Page 51 of Set My Soul Ablaze

“Do you want me to make you an auntie or not?”

“Hey, so . . . you come sit down and shut up.” I joked with her.

“Nobody wants me to have my happily ever after. Now if my coochie shrivels up and falls off, then what? You gon’ love me coochie-less and alone?”

I cackled so hard my head started spinning. “Lei, please go to hell immediately.”

“Well, since I’m not going home with one of the firefighters, how may I help you in the kitchen, bestie?” Joylei went over to the sink and washed her hands.

“You can start on the fries. Season them with salt, pepper, and a little garlic powder. I’m going to have two pots of chicken wings going at once to help make it go faster.”

For the first time in a long time, I was at peace. I had my new home and my full privacy back. I was grateful my parents always had a place for me in their home, but it was nothing like being in my spot again with no listening ears down the hall. I could walk around naked, leave dishes in the sink, and play my music as loud as I wanted. Not to mention, I could fully enjoy the intimate moments with my man without fear of disrespecting my parents’ home.

My life finally took a turn for the better.

When the last of the guests left, I leaned against the front door and exhaled. Cooking for six extremely fit men and women was not a small feat. It felt like I’d done all the heavy lifting the way my feet screamed to be soaked in a bowl of hot water.

Once I turned the locks and set the alarm, I walked back into the living room to see Artez lying across the couch with his eyes closed. Today had worn him out.

“Baby,” I called out.

“Hmm?”

“Are you staying the night?” I asked as I approached his still frame.

He peeked one eye open at me. “Can I?”

“I’d like that a lot, actually.” I joined him on the couch, lying between his legs with my head resting gently on his chest. His hands instinctively wrapped around me.

“How are you feeling?” he asked as he rubbed my back soothingly. The feel of his strong arms on my body always made me feel protected, loved, and appreciated. I didn’t even know a simple touch could hold so many emotions and feelings until it became the norm for me and Artez.

“Right now, or as a whole?”

“Both.”

“Right now, I feel happy. I feel safe. I feel content. As a whole, I feel like my life is finally going in a positive direction. I don’t have to hide who I am. I don’t feel dread when I wake up anymore. I don’t have fear of running into Juda and him setting me back ten steps. Everything is . . . perfect,” I explained.

A few weeks ago, the Cade’s Cove Police Department informed me they’d made an arrest. Apparently, Juda was a serial arsonist because they connected him to several other house fires over the last fifteen years. He’d been setting fires since he was a kid and even killed someone. He wouldn’t be getting out of the situation any time soon, if ever.

“I’m really glad to hear that, baby,” Artez replied. “You deserve to be happy. You deserve to live life without fear of anyone harming you. You deserve the world.”

“I love the way you talk life into me. It’s very appreciated.”

He leaned down and pecked my lips several times. “Do you need help cleaning up?”

“Juliet and Joylei helped me clean while y’all were all talking animatedly about your probie days. The kitchen is spotless. I’m so excited to have my own place again.”

“I know you are. I’m happy for you. If you don’t mind, I’ll call my security guy and see if he can come through this week to get you set up with the best security system. I know Juda is making his way through the justice system, but I still want you protected and safe on the days I’m not here.”

I poked out my bottom lip. “Yes, sir.”

“Gimme a kiss.”

“You got to come get it.” I smirked. I stood from the couch and grinned. I lifted my shirt over my head and tossed it onto the floor as I slowly made my way into the bedroom.

The bedroom theme was white and pastel blue with black accents. I loved the bed set and fur rug I’d washed and put together after dinner. I still had a lot of things to hang up and decorate, but the important rooms—bedroom, living room, bathroom, and kitchen—were all set up.

By the time I made it to the main bathroom, I was completely naked. I turned the walk-in shower on and pulled my hair into ahigh ponytail. Yes, I was in a playful mood, but I direly needed a hot shower to ease the aches of the day away.