Page 23 of Counting His heartbeats

"Hm. You're beautiful either way, but I will admit that I love your hair loose. It somehow forces everyone to take note of your features along with the enhancing yet entrancing effect yourglasses provide," I compliment while gazing into her eyes, which seem to shine brighter from my words.

"Th-thank you."

Nodding, I stare at her until my dick twitches in my pants, forcing me to break the connection if I plan to honor the no-sex directive Zurmani gave before coming over.

Focus, Jawaan. Title before Trojan, remember?

"What do you like to do for fun?" I ask, smiling from the statement echoing in my mind.

"I'm a simple wo?—"

"Nah, you're far from a simple woman, Tigress. It's cool, though. I'm gonna fill your life with some adventure."

"Oh really? How do you assume you'll have a chance to do so?"

The challenge in Zurmani's eyes has a low chuckle leaving my lips and I nod before enlightening her on my stance.

"Your yes today meant that spending time with me doesn't make you want to run for the hills. It also means that I have effectively changed your mind despite the energy you gave me after busting up your first non-date. I'm already on the winning side, Tigress. The stage for adventure is already being set. Are you dealing, or am I?"

Got her!

My conscience screams when Zurmani's eyes twinkle with merriment as she wordlessly picks up the cards before shuffling them, providing me with a nonverbal response.

A Week Later

It's been a long and tedious week. I'm so happy it's Friday, and I have no plans, so I can stop by the store on the way home to grab a bottle of wine. I want to binge-watch something that isn't going to require me to do anything but get lost in mindless bliss while sipping from my goblet. Between the meetings and issues with one of our department's invoices, I have been running on fumes. Today is the first day I have been able to get everything worked out, but I'm dog-tired. With the crazy week, I haven't been able to go to the hospital to volunteer, which saddens me. Yet, it also allows me to try to break my attachment to the baby. Try is a fluid word because my chest has been aching from the separation, which has only caused me to silently long for a child of my own.

"Don't go down that path, Zurmani," I whisper.

Shutting down my computer, I grab my purse and head toward the door to make my long-awaited exit.

Ding.

My lips twist at the sound of my phone notification because I don't feel like doing anything but following through with my evening agenda. Sighing, I stop to pull my phone from the front compartment of my purse. A sly grin replaces my frown whenI see Jawaan's name on my screen. I unlocked my phone and opened my text app before reading the incoming text.

Jawaan:

I'm wondering if you would be up for my taking you on a date. I enjoyed our time last week and would really like to spend more time in your presence. So, what do you say?

My heart accelerates, my mouth waters, and heat dances along my neckline from the words that have my mind returning to our last encounter. I went from fighting my attraction to Jawaan to surrendering to my feelings after spending time at his house. I'm unsure if it was after being protectively held in his arms upon learning he owned a large dog or the butterflies that took flight while seeing the sexy grin he wore while I beat him at Uno. Yet, here I am typing my response even while my hands shake.

Me:

Yes

Brrng. Brrng.

My phone rings in my hand, and Jawaan's name flashes on the screen. My smile stretches the muscles in my face as I answer.

"Hello."

"Damn, you just made the fuck outta my day, Tigress." Jawaan's deep, husky voice warms my body like hot fudge over a sundae.

"Uh—"

"Is tonight good, or would you like to wait until tomorrow? Since I know how you women are, I'm gonna let you choose. Justknow you only have tonight or tomorrow because I ain't waiting longer than that to see you."

"Tomorrow. I've got a prior date tonight."

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