Page 130 of Real's Love

"Looks like you might have a little country in your bloodline," I said, my voice light but carrying a hint of admiration.

“Looks like.”

I knew Real was in great shape, yet watching him toss that axe like a hood lumberjack made my heartbeat thump in places nowhere near my chest. It was a sin and a shame to be that damn fine.As we continued our game, the barn filled with people and laughter. We got the occasional comment from nearby onlookers who were impressed by our skill.

“What you looking at back there?” I flirted, glancing over my shoulder.

He walked up on me so that he could lower his voice.

“You throwing that axe with your whole body. Gives that thang an extra bounce when you do that.”

“You like it better than the bounce from when I’m taking back shots?” I murmured, remembering the other game at play… the one he was going to lose if he thought he could really deny me sexually. Yeah, I needed to make a clean break, but a girl had her pride. His saying no to me was a challenge.

“That’s more of a ripple, and ain’t nothing I like more than that wave, shorty.”

My triumphant smile morphed into a scowl when he added, “Too bad I gotta stay on land for the foreseeable future.”

My smart ass reply was cut off by the appearance of my cousin, Ajani, with his fiancée, Akeira. I hugged them, then made quick introductions. Ajani gave Real a hard-eyed stare that Real returned.

“You good, cuz?” he asked.

“Just fine, AJ,” I assured him, easing the tension. They ended up joining us. Both of them were terrible, and I laughed more than I had in a long time.

After our session, Real and I headed back to the Miller Homestead. The sun was setting, painting the sky in rich hues of orange and pink. Real led me down a narrow path that it turned out my grandmother had shown him, through a large field. The sounds of crickets and frogs beginning their nightly symphony was a familiar soundtrack to our slow ambling.

"You’ve got a little surprise waiting for you," he said with a mysterious note in his voice.

"Oh, really? You and Granny Nette really been plotting, huh?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Maybe," Real replied, chuckling. "She might’ve whipped up something sweet for us."

We finally stopped under a huge Live Oak by the big pond, one of two that we used on the property. The water was still, reflecting the vibrant sunset. A wicker basket, a small fire extinguisher, and citronella candles awaited us. Real opened the basket to pull out a blanket, and I saw that it was filled with Granny Nette’s famous pecan pralines and a thermos, no doubt of ice water, to keep the sugar from being overpowering.

"She’s outdone herself as usual," I said as he joined me on the blanket after lighting the candles a safe distance away from the fabric.

We snacked on the pralines, savoring the rich confection. Real looked out over the pond, then back at me. "So, these dating rules of yours… how you come up with them?"

I leaned back, propping myself up on my elbows. "Oh, you know. A lifetime of men trying to play in my face. So, I figured, why not get something out of it? I’ve felt unseen half my dating life. My rules make sure that my visibility is on my terms.”

"Isn’t it gon’ get old? You don’t think everyone wants to be loved and fulfilled?” Real asked, sounding genuinely curious.

I shot him a sidelong glance. “Don’t you mean every woman? Men assume that about us. You think you’re the only ones who can play the field?”

His mouth twisted into a wry smile. "All right, shorty. I’ve been fast and loose before, but it’s different with you."

I sipped from my cup of water, not sure I wanted to touch that. I had to know, though.

"Different how?"

"I’m thirty. And I’ve been thinking a lot about what I really want out of relationships lately."

For a moment, I stayed silent, letting his words hang in the warm evening air.

"And what’s that?" I finally asked, my voice soft.

"You," he said simply. "I like you quiet and feisty and I like fierce and funny. I love that you somehow have the ability to submit and an attitude that doesn’t take shit from anyone. I love how clearly smart and thoughtful you are. Your presence, no matter how limited it’s been sometimes, affected me in a way no one else’s ever has. It’s not just the chase, Love. I know you think that. Hell, if I had to choose, I’d take the still moments, the peace you bring me, every single time.”

No one had ever, ever undone me like this man. I swallowed, fighting to keep my composure. "You scare me, you know that?” I finally admitted. “This was supposed to be shallow. No substance. You make it feel too damn real. And the idea of something real… it’s terrifying. I’ve learned you can trust someone, care about them, and still not really know them."

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