Chapter 11: Finding paradise

 

Jason carefully stopped the car beside the sidewalk. He turned to Carli, leaned over and kissed her on the forehead.

"Baby, you okay?", he asked. He was a little worried about her. She still had a spaced out look on her face. 

Carli nodded.

Jason touched her face. Carli lifted her hand and briefly touched his hand. She smiled.

"You called me baby?" Her eyes lit up.

"Mhm," Jason said. "Because you are my baby."

She chuckled softly. "Friends don't call each other 'baby'," she said.

Jason turned his body more towards her in the vehicle. 

He planted a gentle kiss on her forehead, then gave her a soft kiss on her lips. "Then I'm more than your friend."

Carli looked at him with an amused look. "I thought you said we're taking things slow?"

"We are, but I have decided that I wanna be intentional about dating you," he said.

"So, no touching sexually, et cetera?", Carli asked. A mischievous smile curled up her lips.

"None of that," he said. Jason's mouth was curling up into a smile too now.

Carli playfully slapped him on the shoulder. She reached her hands under his arms and tickled him. 

"Hey! Hey! Careful! My foot is still near the gas!" Jason said, surprised at her outburst of enthusiasm.

Carli laughed. Jason shut off the engine then looked at her, his eyes showed his affection.

Jason lifted his left hand and used his thumb to gently brush against her lips. "You are so beautiful," he said. Carli kissed his finger. She opened her mouth and began sucking on it slowly.

Jason was turned on by what she was doing. She knew how to push his buttons. He leaned over and kissed her. He teased her lips slowly but held back on kissing her passionately. He touched her face.

"I love you," he said.

Carli had closed her eyes when he was kissing her. When she heard those words her eyes flew open. 

Jason was looking at her, his eyes told her that what he said was true. Carli touched his face.

"I love you too," she said. 

Jason grinned. The day wasn't a total loss.

"I'm going to go inside for some things, then come back and we can spend the rest of the day together until I take you home, and I'm taking you home late," he said, his gaze taking her in.

Carli nodded.

Jason leaned over and gave her a playful kiss on the cheek. He stepped out of the car to get some stuff from the house. 

Jason felt like skipping or maybe jumping. He felt so much lighter. It felt like a big boulder was lifted off his shoulders. He loved her. He couldn't deny it any longer, and he didn't want to. He opened his front door and entered the house. 

She said she loved me! Yes! Jason thought.

He had never felt this great before, not even when he found out he was accepted into the university. That was undeniably a good moment for him, but this with Carli was amazing. It felt wonderful. It felt right.

He looked for his driver's license and national ID. He placed those in his wallet. He grabbed his duffle bag. He had gotten a new one a few weeks before. He placed clean clothes, underwear, toiletries: a toothbrush and toothpaste, soap, three towels and body wash for men in the bag. He bent down, reached his hand under the bed and retrieved two pairs of sneakers and a pair of black shoes, and his work boots. 

He also packed his favorite cologne. He knew Carli liked that one, she never said, but he could tell by the way she would lean over and smell him. He also placed about $300,000 in his wallet along with three ATM bank cards. 

Throwing the bag over his shoulder, Jason locked the door and walked briskly back to the car. On approaching, he saw that a man was leaning on the passenger side of the vehicle, which means they were talking to Carli. As he drew closer he realized it was Puppy Foot.

"Puppy Foot? Everything arite?", Jason asked. He looked at him. Jason could feel his body growing tense.

Puppy Foot turned around smiling. "No man. Nuttin nuh wrong. Ah see mi see this nice girl out here, an' mi seh mi a guh seh hi. Mi memba she is your woman, man. Although you nah play enuh bredda." Puppy Foot came close to Jason and whispered, "Den mi nuh see yuh wid di dark skin one this morning?" He gave him a 'you and I know what's going on' smile.

Jason nodded. "Yeah, yuh see mi," he whispered. "A just suh it guh. Got to keep 'em on them toes. Literally." He faked a 'gyalis laugh'. Puppy Foot laughed vulgarly with him.

Puppy Foot looked back at the beautiful brown chick in the car. "Your car this?"

"No," Jason said. "A guh pon a ends, yuh see mi." 

Puppy Foot looked carefully at him. He saw the bag Jason had over his shoulder and said "Oh zeen." He nodded and removed the ganja spliff perched behind his ear. He took a lighter from his pocket and lit the charred end. He placed the unburnt part in his mouth, took two puffs and blew out smoke slowly. He had a reflective expression on his face. 

"Arite bredda. Be careful. Yuh know seh dem gyal yah nuh loyal. Yuh see mi."

Jason nodded. Puppy Foot gave him a pat on the shoulder and walked passed him down the lane into the community. Jason went over to the car, entered the driver's side of the vehicle and sat down. He touched Carli's hand. He looked into her eyes. "You okay? What did he say to you?"

Carli smiled at him. "Nothing raunchy, don't worry. He was actually a gentleman. He told me his name and asked for mine."

"You told him?", Jason asked.

"Yes I did. Then he told me that he thought I was cute and you were lucky to have me. He also said he hoped you chose carefully. Not sure what that meant." Carli eyed him with an amused look on her face.

Jason smiled. Good boy. He thought to himself. 

He put the car in drive and moved the vehicle away from the curb slowly, observing oncoming traffic through the rare view mirror. Once he was comfortably on the road way he glanced at Carli.

"There is something that I need to tell you," he said. "Matter of fact, that is why I came by to see you earlier."

"Really? What is it?"

"You're not gonna like it," he said looking at her.

"You're gonna tell me or what?" She turned her torso towards him.

