“Well, hello, absentee son of mine. Had I known your narrow ass would vacate more than the city, I might have put up more of a fight to keep you here.” The woman's instantaneous rant the minute the call connects makes me fight the urge to laugh.
“Check me later, Ma. Do you remember when I got married?” Alijah’s heavy eyes peer into me as shuffling and air sounds from the receiver like the phone has been dropped.
“Married? What the hell are you talking about? If you ran off and got married without me, I’m kicking your ass, Alijah Khali Dawson. You got me fucked up.” The woman I now know is Alijah’s mother gets louder with each word she spews.
“I would never do something so foul. But I needed you to confirm my status. I’m gonna call you back, though.” His eyes are still on me as I squirm in my seat, suddenly uncomfortable.
“What? You call here, get me all stirred up, and now you want to call me back. Precious Jesus, . . . Mighty wonder of my soul, . . . help this nappy head nigga that you blessed me with.”
That cracks my armor, and I giggle uncontrollably from the distressed tone of her voice. Clearly, Alijah has pushed her buttons with this attempt to prove his point to me.
“Who is?—”
“I promise I’ll call you back, Ma.” Alijah’s tone is firmer as he cuts his mother off before he disconnects the call.
“Smooth, Mr. Dawson,” I say before a light smirk slides into place.
“Not trying to be. But I’m not a liar either. Let’s finish this food, and then we can dive deeper.”
I nod as we return to our meals and consume them without any additional interruption. Nervous energy courses through my body from intrigue about the conversation that’s about to happen. I’m extremely curious to find out which woman managed to get a man like Alijah to vacate his birthplace. In my short observation of the man beside me, he’s been confident, unbothered, and chill, so what type of person messed up his comfort to that extent? Thankfully, it doesn’t take long to eat, clean the kitchen, and head to the living room.
“Wow.You mean there were two other women besides your girlfriend? You actually turned down three women who were ready, open, and willing to let you do whatever you wanted to them? I’m uh . . .” My words trail off because the story Alijah had just shared with me is unreal and unheard of.
“I was in a committed relationship with a woman who had what I needed to be satisfied. Random pussy ain’t ever been mything.” Alijah’s face is tight, and his eyes light up with fire that I feel the heat from.
“Damn,” I whisper.
“Yeah. That shit fucked me up. Seeing my woman’s face coated in pussy juice isn’t the flex most would expect.”
I nod, unsure how to respond, because of all the wild things I’ve experienced in my dating life, this is a new one on me. It also shows me how different Alijah is, because beneath his rage lies sadness. He loved that woman, and she threw him away without regard for his feelings. Bitches like her will never understand the weight of holding someone else’s heart in their hands.
“She . . . man, I don’t even know what to say.”
“Don’t try. I’ve moved on.”
But has your heart?
“O . . . hm . . . okay.” I wet my lips as I try to settle my mind and the various thoughts that slam into my mind at hyper speed.
“Back to you. What are you looking for in a man now?”
“Honestly, the basics . . . emotional safety, great communication, kindness, and intentionality. Of course, I also want to be attracted to him, but not just physically, but mentally and emotionally. Chemistry is also important. How about you?”
Alijah stares at me deadpan before a light chuckle falls from his lips, and the sound hits me low and deep. I lick my suddenly dry lips as I unconsciously fidget with my hands. The urge to lean closer and see if his lips are as soft as they look takes shape in my mind. My body heats as I sit in expectation of whatever answer he’s about to provide.
“Thanks to my ex, I’m looking for someone who will share my values and direction for the future. My parents have been married for longer than I’ve been alive, and they’re my example. I want forever but with someone worth spending it with.”
Well damn.
It takes me a minute to register the movement of my body, and before I can stop myself, my mouth is on Alijah’s mouth. A moan sounds as I communicate with my lips that he can not only have love but also find it again. I close my eyes because Alijah’s lips are soft, warm, and welcoming, and I get lost in our gentle yet steady kiss. It’s a kiss full of passion, and it can only lead to one conclusion. That’s the thought that snaps me back to reality as I pull back.
“Damn, Dee,” Alijah says on a heavy groan.
My panties are moist and desperately need to be removed. But I’m stuck in a trance as I trace my now swollen lips.
“I suggest you run now, or I guarantee the next action will be one you don’t regret.”
Despite my desire to find out the meaning of his declaration, I follow his advice and hightail it out of the living room. My heart thumps wildly, and the vein in my neck drums to its own cadence. I want to take it there with Alijah, but the truth is, I don’t want him to regret anything. Our conversation took a vulnerable turn that would only lead me to regret his intentions about fucking her out of his system. When we cross that line, and from that soul-binding kiss, nothing but smiles and repeat orgasms will be on our minds. I ain’t built to be a rebound chick. But damn if I don’t ride that big dick like a bull.
