Chapter 11
ELEVEN
Bypassing Shuga’s question about Quintus and I living together was hard as hell. For one, I couldn’t speak. As soon as she mentioned it, my breath and voice left my damn body. Quintus hesitated too but managed to curve her and get us out of the house.
Live together?
Our living situation never even entered my mind. Everything happened so fast and still is happening fast. There are so many nuisances and variables to consider, and apparently, we hadn’t fathomed any of them. None.
After securing Niya in his ride and starting it, he walks me to my car. The stroll is longer than I remember, making the awkward silence between us loud as hell. Thankfully, he breaks the muteness when we reach my Range.
“There’s a lot we didn’t consider,” he says.
“A hell of a lot. You have your life and I have mine. I just…I don’t know…Can we pull this off and make it look real?” I ask then sigh.
“We can and we will,” he says, then grabs my hands.
“It’s been a crazy and wild ass two days.
We can’t figure everything out in forty-eight hours.
Go home and get some rest. You have court tomorrow and our announcement will be in the paper.
Let’s get past that first and worry about the other stuff after.
I’ll be back Wednesday for a pre-trial hearing.
I’ll stop by your chambers. I committed to you that night online and yesterday at your place.
I got you. I’m your husband; trust me,” he says, then smiles.
At least one of us isn’t panicking. But why isn’t he?
“Why? I mean, what do you get out of this?” falls off my lips before I can weigh my words.
“You,” he says, and whatever look forms on my face causes him to quickly add more. “I get to be married to you. I get to spend time with you and get to know you. I think I’m the one winning over here,” he admits and I can’t stop my smile.
“If you’re trying to distract me and calm me down, that’s working.”
He steps closer and removes the small distance between us.
His neck cranes and he stares intensely into my eyes.
“No distraction, just being honest. I’m going to do whatever I can to get you,” he says before leaning in and softly pecking my lips.
The kiss is soft, sweet, and innocent as hell but affects me in the most non-innocent ass way.
I feel it vibrate all the way down my damn spine.
“I hate you have to drive back at night. Stay with me and Niya,” he says and I laugh.
“Yeah. That’s a nice offer but no. I will not and cannot stay in Diamond Falls tonight,” I say, still amused. My hands land on his chest then I lean up. Feeling amused and absolutely attracted to this man, I say, “Just kiss me again so I can get on this road.”
“Already,” he says before pressing his lips into mine.
What follows next can only be described as damn.
The innocence of his kiss earlier has vanished and nothing but passion, a tinge of aggression, and a plethora of want is in his lips and on his tongue.
His mouth teases, devours, and commands mine and I feel my body melt into his as he kisses my senses away.
“Call me when you get home, wife,” he tells me when he finally releases my mouth.
I’m utterly speechless, so all I manage is a nod. He smirks before reaching around me and placing his hand on my door handle. When I step to the side, he opens the door and I move between the opening.
“I’ll call,” I say before sliding into my seat.
He closes my door and remains standing outside until I start my ride. Once I do, he steps back and I pull off. When I make it to the end of the street, I glance back to see him walking to his ride.
Damn. My husband can kiss.
While grinning at my own thoughts, I press play on my panel and allow Yara’s second album, Becoming Her, to provide the soundtrack to my ride back to my city.
Although I told my friends I would call them on my journey back home, I refrain.
Mondays are…well, a drag, and we all use Sunday nights as a time to rest and reset.
Normally, I’m in bed by ten because Monday calendars are packed and tomorrow is no different. My first hearing is at nine.
It’s almost eleven-thirty by the time I pull into my private, detached garage.
I have one of thirty-five for my tower. Foregoing my normal bath, I hop in the shower as soon as I enter my condo then pour myself a glass of my favorite sparkling red from Divine Vines.
I’m sipping it in bed when my phone rings. It’s him.
“Hello,” I answer.
“So I’m guessing you’re still driving,” he says.
“No. I’m home,” I reply.
“Then you lied to me.”
“What? Lied about what?” I ask, a little confused by his words.
“I asked you to call me when you got home and I haven’t gotten a call. So you must still be driving,” he says sarcastically, making me smile.
“No. I’m not driving. I’m actually in bed, sipping a glass of wine. My apologies for not calling. I’m not used to being accountable to anyone.”
“Not just anyone, your husband.” All sarcasm is clearly gone.
“I’m definitely not used to that either.”
“You’ve gotta do better. Let’s practice.”
