Chapter 12
TWELVE
Darkness surrounded us as I lowered Princeton into his carseat. My mother stood behind me, against my wishes, saying her goodbyes. From Princeton’s lack of interest, I knew sleep was near. We were approaching his bedtime and I’d be surprised if he made it past the third stop sign on my mother’s street before falling asleep.
“Go inside,” I instructed for the second time as I closed Princeton’s door.
Her stillness was baffling. Instead of heading in the opposite direction, she stood firm and crossed her arms on her chest. I didn’t bother opening my door. I figured she wouldn’t let me leave until she was ready, so I gave her my undivided attention.
“We’re vulnerable, Dear Lady. Out here– In the open. If there was something on your mind, I really wished you’d said something before we came outside.”
“I know. I– I just didn’t want to be intrusive, but–”
“You can’t help yourself?” I chuckled.
“I can’t.”
“What is it, Mother?”
She paused, taking a look around us. She stuffed her hands in the pockets of her pants and strained her pretty features. Whatever was on her mind had been bothering her for some time. I could tell by the disturbance of her prioritized peace. But, eventually, the words flowed and what came from her mouth I wasn’t expecting at all.
“Who is she?”
“Mo–”
“Don’t bullshit me, Priest. I know you well, son. And, I know how important companionship is to you. Lately, you’ve been–” she paused, struggling to express herself, “She’s written all over you.
“She’s made her mark. And, I’d be damned if I’m not curious as to who she is. I’ve seen the damage and I can’t take seeing that again. I just hope she’s everything you need, Priest, and not just someone you’re infatuated with for the moment.”
“You deserve someone who can handle your heart, son. It’s one of the rarest, finest ones out there.”
“She is,” I confirmed.
“She is?”
“Yes, Mother. She’s everything I need.”
But, can’t have. Not for the lifetime I need her for, anyhow .
“Good, then. I have nothing to worry about.”
“You don’t.”
There was a pregnant pause. She was in deep thought, but I was ready to be done with the conversation. The weeks were turning over too swiftly, leaving me with less time to bask in Rather’s aura. Enjoy her essence. Obsess over her presence.
“Is there anything else?”
I swung my car door open, ready to head out.
“Yes. In fact, there is.”
I waited. There was no need to speak. My mother wasn’t quite finished.
“Do you love her?”
Her question felt like a boulder on top of my heart. My chest tightened. The aching caused me to lift a hand and attempt to rub out the pain. The aches grew with each passing second I stared back at my mother. And when it became unbearable, the words surfaced.
“I do.
For the first time, I didn’t minimize the potency of my feelings for Rather. I took full ownership of them, confessing my love to the woman who was impossible to fool. If I’d lied, she would’ve known instantly. But, I couldn’t deny the love brewing within me for Rather. It was too precious. She was too precious. And, even in her absence, I would represent her well.
“Very much.”
“Well–” she replied with a smile, “Goodnight, then, son.”
“Goodnight.”
2:44am.
I rolled over to find the digital numbers on the clock had changed at least sixty times since I’d last had a glimpse.
Violation .
It was on rotation in my head. I’d been the head of our family since I turned thirty and there hadn’t been a single instance that resulted in my disloyalty to the commandments. To the founding families are The Triad of Ara. To my family.
I didn’t break code. I led by example. And, up until Rather, I’d led well.
Do you love her?
My mother didn’t need to ask. She already knew. It was me that she wanted to understand it. To acknowledge it. To admit it. I had. And, now I couldn’t close my eyes long enough to let sleep find me.
3:52am.
Time was slipping away and I was no closer resting than I was when I laid down at eleven. Frustrated, I grabbed my phone from the nightstand. There was only one person who could put my mind at ease. She was miles away, sleeping peacefully in the room that was designed for royalty.
The phone began to ring as I began to reconsider the decision to call. Rather needed her rest, but I’d be damned if I didn’t need her. After the second ring, the angelic soul that had my heart in a headlock graced the line.
