Page 15 of Love's Instant Replay
There’s something electrifying and indulgent in the way Kaeden laughs slow, unrestrained, and irresistibly deep that feels intimate without physical touch. It’s not just the sound; it’s the warmth that curls around me, effortlessly pulling me in and making me wonder how to record it for the times when the sky is gray. My God.
“Are you trying to avoid me, Ms. Ky?” Kaeden’s body presses against my back, and his minty breath invades my ears, and an involuntary shiver slightly shifts my body.
The truth is that I have been trying to stay out of Kaeden’s direct path while going through various aisles within the book fair. Between the tender way Kaeden interacts and handles Mica to his intense yet constant effort to keep me in his sights, I have been brimming with intense sexual energy. While most women love a man who caters to them, seeing a man love his child is absolutely breathtaking. It’s been in the way Kaeden smiles at Mica’s excitement and melts at her plea for another book for him to purchase.
“There’s something about avoidance you should know about me, my baby.” Kaeden wraps his arms around my body, cocooning me against him in a way that causes my eyes to drift shut.
“Mm,” I moan lowly, unable to conjure up any other response due to the tapping in my core and the magnetic comfort surrounding me while in Kaeden’s hold.
“I can eat avoidance for breakfast, lunch, and dinner if I have to. I’m feeling your beautiful ass, and you need to settle your mind to what’s already written to happen between us. Like a dog with a bone, I’m not coming off your ass.” Kaeden’s words are low, husky, and hit me like a dagger in my chest, and my pearl responds by juicing like a peach.
“Ms. Kyelle! Ms. Kyelle!” A piercing, feminine voice rings out in a high-pitched tone I’m unable to ignore, forcing me to open my eyes.
A wide smile upturns my lips as I see one of my customers approaching me with her parents in tow. Kaeden doesn’t shift his position but does release me from his hold as the child enters my space.
“I told Mommy I saw you,” the girl gushes.
“Yep. It’s me. I hope you’re enjoying yourself and finding lots of good books.” I say, trying to come down off the high that Kaeden’s body is causing.
“Yes, ma’am. We’re leaving now, but I wanted to say hi,” the girl says.
“I’m glad you did. Have a good rest of your day.” Waving, I sigh when Kaeden’s arms return to my waist as he speaks lowly in my ear.
“You feel too good in my arms to give you the space you might desire.”
“Are-aren’t you worried about people seeing us like this?”
“I’m only worried about your resistance to this moment. Otherwise, I’m good. What about you . . .? You good, Ms. Ky?”
Heat fills my body like I’m standing in front of a broiler, which causes intense thumping in my chest as my eyes roam the vicinity. No one is paying attention to what we’re doing, and my eyes lock in on Mica. One of the kindergarten teachers has formed a reading circle, and Mica wanted to join the group of kids. Kaeden, like he did when Mica wanted to buy books, easily permitted her to join. Now I’m wondering if this moment is his reason for doing so. A gentle yet light kiss on my ear snaps me out of my concentration on Mica, returning me to Kaeden’s question.
“I just wanted to remind you of my presence since I’m still waiting for your answer.”
Jesus! This man is about to send me swinging or whatever that R&B group sings.
“N-n—yes, I’m good.” It takes me a minute to recall the question causing me to immediately change my response.
Another light kiss lands on my ear as Kaeden tightens his arms around my waist, and I melt against his chest. There’s something magical about being in this position with Kaeden that erases the slight worry of our public observance from my mind.
“Mhm. I knew you were feeling the kid as much as I’m feeling you. You should have told me that all I had to do was hold you like this to get you to cooperate.”
No, you should have told me that in your arms I would feel the same safety I experience in my father’s arms.
A Week Later. . .
“I never thought I’d see the day my big bro let another woman put his heart in a vice grip. Your lovesick ass must be prone to falling into those traps because first it was Me—that skank, and now it’s Ms. Ky. You’re gonna be down bad with this one. I can already tell.” Laughter pierces the line after Jaleel stops talking.
All I can do is shake my head while my hands grip the steering wheel, because I’m definitely feeling Kyelle. Unlike when I thought I loved the ground Meshay walked on in high school, this feels different. Kyelle doesn’t make me feel like I’m walking with blinders on. In fact, my eyes have never been morealert and clear where a woman is concerned. My attraction to Kyelle isn’t simply because she’s a beauty with a magnetic smile.
It’s in how her eyes flicker with cheer upon seeing children get excited about reading. The confidence that she speaks quietly unsettles and fascinates me equally. It’s the music in her laughter and the excuses I find to be near her in a crowded room. It’s in the obsessive yet protective nature that invades my body whenever I see a thirsty nigga in her face trying to spit game.
“Mhm. See, you know I’m speaking right. That’s why you’re over there being choked by the cat holding your throat.”
“Shut up, fool. I ain’t gotta justify shit with you. What’s Cupcake doing?” My voice holds no bass or threat as I release the grip on my steering wheel.
Practice has been over for thirty minutes, but I have to leave the facility due to this conversation with Jaleel. I only called to check on Mica to ensure she didn’t need anything that would force me to go home.
“She’s straight. Her little con artist ass talked me into taking her to get another set of books from your girl’s spot.” The cadence of my heart slows upon hearing that information as Kyelle’s face pops into my psyche, causing a cheesy grin.
