Page 29

King

I thought the first night I kissed Gabby might have been one of the best of my life.

Now, I’m convinced today is the best day.

Spending the day spoiling her and then taking her out to dinner was so damn good.

Better than that, it was easy. Hell, it was so fucking easy that it felt like it’s something I need to be doing for the rest of my life—and I mean need .

As in, if I didn’t have this for the rest of my life, nothing would ever satisfy me.

That’s some heavy shit. It’s shit I never imagined feeling. You didn’t grow up the way I did and imagine being blessed with that feeling. I grew up knowing what I wanted and set about to create it. I don’t have to create anything with Gabby. This shit comes as natural as breathing.

“Are you ready to go tear up the casino now?” I ask her once dinner is over, and I pay the check.

“What would you do if I suggested we go back to the room and veg out in front of the television?” she suggests, looking at me nervously.

If I didn’t know she really needs to learn to pull herself out of the cage she’s put herself in, I’d agree.

I can’t do that. It is now my job to make sure Gabby starts living again and finding the woman she’s turning into.

I want a life with her and it’s up to me to guide her back to the land of the living, because if there’s one thing I know, Gabby’s hiding.

“I’d tell you we will do that.”

“Really?” she asks, her face practically lighting up. It’s almost enough to make me give in. Almost.

“Right after we waste some money in the casino,” I add.

She rolls her eyes. “I’ll play slots, but I’m not doing anything else. Numbers make my head hurt. I’m not smart enough for all that.”

I stand up, taking our joined hands and pulling her up with me. Once she’s up, I spin her around gently, squeezing her hand in mine right before I slap it down on the table.

“What did I tell you, Sunshine?”

“King, you wouldn’t,” she hisses. There’s no fear in her voice, though, and that’s more satisfying than I could explain.

“I warned you, baby,” I whisper close to her ear, making sure to squeeze our hands once more.

“Remember, I’m your safe place,” I add, dropping my voice even more.

It’s barely a breath against her ear. I know she hears me though by the swift intake of breath and the way her body pushes back against me with a slow quiver.

“We’re in the middle of a restaurant, King. You can’t?—”

Before she can finish, I bring my hand down on her ass, spanking her. It’s gentler than I want, but she relaxes into my touch as I rub the sting away. That is until she hears the woman in the booth across from us.

“Oh my God! Reggie, call the manager over here. Did you see what he just did? He accosted that woman. It’s disgusting.”

“Didn’t look disgusting to me. I thought it was hot,” the man answers. I think I like old Reggie.

“Well, I’m sickened. That kind of thing doesn’t belong here—or anywhere really,” the woman insists.

I turn Gabby around, trying not to laugh.

“I know you’re sickened, Margo. That’s why we never have sex.”

At that, I lose it and throw my head back and laugh. “I hate you,” Gabby hisses.

“King?” a voice to my left says.

My back straightens as tension fills by body.

My hand tightens on Gabby’s so tight I know I’m probably hurting her, but I can’t seem to let go.

That’s because the woman saying my name is a voice I never wanted to hear again in my life.

I force myself to turn around, although I keep Gabby close to me—as if somehow I can absorb the calm that she gives me. God knows I need it now.

“Shelby.”

When I say her name, I hear Gabby’s slightly indrawn breath. Then she surprises me by curling into my side and squeezing my hand.

“What are you doing here?” Shelby asks.

I let my gaze move over her. I don’t know what I expected, but she hasn’t changed.

If anything, she’s gotten prettier. Shelby was always beautiful.

As I look closer, I can see the changes.

You can see the subtle body changes. Her hips are fuller, breasts—which were full last time—are bigger.

It looks good on her, and maybe I’d tell her that if she hadn’t treated me like shit.

“It’s a public place, Shelby,” I finally answer.

My gaze rakes to the man standing beside her.

They’re standing close, but his hand is not on her.

Of course, Shelby always marched in a room like she owned it.

She didn’t need a man to take her lead. It’s then I realize Shelby never wanted a man who took charge.

She didn’t want protected. Like a stupid fucking fool, I waded in trying to give her and her family a good life—one I couldn’t give my mother.

“Still as sweet as ever,” Shelby huffs.

“I’m not doing this with you. I’m having a good fucking night with my woman. I don’t need this.”

