Absolute Love: A Second Chance Romance (Blazin' Love Book 6) Read online

  “Uh…water.”

  Xavier leaves, returning with a bottle of water and climbs back in bed, wrapping his arms around me. Then his cold hands wiggle beneath the covers, under his t-shirt.

  Xavier starts a gentle massage fully cupping my breasts. For a moment, I wonder if he’ll know how to satisfy me, at twenty-three, I was awkward with my long limbs and thicker curves. But those days are long gone.

  I reach around slipping my hand inside his boxers to grip his ass while rubbing against his manhood. His fingers pluck at my nipples until the hardness invokes a sweet sensation through my body. Each squeeze makes my heat rise than his hand slips from my breast to between my thighs.

  I gasp as his fingers tiptoe around my bud. My kitten is ready and wet for him. His mouth nips my earlobe, breathing as I moan his name. His caressing is driving me insane, and I tell him.

  “You can’t control this. I got this.” I nod, wanting more. “Ma, this is the sex talk.”

  “Now, X?”

  “Yes, baby, now.” He’s playing, and I’m about to explode. “Are you clean?”

  “Yes.”

  His thick finger fills my body, and I almost scream. “Good girl. Are you on birth control?”

  “Uh-huh…”

  The second finger joins the first, and the fucker is talking like we’re having morning coffee.

  “When’s the last time—”

  “That’s not sex talk. That’s nosy.” I’m riding his hand, and it’s better than every high-dollar toy I own.

  He laughs and its as sinister as its hot. “Tell me, ma, and you’ll get a treat.”

  “Over a year.” I glance back at him. I see steam rising from his eyes, and I fold. “But can you handle it, is the question?”

  He withdraws his fingers, and I grip his wrist. I won’t beg, but he’s not about to stop before I experience my release.

  “I got you. I can handle you, alright.”

  He removes my shorts and shirt, tossing them aside and in a blink we’re naked. The sun peaks around the blinds providing light for our eyes to explore. I reach out and trace the tattoos on his forearms following the designs up to his chest.

  I take his nipple in my mouth, sampling the sweet morsel with a twirl of my tongue. His large hands cradle my head as I continue roaming the terrain of his chiseled body. The peaks and valleys continue until his dick is in my hands.

  “Ryann…”

  “I got you.” I take him in my mouth. His head rolls back, and his hands pull my hair. I bask in the thickness filling my mouth, I grip the base to cover the full length of his shaft and his growls of pleasure bounce off the walls.

  “Strap me up.”

  Loving this little game. I lick my lips. “Is that a command or a request?”

  “Whatever it takes to be deep inside you.” He produces a condom. The gold-wrapped gift is between his fingers, and I take it. “While you think about it…”

  He pulls my legs. I’m flat on my back. Then his tongue fills me.

  “X…”

  My body’s under a spell, arching, bucking, riding. My body’s not my own with each thrust I feel release near. My body’s his, and I beg for more unashamed.

  “I want all of you now.”

  He glances up from between my moist thighs with a satisfied smile on his sexy ass face. “Yes, ma’am. Strap me up.”

  The desire in his eyes could insight an orgasm. But I want my release while he’s deep inside me. He sits back, and I take the condom. I’ve never had an experience like this.

  I swirl my tongue around the tip of his head. He pulls back my head using my hair, kissing me hard on the mouth.

  “Why are you playing with me?” I can tell he likes it and I like it too. The kiss deepens until we’re both moaning.

  I open the packet and roll it into place. I lean back, not sure of what to expect. He’s gentle, he’s rough. He’s fast, he’s slow.

  “What do you want baby?” He stalks closer on all fours. The sounds of our breathing fill my ears, and my heart is near failure.

  “I want it all.”

  He parts my legs wide, as his finger feathers up my inner thighs. His finger dips inside as if taking my temperature.

  “I think you’re ready.” He settles his body between my legs, resting his body on mine. “Under one condition.” He teases my folds open with the tip of his head. “Not until you agree.”

  “This is duress.” I whine, rolling my hips, trying to make it slip inside.

