Tethered Love

by Kimberly Brown

“I’d like to go with you, if it’s okay.” “Sure. It’s always just me and Vi, but I’m sure she’d be happy to have you there. I don’t know if I’ve said it, but thank you for being how you are with her. Even not knowing, you’ve treated her like a person with feelings. It’s making this transition a little easier. I hope we can co-parent.”

“You know you have to date to find the right person, don’t you? He’s not gonna just fall into your lap.”

be. I have faith that the good Lord designed a woman just for me, and when the time is right, she’ll be mine. I gotta believe that. I’m pushing forty. I could only hope I wasn’t meant to spend my whole life single.”

“I’m still not over her calling me Daddy,” Malachi said, rubbing the back of his neck. “What a way to make a grown man cry. That was the best welcome.”

“It was. After so many years of trying to have a baby, I never thought I’d hear those words. It was overwhelming. Now it’s like I don’t even have a first name because I hear Mom or Mommy so much.”

“I find that hard to believe. You definitely have a face worth waking up to.”

Why couldn’t Ziva be this welcoming and accepting? Malachi thought. They were supposed to be starting their lives together and she ruined it all with her behavior. She’d been blowing up his phone since he walked out of Dr. Kilmore’s office. When he blocked her, she hopped in his inbox on Facebook. Again, he blocked

She closed her eyes, allowing his woodsy scent to infiltrate her nostrils. He smelled like men should smell. He held her like she hadn’t been held in eleven years. Subconsciously, her hands glided up and down his back in a soothing manner. It wasn’t until he did the same to her did her eyes fly open. She quickly pulled away from him.

“Ninety-nine point nine percent.” Malachi sat quietly, holding the phone. Did he just say that? “Mal, you hear me? That’s your baby girl, man.” “Stop playing with me, Jace.” “All jokes aside, my brotha. She’s yours.” “You serious? She’s… She’s mine?” “Congratulations, my nigga.”

“Thank you, Jace,” he said, his voice cracking. “You gotta bring my niece to meet the family, man. Damn, I’m happy for you, bruh. How you feeling?” “Like somebody just punched me in the gut. I have a whole kid.”

Violet Barlow was 99.99 percent his daughter. Dropping to his knees, he said a prayer, thanking God for the bountiful blessing.

“Part of me is still so angry that you’re gone. I couldn’t give you a child, and when we finally were blessed with one, you were robbed of the chance to be a father. Now I have to watch someone else fill the spot that was yours and I’m angry because he deserves it. He was robbed of thirteen years of her life. We got to experience so many firsts that belonged to him. I’m torn between being happy for them and feeling resentment because I have to share our daughter with her rightful father. I just… I wish you were here.”

She beamed as she noticed their outfits. “Awww, how cute! We’re matching! We look like a holiday card.” “Nah, we look like Black excellence,” Malachi boasted.

“Full transparency? Yes. I realized she would never be okay with us having a relationship and I wasn’t okay with that. Even before we got the paternity results, it wasn’t okay how she spoke to you. I may love her, but you’re my child. I missed thirteen years with you and nobody is going to cause me to miss another one. You’re the blessing I’ve been waiting for for so long. I need you to know I’ll never put anybody over you. We have a long road ahead of us, but I’ve got you until I’m six feet under, Baby Girl.”

“If I didn’t know any better, I’d think you were flirting with me, Mr. Deveraux.”

“It may be the Long Island Iced Teas talking… but you are a beautiful woman. And you look damn good tonight. I see why these men in here have been staring.”

“I do, but I’m gonna let nature and gravity take its course with me. Besides, if I’m lucky, I’ll find a man that will love me, saggy boobs and all.”

“Don’t do that…” he said, gently grabbing her hand. “That might get you in trouble.” “What kind of trouble?” “Trouble I probably shouldn’t get into with my daughter’s mother… even if I am attracted to her.” “You aren’t about to rebound me, sir.” “Somehow, I don’t think I could ever rebound you, Eliana. You deserve to be loved.” “You deserve that too. I don’t know the depths of your previous relationships… but I know a good man when I see one. I hope you find the type of woman you deserve and that she loves you the way you need it.”

“Even if I wanted to off you, your daughter would never forgive me. I have a feeling she’s gonna be one of these ‘My Daddy’ girls. It’s no ‘My man, my man, my man.’ It’s ‘My daddy, my daddy, my daddy’. I might get sick of you before you fully step into the job.”

“Elle…” he whispered, lifting her chin. “Ain’t no liquor in my system or yours right now, woman. If I kiss you, that’s all me.” Eliana bit her lip as her eyes drifted to his once more. She leaned into him. The first press of his lips on hers sent a chill down her spine. It was the sweetest peck. However, the moment his tongue slipped into her mouth, the kiss became lustful. His arm came around her waist and his hand on the back of her neck. She moaned into his mouth as he sucked on her bottom lip. She felt her nipples hardening beneath her camisole. She hadn’t bothered to put on a bra before she came down and she was sure he could see and feel them against the thin material of his beater. The kiss they shared was both soul stirring and soul snatching. If it wasn’t for the sound of her phone vibrating with a FaceTime call, she would have gotten lost in it. Forcing herself to pull away, she answered her sister’s call.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa!” Niecy said, waving her hands. “Back that ass up. You said what now? You kissed him? When?” Eliana bit her lip as she avoided their eyes.

knew at your grand opening you were just as nasty as Sime. Having all of us waiting while y’all were upstairs bumping uglies. Just trifling.”

