by Nicole Falls
He locked an arm around my right leg, keeping me in place as he buried his face in me, lapping up my wetness and making the sexiest sounds of contentment. I came in waves, body arching away from the bed as Karim kissed his way back up my body to my mouth. I kissed him greedily, savoring my own flavor on his lips as our hips fused together in a deep grind.
Karim pulled back slightly, reaching for his pants that I had discarded on the floor next to the bed. He quickly retrieved a condom from his wallet, rolling it onto his dick in one fluid motion. I licked my lips in anticipation of him sliding into me, ruling my body with stroke after stroke. Much to my surprise, however, after putting on the condom, Karim settled onto my bed, back against the headboard, beckoning me to climb into his lap.
I moved quickly, draping my thighs on either side of his, guiding him into me. I sank down slowly, giving my body a chance to adjust to inch after glorious inch of thickness.
As I took him into me, Karim groaned, “How are you this fucking wet?”
I replied, “That’s all your doing” before starting a slow grind, winding my hips back and forth as his hands dug into my waist. Soon that gradual back and forth gave way to a more frantic pace, Karim’s hips bucking upward as I slammed down into him.
“Mmmmmm, you feel so fucking gooooooood,” I cried out as his dick reached a place inside me that had me on the brink of release once again.
Karim’s hands moved from my waist to my ass, which he squeezed and kneaded as he switched our motion from a frantic up and down to a slower circular wine that made my thighs tremble. I collapsed onto his chest, sinking completely onto him and grinding my clit against the base of his shaft. The shift in movement drew a ragged groan from Karim that let me know he was as close to release as I was. A few more movements of our hips had us crying out in synchronicity—my cry a loud pitched wail and Karim’s a rumbling curse. As we lay there trying to catch our breaths, Karim rubbed my back in slow, soothing circles, making me purr like a satisfied lioness. He tilted my chin up for a bruising kiss before shifting our bodies so we lay side by side.
As we lay there catching our breaths, Karim cursed beneath his breath.
“You all right over there,” I said, finding a bit of energy to turn over to my side so I could see his face.
“Never better,” he said, snaking an arm around my waist to pull me closer. He pressed a quick kiss to my temple and my eyes closed of their own volition as I melted into his embrace.
“What’s with all the cussing?”
“Oh, I was just having a talk with myself wondering what in the hell took me so long to give in. That was…” he trailed off.
“Deliciously and amazingly satisfying?” I supplied.
“I was gonna say bomb as fuck, but that works too,” Karim replied, chuckling before sitting up and moving off the bed. “Let me go take care of this condom, then you better be ready for some hard core cuddling, woman.”
I watched him saunter across my room to the bathroom, biting my lip as I watched his ass flex with each stride. Sheesh, his fineness didn’t make any sense.
After a minute or so, I heard the sound of the shower starting.
“Babe,” Karim said, walking out of the bathroom, “Get your ass up and into this shower.”
“You promised me hard core cuddling,” I said, in mock protest.
“First we shower, then we cuddle.”
“You don’t wanna bask in the afterglow,” I joked, rising from the bed and taking a quick detour to my bedside drawer to press a new, unopened condom into his outstretched hand. “Just in case.”
After showering, then sexing each other crazy, and showering again, Karim and I were cuddled up on the couch watching Law and Order like every other Sunday. At the commercial break, he wandered into the kitchen in search of something sweet. I had baked cookies for PJ’s teammates, but was so distracted by the whole “meeting each others families” thing that I’d forgotten to grab them to take to the game earlier. I had also baked some special cookies for myself since I was trying to cut back on smoking. I told Karim to grab the red container from the counter near the stove, which held the cookies I’d made for the kids. The others were in a custom cookie jar that Devorah had made for me. It was in the shape of a tree house, with the words Celena’s Treets etched on the trunk of the tree.
Karim walked back into the room, wolfing down a cookie with two more in his hand. He had a worried expression on his face as he chewed.
“What’s with the face?”
“You said you have your Master’s right?”
“Uhhhh…yeah,” I replied, puzzled at where this line of questioning was going.
