Chapter 11 #2
“Tallie, the one you met in Miami. It’s his company. They do great work,” I said, peeking outside to make sure shit was cool.
“Oh, wow. Maybe we can get together with them sometime soon. His wife and her sisters were a vibe. We had a good time in Miami,” she said, smirking at me.
“Yeah.” I chuckled. “We did.”
She got quiet, picking around her ice cream. I didn’t say anything because I didn’t want to set her off. One wrong move, and the date would be over. When she raised her head, she looked at me, then turned away.
“If we try again, will anything actually be different this time?” she whispered.
I sat up, reached across the table, and grabbed her hand. “I’m still me, baby. My life is still what it is. But I won’t do anything to lose you again. I want you in my life permanently. Not because of the arrangement or our families. I love you. I mean that shit.”
She looked away again, but she didn’t let my hand go.
I could feel her pulse pick up, thumping in her wrist. It was now or never.
I wanted my baby back. Time wasn’t on our side, and the distance was killing me.
Timed dates felt like she was waiting for me to fuck up.
What I needed was her… I couldn’t let her slip from my hands again.
“Come spend Valentine’s Day with me,” I said, gripping her hand tighter.
She slowly looked my way, eyes searching my face.
“Let me take you somewhere. Just us.”
She dropped her spoon, then licked her lips nervously, tucking her hair behind her ear.
“Please don’t say no, baby,” I softly said, hoping she wouldn’t pull away from me.
“Okay,” she whispered. “I’m scared, Azani.”
I felt like I could finally breathe. All I needed was right in front of me, and she was finally letting me back in. Even if she still kept boundaries after Valentine’s Day, I could deal with it. At least I’d know I had a chance to really get her back.
“I know. Come here….”
She got up slowly, then slid into my lap, wrapping her arms around my neck.
“I love you,” she said, running her fingers through my locs. “Where we going for Valentine’s Day?”
I smirked. “I love you, and you know I’m not telling you. The only thing you need to do is remember to pack for the cold.”
She pouted, resting her head on my shoulder. “You always do this. I’m gonna be on edge for two whole weeks.”
“Yeah, but you gon’ love it, Bratty Baby. I promise.”
We sat there for a few more minutes. This was the closest she’d let me be in weeks, so I ain’t wanna do too much. When she finally sat up, she kissed me once, then went and sat back in her chair.
“Our time is almost up,” she whispered, scooping up some of her ice cream.
“I know. Let me taste some of your ice cream before we go,” I said, licking my lips.
I really didn’t want to taste that shit… I wanted her, and she knew it by the way she grinned when she brought her spoon to my lips. It tasted alright, but I knew what tasted better.
“Don’t taste better than you,” I said, sitting back and dragging my eyes all over her.
“I know,” she replied, giggling because she knew once I got my hands on her, it was over.
A whole month of her not letting me touch her, the way I wanted to…
. I was on her ass on Valentine’s Day and every day after that.
I just sat there, watching her finish the last of her ice cream.
When she was done, I threw our trash away while she waited for me.
She pulled some hand sanitizer from her purse and squirted some on my hands, then hers.
Then, she reached into her bag again and handed me an envelope.
“Don’t look at it until I’m gone,” she said before stepping into my arms.
I shook my head, laughing. “What is it, Dev?”
“It’s a surprise. One I know you will like.”
“Aight, come on. I ain’t tryna fuck up my privileges too soon.”
She laughed, grabbed my hand, and pulled me outside behind her. When we stepped outside, the sunlight hit her face and her earrings. She was glowing and happy. This was how I always wanted her to look and feel. Vic pulled his truck up to the curb, and I opened the door to help her inside.
Before she could say anything, I gripped her waist, leaned down, and kissed her, reminding her that I was the same man she fell in love with. The same one who would do anything to see her smile and keep her safe.
I stepped back, watching her chest rise and fall. Her eyes were low and soft as she looked back at me.
“I love you, baby. Ima call you later.”
“I love you, too,” she whispered. “I’ll be at my studio.”
She turned in her seat, then blew me a kiss. If I didn’t close the door, I’d snatch her out and make her leave with me. So, I did. Heart beating fast as hell in my chest. Mind fucked up because she agreed to spend Valentine’s Day with me.
When I got back to my truck, I sat down and ripped open the envelope, thirsty as fuck to see what she gave me.
In the front was a note. I pulled it out and unfolded it slowly.
I want to feel like this again. I love you.
—Bratty Baby
I pulled out the pictures, one by one. The first one was her in an orange bikini. I took this one on the yacht. We were fucked up, drinking all day. The sun was setting behind her. She looked fuckin’ gorgeous.
The second one was another one of just her on her actual birthday. She had on a short green dress. Her back was out, titties sitting up, ass barely covered… but she was with me, so I didn’t trip. That was the day I told her I loved her for the first time.
The last one was us together. It was our last night there. We were at a restaurant having a private dinner. I fucked her right there on the table a few minutes after we took this picture.
I threw my head back on the seat and closed my eyes.
She wanted this back, and so did I. That’s why I was sticking to whatever she said—not pulling up on her when I got tired of the limits she put on our time.
She made me sit in the part I played in betraying her, and I couldn’t do shit but respect it.
I had two weeks to plan a Valentine’s Day she’d never forget. That also meant I had two weeks to make sure I didn’t let my own feelings get in the way of the lesson I needed to learn about how I handled her.