JAMES' POV

I opened my fridge and grabbed another can of beer. I didn't want to get drunk but it had been a long day working at the valley and I needed to wind down. I was still dressed in my dusty coveralls but made no move to go change. I took a seat in one of the stools in the kitchen, popped the can and took a long swig. I belched and the sound echoed within the house. It reflected just how empty my house was. That thought brought me back to Lulu and how she had managed to fill my life since I met her. I wanted to make her a part and parcel of my life because she completed me but it was a little harder than I thought.

I had been driving myself crazy thinking about how I was going to make things official with Lulu. She had said that I had to make the first move but anytime I tried to do it, I always chickened out. It had been a whole month since the ceremony at the school and we were still sneaking around. It's not that I didn't enjoy all the stolen kisses and the subtle hugs that lasted longer than they should have but I wanted to claim her. I wanted to proudly call her mine without having to hide it.

I heard the rumble of an engine outside my house and my ears perked up. I heard the car door open and shut and I waited for a knock but instead whoever it was let themselves in.

"Jamie."Lulu yelled from the front door and I smiled to myself.

If she had gotten comfortable enough to come and go into my house as she pleased then why couldn't I be courageous enough to make her mine.

"In the kitchen."I replied and a few minutes later she came strutting in with a smile on her face.

She looked cute dressed in a black tube top underneath a gray dungaree dress that reached her knees and white sneakers.

"I thought we said no to that name."I complained even though deep down I liked it.

Nobody had ever called me that before.

"You said no, I said yes and we both know I always win."She smirked.

I was about to reply when she cut me off with a kiss. I did not complain, just did what was natural and looped my arms around her waist pulling her to me. I loved kissing her, her lips were always so soft, it was hard not to get addicted. I had also become more and more open with her and found it easier to initiate kisses even though mostly she was the one who kissed me first.

She tugged at my dreads making me groan into the kiss and open my mouth. The kiss got even more heated and before I realized I'd lifted her up onto the counter top and we had a mini make out session with me standing between her parted legs.

I'd had so many cold showers ever since I met her because I refused to jerk off. It felt somehow disrespectful and even though the hard ons were painful, they were so worth it. When we pulled away but our lips were bruised and it took a few seconds to catch our breath.

"Hello to you too Jamie."She said smirking making me chuckle and pull her into a brief hug.

She always smelled so good, I always had to take a whiff of her scent.

"How was your day?"I asked stepping away from her, as I resumed my seat back on the stool.

"Tiring but productive. I just finished planting the tomato seedlings today."She informed me.

I always loved listening to her talk about her work. She was so passionate about it and she was good at what she did. She asked about my day and the conversation just flowed until my stomach growled interrupting us. Lulu just chuckled before jumping off the counter and walking towards the fridge. I grimaced when I realized what she would find in there. She opened the door and scowled when she saw that it was empty apart from.

"Beer. That's all you have in here. How do you survive?"She exclaimed closing the door with a slam.

"I usually have food. I just don't go shopping a lot."I explained to her.

Before she could continue scolding me my phone rang interrupting her. I quickly picked up and groaned when I realized it was my mother calling. I thought she was going to save me from being scolded by Lulu but even she loved giving me a hard time. Lulu gave me a questioning look and I showed her who was calling before I received the call.

"Hi mom. Now's not a good time. Can I call you later?"I rushed out not wanting to get into it but I knew it wouldn't be so easy.

"Why? What are you doing? Where are you?"She inquired.

"I'm home and... " I hesitated before saying anymore.

"What?"She asked getting impatient.

I looked at Lulu pinched my brow and closed my eyes preparing myself for her reaction.

"Lulu is here."I replied softly.

It went silent on the other end of the line and I thought she hadn't heard me.

"Mom."I called out looking at the screen and saw that the call was still connected."Mom are you still there?"I asked again.

I was about to hang up when her very excited voice came through "Finally. I'm so happy for you son. You've finally got the right one. Oh, I'm so happy. You must bring her for supper. Yes you must. Actually why don't you bring her in right now. I'll be expecting you."She rambled on and before I could deny her request she hang up.

I knew that there was no need to call her back. She had probably already dumped her phone and was busy preparing for Lulu's arrival.

I turned to Lulu with a defeated look on my face"Guess what?"

"I heard, you're mother is really loud on the phone."She answered chuckling and I just managed a tight smile back.

Taking Lulu home was going to make things very complicated. I hadn't even asked her to be my girlfriend yet and I was sure the minute we got home, she'd be treated like we were already engaged.

"You don't have to take me with you. You can make up some excuse about me getting suddenly ill."She consoled seeing the conflicted look on my face.

"No it's not that. I want you to come. It's just..."I trailed off not knowing what to say."You know what never mind. Give me a few minutes to freshen up and we'll go."I replied before draining my can of beer, tossing it in the trash and walking away.

