Chapter 14

14

K assadee

Three Nights Later

Initially, I wanted to ignore Dali’s text. He texted me and told me to meet him at Lashae’s Lounge at 7:00 p.m. Since it was the only day off I had for the week, I wanted to take full advantage of it by being pampered and not talking to people unless I absolutely had to. However, this was Dali Ingram, and I very rarely denied him of anything—except me it seemed.

Before getting out of my car, I looked at his text again.

The Demolisher: Lashae’s Lounge. 7pm. Come here.

Groaning, I exited the text thread and got out of my car. There was no point in me wondering what he wanted when I could just go inside and find out. I made my way through the dimly lit lounge. It wasn’t hard to spot Dali. He was in a burgundy booth in the back corner sipping from a glass of brown liquor. I couldn’t fight my smile even if I wanted to. Dali looked good even when he wasn’t trying.

He stood as I rounded the table and pulled me in for a warm hug, allowing the warmth of his woodsy scent to invade my nostrils. As I sat down, I smiled at the sight of wine and dessert flights already on the table.

“What are you up to?” I asked teasingly, making him chuckle.

“I can’t just want to spend time with you?”

“After avoiding me for a month? No.”

“I wanted to enjoy this with you before we talked but clearly you’re going to overanalyze this if we don’t go ahead and get this out the way.”

“I’m glad you know.”

Though we shared a laugh, his expression turned serious as he took my hand into his.

“I don’t chase anyone or anything, not even my liquor, but I will chase you, Kassadee. I just need to know you want to be caught.” He nibbled his cheek briefly, as if he was second guessing what he was about to say—which was odd. Dali was one of the most confident people I knew. Did I unnerve him? “I need to know that when I catch you, you’ll be okay with me keeping you forever.”

I wanted to say this was the typical conversation we had after we slipped up and had sex, but this felt different. This felt like an ultimatum. As if my answer had the power to change everything between us… permanently.

“You mean after the whole not wanting you to quit boxing for me thing you still want me?”

His laugh was playful, innocent even. Dali lifted my hand and kissed it. “Yeah, bae. What did you think I meant when I told you I love you?”

“Well…” I shrugged. “I know you love me, but…”

Dali’s hand cupped my chin, and his thumb caressed my lips. “No buts. I love you, and I like you. I want to be with you, and I’m going to be with you. Even if not right now, I will have you. I will chase you, but I need to hear you say—”

“If you chase me and catch me, you can keep me forever, babe.”

My nipples hardened when he licked his lips and tugged the bottom one into his mouth. His eyes lowered to my lips, and God be damned, I wanted him to kiss me.

“You ain’t got to be mine right now, but you bet not be with nobody else, you hear me?”

“Excuse me, mister? You had a whole ass date the other night.”

“So! You the one with the reservation about us being together. I can date; you can’t.”

“Dali,” I whined, tugging him closer by his shirt. Our noses brushed against each other’s before he pecked my lips and pulled away. “I just want to make sure you understand what you’re giving up to be with me. I-I…” My shoulders sagged and eyes watered. “No one has ever made such a sacrifice for me. I want to be worth it, and I want to know I deserve it. I just… I don’t want you to regret it. And I hear you saying that you won’t, but I just need a little time to process this. You always wanted to be a boxer and you made that dream come true…”

“And having you is my dream too. If I didn’t give up on that, you should know I’m not going to give up on you.”

I was speechless, and he didn’t seem to mind. He slid the cards closer to us and handed me the first glass of wine on the left. As he read over the notes, I blinked back my tears. A gentle smile lifted the corners of my mouth as I allowed the fact that he really wanted me so badly to process in my heart.

Wow.

This man really loved me.

That Weekend

Because Tommy called out, yet again, I worked a double shift. After twelve hours behind the bar, I was exhausted. Andy finally had enough and fired Tommy after confirming me and Mona would be able to cover his shifts until a replacement was hired. Honestly, I didn’t believe he needed a replacement, but with one, Mona and I wouldn’t be required to work seven days a week. It would go back to four like it was when Tommy was dedicated to his job.

Since I told Dali about the double shift, I was surprised to see his truck parked in my driveway. I hoped he didn’t expect me to be good company tonight because I was going to shower and take my ass straight to bed.

By the time I’d parked in the garage, Dali was out of his truck and walking inside. I got out and squealed when he picked me up bridal style.

“Baby…”

“I know your feet hurt.”

I couldn’t deny that as I rested my head on his shoulder. My body relaxed against him instantly. He carried me into my home like I was weightless.

“They do, and I’m so tired.”

“I know, bae. I’m going to run you a bath, give you a full body massage, then eat your pussy until you fall asleep.”

“Mm… I absolutely love the sound of that.”

His chest vibrated as he laughed softly. “Figured you would.”

The more he catered to me, the more I relaxed. I fell asleep in the bath. I fell asleep again during the massage. But the feeling of his hands roaming my body… that woke me up. His lips replaced his hands, kissing and licking from my ankles to my neck. Each time he caressed my breasts or licked and kissed my nipples I moaned. By the time he made it back between my thighs they were soaking wet.

His eyes peered up at me as he licked my clit, reminding me of a lion lapping up water while being watchful of its potential enemy or prey. And in this instance, I was prey that absolutely wanted to be devoured.

Even though it felt like an eternity had passed since the last time his mouth was on me, Dali quickly reminded me just how familiar with my body he was. He took his time licking, sucking, and feasting on my pussy. My climax came after a steady ebb and flow of him getting me to the brink just to ease up and let me come back down. Each time his tongue slipped between my slippery folds or swirled around my clit my body trembled. His fingers dug into my thighs as he sucked my clit, licking simultaneously until I came.

Long, thick strokes of his tongue went from the hood of my clit to my asshole, and he kept his word—eating my pussy until four orgasms from his mouth alone put me to sleep.