Had we met at a different time we'd be perfect for each other,
Now we're spending all our time, in this world come together,
My heart is aching, from all the love you're giving,
We're not faking, is this the life we're living?

I'm not perfect, but I'm perfect for you,
Now I'm right on time,
I'm not perfect, but I'm perfect for you,
I feel right on time…

Grace Jones – "I'm Not Perfect (But I'm Perfect For You)"

Klaue spends a whole day blowing things up with his arm.

Boulders. Old Trucks. An unused structure on his property. Giant trees.

If he wasn't blowing things up, he was using the sonic canon to terrorize his South African crew by blowing up large chunks of earth in front of their vehicles when they drove around his property. The man was hellbent on destroying things.

He asked about St. Thomas and the compound. Erik informed him that Leona was on vacation with family and that Yani was housekeeping in her place. A few days a week. He said that so Klaue wouldn't trip when Erik checked live feeds of the exterior of Our Lady's Manor. Yani knew to maneuver around with the baby so that Sydette never appeared on the streaming video feed. The few times he was with Klaue when he checked the feed, Yani was seen cleaning the pool or patio, allowing Kendall and crew to come through for landscaping, and also toting laundry back and forth to the apartment under the front house. No sign of Sydette. Yani wore her typical sweatpants and t-shirts. Occasionally a beanie or baseball cap.

Erik did his best not to look too interested in Yani when they watched the feed. He felt a rush of emotion in his chest the moment his eyes saw her dragging the pool net through the water. She had on headphones and was preoccupied with her work. He wondered if Sydette was asleep in her room, or if Yani took her to Leona's. He wanted to call her. Listen to Yani's voice make that melodic sound when she called him Killmonger. He wanted to face chat with Sydette and hear her call him Baba. He now knew why so many of his merc cohorts stayed away from having long term companions. It was too hard having a family and doing the work.

Linda looked very relaxed being around Klaue.

Erik didn't suspect anything between her and Klaue, but he could tell that the man let her get in real close to him. It felt like she had slipped into the role of a consigliere, not quite at the level Erik was with Klaue, but pretty damn close.

Huntsman didn't like her at all. Perhaps it stung seeing two uppity negroes having so much influence over Klaue instead of him, a guy who worked for the man for over twenty years. Erik saw Huntsman's eyes take on the look of a tiger ready to pounce whenever Linda spoke to Klaue.

Next on Klaue's agenda was for Erik to start fashioning weapons using vibranium to enhance their power. Erik didn't ask about it, but he suspected Klaue wanted new firepower to protect them when they finally made that excursion into Wakanda.

Over a dull meal of overcooked beef, Klaue told Linda about vibranium, actually allowing her to see a small sample. Erik ran his tongue over his vibram tattoo again while listening to Klaue speak of his father's homeland. The conversation was only between Klaue, Linda, Erik, and Limbano.

"If this stuff is so powerful, I'm surprised the U.S. hasn't found an excuse to go in and extract it," Linda said.

"Not everyone knows about it," Erik said.

"How did you find out about it?"

"Like anything else, being out in the world. Paying attention. Running into folks who had it."

"Killmonger is waiting on the motherlode so he can retire and disappear," Klaue said lifting up a glass of whiskey.

Linda's eyes swept over Erik's face.

"Where would you retire to?"

"I'll figure that out once I get that big payday."

"Island life seems to agree with you," Klaue said.

"I like the slow pace."

Erik tried to focus on the meal, but his mind kept wandering to Yani. What was she doing? Was she thinking of him as much as he was thinking of her?

He couldn't sleep without her curled up on his body at night. He took a few pills to help him, but even then, the sleep was uneven and not restful at all. He missed morning loving from her. He missed the afternoons curled on her lap as she stroked his dick and he sucked on her nipples. He missed her face-riding him at night, making his cheeks and mouth wet, missed flipping her over and sinking balls deep in her pussy, feeling that tight grip she put on him every time. He missed her so much that it was hard to shake the ache of loss that he carried around him like a cloud. Nighttime was the worst for him after long days with Klaue and the other men…and Linda.

Being in bed alone was a nightmare.

