Lessons In Love (Bantu Academy Series Book 1)

by D. Camille

  “So let’s do it.” Tariq said, rubbing his hands together. “I might find my goddess up in there.”

  They both looked at him. “Or maybe not…” Malik told him, causing both Caelum and Malik to laugh.

  “That’s alright.” Tariq told them. “I might come for your goddesses.”

  Caelum shook his head. “You want this work?”

  Tariq looked over Caelum’s six-five, solid frame.

  “Or maybe not…” Malik repeated, causing him and Caelum to laugh again.

  The men got to work, laying out their roles in the program. When they were done, they ordered dinner then sat and kicked back.

  “I’m looking forward to going to the club this week. I heard this new band is fire.” Tariq commented.

  “I’m always looking forward to seeing Khai.” Malik replied.

  Caelum smiled. “Thanks for being so warm to Leslie last week. She had a good time.”

  “I liked her.” Malik told Caelum. “She’s genuine.”

  Tariq asked. “Did she hurt herself?”

  “Huh?” Caelum asked.

  “The cane. Did she hurt her leg or something?” Tariq asked.

  “Yeah.” Caelum nodded. “She was in a bad accident a while ago, and she’s just started walking again.”

  Both men looked sympathetic. “But she’s okay now?” Malik inquired.

  “She’s getting stronger every day.” He shared with them. “I appreciate everyone just rolling with it the other night and not grilling her about it.”

  “Hey, that’s her business. If she’d wanted to share, she could’ve…but she was cool people, and nobody was overly concerned about her using a cane.” Malik explained. “Especially after we saw you two hugged up on the dance floor.”

  Caelum smiled, remembering that night, holding her in his arms.

  “So Leslie’s the next Mrs. Bannaka?” Tariq asked, with a knowing smile.

  “The last one in this generation.” Caelum replied.

  “You saved the best for last?” Malik said, looking at Caelum.

  Caelum agreed. “And I plan for it to last forever…”

  Chapter 9

  Leslie waded through the pool after finishing her last set of exercises. When she looked back, she saw a pair of dark eyes watching her, then moved her gaze down to a brown torso above the water. She swam back to where he waited and smiled up at him.

  “I did good today,” Leslie said, keeping herself afloat.

  “I saw you. You’re getting much stronger.” Caelum agreed. “I can see the difference over this last month.”

  “I am stronger.” Leslie grinned. “Especially my legs…”

  Caelum pulled her closer. “Very sexy legs…that match a very sexy body.”

  Leslie linked her arms around his neck. “Speaking of sexy bodies…”

  “Are you done exercising?” He asked.

  “Almost. I have to do one more set.”

  He nodded. “Okay, I’m going to go start dinner.”

  Leslie held on. “Why don’t you help me with this last set and then we can make dinner together?”

  “Okay, what do you want me to do?”

  Caelum assisted Leslie with completing the rest of her exercises, before climbing out of the pool. Helping Leslie out, he wrapped her in a towel and kissed her lips.

  “I’m proud of your progress.” He told her.

  “I’m more motivated when I work out with you.” Leslie confessed.

  Grabbing a towel of his own, Caelum dried off, then led her inside the home. In the master bedroom, Leslie changed out of her suit and into a short sundress. She looked at Caelum’s neatly made bed and smiled.

  Over the last month, she’d quelled her rush to share intimacy with Caelum and just enjoyed being romanced by him. They’d gone on many dates, hung out at the club with his friends, had dinner at both her home and his parent’s homes. Romantic nights on the beach or sitting by the pool, had created a bond between them that was comfortable and very loving.

  His place was now her second home, and she had free rein. They worked together at school with the children, and on their program. Although, C.K. nor R.J. were in his class this semester, Caelum did get to see the boys around the school, and yes…C.K. was still keeping an eye on him.

  Leaving the room, Leslie found Caelum in the kitchen starting their dinner. He’d changed into a pair of long basketball shorts, with his legs, chest and feet bare. Walking up behind him, she wrapped her arms around him and placed a kissed on his back.

