Chapter 8
Nari.
“What’s on your mind?”
His voice settled something in me, even though I had been in my feelings all day.
I didn’t react right away. My focus remained on the backyard even after I felt his hands rest on the balcony and his body gently pressed against mine, locking me in.
I knew Kincaid. The move was strategic. He wanted me close without leaving me the ability or space to deny him.
Like he denied me all day.
“Not you,” I muttered, granting me a smile before a kiss landed on my temple and Kincaid’s chin rested on top of my head. He leaned into me, his breathing relaxing a little more with every passing second.
“You’re still angry.” Statement, not a question.
“No, I don’t have a reason to be.” He laughed lightly and smiled again. I hadn’t seen his face yet, but didn’t need to, to feel his smile. It was that potent.
“You never need a reason, sweetheart, but somehow, I find myself on the receiving end of that sharp tongue of yours more than I like.”
My eyes rolled, but I didn’t respond. After a few more moments of silence, he pulled away, but it was only enough to give him leverage to move me with him.
His large hands met my hips and we both ended up in the egg chair.
It took a minute to adjust my position, which ended up being my shoulder against his chest and my feet tucked beneath the cushion that lined the back of the chair.
I sat sideways across his body, my knees resting lazily on his solid frame.
We stared at each other briefly before Kincaid pressed a soft kiss on my lips then his forehead to mine. “Truce.”
“We’re not at war. That doesn’t apply.”
“But you’re angry, and I don’t like you angry.”
I grinned, narrowing my eyes. “This conversation sounds eerily familiar.”
“It worked for you, so I figured it might work for me.”
His shoulders relaxed when he sank deeper into the cushion. One arm encircled my body, pulling me closer, and the other hand rested on my calf. His fingers moved across my bare skin, creating a soothing rhythm.
“You didn’t sleep in our bed last night. What happened to ‘no running’?”
“I was up late and ended up crashing in my office.”
“And then you left before I was up and ignored me all day.” I’d called twice and sent several texts, neither of which were answered.
“It’s been a busy day and I needed space.”
“You can have space, but I can’t?” My eyes narrowed once more.
“I was working, so technically, it’s not the same.”
“If you’re ignoring me, it most definitely is the same,” I warned.
“Agreed, and I apologize. I don’t want to argue with you, Nari. In fact, I want to take you to dinner to try to work through a few things.”
“Like?”
“You’ll have to agree to our date to find out.” His smile was smug, which struck a nerve. This man was always in control, but I decided to play along.
“Dinner where?”
“That’s also a surprise, but I promise you’ll enjoy it.”
“So. . . . date with my husband?”
“If you’ll agree.”
“I’m hungry, so, yes.”
He laughed lightly and kissed me again. “I’ll take what I can get. Now, go get dressed. I need to make a few calls, then I’ll shower and change.”
“How do I need to dress?”
“However you want. Tonight is casual.” He tapped my thigh, signaling that I needed to get up.
After I climbed from his lap, Kincaid was on his feet as well, stopping me before I got too far.
He lowered his head and I felt the warmth of his breath against my skin before his lips brushed my neck then landed gently in the same spot.
“No arguing tonight, okay? We can disagree, but we won’t argue. ”
When his eyes reached mine, I nodded slowly. There was something about this man that I couldn’t shake. The way he owned the ability to make my body react with just a look and a few words. It was dangerous but in a good way.
“Good. We need to be out of here in an hour.” Kincaid stood upright and pinched my chin between his fingers before he leaned in, delivering a kiss.
I moved in one direction to get ready and he moved in another to leave our room.
I was hopeful that tonight would be good. It was my goal to ensure that it was.
“Where are we?”
“One of my favorite spots.” He smiled down at me, sensing my unease.
The place didn’t fit the class of those I had been accustomed to frequenting with Kincaid.
The building was a standalone covered in artwork layered in spray paint over the years.
Some colorful designs were well thought out images; the others were tags and random things from known local gangs.
I eased closer to my husband’s side. His hand gripped mine firmer as we crossed the parking lot to reach our destination.
I noticed several groups of people filling the metal benches near the doors and others scattered about, but all were clearly waiting to enter the establishment. We, of course, bypassed the crowd.
