Malachi, page 21
Kissing her lips, I pushed her hair off her face and behind her ear. I wanted to see every inch of her beauty up close and personal.
“Okay.”
She separated us, but not before pecking me on the cheek and then on the lips. My eyes were glued to her body as she swayed into the dining room. It was her second day in the house with me and I couldn’t seem to keep my hands, lips, or dick to myself. She did things to me I never wanted her to stop doing. She said things to me I never wanted to stop hearing.
I was hooked. To deny it would be a lie. Giving into Aeir was the best decision I’d made in the last two years. She showed me each and every hour of the day that I wouldn’t regret it; not now and not for the rest of my lifetime.
We met at the table after she’d washed up and I’d piled both of our plates with food. She’d made sure dinner was in front of me every night since she’d been here. It was my turn to fill her stomach with flavors I loved and foods I appreciated. Tonight, we were enjoying a spring salad, sesame and sweet chili garlic noodles, and a bowl of onion soup to wash the ramen down easier.
Underneath the entertainment stand where Aussie hid most of her gadgets, I found the laptop buried with doll heads and flashcards. When I lowered my frame in the chair next to Aeir, she was twirling her fork around in the noodles.
“Are we not waiting for each other?”
“Yes. I’m starving, Malachi,” she groaned. “And figured I’d prepare my noodles for consumption, so when you finally sit down, I—”
“It’s okay, baby.” I laughed, grabbing her hand after she’d laid her fork on the plate.
Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. I couldn’t stop the peaking of mine, admiring her moment of despair while trying to put her worries to rest simultaneously.
“Dear God,” I said, bowing my head. “Thank You for this day. Thank You for this world. Thank You for this life. Thank You for this woman. Thank You for the food that we’re able to prepare from the garden that keeps on giving. Thank You for day and night and dark and light. Keep blessing us. Don’t take Your hands off us. And, know that You are head of our lives. I pray that this food is nourishing to our minds, bodies, hearts, and souls. Amen.”
“Amen.”
Aeir wasted no time devouring the noodles she’d collected on the fork.
“Ummmmm.” She hummed, closing her eyes and savoring the taste. “My God, this is good.”
I said nothing, but I shared her sentiments. Watching her in her element left me speechless. From her brown skin to her delicate nature, she was flawless and unafraid. When I pushed away, she pulled me closer. There hadn’t been a time where she forced her beliefs or desires on me.
She allowed me the time I required to process her presence, my feelings, and the possibility of a future. I appreciated that level of patience. Without it, we wouldn’t have gotten here so soon. My stubbornness wouldn’t have allowed it.
“Is there a code?”
She reached over her plate to grab the laptop. It powered right up, partially surprising me. It hadn’t been charged in some time, which was why I’d brought the charger along with me.
“No. There isn’t.”
“Great. Can you hand me the cord? We don’t have much life in this battery.”
I figured as much. She attached the cord and tapped the internet icon. Google was her first stop.
“Okay. I’ve been leaning toward different hues of brown with hints of olive in the equation. I need your help deciding on those hues.”
“Whatever you need, Aeir.”
“You say that like you mean it,” she replied, blushing red while batting her wispy lashes.
“Because I do. Anything that comes from my mouth from this point on, believe it. When a man has nothing else, he has his word. You have mine. When I say it’s whatever you need, Aeir. It’s really whatever the fuck you need, baby.”
Sun-cracked lips parted slightly as charismatic eyes leered in my direction. I waited, with bated breath for words to escape them, but to my dismay, nothing surfaced. Instead, those succulent lips lifted in the corners, revealing a smile that warmed my heart by at least twenty degrees.
“Worry me,” I instructed. Seeing the look on her face told me she had things on her mind she wanted to get off.
“I’m truly sorry, Malachi, that life has been so unkind to you and to your heart. But, I promise I will love you and your heart back to perfect health. I’ll be your lifeline. I’ll sacrifice my body, my heart, and my soul to rescue you.”
Nodding, I reached over and cupped her hand in mine.
“Malevolence has no home here. Release your guilt, your worries, your strife… release it. It’s the only way you’ll break the chains keeping you bound. You deserve freedom. That’s how Anna would have it. It’s the only way I’ll have it.”
“I know.”
The strength to admit that my precious Anna would be disappointed in the mess I’d become over the two years had been beyond me until this very moment.
“I’m here, okay?”
“I know.”
There was something about her willingness to see the greater version of me through the withered version I was that made me sure of her, sure of her intentions, and sure of her heart.
“The colors,” I reminded her, deflecting. The intensity of the moment left us both in spaces it would be hard to come up from if we continued to travel the distance.
“The colors.”
She snapped out of it, tapping the spacebar and lighting the screen again.
With full bellies and cheeks that hurt from laughter, we stood at the sink. There was a simple but effective system in place. I cleaned the dishes we’d eaten from and Aeir dried them before putting them in the cabinet beside her.
“And she tells this nigga that Daddy said not to keep grown men secrets.”
“Stop!”
“Dead ass, Aeir. You should’ve saw the look on his face, baby.”
“Well, it is true.”
“Yeah. She knows it and so does he.”
