11. Special Teams and Promises
Chapter 11
Special Teams and Promises
Marcus
“ D addy, can I please take dance classes?” Harley pleaded as she stood next to me.
After dinner, we migrated to the living room.
Trendy had done a number on my daughter.
She threw out a variety of hobbies over dinner, including ballet classes, horseback riding and pageants, but dance had won out.
I was not surprised because Harley had mentioned dance class before, but I didn’t have the support at the time.
“We will see. I’ll have to talk to Mia and Ms. Renee about getting you to dance class when I’m gone through the week,” I said.
Harley’s eyes toggled over to Mia, sitting next to me.
“Marcus, don’t you worry about it. I could get Harley to dance class. I’m not doing anything,” Trendy offered, and Mia sucked her teeth.
Harley’s circle of support had grown in the last two weeks.
There was a time I was afraid she wouldn’t have a mother figure, but that’s no longer the case.
“Marcus, a word?” Clarence asked and raised from the couch.
I matched his movement and led him toward the back patio through the kitchen.
We stepped on the concrete, and I stood, giving him eye contact.
One day, I knew I would be doing this for Harley and the seven daughters Mia and I would create.
“What are your intentions with my daughter? Mia is my angel. She and Trendy both love little Harley already. My biggest regret as a father was not whooping Nathan’s ass. He had my wife and daughter upset,” Clarence said.
Regret shimmered in his eyes as he spoke and, as a father, I couldn’t have taken the easy road.
I don’t know what it was with Bryce and Mr.
Robinson, but I was built different.
“Mr. Robinson, I would marry Mia right now. I’m trying to match her speed, but I want her as my wife and mother to Harley. As a man and father, I understand your concerns. To get Mia to date me, I gave her power of attorney over my daughter. I’m the one with the most to lose. I don’t want to explain to my daughter why her Ms. Mia isn’t around. You’re talking to a man whose mother left him and whose baby mother left our daughter at the hospital. Harley loves her already. You have my word as a man and father. Hurting Mia isn’t my intention but If you could convince her to marry me, I would appreciate it,” I said and extended my hand.
Mr.
Robinson studied my face.
Although I was taller by several inches, we were somehow the same height.
He took my hand and shook it.
“My wife has already planned your wedding and Harley’s activities. I’m going to have to apologize in advance. We would love to have Harley over anytime you need a break. Trendy and I have a farm. I’m sure she would love it,” Mr.
Robinson said.
As we traveled back to the living room, he mentioned something about buying Harley a pony.
He was worse than Mrs.
Robinson.
Everyone turned their attention to us as we reentered the room.
I migrated to Mia, kissing the nervousness from her face.
“We need to get Alex on the line,” Mr.
Robinson said, and his wife’s energy elevated as she smiled.
“No,” Mia said, and I chuckled.
“Harley will love the farm, and Alex will bring a few ponies out to see if she connects with one,” Mrs.
Robinson told Mia.
“A pony!” Harley said to the point of squealing.
“Baby, I think she would love a pony,” Mr.
Robinson said to his wife.
Mia rotated in her seat to find her father standing behind her with an approving smile.
She shifted to her mother, watching her smiling at Harley.
Granny grinned before turning her head.
I shrugged when Mia and I made eye contact.
“It’s settled, Harley. I will give Marcus and Mia a date. I’ll call about those dance classes. You’re going to be beautiful,” Mrs.
Robinson said as she stood.
“Marcus!” Mia said with widened eyes, but I wasn’t inserting myself in the middle.
After the Robinsons left, I held Granny’s hand to lift her from her seat.
Mia and Harley were in the midst of her bedtime routine, leaving us alone.
“They gon’ spoil my girl rotten,” Granny said as she gripped the handle of her cane.
I didn’t want to admit it, but Mia was right.
The Robinsons were rich and bored.
“Harley deserves it, but Mia isn’t going to allow them to get out of hand,” I said.
Granny dismissed me with her hand, and I gave a light chuckle.
Mia does not want to admit it, but she didn’t fall too far from the tree.
“In the morning, Mia is taking me to the airport. I’m flying into Memphis and BeBe gon’ pick me up. She said Corner ain’t doing too good. Don’t you say nothing. Mia already agreed to take care of you and Harley for the next two weeks,” Granny said, tone laced in a warning.
For years, she had been trying to find a way back to Arkansas alone.
My body trembled with nervous energy about her being away from me.
