Page 88 of Taming a Menace

“I’m for real. I’ve never felt as good or safe as I feel laying right here on these big, pretty titties.” He laughed as he snuggled deeper into my bosom.

“Shut up!” I said, joining in on his laughter.

“I’m laughing, but I’m dead ass. I feel like I’ve been working hard all day and came home to perfect peace. That’s all I ever wanted. Tell me you don’t feel good right now.”

“I do,” I confessed.

“That’s all I want for us. We can be good together, baby. I know it.”

“I hear you. I’m having a good time. I always enjoy your company. The risks that we’re taking are just always at the back of my mind.”

“Get ’em out, love. Whatever I gotta do to protect you from the backlash of everything, I’m willing to do. I’m not just talking shit, Moon. I wanted you way before the court mandated me to therapy. I dreamed about you every night for three years praying that I could just make it back to you. That’s all I wanted to do.

“My life had gotten so dark at that point. I had been battling depression for a while by the time I met you. It was my last job before I had to turn myself in. While I was with you, I was able to forget all my problems. You made me feel good and hopeful about my bleak future. You gave me something to look forward to when I came home. I wanted your light and your energy surrounding me as much as possible.

“I knew when I had the chance I would do everything in my power to make you mine and keep it that way. You might have been a little drunk at some point during the night, but you left an impression on me that will last a lifetime.”

“I wish I would have given you my number that night,” I confessed.

“I don’t. I wasn’t ready for you. I might never be ready, but I’ll work every day to get there. Wanting to get back to you gave me something to look forward to. See this?” he asked, holding his forearm up to show me the myriad of tattoos covering his forearm.

“Yeah.” I nodded.

He shifted his weight until his index finger landed on a spot where he wanted me to focus. Realization set in when I saw the tattoo of a moon.

“I got this as a reminder to come back for you. See you think I just be talking out the side of my neck, but I fell for you that first night. I knew I was about to go away for a while, so I wasn’t in a position to pursue you. I also knew when I made it back out here that my home would be wherever you were.”

I was speechless, so instead of trying to think of a response to his speech, I kissed him.

Sixteen

Keywan

I dozed off listening to Iyla’s heartbeat and woke up confused as hell. My baby was still knocked out when I woke up. I wanted to pick her up, but I knew moving her would probably wake her. Instead of trying to carry her back to the house, I nudged her a little as I kissed her soft lips. Her eyes fluttered open, restarting my heart.

“Hey, sleepy head.”

“Good morning,” she said, smiling up at me.

“It’s not morning, baby. We’ve only been sleep for about thirty minutes.”

She rolled her eyes playfully. “I knew that.”

“Let's get up. You can go back to sleep in the house, but I have to get ready to go to the venue.”

“I'm still going with you, Keywan. That's unless you don't want me to.”

“That's why I brought you with me, Iyla. I just figured you were tired after the ride and playing in the sun.”

“I got a nap. Plus I'm sure a bridal shower doesn't last all that long. I can rest after.”

“OK, well let's get moving. I need to take a shower and get changed.”

I helped Iyla get up, and we headed to the house. She went into her bedroom, and I turned to go into mine. Before going into the bathroom to take a shower, I put my suitcase on the bed and took out my uniform. I loved to wear the standard chef shirts for jobs because I didn't have to think about what to wear. I laid my clothes out on the bed and made sure my apron was in place before heading to the bathroom.

It didn't take long for the water to warm up once I turned it on. I let the water run while I undressed. I started to do a rundown of the menu of what I had to set up. They were having a brunch themed shower with miniature waffles and pancakes. I planned to do blueberry and plain pancakes and red velvet waffles.

The bride also wanted an omelet station that I would keep open for an hour. There would also be shrimp and grits, Cajun crab cakes, oxtail eggs Benedict, and loaded hash browns. I liked doing breakfast because everything was quick and easy. I didn’t get to stretch my creativity muscle as much, but I made sure everything was delicious.