Page 7 of Gaining the Heart of a Gemini (BLP Signs of Love #15)

“You’re excused.” The corner of Klay’s soft pink lips drew up into a smirk.

“And I’m not saying that because I want you to leave.

I’m saying that because you’re a grown ass woman and can do as you please.

The way I process shit isn’t the way you do.

I’m a communicator as well but in my own way. Ask me anything, and I’ll engage.”

“So you’re telling me I need to do all the talking?”

“You won’t be doing all the talking if I respond, right?”

Underneath the table, my nails were traveling up and down my pants. “Smart ass.”

For the first time, Klay smiled, showing off those beautifully aligned teeth of his.

He picked up his fork and ate some of his salad, so I did the same.

We ate in a comfortable silence until our main course came out.

We were served medium well steak, garlic mashed potatoes, and roasted asparagus with homemade sweet yeast rolls.

She poured us more champagne, asked if we needed anything, and disappeared.

The steak nearly melted in my mouth. I closed my eyes, savoring the flavors. “Oh, this is wonderful.”

“It is.” Klay agreed, eating a forkful of mashed potatoes. “It’s one reason I stay in the gym. My chefs throw down with anything they get their hands on.”

“Do they cook for you every day?”

“Almost. Sometimes, I want my mama’s cooking.”

“How is she? I haven’t seen her in a while.”

“She’s managing like the rest of us.”

The atmosphere changed. I sensed Klay was processing again because he remained quiet until his plate was cleared, studying me while I ate. Not wanting him to get too lost in his thoughts, I decided to bring up the elephant in the room.

I dabbed the sides of my mouth with my napkin and questioned, “How do you feel about this arrangement our fathers have set up for us?”

Klay pushed his plate away and leaned on the table with his forearms. He tipped his head to the side and swiped his tongue over his lips. “A part of me is pissed about the entire situation.”

“Why?”

“Because neither of us were consulted about it before they signed our lives away on the fuckin’ dotted lines.”

“And the other part of you?”

“The other part of me is relieved it’s you.

Even though I don’t know you like I’d want to know my wife, I’m familiar with you.

You’re not a stranger, and I know you’re a good woman, Parrish.

As I stated before, you’re pretty as fuck.

You’re no longer the young girl I’ve seen around the way, so I’m anxious to see if I’ll get to know every inch of you, mami. What about you?”

My cheeks burned. It was a good thing my skin was dark, and my blush was popping, or Klay would’ve been able to see how hard his words made me blush.

The way his words rolled off his tongue with the hint of his Hispanic roots was sexy as hell.

I ate some asparagus to gather myself before speaking again.

“I’ve never been so upset with my father and brothers. Never in my life have I gone this long without speaking to them, especially my father, but I can’t wrap my mind around the fact he’d pawn me.”

“Pawn?”

“Isn’t that what I said?”

Klay chuckled. “Keep talking to me out the side of your neck. I like that shit.”

Once again, he had me blushing. I lowered my head and slowly exhaled. “Whatever.”

“Why do you feel like a pawn, mami?”

“Why shouldn’t I? I’m only in this to appease you and my father. I don’t get shit out of it.”

“You get me.”

“We don’t know each other, Klay. I’m supposed to uproot my life so you can be free, and my father can have power. How am I benefited in this?”

“Once you learn me, you’ll see how. I may be able to step down, but don’t forget I’m being forced into this arrangement too. From the jump, I realized how you would be lacking benefits from this, so I’m working on making some shit happen for you to feel differently. I’m not selfish.”

“I never said you were.”

“I know.” Klay tapped his temple with his fingers. “But I know you’re probably thinking it.”

He was right.

The thought crossed my mind a few times. It was bizarre to me how he would receive something out the marriage, but I wouldn’t. To know he thought of me ahead of time gave me some relief. Maybe, just maybe, things wouldn’t be as bad as I thought they would.

“Why do you want to step down, Klay?”

“Because the Shadows was something else I was forced into. It wasn’t the dream I had for myself, but the dream the men in my family instilled in me. It’s been like this for generations, and I’m going to be the one to break it.”

“I can respect that.”

Dessert came out, and it was a delicious piece of key lime pie. It was one of my favorite desserts. A moan escaped my lips after the first bite.

“I figured you’d enjoy it.”

I peered at him with a hiked brow. “Oh, really?”

“Yes. Patrick told me it was your favorite, so I wanted to be sure you got it.”

“Thank you, Klay.”

“De nada, mami.”

My perspective of Klay had shifted a little. He was like a puzzle I wanted to figure out. The thought of marrying him still didn’t sit well with me, but honestly, I was looking forward to getting to know him better.