Love Me Through the Rain

by A'zayler

  “Turn around.”

  Rain got up and turned so that she was straddling his lap.

  “Tell me about yourself.”

  She looked a little confused for a minute, probably trying to figure out why he switched scenes so rapidly. One minute he was kissing her, now he wanted to know who she was. She twirled her thumbs in his lap as she told him that she was writer, she lived alone, had one sister, one best friend, and liked to read. She wasn’t a big fan of kids, she didn’t eat pork, and she was single. Rain explained to him that although she wasn’t out searching for a relationship, she wasn’t opposed to one either. She finished by telling him that she wasn’t into games and that she tried to keep a low profile. Love believed her for the most part until she said something about the low profile thing. Obviously she’d detected his reluctance to believe her because she asked him what was wrong. She giggled a little when he explained his views on their incident in Buffalo Wild Wings tonight. He didn’t understand what was so funny until she explained that she was only trying to deescalate the situation. Love wasn’t sure how he felt about her hanging out with Summer and Alex if they were going to have her in fucked up situations. He pondered on that thought until she interrupted him.

  “Okay, your turn. Tell me some stuff you think I should know about you.”

  “It ain’t much to know. I’m cool ass nigga. I know everybody, but I live a private life. I’ve never liked people in my business, no kids, no serious relationship, nothing. I’m just me,” He leaned back some as Rain ran her hands through his locs. He watched her twist one between her fingers as he spoke. “Loyalty is everything to me, so always be one hundred with ya boy…cool?” He waited for her to nod her head before he continued talking. “I live alone, I don’t trust easy, oh, and I put out fires for a living.”

  “You so nasty Love.”

  He smiled. “I’m serious baby doll. I’m a firefighter.”

  Her eyes bucked. “Seriously?”

  He nodded.

  “I would have never guessed. You look like a thug. The way you was letting money fly last night I thought you were a drug dealer or something.”

  “I get that a lot but nah. I make my money the legit way.”

  Rain was still playing in his hair as she sat on his lap. She’d gone from messing with a few to full out massaging his scalp. The shit was feeling good as hell. He was trying to relax but she was making it hard so he removed her hands from his head. A frown adorned her face like she wanted to object but decided not to.

  “Is Love your real name?”

  “Last name. Dakota is my first name, but nobody calls me that white boy shit.”

  “Well I’m about to. Dakota is so cute. It doesn’t necessarily fit you, but I love it. You look like your name should be Gucci, Brick, Jaquan or something thuggish like that.”

  Love laughed and pulled her further onto his lap. She scooted closer so that their chests were touching.

  “You want to spend the night with me?”

  “I will if you want me to,” Rain said softly.

  “I do. You gon’ sleep in my bed too?”

  “I’ll sleep with you.” She fiddled with his hair again.

  Chapter 3: The Past Hurts

  Love stood from the sofa with her on his lap and walked up the stairs. In his room he sat on the corner of the bed with her still on his lap. Her arms were around his neck and she was looking at him the way she’d been doing since he’d first met her. She seemed so pure and untainted. One minute she was shy and the next she was talking a mile a minute.

  “Take these off.” Love pulled at the jeans she wore.

  Rain hesitated before getting off his lap and removing her pants. Her small brown thighs had a slight gap between them as she stood in front of him in nothing but a pair of panties and her shirt. She ran her hand through her long hair, making the part in the middle disappear. She looked sexy as fuck. He couldn’t wait to bang her out. He reached out and pulled her onto his lap before flipping over so that she was beneath him. Her legs circled his waist immediately as his locs hung down, grazing her shoulders. Love lowered himself so that he could kiss her. Her tongue slid in and out of his mouth hungrily as she grabbed a handful of his hair. She love a nigga with dreads. Love reached down and began to rub around in her wet warmth. Her breathing became labored as he massaged her body and kissed her mouth. They carried on like this for a few minutes before Rain pulled away. He kissed her mouth again and she did the same thing.

  “You good?”

  “Yeah, I just think we should wait.”

  “Cool.” Love pecked her lips once more before rolling off of her and lying back on his pillows.

  He would have taken it all the way but he wasn’t pressed for sex and he didn’t need her feeling pressured. Her company was good enough for now. She sat up on the bed and looked at the TV. Her body language gave away that she was nervous. Unsure of her feelings, Love reached for her so he could see her face. It was back to the serious face he was beginning to love. Clearly that was her go-to thing. Whenever she wasn’t smiling or talking her face was relaxed. Behind the relaxation he could see the passion and tenderness that she possessed. Her eyes were low, almost sad. He mouth was in a little pout and her shoulders were slightly slumped. Her long hair hanging down around her face made her name fit perfectly. Her smooth skin and pretty face reminded him of a beautiful Goddess. He admired the way her eyelashes curled up every time she blinked. Even through those he could see the downhearted look in her eyes. Something was bothering her.

  “Rain, I’m not mad sweetheart if that’s what you think.”

  She shook her head faintly. “It’s not that.”

