Curse of the Bouda

In Time

“You don't even know me,” Harlow countered.

“But I want to get to know you, and I know you want me as badly as I want you.”

Harlow let out a shaky laugh. Such a bold statement required an equally bold answer, but her bravado from earlier had abandoned her. In its stead, was the familiar broken state that had been her reality since her divorce. Asani was self-assured, handsome, and obviously in good financial standing to purchase a home. Harlow on the other hand was the exact opposite.

Painfully insecure and uncertain about her future, how she feared he would see past her shamed fearlessness. Furthermore, even though he had claimed to find her devastatingly beautiful she doubted she would dare to get undressed in front of him. Asani was constructed like a Greek god, and she wasn't sporting her best body after her post-breakup midnight food binges. Accompanied by the fact that she hadn’t asked for any spousal support, to prove to her ex she was an independent woman, she was flat-broke. No, there was nothing she could offer him, she was no one despite whatever he said. That last admission struck a nerve sending her reeling from the jab. Stumbling back, she set her heel near the gaping hole where she had removed the floorboards, she began to tetter.

Yet, with impossible reflexes, Asani had cleared the distance between them to catch her by the waist. Suddenly chest-to-chest, Harlow could feel his heartbeat revibrating through her entire body.

“Careful,” he whispered against her lips.

The moment reminded her of the first day they had met. He had caught her then and something inside of her wanted to believe he would always be there to catch her whenever she fell. Yet wasn’t that too much to wish for, to hope for?

“Asani, how-,” Harlow began, but Asani dropped to his knees and busied himself with evaluating her non-existent injury.

His massive hands caressed her delicate ankle, checking for any signs of distress. His soft touch would've lulled her into a state of tranquility if it wasn't for the superhuman speed he had just displayed. Then all his feats suddenly replayed throughout her mind. His strength was inconceivable as she recalled how he had picked up Jerry by the collar with ease, and how he had moved the furniture downstairs without breaking a sweat. Nor did the cold bother him, made perfectly evident by his midnight swim. Harlow knew she should have been fearful, but she found herself intrigued. She opened her mouth to speak, but Asani interrupted.

“Looks like all is well, no broken bones,” He replied in the cheerful tone he often used to deflect any unwanted questioning.

“Asani,” she said again in a determined tone. “No one can move that fast.”

Asani straightened, standing to his feet he c****d his head to the side, before stating, “Well…I can.”

“But how is it that you can?”

“Time, remember? We both asked for time. You to accept that I want you, and me to find the right words to explain everything.”

Harlow backed away from him. His brows furrowed when she did, but he didn’t stop her. She took an uneasy seat on his bed.

“What if I want to know now?”

Asani approached and kneeled before her and closed his eyes for a moment as if he was searching for the right words to say. When he opened them, his brown eyes had returned, Harlow knew then, that it wasn’t the lighting or her overactive imagination. There was something very odd about Asani.

He rested a hand on her knee and gave her a gentle squeeze.

“What if I told you I was afraid?” he confessed.

“Of what?”

“Of you looking at me differently and of you not wanting anything to do with me. I have never begged anyone, but I am begging you. Please, give me more time, and I’ll do the same for you.”

Harlow blew an exasperated breath, then asked the questions she feared the most.

“Are you married?”

“No.”

“Okay, are you into illegal activities, have a drug problem, or otherwise into any seedy activities?”

“No, no, and you might have to define seedy activities, but I’m going to go out on a limb and say no, for now.”

“Silly boy,” Harlow said with a slight chuckle.

“Impossible girl,” he retorted.

She looked at Asani's beautiful face and wonder how such a magnificent creature could be so smitten by her to humble himself to ask for mercy. Harlow felt selfish, he had admitted his fears and all she did was make excuses as to why she was too screwed up to admit the same.

Determining she couldn't let him think she was being difficult or indifferent, she said, “I am still struggling with my recent divorce. Until a couple of nights ago I would cry myself to sleep every night.” Harlow paused as the back of her throat began to ache as tears threatened to spill. She swallowed hard, to hamper the emotional outburst fighting to overcome her. "Cory, my ex, and I started dating in middle school. He was the first guy to show any interest in me. Looking back, I don’t know if I fell for him for any other reason than him wanting me. I think what hurts the most is that he had the guts to say goodbye first, and I was left looking like a fool. I just can’t allow that sort of hurt to happen to me ever again."

“I would never hurt you in that way.”

Asani’s emphasis on the word, that. Didn’t go unnoticed by Harlow, she questioned, "Do you plan to hurt me?”

“Indeed, I will.”

“In what way will you hurt me?"

“If you ever felt any pain with me, it would be thick and heady, followed shortly by unfathomable pleasure.”

A restricted breath escaped her parted lips. His words were dangerous, reckless, and destined to destroy her resolve. He leaned forward and kissed her tenderly. It was utterly heartbreaking how he was able to convey so much emotion with a simple kiss.”

Harlow pulled away, “We shouldn't.”

“I know,” Asani agreed. "But I don't want to stop. Tell me you don't want this or me, and I will leave you in peace. Otherwise..."

"Otherwise?"

"I will be at your mercy, to grovel at your feet until you give me all of you, but I won't force myself onto you. Say what you want, and I'll honor your wishes."

Harlow began to open her mouth to speak but then thought about how he stated he could sense her. Her body craved him, ached for him and there was no denying her desire. If he could feel her mood, she decided to test his skills. Closing her eyes she envisioned him on top of her, sweat dripping from his body onto hers as he thrust deeply inside her.

"Harlow, please stop," Asani pleaded.

His chest heaved with exertion as if the action was happening. His eyes were heavy with lust. It was then she knew he spoke the truth somehow; he could sense whatever she felt.

"Asani, you can feel me?"

"Always."

She would have asked how, but she already knew he wouldn't answer, at least not yet. However, none of it mattered upon seeing him lost to his desire. Harlow's arousal only rose. Knowing she had this dominance over such a powerful man was exhilarating. She caressed his cheek. Asani inclined his head and shut his eyes to relish her touch. A soft purr sounded from his parted lips. Harlow chuckled, he reminded her of a pet being petted.

His eyes opened, though heated by his passion. They were still his lovely brown eyes that revealed patience and warmth. Rather than the darker black gaze that clouded her mind with lust. Harlow was discovering the distinction between the two dueling personalities within him, the two spirits.

"Your touch soothes me," Asani said. "It might prove difficult to free yourself of me if you keep this up."

Harlow grinned, and leaned to capture his lips with her own, then replied, "Maybe I don't want to be free."