“Slow dance and two step?”
“Whatever you want.”
“And we have to learn a classy dance we can do at events. And salsa dancing too! We can take a dance class for date nights a couple of times out of the month.”
He chuckled and licked his lips before kissing me. “I’m wit’ all that. For now…” Marz wrapped my arms around his neck, and the way he looked down at me with so much gentleness in his eyes made me soften against him. “We’ll start with the basics.”
The more he guided my movements, the easier it was for me to trust his lead. One song turned into three, and by the fifth song, we’d completely forgotten about the salmon that was onthe eye. Needless to say it was burned, but neither of us cared. We were having too much fun.
After deciding to order in, we put on a different playlist, and he gave me my first Chicago two step lesson. Now that was a hell of a lot more difficult to learn, but I was a quick learner and got the initial coordination down fairly easy. I wouldn’t feel comfortable doing it to a full song until we practiced a little more, but by the time we decided to order our food and call it a night, I was satisfied with my progress.
As we got comfortable on the couch while we waited for our food, Marz had a sexy smile on his face.
“What’s got you all smiley?” I asked, trying to find something to watch on Peacock.
“Nothing just… happy that I get to teach you something. Happy that dancing will be something you get to do with me and only me for the rest of our lives. Happy that that’s something no other man except that one young nigga will be able to say.”
Laughing, I pulled my legs up and rested them on his lap. “If it makes you feel better, we didn’t even dance for the full song, so technically he doesn’t count.”
“Mm. I like the way you think.”
My smile was wide as I caressed the hairs on his chin. “And I like you. Honestly, I’m falling in love with you.”
“I would hope so, hell. We’re going to be getting married soon.” My eyes rolled playfully as I sniggled. “In all seriousness though, I’m falling in love with you too. Made the choice to love you the first night we met. I’m glad I finally get the chance to.”
“Babe,” I called, straddling him. “You always say stuff that makes me want to cry.”
“It’s the truth,” Marz declared, rubbing and squeezing my ass.
This time around, I didn’t allow doubt or time to make me question him and his words. His actions. This time, I decided to wholeheartedly believe him.
Chapter
Thirteen
Marz
As Pops talkedabout some grill he wanted his kids to get him for Christmas this year, I looked at the text Ma had sent me. She told me to call her when I was free, which was odd. Usually when she wanted to talk she’d just call me, so that made me feel like she wanted to talk but maybe the conversation would be serious or uncomfortable.
“You at that age, old man, where you done started asking for appliances for Christmas?” I teased, getting a hearty laugh out of him.
“Apparently so. And you better make sure y’all get me the right one.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “I’ma make sure because I’m going to enjoy everything you grill on it.”
“I know that’s right,” he muttered, going back into his own world as he looked at a waffle maker to get Mama Neo, and for some reason, the shit was hilarious to me. She was going to be so mad. She hated getting stuff for the house for Christmas or herbirthday and said those were things we were supposed to get her just because.
“Now you know my mama is not going to want that for Christmas,” I reminded him.
“I’ma get her something else. I actually have the perfect gift for her. You know that island I’ve been trying to buy for years now? Finally got the green light.”
“Oh word?” I replied, dialing Ma’s number. “That’s wassup. She’s never going to want to leave. Show us how to do it, Pops. Big pressure.”
“Yeah. I know I’ma have to come hard so she won’t be jealous of my grill.”
I didn’t stop laughing until Ma answered the phone. “I’m sorry, Ma. How are you?”
“I’m good, baby. How are you?”