  “You’re overruled, Counselor.”

  “Agree to what X?” This is more than I wanted and everything I need.

  His eyes search mine, probing to my very soul. “Agree to be mine.”

  I try to move from beneath him, but every inch of my body connects to him. Skin too skin, and I shake my head. I can’t afford distractions.

  “I can’t.”

  “You can.”

  I look away. “I…I’m enjoying you and this moment. I know me and my life. I can’t be the source behind hurting you. Trust me X.”

  “I know me and my drive. I can make you happy. Let me.”

  “I’m good, I promise.”

  “You’ll be better with me.” His eyes boldly meet mine.

  “We can’t even have sex without arguing.” I laugh, trying to release the tension surrounding us because this moment will change him and me. But will it be for our good?

  “I know how to refocus your attention.” He grips my wrists above my head, and his mouth covers a nipple.

  “X, I can’t think…”

  “Then I’m doing my job.” He chuckles latching back on, and I’d agree to walk through hell right now.

  “X, what if you’re wrong?”

  “Then I’ll let you go.”

  In a single thrust, he fills me. The motion rocks us both. I wrap my legs higher, and his flesh digs deeper until I’m grasping for the little piece of heaven within my reach.

  All the air leaves my lungs. All the fight leaves my heart. All excuses leave my soul.

  “Yes, X.”

  “Now hold on.”

  He pulls halfway out and thrusts deeper than before. I scream his name as our sweat-slick bodies join in a timeless dance of passion until my doubts are drowned out by the sound of our mutual completion.

  Chapter 9

  The signature knock on the front door drags me awake. My body is heavy with exhaustion. Ryann wore me out, and I loved every second. I hear it again, and I force myself to my feet.

  “I'll be back." I whisper, kissing her bare shoulder.

  “I'll be here because I can't move a single muscle." She chuckles and falls back asleep.

  I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror, I can't open the door like this. I shake my head, turning in a tight circle. Where are my shorts?

  I spot my gym clothes and throw them on. I smell Ryann's perfume on my shirt as I shuffle to the door and wait for Tyson to do it again. When he doesn't, I kneel at the door and execute the beat using my fist and open handle like I taught him.

  Boom, boom, slap, boom slap.

  He does it back, but it doesn't sound the same. Wait …it's Saturday. Jermaine was supposed to pick him up this morning.

  “Who is it?”

  “Tyson." He says, and I hear the strain in his voice.

  I open the door and drop down to his level. My Little Man wraps my neck so tight I can’t breathe. I look up at Tia, What happened? Her eyes are puffy too, No show.

  My heart breaks for Tyson, and I feel helpless. We step inside, and Tia immediately knows I'm not alone.

  “I’m sorry X.”

  “Don’t be.”

  “We can come back.” She sits on the couch.

  "I got him. You have class. We got this. Right, Little Man?" He nods, and I can feel Tyson's tears. I’ll talk to him.

  She nods brushing away tears, Thank you.

  “Tell your mom bye, Tyson.”

  “Bye, Mommy.” I pat his back.

  "I love you, sw
eetheart." She kisses his head and then mine.

  "Have a nice evening in class. Love you." I wave goodbye to Tia wondering how to have this conversation with Tyson.

  We sit on the couch for a while. I wait for his small body to stop shaking from his efforts to hold it all inside.

  "Ready to talk?" He shakes his head. "I know it's hard, but I might have the magical ingredient to make it easier."

  He sits back, wiping his eyes. "Magic?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Uncle magic or real magic?”

  I grip the top of his head in my hand and give it a shake until he laughs. "They're the same. But you have to be willing to try, or the magic might not work."

  He looks off, considering my request. Helping Tia raise him has taught me the real art of negotiations. Kids are the toughest audience. Them and the amazing woman in the next room.

  “Okay.” He drags out.

  “Okay, you’ll try?”

  “Yes, sir.” His head bobs up and down.

  "Then shake on it. A gentleman always keeps his word." I extend a hand, and he takes it. Now to see if I can’t turn this situation around.

