I chuckled and shook my head.
“Alright then. Risk it all.”
I stretched my left hand out and waited for him to open the box. My heart thumped in my throat. I knew this was crazy but ifhe was saying forget it and standing on business then who was I to stop his sexy ass?
When he opened it, my mouth dropped. I felt the jerk of the plane as we finally entered the sky. Reality was setting in quickly but every part of me rejected all common sense.
The pear-shaped diamond and platinum band were to die for. It was so simple yet so intricate. I wondered if he’d gotten it custom made. When it fit my finger perfectly, I couldn't help but become infatuated with him tenfold. Because when did he size my finger? Or did my friends tell him this too? My eyes instantly watered. How did he know?
“My life is full of craziness, Brandy. I'm always on the move. But the one thing I can promise is that I'll always be home at night and when I'm out of the country we'll always say goodnight no matter the time difference. You stick with me and I promise you I won't falter. I'm diving into this just as blindly as you, but I'd never been so sure about anything or anyone in my life. You gon’ fuck with me the long way, honeybee?”
I smiled widely before responding, “Yes!”
I couldn't explain why this was so easy for me as well, but like he said, it felt right. Like we knew we were each other's person. We would build our friendship and blossom into something powerful that nobody could break. I was hopeful. His tendency to eradicate wrongdoers was everything to me. I knew he would protect me and I didn't have to think twice about it.
He exuded everything Jeffery failed hard at and that was the biggest thing for me. If I wasn’t completely comfortable with a man then there was no need to keep going. That man wouldn't be down for me when it mattered and Jeffrey had been the epitome of let downs. He never defended me, always cowered, though there was nothing cowardly about him until it was time to put hands on me. Tuh. Never again.
“So, this is for real, Armond? You aren’t playing with me? Cuz like, I really can’t handle you not coming through on your word. If we’re going to test these waters, then I need to know this ring isn’t just for a claim on me but because you truly want this.”
“Honeybee, I don’t give a fuck about testing shit. If you’re wearing that ring, then it means I’m your man and I’m going to treat you as such. Give us a chance and let me show you that you’re safe with me. Mind, body, heart, and soul.”
I sighed. The look in his eyes told me I should believe him, but I’d fallen for that game before with Jeffrey. Shit, just thinking about Jeffrey dimmed my excitement. I was being a fool.
I slowly pulled the ring off my finger and sighed as I placed it back into the box in his hand. He looked down at it then looked at me as if I had broken his heart. That lasted for only a second because he grabbed my hand and placed it on his chest.
“You feel that? No woman on the planet has ever made my heart race like this. I’m not asking you to marry me, honeybee. I just want a chance to show you I’m not Jeffrey and you can be loved the right way. You can be happy in life without looking over your shoulder. That’s my promise to you and that’s what this ring signifies. Can you fuck with me the long way, honeybee?”
What’s with this nickname and why do I like it? And why are his words hitting home?
I exhaled a shaky breath and stretched my hand toward him. He read the nervousness all over me. He grabbed my hand gently then brought it to his lips and kissed it while he stared at me. My breath hitched and chills rolled across my skin.
“Okay,” I exhaled.
ELEVEN
Armond Davis
WE LANDED A FEW HOURS later and I nudged Brandy awake. She had curled up on me and hadn’t left my side. Her comfort with me had me doing dumb shit like proposing before I even got to know her. I was making a promise, and once I got her on board, we settled in and got comfortable. She trusted me and I would never take that for granted.
Brandy brought me peace in such little time and no one had ever been able to do that. I felt it necessary to protect her, love her, show her what a real man was like since it seemed that all men were shit in her book.
I wanted to be that man for her no matter what my schedule would allow. I’d make time for her. There was nothing more important than the relationship I wanted to build with her. It was a little obscene and unlike me, but I didn’t care. She made me not want to care about how this could fall apart.
She smiled before she uncurled herself and opened her eyes. Those pretty lashes fluttered as she yawned before pulling back to officially face me.
“How long have I been asleep?”
“A couple of hours,” I replied.
“Armond!” she said. “I would’ve gotten my tail up.”
“Why? There was no need.”
“I mean, I guess. I haven’t really checked on the girls.” She looked at me so unsure. Like she’d truly done something wrong. In all actuality, she helped me sleep for the first time since I left her at the resort. I just happened to hear Seraphina knocking on the door, making us aware of our descent and upcoming arrival.
“Don’t scrunch your face like that. I loved every second of it. If I hadn’t, I would’ve let it be known. I’m not one to repress my feelings. And your friends are fine. Amelia has taken a liking to them and they’ve been chilling,” I said, breaking our silence.
She was cute when she pouted like that, but I’d rather see her smile and be happy in my presence. Her eyes suddenly lit up like I said something grandiose. She didn’t have a verbal response, just a nod with a half-smile. She was hesitant with her movements and I wasn’t having that shit. Let me find out I had to bury a motherfucker for being on her mind while she was with me.
