"You're perfect you know that." He said as he rested his chin above my head.

I know it was a question but I honestly couldn't respond. Instead I just wrapped my arms around his waist and laid my head on his chest. I thought about his words and a smile crept up on my face.
Why? Because for the first time in God knows how long, I actually believed what was coming out of a man's mouth. He genuinely makes my day, and I can't lie he was tearing down the wall I built up every moment the we were together.

We laughed and talked a while longer before he had to return to work. Had we not made plans for dinner tonight I'd be disappointed, but since we had, I wasn't tripping. We pulled into my driveway and get got out to open my door. I got out and just as soon as my feet touched the ground he pulled me into him and pressed his lips against mine.
Now it was a given that I was already attracted to him, but every time he kissed me, or put his hands on me, I became physically attracted to him.

"R-rich," I spoke in between kisses.

"Yea babe," he let his hands wander from the small of my back to my butt, and just held them there. I pressed my body into his when I noticed his manhood growing in his pants. He rubbed it against my thigh. Oh shit. Bring it back Quanni.

"You're gonna be late," I reasoned as a broke away from his kiss.

"Right, I'll see you tonight sweets," he smiled as he grabbed my hand and walked me to the door.

"Yes sir" I smirked and blew him a kiss then went inside.

I ran upstairs to my room and into my bathroom. I was about to pamper myself before tonight. I was running the water in the tub when I heard the front door. I went into the room to look out my window. I spotted a Navy Blue drop top Porsche with the word 'Pastor' at the front. It was my dad.

"Stephanie" his voice rang through the house.

He was the only person who still called me by my first name since my grandmother passed five years ago. I was named after her- his mom. She fought a long hard battle of breast cancer. Many ordinary people would say cancer won, but because of my faith I know her time here with us was just far spent, and going on to be with the Lord is the greatest victory anybody could have. She always called me Steph Jr. I was her little mini me. Everywhere you saw her, you were sure to see me. When she left, a big piece of me left too. I refused to be called Stephanie anymore because I always thought about her, and to be real I just wasn't willing to accept the fact that she was really gone.

"Yea dad, I'm upstairs"

"Hey princess" he said as he came over and kissed my forehead

"What's up King?" I giggled.

"I could ask you the same thing. What you gettin ready to do," he asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Oh- uhh N-nothing, I'm just uh goin out later with a friend of mine." I replied nervously as a toyed with the end of my bed spread.

"Friend?"

"Yea dad. Friend."

"This friend got a name?" He drilled me.

"Y-yes. His name I-"

"HIS?" he said all surprised and in shock.

"Yea daddy, HIS name is Richard."

"Richard Reynolds"

"Mmm. Talkin bout friend, look how you grinnin!"

"What? No I'm not," I protested with the most innocent facial expression I could muster up.

"He's a nice guy daddy. You know if he wasn't, I wouldn't even be wasting my time or his." I stated before he could go in, cause it was written all over his face.

"Yea, well I'll be the judge of that, how old is this kid?" He asked, walking to my door.

I went into my closet in search for something to wear tonight. Well, not really. I knew what I'd be wearing. I just didn't want to answer that last question. So I pretended like I didn't hear him while I hopped and tugged at a random shoebox at the top of the closet.

"Lil' Girl," he said with more authority in his voice.

"Sir" I walked out of the closet, still avoiding eye contact.

"You better act like you heard me talkin" he crossed his arms and walked over to my desk space beside my bed and sat in the chair.

"How old is he?"

"26"

"........." Nothing. He just looked at me.

"Dad?"

"Girl you done lost your mind. Don't you know that's eight years older than you?"

"Yes, I'm aware."

"Nah, that ain't cool Steph."

"But daddy I'm eighteen, which makes me legally an adult now."

"So I guess that makes you know everything about the world and the way dudes act now huh?"

"I never said that." I said in a low defeated tone.

"Baby girl, being with somebody closer to your age is completely different than being with someone who's 26. He done had his chance at living. At this age, he probably is ready to settle down. Baby you just getting started."

