“Answer my question, Bunny.”
“You’remybest friend, Mahari. I know you wouldn’t turn your back on me, but I don’t like how possessive Dynasty seems to be when it comes to you. She didn’t even give me a chance before judging me. I would’ve been open to getting to know her if she didn’t come at me the way she did at the club that night. It was as if she was threatened by me. I never got that vibe from Heaven, so Dynasty immediately left a bad taste in my mouth, one that’s lingered. So, that’smyproblem with her. Now, answer my question.”
“I think her problem is more so with me than you.”
“Shittin’ me.” Aspen mocked Mahari, and he poked her side. She yelped and hit his hand. “Mahari!”
“That’s payback from throwing the pillow. But nah, I’m serious. There’s been times when she and I had something planned, you needed me, and I chose you. Simple.”
In a whisper, Aspen inquired, “Why do you always choose me?”
“Haven’t I always?”
“Yes, but . . . why? I mean, my own ex, your cousin, couldn’t find the love to choose me. Why do you?”
Carefully, Mahari placed Aspen’s foot back on the footrest and moved closer to her. He draped his arm over her shoulder, and she laid her head on his chest.
“Because I’ve never had to search for love when it comes to you, Bunny. For me, it’s always been easy to love you, which makes it easy for me to choose you.”
“In what way do you love me?”
Aspen’s question caught Mahari off guard. He massaged his beard, wanting to choose his words carefully. A part of him wanted to reveal what was on his heart, while the other wanted to hold it near and dear. The thought of being vulnerable made his palms sweaty. His mouth filled with saliva that he had to quickly swallow down.
Deep down, Mahari wasn’t sure if Aspen was ready for the truth or if he was ready to say it out loud. For so long, he’d been in denial, trying to convince himself he felt one way when he felt another. The people closest to him would be affected by his true emotions, but he felt there was no better time than now to tell Aspen.
It would be a secret only they knew about.
“Do you want the truth, Aspen?” Mahari asked to test the waters.
Aspen sat up and stared at him. “Of course, I do. You’ve never hesitated to tell me the truth before. Why do you seem hesitant now?”
“Because, Bunny, . . . the truth may change things for us.”
“How so?”
“My love for you is beyond our friendship. It runs deeper, and it has for a while. It’s something I couldn’t speak on because of you being with Lance. You don’t understand the guilt I feel whenever those feelings arise whenever I’m around you, knowing we can’t be together in that way. Knowing if I kept it real, I would run the potential of not only changing the course of our relationship, but my relationship with Lance as well. If you can’t read in between the lines with that, then I don’t know what to tell you,” Mahari explained, tapping her chin.
Tugging on her bottom lip, Aspen didn’t reply immediately, which worried Mahari. For a moment, it was as if time stood still while they allowed Mahari’s words to settle in. Their eyes never left one another. Mahari waited for Aspen to speak, to say whatever was on her heart. He had a feeling she felt the same way, but he needed to hear it. He needed her to confirm the unspoken tension that had been brewing between them for years.
To Mahari’s surprise, Aspen inched closer to him. He didn’t hesitate to welcome her when she palmed the sides of his face.The pad of her thumb rubbed through his beard as their faces moved in closer. With his hand cupping her chin, Mahari could feel Aspen’s breathing quicken from the pants brushing against his lips. He closed his eyes and pressed their foreheads together.
“Say what’s on your mind, Bunny.”
“Did this happen when . . .” Her voice trailed off, but Mahari knew exactly what she was talking about.
“Nah. It was before then. I’d say a year and a half after Heaven passed. Having you through the grieving process meant more to me than you know, and it seemed to bring us closer. I’ve always cared for you deeply, but it intensified.”
“Why didn’t you ever tell me, Mahari?”
He lifted his head and raised a brow. “You know exactly why I never did. By the time I’d come to terms with everything, you were in a relationship with Lance.”
“And?” Aspen scoffed. “You could’ve said something. You could’ve kept it real with me, and I wouldn’t have hesitated to drop Lance and see where life would take us. I’ve pictured a life with you, Mahari. One where I know I’m loved, safe, and adored. One where I can show you the same. Like you, I’ve chastised myself for even thinking that way because of Lance, but in the words of Lavender, fuck Lance.”
Mahari felt like he’d dropped the ball. He’d missed his opportunity to what could possibly be another beautiful love in his life. With the current circumstances, pursuing anything with Aspen wouldn’t be the smartest decision. Despite what his heart and soul yearned for, Mahari’s mind wouldn’t allow him to betray his cousin.
At least, he thought so.
When Aspen palmed his face and crashed her lips onto his, he didn’t pull away. Mahari deepened the kiss, welcoming the feel of their tongues colliding and creating a dance of their own.His hand traveled up to Aspen’s neck where he lightly squeezed, and she released the sexiest moan into his mouth.
