Sincerely Yours (Love in Seattle #2)

by Asia Monique

Chemistry between two people is the strangest science of all.

I preferred someone who would accept that sometimes I didn’t have a lot to say.

His soulful eyes told many stories—stories that I wanted to be in on.

He felt like home to me, and no place had ever felt that way before; no man had ever made me feel that way just from a simple hug. None of it made sense because I barely knew him.

“Why does it feel like our minds and bodies are further than we are in this? Like we’re simply being caught up on what’s going to be?” “Chemistry between two people is the strangest science of all.”

“Never met a pretty girl before?” “I’ve met plenty, but never one that shook the foundation I stand on.”

“I’ve never met a man that shook the foundation I stood on either.”

But instead of responding to my question, he decided to bless me with a side of him I hadn’t experienced yet. His lips curved into a charming smirk I had no idea he possessed in his wheelhouse of expressions. Those dimples I had been missing peeked through; his eyes darkened and dripped with pure unadulterated lust.

“I’m a lot of things, Nae,” he said, using my nickname and tipping his head at me. “But remember, I’m a man first. A man who is beyond attracted to you—who would take the chance to fuck you if allowed.”

“Where’s this man been hiding?” I asked, biting down on my lip. “He’s been buried under trauma, hurt, and fear.”

“From the moment we met, a part of me I thought was lost has been finding its way through those cracks you created in my foundation. I want to spill all of my deepest darkest secrets to you. It’s becoming clearer to me with every day that passes.”

“Well,” I began, knowing that there was only one thing I could say to something like that. “Whenever you’re ready to spill, I’ll be here, waiting.” “In the meantime?”

“And in the meantime, we can keep this up because I want to be around you. I want to know you. I want to immerse myself in you, Izekiel Holloway.” “I hope you can swim,” he offer...

“Turns out, I’ve been a swimmer my whole life. The best in the country at one point.” I picked up my wine glass and leveled my gaze with his over the rim. “But I do hope that you can swim.” I took a long sip from my glass and then said, “It’s ok...

“If you don’t leave, I’m going to invite you in,” I told him truthfully. “I’m going to invite you on the pretense of us talking some more, but that’s not where my mind is right now.”

“Where’s your mind?” he asked, closing the small distance between us. “Is it on long, drawn-out kisses like mine?”

“Or is it on stolen touches that neither of us would want to give back?”

“No, you only do it to me. You treat me as though I’m breakable and I’m not. Talk to me like you talk to my brothers. Give me the same advice you’d give them in the same way you’d give it if it were them. If I’m normal to you, then treat me like I’m normal.” Is that…” he walked around the island and stopped in front of me. “Is that how I’ve made you feel?” “All my life,” I said truthfully. “Ever since, mom…”

Because this high… this high I was currently on couldn’t just be a one-time thing. It hadn’t gone away yet, and I was already planning out the next one.

“It has to be,” he answered himself, lifting one of my legs onto his shoulder. “I wanna go higher than either of us have ever been.” Yes, please. Take us high, Zeke

“It’s okay if you ask more of me,” I whispered as my eyes drooped. “I want to give you everything, so ask me for anything.”

“For the record, Jo…” I rubbed her back, working small circles against her skin helped ease me into what I was about to say. “I know what it feels like to crave the love of a mother. Mine chose drugs over my brothers and me, but I still loved her all the same. If there was something I could have done to make her choose us, I would have done it. No matter the consequences.” My mother was the first woman I ever loved. She was the first woman to break my heart. She was the first woman to call me stupid, a burden. Too much to handle. Never mind the fact that I was quiet and withdrawn. I didn’t cause trouble like she would scream at my father about.

I knew it was the drugs speaking, but it didn’t hurt any less. The constant appearance and disappearance of someone who was supposed to love you the same way you loved them turned me into the man I practiced to be. I hid my Autism from anyone who wasn’t close to me out of fear of being labeled a burden. I tried everything to be normal, to make my father and brother's lives easier.

“Mmhm. Maybe a puzzle piece?” “I think that’s fitting, but you have to make it yellow.” I shook my head and smirked. “How about you get yellow, and I get blue?” “Will they connect?” she asked, her eyes hopeful. “Only if you agree to be my girlfriend.” I observed in bone-deep pleasure, her eyes light up, and her lips curve into a beaming smile. “It would be a pleasure, Izekiel Holloway.” She had no idea, but the pleasure was all mine.

“Just can’t get over the fact that you’re mine,” he said, tipping my head back with his index finger. “Beautiful self.”