“A man can get used to this,” I say while I dramatically drop myself on her couch.
“A smart man wouldn’t.”
“Who says I’m smart?”
“Good point. All you do is dribble a ball. That doesn’t take much brainpower, I’m sure.”
“Do you know how many times I’ve been hit on the head with a basketball? Too many to count. And where’s my food? Hurry up, woman. I’m not here to watch a movie by myself.” I pat the seat next to me, and she holds up her knife and starts to dramatically cut something on a cutting board. I flip through her channels and decide on a classic. A James Bond movie that me and my brother would watch with our dad.
She puts the board on the ottoman in front of me and gestures for me to eat. She goes and returns with water for us both.
“No more wine? Mama would be pleased,” I tease.
She tenses and then bursts into laughter. “I don’t worry about pleasing my own mama. I’m not worried about yours.”
I put a hand to my heart, and she surprises me when she grabs a piece of cheese and puts it to my mouth. I let her feed me, and make sure to kiss her fingers.
“You should be worried about pleasing Mama. She’s very protective of me.” At least she is now after the Kelsey debacle. “She will want to vet you and make sure you’re okay for her precious son.”
She makes a gagging noise and goes so far as to stick her finger down her throat. “Victoria Renee Taylor does not get vetted by anyone. I’d tell your Mama where to stick it.” She grabs a slice of cucumber and eats it while giving me a devious smile.
“So, you’re saying you’re okay with meeting her? Good, good.” I pat her head, and she shoves my hand away.
“Absolutely not. I already know what she’ll think of me, not that I’d care.”
“Oh, and pray tell, Queen Vee. What would she think?” I have a feeling I know what she’s going to say, but I want to hear the words from her lips.
“She’ll say, ‘Colton, what are you doin’ with that black girl?’” She does a high-pitched voice and an exaggerated southern accent. “Why I do declare, Son.” Then she puts the back of her hand to her forehead and pretends to faint. “Go fetch me a mint julip.”
I laugh so hard I hold my stomach. She punches my shoulder, but she laughs too. I sit up and pull her into my side. I kiss her temple, holding her close.
“She’d say, ‘Colton, why that Victoria Taylor is as pretty as a picture and sweet as pie.’”
“We’ll never meet, so I guess I’ll never know.”
“We’ll see about that.”
“Queen Vee only does what Queen Vee wants. Remember that.”
“But Colton always gets his way. Rememberthat.”
FIFTEEN
We watchtwo James Bond movies, the same ones I’ve watched with my dad and Alan. After the second one ends, he picks me up and carries me to the bedroom. I was expecting him to put me down and leave, but he undresses and climbs into the bed next to me.
He pulls me close and kisses me senseless before removing my clothes. We take our time and make slow, sweet love to each other. He stares into my eyes the entire time, loving me with his body. I eventually close my eyes to escape his intensity.
Last night, he set my body and sheets on fire, but I refuse to let him get in my head. I reach over to his side of the bed. Well, it’s technically my side, but he took it and I was too turned on to tell him otherwise. The pillow is cold against my hand. I sigh.
I should be relieved. I never bring men to my house because I want to be able to leave when I want. I should be glad that he left before I woke up, but there’s a part of me that’s disappointed. I shove that down, unwilling to let it come back to the surface. There are only four people on this earth who can disappoint me, and I know they never will. No one else gets a chance. No one else gets close, and that’s just the way I like it. Last night was about sex and nothing else. It had been months since I’ve been intimate with a man, and there was a handsome man standing in front of me, wanting me. If I run into him, I’ll be polite and distant. I’ve done it before with men I’ve slept with, and I can do it again.
I lay on my back and stretch. I roll out of bed, still naked, and walk to my closet for my robe. Once it’s tied at my waist, I look at my reflection in the mirror.
My hair’s a mess and in desperate need of a brush, but my cheeks are flushed, and my skin appears vibrant. As I start to walk out of my bedroom, I hear a commotion. I tiptoe to my door. I pull the top of my robe closer as if that would offer protection and look around my room for a weapon. There’s nothing, and I’m kicking myself for my minimalistic lifestyle.
I’m jolted when I hear another noise. It sounds like a pot or pan hitting the floor. I slowly open my door and tiptoe down the hall. I open the guestroom and run to the closet, but the only weapon I can find is a small, yellow umbrella. I continue my trek down the hall and jolt at the sound of another crash. This one is so loud, I almost drop the umbrella. I peek around the corner, and spot Colt in his boxer shorts rummaging through my fridge. He pulls out a packet of bacon and throws several pieces on a hot skillet.
“Unless it’s going to start raining in here, I don’t think you’ll need that umbrella.” I stand a little dumbfounded at the sight. My immaculate kitchen is a mess. There are three skillets on the stovetop and a bowl on the counter. There are also eggshells and yolk on my pristine floor.
