chapter Sixteen
Our Own Palace
Kamara
“Toby,” I giggle and wiggle beneath him.
“Stay still,” he orders with a smile in his voice.
“It tickles,” I squeal.
“Just wait for it,” he grins down at me.
I look down at my body. The sticky honey is warm. It tickles as it warms my skin. I bite my lip and wait. I know he’s going to bring me more pleasure than I can stand so I hold my breath and wait patiently.
Toby puts the honey down and reaches for a strawberry. He places it in between his teeth, then dips his head to run the strawberry through the warm honey. I gasp and writhe beneath him.
He drags it up through the honey on my mound, to the stickiness on my stomach, up throw the thick sweetness warming between my breasts, to my neck. He stops at my mouth, nodding his head in a silent command for me to open.
My lips part, allowing him to place the honey covered strawberry between my teeth. I bite into the ripe, juicy fruit. Toby dips his tongue into my mouth, reaching for one of my nipples with his hand.
We tease each other’s mouth with the fruit, licking, tasting, sharing. I arch off the bed into his warm body. Toby pulls back looking down at me with a smile on his lips. I laugh at his red stained, sticky lips, shining back at me.
“We’re staying in bed to eat for the rest of the week,” he pecks my lips. “You’re so fucking skinny.”
I look away from him, feeling the sting of his words. “Afafa likes his women more like heifers. I figured he’d find me disgusting,” I whisper.
Toby pinches my chin between his fingers. He looks me in the eyes, seeming to be penetrating my soul. I hold his gaze, letting him see all of me, revealing all I have not been around to say in the last two years.
“He doesn’t matter. You belong to me. We’re both going to start taking care of ourselves,” he runs the backs of his fingers over my cheekbone. “I’m a bag of bones too.”
“You’re not that bad,” I laugh.
“Babe, all jokes aside, we look like we need rehab,” Toby frowns.
“Oh, fine, we’ll spend the week in bed, eating ice cream and pancakes,” I lick my lips.
Toby smirks, dipping his head, rubbing is nose up and down the bridge of mine. I cup the side of his face. “You’re a sight for sore eyes. You have no idea how much I missed you.”
“I missed you more,” I say getting a little choked up.
“Doubt that, but I’ll let you believe it,” he chuckles, moving down my body, to lick at the trail of honey he has left.
I push my fingers into his hair trying to focus on the words I want to say next. I feel like I’ve missed out on so much, hiding out here all alone. I want to catch up on more than sex.
“How are your brothers? I was sorry to hear about Felix’s friends,” I say on a gasp, as his tongue teases my belly button.
“You really want to talk about my brothers, right now?” Toby scoffs.
I look down and his brow is raised. I shrug and nod. “Yes, I’ve missed so much. You have tattoos and two new scars. I was not there for so much,” I reply.
Toby huffs and nods. “We all got tats that night of the party. Felix was fucked up, he would’ve been in that car if he hadn’t come to the party that night,” Toby rubs his chin.
“Oh, my God,” I gasp.
“He made it through. We were all there for him. Everyone’s good, I guess. We all work at the firm full-time now. I know Dad is happy and pissed about that,” he chuckles.
“Pissed?” I wrinkle my brows.
Toby laughs and nips my stomach, tasting more honey off of my skin. When he lifts his head, he looks up at me. That sexy smile sends my heart racing.
“You do remember my brothers, right? Now imagine all seven of us working together,” Toby says pointedly.
I burst into laughter. I get what he means right away. It must be a riot in that office. Toby climbs my body, while I laugh at the images that fill my head.
“I miss that laugh so much. I miss your voice,” he says, in the most sincere whisper.
“I can’t remember the last time I laughed so much,” I sigh.
“Yeah, I hear you,” he releases his own sigh and turns onto his back. He looks up at the ceiling. “I think the worse part for me, was not being able to talk to anyone about what was going on with me.”
“Yeah, I can see that. You are so close with your family. I was lucky to have Kwäzē. There were times when he was so frustrated. I would cry and he would want to comfort me in person,” I think back to the times I didn’t think I would be able to continue without Toby.
“He really didn’t know where you were?”
“No. I don’t know, sometimes, Kwäzē seem like he is more loyal to you,” I giggle. “I didn’t trust him not to tell you eventually.”
Toby falls so silent, I turn my head to look at him. He is staring at the ceiling, with a secretive smile on his lips. I push at his arm and suck in a breath.
“He told you something,” I accuse.
“Yesterday, just before I found you on the beach. He told me you were close. He just didn’t know where,” Toby admits.
“He’s a trader,” I pout.
“I think we were calling a favor even,” Toby says thoughtfully.
