Confusion, shame, and disappointment filled me. I couldn’t believe that he had hit that guy, but I also felt the shame of them linking us together. I worried what it would do to his reputation. As much as I enjoyed time with my family, I wished I had never returned.
“I’m sorry, Dove. I should have made separate arrangements.”
“No. I’m the one who’s sorry.”
“What are you apologizing for?”
“For allowing myself to become separated from you. You had just told me to stick close to you, but the reporter?—”
“Was an asshole! You have nothing to apologize for. Should’ve beaten the brakes off that nigga,” he complained.
“No, you shouldn’t have.”
“Gahdamn! This is all my fault. I could have avoided this by going another route.”
“What could you have done differently?”
“I should’ve made separate arrangements for your travel. You shouldn’t have had to go through that bullshit. Didn’t wantyou to see that side of me.” He paced back and forth before he stopped and asked me for the dozenth time, “Are you okay?”
“Yes, Reigh. Are you okay?”
He shook his head. “Hell nah. I’ve worked years to keep my temper under control, but I’ll never be okay with anyone attacking you. I won’t sit back and let nann nigga say the shit that he said or thinking he could put his hands on you. Hell nah!” he exploded, punching the air.
“Reigh, it’s okay.”
“No, the fuck it ain’t, Dove!”
I jumped off the couch and grabbed his arms. “Stop! That’s enough. We’re safe, and we’re here together. I’m worried about what damage that just did to your reputation.”
“You think I give a fuck about that when some nigga just disrespected you?”
I grabbed his hands and stared into his eyes. “You mean the world to me, Reigh. I need you to calm down. I can’t be okay unless you’re okay. You’re the one who matters to me. You matter more to me than anyone in this world.”
He searched my eyes, and he moved my arms from his wrists. He stared at me and inhaled deeply. “Are you still in love with him?”
“No.” I sighed with resignation.
“Are you sure?”
I nodded. “He broke me, and I’m not sure that I can be put together again. So, no, I don’t love him,” I confessed as he reached up and cupped my face.
“Let me try.” Reighvyn lowered his head, brushed his lips against mine, and then in the sweetest, most passionate way, he claimed my lips. “I’m sorry. So sorry,” he repeated between kisses.
I broke away from the kiss and rested my forehead against his. I pressed my hands on the sides of his face as I spoke. “Idon’t want to hurt you, Reigh. As much as I care about you, I’m damaged goods, and I don’t want to damage you or hurt your career. Being affiliated with me clearly isn’t a good thing. You will always be what I need, but I’m not sure that I’m what you need right now.”
“You are the only thing I need, beautiful. If all the title belts, my wealth, and reputation were taken away today, and I was left with nothing, that shit wouldn’t mean a damn thing. As long as I have you, Dove, I have everything.”
“I might hurt you.”
“Let me prove you wrong.”
I locked my arms around his neck and pressed my body against his. Reighvyn lifted me into his powerful arms and carried me to my bedroom. Not once did we pull away from the kiss that grew more heated and frenzied the closer to my room we got.
By the time that we arrived, I had discarded my T-shirt. When I slid out of his arms, I unbuttoned my shorts and wiggled out of them and my panties. When I stood before him in nothing but a bra, I whispered, “No regrets?” as I reached for his shirt.
He gripped my fingers and stared into my eyes. “I ain’t got time for awkward shit, Dove.”
“I want you, Reigh.”
