Chapter 12 #2
I reached out, sliding my hand along her jaw, my thumb brushing her bottom lip.
“Yeah, I can,” I said, my voice low but certain.
“I ain’t here to rush you or fix what I didn’t break.
I just want to be the man who stands beside you while you figure it out.
Whatever you still feel, whatever you still fighting…
I’ll love you through it. I’m here to do whatever it takes to make you see I ain’t no fuck nigga.
I want to take you on dates, dinners, late-night drives, whatever you want. ”
Her eyes glinted, playful but cautious. “And what if I don’t fall for it?”
I sat up, taking her left nipple into my mouth.
“Baby, not only will you fall, you’ll feel it in ways you didn’t think you could.
Every laugh, every fucking look, every touch…
I’ll make sure you never forget it or me.
” I squeezed both of her breasts together and simultaneously showed them both some attention.
“Mmm,” she moaned. “Your trouble, you know that? I shouldn’t be here with you like this, Samir. I don't know much about you, besides what I read on the internet.”
“My name is Samir Carter. I’m twenty-nine.
I graduated from Penn State University with my master’s in business.
My father passed away some years back. My mother is my queen.
I have a sister who’s my assistant, and a two-year-old niece who’s got me wrapped around her finger.
Oh, can’t forget my grandmother, who is obsessed with your cookies.
Anything else you need to know, we will work that out as we go. ”
With that, I lined her pussy up with my dick and eased her all the way down until she was full.
I woke up the next morning to the smell of bacon and Zanova’s soft snores.
For a second, I lied there, staring at the ceiling and letting the quiet morning hit me.
Then it clicked, somebody was in my damn house.
I already knew it had to be my mother or my sister.
They were the only two people bold enough to use their spare keys like they paid the mortgage.
I eased out of bed carefully, not wanting to wake Zanova.
She looked peaceful with her hair spread across my pillow, lips slightly parted.
I couldn’t help but smile as I stared at her perfect face.
Seeing her so vulnerable without her usual defense up and ready to combat me was refreshing.
I knew why she was the way she was, though, which is why I was serious about taking her on a real date.
I headed to the bathroom to handle my hygiene.
Thoughts of last night invaded my mind, and I smiled at how Zanova and I had each other hooting and hollering.
I didn’t use a condom not once, and as I moisturized my face, I laughed.
I ain’t regret that shit at all. I threw on some sweats before going to see who was invading my space this damn early.
Rounding the staircase, I entered my bright kitchen due to all the windows in the breakfast nook. Sure enough, my mother was at the stove flipping pancakes, while my Grandma was sitting at the counter with her coffee, already judging me with her eyes.
“Morning, baby,” my mama said without even turning around. “I figured I’d come pop up on my son since he clearly has been ignoring my calls last night.”
“Mmhmm. Hey, Grandson. You got company, don’t you? Who nice-ass ride parked out front?” My grandma was being messy, which wasn’t unusual for her.
I rubbed a hand over my face. I was planning on taking shit to the next level with Zanova, but I’m sure she wasn’t ready to meet my people yet. “Good morning to you, too, G-Ma.” I kissed her on the cheek, and did the same to my mother.
Mama turned around with one eyebrow raised and a knowing smirk on her face. “You might want to tell whoever’s in that bedroom to wake up. Breakfast is almost ready, and I don’t serve food in bed.”
I shook my head, fighting a laugh. Only in my family could a man have company and still get ambushed by his mama and grandma before 9 a.m.
“Yeah. Go tell her to come on down here and do that walk of shame with pride.” G-Ma wasn’t letting up. “Unless you play for the other team, Grandson. And she is a he? But I will respect it and still love you the same.”
“G-Ma, don’t even play like that. Y’all be doing too much.” I shook my head. “I do have company over, but we aren’t at the ‘meet the family’ stage.”
I was just about to grab a plate when I heard soft footsteps behind me.
“Good mor—”
Zanova’s greeting was cut short the second she spotted my family.
Her eyes went wide as they landed on my mother at the stove and my grandmother sitting at the counter, sipping her coffee like she’d been waiting for a show.
I could see the color drain from Zanova’s face.
She froze mid-step, clutching the front of my white dress shirt like it could magically turn into a robe to shield the rest of her body.
Mama turned and smiled like she’d been expecting her. “Well. Well. Well. Good morning, sweetheart.”
Zanova blinked, clearly trying to figure out if she should speak, run, or disappear into thin air. “Uh… Hi. I… Um… Good morning.” She finally managed to get out, her voice soft and nervous.
“Mmhmm. So this is the reason we didn’t see you at family dinner last night, huh, Samir? You were busy getting cookie from the cookie lady. She is fine, Grandson. Does this mean I can get my cookies for free?”
“G-Ma…” I warned, fighting a grin.
“What? I’m just saying. Good morning, baby. Don’t be ashamed. We all been there.” She took another sip of her coffee, eyes twinkling with mischief. “Just last week, I got caught by Pastor Williams’ daughter, coming out of his office.”
“Mama!” Ma snapped, turning from the stove with her hand on her hip.
“What?” she said innocently, shrugging.
“I thought you were helping him with the church books?” My mama looked shocked.
“We were just praying to the Lordt.”
I grunted as Zanova was trying not to laugh but failing miserably. A soft giggle slipped out, and Grandma shot her a wink. “See? She gets it.”
Mama shook her head. “Don’t encourage her, baby. My mother has been a mess since the ’70s.”
“Still fine and got it, though. Asked Pastor Williams.” Grandma shot back, smirking.
“I would rather not.” My mama looked back at Zanova. “Have some breakfast, baby?”
“Thank you, ma’am—”
“Clarissa,” my mama stated, correcting her.