“Granny, you . . . ”
“I have my medicine, I got my own money, and BeBe is okay with me staying at the house. You and Harley are covered. With Mia here, I’m comfortable leaving you for a few weeks,” she interrupted.
I stumbled over my words when a few weeks rolled out of her mouth.
My mind settled on two days, no more than three.
Weeks?
“Granny, I can’t do a few weeks. I’ll fly down next Tuesday to bring you back. One week should be enough,” I said, peering down into her brown, worn eyes.
When her nose crinkled, I knew I crossed a line.
Earl Allen held the right to tell Eddy what to do.
She had reminded me a few times over the years, but I wasn’t backing down.
She needed to be with me in Texas.
“Marcus, I wasn’t asking you. I’m seventy-nine and I will pull out Corner’s pistol if you dock BeBe’s door. You need those knees, don’t you?” she questioned as she tapped my right kneecap with the butt of her cane.
The air in my chest restricted at the thought of her not being in Texas.
The creases of my palms were sweaty as I swallowed hard.
“Listen, you can survive two weeks without me. Don’t you smother Mia. If she calls me, I’m coming with a shoe,” she said.
I couldn’t stop my roller-coaster ride of emotions, gritting my teeth as my eyes watered.
Eddy’s mind was made up and I couldn’t bring myself to hold her against her will.
A soft, warm hand touched my arm, forcing my eyes open.
“Marcus, you can’t hold on to me forever. Not physically, anyway. It’s not your fault your mother and Sierra left. Trust me. I’m coming back. Enjoy this time with Mia and Harley. With the wedding Mrs. Robinson is planning... I saw her picking flowers in her head before she took a bite of food. Trust me, Marcus, I’m coming back. Give me the benefit of the doubt. Tell you what, I’ll bring Corner with me.”
“Leave him in Arkansas and you come back,” I said.
My great-uncle Corner had four teeth the last time I saw him and I couldn’t understand a word he said.
The way he argued with Granny about everything drove me insane.
Saying good morning led them two into a battle of words, but they took care of each other.
I kissed her cheek and tried relaxing, but until I saw her again, I wouldn’t be right.
“I can’t let Granny go,” I said as I rested on Mia’s breast this morning.
She caressed my head.
“Marcus, Mrs. Eddy isn’t asking your permission to visit her family. Give her two weeks. She missed them too,” she said.
“They ain’t gon’ take care of Granny the way I do.”
Mia continued to rub my waves as I protested.
I lifted my head from her breast and peered up at the beauty who claimed my heart.
“You are adorable, Marcus but don’t be selfish. We are taking Mrs. Eddy and Ms. Renee to the airport. I’m going to take care of you and Harley,” she confirmed.
From Granny’s perspective, it wasn’t fair to keep her held hostage in Texas.
Mia caressed my hand as we pulled away from the airport.
If she wasn’t sitting next to me, I would shed a tear from the internal pain.
Granny and I have been connected since she gained custody of me at ten.
“Harley, are you okay?” Mia asked in a soft tone.
She angled her body to get better access to the back seat and then peered over to me.
“I’m sad. I didn’t want Granny to go. Who is going to make sure she uses her cane and cook for her?” Harley asked.
Mia’s eyes landed on me before she answered.
“BeBe said she would look after Mrs. Eddy, and we can call her whenever we want. Remember, she said we could. Granny isn’t gone forever. She will be back. Do you see how you miss her? She misses her brother the same way.”
“I know, but I don’t like it,” Harley said.
Mia extended her hand to the back seat and smiled.
“It’s okay to be upset, but I’m proud of you for putting on a brave face for Granny. How about Daddy and I walk you to your class this morning and we can do whatever you want after school? Like crafts or baking.”
“Okayyy. What about Daddy?” my daughter asked.
I was more distraught than Harley about Granny visiting Arkansas without me to watch over her.
“What do you think we could do to help Daddy?” Mia asked.
Silence consumed the car for several seconds before Harley answered.
“We could bake him a cake, make him a card and maybe a hug.”
“Marcus, how do you feel about dinner, a card, cake and a hug?” Mia asked as she patted my hand.
“I’ll take a strawberry cake,” I said.
“Chocolate is better,” Harley said, and Mia laughed.
Pulling back into the driveway, I turned off Mia’s truck and sank back into the seat.
Granny not being inside ripped me apart.
I know she missed Corner and BeBe, but I needed her with me.
It’s selfish but I couldn’t help it.
Mia kissed my hand to get my attention.
