Chapter 42: Beau

Beau

"Want to tell me now why you decided to stay here for the night?"

I jumped, not expecting him to still be here. "Do I have to?"

In the light of day, it seemed pathetic that I reacted the way I did to Gloria's proposal and the smoothness in which Ivan was accepted into the family.

For a moment there, I felt as if I were a spectator, rather than family.

"Come sit with me, nymph." Hendrix grabbed my hand in his, while balancing a large cup of coffee with his other. I eyed that cup with longing, even let out a small whimper, which caused him to laugh. "Made it for you, whiny. Wouldn't dream of having any kind of conversation without caffeine in your system…know better."

"You're smarter than you look, grouch."

He looked back at me from over his shoulder, hazel eyes narrowed. "What's with the nickname all of a sudden?"

"If the shoe fits…hey!" I yelled out, suddenly airborne before being settled on his lap, my head tucked under his chin. "I'm going to sue you for all the manhandling an