Chapter 31

31

Lila (Nala)

I 'd never been so sore in my damn life.

I'd only been kidding when I asked him if he had a sex dungeon. The moment he brushed it off, I let it go. When he took me to his not so little playroom, my mouth dropped, and my eyes widened in amazement and curiosity. I knew he was nasty with the things he did to my body, but the kinkiness behind that door… damn!

One wall was lined with sex toys. All types of whips and paddles were on full display against another. There was a steel bed against one wall covered in nothing but silk sheets and pillows. Fashioned into the headboard were metal loops meant for handcuffing. There was a section with a stripper pole and one with a swing. There was this one chair that had straps to lock my arms in place and stirrup to hold my legs up and apart.

That was the first piece of furniture I allowed him to take me on. With nowhere to run and no way to free myself, I was forced to take him any way he gave it to me, and damn did he give it. When he finally released me, the floor was wet with my juices and my arms and legs felt like jelly.

Those first four back to back orgasms set the tone for the rest of the night. While he always pleased my body, last night he took me to new heights. I was paying for it dearly this morning. As I groaned getting out of bed, Ahmad looked over at me and chuckled.

"I told you to let me run you a bath to soak in for this exact reason."

"I was tired. All I wanted to do was sleep. Now all I want is a hot ass shower."

"You need some help?"

"No, no. You've done enough."

He laughed as he got out of bed and gently scooped me up. He carried me into the bathroom and placed me on the shower bench. As he placed my shower cap on, I was so happy to see the massage jets that surrounded three sides of the enclosed space. He showed me how to work them before pecking my lips and leaving me to go get Kari up for breakfast.

I must have stayed in the shower for at least forty-five minutes. Most of that time was spent allowing the jets to massage my aching body. While I enjoyed myself, it would be a minute before I tried to be that grown that many times again.

Getting out of the shower, I dried off and headed back into the room. I dressed myself in a bikini before slipping on a long, flowing maxi dress that touched the floor. I planned to head out to the pool to lay out and read my book while Ahmad and Makari entertained themselves. There was so much house to this house. I could see how one would become a hermit living here.

If he didn't want to, he never had to leave. Every room was warm and inviting, which said a lot for a man like Ahmad who didn't like people. I could see myself cooking family dinners in the massive kitchen and just relaxing with a good book or my Kindle in the sunroom or out by the pool.

There was enough yard space to entertain. I could see backyard barbecues and parties. I could see Kari running or rolling around on the pillow soft grass with a puppy or two. There was so much about this house that I could see us doing here if I took Ahmad up on his request to move in.

That was a big if.

After packing my tote with poolside essentials, I headed downstairs. The smell of breakfast made my stomach growl as soon as I entered the kitchen. Ahmad had a spread of bacon, sausage, hash browns, grits, pancakes, and fresh fruit.

"Are we expecting company?" I asked.

"I might have a surprise for you." He winked at Kari who was grinning wide.

"A surprise?"

He nodded behind me. When I turned, I screamed at the sight of my parents. I forgot all about my aches as I ran into their open arms and cried. Even though it had only been about two months since I saw them, it felt like years.

"What are you doing here!" I exclaimed, stepping back to look at them.

My mother giggled. "Well, Ahmad called us the other night and asked if we were up for a visit. He sent the jet for us early this morning."

I turned to Ahmad. "You did that for me?"

"I told you I'd do anything to make you happy."

I walked over and cupped his face before pressing my lips to his. "Thank you."

"No thanks needed."

"That pilot," my father said, shaking his head. "Did you break that man's nose, Nala?"

"Is he still complaining about that?" Ahmad asked.

"We had to hear about it for fifteen minutes before we took off."

Ahmad shook his head. "I'm sorry about that. I guess Carl has a grudge."

"Anything we should be concerned about?"

"No, sir. He might be mad, but he's not stupid. Come on, let's eat."

My parents washed their hands and went to make their plates. As we were fixing them, my mother leaned over and whispered to me.

"Why are there so many utensils? Is he a germaphobe or something?"

I snickered. "You don't know the half of it, Ma."

I was so happy to have them here. Maybe this would give them a chance to really see Ahmad and I as a couple. I knew my father still wasn't completely sold, but he was trying, and that was all that mattered.

