Page 14 of Tempted to Love You
My eyes connect to the moon, and a smile forms on my lips. The brightness shines from the round object as it seemingly hangs in the sky like it’s been painted by Picasso. My heart gallops, seeing the beauty within the night sky that I’ve never taken time to enjoy.
“I know that tonight might have been a lot, but I want you to know that, like this moon, I appreciate the beautiful woman you are. You are a woman of virtue. You are a woman of prestige. You are a woman who I don’t deserve, yet you’re the woman I’m wishing upon these stars to hold on to.”
Without permission, tears trek slowly down my face upon hearing the sincerity coming from Rakai’s mouth.
“What do you want out of life now that you have found another opportunity to recreate what it becomes?” The question tumbles from my lips as I slow my tears’ progression.
“It’s more about what I desire than what I want. I’ve had a chance to receive the things I want in the past. However, I now desire to make my parents proud to call me their son. I desire to be a man worthy of exchanging vows with. I desire to find you standing across from me, expressing our love before family and friends. I desire to make you smile so that you never have to hide your sadness or reservations like you did with me not long ago. I desire to be a man worthy of being yours.”
My breathing becomes cagey, and my vision blurs, making it difficult to clearly see the moon’s glow. Rakai’s ability to discern what was happening, even on a grand scale, has me feeling out of sorts. All my life, I have been able to hide behind a maskof blankness to prevent people from knowing my thoughts or suspecting my feelings. Yet, Rakai is telling me how he desires to know me on a level I don’t readily express. My chest expands, and I struggle with the vulnerability threatening to consume me. Despite my attempt to shy away from Rakai at the ice cream parlor, my heart is melting with the urge to be in his presence.
“If you promise not to hurt me, I’m willing to be yours, Rakai.”
“Doing so will allow me to love you in the way no man before me has. Your heart is safe with me, mama.”
Rakai
Two Weeks Later…
I can feel Latia’s attempt at escaping what we’re building through the short responses she gave during our last message exchange. I’ve been wondering if maybe I’ve been coming on too strong and making Latia feel overwhelmed. I’m not the type of man who operates this way, but falling in love this fast is something that’s never happened. The urge to keep her close and love her hard has been consuming me and making me scurry to keep up with the feelings flowing through my body. For a man like me who once despised the actions I’m showcasing, I feel like I’ve been invaded by a foreign body snatcher.
While I can’t fully understand falling in love with Latia sight unseen, I have no regrets. Every minute in her presence has driven me to push for another opportunity. Love has me out here on a ledge I didn’t foresee, but since I’m out here, I might as well keep going until Latia’s left ring finger is heavy with my symbol of forever.
“I’m not sure if I like this, Rakai. My stomach is sitting in my feet, and my hair is tingling,” Latia utters, causing me to laugh softly.
“Do you trust me, mama?”
“Trusting you is what has me sitting in your passenger seat wearing this scarf over my eyes. Are you taking me to Shady Pines or Riley Creek for a dirt nap? I’m not sure this is the romantic level I normally appreciate on an upcoming date.”
Boisterous laughter escapes my mouth as I momentarily look away from the road to see Latia’s leg rocking from side to side.
“You’re laughing, but I’m serious. You can have whatever is in my play account if you need money. My parents are gonna need what’s in my checking and savings to put me away nicely. I mean, I want a grand send off with doves and trumpets playing like they do at a military funeral. My song request is ‘End of the Road’ because it’s the anthem my family blasts after a funeral. Although we’ve come to the end of the road, I still can’t let go. It’s unnatural.”
My eyes watered from the heavy laughter coming from my mouth at seeing Latia’s head moving, fingers snapping, and her perfect pitch of the familiar Boyz II Men classic.
“I know my little wannabe badass who had no problem prancing around Ritown Projects ain’t sitting over there scared about a little blindfold.”
“Little blindfold my ass. Rakai, not only did you put on a scarf, but you added a sleep mask to cover my eyes. If that doesn’t say death is coming, I don’t know what does. Hell, maybe I picked the wrong song for this occasion. My damn legs are shaking like salt shakers, and I feel like I’m about to shit on myself. I told myself falling in love with your thuggish ass was too soon, but nooo, my stupid eyes had to keep seeing stars every time I look at you. Now look at me, sitting shotgun, riding off with the crypt keeper.”
Shaking my head, I pull in front of our destination and put the car in park. I open the door and place my finger to my mouth so the valet attendant won’t say anything.
“Hold tight. I’m coming to open your door,” I tell Latia before shutting my door.
“Good evening, sir.” The attendant greets me when I hand him my keys to park my car once I get Latia out.
“Good evening. Thank you.” I reply when the attendant hands me a parking slip then jog to the passenger side and open Latia’s door to assist her out of the car. “Are you ready for the surprise?”
“I was born ready.” The sass in Latia’s tone has me smirking before I remove the coverings from her eyes so she can see where she is. “Oh. Well, I didn’t anticipate this.”
“Mhm. For future reference, men with plans to kill their unsuspecting partner wouldn’t have them get dressed up to do it.”
Leaning in, I kiss her cheek before interlocking our hands.
“Tuh. This is the twenty-first century, and I work in journalism. Nothing would surprise me.”
“The fact that you’ve created an entire scenario in your mind has me slightly intrigued to know more. Let’s discuss it during dinner.”
Latia and I have a common interest in art, which led me to surprise her with a date night at an art gallery. This particular gallery is hosting a private premier, affording attendees with first looks at pieces the artist hasn’t made available to the public until now. I decided to surprise Latia in hopes of amenity, but clearly, my woman has a fear factor I didn’t anticipate. Lesson learned. From now on, I’ll avoid all blindfolds or anything else that incites Latia’s fearful nature. Although, hearing her fear become comedy was an enjoyable experience that I won’t soon forget.
