Chapter 3 | Brooklyn #2
“I do.” My hand ached to rub his coiled hair. Being this intimate and close wrecked my senses and my reservations. How did any woman resist when he insisted on anything he wanted? “I want to be pregnant and excited with my husband. You’ve already had children.”
His arms tightened around me, and his head pressed deeper into me.
“I love my children and don’t regret them.
I hate that there was pain associated with each birth.
Drama and mess around the lives I help bring into this world.
I will be excited with my woman if and when we have children, as if it’s the first time. ”
This time, I tugged on his hair to see his handsome face. “And not, wife?”
“Oh, I want to be married again, and I want my children to be born within the confines of marriage.” He grinned. “I just know how I can be, and my baby might get inside you before the ring.”
“You’re way too much, do you know that?” I groaned.
“I know.” He lifted my shirt enough to kiss my belly and rose to his full height, towering over me. “Come on, Brooklyn, can you break up with me tomorrow night? Let’s have some fun. If you don’t want to see me after tomorrow, we won’t.”
Before I could respond, he took my hand and pulled me toward the door. “Is that all you're bringing?”
“Yes, my wallet is in my bag. I need my jacket.”
“I got you.” He insisted and grabbed the handle of my bag.
I tugged on his hand. “You can’t just make me go with you.”
Carter looked down at me. “I hope that you’re the kind of woman who would make me do something that you know is right for me, even when I’m being stubborn about it. Now, come on, we have groceries to buy, and the stores will be packed. Most people don’t recognize me anymore. We should be good.”
“I’ll write a list on the way.” Conceding to his valid point that I prided myself on encouraging people to do what’s best for them, I swung our joined hands. “I can’t stand walking aimlessly around the store, especially the day before Thanksgiving.”
Carter gave me a loud kiss on the cheek and exclaimed, “Thank you. I was about to track down your mama and tell on you.”
“Ooh, you can’t never tell her I was about to let you go without at least one date,” I laughingly teased.
“’Can’t never’?” He chuckled as we headed to his black Navigator. “I think me and your mama about to be best friends and keep you in line.”
Baby steps. I consoled myself. I can’t let my pain prevent me from joy.
And maybe Mama won’t pop me after all.
“If I’d known that you prefer fried turkey, I would’ve brought you to my home in Baldwin Hills so we could’ve hung out in the backyard.” He leaned forward to put his empty Root beer float glass on the wide marble coffee table.
“Of course, this nice high-rise penthouse condo wouldn’t be your only home.
” I gestured around the dark media room where we watched movies after he’d prepped the turkey, while I got full from warm baked rolls and cranberry sauce.
“I love this place. It’s elegant, modern, yet cozy.
I could stay here for hours to rest and catch up on all my shows. ”
We were lounging in pajamas on the softest sectional I’d ever had the pleasure of resting my body, watching A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving.
We’d had a fun day of brunch at a small restaurant, grocery shopping, playful arguing over the dinner menu, hanging out in his game room, where I beat him twice at pool, Thanksgiving dinner prep, and finishing the night with movies and popcorn.
For the most part, he’d gone unrecognizable except for a couple of fans, who stopped him for an autograph and pics.
He’d argued that in L.A., land of celebrities, he flew under the radar and never had to hide from fans to live a relatively normal life.
Dallas and Houston were another story since he was from Dallas and played college ball right outside of Houston.
“Then you’ll really like my house. You better say you like dogs.” He tapped his knee to mine.
“I love dogs. Always been too busy to have one. I would feel too guilty to leave them at home all day.”
“Glad you love them. I have three huskies. My dog sitter has them until Monday, before you think I’m being a bad owner,” he said pointedly.
I giggled. “I wasn’t going to judge you. You take care of animals for a living.”
I’d been impressed to learn that he’d become a veterinarian after he retired and owned a pet clinic in Compton.
Most people didn’t know this side of Carter since he didn’t allow the media into that part of his life, diverting their attention to his endorsement deals and co-hosting appearances at football games and events.
He didn’t want a slew of patients fascinated with his celebrity status when he wanted to give back to his community by offering free or low-cost medical care for animals.
“Whenever you have a day off, you’re more than welcome to hang out here or at my house.” His lips suddenly curved into a smile. “That is, if we see each other past tomorrow.”
“You already know I want to see you after Thanksgiving. Today was fun.” I paused and shot him a sideways glance. “I haven’t had a best friend in years.”
“Whatever you want to call me.” Carter chuckled and pointed at the screen. “You’re missing your cartoon that we just had to watch.”
