From My Best Friend.

The Date II

She woke up, again, to a less bright room luckily, finally able to open her eyes. The room was the best thing she has ever been in before, feeling the velvet comforter beneath her as she groaned to sit upright, staring at the Rose gold and Grey decor in awe, definitely a sight to drool at.

She thought about crashing back on the covers as Eden walked through the doubled doors, his muscular build had her weak to her knees, feeling her sweat drench her skin, his arms strong enough to hold her failed marriage together, and water dripping down his exposed V line, telling he had just taken a shower or finished a workout.

"You're up, you should freshen up, there are fresh clothes in the shower," he said, getting closer to the bed with his hands in the pockets of the sweatpants.

She swallowed sharply, admiring his physique which shined under the chandelier, bringing her legs to her chest on the bed, "Yeah, the headache's gone now," she managed to utter.

"That's good, you should freshen up then we can talk after," He said, cupping her cheeks to place a wet kiss on her lips. The familiar feeling ran through her spine as she turned crimson, watching him close the door behind himself.

"I should freshen up, I feel dirty. I should text Katherine," she muttered to herself, reaching for her back to shuffle through for her phone, "shit."

20 missed calls from Katherine flashed on her screen as she unlocked it, "I'm gonna get it this time," she muttered, bracing herself for the worst as the phone rang on her ear, "my darling-"

"And where in Aunty Martha's ass have you been?"

"Okay okay, no need to bring big momma into this, darl. I just went on a date and I just decided to, you know, crash a bit," she scratched the back of her head, mortified by what she was about to say.

"You overdosed on wine on the first date again, didn't you? And you wonder why we never go on girl dates," Katherine screamed on the other side of the phone, Kara rolled her eyes as she heard Gabriel's obnoxious singing in the background.

"You know me a bit too well. I need to freshen up now, how about we talk when I come back?"

"How about you tell me when you're even coming back?"

"I mean I don't know, his place is kind of cozy," she pouted as she glanced around the room, holding her mouth shut trying not to laugh.

"You think this is funny huh? Anyway, you'll still come back to this house, better wear protective gear before stepping in here and use protection so you don't cry on my shoulder with an STI."

She grimaced at her comment, "You're gross," she hung up before Katherine had the chance to say anything. Letting out a deep sigh, she kicked her feet off the bed, groaning as she stretched before kicking the bathroom door open.

The bathroom already had a nightgown her size and a few familiar essentials, "Stalker," she smiled, taking in the smell of papaya and vanilla that filled her nostrils.

~

She strutted out of the bathroom, tying on a bonnet and adjusting her nightgown, almost jumped out of her skin seeing Eden seated on one of the sofas in the room, staring at her, "You're getting a bit too weird these days," she stood with her arms crossed, watching him as he had his hand against his mouth, trying to stifle his laughter.

"I did it for my sister all the time, it's a talent now," he said, walking towards her with a small grin across his face, he wrapped his arms around her waist, drawing her in for a kiss. Her stomach fluttered, wrapping her hands around his neck as she kissed back. Her puckered n*****s rubbed against his bare upper body, making her core ache as it was just that sheer, silk, nightgown that stood as a barrier.

He brushed his fingers slowly against her shoulders and removed the straps of the gown, watching it fall to the floor. Her heart raced, feeling the sharp air against her bare skin.

He traced her body, holding her shoulders as he glanced from bottom to top, "Perfect," he whispered. Her cheeks reddened.

Kara felt her feet leave the floor and the leftover wine in her system kick in. He hovered over her, his hands on each side of the bed to support him as the kiss intensified. He broke the kiss, smiling as he knelt between her legs, his hand cupping her breast as he trailed the other down her stomach, greeting her throbbing clit with his fingers. She let out a soft moan in the kiss as he drew circles around her clit.

