Before he could answer, Mia walked in. “Who’s getting laid tonight?” She asked as she made her way toward us. She was wearing a pair of my pajama bottoms and t-shirt. Although it was loose on her, she managed to make it look completely sexy.
Jimmie shifted uncomfortably. I laughed at how awkward he felt about the discussion around Mia, and I decided to fuck with him some more. “Jimmie’s going on another date tonight with Jessica.”
Mia’s smile brightened. She scooted onto one of the stools at the end of the island, facing the both of us. “Ooh, Jessica, huh?”
I snorted. Jimmie glared at me, and I burst into a full-blown belly-aching laugh. Jimmie tossed his arms in the air. “What’s wrong with the name Jessica?”
Mia’s eyes switched from my laughing to Jimmie’s concerned expression. “Nothing, it’s a cute name. I knew a Jessica once. She was really sweet.” She shrugged, trying to lighten the mood. “We should all go on a double date.”
My laughing stopped and I straightened. Jimmie whipped his head in Mia’s direction. “We’ve never been on a double date.” I answered.
Jimmie nodded in agreement. “Yeah, that’s awkward. I live with the dick. I rather not hang out with him too.”
“Fuck you.” I spat out.
Laughing, Mia ran a hand through her untamed hair and yawned. “Well, maybe a triple date with Megan and Jeremy also. We can go to Club21 to break the ice. Loud music and drinking?”
Jimmie looked as if he was actually considering the offer, and then he shrugged. “I’ll ask her. Thanks, Mia.” He turned and faced me. Lifting his hand, he flipped the bird. “Take care of my daughter, dickhead.” He sent me a pointed glare, and without another word, he was gone.
After I shook my head, I went over to Mia. She turned on the stool, wrapped her arms around my waist, and pressed her head against my chest. I ran my fingers through her hair and began massaging her scalp.
“Mmh, that feels good.”
Smiling, I continued to massage her, tracing my fingers in circular motions. “Are you hungry?”
“I’m starving.” She mumbled.
Laughing, I made my way down toward her shoulders and began working my magic there. She tossed her head back. Her eyelids fluttered. “Ugh, that feels good. I’m so sore.”
“I wonder why.” I flashed a grin.
She shook her head and smiled. “You’re too much.”
“Well, I’ve heard that too much is a good thing.”
Mia snorted and arched a brow mockingly. “Well, whoever said that was clearly mistaken.”
Before I could reply, the doorbell rang. Mia, with a confused expression, tilted her head toward the door. “Were you expecting anyone?”
“No. I’ll be back. Stay here.” I made my way toward the front door. Of course, Mia couldn’t wait in the kitchen, and she treaded along behind me.
Without saying a word, I opened the door to find Gio standing on the other end of it. “What are you doing here?” I asked as Mia gripped my bicep and pushed up on her toes to have a better look.
“We need to talk.” His eyes traced over my shoulder and landed on Mia. Gio’s brows rose with a full-blown smile. “Are you the Mia I’ve heard so much about?”
Rolling my eyes, I stepped aside so he could enter. Closing the door behind him, I took a quick glance at Mia. “Mia, this is . . . my friend, Gio.”
Mia roughly ran a hand through her hair then tugged at the t-shirt she wore. “Sorry for my appearance.” Smiling, she reached her hand out to shake his. “Nice to meet you, Gio. I’ve never met any of Marcus’s friends.”
Smiling, he continued to ogle her. “I see nothing wrong with your appearance.” Mia’s face flushed. What the fuck was that about? At that moment, I felt a surge of jealously rush through me.
“Gio, you can go into my office right through there while I grab a shirt.” I pointed toward the door. He nodded, waved at Mia again, and then headed toward my office.
“Mia, come with me.” I gripped her wrist and dragged her toward the stairs. I was angry, even though it wasn’t her fault, but the way he was looking at her and the look she gave back to him filled me with a possessive rage. I had just gotten her back, and I was not going to lose her to anything or anyone. Call me an overbearing, over-protective and over-possessive boyfriend. I don’t give a fuck.
The thing that bothered me most about the relationship I had with Mia was the jealousy I felt when someone looked at her. I knew men could stare, but the possibility of Mia taking action on it made my every nerve burn with anger.
Mia trampled behind me and pulled on the grip I held. “Marcus, can you loosen your hold?” I shook away the thoughts and let go of her wrist. Once I entered my room, I pulled open the drawer, removing a shirt. Tossing it on, I turned and Mia was standing a few feet away with a serious expression.
“Who is he really?” Mia blurted with a demanding tone. Crossing her arms, she dropped a hip. “If he were a friend, you wouldn’t be acting the way you are.”
“And how is that?”
She waved a hand up and down the length of me. “Your entire demeanor changed, Marcus. The moment he walked through the door. You seem angry or agitated with something . . . with me even.” Her brows pressed together. “We were fine a few minutes ago. Hell, we’ve been fine for a couple of weeks now. I don’t know.” Mia shook her head and then let out a deep breath. “Maybe I’m overthinking it.”
Great. I’m a fucking asshole. Bending my head back, I let out a heavy sigh and rubbed the palm of my hands over my face. Mia had her arms wrapped around my waist and her head pressed against my chest before I could register that she had moved from where she was. “Marcus, sometimes I have no clue what goes on in that head of yours. It can be frustrating in so many ways. Either way, I still love you.”
My arms tugged around her as I pressed my lips on top of her head. “I love you too, Mia.” Fuck, I did. I loved that woman more than she’d ever know. “There’s no need to worry about Gio. He’s an old friend. That’s all.” I kept the fact that Gio was Lou’s nephew hidden because I knew how she felt about Lou, and I truly didn’t want to spark another issue. “Can you go see what Elle wants to eat for dinner, and I’ll take care of Gio?” Mia nodded, squeezed me tightly one last time, and then made her way toward Elle’s room.