10. Kingsley
KINGSLEY
When I got to Treasure’s room, I said a silent prayer that everything would be fine, then knocked. After a slight pause, I heard her say, “Come in.”
I walked inside and when I saw her, I practically ran to her and pulled her in my arms. My heart was overwhelmed with joy, love, and relief.
Feeling her in my arms again after seeing the life seeping out of her was a miracle.
It was like my world had stopped revolving.
This woman was my everything, and I could only hope that after this, she realized that as well.
“I missed you, baby,” I said softly as I felt my body shudder from her touch.
She’d wrapped her arms around me as her body quaked from her silent cries. I kissed the top of her head repeatedly. Trying to move on didn’t even feel right in my soul. I needed Treasure like I needed air. I could only pray that this version of her was here to stay.
She lifted her head and puckered her lips.
I had to admit, I was somewhat nervous about kissing her, but there was no way I would leave her hanging.
I leaned over and softly pecked her lips, longing for the day she felt comfortable to give me more.
She lay back in her bed, and I sat in the chair next to her, not really knowing what to say.
“Thank you for coming to see about me . . . for saving me. I thought I wanted to die.” She cleared her throat and lowered her head.
“I’m so sorry for what you had to witness.
That had to be so hard for you. I truly thought it would be better for me and everyone who had to deal with me if I was no longer here.
Missus Gardener helped me to see better.
I feel like she’s going to be good for me through this journey this time. ”
I nodded and gave her a tight smile. “I don’t want to sound selfish in this moment, but I was hurt that you would even consider that I would be better off without you.
It feels like our souls are intertwined.
Without you, there’s no me. I had to see things from your perspective.
None of us knows the turmoil you’ve been in internally.
None of us knows what that feels like. Forgive me for thinking about where I would be without you before thinking about where you have been mentally since the attack and torture. ”
Tears slid down her cheeks as she slowly shook her head.
“You were right in your thinking. While I was hurting, it was partially my fault for not working harder to get back to myself. You shouldn’t have to constantly walk on eggshells around me, King.
I didn’t even consider how what I did would affect you .
. . the man I’m supposed to love with everything in me.
I promise, I will consider your feelings as much as you consider mine. I love you.”
Damn. “Damn, baby. I love you so much.”
I slid my hand down my face. The lump was in my throat, and I was doing my best to swallow it. It had been a full few days emotionally. Shit, a full couple of weeks. I could only pray that Treasure would progress to a healthier mental state of being after all of this.
“King, could you get in bed with me?”
I bit my bottom lip and lowered my head. “I don’t think that’s wise, baby. I don’t ever want to trigger you that way again. It may be too soon for that, okay?”
She nodded and remained quiet. I reached out to her, and she put her hand in mine.
“I’m not trying to hurt you again. It would kill me.
It’s extremely hard to restrain myself around you.
You are one of the most beautiful women I know.
So, if I get in that bed with you, I already know that I’m gonna get an erection. Give yourself time, baby.”
I kissed her hand and listened to her soft cries. This shit was so hard.
“Okay,” she said softly.
Right after, my phone vibrated in my pocket. Pulling it out, I saw it was from Kane. I opened our thread to see what he needed.
The police came here trying to question Dad about that cop. He sent their asses packing.
I slightly rolled my eyes, thanking God Treasure couldn’t see my face. The last thing I wanted to do was get her worked up because she saw the disdain on my face. I texted him back.
Me: What the fuck, man? What were they asking him?
Kane: Stupid shit that they already asked him. He told him to go and read the original report. His answers would be the same and to get the fuck on.
Me: I’m sure there will be a family meeting about it, right?
Kane: Yeah. Tomorrow at 6.
I sent him the thumbs up emoji and put my phone back in my pocket. I gently caressed Treasure’s hand, then kissed it. When I saw her covers peel back, I stood. I figured she had to go to the bathroom. She got out of the bed and sat on the couch. I frowned slightly.
“I need you close to me, King. Please?”
I nodded and tucked my bottom lip into my mouth. “You got that, King’s Treasure.”