"Marsha snuck into the house last night while I was asleep."

"What?!" Carli was shocked.

She stared at Jason, her eyebrows pulled together. "What time was this?"

Jason glanced at her briefly then looked back on the road.

"About after 3 a.m. or maybe around 4 o'clock. I was asleep when she came in. I woke up to find her in my room near my bed. She was probably sitting on it."

Carli felt jealous. This Marsha girl was getting on her nerves.

"Did anything happen between you two?", Carli asked. She watched him closely.

Jason started to feel nervous. He cleared his throat. "She kissed me ..."

Carli hissed her teeth and swore. 

Jason looked at her shocked. Since when did she use Jamaican expletives?

"Carli," he said. He looked at her briefly. "She kissed me. She forced herself on me and I pushed her off."

"Did anything else happen?" Carli's voice was low and menacing.

"I may have pushed her on the bed and climbed on top of her." He was gonna be transparent with her. 

"Jason! What the hell?!" Her eyes were wide. Her mouth was open in shock.

"Do you have feelings for Marsha? Tell me now Jason?", Carli asked angrily. 

She paused then said, "Ohh suh dats why Jermaine seh him hope yuh choose carefully." Carli wondered who he was rooting for, her or Marsha.

Jermaine? Puppy Foot told Carli his real name. Him a try look Carli. Jason thought feeling annoyed.

He felt awkward. It was a good thing he was not far from where he was driving to.  

"Carli, baby. I was angry. In the moment I was upset. I was angry she took such a big risk to come see me that time of night. I wanted to rough her up a little. That was all. I don't even know how she got up to my place. Buses don't run at that time of night."

"Maybe she chartered a taxi. I don't know. Jason the point is you let her kiss you and you were on top of her. How do I know you're not lying that you didn't kiss her back or that you guys didn't have sex?"

Jason released his left hand from the steering wheel and grabbed Carli's hand. His eyes were still watching the road. "Carli, honey. I have told you what happened between me and Marsha. I could have not said anything."

"And what about what Puppy Foot said?", Carli queried. "You could have decided to tell me because he almost blew your cover?"

"Nah baby. I could have decided not to say anything. You didn't know what he was talking about. I could have made it look like he was just being mischievous." Which was what he was doing. Jason thought.

Jason squeezed her hand. "Carli, I love you. I don't say those words to just any random girl. As a matter of fact, the only females I've told I love them, besides you, are my mom and grandma." He looked over at her sour face. 

He released her hand and used the back of his hand to lightly stroke her cheek. "Believe me. It's all about you. There's no one else."

"But Marsha is not random," she said, her eyes assessing him. 

Jason smiled ruefully. "True. She isn't random, but she isn't who I want either. I want you and only you." His expression was sincere. He turned his gaze back to the road.

Carli calmed down. "Don't do that again. Your lips belong to me now," she declared.

"Hear you loud and clear, baby." Jason laughed softly. He playfully pinched her chin. He placed his hand back on the steering and turned right off the main road into a street that led to a small apartment complex.

He parked the car in an empty parking space. He alighted from the vehicle and went up to an apartment and knocked on the door. Carli saw Omar open the door and come outside to talk to Jason. He looked at Carli. Carli waved at him and he waved back. Omar went inside and came back handing a small bunch of keys to Jason.  Jason gave Omar a fist bump and came back to the vehicle. He opened Carli's door and she stepped out. She leaned back into car and retrieved her bag. Jason locked the door behind her.

"Where are we going?", she asked. She looked around the apartment complex. 

There was a wooden sign at the entrance to the complex. It was painted in white with gold and black writing, and was mounted between two metal columns painted gold. The sign said 'Paradise Flats'. The apartments looked newly built with a modern aesthetic.

Jason retrieved the duffle bag from the back of the car. He lifted the trunk and removed the bag with his work tools. 

"My new apartment."

"Huh?" Carli was perplexed. "What's wrong with the old one?"

"I wasn't comfortable there. Now that I have a car I don't want to draw attention to myself. Plus, I will be away for several weeks. I don't know if while I'm gone someone will try to break into the house. I'll be moving my things out little by little. It's better this way. Plus, if you want, you can come by to see me without nosy people watching us."

"Oh, okay."

"Mhm," he said. He reached for her hand. She gave it to him. He led her up a few stairs to the second floor, across the hallway to apartment number 20. He put the key in the door and opened it. He let her inside first then closed it behind him. 

Jason threw the bags down by the door. Carli dropped her bag near the door also. Jason playfully grabbed Carli in his arms and launched the two of them onto the bed. It had white sheets on it. The apartment complex was more like a motel for lonely travelers but there were persons who permanently rented. 

Carli laughed at Jason's spontaneous behavior. He reached up and pulled the scrunchie that held up her hair in a bun and dropped it on the bed. He moved his head from side to side grinning at her. Carli took the hint and put her fingers through her hair, loosening it and shook her head. Her hair fell to her shoulders.

Jason looked at her. "You are beautiful," he said. He touched her face. Leaning forward, he closed his eyes and kissed her.

The kiss was slow and gentle, almost playful. As he drew away he bit her lower lip. He brushed his fingers through her hair. He pulled her hair down to frame her face. 

Carli pulled away from him slowly. Her eyes were closed. She smiled. "Thank you," she said. She opened her eyes and stared at him as if she was seeing him for the first time. "I feel better now."

Jason smiled too. This girl was something else. With just her kind gestures she had broken down his defences. She made him feel vulnerable, but safe with her. She also made him crazy with desire. He would have to lock her down quickly. He didn't think he would find anyone else like her. He placed his hand on her head and messed up her hair. She laughed and slapped him on his arm.

