THE COVEN’S BRIDE
CHAPTER 9
NALEDI
“How do I look?” I ask Tshidi. The previous night, I did my hair and got the chance to buy this string-top flared dress for my date with Sibusiso. I went for a natural look with makeup. I wanted to do a full glam but opted to keep it simple since we will be out in nature.
“You look amazing, although I have already mentioned that I don’t like the dress. I think you should have gone for a jumpsuit and shown off those curves.”
Fixing my braids, I answer. “I love the dress, I think it’s perfect for the occasion. We are getting to know each other not trying to f*ck.”
“You never know, one thing might lead to another. I hope you are not wearing grandmother panties. We don’t want to traumatize Mr Gumbi.”
I chuckle, shaking my head. “I am not about to sleep with him in a public space. As I said, we are getting to know each other – plus, you know that I want to wait until I am married.”
“What if Mr Handsome doesn’t want to wait until marriage? Do you think you will be able to deal with that? I wouldn’t want to see you get hurt.”
I sigh heavily. I like Sibusiso a lot and I think I would be devastated if he told me he could not wait for me. I don’t just want to give myself to the first man who fancies me. I want to wait for my wedding night.
I say, “I don’t want to think about that for now – what if I get to know him and realize, I don’t like him? I will cross that bridge when I get to it.”
My phone vibrates, and Tshidi hands it to me. It’s Sibusiso notifying me that he is on his way to pick me up. I am so looking forward to today and getting to know him. He sounds like a decent man. I hope he is what I think he is. I like him, and I would be heartbroken if he were not the man I think he is.
“Are you ready?” Tshidi asks after I come out of the bathroom. I think I am ready. “Are you nervous?”
“No. Is that a bad sign?”
She shakes her head. “I think that is a good sign. Take care of yourself. If you feel like you are not safe, just call me and I will come pick you up.”
“Thanks, but I am sure I will be fine.”
Tshidi says, “You never know with men. Please, if you feel even the slightest that you are not safe, call me.”
“I will do that.”
A message pings in, Sibusiso is outside my apartment. I tell Tshidi that there is no need to walk me out. I know she will just threaten Sibusiso to bring me back safely. When I walk out of the gate, Sibusiso is already out of the car. Today he is wearing a baby-blue golf t-shirt with black formal trousers. He is wearing sunglasses and looks good as always.
“Hey, Snowy,” he greets with a wide smile.
“It’s Naledi for you. You are not yet allowed to use that name.”
“Are you ready?” he asks, opening the car door for me. I get in and put on the seatbelt. He gets in the car and sits facing me. “You look breathtaking.”
“Thanks.”
“How was your week?” He asks, starting the car and driving away. I tell him that my week was hectic. I am always busy at work because most clients want their hair done by me.
“How was your week?”
Sibusiso answers, “Good, I am enjoying resting. Not looking forward to getting back to work.”
“Getting back to work, as in getting back to Germany?”
“I am still thinking about everything,” he says, his focus on the road.
“What does that mean?”
The car stops at the traffic light. He looks at me and says, “How can I go back there when you are here?”
I stop myself from smiling. That shows that he is thinking about me, thinking about us. “We are not dating yet, don’t let me get in the way of your plans.”
“You are my plans, Naledi.” The car starts moving again. I try to ignore what he said. I don’t want to get ahead of myself. I will let him decide what he wants and feels is right for him. Although I would like him to move here full-time.
After about half an hour, we drive into someplace. I look around as he drives in. “What is this place?”
“An outdoor fun place. It’s not yet open, they are still working on it. A family friend owns it. I needed a quiet place to have lunch with you, so I asked them if I could bring you here. They agreed.”
It must be nice being rich, talking to a few people, and they will make things happen for you. Sibusiso parks the car and comes to open the door for me.
“Thanks,” I say, looking around. “Nice, I already see go-karting and horse riding. I would love to one day come here when they open.”
“You will be the first person to come here when they open. This way please.”
As we approach where he is leading me, I can already see a picnic set up under a tree. I wonder who he ordered to set this up. We sit down and he asks me if I want wine or champagne. I settle for wine.
“This is so good,” I moan. I didn’t mean to say that out loud but damn this is some good quality wine.
“I stole it from my mother’s collections. She always has the best wine.”
I say, “I hope we won’t get in trouble with Mom for stealing her wine.”
“I doubt she will notice,” he answers. “Tell me more about yourself.”
“What would you like to know?”
“What’s your relationship with your family like?” he asks. Did he have to ask that specific question? But again, we are getting to know each other. I guess I cannot run away from that question.
“My parents passed away when I was young. I was raised by my aunt and uncle. They are lovely people.”
He looks at me, I think he can see that I am lying. My aunt is a horrible human being, but I am not going to badmouth her. Sibusiso picks up the wine bottle. “Refill?”
“Are you trying to get me drunk with your good wine?”
He chuckles, “I would never.”
“I am messing with you. I would like a refill, thank you.”
He refills my glass. I pick up a strawberry and take a bite. There is something about how he looks at me that makes me blush. And those thick lips, I wish I were kissing them right now.
“What is it?” Sibusiso asks.
He just caught me staring at his juicy lips, or maybe it is the wine getting to me. “It’s nothing.”
He reaches for my hand. “It’s not nothing, please tell me what is on your mind.”
“It’s nothing.” I pick up a strawberry and feed him.
Maybe that will make us change the topic. He holds my hand and takes a bite of the strawberry. I hold my breath when his lips brush against my hand. Maybe this was also a bad idea. He lifts his eyes and locks them with mine – we hold the gaze for a moment. I want him to kiss me badly. I think he sees it too because he takes the glass from my hand, sets it aside, and cups my face.
“I am going to kiss you,” he whispers, and all I can do is nod.
His lips meet mine, and he lets out a moan. It’s like he just tasted something he has been craving for a long time, and I like that. He sucks on my lips, and I part my mouth slightly so he can taste my tongue and that seems to drive him crazier because he pulls me closer and kisses me hungrily.
I lay back on the blanket and let him get on top of me. He is the best kisser I have ever had, and only if he knew how wet I am right now. I swear I am close to losing my morals and asking him to take my v*rginity right under this tree. And man, he is so hard I can feel him pressing against me. He looks like the kind of man that knows how to give a good fuck.
I let out a loud moan when his hand goes to my bre@st. I seriously need to stop him. I want to stop him, but for some reason, words are failing me, and I am pulling him closer. His lips move from mine to my neck – it’s confirmed, I am losing my virginity today.
Sibusiso stops kissing me and looks into my eyes. “Are you okay?”
“I am fine.”
With a smile, he says, “We should stop before we do something crazy in a public space.”
“True.”
He pulls me closer and kisses me once more. My mind is screaming that he makes love to me. I think I am ready. He breaks the kiss and says, “You have the sweetest lips I have ever tasted.”
“You too.”
He kisses me once more. “We should stop.”
“We should,” I speak in between the kisses.
“Baby, we seriously need to stop.”
“Okay,” I say, yet kissing him back. I doubt we will stop, not when we are still hungry for each other like this.