“If we weren’t nasty, you wouldn’t have all these grandbabies, Ma,”

“You know what, you are just like every other nigga that’s been in my life. When you have no more use for me, you throw me away. You have your precious child now. You don’t need me to give you a baby anymore. That’s why it’s so easy to discard me.”

“It’s not crazy at all. It’s been happening my entire life, starting with my fucking father. But you know what, it’s okay. It’s fine, ’cause one thing about me, I always bounce back. Keep your daughter. And fuck her mother while you’re at it, too, ’cause I’ve seen the pictures, Malachi. I bet you would love to slide up in her. Maybe you already have. It’s quite obvious you stayed at her house. Did you sneak down the hallway when your precious daughter was asleep? Or maybe she snuck into your room.”

“You were the first man to break my heart. The first to teach me that men only want to get what they can out of me. I’ve spent almost my entire life being used by men and then discarded like last night’s leftovers. You made me who I am and I will forever hate you for it.”

you. I’ve been thinking about you and those lips.” “Have you now?” “I have.” “How can you be so sure you want to spend time with me, considering everything?” “With Ziva, I realize I spent a lot of time making shit all about her. I gave her everything she wanted. I catered to her in every way and every time I tried to choose myself and my needs, it seemed to be a problem. I feel understood with you, Eliana. I feel… free to express myself and my emotions.” “Society makes it seem like you’re weak to have emotions. I think that’s bullshit. Men go through shit too. Y’all have the right to express it. And I also believe that men deserve to have the good they put out reciprocated, especially Black men. There is not enough uplifting of Black kings. For what you’ve done in such a short time when it comes to our daughter, I will always uplift you. You are forever free to be you around me.”

“Fresh faced is so fucking beautiful on you, love. I can’t wait to steal you away.”

Eliana was a little surprised when his fingers wrapped around her neck and his lips crashed into hers. The kiss they shared was anything but innocent. It was laced with lust and desire. It was laced with want. It was the epitome of an “I miss you” kiss.

The deeper he kissed her, the slicker she felt herself becoming. The seat of her panties was sure to be ruined by the secretions released on his behalf. At this point, she didn’t care. He could ruin her panties and ruin her too.

“We better get in this house while I still have the will to practice self-control. Go on and walk in front of me. Give me something to think about.”

She submitted to him. Biting her lip to muffle her pleasured cries, she came full force against his hand. The sensation left her panting heavily. “Shit… shit!”

“I need you inside me before we leave here,” Eliana declared.

“I guess I can’t disappoint my baby.” “No you can’t, Daddy.” “Oooo… say that shit again.” He came over to her, pulling her into his arms. Eliana smirked. “I was totally referring to Violet.” “I’ll just pretend you weren’t.” He leaned in to kiss her once more. “You think you can sneak in here later?”

“I’m just gonna miss her so much. But I have to do this. I have to let her grow up.”

“I promise our daughter is safe. It’s okay to hand over the reins. You’ve done this by yourself for a long time. Let me help you.”

“Why don’t you take a shower and join me in my room?” he suggested, backing her up against the front door. His hand gripped her ass as he nipped at the soft flesh of her neck.

“Or we can save water and shower together…” Eliana suggested.

She pulled his over his head, marveling at his toned upper torso. Her fingers gently traced the markings on his chest as he looked down at her, his lip tucked between his teeth. Her gaze met his as her hands reached behind her to unhook her bra. Pulling it from her shoulders, she tossed it to the floor as well.

“Shit, Eliana,” he mumbled, gazing upon her. “I knew you were perfect for me, baby.”

From the smooth, mushroom head to the long, thick, and veiny shaft with perfect girth, down to his smooth shaven Adonis belt.

Finally breaking the intense lip lock, he placed her on her feet. Grabbing the loofah and her body wash, he gave it a generous lather before cleansing every inch of her body in the most sensual way. When he was done, she returned the favor. As the rainfall shower head washed the soap residue down the drain, goosebumps prickled her skin beneath his touch. His lips and tongue assaulted her earlobe as his large hands cupped and caressed her breasts from behind. “I can’t wait to show you how much I appreciate you,” Malachi whispered in her ear.

With one leg draped over his shoulder and the other spread to give him complete access, he dove into her pussy tongue first. The first swipe caused her to shudder. It caused her toes to curl and her eyes to close. She knew right then, remaining quiet was a seemingly impossible feat.

“Shit!” she hissed, panting heavily as she watched him. His brown orbs looked up at hers, commanding her attention as his skillful tongue and mouth worked her over. She couldn’t force herself to look away from his captivating stare.

“Oh, God, Malachi…” she whimpered, thrusting her hips forward. “I’m cumming, baby. Fuck, I’m cumming!”

“You feel so good, Elle,” he whispered, gently bouncing her. Her pussy sang his praises as her ass slapped against his thighs.

“Ahh… fuck! Oh my God!” Her cries were muffled with her face buried in his neck. Her nails clawed at his back with gratitude as he filled her repeatedly. “Shit!” he hissed, slamming her back against the wall. With one hand bracing himself and the other arm locked around her waist, he held her at the perfect angle to watch himself sliding in and out of her. Her creamy nectar coated him to perfection. She reached between them to stroke her clit, causing her moans to multiply.

“That’s it, baby,” he praised her. “Make this pussy r...

“You’re so perfect,” he whispered in her ear. “Your pussy is everything I knew it would be, baby.”

“Cum for me, Elle. Let me make you mine.”