Chapter 22
Chapter
Twenty-Two
Navy
“I’m just not interested in English, Ms. Robertson,” Jermaine said with a frown as he crossed his arms over his chest. “It’s boring.”
“I understand your personal feelings about the subject, but regardless of how you feel, it’s a requirement that you complete, or you won’t graduate.
” I paused and gave my words time to settle within him.
“Is there anything I can do to make it more exciting for you? Or, at least, interesting enough for you to focus and pass?”
He thought about it for a while before shaking his head and looking down. “No, ma’am. I’ll never like English.”
My smile spread but I held in my laughter.
Jermaine was one of my troublemakers. He was sweet to the teachers he liked and respected, other than that, he was a handful.
I’d become aware of him last year because of the amount of fights and trouble he would get into.
Classic bully those who have more than you type of situation.
I learned more about his home life when school started last month, and after finding out that his father was in prison, his mother was hardly around because she was working two jobs, and that he was basically being raised by her old school parents, those factors made his behavior make sense.
“Okay, let’s see . . . I know you love rap.”
That got a smile out of him. “Yeah, I do.”
“I bet if you’re into any of the old school GOATS that they use metaphors, alliteration, allegories, pretty prose, and a lot of the other things you’ve been learning in your English and Creative Writing classes over the years.”
He sucked his teeth in disbelief, but when he sat on the edge of my desk, I knew I had him.
I went down the line of examples and he grew more and more impressed.
I challenged him to play a few songs from his favorite rappers, and I pointed out things that I knew he’d learned in class over the years.
I was impressed by his eclectic mix of favorite artists, and by the time his tutoring session was over, he understood rappers were poets, and they told stories.
They used what they learned in school or what came naturally to them to create the songs he loved.
When he gave me a hug and told me English was his new favorite subject, my heart almost burst with pride. Getting through to him made the long day of dealing with temperamental teenagers worth it.
Before leaving for the day, I checked my notifications and responded to a few text messages. I decided to wait until I was in the car driving to call Zander back. The call connected to Bluetooth, and the sound of his voice filling the car made me smile.
“Wassup, bae? How was your day?”
“Really good. I finally got through to Jermaine. How’s work going for you?”
“Busy as fuck but good. One of Kaos’s clients caught an aggravated assault charge that he asked me to take on. Rowdy lil muhfucka. I’ma have to finesse the shit out of this.”
I laughed before saying, “I’m sure you’re going to do just fine. You’re amazing at what you do, and the way you can find common ground with violent and aggressive people should be studied.”
He released a bark of laughter, and his voice was lighter when he spoke, like I hoped it would be. “Aye! Real recognize real so I ain’t even gon’ be offended by that.” I giggled as he chuckled. “As much as I love the sound of your voice, I did call for a reason though.”
“Uh oh. Is something wrong?”
“Ebony called me and said with Ian’s birthday nearing, his family is starting to get antsy again.
His mom is urging peace and to not talk about his death on social media.
She’s still trying to maintain his image and doesn’t want his family to start rumors again.
I don’t think anyone will try and come after you to avenge his death, but I’m going to have a few guards from the secret society escort you to your job and anywhere else you need to go when I or your pops can’t be with you.
Just until after his birthday. I’m hoping the tension will die down by then. ”
I released a shaky breath and nodded as if he could see me.
Love had been casting out not just my fear but my grief as well.
Zander was loving me so well I was actually relieved that I wasn’t settling for less with Ian or anyone else for that matter.
While I still felt guilt over taking his life, I was starting to feel pride over the fact that I was able to save myself.
“Okay, bae. Whatever you think is best.”
“Good. I’ve already talked to Luke about it. A guard will be at the house too, but you’ll be good with him whenever he’s not at work.”
“Thank you for looking out for me. I know you will protect me physically, but you’ve been protecting my heart and peace of mind too. Thank you, bookie.”
