Chapter 11
ELEVEN
Armond Davis
WE LANDED A FEW HOURS later and I nudged Brandy awake.
She had curled up on me and hadn’t left my side.
Her comfort with me had me doing dumb shit like proposing before I even got to know her.
I was making a promise, and once I got her on board, we settled in and got comfortable.
She trusted me and I would never take that for granted.
Brandy brought me peace in such little time and no one had ever been able to do that. I felt it necessary to protect her, love her, show her what a real man was like since it seemed that all men were shit in her book.
I wanted to be that man for her no matter what my schedule would allow. I’d make time for her. There was nothing more important than the relationship I wanted to build with her. It was a little obscene and unlike me, but I didn’t care. She made me not want to care about how this could fall apart.
She smiled before she uncurled herself and opened her eyes. Those pretty lashes fluttered as she yawned before pulling back to officially face me.
“How long have I been asleep?”
“A couple of hours,” I replied.
“Armond!” she said. “I would’ve gotten my tail up.”
“Why? There was no need.”
“I mean, I guess. I haven’t really checked on the girls.
” She looked at me so unsure. Like she’d truly done something wrong.
In all actuality, she helped me sleep for the first time since I left her at the resort.
I just happened to hear Seraphina knocking on the door, making us aware of our descent and upcoming arrival.
“Don’t scrunch your face like that. I loved every second of it. If I hadn’t, I would’ve let it be known. I’m not one to repress my feelings. And your friends are fine. Amelia has taken a liking to them and they’ve been chilling,” I said, breaking our silence.
She was cute when she pouted like that, but I’d rather see her smile and be happy in my presence.
Her eyes suddenly lit up like I said something grandiose.
She didn’t have a verbal response, just a nod with a half-smile.
She was hesitant with her movements and I wasn’t having that shit.
Let me find out I had to bury a motherfucker for being on her mind while she was with me.
“Parlarne,” I demanded.
She scooted beside me then kicked her feet onto my lap, followed by the groan of a deep sigh that further piqued my curiosity.
She was taking too long but I’d let her have it this time so she could gather her thoughts.
My hands met her feet and I started massaging them, which prolonged her explanation.
“What?”
“Speak on it, honeybee,” I replied. I don’t know why I freely spoke Italian expecting her to understand.
“There are noticeable differences I wish didn’t play like a broken record every time you do anything that’s decently normal or genuine. It’s unfamiliar and quite irritating.”
“The one thing I never want you to do is compare me to the next man. If he didn’t worship the ground you walked on, then he is below every facet of my existence. You don’t compare eagles to pigeons, mama,” I replied.
Her eyes grew big and her eyebrows raised like I said something extreme. I was only stating facts. Any man who could disrespect her wasn’t worth the spit on the bottom of my damn shoe.
“I didn’t mean to offend you, Armond, only speaking my truth. My ex blindsided me with his true nature and meeting someone of your caliber has been refreshing. It only reminds me of what I attempted to hold on to for so long. Toxicity and ruin. You’ve been everything but that since we met.”
“And you wonder when it will flip?”
“A little.”
I was irritated with this conversation, but I respected her for being open enough to speak on her concerns.
Any other woman would’ve played it off and kept it moving just to appease me.
That was one of the qualities I liked in Brandy.
She kept it real when she didn’t need to.
Those creases in her forehead and that bite of her bottom lip displayed how on edge she was, so I took a second before I said anything.
I continued massaging her foot until her head tilted back and her lip popped back out.
“One thing you’ll come to learn about me is I don’t flip like a pancake or a coin. This me is what you’ll always receive because it’s the realest I’ve ever been with any soul. And time will surely show you that. So don’t fret, honeybee.”
“You’re a smooth talker,” she responded with a smile.
“An honest one.”
“Yeah, we’ll see.”
She smirked then shot herself up to leave. I shook my head then stood and stopped her before she could. My hand met hers and I made her face me. She looked a little timid and I couldn’t understand what I did or said to make her switch up like that. That bastard really had fucked her up.
“Look, we can take this as fast or as slow as you’d like. I’m in no rush. I want to build with you, not dictate our relationship. It’s me and you together. Got it?”
Her eyes danced wildly with mine as tears started to brim. I just wanted her to breathe.
