She let out a growl. “God, I’m so confused. I know I want to marry him. I want to spend the rest of my life with him. Have kids, grow old. But are we rushing? Does it have to be right now?”
“If you know he’s the person you’re going to spend your life with why does it matter if you marry him now? Unless you plan on things changing between now and then.”
“Of course I don’t. He’s my forever.”
“Then you have your answer.” I stopped pacing and smiled at my reflection. “Wow, I’m insightful at times.”
Gabi smacked her lips. “Okay, Dr. Elsbury. I have to go. Talk to you later.”
Instead of going back downstairs right away, I jumped in the shower and washed my hair to give the guys some time to talk. It took me a while to wash, condition, and twist my hair for the night. By the time I finished it had grown dark outside.
When I made it back downstairs the guys were sitting at the kitchen table. Jay had a bowl filled to the brim with Froot Loops in front of him. He swallowed then pointed his spoon at Benji. “I knew you were gonna bring that up. Yeah I made some crappy choices on that matter, but the difference is we weren’t together then. We’re engaged to be married. Couples make decisions together. They don’t just tell the other they’re going to do something without consulting them.”
I took the seat adjacent to him, crossed my arms, and stared at him.
He glanced over at me and frowned. “What?”
“Just wondering why you’re such an idiot.”
“And how exactly do you figure I’m an idiot?” He leaned back in his chair and rested his hands in his lap.
“For one, you’re here instead of there fixing things. And second, why does it matter if you wait? You want to marry her, right?”
“Yeah.”
“And spend eternity being sickeningly cute together?”
He narrowed his eyes but nodded.
“Then what’s it matter if you get married now or when you’re thirty?”
“You’re missing the whole point.”
“And the point is?”
“You see this conversation me and you are having now,” he said, pointing between us two. “Gabi and I didn’t have this conversation. She said what we’re gonna do and that was that. No explanations, no asking my opinion, no anything. That’s not how relationships work.”
Benji leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms. “I don’t see how either of you plan on making a marriage work. You’re both too bull headed and stubborn.”
“No, she’s stubborn. I’m–”
“JJ?”
Our heads turned in unison toward the kitchen door.
Gabi stood with a strand of her hair tucked between her lips, her puffy eyes fixed on Jay.
I stood and made my way over to her. “Were you on the bus when you called or something?”
She nodded then gave me a quick hug before circling around me to stand near the table. “Can we talk?”
Jay’s brow lifted, his lips forming a straight line. “I don’t know, can we? Because you seem to do all the talking and decision making and I don’t get a say.” He stood and took his bowl to the sink.
“Jay–”
“You called off our wedding, Gabi, and then basically kicked me out of your parents’ house.”
She dropped her gaze to the green and black sneakers on her feet. “I’m sorry. I should’ve discussed things with you before making a decision. Can we please talk now? In private?”
With a heavy sigh, he nodded. “Fine.”
Together they exited the kitchen, making the air in the room a heck of a lot easier to breathe.
Benji stood while chuckling. “Drama, drama, drama.”
I laughed and leaned against the counter. “Seems to be a reoccurring theme for those two.”
His tongue slid over his lips as he eased his way closer. “Now that they’re gone.”
A second later I was seated on the counter with him positioned between my legs. “Um, what do you think you’re doing?”
“Reaching you better.” Leaning forward, he placed a soft peck on my lips.
The counters were pretty tall so I was only a head shorter than him up there.
Our lips met again, his warm tongue easing mine apart while his fingers played along the hem of my shorts.
I broke away, moving my head back.
He followed, trailing kisses down the side of my neck.
“Mmmm…Benji…no sex, remember?”
His breath tickled my sensitive skin as he chuckled. “Trust me, baby, you’ll know when we’re having sex.” He brushed his lips across my throat and the heat inside my panties increased from scorching to unbearable. “I’m just enjoying you.”
