Page 6 of A Love Tethered to the Sun
“Yes, ma’am… I did,” I responded.
“Okay, good. Get your board and get a good practice for your competition in a few weeks. Healani, call Junior and tell him I said to get his ass herenow. Tell him if he’s not here in twenty minutes, I’m sending Ewing, and I know he doesn’t want that. I have words for you, too, young lady,” Mom instructed.
“Yes, ma’am,” Healani answered in a pouty tone. We all knew how scared Kai was of Ewing. Ewing is the oldest. He served two terms in Iraq, and when he came back, he started his own security company with some of his brothers-in-arms.
“Mom, please take it easy on Healani. I told her not to say anything,” I stated, gently rubbing her arm to ease some of her frustration.
“I’ll see what I can do,” she replied, then kissed me on my forehead.
“Have fun out there, baby girl, but this ain’t over,” Dad added.
“I know. I know.” I waved bye, then removed my board from the full-length surfing stand and walked to the beach.
I inhaled and exhaled the smell of the ocean as I stared out at the waves. My brother’s voice coursed through my head like it always did before I surfed.
“You about to make those waves yo’ bitch, sis?”
My tears wanted to well, but I wouldn’t allow it as I swiped them away. I loved my brother so much, and I always kept his spirit and memories with me. Today wasn’t the day for sadness, especially when I had a date with Pryde tonight—only joy and peace today. I swam out into the water, and when I felt like I was one with the waves, I hopped up and did what I loved. I rotated my board to the beat of the wave, and as soon as I saw the huge wave coming my way, I made it my bitch and rode it out. Tears still fell down my face as my board washed over wave after wave, but I wasn’t sad. These were happy tears.
After a couple of more hours of practicing, it was time to head home and rest for my date with Pryde. I locked my board up, grabbed my things, and headed home. I removed my wet clothes before diving ass-naked under my covers. It was my way of really relaxing after pushing myself so hard in practice. Within minutes, I had dozed off into a deep slumber.
Hours later,my alarm went off, and I groggily snoozed it for fifteen more minutes of sleep. What was supposed to be fifteen minutes later became much longer because I now heard my doorbell ringing. Tiredly, I rolled out of bed, slipped into a big tee shirt, and trotted to the door. I peeked out of the hole and shrieked when I saw Pryde standing there with a beautiful bouquet of green flowers. I’d never seen such a stunning array of florals before. Quickly, I snatched open the door.
“I’m so sorry, love. I pushed myself in practice this morning and overslept afterward. Please forgive me,” I confessed. Discreetly, I tried to remove the sleep evidence from the corners of my mouth.
He gave me a sexy smirk. He looked edible in his black, collarless, short-sleeved Oxford shirt and his black distressed jeans. He paired suede, dark brown ankle boots with his attire that tied the whole look together. Pryde’s high top, curly fro, and full beard carried a light sheen. His dark brown complexion and a slight curve in his legs made my mouth water. My tastebuds craved the delectable meal that stood in front of me, and he knew that from the cocky grin that adorned his face.
Pryde cleared his throat, and I snapped out of my examination of him. “Of course, I forgive you, beautiful. I understand all the way. Do you still want to go out, or do you want to reschedule?” he asked. As scrumptious as he looked, there was no way in hell I was about to reschedule our date. My clit thumped in agreement with me, and I smiled internally.
“Of course, I still want to go out, love.” I waved for him to come in, but he didn’t move. Did he not understand the gestureof ushering someone into your home? “What’s the matter? I waved for you to come in.”
“Nothing is the matter, beautiful. I just have to be invited in for me to come inside,” he simply stated.
I snickered until I noticed he didn’t laugh. “Oh, wait… you’re serious. What are you… a vampire or something?” I teased him.
His eyes lowered, and his lips pursed to the side before he smirked at me. “I’ve been called worse,” he expressed.
I shook my head. “Come on in, funny guy.”
“Thank you.” Pryde stepped over the threshold. When his feet touched down inside my home, a gust of wind breezed past, and my hair fluttered some.
“That was weird,” I stated as I shivered. “Give me a few minutes, and I’ll be ready.”
“Take your time, beautiful. I love your home, by the way,” Pryde voiced as he looked around and examined my sanctuary.
“Thank you, love. Make yourself comfortable. I have drinks and snacks in the fridge if you want anything.”
“You’re welcome, and thank you for your hospitality.” Pryde took a seat on the couch when he was done looking around.
When I saw he was content, I walked to the back, hurriedly removed the large tee shirt, and pulled on my bra and panties. I slipped into a really short, strapless crop top and distressed denim shorts. Since I had showered when I made it home earlier, the rest of the process was easy. I placed half of my hair in a bun and left the back down. Next, I sprayed a little moisturizer in the back and teased it some. Using my aloe vera gel, I laid my edges down and made some baby hairs, then I slipped into my bedazzled, open-toed flat sandals and my red kimono with black, white, and orange flowers. Lastly, I spritz some of my lemon sorbet body spray on and walked to the living room. Pryde stood at my mantelpiece and gazed at my family photos of me growing up with Healani’s family. It still saddenedme that I didn’t have one image of my family in Jamaica, but they were engraved in my mind and heart. Plus, I still had the surfboard pendant that Pierre gave me for my sixteenth birthday, and I never took it off.
“I’m ready,” I announced.
Pryde turned and gave me a devilish smile. “You look delicious,” he stated as he walked up to me and engulfed me in his arms. “You smell delicious as well.” His nose trailed from my ear down to my shoulder. “Damn… we need to go before I forget I’m a gentleman and you’re a lady.” We laughed together, then separated.
“Thank you, love. Let’s head out like you suggested.”
“Let’s,” he replied and grabbed onto my hand.
