Keep You To Myself (Unorthodox Love, #1)

by BriAnn Danae

She couldn’t relate to the girls who wouldn’t. It was whatever for her man because she knew he brought that same energy.

“I need you, Love. I’m hurting so bad right now.”

“I got you,” she cooed softly, rubbing his back. Synovi hoped she did because he didn’t have himself.

“It’s not ending,” Torin said, climbing to her knees. “This is the beginning of you taking back control of every situation you’ve had no say so over.

“Exactly. So, quit trying to escape to a place you don’t feel wanted.”

“Light and Love… the only thing I need.”

“I know so. Don’t look at this situation as a setback, only a setup for something much greater. You are going to receive all the things God has in store for you. This just wasn’t one of them.”

I know that whatever reason you got into that fight was truly because of a bad day, but don’t let that one bad day ruin the rest of your life.

“Of course. You don’t ever have to thank me. It’s what I’m here for. Serving my purpose the way He’d want me to.”

“People hold on to the good things they know they can keep… not have to give back.”

“You need me to wash you up?”

“Thank you,” she said as he dried her off.

A nightgown with pockets from Walmart and a pair of long, thick socks was laid out on her bed. Synovi helped her put the gown on and pulled the comforter back so she could get in bed.

“I’ma put this on the bottom of your feet, then put the socks on,” he said, holding up the jar of VapoRub.

When something foreign enters your life so unexpectedly, it's easy to detect how it changes you. It rearranges the wires in your brain, forcing you to think, see, act, and feel differently.

Damn. This gotta be what love feels like, he thought.

“Watch and see. Good shit be happening to good people. Sometimes it just takes a lil’ minute to reach you.

“Trying to control how a person treats you after you mistreated them never ends well. It just turns into a bunch of hurt feelings on both sides when communicating to understand should’ve been the goal.”

“Put up with any ol’ thang believing that that’s all their worth. And don’t know any better ‘cause no one ever showed them differently. But then, by the grace of God, someone does.”

“Boy, ain’t ever expressed himself the way he do when he talks about you. Love, this and Torin that.”

You’re supposed to always take care of your home and everyone in it. He trusts you, and that’s saying a lot.”

Trauma doesn’t heal itself overnight.

It's a constant journey of learning and relearning yourself and the people you invite into your world to share the experience with you. If that’s not a journey you’re willing to stick around for, please leave him alone.”

on the outside looking in on his world when she’d already set up residence in his universe.

“Why you about to cry?”

“You love me?” Synovi asked, lips brushing against hers. Torin took that as her opportunity to touch him, wrapping her arms around his waist. “Yes.” “Then don’t ever make me feel like you don’t.”

your past, like mine, shouldn’t be

held against you. I had a lapse in judgment, but that was me battling my own insecurities. Childhood traumas I’m still working on getting through,”

Why would I want to give you away? I thought you were mine to keep?”

“I want you all to my-mothafuckin’-self.

If I sound selfish, it’s because I finally can be. Especially with you.”

“Yours. I don’t want nobody el...

“Good. ’Cause I’m a nigga worth keepin’. Now, plug my...

the more turned on she was, the nastier she got.

“Yeah… that’s it. Relax and nut on this dick since it’s yours,” Synovi coached.

“Yeah, a lil’ somethin’. This toast is to you,” he said, nodding his head her way. “Thank you for seeing the greatness in me, despite fighting through the darkness. You’ve pushed me to want more out of life and saw the potential in me that everyone else overlooked. SB’s Cleaning Service is what it is today because of you, and I’m so thankful for you, Love. Everyone needs a you on their team, but that’s too bad ’cause I’m keeping you all to myself.”

“I love you,” Synovi declared. Torin’s heart flipped inside her chest. “Aww, baby. I love you more.”

I love the fuck out of

you. You feel this?” He said, placing her hand against his chest.

Torin’s eyes watered as she nodded her head. His heart was beating so erratically, she thought it'd leap from his chest. “I ain’t never shared this with anybody. I’m trippin’ right now ’cause I can...

“Believe it, okay?” she cooed, brushing a hand over his creased brow. “I’m not going anywhere.”

“I know that now,” Synovi breathed.

“Promise to never turn your back on me, no matter how chaotic it gets.”

She caressed his face and pecked his lips. “I promise. I’m here to stay… here for you to keep to yourself and ride through the waves with.”