“We already watched Fast and Furious Part 18. Stop complaining.” We smiled at each other before I refocused on the large screen.
“Ooh...this my part. I love this song.” I grasped Carter’s bicep.
“Ooh...Why is your arm this hard? Is your chest this hard?” I patted his chest and abs through his t-shirt. “Wow. You still work out like that?”
He arched a brow. “I thought we were watching Charlie Brown and not cop a feel on Carter?”
“We are, and this is one of my favorite songs, Little Birdie. It’s the first time the music composer of the Peanuts decided to sing.
Turn it up.” I demanded, and he shook his head in mild annoyance and waved his hand to adjust the volume.
“Isn’t the melody catchy? I actually like this cartoon more than the Christmas one. ”
“The fact that we’re watching this and we don’t have children is laughable.
” He was stretched out on the long end of the sectional with his back propped against the sofa, and I sat cross-legged beside him.
Freshly popped popcorn and the remnants of root beer floats were on the table before us.
“I must like you to be enjoying a cartoon, and this song is nice and mellow. I don’t think I’ve ever paid attention to it.
Then again, I probably only watched Charlie Brown once or twice in my life. ”
I playfully admonished, “You said we could watch anything, and this is my Thanksgiving Eve tradition, and then at midnight, we’ll watch Almost Christmas, the movie with Monique, Danny Glover, and Gabriel Union.”
“I’m familiar. Good choice. I need something funny to keep me awake.” He yawned as if on cue. “Are you a night owl?”
“And you must not be.” I poked his side.
He captured my finger and kissed it playfully. “Not at all. Years of early morning practice meant going to bed early.”
“Oh, if you want to go to bed, we can. Late-night studying and being in the ER make it hard for me to go to sleep before midnight.” He’d already placed my bag in one of his guest rooms, making it clear that he didn’t have intentions for us to share his bed.
Earlier today, I appreciated his decision.
After spending hours enjoying each other, I had second thoughts about being separated from him.
Carter reassured, “I can hang. Wouldn’t want to mess up your tradition.”
He didn’t sound condescending or annoyed and looked so relaxed, lying there with one arm flung behind his head.
Carter had been a gentleman all day. No deep kisses, innuendos, or sexual banter.
All friendly touches and good conversation, getting to learn one another once we left my place.
So far, we seem more alike than different.
He was also a quiet man whose fame and looks forced him out of his introverted shell.
A day with Carter only enticed me more, which I already anticipated. Just didn’t realize how much closer.
Now, I wanted to be under him, to snuggle, without it looking like I wanted to do more.
Maybe if I had a reason to get up, I could somehow end up with my body curled around his.
I could ask him to dance, but I wasn’t a big fan of dancing.
Why couldn’t I simply ease beside him? The space next to him was large enough for two, and he would more than welcome me.
Why couldn’t I be like Mama, who would probably be engaged to Carter after one date?
“You want something else to drink, like another float, or water?” I asked like it was my ultra-modern, expensive condo.
“No. I can get you something if you’re thirsty. We did make a lot of popcorn.” He bopped his head to the cartoon, oblivious to my turmoil.
“I’m fine,” I replied, unable to hide my disappointment.
Carter glanced at me before he tapped his chest, and with a barely contained grin, I slid on top of him with my back on his chest and my legs between his legs. My temple rested next to his bearded chin, and he embraced me lightly as we continued watching TV together.
“This feels good,” I admitted. “It’s been a long time since I cuddled with a man.”
“Mm...hmm.” He kissed the side of my face and crossed one sock-covered foot over mine. “It’s after ten, which means in Dallas it’s midnight. Can we watch your movie now?”
“Okay. I’m getting sleepy myself,” I lied. My body was too attuned to his, and my sex throbbed from unmet need. Yet, I wasn’t ready for him to claim my body when I recognized my heart and soul would soon willingly follow.
Carter announced, “Play Almost Christmas.”
Soon, we were both laughing at Monique, and an hour into the movie, Carter drifted to sleep. His chest rose and fell slowly. I kissed his lips softly. “Happy Thanksgiving.”
He continued to sleep soundly, and I didn’t want to wake him when he seemed to need the rest. I grabbed the quilt from the back of the sofa and placed it over us.
I shifted to get comfortable, and his arms tightened, though he still appeared to be asleep.
I snuggled against him, hoping as I listened to his even breathing and steady heartbeat, that I could give love a chance, and this man was my future.
And that one day our children would be sitting here with us.