Chapter 20 Ayanna
twenty
Ayanna
“I’m telling you, this one is warmer,” I said, holding the paint swatch higher to catch the overhead lights. “It’ll look better once it dries.”
Teo leaned back on his heels, arms crossed, face set in a deep frown. “They all look the same, Yanna. It’s white.”
“No it's not.” I turned toward him, my gaze narrowed. “This is eggshell, that one’s alabaster, and this one’s winter frost. Big difference.”
He blinked once, pushing the half-empty cart down the narrow pathway that made up the hardware store. “All made-up shit for white.”
I bit back a laugh.
Getting to know him in this capacity, outside of family business and our pining young adult days, things have been interesting. I was seeing a side of him I never expected to experience, one that’s surprisingly domestic.
“Don’t you have better things to do than harass me on this fine Saturday morning? Maybe business with my brother or Keem?”
“Probably,” he shrugged, now looking at the walls lined with an array of color samples before turning back toward me. “But they not as pretty as you. Don’t nobody wanna be around them niggas today.”
“You don’t even like shopping. Weren’t you the one saying ‘Amore, we got staff for that.’” I mocked, sounding just like him. Well, at least in my mind, I did, and he just grinned.
“We do have staff for this. However... I like helping you out.” That came with a megawatt smile, and a quick peck on the lips.
It was all bullshit. He didn’t like shopping for anything, let alone light fixtures, but he liked being around me, and making me happy.
Since I spent most of our youth denying our truth, he was making up for lost time.
Doing some of the most mundane things like shopping for my boutique with me when we both had more pressing matters.
Honestly, his presence made me happier than I cared to admit.
“But you ain’t even picking up nothing,” I whined, playfully turning toward him with a pout.
“I’m picking you up when this is over. Probably bending you over too.” He said it with a casual shrug, like that was just regular Saturday morning talk.
I choked on a laugh, rolling my eyes as I turned back to the display. “Oh my God, Teo.”
He came up behind me, arms sliding around my waist like it was second nature, chin resting on my shoulder. “Admit it... you like it when I help.” His lips brushed my skin.
“Mmhmm. When you actually help,” I said, trying not to melt in his arms in the middle of this very public hardware store. “Standing here looking pretty don’t count.” I waved my hand in his direction.
He chuckled low, his chest vibrating against my back. “Pretty? Nah, Amore, I’m handsome as fuck.” He kissed my neck, then backed up, snatching a blush-colored swatch off the display. “How about this one?”
I sucked my teeth, pretending to be unimpressed. Even though the man picked the exact shade I’d been leaning toward.
“That’s cute or whatever,” I muttered, slipping it from his fingers and waving an associate down.
A smile appeared over the woman’s face, and I returned one as well. “Could we get a sample of this one?” I asked, holding up a sample of the paint.
The associate nodded and headed off to grab a small can for us to try out, while Teo grinned smug as hell beside me, clearly proud of himself. “You gotta quit acting like I don’t know you. Or that I ain’t got good taste.”
“Your taste is alright... at best.”
The last word barely left my mouth before he yanked me into his chest, his grip firm around my waist. Every part of his touch was intentional, even as his dark eyes smoldered. “My taste is impeccable.” His minty breath hit my face. “You forget... you’re my taste? Hmm?”
His gaze dropped to my mouth like he was already picturing the way he’d kiss any comeback completely off my lips. “My taste is perfect,” he growled lowly.
Heat coiled in my belly, stealing the air from my lungs, and traveled straight to the apex of my thighs.
Wetness had for sure flooded my panties.
I hated and loved how easily he could unravel me.
It was alarming how quickly I was coming to crave him and his mannish ways.
Or how PDA from him was becoming my new favorite thing.
“Um… here’s the sample,” the associate cleared her throat, reluctantly interrupting us, as she appeared beside us.
She tried to keep her voice neutral, but I caught the slight flutter, and blush that crept on her fair colored cheeks.
Not to mention the way her eyes flicked from Teo’s hand on my waist to the proximity of his mouth to mine.
Yeah... she’d seen it all. Probably even heard him.
But I didn’t care, not one bit. And that’s what was kind of scary.
“Thank you,” I said, stepping out of his grasp, and forward just enough to break the tension.
The woman handed over the small can and gave me a quick smile, but her eyes lingered on Teo a second too long. I didn’t blame her. He was distracting.... as hell.
