Page 94 of Stroked Hard
“Thank you for apologizing.” She pauses and says, “Can I ask if anything good came from that day?”
I knew she was going to ask that. When I agreed to seeing Hollis, I told him I wanted to keep it between us, but my mom is different. She deserves to know. She’s earned that right, being that she raised me and provided for me on such low earnings. No matter what, she always made sure I had a decent childhood. The least I could do is tell her I’m seeing someone.
“Um, yeah. I’m kind of seeing Hollis.” Quickly, I say, “But we’re not telling anyone right now. I don’t want to make a big deal about it because this is new for me, and I think if I keep it simple, just him and me, I have a better chance at making something of it.”
“I can understand that. Thank you for telling me. I promise to keep it to myself and wait for you to inform me of what’s going on.” God, she knows me so well. “But can I say one thing?”
Ha, it wouldn’t be my mom unless she tried to get her two cents in. “Of course, Mom.”
“From the few spare moments I spent with Hollis, I could tell he was genuine, thoughtful, the real deal. He’s a good one, Mel, so don’t push him away because you get scared, okay? I think he’s the perfect match for you.”
“Funny, he seems to think the same thing.”
My mom chuckles. “I could see that in him. Confident, but not too cocky.”
Too cocky . . . if only she knew how much cock he really has.
“Be kind to him, sweetheart. He’s a good guy.”
“You’re not just saying this because he is an Olympic diver, are you?”
“No.” She grows serious. “I’ve seen my fair share of poor excuses for men. What I see in Hollis is different. He’s one of a kind, honey. The kind of man you don’t ever want to lose. Cherish his heart, you will want to use it for protection over yours.”
Annnnnd now I’m getting emotional.
“Okay, thanks, Mom.” Clearing my throat, I say, “I actually have to go, he’s taking me on a date and will be here any minute. But thank you . . . for everything.”
“Anytime, honey. Have fun tonight. Don’t think too much, just feel.”
I hang up the phone with my mom just as my doorbell rings.
Just feel . . .
I slip on my shoes, grab my clutch, and walk to my door.
Just feel.
I can do that. I just hope I fulfill what he’s looking for in a partner, that I’m enough for him.
Please let me be enough.
With a deep breath and a semi-firm bravado of leaping into the unknown, I open the door to find Hollis, one hand on the doorjamb of my apartment and the other in his pocket. His hair is perfectly messy, styled but in a way that seems like he just ran his hands through it a couple times. Encasing his powerful and strong legs are tight, fitted navy chinos, clinging desperately from his calves to his waistline—very Euro looking. He’s wearing a dark grey sweater, the sleeves pushed up to his elbows showing off his impressive forearms and hanging loosely around his neck is a long necklace with a triangle at the end of it. Why does a simple accessory seem so hot? But that’s not what has my attention, igniting a flame deep within the pit of my stomach. It’s his eyes penetrating my guarded veneer, eating me up with hunger that has me quivering in my heels.
He gives me a once-over, his hand running over his chin in awe. It’s a simple move, one that doesn’t take thought to make—it’s just an immediate reaction—but it says everything a woman wants to know when she meets up with a man; he wants me.
“Shit, baby.” He steps forward and takes hold of my hand. He lifts it above my head and forces me to spin for him, his other hand lazily traveling over my body, appreciating my outfit. “This dress is sinful, Melony. Are you trying to kill me before we even step foot outside?”
“Just trying to keep you interested,” I tease, loving the way he wraps his arm around my waist and presses his arm palm against my exposed back.
“No need to do that, babe. My interest is sated where you’re concerned. Come here.” Desire. I can feel it from him as his hand runs up my bare back and cups my neck, pulling me in for a panty-melting kiss. “Mmm,” he moans, placing his forehead against mine. “I fucking missed you today, but it was worth the wait. You look beautiful, baby.”
His words cut deep, searing my heart with hope. I know I didn’t have to get all dolled up for him, but I wanted to because sometimes, a girl needs to dress up, put on some makeup, do her hair and wear a killer dress to throw her man into a tailspin of yearning.
Her man . . .
Is Hollis my man?
The way he’s eating me up right now, his hands wandering, exploring the ins and outs of my dress, his lips caressing my cheek, my jaw, my neck, I would put a safe bet down to say he’s mine.
