“Thank you.”
“You’re a nurse, bartender, administrative assistant, and event planner. What can’t you do?”
“Haven’t you realize I can do it all.”
I laughed. “You really can.”
She blushed. “Maybe I should head back to my room. I’m sure you have some work you need to finish.”
“I only had to do the presentation, which I finished last night.”
“Which you didn’t include me on.”
“I had to release some energy. I was still rammed up over what happened between us.”
Kia blushed again. “I probably should still go.”
She tried to get up, but I held onto her, causing her to stop. I got up, looking into her eyes.
“I don’t want you to leave.”
“I don’t think I should be here.”
“Why not? You’re afraid of what will happen?”
“I’m a big girl, so I know what I’m capable of.”
“Are you really?”
My fingers trailed down to her shoulder, feeling her soft skin. She closed her eyes, giving a slight moan as my fingers continued to the hem of her shirt. I slowly pulled it up, touching her stomach.
“I know you’re capable of what you want. And right now, it’s me.”
Kia laughed. “You really are full of yourself.”
“Stop denying how you feel, Kia. You want to be with me just as much as I want with you.”
“I barely know you.”
“So what. We’re both grown. Besides, that doesn’t mean we can’t get to know each other later.”
“And once you’re done with me, you’ll push me to the side like you did Lillian and whoever else you banged.”
“You don’t know that. This may sound like bullshit, but you’re different from everyone else, Kia. I’m really feeling something different with you.”
Kia was speechless as my hand went through her hair. I continued to look into her eyes as she gave a scared look.
“You’re speechless because you know I’m right. You feel something with me too. I know you want to take things slow, but…”
Kia stepped on her tiptoes to kiss me. I loved touching her lips. Something in my body changed when I did kiss her.
I put my arms around her, deepening the kiss as I led her to the bedroom. I pulled her up and she wrapped her legs around me. I put her back against the wall and my lips began touching her body. She moaned while her nails pulled up my shirt and clawed my back, which had me groaning. Damn, that felt good.
We went over to the bed, when Kia stared at me. “Maybe I don’t want to take things slow anymore.”
“You sure?”
Kia nodded. “I’m sure.”
She pulled herself up from the bed. She took off her sweater, exposing her black laced bra. I glanced at her, taking in the beautiful woman in front of me. And I mean, she’s beautiful.
“What are you thinking right now?” she asked.
I laughed. “You really want to know?”
“I wouldn’t be asking if I didn’t.”
“Just how beautiful you look right now. And how much I want to make you feel good.”
“Of course.”
“I don’t mean in the way you’re thinking. I want to make you feel good: mind, body, and soul.”
Kia’s expression softened by my remark. I wasn’t lying when I said I was feeling something for her. She leaned over, giving me a kiss as I pulled her closer to me. She pulled me up, taking off my shirt. She stared at my chest in amazement before her lips went sliding down my chest. I leaned my head back, grabbing her hair while her tongue caressed my abs. She looked up and smiled before unbuckling my belt. I put her back on the bed, taking off her jeans and panties and threw them on the floor. Before I could proceed, Kia touched my chest.
“Do you have protection?”
“Of course I do.”
Kia waited while I went to get a condom. I was preparing myself, thinking she wouldn’t be thinking about Cory or any other man after tonight. She wouldn’t want to think about anyone else because she’d be all mine.
I went back to her and grabbed her hips, pulling her back down on the bed. I looked into her eyes and she spread her legs to invite me in. Once I was going in, she drew out a long breath.
“You okay?” I asked. I gave her kisses on her chest and she nodded.
“Yeah, I’m good.”
She tightly wrapped her legs around my waist as we got into a slow rhythm. I stared into her eyes, as hers were glossed over. She slowly leaned her head back, her fingers etching on my back as I increased the rhythm.
“That feels so good, Cane,” she whispered.
“I know it does.”
The more intense our moves became, the more intense we became with each other. Her breathing became erratic as her first orgasm went through her. But, I wasn’t done. I wasn’t going to leave her with just one.
“Shit,” Kia moaned. She held onto me, clutching her thighs against my dick, which felt so fucking good.
“Damn, girl,” was all I could muster as we continued to ride each other. The sensation was too powerful for the both of us as we both succumbed to our pleasure.
Kia fell back on the pillow as I stared at her. She was glistering with sweat, but she still looked beautiful. No words could express the experience we just shared, so I wrapped my arms around her and she gave a blissful sigh. I normally did not do this after sex, so this was surprising me that I was doing it. But, Kia was not just any woman. I was really starting to see how different she was, which I was loving every minute that I was with her.
22.
Kia
I slowly opened my eyes and looked around the room, seeing I was still at Cane’s. I smiled, realizing what had happened between the two of us. I couldn’t describe it, but my body felt fucking good.
I looked up to the ceiling, still grinning when I heard footsteps. I looked over to see Cane walking in with a tray of food. I continued to stare, wondering who was this guy as he sat the tray on the table.
