Page 15

Being Head of IT was hectic, but I loved what I did.

All things dealing with computers and digital technology is my niche, and I pride myself on the fact that I can get through any digital wall of defense.

I was so into reviewing a new business contract that I barely noticed my newest guest until he finally spoke.

“Pretty flowers…” I jerked my head up at the sound of Chandler’s voice. “Mine pale in comparison.”

“Why are you here?” I asked as I leaned back in my desk chair. “Seems that I need to have a talk with Claire. She must have forgotten who she really works for.”

Leaning against the threshold with his hands in his slacks, I was disgusted at how good Chandler looked. His cream-colored shirt hugged his arms just right, and his slacks fit him as if they were tailor-made. While handsome, my body didn’t react to him as it did to Jordan.

“After not seeing me for a few days, I thought you’d be happy to see me.” He drew his eyes from my roses to the daisies in his hand and began walking further into the room.

“I guess you’ve finally resurfaced from your sexcapade,” I responded dryly as I crossed my arms. “Again… why are you here, Chandler?”

Seeing his jaw twitch, I could see what I said struck a nerve. He hates the way I talk to him, but I didn’t give two fucks. He doesn’t respect me in the slightest, so the feeling was mutual.

“Listen, we need to talk. We need to come to an understanding.” He eyed the flowers on my desk once more and handed me the ones he’d brought in. “Dinner tonight? Your place?”

After eyeing him for a beat, I gave in and accepted the flowers. Surprisingly, they smelled nice. “Fine. See you at eight?”

“Condo?” He raised his brow as he hovered over me. “I mean… I’m not good enough for the compound, right?”

Peering up at him, the way his eyes roamed over me didn’t go unnoticed. I know I looked good today in my silk blouse and pencil skirt. This ass was hard to hide regardless of what bottoms I wore. Smirking, I watched as his pupils dilated with lust.

“The compound is for family, Chandler. You’re not family. Hell, you’re barely a fiancé’.” Adjusting his collar, I smiled as I watched his glare simmer angrily. “You can come to the hoe pad since you treat me like I’m one of many. See ya tonight, boo.”

With that, I stood and walked over to my door, waiting for him to leave. I wasn’t in the mood to argue with him today.

Nodding slowly, he ran his fingers over the flowers from Jordan before kissing my cheek. “See you soon, love.”

Once he was gone, I closed my door, locking it behind me. Taking a deep breath, I fought a headache incoming. Between this engagement to a dick and my brothers fighting their duty to our lifestyle and their love for me, I could feel my sanity evaporating.

Hopefully, dinner tonight with Mr. Gourneau doesn’t completely push me over the ledge.

“You look good, baby.” Chandler pulled me into his arms and kissed my temple. I groaned as his hands slid down my body and cupped my ass. “It smells good in here.” Pushing me back at arm’s length, he eyed me suspiciously. “You didn’t cook, did you? If so, we can talk about our issues amicably.”

As much as I didn’t want to, I couldn’t help but laugh. I couldn’t cook to save my life, and I was okay with that. One day, I may learn, but as long as I have a ten-figure bank account, I’ll order out as much as I please.

“That would make things too easy.” I winked as I escorted him inside. “I know you love pasta, so I ordered from the Italian place up the street.” I glanced over my shoulder and found his eyes on my ass. “Is that okay?”

“Hell yeah, it is,” he murmured as he followed me into my kitchen. “Hey…” He grabbed my wrist and pulled me to him. “Give your man another hug.”

Rolling my eyes, I stood on my tiptoes before throwing my arms around his neck to hug him.

He was a few inches taller than my five-three frame, so he had to meet me halfway.

I couldn’t lie; it felt nice being wrapped in his strong arms, but the moment was ruined the second he gripped my ass again, rougher this time.

Pushing back slightly, he scowled at my movement.

“You know we’re not on that type of time.” I motioned for him to take a seat at the table while I plated his food. “Besides… we need to discuss your love for women before I even think about letting you touch me.”

I wasn’t a virgin, but my list of sexual partners was pretty much non-existent if I’m being honest. With brothers who have eyes everywhere, it was hard for me to live my life.

While I didn’t want to be a hoe, I wanted to be able to get certain itches scratched without my partner coming up missing.

During my short stint on campus at the university, I was able to lose my virginity.

Siah got what he wanted from me and tried to act as if I meant nothing to him.

