Chapter 3 #2
In all my thirty years, I’d never had a man open or close a car door for me.
I sat back and waited for him to walk around to the passenger side.
When he opened the door, I stepped out and to the side, giving him space to close the door.
He used his key fob to lock the door as we walked toward one of the restaurants.
I didn’t think I was very hungry until the aroma of soul food hit my nose, causing my mouth to water and my stomach to growl.
We both went to the bathroom before being seated in one of the booths, and for the next few minutes, we looked at the menu and ordered our drinks and food when the server arrived.
“Before you tell me the details of your situation, tell me about Malyah,” Kenzo said when the server walked away.
“There’s not a lot to tell. The first ten years of my life, I was raised by a single mother.
I don’t know my biological father, nor do I know anything about him.
My mother married my stepfather when I was eleven.
When I turned eighteen and graduated from high school, life went downhill.
My stepfather wanted me to fuck him in order to continue living under their roof.
I told my mother, and she didn’t believe me, so I moved out.
Things went from bad to worse, and here I am. ”
“Damn. I’m not sure what to say.”
I shrugged. “You don’t have to say anything. It is what it is. My life sucks, and has for quite some time, but I’m used to it.”
He leaned his head to the side and studied me for a moment, but for some reason, it didn’t make me uncomfortable. Our drinks and the salmon bites he ordered as an appetizer arrived, causing him to shift his eyes away from me.
“You don’t want any?” he asked when I didn’t reach for one.
“No. I don’t eat salmon.”
“Have you ever tried it?”
“A few times. The texture is a little weird to me, but I have a salmon dish I make that people have said is to die for.”
“You’ll have to make it for me one day. Try one.” I shook my head. “Please. Try one for me.”
Kenzo had milk chocolate skin, a Caesar cut with waves, perfectly shaped eyebrows, long lashes that hovered over his low, sexy eyes, and smooth lips that looked as if they felt like silk, encased in a full, perfectly lined beard.
Against my will and no effort of my own, I opened my mouth to his awaiting hand, holding a salmon bite in front of me. His thumb and index finger slipped into my mouth with the small bite of food.
When I closed my mouth, I unintentionally licked his fingers, and the unexpected connection sent shockwaves straight to my lady parts. I was so distracted by the contact my mouth made with his fingers, I almost swallowed the bite without chewing.
“You like it, don’t you?” he asked, as his eyes pierced my soul.
I nodded. “It’s good, but once I get past the crunchy batter, I still don’t like the texture.”
“Interesting.”
His gaze was still on me, and I wasn’t sure if he’d blinked in the past few minutes. Thankfully, our food arrived and broke up the sexual tension between us, because I was on the verge of melting.
He blessed the food, and we ate in silence for a few minutes before he spoke.
“Do you talk to your mom?”
“No. I haven’t in several years.”
“She essentially chose him over you, so I understand why it would be hard to maintain your relationship with her.”
“Yeah. I almost called her to ask if I could stay with her for a few days while I figure out my next move, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it.”
“How did this situation come about?” he finally asked.
“I caught my boyfriend in bed with my roommate.”
“Oh, shit.”
“Yeah. We’d been dating for six months and agreed to be exclusive three months ago.”
“That’s fucked up.”
“Very. I packed up what I could and left, but I didn’t have anywhere to go.
Unfortunately, I’d just given her my half of the rent and paid half of my tuition for culinary school.
I had enough money in my account to get a hotel the first night because I needed time to get my head together.
The past two nights, I slept in my car and showered in the locker room at work. You’re aware of my weekend plans.”
“How long did you plan to do this?”
“Until payday on the fifteenth.”
“You got an apartment lined up?” he asked.
“I haven’t found one that I can afford, but my credit is trash, so I probably wouldn’t get approved anyway. Once I get paid, I’ll have enough money to at least stay in a cheaper hotel for a week or two. I interviewed for a part-time cook position at a few restaurants and am waiting to hear back.”
Kenzo listened intently but didn’t say anything for a few minutes after I finished speaking. He looked at me intensely, as if he was using all his brainpower to help me fix everything I’d dumped on him. I nervously ate my food, waiting for him to respond.
“I’ll put you up in a hotel for the weekend and have this figured out for you by Monday,” he finally said.
“Figured out? I don’t need—”
“Don’t fix your mouth to tell that lie. You need help, and I want to help you. Don’t be so proud and stubborn that you block your blessings.”