  “I’m going to grill.” He told her with a smile. “You want chicken or steak?”

  “Mmmm…surprise me.”

  He chuckled. “Okay, can you make a salad?”

  “Of course, chef.” Leslie replied, then released him and moved around his kitchen.

  Caelum went about the business of seasoning the meat, while Leslie chopped up veggies for the salad. Reaching over, she placed a piece of pepper into his mouth.

  “Thank you. You know I love those.” He said eating the offering.

  She grinned. “Yes, I know. I still don’t see how you like to eat them like that.”

  “They’re good.”

  Leslie kissed his mouth. “That’s good.”

  He reached for her, then covered her mouth with his, tangling their tongues. Leslie moved into his arms and returned his kiss. She felt herself being lifted onto the counter and hooked her legs around his waist, while Caelum caressed her mouth.

  “I love you, Leslie…”

  Rubbing her hands across his bare skin, she breathed into his mouth. “I love you, Caelum.”

  His kisses moved from her mouth to her neck and Leslie threw her head back. Slowly, his hot tongue moved across her skin down to her breasts, exposed by the low cut of her dress. Leslie heard him moan, as he kissed the top of the brown mounds. Cradling his head against her flesh, Leslie felt her body begin to burn.

  “Caelum…”

  His hands slid underneath her dress and squeezed her firm cheeks. Caelum’s mouth found hers again, in a heated exchange before he reached for the straps of her dress. Leslie slipped her arms out, then watched as he pushed the material down to her waist, leaving her breasts exposed to his dark gaze.

  With both hands, he palmed her breasts, while holding her captive with his stare. As if in slow motion, his head lowered and his mouth replaced his hand, where his tongue teased her stiff peak.

  “Mmmm…Caelum…”

  While he continued to suckle her, Leslie tightened her hold on him, then Caelum moved to the other breast and gave the same treatment. When Leslie felt his hand slip inside her panties, she held her breath, then released it on a slow sigh, when he stroked her gently.

  Burying her face in his shoulder, Leslie bit at his skin.

  “Can I have you, goddess?” She heard his voice in her ear. “Are you mine?”

  Leslie closed her eyes and felt his hand touching her intimately. “Yes, Caelum.”

  “Are you ready?”

  She moaned in response and he lifted her from the counter. With her bare breasts pressed against his firm chest, Leslie kissed his face, while he carried her to his bedroom. At the bed, he stood her on her feet, letting her dress fall to the floor.

  Leslie remained still, while Caelum lowered her panties to pool around her ankles. He bent and removed them completely, then placed a wet kiss on her pelvis. Leslie looked down at the dark waves of his hair, when his kiss traveled to her hip. He tongued the spot that his grandmother had touched, and Leslie felt nothing but pleasure.

  Caelum looked up at her. “Does it hurt?”

  She shook her head, and cradled his face. “No…”

  Standing to his full height, he looked down into her face, as her hands moved first to his chest, then lower. Caelum closed his eyes, when she reached inside his shorts and held him in her hand. He loved the way Leslie touched and explored his body.

  “I want you, Caelum.”

  His lids slid upward, and he saw t
he desire in her sexy stare. Caelum smiled when she pushed his shorts down his long legs. Both naked, they stared at one another in anticipation.

  Caelum cradled her face and kissed her until she was out of breath, then started again, sucking her tongue and lips. When Leslie found herself on her back with the mattress underneath her, she looked up at him.

  “I want you, Leslie.”

  His eyes traveled from her face, down her body and stopped where she throbbed. Caelum spread her legs apart gently, careful not to hurt her, then lowered his face. At the first taste, he groaned and Leslie closed her eyes tightly, clinching her legs.

  Caelum softly stroked her quivering thighs to relax her, while devouring the sweetness of her core. When he delved into one spot, she tensed and called his name. Undaunted, he continued, until her whole body convulsed, and her head fell back on the bed.

