Page 42 of Taming a Menace

Nineteen

I yla

“Two more weeks, Moonie.” Keywan grinned as he sat across from my desk.

He’d started his self-appointed therapy sessions yesterday.

He spent most of our session today telling me how much easier it was to talk to me than her.

Thankfully, he was still willing to try it.

I knew that he could benefit from his sessions if he were to apply himself.

I’d seen an enormous amount of growth over the weeks that I had been seeing him, and according to him he wasn’t taking it seriously because he wanted me more than he wanted to try to see if therapy would help him.

“Are you going to miss me when you don’t get to see me twice a week anymore?”

“Don’t play like that, Iyla,” he said, shaking his head.

“What do you mean? We only have two weeks left. You said it yourself.”

“Two weeks until forever,” he declared.

My cheeks warmed. I knew I was blushing, and I didn’t even care.

“How does that make you feel?” I asked him.

“Excited. Happy. I’m in love, and I don’t care who knows.” He grinned.

“I have to admit I’m nervous.”

“I know. I got you though. No matter what happens from here on out, as long as I got breath in my body, I got you.”

“For some reason, I believe you.”

“As you should,” Key stated flatly.

“Your session is almost up, Mr. Glover. Only three more to go, and you’re cleared.”

“What are you doing after work?”

“Probably going home to get some rest. I didn’t get much over the weekend.”

“You’re the one that kept sliding down this dick every chance you got. I’m glad to get a little rest.”

I laughed. “Oh wow! You’re such a liar.”

“How am I lying?”

“Everything that just came out of your mouth was a lie and you know it. I’ll give you some rest all right.”

“Naw now. Don’t try to put daddy back on that rationing shit. I like having access to my pussy.”

“Oh, I thought you liked begging for it. Isn’t that what you told me?”

He chuckled silently, but his smirk was visibly plastered across his handsome face.

“I love it actually. You gon’ make daddy beg for it?”

“I might. I mean, if you’re so tired of it and all. We might just have to take a break,” I teased.

“Who said something about a break? Where did that come from?” he questioned.

“You said you were tired and needed some rest. Don’t act like I’m putting words in your mouth.”

“You are. The only thing I want in my mouth is you.”

“See there you go. Weren’t you the one just screaming about how tired you were?”

“All I need is a little cat nap. Can I see you after work?” he asked.

“Sure. I don’t have any plans after I get off. You coming over, or you want me to come to you?”

“Whatever works best for you. Just let me know. I have a consult at one and another at two. I have two more people to add to my meal prep list.”

“Business is booming, I see. I’m proud of you, baby.”

“Thank you.”

The way he smiled when I said that made me feel good.

I loved Keywan. I wasn’t just saying that because he was fine and good as hell in bed but neither of those things hurt either.

I loved to see him coming and hated to see him go.

The thought of us moving in together made my head spin.

At the same time, I was ready to make the next move.

“I want to talk about what you asked me on the trip when you come over today.”

“You talking about getting married and living happily ever after with our six kids?” he asked.

“No, I’m talking about us moving in together.”

“You think that don’t include getting married and having six kids? What kind of guy do you take me for? I’m not about to shack up with you forever.”

I laughed. Even when he wasn’t trying he made me laugh. Sometimes I didn’t know the difference between him being serious or joking. I wasn’t sure if he knew either.

“Keywan, hush before I change my mind.”

“That’s what I’m hoping for. I’ll settle for a ring, one kid, and a dog.”

“You have a deal,” I said, extending my hand for him to shake.

He stood from his seat and took my hand in his. He held my hand, inspecting it for a moment before letting it go.

“What’s wrong? You think I need a manicure?” I quizzed.

“Can’t a man just admire his woman’s hands?”

“He can.”

“That’s what I thought. Well, I’m not gon’ hold you,” he said, walking behind my desk and kissing my cheek. “Enjoy your lunch.”

“I will. Thank you again, baby.”

“You don’t have to keep thanking me, Iyla. See you later, baby.”

“See you later.”

My phone rang, causing me to open my eyes to search for it. I’d fallen asleep waiting for Keywan to get to my house. He called as soon as I got out of the shower to let me know that he was on the way. Over an hour had passed and I found myself knocked out on the couch.

“Hey,” I answered in my sleep coated voice.

“I’m sorry it took me so long to get here. Come outside.”

“I don’t have on any shoes, Keywan. I’ll open the door for you.”

“You don’t need any shoes on. Just step outside real quick,” he ordered.

“OK,” I grumbled.

I ended the call and tossed my phone back on the couch.

Since there was a pair of slippers on the floor, I stuck my feet in them on my way out to see what in the world he could have possibly wanted.

My steps slowed to a halt as soon as I stepped outside.

Keywan was standing there next to a car with a big white bow on top. It wasn’t just any car either.

“Key, that’s the car from my favorite movie.”

“I know, mama. Did I get the color right?” he asked with a big grin on his face.

“It’s perfect,” I cooed.

“Just like you. Get in and test drive it.”

“This is for me?” I asked.

“Who else would it be for? I’m not driving a baby blue car.”

“I can’t believe it,” I said, nearly knocking him down as I rushed him with a hug.

Thankfully he was strong enough to support both our weight. He just laughed as he held me against his chest and kissed the top of my head.

“I take it you like it.”

“Yes, thank you so much. I don’t even know what to say.”

“Say you’ll take me for a ride in your new whip.”

“Let’s go!” I tore out of his embrace and ripped the car door open.

Suddenly I was immobilized. I literally could not move. Keywan tapped me on my side, bringing me back to reality. My heart pounded in my ears as I turned to face him. Tears welled up in my eyes when I saw that he was down on one knee.

I gasped. “Keywan.”

“I know it feels like we’re moving too fast, but who’s to say what’s too fast?

