Love Delayed

by Love Belvin

  “I know, but…Stentiiiiiiiin,” she enunciated my name fully as she called out. Erika was laying it on thick, but I wasn’t ready.

  I needed more time for Zoey to come off her independent bullshit and tell me she wanted a family with me and Jordan. I didn’t want to force her or influence her on that. So far, everything I set up for her and the baby had been met with her willingness. She hadn’t fought me on child support or the monthly stipend I’d arranged for her. She never oscillated much on the cars or the apartment I bought her. Neither had I heard a complaint about the money I’d given her parents as rent while Zoey and my unborn child lived there. I knew she wasn’t the type of woman easily influenced by money, but she hadn’t resisted anything. She just went with my flow. Well, why the fuck hadn’t she expressed the desire for me?

  “Why don’t we do this: let’s wait until the season begins, give me a few weeks to settle into it, and we’ll see when and where we can meet during my away games. Deal?”

  Erika sucked her teeth. “I’m not happy about it, but I’ll take what I can get. Don’t be shocked when we finally get together…and alone if I ask to see all your tats. Rumor is you got a new one below the waistline and that’s the one I have to get a close look at. I’m near-sided, you know.”

  Shit! She was coming with it. Lately, she’d been more aggressive with her flirting. She’d just made it clear that she wanted to suck my cock. Goddamn.

  I turned the corner and headed into the kitchen. Under any other circumstances, I would have played along with the seduction game Erika seemed down for, but my life wasn’t that simple. I was fucking stuck on another woman. One that didn’t know if she wanted me or to conquer the damn world.

  I chuckled, “Funny thing about them fucking rumors: they’re not always fun, once discovered, as they were in theory. I’ll check you later, E.”

  “Bye, Stent.”

  “Mmmmm…” Alton purred as he snuggled into Tynisha’s neck.

  Charmed by it, she stroked the side of his face with her free hand as they leaned on the marble countertops in their state-of-the-art kitchen. Unlike the rest of the world in television land, I was accustomed to seeing this public display of affection between the two of them. Alton had some shit with him, but he was as tender as they came, off camera.

  We were tired. I wouldn’t even necessarily say sleepy, perhaps drained. We’d just gotten off a rigorous training streak with the next few days off. We were at Alton and Tynisha’s in Upper Saddle River in their kitchen doing small talk before I headed over to Alpine for the night. It was early August and the weather was more or less conducive to outdoor adventures, rather than trekking back and forth from North Jersey to Philly as we were doing.

  “I know the kids are happy to have you home for a day or two,” I said to Al. Then I was hit with a thought. “Are you shooting at all?” I asked Tynisha, whose head rested on top of Alton’s on her shoulder, referring to her reality show. Their schedule was off the damn chain with cameras on them all the time.

  She nodded contently. I knew I needed to move. I needed to start making my way to the car. Rob was out keeping the G63 running for me. No matter what I needed, I knew resting was not in the cards for me over the next few days before I boarded the plane for Atlanta for a Nike commercial shoot. I was excited beyond compare, nonetheless.

  I exhaled. “Let me get my ass on. Besides, Al’s looking like I’m raining on his damn parade.”

  “Yeah the fuck you are,” Alton shot back, stifling a yawn.

  “And what are your plans for your time off?” Tynisha’s neck popped and her eyes widened at that question. Her glare was expectant.

  What the fuck is that?

  “You know my plans,” I returned.

  She and Zoey had grown tight over the past few months. She knew I was headed to Zoey’s to spend time with Jordan. I’d been looking forward to feeling his warm milky breath yawning into my nose. It had taken no time at all for me to fall in love with that kid. Even if he had pissed and shitted on me more times than I could count because I’d been too slow putting fresh diapers on him.

  “I’m going to dote on my legacy between practices.” I’d wondered what the fuck was up with her line of questioning.

  “You need to be doting on more than JR. You need to be working his mother,” Tynisha spit rather harshly.

  I wrinkled my forehead and angled my head.

  Alton’s nostrils flared as his eyes rolled while laying on her. “Fucking women. Speak fucking English please.”

  Tynisha rolled her eyes herself at that statement and then returned her scowl to me.

