Instantly, his eyes went to her boobs. Her nipples, taut and huge poked through her red, clingy dress.
“Are you a melon, or an apple?” he asked in return.
Smiling, she shrugged. “Figure it out.”
Baited by her remark, he lunged forward, scooped her left breasts with his palms and tweaked her supple boobs.
Lola gasped! Her eyes widened and dimmed as she jolted against his hand. As quickly as he caressed her breasts, he pulled back.
“Melon,” he replied, swallowing his arousal.
The tense heat in the small booth was about ready to explode. He stared at his hand as his heart raced.
“What did you do that for?” Her voice trembled as she shuddered.
He pulled her into his arms briefly. “You teased me and I fell for your sexiness.”
Exhaling, she carried on. “Boobs, or backside?”
“Both. Brains, or brawns for you, Lola?”
“Definitely both.”
“You think I’ve got both then?”
She smiled. “I sure think so. With the huge muscles you carry around along with the brains for medicine, what’s there not to like ehn?”
He reached for her arm and tugged, pulling her a lot closer. She resisted, but not for more than a sec., then she kissed his lips before backing down.
“Bald, or hairy for you?” He had full hair, so he had nothing to worry about.
“Hairy. The hair on your forearms swept me off my feet from the first day. Do you keep beard at all?”
Laughing, he leaned his head against the sofa. It was great to hear her say these things. He took her hand in his own and toyed with her fingers.
“I do when I’m feeling off.”
“I’m not saying you should. Where were you born?” She crossed her legs and the split on her dress uncovered her thigh. He warned himself not to stare.
“Paris. I was told my parents were once in love, made a trip to the romantic city and lived there for a couple of years. I was born there before things went south and she moved back to Chicago.”
“Oh, Paris! The city I dream about. What happened with your parents is unfortunate. I’m sorry.”
Nodding, he winked. “Tell me about your dreams.”
Lola’s eyes filled with huge stars. “I’ve got a few.”
“I want to hear about every one of your dreams.”
Angling her neck, she beamed. “You’ll hear about one, or two. Paris is my dream city to visit. Don’t ask me why.”
He enjoyed the way she relaxed by his side, everything else forgotten for the night.
“Maybe it’s the love magic everyone talks about. Next dream?”
“I want to fly my kids to Disneyland someday. Hopefully, they won’t be all grown up before I can.”
“Both dreams can be achieved in one go.”
“What do you mean?”
“There’s a Disneyland, Paris at the Marne-la-Vallée, so while you’re there with your kids, you can also tour the city of your dreams. Two-in-package.”
Shaking her head, she giggled. “Can I say something really ignorant?”
Nodding, he caressed her hairline. “Of course.”
“I’d no idea there was a Disneyland in Paris. I always thought about Disneyland, Florida.”
Laughing with her, he cuddled her thigh.
“It’s not important. We get new information every day. Any more dreams you want to share?”
“The one closest to my heart is completing the building I started years ago, so me and the kids and Grandy can have our own bedrooms and a fenced compound for my kids to play. I’ll not have to worry about them running into oncoming vehicles, or getting into street fights with neighbours’ kids.”
“Are you building a house then?”
“That’s right.” Pride gushed from her eyes. “I’ll start roofing in a matter of days.”
“Whoa! That’s cool. My respect for you just soared.”
Every moment he spent with her revealed something more he found inspiring. “Lola Lawson, you’re a hardworking, tenacious single mom with huge dreams you intend to achieve despite the challenges and limitations in your way. I’m in awe.”
She laughed a lot. “Good to know. Thank God for His grace. I can’t do anything without His strength.”
“Where were you born, Lola?”
“Ikeja, Lagos near the International Airport.”
“Oh. Then how did you end up living in Badagry Town, the other end of the city?”
“Life takes you were you can afford.”
“Two things I admire about you are, one your integrity and two, your dignity.”
Clearly, she did not have a lot, but she held her head high, lived within her means and worked hard.
