Chapter 11 #2
Dressed in all black with skin that blended easily with the night sky made it difficult to locate him.
Closing my eyes, I tried gathering my thoughts and calming my drumming heart that kept pounding against my chest. When I reopened them, locating Keanu wasn’t an issue.
He’d simplified the task, wrapping his arms around me and kissing the top of my forehead.
“Hi,” I greeted him.
“Hi.”
“I’m starving,” I admitted.
“You’re gorgeous.”
“Thank you, Keanu.”
“Come on,” he instructed as he took me by the hand, “let me feed you.”
I wasn’t sure how he’d managed the fireside dinner but watching the orange and red hues as I sat near was as beautiful as the view of the ocean. Paired, they were perfect. Keanu sat across from me, leaving me to wonder who would be serving our food.
As I opened my mouth to speak, a silver platter was placed in front of me.
Then, one was sat in front of Keanu. When the tops were removed, my stomach growled and mouth watered at the same time.
I tuned, who I assumed was the chef, out as I marveled at the amazing presentation of the food that I had every intention of devouring.
By the time he finished giving us the background story of the fish he’d chosen for us to feast on, I was already on my second bite. It was divine.
“Ummmmmm,” I moaned with closed eyes and a mouth full of the flavorful dish.
“Enjoying it more than you do me?”
My eye popped open, searching for our company. Though his back was turned and he was headed back wherever he’d come from, he was still in earshot.
“Keanu!”
“I’m sure his woman sucks his dick, too, Lyric.” He shrugged, digging into his food.
“Damn,” he praised.
“Does it taste as good as my pussy?” I asked, feeling a bit vindicated.
“It doesn’t. It’s good but not that fucking good,” he replied, putting more into his mouth.
I wished like hell I was the fish at the moment. I wanted Keanu to eat me just like that and moan while doing so. Just glaring from across the table made me incurably jealous.
“You didn’t answer me.”
“No. I’m not enjoying it more than I enjoy you.”
“Good.”
A comfortable silence fell between Keanu and I as we dug into our dinner.
The proportions were large, but I was almost sure I’d finish almost the entire plate.
The chef returned with a bottle of wine that had been produced locally and poured us both a glass.
I was excited to try the new, dry red wine, but Keanu wasn’t as enthused.
He preferred something brown and something that would quickly elevate his state.
However, he enjoyed the glass that had been poured for him.
Paired with the weed he’d smoked, I was certain he’d get the buzz that he was in search of.
“Are you enjoying yourself?” Keanu broke the silence after he’d finished half his plate.
“I am.”
“Are you enjoying me?”
“I am, and I hope to continue enjoying you long after we leave this island.”
“Looks like this won’t be the only island we visit, Lyric. To spend the type of time I want with you, it looks like we’ll be boarding planes a lot over the next four weeks.”
“I don’t have any objections. Tell me when and tell me where, and I’ll always be there.”
“Will you?” His brow hiked when he asked the question.
“Yes, Keanu. What would make you feel any different?” I placed the wine glass down that I’d been sipping from. It was almost empty, again. The wine was delicious.
“I don’t. It was just a question.”
“Yes. I’ll be there.”
“What do you want, Lyric?”
“I don’t understand the question.”
“We’ve established what I want. What is it that you want?”
“I want you, Keanu, and whatever that entails.”
“Done.”
“I want your home to become mine. I’ve been considering a home higher in The Hills, but you’re already there.
Within the next few months, I’d love to transition.
But I want to keep my home. Sometimes, I require space and sometimes, I’m sure you’ll require space.
That’s where we’ll take the space and time we need. ”
“Done.”
“I want children, and I don’t want to wait to have them. I’ve known you all my life. I wouldn’t call it rushing things.”
“You don’t want me to yourself first?” He chuckled.
“Ever is four up on me. I have to try to start playing catch up, at least.”
“You trying to have that many, Lyric?” He slouched in his seat and stared at me. His eyes were so demanding.
“Have you seen the way you cum, Keanu? I don’t think you give me much of an option.”
“I guess not, huh?”
“Not really. I mean, I’m not against birth control, either, but I’d like to cap it at two if we can. I’m not equipped to handle so many at once.”
“Two is ideal,” he agreed. “But what if there’s more?”
“Then, I’ll cross that bridge when I get to it. I’m sure my mom would love to have a squad of me and Luca’s kids stomping through her center. Leave it up to him and Ever, and she’ll never go out of business. The man wants a football team.”