He did his best not to soil his sheets with semen, but his fantasies of Yani had him fisting himself in the early morning and late at night. He had to hold a pillow to his lips to stifle his shouts when he ejaculated. His mouth was chock full of nasty expletives as he imagined being back with his woman, her big legs curved around his ass as he pumped into her. He released a good many hard nuts into his hand, his thick and voluminous loads spilling all over his fingers and soaking through the fistfuls of tissue he held to try and catch his semen. Taking care of her, tending to her every need…that was all he wanted to do. All that weight she had put on that made her family think she was pregnant made him happy. Rutting into her from the back was heaven, staring at the spread of her bigger ass and thicker thighs made him so hard. Sex just got better and better, and filling up her pussy every day was a necessity.

She was the one who would wake up first every morning. Her hands would clutch his waist tight while she peppered his chest with kisses before she pulled herself up and kissed his lips. Crawling on top of him was a ritual, her kisses bringing him back from the land of peaceful sleep. Neither one of them cared about morning breath. She would offer him her breasts, and he would suck until she was moaning and squirming on his waist. Pulling her up higher, he would make her sit on his face so he could kiss her folds before making her turn around and sink on his dick. The snug feel of her around his morning erection would almost have him crying every sunrise. Shit was that good. Sublime.

But now he was in South Africa, sitting at a mediocre meal caught between a sociopath, a sycophant, and a talented hacker who wanted to be in his bed again.

Not having Yani made him grouchy and short-tempered. And being around Linda was tough. His doggish nature could stir up the longer he stayed there. He wanted to be faithful to Yani. His mind told him he could. He promised her he could be a one-woman man. But those fuckboi tendencies were hovering close with his need for Yani's body. He caught himself staring at some South African beauties on a food run, his eyes automatically zeroing in on heavy backsides that made his physical desires jump to his mind and his dick to thicken unexpectedly.

The thing that soured him most while being away was remembering the times he spent lying on the couch or the bed watching tv with Yani and Sydette next to him. Sweet Pea would be hugged up against Yani's chest and Erik would have his head resting on Yani's stomach and lap. Yani would stroke his locs with one hand and stroke the baby's curls with the other. She comforted them both until they knocked out lying on her.

Walking around the beach with Sweet Pea, swimming with his girls in the sea, eating good food with them, and laughing at every new delight Sydette showed them was the only thing he cared about. After a week of being with Klaue, Erik began to feel anxious. He had to take his meds heavily again. His days were active with looking over similar weapons that were going to be shipped to him secretly on a chartered yacht out of Florida to the Our Lady's Manor private boat dock. As time passed, Erik became aware that Klaue planned to keep him there longer than the week he had planned for. He told Yani seven to ten days, and by day ten, he was stressed that his woman was thinking the worst. And there was no way to contact her. Klaue's place was secured tight, even his cell phone that was given to him by Klaue was locked up and the burner phone he was given was checked every day for security hacks. He couldn't make any calls out or even use his own laptop. It was kept with his cell in a secure lock up on the property.

Day twelve.

Erik woke up fretful. His face stayed tight at breakfast when Klaue told him they were going to meet with some arms dealers out of Pretoria. Linda was busy working on bypassing some weapons systems for Klaue, and even she was feeling cramped and bored being in Joburg. He stayed careful around her when they drank together at night with Klaue.

Once good liquor got into his system, Erik tended to loosen up, but he didn't want to loosen up too much. Conversations with Linda let him know that she was also concerned about some of the men around Klaue.

"Do you worry about being around them?" he asked.

Linda gazed out at the sunset over a grouping of large boulders.

"No…not really. I can hold my own. But Klaue…he needs to streamline his operations. Too many components are moving around and I feel like he's going to get caught."

"You thinking of leaving?"

"No. The money is too good. I'm looking for that big payola too. Once that happens, I'm out."

Her smile was wide. Pretty teeth. Pretty lips.

"But you could get caught—"

"So could you."

"Yeah…"

"Where is your head at Killmonger?"

"What?"

"You are so far away most of the time."

"Got a lot going on. Tryna get these weapons together."

"Why do you fuck with him?"

"The pay, just like you—"

"No. You don't need him for that. You could easily go off on your own. You're smarter than him—"

"He's better connected—"

"But you could be. I can't quite figure you out."

"Nothing to figure out—"

Her hand inched up his arm and touched his face. He pulled away from her even though the warmth from her fingers was nice on his skin. Linda stood up from the chairs they were perched on. Her hands hovered around her stomach.

"You look tense. I feel it too," she said.

Erik's eyes danced away from hers. It was time to call it a night and turn in early. He stood up and when his legs buckled, he knew that he had a little too much to drink.

"Easy," she said, reaching out to help him balance.

