Page 34 of To Love and Protect
“Gotta be. You know I don’t cry unless I’m dicing an onion.”
“That’s right. We thugs around here.” Isla slung her arm around Remedie, and they continued doing their shopping.Remedie settled on making Nico’s favorite meal, even though he was still in training. One cheat meal wouldn’t hurt, especially since it was for a major celebration.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
A damn snail could have beaten Nico from his car to his front door at the pace he went. Everything ached. Gramps had pushed him extra hard that day, and all he wanted to do was take a shower, eat, and lay up with Remedie. She had easily and quickly become his favorite part of his daily routine.
As soon as he walked into the house, the smell of whatever Remedie cooked made his mouth water.
“Baby,” Nico called out as he put his duffel bag and gloves on the floor by the door and dragged his feet toward the kitchen.
When he got there, every sore muscle in his body was forgotten as he looked at Remedie standing in the middle of the kitchen with nothing but a mini apron on. Now, his mouth watered for a completely different reason.
“Welcome home, daddy,” she purred before hopping up on the counter and spreading her legs.
Nico beamed. The way she called him daddy so effortlessly now, without him reminding her of what he liked to be called, warmed his heart. This woman had no idea that he would lay the world down at her feet if she asked.
Nico swaggered over to her. He placed his hands on the counter on either side of her legs and leaned down into her. “What’s all this, cookie?”
Though she batted her eyelashes up at him confidently, he could see underlying nerves bouncing around her body. He’d gotten to study her over the past few weeks, and he knew when something was on her mind. He knew when she was happy, even when she tried to hide it. He knew when she was horny. And he definitely knew when something was bothering her.
“Just wanted to do something nice for you.”
He gave her his lopsided grin before pecking her lips. “Oh yeah? That’s all?”
She glanced to the side. “For now.” She smiled up at him. “Go shower. By the time you’re done, dinner will be ready.”
Nico glanced down at her naked body. “But I want to enjoy the show.”
She giggled. “Promise not to have too much fun without you.”
“Better not.”
Nico helped her down from the counter and then hurried to his room so he could shower. He didn’t know what Remedie had up her sleeve for the night, but he knew he was more than down for it.
It didn’t take him long to wash the hard work he’d done all day off his body before dressing in some basketball shorts and rushing back down to the kitchen.
When he saw the plates of food, Nico almost fell to his knees and praised God. “Smothered pork chops? This for me?” He asked the question skeptically because baby was real strict with how he ate during training.
“Yes, baby. All for you.”
Nico’s eyes watered as he walked over to her and laid a fat kiss on her lips. “I don’t know what I did to deserve this, but thank you.”
She tilted her head back and laughed. “You deserve a cheat meal every once in a while.”
Nico cocked his head as he caressed her hips. “I get my cheat meal every time I eat that pretty pussy of yours.”
There was that blush he loved so much.
“Anyway,” she said as she tried to hide her smile. “Help me bring all this into the dining room.” Nico happily did as she asked. When they had everything set, they sat down and Nico prepared to pray, but Remedie stopped him. “I got it.”
Nico couldn’t even bow his head. He watched her in wonder as she prayed over their food and then mumbled an “Amen” when she finished.
“What?” she asked when she realized he wasn’t eating. He just sat there staring at her.
“What’s gotten into you?” He eyed her suspiciously before his eyes grew wide. “You ain’t tryna break up with me, are you?” He pushed his plate away. “Aw, hell. And I almost fell for the okey doke.”
Remedie giggled. “Boy, if you don’t eat this food I slaved over. I can’t break up with you if we ain’t together,” she argued.
