Lord, let me get out of this man’s house before I ask him for a clothes-free sleepover.
A flash of the first night Zakai and I met enters my mind, reminding me of the safety and comfort I felt while lying in his arms.
“I hate to cut our night short, but I need to get home,” I say, forcing a yawn that I don’t feel.
“Aw, man. I’m not ready for you to leave, but I understand.”
“How about we have lunch on Monday?” The question tumbles from my mouth before I can stop it.
The truth is, I’m not ready to leave Zakai either, but with the thumping happening in my core and juices flowing, it’s probably a good idea. Nevertheless, I don’t want too many days to pass before we see each other again, as I enjoy spending time with Zakai.
“Let’s do it.”
“Perfect. I’ll call you when I get home, and then we can finalize the details. I’m not sure what my day will look like and need to look at my work planner before setting an official time.”
“Sounds good. Can I kiss you before you leave?”
Ever the gentleman. Never has a man asked for permission to provide something so simple.
Wordlessly, I nod in response, and my heart rate increases when Zakai moves closer, his eyes peering into me, showcasing passion and determination. A vaguely sensuous spark passes between us, and the prolonging anticipation is almost unbearable. My breath hitches when Zakai’s large hand takesmy face and holds it gently. His touch is hypnotizing, and I momentarily forget to breathe or think when our eyes connect.
“Are you sure you’re good with this?” Zakai’s words are low, and all I can do is nod, because my words get lost in the verbal translation. “Then breathe, Ziya.”
I have been kissed many times, so I’m not sure why I’m reacting in this manner. But my eyes close when Zakai’s mouth moves closer to mine. The moment our lips touch, my calm is shattered by the hunger of his slow and thoughtful kiss.
“Mm.” The moan slips from the smallest space in my mouth, which gives Zakai clearance to add his tongue to the mix.
Gotdamn! The softness of Zakai’s lips and the perfect stroking of his tongue have me slightly dizzy. Within minutes, Zakai’s tongue sends shivers of desire and longing racing through me. I lean into the kiss, and my hands fight for somewhere to land as they grip Zakai’s shirt tightly. My legs wobble, and my eyes flutter as I do my best to stay in the moment. Zakai’s tongue wrestles with mine in a hypnotizing yet demanding way, like he’s trying to savor and catalog this moment. The dizziness within me causes my mind to cloud because I have never been kissed with this much attention to detail and passion.
“Now you can leave,” Zakai says huskily after releasing me from the confines of his powerful and expert kiss.
Time stands still as I try my darndest to return to Earth while coaching my legs to become normal so I can walk out the door.
“Th-thank you.” My brain is too foggy to register anything else to say as I turn and shakily unlock the door before exiting the house without a backward glance.
It takes me several seconds to get my barriers once in my car to pull out of Zakai’s driveway. Once I’m in motion, I grab my phone and dial Jandra’s number, desperate to discuss tonight with someone who will allow me to gush without reservation.
“Hey, boo,” Jandra greets when the call connects after the third ring.
“Have you ever had a kiss so good you wanted to ascend to Heaven long enough to dap up every member of the heavenly choir and the angels in charge of overseeing your life?”
“Hold on a second,” Jandra says, before her phone shuffles and her low voice speaks to whoever I’m assuming is her husband, as her background noise changes, indicating that she’s on the move. “Okay, we can talk freely now. What’s the tea, bitch? A man who has you thinking about leaving your body even for a millisecond is someone I need to meet.”
I take a minute to catch Jandra up on my budding situation with Zakai, including tonight’s events. I’m in a perpetual state of euphoria that has me singing Zakai’s praises like a parrot with an endless vocabulary.
“Well, damn. The last time I was kissed like that, I married the joker whose lips had me seeing stars. So, what’s next now that you know what his lips are capable of?”
“A lunch date. I want to spend more time with him. I didn’t expect to be smitten with another man so soon after getting out of a complicated relationship.”
“Don’t entertain that thought. Sometimes God has to move a zero so we can find our hero. Don’t overthink or analyze anything about what’s happening. Simply let whatever is going on take its natural course.”
Sighing, I release the air gathering in my lungs as my body settles for the first time since leaving Zakai’s presence. Jandra has a valid point, and I’m going to take her advice to heart.
“You’re right. I’m going to see where things go and enjoy the ride. I have a feeling Zakai is someone whose authenticity will speak for the caliber of man he is.”
“Mhm. But if not, you know Auntie Em is ready with either anointing oil or a round of bullets for his ass.” Jandra laughs,and I join in because that’s a fact my best friend and I know all too well.
“You already know. But this time might be different than the last. Nevertheless, I’m going in with an open mind and no expectations for what should or will happen. I think that was the problem the last time. I expected K—that man to be my forever without taking the time to go through the proper steps of courtship. This time, if Zakai asks for more, I’m going to enjoy the thrills and frills of getting to know him without limitations.”
