K
“Okay, we can go,” I said, turning to Kier.
Kier’s hand slipped to my lower back and he guided me out of the glow of the party lights, down a narrow path that led toward the beach. We walked in silence for a while, as the waves rolled in steady rhythms. The sound of the ocean got louder as the music faded behind us. The sand was cool beneath my feet, and the wind blew through my braids. Kier reached up instinctively, tucking it behind my ear. I shuddered when his fingers lingered against my cheek.
“Tell me something, Kier. Why is it that you allow the paparazzi to say whatever they want, but tonight, you stepped in? It’s like one minute you are unsure, the next you’re not.”
Kier glanced at me, then out toward the water before looking back. “Because most of the time, it’s noise,” he said. “Paparazzi want to be nosy so they can spin a story. But tonight was different. I’ll never give a nigga the opportunity to think they have a chance with you. I keep telling you, Si, you’re the only one that’s unsure here.”
“I’m not confused, Kier. I’m not trying to get ahead of myself if you’re not there.”
“It sounds like you’re waiting on me to give you the okay to fall for me. That’s a decision only you can make.”
“We’re different. You make decisions off impulse, I like to think things through.”
“Maybe your thoughts are the real problem. I may be impulsive, but you overthink. I don’t move accidentally, Sibley. I didn’t ask you to spend the summer with me because I’m bored. If I wanted easy, I could have easy. I’m more thoughtful than you think. You being here isn’t an impulse, it’s a choice.”
“You make everything sound simple, Kier. Life rarely is.”
The wave behind us crashed, spraying mist into the air. He stepped even closer, and his hands curved around my waist. “If you’re going to be guarded, be guarded. I can handle that. “But don’t punish me for another nigga’s sins.”
“My instincts have been to pull back, Kier, but I don’t want to anymore.”
“Then don’t.”
He brushed his thumb along my cheek and trapped me in his stare as his gaze dropped to my lips. I stepped closer before I couldoverthinkit. My hands found his chest, feeling the steady heat under his shirt. I stood on my toes and placed a kiss on his lips. When he kissed me back, one of his hands cradled the back of my neck. When we finally pulled apart, he rested his forehead against mine.
We sat down in the sand after that, close enough that our shoulders brushed. His hand covered mine where it rested between us. The party lights glistened in the distance, reminding me of our first stop. Vegas had felt fast, fun, and temporary, but Malibu was different.
Kier appeared less like a moment, and more like a possibility. I still had doubts. I wasn’t naïve enough to think a kiss erased thefact that his world had access to whatever he wanted: cameras, assumptions, and people who would try to attach themselves to him. But sitting with him now, staring out into the ocean, none of that mattered.
nine
. . .
The next day,Kier headed out by noon, stating he had another press run with Kaori. He offered for me to go, but I opted to stay behind. Staying gave Treasure and me some time to ourselves. I used his Ninja slushie machine and made some pina colada drinks. We had them at the poolside, after eating sandwiches he had delivered. Treasure sipped coolly and basked in the sun.
“Dang, Sibley, is this how you’ve been living? I could get used to this.” She said.
“Isn’t this place beautiful?” I added.
She sighed in relief as a smile spread across her face. “Keep laying that coochie on him, I’m enjoying the benefits.”
I sat up from the lounge chair, looking and smiling at her awkwardly until I couldn’t hold my laugh in anymore.
“What, Sibley?” She asked, now sitting up too and sipping on her drink.
“We haven’t had sex yet.”
“Are you serious?” Her mouth hung open. “The separate rooms make sense now. I don’t know what I thought y’all was doing, but not fucking certainly wasn’t it.”
“Treasure, please!” I could barely contain myself from laughing. “We are taking things slow.”
“Well, speed things up, your coochie is the key to my success!”
“Um, can we please not put all of your hopes and dreams on my kitty?”
“Hell, why not? If he putting you up like this off your face card alone, there’s no telling what the kitty will earn you!”