  Her voice was low and down. Love sat up in the bed and grabbed her face so that he could make her look at him. Her eyebrows were scrunched together and her mouth was balled up, like she was trying to stop herself from crying. Love immediately wrapped her in his arms. She melted into his chest, laying her head on his shoulder. Love held onto her tightly and she lay against him motionless. She hadn’t moved or said anything. There were no sniffles being heard so she wasn’t crying, or at least he didn’t think so. Love wracked his brain trying to think of what could be wrong with her but he couldn’t think of anything. Apparently it went deeper than the few kisses they’d just shared but what could it be that would make her mood flip like this?

  “You straight?”

  “No. I’m sorry Dakota. I thought I could do this but I can’t.” Her voice broke with tears.

  “Do what Rain? I’m lost.”

  He could now feel the moisture on his chest. What is wrong with this girl? He tried pulling her out of his arms but she held onto him. He pulled away again and this time she let him go but kept her eyes cast down as tears rolled down her cheeks.

  “Tell me what’s wrong, and do it now.”

  She looked at him and he wanted to find whoever was making her feel like this and kill them. Tears weren’t something that moved him, but for some reason with her it was different. He hadn’t known this girl a full forty eight hours yet and she already had him feeling shit. He needed to see where this was headed before things started moving too fast. She sniffed a few times before wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. She looked at him briefly before parting her soft lips.

  “I used to be in love and it was so nice.” She smiled for a second before continuing. “Then one day out of the blue it was all gone. He died, and I hated him. I hated him for so long for leaving me…I cried…I cried every day for months. I wanted to die.” Rain started crying again, this time a little harder than before.

  “Its okay baby. You don’t have to talk about it.”

  Rain nodded her head. “I’m fi—” Her voice cracked. “I’m fine. My heart used to beat for that man, and he didn’t even care.”

  Love was started to see where this was going. At first he thought she was angry with the nigga for dying, but now it was starting to sound like he cheated on her ass too. He wanted to interrupt becau
se he honestly didn’t want to hear nor watch her cry behind another nigga.

  “What happened to him?” Love needed to know. All that crying was making her take forever to tell the story.

  “His wife’s boyfriend killed them.”

  “Hold up, hold up, hold up. Your boyfriend had a wife?” Love needed to make sure heard this right.

  “Yep, and I didn’t even know it. They got killed together and I was left looking like a fool.”

  Love whistled dramatically. “That’s some shit there.”

  “I thought I was over him enough to move on, but every time I try to date someone else I get back in the same mental space I was in when he died. I was hurt and I don’t want to go there again.”

  Damn, she was bringing a lot of baggage. Love had to give this some more thought. She was cute and all but he wasn’t feeling the problems she had brewing.

  “Dakota, I’m sorry for ruining our time together.”

  “You straight. Just lay down and let’s get some rest.”

  Rain scooted over close to him and snuggled against his chest. She scooted as close as she could to him before wrapping one arm over his body. He was loving the way her small body felt against his. He held her close until she fell off to sleep. It was the middle of the night when Love rolled over to check his phone. The loud ringing woke him up. It was Jacorey. He’d call him back tomorrow. Right now he was too tired and too comfortable laid up with Rain to do anything else. He moved slightly to put his phone back and Rain’s arm tightened around him.

  “Don’t leave me Kota,” she whispered in her sleep.

  Love paused and looked down at her. She appeared to still be sleeping but her words were full of feeling. He watched her for a little longer before lying back down. He hadn’t been called Kota since that night. His mother was the only person besides his sister that called him that and even she hadn’t said it since they were kids.

  “I’ll never leave Rain.” Dakota kissed the side of her head and laid back down. He could feel it. This was definitely the start of something special.

  *****

  “It’s right there. Apartment 229.” Rain pointed towards the building that he’d just driven by.

  After they woke up that morning, he took her to Waffle House before taking her home. He couldn’t say he was ready for her to leave just yet but he had to work today and so did she. Over breakfast she told him all about the book she was currently working on and her characters. Love thought it was dope as shit that she wrote books. While she talked you could hear the passion in her voice. The way she described the plot, settings, and outlines it all sounded so real he felt like he knew the people. Low-key he wanted to read it but he hadn’t bothered to ask her yet. Reading had always been one of his favorite pastimes but he never told anyone.

  “Thank you for breakfast this morning and counseling last night.” Rain turned in her seat so that she was facing him.

  “No problem baby doll.”

  Rain smiled but turned her head so she could hide it.

  “Can I ask you a question Dakota?”

  “What’s up?”

  “Do you call all of the girls you talk to baby doll?”

  Check her li’l ass out.

  Love pushed a few of his locs out of his face and shook his head no. “Only you.”

  “Um-huh. You probably lying,”

  “No need to pretty-pretty. I call you that because it fits. You’re small and beautiful like a baby doll.”

  He watched a grin spread across her face as she smiled from ear to ear. It was cute how her cheeks turned a little red whenever he complimented her.

