Chapter 8
“Iam so happy for you, sis,” Phaedra said. “I knew you were in love with him.”
“I hadn’t planned to tell him yet. I mean, I’ve only known him two months.” It had been a week since Kenya said those three little words to Alonzo.
“So? A little good lovin’ makes it hard to keep quiet.”
“It wasn’t sex talk. We were on the cruise I told you about.”
“Oh, yeah, the Four20 one where they were selling the massage oils. With all that noise and so many people, how did y’all find a private moment to get all deep?”
“Me, with my curious self, decided to sample an edible—a brownie. I only took a couple of small bites, but I swear that thing must have doubled for truth serum because I couldn’t stop talking.”
Phaedra burst out laughing. “Whaaaaat? My straight-laced, psychologist sister took a walk on the wild side. Girl, I wish I had been there to see it because I couldn’t even get you to try the gummies without the psychoactive properties for your back.” She laughed again.
“Shut up. Believe me, it won’t happen again.” For the first couple of days, she’d wondered if she’d made a mistake in telling him of her love, not like she could have stopped the words anyway. And after her grand revelation, she’d dumped the rest of that brownie and decided she should stick with eating her own…minus the weed. But Alonzo hadn’t given her one reason to regret her words, and went out of his way to ensure she knew that he was for real.
“Naw, girl. You should indulge every now and again so you can relax and let your hair down. I wonder what else you’d say.” She started chuckling again.
“I’m about to hang up on you.” Kenya glanced at the clock. “Oh, shoot, I do need to go. Alonzo will be here in five minutes and I still have to do my hair.” Kenya rushed into the bathroom, put the phone on speaker and plugged in the flatiron.
“He’s just going to mess it up again, so save yourself some time and throw it up in a ponytail. That’s what I used to do with Jared.”
“You are so crazy.” Even as she said the words, she recalled that he’d done just that when he brought her home after the cruise. “I have to go.”
“Have fun,” Phaedra said in singsong.
“Bye, crazy woman.” She hung up, unplugged it and brushed her hair up and secured it with a scrunchie. She’d skipped telling her sister that he was finally taking her to tour the spa, then they were having dinner at his house. The first time he’d planned to take her to see his place was the day her father showed up. The second time, he had to cancel their dinner to help his father with something. He did stop by briefly before the cruise to give her a quick tour and she’d fallen in love with the two-story four-bedroom, four-bath home. From the luxury vinyl flooring throughout, open layout where every room flowed into another and gourmet kitchen with island and bar top seating, she was hooked. For her, the best feature had been the small, distant view of the water from the balcony in his bedroom. She knew the view would be spectacular at sunset.
Kenya stuck her feet in her tennis shoes and grabbed a light jacket. The late April temperatures had hit eighty over the past couple of days, but the nights were still cool, and she figured it would be late when she came home.
Alonzo arrived and swept her off her feet into an all-consuming kiss. “Hey, love.”
It took her a moment to clear her brain and respond. “Hi, yourself. I’m ready.” He took her keys and locked the door, then led her to his car. “I’m excited about seeing the spa. The photos on the website are gorgeous.”
He slanted her a glance. “And since it’s Sunday, we’ll have the place to ourselves.”
She wondered if she could talk him into giving her that second massage. They passed the drive listening to smooth RB, interspersed with conversation. When they arrived at the Santa Monica spa, Kenya’s first words were, “Wow.” The place was larger than it looked on the website and anchored a small shopping plaza. “This is gorgeous.”
“Thanks. We put a lot of effort into the renovations.” Alonzo unlocked the door, deactivated the alarm, then locked the door again.
The waiting area was a welcome space with neutral colors and splashes of blues and greens, giving it a calm feel. They passed an area set up for manicures and pedicures, and men’s and women’s locker rooms on the way back to the eight treatment rooms, including one used for couples and two for the estheticians. The last stop was a large room with comfortable loveseats and chairs for up to ten people, a long counter and a few low tables.
“We use this room for groups and bridal parties. They can have food and drinks catered, as well.”
“You and Sonya really outdid yourselves.”
“This is all Sonya. She has amazing vision.”
She could hear the pride in his voice. “I totally agree.”
“You know,” he said, draping his arms around her and dipping his head to place kisses on her neck, “this is the perfect time for that massage you mentioned wanting.”
“On the way here, I wondered how I was going to get you to do it.”
“All you ever have to do is ask.” Taking her hand, Alonzo guided her back to one of the treatment rooms and slowly undressed her. He lifted the sheet and gestured for her to lay on her stomach. After adjusting the head cradle, he turned on some music.
The opening strains of a Joe song started. Kenya giggled. “This is what you play during treatments? No wonder why people are lined up to get in here.”
“No. This playlist is just for you. Comfortable?”
“Very.” He dimmed the lights and folded the sheet to expose her back. A moment later, his strong hands covered in oil were there, stroking and kneading. A low moan escaped her lips and her eyes drifted closed. He worked his way over her neck and shoulders, and rubbed his thumbs slowly and methodically up and down the center of her back, applying just enough pressure for the tight muscles to loosen. Kenya gave herself totally to the sensations. He kneaded her buttocks, slipped lower, grazing her core, then continued to her inner and outer thighs, legs and feet. She moaned softly. She felt the moment his touch changed, from relaxing to arousing.
