“Gorgeous!”
“Look this way!”
Several shouts and flashes played a musical of sounds and lights caused my head to spin. Adir noticed that I became overwhelmed and tugged me closer.
He silenced the noise with a simple, “I’m right here, my love.”
Some unnamed emotion caused a smile to play along my gloss-covered lips, which in turn made him smile. I wasn’t sure if it was just me, but I found his face soften whenever I was near.Sometimes, I’d catch him off guard and there would be nothing soft about him. Almost as if Adir was someone different with me.
So far, I’d been able to distinguish two different sides of Adir. There was Dr. Bell and Adir. Neither man seemed like the one to play with. While Dr. Bell was passionate about his work as a physician, Adir was passionate about his family. Dr. Bell was intense and focused. Adir wasslightlyless intense and more unguarded when at home amongst me and the boys.
Something shifted in my peripheral, grabbing my attention. A cameraman stepped a little too close, prompting Russ to step into action. He pushed the man back, with the stocky, dark-skinned man laughing it off.
“Careful…”
Adir’s threat hit its target. His eyes could’ve been fire the way he coolly glared at the cameraman. He stared so long that it looked as if he’d blanked out. A rumble through the crowd said that they noticed the flames bouncing off of Adir.Thisman wasn’t even the man from the night he saved me and Quilo’s lives. His body language was that of someone who could choke a man to death—right here in front of all these people.
It wasn’t until we entered the building that Adir’s features relaxed, therefore causing me to do the same. My eyes dazzled at the regal decorations. From the rich draperies to the expensive dinnerware adorning the circular tables, I felt like I was in a castle attending a royal event.
Then again, there were literal movie stars and sports and entertainment royalty in the building. The fact that Adir rubbed shoulders with these people wasn’t even surprising. He oozed a lethal combination of boss and gangster. Both had anyone within arm’s reach speaking and trying to get a word with him. He was the epitome of reserved charisma. While he engaged, he made sure to keep it short and sweet.
One would think that I hadn’t married this man to save my brother’s life. For I smiled whenever he introduced me as his wife, Pretty Bell. Truthfully, it was like he loved saying my name. There was always so much pride in his tone whenever he said it. That was crazy, considering we both knew the reason we were in this position.
Just enjoy it while you can, Coco. Love can turn into functional tolerance so easily.The thought nearly brought a frown to my face. There was my biggest fear. Being tied to a man was one thing. Being tied to him for the rest of my life… and forcing myself to be happy knowing he wasn’t felt like the worst type of relational suffering. That wasn’t something I wanted for myself.
One minute I was deep in my thoughts, the next I was in Adir’s arms, with his lips hovering over my ear.
“Pretty?”
“Yes, Dr. Bell.” I kicked the negativity to the curb and addressed him with a smile.
“There’s not a single reason that I could think of for why there should be a frown on that beautiful face.”
Smiling, I replied, “I can’t think of a valid reason either.”
“So, what’s the un-valid reason for the frown, my love?”
Gulping, I thought about lying. There was no way I could tell this man what I was truly thinking. He’d think I was simple minded and crazy.
“You’re tryna find a pretty way of wrapping up your thoughts. I want them raw… Just like I’ma be inside you.” He cocked his head. “Raw and unfiltered.”
He seemed unfazed that we stood in the middle of a crowd, having a random, heated, seductive ass conversation.
“How about we have a seat first,” I suggested. Or else I would’ve melted right there.
“Or…you can tell me what I wanna hear and put my mind at ease,” he retorted. I found it hard to believe that his thoughts were ever in turmoil. Adir always seemed so in control.
“We’re together for the rest of our lives,” I started.
“Right.” His response was quick, sure, and not up for debate.
“Providing we grow old together…uhm…I… How do you expect us to remain happy?”
He placed a kiss on my lips, then chased it with his thumb. Speechless, I just stared into his eyes. Turning me in his arms, over the crowd, he pointed out his parents. Adir held me was the same way Judge Bell held Minnie. That man was always showering his wife with affection.
“They look happy, don’t they?”
“They do,” I concurred.
