Page 69 of Serenity

“If you know better, then do better,” he fussed, thumbing my bottom lip.

“I’m a work in progress. Give me time to do better.”

“Aight,” he shifted, reaching lower to squeeze my butt. “What else is going on? I still smell tension. You reek of it.”

“I meet with Solari soon.”

“Solari? That’s the investment group you’re working with to expand?” He asked, trailing a finger up and down my spine repeatedly.

“Oh, shit. I was supposed to be keeping my lids sealed on that.”

“Too late now.”

Quiet filled the room. I snuggled closer, getting comfortable and preparing to go to sleep.

After a while, Duke asked, “What made you choose Solari anyway?”

My lids opened, freeing a yawn.

“The woman at the helm of the organization. She believes in us. In melanated women. I admire her and what she’s built.”

“Have you looked into their previous investments?”

“Um…yeah”

“So, no thorough research of their track record? Their reviews?”

“Well, I know of some of their investments. They have a long-standing history in Paramour. I didn’t look at everything.”

“Have you spoken to an advisor about them? Just for insight?”

“No. Why does it feel like you’re bombarding me?”

He freed my ass and stretched his arms overhead. “I’m just asking questions, Bee.”

“Okay. Any more questions?”

There was. I knew there was. I could feel it. Again, silence spoke for us both in place of words. The adrenaline I’d been running on kicked in, ignoring my burning lids. But then he ran his fingers through my scalp, and my eyes closed immediately.

“Can you let me do this for you?”

Shifting my head, my gaze connected to Duke. The positioning of his face hadn’t changed. Blankly, he stared at the ceiling, still massaging my scalp.

“Do what, Duke?” Tracing circles on his bare chest, I slowly blinked. The Sandman was begging me to join him.

“Let me gift you the first location. A birthday gift.”

“Duke…”

“Give me the plans, and let me gift it.”

“Duke.”

“Not to say you can’t do it alone—”

“No!” Raising from the human pillow, I sat up, issuing a gaze penetrating deeper than January morning below zero degrees.

“Okay.” Casually, Duke’s palms went up. “I didn’t mean to overstep.”

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