Chapter 12
PENELOPE
Two weeks later...
"What's on your mind?"
"Huh?" Zoo asked, briefly glancing up from the paper he'd been staring at for the last ten minutes. He was on the same paragraph too long now. Two weeks had passed since the championship game. I’d been hassled with interviews, cameos, commercials, and plenty of new sponsor deals. It had been so hectic that Zoo and I hadn’t done much of anything except travel.
He was a complete gentleman, accompanying me anywhere and everywhere I had to be.
Tonight was a rare night we were both inside.
I divided my time between studying and preparing dinner for him while he was still at work.
What’s funny was that he didn’t even see his house as his home anymore.
When he got off work, I didn’t even have to ask him if he was coming over.
So, when he showed up, the door was already open for him. It was time I gave him a key.
Something new I’d discovered about Zoo; he was smart as hell.
Not that I thought he was dumb. He just really had layers that I didn’t know existed.
It started with him helping me with a biology assignment that kicked my ass, to him editing my paper that was due next week.
He was currently helping me with my second paper.
"Something’s on your mind. What is it?"
He dropped his pen and met my gaze. For several seconds, he said nothing. Then, he cleared his throat and asked, "May I speak bluntly as Zoo?"
Rolling my eyes, I said, "Do you ever censor your words when you talk to me?"
He nodded. "Plenty of times."
Blinking, I simply said, "Oh."
He smirked and went back to the paper.
“What's on your mi—”
“Eatin' ya pussy,” he casually stated.
Shocked my eyes widened on him. When his eyes lifted back to mine, he lazily winked at me.
“Quit askin’ me shit, and let's get this paper done,” he suggested.
The sound of papers shuffling drowned out the buzzing in my ears. I was hot all over, envisioning Zoo's head between my thighs. Him licking his thick lips only made the vision more vivid.
Taking a chance, I asked, "What does it feel like?”
Flipping a page, Zoo didn't even glance up at me. “What, baby?”
Now I was wet. Him calling me that triggered everything in me. I squirmed and fought the urge to moan.
“Uhm...” I stuttered, then bit into my bottom lip. His gaze flew straight to my lips. “What does it feel like?”
Zoo studied me, unblinking for what seemed like forever. Silence crept between us as he went back to reading, ignoring me.
Rejection had me gulping and minding my business. In my mind, we were a couple now, although we hadn’t crossed that bridge yet. Zoo was careful, for some reason. He handled me with kid gloves. Whether it was because of me or him, I didn’t know.
“A nigga ain't ate ya pussy before?” His softly lobbied question startled me.
I shook my head, somewhat embarrassed now and wishing I hadn’t said shit. To him, I probably looked like a lame—
“I need an explanation,” he said.
“About what?”
“Typa nigga don’t wanna taste his woman?”
I hated that Zoo divided his attention between me and the papers in front of him. He was acting like the conversation wasn’t important to him.
“Never mind, just drop it.” I sighed and went back to reading. Really, I wanted Zoo to come across this sofa and attack me.
“Nah,” he countered. “I’ain droppin’ shit. What’s good? Why ya sexy ass don’t know what it feels like to have a man eat the life outchea?”
My breathing went from normal to sketchy in a heartbeat. I kept it cool in the house, but right now, I felt like melting from how intense Zoo peered at me.
I sighed, not wanting to tell Zoo the truth but needing to own my truth. Hell, there was nothing to be ashamed about.
“If you must know, I’m a virgin. Before you start clowning me—”
“Why would I clown you?” he interrupted.
“Because niggas are dumb,” I stated.
He clicked his teeth. “I’m niggas again?”
“No,” I hurried up and said. “I’m just saying…”
“Aight,” he said, and again, went back to the papers.
Aggravated by how nonchalant he acted, I rolled my eyes and decided to drop the fucking subject.
Here I thought Zoo would jump at the chance to experience me, but my assumptions were wrong.
Things should’ve stayed just how they were with the two of us.
That way my soft ass heart wouldn’t be broken in the end.
For several minutes, I read the same page, hoping what I was reading would permeate my brain.
With Zoo sitting inches away, it was hard to think about anything but him.
“You know what this means, right?” he uttered out of nowhere.
Side-eyeing him, I asked, “What?”
“It means…” He shifted on the sofa, sitting the papers aside as he did so. He brought his elbows to rest on his knees as he stroked his beard. Seconds later, he chuckled. “You saved ya’self for me.”
