What A Hart Wants

Kaliya couldn’t believe how busy they’d been since stepping off the plane. She and Derek were immediately whisked off from the airport straight to rehearsal. After nearly nine hours, she was about ready to keel over from exhaustion. Although she was literally worn out, that didn’t tamp down the vigorous round of lovemaking she and Derek shared. “So how do you like L.A. so far?” “Can’t really say since all I’ve seen is the airport and the Kodak Theatre.” “Tomorrow is going to be just as crazy so I’ll let you get some rest.” “Oh, contraire my dear lover. It’s your loving that’s given me a second wind. So don’t conk out on me now when I’m just getting revved up.” “Well do your thang, chicken wang.” Derek laughed as Kaliya climbed on top of him. He loved it whenever she took the reins. Sensing her desire to please him, he always allowed her the freedom to express herself. There were no limitations or rules with them. The most important aspect was that they cared; or dare he say loved each other. And that was truly all that mattered. Feeling a shift in Derek’s reaction to her bold gesture, instead of letting him take the lead as he was attempting to do, Kaliya rode him hard until they developed a rhythm. Derek felt euphoric bliss from the sensations she was creating. He’d made love many times before, but this experience at that very moment with Kaliya caused him to nearly lose it. Unable to hold out any longer, Derek tossed Kaliya onto her back to bury himself deep inside her. Exhilaration beyond comprehension overtook the lovers. As Kaliya’s sweaty body cooled down, she was overcome with emotions she’d never felt before. The thought of ever losing this feeling became front and center in her thoughts. Knowing she’d never survive losing Derek’s love, she crawled on top of him to wrap her arms around his neck. Kissing every inch of his face, neck and chest; Kaliya couldn’t escape the fear that gripped her heart like a fist. “I’d simply die if you ever left me. I don’t think I’d make it if you didn’t want me anymore.” “Whoooaaaa…wait a minute. Hold up, baby. Where is this coming from?” Attempting to pry Kaliya’s arms from around his neck, Derek sat up to look into her eyes. The cold, stark fear he witnessed literally sent chills down his spine. Instead of saying anything, he pulled her close. “What’s got you so spooked, baby? Tell me what’s going on.” “It’s just that I care about you so much. And it occurred to me that one day your feelings might change and you wouldn’t want me anymore.” “There’s got to be more to this so please tell me what it is?” “It’s nothing…it’s nothing really.” “It’s more than nothing, sweetheart. Look…you’re shaking like a leaf, for goodness sake. Tell me what’s really going on because we’re not putting head to pillow until you do.” Seeing how conflicted Kaliya was, Derek pulled her closer as he rubbed her back in hopes of calming her down. “I’m waiting. What’s got you thinking that I’d ever walk away from you?” When Brooklyn’s father came to mind, Derek yelped, “Is this about Isaiah? Were you thinking about him while making love to me? Do you think that because he walked out on you that I will, too?” When Kaliya didn’t respond, Derek said, “I…Ain’t…Him…Kaliya! And if we’re going to survive, you’ve got to let him go. I don’t like living in his shadow and I’m tired of you not giving me the benefit of the doubt.” “It’s not just Isaiah. It’s the way women look at you with longing in their eyes. It’s what I heard one woman say today about making it her mission to have you all to herself. It took everything in me not to say anything because the last thing I’d ever want is to embarrass you.” “Why am I just hearing about this? You’ve been holding this in all day?” “I didn’t want you to think that I’m some needy, clingy insecure woman.” “But you are my woman. You are the one that I spend my nights with. You are the only one I want to be with. The only way this can work is if you trust me. I’ve been in this game for nearly ten years now. So if any of those groupies could have gotten my attention, don’t you think it would have happened by now?” Unable to respond, Kaliya felt embarrassed for allowing her insecurities to ruin such a memorable night between she and Derek. When she wouldn’t lift her head to look at him, Derek forced her to look into his eyes. Reaching down to place Kaliya’s hand over his heart, he whispered, “You and you alone have my heart, Kaliya Hunter. I’ve waited more years than I can count to find someone like you. And now that I have, there’s no way I’m going to allow anything to come between us. Do you understand?” “I’m sorry for ruining this magical night for us. I don’t know what came over me. All of a sudden I was filled with this…this overwhelming fear and I couldn’t control it. I know that you’re an honorable man; and I certainly don’t compare you to Isaiah. It’s just going to take a bit of getting used to being in a healthy, loving relationship.” “I love you, Kaliya. I’ve never said those words to another woman…ever! Since the day you walked into my life everything has changed. I can’t stop thinking about you for a second. When I should be working on my music, I’m thinking about you. So please don’t allow fear to break us apart. I’d be equally devastated if things didn’t work out between us.” “I love you, too…so very much.” Kaliya’s admission literally set Derek’s heart ablaze. Hearing her admit that she loved him meant more than all the accolades he’d ever received. All he’d ever prayed for was the opportunity to experience the type of love his parents had shared. Even in death, his mother couldn’t speak a word about his father without tearing up because she loved him just that much. And considering how just the thought of Kaliya made everything in his world come alive, Derek knew that he too had found that once in a lifetime love. Hmm…he’d have to work on coming up with the lyrics to translate that into a song.