Page 17 of To Love and Protect
“Love me like you always have,” Nico replied.
Joyce turned to Remedie. “You’ll have to excuse my son. He doesn’t do anything half-assed. And he definitely ain’t brought a girl home to mama before. You must be somethin’ a lil special if he brought you ’round.”
Nico loved the way Remedie blushed when she got a compliment or too much attention. He watched her squirm as he held her hand tighter.
“I’m not really sure what to say,” Remedie finally muttered.
Joyce’s eyes crinkled at the corners as she offered Remedie a soft smile. “Don’t say a thing. And don’t let this man bully you into nothin’ you don’t want to do. You sure you want to be his personal chef? If you don’t, tell me now so I can talk some sense into him.”
“N-no! I mean yes, I do. I actually need this job. I’m thankful that he gave it to me.” Remedie glanced at Nico nervously. He thought it was cute that she was nervous about fucking up this job. She had no idea she could have told his mama that she didn’t want the job, and she would still have a damn job with him if she wanted it. She could burn down his house trying to cook him some eggs, and she wouldstillhave a job.
Joyce looked between Nico and Remedie before nodding knowingly. “Okay, baby. Just remember what I said. Don’t let this man bully you. I think I have him a bit spoiled. He’s used to having his way. That don’t mean you can’t have a say.”
“I appreciate the advice.” Remedie smiled graciously, and Nico’s heart felt like it wanted to belt out a K-Ci and JoJo song.
“Come on, baby. Let’s finish up in here,” Joyce said to Remedie. “I have fried pork chops already in the oven, along with the mac. Just need to get the seasoning right on these greens and put the mashed potatoes in another dish.” She looked at her sons. “Go wash up and then set the table.”
“Yes, ma’am,” they said in unison before they turned to leave the kitchen.
Nico felt comfortable leaving Remedie with his mom, but he still pulled her close and asked, “You good?”
She still looked a little nervous, but she smiled at him and nodded. He pinched her chin before turning to follow his brother out of the kitchen. His mama confirmed that he was coming on entirely too strong, but he knew she would balance out his actions with a sense of calmness and Zen. It was always what he needed when he felt life coming at him full force. He prayed it would help Remedie, too, because one thing about him, he didn’t stop until he got what he wanted. And he didn’t plan on stopping his pursuit of Remedie any time soon.
CHAPTER SEVEN
The last few days had been easygoing. Being a personal chef really wasn’t hard at all. Remedie was such an organized person, which made her job smoother.
She put the finishing touches on the gigantic Philly cheesesteak sandwich, homemade fries, and ranch before sending Nico a text that his dinner was ready. After wiping down the center island of his magnificent kitchen, she grabbed the plate and walked into the dining room where Nico had just sat down. She giggled. He always came running when she told him his food was ready.
“What you laughing at, girl?” he asked with a gleam in his eyes.
“You.” She placed the plate in front of him, and he groaned dramatically.
“This shit looks so good, cookie.”
“You say that every time.” She playfully nudged him but secretly loved that he loved her food so much. Ever since she left his mom’s and saw how she threw down in the kitchen, she worried she didn’t have what it took to keep his tastebuds and stomach satisfied.
Nico hadn’t been playing. His mom was the best cook she had ever encountered, and that said a lot for her. She had some of the top chefs in Ellwood for instructors when she was in school, and then she worked alongside them when she graduated. None of them had anything on Ms. Joyce Graves.
When Nico finally pried his eyes off his plate, he looked at her first. She noticed that he always gave her his attention. She didn’t know how to feel about that. He’d made it clear that he wanted her as more than just a personal chef, but she didn’t know how deep that ran. Did he just want some pussy? What did he really want from her? She couldn’t really be sure.
“Where’s your plate?”
Her eyes rolled to the back of her head. “I need to finish cleaning the kitchen and then prep for your breakfast tomorrow?—”
“Stop playin’ wit’ me and go grab your plate. I don’t know why we gotta go through this with every meal.”
Remedie balled her lips up but turned to do as she was told. He insisted they eat every meal together. He’d told her he didn’t like the thought of her cooking for him and then eating alone. As much as she tried to play like she didn’t want to share meals with him, she knew that was a damn lie. She actually looked forward to those times every single day.
After fixing her plate, she walked back into the dining room and found Nico scrolling on his phone, his food untouched.
“You could have started without me.” Another mini argument they had every day. He refused to take a bite to eat until she sat right next to him with her own food.
He simply glared at her before holding his hand out. “Am I saying grace or are you tonight?”
Remedie squirmed. She wasn’t too deep into the religious stuff. She never had anyone to really show her the way when it came to God. She oftentimes found herself naturally talking toHim, but that was all in her head. She had yet to say a prayer out loud with anyone present to hear.
She liked that Nico wasn’t shy about what he believed in. She could tell he got that from Joyce. She insisted they pray before their meal at her house too. Spending time with them allowed her mind to wonder what it would have been like to grow up with a mother.
