"Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!" I yell into my fluffy pillow.

As if it isn't bad enough that I am going out on two ridiculous dates with him, now I am thinking of him incessantly.

Moments I spent with him keep playing in my head like a damn broken record.

I have class assignments and seminars lined up for me and here I am, my blasted heart is still thinking of Timi.

On our return from the library, I revealed my pathetic situation to Adisa. She bobbed and bounced on my mattress as she listened attentively to my sexual escapade. She found my situation irredeemably funny. "I'll advise you to go with the flow just like you always do," she observed, munching on a slice of watermelon.

One thing I just could not seem to do is draw back the attention that I am giving to the memory of him.

"It'll pass and you won't worry about this anymore. I think his hotness is the only getting you. It's just lust. And lust fades," she'd said nonchalantly.

And with that I try to bring the curtain down on my reckless thoughts.

It is hard to do that, but I believe it will eventually be dangerous to think of him all the time, I am sure he does not feel the same way about me, I realize with a scowl.

Seeing the man prowess in bed, it is obvious that thinking about him at all is all too hazardous for my wellbeing. He will remain strictly an ex-one night stander, unarguably, in my mind. Nothing more. Probably less. But definitely nothing more.

I know that I have broken my rules by committing myself to going out on two whole dates with him, and the result is that I have not had a wink of sleep. I have as much energy as a mare in heat, waiting for a stallion to give me a lasting mount.

Another few yells and screams and bangs on my fluffy pillow leaves me feeling only infinitesimally better.

I will not panic. I will swim with the flow, I decide. I will wear an ill-fitting, passion-killing sensible dress, which I wore to church back home.

That should do it, I tell myself as I pull out the ridiculous outfit for the evening date I will have with Timi.

With a hopeful mind, I drag my feet and examine my reflection in the shining mirror.

Excitedly, I decide that Timi will never find this hideous gown provocative. I glance, swaying the thing left and right. Finally, I head out to my destination.

*

"Why do you look upon me as such?" I finally ask, curious to know what is travesting his beautiful head every time he looks at me that way.

Taking a much needed breath in, I look around the diner which is my date location to-evening.

The shop buzzes with life as waiters hustle and customers bustle.

The tantalizing smell of the various delicious dishes helps to calm my fraying nerves. My eyes land back on Timi. His teeth is on display, smiling with a light quiver as if he finds my question funny.

I find this act nerve-wracking.

"I like you. Surely you feel the same way right?"

Upon hearing this, a heartwarming effect unfurl in me, these strange and bizarre feelings brings a frown to my face as his question finally register in my brain.

"No, I don't," I whisper harshly, whipping my head violently from his mind shattering gaze.

"I am hungry, aren't you?" I ask with a sickly sweet smile on my face.

Picking up the menu, I glance through the food and the prizes. Surprisingly, it is sensible and not extravagant, un-peculiar to what I thought earlier.

"I invited you on a date. And I'm sure it is written somewhere in the laws of dating, that you should never keep your guest, especially the beautiful ones, hungry," he retorts grinning like a Cheshire cat.

"Aww! You are so thoughtful," I hiss sarcastically.

He gives a light chuckle at me and I simper in anger.

Timi waves the waiter over and we order our food and wine.

I order a simple white rice and fried meat stew while he orders fried plantain and fried meat. Such a weird combo! I thought.

"This is wonderful," I exclaim as I wash my meal down with water.

"It's superb compared to other dinner houses I have been to."

"It is my utmost pleasure Jade," he replys with a slight bow.

We continue the meal in comfortable silence. And it is fascinatingly relaxing. Throwing a glance at Timi, he is totally enthralled by his food as he eats with so much gusto. I am sure that he completely loves to eat, I muse. His head raise at that moment staring at me with so much intensity.

"Are you good?" he ask, his eyes gleaming under the faint light from the chandelier above catching my glance.

His question brings a deep blush to my foundation layered face and I try unsuccessfully to cover up by giving utmost attention to my meat, carving it into squared chunks.

"Yes I am," I admit. I definitely feel more than good. And that makes me uncomfortable.

"Tell me more about yourself," he requests, leaning back in his chair after patting the corners of his delectable mouth with a handkerchief.