“You know treats is spelled wrong on your cookie jar?” he asked.
“Are those cookies from the cookie jar?”
“Yeah…”
“How many did you have?” I asked, trying to keep the panic out of my voice.
“Just this one…”
I jumped up grabbing the other two out of his hand and walking back toward the kitchen to put them back.
“Hey! I was gonna eat those!” he exclaimed, right on my heels as I walked back into the kitchen.
I placed the cookies I’d swiped from him back in my jar, and then walked over to the counter on the opposite side of the kitchen, where the red container sat clear as day.
“Where did I tell you the cookies were, Karim?”
“In the cookie jar.”
“No I didn’t. You weren’t listening, were you?” I asked, grabbing the container I’d initially told him to get the cookies from. “This,” I said, holding it up, “has the cookies I told you to get.”
“What’s the difference? A cookie is a cookie is a cookie.”
“You really think I don’t know how to spell the word treats?”
“Well obviously you don’t if…oh my God. These are weed cookies, aren’t they?”
I nodded once, biting back a smile as Karim groaned loudly.
“Seriously?”
“I told you to look in this container, Karim. It’s not my fault you went full on Cookie Monster on me and tuned out everything I said after cookies in the kitchen.”
“You can’t just have weed cookies out on the counter, babe. What if PJ had opened the cookie jar?”
“PJ wouldn’t have opened the cookie jar because he knows that those cookies are only for Te-te Cel. Te-te’s hardheaded boyfriend would know that too if he listened to her when she spoke.”
“I do listen when you…wait…boyfriend?” Karim smirked.
“I mean you finally gave up the dick or whatever, so I guess you earned a title,” I replied, rolling my eyes.
I hadn’t planned on it, but Karim had wormed his way inside. I honestly thought that he could be someone that I would be cool with, the occasional fuck buddy. But somewhere along the way, I grew to enjoy his company and how I felt when he was around. It probably had to do with the fact that he withheld sex from me for so long, so I had no choice but to get used to his presence. But my gut was telling me that Karim was a good guy, so I rolled with it. I certainly didn’t think I’d be calling anyone else my boyfriend this soon after a breakup, but stranger things have happened.
Karim strolled across the kitchen, pulled me into his arms and drew me into a slow, sweet kiss. My eyes closed as soon as our lips met and I savored the faint hint of chocolate still left on his lips. He pulled back from the kiss after a few minutes and asked, “Exactly how high will this damn cookie get me?”
“Does the name Neil Armstrong mean anything to you?” I asked, giggling.
“Ok babe, we out,” Karim said, walking over to where I sat at the dining room table with the ladies.
In the few weeks since we each met each other’s families, we’d smoothly integrated spending time with both sides when it fit into our schedules. PJ had been bugging Karim to take him to play laser tag, so I planned a girls day with Pat, Cade & Dev since the boy would be occupied. I had been so wrapped in the newness of being in a relat
ionship that it’d been a minute since I kicked it with the girls. We planned to just hang out at my place, with food and beverages while we caught up on everything that was going on. It was also a little celebratory get together for Devorah who’d recently gotten engaged.
I leaned in a little closer and whispered, “Pat gave him money for lunch. Don’t let that lil joker hustle you into spending your money on him so he can use hers to go buy more of those weird, bigheaded figurines he loves so much.
“Worry bout yourself, woman,” Karim said, before lowering his head, “And give me my sugar.”
“Aw man, here y’all go. I’ll be in your truck, Reem,” PJ said.
I appeased Karim’s request, pulling his face closer to mine for a quick kiss. I pulled back a little too slowly, which caused him to pull me back in and linger just a little bit longer.
“I mean, damn y’all think they know we still here,” Devorah mock-whispered.
“The man is thorough, that’s for damn sure. Can’t hate on the technique,” Cadence replied.
At that, Karim chuckled and pulled back from the kiss. With a quick salute to the ladies, he walked out of the door. I watched every stride, sitting there with a silly grin on my face.
“We like him for you,” Pat said, which sort of surprised me.