"I've considered all of this daddy, you don't raise no fool" I shot back, kind of annoyed.

"At 26 year old can get to a young girl. He knows his way with words, and he'll talk you right out of your panties" he said kind of worried."

"So what you think I'm easy?"

"I didn't say that Steph."

You didn't have to" I said walking towards my bathroom.

I couldn't believe what my dad had just said. He didn't care if I was happy or not. All he thought was that I was knockin boots the first chance I got.

"Besides, if he got in my panties, it wouldn't be because he was so good with his words." And with that I slammed the door leaving him to do- whatever.

I bathed, and did my nails and toes. The rest of the evening I used as time to relax and clear my head. I knew that my parents wouldn't be exactly happy about Rich's age, but I didn't expect him to go in like that either. I know it was minor but it still had me heated. I knew my mom would just follow suit with whatever my dad said so reasoning with her would be a lost cause at this point. It didn't matter anyway, Richard wants me, not them, and for whatever reason, because they didn't approve, I wanted him so much more.

****

*Ding Dong*

The doorbell rang throughout the house. I was reluctant about him coming inside, but since I told him about the conversation me and my dad had, he insisted.
I surveyed myself once more before heading downstairs. Tonight's outfit of choice was a black sleeveless midi dress. The chest was black mesh, and my girls were sitting up just right. I wasn't too simple, but it was inappropriate either. I slipped on my sling back patent leather Louboutins, a did a twirl in the mirror. They were a gift from my parents for my eighteenth birthday. I ran my fingers through my thick black and honey blonde hair to pick out my wander curls. My 14 karat gold hoop earrings and gold MK boyfriend watch brought the while ensemble together. I grabbed my black clutch purse and went downstairs.

"Just remember that's my baby you're taking out. Her well being is on you. The same way she left this house, is the same way she should come back," I heard my dad lecturing Rich.

Funny thing is... This wasn't our first date, so this discussion was a little overdue.

"Absolutely sir, I-," he was about to say more before he saw me coming.

I watched as his mouth flew open.

"Wow." He knows mumbled, causing my dad and mom both to look in my direction.

"AWWW look at my baby!"

"You're beautiful baby girl"

"Absolutely beautiful" Rich added on, before walking over and handing me a bouquet of fresh picked lilies.

He kissed my cheek, which surprised me because I didn't think he would do anything with his lips concerning me, in front of my parents- especially my dad. He's got a lot of balls.

"You ready?"

"Absolutely" I smiled up at him.

He took my hand and we left. I didn't even look back at my parents because I knew my mom was probably crying, and my dad was waiting to say something crazy.
We pulled up to Takashi, my favorite Japanese restaurant, their Sushi is the finest in Illinois. I'd mentioned once before how much I love their California Rolls but I didn't think he'd been listening hard enough to plan our next date there. He's puttin in work. For real. Ha.

"Welcome, my name is Kaelah. I'll be your server for the evening. What would you like to drink?" A bubbly bright skinned girl said to us as we seated.

"I'll have a glass of your Pinot Grigio" Rich said finally looking up from the menu.

"Great choice" she cooed, and had the nerve to wink her eye at him. I was ready to show out.

"You know you want babe" he reached over and took my hand. He must have felt my irritation. I looked up at him and he winked.

"Yea, I'll have a Virgin Mojito" I flashed her a fake smile.

"Great. I'll bring those back right away" she hurried off in the opposite direction.

I could tell she was a little shame, but that's exactly what she gets. Disrespectful broad.

"So you feelin some type of way huh?" He grinned. I blushed

"Don't flatter yourself man."

"Mhmm"

"Anyway, I forgot to ask about your day earlier. How was it?" I asked trying to change the subject

"My day was fine babe, thanks for asking" he said sincerely with a smile.

"I've got one client, an elder woman who I've been consulting with about her will and financial status. She's in her end stages of brain cancer."

"Oh my God!" I said nearly choking on a complimentary breadstick.

"I know."