Shortly after, he went missing and was never heard from again.

I didn’t mention what happened to my brothers, but I know I didn’t have to.

I’m sure they were the reason behind his disappearance, although I never bothered to confirm.

He chuckled as he thanked me for the food. “I hear you.” I watched him take a few bites before he continued, “How was your day?”

“It was fine once I stopped getting visitors.” I raised my brow, causing him to smirk. “I had so much stuff to do today that it made me consider taking a vacation. My girls are wives and mothers, so it’s hard for me to do that unless I go solo.”

I couldn’t remember the last time I went on a vacation, and it was past time I planned something for myself.

With Gabby being a full-time mother and Bridgette being newly pregnant, I wouldn’t feel right asking them to go anywhere.

Their husbands weren’t going to let them out of their sight, anyhow.

Virginia crossed my mind, but I hadn’t spoken to her in a year or so.

I wasn’t going to let her talk shit about my sisters and still be cool with her, fuck Ginny.

“Go on one, and I’ll pay for it,” Chandler interrupted my thoughts as he spoke with a mouth full of pasta. “My sister will go with you if you ask her.”

“So I can listen to her talk about how much she loves and misses my brother?” I rolled my eyes at the thought. “I think not.” That’s when an idea occurred. “Is that why you’re adamant about disrespecting me, Chandler? Is it because of how you think my brother did Star?”

Before and after his relationship with Ariana, Rosier had a thing going on with Chandler’s sister.

She was head over heels in love with Rosier, but he told her time after time it would never be more than a bout in the sheets.

He never courted her or lavished her with gifts, so I did not understand the disconnect.

She was the true definition of dickmatized, and it was sad to see.

“Like he did, Star, huh?” He smirked as he eyed me.

“You mean… treat you like a bitch that doesn’t mean shit to me?

” He chuckled humorlessly. “I’m a man, baby.

” He shrugged as if his reason was okay.

“You think you can hold out on me, and I won't get my needs fulfilled elsewhere? Like I told Rosier?—”

“You told my brother about our sex life!” I shrieked in embarrassment. “Why would you do that?”

“What sex life?” He chuckled as he continued to smack on the pasta. I wanted nothing more than to throw it in his face. “You’re not fuckin’ me, baby. You can’t get mad when someone else is.”

Was he right? Yes, but that doesn’t take away from how I feel. He has done nothing to make me feel wanted in this relationship, so why would I give him the most sacred parts of me?

“You don’t make this easy, Chandler.” I grabbed my glass of wine and took a seat across from him. My appetite was gone, and I was ready for him to leave. “Maybe we should just call this whole thing off. I will talk to Rosier and?—”

Crash!

Jumping from my seat, I was startled to see him throw his plate of food against the wall. Pulling my eyes from the food sliding down my wall back to him, I watched as he slowly stood from his seat, his chest heaving up and down.

“You will be my wife, and that’s final. Running to your brother won’t keep you from me, Noemi. We…” He gestured between the two of us, “Are getting married, whether you want to or not.”

“Why, Chandler?” I placed my glass back onto the table. The expression on his face was murderous, but that wasn’t going to deter me from speaking my mind. His little show gave me pause, but I was not scared of this nigga in the slightest. “You don’t want me.”

He smirked as he rounded the island and slowly walked my way.

“Oh, but I do. I want you more than you know. Eventually, you will want me too.” He reached out to stroke my cheek, and I stilled at the contact.

“You don’t want me fucking other women… give me what’s mine, Noemi.

” His eyes dropped to my cleavage spilling from my top.

“Until then, I will continue to drop dick off where I please. I admit… I could be a little more subtle about it.”

Shaking my head, I tried to remove myself from his embrace, but he held me tighter. Squinting my eyes, I looked where his hand was located on my arm and brought my eyes back to him.

“Let me go, Chandler,” I spoke slowly as I snatched it from him. This time, he let me go. “You will never grab me like that again, or I can promise you… that hand will be amputated. Are we clear on that?”

Smirking, he licked his lips as his eyes dropped from mine to my body.

“I got it, baby. Understand this, though… you’re mine.

Your body and everything else belong to me.

Rosier has no control over what I do within my marriage.

The sooner you two understand that you will become a Gourneau, the better.

” Putting space between us, he looked around to where the food landed. “You want to clean that up?”