Page 10 of Gaining the Heart of a Gemini (BLP Signs of Love #15)

“I had to sit with my father while he received his treatment. He slept majority of the time, which is unusual. He’s usually up for at least half of it, but today, he couldn’t keep his eyes open.”

Javier was a sensitive subject for Klay, so I carefully thought about what to say next. “What kind of treatments does he receive?”

“It’s something one of the doctors came up with. Papi is basically an experiment, but I don’t think things are working.”

Klay stroked his goatee as he stared out the window. Even though the sun was shining down on him, illuminating his bronze skin, I could see the dark cloud of emotions hovering over him. There was a far-off look in his eyes. While I didn’t think he’d come right out and say it, I felt Klay drowning.

I reached over and grabbed his free hand. His body tensed. He looked from my hand to my face. I offered him a warm, reassuring smile, and eventually, he relaxed. Our fingers intertwined, and we continued the remainder of the ride in a comfortable silence.

We arrived at Joey’s. The establishment was packed, but the hostess led us to a small room in the back corner of the restaurant.

We could see everyone and everything around us.

The view was amazing. The sun was setting, and the sky was different hues of orange and purple.

It reflected off the lake as well. I snapped a few pictures as the waitress came over with a bottle of champagne.

“Have you been here before?” I asked Klay as I eyed the red and white decorum.

“This is one of my parents’ favorite date night spots. Papi suggested I bring you here, and I see why. It’s nice as hell.”

“That, it is. I looked at the menu before I came.”

“Do you know what you want?”

My head swayed from side to side. “No. It’s all so expensive, but the selection is nice.”

“Get whatever you want. You want to split two appetizers?”

“Sure.” Klay called the waitress over and ordered some chargrilled oysters and spinach dip. I nodded my approval. “Good choices.”

“You can never go wrong with those two.” He grabbed his glass and sat back in his seat, intently eyeing me. “You’re beautiful, mami.”

“Why must you make a girl blush?”

“I’m keeping it real with you. Tell me, have you ever been in love before?”

His question caught me off guard. Thankfully, the waitress came over with our appetizers to give me some time to gather my words. Klay blessed the food and fixed me a small plate.

Both appetizers were delicious, but the spinach dip had to be my favorite. It was warm and gooey, and the pita chips were the perfect pairing. I took a few bites before cleaning the sides of my mouth.

I spread the spare napkin over my lap and finally replied, “Yes, I have. Have you?”

“No.”

“Why doesn’t that surprise me?”

“You tell me. You don’t think I’m capable of loving someone?”

“Actually, I do. I’m slowly learning you, Klay. So far, you’ve shown me that you’re attentive, protective, and giving. Your caring nature would win any woman over. You have some great qualities, but you’re also reserved. You don’t trust people easily, do you?”

“With the business I’m in, you learn how to handle people. Trust is something you earn from a person. I’ve seen too much shit to trust any and everyone.”

“Do you think you could trust me?”

Klay stared at me, biting the corner of his lip. His brow was slightly raised as he thought about my question. “Yes, I do.”

“Do you think you could love me?”

“I should be the one asking you that. You seem easy to love, mami. Me, on the other hand, I can be hard to deal with.”

“Isn’t everyone?”

“You’re right.” Klay chortled.

The waitress came back over to refill our glasses and take our orders. I went with the smoked salmon alfredo, and Klay ordered lamb chops. Once the waitress whisked away, I found Klay staring at me again.

Whenever he stared at me, it wasn’t weird or anything.

It was almost like he was admiring me. The intensity of it made my chest rise and fall rapidly.

It made my center throb, wondering how it would be for him to stare at me while we fucked.

With those eyes and his demeanor, I could bet he’d have me releasing back-to-back.

It’d been too long since I’d been handled properly.

After Trent and I broke up, I vowed to myself not to give it up to just anyone.

Sex connected people through their souls.

The level of connection was too deep to be sharing it with just anyone.

I’d given too much of myself away to men who didn’t matter, so I wanted to move differently. I wanted to protect myself.

With Trent, I trusted him. I gave him all of me, thinking he was different. I thought he was the one, but his cheating ass had me fooled.

The clinking of my fork against my plate broke me from my thoughts. I set it down, looked at Klay’s handsome self, and asked, “Why do you feel like you’re hard to love?”

“Because outside of my family, I’ve never been loved. Plus, I’m not easy to get to open up. It takes a special person to do so, and I hadn’t come across that person until you.”

“Me?”

Klay nodded his response.

“How so?”

“The fact I know we’re to be married makes me want to give you parts of me I wouldn’t give anyone else.

The shit is far from easy, but my sister has been pushing me to step out my comfort zone with you.

She told me to treat you the way I treat her and our mom.

I took that shit to heart because I don’t play when it comes to them, and I’m beginning to be the same way about you. ”

His confession almost left me speechless. I brushed a loose strand of hair from my face and inquired, “Have you ever made yourself available to be loved?”

Klay’s lips curved upward, and he shrugged. “I’ve never had the time to. Between running two businesses and Papi’s health, I hardly have time to fuckin’ breathe.”

“So who’s taking care of you?”

“Myself.”

“You need someone outside of yourself. Depending on yourself like others depend on you doesn’t get you anywhere.

It leaves you drained and uncapable of being able to fully receive what you need from others.

You need someone to love you, Klay. Someone who can give eighty when you can only give twenty.

It’s a different type of balance, but it’s a healthy one with the right person. ”

For a moment, Klay stopped eating. He blankly stared at his plate before raising his head to look at me. Without hesitation, he asked, “Are you going to be the one to love me, mami?”

“What if I told you I was scared to fall in love again?”

“He must’ve hurt you, huh?”

Briefly, I closed my lids and nodded. “He did. I poured so much into him, only for him to shit on me all those years. And the fact I’m around him at work doesn’t sit well with me, but I’ve learned to deal with it.”

“He works at Grove Shadows?” Klay interrogated, brow raised.

“Yes.”

Klay clicked his tongue. “I got you.”

And I believed him. It was a bit scary how quickly I was beginning to trust Klay. My guard would remain up, but the more time I spent with him, the more I was open to our arrangement.