Ice looks at him like he’s gonna kill him but then smirks, turns, and leaves his office.
“Shit, nothing. He must really be tired,” Rebel says.
I laugh. “Come on, let’s get some sleep.”
We both leave Ice’s office. I stop at the bar and pour myself a shot of Maker’s. Ice will never know I dug into his stash. I down my drink and make my way upstairs to Honey.
When I get to her room, her door is closed. Maybe she wants to be alone tonight? Maybe she just wants some privacy. I turn to leave just as the door opens.
“Sainte, I was beginning to worry.” So she was expecting me.
“I’m right here, darlin’.” She smiles, and I step inside her room. She has two bottles of water on the table: one is empty and the other is open and half full. Good girl, she’s been drinking her water. There is also a protein bar wrapper on the table. “You doing okay, sweetheart?”
She sighs. “I do fine when I’m not alone. Right after I got Tara all settled, I came back to my room. And then the agitation began to start. Sainte, I was fine all night. I never thought about it at the club or even when we got back here. You know how it always gets to me when I’m here, but this time I was fine, until I was left alone.”
“It’s not healthy for you to be with someone all the time or to be pre-occupied twenty-four seven. You will need to work through those times.” I look around the room. “And from what I can see, you did just fine.”
She looks around. Not a single drawer was pulled or clothes thrown. It is as neat and tidy as it was when we left. She smiles. “I did, didn’t I?”
I pull her into my arms. “You sure did, and I couldn’t be more proud.” She wraps her arms around me, and I hold her tight.
“Sainte, if I told you something, will you promise not to tease me about it?”
I laugh. “Can’t make any promises. You are so fun to tease.”
She steps back. “No, I’m serious. Please,” she pleads, and I can see this is important to her.
“Okay, I promise.”
She looks me directly in the eyes and says, “I don’t hate you anymore.”
I can’t help the laugh that escapes me.
“You promised.”
“Oh, baby, I’m sorry. I’m not laughing at you. I’m laughing because that is the best news I’ve heard in a long time.” I pull her in close and hold her against my body. I look at her as if to ask permission, and she leans in. It’s all the invitation I need. I lean forward, and my lips claim hers. They’re soft and taste of strawberry. She doesn’t fight me this time. Instead, she clings to me, and I deepen the kiss. I continue to drink from her mouth as my hands roam her body. As much as I want to lay her on the bed and take her, I can’t yet.
I break the kiss, and we are both breathless. She reaches for me, and I grab her hands.
“Don’t be a dick, Sainte,” she says.
“Sweetheart, I’m not, really. You have no idea how much I want you right now, but it’s not gonna happen. I won’t be your crutch, so I need to be sure you can stand on your own. It’s only been a few days.”
“Eighty-three hours,” she whispers. I pull her into my arms again.
“Have I told you how proud I am of you?” I hold her for a few minutes and then say, “Come on, it’s been a long day. Let’s get some sleep.”
She walks to the bed and gets in. I take off my clothes and crawl in myself. She immediately curls up next to me, and it doesn’t take long for us both to be sound asleep.
Chapter 18
Sainte
The next morning when Honey and I get up, she hurries and gets in the shower. She’s excited. She has a new project: Tara. She has plans to get her all settled in and show her around and then wants to take her shopping later. Whatever. It’s a girl thing.
Ice and I need to talk about this Santino situation, and we need to call Michael. We get downstairs, and Ice and Emma are having their morning coffee. I did not expect them here this early, especially after the late night Ice had last night.
I walk up to the bar. “You’re here early.”
