“Chardonnay told me. Arlando,” she murmured while still trailing my abs.
“When we started our arms business, we didn’t want any ties to our father. We were trying to make a name for ourselves. Though his name meant a lot to the organizations we delved in, when it came to that, people sought us out before him. He thought it was disrespectful, so we said fuck that. We switched our last names. Nobody could make that tie any longer, so we rolled with it.”
She giggled then planted a kiss on my cheek. “So, no Boselli?”
“Only on my original birth certificates. I changed our names, but I hold on to the original to remind me how far we’ve come despite our dad’s bullshit.”
“I thought your mom was the problem maker?”
“No. You clearly heard that from Arlando.” I chuckled. “She may have started the downward spiral, but she’s still solid. She left because she knew at some point our father would kill her. I didn’t realize until I got older, but it’s the truth. I mean, I got a couple of half siblings because of it but shit it’s all love.”
“I’m nervous about meeting your family, especially your mom. I want her to like me,” she confessed.
I kissed her forehead then stroked her hair. Her breaths grew softer as some of that nervousness seeped away.
“She’s going to love you. Your sister might be the one under the microscope since it’s been this long.”
“I’ll make sure to warn her.” She giggled.
“She will love you both just like I do.”
I felt her body stiffen from my comment, but she didn’t say anything. I guess once she realized I wasn’t either she began her strum on my pelvis. Before I knew it, that trail slowed more and more by the second and her soft breaths were filling my ears, landing lightly against my chest.
I stroked her hair and she threw her leg over my stomach. I smirked then grabbed a handful of her ass. She let out a wispy moan then fell into a deep sleep moments later. I loved how she felt against me. It didn’t matter which position she was in, she always fit perfectly. She always felt like my happiest memories. She felt like home.
Once I knew she was officially asleep I finally let my guard down and found myself drifting off soon after.
EIGHTEEN
Brandy Noel
I SPENT THE NEXT COUPLE weeks focusing on my new location. It was in Desoto, Texas, about fifteen minutes south of downtown Dallas. It was a nice, family-focused area, and if I didn’t plan on hightailing it to Colton, I’d be looking at houses out this way.
I picked up a cute storefront in a shopping center that sat right off the highway. The shopping center already had a gym, a grocery store, nail shop, pawn shop, and even a mechanic you could pull up on. A couple of fast-food places were directly off the highway and as soon as you turned in you would see my spot, Yoga Me Plenty. It sat between a beauty supply store and a restaurant. Five doors down were the gym.
I’d already gotten happy welcomes from the businesses in the center, had my walk through with the contractor so I could tear down and build up a couple of walls, and gone through the building inspection since I got a few outlets installed through the space and extra lighting.
Stella was my go-to for all graphics and advertising because she already did them for her realty business. She helped me secure this spot and my other two locations as well. She had agood eye and would give me extreme detail on what needed to be done or what I would be spending at the end of it all.
Marsha and I were in the middle of painting an accent wall when Stella unlocked the main door and walked in. That made Marsha jump and splash paint right on my chest.
“Shit,” I grumbled.
“My bad. My bad. I didn’t expect her to have a damn key. You know my nerves be real bad,” Marsha replied.
Stella laughed and put her hands up in mock surrender.
“Bish, I come in peace, and I grabbed y’all something from Gator Pit too.”
She just had to mention my favorite BBQ spot in the neighboring city of Lancaster. It was a true gem. Their BBQ fell off the bones, and baby, we were about to eat good.
We made our way to the back. I made sure we had a breakroom with a huge fridge, Keurig machine, and three tables with chairs, a private bathroom for employees, and my office with an en suite. Another door led to the back of the building, but I wouldn’t be using it.
I made sure we had something heavy blocking it too. Since Jeffrey knew I was out this way, I had to make sure he didn’t mess with my business. It didn’t matter if he hadn’t been heard from or not. He always showed up when he was good and ready. I had to make sure I was prepared.
“Okay boo, you definitely turned this place around,” Stella said as she looked every which way. “It looks really good.”
“Thanks, boo. Marsha’s been in her bag with this. I let her take creative control,” I replied.
