10- Ariyah “Nova” Stevens
Fidgeting my fingers, I tried to figure out where to start.
I didn’t expect to break down like that, but Landon acting like he didn’t care anymore bothered me.
Him walking out pushed me over the edge mentally.
It solidified what I already thought about myself.
I appreciated how Landon didn’t push me to start talking.
He sat quietly while stroking my hair. To be honest, I really didn’t know where to begin.
I’ve never had to explain why I was this way.
“I ummm… I did it to myself.” He looked confused, but it was the truth.
“On purpose?”
“No. My father died when I was six. I was his everything. He was the one that loved boxing. Everything about it. From the mats, to the spit buckets. He would light up when he walked in the gym. He would take me with him and teach me how to hit the bags. It was the only time in my life I ever felt loved.”
“Damn! So, what happened after your dad died?” It wasn’t judgment in his tone, it was confusion. I put my hand up to stop him. I just wanted to get it all out.
“Nobody was more devastated than me except my mother. I thought it was because she lost her soulmate, but it was because she had no idea how we were going to survive without him. Stone came into our lives and gave her new hope, but he also brought a daughter. Briana.”
“You have a sister?”
“If that’s what you want to call her. She’s never liked me from the moment she walked in the house.
It didn’t bother me because that’s what you expect with step siblings.
At least at first. However, I ended up figuring out it went beyond that.
It started with little lies. Of course, they believed her.
It escalated along the years and progressed in high school.
Rumors started, her friends trying to bully me.
Vandalizing the school and blaming me for it.
So, I responded by fucking them up. I stayed suspended and the only thing my mother would say when I would tell her what was happening was ‘Don’t ruin this for us.
’ She never took my side.” I paused because I needed a moment.
This was the first time I had fully told my story.
“You can wait until you’re ready.” I gave a half smile in appreciation, but it was too late. I’ve already opened the box.
“I’m okay.” Taking another second, I continued.
“Anyway, one day I came home and Briana had her friends in the backyard. I was about to go to my room when I saw them throwing my clothes in a bonfire. Of course, I was pissed. I ran outside and I held it all in until her friend threw my dad’s gloves in.
Without thinking, I tried to get them out.
It was all I had left of him. He loved his gloves, and now their ruined.
Instead of falling out and tending to my pain, I blacked out and beat her friend damn near to death.
I was about to be sent to juvie, but Stone used his connections and money.
I was sent to Whittmore Academy, and stayed there until Stone got me out.
” His face remained stoic, but I felt raw and exposed.
“You went through some things in your life. I get that, but you’re not there anymore. I want you to stop thinking you have to fight every second of your life and every person that you meet.”
“What the fuck! You think I like being like this?”
“No. I think you had to be.” I looked up shocked. That was the one thing nobody ever gave me. Understanding. “Ariyah, I can see why you became this way, but I also can see who you are underneath all the bravado. You never learned to put your hands down.”
“So, you think I just don’t know how to stop?”
“No, but I think you’ve succumbed to it. You don’t have to fight to show you’re not scared of losing. You can fight with purpose. Can I ask you a question?” I nodded, so he continued. “Are you trying to appease the old nigga? To make him finally accept you?”
“I’m not scared to be alone, Landon.”
“I know.”
“Then quit acting like I’m a scared lil bitch afraid to be by myself.”
“Ariyah, I didn’t say that. You’re taking it like I’m calling you weak. I’m saying you’re human.” I heard him, so I went back to his original point.
“I don’t know how to be anything else. I’m used to being alone, and I’ve learned to be okay with that.”
“I always say, you can be a movement by yourself or a force when we’re together.” I turned my face up at him quick.
“Nigga, you didn’t say that shit. That was Fabolous.” Landon reached up and wiped the rest of my tears away.
“Does it matter who really said it? The point is, it’s okay to let somebody else in. Let me in.” In that moment, my walls came completely down. Leaning over, I kissed him. Softly at first, but then I went in for the kill. Forgetting where we were, I pushed him on the mat and climbed on top of him.
“Okay, I let yall have your Dr. Phil moment, but now it’s time to get a room. Don’t nobody wanna see that shit.” I looked over at Jimmy and shame covered my face.
“Weren’t you the one saying you would pick love or some shit?” Landon groaned as turned to look at Jimmy. I’m sure he was mad he interrupted us.
“I said love, not lust. I ain’t said shit about fucking in the gym. Take yall nasty asses somewhere and get a room.” Standing up, I reached out my hand and helped Landon up as well. I could barely look up from embarrassment.
“You hungry?” I looked at Landon in disbelief before falling out laughing.
“Why do you always bring up food when stuff goes deep?” He shrugged before grabbing his bag.
“It’s what pops used to do with me when he knew I didn’t want to keep talking about something. It’s an icebreaker. Besides, who doesn’t like food?”
“Is the food going to be at your house?” I could feel my nerves trying to peek out.
“Yup.”
“Will your family be there?”
“Maybe.” I stopped in my tracks.
“Can it just be us tonight? Please.” It damn near hurt me to ask nicely, but I didn’t want him trying to prove a point.
“Depends.”
“On what?”
“If you gone give me some pussy tonight.” My mouth fell agape and no words emerged.
I had no idea what to say. The way we were going at it on the mat, I assumed that’s where the night would lead, but I didn’t think he would put me on the spot about it.
Choosing not to say anything, I walked towards the car while he wore a cocky smirk.
Titan laughed under his breath as he opened my door.
“Both of yall can kiss my ass.” This time, they both fell out laughing hard as hell.
He got in the car behind me and leaned in for a kiss.