“You’re welcome, bae. I wanna see you tonight. Can you make time for ya man?”
“Now you know I will always make time for you.”
“Good. I’ll pick you up after I leave the office. We can grab dinner and drinks, maybe go to a sports bar so we can watch the game, then go home and chill.”
“Sounds good. I love you.”
“I love you too.”
After we ended the call, I checked my surroundings and made sure no one was following me before continuing my drive home. I didn’t think anyone from Ian’s family would try to come after me, but Zander’s planning and preparation gave me strength and courage to live my life without fear.
That Weekend
Twyla eyed me skeptically. Our periods had been synced since we were in college.
For the first time in years, my period was late.
I hadn’t given much thought to it just being honest. I figured maybe it was because of how much sex me and Zander had been having, or the fact that I took those Plan B pills last month.
Maybe they messed with my hormones. Either way, I wasn’t thinking too much into it.
The only other man I’d allowed to accidentally cum in me was Ian, and I didn’t get pregnant.
I was more willing to believe the date of my period was changing than to believe I was pregnant.
“How do you feel?” she asked as I wrapped the large heating pad around her stomach and sides.
She had fibroids, so her periods were long, heavy, and painful.
Her parents had finally convinced her to look into treatment since the gynecologist that initially diagnosed her severely downplayed the side effects and made it seem like they would only keep her from conceiving.
Since she didn’t care about having kids, Twyla didn’t care about having the fibroids.
The bigger they got, the more they affected her lifestyle, and I was grateful she’d switched doctors.
“I feel fine, Twy. Don’t start worrying about me.”
“I’m not worried, but I am curious. What if you’re pregnant with my niece or nephew? That would be so exciting!”
The thought made me smile, but I didn’t want to get my hopes up just yet. “Or I could simply be late. It would be exciting to be pregnant, but I don’t want to jinx it just because I’m late.”
“Fine, but if you don’t come on by the end of the month, we’re getting pregnancy tests.”
I knew there was no point in going back and forth with her stubborn ass, so I agreed. I put electrolyte water, Advil, and iron drops on her nightstand before heading out.
The entire time I drove to Zander’s penthouse, I wondered if there was a chance I could be pregnant. I couldn’t be. I mean . . . he never pulled out and I didn’t get on birth control, but—
“Oh God,” I muttered, tightening my grip on the steering wheel. “I might be pregnant.”
When I arrived at Zander’s building, my guard honked to say goodbye. He waited until I was safely in the building before he drove away. I appreciated that they never invaded my space and kept their distance. Ian’s birthday was next week, and I hoped the guards would no longer be needed after that.
I let myself inside of Zander’s apartment and went straight to his bedroom. We were supposed to cook dinner together tonight, but now I was scared and didn’t have an appetite. He was smiling initially but when he registered the look on my face it turned into a frown.
“Who do I need to beat up?” he asked, cupping my cheeks and tilting my head.
I smiled, and it widened when he kissed and hugged me.
“Yourself.”
Zander gasped and clutched his chest, making me laugh harder. “What I do?”
“I’m not sure yet. Twy came on her period today and she has me paranoid because I’m not on mine. I could just be late but—”
His slow grin spread, and I couldn’t even finish my statement because I laughed so hard. Zander shifted into nervous excitement before pulling his hands behind his back and rocking on his heels.
“You saying I planted some seeds in that pussy? They’re blooming?”
“I don’t know. I don’t want you to get your hopes up yet. I’m late, but I’m not experiencing any other symptoms I think. I mean . . . I’ve been a little more cranky and tired than usual, but that could just be PMS.”
“I didn’t notice you didn’t have your period this month. Usually I be on that shit.”
That was true. When it was that time of the month, Zander always took care of me.
He made sure I ate a good steak with chocolate cake and had a glass of wine the first day.
He made sure I had pain pills and candy.
If I wanted space, he gave it. If I wanted company, he provided it.
