“When it comes to you and me, that’s all I’m doing at this point; making plans and commands. This though, worked out so good. The call was to invite you, you walking in was God confirming what I already know when it comes to you in my life.”
Plans and commands?
“And what exactly do you know already when it comes to me?” I was intrigued as I went for my coffee cup and my eyes grew wide at the flavor. It tasted like my exact order from Brewed Bean.
This has Tunk written all over it.
My eyebrow dipped at him asking the unspoken question while Highland just let out a chuckle. That told me everything.
“God married our souls, making you mine and me yours. I don’t want to scare you with the plans just yet, so for now, we can start slow. Just us; exclusively.” Highland’s tone was definite as he said those words with ease. While I sat there stuck, breathing shallow by now. It was yesterday all over again with that beautiful moment with the jar of messages on the shells. I didn’t know how to respond verbally, and unlike yesterday, I didn’t want him to second guess my feelings for him.
So I scooted closer to him, hooking my arm through his, using my free hand to pull his face to mine, and kissed him. It was a quick peck, but enough for me to get lost in his burning gaze on me when I pulled back.
The clearing of a throat had me freeing him from my hold as the waitress stood at the end of the table with her pad in her hand. Normally I would’ve been embarrassed by my public act of intimacy, but Highland made it easy for me to relax into him, into us.
I sat back and listened to this man place our orders while I patiently waited to speak. Once she was gone, finally my words came.
“That sounds like some forever type of loving, Highland. Are you sure you’re ready for that? I come with a son, a crazy extended family that is hella nosy, and an even weirder job. It might be too much.” Highland hooked my chin, pulling my face inches from his as he spoke in a low tone like it was a secret only safe between the two of us.
“And so what, I come with two girls and a heart that hasn’t beat evenly until you came into our lives. I’m prepared to love all the parts of you, including Jo-Jo, forever, Olive.”
Was I crazy for completely falling for a man who I’d only known for almost two months?
A hundred percent. But my heart understood what he meant by not beating whole until him.
“Is this your way of asking me to be your girlfriend? If so, it needs some work. It’s only been one date, Captain. I at least?—”
Highland cut me off, sealing our newfound commitment to this relationship. This time, kissing me deep, long, and sweet.
“Not my girlfriend, we’re grown doing grownup things. You’re my woman and I’m your man.”
I madeit to my office an hour later with Highland following me. I was so excited to show him my space. I was proud of my career and loved what I did.
“And this is where the healing happens. Welcome to Cuddle Buddies,” I said, laughing at my own joke as I turned the key and walked in. Tunk was seated at the table eating when we walked in.
“I guess you still working on this one,” Highland joked at Tunk who stood to greet his brother.
“Fuck you fool, ain’t shit wrong with me that a good bottle of Black Ops can’t fix. You though.” Tunk winced as he shook his head.
“Hey, this is a positive energy zone. Tunk, this is for you. I apologize for being late.” I passed the food bag off, then pulled Highland my way. “Let me finish showing you the office.”
“It’s a two bedroom. The first one here is where all the cuddling goes down.” I opened the door to the king sized bed, made with more pillows than needed. I had a comfy chair in the corner with an ottoman that matched. The candles and the art on the walls were added touches.
“Wait, you cuddle these people on there?” Highland asked, sounding concerned.
I snorted, “Uh yeah,” then reached up and rubbed the center of his forehead to release the frown lines that formed fast as hell.
“Calm down, it’s all on top of the covers and there is the camera right there.” I pointed to the camera mounted in the right corner of the room.
“I’m always careful and you would be happy to know Tunk can see and hear everything. And is never far. The office where the camera monitors are is normally where he stays, down the hall. Come on, let me show you.” I turned, dragging Highland with me to my security room that acted as my office too.
“That doesn’t make it any better. And you only have one camera, Olive.”
I stood in front of Highland who was straight up frowning now. I got on my tippy toes, wrapping my arms around his neck.
“Captain, do you keep long hours?”
It took a second before he looked down at me, frown still present.
