Page 13 of Act of Passion

She stared at Malik, unable to think clearly. “Am I okay withthat?”

He flashed a large white smile that nearly made her melt. “I’m fine with that, but if being alone with me makes you uncomfortable, I’ll understand. I don’t want you nervous around me,Brooke.”

“Then you should probably button your shirt more,” she blurted, her gaze locking on his chestagain.

Edee laughed more. “Bye, Brooke. See you in a bit. Don’t do anything I wouldn’tdo.”

“Gee, that really limits it,” returned Brooke before wringing her hands in front ofher.

Malik entered the room more and the door closed behindhim.

Brooketensed.

He sighed. “I’ll wait in the hall. I don’t want you scared of me. That is the last thing in the world Iwant.”

She moved forward fast, needing to make contact with him for some unknown reason. She tripped and fell into him. His large arms encased her and warmth shot through her entirebody.

Looking up, she found his lips so close to hers that she did the only thing that made sense—she kissed him. His lips parted and his tongue darted into her mouth. A low growl started deep in his chest, only serving to excite her more. She swirled her tongue around his, her hands finding his chest. His hands made their way to the small of her back. He jerked her against him fully, taking the kiss to anotherlevel.

He eased a hand up her back slowly and then slipped it into her hair, tugging lightly. She tipped her head back, granting him better access to her mouth. He took it and she found herself cupping his scruffyface.

He walked her backwards and she went willingly, never feeling this wanton before. She felt as if she might burst into flames if he didn’t touch her more. The next thing she knew, she was being eased onto the sofa. Malik moved up and over her, never breaking theirkiss.

She barely knew the man and she was making out with him in a serious way. This was so out of character for her that it jarred her back into reality. She stopped kissing him and froze underhim.

He withdrew his tongue from her mouth but remained on top of her. He stared down at her, his dark gaze smoldering. She nearly kissed him again but knew it was all moving too fast. She needed a moment to adjust to this wild side. Tohim.

“I should get off you, shouldn’t I?” he asked as if he wasn’t sure of theanswer.

Brooke couldn’t help but smile up at him. “Probably, since I’m on the verge of another panic attackhere.”

He eased off her, his movements stiff. When she realized why, her eyes widened. He extended a hand to her, helping her off the sofa. “I’m sorry aboutthat.”

“I kissedyou. You didn’t kiss me first,” she said softly, surprised by the truth ofit.

She was not sexually aggressive—atall.

Well, she hadn’t been until Malik. Now she just wanted to throw him down and jump his bones. That caused panic to well in hermore.

He touched her cheek tenderly. “How about we eat and get to know oneanother?”

A shaky breath left her as she retrieved her bag. “Yes. I’d likethat.”

Malik took her hand in his and led her from the suite. They walked hand in hand down the hall, as if they’d been a couple for ages. It felt right. Like this was how life was supposed tobe.

“Where are you from?” she blurted, wanting to fill thesilence.

“Here, but I’ve not lived here for averylong time, and it didn’t look anything like this when I did live here,” he said, slowing their pace as if he didn’t want to get to the restaurant too soon. “What about you? Where are youfrom?”

“When I was little I lived with my parents in South Carolina,” she answered. “Then when I was five, I went to live with my maternal grandmother inOhio.”

“Why is that?” he asked, seeming to actually beinterested.

She drew to a stop. “My parents died. My grandmother raised me after that. She passed away right after I graduated from high school. So, I just really have Edee that I count asfamily.”

He reached up with his free hand and smoothed her long brown hair over her shoulder. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean topry.”

“Normally, I go to great lengths to avoid talking about it all, but I feel like I have to tell you all of it. I don’t know why. Weird,huh?”

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