Chapter 18

18

D ali

Several Hours Later

I rushed through work today. For the first time this year, it felt like I had something, someone, waiting for me that gave more fulfillment than my businesses did. For the first time since I fell in love with my best friend’s sister, I could finally say she was mine. I decided to pick her up from work so I could bring her to my home, and I was as excited as a kid on Christmas Eve when I pulled up to Ever’s Pub . Kassadee had been the only woman to ever feel like a treasure to me—a gift. As the bible said, my heart was with my treasure, and now that things were official between us, it felt like it was beating again.

Since I was a few minutes early, I replied to the text messages in the group chats I was in while I waited for my baby. The group chat that had my brother, cousin, and best friend had been clowning me all day for the way I stormed out of the house last night, but I didn’t give a damn. I’d always be on go about Kas and my principles, and it ended up working in my favor. I was so deep in the text thread I didn’t realize Kas had come out until I heard her open the door. She gasped at the sight of what was in the passenger seat for her.

“Hol’ up.” I opened the door. “The hell you open the door for?”

“I didn’t see you.”

“So? Close the door so I can open it for you.”

With a groan and roll of her eyes, Kassadee did as I said. I got out of the Range and walked over to her side. Instead of opening it right away, I pressed my body into hers and lowered myself to her for a kiss. Her fingers went to the hairs on my chest, and she rubbed and scratched them as she often did when we were being physically intimate. A smile lifted the corners of my mouth as I processed the fact that, this time, it wouldn’t be for a season—it would be for forever. I was glad it was warm enough for me to leave the house shirtless if having her hands on my body was my reward.

“Hey, bae,” I greeted, finally opening the door for her.

“Hey, babe. These flowers are beautiful. Thank you.”

Kas lifted the bouquet of roses to her nose as she got into the car. I waited until she set the gift bag between her legs and was settled before closing the door and walking over to the other side. By the time I got in, she’d opened the bag and was leaning across the center console to thank me for the rose gold ankle bracelet I’d gotten her with my name on it. I’d gone to visit Elite’s jewelry store this afternoon, and her reaction to the piece made the five-figure rush fee I had to pay worth it.

“I love it, baby, and it’s my favorite color. Thank you!” She used my beard to hold me in place as she kissed me again. Our eyes locked as she added, “I love you, Dali,” before kissing me again.

“I love you too. I’m glad you like it. I’m going to love it when it’s in my face while I’m in that pussy.”

She giggled and returned to her seat while taking my hand into hers. As I pulled out of the parking lot, she asked me how my day was. I asked her the same, and we made small talk on the way to my home.

“Are you hungry?” I asked, pulling into the garage. “Or did you eat during your shift?”

“I can eat, but I want fruit. If I eat anything too heavy tonight, I’ll be bloated in the morning.”

“Aight, cool.”

Once we made our way inside, I made her a fruit bowl while she showered. Seeing her making her way into my bedroom in nothing but my shirt made my dick hard as fuck. As much as I wanted to end the night between her legs, I didn’t want her to think all I wanted from her was sex. So as uncomfortable as it was for a while, I held her close and caressed every inch of her skin that I could touch while she ate her fruit. It wasn’t long after that she was snoring lightly against my chest.

For a while, I was so in awe of her being mine that I couldn’t even go to sleep. All I could do was watch her sleep and memorize every inch of her beautiful face. Eventually, I was filled with so much peace and relaxation that I lowered myself on the bed fully and went to sleep too.

The Next Morning

Being woken up with my dick in Kassadee’s mouth was a hell of a start to my day. After that, we showered together, and she fixed me breakfast. Since she didn’t have to go in until eleven, we decided to go for a walk before I did a more intense workout. Even with Kas being thick as fuck, she was toned and did Pilates and light cardio to keep her coke bottle shape. Today, however, was a rest day for her, so I figured she’d get back in bed while I was gone.

While we walked, we talked about things couples learned about each other during that get to know you stage. We already knew about each other’s hobbies and interests because of our friendship, but we did talk about our love languages, wants, needs, and offerings when it came to a romantic relationship.

My love languages were physical touch and food, and hers were service and gifts. All I’d ever wanted was her, and she wanted a love that was just for her. I needed partnership, and she needed security. I offered her all that I was, had, and whatever she needed. Kas offered her womanhood and everything that came with that.

“So babies?” she asked. “By thirty-five, right?”

“Right… but there’s also no rush. It’s your body, so we can get started on our family whenever you want to.”

“Hmm… I think that might be a fair age. It definitely won’t be after forty.”

“You want to work, or can I take care of you?”

She looked up at me with a smile. “I’ll never stop you from paying my bills, but I do love working at the bar. I don’t see myself stopping any time soon.”

“And what about law school? You still thinking about going?”

“Yeah, but not any time soon. Maybe in my thirties before we start our family. Any more business ventures in mind for you?”

“Not really. The sponsorships and endorsements are still rolling in even though I’m retired. I’m going to ride those out until The Demolisher is no longer relevant.”

She scoffed and wrapped her arms around me, stopping our steady pace. “You will always be relevant.”

I dropped a kiss to her lips as I wrapped my arms around her as well. “Thank you, baby. Eventually, though, the lights and attention will fade, and I’m okay with that. I do want to live a quiet life with you.”

“Same. I want weekend concerts, random trips, and days filled with nothing but cuddling and TV.”

“We can make all that happen… sooner than you think.”

I saw the curiosity dancing in her eyes, but she didn’t ask me what that meant thankfully. I wanted to keep the surprise of our first date hidden for as long as I could, and if she asked too many questions, I’d end up spilling all the beans.