Okay, I'm just going to say that the plot will be thickening with the next chapter, there isn't much sex in this one and thank you all for the feedback!
Thanks to my wonderful editor, fcknfresh
*
Sabrina didn't quite know how to feel. How could he say he loved her? The confidence in his post-orgasm voice was something she had no idea could be so convincing. The thought of rushing their relationship right into the ground was bombarding her to the point of insanity. She felt strongly about Keegan; he treated her like a princess. He was so compassionate, even-tempered and naturally sexy—plus he laughed at all her jokes. But she didn't know if that was love or not. It didn't seem like he was expecting her to return the words right away and for that she was thankful.
She lay in bed, staring blankly at the ceiling. Keegan was sound asleep with his head securely resting in the crook of her neck and arm wrapped around her midsection.
Sabrina stifled a sigh and turned her head away from him. Her clock read a little after 12 AM. With the realization that she wouldn't be able to sleep within the near future, she carefully slipped out of bed. When she reached the door, she turned to make sure Keegan was undisturbed.
A window right behind her bed allowed a pattern of light to fall over his body. He was nestled in the heap of comforters and sheets with his arms outspread where Sabrina once lay. His tanned skin was eye-catching against the darkness of the room; he was the most visible thing inside.
Sabrina padded into her kitchen after putting her t-shirt and panties back on. The untouched Chinese food was put in the fridge for breakfast. She cleaned off the counters, shut off the lights and settled on her couch. She tucked her feet under herself and put her laptop on the cushion beside her. Duplex was still waiting to be played, so she decided to watch it. With the volume as low as her ears would allow, she watched the opening credits.
The movie was doing a pretty decent job of keeping her mind off of the man in her bed. Although every once in awhile she found herself day dreaming and missing a solid 10 minutes.
"What's wrong?" Sabrina nearly jumped out of her seat. Keegan was standing right beside her, his crotch level with her eyes. Sabrina took a deep breath to calm her heart's pounding. She continued to stare at the screen for another second.
"Nothing's wrong." She replied. Keegan picked up the laptop and closed it, instantly stopping the DVD and silencing the room. There was almost no light except for the stars outside the window. Keegan sat in front of her and put the computer on the floor.
"You thinking about what I said?" He asked, looking ahead. Sabrina felt a little déjà -vu of the day they sat on the bench. She had been focused on him while he looked ahead and away from her.
"Yeah." She sighed without hesitation.
"Okay," He said the word slowly. "What're you thinking?" It took Sabrina few seconds to start talking, and she questioned how she felt so comfortable sharing her thoughts.
"I just feel," She cut herself short, racking her brain for the right words. "We're—this is all happening so fast Keegan. I don't want to—I don't want either of us to get hurt." She whispered. They looked into one another's eyes while she awaited his next sentence.
"I won't hurt you." He said silently. "I could never live with myself if I did." Sabrina inwardly groaned. Why hadn't she anticipated his heart fluttering response? A few seconds passed gracelessly between them.
"You were really good... earlier." Keegan grumbled. Sabrina gave him a playful warning glance.
"We aren't discussing that." She tried to hide her smile of embarrassment while her cheeks heated.
"Why not?" Sabrina sighed heavily but didn't respond. Something about Keegan's reference to their sex made her feel like a teenage girl having a sex talk with her father.
Keegan reached across the length of the love seat for Sabrina's arms. With his hands steadily around each wrist, he guided her onto his lap and positioned himself to lie on the couch. His feet dangled over the armrest while Sabrina's bent knee sat between his legs.
She melted into the curve of his chest and tried to memorize his heartbeat. Keegan's wide hand idly ran up and down her clad back.
"I know it seems rushed, but I know how I'm feeling." He did know how he was feeling, and a part of him was scared shitless. But another piece, the larger one, was taking it all in as he went. Keegan wouldn't be concerned with chronologically monitoring his emotions and making sure they fell in line with the standards. He would try and be with Sabrina every chance he got, and if that meant he fell head over heels, so be it.
"Are you sure?" She asked.