  “What I mean is, Zoey’s in need, too. You need to handle that!”

  “In need of what?” So many things ran through my mind. I felt anger mostly, wondering who couldn’t be playing their part, making sure Zoey had everything she needed.

  Tynisha’s daggers zoomed into an area below my waist. My dumb ass followed her gaze to my crotch.

  “She just had a baby, Stent. Her hormones and self-esteem fluctuate more than Alton’s steal stats. Mommy’s body is jacked with nurturing that baby, and needs a fine tuning,” she so cleverly articulated.

  I knew shit about a woman’s hormonal makeup postpartum. However, Tynisha’s message was loud and fucking clear. It reminded me yet again that I hadn’t thought this shit through. I’d pledged to myself to always meet Zoey’s every need. This one was unique, but damn sure wasn’t one I was going to shy away from.

  “Really?” I asked dumbfounded.

  She sighed as she shook her head. “You men need a damn manual for everything female related,” she mumbled as she left her position, upsetting a comfortable Alton. “I’m going to bed on that note. I have an early morning tomorrow, starting with hair and makeup.”

  I said my goodbyes to Alton and Tynisha and left their crib. The moment I crawled into the back of the car, headed to Alpine for the night, I pulled out my phone. After a few rings, she answered.

  “Hey.” Zoey sounded subdued.

  “Did I wake you?” It was still a little early, just after ten at night.

  “No. I just fed, burped and put Jordan down.”

  I chuckled at the sound of his name. Such a cool kid. “How long will he be out? All night?”

  Zoey snorted. “I wish. Try about three hours.”

  My expression turned serious as I gazed out the window, not focused on anything in particular. “Are you getting enough sleep?”

  “Stenton, I’m the mother of a four-month-old baby. I don’t sleep; I survive from day to day.”

  I rubbed my chest as if literally nursing the pang that ran through it.

  Shit.

  “About that. How are you feeling…physically?”

  She sighed long and hard. It was almost like I’d opened Pandora’s Box. “I don’t think you’re prepared for that answer,” she murmured into the phone.

  “Damn it, Zo, I told you I would be here for you. If you don’t talk to me how am I supposed to help?”

  “Jordan’s fine, Stenton. He has more than what the average baby has…”

  “And you?” I wanted to cut the bullshit.

  “I-I…” She groaned, regrettably. “My needs are beyond what you’ve agreed to do regarding him.”

  Feeling my frustration simmer—more at myself for putting her through this shit—I took a deep breath and tried to refocus myself. With my head lowered toward my lap, I whispered, “I wanna help. What can I do?”

  “I just need to get myself together. I’m sure what I’m feeling…the body changes are typical for—”

  “Are they physical needs?” My tone was terse, impatient.

  “Well…yeah and…”

  “Related to your emotions?”

  “Yeah, but again, I’m sure it’s typical for a woman who has recently given—”

  “I have a photo shoot first thing in the morning. I’ll try to keep it short and will be over for Jordan…and you,” I breathed into the phone, hoping she caught m
y drift. “I’ll have a few things delivered there, and Eligia will be there first thing to take over with Jordan for a couple of days. Please give her a chance so you can have a break. It’ll be for just a couple of days while I get you sorted out.”

  There was an extended pause on the line as I pulled up to my home. I’d been short enough with her, but I needed to go so I could put plans in motion. I waited. All I could hear was her deep breathing. My cock twitched as my mind processed the memory of her doing just that in my ear as I rocked into her. I couldn’t lie, all these months, I wondered what Zoey felt like and tasted like after giving birth. Some dudes say it’s different. I wanted to know how. I also wanted that connection with my Niña again, but wouldn’t dare ask. I was growing in need just thinking about it.

  “Zo,” I called out.

  “O-okay,” she pushed out lightly. That was all I needed. Although her response was timid, I knew when I showed up with what I had in mind, she would be down.

  “Goodnight,” I endeavored and ended the call without a response from her. I had calls to make.

  Chapter 14

  Stenton

  The next day, just after noon, I pulled up to Zoey’s condo with bags in tow. I came alone knowing I’d be here for a couple of days unless things went horribly wrong. I knocked on the door and seconds later, Ruth, Zoey’s younger sister, pulled it open. Immediately, she looked me up and down, not missing the shopping bags I had in both hands.