I don’t want to waste time. I want to get a head start on forever with you, Iyla.

Thank you for believing in me. Thank you for taking a chance on me.

You don’t know how much I appreciate you for helping me to realize how much pain I’ve been walking around with.

“You made me understand that I need to get this shit off me so I can be happy even when you’re not around.

At the same time, I struggle a little more every time I gotta leave you.

I don’t want to keep leaving you, Iyla. I want to come home to you every night.

I want to cook breakfast for you every morning.

I want to fall asleep next to you every night.

I’m ready to do all that shit you need me to do.

I’m ready to love you for the rest of my life.

I’m ready to live happily ever after with you. ”

“Keywan, I don’t know what to say.”

“Say you’ll give daddy a chance to be the best husband you could ever ask for. Tell me you’ll be my wife, Moon.”

“Yes!” I shouted, answering him before I had the chance to change my mind.

“Yeah?” he asked, seeming surprised by my answer.

“Yes, I’ll marry you,” I confirmed with a nod.

Jumping to his feet, Key crashed his lips into mine. I threw my arms around him to pull him closer. The thought of our future together made me nervous and excited. We only had one more week left before I was no longer his therapist. I couldn’t wait to live happily ever after with him.

“Plan our wedding as big or as small as you want, baby. The sky is the limit. I would take you to the courthouse in the morning and make it official if it were up to me. It’s up to you though. My dad had my mom spoiled. I always said I would do the same with my wife.”

“How about we plan something intimate together?”

“However you want to do it, baby. It’s your world.”

One more session. One more freaking session. That was the only thing that was on my mind as I watched Key leave my office. Fifteen weeks flew by, but at the same time it seemed as if I had known Keywan for years.

We spent our entire session talking about how he was doing in his weekly therapy sessions with the woman he was now seeing. It was good to see how excited he was about hashing out his issues with someone and actually taking it seriously.

He explained that he’d found an older woman because he wanted to feel like he was talking to his mama. Whatever worked for him worked for me. I was just proud that he was doing the work.

As usual Keywan brought me lunch, so I stood to lock my door so I could eat in peace.

Some of my coworkers didn’t value privacy and space as much as I did.

Before I could make it to the door, someone knocked.

When I opened the door, I threw my head back in disgust. The last person in the world I wanted to see was Doctor Wyatt Lowe.

He chuckled. “Don’t look so happy to see me.”

“How can I help you, Wyatt?” I asked, folding my arms over my chest.

“I can’t stop by to see the woman I love?” he questioned, walking closer and causing me to take a step back.

“You sure can. Bye. Go see her.”

“Iyla, why are you acting like this? We had a good thing going on until you started letting outsiders influence you.”

“Is that how you see it?”

“Yes. I made a mistake. People make mistakes. I don’t think we should throw away everything we built over one mistake.”

“One mistake? What about the pregnant girl you were with at Sakura?”

“What about her? She’s just a friend. You’re the one I love. I don’t even know if the baby is mine or not.”

“And that’s supposed to make it better how?” I questioned.

“Give me a chance to make it better. I know I fucked up.”

“That’s out of the question. I can’t trust you, Wyatt. There’s no coming back from the shit you did.”

“Don’t give up on us, Iyla,” Wyatt ordered.

“I’ve already given up and moved on. It seems to me that you’ve done the same. Even if you haven’t, I honestly don’t care. Now can you leave my office?”

The door swung open behind Wyatt, causing both of us to look back. When I locked eyes with Keywan, my heart stopped. This couldn’t be happening again.

“I didn’t mean to interrupt your meeting. I thought you were on your lunch break. I was just bringing this form from my parole officer to verify that I completed my treatment,” Keywan said, oblivious to who Wyatt was.

“Thank you, Mr. Glover,” I said, accepting the form from him.

“See you Thursday,” he said, looking between me and Wyatt before leaving my office once again.

When the door closed behind him, Wyatt looked at me with narrowed eyes.

“I’m good as hell with faces. I just know damn well my eyes were deceiving me. You would never be stupid enough to be involved with a patient.”

“I’m sure whatever you’re thinking is wrong as hell. Now once again, can you leave my office?”

“No, I think I’m absolutely right. There was no damn reason for you to be out with a patient after hours. Didn’t you leave the restaurant with him? Tell me you’re not that stupid, Iyla.”

“Wyatt, get out of my office!”

“I’ll leave for now, but I refuse to let you throw your life away over some thug trying to get out of his parole hours or something. Be smart, Iyla. That man is not interested in you. He’s using you to get out of therapy.”

“You don’t know what you’re talking about. I need you to leave.”

“And I need you to be smarter. I would hate to have to report you to the licensing board. You’re violating all kinds of ethical rules. He’s making a fool out of you whether you want to admit it or not.”

“Don’t make me have you escorted out of here. I don’t even know how you found out where I work.”

“One of our patients comes here for counseling but gets her meds from me. She couldn’t wait to let me know she saw you working here,” he explained.

“Good for you. Please leave.”

“I’m starting to think I need to prescribe something for you. I know I hurt you, but this is beneath you, Iyla.”

“Bye, Wyatt. You’re wasting my lunch break with your theories,” I said, pushing past him.

“You can only run for so long. Before I let you throw your life away, I’ll report you to the board.

I’ll give you the rest of the week to think about coming home and letting this game you’re playing go.

I’ll even give you your job back. I’ve kept your spot vacant because I knew you would come back eventually.

I know the state isn’t paying you half of what I was. I know how expensive your taste is.”

“Wyatt, you don’t know what you’re talking about. You might not be willing to leave, but I’m not going to stand here and listen to this foolishness any longer. You can let yourself out.”

“While you’re on your break, be sure to let Mr. Glover know his time is up. It’s time to come home, Iyla.”