“Marcus, thank you for allowing your granny to get on the plane,” she said.
“She is coming home in two weeks and I don’t care what day it is,” I announced with a tight lip.
Mia pulled my head down.
“I’ll put my money on Mrs. Eddy. And why is his name Corner?” she said, and we both laughed as I shrugged.
“No one ever explained his name to me,” I said.
After we exited the car, Mia tangled her hands with mine.
We entered the house, and she led me to the bedroom.
Closing the door behind us, Mia pushed me against the door and dropped to her knees.
My mouth parted and my chest pounded with excitement.
“Let this bad girl cheer you up,” she said as she removed my dick from my sweats.
She watered her mouth and allowed saliva to slowly drip on to my dick.
My body jerked backward as Mia licked around my tip before sucking it inside her mouth.
“Fuck, we getting married,” I said as she covered more of me with her warm mouth.
The sensation forced my eyes closed; I wasn’t emotionally stable enough for what was happening to me.
The texture of her silky tongue on my sensitive skin caused my hands to ball into fists.
She reached for me, eager to surrender control of her pace.
“My bad girl knows how to make me happy,” I said, gripping her locs as she swallowed the bulk of my dick.
Mia handled me as if this was my first time.
The harder I gripped her hair, the more aggressive she sucked me inside her mouth.
My toes curled in my shoes, and I tried retreating backward, but she followed me.
“Baby, I’m getting ready to cum,” I said as I stared into her eyes.
She paused.
“Bad girls swallow,” she said and continued to suck, and I released.
She swallowed my cum, but remained on her knees.
With a panting chest, I asked.
“Baby, what’s wrong?”
Mia lent me soft, pleading brown eyes.
“I wasn’t done being a bad girl. I’m gonna suck it again, okay,” she said.
My dick and heart responded, and she suctioned my semi-hard dick back into her mouth.
“We gonna get married and have kids and shit, okay?” I whispered, out of breath as I tilted my head upward and into the door.
By the time Mia lifted from her knees, she had sucked me dry and impaired my vision.
“Baby, you’re going to be late for practice,” she said with a light calmness.
Mia patted my chest as if my soul wasn’t in her pocket.
My chest moved in continuous motion as I tried to settle my breathing.
“Marcus, you’re going to be late,” Mia sang after she ran her thumb down the side of her mouth.
Still reeling between satisfaction and urgency, I started to move and then bam !
My forehead and the door connected; instant pain shooting through my body.
Using my fingers, I caressed the injured spot.
“Marcus, are you okay? The bathroom is the other way,” Mia said with a concerned tone.
She secured my hand and led me to the shower.
“All right. It’s week eight and the game plan for New England is simple. We need to take advantage of their injuries on their secondary. Marcus, Keyshawn, and Vick should be able to score with ease. Defense was going with a four-man rush this week,” Coach Owens said from the front of the room.
I rubbed the knot forming on my forehead as I replayed the way Mia made my toes curl twice this morning.
Bryce bumped my shoulder, and I looked over at him.
“Do you have a knot on your forehead?” he questioned.
I dropped my head in shame.
Mia sucked me until I was disoriented and I fucked my head up on the bedroom door.
“What happened to you?” Bryce asked with widened eyes.
A shoulder shrug wasn’t going to suffice this time around.
I leaned over.
“Mia and I got a little carried away this morning,” I said.
Bryce turned his head and covered his mouth as he tried to suppress his laughter.
“Shit,” he whispered, laughing harder.
I tried to refocus on the screen until my phone vibrated.
Bryce glanced over and saw the name Wifey and continued laughing.
Wifey
It’s okay to be sad, baby.
Dinner and body massage when you get home.
Oh, and I’m going to do a little shopping.
Me
okay
Wifey
How is your forehead?
Me
It’s fine.
Do you miss me?
Wifey
A little.
I smiled at the phone and tucked it back in my pocket.
Two hours later, I sat and watched film with the offensive coordinator and my phone buzzed again.
Two five-thousand-dollar purchases hit my black card back-to-back.
Bryce peeked over at me.
“Did somebody steal your card?” he questioned as he sat up.
Another transaction for two thousand dollars hit my card soon after, and Bryce’s mouth parted.
“You stay in my business. Mia is out shopping,” I said, and then grinned.
“I can’t believe yo cheap ass ain’t having a heart attack,” he said.
“I’m cheap when it comes to me. My woman and princess can get whatever. Now you see why I have to be cheap.”