"Depends on what you want to know," I admit softly, gnawing lightly on my chunky meat before drowning it with the fine quality wine whose name I know not of.

"I know you are Jade, a final year student of Arts. I know you are different from other girls that I have ever met. Most girls do not freely speak their mind when it relates to sexual matter cause of our society nonsenses. What I do want to know is why you chose to be that way. What is the story behind it?" he asks, amusement evident on his features, pretending to be deep in thoughts as he rubs his stubble felinely.

I study him again as he did me.

Realizing I am at an impasse, I reply, "Why do you find it weird for me to think that way? Because I'm female?"

He huffs in a silent laugh, like he knew exactly what my imminent reply was going to be.

"If you know who I am, you'll know that my line of thought was not in that direction. I merely want to know the reason why you are that way. I am gender careless," he attenuates, leaning closer with his hands resting on the wooden table, his intent gaze on me.

"And why do you want to know?" I retort sharply, trying to figure out what he is getting at.

I don't share secrets with strangers, not even the fine ones I have shared a bed with.

"Because I'm interested in you," he drops, like a bomb, shrugging his shoulders nonchalantly, like it is a small deal.

"Why?" I force out with open shock relevant on my face.

"We've only met one day ago. Surely you do not believe in tall tales as such," I continue, folding my arms across my chest in a formidable stance.

Unknowingly, this brings my full breast and cleavage into view as I see Timi's gaze swipe up and down before taking a wistful of air.

I abruptly drop my hands in laps.

"Who hurt you?" he demand suddenly, raking his hands through his full hair in a forceful motion.

"I'd rather not breach that subject," I whisper taking in a gulp of air.

"It is written all over you. Someone hurt you, probably took-"

"I said I do not want to talk about it. Drop it," I whisper yell, cutting in.

I close my eyes tightly to gain a desired control over my emotions. Regaining some control, I open my eyes again, only to find Timi, staring intently at me. With something akin to concern and understanding in his eyes? I never expected it.

My throat thicken with emotions and tears that I am trying to hold back. However, I swallow them back and harden my gaze at him.

"I don't need your concern or understanding. You are a stranger to me and that's all you'll ever be. So stop playing games with my mind, trying to let me buy your bull story of 'you liking me'," I fume, with a wave of anger on my face.

Moving to stand up, I leave the damn date feeling embarrassed and sorry for what I just said.

However, words are like milk. Once split, there is no use crying over it.

Stomping out of the diner house, I feel anger, at myself for acting that way with him as he doesn't deserve such attitude from me and at him for asking me such deep questions and wanting to shatter my hardened walls of almost 21 years.

I sense him before I hear him.

"Jade! Can you wait up? Please?" he says in a pleading tone.

Huffing and puffing, I count to 10 in my head.

"Timi, I do not understand it when you say you like me that way. However, I know that I do not feel the same way about you. Going out on this date with you is against what I stand for. I do not do dates with my one night standers. I am really sorry but it is the way it is," I inform placidly. I say this high-hoping that he will feel hatred for me, what with my shapeless outfit which is now making me feel self-conscious with his intent scrutiny of my being.

"You still owe me a date," he inflects with a light smile on his face.

"You promised," he continues, pouting, with his hands deep in his pocket as he steadied his gaze on me.

I let out a shaky breath in obvious confusion. "You are supposed to hate me," I murmur, staring at him trying to figure him out. He should have scampered out of here with heavy hatred of me!

"Why should I hate you?" he asks in total confusion.

"I am not here to force you to change who you are. I just need you to accept me. Maybe not now," he says, "But definitely later." he adds with a corny grin, like he just said something deserving an award.

"You are crazy." I observe, rolling my eyes upward, almost stomping my feet in anger at the fact that my plan didn't work out.

"Jade, I am the most stubborn being on Earth and whatever I want will most definitely be mine. Sooner or later," he implies with a dark look in his eyes.

A look that promises so many things. Making me shiver in anticipation.

"Say you'll come with me on the next date," he whispers.

Leaning in close to me, so much so I can see his brown iris in the bright white light shining from the busy stores.

"Say it Jade," he continues pleadingly, leaving a soft kiss on my forehead.

I feel this kiss all the way down to my toes as they curl. I peer intently at him, trying hard not to give in to the shudders I feel when he caress my jaw so softly. It makes me want to weep.

