Page 58 of The Love of Priest

Priest let out a little sigh before his shoulders motioned in a shrugging manner. "We'll see," he concluded.

Britain wanted to question him further but decided not to. She didn’t want to be cognizant of whatever he had in store for her. She wanted him to see how well she could adapt to any situation that he believed to be pressure.

Priest allowed Britain to decide where they would be eating. With a joyous smile on her face, she chose the spunky South African food truck that had an abundance of bright lights, along with loud Afro-beat music pumping from its speakers.

After Britain gave the gentleman in the truck a very detailed order for both her and Priest, she enjoyed the music while they waited for the food. Priest, who was seated at one of the tables, let out a laugh as Britain accepted a dance from an elderly man who had been giving her the bedroom eyes since his eyes landed on her. Britain kept up with the quick steps of the music, swaying her hips side to side while moving in rhythm with the older man.

The older man told Britain to address him as Robby, and his wife ended up making her way toward Priest, urging him to take her hand for a dance. Not finding it within himself to turn down the sweet old lady, Priest sheepishly got up from his seat, letting the short lady drag him toward the center of the boardwalk where Robby and Britain were dancing to the upbeat sounds of the music.

Alongside them, Priest and the woman known as Lizette danced. Priest knew he was probably looking like a complete fool since he was as stiff as an ironing board, but he didn't care. The laughter erupting out of Britain and the smile masking her face at the sight of him dancing alongside her was enough to erase any self-doubt about his horrible attempts to keep up with Lizette's dancing.

As the song came to an end, Lizette hugged Priest, thanking him for the good time. "She loves you, my boy. Take very good care of her," she told Priest with a warm smile and a pat on his back before she glanced over at Britain who was in laughter from Robby's aimless flirting.

"Love?" A smile crept onto Priest's face. "How are you so sure? We’re just getting to know each other," Priest countered Lizette.

Lizette let out a little laughter at the fact that Priest, who looked so tough and invincible, softened up almost instantly at the mention of Britain loving him.

"I'm a woman, and I can feel it. Gal can't keep her gorgeous eyes off you even for a second." Lizette and Priest’s eyes gravitated toward Britain, who already had her eyes fixed on him. "Stop living life so black and white. You hear what I'm telling you, my boy? Live in the gray for a while," Lizette preached to Priest, her words inflicting him in ways even he couldn't explain. "Let me go get my husband before he takes your woman home," she teased, leaving Priest's side to retrieve Robby.

After Britain thanked Robby for the dance, she scurried her way over to Priest, who accepted her with open arms. "You gotta give me a dance. I really feel like I deserve one." She smiled up at him.

"Why you think that?" Priest secured his arms around her waist before smirking down at her.

"Because." She glanced over her shoulder with a little laughter at the sight of Robby sending her heart shaped hand gestures. "I didn't leave you for Robby's smooth ass."

"Pimp playa', huh?" Priest teased.

Britain nodded. "From the Himalayas." They both erupted in laughter at her response. "Everyone wants a piece of Britain." She flipped her hair over her shoulder.

Britain was able to convince Priest to give her one more dance while they continued to wait. As Priest held Britain's sides, she twisted her hips to the beat of the music. Just as the song concluded, their order number was called. Full of energy, Britain skipped back over to the truck, thanking the gentleman for the food.

Priest pulled out her chair for her so she could be seated at the table before taking a seat across from her. The habit now instilled in her from spending so much time with Priest, she joined hands with him before bowing her head while he led them in a quick prayer.

Britain moaned at the blissful taste of the food that danced around in her mouth. Priest chuckled at the fact that she was enjoying it so much. "Why are you staring so hard?" Britain eyed him with a playful mean mug, highlighting the fact that Priest’s dark orbs were boring into hers.

Priest licked his lips before a smile formed on his face. "Nothing, just studying you." He shrugged.

"Studying me?" Britain furrowed her brows. "What have you learned so far?" She instantly grew intrigued by the conversation, now dividing her attention between her food and Priest.

"You live life in the gray," Priest observed, causing Britain's face to screw up in confusion since she really had no idea what he meant by that. Before she could open her mouth to utter another question, Priest gave her some reassurance. "You know how to live. Without boundaries, regrets, worries," he clarified.

Britain nodded in understanding, now knowing what he meant. "And you like that?" she asked Priest.

He licked his lips once more, his eyes staring into her sexy feline-like ones. “Iloveit,” he confirmed with a nod of his head.

A smile stretched across Britain’s face as her heart grew warm at Priest’s endearment. Leaning over the table, Priest met her halfway for a kiss.

Priest couldn’t deny the fact that Britain made living in the gray look so enticing. She was always so happy and exuberant. Being around her was revitalizing to him, and in some odd way, he always felt like she was healing him from the awful childhood he had to endure.

Britain was his gray.

ChapterEighteen

Stoppingthe car in the parking space next to Britain's vehicle, Priest let out a sigh. He and Britain had finally made their way back to Harlem, and that little ounce of vibrancy and thrill he had back in the Hamptons disappeared rather quickly."Wow! I miss the Hamptons," Britain sighed longingly as she stared through the windshield at her apartment building.

Priest chuckled. "Word? Next time we go, we'll stay longer."

Britain nodded. "Or maybe forever," she hinted, and Priest took note of it.

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