Page 108

He was completely remorseless. I threw up my hands and made an exasperated noise. But deep down, the fact that part of his anger was because he felt my safety had been threatened made something inside me smile.
After a quick shower, I dressed in black leggings and a black tee that fell off one shoulder. It had the word "Nurse" printed on the front three times in different colors. My favorite Chuck Taylors adorned my feet. I pulled my hair into a ponytail, my spiral curls doing their own thing. Moisturizer, a little mascara, and lip gloss were the only things to grace my face. And still, Real's eyes were ravenous when they swept over me. I managed to make it out my door and to the foot of the stairs before he caught me. He swung me around in his arms, pressing kisses along my nose and cheeks before his warm, supple lips dropped to my exposed shoulder.
"Real..." I murmured, working hard to keep the need he was igniting out of my voice. "What are you doing?"
His mouth moved to the curve where my shoulder met my neck; his next words were muffled.
"So fuckin' pretty when you all natural, Love. These freckles... yo' hair..."
His hand tugged on my ponytail, tilting my head back. His mouth hovered right above mine, then lowered. I turned my head slightly.
"That's not what I mean," I whispered. "What are you doing here? Why are you being so possessive? Why did you whisper that in my ear last night?"
That whisper... I'd called him an annoying ass man.
"I'm gon' be yo' man,"his deep voice had rasped against my ear.
I shook my head at the memory.
"We don't... Reallll..."
I whimpered a protest as he nipped and suckled along my jawline, the heat and suction of his mouth making the area between my thighs jealous. His mouth was my Kryptonite, I swear.
"Fuck them rules. I told you that. I'on know what the fuck I'm doing. I'm beingforyou; I'm beingwithyou."
My eyes widened. "No! We can't?—"
"Shut up," he growled before stealing a kiss so deep, I knew he swallowed my moan.
"Take y'all nasty asses right back in the room!" Theory popped off.
Shit, Real was fucking with my head so bad, I hadn't even heard them come down the stairs. Theory smirked at me and I felt my skin heat. Mid-blush, I realized this heffa couldn't talk about me, though.
"Theory... you... you're glittering!" I squealed, feeling the grin steal over my face.
Her eyes swept low and her cheeks reddened, only highlighting the subtle glittery sheen in her blush. Her gloss also carried a telltale trace, but I noticed it most on her arms, which meant she'd used her favorite lotion. Theory hadn't glittered in forever. It was one of her trademarks because she was just that kind of woman—glittery and bubbly and bright. I wanted to cry and laugh and hug her, but I settled for grinning at her like I was silly. Ms. Lady had some explaining to do about how this scarred giant had her feeling.
"Oh, Targen! You're glittering, too!" Real said in a high-pitched voice, indicating the glitter on Targen's cheek where she'd obviously kissed him. I smacked his chest.
"You're being annoying, Montréal."
Targen frowned at Real as he rubbed his face, only spreading the evidence.
"You're not gonna get it off that easy. They call that stuff craft herpes. It's impossible to get rid of," I said. "But get used to it. You'll glitter plenty around my cousin," I finished.
"Everly Love!" Theory snapped.
The big man scowled at me.
"Shorty, I don't fucking glitter," he growled.
I looked at him sympathetically.
"Oh, honey..." I sighed.
He'd learn.
We took one of their trucks to the grocery store. Despite Targen's Piggly-Wiggly crack, we had a regional grocery store called Ruvan Foods, a meat market, and a little mom and pop shop that brought in a few gourmet items, too. At Ruvan, Theory and I split the list that wasn't too long, and she and Targen headed one way while Real and I headed another. I watched as he put quite a few items in the cart.