"I will," I reply, taking a step back abruptly.

A smile tug at his lips as he looks at me in a way that I can't decipher.

"Can I hug you? Please?" he asks with a longing in his eyes.

A hug can't do no harm, right? I give in.

And boy! How wrong I was! His sweet smell permeates the air and fill my nostrils. I bury my head into his shirt, wanting to get more of his alluring scent which is totally his. His hold tighten on me like he doesn't want to let go.

"Let me see you home Jade," he mumbles into my neck. His hot breath making me flood.

"Please," he adds. I meant to say no, I am supposed to stand upon my no love theory.

But I don't.

He has gotten me hypnotized with his sweet corny lines, with the concern deeply etched in his eyes.

And I find myself nodding a yes in reply. I give myself a mental hard knock on the head for that.

Together, we take a walk back to my house as Timi has vowed earlier to be a total gentleman.

He looks more of a rake to me though. My heart is in an overdrive as I am at a loss of words to fill in the uncomfortable moment.

My apartment is not very far away. It branches off the main road and is surrounded by dainty square shops and stalls which are still open.

The street is bubbling with laughter which is carried across the air.

Glancing at him, he is looking keenly forward.

Surely, he looks like he has a lot on his mind.

"What's on your mind?" I ask, regretting my decision almost immediately.

I am not supposed to make his acquaintance!

"Assignments," he says softly, bringing me back into his stunning gaze.

"Really? You don't look the type that care about assignments or school work," I reply with my eyes wide open incredulously, I never took him to be the school serious type.

"You hurt me ma'am," he says fake gasping, wide-eyed, with a hand to his chest.

"I take my school work serious. But not that seriously," he adds with a flawless wink.

And what do I do?

I giggle like a school girl sighting her crush. What are you doing to me?

"We've gotten to my destination," I sigh.

He looks at me with an enviable composure and calmness before leaning closer to me.

Another shudder runs through my body and I feel a crackling electricity buzzing through my veins.

To be true, this feeling makes my heart to beat rapidly in my chest.

"I will see you for the next date. I will come pick you up," he affirms, examining my eyes closely.

His wandering gaze destabilizes my core. And I persistently wish I can be like him so I can gaze all I want, without this thundering feeling in my chest and heavy swarming of butterflies in my treacherous belly.

"I conceded already. I hold my promises in high esteem," I reply, shrugging my shoulders in a weak attempt to act nonchalant.

He smiles widely at this, with his dimple and teeth in full display, his happiness is indeed very infectious and I find myself smiling in return.

With a whisper of "Good night" in my ear and a pleasurable feeling deep in my core, I race up the stairs to my room with a raging heart to tend to and a heat wave to cool down.

*

Any sexual tension I felt the day before dispels as I hurry to class so as not to miss the impromptu test which our not so likable professor scheduled for the morning.

"I hate school!!" Adisa grunts besides me as we lay our backsides on the available seat in the not so empty lecture theatre. The professor is droning about some stuffs that he thinks are rather important. For once, everyone is in rapt attention listening to his area of concentration for the exam coming up next month.

Obviously, I don't share the same thought as I respond a "Hell yeah!" to Adisa with a loud guffaw.

The door opens, and another person--a bald top of head, with full beard--comes in, holding a big brown envelope, possibly containing our test questions.

He walks with a rather weird gait to the professor at the front of the class.

The whole class is mumbling and grumbling, as most, including me, hope and pray the test won't hold.

Well, I guess our prayers were not answered. Blood is pumping through my veins and my heart is beating wildly, this might be because of inadequate preparation on my side.

Oh lawdy! If only this test isn't impromptu.

"Aren't you scared, Adisa?"

"Nah! Whatever happens, happens," she replies with a lazy shrug of shoulder.

I roll my eyes at her, whenever she says that, she ends up coming top of the class.

Minutes later, everyone is neck-deep in their exam questions.

Some are scratching their heads in deep thought, some are asleep with their heads on the table.

Turning left, I see that Adisa is deep in writing as her pen scribbles furiously on her papers.
I am half-way done. The test is not as terrible as I thought it was going to be.

I hear my phone chirm in my bag, the same time the bell rings, announcing that the test is over.

