Page 27 of Tempted to Love You
“Actually, she told me to tell you that you’ve met your quota for the day.”
Chuckling lowly, I fully enter the room and head toward the recliner adjacent to the couch where Mr. Revish sits.
“Imagine my seventy-year-old ass listening to my wife. I’m no child.” Mr. Revish waves me off with his free hand, causing me to laugh again because he subconsciously ashes the cigar in the ashtray on the table in front of him. “Is my baby upstairs?”
“No. I’m here alone.”
Wrinkles spread on Mr. Revish’s forehead, and his mouth tightens slightly as his eyes penetrate me intently.
“Is something wrong with Latia?”
“No, sir. I wanted to discuss something with you and didn’t want her to be privy to the conversation.” My heart rate increases, and my pulse races before a sigh escapes my mouth when the tension evaporates from Mr. Revish’s shoulders and uncertainty leaves his eyes.
“Let me tell you a story first.”
Sitting back against the couch, one leg comes up and rests against the other, and I incline my ears for whatever is coming next.
Silence stretches between us for countless seconds, making me wonder if Mr. Revish has forgotten what he wants to say. No matter how long he takes, I’m gonna sit here because I’m not leaving here without what I came for.
“When I first saw you entering that dinner party with my baby girl, all sorts of things went through my mind about you. You’re not like the typical men Latia has dated in the past, and something within your gait tells me that there are some rough edges within you. My wife and I had Latia late in life, so she has been our pride and joy her entire life. We’ve spoiled her and given her everything she’s ever wanted.” Mr. Revish pauses and momentarily disconnects his gaze from mine, leaving me to ponder the words he’s already spoken.
From the gray hair in Mrs. Revish’s full hair and the balding of Mr. Revish’s head, I had already determined their older in age compared to my parents.
“I see the fire in your eyes when you look at my daughter, so I can summarize the purpose of this visit, especially since Latia isn’t with you. I want you to understand that despite my seventy years of age, I will happily unload my twelve gauge into your narrow behind if a drop of moisture leaves my baby’s eyes. I’m not talking about happy tears, nor am I concerned about the sentence I’d face for removing your breath from your body. If you can ensure that my daughter will continue to be the happy, sweet, and thoughtful woman I raised her to be, then we’re good here.”
Mr. Revish’s words slam into my chest with a quiet authority that rattles my confidence while bringing a smile to my face. I hope to one day be the type of father who will threaten a man about my daughter while looking cool as a cucumber.
“Say less, Mr. Revish.”
“I’m glad we have an understanding. Now, let’s aggravate my wife a little more.”
Leaning forward, he picks up his cigar container and stretches it toward me. Once I have one, Mr. Revish grabs one and clips the end before lighting it.
My stomach is tight, and my lips are nearly stuck together from how long they’ve been pressed. Midway through the cigar I was partaking in with Mr. Revish, Latia called to tell me she’d made a decision. Static has been blocking my ability to hear since Latia asked me to come over so we could talk. Needing motivation to speak with Mr. Revish, my pocket is heavy with my intentions, making Latia’s call timely. While I wanted to plan something elaborate and intimate, the call has me about to wing it. Pulling into Latia’s visitor spot, I cut my vehicle’s engine and lay my head against the steering wheel.
“Okay. I got the blessing I needed. Now, I just need to say what’s in my heart. No matter Latia’s decision, I won’t be without her.” My chest tightens after speaking the last word, and pain has me taking a couple of cleansing breaths to ease the sting.
Five minutes later, I exit the vehicle, heading to the entrance with renewed confidence that I hope will carry me through this next conversation. Unlike the one with Mr. Revish, this one feels heavier, causing my shoulders to tighten and my back to tense with every step I take toward Latia’s apartment. My mind is swirling with varying scenarios—all of which are negative, causing melancholy to settle within me. Countless minutes later, I knocked at Latia’s door while holding my breath. This moment feels worse than the first night I spent in prison.
The sounds of the locks disengaging have me plastering on a fake smile that instantly becomes real upon Latia’s beaming countenance.
“Hey, baby. I missed you.”
Damn. This woman is my fucking everything.
“Not possible. Every second without you feels like a century of suffering.”
Leaning in, I kiss her softly, causing my dick to stir awake once I inhale whatever perfume still lingering on her.
“Aww, Kai.” Latia gushes, her cheeks flushing with a light red hue.
“Oh no. That name is reserved for your aunties. You’re gonna have to come up with something else.” Stepping back dramatically with bulging eyes, I smirk. I’m grateful that I no longer feel like I’m seconds from losing my bowels.
“Wow. That’s cold. Come in here before I change my mind.” Stepping into the apartment, I kiss her cheek and wave her off while I secure the door.
My phone vibrates, preventing me from following Latia, and I remove it from my pocket to see Grant’s name on the screen. Quickly unlocking the device, I open my text app and read the message.
Grant:So, what did she say? Or did you chicken out?*side eye emoji*