"How do you deal with stuff like that?"

"Well, I don't usually have to deal with things like this, which makes it so delicate. But you can't even tell she's going through anything just by looking at her. She so full of life. When I'm working with her it's not even like it's business. She more like family to me. She really reminds me a lot of my mom- thank you." He said accepting his drink from Ms. Kaelah, who finally decided to make her way back with our drinks.

"I'll be back shortly to take your orders" I didn't respond, I just looked at her until she got the hint to leave.

Really? What's she like?" I asked, taking a sip of my Mojito. It was really good. I wonder what it tastes like with alcohol.

"She was.. Beautiful. So loving and care free. She'd give her last for almost anybody. For as long as I can remember she would always have a smile on her face. She was my everything." He smiled faintly.

"Was?" I said in a low tone.

"Yea. She died when I was fifteen in a car accident. Drunk driver." He said in a nonchalant manner, but I could tell it still bothered him.

"Wow, I'm so sorry. I lost my grandma. But I'm sure that doesn't compare to losing your mom"

"It's all good sweets. It still hurts but at least I know she's watching over me. And I'm positive that she would approve of you" he said before lifting my chin and giving me a peck on the lips.

"Awww stop it, thugs don't cry." I said wiping the corner of my eyes.

"Since when are Preacher's Kids thugs?" He cracked himself up laughing.

"It could happen. I bet I'll bust your head!" I thumped his ear.

"Yea?" He asked with a smirk on his face, right before he moved his hands on my stomach. Why did I tell this man I was ticklish?

"Nooooo Rich, stop!"

"Take it baaaack" he said continuing "Okaaaay Rich"

"Exactly"

"Whatever" I laughed elbowing him in his side. Shortly after our little horse playing sessions our food came.

"I don't see how you eat that shit" Rich said with a disgusted look on his face.

"Whatever man, just stick to your noodles over there. Sushi isn't as bad as people make it seem anyway." I giggled at him ducking his face when I tried to feed him a Cali roll.

"Come on try one please, for me?" I begged poking my lips out. He smacked his lips and took it. He didn't have it in his mouth for 5 seconnds before his face was all twisted.

"See, it wasn't that bad."

"All For You," he smiled.

"You say that a lot." I smiled lookin at him.

"That's cause I mean it Quanni. Whatever it takes you make you happy, and to make you mine. I'll do it all for you" he looked into my eyes. Out of nowhere his phone rang. He went to grab it. As soon as he read the I.D his whole demeanor changed.

"Everything okay?" I tried to pry a little.

"Yea it's fine. Just work." He said putting his attention back to his food. I knew he wasn't telling the truth, but I wasn't gonna go in before I had details. 'Cause something was definitely up, and it wasn't no freakin work.

After dinner we took a stroll in the park and continued talking about life. Our past, where we are now, and what we expect in the future. He really opened up to me, which was again..
So surprising. Afterwards he took me home, made sure I was safe inside, and promised to call me when he made it home.

I undressed, bathed and snuggled into my bed comfy king size bed. I didn't go to sleep immediately. I just laid there thinking about how my life has changed in the last few months. I mean, I've graduated high school and went straight into college, turned 18... And then Richard happens.
He's made this past couple of months seem like the best in my life. He's broken me down. Something I thought no guy would be able to do any time soon. Though I'm still taking things slow, I can tell he's gonna have a special place in my life and my heart, for a while.

But then I thought back to that phone call he got tonight at dinner. I know that look. There was definitely a female on the other end of that phone. Now, all I had to do was figure out who she was and what exactly was her significance- if she had any. It kinda had me worried. I mean surely after all this time we've spent together opening up to each other, I wouldn't find out that there was someone else. Maybe I was reading into it too much. Maybe it actually was work. I don't know, but best believe I would find out.

My phone lit up from the nightstand.

"Hello?"

"Sweets" he said. We talked on the phone for the rest of the night. Though I enjoyed it... I still wanted to know who was on that damn phone though....

Love you guys

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-CedraCee