Of all people, I thought my sister would be the toughest nut for Karim to crack for sure. She was usually relentlessly harsh on men I dated; none of them were good enough for her little sis. Jacob got the side eye from the moment they met. In the end it was warranted, but sometimes Pat’s guard dog persona could be a bit overwhelming. So far with Karim though, she’d been super laid back. Hell, I was surprised she was the first person on board when he brought up he and PJ’s idea for a Bros Day Out. I just knew she was gonna read him the riot act and saying he “didn’t need some temporary nigga tryna step in and be a daddy” like she did when one of my previous boyfriends tried giving PJ tips on shooting a basketball.
“Seriously, he’s good for you, Cel. He has you lit up like fireworks on the fourth of July, sis,” Devorah chimed in, laughing.
“Did y’all get together like a tribunal council and vote whether or not to snuff his tiki torch or nah?” I responded. Though I snarked, I was secretly pleased. I knew that my friends were not the biggest fans of Jacob, so I was hesitant to bring Karim around. Not because they exhibited the same energy—because they damn sure didn’t, in any way—but because I wanted them to like him as much as I did. Call it corny or childish, but these were the people I was around a great majority of the time. Didn’t want to end up in isolation like I was for much of my relationship with Jacob.
“And let’s face it, anybody who willingly handles PJ is a keeper. Hell when would Jake ever?” Pat said, while topping off her glass with the last bit of prosecco that was left in the bottle.
I watched Cadence gaze longingly as the bubbles rose to the top of Pat’s glass before she picked it up and gulped it down.
“Damn, Patty Whack. We got plenty more where that came from. Savor the flavor,” I said.
“Yeah, yeah,” she replied, holding her glass toward the new bottle of wine that Dev was uncorking. Before pouring any into Pat’s glass, I noticed Dev exchange a look with Cadence that spoke volumes—mainly with how uncomfortable she was with Pat’s beyond normal over the top behavior.
“Sister dear…what’s going on? You’re being super aggressive and bout to scare my damn friends outta here.”
“Just the normal stresses of life,” Pat sighed, “Can’t a girl unwind? Hell, mama’s gotta have a life too, Jody.”
“All right now, Juanita,” I replied, laughing, “When you’re done drinking it away, we’ll chat. This isn’t about Da—”
Pat quickly cut me off by turning to Devorah and asking to see her ring. Dev easily had the dopest engagement ring I’d seen in some time. Her man Ellis really took careful consideration, working with a jeweler to personally design the gorgeous rose gold and morganite ring. As she held up her hand, the sunlight caught the stone, just a-twinklin’ and glistening. Dev and Ellis’ story was an interesting one for sure, but I was glad my girl finally gave into that man. Lord knows she was deserving of someone to love her in the magnificent way that Ellis did. Now if only we could get my sister together…then for once we’d all be happily coupled. Not that having a man makes any difference, but Pat was the most irritable when she wasn’t getting consistent good good. And if today’s low key tantrum was any indication, we were going to be in for a long spring and summer.
I tuned back into the conversation to hear Devorah saying, “Your sister is next. We might as well plan a double wedding. Hell, if we didn’t work together I’d barely see her.”
“Oh yeah, they’re in the pink fluffy everything is awesome phase. Ah young love,” Cadence sighed.
I laughed as I got up from the table to check on the breakfast casserole in the oven. I could smell the spiciness of the chorizo all the way in my dining room so I guessed it was about ready to take out. As I peeked in the oven, I saw that the cheese I’d sprinkled across the top had turned a nice golden brown color. I grabbed a fork to pierce the dish to check the doneness of the eggs. The firmness that the tines of the fork were met with immediately let me know that the casserole was ready to be taken out of the oven. I removed it and set it on the cooling rack while I grabbed another bottle of San Pellegrino for Cadence since I’d noticed the one she had out already running a bit low.
