Page 8 of Gaining the Heart of a Gemini (BLP Signs of Love #15)

“Wait, wait, wait. Explain this shit to me again, Klay,” my best friend, Carter, demanded, scooting to the edge of his seat.

“You heard me, man. I’m not repeating myself when I know your ass grasped every word I spoke.” Carter slid his hands down his face and loudly cackled. His belly contracted with each breath, and it took everything in me not to throw something from my desk. “What the fuck is so funny?”

“You, muthafucka. You’re really going to let Javier and Patrick ho you like that?”

I picked up my name plate and threw it at him, hitting him in the arm. “Fuck you, Carter. You know the last thing anybody will ever do is ho me. The situation isn’t ideal, but I fuck with Parrish.”

“I mean, I see why. She’s fine as hell and has some raw talent. I just don’t know if I can see things working out between the two of you.”

“And why is that?”

“You don’t let people in, Klay. You don’t truly give people a chance to get close to you. You only fuck with the people who are solidified in your life already.”

“You’re right, but if Parrish is going to be my wife, I don’t have a choice but to let her in.” I turned in my chair to look at the cameras.

Parrish was downstairs working, and I’d been keeping a close eye on her since I’d been here.

If she was going to be my wife, she wasn’t about to be working at Grove Shadows.

She could help me run my transporting company or strictly focus on whatever it was she desired to do in life.

The type of establishment I ran wasn’t one meant for my wife.

I was honestly surprised Patrick had allowed her to work there for as long as she did.

Carter bobbed his head in agreement. “You don’t, but are you? It’s been years since you’ve let anyone get close to you.”

“That’s because I’ve been running a business. The only shit I have time for is getting my dick wet when needed. With a wife, I won’t have to worry about the troubles of here.”

“You still didn’t answer my question.”

My eyes diverted to Carter, who stared at me intently through his round lenses. He knew me too well. After seventeen years of friendship, I didn’t expect anything less. Through it all, he never hesitated to call me out on my shit.

“I did answer your question, Carter. Just not in the way you wanted me to.”

Carter ran his hands over his freshly cut fade and sighed. “We’ll see how this shit goes.”

“We will.”

We left the conversation there. I went back to watching the cameras while Carter looked over a few things for me.

Parrish was maneuvering around the bar like a pro, and the men were eating it up.

There was a group of them in a corner booth.

All eyes were on her, so I put her on the big screen.

Carter looked at the screen then at me with a shake of his head.

“What are you doing, Klay?”

My eyes didn’t leave the screen as I quizzed, “What do you think I’m doing? I’m making sure Parrish is good. I have a feeling some shit is about to happen with those men in the corner booth.”

“You need me to go down there and scope shit out?”

“Nah. If anything happens, I’ll handle it myself. I need Parrish to know I’m here for her.”

“Let me find out you’re taking this seriously.”

“Why wouldn’t I be, Carter?”

“Because you don’t like being told what to do and how to do it. You like for things to run how you want them to.”

I chuckled and nodded. “You’re right. With this, I can have things go my way. From our lunch date the other day, I noticed Parrish is strong-willed, but I believe she will submit if treated properly.”

“That’s all you need.”

“Damn right.”

The lunch date with Parrish went well in my opinion.

I find it attractive how vocal she is, not afraid to express herself or how she feels.

The Gemini in me can be quiet and reserved when it comes to people who aren’t close to me.

I’m only open to people in my tight knit circle, and I was intrigued by how Parrish wasn’t afraid to attempt to break down my barrier.

As I continued to watch the cameras, I took note of how Parrish’s posture changed each time she attended the booth of men.

Her body was stiff. She absentmindedly scratched at her arm or leg.

Anytime one of them spoke to her, her neck slightly rolled whenever she replied. Parrish was growing agitated.

I got up from my seat just as one of the men rose to their feet and stepped to her.

In record speed, I was downstairs with Carter and security hot on my heels.

Their voices grew louder the closer we got to them, gaining the attention of others around them.

One of the security guards tried to intervene, but I shook my head and stepped in front of Parrish, who was pointing her finger in the man’s face.

“Get the fuck out,” I instructed in a low, even tone as I adjusted my sleeve.

