Chapter 10
DELANEY
ONE WEEK LATER
“So, what’s the surprise?” I asked as Naijhel breezed through my door.
“That’s part of it right there,” he stated, pointing at a van pulling into my driveway behind him.
I frowned at the logo with a bucket, mop, and cleaning supplies. Halle’s Housekeeping was the name emblazoned on the hood of the van and the side that I could see.
“What’s this?”
“The day before yesterday, you told me that this last week you’ve had to work later than normal.
You told me you were tired and just needed a day of pampering, and you wished someone would come in and do all the things to your home that you hadn’t had time to do yourself.
I heard you, beautiful. That’s where Halle comes in at.
Her and her staff are going to clean your house from top to bottom. ”
I scrunched my face. “I don’t know, Naijhel. I’m not comfortable with people going through my house and my personal things like that, especially while I’m away.”
“Listen, I can stop her now before her and her crew comes up here. You won’t be gone, though. That’s where the second surprise comes in at; we’ll both be here. But let me know,” he repeated, as the driver, whom I presumed was Halle, and two other ladies climbed out of the van and went to the rear.
I sighed. “Can I tell them what I do and don’t want touched?”
“Absolutely. They’ll go over a specific plan that is detailed for you. They have the move-in, move-out, the standard cleaning, and the deep cleaning, but you can customize it to how you want it. Just so you know, I paid for the deep cleaning for you, but if it’s too much, let me know.”
Halle and her crew were still rumbling around in the back of the van. I thought about everything that I said to him on the phone the other night. I had been tired and overworked. My house needed cleaning, and I had not found the time or the energy to do it.
“It’s fine. Let them come in.”
“Okay.”
I ran through my house to make sure that it wasn’t too crazy or nothing out of order before they came in.
By the time that I went into the living room, they were there.
Naijhel sat with me while I went over the expectations with Halle.
She customized a service for me, and in the end, I felt comfortable.
“Now, are you ready for surprise two?” he asked as Halle and her crew got to work on the living room and dining room.
“I don’t know. You’ve outdone yourself with this one, Mr. King.”
He winked, lifted my chin, and kissed me gently.
“How about we head to the back on the lanai?” he suggested, getting off the couch and taking my hand.
“What’s happening on my lanai?”
“Well, while you were running around checking to make sure your dirty laundry and vibrators were put away—”
“Boy, shut up! I do not have vibrators.”
He twisted his lips and looked at me. “Okay, so what? You use your hand.”
I was mortified and wanted to sink into the floor. “Stop,” I hissed, praying that the ladies hadn’t heard me. They were still within hearing range.
“I’m just asking a question, baby. No reason for you to be upset. I don’t mind using them on you to help bring you the release you need,” he stated, winking at me.
“Oh my gosh, Naijhel,” I mumbled, trying not to laugh.
“What? There’s nothing wrong with using them if that’s your thing.”
“Okay, okay. I have a couple of dildos, a rose, and a few other toys.”
“Mm.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
He just winked at me, and I turned to look out onto the lanai as he pulled the door open. I was surprised to see two massage tables set up and two ladies standing there smiling and waiting for us.
“What’s going on?” I asked.
“We’ll be getting our massages in here, and when we’re done, we’ll be served lunch and drinks around the pool,” he explained as he waved his hand toward the pool area. I saw two ladies out there setting up.
“I didn’t hear all these people come in my house,” I whispered.
“They didn’t come through. They met me at the back gate, and I let them in. The only people walking in your house, baby, are the women you met. Everyone else stayed outside. I don’t know if it eases your mind, but I want you to know that I know all these ladies very well.”
“Please don’t tell me they’re your exes.”
“No. The catering company belongs to my sister-in-law, Suzette. The massage parlor is owned by my cousin, Tanisha, Frost’s sister. Oh, and Halle is Suzette’s sister.”
I had learned that Frost King, a former crime lord in Cherokee Springs, was Naijhel’s cousin on our second date. Frost owned several legitimate businesses in our city, and he had turned over a new leaf. He still gave back to the community like he always had.
“You guys believe in keeping it all in the family, huh?” I joked.
“We try to. We believe in supporting Black-owned businesses, especially family and friends.”
“Well, I’m not complaining, because a chick like me loves a free meal and being pampered.”
“We’ve been standing here having our own private conversation for a minute now. The ladies are ready for us,” he stated, tugging me in their direction.