  Leslie stared at the ceiling, wondering why she couldn’t form a thought. Her brain was mush and her flesh was hot with desire. When Caelum climbed over her and blocked her view, she was completely unprepared for what came next.

  Although, she dreamed of it a million times, nothing came close to the feel of the man she loved, making them one with another. In her ear, she heard Caelum telling her how beautiful she was and how long he’d waited just for her.

  “My goddess…you are so sweet.”

  Caelum kissed her mouth as he penetrated her body, over and over, in a slow, sultry rhythm, that had Leslie opening herself completely to him. Feeling her relax, Caelum increased the pace, until he felt her hands grabbing him tightly. Their eyes then met and held, while they shared their love for the first time, surpassing both of their dreams.

  Watching her pleasure spill over in her eyes, Caelum allowed himself to follow her, tasting her soft moans in his kiss. Leslie held him close, returning his kiss until he lifted his head.

  “I love you,” she whispered. “I’ll always love you.”

  He stared into her face. “How can I not love someone so perfect?”

  “I’m nowhere near perfect.”

  “You’re perfection to me.” Caelum kissed her passionately, letting her feel his every emotion, when it came to her. After a few minutes, he moved off of her and laid on his side, then Leslie turned to look at him, with a soft smile.

  “All that visioning and none of it even compared,” she whispered.

  “I know. Me, too.” He reached out and touched her dark silky hair in her protective braids. “You’re hotter and sweeter than I imagined.”

  Leslie smiled. “Your mouth…those lips…that tongue.” She sighed and felt another tingle between her legs.

  Caelum slipped a hand to touch her tingling area.

  “Are you okay?” he asked softly. “I should get you a cloth.”

  Climbing from the bed, Caelum disappeared, then returned with a warm rag. Gently, he placed it on her womanly spot, before gently rubbing her.

  “I didn’t know that all that could happen down there.” She confessed.

  Placing the cloth aside, he moved to kiss her in that spot. “I didn’t know that this was so delectable. It may become addicting.”

  To prove his point, he began to taste her again, until her passion began to flow.

  “Caelum…”

  With a hand, he spread her hot dampness over the pleasure points, then let his tongue do the rest to prepare her again.

  “Keep it up and I’m never going to leave you,” Leslie told him.

  He lifted his face to look at her. “Keep it up, and I’m never going to let you.”

  ******

  The couple finally made it back to the kitchen where the forgotten meal prep was still in place. Quickly they went back to the task of dinner and eventually made their way to the patio to sit down. Caelum held out Leslie’s chair and seated her, then took the seat across from her.

  “Thank you for dinner,” Leslie said quietly.

  “Thank you for being here.”

  She began to eat the perfectly grilled steak and potato.

  “I still think I’m imagining what happened in your bedroom.” Leslie smiled softly.

  “Was it too much?” Caelum asked concerned.

  Shaking her head, Leslie grinned. “No. Not at all.”

  “You want more?”

  She nodded. “And more…and more…and more…”

  He smiled across the table. “So do I.”

  Leslie reached for her glass and took a small sip. “Although I was anxious, I’m glad we waited.” Watching him, she replaced the glass. “The time we’ve spent together made everything perfect.”

  “I’m glad we took the time to develop our relationship and to get to know each other intimately in a different way.” Caelum told her.

  “You know, I thought I was in love with you after our first date,” Leslie began. “I even told Sydney that I was…”

  He grinned as she continued, “But you’ve shown me what love really is…”

  Caelum reached for her hand. “And you’ve shown me, as well, Leslie. Falling in love with you, has been amazing. You’ve taught me about patience, resilience and determination. I’ve watched you work so hard at teaching and at rehabilitating. I’m so humbled to be a part of your life.”

  Leslie squeezed his hand. “Caelum, I can’t begin to tell you the difference you’ve made for me. You’re all my dreams come true. You’ve supported me in my growth, without stifling me in any way. I’m so in love with you, I can’t imagine being without you.”

  “I never want you to imagine that.”