Still pretending to be mad, I turned my head causing him to laugh under his breath.
Grabbing my chin, he turned me to him, and this time I didn’t fight it.
Placing a soft kiss on my lips, he laid his head on my shoulder relaxing.
“I was only trying to make you laugh. You don’t have to give me none if you don’t want to.”
“I know.” His head popped up looking at me hopeful.
Pushing his head back down, I smiled as I looked out the window.
When we pulled up to the house, I was relieved to see there were no other cars outside.
Hopefully, it stayed that way. Titan let us out, and this walk inside was different from the last. My nerves were in high gear, but not because of Landon himself, but because of what he represents.
Landon had everything I never did, and his home reminded me of that. When we got inside, I took a seat on the couch as he went towards the kitchen.
“You want something?” I shook my head no as I tried to fight down a panic attack. Watching him drink a bottle of water was like déjà vu.
“No, I’m okay.” Landon removed his shirt and headed towards the stairs.
“I’m going to shower. You can sit down there and let your lil cat keep meowing or you can come shower with me.” Laughing, I stood up and followed him.
“You got me fucked up. If you ate this mufucka right now you would be stalking me tomorrow. Oh wait, you already did that and you haven’t even smelled it.” Landon shrugged his shoulders as I followed him down a hall.
“I have no shame. I’m a sprung ass jit, and I’m trying to be out my mind bout that thang.
” Me blushing and giggling was not on my bingo card, but somehow, this nigga had me doing both.
When we walked in the bathroom, he dropped his joggers while staring at me as if he expected me to shrink away.
I may have been an emotional wreck, but I was no pussy.
Holding his stare, I began removing my clothes.
“You look nervous. Don’t tell me you all bark and no bite.” Landon smirked before snatching me to him. Placing his lips on mine, he kissed me hard. Grabbing his dick, I was shocked when he snatched my hand down.
“You not running shit, Ariyah.” Running his tongue over his teeth, he walked in the shower.
I started to walk out on his ass, but I needed this shower, so I let him feel as if he won.
If I was being honest with myself, I needed some dick too.
It’s been a while, and no, I didn’t want the emotional attachment his house brings, but I damn sure want the physical release that was sure to come.
Climbing inside, I grabbed a loofah and began washing myself off.
Landon had already started, and was acting as if he was in the shower alone.
Waiting for the right moment, I continued to wash my body.
As soon as I was done, I slapped him hard in the face with the loofah.
Seeing the spark in his eyes, I knew how he would react.
Grabbing me hard, he pinned me to the wall before biting my lip.
Jumping around his waist, I moaned out loud causing him to latch down harder on my lip.
The pain sent a vibration to my clit causing me to moan out loud.
Turning the water off, Landon disregarded any towels and walked us into the room and over to the bed.
Him tossing me off him made me laugh, but he was going to pay for that.
Landon leaned over me, giving me the opportunity to wrap my legs around him and flip him over.
The shocked look on his face had me falling out laughing.
“I guess I do control shit. Now, what should I do with you Mr. Mercer?”
“I’m not Mr. Mercer. That nigga my pops, but I can be your daddy.
” We both laughed at his corny attempt to be funny.
Trying to regain control, he grabbed me around my neck with one hand, and grabbed a condom off the night stand with his other.
I waited for him to strap up before tilting my body forward.
Once he slid it in, I allowed it to adjust before I stood on my feet.
That wasn’t easy to do because Landon was definitely well endowed.
“Fuck, Landon. You about to activate my crazy.” His ass gripped tighter while pounding from the bottom with a smirk on his face.
“Where? Right here? Does this spot unlock it?”
“Yesssss,” I screamed as he continued to pound on my spot.
“You still think you in charge, Ariyah?”
“What? I’m trying to concentrate on you not splitting my pussy in half. I can’t think right now.” His ass laughed as he continued to pound.
“That’s how I like my chicks. Delirious and not able to think.
” Before I could talk shit, he pounded an orgasm out of me I didn’t see coming.
Landon pulled me down to him and began kissing me.
I noticed his stroke slowed, causing my pussy to leak even more.
I could feel my panic arising, so I tried to stop it.
“What are you doing? Give me Breaker.” He was making love to me, and that was not what I was expecting.
“I gave you Breaker, now I’m giving you what you need. A fighter needs to have balance, let me balance you baby.”
“No! I don’t want that,” I moaned out. Landon ignored me and began tongue kissing me again.
No matter what I said out of my mouth, my pussy betrayed me.
He pulled another orgasm out of me, right along with a tear that escaped before I knew what was happening.
Landon must have seen or felt the tear, because he slowly licked my face before pushing his tongue back in my mouth.
His tongue was salty, but the act alone made it taste like heavenly water.
“Fuckkk! I’m about to nut in this pussy.
” I knew he had on a condom, so I wasn’t worried.
Tightening my muscles, I pulled it out of him quick.
After his body got done shaking, we stayed intertwined lying in our juices and our thoughts.
His arm wrapped around me tight, and I could feel my breathing starting to labor.
I tried to remove his arms so I could sit up, but he stopped me.
“It’s just sleep. Don’t overthink it.” I looked up at him and his eyes was closed.
Landon looked peaceful and it didn’t seem like it meant anything more.
“Okay.” It’s just sleep. I could hear him lightly snoring as I mumbled out loud to myself.
It’s just sleep. I continued to whisper the words until I could feel my breathing calm.
Finally, I closed my eyes and repeated it a few more times.
It’s just sleep. By the time I drifted off, I knew it wasn’t just sleep at all.