Page 9 of Impacted by Love

"Uh, the very thought of it has me pondering letting my lower region become a part of the Amazon Rainforest," I comment, and a shiver slides down my back.

"You would never, especially when I know you use that little funky trimmer you keep trying to convince me is better than Ming."

"Don't come for my trimmer. That was the best TikTok purchase I've ever made."

"Alright. I gotta go give Brent some attention but enjoy your day, boo."

"Will do." Placing my phone on my bed, I head to the bathroom to get the day moving with a bounce in my step and a smile on my face.

* * *

Thud. Crash.

My body jerks when I enter the doorway of Sipping Thangs Beverages after colliding with someone attempting to exit.

"Shit!" a masculine voice shouts, causing my eyes to bulge at the person standing in front of me with brown liquid instantly transforming the color of the white shirt beneath the navy suit jacket.

Asaiah Harrison. Crap. This man probably thinks I did this on purpose after his repulsive attitude toward me at the hospital. It can't be further from the truth, but goodness, this is bad.

"Oh my God! I'm so sorry," I blurt, moving to do something, although I'm unsure what since I have nothing in my hand but my tablet and purse.

"Nah. I don't need help from you. Next time, watch where you're going. Damn. Now I'm gonna be late for work since I'll have to return home to change."

My eyes glisten with water at the hard edge of the man's tone, and I helplessly move out of the way when Asaiah's deep frown matches the angry lines on his forehead. Tossing the coffee cup in his hand in the nearby trash, Asaiah exits without another backward glance.

I'm struggling because Asaiah is attractive, yet the storms in his eyes every time I see him have me fighting to acknowledge my attraction toward him. What's worse is the panty-wetting tingles I feel whenever I stare into those same eyes. Asaiah has a low-cut fade with curls, enhancing what other men showcase with waves. Asaiah's masculine facial structure is appealing and handsome enough to speak to a woman's libido without him opening his mouth, not to mention the full, medium-sized beard with a few gray streaks contradicting his age.

I vaguely recall from his information during his x-rays that he's in his thirties. From the suit Asaiah had been wearing, I assume he has a high-profile job. However, Asaiah's words and disposition make all of his attractive attributes make him look like a gargoyle.

"Why are you so quiet, Onesti? I've been talking for ten minutes, and you haven't said one word in response." My mom's voice snaps me out of my encounter with Asaiah Harrison this morning.

"What would you do if you keep seeing someone whose pain nearly shouts at you whenever you're in their presence?"

An image of Asaiah's face and stormy eyes fill my mind, pushing the question to the surface. I have zero clue what Mom had been babbling about, but I can't shake the encounters with Asaiah to save my life.

"Hm. That depends on what level of pain you're referencing. I have encountered people whose pain hasn't allowed me to intervene because of their response to getting free. Then there are those I've met whose pain had me sitting up at night while petitioning God on behalf of their torment. So, it depends," Mom responds.

This is why Lachelle Jeffries is one-half of my sounding board. She doesn't hesitate to give me things to think about versus supplying me with automatic answers. A tingling sensation on my arms and the back of my neck prevents me from readily responding. Heat fills my face, causing my brows to hike, and I lift my head, looking from left to right before my breath stalls upon connecting with an intense gaze.Asaiah.My brain speaks his name with a slight tremble, and all movement ceases when Asaiah heads toward me.

Oh God! Didn't I have enough of an encounter with his man?

Not wanting to change my plans for today despite my run-in with Asaiah, I'm sitting at a booth near the bank of windows at Sipping Thangs Beverages. My Kindle is no longer showing the book I haven't been able to get into, which is why I called Mom in the first place.

"Had I known you would still be here, I would have come over before placing my order."

The softness in Asaiah's granitelike face has my breath hitching due to the unfamiliar expression within his eyes. If it weren't for my getting a good look at the tightness around his eyes and the complex expression, this moment might convince me that Asaiah has a twin or doppelganger.

I wonder if he'd be open to me telling him how much I prefer this version of who he presents to others.

"Who’s that?" Mom's question reminds me of her existence on the phone.

The earpiece I'm wearing makes it pointless to hold my phone, and watching Asaiah's arrival had me forgetting all about my poor mother.

"The pain," I whisper.

"I thought I would let you know that you nearly caused third-degree burns this morning with your clumsy self. I also missed an important meeting since I had to change clothes," Asaiah grumbles with his heavy gaze on me, causing my breathing to become erratic.

"He has a nice voice," Mom interjects before I can respond to Asaiah.

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