The test sheets are gathered by the invigilator and students head for the door in groups discussing loudly how the test was for them.

"How was it?" Adisa asks from beside me. We are going in the same direction as the remaining students.

"It was okay," I mumble. "I'm sure you blasted it, didn't you huh?" I ask, shoving her in a head lock, with her struggling to get out of my hold.

"It was fine, I guess," she replies giggling. And skipping.

"Uhmmm, Jade, why is that guy staring intently at you? You have a secret crush or what?" she asks curiously.

Turning away from the shoes I am admiring at the front stalls, I follow her line of sight. It is Timi.

"What the hell is he doing here?" I say in a weary voice with my heart gaining immediate momentum.

"You know him?" Adisa asks with a small frown on her brown face.

"He's the guy I told you about," I reply shyly turning back to Adisa.
"Oh shit!! He is hot!!! Way hotter than you described him!!" Adisa exclaims.

"You should milk this one dry," she adds with a gleam in her onyx eyes.

Timi is already closing in our direction.

"Adisa! Please don't embarrass me," I plead desperately.

She rolls her eyes.

"What her friends for?"

I relax a bit.

"If they do not embarrass each other?" she adds conspiratorially.

Now, I am the one rolling my eyes.

"Just don't say something stupid."

Timi is here.

"Hi Jade," he croons, smiling at me.

"Hello Timi," I greet formally.

"Who is your friend? Care to introduce us?" he asks, glancing at Adisa with a small smile on his face.

"Adisa meet Timi. Timi meet Adisa, my best friend," I say, looking from one to the other.

Adisa has a shit-eating grin on her face.

She is definitely going to embarrass me.

"Nice to finally meet you in person. Jade has been going non-stop about you. So, I want to know: what do you want with my friend?" she exhales, taking a defensive stance with her folded hands.

I face palm mentally.

"I'm sorry about my friend. She is always so forward," I apologize profusely, embarrassed by Adisa's question.

True to say, I am actually glad deep inside that she asked. I wonder how he is going to reply to this. Maybe, finally, he'll back up off me.

"You don't have to apologize," he says shyly, rubbing the back of his head.

My treacherous thoughts finds that action cute.

"I'm interested in your friend, I want to get to know her better. All I'm begging for is a chance,"
he replies with his stare on me.

I stare into his face, which holds sincerity, what with his lips set in a firm line.

He truly means what he said, I realize.

"That's good enough. And how do you plan on making her to give you a chance?" Adisa asks with a smile.

"Adisa!!" I scream-yell trying to get her to stop.

She does not budge.

"I plan on wooing her slowly. I really hope she gives me a chance," he pouts.

"Good. That's good."

There is a brief pause with none of us knowing how to fill the silence.

I am embarrassed at Adisa's questions. They were asked like a true African parent.

"All right. I'll leave you two to it," Adisa says with twinkling eyes.

"I'll see you later Jade. I have to go to the market for....stuffs." she lies.

I look warily at her.

Don't leave me with him!, I communicate telepathically with her.

Hehehe, that's exactly what I'm hoping for, she responds.

"Are you sure I shouldn't follow you?" I ask, desperate to run away from Timi.

"No," she replies, quite hurriedly.
"I will see you later, you have a nice time," she winks, walking off with a final glance at Timi.

I give her the bird, mentally.

"Okay," I shout, as she is hurrying off, like hell is hot on her heels.

"Hey," Timi says, with his watchful molten cocoa brown orbs on me.

I finally get the chance to really look at him, his blue vest covers his broad sweep of shoulders and shoulders, while his black trousers snug his thighs and that delectable butt of his.

Even his boots look delicious on his feet. The tip of his tongue darts out to wet his sensuous mouth as he is about to say something.

"Why are you here?" I lash out, interrupting him before he could get a word out.

His eyes roam over me--taking in my worn sneakers, faded blue jean trousers and sweater top--before looking into my eyes, not bothering to hide the interest and want in them.

"I came around here to see my father, then I saw you," he says with those expressive lips of his.

"Your father works in this school?" I ask wide-eyed.

"He gave you the test you did this morning," he smirks.

"Prof. Boni?" I stumble out. "Wow! I never expected that," I mumble looking away from him.

