by Love Belvin
Parker still doesn’t answer me, and I know I might have gone too far. I reach into my pocket and put the box next to her.
His long arm reaches next to me, plopping a black velvet box next to my thigh. Dropping my phone on my lap, I grab the box. The springs are strong so it takes effort to lift the lid. My eyes are blinded by the brilliance of sparkly cushion-cut stone. If I didn’t know the man handing it to me, I would think it’s fake. That’s how radiant it is. A flash of fear jolts my belly and my entire frame tenses.
I don’t know how long I stare at it, but I can’t find my tongue.
“What do you think you can find to wear with that accessory?”
His voice breaks my inner thoughts.
“Wh-When?” I stutter.
He peers up at me, our precious princess in his backdrop. “Earlier you said forever.”
My mouth drops.
With my arms shaking and empty breasts being pulled into the suctions of the pump, I ask, “Is this…”
With a deadpan expression, Rut shakes his head.
All of a sudden I hear galloping just outside of the room. My face constricts and I see Sharkie chasing his tail out in the hall. Rut whistles for him, and his big body bolts inside the room. I’m ready to scream as he nears Grayson, but Rut holds out his hand, halting Sharkie’s run just feet away.
“Why is Sharkie over?”
“I told you he needs to get used to being here. Shark’s not a city dog. The resident groomer takes him out to the park, but that’s just a few times a week. He needs to run every day.”
Sharkie drops by Rut’s side and rests on all fours.
That’s when my shoulders drop realizing how real this is. My eyes go to the box in my hand. “You’re serious about this?”
With his attention back to Grayson, he murmurs, “I ain’t that type of dude, but if getting down on one knee to prove to you I need you by my side to speed up my maturation process is what I mean, I’ll run around the property butt ass naked. Hell… I’ll run around Hotep Financial that way with all my teammates and coaches watching.”
I power off the pump and release my tender breasts. Then I lean over my lap toward his face.
Rut finds me there. “You need me to do that?”
I kiss his soft lips, my heart and eyes fill with so much joy I can’t contain.
I nod my head. “I wanna do this. With you, and Grayson, and Sharkie, and maybe one more little Rut.”
And his Coke bottle glasses. I fall head over heels each time he brings them when he stays over. I love taking them off and riding him. I know he can’t see all of my features crisply, but he can feel me squeeze around him.
Rut sucks in a breath and his eyes close.
In a panic, I ask, “No more babies?”
“Nah.” He exhales. “Maybe one more in a few years. It’s just… I thought you were going to say no or maybe in a few years about getting married.”
I shake my head as I laugh at him telling on himself. “No, silly. I can’t imagine saying no.”
“Good!” he huffs. “You’d be out your damn mind if you said no to all of this!” He gestures our current family.
I stroke his head, proud of his vulnerability. “I think I’d be crazy if I delayed you.”
I can’t resist kissing him again.
“So, about this Christianity thing…”
“What?” My brows hike. “The thing that ain’t going nowhere? You better consult Trent about how to manage spiritual maintenance with the season’s schedule because that’s where your family will be until the Lord calls us home or Jesus returns for us. Don’t miss the boat, Amare.”
“Shit.”
The End.
###
#PenningWithoutParameters
?? #ImGonnaMakeYouLoveMe ??
~Love Acknowledges
Researcher: Shumethia S. — You’ve been absolutely amazing! I still can’t believe you actually ‘enjoyed’ this project. Wowzers! I need to switch up my game. LOL! On to the next venture!
LBTR — Afi, Adrian, Angela B., Angela J.J., Artemysia, Ash, Ashleigh, Ashley, Ayanna, Ayo, Azaria, Bonita, Brittany, Courtney, Danielle, Dee, Deena, Deidre, Denise, DeVona, Diane, Diva Dee, Doresha, Doris, Erica C., Ericka M., Gail, Grace, Heather, Heidi, Hezie-Ann, Jasmine, Jessica, Kamashia, Karmen, Katrice, Katrina, Kay, Kendra, Kerry, Keyma, Kim, Kimmiko, Kita, Korei, LaKaya, LaKisha, LaLa, LaSonde, Linda R., Linda W., Lee, LeShonda, Levette, Malaika, Marshall, Michelle M., Michelle R.O., Michelle T., Mocha, Monique H., Monique N., Natoya, Nena, Nikki, Pamela, PJ, Rakia, Quan, Regina, Richell, Rose, Roslyn, Samona, Sharon L., Sharon F.W., Shaun, Sola, Sophia, Stacey K., Stacy M., Tabatha, Tamara, Tanisha, Tanya, Tara, Té, Teresa, Terri G., Terry H., Tesha, Tia, Tiffany, Tineka, Tonya, Tralaina, Vivian, Wendi, Yolanda P., Yolanda U., Yorubia, and Yvette H., you equal life! Thanks for being that core of support. Jemeka & Rita, we fight (well, Jemeka and me), we laugh, we confer, and we do it all drama-free. I’m so grateful for you two. Seriously.
Love’s Betas — Yorubia, you know you’ve been a tool for a headache and one of peace of mind, too. Thanks so much for taste-testing the soup. Sabrina SS, I appreciate you going the extra mile for me. Your support means so much! Shumethia, you liked this book! You said it and can’t take it back! Ha! Thanks for having multiple roles in #TeamLove. I don’t know what I’d do without you, which is why I hound you the way I do.
Christina C. Jones aka CCJ — Where do we go next? Thanks for your genius, creativity, flexibility, and friendship. You continue to make me a better human being. #Truly
Interior Artist: Cedeara Ardell McCollum — Thanks, baby girl, for the imagery you’ve designed for my books! Love you always!
Proof Reader: Tina V. Young — Simply amazing is God’s creation of you. Thanks soooooo much for all you do. I can’t say it enough. You’re magic!
Editors:
Zakiya Walden of I’ve Got Something to Say! — Thanks for your brutal honesty. I so enjoy reading your edits, even the ones where you yell at me!
Octavia Frost of Polish Your Pen — Thanks for your bold willingness to step into the LB zone!
MDT: Time to level up! This is my promise…
Master, my Jireh, my Rohi, Psalms 119:114 (NKJV) “You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in Your word.” Your vessel
~Other Books by Love Belvin
Love’s Improbable Possibility series:
Love Lost, Love UnExpected, Love UnCharted & Love Redeemed
Waiting to Breathe series:
Love Delayed & Love Delivered
Love’s Inconvenient Truth (Standalone)
Love Unaccounted series:
In Covenant with Ezra, In Love with Ezra & Bonded with Ezra
The Connecticut Kings series:
Love In the Red Zone, Love on the Highlight Reel & Determining Possession (by Christina C. Jones)
Wayward Love series:
The Left of Love, The Low of Love & The Right of Love
Love in Rhythm & Blues series
The Rhythm of Blues & The Rhyme of Love
~Extra
You can find Love Belvin at www.LoveBelvin.com
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