’re on the passenger side of his vehicle.
“Why can’t you stretch me after the shower?” I pout.
A low chuckle escapes Alijah’s mouth as he shakes his head before he speaks again.
“While I would love nothing more, not doing so now will prevent me from spreading those legs later. Help me, help us.” Alijah winks and then demonstrates the stretches he wants me to do.
Without another word of rebuttal and the thought of missing out on sex with him tonight, I follow his lead.
At first, I want to cry from the initial stretch, but after a couple of seconds, the discomfort fades.
By the time we’re done and I’m in the passenger seat, I appreciate Alijah’s foresight.
My body doesn’t feel as pained, tight, or strained as it did when our jog ended.
A goofy smile forms as we pull out of the spot headed toward home.
Ooh, who knew the meaning of home would hit differently so soon.