“I missed you, too.” I grabbed his face and pulled him close. Our noses touched, and I could feel his breath on my face.
The kiss we shared was slow and deep. Coye’s hand rubbed my bare back, making my panties wet.
“Let me get you in the shower,” he said when he finally broke the kiss. He picked me up and placed me on my feet.
I started to take my panties off, but Coye stopped me and did it himself. Once my panties were off, Coye looked up at me. His hand trailed up my thigh until he reached my middle. My clit throbbed, and I wanted him to touch me so bad. I pushed my hips forward a little.
“Not yet,” he said as his finger brushed over my clit.
I crossed my arms over my chest and pouted. The hot water from the shower made the bathroom steamy.
Coye chuckled as he stood up. “Take your shower while I make you some tea.” He tapped my ass and gently pushed me toward the shower.
I sucked my teeth but did what he said. Once I was in the shower, he gathered my clothes, then left the bathroom.
I heard the door close, then I stood underneath the water. It was hot, and it felt so good on my tight muscles. The tears returned as the water fell over my body. I knew I couldn’t let my emotions consume me, but I was entitled to feel what I felt. I lost the first man to ever love me. The man who taught me most of my survival skills. I knew how to change a tire because of my dad. Things wouldn’t be the same anymore, and it made my chest hurt.
I tried to keep my emotions in, but I couldn’t. A loud sob escaped me as I slid to the floor. I covered my mouth because I didn’t want to scare Coye, but it was probably too late. He never came into the bathroom, though, and even though I wanted him to, I was glad he didn’t. I needed that time to myself. Once I got myself together, I washed up and turned the water off.
Coye was on the side of the bed when I came out of the bathroom.
“Hey. You okay?” He stood and pulled me into his arms.
“I will be.” I wasn’t sure when I would be, but I knew each day would eventually get better.
He held me tightly against his chest and rubbed my back.
“I heard you crying, and it was hard for me not to come in there, but I felt like you needed a moment to yourself.”
Coye released me and sat on the side of the bed again, then pulled me onto his lap. He kissed my nose, then my forehead. I only had the towel wrapped around me, but I snuggled against his chest. He had on a T-shirt and sweatpants.
“Thank you. I did need that moment. I feel better now.” I covered my mouth and yawned. “Tired, but better.”
“I’m sure you are. Let’s get you settled so you can relax. I made you some lavender tea.” He placed me on the bed, then stood.
The aroma of the tea filled my nose as I got comfortable in the middle of the bed. Coye lotioned my whole body before helping me put on one of his T-shirts. He told me he had to do a couple of things, but he would come if I needed him.
Before he left the room, he gave me the tea and the remote control. I wasn’t in the mood to watch anything, but I turned the television on for background noise. I settled on a documentary while I sipped my tea. With each sip, I felt my body slowly relaxing.
At some point after finishing the tea, I felt my eyes get heavy, so I placed the mug on the side table, then got under the covers. It didn’t take long for me to fall asleep.
I wasn’t sure how much time had passed when I felt Coye’s arms wrap around me, and he pulled me closer.
“You were whimpering in your sleep.”
I opened my eyes and looked into the darkness of the room.
“I was? I don’t even know what I was dreaming about.”
He ran his hand over my stomach. “Yeah, you were. Are you hungry?”
“Not really.” I nibbled on some food at the church, but my stomach was still in knots.
I turned over and faced Coye. The light from the moon flowed through the curtains, so I was able to see him a little bit.
“Thank you. Not just for today, but for being patient with me,” I said as I traced his cheekbones with my finger.
“I knew you would find your way back to me, but you had to deal with real shit. I want to apologize for trying to make you tell Jordan before you were ready to.”
