“Oh God,” Blake mumbled.
Dallas blew out a shaky breath. “You’ve been through so much, Sis.” Tears filled her eyes, which in turned caused me to tear up. “Some people would’ve let that level of trauma kill them. But you let it make you better. You are a badass. Period. You deserve to be happy and feel loved. Duke is the same way. You heal each other. I’ve seen it when y’all think we’re not paying attention. The way he always makes sure you eat. The way you two sit in silence together. I don’t know all the particulars of your personal relationship with him, but I’ll bet that you know things about him that we don’t know. And you’ve probably told him things about you that you haven’t told anyone. It’s just the way you are with each other. It’s innate.”
“Stop crying,” Blake commanded, grabbing a tissue. “You make me sick.”
Bliss let out a watery laugh. “Right?”
Dallas placed a hand over her heart. “He protects you like I would. That’s all I could ever ask. If you like him, I say tell him. Why deny yourself a chance at happiness?”
Bliss’ phone dinged, and she gasped. “Oh no. We forgot to call Paityn.” She pressed the screen. “Hey, Sissy.”
“Are you crying?” Tyn asked. “What is going on over there?”
“It’s Dallas’ ass,” Blake complained. “Always being heartfelt about Demi.”
Paityn’s laughter came through the speaker. “Let me talk to her.” Bliss turned the phone so I could look at Paityn. “Hey, Sis.”
I wiped my eyes with my sleeves. “Hey.”
“I won’t make you cry. I already know what happened. I’m just going to add my two cents.” She sighed. “Duke has a soft heart under his hard exterior. But I personally would feel very secure knowing that you are holding it in your palm.”
“Oh my God, Tyn,” I cried. “You said you weren’t going to make me cry.”
“That wasn’t something to cry about. The next thing I was going to say… Be careful because I sent Duke a panty vibrator that he might want to try out on you.” Paityn’s naughty toy company had been changing our lives since she developed her first prototype. “Trust me, sis. It’s something else.”
“Give me that phone,” Blake said. “You been holding out on me, Sissy.”
We spent the next few hours laughing, drinking, and enjoying each other. By the time they’d left, I’d made a decision. The ladies had given me food for thought. In the end, it was Duke that had given me the biggest reason to take the next step with him—he was willing to wait for me.
Me:I’ve thought about it.
Duke:…
Duke:That fast.
Me:Not that fast.You busy?
Duke:Not too busy for you.
My heartbeat pounded in my ear as I typed out my message:You said you kept imagining my mouth around your dick.
Duke:I did.
Me:Pull up.
Oh shit, what did I just do? While I definitely wanted Duke, I wasn’t sure if tonight wasthenight. Doubts swirled in my head as I contemplated sending another text. AnI’m-just-playin’ text. Ultimately, I decided to let things happen organically. If tonight was going to be the night, it would be. If we slowed things down, I’d be good with that too. As long as we were both on the same page.
I spent a few minutes straightening up the room before I jumped in the shower. And, just in case something naked happened, I shaved. When I heard the knock at the door, I took one last look at myself in the mirror, fluffing out my hair and applying fresh lip gloss. I turned to the side, poking my butt out a little bit. That thang was thangin’ in my shorts and tank.
Finally, I opened the door, but it wasn’t Duke. It wasn’t even room service with the charcuterie board and wine I’d ordered. My mood turned sour because the unfriendly, unwelcome person staring back at me was my father.
ChapterTwelve
RUN TO YOU
Demi
“Demita Hope.”