Eyebrows snapping together, I croaked, “Huh?”
Zoo was off the sofa and kneeling before me before I could blink. His large hands tugged at my legs until they unfolded and dangled off the sofa. Meanwhile, I couldn’t breathe. When he eased between my parted thighs to flank me with his thick arms, my heart jumped out of my chest.
Removing the book clutched in my hand, Zoo leaned forward until our noses touched. His eyes were so damn sexy as he seized my gaze.
“You saved ya’self for me, Pen?” he questioned. I didn’t have a chance to answer. Zoo’s lips fell on mine, causing everything inside of mine to scream in pleasure. Zoo handled my lips and tongue like they were the most delicate things he’d ever possessed.
“Answer me, Love,” he coaxed between wet kisses. His hands gripped my bare thighs as his tongue dueled with mine, igniting a moan from deep within me.
“Zeus…” That’s all I could muster as his lips moved down my chin to touch my neck. Goosebumps lit me on fire. My arms went around his neck. I couldn’t resist gliding my fingers through the nape of his head. His freshly twisted locs corded in my fingers. Zoo seemed to shudder from my touch.
“See what you do to me?” he quizzed. “Got a nigga crazy and cravin’ for you, Pen.”
This type of power was addictive and dangerous when wielded incorrectly.
“You wanna know what it feels like?”
“Yes,” I breathlessly answered without thought.
He maneuvered me until I laid on the sofa, panting just thinking about what I was about to let him do to me, and what he was about to do to me. The shorts I had on came off quickly. Because I had on no panties, Zoo’s eyes glistened while getting his fill of my naked pussy.
“Mmm... Ya scent, baby... That shit is intoxicating.”
His hooded gaze was intoxicating as he peered at me. I didn’t have time to respond. Zoo’s head dipped between my parted thighs and stole all my breath as his thick tongue caressed my sensitive flesh. Eyes wide, I arched off the sofa as if a bolt of lightning struck me.
Securing my thighs north, east, and west with his powerful hands, he moaned and flicked his tongue over my hardened clit.
“I’m finna fuck ya life up,” he muttered. He latched onto my clit and sucked, dragging a high-pitched moan from my lips.
“Zoo!” I called, tangling my hands in his locs for support, or hell, to keep him steady.
A feeling I’d never felt blindsided me, stunting the breath in my chest. Body shaking and blazing, a river rushed from me, causing Zoo to growl as he attacked my pussy like it had said something back to him. Again, I felt that feeling, this time shocked by tears sliding down my temples.
I felt myself being pulled to a sitting position.
“Zoo’s face was blurry behind my tears as he came in for a kiss.
I didn’t deny him, sucking his tongue deep into my mouth.
Unable to resist myself, I slid my hand down his hard chest and to the waist band of his joggers.
My hand went lower, encountering his hard dick, stretched thick and long against the fabric of his pants.
He broke the kiss, panting. “You gotta be sure ‘bout it, baby,” he said, huskily. He’d said this to me weeks ago. “You let me in this pussy, it’s gon’ be mine ‘til ya last breath.”
Gripping his dick with one hand, I seductively kissed him, sucking on his lips and tongue like a popsicle. His dick jumped in my hand, prompting me to burn all over.
“I’m sure.”
ZOO
I’d never been as careful as I was now. Pen meant too much to me for me to fuck this up.
When I laid her on the bed, I stripped her of the shirt she wore, exposing her sexy body.
Like I knew they would be, her unbound titties stood perfect, her nipples erect and juicy as fuck.
My dick stood to attention, harder than I’d ever been.
I removed my shirt first, then my pants and socks. Pen looked nervous as she laid across the bed, waiting for me. Her pussy juice clung to my tongue, heightening every sense I had. It made me primal and thirsty for more of her sweet nectar.
Positioning myself over her, I stared down into her concerned eyes. “You scared?”
She shook her head.
“Don’t be. I love you, and my desire is to please you. Let me.”
Moisture pooled in her eyes as she nodded.
Gripping my dick, I led him to her hot, soaking wet center.
Entering her was complicated. Her untouched walls, although slick, rejected my intrusion a few times before I was able to fully enter her.
Her cry of pain was drowned out by my lips covering hers.
I remained still, gritting my teeth against the feeling of being suffocated in the most erotic way.
I kissed over her shoulders, cheeks, breasts, and throat until I was confident she was ready. Slowly, I eased out of her, then pushed back in, diving deeper.
