After drying my body, I wrapped it around my waist and headed into my bedroom. I grabbed a pair of boxers, shorts, and a t-shirt and tossed them on the bed. I didn’t want to keep Alayah waiting, so I made haste in moisturizing my skin. I took my skin care seriously as a man. No woman could ever say I was ashy, smelled, or had crusty ass feet.
Once I was dressed, I headed back to the kitchen to find that Alayah had set the table for us. She sat waiting patiently for me to join her. The spread she prepared looked and smelled amazing. I remembered watching her cook dinner for her sisters. She’d always find ways to make the food appealing to them, like making mashed potato mountains with broccoli trees and gravy rivers.
I remembered thinking she would make a great mother one day. The thought crossed my mind whether she even wanted children now. The image of a little mini us ran through my mind briefly. I could see a beautiful little girl with freckles and a head full of curls who looked just like her. Then I saw a little boy with every bit of my likeness.
It made me smile.
I joined Alayah at the table and reached for her hands to bless the food. Once I was done, we dug in. The pork chop was so tender and flavorful. The mashed potatoes were creamy, and the broccoli was cooked just right.
“You put your foot in this,” I said, swallowing.
“Thank you. It’s just a little something. I wanted to be useful. You won’t let me pay you.”
“Alayah, you don’t have to be useful. While you’re here, this is your home. I want you to be comfortable. Don’t feel like you have to make homecooked meals all the time, even though I could get used to this,” I added with a chuckle.
“I’ll try to remember that this is home.” She giggled softly. “I bet you didn’t think we’d end up here from a study session.”
“I didn’t. But the best things are unexpected.”
She smiled. “They are.”
Our gazes locked for a moment. She chewed slowly as she watched me.
“Something on your mind?” I asked.
“A lot is on my mind.”
“Like?”
She shook her head. “I’d rather not say.”
I decided not to press her. We continued to eat, mostly in silence. When we were done, I helped her clear the table and do the dishes before she retreated to her room to shower. I settled on the couch in the dark to watch a little TV before I went to lay down for the night. It wasn’t long before I heard the sounds of Alayah’s feet on the hardwood floor.
Looking over my shoulder, my eyes widened as she came around the corner in a short pajama set. My mouth watered at the sight of those thick, luscious thighs on full display. She rounded the couch, and my eyes drifted to the plump roundness of her ass.
Shit!
She took a seat on the other end of the couch and tucked her feet under her. I flipped through the channels until I came uponThe Best Man.
“I love this one,” she said faintly.
“You know they made a limited series after the second one.”
“They did? I’ll have to catch up.”
“Maybe after your movie date with Ellie, we can have a movie date of our own.”
She smiled. “I’d like that.”
“I have this projector and a screen I set up for her in the backyard from time to time. She loves watching movies on it.”
“I love how thoughtful you are with her. You’re gonna make a great dad one day.”
“I hope so. I mean, my dad is pretty great, so I have some big shoes to fill.”
“How many kids do you want?”
“Maybe two—a boy and a girl. Honestly, I just want them to be healthy. I’ll love whatever I get.” I looked over at her. “Do you want kids? You ever thought about that, considering…you know?”
