It seemed only right to start this thing off with the very first characters from the very first story I self-published, No Fraternizing, Pt. 1. Providing an update on Lila and Manny in Loveless (the 4th book in The Forbidden series), was honestly one catalyst behind me creating a home for character glimpses here today. As explained, this is a vignette – a short, short story that’s more of a flash in and flash out of their lives after their happily ever after. Click here to learn more about Glimpses and what to expect from them. For now, keep reading and enjoy.
Lila & Manny
…. Manny steps through the brownstone doors to silence. Not unusual, especially at this hour.
It’s almost midnight, and he’s just returned from Kuts Kings, his barbershop. The days are long away from his little family, so he’s thrilled to be back home. He toes-off his Timbs as quietly as possible and rolls his head around his neck as he makes his way to his case of stairs. He always imagined having a gang of his kids running up and down those stairs one day. That was one reason he purchased the Brooklyn Heights brownstone. Three bedrooms for just his lonesome seemed questionable to the realtor and to his mother and sisters, but the man has always been a visionary and has always worked the plan he made the day he signed at the brownstone’s closing in his late 20s. Manny would eventually combine two of those rooms to create the master bedroom.
He arrives at the middle of his stairs when he notices the soft glow of light emanating from his baby boy’s nursery. After the birth of his junior, the baby’s room, which used to be Manny’s exercise room, had become the most frequented spot in the house. It might have something to do with junior getting accustomed to life outside of the womb and sleeping for short periods of times because of it. Or it could just be that his room was where picture perfect moments went to thrive.
Manny pushes the door open gently when he arrives at its threshold. The scene he sees almost makes his eyes water.
Lila moves her gaze off junior and focuses on Manny. For a woman who hasn’t had a full night’s rest in two months, she glows. And she’s hardly trying. She piled her hair on the crown of her head and twisted the pressed strands into a bun. Her thin pale pink robe hangs off her shoulder and her cami underneath bare a wet spot on the area where her right nipple pebbles. She looks dressed for bed instead of dressed to impress and yet, to Manny, she’s the most beautiful thing he’s seen all day.
She holds a finger up to her lips, signaling Manny to stay quiet. He pretends to zip his lips closed and tosses away the imaginary key, miming an acknowledgment of her wishes.
A warm smile pulls at the corners of her lips as she holds her gaze with her husband, eyes moving down the length of his torso, intentionally stealing a glimpse at the seat of his pants.
It’s been too long, more than the six weeks suggested by her doctor. But between keeping their baby fed, loved, and happy, there hasn’t been anytime to focus on anything other than the baby.
But she can’t help her cravings for him, the yearning to feel the weight of him on top of her even if they just laid there and did nothing. To be close and connected again was her wish for them… for that night, at least.
With junior asleep against her, she stands slowly, cradling the baby in her arms. She leans down over his mini-crib, kisses him on the forehead, and lays him down gently, his tiny body stirring a little before lulling himself back to sleep.
With her hands free and her man back home, Lila tiptoes out of the junior’s bedroom, being sure to switch on the baby camera, grabbing the monitor and closing the door gently behind her.
“Hey,” Manny whispers, taking her by the hand and guiding her into a hug.
“Hey.” She wraps her arms around his waist and presses her head to his ribs. Lila inhales the scent of Manny. There’s a mix of his cologne, blade oil, and barber spray on his skin, a combo of all the things she loves. Lila misses the shop having been on maternity leave and his scent satisfy her want to return to her booth there. She closes her eyes and truly settles into being present in his presence.
“How was he today?”
“Good.” She nods, nuzzling her face even more against him. “He’s a good baby.”
“Hungry?”
“Mmm-hmm.” She nods as she lifts her arms to wrap around the back of his neck, her left hand still gripping the baby monitor. “But to keep it real with you, what I’m craving you can’t heat on a stove.”
A smirk plays on his lips. “Oh, is that right?”
She nods, balancing herself on the arches of her feet.
Manny meets her halfway, lowering his lips to meet hers and moaning the moment they press against hers.
She melts against him, and he holds her close. Though they both could use a meal right now, a meal they’ll enjoy just the two of them with baby sleeping, they’ve mutually agree to skip food for some much-needed adult time.
“Your mom brought dinner over about two hours ago,” she whispers on his lips, moving one hand under his shirt. “It’s been on the stove, but I haven’t eaten.”
“Bet,” he whispers too, while walking her back until their hallway wall stops them. “We’ll eat after.”
Manny parts her lips with his and beckons her tongue to entwine with his.
They moan as if he’s already inside her and they really should get from in front of their son’s door, but their kiss is too good to cut short.
Manny bends his legs at the knees and lifts Lila off her feet, carrying her to their bedroom.
They waste no time ridding each other of their clothing. Time is of the essence and not really on their side. Nevertheless, they add a great deal of soft to their rough. Manny and Lila fall to their bed with their lips still locked to each other.
She spreads her thighs, and he slides right in, sinking slowly into her, neither of them moving, only enjoying the long overdue reconnection.
She readjusts quickly to the width of him, and he starts his first series of long, deep strokes that fill her to the hilt.
“You good?” He whispers against her.
All she can do is nod.
“Am I too deep?”
“Shh,” is all she can get out.
Because the feeling that’s humming through her is a welcomed distraction. She wants to focus only on it, only interested in where the feeling will guide her once it peaks.
It’s so grounding, she can’t think of anything else besides right now. She runs her nails up and down his back, feeling as his muscles tense and relax while he works. She shudders each time he finds her spot. And he doesn’t let up off it, not even for a moment.
When she’s not moaning, he’s groaning and vice versa. It’s loud, but their bedroom is soundproof, so they contain their sex noises between their four walls.
His thrusts are slow but deep. It only takes a few to have her lower back arching off the mattress and her head rolling back against the pillow. Manny angles his pelvis and dives in again, setting off a wave of pleasure that Lila has been daydreaming about all day. It ripples through and makes her body shiver and her toes curl. Takes the sound out of her and sends her eyes rolling.
It’s a moment she wishes she can bottle, but since she can’t, she’ll ride it like it’s a bull until it reaches its end.
But it doesn’t and she’s definitely not complaining because of it.
Her thighs trembles under his control and completely out of hers. Manny wraps an arm around her waist to keep her in place, so he can continue to deliver and make her feel the good she’s been craving while he finally meets her at the finish line…..
I needed this today. This is exactly what I needed. Thank you. Glad to see they are still and prefer and passionate as I left them. Wow
🙌🏾 I’m happy it gave what it was supposed to have gave! Lila and Manny are a fave of mine ☺️