They stood holding each other. The tip of his cleft chin sat high on her head as her signature scent infiltrated his nostrils. He felt that tight embrace close around his heart.
David smiled as he heard her peacefully sigh against his broad chest, holding her was absolute bliss. He had never felt this kind of connection with anyone. But with Bianca, he felt like he could conquer any challenge, face any foe, and overcome any obstacle.
They stood in the lobby near the front door. The sudden embrace took him by surprise but he welcomed any opportunity to have her in his arms.
The fresh scent of oranges lightly surrounded them and she knew her soul had settled.
Her arms wrapped around David as she held him tighter. Hugging him seemed to calm her spirits. Earlier, she felt a frightening tingle run down her spine and had a fear that she was being watched.
But then, she only saw David's shaded eyes welcoming her. He pulled her into his arms and silently promised protection. His thumbs made neat little circles as they caressed the tensed areas of her body. She found herself melting in his arms.
"You okay, love?" His voice held out a hand for permission. She nodded against him and after a few prolonged minutes, pulled back.
She was such a sensitive girl.
Bianca saw the look in his eyes, he regarded her with concern. "I'm good, Gabby," she tried to convince him. He gave a stout nod.
Her enchanting, dark eyes looked up at him. They seemed too big for her. Too tired.
"Come, I'll show you to your room." He picked up her bag and grabbed her hand. They ascended the marble staircase. Bianca's heart jumped a little at the prospect of being completely alone with him. He held onto her hand tightly and almost carried her up the steps.
Making a left at the top, they walked down a long hallway. Grand paintings decorated the cream walls as women in lilac dresses and bright pearls coyly flirted with well dressed men. The flappers era pieces of art paired up cozily with paintings of huge boats being swept by angry waves. The paintings looked old, but their conditons were pristine.
"Your house is amazing. How many rooms are there?" They stopped in front of a door.
He turned around, those ghostly eyes fluttered closed then snapped open after a few seconds.
"Well, there's seven including two master bedrooms. An entertainment room down below, as you've seen, a study/library, fitness room is below as well next to the laundry room. Oh and there's a pool out back," he nonchalantly rattled off.
"Whoa, Gabby!" She exclaimed.
He shrugged, "You should take a gander at the house I have in Essex. It's twice as big," then turned the knob.
Bianca's mouth dropped even further as they stepped into the second master bedroom. David stopped near the door while she walked into the center of the room. She looked around in amazement.
The king sized bed rested against the west side of the wall. It lifted three feet off the ground and was surrounded by flowers. A familiar scent flooded her as she walked over.
"Are those--?"
"Yes," David cut her off. "...hibiscus petals." He knew they were her favorite. She leaned down, picked one up and took a deep whiff. The fresh smell tickled her nose and a minute later, a light giggle echoed through the room as a faint memory passed.
She didn't see David approach and stoop near her. He brushed against her shoulder and her eyes snapped to him. "What's so funny?" He asked, looking down at her.
Bianca noticed an excited smile sweep his endearing lips. He looked magnificent when he smiled for her, that slender nose scrunched up and his stone colored, grey eyes illuminated. His smile reminded her of a sunset. The first sunset she had ever seen with her dad. She gently shook her head, Bianca never wanted to associate her tender moments with David and tainted thoughts of her father.
She blinked and his smile grew larger. Soon, she became shy under his radiant gaze, "Oh nothing," she gave an innocent look and turned away.
He reached for her chin and turned it up towards him. David looked so forcefully into her eyes, she could guess his next words. "I really wish you'd be more open to me," he aired his grievences while staring her down. She had to admit, ever since he said 'I love you', she'd been feeling more and more nervous around him.
"I-I was just thinking about the last time I saw one of these," she spoke softly. "I was really nervous about my first day of school and so my mom had a few sent over, I wore a really big one in my hair everyday for the first week."
He saw her hesitate then speak again: "Me, in a little pink cotton dress with ballet flats, while a huge hibiscus flower sat in my hair," she giggled again. "I must've looked ridiculous." She clutched her sides and laughed. Before she knew it, Bianca was squirming on the floor as her laughter filled the room. "I was such a weird kid!" She laughed in a low chuckle which escalated to a high pitched giggle.
Amused, pretty soon David joined in as he scooped her up and onto the bed, she laughed in his arms. He stood slouched over between her legs. Bianca rested on her elbows, still laughing and looking up at him.
"And your mum let you leave the house like that?" he asked with a laugh. His eyes focused in on how calm and carefree she looked. Her usual tight and serious eyes danced as a a few tears of joy slid down her cheek.
