Page 59 of Mister President

I nodded my agreement as I wrote down everything he said.

“What did you plan on doing with the studio?”

“I want to keep it until I have a bigger building. Ideally, I want something with several rooms so I can have classes and events there. I was also thinking about keeping a room empty that can be rented for events and dance classes that other people wanted to host.”

“That’s a good idea. You know my broker license is still active, so I can help you find a building.”

“That would be great. I was thinking about going to the Tate brothers in Memphis for the loan. That was actually why I went to Memphis a while back.”

The twisted-up expression he gave me made me laugh.

“The fuck you need a loan for?”

“I got money, but I can’t afford to get a building. Plus, I don’t want to use my own money for any of this.”

“Nor do I expect you to. I’m going to invest in you and give you the money.”

My head and heart dropped immediately. When I came up with the idea for him to help me, I wasn’t including financially. This was my dream, and I wanted to do as much of it as I could myself. I wasn’t a fool though. I knew there was only so much I could do, especially with my baby, my team, and going back to school. If I burned myself out too much, I wouldn’t be able to truly enjoy the journey to my dream destination.

“Elias, I never meant for you to fund any of this.”

“Can we have a sidebar on why it’s so hard for you to take money from me unless it’s for EJ, your house, or dancing?”

With a sigh, I nodded as I twiddled my thumbs. “I was raised to see money as control unless it was earned. Mama used to always say, regardless of how much money a man made, I needed to always have my own. She said men were stingy and used money as control. I never wanted to be in a situation where a man felt I owed him or would stay with him longer than I needed to because of the money he gave me.

“When I would randomly dance for you and you gave me money, I was cool with that because I earned it. And EJ is just as much your responsibility as mine. But just randomly giving me money for the hell of it?” My head shook. “I’ve never felt comfortable with that.”

The low scoff he released turned into a hum. “The damage your mama did to you.” His hand wrapped around my neck, and he used it to pull me close. After kissing my forehead three times, he released me. “First, I would never use money to control you. Money to me is a resource. I use it to get what I need andwhat those I love or care about need. Hell, anyone in need. When it comes to you, you’re like a gift from God to me. That makes you my responsibility. So just like you expect me to take care of EJ, I need you to expect me to take care of you too.

“As a man, it’s truly my pleasure and nature to provide for you. The more I can do for you, the better I can treat you, the better I feel about myself. So, if you want to look at it as you helping me out, do that, but please…let me care for you.”

“You know I’ve taken care of myself since I was eighteen,” I muttered, catching a tear before it could fall.

“And I know you have to be tired too. Let me take some of that weight off your shoulders, Mandy. Let me take care of you.”

That only made me cry harder as I nodded. Elias pulled me into his arms, giving me the care and comfort my tired soul needed. Yes, I had no problem being independent and taking care of myself. That was safe, because I knew if I couldn’t depend on anyone else—I couldalwaystake care of myself. But I couldn’t lie and say Elias hadn’t been a formidable, trustworthy, dependable staple in my life since he bombarded his way into it. I also couldn’t lie and say it didn’t feel good to have him offer to take care of me. I was going to try my very hardest to let him do just that.

34

Elias

It was family day,and I’d had the time of my life watching Mandy and EJ bowl. All three of us were competitive, and none of us wanted to lose. As we pigged out on his favorite food, pizza, we talked major trash for all three games.

I didn’t want it to be over, but I also didn’t want to be up under Amanda for too long. We’d spent all last week together, so I’d been trying to give her space this week so she could miss me and want me just as much as I wanted her.

Things were different between us now. If nothing else came from our time apart while I was with Fiona, at least now we were more open and transparent with each other. I would be lying if I said her going back to school and wanting to do something positive with her life wasn’t a big part of it, but that wasn’t it.

Amanda was more feminine now in the ways that mattered most. Yeah, she always looked good and kept herself up, but her feminine qualities were shining more and more—the warmth, the softness, the sensitivity and vulnerability, the nurturing, theempathy, the care—all that shit was sexy as fuck. It made me fall in love with her all over again.

It wasn’t lost on me that I’d made it clear we couldn’t be together again, but it also wasn’t lost on me that I’d made it clear she was mine. I wasn’t sure how that shit worked but it worked. My heart wanted me to actively pursue her, but I knew we needed to take things slow. Right now, spending time with EJ and working on her business plan brought us closer, and I was grateful for that.

Still, I couldn’t stop myself from asking, “Did you mean it when you said you wanted something real with me?” as I walked to her door.

“Yes, but I’m kind of over it now. That was what, almost three months ago? It’s taken some time, but I’ve accepted the fact that I took having you for granted. You’ll probably always be the one that got away.”

“I’m not though. I’m still here.”

Her smile…

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