Page 23 of His to Have
“Tasha’s?” He raised a brow, while taking my bags from my hand, his finger brushing lightly against mine. Then he pulled me to the side, closing the car door behind me.
“Yeah, I went to relax.” I tried to keep my tone casual, but the way he looked at me—like I was something to be studied — made it hard to keep the words steady.
His fingers brushed against my hip as he guided me past his men and to my front door. “Good,” he said, his voice low. “You feel better?”
I nodded, trying to ignore the way my heart raced. “Yeah, a little.”
The door clicked shut behind me, and Teo set my bags down. Crossing his arms, his eyes met mine. It wasn’t lacking histypical intense look. “What about that lil’ situation? You handle that?”
I sucked my teeth. “Yes, daddy.” I rolled my eyes, practically spitting the word. “I broke up with Corey.”
I moved over to the table, grabbed the remote, and switched on the TV. I wasn’t really trying to watch anything, but I needed the background noise to fill the awkward silence that was sure to follow.
“Daddy, huh?”
The way he said it had my cheeks burning. The slow, sexy smirk that covered his face let me know he liked that shit.
What the fuck is wrong with me?
Turning away, I pretended to play with the remote, hoping he couldn’t see the warmth creeping up my neck. “Anyway,” I muttered, trying to keep my tone steady, “what now, Teo? I don’t have it in me to argue with you today. It’s been a long night.”
Teo stepped in closer, turning me to face him, his gaze softening. “I’m not here to fight. Just here to make sure we can come to a mutual understanding.” He paused, his eyes serious as he added, “Starting with you being in New York.”
“New York?” I almost snapped. I was slowly considering the marriage, but moving. Absolutely the fuck not. “Teo, I’m not about to uproot my entire life. I have a business to run, staff and clients that depend on me. I’m not abandoning it.”
He shook his head, his voice just a bit softer. “You’re not abandoning anything, Amore. You’ll keep your spot here in Atlanta. I’ve got a few places for you to check out in Manhattan. Once you pick your spot, it’ll be your second location. You get to keep what you built here. And you still get to do what you’re passionate about in your new home.” He let that settle in. “This marriage doesn’t mean you lose yourself, Yanna.”
He waited, like he always did when I got worked up. Allowed me to process his words, to work through my emotions before expecting an answer.
“A second location?” I searched his face, surprised but still skeptical. “And who’s paying for said spot?”
Teo raised an eyebrow, his expression deadpanned. “Who do you think?”
“Right.”
He let his gaze sweep over my face as he added, “Consider it a wedding gift, if that helps.”
I scoffed, placing a hand on my hip. “A second boutique sounds generous, but that’s twice the work, Teo. I’m stretched thin with one location.”
I paced the floor, trying to wrap my mind around all of this new information. Yesterday, my only concern in life was making sure my clients were happy, and living my little quiet life. Today, I am engaged to this infuriatingly handsome man, and being forced to move from my home. Atlanta was my safe place. I had built my dreams from the ground up here, and the thought of leaving it behind, even partially, was frightening.
He stepped closer, his tone both firm and almost... tender. “That’s why you’ll have a manager here to run things. I’m not saying you should give up control — you just don’t have to do it alone.”
I inhaled sharply, when his hands settled on my hips, stopping me from pacing the floor. His touch was as familiar as it had always been disarming.
“And you’re okay with me flying back and forth? What if I don’t want a detail tagging along?” I motioned toward the window where his enforcers waited outside.
Teo’s voice dropped, leaving no room for argument. “That part’s non-negotiable. Wherever you go, so do they. Your detail will be small, and you’ll barely notice.” He looked me square inthe eyes, his voice hard. “You’re going to be my wife, Ayanna. And keeping you safe isn’t up for debate.”
We held each other’s gaze, his unyielding stare daring me to push back, even as a smile tugged at the corner of my lips. Deep down, maybe I liked this version of Teo more than I’d ever admit.
“Of course it’s not,” I murmured, conceding to his terms, at least for now. “Why are you like this.”
He grinned, before catching me off guard, slipping his arm around my waist and pulling me close. “Because you like it. We’re going to be good together,Amore mio.” His voice was soft but sure. “You gotta trust me on this.”
The softness of his words left me reeling. The closeness had me feeling things beyond friendly, and the sweet and spicy scent of cinnamon made me want to melt into him. As much as I hated to admit it, I trusted him with my life, even if I didn’t fully trust the circumstances we found ourselves in. But I couldn’t let myself get too caught up. I was still angry about all of this.
“I’m still mad at you,” I mumbled from his embrace, my voice muffled against his chest.