“I appreciate that.” She caressed his fingers and rested her head on the sofa just like he did. “When you’re not examining scarred skin and people with hair problems, what else do you do? That reminds me. I’ve got a small keloid under my right breast, doctor.”
“When I’m not in the gym, I like to hang out. I spoke to Donna and Jake in the car the day you picked me from the airport. They’re married. There’s Joe Ossai. I need to introduce you to him tonight. I enlisted his help to throw this party.”
“Ow. The same guy who got you to visit Nigeria?”
“Same guy. Wait! You’ve got a keloid where?”
She snorted. “Under my right breast, doctor.”
“Are you joking?”
“No. I’m serious.”
“Then why are you laughing?”
“Because I’m not going to take off my bra for you to examine my boobs. The keloid is in an odd place.”
Sighing, his eyes flared with worry. “I’ll get into doctor mode when I’m examining the keloid, not your boyfriend mode, I promise.”
“The answer is no,” she objected, smiling.
“Does it hurt? I want to help you, Lola.”
“Yes. Especially during my cycle. It stings like someone is cutting through my skin.”
“Have you had it checked before?”
“No. It started as a tiny pimple, then it turned into an annoying keloid. I can’t afford to have it checked.”
“I’ve got to see it for myself to confirm.”
“Someday. Not today.”
“Here you are!” Joe shouted in frustration. “I’ve been looking all over the place for you, bro. Camilla’s heartbroken.”
Lola sat upright, and straightened her dress.
“Speak of the–” Maxwell said, getting to his feet.
“Don’t call me the devil. I’m not,” Joe warned, grinning.
“Joe, meet Lola Lawson, the woman I told you about. Lola,” he helped her to her feet and placed one hand across her shoulder. “Meet my friend, Joe Ossai.”
“Ow!” His friend wagged one finger. “So, you’re the reason, my bro Maxwell Legend has suddenly grown a conscience? Good to meet you, Lola Lawson.”
She smiled, extending her hand.
“Hi Joe. I’m guilty as charged.”
Joe laughed. “I’d introduced him to someone else earlier. But he dumped her without even offering her drinks. Now the lady wants my head on a plate.”
“That’s your problem, bro,” Maxwell told his friend. He did not want Lola to think he intended to flirt with another woman behind her back.
“Say something,” Joe urged Lola. “Camilla needs him for a moment. Can you spare him?”
Smiling, Lola peered up at Maxwell.
Tempted by her pouting lips, Maxwell bent his head and claimed her lips in a quick kiss.
“Okay,” Joe said, raising both hands. “I give up. I hope you make my friend very happy, Lola. Because I’ll hold you to account. Don’t break his heart.”
“You can count on it,” she told Joe with a smile.
“Do you two want something to chew while you relax here?” Joe asked, adjusting his mask.
“Yes please,” Maxwell told his buddy.
“I�
��ll get you some stick meat, shrimps and plantain canapés with some fish pepper soup. How does that sound, Lola?”
Giving a slow nod, she said. “Sounds nice. Thanks.”
Maxwell rested his hand on top of her butt.
“If I didn’t know you better, I’d think you were shy.”
She giggled, and pressed her lips to his shoulder.
“Not everyone can see the side I show to you.”
“That makes me feel truly special,” he admitted staring into her eyes.
“I’m wearing a crotchless lace thong.”
Her whispered answer to the question he asked a while ago dripped with enough desire to thicken his erection.
“Could you at least wait for me to exit the booth, lovebirds?” Joe snapped, turning on his heel.
They both grinned and flopped back on the sofa after he exited.
Chapter 9 – Talk To Me
Lola
About a week and a half later, Lola picked up a young woman, who needed a ride to Littoral University in her taxi. The passenger spent the entire trip chatting on the phone in a high-pitch voice. If it were not against the law, she would have blocked out the woman’s noisy chats with ear pods.
Just as the annoying passenger climbed down and got out her suitcases, Lola’s phone pinged. It was the signal she had an important call from home. Her family knew to only call when it was an emergency.
