Ariella
I wake up at two in the afternoon, before Davonyé, but I'm glad cuz I want him to be well rested for tonight. That shit is gonna take it out of him. Hard.
We went to bed hella late. The sun had already begun to rise when I fell my ass asleep after the spanking he gave me. I shudder as I leave Davonyé in bed. Whoever decides on mates really knows what the fuck they doin’.
I sit at the kitchen table with a cup of tea, blushing my face off. He put a finger in my ass...
And I liked that shit, too.
I barely even know him, but I trust him completely with my body. And I love him more than anything in this world.
I'm looking forward to spending some time with him today so we can get to know each other better. I mean, I don’t even know his birthday. I’ve seen some things, but I've stopped the memories cuz I wanna get to know him myself, and I want him to get to know me, too.
Is it sad that I’m excited to be seen in public with him? I still can’t believe he’s asked me out on a date. My first ever date night. I wonder where he's gonna take me, and what we'll end up doing.
Apart from each other.
I already know that the moon will be at its highest at eleven fifty-six, so I'll make sure to get us back here by then. My stomach clenches madly when I think about him changing. Not just because of my intrigue at knowing what he's gonna be like, but also because of the pain he's gonna be in.
I don't want anything to hurt him. Shit is killing me already.
He's acting like it's nothin’, but he can't even imagine how much that shit is gonna hurt. I prepared for my change my whole life and still wasn't ready for it. And my pain threshold was higher.
To say it hurts would be an understatement, and already I can't wait until he wakes up so I can make it up to him. He’s changing because of me. For me. I know we were mated before we were even born, but he still wouldn't be changing if I wasn't what I was. He's proving himself to me in ways I never expected…
My phone rings and I see Harmony flashing up on the screen.
“Hey Har,” I answer.
“Hey.”
I frown cuz she definitely sounds off. “What’s wrong? I thought you’d be happy. Didn’t you meet up with Jaheim?”
“Yeah, I did…”
“And…”
“I actually don’t know. Everything was fine; he ate me out in the shower, made me choose a safe word like he’s some kind of dominant, then he got his dick halfway inside me and suddenly freaked out. He got up and said he couldn’t do it.”
I frown. “Huh?”
“Yeah. I dunno, Ella, but something ain’t sitting right with me. I don’t know what it is.”
“You think he suddenly felt guilty for messing with his sister’s friend?”
“Maybe, but I feel like it was more than that. Besides, his dick definitely wanted it.”
I debate looking at her memories, but I don’t really wanna see her getting it in. “Have you spoke to him since?”
“Nah… I was gonna message him, but that nigga fucked me off. I swear, he only got his dick halfway in and I can still feel the damage.”
“Oh, God…”
“Yeah. I’m gonna give him the silent treatment, even if he messages me. I’m going insane already, but mates or not, I ain’t into playing games like that.”
“Yeah, I don’t blame you. He’ll come running back soon enough, Har. He can’t stay away forever. Maybe he’s just confused with how he feels? I mean, the whole mates thing is enough to take when you know what that feeling is, but when you don’t … I can’t even imagine.”
“That’s true. I’m trying to be mature about this, y’know. He’s older, so I don’t wanna come across as immature… it’s just hard.”
I feel bad for her. “I understand that. I dunno what to suggest. Maybe go over to Carisse’s? See if he says anything to you.”
“Yeah. That’s a good idea.”
“Alright. Well, let me know.”
“I will. Thanks for listening. I know you’re busy.”
“Harmony James, don’t even. You know I’m here for you. Especially over this.”
She’s quiet for a moment. “I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
I hang up and hear Davonyé wake, so I return to my room. He's lying on his side—on his phone texting—but he quickly looks up at me. “Just fillin’ my mom in on everything. You good?”
I nod but blush, feeling shy about all the shit we got up to last night. “Yeah. You?”
“Why your cute ass blushing for? You thinkin’ about last night?”
I nod again.
He puts his phone down on the bed. “Come here.”
I go to him and he pulls me into his arms.
He kisses my hair. “You ain't gotta be shy around me, Shawty.”
“I'm tryin’.”
“And I love that. I love that you tell me what you want, too. Shit is sexy as fuck.”
I pull out of his arms to look at him. “Really? You don't mind me telling you what to do?”
“Not when it comes to that, no. You better tell me. I wanna know all the shit you like…” He runs his hand down my side. “…Then I can do it to you over and over again.”
He suddenly gets out of bed and disappears into the bathroom before coming back to stand beside the bed. He grabs my legs and I laugh when he pulls me onto my back.
He bites his lip as he looks over my body. “Your dad was right; I'm starving, and I know exactly what I wanna eat.”
***
After Davonyé eats me and then food, we shower and get ready to go out. I wear a tight-fitted sky-blue dress and Louboutin’s. I apply some mascara but that’s it, and I tie my hair up into a high ponytail. I take off my ASJ necklace and search for some jewellery in my draw to match my outfit, finally deciding on platinum hoops, a choker, and a bangle. I’ve got so much jewellery from birthdays and Christmases, and it’s nice to be able to actually wear them for something.