Bianca sat up, "That was the thing about her, Gabby. She was as eclectic as I was. She would dress like a bohoemian queen one day, and the next it'd be all pantsuits, tight buns and Cat's eyes glasses." She let a final giggle slip.
He beamed above her as she disclosed more personal information. She was really opening up to him. Then, in a flash, her effulgence of delight was washed away as that protectively impassive look swept through.
She thinned her lips, "Sometimes, I wonder If she'd be proud of me. You know, of all I've accomplished. Walking across the stage and getting those degrees would've meant so much more if-," Bianca closed her eyes and David watched as she took several deep breaths. When she opened them, the force of his stare made her stare. He knew she wanted to continue but held back.
He leaned down until their lips were inches from each other, "Don't close me out, Bee. I don't think I could bear it," drifted from his lips and flowed freely through the room.
Bianca's chocolate eyes drifted from his precious lips to that hypnotizing gaze. He moved in closer, until their floating bodies finally made contact. David pressed his hard body against her supple curves. He skimmed an arm around her waist and pushed her roughly towards him. Still leaning on one hand, she could hear his ragged breathing. "Gabby-."
"I long for you my sweet," he took a second and let his eyes roam over hers.
She held an angelic look as he stared her down. "Do you really?" she asked in a dubious state.
David ran a hand over her face. Warm velvety soft cheeks smiled up at him. His finger made a circle around the fullness of her lips as he slid his hand lower and grasped her chin. Tilting it up, he trailed feather soft kisses along her jaw line. "I want all of you. Mind, body and soul. And I will have you, Bianca."
She squinted at his massive figure totally engrossed around her. "Yes, but only when I'm ready."
His lips took hers in a defying kiss. "Yes, ma'am," he drawled out after they parted. That celestial smile drifted forward and she sighed for what felt like the millionth time.
In a split second, he wrapped his other arm around her waist and shifted. Bianca straddled his hips as he moved into a sitting position with her on top. Her hips spread wider as David hugged her waist. Her legs folded to the side and they just sat there looking at each other.
"I don't ever think I've felt this close to someone," she said, wearing her heart on her sleeve. "You've gotta promise me something, Gabby."
"Anything," he told her sweeping the single braids from her shoulder.
"Trust me. There's always a reason to my madness. If I can't talk about something, its because I need time to adjust to it," her bottom lip quivered. "Just trust me?"
He could see her eyes wide as they gauged his response. "Okay," he nimbly responded.
"Okay?"
"Okay," he finalized with a strong kiss on her forehead.
Bianca wrapped her arms around his shoulders. He was so strong and brave. And he loved her, obviously. But a part of her neuroticly obsessed over one nagging truth.
He was rich, filthy dirty rich; she wasn't. She worried since the day they met, that she wouldn't be good enough to fit in his perfect world. Then, as if reading her thoughts, David dazzled her with his supermodel perfect smile, and she knew.
Knew that even though they were complete opposites, she would try her hardest to at least seem perfect. He nestled into her neck and that sweet natural smell warmed him. She snuggled against his him. He was worth it.
*************************************
Half an hour later, she enthusiastically took down her braids while talking to David about what she planned on doing tomorrow. "Can I assist you?" He sheepishly asked easing closer to her.
They were still fully dressed and hadn't even left the bed. "Sure," she said then proceeded to show him the most effective untwisting method. He learned rather quickly and Bianca was amazed at how proficient he was.
"Am I the first black chick you've ever dated?"
He laughed, "You're black?"
Bianca smacked his hand, "And so proud of it."
He kissed her hairline. "Yes, you are the first woman of colour I've ever courted.
His burly hands delicately weaved through Bianca's hair as her thick curls sprang to life in an instant. He brushed a lock behind her ear, "Finished," he told her, running his hands through them. The complexity of her curly mane made him smile. "Your hair is so wild and beautiful."
"Thanks."
She laid on her back and stared at the ceiling before hearing him sigh. She looked over. "Why are you staring at me like that?"
"Like what?" David feigned innocence.
"Like there's something on your mind."
Sometimes she could read him like a book. There was indeed something on his mind but David looked at his Rolex and saw that it was almost midnight.
"Ramsey isn't your son, is he?"
"Yes and no, he's my godson. Biologically, he isn't mine but I've been taking care of him since the day he was born. His first words were even, "Bee". It was the happiest day of my life."
"Does that mean you want children of your own?" He asked.
She shrugged, "Maybe. But I don't want to think about that for a long time. There's still so much I wanna do."
He nodded. "I see. Can I ask you something?"
She nodded, slowly.
"What happened to your mum?"
Her eyes widened and she looked away. "She died in a car accident."
"And your father?"
"I never knew him. He left before I was born," her eyes turned to stone as she thought about her sad childhood.
