Page 119 of Rather: The Therapist

One foot led the other toward the door where he stood. Not only was he magnetic, but he was slowly birthing something within me that not even I had the power to. I’d been a strong, confident Black woman since I’d reached the tender age of twelve. Though society hadn’t deemed me age appropriate, maturity had. My mind aged much faster than my frame and face.

Even in all my confidence and strength, there was much room for elevation. Each time I saw his handsome features, was blessed with his infectious smile, heard his deep rasp, looked into his dark orbs, held his hand, or slid down his thick, lengthy dick, I accessed another level. The heights his presence revealed weren’t ones my wealth, status, or connections could guarantee entrance to. They belonged to a man. A good man. This man.

“Hello, Priest.”

I stood before him, fully clothed but simultaneously bare. I wore nothing. He stripped me of everything each time he laid eyes on me.

Silence etched away at the gloom of the night. The sun had settled and the drizzling had began. Lights blurred, just like the boundaries we’d clearly set. Life outside Priest’s suite was forbidden, but here I stood.

The hands I was beginning to crave in the wee hours of the night touched both sides of my face, easing down ever so gently. Priest brought me closer. I could feel his breath on my skin. I could taste the mint on his tongue simply from inhaling.

“Hello, my dear,” he sighed, visibly relieved to see me.

Knowledge of his yearning was a source of happiness for me. It made it clear I wasn’t alone. It made it clear I wasn’t imagining the connection between us. It was real. We were real.

“Unfathomable. Empyrean,” his whispers made the hair on the back of my neck stand.

His voice grew slightly louder as he continued. “Don’t ever change, Rose. Remain delicate, remain graceful. Those parts, they’re the best parts of you.”

“And the jagged ones.”

“They’re most addictive.”

I searched his eyes for signs of dishonesty. I found none. A smile stretched my lips backward.

“Where are we?”

“Exactly where we need to be, Rose.” He paused to bring his lips to mine.

His kiss stirred my center.

“I couldn’t stand another night between the walls of the suite. Though I’ve broken my promise, your comfort will remain intact.”

“I–”

“This thing between you and I–” He explained, still holding me close and staring right into my eyes, “It’s bigger than those walls. There’s not enough room there to contain our bond. It’s too big. Too wide. Too tall. Too plentiful.”

I nodded, understanding exactly what was being revealed to me.

“Too encompassing. Too much. It’s too much.”

Too good. Like the fairytale stories I read in my downtime. Like the love I root for in the books I can’t pull my eyes from. Like the movies that make my heart slow it’s beat but increase in intensity.

“How are you feeling?”

The concern etched in his voice wiped the smile from my face and deflated my cheeks.

“I’m okay. I feel– I feel good.”

Invincible. Unstoppable. Superior. On top of the fucking world.

“Good.”

He turned and took me by the hand. We entered the building through the door that quickly shut behind us. Darkness coated every corner of the large room. Candles covered nearly every inch of the floor. And, wherever there was space, there were roses. Ivory roses. Scattered on the floor.

A small path had been carved. We followed along until we reached the lone table in the middle. It was set for two. At the table, Priest slid my chair back. The nod of his head served as nonverbal instruction to take my seat. Happily, I lowered my butt into the cushioned chair.

Priest rounded the table and did the same. And, for what felt like an entire lifetime, we said nothing. Yet, our eyes never left one another. So much was said while nothing at all was spoken. And, when he was ready, Priest finally broke the silence.

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