Davonyé wears all black; jeans, Timbs. He's wearing a jacket instead of his coat, but he's got on one of his thick collared sweaters, two tees, and a vest underneath it. He looks amazing all in black, and I swear I’m wet just looking at him.
“You look fine as hell,” I tell him, shrugging on a white jacket. I lined him up, too, so his beard and fade is looking fresh as hell.
I see he approves of what I'm wearing, too. “You lucky I ain't a ware yet, cuz I'd be knocking muthafucka’s out for looking at you.”
I roll my eyes as I walk over to him. I rest my hands against his broad chest. “Let them look—you're the only one that gets to touch.”
“Damn fuckin’ right.” He pulls me against him and kisses the hell out of me.
I'm breathless when he lets me go.
“We should go, or we'll never leave, otherwise,” I tell him, feeling my need for him rising. I'm already feeling on edge because of my first full moon coming. It's like I feel my strength increasing as the minutes pass.
We go downstairs and he reaches for his car keys on the side. “You wanna drive the Bugatti?”
He gives me a look. “You trust me to drive it?”
I frown. “Of course I do.” Besides, I'll just fix it if he prangs it.
He smiles. “Aight.” He picks up my keys instead and then holds my hand as we leave out the house.
“What's your favourite colour, Baby?”
“Black.”
I shoulda known.
“Why?”
I smirk. “You'll see.”
He presses the garage fob and I watch his eyes widen when the door lifts. I've changed the colour of my Bugatti. It's now completely blacked out. Windows, rims, everything.
I’d give him his own, right now, but I don’t know if he’d accept it. Dad got me a black Amex for my eighteenth, so I’d just chuck it on there.
“Now we both have a Bugatti. Just don't crash it, cuz you'll get hurt.” I tighten my grip on his hand. “At least not till Saturday.”
He shakes his head as he opens the door for me to get in. “I'll go slow. I ain't tryna hurt you either.”
He closes my door and then runs around to the driver’s side to get in. He looks huge in here; I’m surprised he even fits.
“Just push the button,” I tell him.
The engine roars as he starts her up.
“Easy on the gas. She's like a rocket. The rest is up to you.” I ain't about to baby him through this shit. I know he'd hate that, too.
The car jerks as he edges us out onto the drive, and then after pressing the fob to close the garage, we take off.
I turn a little in my seat to look at him. “So, where we goin’?”
He gives me a quick glance. “Out.”
I roll my eyes. “I've gathered that. But where?”
“You'll have to wait and see, Beautiful. You ever been on a date before?”
I shake my head. “No.”
He nods thoughtfully. “What would be your perfect date?”
“Spending time anywhere with you,” I answer. “And I mean that.”
I see him smile. “Good. Then this date’s already perfect.”
***
We pull into a parking lot in Old Montreal, and after Davonyé comes to open my door for me to get out, he takes my hand and leads me to the strip.
He suddenly tightens his grip on my hand. “We'll eat first.”
He’s hungry; I can sense it. “Whatever you want.”
My bane must be working up a storm beneath his skin, preparing his DNA and body for tonight. My stomach flutters because his scent is definitely stronger now, too.
Lord… he smells so good.
We stop to cross the street and he pulls me against him. “I'm still cold as shit, but you're always warm,” he comments, just as we begin to cross.
“So will you be, soon.” I hold onto his side and insulate his clothes. I feel his eyes on me, but I keep my eyes on the ground. I feel so light on my feet, I keep thinking I'm gonna fall over in these heels.
He opens the door to Maru Kaku and I step inside. I've never eaten here before, but I can smell all kindsa meats.
“This is a BBQ place,” he says, while we wait for a server to seat us. He looks down my body as he shrugs off his coat. “Take off your jacket.”
I slip it off and hand it to him, and then a concierge swiftly comes to take them from him.
I link my fingers back in his. “You been here before?”
He gives me a knowing look. “No. A few of my boys have. It's supposed to be good.”
“It smells good.”
“Bonjour,” a male waiter says, appearing at his station.
I say hello back and then he asks if we’d like a table for two, in French.
“S'il vous plaît,” I reply.
I feel Davonyé’s eyes on me as we're led to the table and remember that he likes girls who can speak different languages. I also feel his arousal at that, too.
“Des boissons pour toi?” the server asks, once we're seated at a small table.
“Do you want anything to drink?” I ask Davonyé, who’s now sat opposite me.
He smiles in a kinda way. “A Bourbon. Neat.”
“And an Absinthe, please.” Mom, dad, and I need to brew our own shit like Uncle Quis does, but a hundred percent volume instead of eighty so we can really get fucked up. Shit ain’t fair.
“Very well,” he replies. He leaves us and I look back at Davonyé. He's giving me a look.