“Priest,” she called out to me.
Her voice was scratchy. She was in a deep sleep. I quickly regretted disturbing her but the damage had been done.
“Is everything okay?”
Now it is .
“I can’t sleep.”
I sat up in bed and leaned my back against the headboard.
“What’s the matter?”
I’d much rather have you in my arms than be in this bed alone .
Intrusive thoughts fought for space in the moment.
“Meet me on the bridge.”
From the ruffling of her covers, I knew she was getting out of bed. Her willingness and readiness to show up for me time and time again was treasured far more than she would ever know.
“Clarke?”
“Yes.”
“It’ll take me twenty-minutes to ma–”
I’ll wait forever if that’s how long it takes . It wouldn’t be my first time waiting for her. I wouldn’t be upset if it wasn’t my last either, as long as she was coming.
“I’ll see you when you get there, Rather. Drive safely.”
“Okay. I love you,” she rushed out, preparing to end the call.
The declaration was presented so naturally that it almost felt routine. Normal. Part of my reality and not my imagination. Though she’d rushed to get off the phone, she still hadn’t hung up. Instead, labored breathing coated the line.
Her nerves were shattered. She couldn’t believe she’d voice her truest feelings. She couldn’t believe she’d admitted what we both already knew.
“Priest–” she breathed slowly, unsteadily.
“I love you, too.”
Recanting wasn’t an option, not for her and not for me. Standing in our truth was our obligation, no matter how wrong we’d deemed it. No matter how much turmoil it would cause. No matter who it would affect. No matter how forbidden it was.
Neither of us said anything more. For so long, we held the phone, silent and unmoving. I wasn’t sure if we were savoring the moment or letting our transgressions marinate. Whatever the case, I sat with my head in my hands, wondering what I’d done and if there was any chance either of us could live normal lives with her closeness and my obligation to my family.
“Twenty minutes.”
I nodded. “Twenty minutes.”
The call ended, but I wasn’t far removed from the things said during the call. Not everything, but those three words that fell from Rather’s mouth so effortlessly. She’d made space for me in her heart. And, while I’d accomplished so many great things in my thirty-six years of life, conquering her heart was the greatest.
I sat at the edge of the bed with my shoulders hiked and my palms pressing against the mattress. Not even for a second did I want to keep Rather waiting, but I needed more time with my thoughts. They’d tossed around in my head all night as I tossed in bed, but hearing her solidify everything I felt had me on a fucking rollercoaster.
When I finally got out of bed, I was in my car and on my way to the bridge in less than ten minutes. A black pullover, black sweats, and a black beanie shielded me from the November cold. I journeyed in silence. No music. No words. Nothing. My thoughts were too loud. The drumming of my heart was too intense.
Discovering I’d made it to the bridge before Rather settled my spirit. I’d gone twenty-five over the speed limit to beat her. My illegal activities had paid off. I took a seat on one of the benches and listened to the dark waters as they clashed against the shore.
So many things.
So many thoughts.
So many violations.
So many chances I had to let it go.
So many chances I had to let her go .
I didn’t take any. I was already too invested. Two years of my sanity had been altered after she disrupted my world. It didn’t matter that my family had arranged an even trade – her hand in marriage for her brother’s freedom . I was invested.
“Is this seat taken?”
My eyes were still trained on the waters as I shook my head. Her fragrance was softer this time. Subtle. Sweet.
Her hand caressed the back of my neck. I closed my eyes, taking her all in without even a glance in her direction. I didn’t want to talk. I didn’t want to listen. I simply wanted her in my space. If she didn’t say a word, I wouldn’t be opposed. The silence was enough. The craziness in my head was already too much.
“Talk to me, Priest.”
With her other hand, she pulled my face in her direction. Even in her night attire, she was flawless.
“My thoughts are at war,” I confessed, “You’re the only person with the ability to stop it. You’re my peace. I don’t want anything, Rather. I don’t have anything to say. I just need you near.”
