Charisma
I’D HAD THE nervous poos for half the morning.
Not exactly the right way to start the day when you’re going to meet the family whose land you’d been living on.
I’d changed my clothes about half a dozen times trying to tone down my look into something that would be okay for parents.
I could remember the first time that Trent took me to meet his parents.
His mother was wearing a full skirt suit and pearls and his father was in a polo and slacks.
I had dressed as I normally would and I’d felt completely unprepared.
Whenever I was forced to be in their presence after that, I tailored my look into something that was more in line with what they would think was acceptable.
And I hated Trent for even suggesting it.
But more than that, I hated myself for giving in.
I’d gone back and forth about how I was going to present myself to Nate and his family and eventually I decided to just be me.
The sundress that I wore was one that I had hand painted myself.
It was covered in painted florals and birds and I didn’t wear it often to ensure everything stayed near perfect.
Handwashing it was the only way to preserve it but I wanted to feel confident is something so I wore one of my favorite pieces of art.
I took a deep breath when the doorbell of the casita buzzed.
Without having to look I knew Nate was on the other side of the door.
He’d promised to walk me over to his parents’ house so that I didn’t show up alone.
I didn’t feel like carrying anything with me, not even my phone, so I left everything in my room.
I reached the door and opened it, seeing Nate in all his glory standing on the porch.
He turned to greet me but his mouth fell open as he took me in.
His gaze fluttered over the dress and I started to get anxious that he wouldn’t like it.
“What do you think?”
“You look beautiful, Charmy. This dress is art.” He took me by the hand and spun me around and I knew he wasn’t being fresh. The skirt of my dress reached to my mid-calves so it billowed out slightly around me.
I beamed at his words because he didn’t know I was the one who’d painted it.
I wasn’t ready to jump into the whole I wanna be an artist conversation.
It got shut down so often at home I was used to hiding my passion.
But the look in his eyes wasn’t flirtatious.
He was taking his time and looking at the details of the work I’d done with appreciation.
And I was reminded yet again that this man saw every part of me.
“Thank you. It’s a one of a kind piece.”
“Make sure you take care of that. That’s the kind of clothing you pass down to your kids one day.
Not this ready-made shit that everyone is draped in nowadays.
Can you imagine my ass passing down some fucking Chrome Hearts to one of my sons?
Nigga will ask me why I’m cosplaying a glittery biker with an obsession with fifteenth century priests. ”
He had me cracking up as he closed the door behind me and made sure it was locked.
Nate was dressed as he usually was: denims that fit just right, boots and today he was in a slightly dressy crewneck shirt.
When he moved to stand beside me I could feel that it was soft has hell and had to be some type of lightweight cashmere or cotton blend.
A bougie cowboy indeed.
His hair was pulled back off his face in a braid and I wondered how this man got so damn good at doing all that hair.
“I didn’t think of you as the type of guy who thought about kids.”
“Bruh, don’t do that. I’m young and I hadn’t met the right girl until recently.
We’ve got items that were passed down from our families because we were lucky.
But even back when they didn’t have much they still did their best to preserve what they did have.
Everything nowadays is so disposable, even people and relationships.
The shit is irritating to someone like me. ”
He handed me into the golf cart despite it being unnecessary before he walked around to the driver’s side and got in.
“I could’ve walked, Nate.”
He glanced at me from the corner of his eyes as he put an arm behind my seat to back up the golf cart.
This had to be some more rich people stuff because this cart, just like the one Mrs. Maureen visited me in was as nice as my car.
It was clearly made for multiple terrains judging by the wheels and was even equipped with a fan so you didn’t overheat.
“My mama told me you met her already. You can see she’s the type of lady that doesn’t do anything half assed. Had me looking bad because she got you a gift basket and I haven’t done anything like that for you yet.”
“Nate—”
“I’m saying, Charmy. I’m trying to flex my good manners and my mama is out here showing me up.”
He shook his head like he was actually mad at that lady but I was sure it wouldn’t last for long.
