Aaliyah felt her cheeks turn slightly pink and took a bite of her sandwich. Ocean was a master in the kitchen and could probably make Cup o’ Noodles taste like the best ramen ever. “This is so good, boo!” She took another bite and realized how hungry she was. “So good!”
“Thank you,” he replied and took a bite. They ate quickly and in silence, enjoying their meal with little conversation. After they were done, Ocean took the plates and put them away in the kitchen.
Aaliyah briefly contemplated going back to sketching but the momentum and adrenaline had passed. It was already close to 1 AM and she needed her sleep despite the holiday weekend. “I know it’s not good to eat before bedtime but I’m pooped.” She yawned. “I’m going to bed.” She paused for a beat. “Did you want to come with me?”
Ocean’s lips curved into a sensual smile. “Sleep?”
“Well,” Aaliyah leaned against the door jamb. “That, too.”
Ocean picked up Aaliyah, carried her upstairs, and laid her down on the bed. He climbed on top of her and nestled himself between her thighs. She raked her hands up and down his back and they both were still fully clothed.
“O,” she purred, “what are we doing here?”
Normally, Ocean would crack a joke about what they were doing or trying to do. He knew what Aaliyah meant and how serious her eyes had become. They acted like a simple couple doing a routine familiar to them.
They were anything simple and basic. Even when they made love, every thrust, push, and stroke took them to a new level unknown. They explored each other like long-lost lovers and connected on a spiritual level.
The odds were stacked against them from the jump and even Ocean had to wonder if pursuing the relationship was really worth it. He couldn’t see himself other than Aaliyah but how would she fit into D.C. life?
Would she be okay hosting dinner parties and meeting with various Heads of State? Would she actually give up her business to support Ocean and his dreams? Would she be fine sending their children to the best private schools and Ivy League colleges because of their status?
Would Aaliyah still change for him like she wanted to do a few years ago?
“I don’t know what we’re doing,” he honestly answered, “I can’t say it’ll be a piece of cake because I know it won’t be. I can’t say we’ll beat the odds because I don’t know. I can’t promise you the press will leave you alone once we do confirm our relationship. I can’t guarantee anything, baby. I can only guarantee what you’ll allow. The moment it’s not fun for neither one of us anymore, that’s when it’ll end.”
He promised her everything and nothing at the same time. “Will you protect me?” She asked. “As much as you can?”
“With everything.” He declared with such authority, Aaliyah shivered again. “Nothing is more important than you, than this, than us. Absolutely nothing.”
Aaliyah wanted to believe him but the threat of skeletons long buried in her closet threatened to come out. “O, my past…”
“Shh…” He swept his lips over hers and silenced her with his tongue. He pulled back and Aaliyah moaned at the loss. “…we’ll deal with it when the time comes. Right now, I’m only concerned with what’s going on between us right here and right now.”
Aaliyah caressed Ocean’s face and ran her fingers through his hair. “Don’t hold back on me. I want to love it, I want you to hurt it.”
“Your wish,” Ocean pulled off his shirt and Aaliyah followed with hers, “is my command.”
Their lips found each other once again, tasting and exploring each other. Ocean consumed Aaliyah with his mouth, then his tongue. He kissed her hard as if he would never see her again. She returned the favor with gratitude.
They peeled the remaining clothing off and laid side by side next to each other in bed. His fingertips crawled up her boyish frame while hers explored the quiet masculinity of his body. The nervousness, the unknowing, the confusion between them…it was gone.
Ocean rolled on top of Aaliyah and stared down at her briefly. Her brown eyes trusted him and her lips slightly parted open to reveal a smile. Never had a woman brought out the fire and intensity within him. She was the air he breathed. She was the reason he got up in the morning.
She was breathtakingly beautiful in her natural state. She was completely raw, vulnerable and Ocean had an overwhelming need to protect her. She’d weakened his resolve; something no woman had ever done. No other woman ever will.
He slid down Aaliyah’s body, kissing every curve along the way until he found her entrance. He parted her thighs and slipped his tongue inside. She was already hot and slick with desire for him.
“O…” She whimpered.
Ocean gathered Aaliyah’s ass and pulled her cunt closer to his face. He licked her hard and swift, tasting every part of her. Her moans encouraged him, drove Ocean mad, as he held her down on the bed.
She climaxed a short time later with a muffled cry and he kissed the inside of both thighs. He gently rubbed the stubble of his five o’clock shadow against her and Aaliyah giggled. Ocean could hear her voice all night.
He climbed on top of her and slid himself inside of her. Hot, tight warmth surrounded him and comforted him like an old friend. She whimpered, he gasped.
“Jesus…” He swallowed and placed his forehead on top of hers. Her slick and tight heat welcomed him. He moved against her in slow, and easy thrusts. “Liyah…”
“O…” She met his moan and raked her fingertips down his back.
