Chapter 29 #2
"Okay," I confirmed already searching through my dresser for something to put on. "I'll see you in bit."
"Alright, beautiful."
We hung up and I placed my phone back on the charger while I dressed.
Something slight—a pair of denim shorts, pink cropped top, and slides.
I took the bonnet off my head, unpinned my hair and finger combed the curls.
No make-up aside for some gloss. My skin was still glowing and moisturized from the five-step skin routine I had done before my shower.
I placed a few essentials in my spend-a-night bag as well as a change of clothes.
By the time I was done, Remy was texting me to let me know he was downstairs.
I took a deep breath, shouldering the bag.
Before I stepped out the room, I doubled back, opened my top drawer, and grabbed the box of Magnum inside.
Now—I wasn't planning to have sex with him, but just in case, I wanted to be prepared.
Tossing them in my bag, I walked out. I paused at Ronnie's door debating whether I should let her know that I was leaving.
Deciding not to, I crept out softly. When I got downstairs, Remy was already waiting outside his car for me.
We both smiled as soon as we saw each other and my stomach fluttered.
He strode over, took my bag off of my shoulder and pulled me into his arms with one smooth motion.
Kissing me gently, he looked down at me, still smiling. "Hi," he said.
"Hi," I whispered, arms wrapped around his waist. This shit felt too good.
"I'm glad you called."
"Yeah, me too." I nodded.
"C'mon, beautiful."
Arm wrapped around my waist he led me to the passenger side and opened the door.
I slid in. Before I could, he reached over and buckled my seatbelt giving it a slight tug to make sure it was safe.
I watched him as he placed my bag in the backseat and slid in.
Moments later he was pulling off with Mint Condition crooning as we drove.
I didn’t even ask where we were going as he drove.
I felt comfortable in knowing that no matter where he took me, I would be in good hands.
The thought wasn't lost on me that I've never felt that for a man—safety.
And not just physical, but emotional safety as well.
That was what he was offering me. And I was receiving it with open arms even as foreign as it felt because being with him just felt fucking right.
Remy looked over at me and gave me a warm smile. "You good over there?"
I returned it, nodding. "Better than that."
"I'm taking you to my house. Is that okay? If not, you let me know where you would feel comfortable going."
"Your house is fine." I looked over at him. "But are you sure?" I asked again.
His smile deepened. He reached over and ran his index gently along my jawline. "You keep asking me that and I'ma keep telling you yes every time, Gianna. I know what I'm doing."
I nodded again and sat back. "Okay. Just making sure."
We arrived at his home. It was exactly the kind of house I expected from him. Modern the exterior was a mix of dark stone and smooth wood, warm lighting lining the walkway. He stepped out, went to grab my bag, and then took my hand to help me out.
Inside soft lighting filled the space with overhead lights casting everything in a warm, golden tone. The air smelled clean and fresh but underneath that was the lingering smell of something sweet.
"It smells like maple syrup in here." I smiled.
Remy chuckled, "It always does. Melo is a pancake fiend."
He let my hand go to set the alarm back and then took it again leading me further inside. My eyes went to the mantle. A small altar was set up with white candles, a white lace cloth and a picture of a beautiful woman in a wedding dress.
I paused.
Remy did too. He took a deep breath and looked over at me. "That's her. Kendrix."
"May I?" I asked gently.
He nodded.
I let go of his hand slowly walking towards the mantle.
I stepped closer, my eyes settling on the photo.
She was beautiful. Her smile in the picture was full and genuine like she lit up whatever room she walked into.
I reached out, my fingers hovering for a second before lightly touching the edge of the frame. “She’s…stunning,” I said softly.
I could feel him behind me. “She was,” he said finally, his voice low. “Inside and out.”
I turned slightly, looking back at him. “You loved her a lot, didn't you?”
He met my gaze, sadness flickering behind his eyes before it settled into something steady.
“I did. Still do,” he answered honestly.
There was no hesitation in it. And oddly enough…that didn’t make me uncomfortable.
If anything, it made me respect him more. To know that he was capable of such deep love—I couldn't be offended at that.
I stepped back from the mantle, giving the space back its quiet reverence before turning back to him. “She seems like she was really special,” I added.
“She was,” he nodded. “She…taught me a lot. About patience and slowing down. About loving without trying to control everything.”
I studied him for a second. That checked out, based on how he moved. “You carry her well,” I said gently.
