Chapter 23 #2
I rubbed the back of my neck. “Uh, I mean.”
She laughed. “It’s okay. I probably was at times.”
“You were so independent when we met. I just never considered.”
“That I’d be clingy?”
“I wouldn’t say that, but kinda, yeah.”
She intertwined her fingers with mine. “I guess I had to be independent out of necessity in the same way you had to. But in
reality, I’m just a girl who wants to be with her girl.”
“Fair enough.”
“I want us to have more time, like we’ve had since you’ve been home.”
I understood the sentiment, although a good chunk of the time we’d spent together hadn’t been quality—but I kept that thought
to myself and simply nodded. She was having a real moment of insight, clarity. We were having a real productive conversation,
and I didn’t want to derail it by pointing out the negatives.
“So, you’re tellin’ me that you’re A-okay with having my ass around and not the latest designer whatever?” I arched a brow
and tried to keep my tone playful.
Sasha narrowed her eyes and twisted her lips into a half smile. “Don’t get it twisted, your wife is always gonna want the presents.”
“Noted.”
She rested her head on my shoulder. It was nice to sit in the silence for a few minutes. No trying to talk over or at each
other. No frustration. I didn’t have the desire to run from the conversation or give in just to get it over with. It was a
peaceful moment, until Sasha’s spoiled beast decided to climb his jealous ass into my lap. Since the accident, he’d been extra
clingy with me, which I didn’t understand. He nudged his head under my hand a few times until I started petting him.
“See, even Vuitton likes havin’ you here.”
“He just likes people to do his bidding.” As if to prove my point, he rolled onto his back, stretching his tiny body while
he waited for belly rubs.
“Tell her that’s not true. You love havin’ Momma home with us.” She also rubbed his belly and he just laid there, body limp,
tongue out as he enjoyed all the attention. “And she know she loves you. She just tryin’ to be a hard-ass.”
“Whatever. I personally don’t need to contribute to spoiling nothing and no one else.” I picked him up and placed him in her arms.
The laugh she let out was full body. Her head fell back, exposing her beautiful throat. It was loud and boisterous, filling
up the space and dancing around my ears to bring back memories of all the reasons I’d fallen for her. I leaned forward, unable
to resist nipping at the exposed flesh. Her laughter died as quickly as it’d started. I winked at her as I settled back against
the cushions. She licked her lips then sank her teeth into her bottom one before placing Vuitton on the seat beside her.
“That wasn’t nice,” she said quietly, inching her way toward me.
“I don’t know what you’re talking ’bout.”
She straddled me. “You don’t, huh?”
I shook my head as I slid my hands around to grab her ass.
“So, you think it’s perfectly acceptable to go around bitin’ folks on the neck? What are you? A vampire?”
I sat forward and slid my hands up her back until I lightly gripped the nape of her neck. “First,” I said, speaking close
to her ear. “You aren’t folks. You’re my motherfuckin’ wife, and don’t you ever forget it.” I felt her shiver and it prompted
me to tighten my hold just a bit. “Second, that wasn’t a bite, but I’m more than happy to show you the difference.”
Before she could respond Vuitton came over, jumping on us and breaking the mood. Sasha groaned as she rolled off me and snatched
him up. “What’s wrong, boy? Jealous we stopped payin’ attention to you?”
“Cock blocker,” I muttered. “And this is why I won’t spoil him.”
Sasha giggled. “Aww, don’t be like that. He didn’t mean it.”
I picked up my plate and frowned at her. “Seriously, let’s look at who’s getting the attention right now.” I inclined my head
toward the spoiled little dog, who was now cradled in her arms.
She pressed her lips together and said nothing. I carried my dish over to the sink, rinsed it, then check the dishwasher to
make sure it was empty before loading it in.
Sasha walked over to put Vuitton outside then came and hugged me. “Sorry.” She stretched up to place a kiss on my chin.
“It’s all good. You been pampering that pooch since the day I brought him home. I only have myself to blame for being benched.”
She rolled her eyes. “Now who’s being dramatic?”
As if on cue, he started scratching at the door and whining to be let back in. She dropped her head against my chest as we both laughed.
“You were saying.”
“I can take him upstairs.”
“Now you know good and goddamn well if we down here, he ain’t gonna do nothing but bark and whine.”
“You right.”
“You want something to drink?” I asked as she went to let him in.
“Sweet tea.”
I pulled two bottles from the fridge and met her at the couch. Luckily, our tiny dictator settled himself on his dog bed,
content with his actions from earlier. Sasha stretched out, crossing her ankles as she propped her feet in my lap.
“I wanna get your opinion on somethin’.”
I cracked the lid on my drink and took a sip of the sweet liquid. “What’s up?”
“So, I’ve been thinkin’ about what you said, how you can’t be everything for me.”
“Sash.”
She held her hand up. “No. I get it. I do. I was askin’ a lot. I know.” She rolled her bottle between her palms. “I do need
to find somethin’ for me. And dancin’ was that somethin’.”
I squeezed her thigh. “Baby, I fully support you going back if that’s what you want. I’ve told you that. If I wasn’t secure
enough to withstand your job, I wouldn’t have pursued you.”
A soft smile graced her face. “I know. And I love your support. Truly. It means a lot to me that you wouldn’t want to take
away somethin’ I enjoy. But is it so bad that I want my motherfuckin’ wife to be protective and jealous over what’s hers?”
She mimicked how I’d claimed her earlier, which brought a smile to my face. “Come here,” I said, patting my legs.