Page 51 of Cuffed By Your Love
“You’re impossible.”
“And you’re beautiful as fuck when you flustered,” he said, no hesitation, no shame.
I looked up at him then, really looked, and the teasing smile had faded. What was left in its place was heavier. Certain. My pulse stuttered, because I knew this was the space where I either trusted what he was showing me or ran like I always did.
I swallowed hard, pressing my palms flat against the counter. “Elias…” My voice faltered, but I forced the words out. “Last night, you don’t know what that did for me. That place you took me to, the way you looked at me while I was mixing, like what I made mattered? LikeImattered?” My throat tightened. “You made me remember how much I love this. Creating. Scents. Building something with my hands. I thought I lost it.”
His gaze softened, but he didn’t move, didn’t interrupt. He just let me talk, steady as stone.
I exhaled shakily. “Your words, they’re still in my head. You said it wasn’t a dream; it was a plan. And I’ve been hearing thatever since. Every time I stir, every time I add oil… I hear your voice telling me I’m allowed to want it.” The silence stretched, heavy but safe. My eyes burned, but I blinked quickly, refusing to let tears win.
Elias unfolded his arms then, stepping close, close enough that the warmth of him wrapped around me like a shield. His hand came up, thumb grazing my jaw, tipping my chin until I had no choice but to meet his eyes.
“Good,” he murmured. “That’s what I wanted. To remind you who the hell you are. You’re not small, Jonay. You don’t shrink. You shine. And if anybody, me included, ever makes you forget that? They don’t deserve to breathe near you.”
A shaky laugh broke out of me, half sob, half joy. “Why do you talk like that?”
His lips curved, but his voice stayed low, firm. “Because you need to hear it. Because it’s true. And because I’m not letting you tuck your dream away again like it’s too much. You bring the vision, baby. I’ll handle the rest.”
The way he saidbaby, low and reverent, made my heart stutter.
I leaned into his touch before I even thought about it, my cheek brushing his palm. My voice was a whisper. “You really mean that?”
He bent, forehead brushing mine, his breath warm, his tone steady as scripture. “Gorgeous, I don’t say shit I don’t mean. You’re mine. Your dream’s mine too. And I’ll go to war to see both flourish.”
The dam in my chest broke then. My shoulders loosened, the tears I’d been holding back slipping hot down my cheeks. He caught them with his thumb, brushing them away like they weren’t weakness but proof.
I rolled my eyes to keep from melting. “Fine. If you need proof I’m not running from this, I’ll see you and EJ tomorrow at Little Legends. Lunch. Don’t be late.”
His eyes softened immediately. “Yeah?” His grin widened, boyish but proud.
“Yeah, baby.”
He reached out, thumb brushing my chin up so I had to meet his gaze. “Good. ’Cause my son already half in love with you. And I’m way past halfway myself.”
The words hit me deeply, shaking something loose in me I didn’t even know was locked.
Before I could reply, he bent down low, lips pressing against mine, not rushed, not timid, but sure. His kiss was slow and certain, and when he pulled back, his forehead lingered against mine.
“Lunch tomorrow,” he repeated. “Me, you, and my boy. That’s family vibes. Don’t scare me by saying it if you don’t mean it.”
“I mean it,” I whispered, my chest tight, my cheeks hot. “I want this.”
He smiled, small, dangerous, and soft all at once. “Then it’s set.”
From the living room, Jason hollered, “Yo, y’all better not be back there making me an uncle yet!”
Leila’s laugh cracked through the walls, and Jonell giggled right after. Elias groaned, dropping his face into my shoulder while I laughed, my nerves untangling.
Tomorrow suddenly felt like the most important lunch of my life.
When we walked back into the living room, everybody acted like they hadn’t just been roasting me half to death. Jason had his arm slung over Leila’s shoulders, Uno cards already in hishands. Jonell was curled up in the armchair, scrolling on her phone, legs crossed like she owned the place.
Elias didn’t even hesitate. He sat down on the couch and tugged me right onto his lap, one big hand steady at my waist.
“Excuse you,” I hissed under my breath, trying to wiggle free.
“Nah.” He leaned back, cool as Sunday, his chest solid under my palms. “Seat’s taken. Only you fit right here.”
