Don Caselli (Caselli Family, #2)

by Jahquel J.

Here’s to being fucked and loving books. Or being fucked while reading books… who said thatttt?

“I tune people out and have been doing it since I was a child. It has always been easy for me to become lost in a book, especially when it’s a good book.”

“Have you ever been with someone and knew that the person wasn’t your forever, but at the same time, you put so much time into it with them that you didn’t want to let go?”

“Sometimes losing people isn’t that bad. It propels us to where we need to be. People can hold us back without us even realizing the shit.”

“Eventually you’ll change your mind.” I flipped open her kindle and was surprised that it wasn’t dead.

I swiped up on her kindle and she tried to grab it from me. “Nah, don’t be shy now… what you be reading about?” “Fucking,” she blurted.

She covered her face with both her hands. “Omg, please leave me alone. I just like some spicy shit.” “Same.” “You like to read spicy books, too?” I looked up from the book she happened to be reading. “Nah, I like to do the spicy shit that you be reading about in books.”

When expectations are set, there is never any room for miscommunication.”

The moment you start to profit from your hobby, it steals a little bit of the joy out of it.”

Greene poked her head in, and I nodded my head to let her know we were good. “When is the last time you allowed yourself to cry on someone’s shoulder, Bleu?” “I don’t like to burden people,” she admitted. Pulling her face up, I kissed her lips softly and wiped her tears. “Do me a favor.” “That is?” “Cry on my shoulder… burden me with your tears because I can tell it’s not something you do often. Allow me to hold you because you don’t want anyone else to hold you. Give me that.”

Giving a fuck hurt more than people liked to admit.

“Can’t get my mind off you, Bleu.” He bent down and kissed me on the neck, and I released a soft moan.

He hiked me up and held onto me tighter. “If we cross into this territory, I’m not gonna wanna remain a stranger.”

She was a part of me now, and now I needed her Social Security number so I could add her to my health insurance. Needed them teeth strong, so when I slid her back onto this dick her teeth could take it.

She slid onto the stool as I went into the fridge. “Where did you learn to fuck like that, Landon?” I chuckled. “Why?” “Cause I don’t think I want you doing that to somebody else.” She busted out laughing and accepted the drinks I made us. Taking a sip, she looked at the glass. “Just ask me. I won’t do that to nobody else.” “Oh please. How do I look asking you not to fuck with other bitches when we’re not together?” “You can look however you want.” I took back my shot as she stared at me, unsure if I was being serious or not.

“I can’t sit here and make a bunch of promises on the future because all of that is in Navy’s hands. I can say that if things move more seriously, I plan to take her serious and honor my word when it comes to her.”

“You’re too good.” “Yeah, never heard that.” “I can say it in your ear when I’m riding you.” She blushed; her eyes were nearly closed with how low they were. “Lowkey need that sometimes,” I looked over at her and she smiled.

“This stranger shit not gonna last, Bleu.” She smiled. “Why is that?” Her voice was so soft, barely above a whisper, as we both intensely stared at one another. “I think you know why, baby.”

“Can’t be friends with somebody I wanted to be with. Shit don’t work like that.”

She stared right into my eyes. “Uh huh… it’s yours… don’t hurt me, baby.” Kissing her lips, I replied, “Never.”

“The thing is, I never cared about the damage I caused. I’m always honest about what I want, never leading women on. It’s the reason I never feel bad because they set those expectations while knowing what I wanted with them. You… Pooh, you fucking different.” “How?” “I give a fuck about hurting you, Navy. The thought of me doing you like I’ve done in the past makes my chest hurt, because I never want to hurt you… I ain’t never felt like this before. You didn’t just open yourself up to me, but your family. Fucking accepted me like they have known me for years.”

Landon came behind me, his hands sliding around my waist, and his lips brushing against my ear. “All for you, Pooh.” His voice was low, steady, and certain. Like he would do it all again just to see this reaction from me. My reaction filled his soul, making him happy because he had made me happy. “Baby, this is amazing… like I cannot even speak because this feels fake.” He kissed my lips softly and then held my chin. “Bleu, I always wanna keep you on your toes. Never want that smile to leave your face and see the world with you.”

“What are you scared to say to me, baby?” I asked, softly caressing his face as I continued to stare into his dark brown eyes. His eyes softened, making him feel comfortable. “Think I’m falling in love with you, Bleu.” I continued to caress his face as a smile came across from my face. “Wanna know something?” “Tell me something, Bleu… feel like I’m about to have an anxiety attack.” He kept drumming his fingers on the counter I sat on as he spoke, which let me know he was nervous. “I think I’m falling in love with you, too, Landon.”

“God cover him and help him overcome the things he doesn’t speak about. Let him know that my intentions are pure and the love I’m feeling is real. Amen.”

