Page 12 of Tempted to Love You
“H—How? We just me?—”
“Time doesn’t define what either of us feels. I want you and refuse to let anything dictate my desire to build something magical with you.”
“I’m open to it if we can take it slow.”
A low chuckle falls from my lips, and I shake my head before bursting Latia’s bubble as gently as possible.
“We’re way past that, so you might as well prepare yourself for where we’re headed, mama.”
Tap. Tap.
Echoes from someone tapping on a microphone in the distance caused me to pull my gaze from Latia. A sly grin slides in place upon seeing Grant standing on the stage because I already know what’s about to happen.
“Thank you all for coming. Before we kick this night up, I’m going to have one of the staff members come to the stage to share a story with you. His experiences are one of the primary reasonsthis organization exists and is needed in this community. So, without further ado, let me introduce you to some and present to others, Mr. Rakai Crawford,” Grant announces.
“Oh my, I didn’t know you would be speaking,” Latia whispers.
“This is the information you asked for not long ago. Please don’t hurt my feelings by trying to run. I’ll be right back.”
“I’m not going anywhere.” The deadpan declaration within Latia’s words sends an electric-like charge to my heart.
Winking, I head toward the stage to inform this crowd of donors why the organization’s mission and motto not only work but also begin internally. I have never been a man subconscious about my past, nor have I ever been embarrassed. I firmly believe that what doesn’t kill us can either mature or break us. In my case, I lived to mature, grow, and glow up.
“Good evening, everyone. I stand before you as a man whose troubled past led me to spend five years in the penial system. I come from a two-parent household, was raised in the suburbs, and attended the best schools. My mother teaches at one of the local high schools, and my father works for the justice system. I had no reason to choose the streets, yet I spent my twenties hugging the street corners while pushing drugs. I lived for the trills and money that came with being a street pharmacist.”
I take a minute to look into the crowd in search of Latia, who has moved closer to the stage with her rapt attention on me. My gaze penetrates her until I see a subtle nod from Latia that encourages me to keep talking.
“Do you know how hard it was for my law-abiding parents to sit behind me while a judge handed down a sentence of five years? While I don’t have any children, I can understand because my mother’s tears are etched in my brain. I went into Ribax Correctional, a stubborn yet immature man at twenty-five, who thought I knew the hard knocks of life. Only by God’sgrace did I meet Bryan Benton, who showed me another way. Through my friendship with him, I met Grant Benton, who advised me I had other options.” My throat tries to close at the gravity of how different my life would be had I not met Mr. Bryan. I will forever be grateful to him for seeing something in me greater than my circumstances.
“It’s okay, baby. Take your time,” Ma’s voice rings out from somewhere nearby, causing me and the audience to laugh lightly. Yet, it’s the push I need to keep going and wrap up my spiel.
“My reform began in prison at the age of twenty-six, and by the time I was released shortly after my thirtieth birthday, I had a desire to see others like me change their lives, too. Bending Minds, Reshaping Hearts became a testament to the life I wanted to live because the life I’d been living would only lead me back to prison or a pine box. Your donations today will help our organization and change the lives of those we are attempting to reach on a global scale. Thank you.”
Now that I’ve laid my cards on the table for Latia, it’s time to move forward with securing my forever plan.
Latia
I’m starting to treasure Rakai’s need to date me in the simplest ways because, while I don’t mind large gatherings, I prefer smaller and more intimate settings. The gala was a success, and I have internally mapped out the article I’m going to write on the event. So, having the opportunity to unwind with Rakai after he wrapped up his obligations has been the highlight of the evening. After a delicious dinner, this ice cream is giving me life right now.
“Thank you for letting me unwind in your arms. I was worried that you left when I couldn’t spot you at the front of the stage any longer.”
“No. I was trying to find a safe place to cry.” I giggle.
“Aww. Let me find out you’re feeling me like I’m already feeling you.”
I’m definitely feeling something for Rakai that has me trying to analyze what’s happening because it usually takes me a while to develop feelings for the man I’m with. Unlike most people, outward appearances aren’t what draw me to a man. Yet Rakai was checking off boxes I didn’t have on my list of criteria for dating.
“You’re the unexpected piece on my scorecard I didn’t know existed. A reformed bad boy, huh?” A smirk slides into place before I spoon another scoop of ice cream into my mouth.
“More like a man who realized his worth was greater than the drugs he sold. Does knowing my past change your mind about being mine?”
“Not at all. Sometimes, you have to see a person for who they present to you instead of what’s written about them.”
Knowing that Rakai’s past isn’t preventing him from reinventing his future makes me desire him more. Hearing the varying inflections in Rakai’s tone while discussing where he comes from had me choking back sobs from my gratefulness for his ability to make it out better, wiser, and stronger. While I haven’t met or dated a man like Rakai before, I’m not single-minded enough to end us before we reach the beauty of who we’ll become. I now understand Rakai’s comfort level the first time we met and appreciate his knowledge. Because of his ability to step into my affairs, I can be with him now.
“I wasn’t letting you anyway.”
With the spoon hovering in front of my mouth, I laugh at the statement, matching the deadpan expression on Rakai’s face.