The man’s body swayed from side to side. His low, red eyes sized me up, and he smirked at me. He glanced back at his friends who were all mugging me.

“I’m a paying customer, man. I’m not going anywhere. If anything, that bitch needs to leave.”

Never had I been a fan of men calling women out their names, but knowing he was talking about Parrish made my fingertips tingle.

My heart palpitated as I tried to keep my cool in front of everyone.

Disrespect was never tolerated, but I was also a businessman.

One thing my father and grandfather taught me was to handle certain shit behind closed doors.

“Carter?” I called out, and he stepped up beside me.

“What you need, Klay?”

“Take Ms. Wells up to my office while I speak to this gentleman.” Behind me, Parrish kissed her teeth.

Before she could rebuttal, I turned around to face her.

Our eyes met, and her body instantly relaxed.

I nodded toward Carter, for her to follow him.

To my surprise, she did so without uttering one word.

When she was gone, I motioned for Razor to come over and instructed him to follow me and the drunk. I led them to the bar where I told Loyal to close his tab.

The drunk looked back and forth between Loyal and me before stating, “I’m not done.”

“You are.”

“Who the fuck are you to tell me what I’m doing?”

“Oh, trust me. You’re going to find out.”

He walked up on me. The stench of his cheap cologne and alcohol seeped from his pores. I lowered my head, slowly gliding my tongue over my lips to keep from spazzing. He was pushing me to act out, but I had enough restraint not to.

“His card declined,” Loyal announced.

“Broke muthafucka. How much is his tab?”

“Two hundred and fifty dollars.”

I snapped my fingers, and Razor started searching the drunk’s pockets until he found his wallet. He handed it to Loyal.

“Swipe every card until I have all my money plus a hefty tip for Ms. Wells. Take him down to the basement for me, Razor. I’ll be there after I check in with Ms. Wells.”

The drunk’s words hit my back as I headed toward the elevator. He was a problem for later. For now, I needed to ensure Parrish was good.

Once I made it to my office, Parrish was pacing the floor while Carter scrolled through his phone.

When he noticed me, he got up, gave me dap, and left me alone with Parrish.

She stood there with her hands on her thick hips.

Her medium mahogany-colored eyes that were surrounded by long, wispy lashes were lowered.

The gloss coating her full, succulent lips looked delectable.

Silence engulfed us. I waited for her to speak as I assumed she did for me. Since neither of us said anything, I stalked over to my mini fridge and selected a bottle of whiskey. I rinsed out two glasses and poured us both some over ice.

“We can’t drink on the job. Your rules,” Parrish spoke as I held a glass out to her.

“You’re not working right now. You won’t be working here for much longer, so take it.”

Hesitantly, she did so. Over the rim of my glass, I watched the way her lips wrapped around it. The brown liquid slowly poured into her mouth, and I couldn’t help but wonder how I would feel in there. My lips or dick would suffice.

“What makes you think I won’t be working here much longer, Klay?”

“You’ll be my wife, Parrish. My wife will never work for me, only beside me.”

“But you won’t be the CEO anymore. My father will.”

I polished my drink off and went to pour more.

“Just because I won’t be the CEO doesn’t mean I won’t have my hands in Grove Shadows still.

As a Ramirez, I will always be a part of this.

Same goes for my sister, our children, their children, and so on.

So, as I stated, you won’t be working here much longer. ”

“You sound confident that I’ll be your wife.”

“Why wouldn’t I be?”

“What if this doesn’t work out, Klay? What if we don’t like each other?”

“I don’t see that happening.”

Parrish rolled her eyes and plopped down on the seat behind her. “Oh, really?”

“Yes, really. Quite frankly, I think we will vibe well together. Your mouth is smart as fuck, but it’s nothing I can’t handle.”

“My mouth is not smart.”

“Shittin’ me.”

A chuckle escaped my lips when Parrish bit back her smile. Once again, she flitted those sultry eyes toward her eyebrows and leaned back in the chair. Her leg crossed over the other, giving me a view of her small, pretty feet. White toes on black women would always be sexy to me.

After a moment of silence, Parrish expressed, “Thank you for intervening. He’d been talking reckless to me all night, and I was ready to lay his ass out.”

