Page 6 of Gaining the Heart of a Gemini (BLP Signs of Love #15)

The Meeting.

I couldn’t believe how my life was changing.

Since my birthday, I hadn’t uttered one word to my father.

I deemed it the hardest thing I’d ever done, but I truly had nothing to say to him.

My anger and disappointment wouldn’t allow me to.

Not only that, but I hadn’t spoken to my brothers either.

They blew my phone up daily, demanding I hear them out.

My mother was the only person in my family I cared to talk to, and even she was getting on my nerves, trying to get me to reconcile things. I simply wasn’t ready.

With my phone propped up on my dresser, I video called Loyal to see if she approved of my outfit. I studied myself, wondering if my outfit was too much.

Loyal answered and immediately whistled. “Damn, Parrish. You look damn good, friend.”

“Do I? Are you sure I’m not doing too much?”

I spun around to give her a better view of my outfit.

High-waisted, dark wash jeans covered my thick thighs and pudgy stomach.

The off-the-shoulder white crop top had my breasts sitting up nicely and paired well with my white strappy heels.

My gold accessories set it off as well as my makeup.

I usually had a full face, but I decided to keep it light and cute.

The gold eyeshadow and chocolate lip were chef’s kiss.

Loyal shook her head. “No. You’re not doing enough in my opinion. You know how to put that shit on, but I understand you’re trying to keep it light.”

“Exactly. All this has me feeling awkward, Loyal. What is my life right now?” I picked up my mini fan and held it in front of my face to keep my tears from falling.

My makeup looked too good for me to ruin it with unwanted emotions.

I’d cried more than normal lately, and I hated it.

Like my mother, I could be overly emotional about things, but I felt this time was warranted.

“Don’t do that to me, Parrie. You know I need to love on you when you cry. I know all this is hard, but it might not be the worst thing. From what I know, Klay isn’t a bad guy.”

“It’s not even about him. It’s about my family. My daddy. He’s changing my life to oversee Grove Shadows. He’s doing it to get more power than he already has. It makes me view him differently.”

“I understand. You have every right to feel the way you do. Take the time and space you need from him and your brothers. They’ll be okay.”

I sighed. “You’re right. It just doesn’t sit well with me.”

My phone vibrated against the dresser. I picked it up to see a text from Klay, informing me the car he’d sent had arrived, and he’d be waiting for me at my destination.

I quickly replied before letting Loyal know I’d call her later to fill her in on everything.

After looking myself over in the mirror one last time, I grabbed my clutch and headed out.

Security was waiting for me at my front door, while the driver stood outside of the truck and waited for me to get in.

“Is all this necessary?” I mumbled underneath my breath.

“You’re precious cargo to Mr. Ramirez. As the future Mrs. Ramirez, it is extremely necessary,” the security replied without looking at me.

He was a big, burly man, standing at least six feet five and thick all over. A cap was low over his eyes, but I could see they were dark and mysterious. His light skin was covered in all-black, giving him the cliché look of a guard.

Before I climbed in the truck, I asked him and the driver, “What are your names?”

“Bentley. Nice to meet you, Parrish.” The driver answered, tipping his hat toward me.

“Jake. I’m your personal security, Ms. Wells.”

My nose scrunched. “Personal security?”

“Yes. Mr. Ramirez has a whole team assigned to you. It’ll take some getting used to, but we will take good care of you. Now, get inside before we’re late.”

I opened and closed my mouth, then did as I was told. My mind was blown. Klay and I hadn’t even talked, and he was already making decisions about me. It was low-key a turn on. Everyone knew he was a man of power, but he was showing me in a different way.

The drive to our destination was quiet, so I scrolled through my phone to pass time while texting Loyal. When the truck came to a stop, I looked up to see we were at a gate.

“Where are we, Jake?” I asked.

He peered at me through the rearview mirror and responded, “Mr. Ramirez’s home. Your future home.”

“Why are we here? I thought we were having lunch.”

“You are. One thing you’ll learn about him is that he’s very private.”

“I see.”

As we drove up the driveway, I rolled the heavily tinted window down to get a better view of things.

I was in awe of how stunning and spacious the land was.