"Why do you sound so shocked?" he asks with a fake scowl.

"Nothing. Just that your father is the most unpredictable lecturer I've ever had," I answer, looking everywhere but him, as I am really nervous making small talk with him.

"Tell me about it. It gets him high," he replies with a small laugh.

"Your test was good right?" he asks with a worried frown on his face.

I gaze up at him with my thoughts flying around. He cares. He cares about me.

Why?

"Yeah it was good," I reply lukewarmly.

Like my heart isn't beating fast, like my blood isn't pumping rapidly.

Like my pulse isn't racing.

"That's great!" he exclaims with a great smile. Excitement is coursing through my veins and it takes a lot of self-control to stop myself from doing something totally cheesy.

Like hold his hands or give him a peck on his smooth cheek.

"So are you busy right now?" he asks with his eyes glancing around.

He is shy, I realize.

This brings a smile to my face as I cackle out loud like the bitch that I am.

"Why do you ask?" I throw back.

"Why do you love to answer a question with another?" he retorts, gnawing lightly on the corner of his lips.

"I just think it will be nice for us to sit somewhere and enjoy a nice time. You know?" he mutters, shuffling his weight.

"I'm not busy. And besides I need to chill after that shockingly impromptu test given by your dad." I reply.

He seems relieved after hearing my answer.

Timi gave a low chuckle, "I apologize on behalf of my dad," he says, with his eyes on me before taking hold of my hand out of the blue.

I snap my gaze from his face to our conjoined hand.

"Why are you holding my hand?" I complain trying to resist that little idiotic part of me chanting yes to what he is doing.

"I don't want to lose you," he replies with a glint in his eyes.

I am extremely grateful for my long braid, for they provide a shield from his impervious gaze, lest he sees those emotions playing in my eyes.

"Luckily for us, I know this beautiful place where we can chillax."

*

Oxygen, a chemical compound is in bountiful abundance on our walk to the "Bluetiful park" described by Timi as a very "chill place".

I enjoy the comfortable silence as I take in lungful of air.

"Wow!" I exclaim as we get to our destination.

The park is really beautiful with the luscious green carpet grasses.

"You like it?" Timi asks with a smirk.

"I love it," I reply.

"Thank you for bringing me here." I add tightening my hold on him.

And yes we are still holding hands. Our clasped hands sends crackles of electricity through me and I can feel the buzzing chemistry between us.

I ignore it.

"I asked you a question," he murmurs, smiling, like he knows exactly what I was thinking.

"What did you ask for?" I reply, casting him a shy glance. "I'm sorry, I got lost in this beautiful atmosphere," I add, quite sheepishly, trying to save face.

"I know. I get lost in the atmosphere most times I'm here," he says, with a lightness in his eyes.

"What is your favorite pastime?" he asks again.

We are finally seated on a nice long wooden chair situated under a medium sized tree.

The breeze here is really good and it helps to blow off some of the bloody steam my body is generating at the moment.

"Watching movies. Sharing a gist with Adisa. Streaming YouTube," I reply, resting my aching back against the chair.

"Care to share yours?"

"Going on walks," he answers, "Listening to music too."

I nod in understanding, crossing my legs.

Suddenly, Timi moves closer to me, there is like a two-inch distance between us.

I realize, God help me, that I want him much closer than that.

"Tell me about your family." he prods.

"We are three," I proceed cautiously. "Maama, father and me."

"Is that all?"

"Yes that's all. What else do you want to know?" I demand moving away from him, feeling a burning need to put several centimeters between us.

Honestly, none of this is his fault, I just get tense whenever family discussions came up.

"I thought you would want to say more than that," he plods carefully, with a small frown on his face.

"I'm sorry if I made you feel bad, but, there are some things I would not love to delve into," I mutter in a weird ass apology, hugging myself close as I avoid his penetrating stare by gazing into the far distance.

"You are quite secretive," he observes. Still staring at me.

Willing me to look back at him. I give myself a mental hot slap for doing just that. Getting caught in his stare.

"Come closer Jade," he pleads.

"Don't be scared, I won't hurt you," he continues, seducing and hypnotizing me with his words which are calling to me like a siren.

My own male siren.

And I totally like it.

Like it?

No, I absolutely love it.

And so I come closer and closer.

