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Those simple words hold such anguish in them and were like a sucker punch to my stomach.
“Don’t know why shit happens like this, baby,” I answer and press a kiss to the side of her head before turning her to face me. I reach up and grip her chin between my fingers and tilt her head back so that she’s looking at me.“But what I do know is that I fuckin’ love you, and I’m not about to let anyone get their hands on you.”
I watch the way Apricot parts her lips and takes in my words. “You love me?”
“Woman, I wouldn’t fuckin’ touch you if I didn’t. Fuck, I moved you into my house because that’s where I want you. More than that, I need you there.”
“But why have you been keeping your distance from me?”
I drop my hand down to curl around her waist, and I pull her flush against me. “Because I’m an asshole. Had a lotta shit on my mind, and I don’t want to ever see you hurt. Now, how about I get you home and into bed so I can fuck you the way I’ve been wanting to.”
“What about Justice?”
“I’ll get your folks to bring him home later,” I say, whispering the words against her lips before capturing them with my own.
CHAPTERTWENTY-THREE
APRICOT
“So, how are things doing?” Nevaeh asks from the other side of the counter, her elbows propped on the top of it with her head resting in her palms.
It’s been a week since Grimm moved me out of my townhouse and into his place. And in that time, so much has changed. Some of it feels wonderful, whereas other parts of it really suck. The very fact that my entire family kept a massive secret from me being one of those. I can understand for the most part and love them for wanting to protect me as they have, but it doesn’t mean they shouldn’t have told me at some point in my life.
Though Grimm still has his moments of being distant, he’s trying, and I get the reason he does what he does though he doesn’t push me away. Not really, he just seems to have a lot on his mind at times which is what makes him seem distant.
I inwardly shake away the thoughts and smile at Nevaeh. “Things are good. What about with you? How are you liking not working evenings at the restaurant?”
“It’s great. I love having my evenings open to be able to do whatever I want and not on a time crunch.”
I nod, understanding where she’s coming from. I’d worked part-time in the same restaurant the club owns during high school as a waitress to make money. I always looked forward to having time off to be able to hang with my friends. When I worked the weekends, it sucked since all I wanted to do was go out with my friends to parties.
The two of us converse while working and time seems to tick away faster than it ever has before. Between getting orders ready and customers flowing in and out, it hasn’t been boring, and my mind hasn’t had a chance to doubt or overthink things as I’ve been known to do. Especially where my relationship with Grimm is concerned.
He’d told me he loved a week ago, and it melted away the walls I’d intended to build up against him.
The chimes of the clock I’d gotten over the weekend start ringing as the time strikes three. Only another two hours until I close up shop, and I’m ready. Mainly because this evening, my parents are keeping Justice, and I get Grimm all to myself.
I make a spur-of-the-moment decision as I squeeze my thighs. I want more of what we had the other night, where he’d tied me to the bed, blindfolded me, and took his time to demonstrate all the way he loves me.I’m pulled from my thoughts by the bell over the door before I can get too deep into them. I stand and meet Nevaeh’s eyes. “Why don’t you go ahead and go for today?” I suggest. “I’m thinking since we’re caught up that we’ll close early today.”
“You sure?” she asks, glancing from me to the customer who’d come in. I follow suit seeing the elderly gentleman who’d been coming into the shop nearly every other day. He’d introduced himself as Mr. Pruitt.
“I’m sure.” I nod and go to greet Mr. Pruitt. “Are you looking at getting your usual order, Mr. Pruitt?” I ask and wave to Nevaeh as she leaves.
“Ahh, yes,” he says, his eyes wrinkling at the sides. “My love does enjoy receiving the flowers you put together.” The way he says ‘my love’ sends a chill down my spine. Not because he used those words but how they came across.
Nodding, I step away. “I’ll go ahead and get that order together for you.”
“Thank you, my dear.” He smiles, but this time, it’s not the same. Something overcomes his features.
I make my way over to the counter and reach for my phone. I barely get it unlocked before strong hands grip me from behind.
I jerk my head around, and my eyes widen at seeing a man I’ve seen on more than one occasion. I didn’t know the guy, but he always turns up in the same places as me.
“It’s time to cleanse you, my love,” he says and jerks his chin. “Lock the door and turn the lights out. We’re doing this here. I’m not wasting time.”
“As you wish, my Lord.” Mr. Pruitt bows his head and does as he’s told.
“Let me go.” I jerk against the guy’s hold and do my best to fight against him.
