Page 54 of The Aries Alliance
“Thank you for dinner.”
“I had to come. It was urgent.”
Scarlett raised her eyebrow.
“Urgent?”
“Yes. My partner in justice needed me. From day one, I told you I’d be like your man.” I held Scarlett’s chin and kissed her lips gently.
Scarlett stroked my cheek with her fingers.
“Tonight’s my self-care night. I guess I can shift my plans for my partner in justice.”
“We’ll self-care together.”
“That’s not how self-care works.”
“We’re not traditional, so it’ll work for us. I’m going to cover you whether you want me to or not.”
Silence filled the air, as if Scarlett was processing my words. Within seconds, tears filled her beautiful brown eyes. My heart bled for her as I wiped her falling tears with the pads of my fingers.
“What is it, love?”
The term of endearment felt right in the moment.
“I have a hard time trusting most people, but you hear my heart. This must be what restoration is all about. Thank you.”
I wrapped my arms around Scarlett and held her tight. I would walk to the ends of the Earth, barefoot on hot coals, to soothe her wounded soul. She was worth that and so much more.
Afterhours
When my doorbell rang,my heart skipped a beat. War said he was bringing takeout, but my needy body wanted his body more than Asian noodles.
Don’t get caught up, girl. He’s not your man. Just a phenomenal lover and strategist.Two of my growing list of weaknesses.
I brushed my hand over my locs, twirling the tips between my fingers to calm down. I lit several vanilla-scented candles around the house for what I assumed would be a laid-back dinner.
This was my sanctuary, a place for War and me to strategize in comfort. He was a friend with benefits who was willing to assist me in a time of need. Nothing more.
Yeah, right.
When my doorbell rang, I jumped, rubbing my palms on the hem of my caftan. I took several big breaths on my way to the entrance, where the outline of War’s massive frame loomed through the frosted door pane. When I opened the door, my modesty flew outside with the spring breeze.
The cool air chilled my skin as my caftan gaped open, drawing War’s eyes down to my chest. Although the smell of delicious Chinese food met my nose, I was ready to toss that brown bag in the bushes.
War’s big, beautiful, naked chest almost slapped me in the face. With a firm body that was officially my new addiction, he was a picture-perfect pillar of chocolate temptation, hovering over me like he was ready to arrest my coochie for leaking too much.
You can cuff me right now, Officer War.
“Come in.” I caught myself and pulled my caftan tightly to act like I had some sense.
I stepped back, allowing War to enter my home. When he crossed the threshold, his in-your-face scent reminded me of the men’s cologne department at Macy’s. My eyes landed on the faint fire tattoo on his forearm that I licked like a lollipop when I was up under him.
War flashed his symmetrical teeth as he moved around my kitchen like he lived there. Each time he complimented me, a part of me heated up, forcing me to pick up my heart-shaped silicone pan protector to fan myself and cool down. I couldn’t take my eyes off the smooth skin on his torso, which glistened as if he had just moisturized it with a thin layer of body oil.
“I’m going to cover you whether you want me to or not.” War’s words were what finally broke the dam of emotions in me.
I couldn’t believe how perfect he was, coming to me without asking for anything in return. I had been waiting for this kind of restoration, never imagining it would come from Warrick Redmond.