  “But Daddy didn’t keep his word.”

  "I know, but every man is not a gentleman." I stand with him, perched on my forearm. I sit him on the barstool at the island. His face twists. I know he won't fully understand it at five years old, but it's the same talk my father had with me.

  I open the cabinet. I grab a glass and a saucer.

  “Talk to me.”

  Tyson uses his five-year-old words to walk me through the story. I pour him a glass of milk, and I pull out his favorite cookies, the mint Oreos. I stack a tower of cookies on his saucer and take it over to him.

  His face lights up. “Told you its magic.”

  I lean against the counter listening as he eats the icing and dunks the cookies. I search for the right words to say because I’ve always had my father around. He’s the reason I’m the man I am and the reason I try to fill the role in Tyson’s life.

  "People, even adults, sometimes struggle to do the right things, Tyson."

  “Why?”

  "I don't know buddy. It varies. The best thing we can do is love the people who support us and pray for those that hurt us."

  “That’s what Pop Pop said.”

  I smile. “That’s because Pop Pop is a gentleman.”

  He nods, and I hope an ounce of who my father is rubs off on Tyson and that Jermaine realizes he's fucking this one up. One day he'll regret not being here for these moments with his son.

  “Uncle X.”

  “Yeah, Little Man.” I sit across from him.

  “Can I be a gentleman?”

  “Certainly, you have the Evans blood running in your veins.”

  “Blood? Eeewwww.”

  I laugh. "I guess I can tell you the parts you can understand." He leans forward. The bounce back on this kid is amazing. "Number one: Always look people in the eye." I demonstrate, and he mimics me. "Number two: Always keep your word. If you say you'll do it, do it."

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Number three: Family first. Your mother is always number one.” I hold up my index finger and take a drink of my now room temperature milk.

  “What about girlfriends?”

  I choke. “Girlfriends? What do you know about girlfriends?” My voice is higher than usual. This kid is five years old, not sixteen.

  "Mom says no girlfriends until I'm grown. But my friends have girlfriends." His eyes are probing, and I can't believe we're having this discussion.

  “Well, listen to your mother.”

  "That's a long time, Uncle X." His brow folds, and I chuckle.

  “I agree. But girlfriends are worse than puppies.” I see movement and glance over his shoulder to see Ryann sitting on the floor in the doorway of my room.

  Puppies? She mouths. I shrug.

  He had a dog last summer, and it only lasted a week. My answer should keep him off the girlfriend trail for a while.

  “Tyson, I’d like for you to meet someone.”

  I grab my purse and walk over. I texted Parker for a ride home, and I’m prepared to hear my alpha man roar.

  My man. The thought unearths more feelings than I care to dissect. I enter the living room, and the little boy sitting on the barstool turns around. I freeze.

  Xavier has a child.

  My eyes bounce between Xavier and the little boy. I guess I need to add a question to my list because dealing with baby mammas isn’t in my wheelhouse.

  “Miss Ryann I'd like to introduce you to my favorite nephew—"

  “Your only nephew.” His smile is missing several teeth.

  “Picky…picky. My bad,” Xavier laughs, then starts over. “Miss Ryann, Tyson. Tyson, this is my friend, Miss Ryann.”

  Tyson jumps down, extending his hand in my direction. "Nice to meet you."

  Adorable. “Nice to meet you too.”

  He runs back and climbs onto the stool. “Would you like some magic cookies?” The cookie he’s offering is missing the filling.

  “Uhm sure. I have a few minutes.” I take the seat beside him. Xavier’s eyes are caressing me from across the room. I clear my throat. “What makes them magical?”

  Tyson shrugs, “Because Uncle X says so.”

  “My boy.”

  Tyson basks in his approval.

  We sit and talk. I learn about his school and friends. I haven't eaten an Oreo in years, and I refreshed my dunking skills thanks to Tyson.

  “What’s on the agenda for tonight?” I glance at my watch. I need to head home to shower and change. I have a stack of contracts waiting for me.

