IN NEED OF HIS LOVE

CHAPTER 5

As they drove to Canal Walk, Praise's smile never wavered, and Tyson's heart swelled with happiness. He couldn't explain why he was so invested in making her happy, but he couldn't deny the feeling.

When Praise protested about the shopping spree, Tyson just chuckled and teased her. "A girl can buy clothes every day and they'll still not be enough. What kind of girl are you?" he asked, grinning.

Praise playfully rolled her eyes. "They buy with their money. When I have my own money, I'll do the same."

Tyson's expression turned serious for a moment. "You have no money now, and I have it. Let me do it for you."

Praise started to protest again, but Tyson just turned up the radio to maximum volume, making her laugh. "I'm not listening!" he exclaimed, a goofy grin spreading across his face.

As they pulled into the parking lot at Canal Walk, Praise was still giggling. Tyson turned off the engine and turned to her, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "Ready to shop 'til we drop?" he asked, winking.

Tyson's expression softened as he saw the sadness creeping back into Praise's eyes. He reached out and gently brushed his hand across her face, as if sweeping away the sorrow.

"Let me take that away for you," he whispered, his voice filled with kindness. He pretended to hold the sorrow in his hand, making a show of carefully containing it.

Praise's giggles started as Tyson walked over to the nearest trash can, holding his hand out as if he was carrying something delicate. He dramatically tossed the "sorrow" into the bin and slammed the lid shut, making a "ta-da" gesture with his hands.

Praise's laughter erupted into uncontrollable peals, and she doubled over, holding her stomach. Tyson grinned, feeling a sense of triumph at having made her laugh again. He walked back over to her, still chuckling, and wrapped his arms around her in a warm hug.

"I'm glad I could make you laugh," he whispered, his voice filled with affection.

"Thank you for getting rid of that 'sorrow'"

She said still laughing

"You are welcome, princess" he said with a smile looking at her

As they stood there, locked in a gaze, the air around them seemed to vibrate with an unspoken connection. Tyson's eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled, and Praise's cheeks flushed a delicate pink.

But then, suddenly, Praise looked down, breaking the spell. Tyson's smile faltered for a moment, before he recovered and said, "Let's go."

He reached out and gently took Praise's hand in his, his fingers intertwining with hers in a warm, comforting grasp. Praise didn't pull away, and instead, let Tyson lead her into the mall.

As they walked, Tyson couldn't help but steal glances at Praise, who was walking beside him with a quiet smile on her face. He felt a sense of contentment wash over him, and he knew that he was exactly where he wanted to be.

Tyson was on a mission to spoil Praise rotten, and he didn't let her reluctance to spend hold him back. While she was trying on clothes in the fitting room, Tyson would sneak out and pick out a few more items for her, adding them to the pile of clothes he was already buying.

At the checkout counter, Tyson would discreetly add the extra items to the purchase, making sure to have them bagged separately so Praise wouldn't notice. By the time they left the mall, Tyson had amassed a impressive collection of bags, all filled with clothes for Praise.

Praise, oblivious to Tyson's sneaky shopping spree, smiled and thanked him for the few things she had picked out herself. Little did she know, she had an entire wardrobe waiting for her, courtesy of Tyson's generosity.

As they walked into Tyson's house, Praise felt a sense of familiarity wash over her. She had been here before, and she knew exactly where she wanted to go. She made her way to the large windows in the living room, her favorite spot in the house.

She stood there, gazing out at the beautifully manicured garden, feeling the warm sunlight streaming in through the glass. It was a peaceful spot, one that always seemed to calm her nerves and lift her spirits.

Tyson watched her with a smile, happy to see her so relaxed and at ease in his home. "Make yourself at home," he said, as he started to unpack the groceries in the kitchen.

Praise walked into the kitchen, where Tyson was already rummaging through the cupboards, looking for pots and pans. She smiled at the sight of him, his sleeves rolled up and a determined look on his face.

"Need some help?" she asked, eyeing the chaos of ingredients and cooking utensils scattered across the countertops.

Tyson grinned. "I think we're both in over our heads, but we'll figure it out. Mama warned me about eating takeout every night"

Praise chuckled. "She did well. But I'm warning you, I'm not exactly the next MasterChef."

Tyson laughed. "Don't worry, I'm pretty sure I'm the worst cook in the world. But we'll muddle through together."

Together, they started chopping vegetables, stirring pots, and attempting to cook something edible. The kitchen was filled with the sounds of sizzling, laughter, and the occasional clang of a pot lid. It was clear that neither of them was a skilled cook, but they were having fun trying.

As they finished washing the dishes, Praise let out a contented sigh and leaned against the sink, watching Tyson as he wiped down the last plate. Their eyes met, and Tyson's gaze held hers, filled with a warm, tender intensity.

Without a word, Tyson put down the plate and walked over to Praise, his eyes never leaving hers. He gently took her face in his hands, his fingers tracing the curves of her cheeks, and pulled her closer.

Their lips met in a slow, sweet kiss, the tension between them palpable. The kiss deepened, but it wasn't rushed or frantic. Instead, it was a gentle, exploratory kiss, as if they were savoring the taste of each other.

Tyson's hands roamed over Praise's body, his fingers tracing the curves of her waist and hips. He lifted her up, setting her on the counter, and continued to kiss her, his lips moving over hers with a gentle, insistent pressure.

Praise's arms wrapped around his neck, pulling him closer, as she melted into the kiss. The world around them melted away, leaving only the two of them, lost in the sweetness of the moment.