Remy
Remy stared at the ceiling for hours, waiting for Mikel to come back to his bed. She must have drifted off at some point, waking to an empty spot beside her. She searched around the room for any sign that he’d returned. She sat, rubbing the sleep from her eyes before grabbing her phone.
No texts. No missed calls. Nothing.
Worry tightened her chest.
Remy tapped the screen to call him just as the sound of deep voices rumbled from outside the door. She jumped out of bed and hurriedly pulled her clothes on from the night before. She had never done the walk of shame, but right now that was the least of her concerns.
She made her way down the stairs to the kitchen where Mikel sat drinking a cup of coffee, talking with Bently.
“I still can’t believe you two are together. It’s weird seeing Dre’s little sister coming down the stairs, knowing she’s been in your bed all night,” Bently teased his younger brother. Mikel’s smile faltered as he turned to face her.
Her legs wobbled with uncertainty and she held her breath. How was he going to react? How should she respond?
Mikel walked over before putting his arm around her shoulders and kissing her cheek. He smelled like coffee with a hint of cigarette smoke. She winced.
“Well, get used to it, brother, ’cause she’s definitely stayin’.” Mikel smirked.
His eyes were glassy and bloodshot. But that was probably from the lack of sleep … or had he used? He seemed okay. Was it best to pretend like nothing had happened? She’d follow his lead. “If I am going to stick around, I better get a change of clothes. I don’t think this dress is gonna work for my shift at the bakery.” She forced a smile, hoping it masked her worry.
“You looked pretty great in my shirt last night,” he teased.
“Okay, that’s enough. I’ve had my fill of young love to last me a lifetime,” Bently interjected holding out his hand in protest.
“He’s just jealous,” Mikel said as two women she didn’t recognize came down the stairs.
“Good morning.” The redhead smiled, eying the door.
Bently walked over, stopping to smirk at Mikel and whisper, “I’m not sure I have anything to be jealous about.”
Remy was awestruck as Bently wrapped his arms around both women and led them out.
“Did they …?” she whispered as they exited the house.
“I didn’t think he had it in him.” Mikel laughed.
A pang of jealous curiosity prickled in her chest. “Would you ever want to do that?”
He turned back to her, his gaze heated. “You’re the only woman I want in my bed.”
She let out a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding in relief. “I was worried when you didn’t come back last night.”
He drew in a deep breath. “I’m sorry. I just needed to clear my head. I’m feeling a lot better now. I apologize again about last night. It was reckless.”
“Well, teen pregnancy isn’t high on my to-do list, but it wouldn’t be the end of the world.” She laughed, hoping to set him at ease and let him know she was in this for the long haul.
Panic flashed in his eyes, his body tense and rigid. “But you’re on the pill, right?”
She nodded, obviously the humor had been ill-chosen. “I’ve been on the pill since I was sixteen. In fact, I just got a new prescription—switched over to a different kind that’s supposed to be a smidge more effective.”
He nodded vigorously as he exhaled and wrapped his arm around her. “That’s good because I can’t … we can’t have any more accidents like that. It’s too much of a risk.”
Unease slithered over her, coating her in caution. He had a lot going on in his life, dealing with his issues. She was too young, about to go to college and start a business in the next couple years. A baby would not be ideal, but it would be something they’d created together—a part of him growing inside her. Couldn’t he see that it might not be all bad?
“Let’s get you home to change before your shift at the bakery,” he said.
His kiss put all her concerns out of her mind. She grabbed his shirt and pulled him into her. “Maybe we have time for a quickie before we go?” she asked, needing to feel connected with him and erase the upset of the last several hours.
He smirked. “You want me again?”
“I want you all the time.” She kissed his neck, her cheeks heating with her confession.
He chuckled, low and deep, sending shivers tingling through her. “You can have anything your little heart desires,” he said, as the smooth Mikel took her hand and led her back up the stairs to his room.
* * *
The feel of his strong grip wrapped around her hand as they pounded the hammer against the nail jolted her body. The hard hat he’d insisted she wear barely fit over her goddess braids. It was cute how much he worried about her.