He introduced me to his cousin Tanisha and her assistant, Raleigh. They were very sweet and explained everything that we could expect with my hot stone massage and his deep tissue massage. Once they handed us the towels to undress and stepped into the back yard to give us privacy, I glanced at him.
“Don’t you think it’s a bit premature for us to be getting naked in front of each other, sir?”
“If I play my cards right, it’s only a matter of time before I see you completely, big baby. But this afternoon, I’ll be a gentleman and let you get by with it. But soon, I’ll want to see all that belongs to me.”
“Belongs to you?”
“You heard what I said.”
He walked off the lanai and back into the house.
I was a plus-size chick. Although I wasn’t self-conscious about my size, there were some things that I was self-conscious about, like the stretch marks on my belly and the cellulite on my thighs.
I didn’t much care for the discolorations that my body sported, but they were mine.
He was right; he would see them one day, but I wasn’t ready for him to see them yet, not in this setting.
“Did you enjoy your massage today?”
“Did I? You couldn’t tell with the gratitude that I showed them before they left?” I had thanked them profusely and gave both ladies a big tip aside from what Naijhel had paid.
“I really couldn’t tell with all that snoring you were doing. You were out like a light.”
I gasped and widened my eyes. “I did not.”
“You did not what?”
“Snore.”
“I’ve got you on tape, baby.”
“For real? You taped me, Naijhel? Oh my goodness. I’m so embarrassed. Those ladies will never look at me the same again. You’d better not let anyone hear that,” I threatened.
“I was just teasing you. I didn’t tape you, I promise.”
“Was I really snoring, though?”
“You were definitely snoring, girl. You sounded like a construction worker who started his shift at five in the morning and didn’t get off until after eight that night, his steel-toe boots hurt his corns, and his back is aching.”
“Shut up!” I exclaimed, smacking him on the arm.
He laughed. “Chill with all that hitting.”
“My bad, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean any harm.”
I realized that he was probably sensitive about something that most people considered love taps, but with his father’s history, things took on a different meaning for him. I couldn’t blame him, though, and I respected how he felt.
“I know you didn’t, but you hit like a nigga.”
I laughed and rolled my eyes at him. “You’re doing too much tonight, Naijhel. Just because you pampered a girl doesn’t mean that you get to clown on her.”
“Del, I haven’t even gotten started.”
“Thank you for the gifts today. I don’t know if I have thanked you yet or not; it feels like I have.”
“You’ve said it a million times.”
“Because those were very thoughtful gifts. You actually listened to me, and you got what I needed and wanted. I appreciate you, Naijhel.”
He stroked the back of my head and then kissed the top of it. “You’re welcome, big baby. Glad you liked everything.”
“I did. Halle and her crew did a phenomenal job. I gave my mom, sister, cousin, and best friend their number. I’ll have to call them back and have them do my house once a month.”
“Just say the word, and I’ve got you.”
“You’re spoiling me.”
“Doesn’t every girl want to be spoiled? You deserve it after all you’ve been through.”
My feet were in Naijhel’s lap, and he was massaging them.
We were out back on the lanai where we had just finished dinner and watching the sunset.
I had made Philly cheesesteaks because he said he wanted something simple.
He wanted to take me out to dinner, but I wanted to relax with him at home, alone.
Besides, he had done so much for me, I wanted to do something simple for him.
“Maybe. But you scare me.”
“Why?”
“You seem too good to be true, Naijhel. Honest moment here, . . . I’m really starting to like you, but I can’t help but ask myself what if you’re a frog?”
“I want you to know that my intentions toward you are real. I am not here to play with your mind or your heart.”
“I think that I’m clear on that.”
“Good.”
I removed my feet from his lap and moved to straddle him. Locking my arms around his neck, I pressed my forehead against his. Pushing my lips against his, I didn’t force a kiss but rather spoke slowly to him as our lips touched.
“Each time I have kissed you, you haven’t turned into a frog or a prince.”
“And I won’t.”
“Oh?”
“No. I’m a muthafuckin’ king,” he muttered before he wrapped his arms tightly around my back and claimed my mouth in a soul-searing kiss that wet my panties. Naijhel’s thick, pouty lips were perfect for kissing. His breath was warm, but sweet.
I didn’t want to lose myself in the kiss, but it was getting harder to pull back. When he finally pulled away, there was a gleam in his eyes, and he pulled his bottom lip in to suck it.
“Love the way you taste, big baby.”
“You’re going to be the death of me, kissing me like that,” I murmured as I tried to get my heartbeat to slow to a normal pace.
“No, baby girl. I came to breathe life back into you.”