Juelz shifted in his seat, licking his lips. “You ‘bout to see. Just be patient, T. We almost there.”
Upon landing, they were greeted by a driver in a sleek black SUV who whisked them away to the restaurant. The drive was a short one, and as they pulled up outside, Tasha’s breath caught in her throat. This place was a charming rustic chalet; its warm lights spilled out into the cool night air. A glowing sign hung above the door that read “Le Chalet.” Juelz helped Tasha out of the car, his hand lingering on hers as they walked up the stone path. Once inside, the decor was cozy and inviting, with a crackling fire in the hearth and soft music playing in the background. The hostess seated them near a window that offered a breathtaking view of the valley.
“Aye,” he began as he reached across the table, taking her hand. “I know I’ve said it before, but I love you. More than anythin’. More than life, it’s fuckin’ self, girl. And I know I keep sayin’ how I fucked up, I just want you to know it wasn’t no feelings in that shit.” He looked out the window, admiring the view, then back to her. “I just was tryna make sure you didn’t lose your medical shit. That’s all. But I guess I went about it the wrong fuckin’ way.”
Tasha’s eyes shimmered with unshed tears. “Juelz, I… I love you. I never stopped, honestly. You just broke my trust, my fuckin’ heart, and I dunno if I can just forget that shit like you want me to.”
Juelz nodded, squeezing her hand. “I don’t expect you to forget that shit, Tash. I want you to understand that she had me in a fucked up position, and if it wasn’t for the circumstances, I wouldn’t even have looked at that bitch like that.”
Tasha glanced down at their entwined hands, and a single tear rolled down her cheek. “I want to believe you, Jue, I do. But it’s so fuckin’ hard. It’s so hard.”
Juelz reached up, gently wiping away her tear with his thumb. “I know it is, T. And I’m not gonna rush you. I’m not gonna pressure you. I just wanna get back to the way we were before all this shit went down. I love you, Tasha girl.”
Tasha closed her eyes, inhaling deeply, taking in everything he was letting spill. When she opened them again, it was as if an electrical spark shot through her. A spark of hope. A spark of desire. Juelz saw the hesitation in her and leaned in and kissed her lips.
As they shared an intimate kiss, the waiter brought over their first course for the night. A delicate salad with fresh, local ingredients. The two ate while catching up. The conversation between them felt like old times again, with laughter, jokes, shared memories, and talk of the future. “I miss you so much, girl. You don’t even know.”
Tasha eyes dropped low. “Yeah, I know the feeling.”
As the night wore on, the restaurant began to empty, and the staff discreetly cleared away the remaining tables, leaving Juelz and Tasha in a private, intimate setting. The fire crackled softly, casting a warm glow over their faces as they danced slowly to the sound of Robin Thicke,Angels.
“Angel, angel, angel
Angel, my angel, my angel
You’re the only one who knows what I go through
Sometimes you even feel it, more than me, baby
And I don’t know how I ever got by without you
There’s nothing like the truth when you’ve got nothing left to lose
And every night I thank the universe that I found you.”
Tasha danced slowly, side to side, as she rested her head on Juelz's chest, caressing the top of his head. She was loving this new look on Juelz, and she was ready to take him down right there in the restaurant, because he had her inside jumping and her love below thumping.
Eventually, it was time to get back on the jet. The flight back to the D was quiet. Tasha sat looking out at the stars with her mind a little at ease now that she and Juelz had gotten on good terms. He would take small glances at her, appreciative that she allowed him to take her on this date. When they landed, Juelz had a car waiting for them. He felt her tense up beside him.
“Juelz, ion think we should just jump back into familiarity just yet. Maybe I should go home.”
“Tasha, girl,” he said simply. “It’s cool, let’s just continue to enjoy this night. Aight?”
She didn’t argue. She just nodded, her hand finding his in the darkness. He wanted to take Tasha to see the new house and what he had rebuilt after the fire. It was simple, masculine, and orderly. It was somewhat different from before, yet the same. He had also incorporated all the things he knew Tasha liked. Spiral staircase, walk-in closets bigger than necessary, his-and-hers bathrooms. It was beautiful. He led her inside, and the moment the door clicked shut behind them, the energy shifted.
Juelz turned to her, his eyes searching hers. “Tasha…”
She didn’t let him finish. After seeing their pictures all over the walls, it’s like something came over her. She closed the space between them, her lips crashing against his. It wasn't the tentative kiss from the restaurant; this was hungry, desperate, filled with months of longing and missing each other. Juelz’s arms wrapped around her, lifting her off her feet as he deepened the kiss, carrying her toward his bedroom upstairs.
He laid her down on the bed, his movements slow, deliberate. As he undressed her slowly, reverently, his handsand lips exploring every inch of her skin. “Damn, I miss you so fuckin’ much, T.”
Tasha arched against him, her body responding to his touch, her heart opening to him once more. “Then shut up and show me how much.”
He entered her in one smooth, deep stroke, and they both cried out at the contact. It was a homecoming, a reunion of two souls who had been apart for too long. He began to move, his strokes started slow and deep at first, then faster, harder, as the need for release took over.
Juelz braced himself on his forearms, his eyes dark with a possessive fire, locking on her. “This my pussy, ain't it?” he grunted, his voice a low growl that vibrated through her chest. He punctuated his words with a sharp, deep thrust that made her gasp. “Tell me who this shit belong to, girl.”
Tasha met his gaze, her own eyes blazing with defiance and desire. She dug her nails into his back, arching her hips to meet his punishing rhythm. “Yours,” she breathed, the word torn from her lips. “Always has been yours, Jue.Fuck!”