The smellof her sweetness lingered on my lips. As I rolled my tastebuds across the roof of my mouth, extracting whatever was left of her, my thoughts escaped me.
Honey.
Her pot was overflowing with the sweet thickness. Her hive had been neglected over the years. As her keeper, I made a personal promise to drain her combs and keep her producing the richest, finest honey in all of the land.
So beautiful.
So beautiful.
So beautiful.
I whistled along to the lyrics ofBeautifulas the base from the track filled the whip. My sentiments had been bottled in a chorus. Royce embodied the description effortlessly.
Physically.
Mentally.
Emotionally.
Conflict plagued me. My condominium had become my source of comfort. However, the condo Royce called home while in Berkeley, was closest. Still, the idea of taking her to either was loathsome.
A glance in her direction put my mind at ease. She simplified everything in my world. Exhaustion was slowly defeating her. She was the prettiest when rest was within reach.
The city’s lights danced across her skin. A sly smile spread across her lips as she stared back at me. Her safety was the only thing that reminded me to keep my eyes on the road. I wanted her alive and well to experience her in every fashion.
I squeezed her thigh.
“Mmm.” A groan tumbled from her lips before a yawn disrupted it.
“Almost home, my baby,” I murmured. “Almost home.”
Her exit approached and disappeared. A decision had been made and I’d hardly made it myself. The moment had. Her eyes had. The feel of her fabric underneath my hand had. The night had. It wasn’t my decision to make. Neither was it hers.
Royce didn’t protest. She turned toward me, knees against the center console. Both hands surrounded mine. One wrapped around my wrist. The other never changed position. She held me closely.Tightly. As if I’d vanish.
I’m not going anywhere, Royce. Cross my heart, hope to die.
I continued down the expressway, applying pressure to the gas pedal. My baby was ready for our night to end. And, my baby would get exactly what she wanted. Exactly what she needed.
The gates of my Colonial-style home. The seven bedrooms and nine bathrooms were fit for a large family. I didn’t have one. My plans weren’t to create one either. In addition to the bedrooms and bathrooms, there was a game room, a basketball court, a gym, a theater room, a family room, and a tactical room.
It was in the tactical room where I found most peace. But, as Royce and I walked through the front door, I realized I’d find peace anywhere in my home. As long as she was there.
“The restroom, please,” she announced with urgency.
“This way.”
I rounded the corner and made two rights, showing Royce to the guest restroom right underneath the back staircase. It was the fourth and final set in my home.
“Is there anything in particular you’d like to drink?” I asked as she stepped inside of the restroom.
Already, I was missing her and she hadn’t disappeared behind the door yet.
“Wine. Your finest bottle of red.”
“I’ll have that for you when you come out.”
“Thanks.”