Her kiss was unraveling. It uprooted so many unwanted thoughts running rampant. It put me at ease and slowed my heart. The intensity of each beat remained, but they weren’t as rapid. They weren’t as alarming.
She pulled away too soon. I wanted her back in my space. Her lips against mine, again. Her body pressed against mine. I grabbed the bottom of her face and brought it to mine. As if she was a mind-reader, she climbed into my lap to deepen our connection and fully consume me.
Back and forward, Rather rubbed her center against me. The slip she wore underneath the ankle-length coat scrunched with every movement she made. The November chill was no match for the furnace between her legs. I could feel the fire through my pants.
Her hands roamed, searching for an escape route for my tool. I assisted by reaching into my briefs and freeing it. The satisfying sigh that came from her mouth hardened me to the point of pain.
I pulled at her gown until the end was up above her belly button. She was pantiless. I nearly lost my shit seeing her bald pussy against my sweats.
“You like fucking with my head, Rose.”
She nodded, admitting to her crime of passion. “I do.”
Two fingers inside of her had her neck bending and her spine curving forward.
“Uhhhhh.”
She was ready. Her temperature was just right. And, she was moist to the touch. The oven between her legs had pre-heated on the way over and was ready to bake my dish until it oozed.
Rather placed her feet on the bench, preparing to end me long before we even got started. I had the right mind to bend her ass over and fuck the filling out of her, but it would we’d be too obvious and her level of comfort would be of great concern.
I braced myself for destruction as she lowered her pussy onto my pole. She parted for me, accepting every inch. Our mouths reconnected as she began to ride me.
So poised.
So perfect.
So precious.
Rather was deeper than the waters beneath us. Her pussy felt never ending although I’d hit rock bottom and continued each time she came down on me.
“Mmmmm.”
She tightened her grip around my neck.
Up.
Down.
Up.
Down.
“Ummmmm.”
Up.
Down.
Up.
Down.
Her pussy was ridiculous. There wasn’t a fucking thing on earth that should’ve felt so damn good. So inviting. So warm. So plentiful.
Her nectar narrated her movements, telling the origin story of her sopping pussy. It was the most beautiful tale. I listened closely, careful not to miss a single detail.
Her lips fell from mine. The side of her face brushed up against the stubble of my shaved beard.
Passionately, she drove her pussy into me continuously. I was unmanning right before her eyes. Each stroke of her sweetness stripped me of another layer.
Her orgasm announced itself before she could. And, when it’s arrival was declared, I gripped her waist and began driving upward, digging a new path in her well for her juices to flow heavily.
“Yes. Yes. Priest. Oh God. Yes.”
“Umm hmm.” I encouraged her dismantling. “Cum on this motherfucker.”
Her body began trembling. She could no longer support her weight. I nailed her with my hammer from below, keeping her up on her legs as my nut rose from my balls. The bulge progressed with every stroke.
“Ahhhhh! Fuck.”
Like the very good girl she was, Rather came for me. I was right behind her. My ass bounced off the bench as I filled her with cum.
“I love you,” breathlessly, she moaned against my cheek.
“Don’t ever stop.”
She rested the weight of her body on mine.
“Come home with me.”
“Rather, I–”
“I won’t take no for an answer.”
“No was never the answer.”
“Turn around. Look.”
Slowly, she lifted from my lap. My dick slid out of her and fell onto my sweats. She’d made a mess. Her creaminess trailed down toward the thighs of my pants. They could use a good cycle in the wash, but tossing them was the plan.
Rather settled beside me, but refused to separate completely. She laid her head on my shoulder as we both watched the sun rise slowly. It wasn’t until it had taken its place in the sky that we emptied the bench.
I followed her home and parked my car in the garage alongside hers. After a shower, we climbed in bed and both drifted to sleep.