“Come here, mama,” I said as I extended my arms. She quickly wrapped around me and rested her head on my shoulder.
“I got you.”
She nodded against my chest and I felt a couple of tears wet my shirt. I separated us and wiped her cheeks then kissed each of them before leading her out of the cabin.
“Well damn, don’t you look refreshed,” Marsha said with a huge smile on her face.
“Shit, you do too,” Brandy replied.
Stella and Amelia were sleeping with their heads on each other while Marsha was spread out on the couch with a throw blanket. I smirked then took a seat and strapped myself in.
“We’re going to land soon so you might want to hop in a seat and buckle up,” I stated.
“Yeah, yeah, got it,” Marsha said as she sat up.
Brandy looked at Stella and Amelia and secured each of their seat belts without waking them then took a seat next to me. Marsha took the one across from Brandy.
“Armond, are you staying in Dallas?” Marsha asked.
I was hoping that question came from Brandy’s mouth but shit I was glad someone asked.
My brother living in her city only added to my motive for coming.
I would’ve been making this flight regardless though.
Wherever she went, I would’ve made sure we were taking her home.
She was stuck with my ass and I was going to take care of her.
“Actually I am. I’m visiting my brother in Arlington. I’m heading to see him as soon as we land.”
The frown that grew on Brandy’s face had me at a loss. There was someone who would miss my presence, even if it were for a short while?
“Would you like me to take you home, Brandy?”
“Oh…” She adjusted in her seat then looked at Marsha before turning to me. “That’s not necessary. I’m taking an Uber with Stella. We’ll be fine.”
“You truly believe I would allow you to take a rideshare when I have a driver who takes me where I need to go daily? Oh please, honeybee.”
“I didn’t say you would.”
She was playing the defensive. I didn’t know how to perceive it. Seemed like anything I said had her second guessing her prior statement. Like she had to subject herself to redundant apologies.
“Let’s go find your luggage. After that, it’s whatever you want to do. I’m in no rush to make it to my brother’s estate. Would you have me?”
“I would enjoy that. Thank you,” she murmured.
Being modest, eh?
“Well, let’s have at it.”
We landed and I made my way to my sister. She would be taking the jet back home from here but I knew the captain needed time to fuel up.
“Ay, we’re in Dallas,” I said, nudging her awake.
“Good, now you can leave and I can go back to my business,” she yawned. I shook my head because she was already done with her photoshoots, so home was the only business she was referring to.
“Yeah, alright.”
“It was nice meeting you, Brandy. Maybe next time I’ll fly out and we can get together and hang,” Amelia said as she stood to gather her things.
“That’ll be what’s up,” Brandy and Marsha said in unison, which made us all laugh.
We got escorted to baggage claim and I instantly got irritated at the amount of people swarming around. We had a little time to wait since their plane hadn’t arrived. I honestly wanted to tell them I would arrange for their bags to be delivered so we could get a move on.
The second I opened my mouth to make the suggestion, I noticed Brandy scanning the airport.
She looked a little nervous and I couldn’t determine if it was due to the crowd or because of what happened between us on the plane.
Could be something entirely different but she hadn’t seemed this nervous a few minutes ago.
I briefly scanned the space and noticed someone walking in our direction, determined to get to my girl. That made my mouth twitch because her demeanor showed this wasn’t a happy reunion.
I walked up to her and placed my hand on her lower back. She nearly leapt out of her skin. That just about pissed me off but I held onto my anger so I could direct it where necessary.
Our eyes met and she took a step back, her face flushed with embarrassment and a little intimidation. She was scared and I knew exactly who was coming toward us.
“Shit, I’m sorry, Armond. I was in a daze,” she explained in a rush.
“No worries. I was just checking on you. Seems like…”
“Hey, baby, there you are. How was your flight?”
A man approached us looking directly at Brandy. She looked like she was seeing a ghost. She held her breath and didn’t say a word though I could see the irritation growing on her face by the second.
He had the nerve to attempt to hug her and Brandy quickly pushed him away.
That was all I needed to see. Had it been a different response then I would’ve chalked it up as her getting caught red handed.
This was clearly the ex she was comparing me to.
His arrogance reeked and it was time to end this now.