Page 20 of Business Casual

My stomach flipped. “It’s too bad my ride is almost here and I don’t have another way home. Because if I had more time, I’d prove to you that you in fact were the one who flirted first.”

He paused, searching my eyes as if he were waiting for the answer to a question he had yet to ask. “I could take you home, if you’d like.”

I held back the smile that pulled at the corners of my mouth. “Yeah, okay,” I answered slowly. I didn’t want to come across too eager, but internally, I celebrated. “Because Keisha has to be up in about six hours, but technically… we don’t have to be up for eight, nine hours if traffic is on our side.”

He chuckled, pulling his phone out of his pocket. His thumb moved deftly across the screen. “Our meeting is now at ten o’clock.” His eyes locked with mine. “So, we have an extra hour.”

My jaw dropped. “Okay, I see you.”

“Hey, Imani,” Keisha interrupted, putting her hand on my back. “Lamont is about to pull up. You ready?”

I pulled my gaze away from Tre. “I’m actually going to catch a ride home with Tre.”

“Oh! Okay!” The look on her face was priceless. She wiggled her eyebrows at me. “Call me and let me know when you make it home.”

I winked at her. “Will do.”

Keisha turned her whole body so that she was fully facing Tre. “You better make sure my best friend makes it home safely.”

Tre looked at Keisha and gave her an earnest nod. Reaching out, he put his hand on my shoulder. “I won’t let anything happen to Imani.” He turned his head, catching my eye. “She’s safe with me.”

My stomach flipped.

Twice.

Keisha looked between us, grinning. “Well you two have a good night. It was nice meeting you, Tre.”

He removed his hand from my shoulder to shake hers. “It was very nice to meet you as well, Keisha.”

Next, she threw her arms around me. “Girl!” she hissed with excitement in my ear.

It took everything in me not to burst out laughing. “Text me and let me know you made it home safely.”

Once she left, Tre and I remained at the bar for a few more minutes. I entertained the conversation we were having, but I couldn’t stop thinking about the way he looked at me when he said I was safe with him. I couldn’t stop thinking about the way his touch seared my skin. Even though alcohol flowed through my system, that wasn’t why I felt intoxicated.

I was drunk off Tre.

The thumping beat of a sensual song pulsed through the speakers and, in turn, through my veins.

“Let’s go,” I suggested softly.

Rising to his feet, he offered me his hand. “Ready for me to take you home?”

Without blinking, I slid my fingers over his palm. “Yes.”

*****

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