“My bad, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean any harm.”
I realized that he was probably sensitive about something that most people considered love taps, but with his father’shistory, things took on a different meaning for him. I couldn’t blame him, though, and I respected how he felt.
“I know you didn’t, but you hit like a nigga.”
I laughed and rolled my eyes at him. “You’re doing too much tonight, Naijhel. Just because you pampered a girl doesn’t mean that you get to clown on her.”
“Del, I haven’t even gotten started.”
“Thank you for the gifts today. I don’t know if I have thanked you yet or not; it feels like I have.”
“You’ve said it a million times.”
“Because those were very thoughtful gifts. You actually listened to me, and you got what I needed and wanted. I appreciate you, Naijhel.”
He stroked the back of my head and then kissed the top of it. “You’re welcome, big baby. Glad you liked everything.”
“I did. Halle and her crew did a phenomenal job. I gave my mom, sister, cousin, and best friend their number. I’ll have to call them back and have them do my house once a month.”
“Just say the word, and I’ve got you.”
“You’re spoiling me.”
“Doesn’t every girl want to be spoiled? You deserve it after all you’ve been through.”
My feet were in Naijhel’s lap, and he was massaging them. We were out back on the lanai where we had just finished dinner and watching the sunset. I had made Philly cheesesteaks because he said he wanted something simple. He wanted to take me out to dinner, but I wanted to relax with him at home, alone. Besides, he had done so much for me, I wanted to do something simple for him.
“Maybe. But you scare me.”
“Why?”
“You seem too good to be true, Naijhel. Honest moment here, . . . I’m really starting to like you, but I can’t help but ask myself what if you’re a frog?”
“I want you to know that my intentions toward you are real. I am not here to play with your mind or your heart.”
“I think that I’m clear on that.”
“Good.”
I removed my feet from his lap and moved to straddle him. Locking my arms around his neck, I pressed my forehead against his. Pushing my lips against his, I didn’t force a kiss but rather spoke slowly to him as our lips touched.
“Each time I have kissed you, you haven’t turned into a frog or a prince.”
“And I won’t.”
“Oh?”
“No. I’m a muthafuckin’ king,” he muttered before he wrapped his arms tightly around my back and claimed my mouth in a soul-searing kiss that wet my panties. Naijhel’s thick, pouty lips were perfect for kissing. His breath was warm, but sweet.
I didn’t want to lose myself in the kiss, but it was getting harder to pull back. When he finally pulled away, there was a gleam in his eyes, and he pulled his bottom lip in to suck it.
“Love the way you taste, big baby.”
“You’re going to be the death of me, kissing me like that,” I murmured as I tried to get my heartbeat to slow to a normal pace.
“No, baby girl. I came to breathe life back into you.”
11