“Ah, yes. The little Prince and Princess. I am curious about them, but I have to say. I am more curious about how my parents are going to react,” I muse.
“Hold that thought,” Toby says, leaning to peck my lips.
I watch as he stands from the bed. His bare ass is still amazing to watch. I lick my lips as I watch him saunter into the bathroom. I listen to him relieve himself. The faucet turns on and my thoughts run with it.
It is like none of the bull I’ve been running from exists. I am just a woman with her man, enjoying a lazy morning in bed. I decide to shut my brain down and focus on this little bubble we have created.
It’s like we have built our own palace. The only rules are to be happy and get healthy again. Toby’s love keeps me healthy and happy.
I smile when the bed digs, pulling me back into the here and now. Toby begins to wipe my body down with a warm rag.
“Do you think your parents are going to freak about the kids?” Toby questions.
“They might. You know Kwäzē is their golden boy. This can prove to be quite the scandal,” I shrug.
“I almost didn’t tell him. I was happy to see her looking well. I was a little bitter. She moved on with her life, after your brother. There I stood, still in pain. I thought I owed it to her to let her keep that,” Toby frowns.
“But you couldn’t. You knew he would want to know. You have always been there for my brother. That’s why he loves you so much,” I smile. “I think he is rooting for us.”
“My question is, are you rooting for us,” he asks, tossing aside the washcloth.
I sit up, as he lies back down and puts his hands under his head. I straddle his lap and look him in his eyes. I want to make sure this man never doubts my love for him again.
“I was thirteen the first time my brother sent pictures of the two of you. You were the most beautiful boy I had ever seen. You had this little secret smile on your lips,” I smile at the memory.
“My brother talked about you in all his letters. It wasn’t often I would get them, for fear someone would intercept them. I cherished them when they came. I felt like I knew you before I ever stepped foot in America.
“I had a crush on you before I ever met you. You have owned my heart for longer than I can remember, Toby. Way before I ever saw a picture of you,” I hope that explains to him how long I have loved him.
Toby moves quickly, flipping me onto my back. I bounce a little against the mattress. Toby kisses me deeply. I cling to his hair holding him to me.
He only breaks the kiss to reach for a condom. He makes quick work of opening it and sliding it on. I melt into the bed, when he slides into me.
Toby lifts my legs onto his shoulders. I dig my fingers into the sheets at my sides. If you would have told me, as a little girl I would meet, fall in love, and make love to Toby Black, I would have called you a liar.
Now, I know it was destined for me to meet, fall in love, and make love to Toby. I can’t see myself any place else in the world.
~B~
Toby
I lift one of her braids and twirl it in my fingertips. Kamara is fast asleep, with a glow on her cheeks. A smile takes over my lips.
Today has been amazing. I couldn’t have asked for more. Listening to her voice, holding her in my arms. It’s been what I’ve needed all this time.
My phone rings, breaking the trance I’m in. I kiss Kamara’s forehead and move for my phone. I walk out into the hallway, not wanting to disturb her.
It’s my baby brother, Ry. I smile. I miss my family. I mean, really miss them. I’ve been gone for far longer than this few weeks. When I get back home I need to make up for some lost time.
“What’s up,” I answer the phone.
“Hey, shithead,” Ry calls back through the line.
I chuckle. “What do you want?”
“I wanted to check in on you. Thought maybe you would want some company,” Ry says earnestly.
“I’m getting there, kid,” I rub the back of my neck, looking back towards the room Kamara is sleeping in. “I don’t know. It’s pretty lame around here. The neighborhood isn’t what it used to be. An older crowd has bought the beach up.”
“Shit, I used to like that place. Remember those sisters a few houses down?” Ry chuckles.
“Yeah, I also remember their dad trying to kick our asses,” I laugh.
“Bro, it’s so fucking good to hear you laugh,” Ry almost sounds hurt through the line.
“I told you. I’m getting better,” I try to reassure him.
“Good, if you need company Brax and I can come down. Just say the word. Love you, Bro.”
“Love you too. I’ll be good. Just going to take a few more weeks like Dad wants,” I reply back.
“Do what you need to, later, Toby.”
I smile wider. “Later, Ry,” I say and hang up.
I feel good. I know we have a long way to go. There are a lot of obstacles before us, but I keep telling myself Kamara and I can overcome anything. As long as we are together, I can make anything happen to keep her safe.
I seriously don’t give a shit about that bitch ass king that thinks my woman is his. If he fucks around and comes for me or my woman, I’ll have his ass and his crown too. I mean that shit.
I think of how thin both Kamara and I look. I double back to the bedroom for a pair of boxers. I’m going to cook my baby a feast. It’s time we get back to ourselves.
I have my family and my girl. What else do I need? I’m on top of the world again.