“I-I-n-need-my purse.” I stutter as my mind spins, and I struggle to keep it together and not give in to my body’s plea to ask for a sexual detour.
I pull away from Zakai while I can and quickly walk to my bedroom, where I left my purse. Thankfully, I had already made the switch from the black purse I frequent to the navy one that matches my attire for the night. The moment I’m out of his presence, I'm able to get myself together so we can continue with the plans he has for the evening.
“Alright, you ready?” Zakai asks when I return to the living room where he’s waiting in the same spot I left him.
“Yes.” My stomach growls, and my eyes stretch in horror as Zakai chuckles.
“I guess it’s a good thing that food is the first thing on our agenda, huh?”
A flush creeps across my cheeks that prevents me from replying as Zakai opens the door before taking my keys to lock it as he leads me down the steps toward his vehicle. I stand back when Zakai hits the button to unlock the doors and pulls open the passenger one while he waits for me to get in. My heartbeat increases as he leans in and secures my seat belt before he closes the door and walks to his side.
Damn. Zakai is setting a standard for care I haven’t experienced before since I started dating in my teens.
His simple actions fill me with pure, unadulterated joy because they make me smile uncontrollably. I try to contain my glee when Zakai gets in and pulls out of the spot, but it’s damn near impossible.
“So, how’s your day been, Ziya?”
Other than the mental struggle and level of self-loathing, I reckon it’s been okay.
My thoughts speak before I can, and I shrug before I choose to say something that won’t bring Zakai pause.
“It’s going okay. How’s my little buddy? Who’s she with this evening?”
The change in subject is necessary so I can focus on the date and not my earlier thoughts. A chuckle from Zakai has me shifting in the seat, so I’m able to look at him as my body tingles.
Mm. Fine ass.
“I should have known we wouldn’t get through the night without you bringing up Kiki’s little ass. But she’s good and hanging with her grandparents for the evening.”
I smirk, unable to deny or refute his statement because I’m just as smitten with his daughter as I am with him. I make no apologies for it either.
“I can’t help that her aura has me unable to forget her. But don’t worry, her daddy has me unable to go too long without thinking about him either.”
“Good, because the feeling is mutual.”
Comfortable silence enters the interior as the music provides background filler as Zakai drives us to our destination. When we pull into a parking spot in one of the downtown lots fifteen minutes later, my brows hike slightly.
“Where are we going?”
“Hold tight,” Zakai tells me before exiting the vehicle and moves to my side to assist me out with ease. “To answer your question, there’s a food truck festival happening down here that I figured we could patronize.”
“Ooh, so we’re gonna do a food truck hop. I like it. I’ve wanted to explore this festival and haven’t gotten a chance to do so.” I nod in appreciation as Zakai interlocks our hands before we head in the direction of our destination.
In no time, Zakai and I enter the area, where an abundance of trucks come into view, with people milling about. An array of scents fills my nostrils as my stomach growls again.
“Which truck do you want to hit up first, Ziya?”
My eyes bounce around the area as I take in the options available to me. My stomach churns out several things, and I nodwithout uttering a word. I try to settle on something I can sink my teeth into first.
“Um. I’m torn, but how about that one?” I point to the truck that offers loaded baked potatoes.
Zakai nods wordlessly before we head to Stuffin’ Spuds, and I take a minute to peruse the menu for the ways I can get my potato.
“Good evening. What can I get for you two?” a woman with blonde hair with red highlights asks when we stop in front of the truck.
Zakai’s dark eyes shift to me, and I fight the tingle in my core at the soft expression he gives me when he nods for me to take the lead in ordering.
“I’ll take one of your BSpudN, please.” The baked potato with brisket piques my interest as my mouth waters.
