Page 13 of Protector Book Boyfriend

As I sit here, on the hood of my car on the land I hope to build a home on one day, I stare out into the night sky and feel his presence before I see him. He walks up to me silently and wraps his arms around me, pulling me close. In this very moment, all my fears and insecurities melt away. I hear Asa whisper softly in my ear, “You are safe with me. I just wanted to tell you that.”

“Always?” I ask.

“Always.”

“Nia needs a good role model. Not another loose cannon,” I insist.

“I know, and... I can be that for her. But you can’t expect me to apologize for being the type of man that will do anything to protect you,” Asa says. “I’ve known you half my life, Porsha, and I’ve loved you for as long as I can remember.”

He lifts my hand to his chest and places it over his heart. “This is yours. I’m yours. I won’t have it any other way.”

I lean into Asa’s comforting embrace, feeling the steady beat of his heart beneath my trembling hand. The moonlight casts a soft glow over us, illuminating the depth of emotion in his eyes. I realize despite all the chaos and pain of my past; I’ve found solace in his love.

Tears well up in my eyes as I search his gaze, finding nothing but sincerity and devotion staring back at me. I take a deep breath, feeling the heat of that devotion enveloping me.

“Asa,” I whisper, my voice breathy. “I never knew... I never realized...”

He silences me with a tender kiss, his lips soft against mine.

“I will never let anyone hurt you again,” Asa murmurs against my lips. “I will protect you with everything I have for as long as I have.”

One year later

It took a year, but I’m finally ready to build on the land of my dreams. Standing on the edge of my new acreage, I can’t believe how far I’ve come. Asa is by my side, along with his dad, Mr. Baxter, and Zahara. We’re overseeing the clearing of the land, and I am so grateful to have all of them as a support system.

In this past year, I’ve found investors who genuinely have my best interests and the best interests of my jewelry company at heart. Despite my ex-husband refusing to sell his ten percent of the company back to me, Asa and the other investors have helped keep him at a distance. He’s no longer trying to buy any more of my equity and I haven’t seen him in person for a year. He sends gifts to Nia for holidays and birthdays and occasionally talks to her over FaceTime, but he’s mostly an absent father.

I watch as Nia plays nearby. She’s happy and thriving, and that’s all that matters. Asa and I have been taking things slow, but our relationship is moving perfectly. He’s patient, kind, and everything I could have ever hoped for.

Mr. Baxter gives me a nod of approval as the workers start their machines. “You’ve done good, Porsha. This place is going to be something special.”

“Thank you, Mr. Baxter,” I say. “I couldn’t have done it without all of you.”

Zahara walks over, wiping her brow. “Look at you, building your dream home. I’m so proud of you, girl.”

I smile, hugging her.

“I’m proud of us. Your brokerage is popping, and we’re both making our dreams come true.”

We high-five before I offer my bestie a little advice. “Now all my girl needs is consistent dick in her life,” I tease. Zahara snatches her hand away from mine and gives me a look that says don’t even try it, but I continue. “Seriously, I want you to be just as happy as I am, chick.” She smiles halfheartedly.

“Well, if he has any single friends—maybe. I don’t know,” she says. “I’m so busy building my empire—I barely have time to cook.”

Asa comes up beside me, slipping his hand into mine.

“Ready to see it all come together?”

“Absolutely,” I say, squeezing his hand. “I’m so grateful I took a chance with that dating agency.”

“I know,” he shakes his head. “When Sable and I signed up, I only did it so she wouldn’t feel self-conscience about it. I never thought anything would actually come from it.”

“How’s Sable doing, anyway?” I ask. “I haven’t seen her in a while.”

I suspect she’s been keeping her distance from Asa these days, and I know that’s been hard for him. They’ve been best friends since I moved to Houston back in the day, and any woman can tell when another woman is interested in her man. I don’t fault Sable or hold any grudges against her because of her feelings for Asa. The heart wants what it wants. It just sucks that her heart is probably breaking right now.

Asa squeezes my hand. “Sable’s... good. I hope.”

Their friendship is a sore subject we quickly move on from.

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