Dangerously. Like a moth to a flame.

Idiotic moth.

"I don't want you to see me like you see others. I want you to be able to tell me whatever you think without fear because I would never judge you. And you can tell me whenever you are ready," he concludes with a tone of finality, while holding me close to his bosom with his hands running through my braids.

His words sends a flood of emotion through me making me want to cry. I blink back tears and hold my emotion at bay.

"That was unarguably nice of you. I genuinely appreciate it," I whisper, for I fear the crack in my voice should be heard.

"Tell me about your family," I demand brushing my fingers lightly on his hands wrapped around me, trying desperately to switch topics and lighten the heavy mood.

"Well, there is Dad, my sister Aly and me," he replies with a strange look on his face.

"What about your mom?" I inquire.

"She died while birthing Aly. Dad tried filling in for her by acting as both parents. His love for us has always been evident," he answers with a tight smile.

"Sorry about your mom."

I feel guilty for asking about her.

"Thank you. My dad has been single since mom's death. I don't think he will ever get over her," he continues.

"You have a nice father," I comment.

"Just wait till you meet him. He can be a real charmer," he says with a beautiful grin on his face.

His love for his family is very evident from the tone of voice he used when speaking of them.

Wish I could say the same for mine.

"He was a real charmer, alright. What with that impromptu test he gave," I fake glare.

"Oh! You just have to forgive him for that," Timi laughs.

I can't stop looking at him in that moment, looking all carefree with chagrin. And I can't help my next action.

I kiss him.

Yes, lightly on the chin. But I kissed him all the same.

His eyes are wide like saucers for a second, like I caught him unawares.

But he regains focus almost immediately.

His finger trace my trembling bottom pink lip as I hear him groan out.

"I know you can do a whole lot better than that," he purrs, so softly I almost couldn't hear.

Maybe I am too far gone, drowning in emotions buzzing in my veins. In my brain, everywhere, to hear him.

"Or are you shy?" he asks with an evil glint in his eyes. Beckoning and challenging me.

There is this intense need coursing through me, needing to be channeled lest I lose my senses.

"I love your lips. They're so rosy," he mumbles, lost in thought.

"Tell me Jade. Do you or do you not want me to kiss you?" he asks, gazing intently into my muddy brown eyes as if the answer is in there.

"I want to be a gentleman this evening as I won't ask next time," he says, smiling wickedly.

A ban should be placed on his smile.

Nodding my head in agreement as my lips are now sealed, he replies, "I need your words Jade. Words."

He is smiling in amusement like he knows exactly what he is doing to me. With his fingers tracing the shell of my ear to the nape of my neck oh so softly. It takes all my remaining strength not to scream "Yes!!" for the whole park to hear.

"Yes," I whisper so lightly it is a miracle he hears.

My heart is chanting, yes! Yes!! Yes!!!

His lips descend on mine immediately in a soft capture. His are very soft and the kiss is indeed very gentle. He sets the pace and I follow. Nip for nip. Bite for bite. The tension in me building rapidly. Stretching almost to the point of snapping. I want more. So I tug on the collar of his brown jacket looking all snug on him. I find myself immensely jealous of the poor piece of clothing.

Only for him to stop, quite abruptly if I might add. What is all this? I think angrily.

"I want to court you Jade," he says with a highly sincere tone.

I am so shocked, I give a curt laugh.

The hot furnace burning in me now replaced with cold ice.

"What did you just say?" I ask.

Out of the possibility that I did not hear him well.

"I said I want to court you," he repeats firmly. "Or date you like people say now," he adds thoughtfully.

"This wasn't our agreement," I attack, not knowing how to feel.

"Then tell me Jade. How do I win your heart?" he asks with a frown marring his pretty face.

I want to trace it away but I refrain.

"Why do you always have to ruin everything?" I whisper sadly. "I have to go," I say, taking my leave already.

Running away not daring to turn back to his voice pleading for me to stay.

No, I cannot stay. This is all too sudden for me to bear.

So I run.

*******

Hiiii everyone!!!
I woke up hungry, and guess what I wanted???...

YOUR VOTES AND COMMENTS!!!!!

C'mon, vote and comment. Don't let me die of starvation.

Thank you!!!!!!

Till the next update, see ya!!!