Page 16 of Judgments of Fire and Desire

“What was he doing?” I asked, like I didn’t already know.

“He seems to think I’m being used. Somehow, he knows that we had sex. Since I didn’t deny it, he went in on me full throttle. Last time I checked, I’ve been grown for a long time and didn’t need anyone’s input or advice on how I should live my life.”

“That’s good to know, baby. I’m glad he doesn’t get to check you and force you into doing what he wants you to do.”

She twisted her body to look up at me and puckered her lips. I kissed them, then she said, “I’d throw myself in some flames before I let Samuel control me.”

I chuckled slightly as she lay back against me.

“My mama asked if I was sure about what I was doing. She has never seen me so carefree. I had to question myself. It feels so good to not be worried about if I’m doing too much, too early. I just want to live my life for me. If it blows up in my face, then that’s on me. You know what I mean?”

“I do. I’m just glad you chose me to be carefree with. I usually don’t move this quickly with someone I’m trying to pursue something meaningful with either. I couldn’t tell you no. There is something about you that won’t allow me to let you go,” I said.

I wrapped my arms tighter around her, causing her to release air. She faked a cough and squirmed, trying to get me to release my hold on her. When I started to tickle her, that was it. She was flailing her arms and contorting her body like a person in water that couldn’t swim. When I finally released her, she was gasping for air.

I couldn’t help but laugh as she tried to compose herself. However, she surprised me when she straddled me and started tickling me. Her ass had distracted me from what she had planned, because when she straddled me, my mind was in oneplace and one place only. I left my body wide open for her to take advantage.

I quickly grabbed her arms and held them at her sides while she struggled to get loose. “Fine! I give up!” she said as she laughed.

I lifted my eyebrows as if questioning her statement.

“I promise,” she whined. “You can trust me.”

“Mm hmm. If I let you go, you’re gonna chill out?”

“Well, what do you mean by chill out?” she asked as she began rolling her hips against me.

“You don’t play fair, Genesis. I can feel the heat coming from that thang.”

She gave me a smirk as I loosened my grip and slid my hands to her ass. I loved squeezing it. It was so thick. Everything about it screamed my name. It was the part of her body I loved the most besides her face. Genesis was the complete package, and like I’d told her, I couldn’t let go. I had to see where we would end up. Hopefully, we would end up married and eventually starting a family. This issue with this trial couldn’t be over soon enough.

“If I didn’t knowany better, I would think you were in love,” Micah said as I reclined in my chair.

It was my second day back at work, and Kyrie had sent flowers to the firehouse. I lay in my bunk and exhaled with a smile on my face. “I’m not in love, but Iamsmitten. The man is sweet, strong, and fine as hell!”

She giggled. “I’m just glad you look happy. You’re glowing. He’s made a liar out of me. I never saw him as being sweet. I mean like toothache sweet?”

I laughed loudly. “Girl, no! Like that smooth chocolate on chocolate cake that soothes your sweet tooth.”

“I hear you, sis! Well, I wish you well.” She lay back in her bunk and asked, “Did you hear that the chief may be retiring?”

“Really? When did he say that?”

“He only said it to the crew the day you got back from New York. We were so busy yesterday I forgot to say anything about it.”

“Wow. I suppose he’s tired. I mean, he’s worked as a firefighter for forty years. I plan to retire as soon as I’m eligible. I love my job, but when the time comes, I’m out of here. I plan to live my best life!”

“Period!” Micah said and laughed.

It was so funny how the way I talked had rubbed off on her. When people talked to her on the phone, they thought they were speaking to a black woman. I supposed us being around one another at least three days a week for the past couple of years could do that. Sometimes we were around one another on our off days as well.

She turned on the TV, and I turned on my side to text Kyrie. I was missing him like crazy. Dinner at his mom’s house was really cool. She seemed so genuinely excited to see me. That alone had me smiling the entire time I was there. She complimented me at every turn. My chest was so puffed out by the time we left, Kyrie said he had to deflate me a little to get me in the car.

Unfortunately, I didn’t linger around. I knew he had to get up early and that he had barely slept the night before. He needed rest. He’d gotten another text while at his mother’s house. I hated that for him. It had to be hard for him to function, knowing people were trying to kill him simply for doing his job. Whenever I tried to talk about it, he would change the subject. I didn’t know if that was because hecouldn’ttalk about it or if it was because he didn’twantto talk about it. Honestly, I’d understand either way.

Me:Hey, Kyrie. I hope you had a great day. I know you’ve been extremely busy. The flowers are beautiful.

Him:Hey, gorgeous. My day was my day. I hope you had a great one as well. Can you talk, or is texting what’s best?

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