This November✔️

Chapter 18

As much as he wanted to go all in with Nova, he was letting her set the pace. He did not like it at all.

After they went to get popcorn and drinks and made it back to the car, Nova would not say anything more to him. The mention of any of her exes set her off. He knew how to read women, it meant there was a bad breakup somewhere. Or maybe still harboring feelings for one.

It didn't matter, he was here to erase all the memories of exes. He was not going to think of any of his exes while he was with her. Nova had his full attention.

"There wasn't a scary movie playing Nova, but hopefully you like this one."

Still nothing from her. He didn't know how to break down this ice wall she built up between them.

"So since you knew I was in Atlanta, and you knew about my movies, what were your favorite things I was in? I did a few TV shows when I was in L.A. and..."

"You're not right for TV, you look better on the big screen."

He grinned, having been told that by his agent and his assistant.

"What else?"

"You're already type-cast as the hot side boyfriend, might want to find other break-out roles."

"I think my looks hinder the type of roles I'm offered. They are not taking me seriously as an actor because of what I look like. I can't downplay my looks."

"Oh, you can Leek, you don't want to. You like the attention, you always have. I think that's why you got into acting in the first place instead of pursuing the singing."

"I'm not that great a singer."

"Yes you are," she said, turning to him. "You're great at whatever you do Malik."

He was itching to kiss her full lips right there, but he resisted, instead dipping his hand into the popcorn bucket she held on her lap, eating a handful before saying anything else.

"I'd like to hear what else you have to say, Nova, you can be like my acting coach."

She chuckled at him. "You're too hard-headed to listen to me. You never did when we were in plays together."

"Project! Perform to the back of the theater! That's all I hear you yelling at me. Look, my kind of sexy can't be yelled out."

She rolled her eyes at him and then laughed. "Same old Leek."

The only reason he auditioned for plays and musicals was to spend more time with Nova. Before that, he had no idea what he wanted to do with his life. He thought music would be it. Then he realized he only played piano because his mother pushed him. He grew to love acting, thanks to Nova.

All the late nights with her, running through lines. Never lead like her, she had the acting chops. He had the looks. He left for L.A. knowing he was not the best actor, but he had the look they were looking for.

"We had good times, huh?"

"I guess." She smiled at him. "I always knew you had my back when people bothered me. Well, except with Star, you let her..."

"No, no, no! I got her off your back. She was always jealous because she knew I was into you more than her. Can you blame her? But November, I'll always have your back."

Fuck it! He grabbed the popcorn bucket and put it in the back of the car on the floor. He moved in to kiss her. When she did not move away or push him away but kissed him back he knew he had her. Even though they'd already kissed before, this felt like the first time kissing her and he didn't want to stop. Her lips were so soft, her breath so fresh, this felt like heaven to him.

Finally, she moved away, looking down at her hands, but she was still close to him and he could feel her tremble.

"Don't be bashful with me Nova, talk to me. What's wrong?"

"I like you a lot Malik, you know that."

"And you know how I feel about you."

"I'm still scared."

"Of what?" He grabbed her hands and held them in his. "Didn't I say I would always protect you, even if it's from myself. I wouldn't hurt you Nova. Give me a chance. Give us a chance."

"I want to but..."

"Tell me anything Nova," he said, rubbing her cheek.

"Let's just try and date...see how things go."

This was music to his ears. "By dating you mean you're my girlfriend and I get to have all the boyfriend benefits?"

She laughed at him and gave him a push. "Stop Leek."

He pulled her over to his side, sitting her on his lap, his arms wrapped around her. "I love when you call me Leek. But then you can call me anything and I'm putty in your hands."

He smothered her with kisses, not caring that they were missing the movie and were having a pretty heavy make out session. It's how he got the girls back in the day. Something about being trapped inside of a car, at night, with someone you were attracted to.

"You're a great kisser, Malik." Nova ran her fingers through his locs.

"Practice."

"Stop it," she said with a giggle. "I don't want to know about how many girls you've brought here and done the same things to."

"Only one that matters is you."

"You're so sexy Leek," she said, starring into his eyes. "I love your eyes."

"You're fucking hot Nova and I want to take you right in the back seat of this car, but I will wait." He kissed her nose lightly. "Patiently." He kissed each eye. "Patiently."

"Yeah, I can feel your impatience," she said, her hand softly caressing his erection.

"Aye!" He grabbed her hand from him. "Stop playing! I can't control that. I have this hot woman sitting on my lap, what do you want me to do? Because for real Nova, I don't want our relationship to be all about sex. Maybe that's why I wasn't man enough back in high school to make you my girl. I wouldn't have been faithful to you. Now that I have all of that out of my system, I'm all yours baby."

"And you're all mine."

"I like the sound of that."