“When is Mia going to tell Kindness about y’all being in a serious relationship? I hate keeping secrets from her and it’s killing me,” Bryce said.
I shrugged.
At an early age, I learned to stay out of women’s business.
They fight and make up differently than men.
When Mia wanted her to know, I was sure she would tell her.
As long as Mia didn’t pack her clothes and leave me, I didn’t care.
“How many touchdowns are we giving Vick this week?” I asked to steer the conversation from my personal life.
Bryce exhaled a hard, long breath.
Kindness had my guy backtracking and side stepping around his original plan.
He may not want to admit it, but he was changing.
Anger used to consume him, but he has a calmed demeanor nowadays.
“To keep me off the couch, I would say one. Dodson and Mackamore would double him and jam him at the line of scrimmage. You’re faster than everybody on the secondary, including Vick’s slow ass,” Bryce said and I shook my head.
The power of a woman.
Mia
Standing in the doorway of Marcus’s walk-in closet, my thoughts lingered in confusion.
Noise Level Shoes aligned the closet floor, alluding to him having an endorsement deal.
Clothing wise, he didn’t have a fourth of Harley’s closet.
Outside of the brand deal with Plaid, the shelves were sweatshirts and T-shirts.
None of this made sense, but I was going to change it.
I opened the notes app on my phone, copied down his sizes and headed out the door.
Driving in downtown Houston at any time of day was hectic.
The traffic alone pushed me several times to consider moving, but Texas held my heart.
As I sat in traffic, my mother’s name appeared on the screen.
Pressing the button, I answered.
“Hi, Mom.”
“Mia, I have exciting news. Harley’s first dance class is next week. Monica was more than happy to fit her in,” she said.
I rolled my eyes.
Of course, Monica had an open spot because Trendy waved a check in her face.
“We need to get her fitted for a leotard. I have my designer on call,” she said and squealed afterward.
“Mom, one, Harley doesn’t need a designer leotard. Two, you paid Monica, and I know you did; and three, she needs a week. Mrs. Eddy boarded the plane for Memphis, and she’s been sad all morning. It broke my heart. Mom, those big brown eyes of hers were filled with tears right along with her daddy’s.”
The phone fell silent for several minutes.
“Mia, maybe we need to push up the purchase of her pony,” she said.
I pinched the bridge of my nose.
“Or you could create her a feel better basket,” Mom suggested.
Thinking back to my childhood, my mom’s feel better basket always did the trick.
She decorated a box, loading it with treats and activities.
We unloaded it and discussed my big emotions, she would say.
“Perfect. I’ll grab a few things for Harley after I go shopping for her daddy. I’m headed to Drapery. This should put him in a better mood.”
“Mia, money isn’t required to make a man happy,” she said.
I grinned, thinking back to this morning, and cleared my throat.
“He walked into a closed door. This is the bonus,” I said.
Mom broke into a long cackle and it took her twenty minutes to regain her composure.
I gripped the golden handles of Drapery and pulled back the door.
An assistant rushed to greet me, offering a drink that I graciously declined.
I wandered about the store until I heard my name from behind.
“Mia!”
I turned to find my personal stylist, Franchesca, standing in all her 5’5 glory.
As always, her hair was pulled back into a slick pony accompanied by her oversized glasses.
We greeted each other with side kisses before locking arms.
“When I saw you come in, I checked the books. Your father’s birthday is next year, and no awards ceremonies were in town,” she said.
Once Franchesca nailed down my father’s size, I called in his order.
“I’m not here for Daddy. I’m here for my . . . my . . . ” I stammered and struggled to say the word.
“Your what?” Franchesca said as she secured my hands and squeezed them.
“Boyfriend,” I pushed myself to say, closing one eye and shrugging.
My body jolted toward the velvet green couches resting midway in the store.
Seconds after my ass kissed the plush cushion, she pressed for details.
“New man?”
“Yes,” I said, and relief covered her smooth almond skin.
“I love him already. No offense, but Nathan was an asshole,” she said, and I agreed with a nod.
“Okay, let me get a look at him. And what style are we pursuing?” Franchesca asked as she stood ready to take direction.
I glanced around the store and finalized what I interpreted would be Marcus’s new style.
“Let’s go with urban gentlemen. I want modern but streetwear with a mix of tailored items.”
Franchesca pressed her hands together and smiled back.
“I’ve taught you well.”
After I showed her pictures of Marcus and gave her his sizes, she pranced around the store and pulled several pieces.