“And it seems as if Ever is willing to give it to him, too.”
“She is. She’s willing to give Luca anything that he wants. I love that for my brother. He chose the perfect mate.”
“He did.”
“I’d do the same for you,” I admitted. “Whatever you want… if it’s in my power, it’s yours.”
“There’s not a doubt in my mind that you wouldn’t. That’s how I know I chose the perfect mate.”
I could feel the slits in the corners of my mouth form as my smile did.
My cheeks nearly reached my eyelids as I stretched my face beyond its limits.
Keanu was just far too perfect, and I couldn't believe he was finally mine. Tears welled in my eyes. Finally, Ever’s words made perfect sense.
Happiness had a way of spilling from your eyes.
“You’d better not cry.”
“Happy tears, Keanu. Happy tears,” I told him as I swiped them from my face. “I’m just so emotional these days.”
“It’s all good, baby girl. What else?”
“I want a new car, one that you’ve purchased. I want to feel good behind the wheel knowing my man copped it.”
“Like you do behind the wheel of the vehicles your brothers be copping you?” he toyed.
“Even better. I’m going to feel even better than that.”
“You know what you want?”
“No. Not yet. I’ll know soon, though. I have my eyes on a few.”
“Done, then. Whenever you decide, just let me know and it’s yours.”
“I only want to handle my family’s accounts.
Life was easier when that was the case. I also want to start a small financial firm for young, Black aspiring businesswomen.
No matter what their credit score is, I want to offer them anywhere from two thousand to ten thousand dollars to get their business started.
The loan amount will be based upon things like rental history.
Interest rates will remain low and there will be a six to thirty-six month pay off period.
I have to iron out the kinks, but I’d really like to do it. ”
“How can I help?”
“Invest. I’ll need capital to help fund the first hundred loans that I accept, but after that, I should be fine. I plan to get my father involved.”
“It’s done.”
“Anything else?”
“Your patience. It’s commendable. I’m not perfect, Keanu. Just keep being patient with me, and I promise it will be worth it.”
“I know,” he replied with a nod.
“Question.”
“Shoot for it,” he encouraged.
“When you got the message I sent, what were you thinking? How were you feeling?”
“Like a nigga was on top of the world.”
“You’re exaggerating.”
“I’m not. When I saw the name, I was a little thrown off. I’d been getting messages through Ever from Luca. Laike hadn’t reached out other than through someone in the jam with me. But it was my birthday, so I was like… calm the fuck down nigga. She’s just telling you happy birthday,” he explained.
“I told you happy birthday on the phone that night.”
“I know, but you have to understand that I had no idea you were sending me anything on the level that you did. I just wasn’t expecting you to.
But once I started reading it, I lost my shit.
Internally, of course. One word kept appearing in the back of my head.
One word, the entire time I read your message. ”
“What was that?”
I rested my fork on the side of my plate. I was officially finished eating. My stomach felt like it would bust at any second.
“Finally. It kept replaying over and over. I’m like, finally, she’s ready for a nigga.”
“So, what stopped you from writing even that?”
“I felt like it wasn’t enough, not after the shit you’d sent me. I started typing some shit, but I quickly deleted it after realizing no words would accurately explain my feelings or enthusiasm hearing from you – and not on no brother, brother shit.”
“It definitely wasn’t.”
Placing a hand to my lips, I tossed my head back as laughter erupted from my throat.
The message I’d sent Keanu was the furthest from what he’d imagined, and I would’ve paid to see the thoughts as they ran across his head while reading it.
Extremely nonchalant at times like Luca, I imagined his face was unchanging.
“Not at all. I feel like I’ll never apologize enough for leaving you hanging the way that I did.”
“It’s okay, now.”
“Not really,” he responded with a shake of his head.
“But we’re not going to go there tonight. Not at all on this trip. Let’s just be thankful that that message got us here. For now, I’m satisfied with that.”
“Me, too.”
“I’m full,” I admitted.
“That bitter ass juice you had me drinking got me tired as fuck.” He turned his nose up in the air, cracking me up inside.
“Yes. I forgot to mention just how sleepy wine actually makes you.”
“Fine time to mention that shit. Feels like I just ran a marathon.”
“If you want, I can clean up here while you go lay in bed,” I offered.
“Nah. Clean up is included. You don’t have to touch shit. I’d prefer you came inside with me. I know you just woke up but come keep a nigga company until I can’t hold my eyes open any longer.”
“Your wish is my command,” I happily replied as I stood to my feet.