He tugged on her bottom lip with his teeth as he broke the kiss, she filled the room with her moans as her core tightened. She felt herself getting even more wet from every touch, gasping for air as she watched him kneel in front of her, feeling his warm breath against her opening sent shivers up her spine. She let out a loud moan as her toes curled, he didn't lift his head even once as Kara grew closer to her climax. Her eyes rolled to the back of her head with her back arched, gripping the sheets for support as she reached her climax, unapologetically releasing her fluids on his face. Her clit was sore and sensitive, pulsating as he teased her, trying to hold herself from making a mess to no avail.

Eden got back on top of her as he kissed her, his lips were wet against hers. Her eyes were still wide open, gasping for air as she was still in shock, unable to kiss back at first. She gathered her strength as she sat up to kiss him back realizing he didn't even have his briefs on.

She stared wide-eyed at his girth and length, feeling the drool in her mouth threaten to escape, "I hope you didn't mean it was this you did for your sisters all the time?"

His laughter echoed through the room as Kara gave him a blank stare, not understanding what was funny, "Of course not," He pecked her lips, bowing her head in embarrassment.

They stared at each other blankly, thinking of what she can do next. She straddled him, kissing him passionately, she rode him with her aching, throbbing clit slowly, filling the room with her moans as she grinded against his hard-on. He cupped her ass, guiding her as she rode him.

"f**k," she whimpered in the kiss, her clit rubbing against his member, quivering on top of him.

"Lie down, Ms. Taylor," he whispered, his voice reasonably deeper than regular.

"Okay," she got off him, following her, he hovered over her, placing gentle kisses on her lips, "Be gentle, you're quite, large."

"You're in good hands, I'll not dive right into that," he smiled.

He placed a gentle kiss on her lips as he continued down her body, sending goosebumps up the skin with each wet kiss. He greeted her belly button with a long kiss as he stroked her hips while gripping them. She let out a soft moan as he made his way down to her opening, placing soft, wet kisses as he massaged it with his fingers and tongue simultaneously. Her back arched as she filled up with his fingers massaging the inner roof of her vulva, he massaged her c******s with his tongue with a breathtaking rhythm. She heard him groan, whimpering to the vibration against her slick folds.

She gripped the sheets, shocked as he continued after her climax, wondering if he even had air in his lungs.

After several climaxes at once, they both layed on the bed, gasping as they both struggled to catch their breaths. He looked over his shoulder at her just staring into her eyes, stroking her cheek with his thumb, her stomach erupted with butterflies, giving him a delicate smile.

After they both had caught their breath in the silence, Eden hovered over her as he kissed her gently and she kissed back.

A wave of realization hit her as her stomach dropped and the moment instantly felt wrong as she sat up from under him. With a puzzled look on his face, he wondered whether something was wrong not knowing it had nothing to do with him.

"I can't do this right now. I'm sorry," she said, holding her legs against her chest trying to somewhat cover herself.

He cupped her face in his hands and gave her a warm smile making her a lot more comfortable. She felt the tears form in her eyes and came running down her cheeks, she noticed as Eden's face dropped and he embraced her. She let out uncontrollable cries into his bare shoulder, she sat there with him, cuddled up in his arms in the realization of how unwanted she'll always be and feel.

As she sat there and bawled her eyes out, she realized these feelings don't only date back to all her failed relationships or her failed marriage all feeling the same way, they went back to her parents, if a child isn't given that feeling by their parents, starting to form that bond with outsiders first is going to be hard. Always felt neglected by them and unloved, not able to tell them basic things about her life, all affecting her current relationships. But she of course couldn't tell all that to this wonderful man in her arms. No matter how many times her mind tricks her that she has fully healed, she is reminded that she has a long way to go.

"I am so sorry, Eden. I just-,"

"You don't have to apologize or explain yourself, Kara. You said you don't want to and that's enough of an explanation that I shouldn't go further for now," he interrupted, he released the embrace, cupping her face, and looked into her wet and already puffy eyes, "do you want anything to eat or a snack? More importantly, do you want to stay here with me tonight, stay in a separate room, or go home?" he said, his voice was warm, calm, and soothing in her ears. The way he put his words, Kara could tell he was being as straightforward and honest as he could be.

"I want to stay with you if you don't mind," she said, unable to look him back in the eyes, mortified by the tears she could feel burning her eyes.

