Page 34 of Love You Like That

“Ezraaaa... fuuuuck, babe… I… love you too,” I panted, feeling myself unravel, pleasure building rapidly.

We came loudly, passionately, my knees shaking as I collapsed back against him, breathless. But he wasn’t done.Sweeping me into his arms, Ezra carried me swiftly into my bedroom, laying me down gently, climbing over me again, gazing deeply into my eyes.

This time, when he entered me, it was slow, tender, achingly intimate. We moved together as if rediscovering something sacred, whispering love, promises, and apologies. Each kiss, each touch felt like a vow, a reaffirmation.

“I’m yours,” he whispered fiercely, eyes locked with mine as he brought me over the edge again.

“And I’m yours,” I gasped, tears slipping down my cheeks as pleasure and emotion overwhelmed me.

We stayed tangled together after, breathing quietly, hearts beating in sync. In the quiet afterglow, Ezra gently traced my cheek with his thumb, eyes serious, full of certainty.

“We fight, we argue, we fuck up but I’m never lettin’ you go again, Yaya. This shit right here? Us? It’s forever.”

I pulled him closer, pressing a soft kiss to his lips, believing every word, surrendering fully to love when suddenly the sharp buzz of my phone shattered the silence like a glass dropped onto tile.

Ezra stiffened immediately, shifting away just enough for me to see the screen. My heart stopped. Flashing brightly, the name “Jaylen Pierce” illuminated the room, a cruel interruption of the intimacy we’d just reclaimed.

Ezra’s gaze darkened instantly, hurt and confusion quickly morphing into anger as he sat up abruptly, snatching his sweats off the floor. “Jaylen Pierce?” he repeated bitterly, eyes narrowed. “Who the fuck is Jaylen, Yavanni?”

My heart pounded, my throat tightening with panic as I quickly grabbed my robe, hastily wrapping it around my naked body. “He’s nobody. Just someone I used to know from high school—”

He scoffed harshly, cutting me off. “Nobody? Yet he’s blowin’ ya phone up at midnight?”

“It’s not like that!” I pleaded, voice rising, desperate for him to understand. “We ran into each other randomly. He’s interviewing at Hollis Medical too and—”

“Hollis Medical,” Ezra laughed bitterly, his good eye cold. “Of course. ‘Cause this mahfucka fits perfectly into ya parents’ plan, right? Bet they’d love his ass.”

I swallowed hard, standing shakily to meet his accusing stare. “You’re jumping to conclusions, Ezra. It’s not even like that. I haven’t seen him in years!”

“But he feels comfortable enough to hit ya phone this late, though,” he snapped, anger radiating from him. “The fuck is he callin’ you for, Yaya? He ya lil’ backup plan?”

“No!” I yelled, anger and hurt mingling sharply. “It’s not—”

“Then what is it?!” he exploded, eyes blazing with betrayal and pain. “‘Cause it looks real fucked up from where I’m standin’. Just another way I don’t fit into ya lil’ perfect picture.”

“Stop it!” My voice shook with my eyes burning with hot tears. “I choseyou! You’re here, aren’t you? You think I’d lay with you like this if I didn’t love you? You think I’d fight for us like this if—”

“Yeah?” he shot back bitterly. “But the second somethin’ comfortable comes callin’, you right there, entertainin’ the shit. Tell me somethin’, Yaya, did you tell him ya folks would love him too? Bet you can see yaself fittin’ right in wit' his ass.”

“Ezra, that’s not fair—” my voice cracked, emotions choking me. My heart raced as panic overtook me, frustration and anger boiling beneath my skin.

“You know what’s not fair?” he shouted, stepping into his sneakers roughly, his eyes wet with anger. “Not fair is you tellin’ me you love me, then lettin’ some other nigga hit you up in the middle of the fuckin' night. Not fair is havin’ me believin’ we fixin’ shit when really you just settin’ up another option. I ain’t nobody’s option, Yavanni. Nobody’s fuckin’ placeholder.”

Tears blurred my vision as my chest heaved with hurt and frustration. “Ezra, listen to me! You’re twisting everything. You won’t even let me explain!”

“‘Cause you got caught!” he yelled, pain raw in his voice. “If ya phone hadn’t lit up, you’d be smilin’ in my face, keepin’ him as ya ace in the hole. Nah. Fuck that.”

My hands shook and my throat was tight with sobs I fought to hold back. “Ezra, please! Stop! Just listen to me!”

He shook his head harshly, eyes glassy but cold. “Nah. You said enough. You showed enough. You want perfect. You want safe. You want somebody ya family can swallow easy. Cool. Go ahead. Do you.”

“Ezra, please don’t do this,” I begged, voice breaking. “I love you. I swear, it’s you!”

He paused at the door, eyes hard, the hurt in his expression slicing through me like a blade. “You don’t even know what love is if you think it’s this shit. Good luck on ya exam and that interview. Good luck with ya picture-perfect ass life.”

“Ezra!” I screamed, desperation ripping through my throat, tears hot on my face. “Please, don’t—”

“Fuck this,” he spat bitterly. “I’m done.”

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