“Practice?”
“Yeah, practice. Who am I?” he asks.
Wholly amused, I answer with sass. “My hussssssband.”
“One more time for consistency,” he says, so seriously.
“My husband,” I repeat, minus the sass.
“Better that time,” he says and I smile. “Now, what kind of wine are you drinking?”
“A sparkling from Divine Vines. It’s a local winery and their selection is top tier. The spot is beautiful too.”
“Sounds like you like it there?”
“I love it there.”
“Then we should do the dinner there,” he says and I nod even though he can’t see me.
“Actually, that’s a good idea. Really perfect. They offer private tours and dining. I just need to let Duke know so he can coordinate and see if we can book it. Oh, I gotta talk to Shuga about it too. She really wants to help.”
“Glad, I can help, but let’s talk about Shuga. You gave her your number?” he asks.
“Yes, she asked. Besides, she’s helping with the dinner. We have to be able to communicate.”
“That’s gon’ be fun for me,” he says and I hear the sarcasm return to his baritone.
“It’s gonna be just fine. Shuga is very fascinating and apparently has the Nina Wright hook up. The pieces in her living room alone are rare finds. She must be secretly connected to someone important,” I say and he chuckles.
“Imagine that. Shuga probably just lucked up on those. She’s had them since we moved into that house and I was two then. She’s not connected in any way,” he says amusedly.
“Don’t count her out. I’m telling you; it’s so hard to find those paintings. Shuga is the connect,” I tease and his deep, sexy laugh flows through my phone.
“That’s some crazy shit.”
“I know what I saw,” I say, then take the final sip from my glass and place it on the nightstand.
“What else did you notice? How big and loud we are?” he asks.
“Big? Yes. Loud? Not at all. It was nice. Growing up, I envied people with big families like yours. I could only imagine always having somebody to talk to and share things with. It was just me and my grandparents. Don’t get me wrong, I loved them and loved my upbringing, but siblings would have been nice,” I admit.
“I mean. I get it. I didn’t need friends because I had my brothers, but there were times I wished I was an only child. Those times were rare though. I guess both situations have their advantages, but I do want Niya to have a brother or sister.”
“You want more kids?” I ask.
“Yeah. She loves being around our family and she doesn’t like being alone. A sibling is a friend for life and helps balance a child. I want two more children really,” he admits. “What about you?”
“I definitely want the whole family. I always saw myself as a mother; my career just took center stage but I have a little time. I’m only thirty-two.”
“Thirty-two?” he questions.
“Yes. I know you didn’t think I was older,” I snap playfully.
“Calm down,” he says while grinning. “I thought you were a little younger than that, closer to my age.”
“Oh God! How old are you?” I ask and hold my breath. Lawd, please don’t let this man be a toddler.
“Thirty. I guess I like older women.”
“Whew! I thought you were going to say something crazy. Two years is nothing and it definitely doesn’t make me an older damn woman. Two years, sir! Just two.”
“You got that,” he concedes. “I like talking to you, but I don’t want to be selfish, at least not yet. I’m going to let you get some rest. I’ll check on you tomorrow. It’s going to be a big day.”
“Especially after The Chronicle announcement.”
“Agreed. I’m just going to nip it in the bud with my team and tell everyone in our morning stand up.”
“But what about Niya? What have you told her?”
“Nothing yet. I just told her that you were my friend but she’s smart and intuitive. I’m sure she picked up on some things over dinner. After work tomorrow night, I’ll take her to her favorite spot and tell her as simply as I can,” he says and sighs.
“Sorry.”
“For what?”
“Bringing her into this and possibly disrupting her little life.”
“You’re not disrupting anything. I wouldn’t allow it anyway. She’s my everything. Plus, I don’t know what you did to my baby girl but she really likes you. You’re all she talked about until I got her to bed,” he says and I beam.
“She really is a doll, so full of personality. She’s a sweetheart; I just don’t want her negatively affected in any way,” I admit.
“I like hearing that. Thank you,” he says and I yawn. “See, you need your rest. Good night, my wife.”
“Good night, my husband.”
“See. Practice helps,” he says before ending the call and I grin.
I’m still smiling as I place my phone on the charging pad, turn on my television and switch the volume down to three as I get comfortable on my pillows.
Today and tonight have been fun. I truly enjoyed meeting him and his family.
Prayerfully, our news doesn’t cause too much chaos, especially for little Niya.
Has it been the chaos I envisioned? No.