Page 61 of Surrender to Love

“’Cause my mommie told me to come get Auntie. We got a lot to cook tonight,” she says.

“Are you going to help us cook?” I ask.

“Yes. I’m making all the masa. I know how to do that good. Nana taught me a long time ago when I was little,” she says and I smile. “Imma teach Alami tonight too.”

“You need to teach your Auntie Kyrah too. She needs help,” Shiro says and I nudge him with my elbow.

“Don’t get hurt,” I warn playfully.

“I’ll teach you too,” Niya says.

“Thank you,” he says all extra to her. “She needs help.”

“Boy,” I utter. “Well, tell your mommie I’ll be out in a few minutes. I need to change and get comfortable like you. I love these jammies,” I say, complimenting her cute fall-themed pajamas.

“Mommie got some too.”

“And she didn’t buy me a set? I’m going to get her,” I say and Niya laughs.

She eases off the bed and rushes to the door. “I’ll tell her you coming,” she says.

“Thank you, cutie,” I respond before she walks out.

As soon as the door closes, he climbs on top of me and forces me back on the bed. “A few minutes? I need more than that,” he says with a sexy smirk.

“No you don’t. You’re not about to have Shuga mad at me and you. You have turkeys to smoke,” I counter.

“That’s Ace and Quintus. I have fish and I don’t cook those until tomorrow. I just have to score and season them tonight. That takes thirty minutes.”

“Well, I’m supposed to be in the kitchen helping.”

He shakes his head then lowers it toward my body. After lifting my shirt, he kisses my stomach.

“And how are you going to help? We’re not having lasagna, baby,” he says and I playfully hit his chest.

“I can cook Zongo now. Don’t forget,” I remind him. “And I can chop some veggies really good. Don’t do me like that.”

His tongue dips into my belly button then he kisses the zipper on my jeans. “Go chop your veggies, we can finish this later.”

“Um, no. We are not having sex in this house with all of your family here and Shuga on the same floor. Boy, that’s a hard no.”

“We’ll see,” he says, then climbs off me.

“We won’t see,” I insist as I slide off the bed. He must be crazy.

After pulling me into him, he kisses the side of my neck then whispers, “I’m not lying next to you in this bed and not touching you. I’m eating, licking, and fucking you tonight.”

Lawd, help me.

He pats my ass then releases me. I damn near run into the bathroom and take a quick shower. About fifteen minutes later, I’m in my brown pajamas and walking out of the room. When I enter the kitchen, I see him on the wraparound porch with his brothers. There are two large grills and plenty of seating out there.

In the oversized kitchen, the ladies and one of the twins appear hard at work. Reya is grinding spices. Shuga, Niya, and Alami are rolling balls of dough. As I get closer, I see Alami’s friend, Tameka and the twin aren’t really doing anything but flirting. I notice the absence of Sade and Twon’s girlfriend.

“Are we just cooking or are we cooking and drinking?” I ask.

“Both. I ordered stuff for the sangria. You can make it. I love a good drink when I’m cooking with my family. Let me show you where the main bar is,” Shuga says.

After wiping her hands on her apron, she removes it, lays it on the large island, then walks toward me and I follow her. Around the corner is a nook with two large windows, a wicker chair with cushions between the windows, and a bar with a sink, mini fridge, wine chiller, glass door cabinets with coffee mugs, wine glasses, flutes, and shot glasses. The granite countertop is filled with liquor, a coffee and espresso machine, and the ingredients for sangria.