AMADI

"Your Kimono." I say to her, handing over the wet piece of clothing to her. A clear reminder of our make-out session some few moments ago.

She visibly gulps and I watch as she batts her lashes before collecting it from my hand. Her gaze shifts downward, shyly. I use that opportunity to draw her closer to me. She has no idea how cute she looks, clad in just pj shorts and the matching top.

"What are you doing?" She asks, almost in a whisper as her eyes meet mine again.

"What I should have done since the first day I saw you." I dip my head down and give her a kiss on the lips, once again catching her off guard. I ensure to linger for a while till she responds, kissing me back. I don't know what has come over me recently but I find myself thinking about her more than I should. Her lips are like a drug, like an addiction, asking to be kissed. To be ravished, to be explored.

I pull back and my thumb goes to her swollen lips, caressing it. I smirk as I'm the reason behind its current  state. She gasps and tries to free herself from my grip but I hold her in place.

"Go out with me, Shalewa." I lean close to her, staring her in the face. This is so intense. I could feel the tensed atmosphere.

"Amadi." She looks all flustered and bothered. It is hot plus I love how my name rolls from her mouth. She is so beautiful.

"Yes?" I raise an eyebrow at her.

"I...." She stutters, breathing heavily.

"Cat got your tongue? You what?" I ask her as the corner of my lips tip up in a smirk.

"Just one date, Shalewa. One. Let's see how it goes after." I say. I can't believe I am doing this. Me that swore to stay off women after the whole Nnenna fiasco. Not even how many days after finalizing on the divorce, I'm already asking another woman out. This is insane!

"Hmmmm..." Why's she not giving a response? My hand rests on the top of her hips and I give it a light squeeze.

"Shalewa. I'm not a patient man." My voice comes out raspy, staring at the temptation in my arms. My tongue swirls across her skin on her neck region.

"Kaima is just across us in the sitting room." She whispers, breathless.

As if on cue, "Daddy, your password! The phone locked." Kaima's voice rings through the house.

"Coming, angel." I respond, chuckling lightly.

"I don't want her seeing us like this." She says as the corner of her eyes look in the direction from which the voice came.

"Then answer me, Shalewa." I insist. I don't plan on loosening my hold on her till she gives me a reply.

"I won't let you go till you give an answer. Even if Kaima walks in on us." Her eyes widen in surprise before she smacks my hand.

She sighs "Yes. I'll go out with you." She finally says.

"Good girl." I smirk and peck her on the lips before releasing my hold on her. Immediately, she sucks in a deep breath. I just chuckle, wink at her and leave to be with my darling daughter with the perfect timing. Sarcasm included.

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SHALEWA

I grumble and stomp my feet in defeat. Why are his attempts at invading my thoughts fruitful?

My breath is still ragged as I go back to preparing the jollof rice. Few more minutes and it is ready.

I take a peek at the sitting room. "Hey, I have jollof rice ready." I say to Amadi.

"Should I dish some for you guys?" I ask him.

"Yeah. Sure. Let me taste your food today, hope it's delicious o." I give him a fake grin and roll my eyes while he laughs at my expense. Men don't know how annoying that joke is. To them, it's funny. They don't know how nervous it is having someone taste your dish for the first time and then that playful remark, it displaces even the best of chefs.

"I'm just joking nau." He chuckles and follows me to the kitchen.

"Just leave me alone." I shrug his hand off my shoulder in annoyance.

"Don't be angry. Hmmm? Please." He circles his hand on my waist and leans his head on my shoulder as he spoke.

I shake my head and reply with "No."

"Mma, I'm sorry." For something so petty that I am angry for, he's actually being real with his apology.

"Alright. You are forgiven." I say.

"Thank you." He magically steals a peck from my cheeks.

"Oya, shoo. I want to plate the food. Except you're willing to help me."

"You know I'll always be willing." He wiggles his eyebrows and I just shake my head at his obvious display of childishness.

"Pass me two wide plates and a small deep one, please." He smiles and does as told. From the corner of my eyes, I could see him studying me. Heaven knows how I was able to dish out the food without a spill or even the plate probably breaking. He's making me too conscious and nervous but strangely comfortable at the same time.

"Here is yours and I'll take mine and Kaima's. Dinning table or free style?" I ask him. By free style, I mean randomly eating anywhere. In this instance, the sitting room.

"You pick. You're the host." He shoots me a mouth watering grin.

"Free style it is, then." I pick this option because my seats are kind of low for Kaima's reach. Holding the two plates in both hands, a force consumes me and I find myself swaying my hips teasingly. Gosh, I am flirting with Amadi. Is this even right?

I still feel guilty about Timi's death and punishing myself not to get emotionally involved with anyone seems like the best pay for what I did.

Instantly, my emotions get clouded and I feel something in me shift.

"I'll be back." I sprint to my room, not paying attention to Amadi's questioning look.

Immediately the door closes, I land on my bed and allow the tears to fall, as I sob quietly in my pillow, in a bid not to alert his attention.

I miss Timi. So much. But why do I feel very comfortable with Amadi? Why are the buried warm and lively feelings suddenly getting ignited by his presence? Why? Why?

I sob harder, confused and tired of thinking. In that state, I fall asleep, forgetting the people I left behind.

5:00AM

Hunger. Severe hunger is the motivating factor behind me waking up at this time. I skipped dinner and....

Dinner.... shit! Amadi! Kaima!

Immediately, I wear my purple flip flops and hasten up to check for them.  Amadi is sprawled on the couch, his phone lying beside him. I search the house to find Kaima sleeping in one of the guest rooms.

I grab a spare blanket and rush back to where Amadi is to cover his body. Immediately, his hand grabs mine forcefully.

"Ouch!" I wince in pain.

"Sorry." He apologises immediately after realizing it's just me.

"I was just being alert." He adds.

"I thought you would have left. Sorry for the inconvenience." It is me who should be tendering an apology, not the other way around.

"I couldn't leave. Not without knowing what went wrong." Such a caring man.

"Nothing. Just wanted to rest my head and mistakenly slept.' I conveniently tell a lie, not wanting to be a bother.

"Okay." I could see the hesitation in his eyes but he chose not to speak.

"I'll be going now." He announces.

"Alright. I'm really sorry. You could leave Kaima here, you know." I just think it will be unfair to disturb her sleep.

"But you'll need to go to the gym." He points out.

"Well, I'll just skip." I shrug.

"Oh. Okay, then. Bye." He gives me a brief hug and starts walking to the door. As his hand touches the knob, he turns back.

"When do we go on our date?" He asks.

"Monday evening?" I randomly say. A sincere smile graces his face.

"Alright. See you Monday evening, then. Dress nice." His eyes roam my figure when he says that and I feel that familiar shiver again.

"But I'm still bringing Kaima and we even have therapy today!" I wanted to yell but he's already gone.

I try to steady my breath at the thought of Monday, seeing as my palms are already becoming sweaty out of nervousness.

This man is doing things to me.