Page 66 of Beyond the Badge: Nox

“How about the simple fact I find you attractive and intriguing? And sometimes I see the smallest glimpse of the man you used to be, even though you take great pains to hide it.”

“That glimpse you see… How would you know that was how I was before…” He pulled in another audible breath and instead of finishing that sentence, he left it like that.

“Am I wrong?” When he didn’t answer, she released a stilted laugh. “I’ve never worked so hard to convince a man to sleep with me. You’re going to put a hurting on my self-esteem.”

“Can’t imagine anything would mess with your self-esteem.”

“All right…” She released his shirt and took a step back. “My intention wasn’t to pressure you and I don’t want to do that, so… You have a nice weekend, Nox. I hope it’s a peaceful one for you.” It was difficult, but she managed to keep the disappointment from her tone. “Be safe.”

Without waiting for a response, she turned and strode across the yard, keeping her ears open in case he called out to stop her.

He didn’t.

When her father told her he was taking the kids for the weekend, she had looked forward to some alone time.

Between her family, immediate and extended, her business and the group, she rarely got time to herself unless the kids went to visit their grandparents, be it Mark’s parents, her mother’s home or her father’s.

Unless an emergency came up at the office, she didn’t plan on going in at all this weekend. Instead, she looked forward to kicking her feet up, drinking a glass or two or even a bottle of wine and watching some movies the boys refused to watch with her. Or she’d lose herself in a good book.

She wasn’t going to do any chores around the house, either. This weekend was supposed to be a little staycation.

But then Nox showed up out of the blue and it made her think a change of plans were in order. Herstaycation could potentially turn into aplaycation.

Because of her boys, she never invited men over.Hell, she rarely even went on dates. Jason had left a sour taste in her mouth when it came to men. Now she was extremely cautious.

Some women followed the “I don’t have sex on the first date” rule. Liyah was more like, “I don’t have sex on the first ten dates.”

That weeded out most men.

Actually, it weeded them all out.

She loved sex. She did.

But because of the policy she set into place, she rarely got to date number eleven.

Despite his issues—which she had a good understanding of—shelikedNox.

He was different than the rest and, for some reason, she felt completely comfortable around him. It wasn’t because of anything he said or did.

It was just how it was. She couldn’t explain it.

And crazy enough, she had felt the same way the first time she met Mark.

She knew Mark was “her person” within minutes. Of course, she didn’t tell him that because he probably would’ve thought she was crazy. Even though she was ten years younger than him, she had asked him out for a drink.

He was not only amused by her boldness but impressed. Because of that, he said yes.

The rest was history.

But Mark was now gone, and she no longer had anyone to be intimate with.

No one to share those special moments.

Or to text when she thought of something funny.

To call simply to tell him she loved him.

To bake for.

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