"I'll go get some snacks then," he said before placing a peck on her cheek then smiling, and walking out of the room. Her heart fluttered every time he kissed her as if she was still in 6th grade, her heart heated as she watched his godlike back flex as he walked away.

"I'm back," he said as he popped his head through the corner of the door with a cheeky smile on his face.

"You were gone for like two minutes, no way you got snacks and came back in this big ass house in less than two minutes," she said with her arms crossed on her chest now under the covers.

"You're right," he sat down on the edge of the bed, "Come in," he answered the imaginary knock on the door as someone in a keeper's uniform rolled in a trolly filled with diabetes and cavities.

"I didn't even ask for a snack but thank you, I guess," she said deadpan, smiling at the older man as he walked away with his hands in front of him.

She analyzed the trolly, seeing the fish Eden said he'll take back home covered in a transparent bowl. She drooled, tasting the fish already.

"You're welcome. Make yourself comfortable, clothes you can wear in the house will be brought too. When would you like to go?" he rolled the trolley over to the bedside before getting into the covers with her.

She wrapped her hands around herself as she scrolled through the many possibilities of the few answers she could give, "I would like to go tomorrow," she said.

"Tomorrow it is then," he replied as a hatch opened on the wall revealing a huge television. To say Kara was mesmerized was an understatement.

"Oh wow!" she exclaimed wide-eyed at Eden. He looked a bit too proud of himself, a smudge look plastered on his face like she hadn't seen anything yet, "You make me look poor."

"I'm never one to brag but compared to me baby girl, you are," he kissed her forehead. With her mouth wide open she released herself from under his arm as he smiled cheekily, "But on the bright side, it'll all soon be yours if you are willing."

"Kara's apparel, Do you have any idea who you're talking to?" she said dramatically as Eden tried to hold his laughter, "I've never been so insulted by a man."

"And what do you mean by that?"

"Exactly what is running through your head, Eden," she said, giving him an emotionless gaze in an attempt to look threatening.

"You're cute," he continued with his snack, scrolling through the movies, Kara still had her mouth wide, "are you going to come back and deal with these snacks and this movie with me or do you prefer flying organisms making a home of your mouth?"

"The audacity of these men nowadays," she said, rolling her eyes before returning underneath his arm as he pulled a confused grimace, "what are we watching?"

"That's up to you to decide."

"We watch Barbie," she blinks serially at him with a straight expression.

Eden looks at her, wide-eyed and mouthed, "No way a 24-year-old, almost a millionaire, independent black woman still watches Barbie."

"Best believe it, I love Barbie. Besides, do you have a problem with that?" she asked and interrupted before he could speak, "You would have to deal with it, boy."

"Boy?" he furrowed his brows as he leaned back, "I never complained about your Barbie watching but now I'm a boy?"

He stared at her as she remained silent with her arms crossed, not even accidentally letting her gaze reach his corner, both trying to control their laughter.

"I would be honored to watch Barbie with you, your presence alone is an honor," he kissed her cheek and scrolled through the endless Barbie movies on the roster.

"So you too have an addiction?"

He hesitated for a second before he answered, "Maybe," he said with a straight face not shifting his focus at all. It looked a little suspicious to Kara for him to hesitate and then turn serious almost immediately but she shrugged it off as she laid on his hard body comfortably but it was uncomfortable at the same time considering how hard the surface was.

So was she if she had a d**k.

He scrolled through the movies on the screen waiting for her to pick one but he looked like his soul wasn't even there, with the thin line on his face, he scrolled absent-mindedly obviously thinking about something. Kara looked into his eyes wondering what happened.

She released herself from underneath his arm before straddling him, cupping his confused face, and staring directly into his eyes, "Is it because I called you a boy or pointed out that you watch Barbie?"

He smiled with his squished face in Kara's hands, "No darling, I was just lost in thought, I have a lot on my plate."

"No problem then, I just hope you're okay," she said, not knowing when such words that contained heavy amounts of feelings of concern came out from her. She kissed him and got back to her original position with her snacks in her hand.

