Page 43 of Dr. Bell

“Do youfeeltheir happiness.”

Tilting my head, I replied, “I do.”

“That’s real love, Pretty. That’s nearly forty years of being in love with the person they each said I do to. That’s a man who’d kill for his wife. That’s a woman who’d walk through fire for her husband.Thatis what I see with us. Regardless of what got us in this union, I intend to make sure you never wanna do this shit with another nigga even after I leave this earth. I’m gon’ love youthatgood, Pretty.”

He kissed me below my ear, causing me to shiver. I didn’t realize my eyes had misted over until a face I recognized from a few weeks ago came into view.

“Boss, let’s get you to your seats. The presentation is about to begin.”

Russ broke the spell Adir’s body and voice had me under, but not for long. As soon as we took our seats, Adir pulled me closer to him and draped his arm over my thighs. Still floating from the kiss and the words that left his lips, I relaxed and letthe cacophony of chatter and action drown out every negative thought in my head.

ADIR

“Haveyouconsideredrunningfor office?” Mayor Tomlison Bradshaw asked me.

“Why would I do that?” I questioned, half-listening to his ass. My eyes were on my woman.

“Well, you’re a pillar of the community. The Bells are royalty. Having you in office would put this city on the map it belongs on.”

“What map is that?”

“One of the best cities to visit. Your name on a ballot would boost an influx of travelers and bring in new homebuyers.”

I smirked. “I think you mistake me for someone who wants that kind of attention.”

He chortled, “Aw, come on, Dr. Bell. It’ll be good for you.”

In the midst of me about to answer, Mayor Bradshaw’s wife pulled up beside him.

“Honey, we need to work the room. You’re wasting Dr. Bell’s time.” She smiled shyly and wouldn’t even make eye contact with me.

A little perturbed, Mayor Bradshaw reluctantly said, “You’re right. Okay, Dr. Bell. As always, it was good to see you.”

I shook the man’s hand and let his wife lead him off.

Across the room, Pretty made eye contact with me. Although Russ was by her side, leaving her side had me anxious and ready to get this ceremony over, and I was never anxious. Her presence drew the gazes of too many niggas. Some had that look in their eyes. That look that said they were ready to risk it all for Pretty Bell. Much like I did.

I’d kill all these niggas. Chuckling to myself, I pictured myself covered in blood having murdered every nigga who dared to want my lady. Then again, I should’ve been a proud nigga. My woman was literal perfection.

Tonight, she had me deep in my feelings. The way she held my hand and clung to me like I was the man she’d waited an eternity for really humbled a part of me that thought a life like this wasn’t possible. We’d had yet to lay intimately together yet I was totally in this shit for the long haul. I licked my lips, recalling how sweet the skin of her neck tasted. Any opportunity I found tonight, I put my lips on her. Last night had just been…a prelude.

“Is it okay to say that I’m jealous?” Antonias broke through my thoughts with a slight chuckle.

I chuckled too. “Nah. I’d be jealous if I were you, too. However…” For just a second my gaze darted to my sister. She was on the other side of the room being held up by some actor whose name was starting to make waves in the industry. “You gon’ go over there and break that shit up?”

He smirked. “Thought about it. I don’t wanna turn this shindig into a shootout.”

I burst out laughing. “Shit, if it was Pretty, I’d have a few flamethrowers ready for that nigga.”

Antonias took a swig of his drink, then snickered. “You know what…” He walked off in the direction of Bianca with me shaking my head in amusement.

“Now why would you get that man started?” Micah shook his head. “Let me go get this nigga before he burns the place down.”

He went after Antonias while I downed the rest of my drink and sought out my woman. She was still in the same spot. The ladies who’d had her attention had moved on. She was now talking to Russ.

Ten more minutes…

In ten more minutes, the ceremony would begin. Then, I could jump off this stage and go to her. From the corner of my eye, I saw Genika ascending the stage stairs. Her eyes were directly on me. The stage was set for those of us about to speak. Genika was one of the speakers.

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