  The guys fall silent and Tyson shrugs. I guess I hit a landmine. I seek an answer from Xavier.

  “I think pizza and a movie sounds epic. Don’t you Tyson?”

  “Uh, huh." He nods playing with his napkin. His sad eyes turn my way, and my heart melts. "My Daddy didn't come.”

  “I'm sorry, Tyson. I know what that feels like."

  “You do?”

  I nod. "Yes. It will hurt for a little while, but eventually, it will feel better."

  “How long is a little while?”

  "I guess," I sigh, I haven't thought about my father in years. "I guess it depends on the person. But I think you'll bounce back in no time, especially with these magic cookies and your Uncle X. You have a lot of love surrounding you and love…love makes most things better." I swallow back my personal pain and focus on his curious gaze.

  "Your Daddy wasn't a gentleman?"

  "Wow, you're a brilliant little guy." He beams, and I'm falling for his toothless grin. "No, he wasn't. My daddy…is a very bad man. But I had amazing grandparents that loved me. And that helped me when I felt sad."

  “What about magic cookies?”

  “No," I glance over at Xavier, "I didn't have an awesome Uncle X. You're really a special kid, and don't you forget it." I hug him, and he turns back to his magic cookies.

  “Tyson, we’ll be right back.”

  “Talk to your man.” I whisper in her ear, kissing the side of her neck. She playfully rolls her eyes as I open the patio door, closing it behind us. She glances back inside at Tyson. “Those cookies will keep him entertained for another fifteen minutes.”

  Ryann stands with her back stiff, and I know we've taken a few steps backwards. Her story sheds light on the situation, I'll have to tread lightly. I sit in the chair and pat my lap for her to join me.

  "My man, huh?" She sits, and I pull her close.

  "Yes, Counselor. It's official."

  “After one date, youngsta.” I nibble on her neck. “Stop before you have to give your girlfriend talk again.”

  “Damn right. I handled my b-i-z. And I’d rather cut my eyes out and bowl them in acid than discuss girls with Tyson. He’s too young.” I laugh.

  “That sounds gross. I think you did great with him. Do you have these types of conversations often?”

  "No, but his sperm donor
keeps dropping the ball. I'm staying in my lane with this one but if he bails one more time." I leave it at that. I promised Tia I'd let her handle it and I hate disappointing my sister. "What happened to your father?"

  “Ryan Mitchell is in prison.”

  “Mitchell? Gibson is your mother’s name.”

  “Yes, and my grandparents.”

  “The ones that raised you.” She nods. “Will I have to drag every conversation out of you? Lawyers are supposed to be verbose. They stretch the truth and have a particular skillset when it comes to restating the facts. You know, and stuff like that.”

  “You don’t know many lawyers, do you?”

  “I have a few on the team. But only one lawyer I’m trying to kick it with.” I hold her face until our lips touch to lend my support. “I won’t pressure you.”

  Ryann stands up walking to the banister. “You must have snatched this land up a few years back.”

  "I did, and I'm glad I bought the block." I recline and give her space. Her strength is showing through, and this woman just became more complex. She's driven, intelligent, funny as hell, and fiercely independent.

  "My father killed my mother, and he'll rot in prison for life as a result."

  My heart bottoms out. I wasn’t expecting that. I walk over and place my hands on either side of hers. Her head falls back until it rests on my shoulder.

  “My grandparents raised me. But they both passed away between college and law school.”

  “Do you have any siblings?”

  "My guys are it. My mother was adopted, and my grandparents didn't have any biological children." She turns around, like last night. There's no music to underscore this moment, just the sound of the city. "No one knows. So, if you could keep it private, I'd appreciate it."

  “You can trust me.”

  This explains a lot. The number one man in her life disappointed her and took her mother’s life.

  “Uncle X, the phone is ringing.”

  I reach for it, and it's not mine. Ryann glances at the screen and answers.

  "Thanks, Little Man. I'll be inside in a second. Think about what you want on your pizza. Okay?"

  “Okay." The door closes, and I turn back to Ryann.