Stepping inside, I relaxed a little. The atmosphere felt warm and cozy, even with the rush of bodies moving about and the buzz of conversations humming from the various tables filled with patrons.
Every seating area seemed to be occupied, and judging by the clientele, I was glad I’d chosen to dress casually.
But even still, the expensive strappy heels on my feet, ripped jeans, boyfriend silk top, and burgundy blazer almost felt like too much.
Kincaid was in jeans, Ones, and a designer crewneck sweatshirt.
Although he wore labels, he fit in better than I did.
“You said casual?” I warned, and his soft brown eyes swept my body lingeringly before he smiled.
“I’m the only one who needs to be concerned with what you’re wearing, and I like it, so don’t worry about what anyone else thinks.”
Before I could respond, an older gentleman approached us with cheeks as fluffy and round as his belly. He smiled generously and I noticed Kincaid’s expression matched his.
“Well, look who decided to show his face around here.”
Kincaid extended a hand, but the man waved him off, pulling him into a familiar hug.
“I’m sorry about your pops, son. He will be missed.” I sensed the sincerity in his voice and noticed it mirrored the humility in his expression. Kincaid only nodded, then the mood quickly shifted. The man’s smile was back as he moved on to me.
“Mrs. Akel. It’s about time he brought you around. I was beginning to think I was no longer family.”
I frowned a bit. My regard then moved to my husband, who only chuckled under his breath before making a formal introduction.
“Nari, this is Roosevelt Taylor. One of my father’s dearest friends and an extended part of our family.”
“It’s nice to meet you.” I offered a hand in Roosevelt’s direction, but the same as he’d done with Kincaid, I ended up in a tight embrace.
“Easy, Roosevelt, that’s my wife,” Kincaid warned playfully, but there was a hint of seriousness to his demand. He wasn’t keen on sharing anything about me, not even an innocent hug to potential family.
“You worried this old man’s charm might be enough to steal her from you?
” Roosevelt grinned hard while his stumpy hands landed roughly on his round belly.
“I might not be tall, dark, and handsome, but I know how to charm a pretty lady. Never forget, looks fade, but the ability to put a smile on her face is a gift.”
I was moved into Kincaid’s side while he made sure one of his corded arms draped protectively around my shoulders. He kissed my temple before addressing Roosevelt. “I agree, but I’m just as skilled in that department, or so I hope.” His eyes lowered to me and I couldn’t hold back my smile.
“You do okay, but this one is hard to resist.” My regard landed on Roosevelt, who winked mischievously. It was clear to me that he found pleasure in taunting Kincaid.
“She’s a keeper, son. This one’s going to give you trouble. She’s just as full of the bullshit as you are, but I blame your old man. He made you a clone of him when it came to ensuring the ladies fall hard and fast.”
A laugh burst from my gut because I hadn’t been expecting that. He’d rendered me completely speechless, but apparently not Kincaid, who came back quickly.
“She might have fallen for me, but you have no idea the hell this woman can put me through. Either way, it’s all worth it.”
“Better be. Let me go get you a table cleaned up. We’ve been really busy tonight. Still got a crowd out there waiting. Good thing you’re in good with the owner.”
He scurried away, and I noticed he moved with a slight limp, favoring his left side.
“He was attacked years ago. They shot him in his chest and leg several times; killed his wife also, all over a few thousand dollars.”
My eyes shot up to Kincaid, who had been watching me watch Roosevelt. “How do you know that?”
“It’s how he and my father became close.
He used to bring me here when I was a kid.
The two would talk cordially, but nothing more than Roosevelt tending to his customers with quality service.
My dad was a busy man, so a couple of months passed without us showing up.
During that time, the place was robbed, and Roosevelt’s wife was murdered that night.
We came by a few weeks after the botched robbery and the restaurant was closed.
Roosevelt and his wife ran it together. So with her passing, and his condition, they had to close up.
When my father asked around and found out what had happened, we went to see him at the hospital.
I was young, but I understood the conversation they had that day.
My father made him a promise to set things right.
About a month later, the place was open again, and my father occasionally brought me here again for dinner, the same as he always had.
I learned years later that my father took care of the people who robbed Roosevelt and the debt he owed on this place. ”
“You own this too?”