Chapter 29
Alayah
I smiled as I watched Ellie and Parker sing along to the movie like they hadn’t seen it a million times. I didn’t see the comparison of me to Moana, but I guess it could be the hair and our similar complexations. Either way, I was flattered they thought I looked like a Disney princess.
Currently, they were perched on my sisters’ laps.
They’d both quickly taken to Adrienne and Amiyah.
I guess it was that fascination with teenaged girls.
When we first settled into the den, they were playing in my sisters’ hair and tracing their freckles, trying to figure out how to get some of their own.
Watching them made me wonder how Adrienne and Amiyah would be if I ever had kids.
Miyah for sure would be the pushover auntie.
I could see her never saying no and letting them run amuck.
Adrienne would be the cool aunt, the one they could call if they were ever in trouble and didn’t want me to know.
“Looks like our girls made friends,” Kyah said to Bridget.
Bridget laughed. “When have you ever known Ellie not to make a friend? Alayah has been her friend in her head since she met her.”
I giggled. “She’s a sweetheart.”
“She can be a little sour patch at times. Are you prepared for sleepovers? You see she has a whole bedroom here.”
“I did see that when he gave me a tour of the house. And yes, I’m prepared. I’ll do my best to keep her entertained.”
“So, Alayah,” Kyah said, sipping her mocktail, “you went to school with my husband and Killian. Was he really a ho back then?”
I covered my mouth to stifle my laugh. “He, uh…he was very friendly with the ladies. I don’t remember him ever not having a girlfriend. When Killian told me he got married, I was shocked. What did you do to that man?”
Kyah smirked. “I let him know I was the best thing to happen to him and he’d never get another me. He fell in line when he saw I wasn’t down for playing games. Trust me, honey, if a man wants to, he will.”
“Oh, she knows that,” Bridget chimed in. “I’ve never seen my little brother like this. I mean he was never for the streets. He’s always been respectful and loving, but girl, him with you. No questions asked, he just does it.”
I blushed. “Killian is a wonderful man. I was lucky to have him as a friend and even luckier that our friendship blossomed into a love I never imagined.”
“Wait! So he’s told you he loves you?” Bridget asked.
I nodded. “He has, and I love him, too. I don’t think there was any way I couldn’t love him. He’s been so kind and patient with me—so supportive and understanding. I feel so much peace with this man.”
They looked at each other with their bottom lips poked out.
“I love that for you, babes,” Bridget said. “My brother is a good man. I know you two will be happy. Hopefully, I can get some nieces and nephews out of the deal. I’m ready to return the spoiling he’s done to my child. Just know when you say no, TiTi Bridget is gonna say yes.”
I rolled my eyes. “Well, TiTi, your brother and I would have to be doing something for you to get nieces and nephews.”
“Wait,” she whispered. “Y’all haven’t…you know?”
“We haven’t taken it that far. Between y’all and me, I’m dying to know what it’s like with him.
I’m just…I’m afraid. We’ve done things. He’s given me control over my desires and asks for my consent, but taking it all the way?
I’m afraid I’m just gonna lay there or my mind will revert back to the trauma. ”
Kyah’s brows furrowed. “Trauma? Were you assaulted?”
“Kadeem didn’t tell you?”
“Tell me what?”
“I um…I spent ten years in prison for offing the man that raped and molested me for three years.”
“What? Oh my God!”
I quietly gave her a summary of my history. As I spoke, tears filled her pretty brown eyes.
She reached out and grabbed my hand. “How are you surviving right now, honey?”
“My family and that man outside. If it weren’t for them and my lawyer fighting to get me out, I’d be spending another twenty years behind bars.”
“That is asinine. Thirty years for getting rid of trash? And your mama? I’m pregnant, but I have some homegirls for her. You just say the word.”
I shook my head. “She’s not worth it. Karma will take care of her.”
She kissed her teeth. “Karma can always use a little help. Don’t let the cute face fool you. I used to get down with the best of them, and I still have friends in the gutter. I’m talking brass knuckles, razor in the mouth carrying gutter.”
Bridget slapped her arm. “Kyah, you’re gonna scare the girl.”
