“I imagine with your travel history you've seen a lot of beautiful places. What makes this your favorite?”
“For one, I didn’t say favorite, and two, I have but I promise none come close to my top spot. In all my years, no ocean, rainforest, or pyramid compares to her beauty.” The way Courtland’s heavy gaze burned into my soul should’ve had me scared and looking away because honestly that made more sense than what I did. The calmness that radiated in my bones forhimhad me matching his energy, pouring myself into him before I stood on my tippy toes, poking my lips out, awaiting his. This kiss felt different from the others. I couldn’t explain it no other way than, if this was the edge of my sanity instead of continuing to run from Courtland, I just jumped.
“Whose house is this?”Courtland had just pulled up to this gorgeous beach house when panic set in my chest and had my heart pounding. It must’ve been written on my face as he brought my hand to his mouth and kissed it gently.
“Relax, it’s my brother’s. But don’t worry, him and the family aren’t here. I got the okay before coming,” he answered and I let out a light breath just as he parked, but I was still nervous.
I sat patiently as he hopped out, rounding the truck while I began to toy with my wedding ring, contemplating if I should just tell him to take me back home.
My time to decide went by too quick as my door came open with Courtland holding out his hand for me. I hesitated silently.
“Lou, I might be new to all this side shit but I know you still require discretion. Don’t stress the process, I got that covered. Just like I’m guarding your life with mine now, no matter what, know your privacy is forever safe with me. Like you said, we playing with our lives at this point. No slip ups.”
“No slip ups,” I confirmed as I finally let him lift me from the passenger seat.
He used a key to let us in and I was immediately hit with a sweet pineapple scent and the sunset flooding through the windows. The sight mixed with the smells gave me tropical paradise vibes and had me melting the further we walked inside.
“Oh my gosh. If we weren’t a secret, I would have you telling your brother I want to buy his house because I’m in love and not leaving.” Courtland chuckled as we walked from the front to the back where the view of the beach took my focus.
“I completely understand but you might have to fight his wife for it. Liv loves it too. They come here a lot, especially once the kids are out of school. They tend to stay the whole summer.”
“Oh yeah, the kids. You hardly mention them.”
“They def be giving me a run for every dollar, but I love my pirates.” He pointed to the refrigerator where a cute family picture was of all of the people he mentioned, including a baby bump.
I snickered as he grabbed my hand, sliding the glass door open that separated us from the pool area which was also nice as hell.
“Why do you call them pirates?” I asked as he led me to a lounge chair. He sat first, pulling me into his lap with us both facing the ocean with the orange and pink sky.
“Long story short, my brother Lando is retired Navy who owns Drifted and Anchored. The nickname came naturally. They love when I shout out pirate slang for them to repeat. I mean, I’ve got them trained for real. Lando and Liv hate it, but it makesmy pirates smile; so we keep it going. They keep asking when we’re going to find booty. I told them soon.” We shared a laugh while he now gently rubbed me.
“Booty? I’m scared to even know the other meaning.”
“Treasure, woman. Every year since their first real scavenger hunt we’ve been repeating it with Lando. Me and my dad hide goodies on the beach for them to dig up. It’s the funniest shit because only the older two take it seriously while the younger ones make me or my brother re-dig up the stuff.”
He laughed, and this time, I could feel his joy in his chest as it vibrated, rattling my back. I shifted slightly to get a better view of his wide smile.
Hearing the love in his voice as he talked about his nieces and nephew had my mind wondering what he would be like as a father.
Johnni, you’re thinking about things that are of no concern to you. You need to be focused on becoming the mother of your husband’s babies.
My hand gently glided across my stomach as I did just that and couldn’t see it how I saw Courtland in that role. I blinked hard, trying hard to erase that mental image that would never happen. But again, it ran back with Courtland being the father in clips flashing fast, like it was either a glimpse in another lifetime or a memory I wanted to come true. I saw the pregnancy stage with Courtland massaging my swollen ankles to the birth with him holding my hand and telling me to push and even us playing with brown babies that mirrored our features in a huge backyard.
Heffa, you definitely moving entirely too damn fast.
“You good, Lou?”
“Yes, I was just picturing you as an uncle. Enough about that. You brought me out here stating a date night?” I asked, now changing the subject. Thinking about Courtland and me inpermanent roles was daring to ruin my mood when we had just gotten here.
“I wanted us to have a conversation outside of those walls so you could speak freely. I need everything you can tell me about the Wilsons. I’ve dealt with a lot of political figures before and know they get dirty. Yes, I heard the warning and risk the other day, and frankly I don’t give a fuck. Ain’t nobody scared of that nigga, just want to move smart.”
“I’m worth the risk?”
He gripped my chin, lifting my head.
“Lourdè, you’re not listening, I’m willing to risk everything just to kidnap you for a couple fucking hours so I could set up a date. Hell yeah you’re worth it all, baby. I’m a grown man. I can fight your husband and win.” I felt my face reacting as I cracked a smile.
“Okay, I’ll tell you everything I know.”