Quickly dismissing the young woman, Lola reached for her phone and answered the call.
“Lola, come home.” It was Grandaunt Aduni. Her voice sounded shaky and troubled.
“What is it, Grandy? Are you sick? Are Amaka and Nonso well?”
“Please come home. It’s Amaka. She’s very sick.”
Lola’s stomach bottomed out with dread.
“What happened?”
“We need to rush her to the hospital.”
“I’ll be there soon, Grandy. Please take care of her.”
Tears immediately stung Lola’s eyes. She blew out air from her mouth and steadied her shaky fingers to drive the less than half an hour journey.
“Lord, please heal my daughter. You know money is tight. I’ve got very little to go on. The hospital will ask for deposit. What will I do if her sickness is serious? Come to our rescue, Lord Jesus, Saviour of the world and healer of our diseases.” She continued to pray throughout the drive.
Lola’s kids had never really been sick and for that reason, she had always been thankful to God. Being sick meant you spent money before treatment could be administered in Nigeria. Apart from buying food and the very basic necessities, she saved every kobo earned and used it on her new build.
Raising her kids in a comfortable home had been her number one dream since the twins turned two. Giving them a better life was what she had planned. It had been six years and the building project was not yet finished. Every month, inflation rose higher and the prices of building materials skyrocketed.
As she drove through her street, her phone dinged. She waited until she had parked before clicking the answer button.
“Hey, are you busy?” Maxwell’s voice rang out.
Though she had only seen him once in the last ten days or so, they talked over the phone every day.
“Yes.” She tried not to sound as unsteady as she felt.
“Are you okay?” he asked alarmed. Clearly, she did not hide her anxiety even with the one-word reply.
“I can’t talk now. I’m–”
“What’s going on?”
“I’ve got to see my daughter. Grandy says she’s very sick. I just got home. I really can’t–”
“I’ll come over to see her. Don’t worry.”
He ended the call.
Lola wiped tears from her eyes with the back of one hand, grabbed her bag and raced to the house.
Inside the parlour, her daughter curled up into a ball on the couch. Grandy sat on the linoleum floor near Amaka. She had a small wet towel in her hand that she pressed against Amaka’s head.
“Grandy! Amaka?”
Lola panted from her short run. Fear gnawed her gut. She fell on her knees beside her daughter and placed the back of her hand against her forehead.
“Thank the Lord you’re back.” Grandy’s eyes circled with fine lines were now huge with worry.
“Amaka?” Lola shook her daughter, who opened her eyes slowly. “What’s wrong with you?”
“My body is paining me. My head is paining me, Mummy. I’m sick.”
Pushing closer, Lola perched on the edge of the couch. “I’m so sorry, my sunflower.” She lifted her daughter and folded her arms around her. “You’re well in, Jesus name.”
“Amen,” Amaka mumbled, shutting her eyes.
“Grandy, has she eaten anything?”
“Only a little. I gave her rice and stew. She ate small and then vomited.”
“She vomited?” Lola’s chest tightened. Vomiting was never a good sign. She remembered one of her former neighbour’s kids who died years ago after vomiting for a couple of days. “Do you want chocolate drink, my sunflower?”
“I gave her Cadbury’s Bournvita. She sipped small,” the older woman informed Lola.
“Okay. Give me the cup, Grandy. I’ll feed her.”
“Mummy. I don’t want anything,” Amaka cried.
“I know. But you need it if you want to be strong enough to beat your brother again.”
Her daughter grinned softly. “Okay. A little.”
Grandy handed over the cup of chocolate drink along with a teaspoon to Lola.
“Sit up for me, my sunflower,” Lola said to her daughter. “Grandy, have you given her Panadol?”
“One. I ground it into powder and mixed it with water. After she drank it, she vomited it later.”
Oh Lord, Lola sobbed inside as dread filled her bones.
Slowly, she fed her daughter with some of the chocolate drink. Amaka swallowed a few spoonsful and shook her head.
“My sunflower, you’ll drink some more with Panadol. Grandy said you threw up the one she gave you earlier.”
