Chapter 10 #2
“And I’m willing to bet you’ve been dreaming about touching me again since I exploded in your hand, and let’s not forget all that pouting you did when I said you weren’t ready for the dick. I dare you to tell me I’m lying.”
She smacked her lips and said, “Whatever. Ain’t nobody thinking about you, Kenzo.”
“We’ll see about that. Regardless of all that, I want to do everything normal married couples do, and it starts with you changing your mindset before we say I do.”
“Kenzo, we barely know each other. Usually, when people get married, they’re in love. That’s not us.”
“Not yet, but you know what’s just as important as loving and being in love with your partner?”
“What?”
“Liking them, and I’ve told you several times that I like you a lot, Malyah.
I’ve never liked a woman so much that she appears in my dreams. I don’t want to sound crass or conceited, but I could’ve asked anyone to marry me, and honestly, they would’ve jumped at the chance.
I chose you because my gut tells me you’re very special, your spirit is genuine, and your heart is pure. ”
Our eyes locked, and I assumed her brief silence meant she was thinking about what I’d said.
“I like you, too, Kenzo, so I’m down to treat this like a friends with benefits situation, meaning no feelings can be involved. I can’t risk falling in love with you, and you turn out to be an asshole. It wouldn’t end well because I’d do everything in my power to make you regret it.”
I raised my brow at her threat, but she didn’t back down from my gaze. The server brought our drinks and appetizers, and I waited until he left before I responded.
“I’m not perfect, and I’m sure I’ll make mistakes.”
“We both will, but if we keep our feelings out of this, the mistakes we make won’t feel so bad.
I also won’t put up with any mental, physical, or emotional abuse, and even though we’re technically just friends, don’t cheat on me or just be downright disrespectful.
The public doesn’t know about our agreement, so I can’t have you out here making a fool of me. ”
“I don’t subscribe to any type of abuse, but I’ve been known to entertain multiple women at once.”
“Are you prepared to end those relationships for the duration of our marriage?” she asked.
“I haven’t been in a committed relationship since my early twenties, but I’m willing to try.”
“You better do more than try. If I—”
“Kenzo? I thought that was you.”
We looked up at the person who had interrupted our conversation.
“Callie, what’s up?” I asked, trying to keep my voice level.
“Not too much. Who’s your friend?”
“This is Malyah. Malyah, this is Callie.”
Callie briefly looked at Malyah with an unwelcoming expression, then returned her attention to me.
“Kenzo, I’ve been calling and texting you. Why aren’t you answering or responding to me?”
I looked at Malyah, who looked very uncomfortable, and . . . if I wasn’t mistaken, there was a hint of jealousy in her eyes.
“I’ve been busy,” was all I said in response to Callie, with my eyes still on Malyah.
“Too busy for me and all of this? That’s unusual.”
Callie put one hand on her hip and used the other to wave over her body in an exaggerated manner as she spoke.
“Callie—”
“Would you mind leaving me and my fiancé alone? We’re trying to enjoy our dinner,” Malyah interjected politely, holding her left hand in the air and moving her ring finger around so that Callie would see it.
“Fiancé? He’s your fiancé?”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you were hard of hearing. Is your hair covering your hearing aid?”
“What? I don’t have a hearing aid, but—”
“Then maybe you should go home and clean out your ears. My fiancé and I are trying to enjoy our dinner. Get the fuck on.”
“Kenzo, you’re letting her talk to me like that?” Callie questioned, obviously stunned by Malyah’s words.
I hadn’t taken my eyes off my fiancée since she interrupted me. Nothing about this moment was funny, but the corner of my lips hinted at a smile when Malyah’s eyes caught mine.
“You heard what my fiancée said. Have a good night,” I told Callie while still focused on my soon-to-be wife.
“Are you kidding me? Since when are you engaged? We were just together last—”
“And that was the last time. Leave now and lose his number,” Malyah said.
Callie didn’t move at first, but when neither Malyah nor I addressed her again, she rushed away. As soon as Callie disappeared, Malyah said, “Was she one of your jump-offs?”
I chuckled before responding with, “Something like that.”
I considered Callie more than a jump-off, but Malyah didn’t need to know that.
“Why didn’t you ask her to marry you?”
“Because I don’t like her enough to spend more than a few hours with her at a time, let alone the rest of my life.”
“Should I get used to random women approaching you about not returning their calls and texts?”
She was bothered by what had just occurred, so I moved our appetizer to the side and reached for her hands.
“I thought we weren’t involving our feelings.”
“My feelings aren’t involved, but I’d like to know if I should be prepared for this to happen every time we go out.”
“I can’t guarantee you that women from my past won’t approach us, but you don’t have to worry about me cheating.”
“Can we put that in the contract?”
“You don’t trust me?”
“I don’t know you well enough to trust you, and considering what happened in my last relationship, knowing someone doesn’t seem to hold a lot of weight either.”
“If you can’t take my word—”
“It’s not about taking your word. I’ve only known you for a few days, and we’re about to get married. I don’t know what I’m getting myself into, and I need to make sure I’m protected. If you cheat on me, I want another hundred grand.”
“I’ll give you five hundred grand if I cheat. Does that make you feel more secure?” I asked.
“Five hun—Yes, that makes me feel more secure. Thank you.”
We’d barely touched our appetizer because of our conversation and uninvited guest. The server arrived with our meals, asked if there was anything else we needed, and, since the answer was no, he left, promising to check back shortly.
The rest of our meal went smoothly with no more interruptions. Once we were finished, I drove her to the hotel and walked her to her room. The more time I spent with Malyah, the harder it was for me to leave when it was time for us to part ways.
My dick had been semi-hard since she told Callie to get the fuck on, and I wanted nothing more than to release all the pent-up sexual energy I had on Malyah, but I still didn’t think she was ready.
“Since I left my car at work, I guess you’ll be here at five to pick me up,” she said as she leaned against the door, looking up at me.
“I guess so.”
My eyes zeroed in on her lips, and I licked mine in anticipation of connecting them with hers. We’d only kissed a few times, but kissing her had quickly become one of my favorite things.
To my surprise, her hands went behind my neck, and our lips were connected seconds later. We made out like we were in the privacy of her room, but we were still in the hallway. Whoever was working the cameras would get an eyeful today.
When she pulled away, I wanted more, but I took a moment to catch my breath. My eyes searched hers, trying to figure out what was next. A part of me wanted her to invite me in, but a part of me that I didn’t know existed didn’t want to take things too far tonight.
“Do you want to come in?” she whispered.
“I do, but I don’t think I should.”
“Why not?”
“Because if I do, I’m going to bury my face and dick between your thighs until the sun comes up, and neither of us will make it to work tomorrow.”
“I have self-control.”
“I guess I don’t. I’ll be here at five.”
I kissed her forehead and left her standing in front of her door. When I didn’t hear the door to her room open and close, I stopped and turned around to find her watching me.
“Go inside,” I told her.
She hesitated briefly before finally taking her pretty ass into her room. In four days, she’d be my wife, and I planned to turn her every which way but loose.