I sat next to her, and she leaned into me, prompting me to put my arm around her.
The desire to lower my hand to her hip was coursing through me heavy, but I wrapped it around her shoulders.
This was so uncomfortable though. I wanted to love her through what she was dealing with, but the way I chose to express my love, and obviously, the way she wanted me to express it as well, was triggering to her. It was a catch twenty-two.
Once again, she stared up at me, with her big expressive eyes. I could see the hurt and sorrow in them. Taking a chance, I slowly lowered my head and kissed her lips. She said I didn’t have to ask permission anymore, but that was before this.
“What’s on your agenda tomorrow?” she asked.
I shrugged. “I don’t know. It depends on your needs, baby. If you want me here all day, I’ll be here.”
She didn’t respond to what I said. So I asked, “Do you want me here with you, Treasure?”
“Tomorrow afternoon, if you can. I have a counseling session in the morning.”
“I can be wherever you need me.”
“Except in the bed with me, huh?”
She sat up and stared at me, tears falling down her cheeks.
Shit. I stood from the couch and helped her stand as well.
I helped her in bed, then took off my shoes and got in next to her, knowing this could be a huge mistake.
I could feel my dick waking up. I closed my eyes and did my best to focus on how she looked in that bathroom.
While that was the last thing I wanted to think about, it helped my dick deflate.
I held her in my arms and kissed her head until she fell asleep.
“You’re trying to be perfect, and there is only one somebody I know that’s perfect, baby.”
I nodded. I was talking to Mrs. Gardener about Treasure. While I knew she couldn’t tell me what she and Treasure talked about yesterday morning, I wished she could clue me in on her progress.
“I’m doing everything I can to be as close to that as possible. Missus Gardener, I love her so much. I just want to be whatever she needs me to be.”
“Kingsley, you can’t do that. You will lose yourself eventually.
The last thing I want for you to feel is resentment.
Treasure isn’t able to be for you what you are for her.
She can barely be what she needs to be for herself right now.
When you are giving your all without receiving the same in return, it will deplete you, baby.
You have to take care of you too. She understands that.
I promise you, she does. She’s worried about you. ”
“I’m worried about her. Walking in on her in that bathroom and seeing blood skeeting out of her wrist scared the fuck out of me.
Excuse my language. Had she died, it would have killed me too.
My soul is so tied with hers. I don’t even understand it.
We’ve never had sex or even come close to that.
The first time we kissed, where it was longer than a peck, is what got her where she is now. ”
“No, sir. Her not taking her healing journey seriously is what got her here. Her thinking she could handle this on her own is what got her here. Her not receiving proper help is what got her here. She’s having to start over, and I’ll be damned if I’m going to allow her to sink to those depths ever again.
Excuse my language. My sister attempted suicide twice and another admitted to being suicidal at one point.
So, I know what it looks like. I got Treasure.
I need you to take care of you. When she gets out of that facility, she’s gonna need you, not who you think she needs. ”
I took a deep breath and sat back in the chair in her office.
Yesterday, Treasure and I didn’t really talk much.
She was in a funk from her counseling session.
When I got there, Maui was leaving and had given me a heads up.
She wanted me in her space, but she really didn’t feel like talking.
I only stayed a couple of hours, then left so she could rest.
The family meeting had gotten postponed until tomorrow, because the FBI was crawling around Nome, like they were asking for another lawsuit.
Everybody just kind of chilled out and went about business as usual.
They wanted to make sure those people weren’t up to no good.
Uncle Marcus’s people were back in town.
We surely couldn’t have them moving around and being found out, getting into it with law enforcement.
“Kingsley, your happiness isn’t contingent upon hers. You have to relax, baby. You’re gonna give yourself a heart attack or stroke. Have you been to the doctor?”
“No, ma’am. My dad has been checking my blood pressure though. He recommended that I see one of the doctors at the clinic. He said it was running a little higher.”
“I promise you that she loves you for who you are and not for everything you do for her. It’s beautiful, but it can be harmful at the same time, baby . . . to both of you. Do you understand what I’m saying? You can’t live life that way.”