Page 25 of Love You Like That

B yt h et i m ewe got back to Ezra’s place, we were both buzzed and ready to just be. He unlocked the door with one hand and pulled me in with the other. I barely had time to kick off my heels before he backed me against the wall, one hand sliding around my waist and the other under my chin.

“What’s goin’ on in that head of yours?” he asked low, eyes searching mine like they always did.

“Everything.”

“Get out.”

I gave a small smile. “Help me then.”

His lips crashed into mine hungrily and urgently, but still with that tenderness only he ever gave me. The kiss turned breathless quickly, my arms locked around his neck, his handssliding under my dress, gripping my thighs, and lifting me off the floor. I wrapped my legs around him instinctively, feeling the vibration of his low groan against my mouth. Ezra carried me to the couch like I weighed nothing, setting me down slowly before tugging my dress up and over my head.

“No bra?” he asked, smirking as he looked at me.

“I knew I was seeing you.”

He bit his bottom lip, eyes dragging over me. “Fuck.” I reached for his shirt, unbuttoning it slowly, then his jeans, easing them down with his boxers until he was just him, big, thick, and mine. The way his body moved over mine always made me feel worshipped and not just wanted. His lips moved down my neck and then across my chest as his voice murmured, “Relax, baby. I got you.”

I whimpered as he sucked gently on my nipples, one hand stroking between my legs, teasing me open with the kind of patience that drove me wild. I arched into him, chasing his touch. “Ezra… I wanna feel you.”

When he slid inside me, it was deep and slow, like a sigh my body had been holding in all night. I clutched his shoulders, tears stinging my eyes and not from pain, but release. The kindthat came from being seen, known, and still chosen. His thrusts were deep, measured, and filled with something that bordered on reverence. “You feel me, baby?”

“Oh, God,” I whispered into his neck. “I feel you.” My legs locked tighter around his waist, my hands in his locs. The pace quickened, my orgasm building. Every time I cried out, he kissed me. Every time my body trembled, he talked me through it.

“I got you,” he whispered, breath shaky. “Let go for me.”

And I did, more than once, and each wave crashed harder than the last. My body unraveled under his love, his hands, and his words. Ezra followed soon after, collapsing on top of me, forehead resting on mine, our bodies slick with sweat and everything unspoken. We laid there for a while, tangled on his couch, his thumb drawing lazy circles on my hip.

“I can tell ya girls fuck wit' me,” he said finally, chuckling.

I laughed, turning to face him. “I know, right? I'm glad.”

He smiled, brushing a loc from my face before kissing me slowly. “I’m proud of you. Graduation in a couple days. NCLEX comin' up. You ‘bout to change lives, baby.”

“I’m trying to change my own first.”

“You already have.”

There was a quiet moment between us, just comfortable. “Speaking of graduation,” I said, tracing his collarbone with my finger. “My parents are hosting something after the ceremony.”

Ezra raised a brow. “Like what? A lil’ cookout or somethin’?”

“A gathering,” I clarified. “Just family and close friends. Food. Vibes.” I paused, then sighed. “You remember me telling you how they are. It’s gonna be… over the top. You know, catered food and matching linen with jazz playing low in the background.”

He sat up and shook his head. “Yeah, nah. I’m cool. That don’t sound like my kinda party, Yaya. You want me to sit around a bunch of folks givin’ me side-eyes all afternoon?”

I snorted, then sat up as well, grabbing his face gently. “I know. I know how they can be. But I want you there, Ezra. Please. For me. I’ll pick you up and you’ll just be you… but maybe wear a nice shirt and some slacks.”

He laughed under his breath. “Damn, you really tryna change a nigga.”

“I’m trying to introduce you to the people who raised me. Let them see who I’m happy to have by my side.”

He gave me that long look he always did when he was battling his instinct to retreat. I leaned in and kissed him slowly, lingering, until he finally mumbled against my lips, “Aight. I’ll come.”

I smiled into the kiss. “Good answer.”

“Still wearin' my chains though.”

“Fine. Just... make sure you tuck 'em in.” We laughed and cuddled back up, him kissing my forehead and holding me close.

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