Page 11 of Lily In The Valley
My hands found her waist, pulled her flush against me. “That I’m the man that had you screaming my name two months ago. Still ain’t got my card back.”
Her breath caught, but she didn’t move away. Her eyes narrowed, dropping to my lips then back to my eyes. I felt thesubtle rise and fall of her chest, her breasts pressed against me, begging for my attention.
Instead, she whispered into my ear, “You think one good night makes you unforgettable.”
“Nah. You and I both know it hasn’t been just one night,” I murmured, brushing my lips over her cheek. “Besides, every night you’re the one that’s unforgettable. Been hooked since the first taste.”
Her hand splayed over my chest, her fingers curling into the black fabric. Her mouth moved to mine, hovering like a honeybee. I licked my lips, thirsty for a taste. We stayed like that, charged and teetering while the music continued in the main part of the lounge.
Then she slipped from my embrace.
“Don’t follow me unless you ready to back it up,” she tossed over her shoulder, slinking away into the crowd.
She didn’t have to say it twice.
I laughed, looking to the floor. Running a hand over my jaw, I walked back to the booth I shared with Maverick. Tasha and Courtney had made their way back as well. Courtney was still going on about Maverick's previous career, curious about life in the limelight.
“Khalil, I thought you’d left,” Tasha said, breaking through her sister’s ramblings.
“No, ran to the restroom, but I’m heading out now.”
“That’s a shame,” Tasha whined. “It’s been fun.”
“It has. Nice meeting you both. Mav, I’ll hit you up later.”
I dapped up Maverick, feeling the pout taking form on Tasha’s face. It didn’t matter. Years, no decades ago I’d made a vow to keep Kelly smiling. I knew the pout she would have from not following her would gut me more than the downturned smile of the woman who’d been all too eager to press herself upon me.
Leaving the table, I had one thing on my mind. Long, thick legs strong enough to crush even the strongest of men. Pillow soft cheeks that filled my hands and then some. A waist that narrowed in, leading up to breasts that longed to have my face cradled between their valleys. The soft skin of her chest, velvet on my lips.
I shook my head as I started my car. Driving through the neon-lit Houston streets and highways, images of all the times Kelly had indulged me, opened herself up to me, let me taste the sweet nectar hidden between the petals of her independence. I thought back to the very first time. I’d been in town with my father the summer she’d lost her grandmother, Ms. Sonya.
She’d been sitting on the steps of her grandmother’s porch, her face sullen, anguish written into each lash. Quickly, I’d said hello to my aunt, then headed down the street. Seeing Kelly sitting there, all I’d wanted to do was take the pain away. For the next few days, I made it my mission to keep her spirits high, giving her refuge from the incessant arguing going on as her mother and uncle decided what to do with her grandmother’s belongings. We’d done everything a broke sixteen-year-old could afford without robbing my father blind. Easily, spending time with Kelly became my favorite pastime.
Zay gave me flack about my choosing to spend my break soaked up in the world of Kelly, but he didn’t get it. He didn’t understand the way my heart swelled each time she was near. For as long as I’d known her, my favorite thing to see was the smile that lit her face, a smile so bright the northern star became jealous. That by the end of this week, I’d ask her to be my girl, even though we’d lived in distant places. Even if her world was wholly different from mine.
And I was almost successful. She’d managed to sneak away during a party at her grandmother’s house. A rare moment of her mother and brother getting along, especially since her fatherhad made it to town. We’d gone back to my aunt’s house–my father and she were also attending the party–leading her to a barren room, save for a bed, a few boxes, and a Bluetooth speaker I’d use to play music from my iPod.
That night, she dropped the guard she’d built over the years, letting me in in more ways than one. I was nervous as hell, wanting to make the moment special for her, special for us. And it was. We were each other’s first physically, but little did she know, she’d cemented herself as my love. When I brought her home, standing under the dim light of the porch, I started to ask her to be mine. Unfortunately, I was cut off due to the shouting coming from inside of the house. Seconds later, her father stumbled out, being dragged by her mother. Between the chaos of whatever happened between her father and uncle, I never got to ask.
This time would be different.
Thirty minutes later, I was at her door. I knocked, getting no answer. Glancing at my phone, checking her location, I saw she was still about five minutes away. I made myself comfortable, standing against the brick wall of her entryway. An eternity later, a car pulled into her driveway. She sauntered out, blowing kisses to the driver, Lynn, then stumbled as she turned and saw me waiting. Quickly, shock was replaced by intrigue as she made her way slowly to the door, ensuring every muscle and curve of her body rippled with each step.
I bit my lip, controlling the urge to take her right there. That was probably what she wanted. Always one to play games. I pocketed my phone as she stood in front of me. She rolled her eyes like she didn’t care that I’d shown up at her door, ready to give her every piece of me if she’d let me.
“What are you doing at my house, Big Head?” A playful glint danced in her eyes as she stared back at me. The smile that melted my heart grinned back, daring me.
Instead of a reply, I circled an arm around her waist, pressing her body close to mine. With my other hand, I grazed the soft skin of her jaw, taking in the epitome of natural beauty in my arms. My hand trailed down to her graceful neck, my thumb playing over the pulse point thundering at the base. I squeezed gently, being met with a quick shudder escaping her lips as she closed her eyes. Her body shifted. That was the thing about Kelly. She loved being all steel and sarcasm, but if you looked closer, then you saw it. The softness she hid from the world. Even herself.
Holding her, the sweet, sharp scent of her perfume enveloped me. Her lips parted, ready with some smart-ass comment, but I didn’t give her the chance. I touched her chin, tilting her face toward mine, and let my thumb graze over her full bottom lip. Eyeing the berry-pink painted lips, knowing the sweetness they housed, I covered them with my own, slow, possessive, in need of something that wouldn’t be quenched with just this night.
Kelly’s lips parted for me, soft and warm, remnants of sweet tequila lingering on her tongue. She kissed me back like she was mad at her body for betraying her mind. Mad that I was able to crack through her defenses and allow her to be fragile. Her fingers laced around my neck. Walking her backwards toward her door, I stripped the keys from her hands, unlocking the door, and leading us inside.
Upstairs in her bedroom, I savored her form as she laid back on the thick, beige comforter in nothing but the nude set she’d worn under her sheer dress. She looked at me, breathless. Her eyes flickered, a fight between her body and brain still waging.
I’d win.
I knew it.
