Chapter Eleven
Karlie snuggled closer into her jacket and knocked on Jamaal’s door. “Jamaal, this has gone on long enough. I don’t care if I have to wait out here until midnight. You’re going to talk to me.”
A couple of apartment doors opened and people peered out, but Karlie didn’t care. She knocked even harder and called out, “I know you’re in there, and I’m not leaving until you open this door!”
Karlie knew his roommate, Pharell Smith, was out because she had seen him leave. He had been the one to hold open the door for her as she entered the building.
She raised her fists to give the door another hearty knock when Jamaal opened it and moved aside to let her in. Karlie swooshed past him, bumping arms on purpose. Not for one moment would she let on how her elbow protested against meeting his firm muscles.
She refrained from rubbing her arm. “You’re not breaking up with me, Jamaal, because I’m not letting you go. You hear me?”
The stubborn blockhead only looked at her. If it were not for the blinking of his eyes, she would think he was a statue. Karlie grabbed onto his shirt and shook him. The mule would not budge. She pummeled him with her fists until he snatched her hands in a viselike grip.
Jamaal’s gentle tone belied the strength he displayed. He loosened his hold on her hands and pulled her against him. “I can’t do this,” he whispered. “I can’t be so close to you and not have you. I love you so much it hurts.”
“But, Christ’s love is enough to constrain us.” Karlie tilted her head back to look him in the eyes. “I know it’s hard, but we can resist. We’re not the only couple who committed to remain celibate until marriage. I’m telling you that we can get through this.”
Jamaal groaned. He released her and put some distance between them. “Even now . . . your smell . . . your hair . . . Everything entices me. It’s intoxicating. Being with you is all I think about.” He sniffed the air. “What is that scent you’re wearing?”
Karlie blushed. “Almond passion.”
He clenched his fists. “See what I mean. That smell is driving me insane. I want to hold you and show you how I’m feeling, but you say hands off. I want you so much I daydream about you in class.” He snatched her and crushed his lips onto hers.
Sensations rocked her being as she returned his heated kiss. She was alone with Jamaal. In his bedroom. Not a wise move on her part. He was an uncaged tiger, and she was his chosen prey. She would be mincemeat at his hands. Help me, Lord. Now.
Jamaal’s hands moved into one of the designated no-no zones.
Her body flared. Karlie sucked in a breath. What’s happening? Things were getting out of hand. Her flesh weakened.
Jamaal must have felt her acquiescence because he deepened his onslaught.
Karlie basked in the sensations riding her body. She felt like putty. Now she wasn’t sure if she wanted to stop. Before she knew it, she was lying on his bed.
Jamaal broke contact. He opened the nightstand and pulled out a condom.
Karlie’s haze cleared when she heard the distinct sound of a something being ripped. Suddenly, it all became real. She could not do this.
“Where did you get protection?” she asked, rising up to rest on her hands.
“Uh . . .”
“No, Jamaal, please don’t tell me you . . .” She covered her mouth.
Cold water washed over and cooled her emotions. Had Jamaal stepped out on her? She knew there was no ring on her finger, but they were in a relationship.
Jamaal held both her shoulders and made her look at him. “Karlie, I haven’t done anything. Pharrell gave this to me that night I invited you over. You remember, don’t you?”
Karlie closed her eyes. She nodded but did not know if she believed him. She wasn’t naïve enough to eat the bologna he was feeding her. Karlie recalled his expertise from moments ago. She had never been with anyone, but Jamaal seemed to know what he was doing a little too well.
She opened her eyes and jumped off the bed. “If you haven’t been with anyone, then how come you seem so . . .” Karlie searched for the appropriate word. She arched her eyebrow with practiced calm. “Knowledgeable?”
Jamaal stood and met her glare for glare. “Are you accusing me? Don’t you trust me?”
Karlie pointed at him. “Don’t you turn this around on me. I’m not falling for that, so you’d better change tactics fast.”
He gulped. “For six years, Karlie you’ve been my world. We’ve been together since we were fifteen. I haven’t been with anyone else. I’m man enough to own up to what I do.”
Karlie’s heart eased. Her nagging suspicions rested. She reached up to touch Jamaal’s cheek and gestured between them. “Do you really want to end this?”
“No.”
“Good.”
“Are you still going with Brian?”
“Yes.”
Just like that, they were back to square one.
“We’re planning a send-off dinner before we start our adventure,” Karlie said. “Will you come?”
“Who’s the ‘we’ that’s going to be there?” he asked.
“My parents, Brian’s parents, and Winona. Oh, and I was thinking about inviting my grandmother, but I’m not sure. She and my father are not the best of friends, as you know. ”
Jamaal did not commit to coming but seemed intrigued with her guest list. “You’re considering giving Merle an invitation? Are you asking for a brawl between her and Neil? Did you forget how he threw her out of your mother’s funeral?”
Karlie shook her head. “No, I haven’t forgotten, but Merle has been on my mind. She’s reached out to me before, but I ignored her. I thought it might be a nice gesture.”
“More like a foolish one.”
“Are you going to shoot down everything I try to do? I don’t have much family. Like it or not, she’s blood. I know she was horrible to my mother when she was alive, but she’s been apologizing for five years. I have the letters to prove it. I think it’s time to let it go and move on.”
Jamaal grabbed her jacket. “That woman is pure evil. I think you need to stay away from her.”
Karlie lifted her chin. She was tired of everyone telling her what to do. She was grown and able to make her own decisions. She pierced him with her gaze. “If I want to take time off from school, I will. If I want to start a relationship with Merle, I will. I’m not helpless. I’m not stupid. I’m more than capable of looking out for myself.”
“Fair enough,” Jamaal shot back. “But don’t come running to me when all of this backfires in your face.”