Page 30 of Counting His heartbeats

Maybe ten years from now, I'll tell Zurmani that she never had a chance playing Pac-Man with me. In the meantime, I'm basking in my ability to gloat over beating her, although it definitely wasn't fair.

"Nah. Bragging rights are for me. That thing is for you," I say, pointing at the stuffed replica of the game symbol I'd beat Zurmani at.

I'll also cherish seeing Zurmani concentrating while playing with her teeth and clenching her lips. My Tigress was determined to emerge as the victor during the tiebreaker game. Poor baby had even pulled her thick and mountainous curls into a ball, thinking it would help her.

"I blame the little kid who bumped me when I was getting into my groove," she says, pouting.

Shaking my head, my mouth twists and I exit the vehicle without uttering a word because Zurmani is reaching with her excuse. The kid in question barely touched Zurmani, and the only reason she knew of his presence was because I told him to watch where he was going when he ran close to where we were playing.

"At least the place doesn't creep me out or fill me with anxiety," Zurmani admits when I open her door and help her out.

Our final stop on this date is a place I'm hoping will enhance Zurmani's ability to see me in a well-rounded way. Planning Zurmani a regular date didn't feel organic or original, and I'm hoping to win her over at the end of the night. Doing so meanspulling out the big guns and putting more time into the strategy necessary to plan our first date.

"I'm happy to have your mind at ease. This place will give you the intimate vibe that's intricate to a memorable first date experience."

Candle Lights and Jazz Nights is a jazz club with a laid-back atmosphere that will allow Zurmani and I to unwind, talk, dance, and share a meal. This establishment isn't like a typical club but one that provides its patrons with a relaxing feel while partaking in the things it offers. The club is new, but I have heard some great things about the menu the owner, Dee Dee Hendricks, has curated.

"Ooh, it's nice in here."

Zurmani takes the words out of my mouth when we enter the building, taking in the low lighting with a sparkling red glow around the interior. There isn't anyone at the entrance, but a sign lets us know it's open seating. Seeing an empty table semi-adjacent to the stage where a man softly plays a saxophone, I lead Zurmani that way.

"Thank you," Zurmani expresses when I pull out her chair, waiting for her to sit before moving to the empty seat beside her.

"Are you hungry?"

Picking up the menu, my mouth waters when I see honey skillet cornbread under the list of appetizer options. My stomach growls, letting me know that food isn't up for discussion.

"Mhm. This cornbread is calling my name," Zurmani says.

"Say less."

When the song being played by the saxophonist becomes more apparent, I push my chair back, extending my hand out toward Zurmani.

"Will you dance with me, Tigress?"

Placing her hand in mine, Zurmani stands and we move to the dance floor with my heart beating out of sync seconds beforetaking Zurmani in my arms. My lips unconsciously land on Zurmani's neck in a light kiss before I lowly sing to her as our bodies move around the center of the space where other couples join us dancing.

"Oh, oh, I never felt this way. How do you give me so much pleasure?" I sing, noting the shiver coming from Zurmani, causing me to tighten my hold on her body.

I feel like the luckiest man in the room to have the prettiest woman in my arms. Although, I'm not shivering like Zurmani, I feel like all is right in my world just because Zurmani is in her rightful place. Feeling Zurmani this close to me has me fighting the urge to exhale like Whitney Houston did in that movie. For the first time in a very long time, I feel content and like everything is going to be all right.

"I was gonna wait until I took you home, but this moment feels right. Will you be my woman, Zurmani?" I whisper so only she can hear me.

Zurmani pulls away. We're now staring at each other, and the intense eye contact has my blood pressure spiking from the intensity of her gaze.

"I will."

Wow. She agreed without hesitation. Yes!

Mentally, I'm pumping my fist at Zurmani's agreement, but here in the present, my head slowly moves toward Zurmani's lips. My pulse increases, and my mind spins on its axis when our lips touch for the first time. Fireworks explode in the fragments of my mind while I deepen the kiss, losing myself in the feeling of Zurmani's pillow-soft lips. I feel like I'm floating the longer we kiss, yet I don't want to end our connection. Adding our tongues to the mix is well-timed, granting us permission to explore the recesses of each other's mouths.

There is no greater joy than living in this moment with the woman capable of healing what she hasn't been able to see.

Several DaysLater

"Mm," Jawaan moans into my mouth, causing me to kiss him hungrily, and my body feels like I'm hovering over an open flame.

Jawaan pulls back, peering at me intently, and I return his gaze with longing in mine. The heart-rendering tenderness in his gaze makes my breathing sporadic. My heart jolts, and my pulse gallops the longer Jawaan watches me. Jawaan's hand gently caresses my face, and the sweetly intoxicating musk of his body momentarily overwhelms me.

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