"I'm good."

He moved away from her and headed back into the house.

A long shower helped him relax and when he crawled into his bed, his fingers rested on his flaccid penis. He reached for a book and adjusted the lamp on the nightstand. He checked for the Glock he kept under his pillow.

"Killmonger?"

The fuck?

Linda crept into his room and crawled onto his bed.

"Whatchu doin'? Nah, get up."

Her arm slung around his neck and she pressed her lips on his mouth. He could taste the whiskey on her breath, her soft lips prying his lips open. He pushed her back.

"This isn't happening, okay? I'm not feeling you like that-"

Linda ignored him and pulled off her nightgown, her breasts pushing into his chest as she tugged on his hair.

"Stop!"

His grip on her shoulders startled her.

"You need it like I do. We're good together," she whispered, her eyes bright.

His dick thickened and he felt disappointed with himself like his erection had cheated on Yani without him.

"Don't you want this pussy?"

Linda leaned back on his bed, her nude body wide open for him. Her pink folds glistened and he felt his body react to what he saw. Her fingers opened up her labia.

"Killmonger…"

Erik leaped away from the bed. His erection pointed at her.

"I can't…"

Linda sat up and watched his eyes. She stepped off of his bed and sauntered over to him. She grabbed his hand and placed his fingers on her slippery warmth.

Fuck. Her pussy was so wet. His balls throbbed.

"Make me cum…please. You make me feel so good."

She touched his length, and before she could stroke him fully, Erik pushed her back. He padded over to his bedroom door and opened it for her.

"I need you to go."

Her eyes shifted, the desire turning into irritation. Anger. Embarrassment.

She grabbed her gown and put it back on.

"Let's just chalk this up to the brown liquor," she said.

"No hard feelings, girl. I'm just not in the headspace."

Her eyes dropped down to look at his length.

"Stress release could help. We could get those good endorphins. Hmmm, I see those dimples."

"I need sleep."

She nodded.

"Another time."

She slinked out of his room. He shut the door. Locked it.

Looking down at his dick he felt homesick. He needed his woman.

Linda's slick was still on his fingers. He stroked his dick. She had her legs spread and he could've taken all of her. Stretched that pink pussy wide open.

But his woman was back at Our Lady's Manor, scared shitless worrying about him. He couldn't talk to her. Text her. See her.

Fingers twisting around the head of his dick, Erik felt helpless for her, could see her face with that fearful look on it.

"I'm sorry, baby," he gasped.

His thoughts went to the last time he was with her, holding her tight, and he felt his skin tingle with the memory.

Semen spilled from his slit in long desperate spurts all over the carpet.

Gunshots.

From outside the house.

Erik threw on some clothes and grabbed his Glock. Peeking out of the second-floor window, he saw Klaue's security team scurrying about and returning gunfire into the dark.

Fuck.

A raid.

###

It was hard to eat.

Yani ate what she could because her baby girl was still breastfeeding, and she did her best to stay hydrated and nourished, but after two weeks of not hearing from Erik, she was at her wit's end.

No one would tell her if anything happened to him. That's what he told her. There was no one she could call.

She cried every morning and night and spent more time at her Aunt's house during the day to keep her mind off of him. But then she would worry that he would try to contact her in some kind of way at the compound, so she checked for the mail every day and kept her social media feed open all day.

He was dead.

He had to be.

Something horrible had happened. Klaue got him mixed up in some bullshit and her man was dead. Stole time from her by taking Erik away. It wasn't fair.

"Come out with us."

Twyla sat next to her in their Aunt's kitchen. Sydette ran around the apartment. The little girl was super fast, her balance so much better as she mastered walking. Yani could hardly keep up. The girl was sliding down from her bed most mornings and running into Yani and Erik's room looking for him. Calling out "Baba" every time someone walked into a room anywhere.

Twyla wanted her to go clubbing. Get out and dance. Yani shook her head, fighting back tears.

"You don't know for sure if anything happened. Those men have a code we know nothing about," Twyla said.

"He said seven to ten days. It's nearly three weeks—"

"Stop crying. Come out with me and have a nice time. Get your mind free. Shake your ass. Get dressed up pretty, gyal."

Sydette ran full speed into Yani's leg.

"Ow, Sweet Pea…be careful, love."

Twyla slid an envelope to her with Chez's child support.