“Good to know you haven’t changed. Still making scenes in public, cursing, and acting like a neanderthal.”

It’s stupid, I know it is. I don’t love her.

At this point, I’ve been wondering why I even tried with her.

I can see clearly that who I thought she was, is definitely not who she is.

The man she wanted is clearly not me. That doesn’t bother me.

Still, her words do wound something inside of me.

I guess the kid who felt dirty and never good enough still lives inside me somewhere.

If that doesn’t make me sound like a pussy, I don’t know what would.

“Stop it,” Gabby hisses, and it’s then I realize her entire body is vibrating with emotion. Her hand is squeezing mine so tight that it surprises me she has that strength in her. “I don’t know you. I don’t know the road you’re traveling?—”

“I’m—”

“I don’t care to know,” Gabby snaps, her voice sounding like steel when Shelby tries to interrupt her.

“What I do know is that King is the best man I’ve ever met?—”

“Sunshine,” I whisper, her words hitting me with the force of a hammer, but sweet at the same time.

“I was married to him. I believe I know better than some?—”

“You may have married him, but you didn’t allow yourself to know him.

If you did, you wouldn’t be beside the guy you’re with.

You’d be on your knees thanking God for having King’s devotion, because that’s what he does.

He devotes himself to the woman he claims. I would like to thank you, though.

Because if you hadn’t made your choices, I would never have known in my entire life the magnificence of being completely and totally safe with a good man. ”

“Good,” she scoffs.

“Yes. Good. Trust me, I know . I know the difference. King is good down to the damn bone. He gives his all. He’s driven to care and protect because that’s who he is. That’s who life has made him to be, and that’s what he gives to people he cares about.”

“Sunshine, don’t. It’s not worth it.”

“It is,” she insists, turning to focus her attention on me.

There’s so much emotion on her face that it feels like I could drown in it.

Tears are shining in her eyes, not quite breaking free.

One of her hands is still in mine, but the other is grasping my shirt as she steps into me.

“ It is ,” she whispers again. “I won’t have her saying anything against you.

No one gets to say anything bad about you.

I won’t allow it. You’re beautiful inside and out, King. ”

“This is ridiculous. Let’s go, Sean,” I hear Shelby say, but my focus is on Gabby.

“You’re right, it is ridiculous,” she agrees, her attention going back to focus on Shelby.

“King puts in long hours rebuilding his family’s property that was destroyed by floods.

It’s a hundred degrees during the day lately, and yet he still does it.

That’s after he gets up at the crack of dawn, making sure me and our jellybean have a good breakfast. It doesn’t matter his work is more taxing than mine.

The very minute I come home, there’s dinner waiting for me to eat.

He puts my feet in his lap and massages them.

He talks to the child I’m carrying just to tell him or her about his day.

He does all of this and expects nothing! All of it!”

“You’re pregnant?” Shelby hisses. “I can’t believe you! Is this one of those club girls you cheated on me with? You knocked up some little whor?—”

“Man, you claimed her as yours before she even had my ring off her finger. You control her now, or swear to God, it won’t go well for any of us,” I bite out, and notice he grabs Shelby, pressing his fingers into her stomach and hiding her mostly behind him—at least what she will allow.

“And you, bitch. Who in the hell do you think you are? You’ve just had this man’s kid and you’re yelling at me because my old lady is pregnant?

I didn’t touch another woman—not once—until after our divorce was final.

You can’t say that shit. Hell, I still thought you were coming home to me when you’d already moved in with this guy.

So, save your shit.” I dismiss Shelby, who is hissing, muttering and griping to her new man.

She’s not worth my time anymore. I don’t guess she ever was.

The promise of her lured me. I shake my head.

“Come on, Sunshine, let’s go. I suddenly have the powerful urge to let your light shine all over me and wash away the shit we’ve been wading through here. ”

Gabby goes up on the tips of her toes and presses her lips against mine. “Okay, King.”

I look in her eyes for a minute, then lead her away.

My heart is beating hard against my chest. I don’t know if Gabby realizes the steps she’s made tonight, but she’s claimed me and there’s no going back.

She has all of me now and she’s going to take me, and she’ll have to accept it.

I’m not giving her a choice. To use her own words, that’s the kind of man I am, and that’s exactly who she needs.

She needs me almost as much as I need her.