“I don’t know why you’re surprised that I made breakfast. I did it the first time you came here.”
“Because I still don’t see you as the cooking type. Even if it is breakfast food.”
“There are a lot of things you don’t know about me.”
“I’m sure.”
“Are you ready to talk now?”
I was about to put a piece of pancake in my mouth when I stopped. I knew he was going to bring this up now.
“Only if you talk.”
“I’m not going to go back on my promise. The question is, are you?”
“I’m not either. Anyway, my mom and I were real close. I always called her my voice of reason since she always gave me good advice. She encouraged me to do my best and to go for what I believed in. She never questioned me or the decisions that I’d made. She just figured I knew best. That’s why she didn’t question me when I went off to college to pursue nursing. She knew that was my dream and she supported me 100%.
“When she got sick, I wasn’t around as much as I should have, especially since school was an hour away and the courses I had were brutal. I tried to go back home when I had the free time, but I just couldn’t. I even thought about taking the semester off, but my mom insisted that I didn’t. She wanted me to get my degree and make her proud; so I did as I was told.
“It was the last semester of my senior year when my mom passed. I was taking midterms then. I was so devastated because I didn’t even get to say goodbye to her. She died suddenly at home. I kept that hurt and pain with me as I went through life without her. I felt maybe if I did took that semester off, then I could had been there for her. I could have been by her side. Instead, I felt so selfish that I blamed myself for her death. Maybe to a certain extent, I blamed Cory too because he told me to not give up on my dream and to finish school. It’s what my mom would had wanted.
“But that’s why I didn’t continue, because I
felt guilty for about becoming a nurse. I know it sounds silly, but I felt I didn’t deserve to be one, especially since I couldn’t save my mom.”
“You know your mom’s death wasn’t your fault.”
“I know, but I still feel like it was.”
“You shouldn’t have to keep blaming yourself for something you didn’t have any control over. Your mom would had been proud of you regardless.”
“I just wish I could have said goodbye to her. I would give anything to do that.”
“I’m sorry you didn’t get a chance to.”
“But, now you know my mommy issues, what about with you? What’s the story behind your mom?”
I took a deep breath and sighed. I really didn’t want to talk about this but, since she talked about her mom, then I could talk about mine.
“Besides the entire abandonment issues she had, I felt she wasn’t a mother to me or my brother. Honestly, I don’t think she ever wanted to be a mother. That’s why I don’t acknowledge her.”
“But, from what you said, she has been trying to reach out to you.”
“For her own selfish reasons. Once she gets a new gig, she’ll be gone again. That’s why I don’t try to do anything because I know her style. And my brother is so gullible, he’ll believe anything she tells him. I hate Aaron for being that way.”
“You shouldn’t be upset with your brother because he wants to have a relationship with your mother.”
“A mother who abandoned us. She treated us like shit.”
“I get that, but that’s something you have to let go of.”
“I really don’t have to do anything.”
“At least you-”
“I know what you’re going to say and I sympathize with you, but you don’t know my damn story. It’s nothing like yours. Just because we fucked doesn’t mean you automatically know me.”
I glanced at Cane, completely floored to his behavior. Just a minute ago, he was actually sweet and gentle; but now, he was acting like an asshole again.
“Is that what this was between us? You just said-”
“Listen, Kia, I don’t know what the hell we’re doing, but clearly you’re prying too much into my damn business. I said I was going to talk, but I don’t need a lecture from you. I get that from everyone else in my life.”
“Maybe you should listen to the people that’s in your life.”
“Maybe I’d rather not. Melissa is nothing but a disappointment. That’s why I save myself the trouble and don’t be bothered with her.”
“And you wonder why your life is the way it is right now. Until you’re able to find peace within yourself, you’ll always be bitter and angry.”
“Maybe you need to listen to your own advice.”
I pushed the tray away from me and got up. I grabbed my clothes because I wasn’t staying there tonight.
“Where are you going?”
“Back to my room. I’ll get an Uber.”
“You don’t have to go, Kia.”
“Yes, I do, before I say something that I’ll regret.”
“All I’m saying is that we both can’t talk about the other’s situation when we’re both fucked up. I know you’re trying to help, but my mind is made up. I’m not going to make amends with her.”
“Which I find truly sad. You say you’re this tough guy, but you’re nothing but a coward. Yes, I understand your problems, but you really need to grow up and face your responsibilities. You’re letting other people suffer in your life because you can’t let shit go.”
“I can’t let shit go? You know what, maybe you should leave.”
I gave him the death stare as he grabbed my shoes and handed them to me. “You’re truly right about leaving because I’m going to say something that I’ll regret.”
“Whatever, Cane.”
He didn’t even say anything as he waited for me to put my clothes back on. He was going to get his car keys, but I stopped him.
“I said I was getting an Uber.”
“I can at least take you back to your room.”
“Don’t do me any favors.”
“Damn it, Kia! Stop being stubborn!”
I scoffed at him raising his voice. He really was messing with the wrong person right now. “Don’t bother. I’m gone.”
