by Tosha Damaya
"I'm in love with you too," he whispered against her lips.
"Really?"
Zeke smiled. "Yes. I've been an idiot. I should've made you mine a long time ago. When I first met you, I felt an instant attraction. I loved your confident personality and your work ethic. I've never met another young woman that became a business owner at such a young age, and you've taken that business and you've grown it so much over the years. I admire that about you, Syd. I love how family-oriented you are, and how much you take into consideration other people's feelings before thinking of your own. You're an incredible person, and I'm lucky to have you in my life."
Zeke took a deep breath to compose himself and then continued. "It took you almost getting killed for me to realize that I need you. I love you, and I'm in love with you, and I'm never letting you go. No other woman compares to you, and if you accept me, I want us to be together as a couple. I don't want you ever to leave me. I think you should move in with me permanently and share my bed with me every night, Syd. I know it sounds completely juvenile, but will you be my girlfriend?"
Sydney giggled. "What does that mean exactly?"
He shrugged his shoulders. "It means that I get to kiss you whenever I want, touch you whenever I want. We get to go on dates, and we get to play around in bed afterward," Zeke smoothly replied.
"Isn't that what we've been doing?"
"Kind of," he admitted. "But now when I introduce you to someone, you'll be my girlfriend Sydney. Later on, you'll be my fiancée Sydney, and then a little after that, you'll be introduced as my wife, Sydney. In all honesty, you should've gotten the title of girlfriend a while ago and then maybe we would've been married by now. I feel like such an idiot for not realizing how much I love you."
She was so happy that he shared her feelings. "I love you too," Sydney returned to kissing Zeke. She started to deepen the kiss, but he pulled back.
He shook his head. "You just got out of the hospital, Syd. You need to rest," Zeke scolded. He wanted to make to love to her, but wanted her to be one hundred percent healthy first.
"We can just go slowly," she suggested, but Zeke still wasn't hearing it.
"Maybe tomorrow baby, but not now. Tonight, I'm going to hold you in my arms and be thankful that I walked into your store two years ago,” Zeke said before placing a kiss on her nose.
Sydney decided to not argue about it and fell asleep in the arms of the man she loved.
Chapter Fourteen
Zeke walked over to Sierra's apartment and knocked lightly on the door. A few minutes later, Ethan joined him in the hallway. It was early Saturday morning, and they had planned on going to Sydney's place to make sure everything was intact. The man that attacked her had her purse that held her apartment keys, along with all of her personal belongings. He could have easily come to Sydney's home and stolen all of her things. Zeke made sure to contact the building manager and have him change the locks. Sydney's lease wasn't up for a few months, so the apartment would still be hers. But as soon as he could, he was moving all of her things to his house.
Using Sierra's spare key, Zeke gained entrance. At initial observation, everything appeared to be intact. He and Ethan moved around the apartment, going to the bedrooms, bathroom, and kitchen area. When everything was in the clear, Zeke grabbed a duffle bag and started putting clothes inside for Sydney.
"How is Sydney doing?" Ethan asked while Zeke continued to pack.
"She was a little upset last night. When I left the house this morning, she was still asleep, so I didn't get the chance to talk to her." It was only eight in the morning, and Zeke wanted Sydney to rest so he didn't wake her.
Ethan shook his head, "I still can't believe this shit happened. I almost made Sierra stay in a hotel last night just in case someone came here last night looking for Sydney," Ethan admitted. Sierra didn't think anything would happen and wanted to sleep in her bed.
"You're feeling Sierra," Zeke commented. He finished with one bag and found another one to put some toiletries inside.
Ethan nodded his head. "I am. I knew from the jump that I wanted her and that she was special with her rude ass. I love arguing and fighting with her."
"Sounds like you're in love."
Ethan smiled. "Maybe I am."
