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“And what about you? You’ll protect me from the world, who will protect me from you?”
And me from you…
“I will never cause you physical harm. You have my word. This is where we have to rely on trust, loyalty, and respect. Trust that you can depend on me to be your protector, loyalty to each other, and respect for the vows we take. Like I said, without those three things we won’t survive.”
My gaze was stern and unwavering. She didn’t have to fear me, ever. But as for her emotional wellbeing, that was a promise I didn’t make. So I wouldn’t.
“Trust, loyalty, and respect,” she said with conviction but her eyes didn’t hold that same confidence. Truthfully, I couldn’t blame her.
EIGHT
cress
“Elias Omari?”
“Yes.”
“ThisElias Omari?”
She held up her phone and I scooted forward on the sofa to get a better look at her phone. Once verifying the person on her screen was my future husband I nodded and she sat back, swiping her phone.
“Does he still look like this?” She lifted the device into view for me once more and I was blessed with a photo of Elias shirtless on screen sitting next to his brother. Both men had their legs submerged into the pool. Collier Braxton was below Ezekiel inside the aqua blue water with her arms draped over Ezekiel’s thigh. He wasn’t focused on her and was instead looking at Elias. Both men had expansive smiles on their faces, caught in the moment unguarded. I remember that day. We were all in college, home celebrating the 4thof July our senior year. There was a cookout and pool party at Clea Sims’s house. Elias hardly ever spent time with the rest of us but that day he was there.
“Let me see…”
I lifted, careful not to spill my wine while I reached for Trini’s phone. Once I sank back into my spot I placed the device on the arm of the sofa and swiped through the photos which were posted on Clea’s Instagram page. They were from almost ten years ago but Elias still looked the same. He had more weight on his body than he did back then. But the same beard, low cut waves, and insanely beautiful face.
“Well…”
“Yes, the same but different.”
“What does that even mean?” She snatched her phone back, slumping in the armchair that matched the sofa I was on and tossing her legs over the side so her feet dangled near the arm of the corner I was in.
“He’s older now. His face is more mature and he has more tattoos. They’re everywhere.”
“Everywhere?” She lifted a brow and a smirk curved her lips. “You’ve seen him naked?”
“No, perv. They’re on his arms, hands, and neck. I can only assume they cover all of him.”
“You don’t have to assume shit. If you’re supposed to marry the man, then you have the right to sample the goods before you say I do and clearly you’re not a virgin so you’re not holding out until marriage. The threesome we had senior year confirms you’ve already popped that cherry so what’s the problem.”
“I have no idea why I’m friends with you.”
She laughed, rolling her eyes. “Because no one understands you better than I do. Now answer the question. Why haven’t you fucked yet?”
Because I haven’t seen him in a week.
Wait no.
Because I have no plans on sleeping with him. No matter how fine he is and shit was he fine.
“The marriage is Christian’s thing. It’s not like we met, fell in love, and decided on a happily ever after.”
“So what. Have you seen him? I’d fuck the shit out of this Elias and the new and improved one.” She paused and narrowed her eyes. “Unless you’re lying and he’s no longer fuckable.”
“He’s fuckable.”
“Then make this make sense for me.”
