18
Tegyn
“Damn,but I don’t want to leave you,” DeSean murmured in my ear as he prepared to go to work.
“Aw, it’s no big deal. You’ll work at the club, I’ll work in our office, and then I’ll greet you when you get home.” I shrugged as I sat on the vanity in the master bathroom and watched him getting dressed.
“You really don’t mind?” he asked, his brow furrowed with worry.
I shook my head. “Nah. Things have been quiet. We survived last night. We’ll do it again. Piece of cake.” Then my stomach rumbled. I’d been so giddy I’d barely eaten all day. When I texted Annie about it, her reply was swift and brutal.
Annie: You’re love sick.
Annie: Enjoy it while it lasts. It’ll make up for the weight you gain later when you’re pregnant with the first of many babies.
I’d blushed then.After last night, anything could happen. DeSean had erupted inside me and I hadn’t cared a bit. In fact, when he laid there later, his hand on my lower abdomen while we fell asleep, I couldn’t remember when I’d been happier. I’d dreamt of our future. In it, I was pregnant, big as a house, and he was the loving, affectionate, doting man he’d claimed he’d be. Most of all, I…who hates having my stomach touched, I’d let him feel it all the time. I had him talking to the belly and feeling for kicks. By the time I woke, I had this new confidence in what could be between us because I’d already lived it. All day, I’d been positively blissful. And somehow, I had completely lost my appetite, even as my stomach gurgled.
“I heard that. You better eat while I’m gone.” D frowned at me. “You aren’t doing that crazy girl thing where you suddenly get all shy and stop eating in front of me, right?” He smoothed my hair back behind my ear. “See, that’s just impossible because we live together.”
“For now,” I reminded him.
“We’re going to get married,” he argued.
I nodded. “Eventually.” Obviously, it was going to be my job to rein him in, to remind him what was up. “Last night was incredible, but nothing has changed. Nothing is official. I don’t want us to get ahead of ourselves.”
D licked his lips. “But you will move in here, right?” He shook his head. “Tegyn, don’t make me beg.” Then he dramatically dropped to his knees and clasped his hands in front of him, with both eyes squeezed shut. “Please, baby, please move in with me and Keyon. We love you. We need you.” He peeked out one eye. “And economically, it makes much more sense.”
I laughed. “Get up,” I urged as I motioned for him to stand.
“Is that a yes?” His brows peaked hopefully.
With a groan, I murmured, “I own a house too. What do we do with it? I can’t just give it back to the bank because I’m done with it now.” I crossed my ankles and looked at the tile floor. “It’s a terrible time of year to put it on the market. I could rent it out I suppose…eventually.” I narrowed my eyes at him, lest he think I was going to suddenly bend to his every whim.
“You could rent it to Arionna. She and Necie need a place. Staying with Mama won’t work for long.” D clapped his hands together. “Problem solved. Hallelujah!”
“Since when do you say ‘hallelujah’?” I snickered.
“Well, I figure I should start practicing since we’re going to church with the family on Sunday.” He sighed. “You do know what time church is, right?”
“Ten?” I guessed, even as I braced for an earlier hour.
“The service is at ten, but Mama will want you there no later than nine fifteen to parade you around to all her friends and the rest of the congregation. You’re her token white family member now. You, girl, are something of a novelty.” He chuckled. “And you know it’s a black church, right?”
“Huh,” I began. “Interesting. My last church was brick.”
D reached out and tickled my sides. “You know what I meant.”
“I get it. You ashamed of me already?” I eyed him curiously.
Taking one big step, DeSean ended up directly in front of me and wrapped his arms around my waist. “Are you kidding me? If people don’t approve, that says more about them than us. I don’t believe God would find anything taboo about two people who love each other being together.” He pressed his lips to mine and the tingles spread. I inhaled his scent and savored his touch.
“I just decided I’m going to bake while you’re gone,” I murmured as we pulled apart.
His eyes widened. “You can cook and bake?” DeSean glanced at the ceiling, “Thank you, Lord Jesus.”
I laughed. “You don’t have to make up for years of being a heathen in one evening, DeSean.” Then I tilted my head. “Cake or cookies?”
“You want me to tell you the things I will do to you tonight if you bake me some chocolate chip cookies?” He nibbled on my neck.