Page 115 of Kissed By the Trillest Thug 2

“For making me take care of myself.”

“Somebody got to.”

When I walked away gently, he slapped my booty. I grabbed my overnight bag and headed toward the bathroom. As the shower warmed, I caught my reflection in the mirror.

I just stood there. Somewhere deep down, I had a feeling that tonight was going to be different. I had spent countless nights over here in bed with him, but something about this night in particular didn’t feel the same. I wanted to take things to that next level. I was ready. Not because I felt pressured. And not because I thought it was expected. I wanted this moment to happen because it was deserving. This man deserved everything from me.

I took my time in the shower because the hot water felt good after sitting in classrooms all day and hunching over a laptop for hours. When I finally walked back into the living room, Tahari had finished putting the leftovers away. My laptop was closed, and the dishes were gone.

He looked up from the couch the second I walked in.

“You done?”

“I think so,” I said with a smile.

I had on hot pink silky pajamas that had a button shirt with the pants to match. He patted the empty spot beside him.

“Come here.”

I tucked one leg beneath me as I settled against his side. The television played quietly in the background, but neither of uswas paying attention to it. His arm rested across the back of the couch behind me while I absentmindedly traced circles against his palm.

“You know…” he said after a while.

“What?”

He stared at the television for another second before answering.

“I think I’m finally starting to feel a little peace.”

I looked up at him.

“Really?”

He nodded slowly.

“I’ve been watching your parents.”

“My parents?” I questioned.

He nodded.

“Yeah. The way your daddy looks at your mama. The way he still flirts with her after all these years. The way they laugh together. The way they move like they’re on the same team. I don’t know if they even realize they got it.”

“Got what?”

“Peace.”

He looked down at our hands before looking back at me.

“I spent a long time thinking love was supposed to be loud. Loud and toxic. I thought it was normal for people to yell, walk away, come back, and do it all over again. But your parents make it look easy. They make being in love look safe.”

He smiled softly.

“I never imagined I’d have something that felt like that. Not until now. Honestly, I never thought I deserved some shit like that.”

My heart swelled. I reached over and brushed my thumb across the back of his hand.

“You deserve that.”