Page 21 of Lady Sings the Blues

“Y’all?” I laugh at her.

“Okay, so the accent might be rubbing off on me again.” She rolls over turned away from me, tucking her hands under her chin. “Yet another reason to get the hell out of Dodge.”

This is getting us nowhere. Dammit Elise.

“Naw.” I run my hands down my face, from forehead to beard, so over this conversation. “Lost you once, not lettin’ you go again. What’s gonna happen is you’re movin’ in here with me. I’ll put a ring on your finger and eventually, a baby in your belly.”

“I’m sorry, could you repeat yourself in English? I don’t speak grunting.”

I wanna laugh, but can’t. “Darlin’ you heard me just fine.”

“Listen Mark, if you’re that hard up for a woman, why not grunt at Hadley? She has an opening now that Dad’s gone. Bet she’d love to be yourold lady. Especially if she doesn’t have to work.”

“Turn out the light, Elise.”

“Kiss my ass, Mark.”

“Tomorrow.”

Her head snaps around to look at me. Well that got her attention.

“And rest assured, when I’m done with you, not only will you be beggin’ me for more, but you’ll be doin’ it while apologizin’ to allmybrothers. Then and only then will I give you more. Now turn the light out, Elise.”

What the—it worked? She reaches over flicking off the light. So yeah, I’d say it worked. But the stubborn woman stays rolled on her side putting a whole body width between us. This is not how I sleep next to my woman.

She don’t fight when I grab a handful of T-shirt dragging her across the bed until she’s taut against the length of me in full body contact, spooning us together, and drape my arm around her waist. We end up sharing a pillow just like last night. And again like last night I’ve never been more content or comfortable.

Damn her for forcing me to break out the asshole. That ain’t who I ever want to be around her. It ain’t who I’ve ever been. But just because I’m not that man don’t mean the club ain’t full of ‘em. And these are my brothers. Men who took me in at my lowest. I respect ‘em. I love her and respect them, and she’s gonna have to learn to respect ‘em too.

Those are the last thoughts in my head as I drift off to sleep.

When I wake, I’m flat on my back with Elise’s head resting against my neck. One of her arms slung above our heads while the other rests on my chest. Her fingers flat against my nipple. The best, worst part, she’s pressed her crotch flush against my hipbone with her leg bent at the knee, resting on top of mine.

I’m comfortable. I was dreaming. So then why am I up? Then I hear it, why I’m awake now instead of finishing that dream. The knock coming from the front of the house.

Carefully as I can, I peel the gorgeous even in sleep Elise off me and walk out to the living room. Someone wants to wake me this early on a Saturday morning when they know my woman has finally come home, what I ought to do is deliver an ass whooping so they remember to never make this mistake again. What I won’t do is bother to dress. I answer the door in my boxer briefs. Consequence for unwanted visitors.

“George. Margo.”

They stare. Stunned briefly. But good ole George. He don’t stay stunned for long.

“For God’s sake, boy. Put some clothes on.”

No one comes to my home and orders me around. Which is why I don’t retreat but push forward, pulling the door shut behind me so we’re all standing on my front porch.

“Is there a reason you’ve woken me up at seven-thirty on a Saturday when you know I work at a bar?”

“She’s in there, isn’t she?” Margo accuses. “The whore. What kind of man are you? Beddin’ the whore after what she did to Logan.”

“Call her a whore in my presence again, and I guarantee you won’t be callin’ anyone anything until they remove the wire from your jaw.”

“How dare you talk to us this way?”

“How dare you come onto my property talkin’ shit about my woman? She couldn’t leave even if she wanted to. Her car was busted up all to hell yesterday, which I’m sure you know. But she ain’t leavin’ anyway, as I prefer my woman to live with me.”

“She can’t be your woman.” Silly George, thinking he has any say in my life whatsoever.

“Oh, but she can and sheis. Elise Manning is asleep in my bed right now. And that’s the only place I ever plan on her sleepin’ for the rest of my life.”

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