It had been almost a week since he’d left in the middle of the night. Since then, he’d withdrawn from her. Remy was hoping that today would change all that.
The room smelled like fresh-cut wood. Sawdust floated through the air as Andre trimmed a few pieces down to size. The whine of the blade shut off, so they could hear each other once again.
“Now we have to make sure these pieces are flush before we connect them,” Mikel said, motioning to the corner where the two lengths of wood joined. The flannel shirt he wore was folded to his elbows, showing off his sinewy forearms.
His stare bore into her, her eyes meeting his amused expression. What was he saying again?
“Don’t keep looking at me like that. I won’t get any work done.” His voice was all gravelly.
She smiled. She loved that she had this effect on him. “Sorry, boss. Show me how you like to nail again.” It was bold of her to be openly flirting like this, especially with Andre nearby. But she couldn’t resist. She’d have to remember to thank Emma for all those euphemisms someday.
Mikel shook his head and leaned to growl in her ear, sending shivers down her spine. “You’re gonna pay for that later.”
“Come on! At this pace, we won’t finish before Christmas,” Andre whined.
“It’s all Remy’s fault. She’s distracting me,” Mikel teased and gave her a wink.
“Hey. I’m here to help.” She held up her hands and hoped she was giving her big brother her most innocent expression.
“Then get to it,” Andre said.
“Yes, sir.” Remy mock-saluted.
“Hold this piece here,” Mikel directed. She wrapped her fingers around the soft pale wood. He lined up the nail and drove it all the way in with just a few powerful strokes. Watching him in the zone was fascinating—the way his body moved confidently, never second-guessing as he connected the pieces, checking his carefully crafted blueprint from time to time. She admired the way he fit in the tan Carhartt pants and scuffed work boots. Something about the sight of a hardworking man—her man—had her insides tied up in knots with need. How did she get so lucky that this man wanted her? That he loved her?
She followed directions, holding pieces, hammering, and using the screw gun. As much as her brother loved construction, she hadn’t known the first thing about it—until today.
“Here, drive this in,” Mikel said, holding what she now knew was a sixteen-penny nail. She lifted the hammer, much more confident after they’d been at it for hours, and swung. The tool hit its mark with a clang.
“Oww!” Mikel screamed, pulling his hand away to his chest quickly. Fear and shock held her like a vise as her hands slapped across her face to cover the panicked O of her mouth. The hammer clattered to the floor.
“I’m so sorry! Let me see,” she said, gingerly reaching towards his shoulder. He flinched away, his shoulders slumped over and shaking.
“Is it broken?” Andre asked.
Oh crap! Had she broken his finger? Horror at what she’d done brought fresh tears to her eyes. “I’m so sorry, baby.”
Mikel’s shoulders were heaving up and down now as he made a rumbling noise. Is he … laughing?
Mikel sat up, holding his stomach as he doubled over in hilarity. “I got you! Ohhh, you should have seen your face.”
Relief flooded over her. “You are terrible.” She wiped tears from her eyes. “I thought I really hurt you. I’m never hammering anything ever again. You … big … meanie!”
Mikel’s arms wrapped around her as he held her in a bear hug. She feigned trying to get away before she relaxed back into the warmth of his embrace. There is nowhere else I’d rather be.
“I’m sorry, honey. You gotta admit it was funny. Just wanted to keep you on your toes.”
Remy shook her head and glanced over to Andre who was grinning. “Were you in on this?”
“Ahhh, Rem, it’s all part of being a rookie on the jobsite. Now you’ve officially been welcomed onto our crew,” her brother said, pulling a measuring tape from his tool belt.
“Part of your crew, huh? So, I get wages as your first employee?”
Andre scoffed, taking a pencil from behind his ear. “I wouldn’t go that far.”
Mikel kissed her cheek.
“No more teasing me. You scared me to death.” She searched his face for confirmation.
“Alright, no more scaring you; you have my word,” he agreed. “Just one more thing, Remy?”
“Yeah?”
“Can you get the board stretcher from my truck?” Mikel asked, deviousness flashing in his eyes.
Andre burst out laughing.
What is so funny? She placed a quick peck on his lips before she stood. “Of course I can. What’s it look like?”