I woke up tangled in unfamiliar sheets. However, the body beside me, bare and wrapped in the same covers, quickly dismissed my discomfort. I tapped the screen on my phone to discover it was near noon.
Princeton .
It wasn’t often that I woke up in a different dwelling from my son. Each time, there was a pang of guilt that stuck with me until I saw his face again. Rather stirred in her sleep, immediately easing the internal battle I began fighting.
She was a sight I could wake up to ninety thousand times and still wouldn’t grow tired. The ivory sheets against her dark skin was pure art. Images of her belonged in a gallery, one for the public to fall for just as I had.
“Sleeping beauty,” I whispered in Rather’s ear.
There were hardly any days off in my line of work. If I wanted to get anything done, I had to force myself out of bed and from between Rather’s legs. It would be difficult, but it wasn’t impossible. I was already rocking up by observing her as she slept.
“Rose.”
Her features rushed to the center of her face and then relaxed again.
“Hmm?”
“Don’t let the day get away from you, my dear. You should get up or you’ll destroy your sleep pattern.”
“Do I really have to?”
No . The word was at the tip of my tongue.
“Yes. To see me out at least. I have an appointment at three.”
“Where?”
She didn’t give a fuck where or why. She was prolonging the moment. I wasn’t opposed, but neither did I want to tell her where I was supposed to be at three.
“My tuxedo fitting.”
Her eyes popped open at once. Her upper body sprung from the bed. Frazzled and fucked well, she searched the room with her eyes.
“What time is it?”
“Almost twelve.”
“God. I’m going to be late!”
“Late?”
“For my dress fitting. I’m supposed to be there at twelve-thirty. It’s thirty minutes away.”
“Unless you can be out of the house in five minutes, then you’re already late, Rather. There’s no need to rush. How about you call and see if it’s possible to push your appointment back thirty minutes or so.”
“She squeezed me in. She doesn’t have much time to make sure the dress is perfect. I’ll have at least another fitting or two to finalize things before the wedding. This is the first one. It’s important.”
“So is your life and your safety and the safety of everyone in your way as you try to make it on time. Call her.”
“Prie–”
“Call her!” I demanded, grabbing her cell and handing it to her.
She quieted and unlocked her phone. After dialing the number, she passed it to me. There was an answer on the fourth ring.
“Cami’s Bridal. How can I help you?”
“There’s an appointment for Valentine at twelve thirty this afternoon.”
There was a brief pause.
“Ah. Yes. In about thirty minutes.”
“That appointment needs to be pushed back slightly.”
“Oh no. I have a one thi–”
“Cancel it.”
“I’m sorry, who is this I’m speaking with?”
“The man that is on his way down to your place of business to make a hefty contribution to your operations. Will five figures get that appointment canceled and this one pushed back?”
“Most certainly.”
The response was almost instant. There was nothing else to talk about. I ended the call and handed the phone back to Rather.
“You have an hour to get dressed and to your fitting. Your life is too precious. Don’t risk it for the sake of tardiness. Whatever is waiting… whoever is waiting can keep waiting.”
Kofi had almost lost his life speeding that night. I couldn’t fathom visiting a hospital room and finding Rather patched up with machines keeping her amongst the living. The lesson I’d just given was one I needed myself, but I was always careful. Always.
I doubted Rather could be under the circumstances and with the guilt of our night at the forefront of her mind. She was bound to make a mistake or become a casualty to someone else’s.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Would you like me to take you? I’m headed that way anyway, I guess.”
“No. Kleigh is meeting me there. I have to text her and tell her it’s been pushed back.”
I made a mental note to warn the person I’d spoken with to keep our arrangement underwraps. I didn’t need Kleigh hearing about what had transpired during their appointment.
“Alright. Come on. We have to get going.”
I pulled her into my arms and carried her into the bathroom where I started the shower. We’d both bathed, but after I finished with her this morning, we’d need a good scrubbing. Because we were crunched for time, sliding into her as we showered was my only option.