“Now I'm wishin’ we'd stayed home.”
I laugh. “Is this uncomfortable for you?”
He licks his lips. “You ain’t even know how much.”
I laugh again. “We can go home whenever you want.”
If he’d already changed, I woulda swore the sound he makes is a growl.
I just smile.
He studies the menu on the table, so I do the same. “What you gonna get?” I ask him.
“Ribs and mac, and maybe some greens. You?”
I bite the inside of my lip. “I'm thinkin’ of gettin’ the braised beef with mashed potatoes.” I'm gonna up these portions, though, cuz I saw the plates of the other diners – and they're weak. Besides, Davonyé needs more than those little plates to satisfy his hunger right now.
Mom’s, and now, my blood, make wares starving after they’ve had it. It’s because our blood makes them stronger in every way, and even though Davonyé isn’t a ware yet, he’s still feeling the effects because I’ve bitten him, too.
Our drinks arrive and then we order our food before the server leaves us again. Davonyé holds my hand on the table and I blush like mad.
“Why you blushing?”
I smile harder. “I dunno.”
His grip on my hand tightens. “You’re cute.”
I shake my head and try to calm the fuck down. It’s a date. This is normal shit. “When’s your birthday?” I ask, trying to regain some kinda sense.
He smiles. “The twenty-first of January.”
I nod. I feel a bit gutted that it’s already passed…
“I wanna know about Ari.”
Oh, so he wants this night to go the same way… “There ain't much to tell that you don't already know. I grew up in the middle of nowhere and was home-schooled. I started Uni and then met you.”
He nods. “So what did you used to do with your spare time? Cuz I already know what you do with it now.”
I smirk at that. I wish I had more spare time… “I studied a lot. There wasn’t much else for me to do so I learnt as much as possible from books and my Dad. I spent a lot of time with Harmony, too. She had a lot of friends so I kinda hung with them. I read a lot. All types of fantasy and paranormal books. Do you read?”
“A little. I like crime books.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. True crime.”
“So does that mean you know how to plan the perfect murder?”
He laughs. “Probably.”
Ugh, he has got the sexiest smile. “What was your childhood like?”
“Good. I was one of the cool kids. Mom and dad were strict, so I didn't really get into trouble. Dad would beat my ass if I did. Jamaican’s don’t play with that shit.”
I nod. I wanna ask him about his dad, but I don't wanna upset him either.
“What was he like?” I ask, cautiously.
His expression becomes wistful. He shrugs. “He was my hero. We did everything together – when he weren’t workin’. We'd work on his cars cuz my dad had a few. I helped him design clothes, he taught me how to sew – by hand and on a machine.” He’s quiet for a moment. “I took it hard when he passed.”
“What happened to him?”
“Heart attack.” He sighs. “Mom already told him he worked too much. He was so driven in everything he did, but when he had his store, he barely slept, barely ate. I was thirteen when he opened it and he'd run himself into the ground by the time I was sixteen. He was working late one night on a massive order—one that would have put Leblanc on the map—but he never came home… Mom went to the store the next morning and found him.”
My God... “I’m so sorry...” I see the memory of it in my mind. He looks so much like his father, too. His father thought the world of him, and his sisters. “He loved you so much, though, Davonyé. He really did. He worked so hard for all of you, and that’s admirable.”
His hand tightens in mine. “I know.”
The food arrives and I watch Davonyé eating. My braised beef is amazing, and I let Davonyé try some.
“When did you first see me,” he suddenly asks.
I smile because that memory is clear as crystal to me. “In the cafeteria. I was with Harmony at the time...” I tell him the story, remembering how I felt the urge to look up from my lunch and saw him walking in with Carisse on his arm. He towered over almost everybody. He was wearing a black coat, jeans, and his black Timbs, and my heart went crazy. “I swear, when I saw you for the first time, my whole life changed, right there and then.”
“I'd caught you looking away from me nuff times, y’know. Any time you looked at me, I’d feel your eyes. I'd seen you on my first day, in the parking lot. You were with Harmony, wearing a blue coat with a massive hood, so I could only see your nose and lips, but something about you caught my attention. Later that same day, I saw you in the corridor before our first class together.” He shakes his head. “You had your back to me at first and I remember looking at your shape and thinking damn. Then you turned around and I saw your eyes for the first time and I knew that I'd have to stay away from you. You were so beautiful to me.”
I can't help but smile. “Why did you find me at Harmony’s party?”
I feel his mood shift. “Niro. He was talkin’ shit about how he was gonna try check you, and I was mad jealous. I followed you upstairs to find you…” His eyes flicker to my lips before they return to my eyes. “…I couldn't control what happened after that, and even when I left you alone up there, I just wanted to come back to you.”
I sigh in remembrance. That kiss was everything. “I woulda let you do anything to me that night.”
His eyes narrow. “Trust me, I wanted to do everythin’ to you.”
My body shudders. “I believe you.”