Page 62 of Loyalty, Lust, Love
“Lynx, I?—”
“Be honest, Bunny. We just went through this whole thing, pouring our hearts out to each other. Tell me how you really feel.”
“I want to marry you, but I don’t think we’re ready.”
“Why?”
“You’ve never courted me. We’ve never dated. I love you because I always have, but I want the opportunity to know what it feels like tofallin love with you.”
In a way, her words stung, but Lynx didn’t react. He took a moment to process and couldn’t deny that she was right. Their friendship, comfort, and familiarity with each other made it easy for them to be lovers.
“I love you, Bunny. You’re the only woman I’ve ever wanted to spend my life with. I hate to admit it, but you’re right. I’ve never courted you, and we’ve never dated. I didn’t put forth any effort to win your heart and took for granted that it… thatyouwould always be mine. How can we do this while living hundreds of miles apart?”
“We make great money and have days off that we rarely use. From this moment forward, we have to be intentional. When the time is right, we can discuss who is moving where because we can’t be long distance forever.”
“I got you, baby. For now, let’s prepare to fall in love.”
He stood and extended his hand toward her. She grabbed it, let him pull her up, and guide her to her bedroom.
“Get undressed while I run us a bath,” he told her before disappearing into her bathroom.
Seconds later, she heard the water running and suddenly became giddy. Although they’d showered together many times, they’d never taken a bath together, which was much more intimate.
After pouring some of her bath salts and bubble bath into the tub, he lit a few candles. When he returned to her bedroom, he smiled at her naked body. He’d compared every woman he’d been with to Fateema, and as far as he was concerned, no woman could hold a candle to her. He couldn’t imagine anyone but her by his side when he thought about his future.
“You ready?” he asked as he removed his clothing.
“Yes.”
Once he was naked, he extended his hand toward her, and she took it, weaving her fingers through his. He pulled her against his body, and she looked up at him with expectant eyes.
“I love you,” he whispered before pressing his lips against hers, not giving her a chance to return the sentiment.
A few minutes later, they were soaking in water that was a bit warmer than Lynx liked. Fateema was seated between his legs with her back against his chest. For the first ten minutes, they sat in silence. Her head rested against his chest, his arms wrapped around her body, and their fingers intertwined.
“Do you ever wonder what our baby would be like now?” she asked.
“All the time. He or she would be almost ten years old. Almost the age we were when we met.”
“Do you think we would’ve been good parents?”
“I don’t know, but we would’ve done our best.”
“How many kids do you want?”
“As many as you will give me. It kinda sucked being an only child. I would’ve been bored out of my mind if I didn’t have you.”
“Seriously. I kinda wish my dad would’ve remarried and had more kids. He didn’t get serious about dating until he was too old to be having kids, and those relationships didn’t last long.”
“Well, if he’s anything like my dad, you might have a surprise sibling out there somewhere that’ll pop up when he’s gone.”
“That would be shocking. I love Mr. Keno, but he was foul for that. How are you feeling now that things have settled a bit?”
“I miss him. I wish we’d talked more. I wish I’d come home more often and spent more time with him or had him fly out to DC. I’m pissed he chose not to tell me about his illness or about my sister.”
“It’s a lot to process. Are you ready to read the letter?”
“No, but I will before I leave. I don’t want to do it without you.”