Like he said he was handsome and a fucking tease. Especially today... in his gray sweats. Just out here showing all the ladies my goods. Once we finally moved on from paint swatches, we found ourselves in the aisle of light fixtures, which somehow felt even more overwhelming.
I trailed my fingers along a brushed gold chandelier, feeling it maybe just a little bit over the top.
“This is too much isn’t it?” I looked once more at the elaborate design.
The loops were large with sparkling crystals that caught the light in every direction. I liked the globes clustered in the center and thought it would be the perfect focal point for the entrance. Its grandeur would certainly make a bold statement.
“It’s giving... opulence.”
Teo turned toward me slow, one hand slipping into his pocket. His other one rubbed his jaw like he was trying not to laugh. “Is that what we calling’ it now? Opulence?”
I gave him a side-eye, unbothered. “Yes... Teo.”
“If you like it Amore, just get it. You know I’ll buy this entire aisle for you.” He still had that amused smirk on his face, but I knew he was serious.
I know I gave him a hard time about tagging along, but honestly, I was happy he was here.
The first time I set up my boutique, I had no one.
Well, that’s a lie.
Teo was around but it wasn’t like this. It was always from a distance — a phone call away.
.. or several states over. He was there; as my childhood and family friend.
Never nothing more... at least in my mind.
But now, he was here. Not watching from afar.
Not calling to check in. But standing beside me as I brought Blissfully Wed back to life.
As we methodically made our way to the next aisle, I continued to browse any and everything. Since I was redoing my bridal shop, I figured I might as well give it a complete makeover. When a floor-to-ceiling mirror came into view, I stopped.
It was dramatic and expensive-looking, with a carved, champagne-gold frame and beveled glass that made it look antique. Just like the one Teo gifted me for my Manhattan store. It was timeless.
“This,” I whispered more to myself, brushing my fingertips over the edge, “belongs in the fitting room.”
Teo came up behind me again, close enough for his chest to brush my shoulder. “Then that’s where it’s going.”
I caught our reflection in the mirror. Me with paint samples still in my hand, him with one arm resting around my hip like it lived there. He looked too damn good for a hardware store. And we looked... married... happy... and damn good together.
“You keep looking at me like that,” he murmured, “and we’re not making it to dinner.”
“Dinner? We have dinner plans?”
He didn’t answer right away, just grinned. “Yes, gorgeous. We have plans. We’re going to this place called, Vortex.”
I raised a brow. “Is that a club?”
He smirked. “Nah.”
My head tilted slightly. “You got any more details? I’ve never heard of it.”
“It’s exclusive, Amore,” he said simply. “You wouldn’t have had a reason to go there before.”
It wasn’t an insult. Just the truth. Judging from his tone it was likely an underground club. My name would’ve likely gotten me in there, but there has never been a reason for me to visit any of those off-the-books places. Back then, I was content with my relatively safe life.
“Guess that means I should find something to wear,” I murmured, my voice lighter than before.
“You’ll look good in whatever you put on. But in the closet, there’s a brand-new dress, a pair of Giuseppe Zanotti’s, and a clutch that I picked out just for tonight.” He kissed the side of my neck. “Wear that.”
My skin warmed, but before I could respond, his phone buzzed. On the second ring, he answered, without even checking to see who it was. It was his personal cellphone, so I figured it must be someone he trusted.
“What’s up?” His voice shifted.
It was still calm, but a whole lot heavier. Gone was the playful man who’d just been flirting with me, and teasing me about paint colors. Now I was in the presence of the powerful and ruthless Don — the parts of him that I had no idea turned me on.
I busied myself, stepping down the aisle like I wasn’t eavesdropping, but I was. His fingers were still laced with mine.
“Nah. Let Keem handle that... you are too close.”
A pause, then a sigh.
“Sophia,” he groaned, and his head was already shaking. His sister couldn’t see his disapproval, but it didn’t matter because a few seconds later he shut whatever she was offering down. “The answer is still no.”
It was that simple. A demand.
No one went against the head of the family. Not even blood. So, I knew that even if Sophia wanted to protest, she wouldn’t, out of respect.
“I need you focused on the North. Territory’s shaky, and we can’t afford soft hands over there. Let Keem handle Isabella.”
A pause. Then that low, warning tone only Teo could pull off. It was firm without raising his voice. “Sophia.”
Another beat.
“She’s your friend. That makes it messy. I don’t need messy. I need clean. Hand it off.”