Whenever he spoke about his mother and his father his face lit up with the type of respect that meant they were good parents.
So many people came from situations where folks were overbearing, judgmental or absent.
I was always happy to see when that wasn’t the case.
The casita had trees that separated it from the main living area of the ranch, with a path cut through them. It was the same drive I took once I entered the main gates so I watched the familiar trees come and go at a slower pace.
“You gave me a job, Nate. And a place to live rent free. You saved me from being assaulted and all of that was within the first day I met you. I enjoyed everything in the basket your mother gave me, but your contributions to my life have far exceeded the jam and chocolates she provided. That shit was good as hell, too. Whoever those Morrow people are, they know their way around edible gifts.”
“Speaking of, you smoke?”
“Why is my use of illicit substances the topic of conversation as I’m about to meet your family?”
He glanced at me before ignoring my question and continuing on. “That’s a yes. I hoped you did since you’re all artsy and shit. I meant to tell you that we don’t drug test for your position. There’s a stash in the office fridge in case you ever want to indulge.”
“A stash of what in the office fridge?”
“Edibles. I get them shipped from this place in Georgia called Calming Confections. This husband and wife team sell just about everything you could want. I’ll have to show you the website.”
“Nate, you really can’t expect me to smoke with you…” It had been a minute since I’d indulged and after all the changes I’d been going through with work I might have to take him up on his offer. Eventually.
“Can and will. But only when you’re ready. C’mon, I’m hungry as fuck and I know my parents threw down in the kitchen.”
I had been so focused on him I hadn’t paid attention to the drive.
The family home was a large sprawling mansion complete with a gorgeous patio that extended off one side of the house.
It was a beautiful property and wild to think one family, especially a Black one in the state of Texas, had held onto it for so long.
He set the brake and I went to get out but his hand on my arm stopped me.
“You not finna have my mama cuss me out for not opening your door. Sit your pretty ass right there until I come around.”
He didn’t wait for me to fuss him out just moved around the front of the cart. “There are no doors, Nate.”
“I didn’t take you for being such a literal person, Charmy. Where’s your fucking whimsy?”
“Nathaniel!” He reached for my hand and gently pulled me up from the cart. Since arrogance was his middle name he didn’t leave an inch of space between the two of us. “Nate.”
“I know I’m supposed to be on my best behavior and I’m trying, Charisma. I’m just failing at that shit. Tell me I’m wrong.”
Nate was so close I could feel his breath as it tickled the top of my nose when he spoke. The intensity of his eyes had me staring at them and getting lost. They were the warmest pools of coffee and right now they were infused with desire and longing.
“Wrong about what?”
“That the fire that exists between me and you is all in my head. I don’t want to convince you of something that you don’t think is true. I just want to know if I’m imagining this shit.”
“You’re not.”
“I’m not?”
“No.”
“Good. Because before the night is over I’m going to kiss you again. Harder and deeper than the last time and make you forget that person who’s been a placeholder for me all these years.”
“Are you trying to have my panties wet while I have to go in here and meet your mama and daddy?” I was talking through my teeth but damn near hyperventilating thinking of the promise he’d just made.
“Shit, Charmy, you talking about your panties and now I want to taste them.”
“Nathaniel!” My voice was husky and I shouldn’t have been surprised that he was saying something like this.
But I was. I was standing here getting ready to go into his parents’ house and I was needing him like I needed my next breath.
My walls were clenching like they were gasping for air and his dick was the only thing that would resuscitate them.
This is so bad.
It was bad enough that I’d been wearing out my vibrator to the thoughts of his dick. And still being left unfulfilled because it didn’t have the length nor the girth I’d seen on Nate.
He stepped closer to me, lips brushing my ear and breath tickling my skin as he teased me.
“You speak my name like I’m already buried deep inside that pussy, Charmy.
That sound goes straight to my dick and now he’s more than ready to accept the challenge of making you feel like no one else ever had. ”
This can’t be real life.
“That’s real big talk.”