Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 90852 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 454(@200wpm)___ 363(@250wpm)___ 303(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90852 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 454(@200wpm)___ 363(@250wpm)___ 303(@300wpm)
He lowered his hand and took mine. “You care about me.”
I pressed my free hand against his chest. “I do.”
“Then, I’ll talk to someone after this.” He leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss on my forehead.
His words filled me with warmth and I felt a sense of peace settle over me.
The future was uncertain, but in that moment, I knew that whatever lay ahead, we would face it together.
Lei let go of my hand and gave me his phone. “You still don’t leave the East without telling me days before.”
I sucked my teeth. “I see I’m going to have to teach you about dating a Black woman.”
“And I’m going to have to teach you about dating a Mountain Master.”
“Oh, I’ve learned quite enough.”
“We’ll see about that.”
“But you still need to learn some things about me.”
“Like what?”
“Let’s start with Lesson One: Respect.” I placed my hand on my hip, wrapping my fingers around the fabric of the robe. “As your partner, I reserve the right to make decisions about my movements and where I want to go. You don’t get to control that.”
His eyebrows furrowed as he crossed his arms over his chest. “And if I feel it may threaten your safety?”
“Then we discuss it, Lei. Together.”
“I don’t know about that.”
“Lesson Two: Communication.” I raised his phone in the air. “See this? This is how we talk when we’re apart. Not by informing you days ahead of my leaving the East like we’re planning an invasion of mega proportions.”
He chuckled.
“Lesson Three: Equality.” My gaze pierced into his again. “I am not below you because you’re the Mountain Master or above you because of any other reason. Our relationship works on the basis of equality.”
“Hmmm.” Lei uncrossed his arms and leaned my way. “And lesson four?”
“I am always right. That’s lesson four.”
He chuckled.
“That is it for today. Class over.”
He tilted his head to the side. “But will there be homework?”
“Are you making fun of me, Mountain Master?”
He closed the tiny space between us and brushed his lips against mine. “Never, my love. I’m simply eager to learn.”
“Is that right?”
“That’s right.” His lips captured mine and I surrendered to the intoxicating rush of our kiss, melting into his embrace as he pulled me against him, his arms a perfect fit around my waist.
My eyelids gently fell shut, lost in the blissful haze of our love.
The kiss deepened, enticing a low hum from my throat.
Groaning, he pulled back.
A soft smile graced his lips as his gaze held mine. “You are quite the teacher.”
My chest rose and fell rapidly, my breaths came in short, uneven gasps, and my heart raced.
How was he able to get me so frazzled in such a short time?
“Come down for dinner, after you talk to Banks.”
My body tingled from the electricity of his touch.
Then, without another word, he left the bedroom, leaving behind a lingering sense of his tantalizing presence. It appeared he might have gotten the last word on that conversation.
Well damn.
Doing my best to get my senses back, I gripped the phone tighter, walked over to the window, and gazed out, taking in the surroundings of my new home.
The day was slowly turning into evening with the sun setting over the massive garden outside. Hues of orange and pink painted the blue sky.
Alright. Alright. What am I supposed to be doing again? That’s right. Call Banks. Check in. Tell him to bring my sisters over tomorrow.
My brain knew the mission, but my body still floated in this poetic sensation of new love.
It was a euphoric bliss.
Overwhelming.
Buzzing.
Aching.
A poetic blend of ecstasy.
I felt like I was walking on the edge of a dream.
At the window, I closed my eyes, allowing the sensation to wash over me, to seep into my very being.
Alright. He’s gone. Get it together.
I took a deep breath, savoring the lingering warmth of Lei’s kiss.
God, I love this feeling. I hope it never ends.
I opened my eyes, looked down at the phone and dialed my cousin.
Damn. There’s so much I have to catch him up on. Let’s hope he doesn’t blow a fuse.
The moment I put it on speaker, Banks answered.. “Moni! Finally!”
I widened my eyes. “Yes. I’m here.”
Banks’ voice boomed through the phone. “I’m pissed at you. You missed your daily phone-ins, then I had to see you on the news being Michelle Obama! What were you thinking?”
Wait. What? He saw me on tv in the South?
Chapter twenty-six
Family Matters
Moni
Although we were on the phone, I could see Banks’ face in my mind, his brows furrowed deeply and his lips pressed into a thin, tight furious line.
When he was worried and pissed at the same time, a unique intensity lit up his eyes, making them flash with anger.
His jaw would clench, the muscles twitching as he struggled to keep his emotions in check.
It was a look I had seen many times before, one that signaled he was about to launch into a protective, albeit overbearing, lecture that would make me want to stab my eyes out in protest.