“Well would you mind keeping your hands…mmmm…and lips to yourself? Enjoy me from afar because I can’t take this.”
He chuckled again and moved away, leaving an aching need where his soft lips had been. “Girl, who you tellin’?”
I followed his gaze down to the tent in his shorts and damn near had an orgasm from the sight alone. “Geez, what do you have in there, a rocket launcher?”
Deep laughter rumbled from him. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”
I damn sure would.
“The night’s still young. What do you wanna get into?”
Prying my eyes away from the glory, I slid from the countertop. “A movie?”
“Movie it is.” He took my hand and led me toward the basement. “Have you told Gabi?”
“About us? Not yet. I will when all the drama calms down. Did you tell your brofriend?”
“What the hell is a brofriend?”
“A male best friend who you’re bromatically involved with. Ever heard of bromance?”
With his eyes squinted, he stared at me for a long moment. “I’ma choose to ignore that. Anyway, no I did not tell my brother yet. I’ll tell him when they’re done getting it on.”
“What makes you think that’s what they’re doing?”
He rolled his eyes. “Come on, you know those two.”
We both doubled over in laughter. “Yeah, it’ll be a while. Probably won’t see them until morning.
~ ♥ ~
“I’ve never done this before.”
“Done what?” I turned so my face rested against Benji’s chest and looked up at him. Fantastic Four played on the big screen while we lounged on the sectional with me situated between his legs, wrapped in his arms.
“Cuddled.”
“Seriously?”
He glanced away from the TV and smiled at me. “Yeah. Everything about relationships is new to me…except sex of course.”
“So, does that make you like a virgin to snuggling?”
His brows squished together as he smiled. “I guess.”
“Aww, I popped you snuggle cherry.”
He smirked then his grip around me tightened and he nipped my chin. “Crazy.”
I squirmed, laughing and trying to break free. “Ow, you’re squishing my boobs.”
He loosened his hold, chuckling. “Want me to kiss ‘em?”
Hell yeah. “No, I’m fine.” Turning onto my side, I relaxed against his chest again and gazed up at him.
“What?”
“This is new for me, too. A real relationship. Trusting someone with my heart…I’m terrified, Benji.”
He stared down at me in silence, tracing his fingers down my cheek. “Wanna know a secret?”
I nodded.
“Me, too.”
Easing up his body, I positioned my face next to his then pressed my forehead to his temple and whispered, “Don’t hurt me.”
“Never.” He faced me and pressed a lingering kiss to my lips. “Never, Cammie.”
“Well, well.”
Benji’s head whipped around and I leaned past him.
Jaybrielle stood side by side wearing matching smirks. Jay’s left brow arched and he folded his arms. “What do we have here?” He looked over at Gabi, a slow grin spreading o
ver his face. “Who knew all we had to do to get these two together was leave them alone for a few weeks?”
Gabi’s smile stretched wide. “Yay, double dates!”
Fighting to contain an eye roll, I looked between the pair. “So I take you two made up?”
Jay hugged Gabi to him and kissed her cheek. “Yeah, we had a long talk. Decided to take things day by day until we both feel the time is right, whether it’s tomorrow or ten years from now.”
“Good, because I was going to kill the both of you.”
Gabi reared back with wide eyes. “You have a lot of nerve Ms. I Don’t Have Any Feelings For Him.” She narrowed her eyes and smirked.
I slunk down against Benji, using his body to conceal myself.
“Uh uh, don’t hide now.”
Benji’s laughter rumbled through me. “What y’all getting ready to do?”
“We were gonna get something to eat. You lovebirds want something?”
Benji looked down at me, running his fingers up and down my spine. “Want some food, baby?”
“Yes, please.”
He turned back to them and gave a thumbs up.
“Cam,” Gabi called. “You owe me a conversation when we get back.”
Peeking over Benji’s shoulder, I watched her head for the stairs. “I was going to tell you.”
“Mmmmhmmm.”
