Rituals for Love (9781476761893) (13 page)

She turned around with her hand on her hip. “You're no help.”

“Babe, I'm famished. I will eat anything you, I mean we, make.”

She shook her head and then started pulling items out of the fridge. Chicken. Broccoli. Ginger. Onion. Garlic. Scallions. Eggs. She grabbed the cutting board and then looked in the utensil drawer. “Honey, where's the chef's knife?”

“It's not in there?”

“I wouldn't be asking if it were.”

“It must be in the dishwasher.” I hopped up to retrieve it. “Here it is.” I placed the knife next to the cutting board and stood behind her at the sink as she rinsed the broccoli and trimmed the cutlets. I kissed her cheek, her neck. When she moved to the counter, I was on her heels. “What do you want me to do?”

She looked up at me. “You can have a seat, baby. I can handle it.”

I didn't move. “What are we making?”

“Since you're
starving
, I'm cooking something quick and easy—stir-fry chicken and broccoli with fried rice.”

I pulled another cutting board from the cabinet and started slicing the chicken while she cut the broccoli, minced ginger and garlic, and chopped onions. She puckered her lips and I swooped down for a kiss.

I finished with the chicken and placed it in a bowl for Jade. I washed my hands, the cutting board and knife. “What else can I do?”

“You can grab the jasmine rice and rinse it.”

“Should I use the mesh sieve?”

“No, it's okay to rinse and strain it from the pot. I'm taking a
shortcut and making a regular pot of rice. I'll jazz it up in the wok.”

“Really, you're precooking the rice?”

“You want to eat within the hour, right?”

“Yes, unless you want me to take a bite out of you.” I nibbled on her shoulder and she squealed.

Jade was the chef, but I was pretty good in the kitchen, too. I could definitely handle making a pot of rice. I rinsed the rice, added water to the pot along with a little salt, and then put it on the stove to boil. I came up behind Jade and wrapped my arms around her waist.

She deftly sliced the scallions. “You know what would be perfect right now?”

“Tell me.”

“A glass of white wine.”

“You want me to stop crowding you so you can finish dinner?”

“Yes.” She giggled. “But I'd also like the wine.”

I poured the wine and set the table. I offered to help one more time before sitting at the island to drink my wine. She stir-fried the broccoli and removed if from the wok. Next, she tossed in the ginger, garlic, chicken, hoisin and soy sauces.

“It's starting to smell good in here.”

Jade leaned over the island with a sample. She blew on it and brought the fork to my mouth. “Open,” she said, as she fed me a piece of stir-fry chicken.

“Delicious. This is much better than going out for dinner.”

“Let me finish the rice, and then we can eat.”

Observing my lady navigate the kitchen was like watching poetry in motion. She moved effortlessly from one task to the next. There was no need for me to get in the way of her art. I waited until she summoned me and then carried the serving bowl of fried rice to the table. She brought over the chicken and broccoli. We held hands
across the table, blessed the food and I was at peace.

“Thanks for making dinner.”

“Are you enjoying it?”

“I love anything you prepare for me.” She placed her foot in my chair, her toes grazing my jewels. I gave her bare foot a squeeze. “Are you staying with me tonight?”

“I was planning to go home after dinner.”

I put my fork down and massaged her foot. “Do you have something you need to do?”

“No, I don't.”

“I want you here with me.” We gazed at each other not saying a word, but saying everything. “Okay?”

“Okay.”

•  •  •

T
HAT NIGHT, WHILE LYING IN
bed together, I held her close and thought about nothing but the feel of her in my arms. I thought of nothing but that intimate moment.

I
t had been a while since I spent a day out with my girls. Between our careers, relationships and families, it had become a bit challenging to connect as much as we used to. A little over a year ago, we were in completely differently places in our lives. Milan was going through a terrible breakup with Nolan. Bria was single and minding too much of my business. And I was questioning whether I should start dating Cain for a multitude of reasons. What a difference a year makes. Milan had since reconciled with her boyfriend and they were stronger than ever. Bria was happily dating Ernest. And I was loving Cain and thankful that I had given him a chance. I had been looking forward to our outing all week. I needed to catch up with my sisters, kick back, and have a little fun. We agreed to meet for a SummerStage concert in Central Park.