Lulu was left with a confused look on her face because of my behavior but how could I express myself when I wasn't sure what to even say. I'd just warn her on what to expect before we got there.

There was no time to shower so I just wiped myself down,brushed my teeth and changed into a fresh pair of jeans and a clean t-shirt. I wore a fresh pair of socks and clean boots. I walked back into the living room and found Lulu cuddled up on the sofa, with a Shuka around her scrolling through the different programs on TV.

"Let's go."I called out.

I waited for her to get up and we both walked out of the house. I made share to lock the door behind me.

"Are you sure you want me to go with you?"She asked worriedly as we approached my truck.

"Absolutely."I replied a little for fast but managed to save it with a genuine smile.

I did want her to go with me, that was not a lie, I just didn't want my family scaring her off. She returned my smile as got onto the passenger side of my truck. I noticed a bush of wild dandelions growing next the fence and I an idea popped into my head. I picked a few, quickly gave myself a mental pep talk to man up before getting into the truck.

"What's up....?"I cut Lulu's question off by shoving the flowers in her face.

Not so romantic but I was very nervous. She took the flowers from my hand and look at me surprised.

"Jamie what are the flowers for?"She questioned.

I took a deep breath before replying "It's the best I could do considering that's the only flower that grows around here. I've been putting off asking you this question for so long but I can't anymore. Not because we're about to go see my parents and we need to put a label on our relationship before we face them but because I can't stand the thought of you not being mine for a minute longer. Lulu, I like you so much and I was bewitched by your beauty and wit from the moment we met. I know I don't deserve you but I would be honored if you agreed to be mine. Will you be my girlfriend?"I asked surprised that I had managed to say all that without stuttering or stopping.

"Now that wasn't so hard was it."She teased and I just rolled my eyes at her.

"That's not a yes."

Instead of replying she launched herself at me catching me in a surprise kiss. I kissed her back matching her energy. She pulled away after a minute, pecked my lips and sat back down properly.

"Yes."She grinned at me and I smiled back.

I watched her put one of the flowers in her hair the smile never falling off her face.

That one word made me so happy I resisted the urge to hoot out loud. I suppressed that feeling, shoving it down and turned on the car. I reversed out of the compound and and drove to my parents home. Lulu was finally my girlfriend and that thought made me all giddy inside. I could finally show her off to the world as mine and that made me extremely proud.

"I don't mean to be a party pooper but I have some news. It's what brought me to your place in the first place."Lulu commented after we had been silent for a few minutes.

"What's up?"

"You remember I told you that my sister is getting married?"

"Yeah."

"Well she has to go pay her bride price first and I need to be there for her so I'm travelling to the city in a few days."She informed me.

"How long will you be gone for?"I asked.

"About a week or two."She replied.

"Oh that's not long. Bring me back some cake."I joked and she laughed.

"I'll try. I'd have asked you to come with me but I can't have you drop everything just to accompany me. I haven't even told my sisters that we're dating. It's not because I'm ashamed of you, it's just that I don't want to steal the spotlight from Mar. I hope you understand."She rambled on getting flustered.

"Lulu it's okay, take it easy. I completely understand why I can't go with you. It's not a big deal."I assured her.

"Thank you for understanding."She said giving me a big grin.

"Well I kinda have to. You have to deal with my family in a few minutes and that takes much more understanding."I informed her as I pulled up outside the gate.

"I like your family."

"Keep that in mind and tell me what you think after tonight."I replied.

She just shrugged and we both got out of the truck. Lulu looped her elbow with mine and we walked hand in hand into the compound. We were immediately bombarded by the kids who were very excited to see us both. Lulu had become quite popular with them for her story telling ways. She was stealing my spotlight but I didn't mind. They kept asking for a story and Lulu tried to decline politely but they didn't listen. They only listened when my mom came and chased them away with a broom.

"I'm sorry about them, they are just excited that you're here. Welcome back once again Lulu."My mom invited.

"Thank you and I don't mind the kids."She added.

"It's so good to see you two together."My mom clapped happily looking at our joined hands.

She hadn't even said hello to me and she was already gushing about our relationship.

"Supper isn't quite ready yet so why don't you two take a stroll and be back in twenty minutes. Say hello to a few people."She instructed and hurtled away.

"What she means is that I should show you off so that everyone can know that I finally have a girlfriend."I said a little too sarcastically and Lulu jammed an elbow into my ribs.

"You should be delighted to show me off."She chided.

"Believe me I am, just not like this."I replied and she smirked and pulled me away towards the huts.

"Well it's your mother's orders so smile and introduce me."She demanded and I just laughed at her bossy tone but did as she asked nonetheless.