“It’s my job to protect you. I peeped game on how he was moving early. I probably sat back and watched too long.”

“You know, it’s not your job. Yet. I’m a big girl. I can handle my own.”

I took the seat across from her and set my glass down. “There’s no doubt in my mind that you can handle your own. You come from a strong family, but we’re about to enter a union sacred by God. We might not be there yet, but it’s not going to stop me from coming correct when it comes to you.”

“I see. Thank you.” I nodded my response, and she asked, “So, what’s going to happen to him?”

“Nothing for you to worry about. Just know he’s handled.”

“Let me go pop his ass in the mouth one good time.”

Her request caught me off guard. I briefly stared at her before my head flung back, and a throaty laugh escaped my lips. She joined me, fanning her face as her eyes became misty. Parrish was serious, which made it funnier.

I replied, “I’d let you, but I’d hate to end his life for retaliating.”

“Understood. So, tell me a few things about you, Klay.”

“I can give you a file on everything you need to know.”

“Nope. I want to hear it from you.”

“Like what?”

“When’s your birthday?”

“June 4 th .”

She waved her finger at me. “Ah. A Gemini. That explains it.”

“Explains what?”

“Why you show people two different personalities.”

I hunched my shoulders. “I don’t know about all that shit, but I’m simply me. You get what I give you, and that depends on what you give me.”

Parrish uncrossed her legs and scooted to the edge of her seat.

I watched as her nails scratched the back of her hand.

With her lips mushed together, she studied me, taking me in from the curls on my head to the shoes on my feet.

When she brought her gaze back up to my face, she tipped her head to the side and gave me a close-lipped smile. “And what do I give you?”

“If you keep looking at me like that, you’re going to give yourself some problems I don’t think you’re quite ready for.”

“How am I looking at you, Klay?”

“Like you want me to bend you over this seat and fuck you until your sweet nectar is dripping down my shaft and your legs feel like Jell-O.” I leaned forward with my arms resting on my thighs. “Is that what you want, mami?”

“You’re a freak, aren’t you?”

“I can show you better than I can tell you.”

Her mouth was slightly agape. For a moment, her eyes bore into mine as if she was considering. She picked up her drink and polished it off before standing up. “I think I should get back to work.”

“Take the rest of the day off. I don’t need anyone else trying to disrespect you. I’ll call Bentley to let him know you’re leaving.”

“Uh, no. I’m finishing my shift. I need my money, Klay.”

“Enlighten me. How much do you take home in tips each shift?”

“Why?”

“Don’t be stubborn. Answer the question.”

“Anywhere between four to five hundred.”

I got up and went over to my safe. After punching in my code, I grabbed three stacks and closed it. I walked back over to Parrish, who adamantly shook her head.

“I’m not taking that,” she expressed.

“Did I ask you?”

“I don’t give a fuck what you did. You can’t buy me, Klay.”

“Oh, is that what you think this is? You got shit twisted, mami. I’m doing what I should do.

I’m looking out for you. I’m taking care of you.

Now, take this money. I’ll let your manager know you’re off the schedule until I say so.

” Gently, I placed the money in her hands.

Parrish’s eyes expanded, and I chortled.

“Don’t act like money impresses you. Your father has been connected to us for years. This is chump change to all of us.”

“Just because he’s seen it doesn’t mean I have. Speaking of fathers, how’s Javier?”

My legs glided me back over to my mini fridge. Instead of pouring whiskey in my glass, I took a shot straight from my bottle. I leaned against the wall, avoiding Parrish’s gaze. “You’re good to go. Bentley will be waiting for you out back.”

“Klay.”

“I’ll see you later, Parrish.”

Finally, I looked at her. The sympathetic stare she gave me was what I wanted to avoid. I despised when people felt sorry for me. I despised when people asked me about Papi. It always changed my mood, leaving me to yearn to be alone.

Parrish headed toward the door. With her hand on the knob, she turned around and stated, “I get you’re processing, but if we’re truly going to go through with the marriage, you can’t shut me out, Klay.

If I’m going to be your wife, you must give me all of you, or I don’t want this shit. You must let me be there for you.”

With that, she left, leaving me to marinate in her words and my unwanted emotions.