“You must’ve been so happy to see him. After everything, ya know.”
“Elated. Relieved. Angry. Every emotion possible, I felt.”
“The anger, from where did it surface?”
“Mercer is big bro. He’s always been there. When I got into my first fight, he was there. When I got my first broken bone, he was there. When our mother killed our father and then killed herself, he was there. When Anna was murdered, he wasn’t there. Every milestone, he’s been there. The time I really, really needed him—”
“He wasn’t there.”
“I understood the circumstances but I’m human. The resentment didn’t give a damn about the circumstances.”
“Does he know?”
“He knows. He always knows. He knows every-fucking-thing. At one point, they claimed I did, too, but for the last couple of years, I haven’t known shit but hurt and pain.”
“Sometimes that’s okay.”
“Nah, Aeir. This type of hurt and pain, it’s not okay. Not for me or anyone. It’s the type that makes you feel like you’re underwater, drowning but knowing you’ll survive.”
“I can’t imagine.”
“Don’t ever, because that might hurt, too.”
“Have you talked to Mercer since?”
“Nah. I’m letting him get settled in. When the time comes, we’ll connect.”
“What about Makai?”
“My grandfather came by the other day. Besides the two knuckleheads that came over today, he’s the only person I’ve seen since you got here. They’re respectful of my space and I appreciate that. Before you came along, it was just me and Aussie, every day, all day.”
Agonized eyes dropped their gaze, shifting their path and resting anywhere but on me. Taking note of the sadness that I’d been witnessing in spells over the last two days, I chose to address it.
“What’s the matter? What’s with the sad eyes? I’ve been seeing them quite often over the last two days. Talk to me.”
“It’s nothing,” she told me, still avoiding my eyes.
I dried my hands with the towel she’d been using to dry dishes before scooting over less than two feet, where she stood. She said nothing as I lifted her body into the air and onto the counter. It wasn’t until I took her chin into my palm that she gave me those eyes again.
“What’s the matter, Aeir? We don’t keep secrets. What’s bothering you?”
“It feels… This will probably soun—”
“I don’t know what strange or weird is anymore, baby. I don’t think it exists in this corner of the world. So, tell me.”
“I feel like I miss her.”
“Miss who?”
“Aussie. I know she’s not mine and I shouldn’t be having these feelings, but I can’t help but feel like I miss her. She’s been with me for so long now, I’m ready to get her out of my head and in my hands. The pictures you’ve shown me just aren’t enough. I want her here, in front of me. She’ll probably want to know who the heck I am, but I’ll explain that part later.” She giggled. “She has almost three weeks left. The very last thing I wish to do is ruin her summer vacation or step on your toes. I was thinking we coul—”
“Ruin?” I paused. “Baby, Aussie has been ready to come home since before she left. If I’m being honest, me too.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
I removed my phone from the counter behind us and unlocked it. Upon finding Anna’s mother’s name in the call log, I tapped the screen a final time before placing it against my ear.
“What are you doing?” Aeir whispered.
“Malachi, is everything alright?”
I lowered the phone and placed it on speaker.
“Yes, ma’am. Missing Aussie something crazy.”
“That little girl loves her daddy. She’s been missing you, too. She keeps her iPad charged day and night just in case you call. When you do, it makes her entire day, but it doesn’t stop her from wanting to be right there beside you.”
“I’m ready for her to come home.”
“I’ve been expecting this call since she got here. I’m fairly surprised you managed to hold out this long.”
“Me, too.”
“Well, we have big plans with her this weekend that we’d like to see through and that she’s looking forward to. If you’d just give us that time with her, we’ll have her back on Monday by noon.”
“Splendid. Keep this between the adults for now and tell her I’ll call her tonight, okay?”
“Sure thing.”
“Alright. See you Monday.”
“Malachi,” she said before the call ended.
“Yes, ma’am?”
“You sound better, son. Maybe this break was just what you needed.”
Aeir. Aeir is just what I needed.
“Thank you. Feeling a lot better.”
“Good. Good. See you on Monday.”
The line died as a single tear fell onto the screen. I looked up to find Aeir’s hands over her mouth as her gleamy eyes lit up with joy. Using my thumb, I wiped her left eye and then her right. Before the tears could fall, I swiped them away.
“Hey… hey. No more tears, aight?”
Slowly, she nodded her head up and down. A sense of completion covered me as I leaned forward and wrapped Aeir in my arms. Both girls under the same roof would be my reality soon. It was one considered the impossible a month and a half ago. Not even God, Himself, could’ve come down and told me this would be my fate weeks later.
I lowered Aeir’s thin frame from the counter and onto the floor. Her head rested on my chest, her hands clinging to my shirt as we swayed from one side to the other. When she finally pulled away, her eyes had dried and her smile had returned.
“Okay,” she sighed. “I’m going to get out of here. I have work to do.”
Sensing her excitement, but feeling her hesitancy, I recited the words that both our hearts wanted to hear. The hours I’d spent with her over the last two days, in my space and in my home, had spoiled me rotten. Her departure would cause great discomfort I wasn’t prepared for.
“Please stay.”
“Monday, Malachi.”
