I take a step closer, still holding her wrist. “It did bother me, sweetheart. It bothered me a lot, and I was dumb for tolerating it for way too long.” I dip my head so she can see my eyes more clearly. “That’s why I told Serena last night that she had overstayed her welcome and needed to make other arrangements.”
Mindy’s eyebrows dip low over her hazel eyes. “You did?”
“I did. She pitched a hissy fit, of course, and that’s another reason I went to Helix’s house. I didn’t want to deal with her attitude.” I stroke my hand up Mindy’s arm and cup her face. “I was sick of Serena being here every damn night when all I wanted to do was cuddle up on the couch with you while we watched movies. Alone.”
A tiny smile cracks through on her face. “That sounds divine,actually,” she dips her head forward, resting it on my chest, and I breathe out a sigh of relief. This is the first contact she’s initiated, and I take advantage, tossing the offensive panty bag on the couch so I can wrap my girl fully in my arms.
“I love you,” I tell her, pressing my face into the top of her hair. I want to say more, but I’m getting choked up. I could have lost her because of this little stunt.
“I love you too,” comes her muffled reply. After a few minutes, she looks up at me with serious eyes. “I’ve already been in one relationship that was way too crowded. I refuse to play the third wheel in another one.”
Yikes, I’m being compared to Twatface? I guess I can see where she’s coming from. I moved someone into my house—even though I thought it was only going to be for a few days—without even discussing it with my partner. Yep, definitely a Twatface move.
I hold her eyes with my own and speak from my heart. “I assure you that you will always be my first priority, and I’m sorry I put you in a position where you would doubt that. I should have consulted with you before allowing Serena to stay here.” Mindy looks away, but I gently pull her face back to mine. “What’s wrong?”
She exhales. “I’m feeling a little bit ridiculous. This is your apartment, and you shouldn’t have to ask me if your friend can stay, but it felt good when you said that.”
I tilt up Mindy’s chin and kiss her lips tenderly. “It may be my apartment—for now—but when it affectsourlife, we should both have a say in it.”
Her smile is the brightest light in my soul. “That’s exactly what I needed to hear. I don’t want to be bossy or say who you can or can’t be friends with. I just want some goddamn respect.”
“You have every bit of my respect. I’m not going to say I’ll never make a mistake, but if I do, I know I have you to yank me back in line.” I offer her a crooked smile. “Actually, I love when you stand up for yourself. It’s kinda hot.”
“I love you so much, Remi.”
I’m just happy she’s back to calling me Remi. Taking her lips in a soft kiss, I slide a hand around to the back of her head. When shepresses the length of her body against me, the kiss deepens, and I tilt her head where I want it. Before we can get too riled up, I pull back, releasing her lips with a soft suction.
“I love you too, baby, and I’d like nothing more than to bury myself inside you for the rest of the day.” I give her one last peck before snatching up the stupid white panties, my anger at Serena growing by the second. “But I’ve got to go deal with a big fucking problem.”
CHAPTER FIFTY-NINE
Hardware Joe and Minnie
Mindy
Remi entersmy apartment a few hours later, and the man looks exhausted. The first thing he does is pull me against him, holding me wordlessly for a long time. I let him. He seems like he needs it.
Finally, he speaks. “I’m going to run up to my apartment to grab my scotch. I need a drink.”
I push him toward the couch. “I already went up and got it. After the second hour, I knew you would need it.” As I urge him down onto the couch, he looks up at me like I just gave him a million dollars.
“You’re amazing, you know that?”
“Always the stellar assistant, doing whatever her boss requires,” I shoot back, pouring him a healthy dose. I set the bottle on the coffee table and hand him the glass.
“This looks familiar,” he remarks, inspecting the cut glass.
“I stole it from your place. Otherwise you’d have to drink your fine scotch from a coffee mug that reads ‘Fuck off. I’m baking.’”
That earns me a smile before he downs a large gulp. Walking around the back of the couch, I place my hands on his shoulders, digging my thumbs into the knots I find there.
“Mmm,” he groans. After a few minutes, I’ve worked my hands up into his hair, massaging his scalp, and he makes more sounds ofpleasure. “That feels amazing, baby. She fucking gave me a headache with some of the shit she said.”
“You don’t have to tell me,” I say, though I’m dying to know.
Remi tilts his head back and looks up at me, his brown eyes showing a hint of pain. “I need to tell you, you’re my person.”
“Stop melting my heart,” I scold, giving his hair a little scruff. “Lean forward and let me get your back.”