 Afterwards, Jason got up and turned on the TV. He decided to look for an action movie. He rested his back against the headboard. Carli sat up. She crawled up to the top of the bed and leaned her upper body on him. He put his arm around her. "Thank you baby," he said.

Carli looked up at him. "For what?", she asked curious.

He kissed her head. "For playing it cool. For not taking advantage of this moment."

Carli smiled. "I love you. I want to wait because what we have is special." She rested her head on his chest and watched the movie with him.

Jason caressed her close to him. He lovingly stroked her arm.

This level of gentleness was lighting a fire inside of Carli. She held on to his hand. She took it and brought it up to her lips and kissed the palm. Gently, she nipped his palm with her teeth, watching what he would do. She saw that he closed his eyes. 

"Jason," she called his name, her voice soft.

He opened his eyes. "Yes Carli," he said, his voice was deep and husky. It sent chills down her spine. His eyes were a dark hazel shade as he looked at her.

"Kiss me," she said. Her lips were slightly apart with anticipation.

Jason leaned forward and kissed her the way she wanted to be kissed. It seemed like the moment lasted an eternity as his lips skillfully evoked beautiful emotions in her. She moaned softly against his mouth as he kissed her. Never had she felt this way with anyone. She closed her eyes. 

His kisses made her feel like she could surrender herself to him. She felt her body respond to him. There was an ache down below that she longed for him to satisfy. She wanted so much to tell him he could take all of her, but she held back.

She felt Jason's tongue slip into her mouth. She welcomed it enthusiastically. 

He groaned and whispered her name. "Carli, you bring out cravings in me that I can hardly control. I want to explore every inch of you," he said.

"You taste so good," he whispered, his breathing shallow. "Does every where taste this good?", he asked her. 

His hand cupped her face. He licked his lips as he looked at her. "Baby, look at me," he said. She opened her eyes for him. "You taste like honey," he said. He deliberately licked his lips again for her to see. "Does all of you taste like that?" 

Carli felt the ache inside her grow stronger. He was doing things to her no other man had ever done. "You're just gonna have to find out and tell me," she said, her voice breathy. She wasn't sure what he meant, but she looked forward to finding out.

Jason smiled. "Will do," he whispered, his voice held a promise that made her shiver. Passionately, he captured her lips again with his. Carli moaned and called his name. "Jason!"

 She was making sexy sounds that were tempting him to go further. His hand drifted down and gently brushed on her breasts. He cupped her right breast, squeezing gently. She called his name again, closing her eyes.

"You're so beautiful," he whispered. He gently massaged her breasts while he kissed her. Her breathing was more rushed. She arched her body responding to his touch. 

He pulled her closer to him. He moved further down on the bed, took his hand and caressed her buttocks. She moaned a little louder. Jason watched her. He rested his hand on her thighs. 

"Open up for me, baby," he said softly.

Carli opened her eyes and gazed at him, unsure. Jason nodded at her. "It's okay," he said. 

Carli lay on her back and moved her legs apart. She closed her eyes and lay motionless. She was a little nervous. 

Jason shifted himself so that he was sitting alongside her body. He put his hand underneath her skirt and cupped her gently. He heard her gasp then moan a little louder. He shifted her panties aside and touched her. Her mouth opened and made an 'Ohh' sound. 

Gently, he slipped his finger inside her. He glided his finger in and out. She was so wet. She was making soft guttural sounds. She moved her hips slowly, rocking back and forth as he pleasured her.

"Jason, please," she moaned.

"What do you want Carli? Tell me what you want me to do?", he asked, his voice was low and raspy.

"Please take me," she said, looking at him. "Take me please. Give me all of you. I want you."

Jason removed his finger. He pulled off his shirt and marina. He stood up from the bed and unbuckled and pulled down his pants. He kicked them off his feet. He came to her. He still had on his boxer briefs. He gathered her in his arms, turned on his back and made her sit on him. Straddling him, she closed her eyes and undulated her hips slowly. She could feel his àrousal. 

"Jason, I need you," she said. Jason lifted her blouse. She responded by pulling her blouse over her head and threw it on the floor. She unhooked her bra from behind and threw it away from her. He lifted himself up and cupped her breasts in his hands. He bent his head and gently suckled on each nipple. She arched her body up to receive his kisses. 

Jason pulled and suckled her nipples, teasing her. She leaned back as she enjoyed what he was doing to her.

His hands drifted down to caress her bottom as he lifted his head and kissed her.  She started moving back and forth, up and down on him. She opened her eyes and looked at him, her eyes telling him that she was ready. Hungrily, he kissed her. He flipped her on the bed and quickly removed her skirt and panties, and his underpants. They were naked together, their hands fervently explored each other's bodies. Carli revelled in the feel of his strong, muscular frame on top of her. His hardness made her weak. She felt like she could hardly breathe.

He kissed her lips and her neck. He inched lower. He moistened his lips and kissed her body: her breasts, her belly, her firm round thighs. She called his name telling him that he was driving her crazy. His lips traveled down to that sensitive area that ached for him. He stopped and looked up at her.

"Open for me, Carli," he said, his voice was hot and raspy. "I wanna taste you."

Her breathing turned fast and shallow. Her heart was racing. Now she understood what he meant. Her limbs felt heavy with desire.

 "Are you sure?", she asked. She wanted to know how it felt but wasn't sure about this. She lifted her upper body slightly, looking at him.