  He kissed her hand, then released her to finish their meal. Later, under the night sky, they enjoyed their dinner, then moved to lie on one of the loungers by the pool. Leslie laid on top of Caelum’s big body and listened to his heartbeat underneath her ear.

  “Caelum…”

  “Yes, goddess.”

  “What do you want for Christmas?”

  “It’s October.”

  She smiled. “I like to get started early.”

  “That’s not something my family really engages in, but I’d also like to get you something.” He told her. “So tell me what you’d like.”

  “No, I asked first.”

  “Okay, I’d like for you to take a vacation with me.”

  Leslie lifted her head. “How is that a gift for you?”

  “Your time and your presence are the gift.”

  “I don’t think that’s how this is supposed to work.” She teased him.

  He shrugged. “I told you that it’s not something that I normally do.”

  “Where do you want to take me?” Leslie questioned.

  “To D.C.”

  She looked at him. “I’ve never been out of California.”

  Caelum rubbed her back. “I know, that’s why I want to take you on your first trip, and show you my history.”

  “When would we leave?”

  “We can go the week between Christmas and New Year?”

  Leslie thought about it, and Caelum waited for her answer.

  “I think I’d really like that.”

  “Then that will be my gift to you…” Caelum said happily. “And you are my gift from the Universe…”

  He wrapped his arms around her and held Leslie tightly against him. Feeling the warmth of her body, Caelum began to caress her.

  “Would you like to use your open invitation tonight?” He whispered.

  Leslie kissed his bearded jaw. “Mmmm…yes, I think so. I’ll need to let Sydney know, so she won’t be worried about me.”

  “Why don’t you do that, while I get us some dessert?” Caelum offered.

  Moving her mouth to his lips, tracing them gently with her tongue. “And after dessert?” she asked.

  Holding her in place with a large hand on the back of her neck, Caelum engaged her in a possessive kiss that caused them both to moan. Wrapped in each other’s arms, their bodies began to crave one another.

  “Maybe skip dessert?” He said, hotly against her mouth.
r />   “Yes, because this is now number one on the list of things that make me feel good.”

  ******

  The next morning, Leslie awakened for the first time next to the man she loved. Reaching out, she touched his sleeping face and dark eyes opened to meet hers.

  “Blissful risings, goddess.”

  “Blissful risings, Caelum.”

  He pulled her close and nuzzled her neck. “How long have you been awake?”

  “Not too long,”

  “Did you sleep well?”

  She smiled. “Yes, I did. You may have to kick me out after this.”

  Caelum caressed her warm skin. “Why would I let this go?”

  From the nightstand, Leslie heard her phone ringing. Turning, she picked it up and answered.

  “Good morning, Syd.”

  “Good morning, Leslie.”

  “Sorry I missed your call last night, but I was uh…”

  Leslie smiled at her pause. “Busy…”

  “Yes, but from your message, I’m assuming that you’ve been busy, too.” Sydney hinted.

  Her gaze slid over to Caelum’s naked torso.

  “I’ll catch up with you later.”

  “Is everything okay?” Her sister asked.

  “Yes, sis. It’s better than okay.”

  “Good. We’ll talk later.”

  Leslie ended the call and sat the phone on the nightstand. She turned and found herself in a pair of warm arms.

  “Your sister is good?”

  “She was just checking in with me.”

  Caelum kissed her softly. “How are you this morning?”

  “I’m very good.”

  “Are you in any pain?” He asked concerned. “Your legs?”

  She hooked one leg over him. “They feel fine. I’ve exercised them a lot this weekend.”

  “I’m happy to exercise them whenever you want.” He whispered, while touching the warm skin on her back.

  “With your help, I won’t be using a cane at all, pretty soon.”

  Leslie placed her body against him, while gently pressing her lips to his.

  “Should we go out for breakfast?” Caelum questioned.

  “If you want,”

  In between more kisses and caresses, Caelum replied, “We should, or else I’ll keep you in this bed all day.”

  “Wait, are those my choices?” Leslie asked.