TWENTY-EIGHT
My excitement mounts as the camera shows Davia’s white sedan pulling up outside the condo. I straighten from the bar stool and open the door, catching my breath when she turns at the corner and comes down the hallway. “Hey.”
“Hi,” she replies in a nervous breath.
As she enters, I admire her sexy figure in the jeans and fitted black top. “You look nice. I almost thought you weren’t coming.”
“I went home to shower first,” she says, removing her shoes. “I’d just left Pilates.”
“Okay. Hungry? I’ll make you something, or if you’d like, I’ll order.”
“I’m curious about your cooking,” she says with a smile. “Especially since you impressed me with those cookies.”
I smirk. “All right. Make yourself at home.”
She takes in my condo while I skim the fridge for something to cook.
“Your place looks amazing,” she applauds, admiring my white sofa, colorful art pieces, the area rug, and plants. “Did you work with a professional?”
“What are you trying to say, shorty?” I play around. “Think I couldn’t pull this off on my own?”
Her shoulders go up in a dramatic shrug. “I mean, it looks really nice. Like a pro came through.”
“Yes, I hired a professional, but we picked everything together.”
“Cool.” She approaches the kitchen. “Can I help?”
“Nah, I got it. I’ve actually been looking up vegan recipes to try.”
She raises her brows. “Really?”
“Yeah. So how about veggie frittata?”
Her eyes sparkle. “That sounds good. I could help.”
“Baby girl, please have a seat and relax. Let me do something for you.”
“Okay.” She smiles while sitting on a bar stool.
I pour her some juice, then chop up onions, mushrooms, kale, and broccoli and add them to the heated pan. While they sauté, I work on the batter.
“You look like an expert chef,” she praises.
I chuckle. “Appreciate it. You’ve had Mama G’s food, so you know I learned from the best.”
“Mmhm. It’ll come in handy when you open the restaurant.”
“Yeah, and you could add suggestions for the vegan menu.”
“That’s the chef’s job, though,” she says, wandering over to my record collection.
“True, but I’d also like to add your favorites.”
I notice a sweet smile before she turns back to the records. “You’re good at this.”
“Good at what, baby girl?” I ask smoothly.
“Making me like you.” Her voice is a whisper.
Grinning, I twist to the stove and pour the batter. I’ll make her do more than like me by the end of the day.
The frittata turns out perfect—golden brown and crispy. I slice it down the middle, scoop half onto a plate for Davia, and take the other for myself. I bring the plates to the table by the window and wait for her to take the first bite.
She stares at me while she chews, an array of expressions on her face.
“So?” I press.
“Not bad,” she says with a lift of her shoulder.
I twist my mouth. “Not bad?”
She chuckles. “Okay, it’s pretty damn good.”
“Thank you.”
Silence trickles in while we enjoy the light meal.
No longer able to hold off, I ask her, “What happened with ol’ boy last night?”
Davia drinks some juice and looks at me. “He apologized for leaving me waiting.”
“What’s new?” I sniff. “Anything else?”
“He left for the weekend,” she adds in a soft tone.
“For real?” I can’t help my excitement. “So we can chill for the weekend then.”
“Kross,” she groans.
I smirk. “Told you about saying my name like that. It seems you want me to do something.”
She sighs and cuts her gaze to the window, her beautiful face glowing in the sunlight.
“Look, I know you’re scared. And I don’t want to pressure you. Like I said, we don’t have to do anything but talk. You told me you like being with me just as I like being with you. So let’s just hang out. Enjoy each other’s company. Cool?”
She looks at me again and nods. “Okay.”
We finish eating and sit on the balcony since it’s not too cold today. Time trickles by with us caught up in conversations punctuated by laughter. Then, we move back into the living room to watch a movie, only to lose the plot and return to sharing stories.
“Why did you get flower tattoos?” she asks. “Is it all over your body?”
“You trying to see my body?” I tease.
She giggles. “Stop. I’m just curious.”
“No, only on my arms and neck. The reason I went with that is…” I glance at the rug, feeling my throat tighten from the rush of emotions.
“Tell me,” Davia insists, touching my hand.
It makes me look into her eyes again. “Because of my childhood, I used to think less of myself. I couldn’t see my reflection without feeling like trash. But Mama G taught me about the power of affirmations. So, for my twenty-first birthday, I had the flowers tatted as a reminder that I survived and I’m still growing on this journey.” I lower my head again. “You probably think it’s corny as shit.”
“No.” She touches my face. “I think it’s beautiful.”
I stare at her with a smile. “You’re beautiful.”
She eases away, playing with her hands on her lap. “The sun’s setting. You’re heading to the club soon?”