Jason pushed her legs apart. "Yes baby. I'm sure. I love you. I want you." His voice was husky with desire. "Let me taste you," he groaned.

"Okay," she nodded and lay back down. 

Carli was overwhelmed with emotion. No one had ever done that to her before. She shivered with anticipation.

"Close your eyes, baby. Relax," Jason said. "Let me please you." 

She did as he instructed.

Slowly, Jason tasted her. Using his fingers, he gently parted her folds and used his lips and tongue to pleasure her. He planted moist kisses on her delicate folds. Gently, he suckled, licked and kissed her, savoring her taste.

Carli couldn't believe what he was doing to her. It felt so good, she couldn't stop moaning his name. "Jason! Feels so good!", she whispered.

Her body seemed to have a life of its own. Her hips were moving up and down as her breathing became faster. Her eyes were closed, her mouth slightly open. Her hands caressed his head. He wrapped his arms around her thighs, gripping her. She could feel the tension in her body rising and delicate ripples of pleasure fan out through her as he teased her sensitive spot.

 She cried out his name and trembled in his arms.

Carli sat up abruptly. She was sweating. Her heart was beating fast and her breathing shallow. She felt moist down there. She looked around the room. Jason was gone. She felt awkward. What was going on with her? Was she dreaming? 

She touched her hair. It was loose. She looked down at herself. Yes, she had on her clothes. Could it have really been a dream? She wondered. She lay back on the bed laughing at herself. This is crazy. Carli what are you doing? She scolded herself.

"I guess I was dreaming," she said to herself. She felt relieved but also disappointed. Carli sighed. She reached for a pillow and hugged it tightly.

*****

Carli had fallen asleep while they were watching the movie. He had gently laid her on the bed and watched her for a while. She was beautiful. Jason wanted to make sure he could give her everything she wanted, as well as himself. 

He brought some cooked food for them both. She liked grape soda so he bought her that as well. He felt like having orange juice so he bought that for himself, and two bottled waters for both of them. As he was heading upstairs, Omar stopped him. He came out of his room and walked towards him. 

"Bro bro, wah gwaan?" Omie called to him.

Jason and Omar slapped hands together in greeting. 

"Deh yah enuh, big bro," Jason replied. Omar was a year older.

"I see you have your friend with you," Omar said, his eyes squinting, his lips curling into an amused smile.

Jason laughed.  "Yeah. I thought she should see this new place."

"Does she know it's partly yours?"

Jason shifted his feet. "No, I haven't told her yet, but I will."

Omar nodded. "Okay," he said. "You shouldn't keep secrets from your woman. She is your woman?"

Jason nodded. "Yes she is," he said, "No, I'm not keeping secrets. When the time is right I will tell her."

"Okay." Omar looked up the flight of stairs.

"So what have you been up to bro? Have you tasted the forbidden fruit yet?" Omar had a wide grin on his face.

Jason laughed heartily. Trust Omar to make everything about sex. He mused.

He calmed himself down then responded. His voice still held a hint of the laughter he just belted out. "I wish. No, but if I play my cards right I will very soon."

"Wah dat mean?", Omar asked. He looked at Jason curiously.

"I think I've found my wife Omie, fi real real," Jason said, looking serious.

Omar, eyebrows raised, looked at his friend in shock. "Eeh? Fi real?", he asked. "How yuh know?"

"She gives me peace. She makes me feel safe. I can trust her. You know that's a big deal for me." Jason smiled as he talked about her.

Omar nodded his agreement. "True thing bredda. Same suh mi feel 'bout Aisha. She mek mi feel good when mi deh 'roun har."

"Suh why yuh nuh marry her then?", Jason asked him.

Omar hissed his teeth. "Bredda dat nuh necessary. Mi nuh need a piece of paper fi show my girl seh mi love her."

Jason adjusted the bag in his left hand and transferred it to the right. His hands were getting a little tired but this conversation was getting interesting. He probed his friend further. 

"Suppose she wants that Omie? Suppose she wants to be Mrs Marshall? You wouldn't give her that?", he asked him.

"Mi nuh know 'bout that. She never ask mi that still." 

"Maybe she is waiting on you to say sumn." Jason said.

Omar thought about it. " You feel suh?", he asked his friend.

Jason nodded his head. "It's possible."

Jason continued: 

"Omie, it's not just about a piece of paper for the government to have on record. It's to show her that you love her and you're making a commitment to give your heart to her only. She will feel more secure. 

"Also, think about it for the purposes of handing over property and assets in her name. Wouldn't you want her to be taken care of if something were to happen to you. If you guys have kids, the kids would have legal rights too. Yeah, I know common law is there but to me, it's best to make her position secure in a marriage than just say I love you and that's it."

Omie listened to what Jason said. He would think about it. He did love his girl and he did want to have kids with her one day. 

"So, you want to marry this girl ... Carli?", he asked Jason.

Jason nodded. "Yes. She deserves it."

Omie was perplexed. "Bredda how yuh know? It's just couple weeks now you meet dah girl here enuh."

"Put it this way. There's something going on between us that is more than physical. It's like a magnetic pull, that makes the physical more intense, but yeah I care about her. I love her."

Omie laughed. "Wah?! Yow yuh a use the word love? Yuh gone bro! You is whipped!"

"Then nuh you just seh di word awhile ago Omie?", Jason countered.

"Yeah, but it's two years now mi know my girl. Two years! Yuh just meet this girl about a month or two months now. Is want you want the nookie. That is why yuh seh suh." Omar laughed loudly. 

Jason smiled at his friend. "Actually close to three months," Jason corrected him.

Omie said, "Psshhh!"

