“That’s exactly what you’re doing.” She points accusingly at me. “I have a life to close out. A job to quit. People to talk to. And you can either come with me and behave like a grown man, or you can stay here and pout by yourself. But I’m going to town today whether you like it or not.”
The anger drains out of me as quickly as it came.
She’s right. She’s absolutely right, and I’m being an ass.
“Imani.” I reach for her, and the relief that washes through me when she doesn’t pull away is embarrassing. “I’m sorry.”
“You should be.”
“I am. I’m being ridiculous and possessive and unfair.” I pull her closer, wrapping my arms around her. “I’m sorry. I just... I’ve never had this before. Someone who’s mine. Someone I don’t want to let out of my sight. It makes me crazy.”
“I’ve noticed.” But her voice is softer now, some of the anger fading. “You can be crazy. You can be possessive. But you can’t be an asshole about it.”
“You’re right.”
“I know I’m right.”
“I’m sorry.” I press my forehead to hers. “Forgive me?”
“Hmm.” She pretends to think about it. “I don’t know. That was pretty bad.”
“I’ll make it up to you.”
“How?”
“However you want.” I kiss her nose. “I’ll go to town. I’ll behave. I’ll be nice to Derrick.”
“Nice might be pushing it.”
“I’ll be civil to Derrick.”
“Better.” She pulls back to look at me, her expression evaluating. “And you’ll stop being snippy every time his name comes up?”
“I’ll try.”
“Tolin.”
“I’ll stop. I promise.” I cup her face in my hands. “I’m sorry. I was an ass. You’re not a possession, and you have every right to handle your own business. I’ll support you, not get in your way.”
She studies me for a long moment, then sighs. “Fine. You’re forgiven.”
“That easy?”
“That easy because I love watching you grovel.” She grins. “Also because we have a lot to do today and I don’t have time to stay mad at you.”
I kiss her properly then, deep and slow, trying to show her what I can’t put into words. She melts into me, her hands fisting in my shirt, and for a moment I forget about town and Derrick and everything else.
Then she pulls back, slightly breathless.
“Nice try.” She nudges me. “But we’re still going.”
“I know.”
“Get your keys. Let’s go.”
The drive into town takes about forty minutes. Imani holds my hand the whole way, her thumb stroking my knuckles, keeping me grounded.
I’m still not happy about this. But I’m keeping my mouth shut and my attitude in check, because she was right. I can’t be an asshole just because I don’t want to share her with the world.
