“We’re building a conversational foundation.” Shrugging, Zakai rests his arm over the back of the couch and crosses his left leg over his right, looking even more sexy than before.
For countless seconds, all I can do is stare at Zakai while wondering where he’s been hiding all my life, or if he dropped down from the long line in Heaven, or whatever Denzel said in that movie about angels.
“So, tell me about Zakai,” I say after an unknown time while disconnecting my eyes from him to look at my feet to take off my heels.
“Let’s see. Lasagna is my favorite food, and most people struggle to make a good one. I’m partial because my grandmother made the best lasagna, and I haven’t had any asgood as hers since she passed away. I enjoy relaxing, and all that means is that when I’m not at work, I love being at home.”
“Lasagna, huh? You don’t look like the type of man who plays it safe at home, especially since you’re in this room occupying me and my thoughts.”
“What do you have against lasagna, Ms. Avocado Toast?”
Giggles escape my mouth when his words register, and his lip curls like he’s either offended or disgusted. A yawn cuts off my humor as fatigue enters my body from either the effects of the alcohol I’ve consumed or the events of the evening.
“Take your shoes off and scoot closer,” Zakai says and taps his shoulder, causing me to bite my bottom lip before I shrug and do as he suggests.
The minute my head hits his shoulder, a feeling of safety, security, and comfort surges through my body like an electric blanket. Without permission, another yawn escapes my mouth, and I close my eyes, trying to internally shake off the sleepiness warring with my desire to continue talking.
“You’re a mystery that I’m hoping I’ll have the opportunity to figure out in time. You’re a priceless piece of silver that only a capable man such as myself is capable of refining with fire. You’re . . .” Zakai’s words start trailing off when my mind relaxes as my brain shuts down, and I succumb to the sleep pulling me into dreamland.
The Next Morning. . .
Turning slightly, I look over my shoulder as I get further away from the door where Caziya is, and a pain radiates across my chest, causing an instant frown. I have never spent the night with a woman where the only thing we did was converse. Caziya’s situation warranted me to be on my best behavior while pleading with my dick to cooperate. Caziya is a beautiful woman, and having to bear witness to the smooth thickness of her bare thighs in the scrap of material covering her body was sheer torture. When she didn’t respond or even make a noise in response to my last declaration, I knew I had lost her to sleep. Instead of carrying her to bed and leaving the room like a responsible person, I carried her to the bed and got in with her.
Spooning while fully dressed sans shoes is a new level of intimacy I didn’t see coming. I had to force myself to be still and not grind against Caziya’s tantalizing ass perfectly resting against my dick. At that point, all I could do was pray that sleep found me quickly because I had lost the battle of keeping my dick at bay. Waking up this morning with my arm comfortably wrapped around Caziya’s body as light snores escaped her lips had been amazing. The drawback is that I have to rush out of the hotel to head home and get ready for the day, then to my parents’ to pick up Zakiyah. Nodding at the waving front desk attendant, I exit the hotel with my urgent steps eating up the pavement as I head toward the parking lot where my vehicle is parked.
“Damn. I should have left my number or something. I’m slipping,” I say, shaking my head when I get in my vehicle and pull out of the spot a few minutes later.
Talking and teasing with Caziya had been a good time, and it was the most platonic thing I’ve done with the opposite sex in years. Getting her mind off the goofy who mishandled her heart was my goal, and knowing that I was able to provide her with enough comfort to fall asleep on me was the biggest flex I’ve had to date. My phone rings through the speakers, and a smile forms upon seeing Ma’s number on my display. “Good morning, Diva.”
Naomi Tillman is the woman whose strength, dedication to her husband and children, and ability to make parenting look effortless are qualities I pray the woman I marry will possess. Becoming a single father never became difficult, because Ma walks through the fire with me, ensuring that both Zakiyah and I are good. Her presence and strength during this phase of my life keep me moving and help me stay the course.
“I was just checking to make sure that everything is okay. You’re normally here and gone, picking up my angel.”
Other than feeling like I should turn around and return to the bed I left, everything is peachy.
“Zakai!” Mom shouts, sounding like she’s speaking through a megaphone at the loudest of my vehicle’s volume.
“My bad, Ma. Everything is cool. I lost track of time. Give me an hour to run home to shit, shower, and shave, then I’ll be on my way. Can you feed and?—”
“Zakai Elijah, I’ve been helping with my grandbaby from the beginning, and some might say I did a decent job raising your butt. I don’t need instructions on what to do. Zakiyah will be ready whenever you get here.” Without waiting for a response, Ma disconnects the call, and a smirk upturns my lips.
Cranking my radio, I eat up the miles from the hotel to my house while alternating between enjoying the music of the popular and famous radio host who took over for the Fly Jock. Pulling into my garage twenty minutes later, I quickly park and exit my vehicle before jogging to the attached door leading into the house. My jogging doesn’t slow as I mechanically go through the process of disarming my alarm and heading to the second floor before shedding my clothes the minute I walk into my bedroom. When a slight whiff of Caziya’s perfume invades my nostrils, I pause before tossing my dress shirt on the ottoman in front of my California king bed. I’m unsure of what fragrance Caziya wore last night, but damn if I don’t want to buy several bottles to spray on my sheets.
“Damn. I was slipping and missed an opportunity of a lifetime with that woman. Alright, Big Homie, if you give me another chance, I promise I won’t waste it.” Taking another whiff of my garment, I drop it on the ottoman and proceed to the bathroom after quickly discarding the garments covering my lower half.
With thoughts of Caziya on my mind, it took me no time to shower and complete my morning routine before leaving the house. Within thirty minutes, I am entering my parents’ house.
“Daddy!” Kiki screams while jumping up and down when I enter the living room where she and Dad are.
Hearing Kiki’s excitement upon seeing me has my chest expanding and my heart thumping like a bass drum. This is the part of fatherhood that will never get old. It’s always one of the things that I treasure the most because seeing the glee on my daughter’s face just from seeing my face will always be priceless.
“Hey, Kiki. Did you miss me?” Picking her up, I kiss all over her little face as she giggles heartily.
“No, Daddy.” Zakiyah shakes her head while trying to prevent me from kissing her anymore.
My heart beats harder, and my chest warms as I nuzzle my baby’s neck, feeling an instant dose of belonging that I’ve been experiencing since coming to the realization that Zakiyah is my daughter. Fatherhood isn’t always easy, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world. It’s the flex I never thought I would appreciate before learning of Kiki’s existence.
“Stawppp, Daddyyy.” Kiki whines, pushing my head and causing me to laugh before the sound of Ma’s voice forces me to lift my head.