Jason chuckled. "Omie, mi nah deny seh mi want it, the girl looks good, but it's more than that with her. If it was about the sex I would have dipped and run. It's more than that. I trust God to make this thing between me and her work, and it will."

Omar sobered up and looked at him. "Yuh serious?"

"Mhm, serious as a judge," Jason replied.

Omar shook his head and looked at his friend. "Arite. Mi nuh agree, but mi will support yuh. Do yuh ting bredda." He gave Jason a fist bump and headed back to his room.

Jason called to him. " 'A' inside deh?" 

Omar nodded. "Yeah, she is," he said. 

"Tell her mi seh 'hi' y'ere?"

"Yeh man," Omar said and stepped inside the apartment.

Jason headed up the stairs. He thought about what Omar said. He was even more determined to make this relationship work. He opened the door. He closed it behind him. Carli wasn't in the room. He wondered if she had stepped out. He listened carefully and heard the shower running. 

He called out to her. "Carli? Carli you in the shower?"

"Yes." 

He heard her faint reply.

"Okay." he shouted back.

There was a small table in the room. He placed the food on it and sat on the bed waiting for her. 

She came out of the shower in just panties and a bra. Jason stared at her. She looked better than he imagined. She was gorgeous and shaped perfectly. Her hair was up in a messy bun with soft curls framing her face. She came up to him. He reached out and pulled her to him. She smiled at him, her eyes teasing him, daring him to make love to her. He placed his hands on her hips and squeezed gently. 

"Hey sexy momma," he said.

Carli giggled. 

"I borrowed your towel. Hope you don't mind," she said. "I left it in the bathroom." She rested her hands on his shoulders. He glanced at the duffle bag and saw that the zipper was open.

"That's fine. I'll have your scent on me. That is a win for me." He looked up at her. Gosh she is so beautiful! He thought.

Carli saw the way he was looking at her. She pushed him down on the bed and climbed on top of him. She straddled him and looked down at him. 

"I want you," she said.

Jason froze. He wanted to make love to her but he also wanted to keep his vow. Carli rolled off him and laughed softly. She looked over at him and winked. 

Jason realised she was toying with him. He sighed with relief. "Don't play with me like that Carli. You know I'm weak when it comes to you." 

He sat up and looked down at her. "How come you took a shower?" he asked curious.

Carli smiled shyly. "It's a bit embarrassing," she said.

"What is?", he asked her.

"The reason why I had to bathe?"

Jason lay beside her.

"Tell me. Your period came?" He reached over and touched her tummy. She clasped her hand over his.

"No." She shook her head.

"Just tell me. I won't be angry or laugh or anything like that."

"I think I had a wet dream," she said, averting her eyes from his gaze.

Jason stared at her. "You what?"

Carli nodded her head. 

Jason was surprised he thought only men did that. 

"So you dreamt something sexy and when you woke ..."

"When I woke up my panties were wet," she interrupted him. She looked at him shyly.

Jason gently pressed on her abdomen. Her skin was slightly damp and smooth.

"What did you dream about?", he asked her. His eyes roamed her body.

"I dreamt about us. I dreamt about you doing some crazy things to me." She blushed.

"Oh really?", he asked. He was pleasantly surprised and very interested to hear about this dream. 

"Tell me," he said.

She shook her head. "No. It's embarrassing," she said looking away from him.

Jason came closer to her and pulled her into his arms. He placed his thumb and index finger under her chin and turned her face towards him. He looked deeply into her eyes.

"Nothing is embarrassing between us," he said. His tone was gentle to her ears. "I want to fulfill every fantasy you have. Tell me." He kissed her neck and breathed her in. She smelt delicious. He rested his head on her neck.

Carli took a deep breath. She moved away from him slightly so she could see his face. "You went down on me. I mean your lips were down there," she said. She looked down at her crotch. Jason's eyes followed hers. 

Jason smiled tenderly at her. He felt a spark of desire shoot through him. He drew near to her and kissed her lips. "I would love to pleasure you like that, to taste your sweet honey. I bet you taste really good down there," he said. His voice was deep and seductive. She could tell he was aroused.

The hand that held her close moved down and brushed against the front of her panties. She was still damp from the shower. Jason bit his lower lip and closed his eyes. He wondered if she was still moist for him. His hand moved around to her buttocks and squeezed them, then rested possessively on her thigh. He opened his eyes and looked at her. 

Carli saw that his eyes revealed a passion he was trying hard to suppress, but it was a smoldering fire that was just under the surface, waiting to be unleashed. She shivered as she looked at him. She wondered if when that time came she would be able to handle all of that heat.

"I love you," he said. "The way I feel for you is real. Carli, please don't be shy with me." He stroked her bare thigh. His fingers running over her skin felt like velvet.

Carli briefly closed her eyes, enjoying his touch. His voice and words were making her wet all over again, but she wouldn't tell him.

"As a matter of fact," he said, looking at her lustfully. "I plan on exploring every inch of you with these lips." He bit his lower lip again and blew a sexy kiss at her. Carli giggled softly. She touched his face. 

"You don't think I'm weird for you know ... dreaming like that?" She felt a little shy about it.

Jason squeezed her thigh. "No. To tell you the truth, I am curious about what you taste like. I try not to think about it, but yes, I am thinking about you in very erotic ways." He kissed her slowly enjoying the feel of her soft lips. Pulling away, he placed a peck on her nose. 

"I want to fulfill every fantasy you have, once it's nothing too crazy, like a threesome or anything like that. I only want you, no third party. I have fantasized about what it will be like with you and me together," He said watching her. His eyes taking all of her in.