He’d already thought about relocating to be closer to Sierra. He hadn't mentioned it to her because she would probably freak out about it. With Sierra, he had to move at a snail’s pace so that she was comfortable. She panicked when it came to her emotions and feelings and treated their relationship like it was only sexual, but Ethan knew that it was something deeper. He just needed Sierra to see it.
"If you are, tell her," Zeke declared. “Sydney and I wasted so much time being apart.”
"So now you see what we've been talking about all along. Your eyes finally opened up."
"Yeah and now that I have her, I'm not letting her go.”
≈
Sydney woke up in bed alone. She was hoping that Zeke would still be with her, but when she saw that it was almost noon, she realized that he probably woke up hours ago. After stretching her body, she got out of bed, walked into Zeke's master bathroom, and saw her personal items on the right side of the sink. He is truly exceptional, Sydney thought as she grabbed her toothbrush. Afterward, she put her hair up in a ponytail and went to take a quick shower. When she finished, she went looking for something to wear. She was shocked to see her clothing already hanging up in Zeke’s closet. He had moved all of his things to one side so that she could have some room. Sydney shook her head in amazement and grabbed a simple outfit to put on.
When she left Zeke's bedroom, she heard laughter coming from the living room. Sydney didn't expect to see both of their families conversing together. Sierra was sitting on top of Ethan's lap, and they were sharing one couch with her parents. Across from them were Zeke's brothers Trevor and Gavin on the other couch. Both of their wives, Yasmin, and Janette were sitting on the floor in front of them. The man she loved was walking into the room from the kitchen, providing drinks to everyone. Behind Zeke was his mother, Pearl. The only person missing was her brother Jonathan, but he was most likely working. His presence was often scarce due to working and furthering his degree.
All conversation ceased when she came fully into the room.
"Don't stop the party for me," she said in greeting.
Everyone jumped up and gave her hugs and kisses and condolences for what happened at the store. Her mother, Theresa, was mad that she was out of bed, but Sydney tried to explain that she felt fine to move around.
Zeke was the last person to come greet her. He sent a smile her way before walking across the room to her. Usually, they just quickly hugged and pecked each other on the cheek, but she knew right away that it was going to be different. He pressed his lips to hers in a kiss that took her breath away. Zeke continued to demolish her lips as everyone looked on. Sydney had to grab his shoulders to keep from falling back from his attack. It was a statement kiss, a kiss meant to show everyone that their relationship had evolved.
"Hi, girlfriend.”
Sydney blushed and hid her face in his chest. Zeke smiled and continued to hold her against him. He loved that he had that effect on her.
Everyone besides Ethan and Sierra was flabbergasted at what had transpired. They all sat with their mouths wide open, shocked. Sierra was the first person to say something.
"Well damn! Am I the only one feeling a little horny after that kiss?" she exclaimed, fanning herself dramatically with her hand.
"Sierra!" her mother chastised.
"What? Stop acting like you and daddy don't still get it on. Do you want me to tell Syd about the time I came over unannounced?"
Ethan chuckled because he had already heard the story of Sierra finding her parents naked on the couch. He hoped that he still had an active sex life when he was their age.
Mrs. Adams looked embarrassed, but it didn't faze Mr. Adams, "Tell it, I don't care. How do you think you got into this world?
" he stated to Sierra loud enough for everyone to hear, making them laugh.
"Do you two have something to share?" Mrs. Adams asked Zeke and Sydney to change the subject. She didn't want her sex life with her husband to be a topic of discussion.
Zeke looked down at Sydney to confirm that she was ready to let them know what was going on. When she nodded her head, he announced it to everyone, "Sydney and I are together in a relationship, and we're having a baby."
Everyone congratulated the couple. Mrs. Adams started to cry because this was going to be her first grandchild. She immediately made Sydney sit down on the couch to rest.
"I had a feeling something was going on when you got sick at the house," Mrs. Adams pointed out. "I can't believe I'm going to be a grandma."
Zeke’s mother was glad as well and kissed Sydney on the cheek. "I'm happy for you and my son. I knew there was something special between you two."
