Page 30 of After Him, There Was You
“Yes, she cheated on me, and I ended up finding out our youngest daughter isn’t biologically mine. She knew of the possibility Paige wasn’t mine and didn’t say anything.”
“Damn. That’s a tough pill to swallow,” I admitted, gaining a new level of respect for him. “How do you deal with it?”
“I don’t deal with it. Paige is my daughter just like Chasity and Elise are. I was present through the pregnancy. I was there in the delivery room. I’m her daddy. That little girl is my heart, and I can’t imagine turning my back on her because of some DNA test.”
“I really respect you for that. It takes a real man to raise a child that’s not biologically his. With so many males not takingcare of kids they know for a fact are theirs, your attitude is commendable.”
“I appreciate you for saying that, and I apologize for her coming over here unannounced.”
“I can’t hold you responsible for somebody else’s actions,” I reasoned, standing up from his couch, engaging in a necessary stretch.
“It takes arealwoman to say that,” Zeke acknowledged with a smile.
Shaking my head in amusement, I reached for my car keys.
“What are you about to do? Are you about to leave?”
“No, I’m not about to leave. I’m going to my car to get my bag.”
“Oh, damn. You bought a night bag. Do you want me to clear a drawer out for you?” Giving me a knowing look, I was glad to see his spirits were high enough to crack a joke, even if his joy was momentary.
“No, that will not be necessary. I always keep a bag in my car just in case something happens.”
“Or just in case you spend the night at your man’s house.”
“You better hope I don’t get too tempted while I’m at my car and drive off because of how crazy you’re talking,” I teased.
“Now I’m going to have to follow you outside to make sure you don’t try to run away on me,” he fussed, motioning his hand toward the front door so I could walk in front of him.
“You must have forgotten she’s a runner. She’s a track star,” I teased, referring to myself in third person. “You should remember that I ran track in high school and don’t think that I don’t still have some speed to me.’
“Yes, I remember you used to run track in high school. I especially remember you being the slowest one out there,” he added, failing to stifle his laughter.
I turned around so quick in order to correct him, I almost gave myself whiplash.
It wasn’t until I crashed into his chest that I realized just how close he was following behind me.
Looking up at him, there was a mischievous grin on his face.
Although I wanted to create space between the two of us, being close to him felt right. Even when he lowered his head to meet mine, I couldn’t move… Well, I could have, but I didn’t want to.
Gently, he swiped his lips against mine, allowing me to take pleasure in how soft they were. It was almost as if his lips were lined with cotton, and I was eager for them to linger on mine so I could experience the sensation again.
Only seconds passed as we stared at each other with slightly parted lips, but it felt like hours had passed before he placed his lips to mine again, gifting me with a gentle peck before he parted them open with his tongue.
It was second nature for my arms to wrap around his neck just as his arms wrapped around my waist, pulling me even closer to him and I happily allowed him the opportunity to invade my space.
I knew it had to have been my imagination, but I swore I heard “I Like It” by DeBarge in the background as our tongues eloquently became acquainted with one another. It was as clear as day, and while I was tempted to end the kiss so I could ask Zeke if he heard it too, I didn’t want our mouths to be forced to say goodbye.
“You’ve been holding out on me,” Zeke fussed the moment our mouths departed from each other.
Noticing traces of my ruby red lipstick had left its mark, I laughed as I wiped off the remnants.
“How is that?”
“Why am I just now finding out you can kiss somebody’s soul out of their body?” Zeke seriously questioned as if he was genuinely offended we were sharing our first kiss. “I feel like I need to make sure it wasn’t my imagination.”
Quickly grabbing my chin, he pulled my face to his. Before I had a chance to protest, Zeke was fervently attacking my lips, and honestly, even if he would’ve given me the opportunity to pull away, I would have stayed right where I was.
