head is still in the clouds when I walk into my bedroom and it takes me a second to register what I’m looking at.
Yuma
I listen for a reaction, but when the silence stretches for more than just a few minutes, I quickly finish up the veggies, dump them on an oiled baking sheet, and shove them in the oven.
Cautiously I follow her into the bedroom, where I find her sitting on the edge of the bed, and I’m not sure how to interpret the expression on her face. It’s either she’s pissed and she’s trying really hard not to blow up, or she’s shocked and struggling with another emotion. I’m leaning toward pissed, since I took that into consideration when I went shopping for a bed today.
I’m not an idiot, I got advice from Lisa, who was more than willing to give me a woman’s perspective on what kind of bed to get. Good thing too, because if up to me, I would’ve picked the first, sturdiest bed I bumped into. Lisa had given me the thumbs-up when I sent her a picture of the solid frame I chose.
“You bought me a bed.”
I lean a shoulder against the doorpost and shrug.
“Told ya I would.”
“I thought you were joking.”
“Do you like it?”
She reaches out and runs her hand along the metal, geometric pattern on the headboard.
“It’s beautiful. You got new covers too.”
“I did.”
I’m still not sure what reaction this is because her mouth is tight, but her eyes look wet. Pushing away from the post, I move to sit beside her on the bed. The moment I reach for her though, she takes off like a shot, only to return with her purse a moment later.
“How much?” she asks, digging through the bag and coming up with a checkbook.
“What are you talking about?”
“The bed, how much was it?”
“Put that shit away,” I tell her, getting annoyed.
“I can tell it wasn’t cheap, Yuma. Let me pay you back.”
“Put it away, Lissie.”
“Look…” She puts a hand on my arm. “I really appreciate it, it’s beautiful, but I can’t expect you to pay for it.”
“Why the fuck not?”
“Because it wouldn’t be right. I’m sure building management doesn’t pay that well.”
As pissed as I was starting to get minutes ago, I burst out laughing at her comment. She looks on in shock.
“You’re cute. You know that?” I finally manage, pulling her down beside me. “The Riverside is only one of the club’s businesses. Each brother gets a cut of club revenue, Babe. All of the revenue. Appreciate your concern, but I’m not hurtin’ for money.”
“So…you choose to live in that small apartment?” She seems genuinely perplexed.
“I have a house,” I confess. “Haven’t been able to bring myself to go there in months.”
“Why?”
I look into her earnest eyes and don’t hesitate answering. “It probably still reeks like a brewery. Before I hit rock bottom, I’d holed up there for months. Fuck, I didn’t exactly leave the place in a good state.”
“I get that.”
“I know you do.”
“It still doesn’t explain why you need to buy me a bed,” she persists and I chuckle as I stand, pulling her up with me.
“Plan to spend a lot of time there.” I wrap my arms around her. “Call it self-interest.”
Of course when I bend down to kiss her, the oven beeps.
“Saved by the bell,” she teases, and I press my lips to her smiling mouth.
“Get changed. I’ll get food ready and I’ll have dessert in bed after.”
I reluctantly let go of her and head for the kitchen when she calls out.
“Thanks for the bed, Yuma.”
“You’re welcome, Lissie.”
Five minutes later, when I have places set and the food out on the island, she walks into the kitchen, wearing soft, flowy lounge pants and a T-shirt of the same material. I do note the lack of bra and try to stay focused on dinner.
That turns out to be not so easy, since Lissie moans her appreciation with every bite.
“I’m stuffed,” she complains when she shoves her empty plate away from her. “That was so good. You may be in trouble, I could get used to being fed like this.”
I get up to take our plates to the sink when there’s a knock at the door.
“I’ve got it,” Lissie says, already moving.
“I’m so sorry to interrupt,” I hear Lisa say from the front door. “I didn’t know where to bring her.”
I turn to find her and Kiara standing in the doorway, the little girl is crying and Lisa looks rattled.
“What’s wrong?” I ask,