His threats of taking her to court came to fruition. They had a family court date in a few days. He was asking for fifty/fifty custody. Yani didn't think he would get it, but when the official papers arrived at her Aunt's house, it did make her nervous.

"Lemme show you something, cuz."

Twyla left the kitchen and Yani heard her in her bedroom looking for something. When she returned, she held out two wigs. Expensive ones.

"We'll dress up sexy-sexy and switch up our looks and act like stars, yeah? Which one you like, long, or short?"

Yani liked the shorter bob and took it from Twyla's hands.

"Beach party. A little liquor, a little weed…Auntie will watch Sydette. She wants you out of the house and having fun too."

Twyla touched Yani's cheek.

"You young. I know you have deep feelings for that big nigga…ah see, I got you to laugh. But he told you the truth about his life. He would want you to live it up. Sydette needs her Mama to live it up. Life is still happening around you. Whatever fate has for him has happened. And I know he loves you. We all see it. You so happy…"

Twyla's lips trembled and Yani gripped her wrist as her cousin wiped her eyes.

"No matter what, you still have the compound to yourself, and he has left you money to take care of you and your baby. Make him happy. Have some fun for him. Please?"

"Okay."

"Yes!"

Yani spent the day with Twyla looking for an outfit. Beach parties were pretty simple. Swimsuits, wrap skirts, pool lounge wear…things that showed skin and body.

Three weeks of tears and a tense stomach brewing ulcers needed to be undone. It would be good to be around people again.

She and Twyla took a cab to the beach party and they received stares. Twyla's curly halo of wig hair looked amazing with her magenta bikini top and matching wrap skirt. Yani was draped in a sheer red beach lounger with a red bikini bottom. No bikini top for her. Letting her nipples show, she felt risqué. The dark wig made her feel mysterious as if she were a brand new person. She wore gold and crystal trimmed heels and regretted not putting on flats instead. The beach party was set up at a popular bar that had a patio in the back that spilled out onto a nice beach area. Music was loud, drinks flowed, and Yani felt a slight moment of panic when she walked to the back of the bar to join the large crowd of party people. She almost bolted back to the cab. She had no idea where Erik was or how he was, and she felt guilty dressing up all sexy and not staying in their house waiting for him.

Twyla nudged her forward and they found a couple of their mutual friends waiting for them. A joint was quickly passed around and Yani snagged a puff to cut the edge in her nerves. She didn't partake often, but her lungs welcomed the quality. Twyla bought them shots of whiskey and she downed two back to back.

Within an hour, Yani had loosened up and found herself dancing, swaying her hips and swinging her borrowed hair.

"You should let your hair go dark again," Twyla said.

Another hour passed and Yani was laughing and talking up a storm with friends. Every now and then her heart would touch upon Erik, and she'd feel a moment of sorrow, but Twyla was right. He would want her to keep living, keep enjoying her youth, and take time out for herself.

Resting out on the beach deck, Yani watched dancers and listened to the good music, enjoying the rich vibe.

"Yani."

She pushed the hair from her eyes and turned to the sound of the voice.

His lean body looked a little more muscular and he had grown some facial hair that made him look more mature.

Zachary.

"Hey," she said.

She took a quick sip from the Tequila Sunrise she drank.

"I wasn't sure if it was you or not…the hair…"

"Oh…yeah. Just tryin' a new look for the night."

"I like it."

His eyes took in her outfit.

"You look great."

"Thanks. You too."

Her eyes went back to staring at the dancing on the beach.

"I know I haven't apologized for leaving you that night—"

"Forget about it. It was a wild night. Things turned out how they were supposed to."

He nodded.

"Congratulations on graduating," she said.

"Thank you. I hear you start nursing school this fall. That's great."

"Thanks."

The awkwardness made Yani smile.

Up until that night at Rush, a night that seemed so long ago, Yani hadn't thought too much of Zachary. The last she heard through the grapevine was that he had broken up with a girl from Jamaica who attended university on the island with him. A proper girl for his parents.

"You want another drink?"

"Sure. I'll have another Tequila Sunrise."

Yani handed him her glass and he left her side to replace it.

"Was that Zachary?"

Twyla eased up next to her.

"Yeah."

"Damn. He looks good."

"Yeah, he does."

"Mmmmm…checking him out I see—"

"No…"

"Nothing wrong with it. He was your man at one time."

"Not really."

"You wanted him to be."

She was right. Zachary was the boyfriend she wanted. Good family. Finishing school. Going places. Not a life of hand to mouth or paycheck to paycheck.