Carli nodded. "I want you. No one else," she said. His stare felt like he was looking right through her. They gazed intently at each other, their eyes locked in a hypnotic dance. 

Jason blinked first. Damn! What is she doing to me? He wondered. 

Carli looked away. Her heart was racing. These feelings were making her weak with desire.

Jason sat up and cleared his throat. He might as well state his intentions. He had to lock her down quickly.

"Carli, you're the kind of girl a young man falls in love with and marries. I want to date you and marry you, be your husband." He looked at her waiting for her response.

She sat up. She reached for his hands. "I would like that too. At this point I can't think of anyone else I want to be with. But what about your religious beliefs about unequal yoking?" 

"I want to talk to you about that, but a little later," he said.

Carli could feel her body trembling. She hoped he didn't notice when she touched him. She moved her hands away.

Jason noticed the slight shaking of her hands. Maybe she was cold and hungry. She only had on her underwear. He thought. They needed to wrap up this conversation so they could eat and she could feel better.

"So, feel better?", he asked her. He was mesmorized by her beauty and aroused by her sensuality. She was definitely worth waiting for. He felt like he won the lottery.

Carli smiled. "Yes."

"Good," he said, cupping her face with his hands. "Tell me every fantasy you have. I want to please you in every way when the time comes. You don't have to feel weird."

She nodded. Her eyes showed her love for him. He made her feel safe.

She reached up and played with his jaw. He had some stubbly hair growing out. She rubbed her hand on them, savoring how rough and manly they felt. Jason held her hand and kissed it.  

"Um ... you happened to pack extra underwear?", he asked her, curious. 

"Yeah, it's close to my period. So I pack extra panties and pads just in case. I also carry a small bottle of feminine wash."

She saw Jason's expression and laughed. "Yeah. I try to be prepared. My periods are painful so I kind of know when it's on its way. So I try to prepare as much as I can," she said.

Jason nodded. "Okay," he said. "Let me know when it comes, okay?"

"Okay." She nodded.

"Get dressed," he said, rubbing her back. Carli quickly got dressed in the clothes she wore before she showered and sat down beside him.

He got up and reached for the brown paper bag with the food, soda, orange juice and bottled water inside. I brought us lunch." He grinned at her.

She hugged him and smiled. "Thank you. I am starving," she said.

Jason laughed softly. He kissed her cheek. 

"Let's eat," he said and handed her a boxed food and her soda.

*****

Bridget was cooking stewed peas and white rice. It was a long time since she had cooked the tasty dish and she had been thinking about having some for a long time. She thought about the fact that this was Jason's favorite meal. She hadn't heard from her son for a couple days. She hoped he was okay. Just then her phone rang and she ran into the bedroom to answer it. 

"Hello," she said.

"Hello, mommy," the voice said.

It was Jason!

"Jason!", she said happily. "Mi mind just run pon yuh enuh! Yuh arite, baby?"

Jason replied, "Yes mommy, I am good. As a matter of fact I'm doing great! I have a surprise for you. Well, two surprises."

Bridget listened to her son. He did sound happy.

"Oh, okay." She was curious. "So when are you coming by to see me?"

"Coming by to see you?", he asked. 

"Mhm," she replied.

She heard a knock on the door, then his voice outside. "Let me in then."

He was outside!

Bridget rushed to the door to see her son standing outside. She hugged him emphatically. 

"Mi son!"

Jason laughed and lifted his mom in his arms then placed her feet back on the ground. He stepped aside so she could see the dark grey car parked at the gate and a young woman standing beside it. 

Jason led her out to the gate. "Mommy," he said smiling. "I want you to meet Carli. She's my girlfriend."

Bridget looked at the young lady standing by the car. She looked nervous. Bridget realized that this was a big deal for Jason to bring home a girlfriend. He never did bring one home even though it was rumored that he had a girlfriend before now. 

Bridget stepped forward towards the young lady and gave her a hug. She stepped a few inches away to get a good look at her. She was cute as a button. 

"Carli?", Bridget said.

"Yes ma'am. I'm honored to meet you," Carli said nervously.

"Welcome to my humble abode," she said turning to the little house behind them. 

"Thank you, ma ..."

"Call me Momma Bridget, that's what the young people in the neighborhood call me," she said smiling at Carli.

Carli smiled. Bridget saw relief on the young woman's face. 

"Thank you. I will," Carli said.

Jason stood by and watched the two women he loved the most in his life getting to know each other. His heart was full. He was happy.

"Also mommy, I'm gonna teach you how to drive," he said, his eyes held mischief.

"Really now. The last time you said that to me you were sixteen and you said when you got your first car ..." Bridget eyes widened with surprise. 

"Jason!", she exclaimed. 

She looked at the vehicle and looked at him and Carli. They both had mischievous looks on their faces.

Jason grinned. He gestured to the car. "Yes mommy," he said. "Here's surprise number two." 

Bridget hugged her son enthusiastically.

"How?", she asked surprised. 

Jason put his arm around his mom to lead her inside the house. "Let's go inside. I'll explain everything inside." 

Bridget nodded.

As they were walking to the house Jason asked if Joel and Lisa were home. Bridget told him they were at a sleepover at their aunty Antonia's house. 

Antonia had managed to convince Bello to have Bridget's kids over every few days a week. Jason was grateful for everything Antonia did. She was a remarkable woman. She had reached out to his mom to form a friendship. He was appreciative for everything she did. Jason needed to go look for her soon. 

Jason glanced at Carli and nodded. She followed behind mother and son.