“Turn over, sweetheart,” he whispered.
His mouth latched on to hers as soon as she was on her back. Alonzo caressed and suckled her breasts, traced a path down the front of her body to her center. His fingers dipped into her center, stroking slowly. The moans spilled from her lips.
“Let’s see how sturdy this table is,” Alonzo murmured with a wicked gleam in his eyes as he donned a condom. He carefully shifted her until her butt was at the foot of the table, her head resting in the middle. To take the pressure off her back, he eased a pillow beneath her. “I love touching you, kissing you, tasting you.” Holding her gaze intently, he said, “Loving you.”
Kenya’s heart nearly burst with emotion. “I love you, too.” Their eyes still connected, he grasped her hips and entered her with one deep thrust. For a minute he held still, a look of pure ecstasy on his face. He started a slow rhythm, pushing deep, retreating to the tip and surging back in again.
“Kenya, this isn’t sex. I’m making love to the woman who has my heart.”
He used a finger to trace her lips and gazed at her with such tenderness, tears pooled in her eyes. She couldn’t speak, only feel as his strokes came faster and deeper. She wrapped her legs around his waist and gripped the edge of the table as he plunged in and out of her, hitting her sensitive spot with each rhythmic push, driving her closer and closer to the edge. He reached down and pressed his thumb against her clit, taking her higher with slow, sensual circles. Their breathing grew ragged, echoing loudly in the otherwise quiet room. A minute later, she exploded with white-hot pleasure, shaking uncontrollably and screaming out his name.
Alonzo went rigid, then bucked inside of her. He threw back his head and groaned out her name. “Baby, you’re mine,” he murmured.
He was right. She couldn’t deny he owned every part of her, body and soul.
Alonzo laughed when he read Kenya’s text and sent back: You’ll see in a little while. I thought you told me you wanted to get away. I’m making it happen, so be ready. I’ll be there to pick you up in half an hour.
From the moment he’d sent her the text telling her he was taking her away for the weekend, she’d been subtly and not so subtly trying to pry information out of him. But he wanted to surprise her and he didn’t want any distractions when he asked her to marry him. His friend, Deon, had graciously agreed to let Alonzo use the family’s room at their bed and breakfast for the weekend. Because it was located in Playa Del Rey and less than thirty minutes away, he wouldn’t have to spend the bulk of their time traveling. He reached for the gift bag and climbed out of his car. He was halfway up the walkway when the door opened and his ten-year-old goddaughter flew down the steps.
“Uncle Lonzo!”
Kamryn launched herself at him and he caught her midair, swinging her around and kissing her cheek. She’d been greeting him like this since the moment she started walking and it never failed to warm his heart. “How’s my favorite girl?” He set her on her feet and grasped her hand as they started towards the door.
“I’m good. Guess what?” she asked, bouncing up and down.
“What?”
“I won the spelling bee at my school.”
“Congratulations, baby girl. I heard about that.” He attributed her win partially to her love of reading. “I brought you a little present to celebrate.”
She accepted the bag as her father appeared in the door. “Daddy, Uncle Lonzo got me a present.”
“Man, quit spoiling my daughter,” Deon said with a mock pout. I can’t do anything with her after you leave.”
The two men shared a one-arm hug, and Alonzo said, “I keep telling you, don’t hate.”
“Yesssss, books!” Kamryn squealed when she opened the bag. “Thank you, thank you, Uncle Lonzo. I love you.” She wrapped her thin arms around his waist and hugged him tight. “You’re the best godfather ever.”
“You’re welcome.” What he wouldn’t do to have this every day.
“I have to go show Mom.” She ran off down the hallway, her steps echoing throughout the house.
“She’s amazing.”
“That she is,” Deon said. “But she’s got more energy than this old body can handle some days. Speaking of energy and babies, you’d better get started, my friend.”
“Why do you think I’m here?”
“Wait. I thought you were going to the BB alone, like always. You’re taking someone?”
“I am, and I’m hoping she’ll agree to be my wife,” he said with a huge grin.
“Oh, my goodness. I’m so happy for you, Alonzo,” Yolanda, Deon’s wife said, coming to join them. She reached out and hugged Alonzo. “You’ll have to bring her by and introduce her.”
“I’ll do that.”
“Oooh, can I be the flower girl?” Kamryn asked.
“If Kenya says yes, then absolutely.”
“Well, she has to say yes because you’re the best,” she declared with all the confidence of a child.
Alonzo prayed she was right. He didn’t know what he’d do if she rejected his proposal.
“Here’s the key, Zo. I already called Doris and told her to roll out the red carpet for you. Let me know the date, so I can dust off my tux.”
“Thanks, D.” They’d made a pact to be each other’s best man. Alonzo had fulfilled his duty, but had almost given up hope that his own day would come. Finally, it would be his turn. He said his goodbyes and left to pick up Kenya. Anxious to get the weekend started, the Friday evening traffic seemed to be conspiring against him. It took a good twenty-five minutes to go eight miles. But the kiss she greeted him with and the smile on her face, erased all of his tension. “You ready to get this party started?”