"I didn't want to be too forward and I understand even if it's the middle of me thrusting you can say you don't want to anymore," he paused and adjusted to look at her, she stared in anticipation with her heart almost beating out her chest, "I just wanted to know if I did anything wrong that made you feel the way you felt to stop everything."

She let out a sigh as she sat upright and held his hand in two of hers, "You didn't do anything wrong, Eden. I know this may sound crazy or corny, but I don't want a one-night stand with you."

"I never wanted a one-night stand either," he took her hand in the two of his.

"I want something more with you. The fear just came over me from the past I thought I had healed from."

"Go on," he said as he furrowed his brows.

"My very first boyfriend had non-consensual s*x with me, in lighter terms. Growing up in a household that always talks about 's*x only after marriage', I think that unfortunate incident kind of made me free," she swallowed harshly, looking at her hands as she wasn't able to return the gazes she felt all over her.

"I'm listening. Free in what sense?" he asked, placing his hand on both of hers.

"The pressure of keeping the virginity was gone with it. I wasn't a virgin anymore and even if that made me worry before trying to have s*x ever since, it made me actually able to explore myself sexually.

Don't get me wrong, I had s*x after that, after a month or two of sulking but the guy in question never contacted me again after the first two times. He stopped calling or texting and most likely blocked me everywhere. I don't know whether it was because I was too comfortable. That's why that unhealed part I thought had healed came out again, but none of it was your fault or related to you."

He stared at her as if he was on the brink of tears yet filled with pity. Kara hated this look of pity, that's why she never told anyone this story, only Katherine knew about this, even her husband didn't know. He straightened his face to make her a little more comfortable and he said nothing as he hugged her tight. She felt safe in his arms as she fit perfectly against him and he fit perfectly in hers, she felt at peace and secure, a bit too comfortable than she would have liked to admit.

She appreciated how he didn't say anything and just embraced her the entire night watching classic Barbie movies. Halfway into the movie, Kara had already been fast asleep on Eden's chest. He looked at her in adoration as he placed a long kiss on her head, he turned the television and lights off with the remote and fell asleep soon after.

~

"I hope you like pancakes," was the first thing she heard as she scratched her eyes open. She didn't know when Eden even got up, talk less about leaving the room and come back with clanking plates. The curtains were tightly closed, making her unable to differentiate the day from night.

"What time is it?" she asked, feeling half-hungover from the shot or four she snuck last night as she sat upright, "Oh pancakes!" she pounced on the tray set before her.

"It's almost noon," she glared at him with a full mouth not believing her ears or Eden. She scrambled for her phone around her to look for the truth. 11:43 am, the time read.

"Shit."

Yeah, you were pretty knocked out. You were so cute while you were sleeping I didn't want to wake you," he said as he ate his plate of pancakes while Kara stuffed her face.

"I need to marry whoever made these," she said, pouring more syrup on the stack, and throwing another blueberry in her mouth.

"You can't marry the cook."

"Why?" she raised a brow.

"He's old and married," he smiled.

"Wife's lucky as f**k," she said, gulping down her juice.

"Very, it has been so long since I ate fresh food from my kitchen because of how busy I've been these days," he said with his stuffed mouth.

They both finished their meals in silence as they laid on the bed with filled stomachs and empty plates just staring at each other.

Kara giggled as she saw the syrup trail still at the side of Eden's mouth. Confused, Eden furrowed his brows wondering why she was laughing now, "Let me help with that," she sat on top of him as she bent over and licked off the syrup before kissing him, "Got it!"

He grinned as he stretched to swipe off the syrup-filled plates and smudged the syrup on and everywhere around his mouth with a confused Kara on top of him still, "Oops," he gave her a suspicious smile.

Kara laughed uncontrollably realizing why he did that, "You are indeed a character," they smiled together before her lips came crashing down on his with all the syrup being exchanged, filling their mouths as the kiss lingered.

"Surprise!" an unfamiliar voice exclaimed as they entered suddenly. Kara looked at the woman with a child wrapped in her arms and back at Eden confused about why he looked like he had just seen a ghost.