They entered the small front space of the house, which was not quite a living room. Jason sat on an old sofa and pulled Carli down beside him. He put his arm around her possessively and nuzzled her neck while his mom went to get glasses of water for them. His closeness made her feel warm and tingly.

"Jason suppose your mom, doesn't like us doing this in front of her?" She loved his touch, but she wanted to be respectful. 

Jason kissed her neck. "She won't mind. Trust me. I won't do anything in front of her that I can't do in public." He squeezed her side and placed a soft kiss on her forehead.

When Bridget walked in and saw them, she smiled. She handed them the glasses of cold water. 

"How long have you known my son?", she asked Carli directly.

Carli took a sip and cleared her throat. "For about little over three months now."

Bridget nodded. "What do you think of him?" She smiled at her, encouraging her.

Carli smiled back. "Well," she said slowly. "I can see where he gets the color of his beautiful eyes from." Bridget's hazel eyes were a paler shade to Jason's but no less beautiful. Bridget smiled broadly.

"He's also very thoughtful. He's kind. He makes me laugh and he is very patient with me," she said. She looked up at Jason whose eyes shone with affection. 

Bridget liked what she was seeing. She's smitten with my son. She thought. That is good. She nodded.

"And Jason, what is it about Carli that you like?"

Carli looked at him smiling. Jason squeezed his 'baby' closer to him. He looked at his mom.

"She makes me feel safe. She has a kind heart. She's also patient with me." He kissed Carli on the forehead in front of his mom. "... and she is very caring and honest."

Bridget noted that 'safe' was the first word he used to describe Carli. She nodded.

"And what about the car?", Bridget asked, her expression now animated. 

Jason smiled. "The car actually belongs to Carli's aunt. She wanted to sell the vehicle. I had told Carli that I needed a vehicle to use to go down to the country to work for Bello." He looked at Carli and said, "Bello is my dad's nickname." 

Carli said, "Okay."

He turned to his mom and continued: 

"Yeah mom, Carli asked her aunt if she would give me access to the vehicle but she decided she would sell it to me instead. I was also doing some painting work at the aunt's house so she trusted me."

Bridget was happy for her son. "So how much she selling it for?"

"About 1.4 million," he said.

"For that car?" Bridget asked surprised. "That's worth way more. No disrespect Carli, but Jason, yuh sure the car is okay?"

Jason smiled. "Yes mommy," he answered. "The car is fine. I drove it over to my new apartment this morning. Carli and I drove there and drove all the way here. It's good. On the way over here we stopped to fill the tank though. It was about half full when we drove to Paradise Flats, so to head over here we stopped by a service station bought some snacks and filled the tank."

"My aunt services her vehicles regularly," Carli said chiming in. "It's fine."

Bridget smiled at Carli. "Okay," she said.

"I just want my son's interest to be protected," she looked pointedly at Carli when she said those words.

Carli realized those words held additional meaning. She looked at Jason's mom with a sober look on her face. 

"I understand and I will always defend his interest," she said.

Bridget nodded and winked. Message received.

Jason realized a message had passed between the two women but said nothing. It was important for them to bond.

"Okay. New apartment? What happened to the place up Mona side?", Bridget asked concerned.

"I never felt comfortable there," Jason said. "Plus, now that I have the car I want to be careful. And I want Carli to feel safe coming to see me anytime she wants to."

Bridget nodded.

"How is the rent?", she asked.

"Well, I got a deal with the owner because I helped paint the apartments. You know Lloyd Marshall, my classmate Omar's dad?"

She nodded. "Yes, I think I vaguely remember. From when you were in primary school, right?"

Jason nodded. "Right. It's his dad's place. I got a deal to stay there at a reasonable cost," he said. He never told his mom that he had drained his savings to invest in the apartments' construction. For now, he would say nothing until it turned a profit.

Bridget nodded. "Okay. Sounds good."

Carli listened to their conversation. Omar seemed like a loyal friend to Jason. She respected that.

Bridget stood up. "I was about to eat my dinner. You guys hungry?", she asked.

Jason smiled. "Yeah, I could eat."

Carli smiled also but she still felt full. "I'm still full from lunch but I'm willing to take home to heat up later." 

Bridget smiled at her. "Okay, I can place yours in a small dish. Jason can bring it back for me when he stops by later in the week."

Carli nodded her agreement.

Bridget smiled at her son. "It's stewed peas and white rice."

"What?!" Jason said excited. He loved stewed peas. "Mi affi eat some then. Yes mommy share the food!"

Bridget laughed. She looked at Carli and smiled. "Carli I could use your help if that's okay?"

"Sure," Carli said getting up. "Not a problem."

Carli followed Jason's mom into the cramped kitchen space.

Bridget turned to Carli. "I love my son very much and I wouldn't want anyone to hurt his heart. He has a tough exterior as you can see, but people don't understand that he has a soft side. I hope you understand."

Carli nodded to show she understood. "I understand," she said. "I have seen that soft side as well, and I love that side of him even more than the exterior." 

Bridget looked at her. She nodded. Good girl. Bridget thought. Good girl.

They chatted with Jason's mom until evening. By then Carli had grown a bit more comfortable and Bridget was making the effort to engage her in friendly conversation. They stayed until 7 p.m. By then Carli was hungry and wondered if Bridget would be willing to heat up the stewed peas for her. Bridget had gone into the kitchen to wash the plates and pots, and clean up. Carli asked Jason if he could ask on her behalf. Jason went into the kitchen asked her and Bridget came out and touched Carli on the arm. 

"If you want anything just ask me, okay? Don't be afraid to speak up. You get me?"

