Page 50 of Love You Like That

“Oh, my God…” she moaned, her voice barely there. Her fingers tangled in my locs, her body arching as I licked her clit slowly and deeply until her thighs shook and she came against my mouth, crying out my name in a whisper that almost broke me.

When I slid back up, she was still trembling, eyes glassy. “You good?” I asked, brushing a loc behind her ear.

“I love you so much,” she whispered.

“Same, baby.”

Turning her on her side, I lined myself up and slid inside her wetness. I swear, it felt like my whole soul was being pulled back into place. We both groaned and she held onto me like she needed to anchor herself. Taking my time, I delivered long, deep strokes as I kissed her neck.

“I love you,” I said against her lips. “Even when I fuck up. It’s always you, Yaya.”

Tears slid down her cheeks as she gripped the sheets and clenched her muscles around me, releasing. “I believe you,” she whispered. “I feel you.”

We kept moving, slow and raw, until her voice hitched and her body quivered. “I gotchu,” I whispered. “You hear me? I gotchu.”

She nodded, and I came right after, burying my face in her neck, groaning her name as our bodies locked tight, our hearts pounding together. When it was over, I didn’t move.

I stayed inside her, my arms around her, my lips brushing her shoulder, her collarbone, and her lips again and again because I needed her to know. She was mine and I was hers. This shit was forever. An unspoken vow sealed in sweat, tears, and love that refused to die.

Af e wh o u r slater, Yaya was still asleep when I slipped out of bed. Her body was curled toward where I’d been lying with one arm draped protectively over her belly. I smiled at the way her lips were parted just slightly as she breathed in that soft, steady rhythm I’d grown addicted to. For a minute, Ijust stood there, watching her, chest full of everything I couldn’t always say.

I walked around the bed quietly, grabbed her phone off the nightstand. I didn’t want to go through her shit. I respected her privacy but I wasn’t doing this for secrets. I was doing this for us. It took me a second to find what I needed; a quick copy, pin drop on my phone, and that was it. I left her a note on the counter.

Went to make somethin' right. I’ll be back.

I love you.

Then I showered fast, got dressed in black slacks, and a white open-collar shirt, and tucked my chains underneath. I threw on a fitted jacket and locked the front door behind me. Climbing into the Bentley I rented while in East Hollis, I pulled into traffic and my mind drifted to the way her Pops looked at me the other night.

How it hit deeper than I thought it would. How even though I told myself I didn’t give a fuck but I did. I cared because Yaya cared. Because we were bringing a child into the world and I didn’t want to build that world on shaky foundations. Because I wanted to be part of her life, not just the parts she could shield me from.

Thirty minutes later, I was back at the mansion where everything changed. Yaya’s parents' spot looked like it belonged on the cover of Black Excellence magazine. I took a breath and made my way towards the door then rang the bell. A few moments later, her mom's opened the door.

She was dressed in a cream pantsuit, pearls, and a scowl. “Ezra,” she said, voice flat. “May I help you?”

“Morning, ma’am,” I said, trying to keep my tone respectful. “Can we, uh… can we talk?”

She blinked. “Where is Yavanni? Is she alright?”

“Yeah. Yeah, she’s good,” I said. “I just came to talk.”

She looked me over, then reluctantly stepped aside. “Come in.”

I followed her inside, my shoes sinking into the thick carpet as the familiar scent of boujie filled my nostrils. “Leonard,” she called softly, voice echoing through the foyer. “You need to come down here.”

Yaya’s Pops came down the staircase slowly dressed in pressed slacks, a fitted sweater, and a tight jaw. When he saw me, his steps slowed and I stood up straighter. My palms weresweating like a bitch but I was already in it. “I came to talk to you both,” I said. “About Yaya, the baby and… us.”

Her Pops crossed his arms. “Go on.”

I looked between them. Then square at him. “I know we ain’t get off on the right foot and I know I ain’t what you expected for ya daughter. I’m not a doctor. I’m not a Ivy League ni… man. You know, I ain’t come from all this,” I said, gesturing subtly around the space. “But I love ya daughter. Like for real. I’d do anything for her and whatever it takes to be a father to my son. Even if that means shiftin’ around my whole damn career.”

His eyes stayed steady on mine, unreadable.

“I came here 'cause I wanna ask for ya blessin’,” I continued, glancing back and forth at the both of them before focusing my attention on him. “Not just to be in her life but to marry her. To build wit’ her. For real. I want my son to grow up seein’ what love looks like, not just hearin’ 'bout it.”

Yaya’s mom’s eyes widened slightly while her father’s brow furrowed. He cleared his throat and chuckled. And then he said, flatly, “You think a speech makes up for the months you left her alone?”

That hit hard but I didn’t react like he figured I would. I stepped closer, voice lower. “I know I fu... messed up. I never claimed to be perfect. But I didn’tleaveYavanni. I was tryna build a future and I made mistakes tryna balance both but I never walked away from her.”

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