“You trying to leave?”
“I probably should,” she mutters.
“Stay. I’ll take the night off from the club. We’ll have dinner and watch another movie.”
After a few seconds, her body relaxes again. “I’ll cook dinner.”
“All right.”
“Instead of a movie, since we barely paid attention to the last, how about cards?”
I squint at her. “Which game?”
“Not the one you’re thinking, sir,” she giggles. “Simple gin.”
“Fine.” I raise my hands. “Whatever you want.”
Following a delicious and filling vegan dinner loaded with flavors, we drink wine while playing cards. I love Davia’s different sides, including her competitive spirit. She does not like to lose.
Hours pass with us distracted in a lively nest of amusement. As Davia finishes her fourth glass, she moans. “Shoot. I forgot that I drove. As a matter of fact, what time is it?” She rifles for her phone in her jeans pocket, eyes widening at the screen. “It’s almost midnight. I didn’t…” She looks at me. “I lost track of time.”
“Stay,” I urge.
Her breathing turns heavy as desire and guilt dance across her face. “I don’t know.”
“Ol’ boy’s away. Spend the night with me, Davi. Nothing will happen unless you want it to.”
“Hmm.” She lowers her eyes to the wine glass and draws a deep breath. “I’ll stay.”
“How about some music?” I suggest.
“Okay,” she whispers.
Taking the phone from my sweatpants, I open Spotify and start an R&B playlist. Music comes from the speakers in the condo, filling the background with sensual melodies.
I stand and move around the table to her. “Dance with me, baby girl.”
Davia slips her hand into mine, and I tow her to her feet. We sway closely. I hold her waist, and she rests her head against my chest. She’s trembling, whether from fear or struggling with her emotions.
“Don’t be nervous, baby,” I whisper. “Tell me what you want, and I’ll do it. Anything.”
Slowly easing her head back, she stares into my eyes and breathes, “Kiss me.” I’ve been waiting for those two words since we met three weeks ago.
Hunger soars to the surface. I charge for a passionate kiss that has us both groaning and running our hands over each other. Her warm tongue entangles with mine, mixing the taste of wine and mint. Davia holds my neck while I take a handful of her ass, squeezing as my dick hardens and begs for a release.
The rush of ecstasy is like nothing I’ve felt before. My body is on fire. I want to be inside her. I want to keep kissing her while I’m deep in her pussy. I want to hear her sweet cries as she shatters on my dick. I’m sure she’ll sound as beautiful as she does now while we make out like unfed beings.
“We… Mmm… We can’t.” Davia tears her lips away and staggers back, gasping for air.
I catch my breath. “It’s okay. Want to lie down?”
“Kross…”
“We won’t do anything you don’t want.” I reach my hand to her.
With an exhale, she slips her fingers into my palm, and I lead her into my bedroom and grab a t-shirt from the dresser. “Change into this. It’s a satin pillowcase, so don’t worry about your curls. I have extra things in the bathroom vanity.”
“Okay.” She enters the on-suite bathroom, closing the door.
I peel off my sweatpants and haul on shorts. I reconsider removing the tee. Maybe she’ll feel comfortable with it.
Hearing the sink, I sit on the side of the bed and wait for Davia to finish. She exits the bathroom fresh-faced and cute in my t-shirt.
“Come here.” I pull the covers down for her to get into bed, then turn off the light and lie beside her. “So, can I hold you?”
“Yes,” she answers in a near whisper, scooting closer to lie on my shoulder.
I hold her in my arms and kiss her forehead. “Do you need rain or something to drown the quiet?”
“No, I…” She snuggles into the crook of my neck, whimpering like she’s frustrated. My body tingles as she makes a trail of feather-like kisses up to my jaw and pauses at my lips. “Can we kiss some more? It felt…”
“I know, baby.” I capture her lips, and our deep moans fill the dim room. I slide over on top of her and grind while devouring her mouth. “Is this okay?”
“Yes,” she whimpers. “Only this.”
“Got it.” Every bit of her she allows me to have is enough, and I’ll be patient until she’s ready for more.
“Ohh,” she cries as her body quivers from an orgasm, tugging at my shirt while rotating her hips. Her juices soak the crotch of my shorts. It fills me with added pleasure. I increase my movements, grinding until my dick explodes. Then I slow down and lie there making out with her, not bothered by our wetness.
I’m not ready to move, and neither is Davia by the way she’s gripping me against her body. It’s as if we’ll dissolve into nothing if we separate again, and this is exactly how it felt on the rooftop when I touched her hand for the first time. It is all the proof I need that what’s happening between us is meant to be.