"Hi Twyla," he said handing Yani her drink.

"Zachary. How are you?"

"Good."

Twyla gave Yani a sly look and left them alone.

Yani sipped on her new drink and they both watched the dancing. By the time Twyla swung around to check on her again with their other friends, she and Zachary had relaxed enough to talk about old times and even get past Chez and that night. They drank more until Zachary reached for her hand.

"Let's dance," he said.

Yani froze.

She felt good getting past the terrible night. She felt good being able to catch up with Zachary. She didn't feel good about dancing because she sensed old feelings coming over her. The liquor had her loose, and the weed from earlier was still in her system, and it was making her feel soft and clingy. She felt herself tearing up.

"Yani…you okay?"

Zachary's concerned eyes and voice made water fall from her lids.

"I've just been going through a lot lately."

He took her hand and held it.

"Do you want to sit down and talk about it?"

She shook her head. His eyes stayed on her.

"Is it Chez?"

"No…I just…I was seeing someone and I think we broke up—"

"You think you broke up?"

"Yeah. I think I was ghosted. We haven't talked in weeks. And I don't know what's happening—"

"Let's just dance. Music is too good to be standing here."

He tugged on her hand pulling her toward the patio dance floor.

"I can't…"

Her mouth was saying no, but her legs carried her out to the center of the floor with him. His hands slipped around her waist and they swayed together. She shook hair from her face and Zachary twirled her around and it made her laugh out loud.

"See, we can both still have fun even though we were both dumped," he said.

"Why did your girl dump you?"

"She hated my parents."

Yani cackled.

"What?"

"Your parents are mean, Zachary. Your mom hated me—"

"She didn't hate you, she actually liked you."

"For true? I never saw that."

"My father was the problem. My mother has never been one to cross mi Dad."

"I thought your mother hated me because I was a single mom."

"No. She liked Sydette. How is Sweet Pea? She big now, yeah?"

"Running around—"

"What? Already?"

"Yeah. She fast too. So fast."

"That I'd like to see."

Yani's eyes went to his chest. The music was hot, bodies around them were hot and sweaty and pressing close to them, crowding them.

His hands pulled her in tighter and it felt strange to have new arms around her, to be pressed up against a man again after three weeks of being alone. Yani laid her head against his chest and tried to ignore the rapid beating of her heart.

Her man was out there lost or dead and she was dancing with a sort of ex. Worse still was the sense of comfort that being held was making her feel. Like she was protected again. Her chest shuddered and her eyes welled up again. She longed to be held in strong arms once more. She longed to be wrapped up in warmth. And love.

She had been close to falling in love with Zachary. She liked him a lot. He made her feel safe until Chez attacked him. And he ran from her. Could she really blame him? Zachary was not a fighter. No shame in not being a roughneck. He did his best to protect her with four men jumping him.

Her eyes glanced up into his face.

He had done that. Put himself out there for her that night. But then Killmonger….

Killmonger.

Like some Captain America flying in to save the day, Killmonger took care of business, and in the process, Zachary felt emasculated. Useless. A failure. Killmonger was a killer, accustomed to whooping ass on a moment's notice. Her poor Zachary was just a Uni student trying to win her heart.

Her Zacahary.

"Yani, don't cry."

She hurt all over.

"Come on, let's get off of this floor," he said.

Zachary guided her down to the beach and away from the crowd of people. She wiped at her eyes but couldn't stop the bawling coming from her mouth.

"It'll be alright, I promise…"

Zachary held her as she cried in his arms. She felt out of control.

"I want to go home."

"I can take you home."

Zachary walked with her to find Twyla and when her cousin saw her face, she was ready to leave too.

"No, stay here and have fun. Zachary is giving me a ride."

"I'll catch a ride with Bea and them. You sure you'll be okay going to the compound?" Twyla asked.

"I need to be there."

"I'll bring Sydette back in the morning.

"Thanks."

Zachary held her hand gently as they left the bar and walked to his car. She left the window down to catch a breeze and dry her tears.

He was silent as he drove her. He played soft music in the car and glanced at her every now and then.

"I didn't mean to cut your night so short," she said.

"It's okay. I just came out to clear my head. I had no set time to leave."

"Will your friends be mad you left?"

"They found women to occupy their time. No one is thinking of me."

Yani laughed.

"What if you wanted to hook up with someone?"

"I sort of did," he said.

Yani stared at him.

