The next morning flies by as all of my time outside of classes is being occupied by Mekhi; he even picked the twins and me up this morning. We have breakfast and lunch together. He also accompanies me to his dorm so I can study after he promises me peace and quiet because he has practice to attend. After studying for a few hours he comes back and we go to a store off campus to purchase school spirit wear for the twins and I to wear to the game tomorrow. I ask Mekhi to join us for dinner and he agrees so I text the twins to let them know that Mekhi is coming over for dinner. I text my parents as well to keep them in the loop of what's going on here at home.
We stop by the supermarket to pick up some ingredients for tonight's dinner. I decide to make creamed spinach stuffed salmon with sautéed asparagus, loaded baked potato, and a garden salad. Mekhi holds the basket as we walk through the aisles of the supermarket hand in hand loading it up. Those who recognize him congratulate him and wishes him well for his game the following day others ask for autographs and pictures. He agrees to the autographs and politely refuses having his picture taken. When we finally finish shopping we pay for our groceries and head back to my house. I leave Mekhi in the kitchen as I take my school bag and books to my room. In my room I change from my blouse to an old t shirt and remove all of my accessories. As I head back downstairs I hear Mekhi and the twins talking in the kitchen. I walk into the kitchen and greet my siblings and I give them an estimated time to expect dinner to be done. With that Jackson excuses himself and exits the kitchen.
"Do you need help with anything," Journee asks.
"No, thank you. I think I've got it all covered," I say to her with a smile.
"Okay, if you need me I'll be in my room," she says to me turning to leave.
"Roger that," I say with a smile.
"See you later Mekhi," she says.
"See you later," he replies and now we're in the kitchen alone.
I go to the sink to wash my hands and pull out the different dishes I will be using to prepare dinner. I turn preheat the oven before I wash the potatoes that will be baked. As I move around the kitchen I notice Mekhi watching my every move and I smile to myself.
"Are you enjoying the show," I ask him as I'm mixing the creamed spinach with my back turned to him.
"Very much so," he says in my ear sending chills down my spine and stopping my heart as his hands snake around my waist.
"Hey, this is a no touch zone," I say to him breathlessly.
"I'm sorry," he says still in my ear.
"I can't work like this," I say turning around in his arms biting my lip. He grabs my chin and kiss me on the lips holding me in place until he's had his fill.
"Okay, I will behave now," he says releasing me and going back to his seat at the table.
'This guy! What am I going to do with him? He is just too smooth for me.' I think to myself blushing my life away as I begin to cut, stuff, and season the salmon.
After I wash my hands I turn on the stove and drizzle olive oil into the skillet I'm using for the salmon and the one I'm using for the asparagus. While the oil is heating I rinse the asparagus stalks and season them with spices and garlic. After I'm done with that the oil is hot enough for the salmon to be placed in the skillet. I continue cooking and moving around the kitchen in my own world until Mekhi reminds me of his presence.
"Are you sure you don't need help with anything? You're so quiet and busy over there I think you forgot that I'm here," he says leaning on the counter next to me.
"I'm sorry I got caught up in the zone. I don't need any help, but if you insist you can help me with the salad if you don't mind," I say hugging him.
"Alright I'll help you to prepare the salad since you asked so nicely. Just point me in the direction of my work station," he says hugging me back.
"Okay," I say and he release's me. I gather all the salad ingredients and set them on the island along with a bowl, cutting board, and knife for him. He washes his hands and meets me at the island.
"So, you were serious about salad duty," he says with a chuckle.
"Absolutely because that will complete the majority of my meal! I have to get this body beach ready in a short amount of time," I say to him with a mischievous smile.
"Baby, believe me when I tell that you're beach ready," he says and slaps me on the butt.
"Ouch! You're just too much," I say to him and lightly pinch his arm.
"You know it's only for you," he says.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah. Now get to work," I say returning his slap on the butt.
"Yes ma'am," he says and begins rinsing the ingredients I took out for him.
I rotate the asparagus and place some butter and lemon in the pan with my almost finished salmon. The aroma that it creates is so mouthwatering that even Mekhi pauses and takes a deep breath. I internally pat myself on the back because I know that this meal will be too delicious. I cut the stove off and remove both the asparagus and salmon from the heat. I check the potatoes which need a few more minutes before they're done so I wash my hands once more and decide to help Mekhi with his task.
"I'll help you with some of this," I say to him grabbing a cucumber to begin cutting.
"What? You don't trust me with the salad," he asks with a raised eyebrow.
"No, I'm basically finished my tasks so I decided to come over and help you," I say sweetly.
"Uh huh, sure," he says.
"Seriously, then we can eat together and maybe hang out for a little while before you have to leave,"
I say to him presenting him with the possibility of spending more time together.
