Chapter Twenty-Five

Pasha

I headed out to the patio area where the women were gathered, sipping wine and watching the girls play. When I stepped outside, they all turned to look at me with grins on their faces.

"What?" I asked, taking a seat and crossing my legs.

"Oh, nothing," Avyn looked me over. "Nothing looks out of place."

"That's because nothing happened!" I exclaimed. "We just talked... and kissed a little."

She squealed. "Kelli told me that man was slobbering you down in the hallway after your date. You should have let him in."

Bella pretended to gag. "Um, hello? That's my brother, and that's nasty. Pasha, I like you, boo, but I don't want to think about Callum getting busy with anybody. That man raised me, for goodness' sake."

"I get it. Don't discuss my nonexistent sex life with your brother with you."

"Thank you! However... on a related note, you deserve to get some, girl."

"Hell yeah, she does," Avyn agreed. "Allow that man to pop that proverbial cherry again. You know you want him."

Bella giggled. "Besides, I heard that moan when you were in his bedroom. Unless my ears were mistaken, I heard an ass slap too. I know those anywhere!"

I palmed my forehead. I was going to die of embarrassment before I got a chance to devour whatever the guys were cooking.

"Bella, don't embarrass her," Eva said, coming to my defense. She offered me a smile. "You look like a good girl. Don't follow this heathen."

Avyn laughed. "She has her own personal heathen right here."

Eva shrugged. "I tried, girl."

If they knew about my solo sessions with Callum in mind for the past two nights, they would absolutely think that I was a heathen too. The suction cup bottom on that dildo had really come in handy. Masturbation had been foreign to me for years now. I wasn't in a headspace to be aroused. I didn't want Raymond to touch me, but I couldn't say no, and it was so unenjoyable for me.

Sometimes, I would fake it, and when I couldn't force myself to do that, I just lay there. He didn't care enough to get up, so why would I care enough to pretend for his ego? My mental health caused my sex drive to suffer. Being in that house day in and day out, all alone or with him, feeling alone, did a number on me. It took me awhile to realize it because I was so hurt, but leaving me was the best thing Raymond could have done for me.

Being without him healed so much of what was broken inside of me. I woke up to peace these days. I went to bed with a clear mind most nights. I didn't have to deal with constant belittling or degrading comments. Maybe I had a ways to go with fully accepting myself, but I was slowly falling in love with this version of me. This version breathed easier. She walked lighter. She showed confidence on the outside, even if the inside didn't quite match yet. She was growing and doing more for herself, by herself, and I was so damn proud of her.

I picked up an empty wineglass and grabbed the bottle that was chilling.

"I'm not that innocent," I finally responded, pouring myself a serving.

They all looked at me with smirks. I was thankful that Eva changed the subject.

"So, how long have you two been friends?" she asked.

"Since we were kids," Avyn answered. "She's more than a friend. She's my sister." She reached out and grabbed my hand to kiss it.

"I love that," Eva said. "You two are lucky to have each other. I can barely stand my biological sister." We shared a laugh. "So, Avyn... How long have you and Malcolm been a thing?"

"Oh, we aren't really a thing. Our relationship is one of convenience and has been for about a year now. I mean, I like him, and he likes me, but we aren't a couple."

"But he wants to be," I added. "She wants to be too, but she's scared."

"Throw me under the bus, why don't you!" Avyn exclaimed.

I laughed. "I'm not throwing you under the bus. I gently placed it on top of you. You've encouraged me to explore things with Callum for a while, and now I'm returning the sentiment."

"Malcolm is a good guy," Bella stated. "My brother has good taste in friends. They don't lie. They don't cheat. They don't put their hands on you. They are all about their families and their careers, just like him. That could be your husband, girl."

Eva's eyes glistened as she spoke. "Ooooh, you two would have the cutest babies!"

"Babies?" Avyn shook her head. "You're sipping a little too much over there."

Eva laughed. "I'm sorry. I have baby fever. Armani is getting older, and Chris and I have been trying again. Pasha, do you want kids?"

The space fell silent. I swallowed hard.

"I, um... I had a son. He passed away before birth."

Her hand flew to her mouth. "Oh my God! I'm so sorry! I didn't know!"

"It's okay," I assured her. "Yes, I want children. It just has to be with the right man, this time. I can't take another man like my husband."

Her eyes widened. "You're married?"

"I assumed Callum told your husband everything. But yes. I'm about two weeks shy of being officially divorced."

"And we are going to celebrate!" Avyn said, pouring another glass of wine. "For everything you've endured, you deserve this freedom... well, at least until you and lover boy make things officially official." She tapped my glass and then took her drink to the head. "Damn, that's good. What is that?"

"It's called Celestial Rose," Bella answered. "My mother used to drink this all the time, and I'd always beg her to let me have a sip. Callum let me taste it for my eighteenth birthday, and I've been in love ever since. He always has a bottle here for me."

"You two seem so close," Avyn commented.

Eva giggled. "You two missed them tussling in the kitchen earlier. She had him in a hell of a headlock while Precious tickled him."

Avyn laughed. "That big ol' man is ticklish?"

"Is he!" Bella exclaimed. "He used to take me to the nail shop. With our mom passing, he always tried to do things with me that our parents would have done. Anyway, one time, he decided to get a pedicure with me, and he damn near kicked that lady in the face."

I stifled a laugh as I reminded myself to keep that tidbit of information to test out. We continued talking until the patio door opened, and Callum stuck out his head.

"Dinner is ready."

We all climbed to our feet and gathered the multiple bottles of wine from the table. Bella and Eva called the girls in to wash their hands. After washing my own, Callum motioned me over to where he stood with a plate in his hands.