The women continued to fuss over her and were already planning shopping trips. Yasmin was close to six months pregnant and was giving Sydney some advice to help with the morning sickness. They were so involved that they didn't notice that the men had slipped out of the room and gone onto Zeke's deck where the afternoon barbecue would be held.
Mr. Adams was happy for Zeke and Sydney, but he didn't like the fact that his baby was pregnant without a ring on her finger. He was old school and wanted his daughters to become wives before becoming mothers.
"Zeke, I hope that along with giving my daughter a baby, you plan on giving her a ring as well," Mr. Adams stated bluntly.
Zeke understood Samuel. He would want the same for his daughter. “It’s the plan for the near future, Mr. Adams.”
Samuel accepted the answer and then focused his attention towards Ethan. "What's going on with you and Sierra?"
Ethan ended his conversation with Gavin and Trevor to answer him. "I like your daughter Mr. Adams, and I can see it developing into love pretty soon, but she’s not ready. If I even mentioned a commitment to her, she would end things with me right away.”
Samuel chuckled. "Yeah Sierra is a tough girl, but don't let her push you away. She doesn't like to talk about it, but she fell in love young, and the boy broke her heart and ended up with one of her friends. Just the fact that she's willing to show physical affection towards you and in front of my wife and I shows that she cares for you son."
Ethan nodded his head in understanding. "She doesn't make it easy," he admitted.
"The women we have to work for are the ones that are worth it. I would never want a woman that was agreeable to everything I said and was a servant to me. It would be boring, and I would probably be out chasing another skirt. Men need strong women to challenge them. It keeps life interesting."
Each of them listened as Mr. Adams spoke and felt the truth behind his words. They all experienced their parent's relationship and hoped that they could have that kind of everlasting love for themselves. Gavin and Trevor already had their wives and Zeke was mapping out his future with Sydney. Ethan was taking baby steps with Sierra but hoped to make her a Coleman one day as well.
≈
Later in the afternoon, the younger men played football and the women watched while Mr. Adams handled the grill. Pearl and Theresa took charge of the kitchen and made all of the sides. What was supposed to be afternoon get together crept into the evening. Everyone stayed late, sitting around Zeke's house, watching television and listening to music.
After Jonathan had finished his shift at the hospital, he came over with dessert. Sydney blushed when he brought banana pudding especially for her. As soon as she saw it, thoughts of her and Zeke naked in bed drifted through her mind. Zeke chuckled and pressed a kiss to her forehead after seeing her reaction.
Sydney and Zeke loved their families, but were happy when they all started to leave. His mother tried to stay over, but Gavin talked her into staying at a hotel instead, so that they leave out early Sunday morning.
Sierra and Ethan were the last to go and of course, Sierra had to say something before walking out the door.
"I bet y’all are going to attack each other as soon as we leave. Maybe we should stay a little longer."
Ethan picked Sierra up and carried her out. "Stop being a pain.”
Zeke watched as Ethan put Sierra in the passenger seat before getting on the driver's side and leaving. He closed and locked the door after they pulled out of the driveway. He turned back around to say something to Sydney, but she was gone.
"Sydney where are you?" he called out to her.
She didn’t respond.
“Sydney?”
"Come and find me.”
Zeke laughed and started going through the rooms of the house. She wasn't in the kitchen or dining room, so he started checking the bedrooms.
"Marco," he shouted playfully. After a minute or so she replied.
"Polo."
Zeke headed in the direction of his master bedroom. He expected to find a naked Sydney but found her shoes and clothes instead. "Marco."
"Polo," Sydney whispered.
Zeke followed her soft voice and went towards his office. He wasn't disappointed. Sitting on top of the desk in all of her naked glory was Sydney. Zeke was immediately turned on, and his dick jumped with happiness at the sight of her.
"You found me," Sydney said seductively.
"What's my prize?" Zeke asked as he came towards her.
