“It’s been four years since I’ve let a man touch me like that, and that’s not even a fair statement because I’ve never been touched like that,” Ellie admitted as Loyal guided her into the shower.
He turned on the shower, and four shower heads turned on.
“Cuz that lame-ass nigga don’t know how to handle you,” Loyal spat.“It’sa fucking shame that pussy been going to waste.”
She blushed as he pulled her close, grabbing a loofah and lathering it before taking it to her body.
“You don’t belong to him no more, Elliot. Hear me clearly,” Loyal stated.“I will put your baby daddy in a grave if he ever disrespects what’s mine again.”
“You just claiming I’m yours, huh?” she asked playfully.
He pinched her chin and lifted her gaze to his.“It’sa courtesy warning,” Loyal stated.“You’re mine, E. Be mine, baby.”
Her heart shouldn’t even be capable of beating so fast. He had her in a whirlwind.
“What if…”
“Fuck the what ifs,” he interrupted.“We only fucking with what is. So don’t get on your bullshit.”
“But what is it?” she asked, genuinely confused.“Because all of this is sudden, but you make me forget everything I’ve been through before you. Love has never felt like this for me, Loyal. It was never this good,never this flattering, never this fun, this safe.” She was panicking. She felt it, trying to put rationale to her emotions.“Sex was never this good. Laughter never this joyful. His arms were never this safe. This can’t be real after a few days. It feels like I’ve known you forever.”
“Maybe you have, E,” Loyal stated.“These bodies are just a version of us in this lifetime. What if the one before this, you were my wife? Or the one before that, you were a queen, and I was your soldier? Or the one before that, we were on a plantation making shit work the best we could while finding freedom in each other? My soul knows you. I don’t know how, but Iain’t questioning it either. I know that I love you, and that I’m supposed to have you, so I’ma have you. It’s us or nothing,” he answered. She nodded, heart fluttering, stomach hollowing, and soul crying.“In every lifetime, I’ma find you.”
“In every lifetime,” she whispered. She prayed she wasn’t making the biggest mistake of her life because the way Loyal made her feel, if they ended, she would never bounce back the same.
Chapter 15
December 22nd
Courtney closed the laptop and wiped her tears as she finished her first counseling session. She had never even considered going to therapy before, and she had been intimidated to go. She thought it would be strange to divulge the things she was ashamed of to a stranger, but oddly, it was a release that freed her from suffering alone. It was the safest she had felt in a long time, and knowing that the woman would never share her secrets with anyone gave her the confidence to speak up on things she had silenced for years.
It was the best gift she had ever received, and she had Sloan to thank for that. Ten thousand dollars, and a year of paid therapy was her Christmas present from Sloan. It was better than anything she could have unwrapped.
“Court! You have a delivery!” Shy shouted.
Courtney dapped her eyes and replied,“Coming!”
She made her way out to the living room, where Shy was sitting with baby Christian. She motioned toward the bouquet of flowers, and the white gift box that sat on the kitchen island.
“I’llcome take him. Thanks for watching him while I took my appointment,” Courtney stated.
“Girl, he’s fine. He’s not bothering nobody. Auntie Shy got to get her time in,” Shy cooed as she covered him with kisses.
Courtney really did have a tribe of women around her who loved her. They didn’t count favors, and she appreciated them beyond words.“You need rest. Go do nothing, Court. But first, let’s see who sent them fucking flowers.”
Courtney plucked the card from the bouquet.“It’s from James,” Courtney said. She was a little shook. All they had done was argue and text battle.“He asked me out on a date. He wants to take me to the company Christmas party at his job.”
“Didn’t you say he was beinghella shitty about you leaving?” Shy asked.
“Yeah, it’s been bad,” Courtney stated.
“I promise you that nigga bipolar,”Shy said.“The flowers are beautiful, though. What’s in the box?”
Courtney opened the box and pulled out a Macy’s garment bag. She held it up, unzipping it to reveal a black cocktail dress.
“It’sa pretty dress,” Shy said casually.“I’m more of a Neiman’s and Saks girl myself, but he gets an A for effort. Are you going?”
“I don’t know, maybe I should. I mean, he’s trying,” Courtney said.“It’sa nice gesture.”