Once they left I settled back into Benji’s arms, the most comfortable place I’d ever been. “Glad that’s over with, even though I knew it wouldn’t last. If anyone is gonna be together forever, it’s those two.”
“What about us?” His arms wrapped around my torso.
“I don’t know.” My fingers danced over his bicep, tracing a bulging vein. “We’ve been together one day. Let’s not think too far ahead just yet.”
“That’s fair. So what do want to do until they get back?”
I shrugged.
“We could play the questions game.”
I lifted my head to look at him. “You know we don’t have to play a game whenever you want to ask me something. Just ask.”
“Okay,” he said, toying with one of the twists in my hair. “What’s your favorite color?”
Catching his gaze, I smiled. “Blue.”
His plump lips lifted into a grin. “Oh really, now?”
I shrugged. “It’s a nice color. Reminds me of an ocean. Seeing one in person is on my bucket list.”
“What other places do you want to go?”
“New Delhi. Shanghai. Singapore. The Serengeti. Kenya. And everywhere else.”
He traced his fingers down the side of my neck. “I wish I could take you to all those places. I love the way your face lights up when you talk about traveling.”
“The world is such an amazing place. There’s so much to explore.”
“I hope you get to fulfill your dream.” He kissed my lips then coaxed me back onto his chest.
“Any more questions?”
“Favorite position.”
After a small giggle fit I tapped my finger against my chin. “Um…against the wall with my legs around my partner’s waist.”
“Mmmm, I can get with that. Except I’d rather have your legs on my shoulders.”
“That would be nice, if I wasn’t so damn short. What’s yours?”
“It used to be doggy style, but lately I’ve been having this fantasy with you in a pink lace thong riding me reverse cowgirl.”
“I bet you have.”
He chuckled, guiding his hand over my hip. All this talk about positions was going to make me ruin my panties…again. “What’s the one thing you hate most about sex?”
“A selfish man. Can’t stand when all they think about is getting theirs and ignore all of my erogenous zones. And then have the nerve to think they’re doing something special, asking me who’s is it. Negro, not yours.”
Benji’s laughter thundered around the room. “Damn girl, why they gotta be a Negro?”
“Because they’re ignorant as hell to try to claim something they don’t even know how to navigate. Get on my damn nerves.”
“Well, you ain’t gotta worry about that with me. Selfish is one thing I could never be to you, Cammie.”
“Good to know. Now,” I said as I repositioned myself so I was sitting in his lap. “What’s your favorite part of sex? For me it’s oral.”
His brows shot up.
“Receiving! There is nothing like an Aussie kiss.”
The amusement vanished from his face and his gaze dropped. “I’m not a fan.”
“Of…giving?”
He shook his head. “Not really.”
Okay, so not expecting that, especially not from someone as sexual as him. “Why’s that? If you don’t mind me asking.”
He chewed his lower lip, keeping his head bowed. “Viv used to make me–”
“You don’t have to say it. I understand.” I held both sides of his face in my hands and lifted his head before pressing a gentle kiss to his lips. “I’m so sorry she hurt you.”
Wrapping me in his arms, he pulled me close and nuzzled my hair before kissing the crown of my head. “It’s okay. You heal me.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
~ Benji ~
A high pitched scream pierced the silence of the house. The spatula slipped from my hand mid flip, clinked against the stove, and landed on my bare foot. Heat surged through the sensitive skin. “Shit.” I kicked the utensil away, turned, and made a mad dash for the basement.
“Cam!” Gripping the railing I bounded down the steps two at a time. I paused half way and jumped over the remaining stairs. My knee twisted at an odd angle as I landed and I crashed to the floor. “Arggh.”
Cam’s head peeked around the corner of the laundry room and her eyes widened. “Are you okay?”
“Are you?” I pulled myself to a seated position and rubbed at me knee. “Why’d you scream?”
She stepped all the way out and then stooped over me. “Oh. There was a moth.”