  “What the hell is all this?” She pointed to the bags. I walked past her and into the foyer. “Shit…and a duffle, too?” she asked incredulously behind my back, I assumed after seeing the YSL duffle that was strapped around my chest and rested against my back.

  I turned and glared at her. “It’s a fucking shame that Michael and Sarah spent so much of their efforts into properly training up their first offspring that when their spawn came, they had very little to offer. You had better not be using that fucking filthy mouth around my muthafuckin’ seed.”

  Ruth gasped, but she wasn’t too taken aback. This was our relationship. There was always vulgar banter back and forth between the two of us. We only managed to keep it clean in front of her parents. In front of everyone else, we let it rip. It was a true love/hate relationship. I knew much of her resentment of me came from being a protective younger sister. I’d disrupted Zoey’s life and confused her. I had to accept that, even if I didn’t show it to Ruth.

  “The shopping bags, I can understand. Most of those are obviously for my JR. But the stuffed duffle bag, damn roses and Le Perla shopping bag is a whole ‘nother damn mode.” She waved her pointed index finger in a circular motion. “Wonder if it has to do with why my sister hasn’t let me into her damn room for the past thirty minutes.” Ruth issued a penetrative glower, and I returned it.

  “I see that skirt you’re wearing, and it’s Wednesday…noon-day prayer at your church, right? The high cut of it is a whole ‘nother fucking mode to me.”

  Ruth sucked her teeth and rolled her neck, begging my pardon. She then opened the door.

  “My nephew is in his nursery with this nanny you sent over. I don’t think it’s a good idea, but what say does the auntie get in his life?” She turned to leave out.

  “Bye, Ruth,” I bade casually before laying the flowers on the hall-table there in the foyer then headed towards the back of the apartment for the bedrooms.

  My first stop was to JR’s room—Jordan Rogers had turned into JR, as we affectionately nicknamed him. I dumped some of the bags against the wall in the hall and slid out of my sneakers before I entered. His room was fairly large. So large that I had to look around once inside to find its dwellers. There they were, near the bay window, in the rocking chair.

  Eligia’s eyes lit up once they recognized me. “Mr. Rogers!” she gasped quietly.

  I placed the bags down, out of the doorway before crossing the room.

  “Eligia, I’m glad you were able to show on such short notice—”

  Jordan’s little head popped up in search of me and then he wailed loudly. Shit. In all my excitement of seeing him, I forgot how much my presence roused him. Eligia gasped again, not able to hide her amusement about my son’s keenness. It was crazy and I enjoyed it, though this time I was hoping to divide my time between him and his mother.

  I held my index finger up, gesturing to hang on for a bit. “I need to wash my hands,” I whispered before taking off for his bathroom there in the nursery.

  When I returned to them, Jordan was still fussing, wanting to get to me. Almost the moment I took him from Eligia and gathered him in my arms, he quieted.

  “Hey there, lil man. I got you,” I murmured to him.

  His little eyes gazed into mine a while before he made the sniffling face and sound, resembling more of a stinky face. He then brought his hands and mouth to my face discoordinately and landed a wet kiss on the left side of my cheek. It was more like his warm milky breath hit my face first, panting wildly, then his wet tongue followed like a soft smack.

  “Hey, kid, you’re going to have to get your kissing game up for the ladies. That was sloppy!” I giggled. Only my kid could make my grown ass giggle like a woman.

  I loved his attempts at affection towards me. By all accounts, he wasn’t this demonstrative with anyone else, and knowing it brightened my heart.

  Eligia handed me his pacifier. “I was just putting him down for a nap. Are those bags for him?” She pointed to the small pile I’d dropped. I nodded. “Would you like for his mother to put them away to see what you’ve bought or should I do it?”

  I’d guess she asked because for some single parents, it can be important for fathers to show off what they contributed to their children for appearance sake or accountability. In my case, I had to hide most shit. I spoiled this little guy to my heart’s delight. I’d had his nursery packed here, at my apartment and up in Alpine. There was nothing I wouldn’t do for him.