“I don’t like Panadol. It’s bitter.”
“If you don’t drink it, I’ll take you to the hospital.”
“I want, Mr. Maxwell to treat me. He says he’s a doctor.”
Lola and Grandy exchanged glances.
“Mr. Maxwell’s a skin and hair doctor. You need another type of doctor to take a look at you.”
When in the Lord’s name did Maxwell have that chat with Amaka, Lola wondered?
“No!” Amaka insisted, scowling. “I like Mr. Maxwell. He’ll look after me. My friends and my teacher said the doctors here don’t care if you don’t have money. But Mr. Maxwell’s from America.”
“If you don’t want to go to the hospital, you’ve got to eat, drink and play around.”
Despite her best effort to keep Maxwell away from her kids for their own good, Amaka had somehow got herself attached to him after meeting him once. After Lola touched Amaka’s neck and forehead with the back of her hand again, Lola sighed.
“Your body is hot, my sunflower. Get up. We need to see a doctor.”
“Okay, I’ll drink. Give me,” her daughter insisted.
Lola ground one Panadol tablet inside the beverage and handed Amaka the cup. The sick girl finished the chocolate drink, flinching as she did.
“Good girl,” Grandy and Lola praised, clapping.
However, not quite twenty minutes later, Amaka threw up again. Very concerned her daughter needed medical care, she bundled Amaka inside the car and drove her to Badagry General Hospital.
Grandy had strict instructions to keep Nonso from worrying about his sister when he got back from school.
After a short wait, Lola paid the deposit sum requested at the hospital reception desk. A medium-aged male doctor examined Amaka briefly. Afterward he diagnosed she had a severe case of typhoid fever and prescribed some medication.
Feeling troubled about the hasty diagnosis, Lola collected the prescription and
moved toward the reception area. What could she do?
“Hello? I’m looking for Lola Lawson and her daughter, Amaka.” Lola heard a distinct male voice ask on their way to the reception desk. But their view of the man was blocked by wooden partition.
Still, her heart jolted at the familiar deep sound.
Though weakened by her sickness, Amaka jerked her head in her mother’s hands.
“That’s Mr. Maxwell’s voice, Mummy!” Excitement lit Amaka’s dull eyes.
“I think so, too,” Lola said, quickening her steps.
When Maxwell saw them approaching, he abandoned the nurse speaking to him and rushed toward, Lola.
“Maxwell how did you find us?” were the first words out of Lola’s mouth, even though she was relieved he showed up when it mattered.
“Worrying about a sick child shouldn’t be one person’s responsibility.”
Maxwell dropped a peck on Lola’s forehead and then carried Amaka in his arms.
“Hello Uncle Maxwell. Can I call you, my uncle?”
Scurrying his eyes to Lola’s he replied. “Let’s ask your mom first.”
Lola waved aside the question. “OK.”
“How do you feel, Amaka?” Maxwell asked, concern obvious in his gaze and tone.
“Very sick. My stomach hurts. My mummy says my body is hot. I don’t want to eat anything. I vomited.”
“Has the doctor examined you?” he asked.
“Yes. It was a short one,” Lola replied. “He says its typhoid fever.”
Maxwell’s eyebrows arched in full. “Did he run blood tests before diagnosing her with typhoid fever?”
“No. But typhoid is very common in Nigeria. Over here it’s either usually malaria, or typhoid fever.”
“What do you think, Uncle Maxwell?” Amaka stared at him as if she knew he had the correct answer.
“I think it’s a different thing entirely. But I’ll have to examine you and do some blood tests.”
“Well, that can’t happen here, I don’t think. This is a state-funded hospital.” Lola looked around the age-worn facilities.
“Where’s the nearest private hospital?” Maxwell asked, his tone urgent.
“The Great Physician Hospital is the nearest one,” retorted Lola.
“Let’s go over there. With your permission, I’ll examine Amaka in the car for a start.”
Irresistible Driver ~ A BWWM Sexy Romance Page 10