Page 104 of Betrothed To Love

I can’t stop my smile from forming because Niya’s vibrant personality is so infectious. How can I not love her? Her presence alone has been a huge factor in Alami’s comfort level. God knows I can’t imagine what’s going through her mind. In a matter of months, Alami’s entire world has been turned upside down. The father she has known has a whole other family and she has five, grown ass, big ass brothers. Life is hard enough as a teenager; this has to be a big pill to swallow.

After mixing my potato salad and sprinkling a little sugar over the top, I cover the pan with foil then turn the oven off. The beans will finish in the oven because it’s still hot then I’ll transfer them to the outdoor warmer.

Right out from the grand living room, there’s a poolside kitchen with a state-of-the-art grill, a small fridge, and an oven along with a dining area. They are sheltered from the sun and weather above by stone walls and beams and a pitched steel and glass skylight. Two fire pits provide warmth during the cold months. Since it’s the twentieth of November and winter is quickly approaching, the temperature is cool enough to light both.

Right as I’m about to take the potato salad outside, Quintus walks into the kitchen. He looks so damn sexy in plain black sweats and a black tee. Something about his neck and shoulder tattoos always sends a shiver down my spine when they are on display.

God, my husband is fine.

“I was just about to bring this potato salad out there. You need something, baby?” I ask as he approaches.

“I just needed to be all up on my kyau before these negroes get here.” From behind, he wraps his arms around me and I naturally ease back into his chest. After peppering tender kisses on my shoulder and neck, he says, “Where are they?”

“Drawing,” I answer.

“Niya is letting her draw on her wall?”

“Yep. She likes her little auntie. I think Niya thinks they are the same age,” I say jokingly with a grin. “It’s so cute.”

“Thank you,” he says before rubbing his hand across my neck.

“For what, baby?”

“This. All of this. Suggesting this barbecue here in the first place. Getting Alami here early so she can get comfortable. Everything.”

“Niya made her comfortable. She has a way of welcoming people into the family. As for everything else, don’t thank me. You never have to thank me, baby,” I tell him. His hand rubs up my chin then he grips it lightly, angling me perfectly for a slow, deep kiss. When our lips part, I’m pretty sure I pout from the disconnect because I’m obsessed with the way he captures my lips with the perfect blend of aggression, need, and passion. “I changed my mind. You can thank me like this every time,” I admit and he smirks arrogantly.

“I’m going to thank your sexy ass better tonight,” he says and I shiver at the thought. The chiming of the doorbell unfortunately breaks our moment. “I’m sure that’s Shiro. He’s always early as fuck.”

As he heads to the front door, I turn and take the beans out. When I place them on the trivet, Niya and Alami enter the kitchen.

“It’s my uncles, Shiro and Ace,” Niya announces enthusiastically before running back out.

“She’s crazy about her uncles and her auntie,” I say with a smile. Alami returns it but hers is wry.

“You’re about to take those outside?” she asks, practically begging for a yes, so I oblige her.

She’s stalling.

“I am. You want to help me before everyone gets here?” I ask

“Yes,” she answers while nodding. “Let me wash my hands.”

“Okay, then after you wash, you can grab this potato salad.”

She steps to the sink and I grab my potholders for the beans. When we walk through the living room, we see Shiro and Ace with Quintus and Niya. All three men hop up and try to take the pans and open the door. When I see Alami’s eyes get as big as golf balls, I intervene.

“No, no. This is hot and we got this. Give us a minute and we’ll be right back so we can properly say hello and introduce her,” I say and I hear Alami release a loud breath of air.

“You need help, Mommie?” Niya asks.

“We got it, sweetheart and we’ll be right back,” I tell her before looking over at Alami. “You go first.”

She hurries out of the door and I’m right behind her. Quintus closes the door once we are out. As soon as we reach the kitchen area, we place our pans on the counter.

“Wow! It’s so pretty out here. I would never be inside,” she gushes as she takes it all in.

She’s absolutely right; it’s beautiful out here. The sky is just starting to darken and Quintus has the blue pool lights on, making the water more brilliant and vibrant. That backsplash against the stone structure, beige and brown furniture, and brown cabinetry in the kitchen area make the space warm, inviting, and just gorgeous.