“You had better be gone by the time I get out of my shower!” I hopped out of bed and hurried into the bathroom. I slammed the bathroom door behind me.
I drenched myself from head to toe under the warm spray of the shower. Nadir had entered my life under false pretenses. That really pissed me off. Still, Nadir had made losing my virginity the most pleasurable event of my life. I would always cherish our night together. I did not know what the hell to think about Nadir, or myself.
Nadir opened the shower door. He stood there naked, looking unsure of his welcome. “May I come in?”
I grunted. “You’ve already been inside a place more intimate than my shower,” I said. “Come on in.”
He stepped into the shower and pulled me into his arms.
“I know I got you in a shady way,” Nadir said. “Still, I wouldn’t change anything I did to get you. Being with you was exquisite.”
He’d admitted that his actions were wrong, but he did not regret the outcome. I found that oddly noble under these messed-up circumstances.
“When we get home, I want to see you again,” Nadir said.
“You don’t have to say that to me,” I said.
“I do,” Nadir said. “I want to be with you in our real lives.”
I mulled over Nadir’s words. I had no plans for a lover after this weekend. I did not think I had room in my life for a relationship. But this weekend had
made me realize just how much I needed a personal life.
“All right,” I said. “But no sex for thirty days.”
He frowned, in wry acceptance. “Agreed, on one condition?”
“What’s that?”
“That our celibacy starts after this weekend.”
“Hecky yeah!” I intended to drain every drop of pleasure during our time in New Orleans.
We laughed together. It felt so sweet and natural. Nadir nuzzled my neck. I cupped his head in my hands. I felt such tenderness for this man, whom I had known less than twenty-four hours. I kissed the tattoo on his shoulder.
“You said you would tell me what your tattoo means,” I said.
“Claim Your Destiny,” he said.
Nadir had claimed my body last night, but was he my destiny? Could I be his? Maybe the two of us could figure that out.
In the Dark
SA Brown
I woke to the stillness of our 3,500-square-foot home. I waved my hand over the spot where he should’ve been, but all I found was a note and one long-stemmed red rose. I caressed my face with one hand and gathered my rose and note with the other. The sweet essence from its bud woke me more. The note smelled of I Am King cologne, which reminded me that he could not have gone far.
Happy anniversary to the most beautiful and wonderful wife known to man. I am so grateful for the twenty years you’ve given me and pray for twenty more. I am going to show you the time of your life. Tonight, fantasies become realities. Get ready . . .
I hopped out of bed and took a quick shower. I bounced around the house in erotic anticipation of what my husband had planned for the evening. Once outfitted in powder blue jeans and a red cami, I grabbed my cell phone to find out what he was up to.
My husband answered on the first ring. “Hello, my sweetness. How’s your morning going?”
“Boring because you aren’t here with me. Where are you?”
There was a long silence before he answered.
“Don’t be mad, baby. I had to shake and bake before we began our celebration. I’ll catch up with you right after lunch.”