"I don't mean like that."

They rode up into the hills in silence and when she guided him to the compound gates, she felt a lot better.

"Thank you for the ride," she said.

Zachary looked around.

"This is where you work?"

"Yeah."

"You're alone here?"

"It's really safe. Don't worry."

He stepped out of the car with her as she walked up to the retina scanner.

"I can stay here with you if you want…I mean, if you want to talk."

"I'm good, Zachary. Thank you."

She raised her head up and kissed him on his cheek. His eyes swept down to her lips when she eased back from him.

"You're beautiful, Yani. Forgive me for being a coward."

"Yuh no coward. Shit just happens, man. That's all."

She rubbed his shoulder affectionately.

"I'm going in," she said.

"Call me anytime. We can go eat, talk…whatever, y'know? Friends?"

"Sure."

For a moment, Yani felt easy and free. Most of the evening ended up that way.

"Thank you for helping me forget some things for a little while, Zachary."

His handsome face gave her another warm smile. His gentle eyes twinkled.

Yani stepped closer to him and reached her hand up to cradle his neck. Her lips were tentative on his, just a gentle pressing together. His hands reached around her waist and she let her body lean into his, just to feel male warmth again. When he tried to slip her some tongue, she broke their contact.

"Goodnight," she said.

She waited for him to climb back into his car before she scanned her eye and entered the compound. Kicking off her heels, she carried her shoes and her tired body down to the main house. She would sleep so good tonight. Sydette wouldn't be back until the next day, so some real solid sleep for sure.

The moon was waxing and Yani decided to go down to the cove and watch the moonlight dance on the water.

Solitude.

The soothing sound of soft waves crashing. Balmy air. Peace.

The tears came again. She should've let Zachary in. She needed the distraction, but now all she could think about was Killmonger and that cold lonely bed that awaited her.

The walk up the path felt long and arduous, the sand under her feet cushioning the ache she felt from the heels she wore out dancing. Dragging herself up the wrap around porch steps it took her a moment to notice that there were lights on inside. Her stomach dropped and she felt a sour taste in her mouth. She had shut everything off before she left—

Her feet ran before her brain could stop her, sticking her face up to the retina scanner, and bolting into the house. Scanning the space and, hoping beyond hope…

But no.

She was alone. It was just the light timers. She forgot about them. Falling to the floor in the living room, she was about to weep and have a lonesome pity party when she heard the soft patter of water.

Picking herself up off of the floor, Yani crept in silence to the master bedroom. The lights were on and there was noise in the bathroom.

Steam filled the master bathroom and Yani couldn't stop the lump in her throat.

"Killmonger."

She opened the shower door.

His naked wet body faced her.

Turning off the shower he stepped out dripping water on the floor.

"I'm not dreaming, right?"

"C'mere girl."

Her mind was feeling loopy, but his lips kissed her forehead. Yani's right hand shot out and covered her mouth and she squeezed her eyes shut.

His arms wrapped around her.

Safe.

Secure.

###

Erik entered the compound a little after nine.

She wasn't there.

He checked every inch of the place, called her on the intercom system, and scanned security feeds. She was out with the baby. He was tempted to call her on her cell, but then he checked her social media feed. Nothing new since he left. He jumped over to Kendall's TL and only saw his typical memes and links to his music. It was Twyla's feed that gave him the info he needed. Close-ups of her and Yani wearing wigs with the hashtag #GirlsNight. For a moment he thought of going out to the spot where they were, but his emotions were all over the place being back in the place of peace. He needed time to acclimate.

He rested for a bit on their bed, the scent of her still on the pillows. Assuming she would be out for most of the night, he unpacked, ate a quick sandwich, and started to undress for bed. Security sensors warned him that a car had approached the compound entrance.

Erik turned on the camera feeds from the bedroom and watched Yani step out of a car with a man.

Zachary.

They spoke for a bit and then Yani…

She kissed him.

Erik watched her fingers hold the back of Zachary's neck, saw the man wrap his arms around her waist, and his heart grew hard. His jaw clenched.

Yani took off her heels as she walked into the compound. She wiped her eyes and Erik could tell she had been crying earlier. Her face looked haunted.

Shutting off the viewers on the bedroom wall, Erik went to take a shower.

She was a good girl. His girl. His woman. He had been away far longer than he told her he would be. She went out with Twyla and probably ran into Zachary. If they were fucking, she wouldn't bring him there.

