Page 12 of Furthest From Perfect

Now there’s this girl I really want to give my heart to

She deserves love, respect, and affection and sometimes I doubt if that’s something I can do

So, I’m sitting here trying to figure out what’s next and if this can even last

And I find myself praying to God not to let me fumble being a husband and a dad

Family is something I’ve never had, and no house has been a home

So, when I tell you I’m furthest from perfect it’s because home is where I’ve always wanted to belong.”

The crowd exploded into applause when I finished. Seeing Adora sitting there with tears in her eyes made my heart cavity fill with warmth. She stood to her feet and jumped up and down with each clap of her hands. Leaving the band behind, I exited the stage and headed over to her.

“What did you think?” I asked with open arms.

She stepped into them, and I inhaled the rose scent in her hair. “You’re amazing,” she replied. Resting her chin on my chest, she glanced up at me. “I miss when you used to do poetry. Valentine, the artist, isn’t as vulnerable.”

I gave her a sad smile because it was the truth. There were times when I missed speaking on the things that mattered, but that wasn’t what the women wanted to hear. “No woman wants to hear about a man’s struggles.”

She tugged on my shirt, making my heart jolt. “I do. I want to know everything that’s on your mind.”

I swallowed down the swell of emotions that tried to overtake me. “You mean that?” I pinched her cheek and stared deeply into her brown eyes. I only found sincerity swimming in their depths.

She nodded slowly. “I do. I’m going to be your wife. Never hide how you’re feeling from me, Han’some. I’m here for you.”

Hearing her say that almost made me cry, so I pulled her into my chest to hide it. I sighed in relief because the last thing I wanted was to be on bad terms with Adora. This arrangement was supposed to be for my custody case, but whenever I was around this woman, I couldn’t help entertaining ideas of it becoming something real—something I couldn’t live without.

I had to do a doubletake when I saw Han’some casually leaning against the hood of his Benz. Today was my first day working for Galaxy, and she had a photoshoot scheduled at one of the local studios. I had to be at the venue by seven this morning. That meant an early night for me and getting up before the sun rose to ensure I arrived on time.

To save time the night before, I’d packed accessories, hair products, and makeup products I felt might come in handy for a black girl being photographed for a brand. For my first gig, I was not going to fail my girl. I would make sure not a hair was out of place, and every fabric that hugged her skin was perfectly tailored to accentuate her amazing features and physique.

Before I could place a hand on my door handle, Han’some was already there, knocking on the window for me to unlock the doors. I inhaled slowly before I did so. He yanked on the handle, and the door flew open. I turned to find him standing there with the biggest smile on his face. He was dressed down in a black Nike sweatsuit and slides, but it fit his body so well I almost started drooling.

“Good morning, Adora. You look pretty,” he complimented me, per usual. “Damn, I wish I was that dress.” He licked his lips as I accepted his extended hand. He guided me out of the car until I stood beside him in my Marjorie platform heels. “You so fucking sexy, and you not even trying to be. That’s the part that really drives a nigga crazy.”

I rested my chin on my shoulder, hoping to hide my blush. “Thank you, Han’some. What are you doing here? It’s early.” I asked the question that had been burning the tip of my tongue since I’d spotted him.

He closed my car door, then pulled me into his body. As if this was our norm, my arms immediately wrapped around his neck. I grinned up at him because being in his arms was easily becoming a drug of mine. My heart raced when he nuzzled his nose in the crook of my neck, inhaling my perfume so deeply it tickled me.

“I just wanted to make sure you were in a good head space for your first day. This is a big deal for you.”

Hearing him admit that he’d gotten up at the crack of dawn just to be here to support me made the world around us go silent. We were no longer on the streets of a city slowly coming alive for the day. Instead, we were in a field with buds of healthy, vibrant green grass sprouting everywhere our eyes could see. Not even the wind could disturb this moment. Like a moth to a flame, I leaned in closer with a grin.

“Hm, you sure know how to butter a girl up.” I hid my face in his chest because I just knew my cheeks were rosy. “I feel good, though. I’m more excited than nervous because I just know I’m about to eat.”

Han’some’s laughter vibrated through my body and grounded me in place. I glanced up to find him looking at me with pure amusement in his mocha orbs. “Pop yo’ shit, baby. I’m trying not to be jealous, because I’ve loved having you to myself for years, but it’s time for you to get the attention you deserve.”

I wasn’t sure if it was his honeyed words that made him appear to have a halo floating above his head, or his deep voice that awakened every desire in me, but I was feeling very smitten. He licked his full lips, and my eyes became glued to them. I didn’t even realize what was happening until they brushed softly against my lips. Fire roared through every vein in my body, and I sank deeper into his affection. His fingers massaging my scalp as he cradled my head sent me into a state of peace that made me feel like I was floating.

I could only close my eyes and enjoy every caress of his tongue. When he finally released me, we wore identical, goofy smiles. I was so shy I couldn’t even look at him. My eyes bounced from his facial hair to the sky and even the cars passing by. Only his soft chuckle could get me to rest my eyes on him again.

“Go ahead and head upstairs before I toss you over my shoulder and take you away.”

I pushed against him with a laugh. “Can’t have that. Get away from me.” I acted as if I was spraying him with bug spray, which had him so weak it made me laugh until tears flooded my eyes.

He mushed my head to the side when he finally gathered himself. “You silly as hell, but I like that.” He hooked a finger into my dress and yanked me forward between his legs. His hands on my waist gave me goosebumps. “I’m coming to pick you up when you’re finished because I want to take you somewhere tonight.”

I reached for his ear and tugged on it before nodding. “Okay, I guess that’s fine.”