He looked surprised then studied my face. “Shit, I wouldn’t have put that together. I haven’t met her yet. Just saw photos here and there.”
I quickly texted my sister that she was right and she sent me the GIF of Tina fromBob’s Burgerstwerking. I giggled then looked at Armond.
He was doing that sexy glare again and it almost looked like he was in love with me. It made my heart race because I didn’t know if him being so smitten with me was a good or bad thing. I truly needed to get out of my head.
“I guess I’ll be meeting your sister soon then, huh?” he asked.
“Not on this visit. She lives in Colton. I’m going to visit her soon though. If you aren’t busy, maybe you can pop up too,” I replied.
“Depending on my schedule, I’d love that. I’ve been asking my brother for an introduction for over a year, but he always wanted to keep her to himself. I guess I can’t be mad at it.” He shrugged as he continued typing.
I got caught up in how he could type and talk to me at the same time. I didn’t see him hit that backspace button once. He smiled then licked his lips, his eyes still not leaving the laptop.
“You gon’ keep staring or you want to take a picture, mama? I’m cool with either, for real,” he said.
He hit me with a smolder and I quickly hit the camera function on my phone and snapped a couple of pics before he went back to typing. I leaned closer to him and kissed him on the cheek. My head leaned on his shoulder facing the seat, so he didn’t think I was trying to be nosy. I just wanted his comfort. Jeffrey was still at the back of my mind and I was still nervous though I didn’t see him.
“You alright, honeybee?”
“Yes.”
“Would you tell me if you weren’t?”
“Yes.”
“So why does it feel like you’re lying to me? I felt your body tense when I asked.”
“I mean, I am alright, Armond. I’m with you. It’s when I leave you that’s been roaming my mind like a broken record,” I replied.
“There ain’t shit you’re ever going to have to worry about as long as I’m around. The second you put that ring on your finger, around the clock security was assigned to you. You’ll never have to worry about Jeffrey, or anyone for that matter, again.”
He spoke firmly, reassuring me. Now that he had a face to go on, he’d know the very second Jeffrey decided to come around. I should be grateful and less tense, but Jeffrey had a way of sneaking around and not being seen by anyone. I’d just have to put my trust in Armond and his team. I’d seen firsthand how serious they were about him and how serious Armond was about me.
That little debacle in the airport let me know Armond didn’t have an ounce of bitch in him and it made me grow fonder of him.
“I believe you. Thank you,” I murmured. That made him stop typing and he faced me, shrugging his shoulder so I could sit up.
“No need to thank me, Brandy. It’s my duty to protect you, physically and emotionally. That bastard has had control of your mind for too long and I’m here to break that shit.”
I smirked then leaned in for a kiss. When our lips joined, it felt different. Like he was staking his claim with more passion, and dare I say, love in it. My hand met his cheek, fingers strumming along his beard. I didn’t want him to pull away. I felt secure at this moment, safe. I loved feeling safe with Armond.
“Boss, we have arrived,” Manuel stated. Armond sighed as he pulled away from me. He pecked my lips once more then closed his laptop.
“I hope their food is good, Brandy. We could’ve gone anywhere and you chose Darby’s,” he said as he secured his laptop in his bag. He smiled when he looked up at me. I was sure my face read “fuck you” but I didn’t say anything. I just smirked and waited for Manuel to round the truck and let me out.
“You’ll just have to see,” I said, then hopped out.
Armond rounded the truck then looked at me like he was a little peeved. I didn’t know what I did to make his face look like that, but I was sure he was about to tell me.
“Honeybee, don’t ever just get out of the truck if I’m with you. Doesn’t matter who opened the door, I’m the one who’ll help you out. Understood?”
I nodded and exhaled slowly through my nose. I wanted to be upset from his tone, but I could understand his perspective. He was my man and I let another one grab my hand and help me out of the truck. No matter how much of a gentleman Manuel was, it didn’t matter because it wasn’t Armond. I’d have to get used to that because I never got escorted out of my vehicle before. Most times I was left then told about myself once I finally caught up.
Armond took my hand and we walked into the steakhouse. It was a very posh environment to me with its low, recessed lighting and round booths, a floor-to-ceiling wine rack display, and tinted windows that you could clearly see outside through but outside couldn’t see inside the building. I’d only been here once with my sister, and when the bill came, I damn near choked on my wine. I figured this would be the perfect place for a billionaire. Maybe it was still a little below his taste.
“Brandy, I have to admit, this place looks nice,” he said as he looked around. That surprised the hell out of me.
“I knew you’d like it.” I smiled.
