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He tilted my chin, made me meet his eyes as he lowered his mouth until I could feel the warmth of his minty breath against my lips.
"You know you gon’ be mine,milaya."
His lips came closer, but I turned my head in the millisecond before they touched mine. His kiss landed against my cheek. He just chuckled as he kissed my jawline and my neck. I bit back a moan.
"What does that word mean? That word you keep calling me," I asked, pushing my face against his shirt again.
His arms tightened around me and it took him a minute to answer.
"It's something my sneaky ass father calls my mama. I can't stand the nigga, but he loves her," he explained.
"But what does it mean?" I pressed, tilting my head way back.
He looked down at me, his thumb stroking my chin.
"It means you are so valuable to me, so precious, my darling one, baby."
My heart seemed to stop for a minute as I inhaled sharply at his words. When it picked up its beat, it was all over the damn place.
Whew, somebody better come get this man!I prayed. Thankfully, God was still in the prayer-answering business because Calanthe came out of the house right then.
"Em said come on. Y'all about to leave," she announced as I moved Targen's arm.
I speed-walked into the house, meeting my family in the living room. Em took one look at me and frowned.
"What's wrong with you? Face just as red... never mind."
She looked over my shoulder just as I heard Targen's unhurried steps behind me. I blushed even harder. Pip smirked but didn't say anything.
"Where's Everly?" I asked, desperate to change the subject.
"Chyle, that's the question on everybody's mind. Probably got delayed," Em said dryly, glaring at Real.
He looked unbothered, lounging on the baby blue couch and sipping from a bottle of water.
"Don't start, baby," Prime said.
He wrapped an arm around her as he dropped a kiss on her forehead.
"Fine. I won't," she muttered. "Everly! You about to get left!"
"Girl, y'all ain't going nowhere without me. I?—"
She kept talking, but I don't think anyone was paying her any attention.
Our eyes had moved to Real, who had stood from his seat when she strolled in. He was looking at her like the sun shined from her. Ev was always beautiful, but she did look particularly gorgeous. She wore a shimmery cream jumpsuit that I loved. Made with golden threads woven throughout, it was sleeveless and wide-legged, with a deep v-neck that highlighted her generous cleavage. She wore it with thick gold hoops and a chunky gold bracelet. It was a sophisticated, sexy look. Her eyes were made up just enough to emphasize their size and tilt, not too much. It was her lips that brought the drama, covered in a deep red shade that popped against her flawless, matte foundation.
Real seemed stunned, his eyes and his expression confirming what we all already knew--something more was going on between them that Everly refused to acknowledge. Even Emory whispered a soft, "Oh," when she saw his face.
Everly finally stopped fussing and read the room. She looked at Real and a blush tinged her face even as she rolled her eyes at him.
"It's impolite to stare, Montréal," she popped, scowling.
Real smiled at her. "I never claimed to be polite, Love."
I watchedas the Miller crew exited the Stone House, my eyes lingering on Theory. She and Everly were the last of the women out as Prime waited by the door. Theory looked over one silky shoulder and gave us a small smile.
"See y'all later," she said.