Thunder and Lightning

Chapter 13: Wait

When she got out the bathroom Dru was gone, the pixies had another set of fresh linen on the bed, her pillows had been fluffed out and the duvet was pulled back. All the blinds were closed and fresh white candles were lit around the room. On the nightstand was a glass of cranberry juice and a large bottle of water. Her remote controls and journal were placed on the pillow; and a new silk gown and matching robe laid across the bed. She smiled, rubbed her almond oil on her skin and put her towel in the hamper. She slipped on the gown and laid in her bed

"I can realllllllllllllyyyyy get used to this".

Dru came back to the room several hours later and saw her settled.

"You look calm" Dru muttered.

"Yeah, binged watched a couple of shows and then read some trashy blogs. What were you up to?"

"I had some errands to run and I picked up a couple things from the other apartment."

She didn't react, but she did notice that he did not say "home". He walked to the bathroom, turned on the shower and didn't come back out for close to 30 minutes. She looked at her clock and gave in to her rumbling belly.

He sat on the bed next to her and chuckled at the sound, "The pixies are cooking dinner tonight. They're going to bring it to our room, so you don't have to leave"

"Our room?" she mumbled.

With that, his feline eyes turned hard and his body was instantly on top of her, arms and hands on either side of her head , his nose touching her nose...his voice was low and rough.

"Yes. You are mine." 

Something within her snapped, and the link between her third eye and his essence wound tightly around one another — Nzinga gasped open mouthed , back arching and her belly meeting his strong defined abs.

Before his lips could touch her, she pushed and stood up out the bed. "What the FUCK was that?" She shouted.

"I...don't know why I reacted so strongly. My body took over " he stammered as his demeanor and eyes returned. "I mean, I want you to be mine, but when you're ready. I'm not sure what just happened." She could see he was sincere and whatever that was had gone.

Panting, Nzinga rolled back in bed and he slid in back in beside her. Shortly after they regained their composure, the pixies knocked on the door and brought dinner and a carafe of lavender chamomile lemonade. They ate their foods as they tv played in the background, neither of them could say what they watched and instead of talking when their meal was complete, they leaned back and fell asleep.

Saturday morning came and the food from that night was removed, the laundry hamper was empty and two jars of green smoothies were on either side of the bed. On her dresser a jogging suit and new sneakers with colorful socks were laid out. Dru walked back in the room dressed and reminded her "Let's do a quick run." She finished her smoothie, brushed her teeth, changed into the new gear and meet him at the door. Sarala and Mabi followed behind. She started to stretch and he stopped her... "Do not think of this as a work out, you are running out of fear and must learn to run even if you are not ready. You will also learn to keep your body ready at all times". He took off and called for her to catch up. She breathed hard knowing she would never actually keep up. But at least Mabi and Sarala were beside her. 

Sarala quipped, "You're very slow Nzinga. You would surely get eaten if you lived as my people do." Mabi caressed Sarala's arm as a gentle reminder. "I am only speaking truth. She must move faster. The first problem is her breathing is wrong and she is winding quickly. Secondly, she is not using the power in her legs to propel forward but rather galloping and allowing her feet to hit the ground by happenstance." Sarala retorted.

Mabi spoke to Nzinga, " Pick a rhythm and stick with it. Inhale to that rhythm and evenly exhale at the same pace."

Nzinga listened and began to count "inhale 2, 3, exhale 2, 3" The new focus allowed her mind to wander enough to find Dru in front of her. "When you learn how to catch me,  then we'll work on your magic." Dru yelled back at her.

That evening, Nzinga prepared for the Forum. She laid out a black dress, pearls and a violet. Her shoes were tall, black and pointy toed. She applied a thin layer of makeup, grabbed her bag and headed to the door. Dru stood near the door in front of her in a black slim suit, a crisp white shirt with a skinny black tie. "Where are you going, and when did you get dressed?" Nzinga asked.

"Why wouldn't I want to meet with people who are interested in stopping police brutality." Dru responded. She came closer, grabbed his arm and strolled out.

The forum went perfectly and the night ended with Dru helping to haul chairs and clean up with the committee. Instead of arriving at the apartment, Dru took Zinga to Old Town Alexandria. He parked the car and took her to a grassy area and ate carryout they picked up before coming there. They sat there quiet. 

Finally Nzinga spoke, " What was that on Friday?"

"You sure you want to talk about this?" insecurely he asked.

"Yes..."

"I guess...My body reacted to some part of you. My beast wanted to take you up on your challenge of my 'ownership'. To my body, you are mine. To my head, I owe you more respect than that. You are not someone's possession no matter how my body reacts...What did you feel?" he sounded unsure.

"I felt the goddesses gather around me and urging me to lean into you and then you moved on so quickly I couldn't explore it."

"Do you want to explore it?" He dared ask. She nodded.

His aura revealed his desire that was more beast than romance. Her hand stroked his chin " you are fine, lover. Just breathe." She used the magic in her voice to calm him. 

His essence searched for her and accepted her strands' embrace when she found him. His breath evened and he calmed. "Let's go home." Anxiety still present in his voice as he fought against his instincts.

Once back at the apartment building, she stilled. "Maybe we should go back to your place. It's not as crowded and maybe we can have that overdue conversation."

He countered , "I can silence the room around us, if you're ready to talk." Walking slowly to her front door, she was promptly greeted by the two leading pixies. Quietly they nodded at Badru, then disappeared.

She walked in and saw that the house was quiet. "Where is everyone?"

"They're at the warehouse tonight. Mabi and Sarala are here and the rest are with Kitt." He gently took her hand and walked back to their bedroom. They both undressed from the event, brushed their teeth and put on full pajamas. Every movement felt organic and routine between them. They sat in bed with the tv and lights off. His magic lit the candles around the room.

"It's only been a week" she whispered.

"I know. Imagine what it feels like to an Aziza ." Dru responded. "You sure you want to explore this connection? We can wait. There is no need to commit to that mating, you have so much life yet." He sat up and stroked her cheek.

She cared for him, but was not ready, and her eyes answered. Pain and wanting gleaned in his eyes. She kissed him, no words could fairly describe how she felt. He accepted that and kissed her back. His inner beast growled in desire and her body responded. The lights flickered before going out and her soft moans were the only sounds left.