“Answer… you were with him for a minute. You don’t just forget about someone you cared about birthday.” I was surprised by his response and slid my finger across the screen. “Hey.” “Happy birthday, baby.” Before I could respond, Don snatched the phone and came into view. “Chill on the baby, my boy…. Say happy birthday and keep that shit respectful.”

I laughed. “First of all, don’t clock how many smoothies I had… they were so good. Plus, we didn’t need to do anything, Landon. There’s beauty in doing nothing sometimes. It’s a privilege that not too many people get extended to them.”

“Girl, I live for a pregnancy troupe in a book, but in real life, I am crying on the inside.

I rubbed her arm. “You will have that, Greene. Nana always said to talk about what we want out loud… talk like it’s already done.”

“Say it.” “I love you, Landon. Sounds crazy, but I do. I only have this feeling right here for you.” I placed his hand on my chest as he looked at me. “I love you, too, Bleu.” He kissed my lips and held me tighter against his body.

As we sat at the table, and I ate while laughing, Landon had my feet in his lap, massaging them while I fed him off my plate. He had taken my damn heels off and was deep in conversation with my parents while allowing me to feed him and massaging my feet at the same time.

We laid like that for what felt like hours. His breathing slowed, my fingers traced the lines within his face. Watching as he allowed himself to feel, not being tense or flinching. He just let me love him without stipulations. That was intimacy.

He put his duffle bag down and kissed me back, picking me up where my whole ass was out. “My butt is out.” “You good… Beans is outside, and your cousin went back to sleep.” He kissed my neck and smelled me, like he was getting one last hit before he hit the road. “I love you, Navy Bleu.” “Hmm… got this billionaire open off me, huh? Not bad for a girl from Nostrand Ave.” He laughed. “Long as she know how I’m coming behind her… can get anything out of me, you know that, right?”

“When I sit in places longer than I want to I start to flip out and do random shit. Playing with my gun, and aiming it and shit,” Menace yawned, as he looked around the table.

Beans choked in the corner. “You making her part owner of the team her ex-nigga is gonna play for… you, my nigga, are built different.” He clapped his hands.

“Mink-Mink means a lot to my wife, and I wanted to do something in her honor.” She looked up at me. “Who is your wife?” “Navy Bleu.” She gasped. “Navy volunteers here all the time… I never knew she was married.” “She don’t even know it yet,” I replied.

“Will you be my wifey?” he sang out the words, but it felt different from the lyrics. It was like he was asking me without asking. Nah. I was tripping.

He softly kissed my forehead. “I believe you’re my person, Bleu. My purpose, and I want to spend my life making sure that you feel and know that. That everything that you want, I want those things with you.”

Kissing my neck softly, he wrapped his arms around me. “Don’t know if you picking up what I’m putting down. I eventually want my family’s legacy to be yours… eventually wanna change that last name to Caselli, Pooh.”

“Sex different when you in love… shit feel magical,” he sucked my lip, and I slapped him away while laughing.

I tossed my arms around him and hugged him tightly. “Don’t know how I can even repay you.” “Never have to repay your man for taking care of you.”

“Money isn’t everything, Ken.” She felt the need to remind me. “I have money, and it doesn’t make you happier. It only shows just how unhappy you are.”

“Navy Bleu, when I met you, I never knew how much of an impact that you would have on my life. Wasn’t really looking for love, and then I met you reading in the middle of a dinner party.”

Landon shot Stevie a look. “I realized love isn’t complicated. It doesn’t take much, and it doesn’t change you. It makes you better, forces you to want to heal, and give in to it. Pooh, I can’t do this without you. I don’t want to do this without you, and I want to be your husband.”

He got down on one knee and I backed away holding my mouth. I remember when me and Greene talked about how we would act if we ever got engaged. I told her I hated when women did all that screaming and running and look at me. Squealing and running away, watching Landon get down on one knee in front of my family, his family, and books. “I couldn’t imagine a better place to ask my bookworm if she wants to be my wife.”

He picked me up and sat me on the window ledge. I rubbed his face, admiring the ring he put on my finger. “I’ve never been a wife before.” “Never been a husband, either.” “Think we’re going to be good at this whole marriage thing?” He kissed my neck, as I laced my arms around his. “Think we gonna be perfect… wanna know why?” “Why?” “Because I’m going to choose you every single day. When I’m angry, unsure, happy, elated, all that shit. I’m always going to choose my wife.”

Beans moved her away from me while I beat the shit out of him. “Don’t ever put yo’ fucking hands on my wife… reaching for my pussy? You fucking crazy!” I bit my lip so hard I could taste the blood on my tongue.

“It’s life… not my problem because I got my wife right here, and I’d be damn if anybody else getting this dick.” “I might fuck around and smile in a mugshot over you, Landon.” “Say it.” “I love you, Landon Caselli.” She kissed my lips. “I love you, Navy Bleu Caselli.”