“Stay. We’ll figure the rest out. Just stay.”
“Okay, but only one more night, okay?”
“Okay,” I agreed momentarily, knowing I’d be asking her again the following night. And if she couldn’t stay, then I’d follow her down the road and to her place without a second thought.
While Aeir continued her internet adventures, I busied myself in the bathroom. The beauty of the original tub left me with no choice but to have it restored to perfect condition. New additions allowed me to control the water’s temperature with a thermostat. Bubbles flowed freely as a result of a copious amount of soap poured into the tub prior to starting the water.
On the ledge of the tub, as my thoughts threatened to tip over the small cup of sanity I was left with, memories flooded me. Often, I drew a bath for Anna just the same as she took her precious time, making her way into the bathroom to join me. The wait was always enjoyable, knowing the reward would be utterly satisfying.
“Hi.” Gently, Aeir whispered.
Her slim body slid between my legs as she hooked her arm around my neck.
“Hi.”
“Will you be joining me?” She wanted to know. She needed to know. From her protruding bottom lip, I knew denying her this moment would break her heart. Because I couldn’t have that on my conscience, the answer was uncomplicated.
“Of course.”
Without haste, I freed her breasts from the shirt she wore. Her nipples pebbled, causing my mouth to water and my dick to swell in my pants. Ignoring the achiness, I slid the skirt down her body along with the shirt she’d worn.
She assisted me with the removal of my clothes, starting with my shirt. Together, we wrestled it over my head. As I pulled it from my arms, Aeir busied herself with the knot in my pants. Her troubles didn’t last long before she’d conquered the knot and released my hardened dick in one swipe—pushing my briefs and bottoms down at once.
Both her glossy orbs tried gathering in the center of her face. The sight of my growth hindered her thought process. Actions spoke much louder than words at the moment. I observed her lower her body until her knees were on the floor and my dick was in her palm.
“Aeeeir.”
She began massaging the achiness my rigidness caused, bringing me comfort and contentment.
SPUH!
She lubricated my shit like the savage I knew she wasn’t. With both hands, she worked the head and shaft, forcing me to tighten my ass cheeks and lean forward to make sure she didn’t miss a centimeter of my length. I closed my eyes, relishing in the pleasure she was administering, not suspecting the warmth of her mouth to engulf me so inconsiderably. I wasn’t prepared.
“Fuck.”
My fingers found her scalp and then curled to grip her silky hair.
“Fuck.”
My head hit the back of her throat continuously, eventually pushing past her limits and causing her to gag.
“Shit.”
Each time, she came close to puking, but instead of releasing the foulness, she produced more saliva. She drowned my dick in her thick, bubbly slaver. She left me no choice but to stroke her warmth without reservation, not stopping until I felt my legs lock and my dick release its own creaminess.
“Shi-shit.”
“Now,” she said while swallowing. “You have no other choice but to join me.”
Parched now, I responded with a dryness that nearly choked me.
“I said I would, Aeir.”
“But, you hadn’t planned to.”
She’d called my bluff. Her discovery wasn’t at all surprising. Her ability revealed something for me. She was learning me, inside out. That would never be an issue.
I swallowed hard, re-wetting my throat to save my life. Otherwise, I’d die of dehydration and dryness of the throat.
“You first,” she insisted.
One foot after the other, I stepped into the tub. The extension of my arm assisted Aeir inside. Together, we lowered until our asses touched the porcelain beneath the water. Her head rested on my chest. Our fingers intertwined, resting on her thighs as the calm of the moment lulled us both.
ELEVEN
My frame stretched until popping bones sounded in the silence of the bedroom. Sunlight welcomed me to the world, again, signaling the new day and another fresh start. The coolness of the sheets beside me was a painful indicator that Malachi was no longer lying with me.
I maneuvered in bed, ending with my eyes on the emptiness. A piece of paper rested on his pillow. Reaching forward, I confiscated the letter, stopping it right in front of my face so that my blurred vision could read the words much better.
Aeir,
I’ve gone to the city.
The first line he’d written swelled my heart and exposed my teeth through a smile. Going to the city meant Malachi was progressing in ways I’d only dreamed of.
I’ll be back in a few hours. I have a few stops to make. This gives you an abundance of time to pamper yourself and prepare for our first date. We’re having dinner in the greenhouse. There’s something special waiting for you outside. After you’ve had breakfast, take a look.
I was reminded, after my departure, of a mistake I made many weeks ago. The phone that I forbade you call again, I’ve gotten rid of it. There’s no purpose of having it if you can’t contact me on it, huh? The wireless store is my first stop. I’ll call you when I have a new line.
In the meantime, miss me because I’m surely missing you. I’m saddened, considering the many hours between our reunion. Nevertheless, I’m looking forward to dinner tonight. Be on location at eight. See you soon, baby.
P.S. Remember to put on something I can peel off.
Mal.
I held the letter to my chest as I swooned. My cheeks burned and body pricked all over. Visions of Malachi replayed in my head. I missed him dearly, though he’d only been gone a short period of time. The yearning led me out of bed in anticipation of our night. My uncoated toes touched the cold floor beneath me.