"What can I serve you?" he asked, motioning to the spread on the counter.

My mouth watered at the sight of the rice, collard greens, fried chicken, honey-baked ham, macaroni and cheese, yams, and corn bread.

"Y'all made all of this?" I asked.

"Yes, ma'am," he said proudly.

"Everything looks so good!"

"Are you shocked I can cook? Look at me. I don't miss a meal, baby."

I giggled. "I'll take a little of everything. This feels like a holiday meal."

"Well, it's a special occasion. The woman I care about is meeting the people I love most. Hopefully, we can do this more often."

"I'd like that."

"Then it's done."

He started fixing my plate, and all I could do was watch him. I could get used to being served. I was always the one cooking and serving Raymond. He never lifted a finger to serve me first. When Callum was done, he grabbed my hand and led me into the dining room, where he pulled out my chair and placed the food in front of me as I sat.

"Tea, lemonade, or water?" he asked.

"Can I have tea and water?"

"Sure thing."

He tried to walk away, but I grabbed his hand.

"Hey... Thank you."

He smiled as he leaned in and pressed his lips to mine. "You're welcome, baby."

I settled in my seat as he walked away and waited for everyone else. The dining room table could comfortably fit eight people. A little table with chairs was set up off to the side for the kids. As they sat waiting patiently, Precious smiled at me before coming over.

"Miss Pasha?"

"Yes, baby."

"Do you like Uncle Cay now?"

"Would that be a problem?"

She shook her head. "No, ma'am. He told my mommy he really likes you."

"Oh, he did, did he?"

She grinned and nodded. "You look so pretty today! Uncle Cay keeps watching you."

I looked back to find Callum's eyes on me. He smiled as he continued to fix his own plate. I smiled and turned back to Precious.

"Well, I think your uncle is a very handsome man, and I can't stop looking at him either. But don't tell him I said that," I added in a whisper.

She covered her mouth and giggled. "Okay."

"What are you two whispering about?" Callum asked, placing both plates and the drinks down.

"Nothing!" Precious said, grinning. "Miss Pasha, did you know Uncle Cay was ticklish?"

"A little birdie might have mentioned it."

"Don't you dare, Precious Gisselle," Callum warned her.

Precious crept around my chair to her uncle. Before she could pounce on him for another tickle attack, he grabbed her up and tickled her instead. She erupted in a fit of giggles. Armani decided she didn't want to be left out and came running over. Callum grabbed her up with a free hand and began smothering their faces with kisses. It was so adorable the way he was so playful with them.

"Tickle him, Ms. Pasha!" Precious squealed.

"Baby, don't you—"

My fingers were in his sides before he could get the words out. He couldn't stop me because that could result in him dropping both girls. A loud laugh erupted from his throat as he tried to wiggle away. Everybody else trickled into the dining room, shaking their heads and laughing.

"All right, girls," Bella said. "You can torture your uncle later. It's time to eat."

I stopped tickling him, and Callum placed them back on their feet. They both kissed his cheek before going to their table.

"You know I'm gonna have to get my lick back for that, right?" he asked, smirking.

"I'm not ticklish, sir."

"I'll figure out something."

A devilish grin appeared on his face, and I felt my flesh heat up. Suddenly, I was a little nervous to be alone with him tonight after everybody left. Did I want to be? Yes. Would I be able to control myself? That I wasn't sure of.

Dinner was excellent, and time seemed to fly by. Before I knew it, everyone was packing up to leave, seeing how they all had to work the next day. I had such a great time with everybody. They welcomed Avyn and me with open arms. We'd even exchanged numbers with Eva and Bella, who were actively planning a kid-free girls' night. My social life was vastly improving. Avyn and I had agreed to come to game night at Chris and Eva's the following weekend. Judging by this group, I knew things would get loud and possibly competitive.

"Alone at last," Callum said, closing the front door.

He ventured over to the couch where I was laid out, nursing a full stomach. The itis was kicking in, and my eyes were getting heavy. I felt the couch dip under his weight as he slid behind me. A strong arm wrapped around my midsection, and soft lips kissed my temple.

"Did you have a good time?" he asked.

"I had a great time. Your friends are hilarious and down to earth."

"They're okay."

I giggled as I turned over to face him. Propping my head up on my hand, I traced his eyebrows with my nail.

"I'm jealous," I said, admiring his features.

"Of?"

"The fact that you were blessed with perfect eyebrows and full lashes."

He chuckled. "I got it from my father."

"Do you look like him or your mother?"

"I'm his twin. I never had to wonder what I'd look like when I got older. Bella looks like both of them."

"I look like my mom. I banned her from coming to my school. The boys gawked at her. So did the male staff."

He chuckled. "So your mom was a MILF?"

I frowned. "That's nasty. I guess I see how Bella feels thinking about you being with women."

He chuckled. "She said that? What were y'all talking about?"

"I'd rather not repeat it."

"Mmm-hmm."

His hold on me tightened, and the next thing I knew, he rolled onto his back and pulled me on top of him.

"Callum! I'm too heavy for this!"

"Woman, if you don't lay your ass down and get comfortable. I told you, I can handle you. All of you. Every inch, every curve, every pound. None of what you're thinking fazes me. You could smother me, and I promise, I'd be okay." He cupped my face. "Let me make this clear. I love a thick woman. Your body is beautiful to me, baby. I won't have you feeling self-conscious about it around me."

He pecked my lips and then rested my head on his chest. My body finally relaxed against his. Before long, I heard the soft sounds of him snoring lightly. My eyelids were so heavy, and I was so comfortable that, eventually, I drifted off to sleep right along with him.