“Ms. Clarissa,” Zanova said quickly, forcing a polite smile. “I should really get going.”
Mama frowned, a little disappointed. “You sure, baby? I made enough.”
“No, really… It was nice meeting you both,” Zanova said, eyes darting between my mama and grandma before landing on me.
I hid a smirk and nodded toward the stairs. “I’ll walk you up.”
Grandma chuckled under her breath. “Mmhmm. I bet you will.”
Zanova’s cheeks flamed as she mumbled another soft goodbye and turned, moving fast. I followed right behind her as she climbed the steps. The moment we hit the top floor and turned into my bedroom, she exhaled like she’d been holding her breath the whole time.
“Samir! You could’ve told me your mother and grandmother were coming over this morning.” She pressed a hand to her chest as if she’d received some devastating news.
I leaned against the doorframe, biting back a grin at her freaking out. “My bad. I didn’t have time. I just woke up myself. Besides, I didn’t know they were coming.”
“God, I’m so embarrassed. They probably think I’m some Jezebel or something.”
I laughed, pushing off the frame and walking closer.
“Baby, stop trippin’. Ain’t nobody thinking shit.
You just caught ’em off guard, that’s all.
Trust me… You will laugh about that shit later.
Right now, you look too damn fine in my shirt to be stressin’.
Let me get some before you dip out on a nigga. ”
“No! Your mother and grandmother are here.”
I chuckled at the stunned look on her face. “I’m just fucking with you, Nova baby. What do you got planned for later? I want to take you out.” I wrapped my arms around her waist and kissed her neck.
“Take me out? You were serious?”
“Yeah. I want to see if a nigga can stand being around you for a while without being in the pussy.” I joked.
She elbowed me in the stomach. “Who says I want to go out with you?” She pursed her lips.
“Stop playing with me. And give me your address too. I’m gon’ come scoop you around six.”
“Why can’t I just meet you there?” she asked, folding her arms, a teasing glint in her eyes.
“Stop playing with me,” I repeated, stepping closer. “What do I look like letting my woman drive herself to our date?”
“Your woman? Since when we became a couple? Did I miss the memo?”
“You ain’t miss nothin’, baby. I just like speaking things into existence.”
“Mmhmm. You smooth, Mr. Carter. Real smooth.”
I leaned in, close enough for my breath to brush a kiss on her ear. “Only when it comes to you.”
She shivered, then laughed softly, trying to play it off. “We’ll see if you still talk like that after our date.”
“Oh, I will. Matter of fact, I might talk worse because our night is going to end with me between those thick thighs.”
“Whatever. I have to make some calls to check on the status of my new bakery. Then, I’m going to stop and see my parents. I’m free after that.”
“Wow. You’re opening another bakery. That’s dope.” I played like I was surprised. My sister already put me up on game when she did her research on Zanova.
“Thanks.” She smiled proudly, then it dropped.
“It’s just… I keep running into problems. First, it was the plumbing problems. Then, it was an electrical issue.
Now, they’re saying some of the supplies have been delayed.
I have a month to get everything together before my grand opening.
I don’t see that happening with all the problems I keep having. ”
“You need me to look into it for you? I’d get them niggas straight.”
“No. I can handle it. But thanks.” She pecked my lips and walked into the bathroom.
I went into my closet and got a pair of sweats for Zanova to put on after she handled her hygiene in the bathroom. Once dressed, I walked her out to her ride, making sure she gave me her address before she pulled off.
When I stepped back into the kitchen, I knew I was about to hear it from my mother and grandma.
“So, the cookie lady, Grandson? Are you strapping up that little wiener with the condoms that I gave you? Or you trying to make little baby cakes?”
“G-Ma, you are tripping for real. And those condoms you left in my room were three years expired!” I laughed.
“Mama, what are you doing with condoms?” my mother asked with raised brows.
“Clarissa, I may be old, but my lady parts still work.”
I choked on my orange juice. “Yeah, that’s my cue to get the hell outta here,” I said, placing my glass in the sink and kissing them both on the cheek. “I got to meet with Ryan, anyway. But first, I gotta stop by Jamila’s to drop off Joya’s new tablet.”
“You got that baby spoiled rotten.” Grandma paused. “Oh, that reminds me… Did you ask your little boo thang about making Joya’s birthday cake?”
“Nah, I forgot. I’ll ask her tonight when I pick her up for our date.”
Her eyebrows shot up. “A date? Oh, she must be special. You ain’t taken nobody out since that heffa… Oh, excuse me. Since Paige.” She smacked her lips while rolling her eyes.
I laughed, shaking my head. My grandma never liked Paige from the start.
I remembered when I first brought her around the family.
My grandma pulled me to the side and whispered, “Grandson, that girl is a heathen. Don’t let that pretty face fool you.
” I should’ve listened. Love had me blind back then.
“Now, that Zanova girl?” Grandma said, leaning back with a knowing smirk. “She’s a good woman.”
“How do you know that?” I asked, glancing over at her.
“I can feel her spirit. I can tell she’s a little guarded, but a good girl.”
“She does seem like a nice girl. What’s her story?” Mama probed.
“She’s recently divorced. And she is guarded, but I’m working on that. I’m feeling, baby girl, tho’.”
“Let’s hope Paige doesn’t try and run her away when she gets wind that you are getting serious with someone.”
“Ma, I’m not worried about Paige. I’m out. I’ll call y’all later.”
I went to shower and change clothes for the day.
As I drove to my sister's house, what my mother said about Paige had me thinking. Zanova and I may not have known each other for long, but I knew she wasn’t the type to deal with drama.
I had a feeling that if my ex-wife came and started shit up, I would definitely lose any chance of making Zanova my woman.