I spread out my blanket on the ground and put the picnic basket in the middle to prevent it from flapping in the breeze, at least until the girls arrived. I kicked off my sandals and got comfortable on the blanket. I was wearing a floppy sun hat, oversized shades and a short sundress. It could get hot out there and I was prepared. I pulled my sunscreen from my straw tote bag and smoothed the lotion on my legs.

“Excuse me, miss. Do you need me to get your back?” a faux deep voice inquired.

I didn't need to look up. “Hey, Milan. And before you ask, no you didn't fool me with that awful voice.”

She plopped down beside me, laughing. “It was worth a try.” She leaned in close enough for us to air kiss cheeks.

“You look cute. I love that romper,” I said, admiring her sense of style.

“Thanks. It flows enough in the breeze to keep cool in the sun. Where's Bria?”

“She texted that she'll be here in fifteen minutes. She's taking the train from Ernest's place uptown. You know Bria; she didn't want to be bothered with the Sunday drivers.” I reached in the basket and handed Milan a bottle of water.

“Water?” She frowned. “Where's the wine?”

“You know we can't bring alcohol in here.”

“Wine is not alcohol. It's juice from a grape.”

I laughed. “That may be true, but we can't bring it in. You can buy it at concessions.”

“I'll be doing just that. Be right back.”

Milan slipped her sandals back on and went off in pursuit of wine. I sipped my water, determined to stay hydrated in the sun. After my midweek, naked romp in the backyard with Cain, I wanted to avoid another sweat fest in the summer heat. I smiled at the thought. He definitely brought out the freak in me.

“What are you smiling about?” Bria peered down at me. Her locs were piled high on her head in an ornate bun. She sat on the blanket and the scent of her hair oils wafted over me.

“You made it.”

“Ernest was trying to convince me to stay home. I told him I had to meet my girls.”

“Doesn't Ernest know we don't get to do this often?”

“Of course he does, but you know men want what they want.”

“What do men want?” Milan chimed in as she walked up carrying three cups of wine.

Bria helped her as she got situated on the blanket. “What don't they want is the question,” she said, passing me a cup. “I was just telling Jade that Ernest was trying to get me to stay home with him.”

“Girl, Nolan was going to watch football with his boys. He beat me out the door.”

“Cain is with his father and brothers today. I can hang with you ladies all night long.”

“Ernest is on the couch waiting for me to get back. He's one of those people that think Sundays are for staying home with lots of family…Sunday dinner…real traditional.”

“Ernest sounds like he's ready to make you his wife,” Milan commented.

“We'll see,” Bria said.

“Milan, she's playing coy. Her man is ready to put a ring on it.”

“He isn't ready if he hasn't asked.” Bria waved five fingers devoid of any rings for both of us to see. “Besides, I have to be ready, too.”

“You're not ready to be married?” Milan asked.

“I'm completely fine with the way we are now.”

“That's not what she asked.”

Bria sipped her wine. “I get scared sometimes. This is the best relationship I've had in years. I keep thinking what if we go to the next level and things start to unravel? I don't want to end up like my parents trapped in a loveless marriage, cheating on each other.”

“Ernest isn't like that,” I said.

“Like what, Jade? What's a cheater like? No disrespect, but even Milan cheated on Nolan.”

“Yes, I did cheat. I'm still beating myself up over what I did to
him. But we both had to learn how to forgive and move forward. We're still learning how to have faith in our relationship. You have to have faith that what you and Ernest share won't unravel.”

“I know you're right. I feel like if he asks me to marry him I'd say yes. Although a part of me doesn't want him to ask because we can continue with the way things are now. We love each other. We respect each other. We have fun together. The sex is the bomb.”

“It sounds like you have nothing to be scared about,” Milan said.