I giggled. “Trust me, I’ve seen a lot on the inside. There isn’t much that scares me. It’s just the mental aspects that still get to me from time to time. I don’t want to be in the middle of something intimate and have a panic attack.”
“Does he talk you through it?” Kyah asked lowly.
“Talk me through it?”
“Through the process, your orgasm.”
“I don’t think I want to know that,” Bridget said, grinning. “That’s my little brother.”
Kyah rolled her eyes. “You know that man has been out here slanging penis before, Bridget.” She looked to me for confirmation. “Well?”
“He does.”
“Then you’ll be fine, girl. A man who talks you through it take cues from your body.
They listen and pay attention. Sex with them isn’t just for their pleasure.
It’s for yours, too. Whatever negative headspace you find yourself in, he’ll bring you out of it.
You just have to trust him. Given that you’ve already trusted him with your…
you know. I’d say you have nothing to worry about.
If you’re ready, initiate and let him take the lead. Only if you’re ready.”
I nodded as I thought about what she said.
Was I ready? Really ready? The last couple days of exploring with him had been wonderful.
It was a shame at my big age that I was just learning my body.
Sex and lovemaking were supposed to be beautiful and exhilarating, yet for so long, I associated them with pain and displeasure.
It was traumatizing and dehumanizing for me.
I didn’t get the chance to give my virginity to someone worthy.
I didn’t get to save myself for my husband or my first love.
Maybe being intimate with Killian would give me part of what was stolen back.
I mean, I knew it wouldn’t make me a born-again virgin, but at least he could possibly turn something so ugly into something… magical.
The gathering had been well under way for a few hours now, and I had to say that I was enjoying myself.
By the time the movie went off, everybody was ready to eat.
We migrated outside to eat and enjoy one another’s company.
The sun had set, and Killian lit the tiki torches around the outdoor entertainment space.
While Adrienne and Amiyah entertained Ellie and Parker, the rest of us sat around talking and enjoying mocktails and beer.
I sat next to Killian, leaning into him as he draped an arm around my shoulders.
Every so often, he leaned in and kissed my temple or my cheek, and I would blush uncontrollably.
I couldn’t tell if this was just him or if it was the beer he’d consumed, but I was loving the affection.
“You two look absolutely happy together,” Mrs. Lake noted with a smile.
“My girl has been blushing all night,” Bridget added. “Then there’s Killian, smiling like a fool. Just look at him.”
“You are my biggest hater, you know that?” Killian said. “You and Kadeem.”
Kadeem scoffed. “Why are you bringing me into this? I ain’t even said nothing.”
“You were thinking it.”
“Oh, so you read minds now? You fell in love, and it gave you superpowers or something?”
Everybody laughed.
“No superpowers. I just know you,” Killian answered. “Baby, you should have heard the way these men were on me earlier.”
“We didn’t say anything that wasn’t true,” Mr. Lake said. He looked down at his watch. “I think we better be heading on out. It’s past our bedtime.”
Most everyone agreed with him that it was time to go. We started moving to clean up and take things inside. Once the to-go plates were packed and all of the food was put in the fridge, everyone hugged us goodbye then made their way to their cars. Killian and I stood on the porch watching them.
He dropped his arm around my shoulders, and I wrapped mine around his waist. Once the last car had driven off into the distance, we headed back inside to lock up the house then made our way to his bedroom.
As I watched him undress to get in the shower, my thoughts drifted back to earlier.
I was so busy admiring his body, that I didn’t realize he was staring at me.
“My eyes are up here, love,” he jested.
My face reddened at being caught. “Sorry. I got distracted.”
“Are you joining me in the shower this time?”
I slowly nodded and began to undress as he headed into the bathroom.
Once I was fully disrobed, I followed him.
He was already in the shower, standing under the waterfall.
Again, I admired him. I loved every flex of his muscles.
The cute little dimples of his ass. The tattoos etched into his skin. I found him simply breathtaking.
My gaze dropped to the appendage hanging heavily between his legs.
His long, thick, and veiny member was a perfect work of art.
Although I didn’t have much to compare it to, his dick was the prettiest thing I’d ever seen.
I thoroughly enjoyed stroking him to a release just a few hours ago.
Looking at it now, it had me concluding that I wanted more.
His mouth was amazing, and his fingers were magical, but that third leg was something to sing about.