We also ordered a few things to be delivered.
When I informed her Nick Lucas had sized him prior, she put in a call.
Thankfully, he sewed his tag into Marcus’s trouser pants.
Sitting on the couch, I put an order for dinner and fresh flowers to be delivered after Harley made it home.
Looking at the time, I had two hours to get back on the other side of Houston, finish shopping, and pick up a sad butterfly.
“How much money are we spending?” Franchesca asked with furrowed brows.
“Nick said Marcus was cheap and not the regular cheap. The rich people cheap. They have it, but don’t see the point of spending it.”
I unzipped my purse and held up Marcus’s black card.
“He isn’t cheap with me. No limit,” I said.
Watching Franchesca place her right hand over her heart and grin caused me to giggle.
“Thank you again,” I told the staff after they loaded my car with shopping bags.
I smiled at the new wardrobe we picked for Marcus.
He deserved to stand out in fashion as well as football.
“Mia!”
A masculine voice yelled my name.
I turned in search for the source and my eyes locked in on Addison.
We haven’t spoken since the batting cages.
Addison jogged across the street in my direction.
“Hey.”
Addison narrowed his eyes, clearly confused by my expression.
“Mia, are we okay? I’ve been trying to call you, but I believed you blocked me,” he said.
I removed my phone from my purse and searched his name- sure enough, he was blocked.
My mind flashed back to the day Marcus had my phone.
“I didn’t block you… but I know who did,” I said, sucking my teeth.
“Your boyfriend?” he questioned.
My mouth parted as I struggled to find words.
“He is…”
“Someone special to you,” Addison interrupted.
“And he marked his territory.”
I glanced around, diverting my attention, unable to speak.
He reached for my hand, and kissed it.
“I know a woman in love. It’s been a pleasure, Ms. Robinson.”
Addison turned and walked away and I hoped he found someone to love him the way he deserved.
Forty-five minutes later, I sat in the craft store parking lot, marveling at the basket I made for Harley.
I bought the biggest basket in the store and loaded it with paint, a personalized cup kit, no-sew blanket, and snacks.
I placed it in the back seat wrapped and a ribbon on top.
Everybody was taken care of including Marcus, I spent a total of thirty thousand dollars on his wardrobe.
The bulk of the order will be delivered in a week.
As I inched up in the pickup line, I saw her talking to another student.
It warmed my spirit to see her smiling again.
This morning when we walked her to class, several things were happening at the same time.
The staff pointed at Marcus and broke out their phones, while several of Harley’s classmates were trying to take in his size.
I informed Mrs.
Turner what this morning’s events were and gave her my number, just in case.
She provided me with her email and classroom phone number in return.
On my turn, I pulled up and rolled down my window.
Mrs.
Turner gave me a thumbs up and I exhaled.
My hands danced along the locks to give them access to my back seat.
I twisted to the back seat to greet Harley.
“Hey, Butterfly,” I said as she climbed in.
“Hi, Mrs. Mia. Whose basket is this?” she asked.
I chuckled, allowing the teacher to shut the door before I answered.
“Put on your seat belt and I will tell you.”
The seat belt clicked before I migrated out of the school zone at a snail’s pace.
“The basket is yours, Harley. I know you are sad about Granny, which is okay. We can always talk about it. Growing up, when I was sad, my mom always made me a feel better basket. I made you one,” I said.
“Thank you, Mrs. Mia,” she said with a squeal.
By the time we made it home and unloaded her feel better basket, the groceries had come.
With Harley at the table decorating her cup, I unloaded the ground beef, garlic bread, seasoning, and a few other items.
Tonight, dinner would be quick and simple: baked spaghetti, fresh garlic bread, and a side salad.
Thankfully, Mrs.
Eddy showed me how to move around in her kitchen before she left.
I seasoned the ground beef before I put a saucepan on a low simmer.
The front door opening pulled the attention to Marcus.
He kissed my cheek first before he headed to Harley.
“Daddy, Ms. Mia made me a feel better basket. And I’m making myself a cup and there are some patches. We are going to make matching hats. And we’re making Granny a tie blanket.”
I snickered every time she added the word “and” to start each sentence.
Marcus listened and examined a few of the items.
Those two together sent my maternal instincts soaring.
“Princess, let’s clean off the table. Put your items away and wash up for dinner,” he instructed.
Harley packed up her items with his help and headed to her room.
Two hands soon enclosed around me as I stood at the stove.
