Page 22 of Only Yours
“I love you too, sweet one.”
Chapter 21
Apparently, I’m the king of stupid ideas. -Brian
Brian
As soon as my feet hit the asphalt in the U.S., my nerves are on edge. I told exactly one person that I’m arriving back in Georgia today. I called my sister from our layover in Seattle, and she squealed in surprise. Then she mentioned that Reina was staying at her family home outside of Atlanta. Since I would be arriving at Hartsfield, Sophie came up the romantic idea of me surprising Reina. I’m dying to see her, so I figured what the hell. Every time we’ve talked, she’s been excited about seeing me and spending time together.
The closer the Uber gets to Reina’s house, the more worried I get. I texted her twice and I’ve had no response. I wanted to surprise my girl, but I’m not a complete asshat. I know I should probably give her and her family some warning. I mean, what if she hasn’t even mentioned me to them? My heart feels like a stone in my chest when I realize how much that would hurt. I want to be important enough to meet the family.
I breathe in deeply as I look outside the car window.Fuck me.This neighborhood is only for the mega rich. The houses are getting bigger and more ostentatious. This is not like where I grew up at all. Probably twenty of the trailers I grew up incould fit in one of these. Or more. I close my eyes and lay my head back. I’m still tired as hell, no matter how much my body is revved to see Reina.
The Uber driver gives a low whistle when we pull up in front of a giant colonial white house with a wrap-around porch. “Whew buddy, this is a nice place. Must have cost a pretty penny.”
“Yep, must have,” I murmur. Somehow, I can’t picture my Reina here. I forgot the amount of money she came from. I feel nerves churning in my stomach so hard that I’m afraid I might get sick.What the hell was I thinking?
I step out of the car and stand on the sidewalk for a long time, just staring at the big mansion. There are a lot of cars on the street and a beat of music comes from somewhere inside. I wipe sweaty palms on my jeans, glad that I changed out of my uniform at the airport. I never quite know what reception I’ll get when I go to crowded places in it.
The dark wooden door swings open before I can even open it. A short, plump Indian woman dressed in a bright pink sari looks side to side and then finally at me. “You’re not Ali. I was waiting for him to bring his aloo bonda. He’s not the brightest bulb, but he knows how to cook.” She places her hands on her hips. “You’re not him, so who are you?” she demands.
I chuckle. This has to be Reina’s Nani. She talked about her in several of her letters. The older woman is Reina’s hero and according to her, always open and honest. She’s kind of like Reina in that she never puts on a front. That much is obvious now.
“I’m Brian, ma’am. A friend of Reina’s.” I step forward and offer her my hand. “I’m assuming you’re Reina’s grandmother. She’s mentioned you a lot.”
Nani looks down at my hand and makes me sweat for a second before she finally enfolds my hand in hers. “I’ve heardof you, Brian. Did you just get off a plane? Aren’t you supposed to be in the middle of a desert somewhere?” Her wrinkled face wears a confused frown.
I pull back and shove my hands into my pockets. Guess people may not be so excited to see me today. “I landed a few hours ago. I thought I would surprise Reina.”
Her eyebrows shoot up to her hairline. “Oh, she’ll be surprised.” I hear a chorus of laughter from inside and Reina’s grandmother peeks back towards the house.
“Well, Brian, welcome to Diwali. Has Reina told you about our holiday before?”
I shake my head, feeling more than a little out of my element. “No ma’am, but I’ve read about it on the internet.” I shove my hands in my pockets and feel my cheeks heat. “I’ve been reading up on your culture some since, I, um, became friends with Reina.” I’ve obviously interrupted their family holiday. Remind me not to listen to my sister’s advice, ever again. Romantic, my ass. Next time, I’ll definitely call first.
She studies me and then grins. “You might be okay, soldier.” She looks behind her again and gestures towards the house. “It’s called the festival of lights because this time celebrates the triumph of light over dark, hence all the candles in the windows.” She holds her hands out wide and I look at the front windows. Candles abound on the windowsill. “Our family comes together every year to celebrate and to be together.” She cocks her head and stares at me again. I feel like her wise dark eyes can see everything. I rock back on my feet, feeling like an ignorant fool and an intruder. “You’re welcome here, but I need to get Reina first. She’s inside with her cousins and mother. Give me a moment.”
She disappears before I can say anything else. Okay, so I really, really shouldn’t have just shown up. I have no business being here. My desire to see Reina destroyed all good commonsense and put me on this path. I sit down on one of the front steps and push a hand through my short hair. I should just send for another Uber and get out of here before she even sees me.
I pull out my phone to check the app.
“Brian?” a soft voice asks.
I turn around and there in all her beauty is my Reina.
Chapter 22
Surprises can be an amazing thing. Until they end in disaster. -Reina
Reina
“Brian?” I ask tentatively. When Nani came inside and tapped me on the shoulder and whispered out of the side of her mouth that my soldier was here, I thought she was losing her mind. I actually looked at her for signs of a stroke, but she simply rolled her eyes and said, “Go outside, now, and see for yourself.”
“Reina,” he says in a soft voice. His face lights up from within, and I’m transported back to all those letters and phone calls. He cocks his head to the side and his blue eyes search me up and down. In those eyes, I see all the months of built-up feelings, desires, and wants. All I can feel is complete joy at the sight of my soldier in his jeans and white t-shirt.
I find my feet moving quicker than my brain, and suddenly I’m in his arms. My Brian. The guy who has stolen my heart through words for the last four months. I fly at him without thought and he catches me on instinct. I hear a grunt from him as my body makes impact. He barely wavers and pulls me close. His strong, muscled arms encase me, and I have the feeling of being home, the same way I am with Nani, but in a different way. I unabashedly sniff him, reveling in the smell of his cologne.
“My Reina,” he whispers in my ear and snuggles me closer. I feel every point of contact between us, including the length of him pressing against my core. I close my eyes, enjoying the sensation of being with this man who has captured my heart.