His brows pulled together slightly. “What do you mean?”
“I mean…” I stepped closer, my voice soft. “You don’t feel stuck on her. You feel shaped by her.” I saw it in his face that my words landed.
His shoulders eased just a little. “Thank you for saying that,” he said quietly.
We stood there for a moment, just looking at each other. The energy had shifted. It still felt intimate, but deeper now. I gave him a small smile.
Remy took my hand, raised it to his lips, and kissed the top softly. "You're amazing you know that right?"
Shrugging modestly, I nodded. "I've been told."
Lacing his fingers through mine, he showed me the rest of the house. He stopped at his bedroom and turned to me. "You feel comfortable going in?"
I appreciated that he asked. I hesitated for a moment, staring into the darkened room lit by the glow of the moonlight pouring in.
"It's not the same bedroom it was when she passed," he offered softly, like he knew what I was thinking. "I had the room redone last year. New paint. New carpet and bedroom set. My parents thought that holding on to the bed she died in was slowing my ability to heal."
I turned to face him. "Did it work?" I asked quietly.
He nodded slowly. "It did. She's alive in my heart. I didn’t need furniture to hold on to her memory."
"Good for you." I gave him a comforting smile. My eyes moved back to the room. "I'm ready."
Remy led me in, turning the dimmer on and bathing the room in an amber glow. I let his hand go and walked around the space while he watched me quietly. Nodding in approval, I ran my hand over the soft comforter before finally slipping off my slides and sitting down. I patted the space next to me.
Smiling he walked over and sat. "How do you feel?" he asked.
"I'm okay. Your home is lovely. Warm. Inviting." I slid back towards the headboard, stretching my legs out. "I can see myself spending time here."
Remy slid next to me and placed his hand on my thigh. "A little time or a lot?"
"As much as you and Melo allow."
He nodded and began to rub up and down my thigh slowly. "What made you ask to come over, Gianna?"
I turned my head to face him. "Honestly—I just wanted to see you. Being around you feels secure. Especially with the chaos of the brothel."
"I want you to always feel secure with me, beautiful. I mean that," he replied softly, his hand still moving slowly along my thigh.
I held his gaze, searching his face. “I know,” I said quietly. “That’s why I came." I leaned in closer. "Come here."
Remy closed the space; his lips pressed against mine but not kissing me yet. "You make me feel shit I never thought I would feel again, Gianna," he whispered.
I smoothly straddled him.
His hands settled on my butt. "Shit like that." His eyes dipped down to his groin which I could already feel hardening underneath me.
I shifted slightly to bring myself closer. A low groan escaped from his mouth. He bit down gently on his bottom lip. Our eyes were still locked on each other as his hands cupped my butt tighter.
"How long has it been?" I asked, placing my arms around his neck, my thumbs slowly stroking downwards.
Remy let out a sigh. "There hasn't been anyone else since her."
My brow lifted in surprise. "Not even a quick fling?"
He shook his head. "Nothing."
I smiled playfully. "You must be pent up then, handsome."
He chuckled, one hand sliding up under my shirt. "You have no idea, beautiful. I forgot how good it feels to hold a woman. How soft y'all feel."
I rubbed my nose gently against his, pressing my lips against his in a tender kiss. "I feel even softer inside," I whispered.
"Fuck, Gianna," he moaned against my mouth. "I want you so bad right now—" he paused.
I moved my head back slightly so I could look into his eyes already anticipating that his pause was because of me and my sexual health.
Or maybe he was worried about being with a new woman after so long.
"I'm clean. I promise," I filled in. "I can pull up my MyChart right now if you're concerned.
And you don't have to worry, I'll be gentle. "
He smirked and kissed me. "Nah—I think you misunderstood me, beautiful. The pause wasn't for that."
I blinked slowly waiting for him to explain. His eyes narrowed and the look on his face looked like he was ready to devour me.
"I have four years' worth of nut in me, Gianna." He inhaled deeply and exhaled sharply. "I wanna do you dirty, love I ain't gon' even hold you." He shook his head.
My eyes widened because where was my gentle, sweet Remy and who was this nigga talking to me? A soft laugh escaped me. "Where is my sweetheart and who is this version of you?"
He chuckled. "I'm still here."
I stared into his eyes. "I'm not scared."
He smiled. "That's all I needed to hear."
The next thing I knew…I was on my back, and he was on top of me. "Rem—" I began, he silenced my words with his lips.