The greenery was a sight to see. Beautiful oak trees and assortments of flowers were spread throughout the well-kept lawn.

Off in the far corner, I spotted a fire pit with black furniture surrounding it.

There was a small weed garden close to it, and I figured it was probably one of Klay’s favorite places.

Klay’s house was immaculate. It gave more of a contemporary style. The black against the white looked good.

Bentley got out and opened the door for me. I thanked him and followed Jake to the front door. When he opened it, I was surprised to see Klay standing there, waiting for me.

I’d seen Klay around the Shadows from time to time, but it had been a while since I’d been in his personal space.

Was it bad the sight of him made my pussy throb?

Every day, I came across fine men, but there was something about Klay Ramirez that had me wanting to bend it over for him right then and there. No conversation needed.

He stood there with his tattooed hands resting in front of him as those captivating amber eyes seared through me.

The navy button-up shirt clinging to his muscular frame was buttoned up halfway, giving me a view of how inked his body was.

I ran my tongue along the inside of my bottom lip, silently wishing I could trace each line on his body, especially the ones on his neck.

Slowly, Klay stepped to me. His cologne was divine.

I couldn’t quite make out the brand, but I got hints of citrus and tobacco with a little weed.

We engaged in a stare down. Not one word was spoken between us for a minute.

I wasn’t quite sure if he thought he was intimidating me or what, but I didn’t back down.

My eyes intently remained on him. The only thing Klay was doing was turning me on.

Finally, he broke the silence and demanded, “Follow me.”

Without waiting for me to respond, he turned around and ventured deeper into his home.

I glanced back at Jake who smirked and nodded his head.

I exhaled and trailed behind Klay, watching the sway of his back as he stood tall with each step he took.

Confidence oozed from him, and it wasn’t overbearing. It was just right.

“Oh, this is beautiful,” I stated as we entered his dining room.

A large table sat in the middle of the beautifully decorated room.

The walls were white with gold accents. On the biggest wall, a grand picture of the Ramirez family was positioned perfectly in the center.

The other walls held pictures of the split cultures.

To the left of the table, there were double doors that led outside to another dining area covered to keep the bugs out.

The view was gorgeous, overlooking a lake I didn’t see when I first arrived.

Klay pulled my chair out for me without speaking. The second my ass hit the seat, someone came out to fill my glass with champagne. I thanked her, then took a small sip. Klay leaned over and whispered something in her ear, and she swiftly left the room.

“How are you, Parrish?”

“I’m well, and yourself?”

“Processing.”

I snorted. “Yeah, me too. Your home is lovely, Klay.”

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

Why was it so awkward? His silence and short answers bothered me. Klay hadn’t spoken much, but his eyes hadn’t left me once. He leaned back in his seat with his glass resting in his hands. I tossed my hair over my shoulder and stared out the doors to avoid his glare.

The server came back in with a fresh house salad and dressing. She placed a plate in front of us, easing some of the rising tension in the room, but not for long. Slowly, I was becoming frustrated. The situation was weird enough, and Klay wasn’t making it any better.

I stabbed my fork in the salad, then side-eyed Klay. “Are you going to speak or keep staring at me?”

“Does it matter?”

“It does. If you got something to say, say it. Don’t bite your tongue for me.”

Klay leaned up and massaged his beard. “I don’t bite my tongue for any muthafucka, Parrish.

I’m staring at you because you’re pretty as fuck.

You always have been, and it’s taking everything in me to be a gentleman and keep my hands to myself.

I respect you and your family too much to handle you how my thoughts are begging me to.

Also, I don’t know you well. You’re basically a stranger in my home. That shit doesn’t sit well with me.”

“Then why bring me here, Klay?”

“Because I don’t need everyone in our business. I told you I was processing shit, so let me do that without you getting offended.”

I dropped my fork and crossed my arms. Klay’s eyes immediately dropped to my breasts then back up to my face.

“Look, Klay. You’re not the only one processing. You’re not the only one being forced into this marriage. I am as well, so my feelings are to be considered in all this as well. I’m not with all this silent and staring shit. I’m a communicator. Let’s talk about it, or I can leave.”

“If you want to leave, you know where the door is.”

“Excuse me?”