Everyone was delighted to meet Lulu officially. She was polite towards everyone and asked me to kindly interpret for her what some of the people were saying since she couldn't speak Samburu and not everyone was educated. We found a few teenage boys practicing for their initiation and Lulu made us stop for a few minutes to watch them practicing the dance.

"Can you jump that high?"Lulu asked staring at them in awe.

"Probably higher because I'm taller."I replied cockily.

"Okay cocky much, show me."She requested with a raised eyebrow as she turned to fully face me.

"Maybe some other time. I'm not wearing the right shoes and I don't want to steal the spotlight from the boys."

"Petty excuses."She scoffed with an eyeroll.

I was about to defend myself some more when the last person I wanted to see approached us making me cuss.

"Shit, not now."I groaned.

"Did you just cuss?"Lulu asked eyes wide open in surprise.

I didn't even have time to defend myself when the reason I had said the foul word in the first place spoke.

"James, so nice to see you. It's been a while."Nalu greeted her voice a little too sweet and I just nodded at her politely.

Lulu who had her back turned to her, faced her and Nalus smile dropped when she recognized Lulu.

"Nurse whatever your name is, hello."Lulu greeted in a condescending tone and I had to bite my lip to hold in my laughter.

Who knew Lulu could be so petty.

"My name is Nalutuesha. What are you doing here?"She asked rolling her eyes at Lulu.

I had to stop myself from defending Lulu because I knew she was capable of fighting her own battles. I had no idea why Nalu would even try to get on the wrong side of Lulu seeing as their last encounter ended up with her getting a twisted arm.

"Like I care and I'm here to have supper with my family. My mother in law requested my presence."Lulu replied with a smirk and Nalu's proud face fell replaced with one of shock before it turned to anger.

"Yo-you're ma-marrying her?"Nalu stuttered.

"Yes he is. I'm sorry if you thought that was going to be you."Lulu interjected before I could reply.

I should have been alarmed when Lulu said we were going to get married but I just felt my heart swell with pride that she could declare that without fear. I knew she was my future, it was only ever going to be her so I was not worried.

She looked so sexy standing up for herself like that. It was not the right place or time but I found myself getting aroused. It went away pretty quickly though when I heard Nalu's voice.

"I wasn't talking to you, you home wrecker. James why are you marrying her? You were promised to me. We were meant to be together. I thought you were just playing hard to get so I allowed you to have your fun and a little more freedom but now you bring her here and introduce her as your wife. This city girl with no morals and has no idea about our culture and tradition. You're marrying an outsider James. Why?!"She yelled at us and I was happy the high pitched voices of the kids playing next to us was enough to cover up her yell before we attracted unwanted attention.

Lulu laughed sarcastically and opened her mouth probably to test Nalu a new one but I stopped her with a soft but firm grip on her hand to tell her that it was my turn and I had her back.

"I choose her because she's more woman than you will ever be. She is respectful, kind and actually has more morals in her pinky than you have in you're whole body. Why are you pretending to be an angel when you're the devil? Don't think I don't know about you sleeping with all the herdsmen in this village and the next."Her mouth fell wife open in shock when she realized I knew her secrets but I was not done yet."I don't like you Nalu and I never will so please get the notion that you and I will ever get married out of you're head. For the sake of keeping the little dignity and reputation you have left please leave Lulu and I alone or I'll make you the center of gossip."With that I took Lulus hand and led her away towards my mother's hut. Nalu looked hurt and she was crying when we left her but she had disrespected my lady first and I would never stand for that.

"Is she really that much of a slut?"Lulu whispered.

"Yeah she just has a good way of hiding it. My mother would never have set me up with her if she knew."I replied.

"Oh well good riddance."She smiled and I winked at her.

"There you two are. I've been looking for you. Supper is served. Come and meet the family Lulu."My mom said calling us over.

"She's already met them mom."I reasoned only for her to brush me off.

"Yes but she was not your girlfriend then. Wash your hands and come in."My mother instructed pointing to a pot of water outside the house.

"Let your mom have her fun and stop worrying about me. I can handle your family."Lulu assured me washing her hands.

"Okay if you say so, just don't say I didn't warn you."

"I'll be fine and thanks for standing up for me by the way. You didn't have to but it was very sexy."She commented before entering my mother's hut disappearing from sight.

It took me off guard at first hearing her talk like that but then I remembered it was Lulu and she always said what was on her mind. I chuckled to myself before cleaning my hands and walking into the lions den hopping me and Lulu wouldn't get mauled.

🌀🌀🌀🌀🌀🌀🌀🌀🌀🌀🌀🌀🌀🌀

I just noticed this but for some reason this is the third book I've written where the girlfriend proposal happens in a car. It's a honest coincidence, I promise😅😅 but I hope I never make that mistake again.

So in light of the current chapter. They are finally a couple. Yaaaas.... 🥰🥰🥰.

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