"Yes Bri, so be quiet and go to sleep." He grasped her hand and placed her own thumb inside her mouth. She gurgled sweetly and after hearing that, he couldn't help but join in. When it grew soundless again, he draped his arms around her and fell into a deep slumber.
*
Sabrina's heels were clacking speedily up the walkway of her church. Her hands were frantically trying to keep her clothes from flying up around her. It was a beautiful day; the sun was shining brutally onto her shades and there was a light breeze. The position and intensity of the sun's rays was a reminder of how late Sabrina actually was. Unconsciously, her heels picked up speed.
She wore a knee length red chiffon dress with an cinched waist. The sleeves were wide and allowed her to move freely while the length was modestly above her knees.
She approached the front entrance and her pulse accelerated in link with her nerves. A petite usher opened the door for her. He was handsome and had deep chocolate brown eyes.
"Good morning Ms. Solomon." He greeted with a warm smile. She pushed her glasses onto her crown so he could see her eyes.
"Morning Keith." Her reply was so breathy—she was too out of shape. She used the brief walk to the church's service room to collect her wheezing. Another usher gave her a grin and appraising look when she reached the entry.
Sabrina could understand his look; she was in a great mood this morning. She normally didn't get so dressed up for church, but today, something compelled her to put more effort into her appearance. So she'd coated her lashes and tried an intricate bun.
The second usher silently signaled for her to follow him. He led her down the aisles and between pews full of people. She couldn't remember the last time she felt so watched and scrutinized.
Sabrina could see her mother standing with everyone else, yet searching for her 3
rd
daughter. Sabrina bit her lip when her menacing eyes landed on her. Thankfully, Sabrina was sitting in an aisle seat beside Brittany, with her mother on the opposite end. Sabrina put her purse below her chair and sang along with the choir, completely having missed the opening prayers.
Brittany handed a baby to Sabrina. Sabrina looked into the striking child's eyes and smirked.
"Thanks for watching her." She whispered to her sister. She bounced the baby to the sound of the accompaniment.
"You're welcome—just don't be late again." Brittany said, looking Sabrina right in her eyes as if to put fear into her. Sabrina gave her a sassy look.
"Wh—" Sabrina was cut short.
"Shhh!" Their mother spat, leaning forward to make eye contact with the talking women. They headed her warning and abruptly ended their chatter.
Sabrina looked at the choir and spotted the mother of the baby she was holding. Rochelle was Sabrina's best friend. She was one of the lead singers in the choir, and had an amazing voice.
Her honey brown eyes looked at Sabrina and she gave her a coy grin. The expression told her that Rochelle would be expecting some answers for her slip in.
Rochelle had caramel tinted skin that shimmered in gold undertones. Her hair was set in tamed ringlets around her shoulders. She was petite and entirely eye-catching. She and Sabrina had been best friends before she left for Rhode Island. They stayed in contact and talked regularly throughout her college years. During that time, Sabrina attended Rochelle's wedding and sat in the waiting room as she awaited the birth of her daughter, Mena.
But after her birth, Sabrina could remember Rochelle was having a hard time trying to balance her new world. Her husband was Jewish, and wouldn't attend the Sunday morning services that Rochelle was committed to. After a rough patch in their marriage in regard to how they'd raise Mena, they compromised. Mena would follow through with all Jewish and Christian customs.
Neither of their families were fond of the idea. Rochelle could almost guarantee bold remarks about the private topic when in his families' presence. But Sabrina was always there with an ear and a shoulder when she needed it. Now, she was stronger. Rochelle had grown comfortable with the nasty comments and finally settled in with the fact that she'd never be a part of her husband's family the way she hoped. So to make sure she continued to sing, Sabrina offered to watch Mena on Sunday mornings. Their friendship only strengthened over the past few months when Sabrina got a job as her dental assistant.
*
The service was over, and Sabrina was anticipating her mother's questions. People stood, talking and slowly migrating toward the conference room full of refreshments. Sabrina put a cooing Mena inside her car seat and began looking around for Rochelle.