I walked the sparkling water and four plates back into the dining area where the ladies sat, still gabbing about men. I walked in on Cadence telling a story about Geoff freaking out a few nights ago because she was having Braxton-Hicks contractions. As she retold the story we were all cracking up at his antics—from running around the house like a madman to hopping in the car and heading to the hospital with everything in tow but his pregnant wife.
“I swear the slightest wince from me sends the man into a tailspin. I cannot wait until this damn kid is on its way out,” she said, rubbing her belly, “You hear that kid, mama wants her womb back!”
“You are so rude,” Dev said, coming around to table to speak directly to Cade’s belly, “You guys better not let her talk to you like that. Show her who’s the boss.”
Just as the last word left Devorah’s mouth, Cadence winced in pain.
“Ugh, more damn Braxton-Hicks,” she said, rolling her eyes.
I headed back to the kitchen to grab the now cooled enough breakfast casserole. As soon as I sat the dish on the table, the ladies dug in and commenced to seriously grubbing. Karim had asked me to save him any leftovers, but from the way we were moving through this darn thing he might be out of luck. As we ate, I noticed Cade growing increasingly restless…wincing more often than not.
“You okay over there, chica,” I asked around a mouth full of food.
“Chew, then speak,” she replied calmly, “And no…I think my water just broke.”
Cade’s words immediately sent the other ladies into a tailspin. Dev had whipped out her phone to call G, Pat was coaching her through breathing exercises while I just stood there looking like a fool. I didn’t have the slightest idea of what I should or could be doing to be helpful. Pat was so anal during her pregnancy that PJ’s due date was scheduled. I had no idea how to react to a pregnant woman’s amniotic fluid on my dining room floor beyond rushing to clean it up. So that’s what I did, I turned toward the kitchen to grab the mop when Devorah said, “Cel, what are you doing? Let’s go!” While I’d been frozen, Pat had helped Cade into the car and they were waiting for Devorah and I. I snapped out of my haze, slid my feet into a pair of sneakers and followed Dev out the door.
When PJ and I got to the hospital, Celena was sitting by herself in the waiting room.
“Tee, where’s my mom?” PJ asked as we walked up.
“Hello to you too, rudeness.”
“Sorry, Tee. Hi,” PJ said, plopping down in the chair next to her, “She’s here though, right?”
&
nbsp; “Yes, nephew. She went to get a cup of coffee. Calm down, she’ll be back in a sec. Did you have fun with Mr. Karim?”
We were at Main Event again—it was the kid’s favorite spot—when he spotted his basketball coach in the arcade. I was forgotten as PJ quickly made his way over to the man to speak. As I strolled up Coach D had just finished introducing PJ to his nephews and was asking after his mother.
“She’s with Te-te Cel. They’re having a girls day in while Uncle Karim and I are having a bros day out,” PJ replied, easily.
My brow furrowed at the usage of the word Uncle, but I quickly schooled my features into a more neutral expression when the Coach extended his hand for a shake. He and I wound up teaming up against PJ and his nephews for laser tag; then spending most of the afternoon trailing behind the boys as they ran all over the event space. He was a cool cat, clearly passionate about sports and children and Celena’s sister Pat. Bruh talked my ear off damn near the whole time about her. I’m guessing that “Uncle” PJ dropped had him thinking I was further on the inside than I was. Hell, I’d just barely gotten her sister to open up; I had no idea about helping him get closer to Patricia.
“I just gotta tell my mom what Coach D said and I don’t wanna forget,” PJ replied.
“And what exactly did Coach D say?” Patricia asked as she sat down a few seats from where we were.
PJ got up to relay the message and I took the seat he vacated beside Celena.
“Where did y’all see Damon?”
“Main Event. What’s…the deal there?” I asked before giving Celena a run down of the afternoon’s events.
“I wish I knew, baby. I tried asking Patty about it, but she just shuts down. Homie was more than the coach though, had to be.”
“Babe, I’m telling you, he talked my damn ear off about your sister all afternoon. I guess PJ calling me Uncle made him think…”
“PJ called you what now?”
“Uncle Karim, I thought it had a nice ring to it,” I said with a laugh, trying to temper what I already felt as rising hysteria coming from Celena.
