As Zeke's hand lingered over Nina's lower back, guiding her out of the church, he couldn't resist asking, 'How did you like it?' She glanced around, noticing the members of the church filing out of the sanctuary as they headed towards her black truck. To avoid drawing attention, she had instructed her guards to remain outside. Attending church for the first time since a kid held a special significance, and she desired to experience it reverently.
A smile graced her lips as she replied, 'I enjoyed myself, thank you for inviting me.' One of her guards opened the door for her, and she gratefully thanked him. Placing her purse in the backseat, she turned back to Zeke, her cheeks flushing under his intense gaze. 'What?' she inquired. 'When am I gonna see you again?' he asked, his voice smooth. 'I think I've done a pretty good job keeping your attention, don't you think?' His hands slid around her waist, drawing her closer.
'I think so too,' she admitted. Their dates had provided them with ample time to get to know each other, and with each passing moment, the bond between them grew stronger. 'I tell you what,' Zeke proposed. 'Let me show you where I come from, but there's a catch.' Nina's head tilted slightly as she asked, 'And what's that?' A hint of vulnerability crossed his face as he explained, 'You gotta leave the guards. I understand you need them due to your work, but you know I got you.'
His eyes held a promise of protection, reminding her of the day at the outlets when he had proven his resolve. Nina hesitated, her mind racing. The story she had fabricated about her need for guards was just a guise, concealing the true reasons for her constant security. A desire for independence stirred within her, and she longed to break free from the constraints imposed upon her. Weighing her options, she realized that Chole could track her location, and if necessary, she was capable of defending herself. 'Alright, fine,' she agreed, her voice resolute. 'Do I at least have enough time to change?'
He offered, his voice laced with a casual confidence that made her heart flutter. 'Of course. I need to do that too, I'll pick you up from your place, sound good?' She hesitated, the familiar caution drilled into her by her father and brothers bubbling to the surface: 'Oh um, you don't have too.' The words, 'You don't want everybody knowing where you lay your head, where you let your guard down at,' echoed in her mind. It wasn't that she didn't trust Zeke, not entirely.
She was slowly, tentatively starting to, but a lifetime of ingrained safety measures couldn't be erased overnight. Zeke, sensing her hesitation, nodded understandingly. He leaned in, giving her a light kiss on the cheek. He knew she was holding back, had felt it in the way she'd pulled away slightly from his touch.
He'd put himself out there, but it seemed like she was still building walls, 'That's fine,' he said, his voice gentle, 'meet me at my place and we'll leave from there. I'll see you soon.' His words were a balm to her anxieties, a promise of respect for her boundaries, a reassurance that he wasn't pushing.
The car ground to a halt, and a wave of nervous anticipation washed over Nina. She peered out the window, her gaze landing on a modest, middle-class house nestled in outwest of Chicago. People milled about in the yard, on the porch, and even more seemed to be inside or gathered around the back, the thumping rhythm of loud music a constant backdrop.
Cars lined the street, spilling across the street and up the block. Nina stared at the scene, a sudden urge to remain in the car and avoid the commotion welling up inside her. The reassuring pressure of Zeke's hand on her thigh jolted her out of her reverie. He gave her a gentle smile, a silent reassurance that she would be alright. Nodding, she lowered her visor and slid open the mirror cover, checking her reflection. Quickly, she retrieved her lip liner from her purse and traced the outline of her lips before applying her signature lip combo, composing herself for the encounter ahead.