The amount of times I felt the ultimate relief just from laying on my side while he held my heating pad on my stomach and caressed it .
. . and here I was thinking he was just a damn good friend.
Whole time, this man was meant to be so much more.
“Well, if I don’t come on by the end of the month, I’ll take a test.”
“Cool. In the meantime, let’s not smoke or drink, aight?”
“Okay,” I agreed softly. “Ugh, I really don’t want to think I’m pregnant, bae.”
“Would you be disappointed if you aren’t?”
I thought about it as I started to undress. Before we started cooking, I wanted to take a shower.
“I think so. I didn’t want to rush, but if there’s a chance I am pregnant, I’ll be really excited. You know I love kids, and I would love to have my own when the time is right.”
“Well . . . we won’t get our hopes up, but if that’s what you want, I promise we’ll make it happen.”
Zander wrapped his arms around me and gave me a tender kiss. The longer we kissed, the more I wanted us to start working on making that happen now.
“What’s my reward?” Zander asked, and I heard the teasing tone of his voice as he followed me into his penthouse.
He’d taken me to our very first dance class, and though he clearly didn’t know shit about bachata, he was a great sport. Zander paid attention, remained present, and really focused on the moves. I had the time of my life watching him learn the basics, and it was always fun being in his arms.
“Knowing you pleased me,” I replied with a smile as I headed toward the couch.
“Hmm . . . I must admit . . . that’s good enough.”
“Are you being sincere?” I asked, waiting until he sat down to straddle him.
“Always sincere with you, sweet girl,” he replied before licking his lips and squeezing my ass.
Since I knew that to be true, I told him, “Good. Here’s another reward.”
“What’s the—oh.”
It didn’t take long for his dick to harden after I grabbed it.
I dropped to my knees in front of him and took off his shoes and clothes.
By the time I was done, his long, veiny dick was standing at full attention.
As much as I wanted to sit on it and ride it, I gave him sloppy head that had him gripping my hair and moaning my name until he couldn’t take anymore.
Zander picked me up and sat me on his lap.
While I lined him up at my opening, he pulled my dress over my head.
This was one time I was glad I didn’t wear panties under my dresses.
The second I slid down his shaft, I melted against him.
Zander truly had the best dick I’d ever had in my life.
Not just because of the size but because of his stamina, his selflessness, and his nastiness.
In such a small amount of time, he’d pleasured me more than I’d ever been pleasured in my life.
He introduced me to my body in ways no man had ever dared to learn.
Each time I sank down on his dick, my ridges expanded and walls tightened around him.
They leaked and throbbed and made room for him as I came.
He urged the release, demanding I give him more.
Zander’s hand wrapped around my neck, and he used it to angle me.
Each time he drove up and into my pussy some kind of moan, hum, or whimper fell from my lips. That time, he came too.
Zander switched our positions and got on his knees after putting me on the couch.
He pushed my legs back and pummeled my pussy with deep, hard, slow strokes.
I alternated between massaging his balls, brushing my thumbs against his nipples, and digging my nails into his back.
Zander put my legs by my ears, pressed himself against my chest, and sped up his strokes.
He snatched my breath, forcing my mouth to remain open slightly as I fought to breathe or do anything beyond receive his pleasure.
“Breathe, bae,” he urged, running his hand up and down my throat.
My lips and chin trembled as I pulled in a deep breath, then came again.
Standing, Zander made sure my legs were wrapped around him before he bounced me up and down his slick shaft.
I loved that he wasted no time with dirty talk.
He didn’t need me screaming all in his ears.
He knew how good he was making me feel based on how my body reacted to him, and the things I loved, he did until I came or begged for mercy.
The pressure on my spot and clit had me squirting, and that time when he came, he emptied inside of me.
We stumbled back onto the couch and caught our breath before he carried me to the bathroom.
We showered and went another round before climbing into bed, where I had some of the best sleep of my life.
Though, at this point, sleep was always amazing when I did it in his arms.