Chapter 13
THIRTEEN
Kyori
“So you’re just out here naked and shit?
That’s what we’re doing?” I smiled when I felt lips on my spine, then Asim’s body weight lowering the side of the hammock until I dipped completely because he was in it with me.
I rolled on top of his body, propping my arms up on his chest and lowering my chin on top of them.
“I’m not naked.”
His eyes lowered to my body which was half exposed because I was only in my bikini bottoms. My top was on the end, hanging across the side because I was attempting to even out the tan lines I had from the different suits I’d worn over the past two days.
“Shit, you might as well be. Let another muthafucker roll up while you’re out here like this and I’m airing this whole damn place out.”
“How? You don’t have a…”
Asim laughed arrogantly, cutting off the end of my sentence. We’d flown here on a private jet and in no uncertain terms did I not know who my man was. There was no way he would be anywhere in the world, even here on this beautiful island, without protection.
“Anyway, what took you so long?” I pouted partially.
I had been on the beach for almost half an hour before Asim showed up.
He received a call just as we were about to head out and told me to go ahead of him.
I really wasn’t feeling it but was trying my best to not overreact about certain things, his private business affairs being one of them, and he assured me the call was business.
“I had to go over a few things with Mel to make sure they didn’t pull up and take you straight downtown after we landed back in The States.”
My eyes rolled quickly when I thought about the beatdown I personally handed over to Symphony. “I wish they would. They can get it too. These hands don’t discriminate when I’m disrespected.” Asim chuckled and eased his hands down my exposed back.
“I figured you would have learned your lesson about acting before you think.”
“I did but I’m still checking anyone who fucks with me. That won’t change and I thought you said it was already handled.” My eyes narrowed on him quickly.
“I did, because it was. This was just a follow up to ensure the charges were officially dropped as long as you don’t pursue legal action against her for the apartment situation.”
The thought annoyed the shit out of me but I understood his logic.
The whole idea of having to go before a judge about assault charges was not a good look but that didn’t stop me from sucking my teeth.
“At this point, I just want both of them to leave me the hell alone. As long as they do, the dumb hoe can play in heavy traffic and live her best life.”
Asim shook his head, smiling at me, which didn’t help. “You think this is funny?”
“No, actually I don’t, but your reaction is.”
“How?”
“Because you’re so much better off than she is but you’re still letting her fuck up your vibe.”
“I don’t like dumb shit and she’s as dumb of a piece of shit as they come.”
“Agreed but the point is, you’re where she wants to be. Can we just let it go? Enjoy the next two days and focus on us? The charges are dropped.”
“Mmhmm, you just don’t want me reminding you of your fuck up.”
“She was before you, Ky. I’m not worried about you reminding me of a damn thing because you can’t say shit about the life I had before you nor can I come for you about the fuck boy you gave way too many chances when he never should have received your time in the first place.”
I wanted to debate him but he had a point so I let it go and changed the subject. “I still can’t believe you managed all this behind my back.”
“You shouldn’t be surprised. I thought I made it clear I get shit done.”
“You did but still.” I looked to my left, taking in the beautiful scenery of the ocean which looked as if the beautiful sky hovering above actually leveled with it, creating one amazing backdrop.
The entire vibe was picturesque. One I had only dreamed of experiencing.
Not even LA could compete with where we were.
“I’ve never been out of the country before.
” I felt silly admitting the truth but I could be open with Asim, knowing he wouldn’t judge me.
“I know. Bre told me, which was another reason this had to be perfect.” He smirked and brushed a finger down the bridge of my nose. It was annoying as shit every time he did it but it was also cute. Something I had grown used to experiencing as a sign of affection from him.
“Well, it’s perfect. All of this was perfect. My actual birthday spa and shopping day, the party, then coming out here. If you’re trying to convince me to hang around for a while, then job well done.”
Asim chuckled and nodded. “I would hope your reasoning for staying around for a while is a little deeper than a spa day, party, and flight to an island.”
“Oh most definitely, this helps too.” I eased my hand between us, massaging the solid mass pressed against my stomach.
“Deeper than that, Ky.”
