I was laying on my stomach, the sheets lazily draped over my naked body as I was tracing Nayel's abs with my finger. I smile to myself feeling his body against my fingers.
"Enjoying yourself?" I look up to meet Nayel's eyes, he was smirking at me.
"Very much so" I bite my lower lip, sitting up on my knees onto the bed pulling the covers over my body as I then straddle his lap.
"My boyfriend is a sex god," I say wrapping my arms around his neck.
"I love when you call me that" Nayel groans squeezing my hips.
"Good" I smile playing with the hair on the back of his neck.
I decided to switch positions again so I lean against Nayel's chest, laying on top of him, my head resting on his shoulder as he held me by my waist squeezing me gently.
"Tell me about your family," Nayel says suddenly.
I tilt my head to look up at him, he was already staring at me, "My family?" I ask.
"Yeah what was your childhood like?" Nayel asks playing with my hair.
I turn back around not facing him anymore, "Well" I start, "It's just me, my dad, and my younger brother Jared."
"What about your mom?" Nayel asks.
"My parents got divorced when I was 9 and my brother was 2. Almost immediately my mom started seeing this guy and got pregnant with twins so she essentially just cut us off and started a new family. Haven't seen her since really" I shrug.
"That must've been really tough for you," Nayel says moving his hand to my jaw pulling my face up so we were looking at each other.
I sigh, "Yeah dad didn't take the divorce all that well" I gulp, "He lost his job and drowned himself in alcohol. Like I don't blame him he was going through a lot. So for a couple of years, I basically raised my brother and me by myself"
Nayel's features soften, "You were a child yourself, that must've been so hard on you" He caresses my cheek.
"It was" I weakly smile at him, "But dad pulled himself out of it in a few years, and since then and even when he was drunk all the time he did care for Jared and me deeply. He's the greatest dad I could ask for honestly but yeah putting myself through college and working 3 jobs since I was 15 was a struggle not to mention growing up without a mom isn't ideal but I learned a lot from a young age, I know how to take care of myself and I basically raised my brother so I feel like a mom as well and I wouldn't be here if I didn't go through all of it and hey I'm here aren't I?" I smile at Nayel, "I live in New York City which I've always wanted to do, I have a great job, amazing friends, a great apartment, and a pretty alright boyfriend too" I say causing Nayel to smile.
"Did she never even try to reach out?" Nayel asks softly.
"She called a few times right after the divorce but then got pregnant a month later and after that, she was focused on her new children" I scoff, "She sometimes randomly sent birthday cards like on my 16th birthday or Jared's 13th birthday and Oh we got an invite to her wedding" I laugh bitterly, "How gracious of her, we didn't go though obviously. Pretty recently actually she tried to get in touch with Jared and wanted to come to his high school graduation. Jared spoke to her for a bit but said he didn't want her there even though he told her he didn't hate her or anything but it's too late for her to try to be a part of our lives. She tried to talk to me too but I didn't want to hear her voice so I told Jared to tell her that. I spent my entire life without a mom I don't need or want her anymore. " I shrug looking into Nayel's eyes.
"I would have never assumed someone as bubbly and optimistic as you had such a troubled and dark past. You're unbelievable you know that? I admire you and your strength and mindset so much Ria" Nayel cups my face and kisses my nose making me giggle.
"Eh it's just life stuff, everyone goes through it" I shrug.
Nayel shakes his head, "It's not baby, you're incredible for making the best out of a situation like that"
I smile, "Tell me about your family"
Nayel leans back again against the bedframe, "My parents actually met at work, they both used to work in a bank together. My dad was 28 and my mom was 24"
I smile, "Wait your parents met at work? They had an office romance?" I ask.
Nayel smiles cupping my right cheek, "Yeah, history is kind of repeating itself isn't it" I bite my lower lip smiling thinking about it, that's so cute.
"My dad was actually married before he met my mom, he got married really young when he was 19 to his high school sweetheart and they had 2 kids my sister Ella who you know, and my brother James but their marriage didn't work out but it all ended very amicably they just weren't meant for each other. Jennifer his ex-wife is great, I saw her all the time growing up and she's been like a second mother to me" Nayel smiles, "So my parents dated for a year then they got hitched and a few years later I came along."
"They're still together?" I ask smiling.
Nayel chuckles, "Yes very much in love as happy as they can be. They actually retired a few years ago and own this small book store together"
I pout, "Aw that's so flipping cute. I love books"
"Well I'll need to take you there someday, my parents are dying to meet you anyways" Nayel smiles shyly.
"Are you close with your family?" I ask.
Nayel twirls my hair with his fingers, "Yeah I am, my siblings are the coolest as are my parents I had a pretty blessed childhood, not much to complain about"
"Must be nice" I joke causing Nayel to let out a throaty laugh.
"As much as I love my family though" Nayel starts off, "I always felt like the odd one out because I'm so introverted and I mask that with this cold exterior. I feel bad that people have to make more of an effort with me because I just can't be bothered with it most of the time, I don't feel like I deserve all that I have. This life" Nayel gestures to his house, "My amazing family" He caresses my cheek, "You" his eyes laced with sadness, "I'm an asshole, I don't know why someone like me has been blessed like this" Nayel shrugs sadly.
I get up straddling his lap once again, letting the sheets fall off my naked body as I cup his face, "Nayel you're not an asshole, yes you have this cold exterior but once you let people in you're the nicest person anyone could ask for, Maybe not the nicest boss" I joke causing Nayel to chuckle, "I am so grateful that you let me in and there's a reason why people love you so much. I genuinely wish I could be more like you sometimes, the way you aren't about the bullshit and fakeness, not putting up a facade to please people" I smile at him, "And as far as this lifestyle is, you worked your ass for years and still do for every penny you make, don't doubt yourself"
Nayel squeezes my waist as he smiles, "It doesn't matter that you're not bubbly or outgoing like your family, you're personality makes you unique, and sure you're a hard book to read but you're the best book once you get past the first 10 chapters. And the fact that you even think like this just proves the thing I've been saying all along, Nayel Jefferson is a good guy" I smile at him.
"You're too good to me" Nayel smiles placing a kiss on my cheek.
"I'm just telling you reality, someone's got to" I smile, my hands falling from his cheeks.