Carli nodded. "Okay, I will," she said. She smiled, feeling grateful. Jason's mom is really nice. Carli thought. I like her.

"So you're hungry now?" Bridget asked her smiling.

"Yes," Carli said.

"Okay, I'll heat it up for you."

After about five minutes Bridget brought a plate with the stewed peas and rice, more stewed peas than rice, and a glass of June plum juice in an aluminum plate tray. 

Jason took it from his mom and carefully placed it in Carli's lap. Carli told them both thank you and eyed the food hungrily. When she took the first bite she leaned her head back and said, "mmh mmh!"

Bridget laughed. "Is what?", she asked.

Jason laughed at her mom's response to Carli's reaction to the food. "Mommy, you should know Carli is a foodie. She loves food and she can cook!"

"Really? I would like to taste a dish from you then." She looked at Carli with an impressed look. Carli smiled at her while chewing and nodded.

"Suh yuh like the stewed peas," Bridget asked, amused at Carli's facial expression as she ate her food.

"Like?!", Carli exclaimed. "No sah! Mi love it! This shot Momma Bridget! The food tastes good!"

Bridget laughed. She watched as Carli enthusiastically stuffed her mouth with a piece of stewed pig tail. She liked this girl. She turned to Jason and nodded. She patted her son on the shoulder. "Good choice," she said quietly to him. Jason gave his mom a hug. "Thanks mommy," he said. She nodded.

She looked up at her son. He was handsome, and more and more he looked like his dad, which was not a bad thing. 

"Don't keep her out too late, y'ere?" She gave him a warning look.

Jason nodded and said, "Yes mommy," like he was still ten years old. 

She walked away from him heading to the kitchen.

"And Jason ..." She stood by the kitchen door.

"Yes mommy?" He came up behind her.

"Remember your vow. If she's the one marry her, if not don't play games. Set her free to find someone else. I like her," she said quietly so Carli couldn't hear.

"She's the one mommy. She is the one I will marry," Jason whispered.

Bridget nodded."Good. Take her home soon." She turned around and gave him a 'be a good boy look'. 

Jason nodded and smiled sheepishly. He understood. 

She went into the kitchen.

After Carli was finished eating she went into the kitchen and washed up her plate, cup and fork. Momma Bridget was taking a shower by then and Carli wanted to do the right thing. Jason had offered to wash up for her but she insisted she would feel better if she did. 

Jason just showed her where to put away the plate, cup and fork after rinsing. He knocked on his mom's bedroom door and told her they were leaving. She came out and gave Carli a hug and patted Jason on his arm. She looked at both of them and said, "Be good kids."

Carli laughed, "I will, not sure about Jason,"

"What?", Jason said faking indignance. "I am a good boy." He produced a silly grin. 

Carli and Bridget both laughed at him. 

Bridget walked them out to the gate and watched as they drove off. She smiled. Her son found a nice girl it seemed, and was involved with good people, She was happy for him. She went inside and locked her door.

 

*****

"Where to?", Carli asked him, watching him drive.

"Taking you home," he said smiling at her. He was happy.

"Thought you said you were taking me home late? It's only 8:30 pm," she said surprised. 

"I know, but my mom is looking out for both of our interests. She thinks it's best I take you home early to avoid breaking my vow."

"Oh I see," Carli laughed softly. 

She rubbed her hand up and down his arm. She admired the strength of his arm, the muscles tensing as he maneuvered the car. He looked at her and blew her a kiss. She giggled.

This feeling she was experiencing was wonderful. She never wanted this time with him to end. 

After about thirty minutes they were in front of her aunt's house. He stopped the car, the engine still running. He leaned over to Carli. "When you go in if your aunt is still awake ask her to please come outside," he said as he touched her face.

Carli nodded. "If she isn't?"

"Come back and I will give you the money for the down payment for the car. You can give it to her for me tomorrow morning."

"Okay," she nodded.

Carli picked up her bag plus a plastic bag filled with snacks he bought for her to last the rest of the week. She shook the bag with the snacks. "Thanks again," she said, smiling at him. 

Jason nodded. "You're welcome," he said.

Carli blew a kiss at him and stepped out of the vehicle with her bags and closed the door. She went inside. 

After a minute her aunt came out to meet Jason at the car. He rolled down the window of the driver's side as she approached him. He removed the $280k he had left over after spending on gas and food from his wallet, and counted out the $200,000 and gave it to her. 

"Pleasure doing business with you. Come by tomorrow and you and I can go get the car registered in your name," she said looking at him. 

Jason nodded. "Thank you again Mrs Dixon. I really appreciate this."

"Call me aunt Sandra," she said.

Jason's eyes widened with surprise.

Sandra smiled at him and nodded.

"Okay, I will," he grinned happily at her.

She tapped the edge of the car window. "Drive safely," she said and went inside the house. Carli came up to him. She was standing at the house's front door watching them. 

"You going now?", she asked sadly.

"Mhm," he said. He didn't want to leave her. He wanted to take her up in his arms and carry her off somewhere and never leave her side again.

"Come here," he said passionately.

She bent down to the window.

Jason reached up and cupped her face. He leaned forward and kissed her. He deftly explored her mouth with his tongue, making sure to show her how much he would miss her. When he pulled away and looked at her, her eyes were still closed. 

"I love you," he said softly.

She opened her eyes. "I love you too."

He put the car in 'drive'. She stepped back. He pressed his foot on the gas pedal and drove off. 

Carli watched him drive off. She touched her lips and sighed. She hoped that very soon he wouldn't be driving away from her, but they would be driving into their home together.