  “You trying to run game on me, ain’t you?”

  “Not at all. I just think you look nice.”

  “Well thank you. So do you.”

  Love ran his hands over his hair and face being silly. “Yeah, yeah I know. Women love a black ass nigga like myself.” Rain laughed and so did he. “On the real though, I already knew you liked the way I looked.”

  “And how did you know that?”

  “You called me beautiful at Magic City.”

  Rain covered her face in embarrassment. “Oh Lord it just gets worse and worse every day. I was really showing out. Do me a favor and never let me drink around you again.”

  Love pulled her hands from her face. “Chill out girl. It’s cool.”

  The truck fell quiet for a minute as they both looked out of the window. Rain disturbed the silence first by grabbing her purse and phone from his console. Her red nails brushed against his arm as she removed her things.

  “I had fun Dakota, even though I punked out.”

  “It ain’t no thang shawty. I’ll get you right soon enough.”

  Rain winked her eye before closing the door. Love put his truck in park and came around to her side. She was still standing there in her clothes from the night before waiting for him. She looked into his face as he tucked some loose strands of her hair behind her ear. Closer and closer he leaned until his mouth was inches from hers. She took it the rest of the way and kissed him. Her soft lips meshed with his effortlessly. She grabbed his waist and held on to his shirt pulling them closer together. He had the mind to bend her over and fuck her right there whether she wanted him to or not, but he relaxed and pulled away. She moaned and bit his bottom lip before releasing him.

  “Now why you do that shit?”

  “Do what?” She looked confused.

  “Moan like that. I don’t know if I can take it.”

  Rain stuck her bottom lip out in a fake pout. “I’m sorry Kota. I’ll try to keep that to myself next time.”

  “You do that.” He slapped her butt lightly before stepping back so she could walk past. He watched her until she stuck her key in the door and went in. He looked back once more before he pulled off. He had two hours to get to work, which gave him enough time to go back home for a little while. He took in the scenery as he thought about the way Rain had been crying last night. That shit nagged a little something inside of him. He too could relate to the heartache that came from your significant other cheating on you. Tacara Innis. She was his high school sweetheart and longtime girlfriend up until last year. He’d gone over to her house to surprise her only to be the one gaining the surprise. There was a nigga there laid up in the house he was paying the bills in while her ass had the nerve to be cooking him breakfast. Love almost lost his freedom that day because of a stupid decision. From that day to this one he didn’t put his trust in any woman. He made sure to keep his eyes open and his heart closed, which is why he was having a mental battle right now. He was ready for a relationship but he wasn’t sure if he could give it his all. Coming home alone or sleeping with different women every other night was starting to get old. He wanted one person to spend all of his time with. Rain seemed like a stand-up chick but he still didn’t know her well enough to tell. Everybody seems fun and interesting when you first start talking. He’d give it a shot though, just to see where it was headed.

  *****

  “Ummm what you doing at my house this early?” Alex was lying in bed when she walked into his room. “I could have had company.”

  Rain pulled her clothes off and grabbed a shirt and a pair of shorts from his drawer before answering him. “I didn’t want him to know where I lived at yet.”

  “So it’s okay for him to come here and kill me?”

  Rain laughed. “Nigga stop being so dramatic. That boy ain’t gon’ do nothing to your ass.”

  “You right, I might be the one to do something to him.”

  “Bitch I’ll kill you.” Rain rolled her eyes at him before going into his bathroom to take a shower. She hadn’t taken any clothes with her to Dakota’s house last night and she was ready to bathe. Once she finished dressing she got in the bed with Alex and attempted to go to sleep.

  “No ma’am. Wake up. You got some storytelling to do.”

  “Man Alex I’m too embarrassed to even damn talk. We got to kissing and touching and my ass started c
rying.”

  “Aww shit. Boo you got to get over that shit before everybody you talk to start thinking your ass is crazy.” Alex flipped over in the bed so he was facing her.

  “I knowwwww man. I think I like his black ass too. Them dreads, those light ass eyes, that dark ass skin, and lawd his height. Whew Jesus! I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”

  “I don’t know what’s wrong with you either. I wouldn’t have been able to picture nothing else with all that sexiness in front of me.”

  Rain and Alex both started laughing.

  “Get it tight best friend, get it tight.” Alex got out of bed and walked out the door. “You hungry?” he called down the hall.

  “Nope. Bae fed me Waffle House before he brought me home.”

  “Fancy ass. I’m scared of you,” Alex yelled again.

  Rain laid in Alex’s bed thinking of Love. Dakota Love. Her Dakota. She had to get her mind right. He seemed like he could possibly be a good time, maybe even her man if he played his cards right. For him to be so thuggish looking he was sweet as hell. The moment she’d started crying he was up on her. Even after he found out it was about another nigga he continued to console her. His strong arms felt so good she didn’t want to move. She smiled to herself as she thought about the way he called her baby doll.

  “Here ho. Your phone just beeped, and what you in here smiling like a fool for?”