Imani pushed the unsettling emotions to the back of her mind and smiled. “It’s beautiful.”
He appeared to release a breath. “Good. I’m glad. Let’s go inside.”
There were a couple of cars parked in the back of the big circle driveway. “It looks like we have company. Someone beat us home.”
“No. That’s Felix and Anna. They both will live here full-time.”
Garrett was about to open the front door when it opened for them. Felix was standing there smiling broadly. “Welcome home, Mr. and Mrs. Hadley.”
Garrett stood back so that Imani could walk ahead of him. As she walked past, he spoke. “I would carry you over the threshold but . . . my hands are kind of full.”
Annoyed Imani mumbled, “It’s okay.”
He kept talking. “It’s not furnished yet. I figured you’d want to do that part, but I did have the movers bring over a few items. I’m going to put Garrett to bed. Take a look around while I’m gone.”
Imani followed him up the stairs. Her voice was tight. “I’ll look around later. Right now, I’d like to know where Garrett Jr. will be sleeping.”
Garrett heard the irritation in her voice but couldn’t figure out for the life of him what would cause it. Ten minutes later, they emerged from his son’s room. Garrett looked a little uncomfortable. He raked his hands through his hair. “I assumed we would share a room, but I didn’t know for sure, so I had them deliver a bedroom set for that one.” He pointed to the room across the hall from Garrett Jr.
Imani folded her arms across her chest and squinted her eyes. She couldn’t keep the anger from her voice. “You picked out bedroom furniture too? Well, hell, what’s left for me to do?”
“I thought I was being considerate.”
“Considerate? Are you kidding me?” Imani took a deep, steadying breath. “Look, I know that you are used to making all the decisions for every facet of your life, and this may be a difficult concept for you to grasp, but me and you . . .” she pointed to herself then him, “we’re supposed to be a team. You can’t just go it alone and make the big decisions.” Her anger grew. “How did you know I didn’t want a little cottage style home? I now have live-in staff that you chose! What if I hate them? What kind of school district is this? I’m sure on paper it’s fantastic but will it be good for mixed babies! Because we’ll have little black boys or girls running around here at some point.” Her words kept tumbling from her mouth. “What if you picked out a hard mattress and I like soft! What. The. Hell! I know that our marriage is arranged, but I won’t be treated like a Stepford wife!”
“Lower your voice. You’ll wake up Garrett.”
Imani turned to look around at the half-closed door. The anger inside immediately left her body once she thought about him.
Garrett’s voice was gruff, tight. “I’ve got to get to the office. If you need anything, ask Felix.” He turned and walked away, down the stairs, and out of the house.
Imani stood dumbfounded.
Not fifteen minutes of being in their new home as a married couple, they’d already had their first fight. She couldn’t help but think tonight was a terrible omen of things to come.
*****
It was after ten o’clock and Garrett still hadn’t come home.
Imani lay in bed in the dark wanting to cry. Maybe she’d over-reacted earlier but hoped they could talk, and she’d finally be able to wear the negligee she’d purchased for their honeymoon.
Finally, she heard footsteps that she could only hope belonged to him. Then, after a few minutes, the door opened.
Imani sat up.
He was surprised to see her. His voice was tired. “What are you doing in here?”
She shrugged. “Where else am I supposed to be?”
“I thought you would be in the other room.”
Imani bit her bottom lip then threw the covers off her body and crawled to the edge of the bed. She whispered as she stood up on her knees. “You’re my husband my place is next to you.”
Garrett moved close enough to touch her but didn’t. Everything about Imani was perfect. He’d already messed up once. He didn’t want to make the wrong move again. “I should have discussed where we were going to live with you. You’ve sacrificed so much to marry me, more than anyone ever has. In my mind, the least I could do was buy you a house.”
Softly, Imani caressed his cheek. “This marriage may have started off unconventionally, but I really want us to work. I’m sorry for over-reacting.”
He leaned his forehead against hers. “Me too.”
Imani sighed, then ran her hands up his chest and over his shoulders. “Did everything go okay with your lawyers?”
He nodded. “I think we’ve put together a good strategy.”
Imani pulled back a little. “Good.” One by one she began to unbutton his shirt. When she reached the last button, Imani placed her hands inside and pushed it back off his shoulders until it slid to the floor. Her voice was low, husky. “Mr. Hadley, you still owe me a honeymoon night.”
Garrett wrapped his hands around her waist before leaning in for a kiss that made the earth stop spinning on its axis. He pushed her backward onto the bed.
Imani’s hair fanned out over the pillows when she landed. She spread her legs apart revealing herself to him.
Garrett crawled in-between her thighs then lowered himself on top of her body before engaging Imani in