I put my hand up for a high-five. “Amen to bomb-ass sex.”

“He's a big dude, but he knows how to work the middle.” Bria chuckled.

“Great sex is half the battle.” Milan tapped our cups.

“Cain and I have always had amazing sex, but lately it's been indescribable. I mean, he's been insatiable.”

“Cain looks like he can put it down.”

“Girl, can he! A few days ago he had me butt naked in the backyard, in the middle of the day, hollering, and then bent me over in the shower later on.”

Bria leaned in closer. “You give up that chocolate starfish yet?”

“What? No!”

“You don't know what you're missing.”

“Anal sex? You and Ernest—”

“Yes, girl.”

I looked at Milan. “What about you and Nolan?”

“We've tried it. A few times.”

“Doesn't it hurt?”

“A little at first, but then you get used to it.”

“And it feels good as hell,” Bria added.

“I think I'll pass.”

“Where's your inner freak, Jade?”

“I have plenty of freak in me. Cain has no complaints.”

“He might not be complaining, but I bet he'd love to get a taste of that.”

“He can taste it all he wants. Getting up in there is an entirely different story,” I said, laughing.

“What's the freakiest thing you've done with your man?” Milan asked.

I gave it some thought. I definitely wasn't conservative when it came to sex, but compared to those two, I probably was. My freakiest experiences had been with Bryce. However, I wasn't going to share them with Bria. I know I wouldn't want to hear about my brother's sexual experiences, so I wouldn't scar her either. Bryce and I did have some really kinky sex. He was all sorts of nasty. He always said my nani tasted so good it should be bottled. I remembered one night in particular with way too much champagne, a lot of convincing, a champagne-filled turkey baster, and a ready champagne flute. He called it Champussy—the best drink he ever had. I snickered at the memory.

“She's smiling. She must have thought of something good,” Bria remarked.

“On Valentine's Day, I made my own version of chocolate-covered strawberries. I spread a large plastic sheet on the floor, squirted chocolate syrup all over Cain's body and strawberry syrup all over mine. We made love covered from head to toe in sticky, chocolate-strawberry sweetness. We licked and tasted every inch of each other.”

They burst out laughing. Bria attempted to compose herself.
“That's
the freakiest thing you've done?”

“Well, I thought it was pretty freaky.”

“That's cute, not freaky,” Milan said.

“Freaky is when your man come shots in your mouth and you share it with him.”

“You did that, Bria?”

“Freaky is having sex, while no one notices, on a crowded dance floor in the club.”

“Okay, I—”

“Freaky is even giving your man a hand job in a restaurant while your parents are across the table. Chocolate and strawberry syrup? That ain't freaky.”

Milan doubled over with laughter. Bria and her brother were definitely cut from the exact same cloth.

“Milan, you're doing a lot of laughing. I haven't heard you share your freakiest experience.”

“Three words. Elevator. Blow. Job.”

“Where was this?”

“Vegas. The Venetian.”

“What if someone got on?”

“They did.”

My mouth fell open. I was clearly in a different league than my sisters. I wondered if I could do any of those things. Would Cain? I couldn't see him wanting to sex me on a dance floor or even wanting someone to see me perform oral sex on him. “You ladies have trumped me in the freak category. All I know is my man is happy and I plan to keep him that way.”

“Well, Ms. Chocolate-Covered Strawberry, sounds like you better put that chocolate starfish on the menu.”

“Honestly, Bria, it's not about being freaky with Cain and me. When we have sex, we connect on a higher level. It's passionate, intense, romantic, erotic, expressive… He has a way of looking at me, and instantly I get that orgasmic flutter.”

“Your man does look like he's always ready to pounce on you.”

“I love that about him, Milan. He makes me feel appreciated and sexy and so many other things. We have the right amount of spice in our relationship.”

Bria nodded. “Do you two plan to get married? Because once you do, and you add kids to the equation, you're going to need to up that spice factor.”

“So once I have kids I should start having sex on the dance floor or whacking my husband off in front of my children's grandparents?”