Thoughts battled in his mind trying to figure out what he could say to her. He didn't want to scare her and made sure he put some house lights on so that she would be aware that he was home.

Water ran down his back and the steam enveloped everything. His muscles relaxed and when he heard her voice, he exhaled hard. She opened the shower and he stepped out to face her at last. Yani shook so hard in his arms. Her wet tears mixed with the wetness on his chest, and he felt his own tears fall.

"Told you I was coming back."

"You took too long, Killmonger."

She slapped his chest with her hands and he lifted her up and carried back into the bedroom. Yani's arms flung around his neck and she squeezed him so tight he thought she would never let him go. Lips joined together, their first kiss on his return was sweeter than the first time he ever kissed her.

He set her down next to the bed but they clung to one another.

"Where's my baby girl?"

"Auntie's. Twyla will bring her back in the morning."

Erik kissed the side of her neck and her hands felt on his arms.

"You not hurt?" she asked.

"I'm fine—"

"What's that?"

She touched a long healing wound on his left side where he had been cut with a knife from the South African raid.

"A scratch."

Her lips still trembled. He touched the hair on the wig she wore.

"Disguising yourself from me?"

"Twyla. Beach party."

"You have fun?"

"Yeah."

He stepped back and looked at the dress she had on.

"This what they wear at the club now?"

"Told you it was a beach party. You no like?"

"I like anything you have on."

He lifted up her chin and kissed her again.

"Sit," he said plopping down on the bed.

He threaded his fingers with hers and held her hand on his thigh.

"I'm sorry…I scared you. I had to stay longer."

"I thought—"

"You don't have to say it."

"I can't do that again. Not knowing almost killed me."

"I'm here—"

"It was hard. For me and the baby. Every time we go somewhere she thinks you're coming to get her, and I had to tell her I don't know where you are—"

She covered her face with her hands and he pulled her in close.

"I won't be going anywhere any time soon. I have a lot of work ahead of me. Good news though…"

Her eyes raised up to meet his.

"What good news?"

"Klaue's not coming back here until November—"

"What?!"

"We can be together longer—"

She jumped on him so fast that he fell back from the momentum of her body.

"I still have to fulfill some jobs before then, some quick trips to the states and the states only, but…I can stay here."

She lavished his face with kisses and he ran his fingers up and down her back.

"This thing is kinda thin, ain't it?"

"Shut up."

"I missed you so much, baby."

"Me too.

###

The sun kissed her face and Erik just watched Yani sleep next to him.

He was still nude and she was too after showering from the night before. His sleep was sporadic. He often woke up thinking he was still in South Africa, and his body jerked hard only to realize he was back where he was supposed to be. Yani slept through every waking moment, and he was grateful that she could rest. She had carried a huge weight on her spirit while he was gone. All he wanted to do now was ease her back into comfort.

He only watched her all night, his hands pious on her even though his blood thrummed hot in his body for her physically. Her revealing dress was too much for his eyes, but he contained himself, eager to hold her and feel her heart beating on his chest.

Touching the waves in her hair, Erik ran his finger along her cheek and down her neck.

"Do you know how much I love you?"

Her deep breathing made him happy. How much rest had she lost worrying about him?

Pressing his lips to her forehead, he felt her stir and awaken.

"Morning," he said.

"Morning."

She kissed him back and he moved closer to her, their kisses deepening. Her tongue probed his mouth and he let her lead the reunion of their lips. Her sighs comforted him as her soft kisses primed him for more.

His fingers drifted down to her swollen breasts. Her nipples were already hard before he even touched them, and her eyes were dreamy staring up at him. Lowering his face, he latched onto a nipple and let nature do the rest. Yani's eyes watched him lap up her milk, his tongue moving between both nipples. He squeezed them to watch milk dribble down her chest before flattening his tongue to lick every inch of her breasts.

"Kill—"

Yani's mewling voice made his dick twitch. She opened her legs for him and he moved down her torso to lick between her legs.

The sun warmed his back as his face became smothered by Yani's thighs wrapping around his head.

"Go easy on me, girl."

"Come here."

He lifted up from her apex and hovered above her. Her fingers gripped his manhood and he groaned from the anticipation of entering her after all this time. When he sunk into her completely, he thought his heart would stop. Tight wet heat engulfed his shaft and when she squeezed him, his head dropped down to her neck.

Her waist swiveled and he matched her pace. Lifting up on his elbows, his eyes gazed into hers. His mouth fell open and stayed that way as he stroked her walls.

