Page 37 of Reserved for Him
“Something wrong with your feet, Junie?”
I wanted to be mad and ignore him, but something about this demanding side of Franklin turned me on.
I stomped up the steps and shoved my key into the door. “No, Franklin. There is nothing wrong with my feet. There is something wrong with you being here.”
He pushed up against me as I turned the lock. “Nah, it’s not a problem. The only problem I see is you thinking that we are done or something.”
I never told him we were done, but I guess he assumed it when I left the way I did. I didn’t blame him, though, because I would have thought the same thing.
When I got the door opened, I stepped inside and turned the alarm off. Franklin was on my heels, so he closed and locked the door.
I took my coat and shoes off, walked into the living room, and sat down. Franklin did the same thing and sat next to me.
He lifted my chin and said, “I think we need to get a couple of things straight. I’m not sure what you are used to—although I think I have an idea—but this,” he pointed between us, “is a relationship where we talk about things that are bothering us. All that leaving and ignoring ain’t gonna cut it. Now, I know I didn’t handle that situation at my mother’s house the way I should have, and for that, I apologize.
“I was thrown for a loop because I went over there thinking something was wrong, and to find out she pulled a stunt like that had me baffled. I have not seen nor heard from my ex in a long time, and I had no clue my mother still talked to her like that. I’m not surprised, though, because my ex had my mother fooled, thinking she was something she wasn’t. There is a reason why I hardly talk to my parents, especially my mother, and this just made me not want to talk to her even more.”
He turned toward me and grabbed my hands. He rubbed soft circles on my knuckles. “I know we literally just started this relationship, but I’m not letting anyone come between that. There is a reason why I asked you to be my girl. I like you a lot, Junie, and I’m falling in love with you. Not my mother or anyone else will ever come between that.” He let one of my hands go and pushed his glasses up.
He gazed into my eyes as he continued holding my hands. My body warmed, and I shifted in my seat. I could see the love he had for me, and it was crazy that it happened in such a short time, but I couldn’t deny I felt the same way.
“But I don’t want to come between your relationship with you and your family, Franklin.” We could both feel what we felt about each other, but family was family, and I wasn’t trying to compete with that.
“I’m trying to build a family with you, Junie. It doesn’t have to be right now, but I could see us having kids and shit one day. My mother is either going to have to get with the program or she will miss out. I’m not compromising my happiness for what she thinks is best for me. I’m a grown ass man, and I know how to make grown ass decisions, and I choose you.”
A feeling I couldn’t describe washed over me. I believed everything Franklin said because he was so quiet, so when he talked, he meant it. I didn’t want to be the reason he didn’t see or talk to his parents, but it was clear nothing would stop him from being with me, so I couldn’t deny him. The only thing I could do was pray things worked out between them and be there for him whether or not they did.
“Franklin, this past month or so has been amazing with you, and I don’t want it to end. The thing with your mom is in the past, but I do hope you guys can talk and come to an agreement. I got upset because you didn’t say anything, and I didn’t want to be in the middle of that. I am falling in love with you, too, and I want to continue to build with you as well.”
He let go of my hands and pulled me into his arms. After a second he released me, then kissed me with so much passion it made my body melt.
Once we broke the kiss, he pulled away a little and looked me in my eyes. “Now that we got that situated, and we had to cut our night short, let’s have a little fun of our own.”
“What do you have in mind?”
“Go to your room, and I’ll meet you there in ten minutes.” He winked, pecked my lips, then helped me up from the couch.
I wasn’t sure what he had planned, but my pulse accelerated with anticipation. I ran upstairs and took a quick shower. I found something cute to put on and waited patiently for Franklin to come upstairs.
I didn’t know how things would turn out with his mother, but I knew I didn’t want things to end with him and me. The last month, I had been the happiest I’d been in a long time, and I’d be damned if I let someone else take my happiness away. I was in it for the long haul with Franklin.
Chapter
Eighteen
Franklin
I hadn’t talkedto my mom since she pulled that mess at her house two months ago. My father called and tried to get me to talk to her, but I told him that until she was willing to apologize to Junicia and me, I had nothing to say to her. My ex tried calling, too, but I immediately blocked her. I didn’t even know she had my phone number since I changed it sometime after we broke up, but I wasn’t surprised that my mom probably gave it to her. I didn’t understand why it was so hard for her and my mother to comprehend that things were over between us, and they would forever be. I had nothing for her, and I was happy where I was.
Things with Junicia and I had been going great, especially after we had our talk. I wasn’t with the walking away and shit, and she needed to know that things would be different in this relationship than they were with her ex. I didn’t do that toxic shit, and I wouldn’t allow her to do it either. We both had careers and too many good things going for us to be acting crazy. If we had an issue, we talked about it. I was okay with giving alittle space if need be, but that was temporary. If, and only if, we couldn’t agree, then that’s when things would end. Damn sure not before we had an adult conversation. Luckily for us, we didn’t have any other problems.
Everything had been smooth sailing, but I was a little worried about her ex getting out. She didn’t know it, but he was due to be released in a couple of weeks for good behavior. I wasn’t worried about her going back to him, but I didn’t want it to mess with her mentally. If he tried that shit again, he would lose his life. He had more than one warning, but like other people, he mistook my quietness for weakness, and I was far from it. I usually tried to keep my cool. Messing with my Junie, though, would get someone killed.
She had my heart, and I knew I had hers. We hadn’t said those three words yet, but I didn’t need her to. It was all in her actions, and I knew I showed it in mine. I was ready to say it, though, and I would when I took her to the surprise I had planned. It wasn’t a special occasion for us, but I wanted to do something I knew she would love.
It had only been a few months, so we hadn’t moved in with each other, but we were at each other’s houses a lot. It was convenient that we lived next door to each other, so we didn’t have to worry about packing and shit whenever we wanted to spend the night. I still made space for her in my closet, as did she.
I was in my bed watching television when I heard the bathroom door open. My heart sped up like it did every time I saw her pretty ass. She had a towel wrapped around her and her hair in a scarf, but she was the most beautiful woman I had ever laid eyes on.