“But this gets pretty deep. I’m just saying.” I grinned but his expression was still kind of…unreadable. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing’s wrong, just trying to see where your head’s at.”
I was lost instantly, like the mood somehow shifted. “Then why do I feel like everything just got serious?” I lifted from his body and straddled his waist. Asim’s eyes moved to my bare breasts followed by his hands, which covered both.
“Because this is serious. Knowing where you stand with us is something that’s been on my mind a lot lately.”
“On your mind how?” It was incredibly hard for me to remain focused with his hands on me. I managed, but was grateful when they moved down my chest and rested on my stomach.
“You mentioned staying around for a while. What’s a while?”
“I don’t know. I haven’t really thought that far ahead. It’s only been a few months so I didn’t think it was necessary.”
“Five months.”
“Okay, five months. That’s still not that long.”
“It’s long enough to consider what’s next. You haven’t done that? At least in a general sense?” Asim looked up at me with a loaded gaze that made me uncomfortable.
Was he telling me he was done?
Was this an “it was fun but I’m ready to move on so we’re breaking up” trip?
Shit, was he over us already?
I began to panic internally but my ego wouldn’t allow me to show how I was really feeling, so I attempted to keep it cool.
“Have you?”
Asim’s eyes squinted slightly and it took him longer than I liked before he answered. “Yes, actually I have.”
“And?”
“And I want to know how you feel before I speak on it, so tell me what you think?”
I pulled my lip between my teeth, running through scenarios in my mind then just saying fuck it. “I like this and I like us.”
“Keep going?”
“Asim, what’s this about?”
“You’re saying you like this but what do you expect from this?”
“I expect us to keep enjoying what we have and see how it plays out.”
General but enough to get the point without me looking crazy if he’s not on the same page.
“Do you want more than what we have currently?”
I frowned and my heart raced again because he seemed annoyed, like my answers weren’t what he wanted to hear.
“Yes, but if you don’t, I get it. If you want things to stay like they are then…” I shrugged nonchalantly. “I mean it’s cool. I’m not?—”
Asim smiled and that only pissed me off more because I had no clue what the hell he was thinking. “What is so damn amusing to you?”
“The fact that you’re uncomfortable. The fact that you’re nervous and not wanting to be honest with me about how you truly feel. I want more, Ky, probably more than you have even considered but I’m also not the type to push someone into a corner.”
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?” I was confused as fuck at this point.
“It means that we happened fast. Sometimes fast doesn’t give you a chance to see things for what they are and I need to be sure that this is what you really want.”
“Are you sure it’s what you really want because if it’s not?—”
“First of all, stop hitting me with questions to avoid processing your own shit. Yes, this is what I want. I’ve been up front about it for a while…
” He paused and pushed his hand between us until he could reach into the pocket of his trunks.
What he held in his hand seconds later had my eyes wide as hell.
“This is proof that I know what I want. Without a doubt.”
“Wait, shit, are you…is that?—”
“Yes, it’s an engagement ring and I want to put it on your finger but I need you to say yes for the right reason.
Not because it’s a big ass diamond or because we’re on this island and shit seems nostalgic, but because you want more.
If you can’t say yes for the right reasons, then I don’t want you to say yes at all. ”
My eyes bounced between the ring and the hard ass expression planted on his face before I shrugged and grinned. “I can’t say yes for the right or the wrong reason because you didn’t ask.”
That beautiful smile of his eased in place before he laughed under his breath. “You’re a fucking trip. First you assume that because I’m asking you to be upfront about how you feel that I‘m trying to end things with you and now you’re forcing me to state the obvious.”
“I didn’t think you were breaking up with me.”
When his chin dipped so our eyes leveled, I rolled mine because that was exactly what my overthinking ass was on and he saw right through it. “Whatever, but it’s not official unless you ask.”
“Agreed, are you sure you’re ready for the question?”
I grinned, nodding slowly, and he chuckled, shaking his head. “Let a real one put his name on it, Ky. I want the marathon, not the race.”
“That’s still not a question.”
“Aight bet, then I guess I’ll just keep this and?—”
“No!”
I reached for the ring but he closed it in his fist, holding it above his head.
“Sim?”