For a moment I could only gape at her. “A moth? Are you fucking kidding me? I almost broke my damn neck because of a moth? I thought some psycho serial rapist had you or something.”
Her eyes brightened and a smile worked its way over her face. “And you came to rescue me?”
I smacked my lips. This girl. “Duh, crazy ass woman.”
“Hey!” She punched my chest and shoved me.
“That’s messed up, beating on an injured man.”
Her light giggle filled room. “Sorry. Are you okay?”
“Knee’s kinda sore, but yeah I’m good.”
A flash of brown flittered by and Cam yelped and started fanning her arms around. One of her nails clipped the corner of my eye.
My hand flew to my face, blocking the stinging skin from more of her assault. “Cam! If you don’t calm your lil self down.”
She covered her mouth with both hands and gaped at me with widened eyes. Her voice was muffled as she spoke. “Oh my god, I am so sorry.”
I just shook my head while pulling myself up to stand. “Let me get rid of this thing before you kill somebody.”
“I’m sorry. They freak me out.”
I held out my hand to help her up. “Moths can’t hurt you.”
“Moths are like demonic butterflies. Evil little creatures.”
Again I just stared at her. During the course of our nearly one month long relationship I learned a very important thing about Cam: She was over-dramatic as hell.
After talking her back into the laundry room, I went on the hunt for the ‘demon moth’. Finding it was easy enough, even while limping. I set it free in the backyard then went to the stove and turned off the heat beneath my now blackened grilled cheese sandwich.
Cam’s voice echoed up the stairs. “Is it gone?”
“Yes, it’s gone, punk.”
“Don’t make me hurt you.”
I glanced at her while scraping the skillet. “Girl please. What yo’ lil self gone do?”
&n
bsp; “Oh, don’t underestimate me because of my size. These little fists can do some serious damage.” She balled up both her hands and danced around on her toes like a boxer.
Stifling my laughter, I shook my head. “Yeah, okay.”
She pulled her head back then cocked it to the side. “You think this is a game? Come test that theory.” She began moving around again, circling me while swinging her fists, landing soft hits on my arms and back.
I dropped the pan into the sink and faced her, raising my fists and fighting a smile. “Girl, you ‘on’t want none a this.”
Laughter filled the kitchen as we danced around one another, shadow boxing.
Cam backed me into the living room, throwing fast ‘hits’ while mean mugging me. “Uh huh, you ain’t talking now.”
“You ever hear Ali talk in the middle of a fight?”
“Oh, you’re Ali now?” She circled me again, slowly this time.
“Nah,” I started in my best Mike Tyson voice. “I’m Benji, undefeated champion of River Crest.”
She burst out laughing then dropped her hands. “That was horrible.”
“Don’t hate.” I relaxed my stance then eased down to the floor.
“On what?” She walked closer with her hands on her hips. Her eyes brightened yet again and a huge grin spread over her face. “Ooh, let’s wrestle.”
“Wrestle? Unh unh.”
“Why not? You and Jay wrestle.”
“Jay and I are the same size. You’re too damn small. I could hurt you.”
“Still underestimating me, I see.”
“I’m not–”
She rushed forward and propelled herself at me, knocking me to my back.
“Umph.” My lungs constricted and my head swam a bit. “Damn, Cam. You are intent on killing me today, ain’t you?”
She giggled, pressing down against my shoulders with her forearms. “I win.”
In one fluid motion I wrapped one arm around her waist, cradled her head, and flipped her onto her back. “Sure about that?”
Her breathing hitched, and then turned ragged. “Damn that was sexy.” Encircling my neck with her arms, she pulled my face closer and brought her lips to mine.
My lower lip was suctioned her into mouth where she suckled and nibbled it. A few more minutes of this and I was gonna need a fresh pair of shorts. Six long months had passed since I’d felt the softness of a woman beneath me and not once did I believe it would ever be Cam.
Teach Me (College Daze Book 2) Page 22