Cherie Amour — Stay
*copyrighted&subject to change*
During the Lyft ride back to their Airbnb, Jasmine sat in Jamaal’s lap. She took her time telling him every feature that she loved. From his wide chestnut-colored eyes to his close-cut beard and freshly cut fade. Jamaal laughed off her compliments as he ran his hand over his head. While he loved hearing her freely sharing her feelings for him, he didn’t want to get too excited because he knew it was the liquor talking.
“Jazzy, you’re drunk. Just lay back and relax.”
“No. I’m serious. You’re perfect. Too perfect for a broken girl like me.”
His eyes widened at her confession. “Don’t talk like that.” He grabbed her head and laid it on his shoulder.
“It’s true. All my baggage would only ruin us.” She looked at him with glassy eyes.
Jamaal didn’t want to have this conversation while they both were inebriated. He rubbed her back in circular motions as she fell asleep in his arms.
After the Lyft driver dropped them off, Jamaal walked Jasmine to her room. When he turned to leave, she grabbed his arm and pulled him back to her.
“Stay.” He shook his head. “Please,” she said, before kissing him.
Her lips were soft and sweet. The taste of her was something he craved ever since the first time they kissed. Feeling his flesh becoming weaker the longer their lips were connected, he pulled back and looked into her eyes. There was a glint of sadness in them. His heart ached because he wanted to do whatever it took to make her happy. But he knew she would regret it if they had sex.
“We can’t do this.”
“But I need you.” She trailed her fingers up his arms making his heart beat faster than the speed of light. She knew the admission of her need for him would make him reconsider. “I need you,” she repeated slowly her words almost slurring.
“I need you too,” he admitted.
With a smile, stood on her tippy toes and took his bottom lip into her mouth. The feel of her warm tongue running across his lip made him groan. He wrapped his hands around her waist and picked her up. While he carried them to her bed, she took her time getting reacquainted with his lips. He tasted sweet and heavenly like the caramel candies her grandmother would give her after church. Like the candy, she wanted to savor his taste for as long as possible.
Jamaal laid her down and looked down at her. The sadness was no longer lingering in her eyes. It was replaced with lust. He licked his lips as he pulled his shirt over his head. Jasmine ran her fingertips over the music notes over his chest before kissing him again. She kissed his neck, chest, and then came back to his lips.
He groaned in pleasure as she opened her mouth allowing his tongue access to hers. As their tongues danced with one another, she wrapped her legs around his waist pulling him closer.
“I need you, Jamaal.” The hunger in her voice made him want to please her in every way possible. But he knew right now she only wanted temporary fulfillment. What he wanted to offer her was long term.
He searched her eyes for a sign. The question of what happens after tonight came to mind had him pulling back and sitting on the edge of the bed.
“We can’t do this, baby.”
Jasmine just laid silent really letting his words sink in. She wanted him for tonight. What would happen to them after tonight, wasn't a thought. All she knew was she needed him and for the first time, he denied her.
“Ok,” she said above a whisper while trying to hold back the tears that filled her eyes. Without saying another word, Jamaal left her room.
Synopsis:
Since childhood, Jasmine Ashford had a twisted perception of love. After watching her father look for love in the streets, while her mother looked for love at the bottom of the bottle, she vowed never to fall victim of love's cruel ways. That is until she befriends, Jamaal.
Jamaal Davis gave his heart to one woman, and she left him without looking back. After years apart, she comes back with hopes of rekindling an old flame; the only problem is his heart belongs to someone else, his best friend, Jasmine.
Their mutual disdain for love and relationships was the foundation of their friendship. When Jamaal's notices his platonic feelings for Jasmine growing into more he has a hard time ignoring them. Jasmine, on the other hand, has a hard time accepting the sudden shift in their friendship.
What will it take for Jasmine to see that Jamaal was made to love her?