She cut her eyes at me, but I caught that little smile coming through anyway.
The chef brought our plates out a minute later, and I pulled her chair out for her before sitting across from her. The food looked as good as it smelled too. I had steak, and she had salmon because I knew she would probably want something lighter. The chef plated it with garlic mashed potatoes, asparagus, rolls, and a salad.
We took our time eating, talking and laughing. The whole time, I kept finding myself stuck looking at her. This was the first time in days I had her to myself.
She caught me staring again halfway through dinner and set her fork down. “What are you looking at?”
“You.”
Her cheeks went a little pink. “Why?”
I leaned back in my chair and answered honestly. “Because I ain’t had you to myself in days.”
She looked down at her plate and smiled to herself before looking back up at me. “You’re being real sweet tonight. I like it.”
“Good.”
“And you look so good. I hate I have to wait five more weeks to feel that dick.”
My dick jumped so fast, I had to gnaw on my bottom lip.
I had on an all-black, tailored fit. My button-down was fitted across my chest and arms, with a few buttons open at the top so my chain and a little of my tattoos showed. My slacks were tapered right over my black dress shoes. My watch sat heavy on my wrist and the diamond caught the light every time my arm moved.
When we finished eating and the chef cleared out, I got up, walked over, and pulled her out of her chair and into my lap on the couch. She settled against me like her body already knew where it belonged.
I kissed her slow. It was a long, deep kiss that let her feel everything I meant without me having to say it. She kissed me back with both hands on my shoulders, and when I pulled back, I kept my forehead against hers for a second.
“I miss you,” I told her.
She smiled a little. “I’m right here.”
“I know.” I brushed my thumb over her jaw. “I still miss you when you’re right there.”
She turned her head slightly and blushed into her shoulder.
“I’m going to remind you every chance I get that you’re still that woman.”
Her eyes searched mine. “What woman?”
I smiled and kissed the corner of her mouth. “BB.”
She laughed softly. “You are really committed to that nickname.”
“Bad Bitch fits you.”
She shook her head, smiling now. “You are so crazy.”
“Maybe.” I let my hand slide over her waist and settle there while I looked at her in the candlelight. “I just want you to know that I still see you.”
Touched, she got quiet. So, I kissed her again, slower this time. Then I just held her, realizing I was loving the quiet domestic parts of this life as much as I loved her and Cairo, definitely more than I ever thought I would.
“I love you,” I professed. It had taken some practice, but it was getting easier and easier to say it. Now, it just flowed off my tongue. “I love hearing you hum under your breath when you’re half-asleep trying to soothe Cairo. I love how you check on him every five minutes even when he’s dead asleep and perfectly fine. I love how you still look beautiful standing in the kitchen with your bonnet crooked and one of my T-shirts hanging off your shoulder while you warm his milk. I used to think regular shit like this would suffocate me, but with you, it doesn’t.”
She replied by kissing me, soft and slow, like she felt every word.
None of this felt like a trap anymore. It felt like peace I was finally man enough to accept.
Then her hands moved to my belt, fingers working the buckle.
