Chapter Ten
Kylie
“Things seem to be better between you and Remy.”
Kylie looked up from the book she was reading and smiled a bit shyly at Emelise’s comment. “They are. I owe you an apology. Well, you and Lily. You both told me, repeatedly, that Remy was nothing like Ezra and I kept brushing you off. I’m sorry for being so…obstinate about it. You were right. Remy and Ezra are as different as night and day.”
“You don’t have to apologize, Kylie. You went through hell and you were scared. It made perfect sense that you’d be leery of trusting someone else so soon after getting out of such a bad situation.”
“You don’t know all of it.”
Emelise blinked. “What do you mean?”
Kylie closed her book and sighed. She’d had no trouble telling Remy but for some reason it was harder to tell Emelise. “Ezra…my body didn’t belong to me, as far as he was concerned. I wasn’t allowed to say no. To anything.”
Emelise stared at her for several seconds. “Oh, gods, Kylie.” She went to her and hugged her. “You…that…that bastard deserves to be flayed alive for what he did to you. You deserve so much better than that.”
Kylie smiled a little. “Thanks. For the longest time, I told myself that was how relationships were. It was how I coped with it.” She bit her lip a moment. “Remy knows. Everything. I had a bit of an emotional breakdown during our dinner date and he held me while I cried. I felt…safe in his arms. The last time I felt that way was before my dad died.”
“That explains you two sleeping out under the stars.” Emelise sat back in her chair before she continued. “That feeling of safety, that’s what it means to find your mate. They make you feel safe, happy, loved…desired. They fill every need you have, even ones you didn’t know you had.”
“I’m beginning to see that. I’ve been thinking about what you said, about going back to school. I’ve decided to look into it. I really would love to be a teacher and…it’s time I stop letting the past control me.”
“That’s the spirit. Whatever you need, you just say the word, girl, and it’s yours. We’ll help you out every way we can.”
“Thanks, Eme.” She wrinkled her nose at the time. “I need to be getting dressed for work. Remy’s bringing his replacement into the club tonight. Are you coming in or are you letting Lily handle running it tonight?”
“I’ll be in later. Caine and I are taking little Miss Hailey shopping and then out to dinner. She is so excited about starting preschool tomorrow.”
“That little girl is absolutely adorable and it’s easy to see she has you two wrapped around her little finger.”
“That she does.” Emelise laughed. “I’ll catch you later at the club.”
“Oh, are we still on for lunch tomorrow, me, you, Lily, and Shelli?”
“Of course. I wouldn’t miss it. You girls can help me get over my little girl growing up,” she replied and sniffled as if she was crying.
Kylie laughed. “Just wait until your twins are ready to go off to school. “
“Girl, bite your tongue!”
Kylie snickered and went to get ready for work. She was looking forward to seeing Remy even if it was his last night working at the club.
Remy
Remy had a few things to take care of and as a result, he was a bit later getting to the club than he’d planned. He’d wanted to give Caleb ample time to get a feel for the place before the doors opened, but that wasn’t going to happen. As he approached, he watched Caleb push off the wall where he was leaning.
“Yo, took you long enough to get here. What the hell did you do, walk from the bayou?”
Remy flipped him off with a chuckle. “Had some work to finish up first. You’ll be workin’ da VIP Lounge. While it’s important you keep an eye on ever’one, I especially want you to keep an eye on my mate, make sure no one threatens her.”
“Your mate? Well, hell, Remy, congratulations. Is there a specific reason you think someone might threaten her?”
“She has an ex dat liked to hit women. She gets a little skittish sometimes.”
“Fuck. Tell me you beat his ass?”
“He’s not from here, but if he ever gets stupid and shows his face around here, beatin’ his ass isn’t da only ting I’ll do to him.” The growl that trickled out of Remy would make even the bravest of men shiver.