"You so good…"

The words tumbled out as his ass cheeks clenched while pumping into her slowly. He needed to be in her deeper and pushed her legs so far back that her ankles were almost by her ears. He locked her in place but kept his eyes on her. Her wet heat made him lose his breath and he couldn't even talk shit to her. His fists pressed down by her sides and his strong thighs smashed down harder on hers.

"Daddy—"

"Hold on, girl…don't cum yet…please… not yet…you doing so good baby…"

His eyes bore down on her face. She had stopped moving because he was stroking her so fierce.

"Ah fuck, Yani!"

He swelled inside of her and gasped at the hard spurts that his body shot into her. Her arms shot out and grabbed for his shoulders as her pelvis bucked into his.
"Damn…you squeezing my shit!" he shouted.

"Fill this pussy up…please…"

Her eyes rolled back and Erik collapsed on her.

Gulping for air, they both clutched onto one another. The smell of her, the taste of her, the feel of her…his heart rattled against her chest as sweat drenched them both.

"You try to kill me every time," he said.

The security system gave a new alert. Someone was at the front gate.

"Twyla. She has Sydette."

Erik threw on some jeans and a shirt and padded up to the entrance.

"Open Gate," he called out and the main gate rolled open.

Twyla stood with Sydette in her arms.

"You're here," Twyla said, her face looking surprised. She grinned.

"Sweet Pea!" Erik said.

Sydette heard his voice and her whole body wiggled. Twyla put her down and the baby ran to him.

Erik scooped her up and held her high in the air, her little orange dress blowing around her legs.

"Look at you running!"

"Baba!"

Erik felt his chest swell. She didn't forget him. He pulled her down onto his hip.

"Yani's still resting," he said.

"Uh huh…"

"Yeah. I got back in late."

"Mmmhmm."

"Thank you for bringing her."

Twyla handed Erik Sydette's baby bag and sauntered back to her Aunt's car.

"Glad you're back, Killmonger. They both missed you a lot."

He nodded.

"Tell Yani hey for me. Enjoy your rest time."

"I will."

"Baba home!"

Sydette patted his face and gave him a kiss on his cheek.

"Yeah, Sweet Pea. Baba's home. Baba's home."

Erik turned to take Sydette back to Yani, but he heard the sound of another car pulling up. Turning to look, he was surprised to see Zachary stepping out. Zachary's face looked just as perplexed to see Erik too. Holding Yani's baby.

"Yani here?"

"She's sleep."

Erik kept his voice neutral. He shifted Sydette in his arms and stood firm.

"I just came to check on her—"

"What are you doing here, Zachary?"

Yani padded over barefoot in a tank top and jeans.

"Came to see how you were doing. You had a rough night."

"She's good now," Erik said.

Yani's eyes darted between the two of them. Her eyes seemed to be pleading with him to be cool.

"I'm fine, Zachary. Thanks for checking on me. I appreciate it."

"My offer still stands. Call me if you want to go eat or anything?"

Erik glared at Zachary and then his eyes sought out Yani's. She wouldn't look at him.

"Bye Zachary," she said.

Zachary's bold eyes looked Erik up and down before he slipped behind the wheel of his car and drove off. The compound gate rolled shut.

Yani's eyes finally glanced his way. Sheepish. Guilty even.

He had been willing to let what he saw the previous night slide between them because he had been gone for so long and it looked innocent.

But now…

"It's not what you think," she said.

"Tell me what I'm thinkin' then."

"Baba!"

Sydette tried to make his face look at her and he did.

Let it go.

Erik nibbled on Sydette's fingers.

"I'll make breakfast," he said.

Relief came across Yani's face.

He put Sydette down and they all walked back down to the main house. He laughed watching Sydette run in front of him.

"Slow down," Yani said.

"Ooh!" Sydette squealed.

Jerome sat in the walkway blocking again.

"Ju-wome, move!" Sydette waved her hands at him.

They ended up walking around the iguana. Jerome would never change.

Entering their temporary home, Erik watched Yani open windows as Sydette ran to pick up her rag doll to show him. It was new. He picked it up and made a fuss over it, and Sweet Pea clapped her hands and he handed it back to her. The sway in Yani's hips caught his eye and he felt heat in his chest. Zachary coming back bugged the hell out of him. Especially when it was Yani who initiated the kiss with him.

He couldn't let it go.

"What that nigga come back for?"