"Alright," he says and begins cutting his share of the vegetables like a professional that leaves me in awe.
"I didn't know you were a pro at cooking," I say to him placing my cut cucumbers into the salad bowl.
"That's because you ever asked," he says with that cool half-smile.
"I guess you're right," I say stumped.
"See, your man is so capable," he says proudly of his handiwork.
"Yeah, so you want a cookie," I ask him.
"Not a cookie, but something just as sweet," he says.
"And what would that be," I ask him.
"This," he says pulling me closer and kissing me on the lips.
"You're so shameless," I say blushing.
"I know," he says and goes back to his seat.
I shake my head and grab my oven mitts to remove the potatoes from the oven. I use a fork to fluff them up before adding butter, cheese, sour cream, and chives to finish the potatoes. I take out four dinner plates and call everyone to eat. After all the plates are made and served we bless our food and eat together. Jackson keeps up a steady conversation with Mekhi so I talk to Journee about her upcoming auditions. She talks about the auditions and the progress she's making with her crush. We also talk about Mom and Dad's extended time away. Dinner with the four of us goes so smoothly it's as if it's a daily occurrence; just natural. When we're done eating Jackson and Journee insist on cleaning the kitchen since I cooked and I happily agreed.
I take Mekhi into our entertainment room and we put on a movie. As I'm watching the movie, Mekhi is watching me and it makes me blush. Noticing my blush he chuckles and puts his arm over my shoulders pulling me closer. My heart speeds up just a little bit being in his embrace, but I just smile to myself and snuggle even closer to my man.
"You know, I'm starting to think you've already made your decision," he says calmly.
"Why do you say that," I ask him just as cool.
"Because you're not pulling away from me instead you're getting even closer," he says.
"How do you know that I just don't want to make the most out of our last moments together," I ask him.
"Because that's not you. That's not the type of person you are," he says confidently.
"You don't know that for sure," I say to him.
"Sure, sure. I'll play along with you," he says and pulls me onto his lap.
"I'm not playing," I say trying to keep a straight face.
"You have to work on your acting," he says before he starts tickling me relentlessly.
"Help," I yell out in laughter.
"No one is coming to save you," he says as he continues to tickle me.
"Okay, you win," I say laughing.
"That's what I thought," he says and he stops tickling me.
"You're so shameless and you fight dirty," I say wiping the tears from laughter from my eyes.
"I told you before that I wouldn't make it easy for you but if you insist," he says grabbing my chin.
"Hold…" is all I can say because he begins kissing me pouring all of his desires into this kiss.
Not one to back down I deepen my kiss as well filling him with my own raw desire for him. I know that I'm not going to leave him and that he won't leave me. We continue kissing this time he doesn't just stop at my jawline he kisses my neck as well. I know that he has control over himself, but I'm struggling with mine as my libido wakes up. When he kisses me again I can see the passion in his eyes and I nearly melt. Sensing that I'm close to coming undone he stops.
"Now that's fighting dirty," he says after he takes a few breaths to steady himself.
"I'll behave myself," I say using his line from earlier.
"As long as you give me an answer I don't care how you behave," he says smoothly.
"Shameless," I say and before I can be ambushed again I turn to finish watching the movie.
We finish the movie without any more interruptions from either of us. When the movie's done Mekhi decides that it's time for him to leave. We head back into the living room and through to the foyer where we both put on our shoes. He opens the door and I walk him to his car.
"Thank you for tonight, baby. Dinner was amazing," he says holding my hand as we walk to his car.
"Thank you, I'm glad you liked it," I say to him.
"I did. I hope I get to taste more of your dishes," he says biting his lip.
"We'll see, you never know what the future may hold," I say to him with a sly smile.
"You're right. I guess we'll see then," he says sarcastically.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah call me when you get in," I say to him as we arrive at his car.
"Will do," he says unlocking the doors.
"Goodnight," I say to him.
"Goodnight, baby," he says kissing me lightly while hugging me.
"Bye," I say as I step away from him and begin walking back to the house.
When I get to the house I wave to him once more and close the door after he pulls off. I lock the door and remove my shoes placing my slippers back on my feet. I walk through the kitchen to make sure that everything's put away, then I head upstairs to my room. I text my parents letting them know that Mekhi has left and that we're preparing to rest. I check on Jackson and Journee before beginning my shower routine. After taking care of my hair, I shower letting the day's events run through my mind as the water hits my body. When I'm done with my shower I get out, moisturize my skin, and put on my pajamas. I sit at my desk and fill out the pages of my journal realizing that I need to replace this one a lot sooner than I thought. Then, I grab my phone to see that Mekhi has texted me saying he made it home so I reply to him telling him good night. After a quick text exchange, I put my phone down and turn on my TV to watch the news…little did I know the TV ended up watching me.