“You’d better believe it,” Kenya said, gesturing to the small suitcase. “I figured you’d fuss if I tried to carry it myself, so…” She shrugged.
“You know me well.” Between her ongoing therapy and the stretches and exercises he’d shown her, along with the occasional use of CBD gummies, her overall mental and physical health had improved dramatically. And while she still had a low level of pain sometimes, she hadn’t needed her cane since the day they’d met. For that, he was grateful.
Once in the car, she asked, “So, you’re still not going to tell me where we’re going?”
“A friend of mine is letting us use his place nearby.” The bed and breakfast was located two blocks from the beach, which made it a perfect choice because his baby loved being near the water.
“Okay, I want you to write this down, so you can tell my sister. I’m going to go with the flow this weekend and not worry about the details.”
His laughter filled the car. “Yeah, she mentioned you typically were a planner and not too spontaneous.”
“Can’t trust family with nothing,” she muttered.
“I’m sure my mom told you all my secrets, too.” His parents had been ecstatic when he’d brought Kenya to the last family dinner, and his mother hadn’t stopped talking about her being a lovely young woman and the perfect one for him. He agreed.
“No comment.”
Alonzo kissed the back of her hand, then focused on the road. With soft music playing in the background, the time passed quickly. He shut off the engine and glanced over to see that Kenya had fallen asleep. “Wake up, sleepyhead,” he said, pressing a kiss to her lips.
Kenya groaned softly and covered a yawn. “Sorry. I didn’t realize I was so tired. Are we here already?” She sat up and whipped her head in his direction. “The beach?” she asked excitedly.
“It’s two blocks away.” The radiant smile she gave him filled his heart, and she was out of the car before he could get to her side.
“I know, I know. You open the doors. I’m just so happy.”
“My only job from now on is loving you and making you happy.”
She stared at him curiously, as if trying to figure out the meaning of his statement, but he merely grabbed their bags and headed for the door.
“This place is charming. I’ve never stayed at a bed and breakfast. How many rooms does it have?”
“Eight with an additional suite reserved for their family.”
When they entered, the long-time manager, Doris came from behind the counter and engulfed Alonzo in a crushing hug. “It’s so good to see you again, Alonzo. Even better that you have a guest, she added with a knowing smile.
“Good to see you, too, Ms. Doris.” He made the introductions.
“Let me know if you two need anything. Breakfast is from six to ten.”
“We’ll do that. Thanks.” Because he’d stayed in Deon’s two-bedroom suite with its separate living area before, he knew where to go. It was situated down a separate hallway a short distance from the other guest rooms, for extra privacy. He opened the door and moved aside for Kenya to enter first.
“This is beautiful. It looks like a small apartment.”
“Are you hungry?” Alonzo placed their bags on the loveseat.
“I am,” she said, tossing her purse next to the bags and closing the distance between them. She ran her hands up his chest. “I’m hungry for you.”
His arousal was instant. Without uttering a word, he swept her into his arms and strode purposely to the main bedroom and laid her in the center of the king-sized bed. He had them both naked in record time.
“I’ll take that,” she said, snatching the condom from him. “Tonight I want to taste you.” Kenya pushed him backwards on the bed and straddled his body.
Shit!He wasn’t going to make it. Alonzo didn’t know where this bold part of her came from, but he loved it and had no problems letting her have her way with him.
“Would you like it if I licked and kissed you everywhere?”
A groan was the best he could do with her mouth working its way over his chest and down to his belly. “You’re going to get yourself in trouble,” he said through clenched teeth.
She silenced him with another kiss and continued her journey down his body.
He tried to sit up and shift his body, but she held tight. “Baby, no!” He cursed and jerked upright as she took him into her mouth. Alonzo struggled to draw in a breath as she swirled her tongue from base to tip and sucked him in deep. His stomach muscles contracted beneath her hands and his legs shook.
“Mmm, I’m enjoying my taste. Are you?”
Hell, if he enjoyed it any more, he’d be dead. As it stood, his heart pounded so hard in his chest, it felt like it would explode. “Kenya, baby,” he panted, gripping the back of her head and keeping her in place. She increased the pace, and he went rigid and exploded. “Kenya!” He lay sprawled with his eyes closed, hands fisted and his breathing ragged. Yeah, he could do this the rest of his life.
Kenya crawled up his body and lay next to him. “I love you, Alonzo.”
“I love you, too.” Rotating to his side, he curved an arm around her. “Marry me, Kenya.”
Her head popped up. “What did you say?”
“I’m asking you to marry me, sweetheart. So much has changed since our first kiss. But the one thing that remains true is each time I’m with you and hold you close, my heart still tells me you’re my one. The one I will love forever.”
“Are you kidding me? Yes! A thousand times, yes,” she yelled, kissing him all over his face. “Thank you for loving me. I am so happy.”
Her laughter filled the room and his heart and that was all that mattered to him. He was going to give her that wedding she always dreamed about.