He pulled me into his home and locked the door behind me.
“Your home is beautiful, Kareem,” I muttered as he gestured for me to sit on an elegant bench next to the front door. I sat, and he proceeded to take my shoes off.
When I stood again, he swooped me up into his arms. “You gonna stay wit’ me tonight, okay?” I didn’t work tomorrow, so that worked for me. All I wanted to do was shower and find a soft bed to fall into. I buried my head into his shoulder and swore I could doze off in his arms like that. My brows furrowed when I felt outside air hit me. “I’ll give you a tour tomorrow.”
“Okay, but why are we outside?” I asked sleepily, but my eyes landed on my answer before he could even respond.
There was a large pool in his backyard, as well as a grilling area and seating, but what made my heart leap with excitement was the large Jacuzzi with steam rolling out of it.
“I just filled it with fresh water. I got some bodywash and fresh pajamas for you. I know you’re tired, so I just want you to relax, and then we can get into bed. That sound okay?”
My eyes swept over the charcuterie board and the bottles of water and wine. This man thought of everything. The gesture was so thoughtful it brought tears to my eyes.
“It’s perfect,” I uttered as he tugged my scrub pants down. I stepped out of them before I pulled my top off. He pulled my panties off, and I unclipped my bra. He guided me into the warm water, and I swear I could have orgasmed from how good it felt.
I closed my eyes and leaned my head back, and a few seconds later, Kareem joined me in the water and got behind me. I leaned into him with my eyes still closed. After a moment, I felt a cloth on my chest, and the smell of lavender and vanilla filled my nostrils. This man could do as he pleased with me tonight, and I wouldn’t put up a fight. I was that spent.
“Do your shifts always make you this tired, Mermaid?”
“No. I think it’s just because it’s my first day back after moving. It’ll get better.”
He hummed. The vibrations tickled my back, and I snuggled deeper into him.
“I want you to stay wit’ me until you get adjusted again. That way I know you’re being taken care of. I bet you barely would have eaten if I ain’t drop food off for you.”
He wasn’t wrong. I would have taken too long to decide what I wanted, and then it would have been too late.
I sighed. “That isn’t necessary, baby.”
“Can you just let ya man take care of you?”
“Yes.”
It was all I could say. Even if I wasn’t too tired to argue, I wouldn’t. How long had I waited for a man to take care of me and genuinely want what was best for me? He could win this battle every day of the week.
“Good girl.” My eyes fluttered closed again at the sensation of him washing me up. “You know I first called you Mermaid because you looked like a mermaid when you were in that ocean? I sat there and watched you for a few minutes before I approached you. You’re so beautiful.” He kissed my temple. “I ain’t even know your name was Arielle then.”
I giggled. “I thought you knew me when you called me Mermaid. It was too much of a coincidence.”
“Nah. That was God. He knew what we didn’t.”
I found comfort in that thought as he continued to wash me. The feel of his hands on me and his slow breathing lulled me to sleep.
When I woke up again, Kareem caressed my face gently and kissed my lips. “Wake up, baby. Let’s get you into bed.” I nodded, and we got out of the Jacuzzi. I felt bad that the food would go to waste. As if reading my mind, he said, “I’ll save this for tomorrow.”
“Thank you,” I whispered.
He kissed my cheek and lifted me up again. My eyes fluttered closed. When they opened, it was because he laid me on the softest bed I’d ever felt. The room was dark, but Kareem moved around like there was sunlight streaming through the wide windows to the right.
“Here, baby. Let me help you put these on,” he murmured as silk fabric brushed against my leg. He pulled on some silk shorts followed by a silk tank top before he tucked me into bed. “I’m just going to clean up downstairs and shower. I’ll be back. Sleep, baby.”
I nodded. It was all I had the energy for before my eyes closed, and I drifted off to a blissful sleep.
chapter 10
KAREEM
“Who’s the woman that got you acting brand new?” Mama asked as she dished some red beans and rice onto my plate.