After breakfast, my mother and I headed out to the pool for a little while. Kari was obsessed with her playroom and wanted to go back upstairs, so I let her have at it. She suckered Ahmad and her grandfather into going with her. That was going to be interesting and awkward. The first time he heard Kari refer to him as Papa Ahmad, I thought his eyes were going to pop out of his head.

We were on a FaceTime call and Kari was so excited as she told him all about meeting Ahmad's family and it slipped out. He didn't say anything while she was on the phone, but once she went to take her bath, he laid into me with the questions. I was sure he would talk to Ahmad about it face to face. I just prayed that he would be respectful.

"Soooo…" my mother said, looking over at me. "I take it things are going well?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"You look happy, Nala."

"I'm very happy, Mom. Ahmad… I don't know what to say about him. I know this isn't the ideal situation given the circumstances. I know maybe it wasn't the smartest decision, but I love him."

"You love him?"

"Yes. I love him. Kari loves him and he loves us too. He's been so good to her, Mom. The man I see with her is nothing like the man we met. She brings out a softness and an almost childlike part of him. Just last night, she had him singing along to Moana ."

My mother laughed. "Disney can pay that child for all the times she's watched that movie."

"Right! Ma, we've grown so much since we've been back here. It's been like having my own little family. I have peace and freedom with Ahmad that I never had with Slim, and it doesn't come with a cost to me."

She smiled softly. "I'm happy to hear that."

There was silence between us for a moment before I spoke again.

"He wants us to move in here."

"Here?"

"Yes. This beautiful… expensive… amazing house."

"How do you feel about that?"

I shrugged. "I don't know. I love this house, but we are two hours away from my job and Kari's school. She and I have a life back home. I'm not sure I want to pack up and leave my future in the hands of another man again. Kari is all for moving. She doesn't even know he asked, but the first thing she asked was if we lived here now. She thinks it looks like a castle. Baby girl basically told me she needs an answer by today on whether we are gonna move in or not."

She giggled. "She's ready to be a real life princess."

"He already gives her the princess treatment. We had to have a talk about him spoiling her so much. I would love for her to have her heart's desires, but I don't want her entitled. I wasn't raised like that, and I won't raise her like that. She's gonna hear no sometimes and she's gonna have to accept that."

"I agree. What did he say?"

"He's new to parenting and he's open to learning."

"Well, that's a blessing."

"It is… What do you think I should do?"

"Well, baby. You've followed your heart this far."

"I followed my heart with Slim and look where it got me."

"True. But you aren't the same young and naive girl you were with Slim. You've grown and matured, not to mention, you have somebody else to live for now. I don't see you staying where you're mistreated again."

She sat up and reached for my hands. When I gave them to her, she kissed them.

"I knew Ahmad loved you before he ever confessed it."

"How?"

"I'll tell you a secret. He calls me for weekly check-ins on you, per my request. Once, he asked me how he could be a better man for you. He asked me what you need that you will never ask for. A man that doesn't love you will never go to those lengths to be better for you."

Tears swelled in my eyes when she said that. I had no idea that he communicated with her that much.

"I don't like how this whole thing started, but I can tell he's trying to be everything you need. It may take a little while for your father to get on board, but as long as you and Kari are happy, healthy, and taken care of, I think he'll be okay."

"I just don't want the two men I love to have a forever beef with each other. I still can't believe that Daddy punched him."

"Chile, me either. I just knew I lost my husband that day."

"Right! Who knows? They might become best friends."

"That's a big might."

We shared a laugh. I didn't expect my father and Ahmad to be close, but if God found it in my favor, I wouldn't be mad at that. I'd think about moving in. I had to weigh my options. If I left my job at the hospital, I could start my business. I could set my own hours and devote more time to my baby and my man all while still doing what I loved.

Kari loved her school, but the type of child she was, she could probably thrive anywhere. Knowing Ahmad, she'd be enrolled in the best institution around here. I didn't just want that. Sure, I wanted her to have the best education, but I also wanted her somewhere with people that looked like her.

I wanted her with teachers that understood her culture and who she was as a little black girl. I didn't want her surrounded by spoiled rich kids who threw tantrums because they couldn't get the latest designer item or the most expensive electronic devices to one up the other kids. She never needed to feel forced to compete with anybody but herself.

It was a lot to take in and think about. I'd just have to pray on it and hope I made the right choice.