I went to the door and slammed it. I was not going to be another one of his damn doormats. I refused for him to talk to me like I was some child. The other women may have liked it, but I certainly didn’t.
I picked up my phone to go to my apps when I felt someone reach from behind me and grab my phone. I was about to strike them when I saw it was Cane.
“Let’s go.”
“I said-”
“Get in the car, now, Kia.”
I stared at him, seeing the fire in his eyes. I shook my head and headed to his car. Once he gave me a ride back to my room, I was cutting off ties with him. Now, it was definitely a mistake sleeping with him.
23.
Cane
What in the hell just happened?! I thought. Everything was going so well between Kia and I. We were enjoying each other’s company, but it all went downhill once we started talking about our mothers. That’s why I didn’t talk about mine, because that’s a sore subject that no one would understand.
After I dropped Kia off to her room, I went back home, cleaned up my place and went to sleep. I didn’t want to deal with anything else at the moment. I really did care about Kia, but if she’s going to act like a know-it-all and try to change my views on my life, I didn’t need to be around her. I’m a grown man and I didn’t need anyone’s permission on how to live my life. Especially from someone who I’d only known for a few weeks.
She needs to fix her own damn life, I thought as I turned over on my side. Now, I couldn’t sleep.
I got up and went to the window. I stared at the night sky, seeing how all the stars were twinkling together. I never really looked at them from my house before but, for some reason, it’s sort of calming. Just like the hiking trail.
I thought about the night I took Kia up there and smiled. She was struggling to get up there but, once she took in the view, she was amazed. That’s when I realized there was something special about her. She liked the simple things, which I hadn’t experienced with any other woman before.
I took one last look at the sky and tried to go back to sleep. I had to go into the office early to tidy up my presentation since the executives from the account were coming. Hopefully, I could work my magic like I did with the previous account.
I stared at the ceiling, wondering what the hell was going on with me. I didn’t normally feel this way. After being with someone, I’d just continue on with my life, not caring about anything. But Kia was different. Very different.
I was about to pick up my phone to call her, but I quickly put it back on the nightstand. I couldn’t think about her.
***
Three hours of staring at the ceiling, I was finally able to get some sleep. Now, it was morning and I was at the office staring at my computer screen. As soon as I arrived, I was flagged down to the conference room by Gary, a project assistant who I actually hired. He was helping me on the odds and ends of the project. But, the presentation didn’t go as well as I had hoped. The clients did not like the pitch at all and Gary fumbled on one of the drawings, causing one to fall in the lap of the company’s president. After that, I didn’t even know if I even had a job, hence to why I was just staring at a blank ass screen.
I threw the pen I was holding at the door, when it suddenly opened and Cecile walked in. The pen was inches away from her chest.
“Shit,” I mumbled. I quickly got up and stepped away from the desk. “Cecile, what are you doing here?”
“I was halfway into town when Garrett from Finland called informing me that the presentation didn’t go well. Turns out my top executive did a shitty job presenting the pitch.”
“Let me explain…”
“Cane, when I gave you this position, I di
d it because you’re my top employee. You know your job and you do it so well; that’s why I find it a shock that the presentation didn’t go well.”
“I know, and I’m sorry. I had everything planned out but, when the presentation came, it sort of went left field.”
I glanced at Cecile, who gave a sideways glance. I had known Cecile for almost five years when she first hired me with her company. She actually had her doubts about me because she felt I wouldn’t take the job seriously but, when she saw my potential, she knew I was something special. Now, she probably pissed at me.
“Sit down, Cane.”
I did as instructed as she stared at me. “You remembered the day I hired you?”
I nodded. “Of course. You took a chance on me, especially since it was my first job out of college.”
“I had my doubts about you, but you proved your worth here and now you’re my executive. I wouldn’t have promoted you if I didn’t know your potential. So, is something going on with you?”
I shook my head. “Nothing’s wrong, Cecile.”
“You sure? Because I can see it in your eyes that something’s bothering you.”
I sighed. “Everything is fine.”
“Okay, fine, you’re not going to talk to me about today, but you will tell me if you found an assistant yet.”
I sighed. “As you can see, I haven’t.”
“Cane, you think you’re invincible and that you can do it all by yourself, but you cant. It’s always good to have help every now and then.”
“I know, Cecile, and I’m doing what I can.”
“I know you are; that’s why after today, I realized that you do work a lot. I’m always out of town, leaving you here to do the grunt work. That’s why I think you need some time off.”
I glanced at her, wondering who was this woman standing in front of me. She never suggested for me to take any time off. She figured that’d free her up to do whatever she wanted.
“What? You giving me time off? I’m not fired, am I?”
Stella laughed. “Because you had one bad presentation? Yes, I’m pissed about it, but it’s nothing anyone can do about it now. All we can do is suggest another bid and do an even bigger and better presentation. But, for now, just enjoy some time away from the company and do more with that club of yours. I’m sure being at both places is giving you a headache.”
The Love You Give Page 13