“Thank you, baby. For everything,” he said lowly, and I grinned upward, puckering my lips.
He honored my request for a kiss.
“Go wash up and I’ll take care of dinner,” I instructed, but he didn’t budge.
“I was away from you too long today,” he said, and I chuckled.
As I worked on the meat sauce, he leaned against the counter, watching my every move.
He didn’t sit down until we ate dinner.
Two hours later, I stepped out of Harley’s bedroom and switched off the light.
I kept the light on in the hallway and bathroom for her to see.
With Granny not being down here, I worried about her getting scared through the night.
Marcus waited for me as he rested against the living room wall.
As I passed him, he followed behind with his hand gripped on my shirt.
I switched on the light in the primary and ushered Marcus to the bed.
“Baby, is this what you spend money on today?” he questioned as he pulled the clothes out of a matte black shopping bag.
What should be a smile stood as borderline disgust as frown lines appeared on his smooth dark skin.
I rounded the bed to enclose the space between us.
He lifted the jeans in the air and tossed them on the bed.
“Excuse me. I’m not understanding the attitude right now,” I questioned.
He bit down on his lip and tossed the jeans on top of the bags.
Before it landed on the bed, I folded my arms across my chest.
Flashbacks of my previous relationship danced into my thoughts and increased my breathing.
Nothing I ever did for Nathan was good enough.
His thank you’s were always followed by what I could’ve done better.
“Baby, I wanted you to spend money on yourself, not me. Right now, it’s about you and Harley. I will get stuff when I hit my second contract. I need to focus my funds on our house, Granny, you and increase my savings for Harley,” he said.
My mouth parted at his answer as I tried processing his statement.
Marcus’s football, NIL, and branding contracts were public record.
He was a millionaire.
“First and foremost, I can financially take care of myself and...”
“It’s not your job to take care of yourself. I’m not wired for a woman to pay. A man provides more than sexually for his woman. You will be taken care of, Mia,” he said with authority.
As I processed his sentence the muscles in my face tightened but quickly relaxed.
The way Marcus phrased his sentence left me unclear of how to react.
I lingered between being upset but happy about his declaration to provide for me.
Something I didn’t ask him to do, but I guess I should appreciate it.
“Okay, help me process this. You take care of me, Granny, and Harley,” I confirmed.
“Yes,” he said with lifted brows.
I interpreted the wrinkles on his forehead as if this was something I was supposed to know.
“But who is supposed to take care of you?” I questioned as I peered up.
Marcus’s head jerked back as if I cursed him out.
He blinked his eyes several times as he searched for an answer.
For a second, his eyes appeared to be glossy.
“I take care of me,” he struggled to say.
Reaching for his hand, I seized it.
“No, Marcus, this is a partnership. Don’t deprive me of the joy I get from taking care of you. In this relationship, you are a priority to me. My man comes first and now it’s going into overdrive.”
“Baby, I didn’t . . .I’m just . . . ”
“Used to being last,” I said as I searched for his eyes.
As his eyes glossed, I closed the remaining space between us and pushed my face into his chest.
“My mom left, then Harley came and grandpa died and . . . ”
“Marcus went to the back burner,” I finished as I tilted my head upward.
“Well, I get to take care of Marcus. My love language is acts of service. Get used to it. If I see something I want you to have or wear, I’m buying it. And I will use whatever card I see fit,” I said with hiked brows.
Marcus’s head danced from side to side as he tried to resist his surrender to me.
I smiled and batted my lashes, nudging a light laughter from him.
“I took a guess on your style. Did I get it right?” I questioned.
He kissed my forehead, and the warmth of his lips sent my heart fluttering.
“Hell yeah, the clothes are fly. I should be on the best dressed list this week walking into the stadium,” he said with confidence.
“Good,” I said and walked into the bathroom.
Reaching for my toothbrush, two hands locked me in place.
I rolled my eyes up to the ceiling as I secured my toothbrush and loaded it with sensitive toothpaste.
For some reason brushing my teeth meant being kissed on.
“You belong to me,” he whispered in my ear and I stared at him through the mirror.
“Sell your house because you can’t go back there,” he followed up.
Removing my toothbrush, I maneuvered enough space to spit and rinse my mouth.
He caressed me from behind the entire time I fought for room to move.
Standing at full height, I turned to him and he lined my neck with kisses until he reached my ear.
“You belong to me?” he asked again.
“Yes, I belong to you.”
“Your answer will do for now. Let’s cuddle,” he said and led me into the bedroom.