Page 34 of Keeping Busy
“Uhm, I would feel more comfortable if I weren’t left alone on the lower level of your mini-mansion. I mean, do I have to fend for myself should somebody come through one of these picture windows looking to secure theentirebag? I’m a guest, Busy. I think if somebody comes up in here, they should at least have to defeat your big ass first, so I have time to come up with an escape plan.”
He laughed uproariously. “You’re wild as hell, Pudding. Let me take you upstairs. I can’t have you being put in harm’s way on my watch.”
I followed him up a set of industrial looking iron stairs in the middle of the room. At the landing, he turned around, pinning me with his eyes while he teased me. “And just so you know, I’m totally wit’ it if you wanna sneak in my room and take advantage of me. You know I’m weak for you, girl.”
“I’ll try to behave myself.” I deadpanned.
He busted a left turn, so I followed him. He led me to a darkly furnished, but brightly lit bedroom. “The bedroom downstairs is nicer…”
“I won’t care how nice the room is if I’m bleeding out in it, Busy.”
“I never knew you were this dramatic, Pudding. When my grandmother was trying to play matchmaker, she never mentioned your annoying characteristics.” He rolled my bag into the room behind him.
“Forget you. What are we doing tonight, anything?”
“Nope.” He shook his head, eyeing me like he was trying to gauge my reaction. “Just me and you.”
“Okay.” I nodded easily. “So, you wanna help me pick out something to wear to this team bonding thingy you’re taking me to tomorrow?” I looked up at him with humor in my eyes. “I mean, I gotta make you look good.”
“You always make me look good, Mecca.”
I chuckled. “You always say that, Busy.”
“Because it’s true. You’re making me look so good, that I’m already starting to wonder how I’mma let you go when it’s time.”
I stared into his deep brown eyes. Busy was distractingly gorgeous, and self confident as hell. He had the kind of looks, and demeanor that could have you out here making a damn fool of yourself. It took a lot of concentration on my part not to let him see how much he affected me. “You thinking about trying to make me a more permanent fixture in your life, Busy?”
“Hell yeah, I am. Am I not being clear? Ever since I left your place last night, all I keep thinking is that if I had listened to my grandmother way back then, when she first started trying to get me to pay attention to you…”
I don’t know what came over me, but at that moment I wanted to kiss him, to feel his lips against mine. I let my hands find the hem of the t-shirt he was wearing and tugged him towards me. He was amenable to it, coming closer to me, then wrapping me in his embrace and bringing his mouth down to mine, as I stood on my toes. He kissed me passionately, sucking my tongue, claiming my mouth as his own.
Candie thumped excitedly.Relax, momma.I told her telepathically.We are not having sex with Busy. First of all, having sex before you determine the nature of the relationship is hustling backwards, and that is some shit that I do not do, and you know that. Secondly…
“Mecca, where’d you go, Baby?” Busy asked, his warm breath by my ear, as he questioned me softly.
Silly me, I hadn’t even realized that he’d broken the kiss. “Huh?”
Placing his hand on my chin, he gently tilted my head up, so that we were gazing at each other. “Where’d you go?”
I stood there blinking, positive that I looked like a big fool as I tried to figure out what words to say to appease him, because he looked genuinely concerned.
“No where.” I lied poorly.
His head fell to the side, and he twisted his lips in a way that let me know exactly how much he wasn’t buying what I was selling.
“Uh…”
“Talk to me.”
I threw a hail Mary. “Aren’t we gonna be late?”
“For what, Ma? Hanging out together on my couch? Talk to me.”
“It’s just a bad habit. A really bad habit.”
“Letting your mind wander while you’re kissing?”
“Letting my mind wander during all kinds of intimate situations.All kinds, Busy. Catch the emphasis.”