Sydney grinned at him and opened her legs to reveal her glorious pussy. "You get to have all of me."
It was the best prize he could ever receive, but he was apprehensive about making love to her. Sydney’s health was his number one priority. He didn't want to do anything to jeopardize it. "You just got out the hospital, babe."
"I'm not in any pain and I ache for you. Please don't make me wait another night."
Zeke thought about it and decided that he couldn't deny her, but he wasn't going to fuck her on a hard desk. He lifted Sydney and carried her back to his bedroom and placed her on top of the bed. Zeke took his shirt off, and Sydney sat up to help unlatch his belt and unbutton his jeans. As soon as he stripped down, she pulled him on top of her.
Zeke slowly slid inside of Sydney, groaning with the pleasure that her body was providing to him. He pulled back out and slid forward again as Sydney arched her hips against his. They moved in perfect rhythm filling the room with their moans. He honestly believed that he was meant to be with this woman, because no one else had ever made him feel this way. He loved the way her legs wrapped around his waist receiving him and taking everything he had to offer.
"I love being inside of you."
"I love having you inside of me," she replied. "You're not allowed to give yourself to anyone else."
Zeke chuckled. "I wasn't planning on it," he said before kissing her while still moving with her. He continued until he felt Sydney's orgasm. As she relaxed around him, he slowly moved inside of her while kissing her all over the face. His release came a moment later.
"I love you," Zeke stated before giving her a signature kiss on the nose.
"Love you, too."
Part Three
The Conclusion
Chapter Fifteen
On Monday, Sierra turned in her last assignment for the semester and felt the stress of school roll off her shoulders. She already had a Bachelor’s degree in Health Education and a Master's in Public Health, but she wanted to obtain a Doctorate. She realized that when she started, it wasn't going to be an easy task to accomplish. The classes were challenging, and at this point, she was tired of school. She was seriously considering leaving the program and getting a job at a hospital in Austin. It would please her father. Samuel would probably have a heart attack if she started paying her own bills.
"Sierra!"
She turned around in the parking lot to see one of her professors running towards her. Dr. Laurence Thompson was one of the youngest doctoral lecturers at the University. The majority of the girls, and a few guys, took his class just to stare a
t him for an hour.
"Hello Dr. Thompson," she greeted when he made it up to her.
"Sierra, I wanted to talk to you before you left campus,” he said in between breaths.
Sierra held in her chuckle when she observed him out of breath from the short run. "Is it about one of my assignments? I made sure to complete all of them."
"No, I wanted to see if you were available for dinner."
That made Sierra pause. Dinner? That was the last thing she expected him to say. She appreciated a man with a brain, but had a strict policy of mixing business and pleasure with professors.
"I don't date professors, Dr. Thompson. You might catch feelings and then give me an F if I don't give you the P," she teased. She got the satisfaction of seeing the man blush. Looking at Dr. Thompson and his nerdy swagger, she was considering changing her rule. He was adorable.
He laughed nervously. "I'm no longer working for the University. I put in my resignation a month ago. Today was my last day.”
"Really?"
"Yes, really.” Laurence got bold and stepped closer to her. “Now will you make an exception?"
Saying yes was at the tip of her tongue, but something or someone kept her from accepting his proposal.
Ethan.
They were only having sex, but she felt like she was betraying him by being with another man. Her sister wanted a happily ever after, but she wasn’t the relationship type of girl. She just wanted to have fun. But why did the possibility of dating Laurence make her feel guilty?
"Dr. Thompson, do you mind if I think about it? Maybe we can get each other’s contact info, and I'll call you later," she recommended.
They exchanged phone numbers.
“For now on, call me Laurence,” he requested.
Sierra pretended to think about it. She purposely licked her lips before she replied. “But calling you Dr. Thompson is so much sexier.” She laughed when he blushed again. Oh yeah, it would be fun to turn him out, she thought.
“I have to go, but I hope to hear from you soon," he said, walking away.