“Ooohh…”
Fuck, her moans entrapped me. Needing to taste her pebbled nipples, I took one into my mouth, sucking it delicately at first. Her pussy grew wetter as she held onto my shoulders. Her nails created prickles on my skin, but I enjoyed that shit.
“Penelope.”
Her eyes, which were tightly shut, popped open. Staring deep into her eyes, I moved inside of her, taking things slow but keeping my pace to bring us both pleasure. This was her first time, however, I wanted her to feel just as good as I did being inside of her wet walls.
“Zoo,” she whimpered the deeper I went. When her pussy hugged me, some of my restraint fled.
“Fuck, baby!” We were sweaty by now, our bodies heated to boiling. I draped her legs in the crooks of my arms and opened her up, allowing myself free access. Her body arched when I sank balls deep inside of her.
“Yes!” She sniffled and gasped seconds before her pussy gripped my dick tight as fuck.
“Cum on my dick, Pen! Put ya nut all over my shit!”
Lil’ baby did just that, coating my dick so good that I stared at her essence in awe as I plunged in and out of her. I fisted the blanket, needing all the support I could to hold back the nut threatening to coat her walls. I wasn’t ready to let go yet.
Pen’s fingers tunneled through my locs before she tightly fisted them and brought my lips to hers. Her tongue peeked out, wrapping itself around my tongue and sucking like I couldn’t wait for her to suck my dick. It was that thought that had my strokes quickening.
“Mmm,” she moaned. “I feel it again, baby…”
This time when she came, I growled and pumped into her, forcing the headboard into the wall.
“Zeus!” she sexily sang, sending me over the edge.
“Fuck!” My nut shot out of me, flooding and coating her tunnel. I collapsed on top of her, spent and breathing hard. Still, I kissed the tears on her temples, blessed to have been the nigga she entrusted her body to. We fell asleep, wrapped up in each other. There was nowhere else I wanted to be.
The next morning, I awoke before Pen. We’d woken up a few hours ago to shower, then we both climbed back in bed and went back to sleep. It was nearing eleven now, and my stomach was cussing me the fuck out.
I went into the walk-in closet and retrieved clothes that I had hanging up in there. While getting my clothes, I chose an outfit for Pen that matched mine. She was standing at the bathroom sink, brushing her teeth when I emerged from the closet.
Her face tinged when I pulled up behind her and brought her nearly naked frame to my body. We’d crossed the threshold of friendship and were now a couple. That shit felt so good, I snuggled her neck and silently thanked her for seeing that we could be so much more than the box she’d placed us in.
“Where are we off to?” she asked once she’d rinsed her mouth.
“We’re going to lunch. Let’s get outta the house and go enjoy the day. We’ll come back and finish the paper tonight.”
Agreeing, she turned in my arms and hugged my neck, then fingered the chain she’d gotten me.
“You called me Penelope last night.”
“Ya pussy had me gone, baby,” I admitted, unashamed.
She smacked her teeth and rolled her pretty eyes. “Zoo,” she chided.
“Nah, for real… Penelope.” The blush on her face was beautiful.
“You’re my best friend, my woman, and now my lover.
It ain’t shit I won’t do for you. I waited patiently for you to see that I could be that man you could see ya’self with.
Whether we would’ve ever made things official was lost to me.
The moment I had to go a day without hearing ya voice, or seeing ya smile, I knew things were never gon’ be normal for me anymore.
I never wanted what I want with you. I need you to not only know that but understand it, too. ”
Water welled in her eyes. “I understand. Do you understand that I feel safe with you and trust you? I’m not afraid to love you, Zoo. I’m afraid to lose you.”
I kissed her lips, silencing her fears. “I’ain goin’ anywhere but to take yo’ ass to eat.”
She busted out laughing and swatted my chest. “You always gotta play,” she fussed.
I snatched her up and buried my face in her neck, causing her to squeal with laughter. There were so many things about Pen that made me fall in love with her. I wanted to protect every part of what we had together. And I would.
Over lunch, I fed my baby Cajun chicken pasta and made her laugh so much that her stomach hurt by the time we left the restaurant.
Instead of hopping back in the car, I hoisted her on my back and walked the beach line, letting the sunshine and waves wash over us.
I enjoyed this shit more than a little bit.
Pen showed me a different life for myself, one that I’d never envisioned.
For that I loved her. I never wanted to leave this place of happiness and peace.