  “You can put them away. I don’t want to get in any trouble while I’m here,” I answered Eligia as I adjusted Jordan in my arms to start putting him down for his nap. I could tell he wanted to play as we usually did, but I didn’t want to prolong his crankiness and needed to put him out of his misery. Plus, I had his mother to tend to.

  In less than five minutes, Jordan was out. I laid him in his crib and cracked the door behind me when I left his nursery. I headed out to the kitchen where I knew Eligia was. I could smell the seasoning of her cooking.

  “He’s out,” I informed her as I clicked on his monitor.

  She nodded and I looked for a vase for the flowers I brought. I left the sole black rose out of the bouquet and headed out of the kitchen.

  “Everything set?” I asked before stepping past the threshold.

  “Yes, Mr. Rogers. Everything is here.” She nodded assuredly with a warm smile. “We will be just fine.”

  “Cool.” I tapped the doorframe. “I’ll see you in a few.”

  I grabbed my duffle and the remainder of the shopping bags on my way to the back. When I arrived at Zoey’s door, I stood listening, for what I didn’t know. I guess I was a bit nervous. Finally, I knocked softly.

  Within a few beats, I heard, “Come in.”

  When I entered, I quickly closed the door behind me and glanced up to find a nervous Zoey in a black sheer baby doll slip that opened in the front with a thong.

  “Is that for me?” she asked trying to hide her shaky voice.

  I nodded and I assessed her body as I sniffed the black rose. She was a few inches thicker and wonderfully filling out the lace cloth. But there was more to her stunning appearance: her legs wobbled in her nervousness just as her eyes bulged.

  I tilted my head to the side. “I don’t recall you being this nervous when you forced yourself on me for the first time in Alpine.” My voice was just above a whisper, not giving away my excitement.

  Zoey’s eyes bashfully shifted from me and her cheeks heated. I thought I’d finally beat her at her wit. I was wrong.

&
nbsp; Without looking at me, she pointed to my waist. “And I haven’t seen you this attentive since that day, either.”

  I glanced down to find my rod stiff and visible through my sweats.

  I shrug. “What can I say? It’s been a while.”

  I then jerked my chin towards her, my heavy eyes raked over her barely contained breasts that were peaked at the apex. “Someone else is a bit excited, I see.”

  She glanced down at herself and rolled her eyes nervously, unable to hide her embarrassment. “I’m fat.”

  “You’re fucking gorgeous,” I countered without finesse. Her eyes flew to mine in disbelief. “You’re just being polite,” she whispered, her eyes glossed.

  “I’m not. You’re unbelievably sexy with the extra pounds, Zo.” I dropped the bags, feeling adrenaline flowing all over. “I’m known for a lot of things, but lying isn’t one of them.” I gently laid the duffle bag against the wall there in the small corridor of the expansive master suite needing to get closer to her. “And it’s my plan to demonstrate to you how you’re still the most attractive and desirable woman in the world, and a few extra pounds doesn’t detract from that. You’re sexy as hell and I’m so eager to prove it to you that I’m afraid I’ll hurt you.” My voice turned hoarse, belying my calm demeanor.

  After tossing the rose on the chair to the right of me, I stepped closer to her and pulled my t-shirt over my head. I found Zoey’s molten eyes and knew she understood what time it was.

  I bent down and traced her ear with my tongue. She smelled of vanilla and her skin resembled silk. My senses were in a frenzy at the memory of this proximity. All morning I fought with myself, saying I couldn’t do this for her. I couldn’t do this to me. I loved this girl and was borderline obsessed over her. I didn’t need a relapse in our progression: my plan. But the insatiable, selfish asshole in me couldn’t deny myself of Zoey. Ever.

  “I’m about to devour you like it’s my last opportunity.” And I pray it isn’t.

  I heard her breath catch and felt her body tremble. I backed up to look into her eyes. Her chest heaved and she attempted to lick her lips. I reached for her face and sucked in her bottom lip, instantly reminded of what they felt like. I did the same with her top lip before pushing my tongue into her shaking mouth and darting at her suspended tongue. So sweet. It took no time for Zoey to gain her senses and join me. We kissed thoroughly, exchanging tastes and forgoing breathing to do it. Her small hands rose up to my chest and her nails raked down my abdomen.